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~ Part Six ~
Scott and Jean locked themselves upstairs in their room after Dr. Hank McCoy gave her a clean bill of health. They needed some alone time, and time to enjoy themselves. They hadn't seen each other in over two weeks. Jean's mind had been filled with thoughts of only Scott and their past together. She'd even wondered what their future would be like if she could get back to him.
Scott had thought only of Jean these last two weeks. Even the return of an old friend couldn't distract him from the regret of losing her. Now he had her back; she was in his arms and that was where he wanted her to remain for the rest of their lives. Every night he wanted to fall asleep next to her and wake up to her smile every morning just as he'd been doing for the last several years.
Now, as they lay in each other's arms, Scott's fingers ran over her arm in a feather touch. There was so much he wanted to say, he just hoped he could get these thoughts out right. "I almost lost you."
She smiled. "But you didn't. We're here, and we're still together."
He touched a finger to her lips. "Please, let me finish. . . . Jean, I asked you to marry me over a year ago, and I still want that more than anything. What I'm trying to say is, let's get married today. Right here, and right now. With the new laws we can get married here in the mansion, or at the court house today."
Jean stared at him. "Scott-"
"We can do a real wedding the whole shebang some other time, but I want it now."
She smiled, and reached up and touched his face. "I wasn't going to say no. I just want those we love there. Everyone here and my parents and sister."
Scott smiled, his heart floating on cloud nine. "Then we can do it now?"
"Yes. Call the justice of the peace, and I'll get dressed."
Scott's smile grew and he kissed her. "I love you. I love you. I love you."
Jean smiled as he left the bed. This was the first impulsive thing they had done. Scott was always so controlled and had to have everything planned out before they did it. Maybe he was more exciting than she'd ever thought him to be. She watched as he dressed, and left the room. Standing, she slipped into her robe and walked into the bathroom. She needed to get a shower before she dressed well enough for a marriage ceremony.
Scott walked through the house, telling everyone that he and Jean were getting married yet tonight and they needed to get up and dressed. He made sure to knock on every door so that not one person was left in the dark about their plans. He wanted everyone there to witness their marriage, especially Logan!
Hank McCoy was just finishing up the tests he had to run on Mickey as Scott came down to the infirmary. He was grinning, as he came over and touched her shoulders, looking her square in the eye. "Congratulate me, Mickey, I'm getting married."
She stared at him. "Congratulations."
He looked over at the large Doctor who was running the infirmary these days. "Hurry up, Hank. I want you both there. Have you seen Logan?"
"He was here for a while, but he said something about needing a drink and left."
"Thanks, Mickey." Scott kissed her forehead. "You're a one of a kind sister."
Hank looked at Mickey as Scott walked out of the room. "Impulsive man."
"Not usually," she whispered. "What did you find?"
Hank was pulled back to the results of the few tests he'd already finished. "A deterioration of your major internal organs. Michelle, you appear to be dying."
She nodded solemnly. "Thanks, Dr. McCoy. I'm thankful for all you've done for me."
He was stunned that she wasn't more upset about his diagnosis. "It was my pleasure. I enjoyed our conversations, they were enlightening."
"Thank you." She stood and left the infirmary.
Hank stared after her. She must have known that she was going to die, or it made no difference either way. His heart went out to her. What a lonely life she must live for death to not matter to her, much like what he'd heard about Wolverine. How sad for her.
~
Everyone that they wanted at their wedding was there, gathered in the mansion's chapel, where Scott and Jean would be getting married. Everyone was talking about how romantic this impulsive ceremony was. Rogue sat with Bobby and couldn't help squirming over the whole deal. Xavier spoke with Jean's parents as they waited for her and Scott to come in the room. Storm spoke with Jean's sister trying to make her feel welcome.
Scott asked Mickey to be a 'best woman' as he didn't have anyone to ask to be a best man. He wasn't close with anyone here other than Xavier, and that didn't seem right. She agreed and now stood in front of everyone, in a borrowed dress. She would be reading from a book that Jean had gotten when they were first talking about getting married. "Welcome, everyone. Tonight, we gather in this beautiful home that Jean and Scott have made their own. We can see their personal touches almost everywhere, their favorite paintings, their hobbies; each room speaks of their love and how much they enjoy sharing their lives. Now they have asked us here to witness their vows of marriage, to begin a new chapter in their life together, a new level of trust and commitment. On behalf of Jean and Scott, I thank you for coming."
"Jean, you are my best friend, and I cannot imagine life without you. We're a great team, each relying on the other for talents and insights that complement our own. Today, we consecrate our friendship with a vow to love each other forever. For as long as we live, Jean, I will be your partner and lover, trusted advisor, and most loyal supporter. With deep humility and great joy, I will be forever your devoted husband."
Jean looked into Scott's red-lensed glasses. "Scott, you are my best friend, and I can't imagine my life without you in it. We're a great team, each relying on the other for talents and insights that complement our own. Today, we consecrate our friendship with a vow to love each other forever. For as long as we live, Scott, I will be your partner and lover, trusted advisor, and most loyal supporter. With deep humility and great joy, I will be forever your devoted wife."
"By the power 'vested in me by the great state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your wife," the clergy man said.
Scott and Jean kissed very passionately.
Xavier had set them up with a hotel room for a couple of days until they could arrange something better. They were congratulated by their friends and family as they left the mansion. It was truly a day to be celebrated.
Logan stopped Scott on his way out. "I'm sorry."
Scott stared at him. "For?"
"Everything. Congratulations."
"Thanks, Logan."
"Yeah." He turned then leaving Scott to leave with his wife.
Xavier approached Mickey as she stood outside watching the car pull away. Everyone was around them watching as the couple went away on their last minute honeymoon. "I hate to interrupt you, but could I have a word with you, Michelle?"
She glanced down at him. "Of course."
The two moved away from the mansion and the other occupants as they stared at the sky. The aurora borealis could be seen flashing through the dark sky. A strange sight for New York, but a beautiful one none-the-less. "What can I do for you, Professor?"
"I've come to the realization that you knew when you went to look for Jean that you may die if you had to help her."
"It is true that my internal organs are failing, but that's normal in cases like this. What does that have to do with anything?"
"You were aware of the risks and you went anyway."
She cocked her hip. "I've had this conversation twice all ready, I don't wish to have it again. I didn't do anything that one of you wouldn't have. What else do you wish to know?"
He was quiet for a moment contemplating what to say. "Can you not force this out of your body? Cough it up like you've done with other things?"
"I'm sorry, Professor."
"Me too. We will make you as comfortable as possible. If there is anything we can do to make this easier on you, let us know."
"There isn't. I'm awfully tired now, would you mind if I turned in for the night?"
"No."
"Thank you. My father would have been proud of how you stepped in."
Xavier stared at her. "How did you know about that?"
"People talk . . . in their sleep. Good night, Professor."
"Yes. Good night, Michelle."
~
As Mickey walked toward the stairs she could see out into the back yard where someone was smoking. She stopped and walked toward the back door, wondering who in the mansion smoked. As she neared the glass door she could see that it was Logan. She stepped out the door to check on him. He had been scarce before and during the ceremony. She knew it couldn't have been any easier on him than it had been on her. "Hi."
With one shoulder braced against the house and one foot propped against it as well, he looked up at her. "Hi, yourself."
"Are you all right?"
He shrugged. "You were right, is that what you wanted to hear?"
She studied him in the dark. He stood there in jeans a tank top and boots. The same way he was always dressed. "No. I want you to tell me that you're okay."
"Sorry."
Several moments of silence passed between them. "Goodnight, Logan."
"Mickey."
She turned and walked away. "Wishing and hoping don't make it so," she reminded herself as she walked into the mansion.
~ ~ ~
Logan tossed and turned all night. He assumed that he was having trouble sleeping because Jean was in Scott's arms and out of his reach. She was gone forever, but for some reason that didn't seem to it at all. He knew that it was something else. There was something pulling at him that wouldn't let go and it wasn't Jean becoming Mrs. Scott Summers.
Turning onto his back, Logan stared at the ceiling waiting for sleep. He couldn't get his mind to relax enough though. His thoughts turned to his conversations with Mickey. The last one at the cabin. They had fallen asleep together. It was the first time he'd fallen asleep in a woman's arms, and now he wished she was here to hold him again.
Whoa! Where did that thought come from? Now he was wishing he was in someone else's arms? After agonizing over Jean Grey, he was wishing that he could hold someone else? That didn't make sense! Logan sat bolt straight up in the bed, and ran his hand through his hair. This wasn't right! It didn't make sense. His heart pounded in his chest as he thought about it. It was starting to make sense now. He was only wanting her because she had been there and she had been so kind to him. That was all it was.
He released a breath and stretched out. "Just relax, Logan. Go to sleep!"
~ ~ ~
Jean lay in the hotel bed with her new husband, Scott Summers. They hadn't talked much since the ceremony, but Scott slept while holding her in his arms. She turned her head to look at him. She smiled. "Scott, you'll never know what came so close to happening with Logan and I. If not for this awful problem, I might have lost you forever."
She ran her fingers over his face in a soft touch. "You mean the world to me. I never realized just how much I loved you until now; how much I need you." She placed a tender kiss on his lips and turned back around to go to sleep.
Scott was thankful for his glasses. They hid the truth from his wife. She couldn't see his eyes or that he was awake and had heard her confession. He'd known that she had a soft spot for Logan, but he'd never realized that she'd come so close to having an affair. His anger at the wild man living in the mansion grew to new heights. Logan had tried to steel his fiancee from him.
As he lay there he knew that Jean was just as much at fault, but it did nothing to ease his pain. The night they were married, she decided to confess what he'd already suspected. The only comforting thought was that she was his now, and that she'd made the choice to be with him. She had turned her back on her feelings for Logan and had chosen to stay with him. His arms tightened around her, and he closed his eyes. Someday Logan would answer for trying to take Jean from him. Given the chance he would make him answer for it!
As he lay there he had to wonder why Logan had been so protective of Mickey. He hadn't been watching too closely, but he did remember that Logan had been at Mickey's side at every possible moment. From the time they picked them up at Alkali Lake, until he'd left them in the infirmary, he couldn't remember Logan leaving her alone. What change had been made? Why hadn't Logan been trying to get Jean's attention or trying to talk Jean out of marrying him?
Scott stared at the wall. The thoughts that now filled his mind were more traumatic than what Jean had been up to when flirting with Logan. That was now past and he was determined to know why Logan was keeping his distance. It just wasn't like him.
"Nor is it like you to not share your thoughts with me," Jean said.
Scott looked at her. "I'm sorry. I was just wondering why Logan's kept his distance. Why he's spending so much time with Mickey."
Jean turned in the bed and looked at him. "Maybe they're building a relationship."
Scott scoffed. "No."
Jean shook her head. "Let's not think about this now. It's our wedding night."
Scott smiled down into her face.
~ Part Six ~
Scott and Jean locked themselves upstairs in their room after Dr. Hank McCoy gave her a clean bill of health. They needed some alone time, and time to enjoy themselves. They hadn't seen each other in over two weeks. Jean's mind had been filled with thoughts of only Scott and their past together. She'd even wondered what their future would be like if she could get back to him.
Scott had thought only of Jean these last two weeks. Even the return of an old friend couldn't distract him from the regret of losing her. Now he had her back; she was in his arms and that was where he wanted her to remain for the rest of their lives. Every night he wanted to fall asleep next to her and wake up to her smile every morning just as he'd been doing for the last several years.
Now, as they lay in each other's arms, Scott's fingers ran over her arm in a feather touch. There was so much he wanted to say, he just hoped he could get these thoughts out right. "I almost lost you."
She smiled. "But you didn't. We're here, and we're still together."
He touched a finger to her lips. "Please, let me finish. . . . Jean, I asked you to marry me over a year ago, and I still want that more than anything. What I'm trying to say is, let's get married today. Right here, and right now. With the new laws we can get married here in the mansion, or at the court house today."
Jean stared at him. "Scott-"
"We can do a real wedding the whole shebang some other time, but I want it now."
She smiled, and reached up and touched his face. "I wasn't going to say no. I just want those we love there. Everyone here and my parents and sister."
Scott smiled, his heart floating on cloud nine. "Then we can do it now?"
"Yes. Call the justice of the peace, and I'll get dressed."
Scott's smile grew and he kissed her. "I love you. I love you. I love you."
Jean smiled as he left the bed. This was the first impulsive thing they had done. Scott was always so controlled and had to have everything planned out before they did it. Maybe he was more exciting than she'd ever thought him to be. She watched as he dressed, and left the room. Standing, she slipped into her robe and walked into the bathroom. She needed to get a shower before she dressed well enough for a marriage ceremony.
Scott walked through the house, telling everyone that he and Jean were getting married yet tonight and they needed to get up and dressed. He made sure to knock on every door so that not one person was left in the dark about their plans. He wanted everyone there to witness their marriage, especially Logan!
Hank McCoy was just finishing up the tests he had to run on Mickey as Scott came down to the infirmary. He was grinning, as he came over and touched her shoulders, looking her square in the eye. "Congratulate me, Mickey, I'm getting married."
She stared at him. "Congratulations."
He looked over at the large Doctor who was running the infirmary these days. "Hurry up, Hank. I want you both there. Have you seen Logan?"
"He was here for a while, but he said something about needing a drink and left."
"Thanks, Mickey." Scott kissed her forehead. "You're a one of a kind sister."
Hank looked at Mickey as Scott walked out of the room. "Impulsive man."
"Not usually," she whispered. "What did you find?"
Hank was pulled back to the results of the few tests he'd already finished. "A deterioration of your major internal organs. Michelle, you appear to be dying."
She nodded solemnly. "Thanks, Dr. McCoy. I'm thankful for all you've done for me."
He was stunned that she wasn't more upset about his diagnosis. "It was my pleasure. I enjoyed our conversations, they were enlightening."
"Thank you." She stood and left the infirmary.
Hank stared after her. She must have known that she was going to die, or it made no difference either way. His heart went out to her. What a lonely life she must live for death to not matter to her, much like what he'd heard about Wolverine. How sad for her.
~
Everyone that they wanted at their wedding was there, gathered in the mansion's chapel, where Scott and Jean would be getting married. Everyone was talking about how romantic this impulsive ceremony was. Rogue sat with Bobby and couldn't help squirming over the whole deal. Xavier spoke with Jean's parents as they waited for her and Scott to come in the room. Storm spoke with Jean's sister trying to make her feel welcome.
Scott asked Mickey to be a 'best woman' as he didn't have anyone to ask to be a best man. He wasn't close with anyone here other than Xavier, and that didn't seem right. She agreed and now stood in front of everyone, in a borrowed dress. She would be reading from a book that Jean had gotten when they were first talking about getting married. "Welcome, everyone. Tonight, we gather in this beautiful home that Jean and Scott have made their own. We can see their personal touches almost everywhere, their favorite paintings, their hobbies; each room speaks of their love and how much they enjoy sharing their lives. Now they have asked us here to witness their vows of marriage, to begin a new chapter in their life together, a new level of trust and commitment. On behalf of Jean and Scott, I thank you for coming."
"Jean, you are my best friend, and I cannot imagine life without you. We're a great team, each relying on the other for talents and insights that complement our own. Today, we consecrate our friendship with a vow to love each other forever. For as long as we live, Jean, I will be your partner and lover, trusted advisor, and most loyal supporter. With deep humility and great joy, I will be forever your devoted husband."
Jean looked into Scott's red-lensed glasses. "Scott, you are my best friend, and I can't imagine my life without you in it. We're a great team, each relying on the other for talents and insights that complement our own. Today, we consecrate our friendship with a vow to love each other forever. For as long as we live, Scott, I will be your partner and lover, trusted advisor, and most loyal supporter. With deep humility and great joy, I will be forever your devoted wife."
"By the power 'vested in me by the great state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your wife," the clergy man said.
Scott and Jean kissed very passionately.
Xavier had set them up with a hotel room for a couple of days until they could arrange something better. They were congratulated by their friends and family as they left the mansion. It was truly a day to be celebrated.
Logan stopped Scott on his way out. "I'm sorry."
Scott stared at him. "For?"
"Everything. Congratulations."
"Thanks, Logan."
"Yeah." He turned then leaving Scott to leave with his wife.
Xavier approached Mickey as she stood outside watching the car pull away. Everyone was around them watching as the couple went away on their last minute honeymoon. "I hate to interrupt you, but could I have a word with you, Michelle?"
She glanced down at him. "Of course."
The two moved away from the mansion and the other occupants as they stared at the sky. The aurora borealis could be seen flashing through the dark sky. A strange sight for New York, but a beautiful one none-the-less. "What can I do for you, Professor?"
"I've come to the realization that you knew when you went to look for Jean that you may die if you had to help her."
"It is true that my internal organs are failing, but that's normal in cases like this. What does that have to do with anything?"
"You were aware of the risks and you went anyway."
She cocked her hip. "I've had this conversation twice all ready, I don't wish to have it again. I didn't do anything that one of you wouldn't have. What else do you wish to know?"
He was quiet for a moment contemplating what to say. "Can you not force this out of your body? Cough it up like you've done with other things?"
"I'm sorry, Professor."
"Me too. We will make you as comfortable as possible. If there is anything we can do to make this easier on you, let us know."
"There isn't. I'm awfully tired now, would you mind if I turned in for the night?"
"No."
"Thank you. My father would have been proud of how you stepped in."
Xavier stared at her. "How did you know about that?"
"People talk . . . in their sleep. Good night, Professor."
"Yes. Good night, Michelle."
~
As Mickey walked toward the stairs she could see out into the back yard where someone was smoking. She stopped and walked toward the back door, wondering who in the mansion smoked. As she neared the glass door she could see that it was Logan. She stepped out the door to check on him. He had been scarce before and during the ceremony. She knew it couldn't have been any easier on him than it had been on her. "Hi."
With one shoulder braced against the house and one foot propped against it as well, he looked up at her. "Hi, yourself."
"Are you all right?"
He shrugged. "You were right, is that what you wanted to hear?"
She studied him in the dark. He stood there in jeans a tank top and boots. The same way he was always dressed. "No. I want you to tell me that you're okay."
"Sorry."
Several moments of silence passed between them. "Goodnight, Logan."
"Mickey."
She turned and walked away. "Wishing and hoping don't make it so," she reminded herself as she walked into the mansion.
~ ~ ~
Logan tossed and turned all night. He assumed that he was having trouble sleeping because Jean was in Scott's arms and out of his reach. She was gone forever, but for some reason that didn't seem to it at all. He knew that it was something else. There was something pulling at him that wouldn't let go and it wasn't Jean becoming Mrs. Scott Summers.
Turning onto his back, Logan stared at the ceiling waiting for sleep. He couldn't get his mind to relax enough though. His thoughts turned to his conversations with Mickey. The last one at the cabin. They had fallen asleep together. It was the first time he'd fallen asleep in a woman's arms, and now he wished she was here to hold him again.
Whoa! Where did that thought come from? Now he was wishing he was in someone else's arms? After agonizing over Jean Grey, he was wishing that he could hold someone else? That didn't make sense! Logan sat bolt straight up in the bed, and ran his hand through his hair. This wasn't right! It didn't make sense. His heart pounded in his chest as he thought about it. It was starting to make sense now. He was only wanting her because she had been there and she had been so kind to him. That was all it was.
He released a breath and stretched out. "Just relax, Logan. Go to sleep!"
~ ~ ~
Jean lay in the hotel bed with her new husband, Scott Summers. They hadn't talked much since the ceremony, but Scott slept while holding her in his arms. She turned her head to look at him. She smiled. "Scott, you'll never know what came so close to happening with Logan and I. If not for this awful problem, I might have lost you forever."
She ran her fingers over his face in a soft touch. "You mean the world to me. I never realized just how much I loved you until now; how much I need you." She placed a tender kiss on his lips and turned back around to go to sleep.
Scott was thankful for his glasses. They hid the truth from his wife. She couldn't see his eyes or that he was awake and had heard her confession. He'd known that she had a soft spot for Logan, but he'd never realized that she'd come so close to having an affair. His anger at the wild man living in the mansion grew to new heights. Logan had tried to steel his fiancee from him.
As he lay there he knew that Jean was just as much at fault, but it did nothing to ease his pain. The night they were married, she decided to confess what he'd already suspected. The only comforting thought was that she was his now, and that she'd made the choice to be with him. She had turned her back on her feelings for Logan and had chosen to stay with him. His arms tightened around her, and he closed his eyes. Someday Logan would answer for trying to take Jean from him. Given the chance he would make him answer for it!
As he lay there he had to wonder why Logan had been so protective of Mickey. He hadn't been watching too closely, but he did remember that Logan had been at Mickey's side at every possible moment. From the time they picked them up at Alkali Lake, until he'd left them in the infirmary, he couldn't remember Logan leaving her alone. What change had been made? Why hadn't Logan been trying to get Jean's attention or trying to talk Jean out of marrying him?
Scott stared at the wall. The thoughts that now filled his mind were more traumatic than what Jean had been up to when flirting with Logan. That was now past and he was determined to know why Logan was keeping his distance. It just wasn't like him.
"Nor is it like you to not share your thoughts with me," Jean said.
Scott looked at her. "I'm sorry. I was just wondering why Logan's kept his distance. Why he's spending so much time with Mickey."
Jean turned in the bed and looked at him. "Maybe they're building a relationship."
Scott scoffed. "No."
Jean shook her head. "Let's not think about this now. It's our wedding night."
Scott smiled down into her face.