Disclaimer: None of the characters contained within belong to me.

Author's Notes: Muchos gracias for all the sweet, wonderful, kind reviews. I'm very much psyched that people are enjoying the story. Um...I don't really have too much to say, but I'll probably think of a hundred things in a few minutes. I guess I'll just let you get to the reading. Enjoy!!

****

Unexpected

by Kristen Elizabeth

****

"What am Ah doin' here?"

Storm pulled three straight pins out of her mouth before she replied, "Beginning to get on my nerves. But in a good way." She stood up. "Turn around, Rogue."

The woman clad in a half-finished creation of white cotton and pale rose organdy did as she was asked, but only because her thoughts were anywhere but on the first fitting of her what would be her wedding dress. "Ah'm not entirely sure this isn' some crazy dream."

"Nightmare." Kneeling, Storm checked the hem of the gown's full, maternity skirt. It was uneven. "Definitely a nightmare."

Rogue continued as if she hadn't even heard. "Ah just woke up this mornin' and Ah realized…Ah'm gettin' married in a week." She covered her swollen belly with both hands. Six months pregnant, she felt like a beached whale masquerading as a bride.

Jubilee danced over to her with the tiara of her veil, woven out of seed pearls and tiny, pink silk flowers. "What do you think?" she asked, holding it out. "It's going to look so amazing against your hair."

"Maybe Remy and Ah rushed into this too fast or somethin'," Rogue said without looking at the headpiece.

"Do you really think that, Rogue?" Storm asked, brushing hair out of her eyes in exasperation.

The bride-to-be raised her shoulders. "Ah don't know what Ah think. Actually…that's not true. One thing Ah can't stop thinkin' 'bout…" She looked down at her hands. A fourteen-carat diamond solitaire, obtained by questionable means, graced the third finger of her left hand. It really didn't seem like all that much time had passed since he returned from a two-day trip to New Orleans with it; she still wasn't accustomed to seeing it shine in the light, or putting it over her gloves so it wasn't hidden from the world. "Ah can't stop thinkin'…that by marryin' me, he's throwin' away any chance he's got to be in a normal relationship."

Jubilee looked at the two women. "Is this a conversation I can stick around for, or do I have to leave?"

Storm stood up and handed the young girl the pins, a silent order to take over her job. "Rogue, I think that if any of us ever desire a normal relationship, we should stop dreaming immediately and accept reality. We do not lead normal lives. 'Normal' in reference to relationships, therefore, becomes subjective."

"But you an' Jean an' Kitty, an' even you someday, Jubes…ya'll can get a'lot more normal then Ah can, an' ya know what Ah mean by that." Rogue gave her a look. "Or are ya tellin' me Logan's just helpin' ya water yer plants every nigh'?"

"Sometimes he does." Storm picked up the tiara that Jubilee had discarded. "You must stop thinking that epitome of any relationship is lovemaking. Yes, it is a wonderful thing, but it is not the only thing. I would much rather be in a celibate relationship with a man who I know is in love with me, as Remy clearly is with you, than in a passionate affair with a man who is completely ambiguous about his feelings."

Rogue frowned. "Big words, sugah. An' Ah got baby-brain. Is somethin' wrong that ya wanna talk 'bout?"

"The discussion is about you, Rogue, not me." Storm took the tiara and settled onto Rogue's thick, bi-colored curls. "When you marry him on Saturday, you must know that he is marrying you because he wants to spend his life with you, not because of what you can or can't do for him physically." She stepped back. "And you were right, Jubilee. That does look amazing on her."

"It'll be even better with the veil attached. Jean's supposed to be buying more material in town." Jubilee tugged on the hem. "Why won't this thing lie straight?!"

"Could've somethin' to do with the big ol' watermelon Ah'm cartin' 'round, sugah." Rogue rubbed her stomach. "Hey! Put yer hand righ' here."

Jubilee complied, letting Rogue move her fingers into the right spot. She held her breath, waiting. So far, it seemed like everyone in the mansion had gotten to feel the baby kick, except for her. The child always managed to quit just before Jubilee's turn.

But today, she felt it, movement just below her palm. "Oh my god!! It's alive!!"

Rogue put her troubled thoughts on hold and laughed. "It reminds me of that fact every nigh' when Ah'm tryin' to get to sleep."

Jubilee put her other hand over the older woman's stomach and, still kneeling, aligned her ear with the baby as well. "This is beyond cool, Rogue. This is so fu…" She stopped. "Wait, it can't hear me, can it?"

"Technically, yes," Storm answered. "But it won't be able to remember what it hears."

"When are we going to know if it's a boy or a girl?"

"When it comes out," Rogue replied. "Hank knows 'cause he's seen the sonograms, but Ah swore him to secrecy, so don' even think 'bout buggin' him. Remy an' Ah wanna be surprised. Although…" She smiled to herself. "Ah think he really wants it to be a girl. Nothin' wrong with boys, but Ah wouldn' mind a daughter, either. But just so long as everythin' goes smoothly, it doesn' really matter."

Jubilee looked up at her. "Only another month, right?"

Rogue nodded. "That's what Hank said. He said the baby'd be able to survive induced labor, even bein' that little. But Ah'm still not lookin' forward to it. Ah just wish Ah could do everythin' normal. Like everybody else."

"There is no such thing as normal," Storm said, sagely.

"Easy for ya to say, sugah." The retort was as good-natured as possible, but after a moment, Rogue took Jubilee's hand again, only this time as an anchor. With the girl's help, she stepped down from the low platform she'd been standing on for the fitting. "Ah'm gonna change an' lie down for a bit." A scowl spread across her face. "Couple o' months ago, Ah only needed a few minutes o' sleep after takin' down an army o' Sentinels. Now Ah gotta nap 'tween meals." She started towards her closet door. "If you'n Logan decide to have kids, consider adoptin' if ya wanna keep up with the team, too."

Storm began replacing all the sewing supplies into their proper places within her kit. "I do not see that becoming a issue in the near future." She snapped the lid into place. "Neither Logan nor I are in a position to take on such an enormous responsibility."

Jubilee gave her a thorough look. "Wolvie's good with kids, even if he doesn't show it." When Storm didn't reply, she pointed at the door. "I'm just gonna get goin'. Rogue…see ya later!"

"Bye, sugah," was the muffled reply from the depths of the closet. "An' thanks!" When Rogue emerged a moment later, much more comfortable dressed in a pair of stretchy black pants and one of Remy's shirts, buttoned enough to cover her breasts, but unbuttoned to accommodate her stomach. "All righ'. What's goin' on?"

Storm looked down at the sewing kit to avoid the other woman's eyes. "He doesn't love me, Rogue." She looked back up. "We have amazing, mind-blowing sex, but that's it. So, next time Remy's holding you and telling you he loves you, knowing that he'll never even be able to kiss you, just remember…it could be worse."

"Ro…Ah…"

The other woman shook her head. Outside, a bolt of lightning struck, making them both jump. "No, I apologize. It's not your fault." After a pause, she smiled at Rogue. "The dress is going to be lovely. The entire wedding will be, in fact. But more than that, the marriage itself will be, whether its what other people would consider normal or not." Storm picked up the sewing kit. "Get some sleep before Remy gets back from town. He's been worried about you."

Rogue swallowed. "He's always worryin' 'bout me."

"The very definition of love," she said softly. Another moment passed. "See you at dinner."

The door closed gently behind her just as it began to pour outside. Rogue walked to the window and pushed it open, indulging in the cool mist of the rain for a moment before walking back to the bed in which she spent most nights with Remy. That was a new development; the old-fashioned gal inside her had wanted to wait to start sleeping together until they were married and settled in the boathouse. But he wanted to be there for her if she needed him at all during the night. And, she couldn't help but admit, falling asleep and waking up nestled against his chest was worth having to ensure that every inch of their skin was covered at all times.

She lay down and wrapped her arms around her unborn child. "Maybe Storm's righ'," she whispered. "Ah should just stop worryin'. Yer daddy loves us…an' maybe he's a fool for it." Her smile was sleepy. "But he's our fool."

****

"It need t'be somet'in' dat says...'I plan on lovin' you 'til I breathe no more.'"

Leaning against the glass and gold counter, Jean pointed to a particular item behind the casing. "What about that one?"

Remy followed her finger. The diamond pendant was beautiful and would have been perfect...if he had fifteen thousand dollars to spend. "Dat say, 'I plan on payin' for dis 'til I breathe no more." He shook his head. "Maybe...I could just be borrowin' it..."

His shopping companion slapped his wrist lightly. "The entire point of coming here was for you to *buy* Rogue a gift. Now, I'm as jealous as any of us over her engagement ring, but...and I don't mean to sound judgmental here...I bet I wouldn't find a receipt for it anywhere, would I?"

"Go easy on dis t'ief," Remy said, holding up his hands. "'Sides, de lady who...donated her ring t'my bride had a box o' rings just like it. I don' t'ink she even missin' it yet." His red-in-black eyes scanned the long display case. "W'at you t'ink 'bout dat one, chere?"

Jean squinted to see past the glare off the glass. What she saw was a simple, but elegant gold locket in the shape of a delicate heart. The tag attached to it was much more in the proper price range. She straightened back up. "Remy...I think it's perfect."

He flagged down the sales clerk. "Pardon moi." Remy pointed to the necklace. "Can you be takin' dat out for me, mademoiselle?"

The girl looked at him for a second; Remy suddenly wished he'd remembered to put on his sunglasses. Finally, she nodded and with her ring of keys, opened the display case. "Here you go." She lifted the necklace out. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Dat it is."

"Is it for a special occasion? We do gift-wrapping."

Remy examined the locket closely. Real gold and a tiny emerald chip in the very center that was the exact same color as Rogue's eyes. "It for a special lady. But…I t'ink just a box be fine, chere." He winked at the girl.

"Whatever you say." With the necklace in her hand, the sales clerk turned to head into the back room. Had either Jean or Remy been able to see her eyes, they might have seen the flash of yellow that went as quickly as it came.

****

A few hours later, he returned to the mansion with Jean, nine hundred dollars poorer, but feeling like the richest man on earth. With the velvet box safely tucked into his brown coat, Remy made his way up the stairs to wake Rogue for dinner.

He almost knocked before entering, but then remembered that he wasn't a stranger in her room anymore. Sometimes, he didn't quite believe it. He was sharing a room with Rogue almost every night. She'd agreed to marry him in a week's time. They were going to have a baby. When he thought about all the good turns his life had suddenly taken, it was very easy to forget the fact that he might never be allowed to touch her again.

In fact, it didn't even seem to matter until he entered the room and saw her lying on the double-bed, sleeping serenely. Remy quietly closed the door; the baby had been keeping her up at night. Any sleep she managed to get needed to be preserved. He crossed to the bed and gingerly climbed onto it, aligning his body behind hers. She didn't wake, she just let him spoon up behind her and fold her up in his arms.

This was when it mattered. When his cheek rested on her silk curls and he was surrounded by her scent, and all he wanted to do was touch her just for a moment. No, not even a whole moment. A fraction of a moment would have been enough.

Remy shook his head. That was a lie. If he were given that fraction of a moment, he'd want another, and then another, and then he wouldn't be able to stop. His addiction was too great. He closed his eyes and pulled her back tighter against his chest.

She murmured his name in her sleep. "Shh, ma belle," he whispered, moving his hand around her body and down to the swell of her belly. "You, too, mon bébé précieux." The child moved, responding, as it always did, to his voice. "Keep dat up an' you be wakin' your maman."

"Too late," Rogue breathed. Still half-asleep, she turned her neck to see him. "How long have Ah been asleep?"

"Don' know, chere. I only just got back." He kissed the hair at her temple. "It almos' dinner time, t'ough."

She yawned and stretched slightly, nestling back against his chest. "Can we just stay here, sugah? Ah'm not all that hungry."

"Dere ain' no hurry," he assured her.

They lay still, holding each other for a few comfortable minutes, until Rogue spoke. "Are ya gettin' nervous yet?

"Been dere for awhile, chere."

She smiled, strangely relieved. "Ah was 'fraid it was only me."

Remy lightly rubbed his hand in circles around her stomach. "Don' mean Gambit can't wait t'see you at de end o' dat aisle, ma belle."

"Ah know what ya mean." She hesitated. "Were ya nervous when ya married Belladonna?"

"Diff'rent kind o' nervous," he finally replied after what seemed like an eternity to her.

Rogue waited for him to go on as long as she could before she pressed on, "How so, sugah?"

In the weak light of dusk, Remy sat up on the bed and ran a hand through his hair. "Wit' her…Gambit got no choice in de matter."

"But…Ah though' ya loved her."

"Oui, ma belle. But Gambit learn…dere diff'rent kinds o' love, too. I only love her like an enfant…a boy. If Gambit not been forced, dere not be any marriage back den."

Rogue licked the corner of her lip and sat up as much as she could. "An' now?"

He looked back at her. "I marry you 'cause I decide, chere." Remy scratched the back of his head. "Gambit nervous…'cause he just is. No real reason. Migh' be too much happiness. He not used to it just yet."

"Ah'm not either." She reached out and ran a hand down his back, urging him to turn around and face her. "Ah keep waitin' for the other shoe to drop or somethin'."

"Dere no ot'er shoe," he said, shifting onto his knees to see her better. "Dere only gonna be happy from now on, chere. Better get friendly wit' it."

Rogue cupped his face in her gloved hands. "Ah love ya." She bit back her doubts, trying very hard to believe that she deserved this moment. Deserved the way he was looking at her with his one-of-a-kind eyes. "Ah love ya so much, swamp rat." She ran her thumb across his lips. "An' Ah'm gonna marry ya on Saturday."

"I know, ma belle. O'terwise dere wouldn' be a tuxedo hangin' up in de closet o' de boathouse." There was a torturous pause as they stared at each other, only inches, but miles apart. Remy broke the stare, looking away before he just kissed her and accepted the coma that would follow. "Hungry now, chere?"

She shook her head. "But go ahead. Ah kinda…wanna be alone for awhile."

"I save a plate for you," he promised, getting off the bed. Remy looked at her for a minute. "Worryin' don' do no good, chere, so don' do it, oui? De hard t'ings…we work dem out."

Rogue glanced down at her rounded stomach. "Sure, sugah. We'll work 'em out."

He left a second later, the door quietly shutting behind him. Rogue turned onto her other side and lay back down. The baby squirmed, trying to adjust to the new position as well. She closed her eyes, and tried to drift back to sleep.

It didn't seem like long before she sensed someone standing over her. Rogue opened one eye, and smiled weakly. "Ah told ya Ah wanted to be alone, sugah."

Remy smiled. "Since w'en do I care w'at you want?"

"Um…" Her smile turned into a frown. "What the hell does that mean?"

He sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to comb his fingers through her hair. "Bébé…" he crooned. "Just close dose eyes."

Rogue's frown grew deeper. "Ye've never called me that, Remy." She slid her arm across her stomach. "Is everythin' all…" She stopped when she saw the gleam of metal; he pulled the object out of his pocket and before she could do anything, he'd stabbed the long needle into her neck. "Oh my god…" Her eyes dropped; she felt her muscles go slack. "Can't be…"

The last thing she saw before the darkness closed in was the transformation. Inch by inch, Remy was replaced by the one woman she thought she'd never see again.

"Sleep, child," Mystique told her in a low, smooth voice. "There's someone who wants to talk to you."

****

"…and voila!!" Jubilee handed him his napkin, now in the shape of a very triangular hat. "This is the kind of stuff you can only learn at the kid's table."

Remy took the napkin-hat and turned it over and around in his hands. "Gambit learned how t'crack combination safe locks at de kid's table, petit." He placed her work of art on his head. "Dis almos' as much fun."

On the other side of the long, adult's table, Hank shook his head, setting down his water glass. "A good, if somewhat odd look for you, my friend."

"You should wear that to the wedding," Bobby spoke up, stabbing a piece of steak with his fork. "Rogue'd love it."

"Speaking of Rogue," Scott said. "Where is she?"

"Ah'm righ' here, sugah." She appeared in the doorway from the hall, one hand on her belly and the other on her hip. "Ya'll talkin' 'bout me?"

Remy stood up. "I was 'bout to tell dem you be tired, chere."

"Not tired." Rogue scanned the people gathered around the table. "Where's Logan?"

"Wherever Storm is," Kitty snickered. "Is the house shaking?"

Jean shook her head. "They went into town for dinner, Rogue."

The southern woman smiled, almost relieved. "Good. For them, Ah mean." She moved towards the empty seat next to Remy. "Ah'm starved!"

"We figure de bébé gonna have one hell o' an appetite," he said, pulling out the chair for her. "Righ', chere?"

Rogue turned her face up and gave him a sweet smile. "Whatever ya say."

****

To Be Continued