Empty Decorations.
Chapter 1.
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STUDENTS weaved and trudged among each other as they stand to leave the lecture hall of the university. Down below at the base of the stadium like seats, a silent but un-passable figure stood. In his slacks, shirt and simple coat all somehow suiting his floppy blond hair, he could have easily have been passed off as another university student. Only the words that were about to be spoken singled him out. "Remember," His voice thundered through the hall, stopping the student in mid-lift of their books. "Your term exams are in 3 weeks time and those who have yet to hand in their projects, I'm hoping to see them by tomorrow.
Groans and nods answered his statement.
Well, that's it. Skittledattle." He prompted the unmoving students who were expecting more from him. The young ones laughed and waved him farewell before exiting.
Left with the silence, the professor sat behind his desk and began the process of his own packing up. Rubbing his baby blues, he leaned back against the standard lecture hall chair and closed his eyes, realizing that after all these years; it took a teaching job to wear him down.
"Got time Professor kilmartin?"
His eyes darted open to recognize the unfamiliar yet familiar voice that summoned him. His jaw dropped more that just a little as the short blond haired female smiled at him knowingly. "Oh my God…" he muttered.
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"SO this is where the great Jesse Kilmartin teaches. Professor of physics at the Pennsylvania state university."
Jesse laughed as he sipped his warm cup of coffee. He peaked out the window of the university's teacher's lounge and was glad that he wasn't outside in the November cold. "Me?" he said. "What about you? The-not-any-less-greater Shalimar Fox?"
She chuckled and pushed back her now short blonde and slightly permed hair. "Oh still surviving in this cold cruel world." she sarcastically said.
"Uh huh," Jesse said. "I haven't seen you since my wedding and the last we heard from you was your di-." Jesse stopped himself from letting the 'D' word slip completely out from his mouth. He mentally kicked himself for even leading his words there.
Shalimar frowned at him and smiled wryly. "You can spit it out you know. I won't exactly keel over from it."
Giving her a half cringe and half smile, he completed his sentence. "Divorce."
"Yeah, I know. Sorry." She casually answered. "I've been so caught up with the-."
"Dojo?" Jesse interjected. Remembering that his wife mentioned it to him. According to her it was a sort of school of self-defense for women.
Nodding, she replied. "It's been a hectic 2 years. I mean-, you wouldn't believe the amount of people out there that want self-defense classes."
"Yeah what better way to learn how to kick butt than from a feral." It's been something new to get used to but new mutants were beginning to be accepted by the today's society. Finally. "Besides," Jesse continued. "Like you said earlier: cruel cold world."
Shalimar laughed and sipped from her ivory colored porcelain cup.
Reminiscing back when they were still with Mutant-X, Jesse remembered this type of everyday chitchat that he and Shalimar would always have. But than again, that was more than half a decade ago and now moments like these were a treasure to him. And, as Jesse noted, she was still the same fiery Shalimar he knew.
"So how is everything? You?"
"I'm fine…thank you." Jesse eyed her suspiciously. He knew this was going somewhere."
"Mrs. Kilmartin?" she asked again, her smile going wider.
Jesse hesitated. "Fine."
"Piper Kilmartin?"
"I knew it!" Jesse said, his suspicions were confirmed. "I knew it was more than you unjust coming over here to see how I was doing."
"Oh come one." Shalimar defended. "Is there anything wrong with me asking about my favorite god-daughter? So how is she?"
Jesse sighed. "Coming into the world at 6 pounds, with loudness, permanent hunger and she works better than caffeine."
"You forgot cuteness?' Shalimar pointed out.
"What?"
"6 Pounds of cuteness, cuddliness and adorableness." Shalimar went all dewy eyed when she said it. "I saw those pictures you sent."
"Uh-huh, Jesse said, standing up. "I have to get to a class."
"Oh no you don't. Don't you dare avoid the topic of your daughter. I will hurt you if you do. And I promise I will do that."
"I know you would, that's why you're coming over for dinner tonight."
"I am?" Shalimar asked hopefully. "Mrs. Won't mind?"
"Are you kidding me? She'll kill me if I didn't ask you." He said as he bent over to kiss her on the cheek. "See you tonight."
Shalimar smiled back and Jesse headed for the door, as he looked forward to tonight's dinner.
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Sorry guys I know it isn't much but I promise to update this son as well as the rest of my stories as soon as the exam of my life is over. The next chapter will reveal who Jesse's lucky wife is!! And it's someone we all know!! I'm not saying who. So you'll have to catch the next chapter. After that there will be more updates. Till than, please review this one!
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