Leigh's Fanfiction Archive Stormkeeper's Fanfiction Freedom Chapter 10
Freedom
By Stormkeeper
Chapter 10
Back on earth, Elaine Grey sat looking at her most treasured photograph. It was not a picture of her wedding day more than forty years ago, nor was it a picture of her at her college graduation, or of her with her firstborn. The cherished photograph had miraculously appeared on the kitchen table a few months ago, when the X-men had been near earth. It was a picture of Jean, Scott, and a baby. Written on the back of the photo were the words: "Jean and Scott with Charlotte Lynn. All safe and sound."
Though the season was summer, Elaine had draped a sweater over her shoulders which she wrapped more tightly about her. The main level of the house was freezing with the air conditioning turned up so high. They wanted to keep the attic as cool as possible.
Elaine's husband John entered the room, slowly descending from the attic with a tray under one arm. He was at the age where ascending and descending stairs was not an easy task for his aching joints. He made his way over to Elaine and looked at her as she sat on the recliner with the photograph in hand.
"Where are you, Jean?" Elaine said aloud as her eyes remained fixed on the picture. "We need you now more than ever."
John sat down next to his wife. "What I wouldn't give to see her again. And to talk to Xavier."
John and Elaine's other daughter, Sara, was in the process of a divorce. Her marriage to Tom had been sliding downhill for years now, and it had become worse in the last three months. Both of their children had been discovered to be mutants, their mutant differences manifesting themselves just weeks apart from each other. Tom wanted no part of them any more. He'd cursed Sara, saying he knew he should've never married the sister of a mutant.
Sara and Tom's son, Joey, looked as normal as any other child. However, he had the ability to see through most substances, a power which he had no idea how to control. Joey spent most of the day with his eyes bandaged shut; he was too distressed by the multiple images he saw overlapping constantly.
Their daughter Gail had an even more obvious mutation. Her skin had turned a shade of sea foam green, and she sprouted a few ridges from her face, head, and back. Sara wasn't sure what the ridges were composed of. Obviously, they hadn't taken Gail to a doctor or scientist to find out. With anti-mutant hysteria at a fever pitch, seeking outside help was not an option as the family had no idea how to find someone who might be sympathetic. Most of the known mutant sympathizers, such as Dr. Moira MacTaggert and Dr. Veena Qadir, were conspicuously missing.
The children had been pulled out of school under the pretense that they were being home schooled by their mother. Sara and the children had moved in with John and Elaine as the stress of the situation was making it difficult for Sara to hold down her job. Tom refused to send any child support; he even claimed that the children weren't his and he threatened on more than one occasion to report the two "freaks." He didn't send Sara a dime from the sale of their house, even though she had worked and saved for years as he had.
Sara was unable to pursue legal recourse against him. If Tom reported them, they would be done for. The Friends of Humanity, who's billions of dollars ensured the US government was wrapped around its fingers, would seize them and place them inside a Mutant Containment Center. Of course the additional risks that John and Elaine Grey were taking did not help to calm Sara either. She trembled every time the phone rang or the doorbell sounded.
And she prayed that her sister, and the other X-men, would miraculously re-appear someday. They could be Gail and Joey's only hope.
John glanced over his wife's shoulder at the picture of Jean, Scott, and the baby who apparently was their third grandchild. `Safe and sound,' Jean had written on the back of the photograph. At least they were fairly certain that the handwriting matched Jean's.
John didn't know why, but he found himself remembering the first time he ever met Scott Summers. For weeks (or was it months?) Jean had been gushing over the man she was seeing, her fellow student at the Xavier Institute for the Gifted. She carefully had explained the nature of his mutation and that he'd be wearing protective eyewear.
Scott had won over both John and Elaine with his good manners, politeness and the fact that he obviously worshipped their daughter. But the most lasting impression John had was how nervous Scott had been. And how Scott had spilt the gravy all over his white shirt.
John chuckled to himself at that memory. Elaine shot him a questioning look. They didn't have much to laugh about lately. They could only hope that things changed before they were discovered to be harboring mutants---their two grandchildren plus the two mutants they were hiding in their attic. One of the two had sought out the Greys, knowing their daughter was one of the X-men. This mutant had been helped by the X-men years before and he had come to the Greys, hoping and begging for a safe harbor. They had not the heart to turn him away.
That very same moment, millions of light years away, Jean Grey sat nursing her young son. She decided that this was perhaps one of her favorite things about motherhood. She was able to sit and nourish her baby in a way that only she was capable of doing. She had loved these moments with Charlotte too as they'd bonded together. She felt an undeniable twinge of….sympathy, perhaps, for Scott who was unable to physically do this. Of course he bonded with the children in other ways, playing with and reading to Charlotte every day and now with Christopher, holding and cooing to him all the time. But nothing really compared to breast feeding, at least not in Jean's mind.
Scott was so careful in how he approached spending time with the kids----ensuring his attention was almost equally divided between the two, as if he worried Charlotte could get jealous. She wasn't jealous, though; Jean could sense it. Mostly, Charlotte was intrigued by her baby brother.
A memory suddenly popped into Jean's mind. She could see it as if it were yesterday. She was recalling the first time she took Scott to meet her parents. During the entire drive to their house, Jean had to concentrate on feeding reassuring emotions to Scott since his nervousness was radiating off him in waves. It was on a par with anything they felt going up against Magneto. "They'll like you, Scott," Jean had said. "All you need to do is be yourself."
After sitting in the Grey's living room and chatting, the four had settled down to eat. //They like you.// Jean had 'told' him as they passed plates around. Though early in their relationship, Jean and Scott already had a mindlink established. //They like you a lot.//
//Really?// Scott had asked. //I am **so** relieved.// And mere seconds after that thought, Scott had managed to spill gravy on his shirt, with flecks of it falling onto the white table cloth. Suddenly mortification had replaced all his other emotions.
"Okay, what is so funny?" Scott asked, smiling as he entered the room with Charlotte in his arms.
Jean returned his grin, "Nothing, nothing, my love. Just doing some reminiscing."
Charlotte spoke, "Brother tired."
Scott shook his head in amazement and looked at Charlotte. "You are brilliant, my sweetheart. Brilliant!" He turned to Jean. "How can she be talking so much so early?"
"It must be all those books we read to her. Right, sugar plum?" she asked, looking at Charlotte. She then looked back down at Christopher. "And she's right about her brother. He's done with this meal and ready to sleep again."
Jean placed Christopher over the clean cloth diaper that was draper over a shoulder and burped him. He promptly spit up as well. "Messy!" Charlotte exclaimed. Smiling at her daughter's comment, Jean rose and placed Christopher inside his crib. The baby was asleep in no time. Scott and Jean looked down at him inside the crib, Scott still holding Charlotte.
"I wish his grandparents could see him," Jean mused. "And Charlotte. It's so hard to be away from them. I haven't seen my parents or sister for so long."
"I know," Scott said softly. "But at least they know that we're alive and safe. They got that photograph."
"I always try to think of the positive. I miss them terribly, but thank God that we're all together," she said, resting her head against Scott's shoulder. She tightened her grip on her husband and a thought ran through her mind. //It's been almost four weeks since Christopher's birth. My body is completely healed now.//
The thought echoed loud and clear inside Scott's head. He knew just where she was going with that.
Soon, Charlotte was placed down for a nap as well. It was a little earlier than the girl's usual nap time, but the always agreeable baby consented to it.
"I love you, Scott," Jean murmured as Scott took her in his arms.
"I love you too," Scott said to her, his heart swelling with the affection and passion he felt for his wife. He was excited. It had been far too long for them to go without making love. He breathed in the scent of her as he felt the warmth of their hug. Jean's favorite fragrance on earth had been that of lily. Jean had found a flower on An'zhina that was quite similar and the enticing scent lingered in her hair now.
Jean broke off the embrace to walk over towards the bedside table. She removed a packet of condoms. "We have to remember to use one of these," she said, wanting to have it ready. (Jean planned on going on the Pill, which Hank had recently learned how to replicate, but couldn't until she was no longer breastfeeding.)
Scott nodded, glancing at the packet and trying to not be concerned. They'd never used that particular method of birth control before, but he knew what Jean said was right. Weeks after Charlotte had been born, they'd resumed lovemaking without using any contraception. Jean's mother had told her years ago that it is highly unlikely that a woman can conceive while in the stage of breast feeding another baby. Yet sure enough, Christopher had been conceived when Charlotte was about six months old. This time, they could not take another chance.
Those types of practical thoughts were soon light years away from Jean's mind. As soon as her lips were moving against Scott's, all she could think of was how perfectly wonderful making love with her soulmate was. She could scarcely wait. Although they held and cuddled each other all the time, lovemaking was a special way for them to bond. That exquisite pleasure had been denied them for a while. No more.
On instinct Scott reached for Jean's breasts before remembering. They were sore from breast feeding and he was not to touch or kiss them. Scott would have to be content to look at her beautiful, full breasts. Jean saw the abortive gesture and smiled. She held his hands and guided them to other places on her body which were ripe for stroking.
After not long, Scott was laying on his back, Jean blazing a trail of kisses around and down his neck, shoulders, arms, and chest. Their mindlink was completely open. As she nuzzled his belly and kissed it, she experienced the same sensations that he did. She felt his excitement and eagerness, mixed with passion and abject love. Caressing his arms again, Jean ruminated about how strong and gentle a man Scott Summers was. His calmness and strength were sometimes overlooked in the presence of more boisterous men.
"Oh!" Scott exclaimed. Jean's mouth had reached his cock and was licking it up and down. She felt his delight mixed with a twinge of guilt. She knew he occasionally felt shame for enjoying this, though it wasn't the least bit logical. A hand cupped and massaged his balls as she worked her mouth up and down.
//I haven't been able to do this for months// Jean's thoughts conveyed, knowing she would need to reassure him. //You're not going to deprive me, are you?//
"O--of course not," Scott managed to say. He eased into it and allowed himself to enjoy what Jean was doing to him.
Suddenly, the couple was interrupted. Christopher had awoken from his nap and began to cry. Scott bolted upright, alarmed.
Jean raised her head and looked towards the crib. She didn't delay long before making her decision. "This might be a tad unethical, but….." Touching her hand to her temple, she used her powers to quiet the baby and coax him back to sleep. "Now where was I?" Jean murmured, enveloping Scott within her mouth once more.
With their mindlink open, the experience was a bit uncanny. She felt what he felt. Her body was reacting as if someone were licking her clit. She felt the wetness and the pressure. Jean also knew when to cease her activity, doing so at the right moment.
Soon, Jean was laying on her back, having communicated to Scott that she didn't want him to reciprocate; she just wanted him inside of her. Scott had clumsily rolled the condom on, his hands shaking. As he thrust inside her, Jean moved her hips to match him, cupping his buttocks. She read the thoughts careening through his mind. `She's a goddess, I love her, I'm blessed to have her, I'm so lucky….' He also was thinking of how much he adored being able to make love face-to-face once again. And there were remnants of the thought that had stubbornly remained inside Scott for years after they became a couple: `I don't deserve her.' That last thought had been banished a while ago but it still could be detected, lurking around in the recesses of Scott's mind.
Their bodies moving as one, Jean and Scott climaxed one after the other. Except it felt like orgasming twice; when their link was this strong, each felt what the other felt. They remained moving their hips together as long as possible. Jean mused that the link and the closeness they shared were almost overwhelming.
If Jean-Paul and I weren't already on the Shit List belonging to Scott Summers, we now have solidified our place there. One day during dinner, he and I were eating together in the very crowded dining room. It was one of the rare rainy days and few people were outside of the main complex. So around dinner time, the dining hall was even more flooded than usual.
Scott entered the room, holding Charlotte (as well as her food). I realized that we hadn't seen Scott much since the mediation. I don't think he was avoiding us or anything like that; I'm sure it had more to do with the fact that he and Jean had their hands full with the babies. Scott scanned the room for an empty seat, and the one near Jean-Paul and I was one of the available few. I spotted him looking around and walking towards our table, and I helped him by pulling up a high chair and bringing it over. "We'll keep an eye on her," I offered, "Go ahead and get your dinner." So Scott got in line and returned to the table, carrying a plate of food for himself. Jean-Paul and I were mostly finished with our meals by then.
Everything started out well enough. As Jean-Paul and I ate our desserts (mine consisting of ice cream and his of fruit), Scott took turns spoon feeding Charlotte and taking bites of him own food. As he did so, he made pleasant conversation with Jean-Paul and I, asking us how we were doing and such. Jean-Paul and I ooohh-ed and ahhh-ed over Charlotte; we both love her. What a sweet natured baby she is.
"Where's Jean?" Jean-Paul asked.
"She's taking a nap. Christopher is napping right now, and she tries to sleep when he does," Scott said.
"How's he sleeping?" I asked.
Scott smiled and shook his head. "Oh, he's only waking up about three times a night now. Sometimes Charlotte wakes up with him. Jean says Charlotte gets concerned that something's wrong with him, but once she realizes he's okay, Charlotte relaxes and goes right back to sleep."
"She's quite an amazing girl," I said, looking at Charlotte. She looked back at me and smiled.
I don't recall exactly how we got onto the topic, but Scott started asking me about my childhood and my family situation growing up. We were discussing children and babies, so maybe the subject matter just flowed from there at some point. And believe it or not, Scott and I had never really discussed this much at length before. He's spent most of the last year or so on An'zhina while I've been on missions to and from earth. Even while he was on the rescue mission to free me from Ceti, we didn't talk a whole lot on the return trip. Even backing up to the time we spent on the Paradise Planet, Scott and I had never really sat down and talked much about my past. He'd been occupied with Charlotte's arrival and with the engineering team back then. Plus he and I had never been the best of friends anyway.
So anyway, I started telling Scott a bit about my family situation. I told him that both my parents worked, and that I had two older brothers. "My oldest brother is ten years older than me and the next one eight years older." I forced a smile. "I think I was a mistake." I went on to say that I wasn't all that close to either of my brothers----or my parents for that matter. I didn't much feel like describing when I'd been kicked out so I kinda left it off there. Scott just said a few words, like thanking me for talking about it, etc.
Scott then asked Jean-Paul about his parents and upbringing. "If you don't mind," Scott said courteously, "I'd be interested in hearing about it too."
So Jean-Paul talked a bit about growing up in a circus (literally) and being a twin. He said that because his parents lived among circus "freaks" they were not really prejudiced against mutants or gays. Jean-Paul spoke about the special bond he and his sister have always shared. "Jeanne-Marie and I were close to our parents too," he added.
Then Scott asked something to the effect of seeking more information about Jean-Paul's relationship with his parents. I don't remember exactly how he asked it but it was tactful, of course.
Jean-Paul furrowed his brows. "Why do you want to know all this, Scott?" he asked. "Are you trying to avoid Christopher becoming like Bobby and I?"
I was taken aback by the hostility in Jean-Paul's voice. Especially since I hadn't really detected anything beyond curiosity in Scott's questions. I certainly had detected no animus from him.
Scott looked pretty surprised too. "What are you talking about?" he asked. Gone was the friendliness. His tone now matched Jean-Paul's anger. "I just wanted to hear about this. I can barely remember my own family and just wanted to talk to two people who had been raised in one."
"I can't help but to think you're asking us for tips on making sure Christopher doesn't turn out to be a homosexual."
"That's ridiculous! It didn't even cross my mind."
I didn't know what to say. I thought Jean-Paul was probably off base here, but I wasn't about to take Scott's "side" either. I held up my hands, "Hey, c'mon you two. Just chill," I said.
Charlotte started crying. I was surprised since she's usually so even-tempered. "No fight!" she said. Scott rushed to her side, comforting and cooing to her.
"Excuse us," Jean-Paul said curtly, standing up to go. I followed him.
That incident really didn't help our relations with Scott one bit.
By the time the day arrived, I think I was almost as excited as Rogue and Gambit. We'd been back on An'zhina for roughly two months, and at last it was time for their wedding!
I was so honored when Remy and Rogue approached me one day and asked me to be a groomsman. It would be my first time in a wedding! I remember well that afternoon, getting ready with the others.
The wedding ceremony was to be held outdoors. The weather that day was beautiful, as it usually was on An'zhina. Of course, if it was going to be one of our rare rainy or cold days, Storm could have intervened---but there was no need that day.
The groom and his groomsmen were getting dressed inside a conference room of the main building. Hank and Wolverine were the other groomsmen, and what an interesting picture we three must have made. Although a bridesmaid, Jubilee was doing double-duty, acting as one of the photographers. (Panda was the other. I hadn't known it but apparently she had a thing for photography.) Jubilee asked us if she could come in and photograph us, and of course we agreed. So the pictures showed a huge blue furry guy standing next to a short and squat hairy guy who was standing next to an average looking slender guy.
And then there was the groom. Remy looked, well, worth drooling over. He was gorgeous. He wore a black tux, adorned with a single black-red rose. His cravat and waist-coat were wine-red. The color combinations brought out his eyes so well. His hair was pulled back into a pony tail which was held in an ornate gold clasp. "You look wonderful," I told him, my eyes wide, when I first saw him all dressed up.
He grabbed my shoulders and kissed my mouth! I think he was just really happy that day.
Oh, as for us groomsmen, we had similarly styled tuxes but light charcoal colored. We had green and blue cravats, and blue and white flowers on our lapels.
As we put the finishing touches on our flowers, the mood was jubilant. Even the old grump seemed happy, though I did hear him mutter a comment when Gambit was out of the room. I don't know what specifically he and Hank were talking about, but Wolverine grumbled something about the X-men having become "a damn dance troupe." I'm sure it was a reference to the infamous salsa dancing lessons.
Once the four of us were dressed, there was nothing to do but wait. It was too early to head to the altar and Panda told us that the bride and her party were still getting ready. She also reassured Remy that she was taking loads of pictures. Panda had us come out and pose with a variety of different backgrounds.
"You nervous, Gumbo?" I heard Wolverine ask.
"No. Jus' happier den I ever been."
Jubilee entered the room in which Rogue and the rest of the bridal party were preparing. "I can't walk in these heels!" she exclaimed, setting the camera down and flinging off her shoes. Her daughter Aurora was inside the room with the other women and rushed up to Jubilee when she entered. Jubilee embraced her.
Storm smiled at Jubilee. "You did not need to replicate a pair of **three inch** heels."
"Well, I'm not wearing them!" Relaxed now that her feet were feeling some relief, Jubilee approached Rogue and told her, "I got tons of pictures. And Panda's goin' crazy with her camera. You and Gambit will be filling photo albums for the next three months!"
Rogue smiled, "Thank you, sugar." She was sitting in front of a mirror, Storm and Jean assisting her with make-up and hair. Lily Pearl was also in the room getting ready and Jeanne-Marie was there too, graciously helping keep an eye on Charlotte and Aurora. Her own child, Stephan, was out roaming around. Christopher was sleeping in a crib inside the room, oblivious to the activity which buzzed around him.
The bridesmaids were to wear dresses of a very light green hue. The varieties of flowers available on An'zhina were different than those on earth, but they were to carry bouquets of flowers resembling blue roses and white Baby's Breath.
"You gonna put your dress on, Jean?" Jubilee asked.
Jean was wearing a robe over her underwear. Her gown hung inside a closet, and she was the only one not dressed yet. "I'm trying to get the timing just right," Jean said. "I'm trying to wait until the last possible minute to feed Christopher. Then I can get dressed and I should be able to make it through the ceremony without there being a problem. He likes to be fed about every three and a half hours," Jean said.
"Then I am sure it will be just fine," Storm said. "The actual ceremony itself can't be more than an hour."
"I know. But you never know what might happen. Scott's going to hold the baby during the ceremony. If Chris wakes up and starts to cry, he's going to take him away. I do worry that if Scott doesn't get Chris out of earshot soon enough, I'll start to…." she gestured towards her bosom, "leak." Upon seeing Rogue's smile, Jean jokingly added, "Just you wait and see when you have children, you might experience the same thing."
Jubilee said, "I remember after Charlotte was born, there were a few times when Rory was napping but Charlotte would awake and start crying. Sometimes I'd hear her and…sure enough some drops of milk would come out. But you know you just kinda hug yourself and it'll stop."
Jeanne-Marie spoke up from the side of the room. "You know, I found that since I had Stephan, my breasts now get so sore during my period. That never happened before I was a mom. Do either of you experience that now?"
Jean shook her head. "No," Jubilee answered. "Thank god," she added, "since the cramps are bad enough themselves."
"Hey, Jean, couldn't you use your powers on Christopher?" Rogue asked. "To keep him from crying? I mean, not that I'd mind so much if the ceremony got interrupted but to keep you from….leaking on your dress."
"I am considering it."
Jean then stepped back from the blush she was applying to the bride and looked at Rogue, admiring her wedding gown and how beautiful she looked. The dress was of a simple design, formfitting at the bodice area and flaring slightly at the legs. The straps on the dress were thin and the color was off-white as Rogue's skin tone was too pale for pure white.
"What do you think of your make-up?" Jean asked.
Rogue surveyed her image in the mirror. "Looks good. But what about this hair?" Rogue had been trying to arrange it in an alluring up-swept style.
"I think you should wear it loose and free," Storm said. "You know that Remy loves your flowing curls."
"But he sees me with my hair like that every day."
"Yes, and it looks beautiful." She then said, slowly, "You are beautiful."
Jubilee and Jean gathered around Rogue and voiced their agreement with Storm. "Alright, alright, I'll go with what y'all say," Rogue said, looking at the three women standing around her. "Down it is." Rogue then looked at her friends and felt their warmth and love flooding her. "What would I do without you?" she asked.
"What would any of us do without the rest of her family?" Storm asked.
Overcome with a sudden rush of emotions, Rogue swallowed a lump in her throat. Jean had forewarned her that wedding days often call forth all sorts of feelings. "I'm gonna get all mooshy here. I think of everything we've been through all these years," Rogue said. "Everything we've survived together and I can't believe we're all together on this happy day now…." She broke off her sentence, not wanting to cry and cause any of her make-up to run. Instead Rogue stepped up from her chair and fell into a group hug
Charlotte watched the women and happily clapped her hands together, feeling all of their joyous, intense, and excited emotions coursing through her as well.
I stuck my head out of the room we'd been getting ready in. I had to have a peek at the place outside where the ceremony would be. Needless to say, everyone on An'zhina was invited. So people were choosing seats among the rows of chairs. The chairs faced a gorgeous arch, decorated with greenery and flowers selected by Storm. Storm really had outdone herself with all of the flower decorations. The color scheme of all the decorations were green and white with some wine red too.
Storm gave us the signal, and the groom and those of us in his party assembled near the front of the arch. Kurt stood up there with us and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. I couldn't recall ever seeing everyone all dressed up like this. I hadn't attended Scott and Jean's wedding years ago. It was just strange seeing so many people with blue skin or with strange hair colors or things growing out of their skin all dressed up in their finest this day.
I then silently reprimanded myself for noticing that. I know I'm about as "normal"- looking as most mutants are (when I'm not covered in ice----and I have complete control over that). There have always been rumblings about a sort of classism among mutants; the mutants who can "pass" as non-mutants being ranked over those who looked unusual. I hoped that wouldn't be the case on An'zhina, that we could lose our conditioning on that. I know that they discuss that subject at length during the classes that Cyclops and the others had been conducting for the rescuees.
But back to the wedding. I spotted Jean-Paul sitting next to his sister and nephew. I'd been so wrapped up in helping with things that I'd hardly checked in with him all day. He looked very handsome in a suit. He caught my eye and blew a kiss my way. I smiled back at him as my heart did a little dance.
Before I knew it, Russ (our deejay-music man) had cued up the wedding march. Everyone ceased their conversations and sat up straighter. People began craning their heads to watch the wedding party walk up the aisle. From my vantage point at the front of the altar, in between Hank and Wolverine, I had a great view.
Lily Pearl's name suited her well that day since she was one of the flower girls. Charlotte and Aurora were also flower girls. Lily Pearl helped them proceed up the aisle, though they needed very little help; they seemed to know where to go. They were so cute in their light green dresses. I hadn't ever seen the girls dressed up like that before.
Jubilee and Jean walked up the aisle next. I marveled at how beautiful Jubilee looked. (Jean, of course, was one of the most gorgeous women to ever walk the face of the earth so I don't need to say anything more. And that green color on her was stunning.) But Jubilee really had blossomed. She also was growing her hair a bit longer and it looked lovely with her bangs.
As the maid of honor (and best man), Storm walked up soon behind Jubilee and Jean. She held a bouquet in one hand and a jewelry box in the other.
And then finally, Rogue and the Professor. The Professor had his chair hovering at a level where he could hold Rogue's gloved hand, and he really looked royal and dignified in his tuxedo. I thought fleetingly of how much I loved him, how he was much more of a father to me than my biological father had ever been. He was so much a father to us all.
And Rogue. What can I saw about her? She was really beautiful. I thought her dress was very pretty, and her veil lovely. It was long, oval-shaped and lacy. In the front it came to just below her chest, and then it cascaded to a small train of about eight inches. I glanced at Remy and I can't think of quite the right words to described how he looked when he saw her. Maybe some combination of awe, elation, and love. When they stood next to each other, they made such a striking and attractive couple.
Then Kurt started the wedding ceremony. I don't remember well the religious part. I'd been surprised to learn that Gambit had been raised Catholic and though he probably didn't practice it to the letter (in fact, I'd bet that if he ever went to confession, he'd have a long list), it was fitting since Kurt was a Catholic priest.
When it came time for the vows, Rogue and Remy each read their own that they had each written. I thought that was so cool! I don't remember the words verbatim. But I do recall bits and pieces of what they said.
"Remy, I thank my lucky stars every day for you and I am so honored that you asked me to marry you," Rogue said. Her hands trembled as she read the piece of paper that the vows were written on. She told us that she was too nervous to trust the words to memory so she was going to read them. "Throughout all the years we've been together, you've always been so patient with me and so loving. You helped me learn to take risks by learning to open up and trust. You helped me live life to the fullest." By then, her voice was quivering and you could tell she was gulping back tears. Gambit held her hand and they just gazed into each other's eyes for the longest time.
Then Gambit read his vows. They were more traditional, and he talked about loving her "with all my heart and all my mind and all my soul." He vowed to be with her for the rest of eternity. It was really beautiful what he said, and he did it all from memory.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Kurt finally said. He then turned to Gambit and said, "You may kiss the bride."
And then a surprised murmur rumbled through the crowd. Rogue and Gambit stepped towards each other for a kiss. My heart skipped a beat when I realized what they were going to do. Rogue had no collar on! I looked at Hank, and his expression was as dumbfounded as mine.
They kissed! With Rogue not wearing a collar! Once the kiss was over (and it was not a quick one), the smiling couple turned and faced everyone. "I been working with the Professor for a while now," Rogue told the shocked crowd. "We been working pretty intensely the last coupla weeks. I've got my power under control now. I can touch people without the collar."
After the wedding ceremony, the reception began. Most citizens of An'zhina had volunteered to help set up---some of them replicated food and brought it outside, others set up tables and chairs, Russ prepared the music.
The bride and groom ate at a table with the other members of the wedding party (with Scott, Panda, and Northstar having joined them.) "I could tell you had a surprise for us," Jean Grey was saying to Rogue. "But I didn't want to ask what it was. I was very surprised when you were able to kiss. You must've progressed so much."
"Indeed, Rogue, you have come very far," the Professor said. "Both as a person and in terms of controlling your powers. I am so proud of you." He turned to Gambit. "And you too, Gambit, have come so far. As your teacher, this has been very inspiring for me."
"Awww, shucks, Professor," Rogue managed, blushing. Her head was swimming. She was thrilled that everyone now knew and appreciated this milestone. But the excitement of being married to Gambit outweighed everything else. Her cheeks were still glowing and her heart rate still elevated. She hadn't touched her dinner----the excitement was too great to even consider eating.
"We had de best teacher," Gambit said, smiling at the Professor. "Thank you." He was tickled at how overwhelmed Rogue was. Mostly, Gambit was just feeling happy and content, and he ate his dinner with gusto.
Bobby clinked his spoon against his glass again, and the bride and groom kissed once more. Hank looked at Bobby, smiling. Bobby had been at it many times during the meal. Just then, little Christopher started to cry. The baby had been sleeping in a crib that Scott parked alongside their dinner table. Jean excused herself from the table and held the baby, trying to soothe him.
"So where are you goin' for your honeymoon?" Bobby asked, jokingly.
"Well, actually, we would love to take a trip back to the Paradise Planet," Gambit said. "We have some special memories from dere." There was some tittering and giggling at the table, since no one could forget the evening Rogue and Gambit had spent by the lake, and the subsequent night in their tent. Rogue's cheeks were redder now as she tried to contain her laughter.
"Yeah, we heard," Bobby said, winking at Gambit.
Panda looked around the smirking faces at the table. "Okay," she smiled, "what am I missing?"
"Oh, did Hank never tell you about this?" Storm asked, grinning. Rogue was now blushing furiously.
"No, he didn't."
Hank then turned to Panda and explained. "Rogue and Gambit consummated their relationship while we were on the Paradise Planet."
"Yeah, and they were **really loud** about it!" Bobby added.
"So loud that they woke some people up from a sound sleep!" Jubilee mentioned.
As Bobby did his imitation of Rogue, most of the people around the table were erupting in laughter. Rogue was too happy to truly be embarrassed.
Once the laughter died down, Gambit turned serious and said, looking in the Professor's direction, "Of course we know dat a trip back dere isn't possible. But dat be okay. An'zhina is tres magnifique."
"Yes, when you live somewhere that used to be a resort, where else do you need?" Jean commented.
"We thinkin' of flying to the other end of the moon," Gambit said. "Just for a few days to get some privacy. Dere are some nice cabins out there."
"Indeed," Storm said, "but I did not see any other replicators or other amenities that we are used to. Perhaps I can fly them to you."
"Dat would be wonderful."
"I am a full-service maid of honor," Storm joked. She glanced at Remy, remembering so well the look he had given Rogue at the ceremony when Rogue had reached her place at his side before the altar. Her thoughts drifted. `What I would give to have one man give me such a look, once in my life….'
We didn't usually replicate much alcohol. After all, it has been known to cause people to make rather questionable decisions and none of the leaders on An'zhina were big drinkers so you didn't see much alcohol around ever. However, for this ceremony a wide variety of drinks were made available. The replicators allowed you to choose whether you wanted them with or without real spirits. I will confess to having had one or two with real booze. Why not? It had been like forever.
Rogue was still looking awed by the whole thing. She looked extremely happy but overwhelmed too, like she couldn't believe it was really happening. She and Gambit spent part of their time at the party dancing, and part of the time socializing.
At one point, Russ stopped the music and grabbed a microphone. He announced that it was time to toss the bouquet, and he asked all the single ladies to take their places. They did so, and Rogue tossed it over her shoulder. Jubilee caught it.
And then the same thing was done with the garter. I didn't go up when Russ asked all the single men to get ready to catch the garter. I think that gay people and straight people have a different conception of the adjective "single." I use the word to refer to anyone who doesn't have a steady love interest. But I guess straight people just use it to refer to those who aren't married, because plenty of those who tried to catch either the bouquet or garter were not without a boyfriend or girlfriend. Whatever. Anyway, Colossus caught the garter. That seemed to make Elena very happy.
After the bouquet and garter tossing, Russ put on some great dance music and people got up to dance. We were outside and didn't have a dance floor, so people just danced on a large flat surface that had been placed over the grass.
I should report that Colossus now dances well. I know I've teasingly written in the past that he was a lousy dancer. However, he and Elena had enrolled in Agata's salsa dancing lessons and I gotta say the big guy now moves with grace. I'm serious. He was very good.
I sat down at a table next to Jubilee, taking a breather. Rogue was there too, drinking some ice water. "Pretty bouquet," I said to Jubilee, who was poking at the bridal bouquet that she'd caught..
"Yeah, but what does it matter," she said, looking glum. "I'm almost ready to give up ever finding someone who wants me."
"Don't lose hope!" Rogue said. "Jubilee, do you remember Jean and Scott's wedding? The second one? I caught the bouquet there and I thought the same thing. I thought it ain't ever gonna happen for me. I remember tearin' up those flowers and crying up a storm that night. And now look. I'm still in shock but someday this is gonna settle in. I'm married now! Sugar, you'll find someone too."
I nodded. "She's right, Jubes. There has to be someone out there for you."
Jubilee shook her head. "It sure would be nice to find someone who wants me for me, and not because he's on the rebound like Angel was or `cause he just wanted to get laid like Brett did."
Rogue continued to reassure Jubilee. I wracked my mind trying to think of a suitable male on An'zhina who didn't already have someone and who I thought could be a solid match for Jubilee. I really couldn't think of anyone though.
"You look so cute." Jean-Paul was suddenly standing in front of me and smiling. He'd just finished dancing several songs with his sister. It had been good to see Jeanne-Marie looking vivacious and happy for once. It had been even better to watch Jean-Paul on the dance floor. : ) His way of moving on the dance floor was a combination of elegance and confidence with a little bit of attitude tossed in. And it was damn sexy.
"Cute?" I asked. "Cute? Are you my Uncle or something?"
Jean-Paul then pinched my cheek. "Cute," he said with finality. "That is what you are. It is a compliment, mon coeur."
I sighed. "I would've preferred to be gorgeous or sexy even, but I guess I have to settle with cute then. Besides, I suppose we can't both be gorgeous and you're the one who is." Jean-Paul sat next to me and I reached for one of his hands and kissed it.
"Thank you, amour," he said, as he gently ran a few fingers down the side of my face.
He and I chatted amiably for a while with Jubilee, as Rogue had gotten up to do more dancing with Remy. Jean-Paul and I held hands on the table. A few people passed by us and took a second look but I didn't sense any nastiness from anyone. Perhaps just curiosity.
Russ then announced that he'd be playing several slow songs and he implored "all the couples" to get on the dance floor. The first sappy love song began and I looked up and saw Rogue and Remy joined by Scott and Jean, Hank and Panda, Colossus and Elena, and Moira and Banshee. There were a handful of other couples too---it looks like some of the other mutants on An'zhina had been pairing up. Not too many though. The dancing floor was far from full.
I looked at Jean-Paul. We were still holding hands, but he was resting his chin on his other hand, watching the dancing. Maybe it was the drink I'd had. But I decided to ask. "Do you want to dance, my love?"
Jean-Paul raised his head and looked at me. "Really? You are not worried what all the others will say?"
"I don't care what they say. I love you."
Jean-Paul broke out with a huge smile. "Oh, Bobby," he said. "I love and admire you even more now."
So we got up, joined hands, and made our way to the dance floor. I was so nervous. My pulse sped up until it felt like my heart was going to leap out of my chest. My hands suddenly were very sweaty. After all these years I still fretted over what people would say about me, still worried people would look at us with hatred. I just forced myself to just put one foot in front of the other to get to the dance floor. But I also squeezed Jean-Paul's hand and felt some confidence flowing from him. He truly did not care what the others thought. And I was still glowing from what he'd said to me.
We got to the dance floor. I placed one hand on Jean-Paul's shoulder, and one around his waist. He had both hands on my waist and we danced, keeping a respectful distance between each other. We didn't meld together like some couples do during slow songs. However, that evening I wasn't watching any of the others. I mostly had my eyes closed or looking at Jean-Paul. As I forced myself to breathe, I tried to block out the darts of hate that my imagination told me were being lobbed at us. We continued dancing through the song that was partly over by the time we took the floor, and we danced through the second slow song as well. After that, we returned to a table.
I had been worried and nervous the entire time, but no one said anything to us. I could tell Jean-Paul had a new respect for me for doing this. And it wasn't just that----I also felt pretty good about myself too. It was a dreamy end to a wonderful day. And after we went back to my room, Jean-Paul and I made love, slowly and sensuously.
Most of the guests had retired to their rooms. Those who had volunteered to clean up were moving the last of the tables back inside. The decorations had been taken down and put away. Rogue and Gambit stood by, thanking the volunteers again for their work as they filed out and congratulated the couple once more.
Rogue turned to face Gambit, looking into his otherworldly eyes which seemed to light up the darkness outside. Those eyes looked back at her with love and adoration. "What a magnificent day, chere," Gambit said. "You still look in awe."
"I am," Rogue said. "I'm in shock and in awe still. But in a good way. I hope I never forget this feeling." Rogue paused and wiped a tear from her face. "I'm so glad you proposed. I can't believe I ever hesitated so much to accept. I was afraid I wouldn't make you happy. Or I didn't deserve you."
"Chere, I'm the one who is honored to be wit' you. Sometimes I wonder if I deserve you."
"Don't be crazy, Remy." Rogue reached for another hug, and they held each other for a long time. "I meant what I said in my vows, Swamp Rat," Rogue said. "I am the luckiest woman who ever lived to have someone who helped me with so much and helped make me become a better person."
"Chere, you be the one who make Gambit a better person. When I first met you, I wanted to make up for evert'ing I ever did wrong."
"I can't believe that now I'm Rebecca LeBeau!" Rogue said. She had told no one else her real name. Rogue had discarded her given name once she'd been taken in by Mystique. Everyone now knew her as `Rogue' and although she had no intention of going back to using her given name, she did enjoy hearing the sound of it with Remy's last name.
"Gambit lookin' forward to havin' kids, chere," Remy murmured in her ear as they hugged.
"Me too, Remy."
"A little boy to carry on the family name. A little girl to spoil and dress up. Maybe two little girls."
"Whoa, sugar," Rogue smiled. "You're gettin' a little ahead of yourself. Let's start with one." Gambit may have been getting ahead of himself, but Rogue did like the thought of being a parent too. Scott and Jean's lives were obviously made better because of the children they had. Rogue silently resolved to just trust that she'd be a good parent, as she had just trusted that loving Gambit would work out well.
The pair then made their way back to their room, planning to retreat to the other end of the moon for their 'honeymoon' the next day. Gambit swept Rogue up in his arms and carried her through the doorway. Both members of the couple were surprised to find that their room had been decorated with flowers, plants, streamers, and cards with messages of love and good luck. There were also several colorfully wrapped gifts adorning the room.
Given that everyone used the replicators to make whatever supplies they required, gifts were not as needed or quite as special as they were on earth, but the couple appreciated them nonetheless. And a few friends had gotten creative and made extraordinary gifts. Wolverine had constructed a crib. Bobby made a beautiful ice sculpture depicting a bride and groom. Hank had chosen a romantic poem which Panda had written out in beautiful calligraphy. They framed their work and presented it to the couple. And Colossus had promised to paint them in their wedding attire, though it would have to happen after the wedding. The frame for the portrait, however, was displayed in the room with all the other gifts.
The day prior to the wedding, the Professor had presented the couple with a tasteful and elegant negligee as a wedding gift. Rogue and Remy could only stand there and laugh with Charles; they knew he was doing it as a way of letting them know he was aware of all the bootleg items they replicated on the ship and was forgiving of it. For their wedding night, Rogue changed into that gown.
However, that night the newlyweds simply lay together in bed before falling asleep. Rogue was feeling too overwhelmed and astounded to be in the right mood that evening. And Gambit was plain tired. So they snuggled up together, without the collar.
Chapter 9
Chapter 11