Disclaimer: I do not own Mutant X or X Men.

Discoveries

Chapter 12

"So when are we planning these weddings?" Logan asked as they all sat in the Library with their drinks.

Brennan looked at Shalimar then answered. "Shal's waited 5 years for me to figure this out. I don't think she wants to put it off." He grinned as her smile was rosier than usual.

Jesse turned to Kitty. "We haven't had the chance to talk about it yet. I'll do whatever Kitty wants."

"Spoken like a true love sick pup," Remy threw a pillow which Jesse aptly caught and threw back.

"Well, no matter what ya'll decide, Ah think as soon as Evie is on her feet, we should have a girls' day out before ya'll go home." Marie smiled.

Again Kitty blushed at the thought of all the implications of a day in the very elegant lingerie store. Jesse noticed. "Let's go for a walk." He took her hand as they got up.

"It better be a walk," Logan growled protectively then winked when Kitty turned a flushed look on him.

The night air was chilly but Ororo's greenhouse made a wonderfully romantic escape; the air was warm, the colors amazing and the fragrance, powerful, livening all the senses.

Jesse sat on a bench and place one leg along the length of it as he pulled Kitty to sit in front of him. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Kitty smiled, "Tell me again." She frowned when she saw him shake his head, 'no'.

"I want to show you." He slowly pulled her into a full embrace and kissed her passionately. In that one kiss, Jesse gave her his entire soul. It was long and deep and intense beyond anything they had shared to this point. When finally they stopped, neither could say anything. They just relaxed in each other's arms. When once again they could speak, Jesse whispered in her ear. "Tell me about the dreams you had of us." His voice was low and deep.

His breath against her neck made her shiver and the sound of his voice turned her insides weak. She closed her eyes and sighed out loud before she'd realized it.

Jesse quickly became impassioned and recaptured her lips for another kiss. His hands caressed her back as he pulled her even closer. "How long are you going to make me wait?" he asked between kisses. "How long until I can have all of you?"

"Jesse," she tried to speak between the kisses he was pouring on her. She gasped when he moved his kisses to her neck. "Jesse, please stop." She pushed him slightly. When he removed his mouth from her she almost lost her resolve, instantly missing the warm feeling on her skin. She saw the disappointment in his eyes as he looked at her. "Jesse, I --- please---" she looked down and tried to continue. "Jesse, I want you, too. We can get married as soon as possible but --- can we please wait until then." She quickly glanced up at his eyes to judge his response. Confidence returned as he smiled lovingly at her. "It's just that there's something special about our wedding night being the first time. Can you do that for me?"

Jesse kissed her again, "I'll do anything you want. You've made me the happiest man alive just agreeing to marry me." He pulled her into a hug when he saw her brilliant smile. "Do you want a separate wedding or should we double with Brenn and Shal?"

"I think a double could be fun, if that's what they want. But---"she stopped and looked away.

"But, what?"

She looked up into his eyes with such intensity that it was his turn to weaken. "But our honeymoon is solo." This time she attacked him with a kiss that almost made him lose his socks.

"WOW!" was all he could say.

"Shalimar only waited 5 years for Brennan. I have 7 years of fantasies to fulfill with you." Kitty smiled slightly as she looked deeply into his eyes.

Jesse moved her and stood up. "Let's go find them and get the wedding plans started. I'm not going to put this off any longer than is absolutely necessary."

She giggled as he almost dragged her out of the greenhouse.

They found Brennan and Shalimar sitting on the porch. After a short conversation, a double wedding was agreed upon.

"The only request I have is that we have it here, in the mansion. Evie's wedding was such a dream. I know it's cooler now, but we could make the mansion look like a garden. Would you mind if we did that?" Kitty asked.

"That would be my first choice if the professor wouldn't mind. The mansion is much more beautiful than any other facility we could get." Shalimar smiled and took her hand.

"I would be most proud to share your wedding in that way."

Everyone turned quickly and saw the professor and Adam in the doorway. As they came out, Adam continued, "You are all, our children and we couldn't be more proud of you. Together we'll make your weddings be just the way you want them."

"Professor, can we get married this Friday?" Kitty asked.

"But Kitty, your father will be in the hospital this weekend. His surgery is already scheduled."

"Kitty, I didn't know about that." Jesse took her hand. "We can wait until he's on his feet again."

"No, Jess. This is what I want. I love my parents, but I've lived here most of my life. I know they'll understand. I want the professor to give me away." She smiled and looked at Charles as he was beaming with pride. "Please."

"It will be the greatest honor, my child." Charles reached out and took her hand.

"Friday it is then," Adam announced. Then he and Charles returned inside and left the couples outside to make their plans.

The next morning, Evie and Nadene were cheerfully released from the med lab. They could probably have been release the night before because of Evie's healing abilities but Adam insisted they stay for the night just to make sure.

The girls all sat together at breakfast and unintentionally segregated themselves from the men. Logan walked in and saw the women deep in conversation and the men gathered at another table looking a bit withdrawn. "Oh man, now I remember what we went through for Scott and Adam's weddings. Are we going to have to do this again?"

"I felt like you do now at Adam's wedding,' Brennan began. "Wait until you're the groom, it's worse."

"Much worse," added Jesse before he sipped his coffee.

Adam and Scott just smugly grinned.

Just then the girls all got up and moved to stand behind the chairs of their respective guys. "We've got our plans for today." Evie announced.

"We've decided to take two cars and first make the joint arrangements like the caterer and band and dresses. That will take most of the morning." Jean added.

Rogue spoke up next. "Then we're gonna stop for a late lunch, so ya'll will be on your own. Don't wait for us."

"Then we're going to make a split." Jubilee further explained. "Shalimar will go with Evie and Marie to buy the special things for her part of the wedding. Jean, Ororo and I will take Kitty for her stuff."

"That will not take very long but we will probably not be home for dinner. You will have to handle the mansion dinner on your own." Ro smiled when Logan turned and glared at her. "You all did such a wonderful job of it when we shopped for Evie that I know you will do well now."

"Remy not hear any mention of a special 'lil store." He grinned and eyed all the men as they joined his thoughts.

"Down, Swamp Rat." Rogue playfully squeezed his shoulders. She suggestively leaned down and when she saw that she had all the men's attention she whispered in his ear just loud enough to carry, "That's tomorrow's trip. We're gonna spend all afternoon there."

The ladies watched as the faces of their men brightened. Kitty was the only one who turned away and blushed when Jesse looked up at her.

As they prepared to leave, Adam met Evie in the room they shared at the mansion. "Are you sure it's a good idea to take Nadene out so soon?"

"Don't worry, Darling. She'll be fine." She moved into his arms.

"I love you." Adam kissed her deeply.

"Do you remember what it was like preparing for our wedding?"

"I remember all the packages you came home with after they took you shopping." Adam grinned at her. "I also remember you not letting me look at anything." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"I had so much fun that day. It was a wonderful part of our wedding. I want to make sure Shalimar and Kitty have memories to cherish just as I do."

"Take care of them for me. Make sure Shalimar gets everything she wants, even if it only caters to her feral side."

"I will. You just make sure Brennan and Jesse get out and get what they need. You'll have to take them home for your tuxedos but you can do that tomorrow so I can give you a list of what I need from there, too."

The girls left and made all the arrangements that were necessary. When they got to the bridal salon they first decided on dresses for the girls. Even though it was autumn the mansion would be warm and comfortable. They chose straight gowns that were all slightly different.

Evie chose a red one that crisscrossed her chest and wrapped over her shoulders falling gracefully in a drape over her back.

Jean's was emerald green and was a straight opened back halter.

Ororo chose a deep purple gown with a bodice that was gathered and pulled to the side and made to cascade over one shoulder.

Marie's choice was a black strapless with a chiffon scarf.

Jubilee twirled as she showed off a burgundy tee style top with a plunging neckline she was sure Bobby would love.

Evie bought a lovely white satin dress and bonnet for Nadene.

Shalimar strayed from the traditional full length gown and chose instead a white A-line mini dress that had chiffon shoulders over a sweetheart neckline. To give a more bridal effect she chose a small headpiece with a veil that fell to the floor and trailed behind her.

Kitty chose the reverse and picked a straight gown with a slit up one side that almost reached her hip. The neckline was high and covered her chest but completely revealed both shoulders and her back. She decided to just wear flowers in her hair and use a removable blusher.

Both young woman looked stunning and complimented each other perfectly.

After an excited lunch, the girls split into their two groups and headed off in opposite directions each shopping for the special items to personalize their special day.

Dinner in the mansion was in full swing and very noisy when they all arrived home. After helping with clean up and getting all the children into bed, the girls told the guys about their day. They left out the dress shop details but gave account of all the other stores.

Their day had been full and all were tired; the girls from planning and shopping and the men from taking care of all the responsibilities of the mansion. Knowing that the next day would hold more of the same, they all decided to turn in early.

At midnight, almost on the dot, a crying Thomas woke his very sleepy parents. Scott was trying to comfort his son when Jean sensed a great panic in the mansion.

Evie was suddenly awakened by a startling cry in her mind. She sat up so abruptly that Adam jumped at the unexpected movement. Breathing deeply to calm her mind she heard an unknown voice calling out to Nadene. Moving quickly to the cradle beside her bed she noticed that there was something odd about the way the baby looked. "Adam, something's wrong." Evie turned to see Adam moving quickly to her side.

Reaching a hand to her face, Adam checked for breath. "She's breathing but it's ragged. Her coloring is off, too."

Evie, what's wrong? Jean's voice sounded in her mind.

Jean, something's wrong with Nadene. Please meet us in the lab.

I'll be right there and I'll wake Hank.

They rushed to the lab and found Jean and Hank waiting for them. After careful examination and a series of blood tests they discovered that Nadene was suffering from a rare condition that occasionally affected the women in Evie's family. To make it worse the increasing jaundice which is normal for infants was reacting with it making it accelerate in her system.

Evie immediately reached out to her child and closed her eyes. To her horror she realized that her powers would not begin. "Adam," she turned to him, "Adam, I can't heal her. Why can't I heal her?" She fell into his arms in panic.

"I believe I know why." They turned when they heard Hank speak. "I just rechecked your latest blood work and found the same gene. In your system it is dormant but there, none the less. I believe that your system regards it as normal and in no need of healing."

"What can we do?" Evie tried to be brave but Adam could feel her begin to tremble in his arms.

He held her closer as he stated, "Severe jaundice requires a blood transfusion."

"It is not to that state yet. I believe an infusion of a serum made with a compatible blood type should take care of it." Hank paged through Nadene's med chart. "Her blood type is very rare. Neither of you can be the donor. Unfortunately, no one in the mansion can help us."

Adam released his wife and gently took the chart from Hank's hand. "Shalimar," he stated. "Shalimar's blood isn't quite as rare but it should be compatible. No one in Sanctuary can donate to Shalimar either.

Evie closed her eyes and called out to her. In minutes Shalimar and Brennan were rushing into the lab.

"What's happened?" she asked as she crept closer to the baby.

They explained everything and in moments everyone was waiting as they watched Adam and Hank work almost as one to create the serum for Nadene. Brennan and Shalimar held a very worried Evie as Jean constantly monitored the baby for any signs of changes. In only a half an hour they were ready for her injection. Everyone watched and waited as the serum took affect. Within 5 minutes Jean announced that her vitals were returning to normal and the roses in her cheeks reappeared. Hank drew a small amount of blood and rechecked it.

Jean?

Yes, Scott?

What's happened? Is Nadene alright?

Yes, she's fine. I'll explain when I come back up. Did Thomas go back to sleep for you?

He was crying and agitated this whole time. He only just stopped and fell asleep.

I'll be up in a little while.

"This is amazing," Hank's surprise quickly drew everyone's attention. "The gene we found is in complete dormancy. It's like it never reacted at all."

"Then she's healed," Evie stated as she picked up her child.

"Not only is she healed but it would seem that Shalimar's blood was able to work as an aggressive inoculation as well as counter the affects of the jaundice." Hank smiled as he looked at the young feral. "I would like to further examine a sample of your blood, my dear."

"As long as she's alright, you can do what ever you want." Shalimar moved closer to touch Nadene's hand.

"May I take her back to our room now?" Evie asked.

"It would seem that there is nothing wrong with her now. I wish that all my emergency patients recover as completely as she did."

TBC