Early Parenting

Author's note: Hi everyone! Don't kill me yet. Read the chapter.. and THEN you can do me bodily harm.... ^^ I seriously hope you won't find the need to... but... yeah.

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Things were so hectic these days. Weeks had passed, and soon, it was time for the first meeting of the couples' five months course. Although Rogue and Remy were no longer part of the program, the government still needed them to participate in the meetings until they could provide for Mathieu, a suitable home.

Rogue never felt more nervous in her life. After numerous tests, Dr. McCoy had come to the conclusion that Mathieu was now immune to Rogue's imprinting powers.

As Remy dressed him up, Rogue took off her usual leather gloves, and placed on elbow-length mesh gloves. They would still protect anyone from her skin, but it was as daring as Rogue would go.

Remy noticed the far-away look in Rogue's eyes, and knew that it would take a bit longer for her to realize that Mathieu was in no danger around her.

"Y'ready p'tite?" Remy asked, holding Mathieu in his arms. She smiled at him, and gave a small nod.

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In the Summers Abode:

Jean looked at herself in the mirror. After weeks of hearing nothing but; " I'm a daddy!" and " Jean! She poopied!" Jean could no longer tolerate living with Scott. It was frustrating just to even look at him.

'Everyday, its a dopey look' she thought. 'Even in his-'

'Jean!!! She doodied again!!!' Scott mentally screamed.

Jean wrung the towel in her hands, thinking it was Scott, smiling evilly as she imagined the water was his blood.

Then, as swiftly as it came, it went.

"I need a vacation..." she moaned, as she buried her face in the towel.

"Jean! Hurry up, honey! The meeting's almost starting!" she heard Scott yell.

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In the Wagner Household:

Amanda squealed in delight as she saw her 'daughter' dressed up in a cute blue outfit. She had found a costume shop with baby pajamas that looked almost like her darling Kurt.

"Lookz familiar," Kurt said, tilting his head, then he grinned when Amanda showed him the blue tail in the back. "Ah! You are zo creative!"

Forgetting they had the door open, they heard a gagging sound from across the hallway. Thinking someone was dying, Kurt teleported into the room, only to find Pyro hog-tied in the middle of the living room.

"St. John?" Amanda asked incredulously. "What are you doing tied on the floor?"

Wanda appeared through the master's bedroom, smiling at Ben. She smiled at Amanda and Kurt as well, and motioned for them to sit.

" You must be wondering about Pyro," she said. As they nodded, she sighed and sat down.

"Why did you do it?" Amanda asked, grasping Kurt's arm as he played with Karen.

Wanda smirked. " I didn't do it."

Kurt looked at her strangely. " But if you didn't do it... who did?"

All four of them, Pryo included looked at Benjamin who was laughing playing with his toy blocks.

" It seems the government sent us Muties, baby muties," Wanda said cheerfully. Then added, " Not that I wouldn't have liked the tyke if he wasn't. It's an added bonus, isn't that right Benny?"

Amanda looked at Karen and wondered what power she might have. Then, looking at Kurt, she smiled. 'If she looks anything like Kurt, it would only serve to prove that he ad I are meant to be.'

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Rogue and Remy were the first to arrive at the town hall. Holding her baby for the first time, Rogue didn't mind the things happening around her. All that mattered was that she was holding Mathieu, and he didn't seem to mind.

"Chere, about y'condition..." Remy started, " Remy won't mind bein' y'test dummy..."

Rogue looked at him, surprise written all over her face. No one had ever volunteered being absorbed before. Not even Logan had offered. But here, an Acolyte, was offering to help her control her mutation.

Tears formed in her eyes, but Rogue managed to control herself enough to keep them from falling.

"I'd like that Rem," she said affectionately. "Thank you."

She turned her attention towards her child again, and other couples began to pour in. First, the mutants, then the more 'normal' couples.

Remy noticed the changes within the people instantly.

Kurt and Amanda were more mature, as if they truly were married. Kurt had his arm protectively around his 'wife' and 'daughter', while he led them through the aisle towards a seat next to Rogue.

"Guten Tag" Kurt greeted, and sat down.

Remy nodded in response, and watched as another couple came in. He held back his laughter as he saw Evan Daniels holding the baby bag, and all the baby things. Toad wasn't on fours, but he was standing up, like a gentleman, and he was clean. He held his baby in his arms while his 'wife' led them to a seat near the aisle.

Like Remy, Rogue too, was watching as the couples came in. She noticed a huge change in Jean and Scott. While Scott seemed like he enjoyed every living moment of being a parent, Jean looked the part of a wife in her late 40s, bags under her eyes, and a dull sheen in her hair.

"People do change, don't they Rem?" Rogue commented as they watched Pyro trail behind Wanda like a puppy.

"Dey certainly do, cherie," Remy said, and placed his arm around Rogue, who leaned into the crook of his neck.

A large man began to tap on the microphone creating feedback. Most of the children began to whine at the sound.

" Oh! Sorry about that," the man apologized. " Anyway, welcome to your first meeting. One month has come up. Congratulations, none of you have failed- yet"

Rogue rolled her eyes, and zoned out, playing with Mathieu instead.

" Now that you are more acquainted with your family, now we start to make things complicated," the man said with an evil glint in his eyes. " As you know, families are not just given money, they earn it. So, now, instead of you just being handed your $30, 000, you will have to work for it."

Groans were heard all over the auditorium. Remy smirked, knowing full well how to provide for his family even without either of them working. And since they weren't in the program anymore, he didn't see why they still needed to attend.

"And as an addition," the man continued. " Those who are given income from outside sources, are to know that they will be forbidden to do so. We shall be giving you employment, and we may also change your salaries."

Kurt sighed, knowing he would see less of his family, but he was happy for Rogue that she no longer had to go with the program.

"Oh, as for you, Mr. And Mrs. LeBeau, because of the condition of your baby, we have decided that there will be some differences in the program for you..." the man started, " but you are still called to participate."

Rogue didn't hear, thus, it was assumed that they approved. Remy, however, was concerned about the situation. The government had informed them, that they would no longer have to participate... what had changed?

As everyone left the hall, Rogue and Remy stayed to talk to the man.

"Excuse moi," Remy said as the man passed by their seats. "Mais, the government had said that we no longer had to participate because of Mathieu's condition."

The man nodded. "Yes, they did, but because of the problems in getting the baby adopted, no one else can care for him. The rules also state that those not participating in the program have to continue school. Without anyone to care for Mathieu legally, you have to continue the program."

Rogue suddenly became interested in their conversation and cleared her throat. " If we continue the program, what are the differences?"

The man fixed his glasses and opened his bag. He took out a file folder and began to check to see what the difference were.

" Well, you still have to work because no one is going to have special treatment concerning the 'parents', but concerning the baby... he is to have a check up every two weeks, and you can live in the Institute." the man said, " And, he has to be with a parent at all times. No babysitter... unless its a certified adult, like the 'grandparent'"

Rogue nodded. "And if someone were to adopt Mathieu?"

The man shrugged. " You get to go back to your schooling, free of the consequences of the others who might be joining you."

Then, out of the blue, surprising both Remy and the man, Rogue said, " What if I decided to adopt Mathieu?"

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Author's Note: Sorry about the delay... I've been doing that quite often with the rest of my stories... It's like all the humor had been sucked out from me...