Disclaimer: Sadly, after all this time and effort (riiight) I still do not own X-Men.

A/N: It is with great regret and happiness (I have mixed emotions) that I must tell you all that this story has come to an end. I hope you have enjoyed it or at least, if you made it this far, been able to bear it.

Chapter 26

And forever they will be together

The years went by quickly. Callie was now three and becoming more and more like her father every day, though she still looked extraordinarily like her mother. After she got over the whole crying whenever daddy held her thing, she became a real daddy's girl. In fact, her first word had been daddy. Kitty still smiles whenever she thinks back to that day.

Kitty was still fighting against her cancer. She didn't lose her hair after it had grown back those many years ago, but she had lost a lot of weight again; Lance was always worrying over her.

Lance had been laid-off a month ago. He said that his job was a pain anyway. So, he was currently unemployed. But he did help out with training the new mutants; Kitty was proud of him for that. She had seen how happy he was when working with the younger mutants. He had come a long way since their first encounter back in Northbrook.

Kitty smiled, thinking about the day that they met. Lance was such a jerk back then. But she had loved him all along.

Lance came upstairs and headed straight for the shower. Kitty was standing on the balcony once again, staring out at nothing. She heard Lance turn the shower off. She knew he'd probably make her come in, telling her she was going to get sick since it was winter. She smiled at how she had come to know him so well over the years.

And sure enough, Lance came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into him and he kissed the top of her head.

"Come on Kit, let's go inside, it's cold out." He said. "Besides, dinner's soon and I'm sure the kids' can't wait to get to open one of their presents." He said smirking.

"I love this time of year." Kitty said, heading inside to change. "Though, I do suppose I miss celebrating Chanukah." She admitted.

"Come on, it's Christmas Eve, cheer up." He said, kissing her lovingly. "And if you miss it that much, we can celebrate it next year."

Kitty smiled at this. "I would like that."

Kitty changed and her and Lance made their way downstairs to the dining room. Callie was playing with Wesley in the corner of the room. Kitty smiled as she watched them; they were so cute together.

Once Callie saw her parents she stood up and ran over to them. She ran into her dad's arms and hugged him tight. She then grabbed onto her mom and hugged her too.

"Merry early Christmas!" she said excitedly.

"Merry early Christmas to you too." Kitty said laughing, kissing her cheek. They all sat down and Kitty began to make a plate for Callie.

Rogue, Remy, and Wesley sat down across from them. Kurt sat beside Kitty and Pietro and Tabby were on the other side of Lance. Everyone else was spread out among the long table. The Professor was at the head of the table and he made a quick little speech before they dug in. Kitty ate joyfully with her family, unable to think of anything that would make her happier.

After dinner, they all gathered in the rec. room where they had put up a large Christmas tree. All the kids' ran toward the gifts that were under the tree, trying desperately to find the one with their name on it.

Once they had the right one, they all went back over to their parents and opened it. Callie smiled at the new doll that she had. She hugged it close and thanked the whole room because she wasn't sure whom it was from; that made both Lance and Kitty laugh. Though, Kitty started coughing and had to leave to go and get a drink.

She returned to find Callie on Kurt's lap, fast asleep. It seems that she had worn herself out. Kurt didn't seem to mind; he was talking to Amanda about some thing or another. Kitty walked back over to Lance and sat down beside him.

"Kit, are you going to be okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?" she asked, clueless.

"You're really pale and that cough didn't sound good."

"I…I'm fine Lance." She said, not looking him in the eye.

"Kit, please?"

"Maybe we should go for a walk." She suggested, standing up and walking over to Kurt. "Can you watch her for a little while?" she asked.

"Sure." He said, looking at her. He noticed that something was different.

"Thanks." She said, pulling him out of his thoughts. She kissed Callie on the head and then turned and headed for the door where Lance was waiting with her coat.

She slipped it on and took his hand. They headed outside into the cool night air. They began their walk, not really knowing where they were going. They ended up at Lance's jeep. He didn't have to ask her, he knew where she wanted to go.

So, they got into the jeep and he took off. He parked at the edge of the wood; they could walk from there. So, they got out of the jeep and headed into the wood. They arrived at the old willow tree soon, though. The lake was frozen over this time of year, but it was still beautiful.

Lance had his arm around her as they just stood there. He knew what she was going to say; he just didn't want to accept it.

"Lance," Kitty said, trying to keep the tears out of her voice. "Promise me something."

"Anything." He said, his own tears forming.

"Promise me that you'll always be there for Callie. She's going to…to need you." She said, no longer able to keep herself from crying. Lance's grip on her tightened.

"Stop talking like that Kit, you're going to be fine." He said, letting a few tears fall.

"Lance, my time has come. I've…I've lived longer than Beast thought I would." She said, now shaking.

"No! Damnit Kitty, stop talking like that. You're going to be fine, do you hear me?" he said, staring straight into her eyes before pulling her close to him and holding onto her for dear life.

"I don't want to leave you Lance." She cried, holding him tight as well.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too." She said.

He then pulled her back to look at her once more. He ignored the feeling in his heart that told him this was really it. He stared deep into her eyes, memorizing everything about her. She did the same to him. Then, he pulled her into a passionate kiss.

"Promise me." She said once they broke apart.

"I promise." He said, defeated. "Come on, lets-"

"A boy once told me, not that long ago, that he carved our initials into this tree." She said, walking over to it. She looked at the place like she had done on the night he proposed to her, bringing her fingers up to trace it. "And forever they will be together." She whispered with a faint smile.

"Come on Kit, it's getting late." He said, wrapping his arm around her and leading her back to the jeep. The ride back to the mansion was a quiet one. Once they arrived, Kitty saw that Callie was standing in the doorway, staring outside, doll in hand. She smiled and phased through the door, picking her up.

"Shhh…Callie, everything's alright. I'm here." She said, rocking her back and forth. "Where's Uncle Kurt?" she asked her. Callie pointed toward the rec. room.

Kitty made her way back into the rec. room as Lance stood outside a while longer, no longer trying to stop the tears from falling. Kitty saw Kurt on the couch, now talking with Rogue and Remy who was holding a sleeping Wesley, seeing as how Amanda had left.

"Hey guys." Kitty said, biting back the tears. "I'm…I'm going to go up to bed now." She said.

Kurt stood up and hugged her, and it wasn't just a friendly, see you tomorrow hug. He knew something was wrong. He had a feeling that she wouldn't be with them much longer. He held back the tears as he hugged her close.

"I love you Kitty. You vill always be my best friend." He whispered so only she could hear, and then he ported away.

It was harder now for Kitty to not lose it. She should have known that saying goodbye to Kurt would be hard; she should've known to go to him last. Rogue was now looking at Kitty in a weird way.

"Are ya okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She said, giving Rogue a small hug, surprising her.

She then said goodbye to Remy and leaned down to kiss Wesley on the head before going over to Pietro. She hugged him goodnight and said goodnight to everyone else in general. She went straight for Callie's room. After she had put Callie down and said goodnight to her, which took a good while, she went to Kurt's room.

She didn't bother with knocking, just went straight in. He was sitting in the dark, staring out his window. She walked over and sat down beside him. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close.

"I vill miss you Kitty." He said.

"I'm scared, Kurt." She said, sniffling and coughing occasionally.

"Everything vill be alright." He said, kissing her forehead. "I'll vatch over Lance and Callie for you." He said, knowing that's the way she'd want it.

She couldn't take it anymore; she just let it all out. She cried until she believed she couldn't cry anymore. Lance had come in at some point and carried her into their room. He was now lying beside her, holding her close. He was crying too, she could tell.

"I love you Lance, I don't want to leave you." She sobbed, coughing again as he held her tighter.

"I love you too pretty Kitty…always." He said, smoothing her hair back. "Now go to sleep." He whispered. Kitty did as Lance said, falling asleep in his arms.

Lance woke up the next morning expecting to find Kitty not breathing, but she was; though, it seemed to be difficult for her. He breathed a sigh of relief and kissed her forehead. He then climbed out of bed and went to check on Callie.

Kitty didn't join them for breakfast and Kurt was sure she had passed on; though, he was sure Lance would have let them all know. No, Kitty was still alive…for now.

Lance had gone to check up on Kitty around lunch, bringing her some soup. She looked paler than before and she had dark rings around her eyes. She also refused to eat, saying that she didn't think she could stomach any food right now. Lance left the soup anyway and headed back downstairs with the others.

Everyone kept asking him what was wrong with Kitty, but he refused to tell; he knew Kitty wouldn't want everyone to see her like this. He also thought of how hard it would be for her to go through saying goodbye again; he didn't even want to think about it.

Lance watched as Callie opened her presents and he took a lot of pictures. He saw Callie look at him and look for Kitty. He felt his heart break right then and there.

"Where's mommy?" she asked, standing in front of Lance. "I have a present for her." She stated proudly.

Lance picked her up and carried her upstairs. He glanced inside before he entered, not wanting Callie to find her mother dead. But Kitty was still alive, though it was obvious that she was fading fast.

"Mommy, look what I made you." She said, handing her a necklace made out of colored macaroni noodles.

"Thanks sweetie." She said quietly, kissing her forehead. Then she started coughing.

"Mommy, are you okay?" she asked, worried.

Kitty's eyes filled with tears. She couldn't leave her without an explanation first.

"Callie, mommy's...going away soon." She said with some difficulty.

"Where?"

"You know…about heaven, right? That's where…I'm going. And I'm going…to watch over you…every day." She said, breathing heavily every so often, tears falling down her cheeks again.

"You…you're not coming back then?" she asked, starting to cry as well.

"No." she whispered, taking her in her arms. "But I'll…always be with you…Remember that." Callie nodded and then kissed her mom and ran out of the room as Kitty started coughing again.

Lance walked over to her and took her in his arms, trying to comfort her. He kissed her forehead and stood up. Kitty reached her arm out to stop him.

"Lance wait. Stay…stay with me please." She said softly, trying not to cry anymore.

"Anything for you, pretty Kitty." He said, sitting down beside her and taking her hand in his.

Lance stayed by her side as she fell asleep, holding her hand until it went limp. He blinked back the tears as he looked down at the only girl that he had ever loved. The one girl who had changed his life; and now, she was gone. She was out of his life forever and there was nothing that he could do.

He cried for he didn't even know how long, never letting go of her hand. Logan had found him that way a little while later, after calming down a very upset Callie. He noticed that Lance was still holding onto Kitty's hand even though it was obvious that she was gone.

"Come on bub." He said gently, helping the young boy up.

a few days later...

Kitty was buried under the old willow tree that Lance had carved their initials into. It was a small little gathering of friends' come to say goodbye to a beloved teammate and friend. In Lance's speech, he told of how Kitty had been sick for a long time. Most people were shocked, but there was nothing to be made of it now.

They all said goodbye and one by one departed the wood, leaving Lance and Callie. Lance placed a single rose on the freshly laid dirt and then picked Callie up, who was just staring at the tree. She seemed to have noticed something on it.

"Daddy, what's that?" she sniffled, pointing at the carving.

"That's where I carved your mom and mines initials after we had first met." He said, smiling as he remembered the night he proposed. "And forever they will be together." He whispered with a faint smile.

And he walked out of the wood, Callie in his arms, and memories of his only love running through his mind.

The End

A/N: Well kids, that's it. I know it's not the best ending in the world, but it's gonna have to do. And I also know that you guys probably hate me cause I killed her; but that had been my intention all along. Yeah yeah, I'm a very morbid person (laughs evilly). Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed. Au revior!