I'd like to thank everyone who attempted to read Chapter 1 even with the formatting fiasco. I appreciate it and Chapter 1 has been fixed.
Standard disclaimer: I don't own them; I'm just borrowing them for our entertainment.
"Wedding Bells"
Part 2 – Packages, Boxes and Bags
While plans for the wedding were still going on, one very important item was not being overlooked – Jean was back to regular training sessions with Professor Xavier. Since Liberty Island, Jean's powers had grown exponentially, to the point where they really couldn't be measured. The Professor was of the opinion that Jean was now as strong, or even stronger, than he was himself. But the Professor had one very important gift Jean still lacked – control.
When she was a child, Professor Xavier had locked down Jean's powers, slowly releasing them as she matured. Recent events showed that might not be the best approach. Now he removed all the controls during training and at the end of each session, they were locked back down to a level where she felt confident of full control. It was a slow process, but the results were beginning to show.
They were in the Professor's study, practicing. Scott was also with them. From the mental link he shared with Jean, he was able to monitor Jean's mental and emotional state during the training. No one wanted a repeat of Jean's explosive breakdown.
Right then, the Professor and Jean were in the middle of a mental tug of war. Scott watched the two of them, expressionless, but inwardly growing alarmed. He could feel her power growing – couldn't the Professor?
If he could, he was ignoring it. "You're almost there, Jean," Professor Xavier encouraged, oblivious to the orange glow in her eyes.
"That's enough," Scott said firmly. He wasn't sure exactly what they were doing, but he didn't need to look at Jean to tell they were reaching a dangerous point.
"Scott, please," the Professor said with some irritation. They were getting so close.
"That's enough," he repeated and forcefully interfered in the mental connection between Jean and the Professor. Jean broke the connection with a gasp.
"Scott," the Professor began. "Your presence ..."
"Is needed," Scott finished for him. "You both get too involved in what you're doing to pay attention to the essentials. Control was slipping from her – I felt it."
Professor Xavier didn't argue. Deep down, he knew Scott was right. He took Jean's hand and they silently restored the power locks together. "We'll work on this again tomorrow," he said to Jean as he wheeled himself out of the room.
Jean continued to sit on the couch, panting slightly. She had been on the edge again, and it terrified her.
"I'm never going to get it," she admitted, sadly.
"Yes, you will," Scott said firmly. He got up and moved slowly to the Professor's desk. His leg was beginning to ache again. He leaned on the desk and continued, "It's just going to take a while, that's all."
Jean shook her head.
"Hey – you've always said I know more about control than most, so listen to me now. Control – real control – isn't about how powerful you are. It's about how careful you can be. It's not enough to pick up the pen mentally and bring it to yourself. It's writing your name with the pen on the pad on the desk..."
He grinned as the pen began to move. He turned to read the words. "Jean Grey ... Dr. Jean Grey ... Jean Elizabeth Grey, M.D. – now you're just showing off – Dr. Jean Grey-Summers," he broke off in surprise. "I thought you weren't going to take my name?"
"I changed my mind," she said.
Scott tried not to smile, but wasn't successful. "You don't have to. My ego will get over it."
Jean grinned. "After a while. Besides, it's not like it will be a big leap for anyone who follows my research. Women get married and change their names all the time. There's no need to make a big deal of it."
Scott returned the smile broadly. "Dr. Jean Grey-Summers it is."
x X x
Wedding preparations continued. They were down to the last couple of weeks. Gifts arrived for the couple every day. Some were funny, some were practical, and some were sentimental.
And then there was one that floored everybody.
It was addressed to Scott Summers and Dr. Jean Grey. Block print was used, there was no return address, and the postmark was New York City. Inside the box was a letter and a thin package.
The letter read:
"It might surprise you to know that I bear no grudges and trust you will accept this gift in the spirit in which it is intended. In spite of all, we are still brothers.
Give my best to Charles,
Erik
p.s. I recommend Jean get the money up front."
They all stared at the package Scott held. "It feels like a frame," he offered.
"It's a bomb," Logan said as he extended his claws.
"Nonsense," the Professor said firmly. "Open it."
Gingerly, Scott tore the wrapping and Jean watched over his shoulder. Scott's jaw dropped and the Professor recognized it for what it was. "Oh, Erik," he breathed.
It was a ketubah, a Jewish marriage contract. Framed, the document was hand painted in a tree of life design and written in Hebrew. It was the most stunning present they received.
x X x
That night, to the great amusement of all, Hank translated the ketubah. Magneto had undoubtedly had a great deal of fun while following the traditional formula. He read from where Magneto had left Scott and Jean a blank space to write the date of the wedding.
"... since creation of the world, the era according to which we are accustomed to reckon here in the county of Westchester, how Scott, son of Christopher –"
"How'd he know my father's name?" Scott wanted to know.
Hank ignored him and continued reading. " ... said to this virgin –"
Jean snorted but said nothing.
".. Jean, daughter of Jonathan, 'Be thou my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I will work for thee, honor, support, and maintain thee in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who work for their wives, honor, support, and maintain them in truth. And I will set aside for thee 200 zuz -- "
"What's zuz?"
"Traditional money," Hank answered. "... in lieu of thy virginity --,"
"Typical. I'm paying for something I never got." Scott was smacked in the back of the head for that.
Maybe I should pay you Jean sent him.
Maybe you should Scott replied. Sometimes telepathy had its uses.
"... which belong to thee (according to the law of Moses), and thy food, clothing, and necessaries, and live with thee in conjugal relations according to universal custom.' –"
"I've always been in favor of conjugal relations."
"... And Jean, this virgin consented and became his wife. The dowry that she brought from her father's house, in silver, gold, valuables, dresses and bedclothes, amounts to -- ah, he credits you with 100 silver pieces, Jean --"
"Not bad."
"... and the bridegroom consented to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of 100 silver pieces, making in all 200 silver pieces. -– I agree with Magneto, Jean, get the money up front -- And thus said Scott the bridegroom, 'I take upon myself and my heirs after me the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the dowry, and of the additional sum, so that all this shall be paid from the best part of my property, real and personal, that I now possess or may hereafter acquire. All my property, even the mantle on my shoulders, shall be mortgaged for the security of the contract and of the dowry and of the addition made thereto.' --"
"I'm getting a mortgage?" Scott asked blankly.
"No, you will get a mortgage if you don't have the money to pay Jean. Pay attention, Scott," Hank replied severely before returning to the translation.
"... Scott the bridegroom has taken upon himself the responsibility for all the obligations of this ketubah, as is customary with other ketubot made for the daughters of Israel in accordance with the institution of our sages -- may their memory be for a blessing! It is not to be regarded as an illusory obligation or as a mere symbolical delivery between Scott son of Christopher the bridegroom, and Jean daughter of Jonathan, the virgin, and they have employed an instrument legally fit for the purpose to strengthen all that is stated above, and everything is valid and established."
Hank looked at the document admiringly. "There's even a place for you both to sign. I can write the Hebrew for you to finish it. This is the most beautiful modern ketubah I've ever seen. He must have spent hours on it. The design is stunning and the workmanship is fabulous."
"I knew Erik had an artistic streak," Professor Xavier commented. "But I never realized he was this good."
"Why do you suppose he sent it?" Scott wondered out loud. "He's only tried to kill us a couple of times."
The Professor smiled. "Perhaps – he's finally seeing there is some hope."
Privately, few agreed, but all thought it was, if nothing else, a lovely present and a very nice gesture.
x X x
Jean and Scott stayed behind and picked up the dessert remains from the Professor's study.
"By the way," Professor Xavier said. "I wanted to give you this privately. It's my wedding present."
Scott took the envelope and opened it. Jean looked over his shoulder at the multiple legal pages. He scanned the document and looked up, stunned.
"Professor, I ... we can't accept this."
"Yes, you can," he replied. "You need a home of your own."
Professor Xavier had given them the boat house by the lake, with a sizeable lot of land around it. The cottage was small, but far larger than their room at the mansion and would afford them far more privacy.
"It will need a great deal of renovation before you move in," the Professor continued. "Nobody has lived in it for almost fifty years."
Jean smiled and she leaned forward to kiss him. "Thank you, Charles," she said. "For everything."
x X x