Mark C: Thanks, I wasn't sure about the first scene, but I'm glad you liked it. We had to have a mother/daughter moment and maybe she will eventually talk to Scott about it. August/Amara will become very close in this, but Jack will need time to heal and they'll thank August later.
Aaron: You'll see how she reacts to Slayer in this chapter. August will end up with Amara. Slayer will open up also there will be someone for him in a way, but not August. It'll be someone more his own age.
Doza: Okay, you're too hard on Jean and Scott. They just went out the thank him and they were just really worried about their friend. This stuff happens you know so give them a break, jeez. Yeah, that's where I'm heading with Amara's love interests. The next chapter isn't all angst.
Jenskott: Yep, that's what happened and I kind of hoped some people would forget that I wanted to try and make it a surprise. More Sam/Tabby to come and of course Amara/August will get very close. It won't be easy, but Slayer will open up.
KaliAnn: Well, finding out your pregnant after all this time thinking you can't really is a shocker. August's past will come out trust me on this. Yep, that mother/daughter moment was nice wasn't it?
The Uncanny R-Man: You'll see in the final chapter who the kid takes after. Yeah, you know Vince all right lol. I had no idea about August's likes fire just lucky. More of August's past will be shown.
GothikStrawberry: You forget how Vince was raised that's why he would want that, besides some people still feel that way. Don't worry by the time they get married and have a baby the trouble will be over. August and Amara will get really close and Slayer will get better eventually.
ViciousAssassin: Thanks, I'm glad you liked her reaction. Yep it was time for a mother/daughter moment like that. You're right about the relationship and you'll see more of Slayer he eventually fills them in on his past.
Sparky Genocide: Yep, you'll see how some react to her pregnancy and yep you'll learn more about Layla soon.
Thanks to: X00001, Simba317, Silver Warrior
Hellfire and Brimstone
CHAPTER 67: BURDENS UNLOADED
Foyer - Slayer
After staying outside in the peaceful solitude of the sunrise for what felt like an eternity, Jack Robinson eventually went back inside, thinking he had just about had enough of seeing things of such great beauty. Seeing beauty like that only served as a painful reminder to him. The warm rays of the sun so greatly reminded him of…Her. So instead of finding solstice in them, he just found more pain and that was something he definitely didn't need.
Upon re-entering the institute, Jack made his way to the foyer. He could hear many of the students up and about, going about their usual business. Breakfast was being served and he could already smell the scent of bacon and eggs coming in from the kitchen. But as nice as it smelled, Slayer had no appetite for food. He just wanted to find somewhere he could be numb for once. Maybe he would try and meditate for a while or practice some of his swordplay.
At this point, he was desperate for something…Anything to get his mind off of his memories. But as he prepared to ascend the stairs, he was met with yet another problem in his already overly complicated life.
"Jack…We need to talk," said Emma Frost in a serious tone as she quickly caught up with the mutant warrior upon seeing him from the kitchen.
"I'm…Really not in the mood right now," he said in a low tone.
"Well, this is extremely important! So could you set that aside for a moment?"
Jack let out an exasperated sigh, not knowing what had gotten the young blonde so worked up. Judging by the tone in her voice, she was very serious about this and had no time think about his current state…Not after what she had learned last night.
"What is it Emma? Is something wrong?" he asked, doing his best to conceal his mood.
"You could say that…" she said cryptically.
"What do you mean?"
"Jack…I need you to be straight with me. What exactly did you do to me when you saved my life?"
The mutant warrior cast her a curious glance, but nothing in her expression hinted that she was being anything short of dead serious. If anything, she seemed somewhat anxious. Slayer was tempted to use his eye to see just what was the matter, but for some reason, he chose not to go through the usual confusion of getting in a stream of shock. And after what happened with that demon, he had enough shock for one lifetime.
"Well…" he began, thinking back to the exact tasks he had performed during that chaotic moment, "I didn't exactly have a lot of time to act. I was acting pretty much on impulse and instinct at that point and I didn't have a lot of time to go over the options."
"I know that…Just tell me what you did!" she said frantically, unable to stand the stress of not knowing.
"Uh…Why is it that you wish to know?" he asked, growing increasingly curious.
"Jack, please! Just tell me!"
Not wanting to argue any further, Jack simply took a deep breath as he went over the complicated details he knew too well.
"Well…Without getting into the really complicated aspects of magic and chi, I basically used a rare, but powerful elixir I mixed with the help of my powers. I made it as a safety precaution in case things with Selene got too rough, so I made sure it was pretty powerful."
"Just how powerful are we talking here?" asked Emma, needing to know the answers now before they drove her crazy later.
"Powerful enough to heal someone who's crazy enough to go head to head with Selene," answered the mutant warrior, not knowing how else to gauge it since magic was very complex and ambiguous.
"And this is the stuff you gave me?"
"Yeah…But it still wasn't enough. I had to do more," he explained, "I used my powers to tap all the metaphysical energy I could and channelled it into your body. It had the affect of accelerating the potion's healing properties on your damaged body as well as revitalizing your chi. That, along with Vincent's help, is what allowed me to save you. But why do you want to know? Why are you so curious all of the sudden?"
Emma now had the confirmation she desired. Her suspicions had just been confirmed…Jack Robinson was the one that had healed her…Therefore, he was the one responsible for her becoming pregnant. It was because of him that she had survived…But it was also because of him that she was now carrying a child that she wasn't at all prepared for.
Her face contorted somewhat as she took that in, for if she had known that, it might have been enough for her to seek a check up. But it was too late for that now…What was done was done and there was no going back.
"Uh…Emma?" said Slayer, growing a bit concerned upon seeing the look on her face.
"I'm pregnant Jack…" she found herself blurting out to the mutant warrior.
The mutant warrior's eyes widened with great shock, for he had definitely not been expecting to hear something like that. First she asks him about what he did to save her…Then she tells him she's pregnant? The shock was enough to send even the ever vigilant warrior into a daze and before he could even take a peak with his all seeing eye, Emma went on.
"A while back…I went to the doctors for a check up to see why I never became pregnant from…Well, you know. I was told that…That because of my experiences as a teenager, I had too much damage to my womb to carry a child. They told me it was impossible. Then last night…After I fainted in the middle of battle…I found out from Hank and Sage. They ran some tests that confirmed it…And it's pretty much undeniable now. I'm going to have a baby."
From this, Jack quickly managed to put two and two together…The damage, the healing spell, the pregnancy…That could only mean one things. It was because of him. His all seeing eye confirmed it and he quickly found himself in a very awkward position.
"Oh…Oh shit," he said as he watched the expression on the volatile blonde's face shift once more.
"That's it! That's all you can say! Oh shit!" she yelled, unable to hold in her emotions now that she knew the truth, "Jack, are you telling me that you and that all seeing eye of yours didn't have a clue that something like this could happen!"
The mutant warrior was now scrambling for answers. He knew this was big and he knew that this was his fault to a rather large extent. He wasn't exactly sure why he wouldn't have known…After all, it was very possible given the kind of power he was working with. He just never took the time to stop and look because he was so caught up in his own shit to really think about it. Now it was too late.
"Jack…" she began again, not feeling all that comforted by her silence.
"Well…In retrospect, there was a very distinct possibility that the potion could have other effects on your body. But none of them would have been negative, so I guess I didn't bother to think too much about it."
"You didn't bother!" she yelled in response, growing increasingly hysterical, "Then what the hell is that all seeing eye of yours for if it can't see something like this! I wasn't prepared for this! I had no idea it could happen!"
"Hey, neither did I!" shot Jack in response, "Magic isn't an exact science and my power is limited to the fact that I'm still human!"
"But you said you knew it was a possibility! And now look what happened! Being human doesn't give you an excuse to be careless!"
"I know it doesn't…" said Jack, trying to lower his voice in an effort to calm the young woman down, "It was a mistake…I swear. Just an honest mistake on my part…"
"Mistake? Mistake!"
Then, in an expected show of hysteria, Emma lunged forth and tried to choke the mutant warrior with her bare hands. Such actions even caught the usually vigilant warrior off guard and quickly struggled to fight her off. But she was proving to be remarkably strong, especially for a pregnant woman.
"YOU CALL THIS A MISTAKE! YOU CALL THIS JUST A LITTLE FUCK UP ON YOUR PART!"
It was at this point where Vincent came running into the foyer, driven by Emma's emotional breakdown that he felt through the link and the loud screams that were probably heard throughout every area of the mansion both inside and out. He frantically made his way over towards his pregnant girlfriend and tried too pry her off of his friend, but she was proving to be quite the difficulty even with his strength.
"Vince! Vince, get her off me!" struggled Jack, not willing to use his strength on the overly emotional pregnant woman.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" he struggled.
"You should've told me! You should have told me!" she kept screaming as she struggled with Vincent's attempts to pry her loose.
Eventually, after quite a bit of effort on Vincent's part, he managed to get Emma to let go of Jack. Even for a young woman without super strength, Jack had to admit that she had a pretty firm grip. But that was the last thing on his mind at this point. Looking back at Emma, he watched as she fell apart in Vincent's arms, breaking down in an emotional heap.
Her legs refused to carry her any longer as she fell to the floor. Vincent held her close, letting her cry her heart out into his chest and sending calming thoughts through their link.
"Why? Why me? Why am I being forced to deal with something like this?" she sobbed.
"Shh…It's okay, Emma. It's okay," said Vincent in a soothing tone, "You're not alone…I'm dealing with this too. You'll never be alone, you hear? We're in this together…"
"Together…" she repeated, tears still streaming down her face.
Looking back at this, Jack Robinson's mood didn't get any better. He had enough on his mind with the demon, now he had THIS to deal with. Life sure had a way of kicking him when he was down. It wasn't like he didn't have enough guilt already. Even though his all seeing eye told him that Emma was still trying to deal with the shock of being pregnant, that didn't stop his conscious from nagging him incessantly.
"Jack…" began Vincent as he helped his pregnant girlfriend up.
"Yeah, yeah…I know," he muttered, his all seeing eye flashing, "Please…Don't say anything. Let's just skip the whole 'she didn't mean it' crap and the 'she's still dealing with it' bit because I know the drill. At least believe me when I say I'm sorry and the thought of something like this happening just never entered my mind. But if you're going to yell at me for it, yell at me later. I've had just about enough guilt for one day."
"Jack, wait!" said Vincent, wanting to say more, but the mutant warrior didn't give him a chance.
Before either he or Emma could get any more words to the man who had made this baby possible, he was gone in a mist of purple haze. There was no telling where he had gone, but wherever it was, he wouldn't be able to escape what had just happened. He knew that just as much as Emma and Vince did…But he just couldn't stand this…This stress anymore. It felt as though he was going to crack. He didn't know how he was going to deal with this or even how he would ever be able to face them again. But right now, he just needed to be alone.
By this time, a rather sizable audience had gathered in the foyer which included Ororo, Logan, Laura, Rogue, Remy, August, and the New Mutants. They were all looking back at the young couple with a mixture of confusion and anxiety, for anything that caused someone to yell like that most definitely had to be serious. And knowing Emma was in no state to talk anymore after her breakdown, Vince knew that he was going to have to do some serious damage control.
"Well, I guess I have some explaining to do…"
-Kurt and Wanda- (a little love scene at the end)
Kurt and Wanda were in the forest near the Institute. In fact they were deep inside of it that it was pretty much impossible to see let alone hear anything about the mansion. They had no idea of what just happened with Emma in the froyer, but that was probably for the best. For Kurt that was exactly what he planned for he wanted to surprise Wanda. He secretly had gathered a few supplies and teleported to a spot he knew. It was a spot he had gone to many times when he just wanted to be alone and he had used it a lot of the time when Amanda had left.
But now he wanted it to share a special memory for him. He also wanted to make sure that they had privacy for this moment as well.
Wanda had just been in her room just reading a nice book when Kurt suddenly had teleported in. He had just told her to hold on and she found herself in the woods. They soon found themselves on a large blanket in a nice open spot in the woods. He brought with him another basket and the area was very calming and beautiful.
"I hope you like zhis. Zhis place is mien own personal spot in zhe voods. I don't zhink anyone knows of it except me and now you," He told her and she had to smile at that.
She sat down and smiled looking around, "It's a beautiful spot Kurt." And it certainly was…It was the kind of place that made one forget all the ugliness of life as well as see that the there was beauty in the world. After everything they had been through, it was a very nice place to be. Kurt sat down next to her and placed an arm around her waist, prompting her to lean into him resting her head on his shoulder.
It was a very peaceful moment with just the two of them. Lately, it was hard to find the time to just be together like this with all the extra training and stuff. The last time on the roof hadn't been that long and she swore that she could just spend the day here just like this with him by her side.
"Liebe…Do you ever vonder about zhe future?"
She considered his words for a moment. "Not really, I mean, I never really thought much about it. Why?"
Kurt let out a light sigh. "It's just that…After I saw vhat Jean and Scott go through…Vell, it got me zhinking zhat ve are about to go up against something very dangerous soon…Maybe even vorse zhen Apocalypse." Wanda shifted a little uneasy about that, remembering that battle all too well and the idea of facing something worse wasn't very comforting to say the least. "Vell after seeing zhem together after zhat demon zhing…It got me zhinking…"
She looked up at him, "Thinking about what?"
He looked down into her beautiful blue eyes and he found himself lost in them for a moment. Wanda, despite all her anger and tough exterior, was really a very kind and caring person underneath. He guessed as much when she let him take that statue that he thought his mother had been turned into. It was then that he figured there had been more to her then others saw and now he was looking right into it in her eyes, he could see so many things about her worth falling in love with. And if this darkness proved to be greater than Apocalypse…Then he refused to waste another moment.
"I zhought zhat…Zhat I don't vant to vaist our time together anymore, zhat I…I vant to…"
She reached up and caressed his cheek looking into those golden yellow eyes of his.
"Make love to me?" she said, smiling warmly as he nodded his head, a warm feeling coming over the both of them. Their first time together may not have been ideal, but it had been a moment she would treasure and she knew that pushing Kurt wouldn't be wise. So she could wait for him for when he was ready. "Are…Are you sure about this Kurt?"
He took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it his eyes never leaving hers, "I've never been so sure of somezhing in mien life Vanda."
She felt her heart skip a beat at this. Kurt was the only man that seemed to make her feel emotions that she never would have guess. She made her feel love for the first time in her life. And with her left arm placed around his neck, she leaned in close to show him just how much he meant to her in her own special way.
"Kiss me."
He gently captured her lips with his own and felt the wonderful sensations that followed. For so long, he had carried what Selene had done to him over his soul as a heavy burden. He had gotten better, but now he wanted to throw off some of the chains of those memories. He didn't want Selene to have anymore power over his life. He was here with his new love and he wanted to explore that love to it's fullest…To release his hesitation and lighten the burden he carried within him.
Wanda moaned a bit into the kiss. Kurt was always so gently, both with words and actions. She felt his hands slid to her hips as her heart was starting to race in her chest. She never thought that she would end up with a man like Kurt…One who saw past all the anger and pain and saw something in her no one else did. She had changed a lot since over these last two years and she liked who she had become.
And a lot of it was thanks to Kurt. He gently laid her on her back as his kissed went to her neck and she had to smile. This was wonderful that they were able to do this. She remembered the first time they got carried away and Kurt had a panic attack. She had felt so horrible from that. Sinister's base had been too forced, but now felt so right.
She felt a hand trying to open her top, but Kurt's large fingers had a bit of trouble so she helped him out, opening the button and the scarlet vest was soon taken off leaving her only in a black bra. He looked down at her and stopped. For a moment she was worried that he couldn't go through with it and that he would have another panic attack, but when he smile at her the fears went away.
"You are so beautiful…" he gasped.
She actually blushed at his words. She never really considered herself truly 'beautiful' until she started dating him. Kurt made her feel beautiful, desirable, and sexy. He made her feel alive and loved. She ran her hands under his shirt feeling the short and velvet like fur over his stomach. Despite his appearance under the fur, she knew his body was very lean and muscular under that fur. He helped her to pull off the top and she smiled as she ran her hands over his chest seeing the slightly lighter marks of fur there knowing there were where the scars still where on his chest, but she could only make them out now if she looked closely.
He leaned down and captured her lips in his again, moving her tongue around in his mouth as she gently ran it over his teeth careful of his fangs. Kurt was enjoying this immensely as his hands went up and cupped one of her breasts. She moaned in his mouth, feeling his hand there and it felt so good to touch her again and without the bulky collars on this time too. He felt her hands go to his pants and unbuckle them, zipping down his fly as she placed a hand in them and started to gently stroke him.
"Oh Gott in Himmel," Kurt said feeling her do that, "Oh Vanda, Sie fühlen so gut, werden Sie mich wahnsinnig treiben."
She couldn't help but giggle as he abruptly switched to German. She knew he did that when he was having trouble focusing and also she kind of liked him talking to her like that. He made it sound so sexy and even though she didn't know the words, she did manage to catch their meaning.
He tried to take her pants off as well, but his large fingers made it a bit difficult. They started to help each other out of their pants. It took a bit longer for Kurt because of the tail had to be gently pulled out of that and his underwear or it would hurt him. Wanda had also taken off her bra as she was now on he back with her beloved naked elf on top of her one of his mouths over a breasts, a hand kneading the other. She even felt his tail up against her crotch of her panties and it was driving her nuts. But she found a spot on Kurt that he was sensitive to as well as he gently stoked the base of his tail.
He kept muttering German phrases at her as she did this and then a thought hit her.
"Shit…Kurt do we have any protection?"
He stopped and nodded, "Ja…I vent to Scott and uh…Asked to borrow some…"
She saw him blush a bit and she had to smile at it. Here he was naked in the woods with his nearly naked girlfriend and he was blushing about asking for a condom from a friend.
"I think we better put it on now before we forget to," Wanda told him and he agreed, she watched him open the basket and pull out one, but it was hard for him to get it open. He swore something in German as well and she nearly laughed at the sight of him sitting down trying to get the package opened.
"Here let me," she gently took it and with her long nails managed to tare it open.
"Now sit back while I put it on," she grinned at him.
She had to admit it went on fairly easily and the groan from Kurt said that he liked her touch. She stood up and slipped off her black panties as she straddled Kurt's waist.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked, knowing there was no going back after this.
"Ja…I am," he told her as he held her hips and he guided her to him.
She hugged Kurt close to her as she felt him enter her. He held her back as well as they both sat there and looked into each other's eyes for a moment. They leaned in and kissed before they started to move against each other. Soon Wanda had her legs wrapped around his waist her nails slightly scratching his back as she felt his hands on her shoulder for leverage and his tail tracing pattered along her back.
The two had been bucking against one another with Wanda on his lap the entire time. They let the outside world melt away as they just relished in the pleasure and bliss of it all. It was just amazing for both of them to let go of past pains about sex and just enjoy it with a person they loved. Wanda felt that she was lucky to have found a boy like Kurt to fall in love with. He was her first love and maybe he was the love of her life. For Kurt, he felt he was lucky that not only could he do this with Wanda, but also that he had Wanda. After Amanda, he had been afraid that he would never find love again. Amanda was his first love and would always have a special place in his heart, but Wanda was different, for she was his true love his soul mate…That much he was sure of it.
Soon they both reached a climax with Wanda digging her nails into his velvet fur as she arched her back and cried out feeling the release that had been building up in her as Kurt gripped her shoulder pulled her down onto him his hips bucking a few times after he spent himself as he leaned his head on her collar bone, he had yelled out something in German as he climaxed.
After that they were resting on the blanket cuddling up against each other, still naked as they day they were born. Wanda was resting up against his chest as she felt him play with her short dark hair.
"Hmmm…That felt nice."
He kissed her forehead, "Vanda…No matter vhat happens…Just know zhat…I love you."
She buried her face into his chest mainly so the tears she was feeling wouldn't be seen, "I love you too, Kurt."
And with that, they just laid there holding each other in the warm sunlight, taking in this peaceful moment. No matter what was coming, they knew they would face it together and nothing would be able to take them from the other. For the first time in a very long time, the both of them felt truly at peace and truly happy with each other.
Library – Emma/Jean/Betsy
After the incident with Jack, Emma found herself physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. Now the whole institute would probably know that she was pregnant within the hour…And her overall reaction to the whole ordeal wasn't exactly encouraging to say the least. It just took some time for it to really sink in. Yet part of her still couldn't believe it…She was going to be a mother. She…Emma Frost…Former White Queen of the Hellfire…Was going to have a baby. She had done so many bad things in her life and made so many mistakes that she should have been the last person in the world to have a child. Yet here she was…Pregnant with the child of Vincent Freeman.
It had all been because of what Jack had done to save her life. That much she had confirmed. And unfortunately…Emma chose to take some of her frustration out on the young warrior who was still reeling from what happened with that demon. It certainly didn't necessarily help his mood to say the least and there was still an ongoing mystery as to why he was acting the way he was. But after seeing just how distraught he was, she was beginning to feel really guilty about it.
Eventually, Emma found the need to get away from it all and secluded herself in the upper level library where it was quiet for the most part. She didn't want to be bothered at this point…She just wanted to be alone with her thoughts. She ended up laying back on the couch, staring at the ceiling with one hand over her abdomen where her baby was growing inside her. If felt strange…Knowing that a life was now forming inside her…A life that she and Vincent had made together through their love. Sure, it had been unexpected to say the least, but it was a life none the less…A life that she and Vincent were now going to be responsible for.
"Emma? Hey luv, are you in here?" came a familiar British voice that partially broke her out of her daze.
"Betsy?" she said as she got up slightly to see Jean and Betsy walking in and closing the door behind them, "Don't tell me you've come here to make me feel any worse."
"Oh come on Emma…Don't tell me you're going to try and choke us to death as well?" made Jean, trying to lighten the mood a bit.
Emma just let out a slight sigh as she simply flopped back onto the couch, placing a hand over her head and rubbing away some of the soreness that was already starting to form.
"So…Are you going to tell us what's wrong or are we going to have to go through the whole denial bit first?" said Betsy as she sat down next to her friend.
As much as Emma would have liked to keep this to herself, she had neither the strength nor the mindset to accomplish such a feat. She was already so drained from the whole ordeal and these were some of her closest friends after all. She really didn't want to do this after everything that had just happened…But in her mind, it was probably a good idea to get it over with.
"I take it you all heard the screaming," she muttered, now not feeling all too good about her reaction.
"Yeah…I think half of New York heard it," said Jean with a humored grin.
"Can't say it would surprise me. What exactly did you hear?"
"Not much, really," said Betsy, "Vince just told us that something serious came up and that everybody would know soon enough once things were straightened out."
"What about Jack? Have you seen him around?" asked Emma anxiously, feeling very bad now that she looked back on what she did, she still didn't understand why he lost it. Maybe she just over stressed and he had been the closest thing to a scapegoat at the time.
"No, I'm afraid not…" said Jean, the incident with him at the gazebo still hanging fresh in her mind, "Nobody knows where he is now, but Scott and I tried to talk to him earlier and he really seemed distraught over something."
"Distraught?" said Emma, now feeling even more guilty, "Great…If that's the case, then I think I may have just made things worse for him."
"What do you mean?" asked Betsy as she watched Emma hug her knees for some reason, "Emma, what's going on?"
The young blonde took a few deep breaths, for this was definitely not going to be easy for her. It was hard enough telling Vincent, now she had her friends to deal with. But chances were that if she didn't tell them now, it would only get worse as others started speculating and she definitely didn't need that in her current state.
So in the spirit of keeping things as simple and as blunt as possible…Emma Frost simply blurted it out.
"I'm pregnant…"
Like a dear looking into the headlights of an oncoming car, Betsy and Jean looked back at their friend with pure shock. Had they just heard right? Did Emma just say she was pregnant? It took a moment for that to register in their minds. They remembered Emma telling them something about her being incapable of having children, so it didn't quite make sense to them. A million questions were now surging through their minds…Questions that Emma was not prepared to answer. Yet nevertheless, it did begin to fully register with greater depth as it began to sink in.
"Pregnant?" repeated Jean, her eyes still wide with shock, "But I thought…How did…"
"Jack…" she answered simply, knowing what both girls were probably thinking, "He…The damage that made me infertile was…It was healed by his magic when he saved my life. I didn't know it…And it didn't necessarily cross his mind either. And because of that I guess…I guess I kind of lost it when I took it out on him."
"Yeah…No kidding," said Betsy, remembering all the screaming.
A heavy silence fell over the three girls as they allowed this to sink in. Emma tried not to make eye contact so as to avoid their awkward gazes, but both Jean and Betsy were quick to cast their friend a warm smile, for if anything, she just needed comfort at this point.
"Well I have to say, it sure does explain a lot," said Jean, a sense of humor once again returning to her tone, "Now I get why you were eating all those weird things and why you were puking."
"Yeah…Not to mention why you collapsed in the middle of that fight against Selene's demons," added Betsy.
Such words did help Emma lighten up somewhat, but it still didn't do too much for her mood.
"Yeah, yeah…I know. Mystery solved. I'm not sick, hurt, or going crazy…I just happen to be pregnant with a child that I'm not equipped to handle at a point in my life when I'm not at all ready for it."
"Hey, come on luv, don't say that…" coaxed Betsy as she heard her tone sink once again.
"Why not? It is true after all," she said, hugging her knees a little tighter, "I mean look at me…Look at what I've done! I'm only 20 years old and I'm pregnant! I'm not ready for this…I…I never even had a decent family of my own, so how in the hell am I going to be a mother?"
Jean and Betsy took a seat next to her in an effort to comfort their friend. It was clear that she was very nervous about this…Hell, who wouldn't be? It wasn't like they could blame her. To be so young and have something like this thrown at her during such times of stress had to be rough. But despite this, there was still some excitement to it, for their friend was having a baby.
"Emma, come on…You're stronger than this and you damn well know it," said Jean with a comforting smile.
"Yeah, don't let the hormones get to you now," said Betsy, trying to get into the spirit as well.
"I know, but still…" she began, but Jean wouldn't let her finish.
"Emma, please…Don't do this to yourself. We're your friends…We don't want you to dig yourself into a rut because you feel as though you're all alone when you're really not. I mean…You still have Vince, don't you? He'll be there for you every step of the way to help you. And you still have us and everybody else here at the institute, so don't think for a second that you have to go at this alone."
Emma felt a little better upon being reminded of that. They were right after all. She wouldn't be going through this on her own. Vincent had already made it clear that he was never going to leave her side no matter what. He'd go through hell itself for her and her unborn child, that much she was confident of. And in addition, she still had plenty of friends to help her every step of the way. These people weren't like her estranged family…They wouldn't scorn or look down on her…They would be there for her and support her.
She wasn't alone…That much she had come to accept. But now that she was responsible for this life, it was sure as hell going to be a challenge to say the least.
"She's right, luv," said Betsy, "We'll be here for you ever step of the way. I mean come on…You're having a baby. Don't tell me that a part of you isn't happy about that."
"Well…" said Emma, thinking about that for a moment, "Yeah, I guess after finding out that I was infertile, it is sort of a nice knowing that I can have a family of my own."
"And it can be a family that isn't like the one that abandoned you," added Jean, "This is your child…You're family. It's up to you in regards to how it's raised…Not them. You've already shown pretty much everybody here that you're a very strong person Emma…And I can say with complete confidence that you'll make one hell of a mother."
Upon hearing that, Emma actually managed to smile. Placing her hand on her stomach, she actually began to feel a little better about this whole situation. After all, this was something she never thought she could have…This was something that was supposed to have been forever taken away from her. But now here she was…Pregnant with a child from the man she loved. It was a second chance…I one in a billion occurrence that would give her the opportunity to do something she never thought she'd be able to do.
Maybe she wasn't ready for it…Maybe she wasn't up for this…But either way, it was going to happen. She was going to be a mother. And as that sank in, she began to feel a lot better about it, for it left her with plenty to look forward to.
"Thanks you guys…Really," she said gratefully.
"Hey, what are telepathic friends for?" said Jean with a smile.
"Yeah, you said it yourself luv…We psychics have to stick together," said Betsy in a more upbeat tone.
"Good memory…" she said with a wry grin, "So I take it you two aren't going to waste any time in planning the baby shower."
"Are you kidding?" exclaimed Betsy, "I've always wanted to take a stab at it!"
"Yeah, just leave that kind of shit to us," said Jean, finding Betsy's enthusiasm towards it rather humorous, "In the meantime, if there's anything you need…Don't hesitate to ask. We're your friends and friends help each other."
"You don't say?" said Emma, an idea quickly coming to mind, "Well then you wouldn't by chance be willing to fix me up a peanut butter, mayonnaise, turkey, and olive sandwich on raisin bread now would you?"
Both Jean and Betsy cringed somewhat at a dish like that…But then again, given what she had been eating lately, it was hardly surprising.
"We…May need to get Kurt to help us with that one," said Jean, her stomach cringing at the thought of food like that.
"Yeah, I know…But damn these cravings are strong," cursed Emma.
"Well we'll do our best to keep them from driving you crazy, but don't expect us to try any of it," said Betsy, hoping to keep her breakfast down for the time being.
"Oh don't worry…As long as I'm eating for two, I doubt I'll leave many leftovers," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Well just try and relax for now and we'll do what we can to help you through the oh so beautiful world of pregnancy," said Jean as she and Betsy got up off the couch and prepared to make their leave in order to help fulfill Emma's latest craving.
"Yeah…Beautiful indeed," she muttered as she laid back on the couch and began stroking her abdomen again, "God, I'm going to get so fat!"
-Kitty and Piotr-
Kitty and Piotr were in a special area set up for his art in a spare room that had been converted into a studio. Piotr had used this and other areas, but this was the best place for it because the light from the window came in just right and the bathroom helped with the clean up with mess that so often came with paints. He also loved to use it with Kitty as he placed a 'Do Not Disturb' on the door for when he didn't want to be interrupted. The others from time to time used this as well. And as it turned out, he was delighted to have found that Vince sketched, although he never painted, mostly sticking to pencil drawings or chorale. Although he was very personal about it, and sometimes he would find him alone working on a piece.
It took awhile, but he saw his closely guarded sketch book and drawings. They were very good and accurate, varying from drawing to drawing. But he soon saw why no one knew of it, for it contained some very personal things. Some of the images were very dark, depicting that of a lone child alone on the streets, images of great pain or violence. Piotr could tell that underneath all that kind persona, there was a man who carried a great many pain and suffering inside.
However, not all of it was dark, and he smiled at some of the brighter ones. And it seemed that Piotr wasn't the only one to draw the love in their life. Although he once accidentally found himself looking at some of the wrong pieces of saved sketch paper he kept in a black art carrier and found a few nudes of Emma in very graphic detail. He quickly put it away and never looked again. When he admitted it to Vince, the boy blushed feverishly, forgetting he had left that. And after an awkward moment, they both laughed at the moment they both agreed to never speak of it again.
There was also a place for pottery and clay that Jean used this from time to time as well. He remembered how she could either mold the clay with either her hands or her mind. That was a talent he envied, to make the art purely from your mind like that with nothing to get in the way. But this room was mainly used by Piotr to get away from it all. Although he also loved sharing it with Kitty, at the moment she was deep in thought as he was sketching her she had with a sadden look that she wasn't even aware that she was being sketched.
He had an upper profile done when he noticed the sadness there. He looked at her closely and he could just tell it was there. It was in her expression and how she was posed looking out a window with one hand holding up her head. Finally, he put down his sketch pad and walked over to her and gently touched her shoulder.
"Katya what is wrong?"
"Hmmm?" she asked him snapping out of her thoughts.
He knelt down next to her, "Katya, I can see something is bothering you. I have been noticing it for some time please…Talk to me. Tell me what is wrong?"
"It's…Nothing really."
"Katya I have known you for nearly a year, and I know one of many things about you," he said as he tilted her chin to face him, "You do not lie very well. Please talk to me."
She sighed and thought about it. She really did want an open and honest relationship with him. But where could she start? With her own little crisis in her believes? With what has been going on? With what happened to Emma? She just started talking about all her doubts and everything and she just unloaded on him and he sat there just listening to her.
"I mean all this ultimate darkness stuff is just so…So major! I mean, Apocalypse was bad enough, but this is the end of the world we're talking about! If we fail then…Then it all ends." She was forced to take a deep breath, allowing her thoughts to collect. "It's just that this is so much responsibility…Plus, we're going up against things we've never been trained to fight before too. Am I just worrying too much?"
He smiled at her and caressed her cheek lightly, "Niet Katya. I too am worried…We all are. But know this, you mean the world to me and I will always stand by your side and I will let no harm come to you."
She smiled at him, seeing the love in his eyes for her and she leaned over and hugged him nuzzling her head against him. She felt his big powerful arms wrap around her this always made her feel just so safe, and she knew that he meant every word.
"Piotr…You mean so much to me…Promise me that I'll never lose you."
"You have my word Katya…On my honor, you will not lose me," he whispered to her.
It warmed her heart to hear him say that and she just let a small smile form on her face from this. He was just so perfect. He made her feel so loved and safe. Her smile grew as she thought about the perfect way to thank him.
She pulled back, "You know…I have a new outfit that I wanted to model for you…Think we got time?"
He thought it over and nodded, "Da I think so."
She kissed him lightly on the lips, "Like don't go anywhere…I'll be right back."
She then ran off and phased through the wall to her room. While Piotr was setting up she came back in and told him that she would change in the converted bathroom. He smiled to himself as he got his supplies ready, feeling all the more glad that he and Kitty were dating now.
She was so bright and cheerful, so full of love and life that he couldn't help but fall in love with her. She was everything that he looked for in a woman and he knew that his family would love her. He also knew she would adore his little sister Illyana. He had sent word and even pictures of them to his family and they wanted to meet her. His mother had even asked him if she was The One and he honestly wrote back thinking that she was.
Then he got a letter back from his mother asking when she could expect her first grand child. Piotr really hoped that when they met her, his mother didn't ask that question. Although the thought of starting a family with her one day did make bring a smile to his face.
"Okay Petey…I'm ready," came Kitty's voice and when he turned to see just what this 'surprise' of hers was, his jaw dropped at the sight.
She was there in an open robe, wearing stocking with a garter belt holding them up. She had a thong panties with a corset top, all of which was in pink and showed off her slim form. Her hair was undone and hung loose down her back with the bangs framing her face and some of her long hair falling over her shoulders. She even had on pink lipstick. To Piotr, she looked incredible…A true vision of beauty. He wasn't sure, but he thought his heart stopped for a moment.
Kitty blushed a bit at the outfit. The older girls had helped her with it and seeing the effect it had on him made her feel as though they must have done something right.
"So…How do I look?"
Piotr could hardly even remember his own name at that moment let alone give words to what he thought of her appearance. The only thing he could think was that either this was a very good dream he didn't want to wake up from or that he was the luckiest man on the planet.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 68: OUT IN THE OPEN
Translations:
Oh Gott in Himmel : Oh God in Heaven
Oh Vanda, Sie fühlen so gut, werden Sie mich wahnsinnig treiben : Oh Wanda, You feel so good, you're going to drive me mad