Hellfire and Brimstone
CHAPTER 79: PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
-The Den-
Currently the Den in the mansion was taken over by pretty much all the women in the institute. It had been a week after the funeral and it was time to focus on something other then their sorrow for a time. So Emma took it to start planning out her wedding. There were taking notes as they started to plan this out.
"Okay, so the wedding will be in the backyard. We need flowers and chairs and a few other little decorations," Betsy said looking over what she had written down, "So there is a total of what, twenty people here that will be sitting there?"
"Add three more," Emma spoke up from the spot on the couch, "Vince is inviting his old sensei, as well as two of his friends Mary and Benny."
"I think Ray and Roberto may ask those twins they're seeing as well," Jubilee said thinking about it. She was currently helping after she made sure Bobby was taking it easy. He still had the stitches in his back and yet he still tried to move around. She swore he was like a kid when sick. "But I'll have to ask them later."
"I'll just make it an even thirty just in case," Betsy jotted it down. She had to admit, this was very nice. She never planned something like this, but Emma wanted to go all out. She didn't blame her, for this was her special day and she knew that she wanted it to be the most perfect day of her live. And God help anyone that tried to mess with it.
"Okay then. Well I looked up a few nice caterers for this," said Jean, going over the list she had gathered.
"Like why can't we just cook this ourselves?" Kitty asked them. No one knew what to say to that, given they didn't want to tell her that her cooking wouldn't be best for that day.
"Because we'll have enough to do and I don't want to over tax everyone," Emma stated and Kitty thought about it and just shrugged. Everyone breathed a bit easier at that and Jean gave Emma a small smile knowing what she just did.
"Well then, all I want to know now is whether or not you guys planned the honeymoon?" Betsy smirked at them. Some of the girls giggled at the purple haired woman's bluntness to it all, but they were thinking about that. With Emma's finances they could literally go anywhere in the world.
Emma merely smiled at them, "We have been planning that actually. First is a stop in Tahiti for a bit, then we'll go to Venice, Spain, Paris then take a flight to Japan and by then we'll be home."
"Damn that's one hell of a honeymoon there Emma," Tabitha as well as the other females were surprised by that.
Emma just shrugged, "Well we've all been through a lot, some more then others, and we just want to get away from it all…Just to enjoy life and start making some happy memories with each other."
Emma remembered all that they had been through. Her life had been a cold and lonely one. She lost her brother, then nearly her sanity, her innocence, and so much more. Now after Jack's death, she felt she wanted to enjoy life while she could because she knew that sooner or later someone else would come along the way.
"Aye, and with the wee one on the way ye will kind of be out of it for a few months," Rahne told her thinking of the baby on the way. Already the others were secretly planning something for them. Thankfully, Jean and Betsy had put mental barriers on all their minds so no one thought too loudly on the subject.
In fact, the long honeymoon was perfect as it would give them more time. They were planning to modify two of the rooms in the mansion. One would be their new one and the room that would connect to their room would be the baby's room. That way they would have easy access to the baby.
Emma placed a hand on her stomach and nodded. It was still strange to think a life was growing inside of her, but the fact she had trouble keeping her emotions under control like she normally did. The strange cravings and the morning sickness was proof of that. Also, the whole thing with her gaining weight and how hard it would be to get her stomach back would be, but she would. She had spent a lot of time and effort getting her body looking this good and she wasn't going to lose it even for her first born child.
"Have you two been thinking of names?" Jean asked her wondering if they had been talking about that.
Emma nodded her head, they had been thinking of names for a bit now, but they finally got some headway, "We're unsure about what to name the child if it's a girl but if a boy…We decided on Jack."
The rest of the group was struck silent by that as they thought of the man they had recently lost. They never expected that, but at that moment everyone thought it was nice of her to do so. Emma and Vincent had talked and thought that it would be fitting for their first child to be named after the man that was responsible for them being able to have children again. If it wasn't for him they both knew that this child would have never happened so they wanted to honour his memory in their own special way.
"Ah think that he would have lahked that," Rogue said with a sad smile on her face. The past week hadn't been easy on any of them, but they were all getting better.
"Thanks," Emma nodded, "How is your mother doing?"
Rogue sighed as she thought about it, "She's still hurin', but ah think she's doin' a bit better. She still spends a lot of her tahme in her room, but she's not scaring meh anymore with how she is."
Rogue had been so afraid that her mother would try something stupid or just take off to be away from the place that was just a reminder of her pain, but she was staying and at the moment Mystique was still depressed to say the least, but she had been coming out of her room a bit more now.
"She'll get better, Rogue. She's a strong woman," Emma stated.
While Emma didn't have the past with her that the others did, so she had gotten along better with the other woman. In fact, she could relate with her a bit better then some of the others. She and Raven had lives that were less then perfect and both women had come to a mutual respect for each other as they had both done things they regretted in order to survive.
"Thanks…Ah hope so," Rogue told her.
"Besides how are things with Gambit going?"
Rogue gave a slight blush at that, "It's…Goin' nicely. Ah just don't want to rush things too much. Ah kind of lahke what we have."
It was true they hadn't had sex since their first time, but she was working up to it. Between helping her mother and preparing for her first year of college, it had been kind of hectic. Gambit himself wasn't going since his past was pretty much blank on most official records and he was just happy with that. Truth was, she had hoped that things between her and Remy could start to move a bit more serious, but at least the few times they snuck into each other's room for comfort was nice at least.
"So then what else do we have to plan out?" Wanda asked figuring it was time to get back on track, "How about dresses?"
"Yes, I have to look for a wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses," said Emma, who had been thinking about that. She was thinking of taking them on a trip to New York to get the best kind, the ones in the Bayville were okay but she would only settle for the best she could get, "I think we'll have to schedule in a weekend where we can get that done."
Emma sighed, for she just hoped this didn't push back the date. But at least this was easier with so many friends with her. She never had thought of her marriage since she had been a little girl and so this was a chance to help live out the dream she had long ago thought was long dead. For Emma ,this was a pivotal moment in her new life and she wanted to make a memory that she would cherish for as long as she lived.
-Later that Day-
Betsy was just out for a walk with Warren. They both were enjoying the morning light at the time. They had taken the time to transfer to the same college as Jean and Scott were going to just so that they could have some people that they knew while studying there.
"So what were you and all the boys doing? You all just seemed to disappear this morning?"
Warren only grinned at her keeping a lid on his thoughts so that she couldn't sneak a peak at her, "Sorry Betsy, but I can't tell you that. All I can say is that some of us had to help Scott out with something and that's all you're getting."
She gave a bit of a pout on her face as she couldn't get a read on what it was. "You know…I could make it worth your while to tell me," she smiled at him saying that in her best sultry voice.
Warren was a bit torn. On the one hand he promised Scott he wouldn't tell anyone, but on the other…Betsy was a hard woman to say no to when she offered that. "Sorry, but trust me, you and everyone else will know by tomorrow morning."
"Oh fine then," she said, wondering what on Earth was going on but she could wait. She wrapped herself around him a bit more. "You know with Emma getting married and all…It makes you wonder a bit."
Warren looked a bit nervous at her, "Oh?"
She sensed how he was feeling and hide a grin, "Just thinking…Where is our relationship going? I mean, I love you Warren…I really do. I've never met anyone that understood the kind of life that we've both lived in, the circles we were groomed to be a part of and what that kind of life was like. All the men I found there were boring or just after my body or because they wanted to make a contact with my parents. But you were different."
He smiled, knowing full well what it was like because of how he had to be careful because he had to hide his wings. He only had one woman learn of them, but it had ended badly and then he had pretty much sworn himself off dating. That was during that depressed time when he shunned all contact with the world and it wasn't until he met the X-Men during Christmas that he started to turn his life around. He still remembered that fateful day he met her and was glad that he had.
"I know how you feel Betsy…You're one in a kind."
She smiled as she leaned her head on his shoulder feeling one of his marvellous wings behind her back, "Do you think that one day we'll be married?"
She felt him stiffen and she just had to give a light laugh, "Not now silly…And you don't have to be so relieved to hear that either."
"Sorry, typical guy reaction," he admitted to her, she just had to laugh at that, "But if it's any consolation, I can't think of anyone in my life but you."
"That's good enough for me luv," she told him.
Truth was, she didn't want to get married now anyway. They were young and still wanted to enjoy their youth. There was plenty of time for that later. Besides if Emma and Vince wanted to then good for them she couldn't think to two souls that deserved it more. Well other then…
She stopped as she realized what might be going on. She grinned to herself thinking of what type of surprise was in store for her friend and she couldn't wait to see if she was right.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Wanda was taking a break from looking over college courses. With a GED, she could take some, but honestly she wanted to take a year off and think about it. She wanted to help around the mansion and stuff before she wanted to pick something to study. In reality, she had no idea. There were so many choices. She never really thought about her future but now she had much more to live for.
She had a wonderful boyfriend, friends that she could trust, and a bright future with Xavier. She thought back to those days when he had tried to help her in the asylum when she had been so out of control…Those days that seemed like a faraway nightmare to her now. Xavier had always tried to help her from that day when she showed up here all of it. This place was the only place that had felt like a home to her and in honestly she couldn't see her anywhere else at the moment.
Maybe she would become a full time instructor? It could happen plus she had been thinking of maybe learning about how to deal with traumatised people, especially children. She knew first hand just how bad the world was, but she had been helped out of her personal darkness and so maybe she could help others? Xavier was thinking about one day turning this into a real school one day so she could prepare herself for that.
Her thoughts were stopped as a puff of smoke with a distinctive 'bamf' sound and she smiled knowing full well who it was.
"What's up Kurt?" she turned from her desk to look at him.
"Vell, I got good news and bad news," he said with a sheepish smile, "And it's kind of ze same zhing."
That got her interests as she looked at a letter in his hand, "Does it have to do with that?"
Kurt looked at it and nodded, "Ja, see mien parents in Germany are taking a vacation and zhey told me zhat zhey vant to spend it vith me…Since zhey hardly see me and all."
"Well that's nice of them, but what's the problem?" Wanda asked him, although she was a bit nervous she had never met Kurt's parents and she wondered if they would like her. Not to mention things like how far they were in their relationship and the whole Mystique thing. She stopped right there and from the expression on her face Kurt knew she had figured it out.
"Oh boy," she said softly thinking on THAT meeting.
"Ja," Kurt sighed and sat on her bed his tail twitching nervously, "I'm not sure zhat vill be great."
"Kurt, how much do they know what's been going on?" She asked him sternly.
Kurt winced and knew better then to lie to her, "Um…Vell zhey know parts of it. I kept the more…Darker zhings form zhem." He was referring to things like the torture and rapes and the end of the world that nearly happened. There was only so much that he would put his parents through and he didn't want them to be filled with worry not after being the more generous and caring parents in the world.
"Zhey know about you and vell…I did tell zhem about Mystique…And vell, my momma wasn't too pleased at zhat," he said, remembering that phone call. Although to be fair, he had last told them about his biological mother only when she had been their enemy and it was expected.
"This isn't gong to be pretty is it?" Wanda hoped it wouldn't end with someone killing the other.
"No it's not. I have told zhem zhat she's changed and not our enemy, but my mozher, zhe one zhat raised me, she's a bit protective of me."
"When are they coming?"
"Two months."
She got up and sat down next to him, "Well, at least we got time to try and smooth things over. I just hope things don't get too out of hand. I've seen what Mystique is like when mad."
"Oh trust me, my ozher mother is just as bad," Kurt sighed, remembering the few times mother Wagner had caught him up to some type of mischief and gave him a stern lecture. She wasn't bad just gave him a sound talking to that even today if it happened he felt like a five year old who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I'm not sure vitch is vorse. Facing the end of the world, or both my mozhers in zhe same room."
As Wanda tried to cheer Kurt up in a few rooms over August was on her bed but not alone. Her back kept getting cramps and knots in it from that magical blast from her mother. It ached a lot still, but thankfully it was getting better. She sighed knowing full well magical attacks could linger in the body for days or even years at times but thankfully it hadn't been that bad as she figured it would last a another week or two.
"Ouch," She said sharply.
"Sorry…that better?" Came Amara's voice.
"Oh yeah that's the spot," August smiled her eyes closed. She was currently laid face down on her bed with no top on. She had taken her bra off so it wouldn't get in the way making Amara blush bright red. She had laughed kindly at her reaction then laid down as her girlfriend worked on her back with her hands.
Amara knew a few techniques from home for sore or painful muscles and had offered to help. So here she was sitting on her girlfriend's naked back gently working a special oil August had made to help with the healing. There was an ugly looking mark on her shoulder blade and August guessed that it would become a scar later on. She was nervous at first but she got over it as she worked on her soft skin. Her long black hair was pulled away as she went to work.
"So what are your plans now?" Amara asked gently using her hands to work in the oil.
August gave a small moan, "Oh I don't know. All my life I've thought of revenge, but I have it and now I got nothing else to do."
"Well why not stay here…With me," she asked in a shy voice.
August did admit this place was very nice. Lots of room, a great place to train and keep her skills, and there was also Amara too. This place had everything and truth was she was just so tired. She just wanted to rest and she honestly couldn't think of a better place to stay.
"I think I'd like that."
Amara smiled happily as she then used her hands to heat up the oil at bit making her skin a bit warmer then usual. This caused August to moan out in pleasure, she loved fire and the heat and having a girlfriend that was both was just perfect. August had to admit this relationship could be very nice as it went on. She felt perfectly peaceful with her and truth was that fire form of hers was kind of a turn on.
Of course the mood was broken when Tabitha burst in looking for something since this was hers and Amara's room, "Hey Mara, have you seen-whoa!"
She did a quick turn around to stop looking and actually blushed herself. The image of her roommate and best friend in a very compromising position on top of her girlfriend using oils was something she hadn't expected.
"Okay, you know what? Never mind. You two keep at what…Well, you know, and enjoy!" Tabitha quickly left knowing when she wasn't wanted or needed.
Amara was all red from embarrassment in how this looked and she tried to call out to her, "Tabby! It's not how it looks! I'm just helping her out!"
August just burst out laughing at it all, "Oh so that's what's it's being called now a days," she joked. Amara wasn't amused and smacked her on her sore muscles, "Ow! Shit, I was kidding!"
"I know. It wasn't that funny," she crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry okay? Please forgive me?" August said playfully hoping she might try and get back to her magic fingers doing their work on her back.
Amara's face lightened up.
"Well…Okay then," she started to go back to work.
August got a bit more comfortable back on the bed, "But next time, if you want to punish me instead of hitting that sore spot on my back…Try a spanking on my ass."
"August!" The Nova Roman princess gasped started at this.
"I'm just kidding…Well…Kind of kidding," she looked at her girlfriend's face, "What? We all have certain taste I just like a little rough stuff now and then is all."
Amara just smiled and shook her head, this would definitely be a very strange relationship but truth was she was looking forward to see where it would lead them too down the road.
Ororo's Garden
The weather was warm and beautiful outside as Ororo, Logan, and Laura passed the afternoon together as a family in Ororo's garden. It had been a hard time for all of them, getting over Jack's death. Laura had been especially affected by it and she needed Logan and Ororo now more than ever to help her cope. She was still so confused by emotions, especially these feelings of intense grief that were just so unfamiliar to her. At Hydra, death was nothing more than a part of protocol. But after losing someone who she was close to, she now knew just how hard death could be.
It was a difficult concept for her to process, the sorrow of such a loss…But both Logan and Ororo were there for her the whole time, holding and comforting her as any parents should when their child was in pain. It was a further testament to just how far they had come and how close they were. And now more than ever, they felt as though they were truly a family.
At the moment, Laura was tending to a small patch of plants that Ororo had set up just for her. Over with Ororo and Logan, however, things were a bit more active as the former weather goddess used her powers to water her outside plants…All the while Logan had his arms draped around her from behind, planting affectionate, husky kisses on her neck. Such a feeling made Ororo smile and even seemed to be reflected in the gentle way the rain fell. Logan may not have been an expert gardener, but damn if he didn't know how to add a little spice to it.
Watching Logan and Ororo express their deep love just brought more smiles to Laura's face. For as mysterious and enigmatic as the concept of love still was to her…Seeing it between the two people she considered to be her parents was just something that brought out those happy feelings inside her that she had come to love so much.
And as Logan and Ororo's playful romantic gestures finally died down, they came back in to check on Laura, who was just about done tending to a patch of roses.
"I see you got them to bloom…" said Ororo with a warm smile as she took a deep whiff of the floral scent, "And a full month ahead of time no doubt."
"Hey, it's like you say…Sometimes plants just need a little finesse," she smiled in response.
"And you most certainly have that, kid," grinned Logan as he ruffled her hair, "That's my girl!"
"Hey!" she said, laughing somewhat at her father's gesture, "Are you ever going to stop calling me kid?"
"Depends…" shrugged Logan, "The day it stops being so fun, I'll probably quit."
"Then, I guess it'll be never…" said Laura, rolling her eyes somewhat, but maintaining a sense of good humor about it…Something she probably never would have had a few months ago.
As Laura took a step back in order to get a full view of what she had managed to accomplish, she found herself smiling once more…For it really was amazing in a sense that she was created to be such a monster, yet she could still make something look so beautiful.
"You did a real nice job, Laura," said Ororo as she brought the young girl into an affectionate hug.
"Thank you. I was thinking of maybe taking a few and leaving them at Jack's grave."
"Yes, I'm sure he'd appreciate that…Wherever he is," smiled the former weather goddess, giving Laura a tight squeeze, knowing there was still so much pain associated with Jack's death that she had yet to overcome.
Looking back up at the wise older woman that had done so much for her, Laura's expression turned to one of conflict as she leaned in closer to her…Wanting to hold onto this feeling that she couldn't possibly describe. Such a shift did not go unnoticed by Logan or Ororo, who just looked back tenderly at the young girl who was such a big part of their lives now. Something was on her mind…Something important. And with everything they had overcome, no time could be better to start anew.
"Is somethin' wrong, Laura?" asked Logan, still adjusting somewhat to this new role of being a concerned parent.
Laura just swallowed as she kept clinging to Ororo, the emotions she was never meant to feel now running on high. In looking at these roses and thinking about Jack, a lot of things ran through her mind concerning the future and how she would spend it. And in having the two people who mattered most to her at her side, she felt as though she was truly certain just how she wanted to move on.
"You know…Jack once told me that family is only as strong as you make it," she said, her voice getting a little choked up at the mention of such difficult issues, "He told me that…Even during the times when we think we don't need anybody…We still reach out to others for a sense of hope…A sense of belonging. And now that he's gone…I think I'm finally beginning to understand what he meant by it."
Ororo and Logan exchanged looks as they heard the strain in X23's voice. It was enough to break their hearts, but as she now clung to both of them, there was this strong sense of warmth that seemed to mend all…Going beyond all the messed up complications concerning their bond.
"I never thought I could have a family. I…I thought I wasn't meant to…" she went on, tears starting to form in her face, "At one point, I wanted to die…I didn't want to feel this pain anymore. But then I came here and you both just…"
After that, she became too choked up to speak and Ororo just took her in her arms, giving her the warm maternal love that she had been deprived of for so long.
"Shh…It's okay, Laura. It's okay," she said tenderly as she let the young girl cry into her shoulder.
"Yeah…We're here for ya darlin'," said Logan, his words thick with uncharacteristically deep emotion as he saw his daughter and the woman he loved in an embrace, "You have a family, ya hear? You have a family."
That only made Laura cry even harder as she kept hugging Ororo, so overcome with all these emotions that she just couldn't help it. The warmth of the former weather goddess was soon supplemented by Logan's strong arms, giving young Laura the full, unyielding support of both her parents.
And for Ororo, the feeling that this strong moment brought her was something that struck her on a deep level. This girl…This beautiful young woman who she was not related to by blood…Saw her as her mother. And as she held her in her arms along with that of the man she loved, she knew now more than ever that this was how it was meant to be.
"Yes, Laura…You have a family," she said to the crying child, "And I'm going to make it official."
Later on, they met up in Logan's room where the documents that legally made Logan a father to Laura were pulled out of a little safe box that he had kept and laid it out on a table. Then, in a symbolic show of love, resolve, and caring…Ororo Munroe signed the blank line just above Logan's, officially making her Laura's mother, now and forever more.
"Mom…" said Laura as she saw the signatures, once again feeling the tears form in her eyes.
"Yes, Laura…You have a mother now," said the former weather goddess as she and Logan stood beside the young girl who had been alone and desolate for so long, "You have a mother and a father…A mother and father who love you. And no matter what happens from this point on, regardless of the past or the future…You're never alone."
After that, Laura couldn't take it anymore…She just broke down and cried. But her mother and father were right there to hold her…To comfort her. They were a family now…A real, honest family. And for Logan, Ororo, and Laura…They wouldn't have it any other way.
Scott and Jean's Room
With things finally starting to settle after all the grief over Jack's death, life in the mansion was beginning to feel somewhat normal again. It was kind of surreal in a sense because now they no longer had this looming darkness to worry about. Yet at the same time, it was still difficult getting around the fact that one of them had died. But everybody at the mansion was learning to accept it in their own way. It would be a challenge, yes, but for the sake of Jack's memory, the residents of the Xavier Institute were once again learning to cope.
And for Jean Grey, that meant getting back into things like classes, work, and training. She was also helping Emma with her upcoming wedding plans as well as discussing with her a thing or two about her baby. And even though she remained very nervous about being a mother, Jean could definitely sense the happiness and excitement in the young woman over finally having a family with the man of her dreams.
Such thoughts actually made Jean think about things like marriage, family, and a future with her dream man as well. She actually smiled when she thought about such thing and with a new beginning upon all of them, it was certainly a time to consider things like growth. And for her and Scott, she truly had faith in their love…Knowing that no matter what happened, it would continue to guide them through whatever the world threw at them.
She was wearing her new X-men uniform that was slightly modified from a New Mutants uniform. Since her old one got torn and tattered from the battle, she felt it was a good time for a change and after a long, hard danger room session, she felt as though she had truly broken it in. However, it did leave her all hot, sweaty, and in desperate need of a shower. But upon entering her room, she was met with the waiting presence of her lover, who seemed to be holding something in his hand.
"Hey babe," she greeted as she casually walked in.
"Jean!" said Scott, nearly jumping in response, quickly pocketing whatever he had been holding, "Uh…Sorry. You startled me."
"My bad," she said with a smile, giving him a little peck to make up for it, "You alright? You looked kind of pale there."
"Yeah, well…You see…" began Scott, stammering for words as if he had forgotten how to speak.
It was almost laughable. He had been rehearsing this in his head for days now…Analyzing every word, pondering every possibility, and contemplating every move. It was almost as if he was planning another big mission of sorts, but given the nature of what he was dealing with…A mission was a hell of a lot easier than this.
"Scott…" said Jean, starting to get a little worried.
"Are you doing anything for dinner?" he finally blurted out, his mind catching up with his voice.
"Um…No, I didn't have any plans. Why?"
"I was just…I was wondering if you'd like to join me for a special meal of sorts. You know…Just the two of us?"
"A special meal? Just the two of us?" she said with a hint of intrigue, "Hmm…Yeah, that sounds nice. I'd love to."
"Great…Then get into a nice dress and meet me out at the gazebo," said Scott, sounding more excited than his usual, overly serious self.
"The gazebo? Why the gazebo? Just what are you planning, Mr. Summer?" said Jean with a suspicious smile, sensing that there was definitely something that Scott was keeping from her, but for some reason, he was keeping his mind extra shielded.
"It's a surprise…" he told her, snaking his arms around her waist and pulling her into a small embrace, "Trust me…All will be revealed soon enough. Just meet me there at seven and all your curiosities will be settled…"
Scott Summers wasn't usually big on letting out emotions. It was something Jean had come to know quite well over the years. But ever since they got involved and especially after that whole demon incident, he had been doing things he probably wouldn't have done before. She loved it when he showed his romantic, spontaneous side…It really brought out so many parts of the man she had fallen so madly in love with. But that only made her more curious to see where this was going as she took in the sneaky smile on her lover's face.
"I'll be there, Scott…Just give me some time to shower and dress," she told him.
"Great! Then I'll see you there. You know I'll be waiting…" smiled Scott, still looking a bit disheveled from all this anxiety and anticipation, but managing to hold himself together.
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
Jean knew he was hiding something…Something big. And he was going so far as to even guard the link in order to keep her from finding out. But judging from the smile on his face and the nervous demeanor in his poise, she had no reason to be worried. However, that didn't stop her from being anxious as she gave Scott one last kiss and retreated to the shower…Eagerly awaiting whatever it was her lover had planned.
For Scott, however, this was just the beginning as he took out the small object he had been holding earlier and gazed anxiously at it. He had been waiting for this chance a long time and he was going to see this through even if they had to fight hell all over again. And as he got dressed and prepared for what was certain to be a truly magical night, he thought back to how far they had come and smiled. This was a new beginning for all of them…And he was going to ensure that he and Jean made the best of it.
Gazebo – Scott & Jean
After having showered and thrown on her best red dress, which Emma had so eagerly suggested when she consulted her on the matter. It was very elegant that was held up with two spaghetti straps, leaving a v-neck line that showed off a bit of cleavage, but not too much and hugged her body in all the right places. Jean made her way down the stairs and towards the back to meet up with her lover. Along the way, she stopped to check her appearance one last time, making sure that her hair was neat and her makeup was perfect. She also found herself wearing that Phoenix pendent that Jack had given her shortly before the final mission. While she wasn't exactly sure why…There was just something about it that gave her this strange sense of comfort. But didn't want to think about that now…For she had something much more important on her mind.
When she finally reached the picturesque location perched atop a cliff, her eyes widened with amazement…For Scott had really gone all out this time.
"Hey…Right on time," said Scott with a smile, dressed in some nice formal attire that Jean found all the more alluring.
It was truly a sight to behold. The whole area around the gazebo was illuminated with elaborate lights that resembled Christmas decorations. There were candles surrounding an elaborate dinner table that was set for two with a gourmet dish of chicken, peas, and potatoes all perfectly prepared…Probably with the help of Ororo. It looked like something taken right out of a fancy, high class restaurant. Jean guessed that Scott had enlisted quite a bit of help from the others to set this up, but from what she could see…It was well worth it.
"Oh Scott…" she said, staring in amazement at the romantic scene before her, "It's beautiful. No wonder you were out for most of the afternoon."
"Yeah, I know. It took quite a bit of work and plenty of help from the others…But it was worth it."
"Mmm…I'll say," she said, moving in closer to him and snaking her arms round his neck, "You really are quite the romantic Slim."
"What can I say…Love makes you do crazy things."
With a gentle kiss on the side of her cheek, Scott guided her over towards the table where the food was waiting for them. The sun was setting and the ambience couldn't have been more perfect. It was a bittersweet moment for a couple that had overcome a lot over the years. From the early days at the mansion when they first met to the moment they admitted to having feelings for one another…It had been a long, eventful journey. And in Scott's mind, he felt as though this was the perfect time to take the next step.
"Come on…Let's eat. You must be starving."
"Oh, so you're the telepath now?" she grinned as Scott pulled out a chair for her.
"Mind link, babe…Never underestimate it's worth," replied Scott, tapping his head.
"I never do…"
From that point on, it was a time to simply savor the romantic aura surrounding them as they ate their food, admired the sunset, and talked about everything that was going on. From the state of mutants in the world to the upcoming school year, it was a time for them to talk as both friends and lovers as well. They talked about major events like Vincent and Emma's upcoming wedding, Rahne and Jamie's relationship and their overall plans for the new college semester.
But in addition to things like college and the state of other couples around the institute, they also talked about their relationship…Reflecting on just how far they had come and how amazing it had been. They were already so serious with them sharing a room and all. But now that the darkness that had been looming over them for so long was gone…It gave them a lot to think about and a lot to be thankful for.
Upon finishing their meal, the two long time lovers found themselves simply sitting at the gazebo in a comfortable embrace. Scott's hands were draped around her waist while she was resting her head upon his strong shoulder. The evening winds began to pick up as they huddled close to one another, simply letting the soft glow of the flickering candlelight along with the surrounding decorations to further add to the romantic ambience. They both had wide smiles on their faces, for moments like this now held a new meaning after having faced the forces of hell itself and come out on top. It made them appreciate the deep love they shared, forever reminding them just how precious what they had truly was.
"This has been a really nice night, Scott," said Jean, savoring the warmth of her lover's body, "You really are the sweetest guy a girl could ask for."
"I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself so far, but…Who's to say it's over yet?"
"What do you mean?" she asked curiously as she turned her lover's face towards hers.
Scott took a deep breath, for this was probably the most pivotal moment of his life. He had faced demons, tyrants, and even death itself…But they all paled in comparison to what he was about to do.
"Jean…" he said, taking her hand in his and holding it tightly, "Ever since the whole Hellfire thing…I've been doing some serious thinking. I mean…Just look at what we've been through Jean…Look at what we had to overcome to get to this point."
"Yes, I know…But we succeeded, didn't we?" she said, gently caressing her lover's face.
"Yeah…We did. And there were times it came at a price…But every time, we managed to work through it. And regardless of how hard it may have been, our love survived. And now that it's over, I just…I want us to move forward. Because if we can overcome the kinds of things that we were forced to deal with over the past few months…Then there's no doubt in my mind that there's nothing we can't overcome. And I want to make it official…"
Then, Scott did something that made Jean's heart rate sour…He got down on one knee and held her hand out to his.
"Oh God…" she said, on the verge of tears as she saw what her love was doing.
"Jean Elizabeth Grey…You and I have known each other for years. And since we were 10, we've been great friends. And over the years, you and I have grown…Our relationship has grown…Our love has grown. With everything we've been through, there's no doubt in my mind that you are the woman for me…You are the one I'm going to spend the rest of my life with. I love you, Jean…I love you more than anything. And I want us to be together forever. So will you make me the happiest man in the world…And marry me?"
He then pulled out the small velvet box that contained the ring. And as soon as Jean saw it, she lost control of her tears. The man she loved had just proposed to her…Scott Summers had just asked her to be his wife. His words were so deep and heartfelt…So symbolic of the man she had fallen so deeply in love with. And through this act, a feeling of endless euphoria overcame her as she gave him her answer.
"Oh Scott…Yes!" she cried as she pulled him into a tight embrace, "Yes! Yes! Yes! I will marry you!"
Then, under the diminishing light of the night sky…Scott Summers and Jean Grey met in a deep, passionate kiss. They were engaged now…They were going to get married…They were going to spend the rest of eternity with one another. And for that, it was truly a grand new beginning…One that they hoped to cherish now and forever.
"Scott…I love you so much!" said Jean, choked up from all her tears of joy.
"I love you too, Jean…My wife to be."
And with that, Scott slipped the ring onto her finger, forever symbolizing this wonderful moment. And from that point on, it was all passion as they met in another passionate kiss. And for the rest of the night, they made love in their room together…Tenderly, passionately, and lovingly…Forever engraving this fateful moment in their minds and their hearts. For at long last…After so many challenges and hardships…Scott Summers and Jean Grey could finally find true happiness.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 80: EPILOGUE