Work of Art
Chapter Seventeen: Proposal?
By DamageCtrl

All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own the X-Men or anything associated with it.

"Okay...so Remy doesn't like sweaters," Jean mused was she rubbed her chin. "I'll make a note of that for next Christmas."

Rogue chuckled. "Yah should've seen him, sugah. After the first three boxes, he just sat there grumbling about the unfairness of it all."

"Well, at least he didn't get baby clothes for Christmas," Betsy grumbled as she leaned back against the soft leather of Kurt's car. Rogue had borrowed it to pick up her friends from San Francisco International that morning. "Could my mother give me any more of a hint for me to start giving her grandchildren. It's really not fair. She should've pawned them over to Brian. He's married."

"Ah'm sure yahr brother will have a baby when he's ready," Rogue assured her. "Besides, they only got married, what? Last year?"

"In my mother's words 'I want to have little Betsies running around before I die'," Betsy groaned. "God, can you believe the guilt? She just had to add 'before I die'."

Jean laughed. "Oh, speaking of die, my mother thought I was being beaten when she saw the bruises from my sparing session with Jean Paul the other day. The man is fast, I'll give him that."

"Don't worry, luv, after a few sessions with Logan, you'll be kicking Jean Paul's bottom to Canada and back," Betsy grinned. "You want us to come along?"

"Nope, he's mine," Jean grinned. She had made a new friend that Logan's karate class. He had immediately recognized her from the gallery and rushed over to greet her and re-introduce himself. He knew Wanda and Remy and Piotr and thus an instant friendship was created through a few degrees of separation. Of course, after she was beaten five times in a row, she developed a goal: Beat Jean Paul. "After two lessons, I'm ready to take on the big guys."

The women laughed as Rogue drove up the 101 and entered the metro area of San Francisco. "So, Rogue, how was Christmas? You called and said you spent it with your family and Remy?"

"Not together," Rogue immediately told her. "That's a recipe for war. Ah spent Christmas Eve with Remy and then Christmas Day with mah family."

"Ooh...what did Momma Darkholme cook this year?" Jean beamed.

"How come yah'll don't ask what AH cooked this year? Why does it have to be momma's?" Rogue frowned. Jean looked over at Betsy, as if asking for some help.

"Well...luv...um..." Betsy began. "Your mum usually cooks the bulk of the food, doesn't she? I assumed that she was cooking this year."

"Well, Ah did make a pie."

The car went silent. Rogue waited and no one took the bait to ask 'oh, what kind of pie'? Instead, Jean reached for the radio. "You know what I miss?" Jean said in a slightly nervous voice. "Non-Christmas music. My mother has been playing it non-stop."

"Oh, yes, I can only take so much Christmas music-"

"Okay, FINE, don't ask about mah pie!" Rogue exclaimed as she scowled. "So what if it was a little bit burnt around the edges..."

"Burnt?" the other two women asked.

"Okay, charred," Rogue grumbled. "But it was still edible. The middle was okay."

Betsy just stared at her. "Darling, you are so lucky that Remy can cook." she stated. Jean snickered and Rogue smacked her arm.

"Ah am this close to taking cooking classes, Ah'll have yah know," Rogue said as she held up her hand. "Ah just don't have time right now."

"Right...'time'." Jean grinned.

"Ah'm serious!" Rogue frowned. "Ah have a meeting today with Prof. X and to discuss the floor plans to the buildings. And then Remy-"

"OH, there we go, NOW it makes complete sense," Betsy said, immediately sinking her teeth into the name. "REMY."

"Ah wasn't finished," Rogue insisted. "Remy and Ah have to go over the designs and placements of the paintings he's being commissioned to do..."

"So it's purely work?" Betsy asked. Rogue nodded. "Not a date, not a meal, nothing? This is just work? That's why you're ditching us today?" Rogue nodded again. She sighed and looked over at Jean. "Looks like I owe you a coke, luv."

"What do you think, Ororo? You'll be the one who be directing the garden buildings once they are built and furnished." Xaviar said. He sat at his desk with Ororo next to him, looking over the plans Rogue had brought over.

Across from them, Rogue was sitting quietly, her hands on her lap, nervously tugging at each other. Even though he had originally okayed all the plans, had Wanda go over the logistics, and had Pietro finalize the paper work, she was still nervous. What if he changed his mind and decided he hated her designs?

"They are very well done, Rogue," Ororo said calmly. She shifted over to the green house. "I was wondering if there was a way for you to add an additional out door area covering to this."

"Towards the back end? Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem," Rogue nodded as she followed Ororo's hands. "One of mah teammates on this project can probably help us out on the design. Ah'll get in contact with him."

"This has been progressing quite nicely," Xavier said, pleased. "I knew Eric wouldn't let me down when he picked out the teams."

"Indeed," Ororo smiled. "Rogue, did you see the garden area yet? They demolished the old buildings right before Christmas."

Rogue raised an eyebrow and smiled. "No, Ah haven't...has everything been torn up?"

"Since we're also re-doing the landscape, we've begun clear the surrounding foliage," Xavier answered. "However, because the recent rain, we don't want to over do it. We need the plants there to hold back any erosion."

Rogue nodded, understandingly. "The Professor still has to meet with Crystal regarding the interior colors for the buildings," Ororo said as she stood up. "Would you like me to escort you down to the garden area? I warn you, it's quite a mess."

"Ah have a brother, Ororo," Rogue grinned. "Ah'll be the judge of that."

The older woman chuckled and nodded as Rogue gathered her plans and placed them into her back. She headed outside. As Ororo gave her a brief tour of the mansion, Rogue heard a familiar voice within one of the offices.

"It's too soon, Emma. The divorce isn't final yet and-"

"If you're so worried about the divorce, Scott, I can recommend one of my lawyers." Rogue raised an eyebrow. Scott? Emma?

"Do you mind waiting just a moment?" Ororo asked the architect. "It's a bit chilly outside and I'd like to get my jacket."

"No problem. Ah'll wait out here." Rogue nodded a she stood in the hall. Ororo gave her a look of thanks before heading towards her office. Meanwhile, the best friend in Rogue urged her to come closer to the door where the voices were coming from.

"I don't think that will do any good. Jean's hired the best lawyer she could find." Scott sighed tiredly.

Darn straight she did! Rogue thought to herself as she smirked. Harvard Law graduate and Jean's sorority sister...perfect mix.

"Oh, come now, she can't be that good!" Emma frowned. "And I'm sure we can always bring her to our side."

Rogue struggled to hold in her snort. "That's not going to happen," Scott told her. "Tessa Bishop is also Jean's sorority sister. Her 'big'." Rogue felt like calling Jean and telling her that her ex-husband was shaking in his boots. While she'd never been a big sorority girl...hell, she had been down right against Jean pledging, the red head went ahead anyway. The point is that Rogue had an invite to every single party, every single weekend her entire undergraduate life and those connections Jean made paid off.

"We'll think of something, Scott..." Emma assured him. "If anything, you can always come live with me."

There was a pause and then she heard someone gathering their things. "Thanks, darling. I needed that. I better get back. I have papers to turn in."

"Thanks for dropping by."

Rogue's eyes widened as she looked up and down the hall for a place to hide. She couldn't let Scott see her. He'd think she was spying on him for Jean. Which was true, but it wasn't like she planned it. Her eyes darted to Ororo's office and just as she turned to make her mad dash, the door opened and her best friend's ex-husband walked out.

"Rogue?"

"Huh? Oh, Scott! What're yah doing here?" She gave him a brief smile as she pretended to look through her bag of paper work. Once upon a time, in a campus far, far away, she and Scott were friends, if only for Jean. Now she didn't now where she stood with him. Betsy put him on her 'hate' list and Kitty felt she should at least be civil.

"Visiting...someone," he said, adjusting his sunglasses. Rogue always thought he looked so damn sleazy with the sunglasses on when it was unnecessary. "What are you doing here?"

"Architect, remember?" Rogue chuckled weakly. "Mah company is contracted here." Scott nodded and didn't look like he was going to turn away soon. Rogue looked around slowly. "Well...Ah gotta go meet Ororo for a look around the gardens. It was nice seeing yah, Scott." She immediately turned around, but was stopped.

"Hey, Rogue," Scott said suddenly. He looked over his shoulder to make sure Emma's door was closed and far enough behind him. He took a deep breath and faced Rogue. "How's Jean?"

"Jean?" Oh, she's taking martial arts classes and beating up Canadians left and right. She's been nominated for teacher of the year at school and we are currently trying to talk her into putting her painting 'A Thin Line Between Love and Hate' into JP's gallery... Rogue straightened up. "She's doing fine."

"Has she...said anything about me?" Scott asked weakly. He quickly took a sharp breath. "I know that I'm putting you in a strange situation, but...has she?"

Other than 'he never was that good'? "No, Scott. Haven't heard."

"Is she still staying at that refurbished ware house?"

Rogue resisted the urge to ask if he were stalking her, but shook her head. "Naw, she was apartment sitting for mah boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?"

"Yes, and that would be him, right there," Rogue looked over his shoulder and silently let out a breath of relief as Remy came into view, a black portfolio at his side, probably holding samples of his work. She stepped around Scott and waved her arm. "Remy!"

"Dere y' are, Rogue," he smiled brightly. "I got some sizes o' canvases I wanna put up. Do y' mind if I see de plans? I wanna make sure dat dere are studs in de right places."

As he approached her, one arm came out and swept around his girlfriend's waist before he planted a warm kiss on her head. "Yahr just in time, swamp rat. 'Ro's gonna take us to see how the gardens are coming along."

"Sounds good t' me," Remy looked up, as if noticing Scott for the first time. His smile slowly faded into a defensive grin and raised an eyebrow. "Aren't y' Jean's ex?"

Scott, apparently, didn't like the sound of that title. His mouth turned into a tight line and he nodded. "Scott Summers."

"Right...de wacko who stalked poor Jeannie and made her cry," Remy shook his head at the other man. Scott was about to open his mouth, but Remy beat him to it. "Oh, hey, like de sweater? Nice, eh?" Remy stepped back from Rogue and showed off the black and red sweater he was wearing. He stopped and eyed Scott. "Jeannie gave it t' me. At least de girl has good taste in clothing, non?"

"Remy!" Rogue hissed in a low voice.

Scott merely snorted and turned his head away. "Whatever. Taunt all you want, but I know where you live."

Remy gave him a mock gasp and brought Rogue close to him, as if to use her as a shield against Scott. "Be'fo' y' get any ideas, let's get one ting straight. I don't like men."

Rogue covered her face and groaned as Scott bristled as the questioning of his sexuality. "Remy, what are you doing?" a more mature voice said from the door way of her office. Remy and Rogue looked, looking embarrassed as Ororo stood there, her arms crossed and a frown on her elegant face.

"Hey, Stormy," Remy grinned. "Nice day today, non?"

"As if I had anything to do with it," Ororo sighed. She turned and eyed Scott. "Mr. Summers...you're here again, I see."

"I was just leaving Ms. Munroe," Scott said. He gave her an apologetic look before he turned around. "Rogue." He gave her a curt nod of his head and eyed Remy before walking down the hall.

"I should talk with Emma about having her lovers come here during work hours..." Ororo mumbled. She looked at the two Southerns and smiled. "Well, it looks like you two have found each other. This is an excellent turn of events."

"Why? Y' busy, Stormy?"

Ororo frowned. "Don't call me that," she told him quickly. At seeing Rogue's questioning look, Ororo sighed. "It's a nickname I accidentally told him once."

"Y' know she's mad when de sky gets dark and y' hear thunder," Remy told Rogue seriously. Rogue giggled and he shook his head. "Non, it's true!"

"It is not!" Ororo said quickly, almost loosing her cool. She gave a small cough. "At any rate, Remy would you escort Rogue down to the gardens? The Professor needs some assistance in his office."

"Sure ting." Remy said. He handed Ororo his and Rogue's bags before he offered the young woman his arm. Rogue blushed a bit before taking it cheerfully.

As Ororo watched them exit the mansion she smiled to herself. She took a deep breath and looked at the clock in the hall. "Now what to do...?" she mused. She grinned. "I think I'll call Jean Paul..."

"Dat Emma Frost?" Remy asked with a slightly surprised look as he and Rogue walked down the cement walk ways through the gardens. He let out a whistle and shook his. "I don' know what dey see in him."

Rogue shrugged as she moved closer to his body and held his arm tightly against her. "Who knows," she sighed. "It really is a nice day today..."

"It's a good sign," Remy said as he looked up at the clear sky. "New Years Eve should be clear. Perfect t' see de fire works."

Rogue grinned from ear to ear. "Ah know! Ah can't wait! We're all goin' ta watch the fire works at the wharf, yah wanna come?"

"Wouldn't miss it fo' de world, chere," he said warmly. "Usually, I go t' a club, but someone's gotta keep y' warm."

Rogue grinned. Midnight, outside, by the ocean, in San Francisco. It was as cold as the Bay Area got, yet it was a little tradition of hers since Kurt first took her when she was 18 and she wasn't going to stop it any time soon. She had brought her friends with her the following years.

"Yah can go ta a club after," Rogue said casually. She looked over at the snipped rose garden as they passed. "It's just that Betsy's usually tanked by then and we have ta drag her home." She added with a grin.

"Non...dis New Year," Remy said as he pulled his arm out of hers and put it over her shoulder. "I want t' spend it wid y'."

Rogue raised an eyebrow and looked up at him questioningly. "What do yah have in mind, sugah?"

"Just de regular...dinner, dancing...fireworks by de water." Remy said casually as he shrugged.

"And then what?" Rogue asked with a knowing smile. He chuckled and pulled her in front of him, wrapping his arms tightly around his shoulders.

"Den...y' decide," Remy said. He rubbed his face against her neck and smiled as she let out a content sigh. "Whatever happens after midnight, chere...it's all up t' y'."

"Aww..." Jean was sitting in the living room when Rogue got home, having just finished her lesson plans for the up coming semester. She was wearing red booties and in sweat pants and an old navy blue Cal sweat shirt. There was a fresh plate of warm cookies and a glass of milk on the coffee table along with her lesson plan. "That's so cute..."

Rogue groaned and buried her face in a pillow. She had joined Jean after she changed into some more comfortable clothes and curled upon on the arm chair across from her. "Do yah have ta call it 'cute'?"

"Well, it is!" Jean gushed. "Dinner and then out to dance and fireworks. What then?"

"He said whatever happens after mind night is all up ta meh...don't know what he meant by that, though..." Rogue mused.

Jean mulled over the words for a second. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she shot up from her seat. "He's going to ask you to marry him!" the red head exclaimed loudly, her hand pointing directly at the seated brunette.

Rogue nearly choked on the cookie she was eating as she looked up at Jean. Her fist rose and pounded on her chest as she gasped for air. "M...Ma...marry him?" Rogue choked out, her mouth still half filled with chocolate chip goodness.

Jean's eyes were huge as she nodded her head enthusiastically. "Yes! It totally makes sense!"

"Jeannie, yah are reading WAY to much into one sentence," Rogue told her sternly. "Remy's not gonna ask me ta marry him! We've only known each other three months...not even four. And we've only bee seeing each other for two."

"So...what does it matter?" Jean beamed. Her eyes lit up once more. "Oh! I have to call Betsy!"

"No! Don't call Betsy!" Rogue gasped. "That's it, sugah, no mo' romance novels for yah!"

"Rogue, I really think he's going to ask you," Jean told her seriously. She walked over to the other end of the couch and looked at Rogue. "Remy's completely fallen for you. I mean...he practically adopted us as his second family. If he didn't take this seriously, I don't think he'd spend so much time putting up with us. And by us, I mean Betsy." She added with a little smile.

"Ah don't know..." Rogue frowned. "It's way too soon...Ah mean...Gawd, Ah can't believe Ah'm saying this; what about his reputation?"

"What about it?" Jean asked. "You said you didn't care."

"Ah don't, but...Ah don't know...it's just too fast," Rogue sighed. She reached out for her mug of hot cocoa. "Two months into a relationship and he wants ta get married? No, Ah don't think so."

"Why not? People have gotten married in shorter times."

"Usually while drunk in Vegas."

"Rogue..." Jean said in her 'teacher' voice. "Do you love him?"

"Of course Ah do!" Rogue said, rather loudly. Jean smiled at her ability to get a rise out of her friend. "It's just that..." Rogue fell back into the couch and closed her eyes. "This boyfriend-girlfriend thang...Ah can take that. Ah don't want it ta end! But...marriage?"

"It's scary?" Jean asked softly. Rogue nodded.

"What if something happens down the line?" she asked suddenly. "What if we do get married and it turns out he's not the one for me? What if it isn't love or...or..."

"Honey, there are a million things that could go wrong," Jean told her gently as she reached out and put her hand over Rogue's. She gave a gentle squeeze and comforting smile. "The question is, are you willing to risk them for the one thing that might be right?"

On the day of New Years Eve, Rogue laid frozen in her bed, staring up the ceiling. In less than...Rogue checked her clock...fifteen hours, she recalled the events of the night before. Jean's little theory had reached the ears of the usual bunch, which unfortunately included one Kurt Wagner-Darkholme.

While pacing the living room, practically hyper-ventilating at what to do the next evening, Kurt called and proclaimed that she couldn't get married because...and then trailed off into why he hated Remy. He never gave any real solid reasons, just stating that he hated Rogue's boyfriend. Rogue attributed it to over-protective brother syndrome.

Then Betsy called to say her congratulations, making Rogue shriek out that she wasn't getting married and to stop scaring her. Kitty was by far the worse and her phone call immediately launched into "So what colors should the bride's maids' dresses be? Have you ever thought about lilac?"

Rogue then retreated into her room and spent the night staring at Raphael's sketch, just above her bed. She thought the sleeping woman holding on to her man's hand fit perfectly there. She stared at it for hours. It meant two things to her: Love and Remy. Funny thing, though...suddenly they were one and the same.

When Remy called, she nearly jumped and, for the first time ever, wondered if she should let the machine get it.

With a trembling hand she picked up her phone and heard his deep, honey sweet voice greet her warmly. He was going over the plans for the next night and, despite Rogue asking what he was planning after midnight, insisted it was up to her. Dinner at a fancy restaurant in town, dancing a local club, and then high tail it to the wharf to meet up with the others.

And then...? Rogue closed her eyes and sank beneath her bed. She could barely get through the day before trying to figure out if he was going to ask her or not. And even more serious - if she would say yes or not. Maybe if Ah stay here long enough, Ah can pretend Ah'm sick and cancel.

Her door flew open suddenly as three women flooded her room, wide smiles on their lovely faces. Smiles and crazy looks in their eyes. "Rise and shine, Rogue!"

"It's a very important, day for you, luv! Let's see what we have here, shall we?" Betsy grinned as she threw open Rogue's closet doors.

"This is so exciting!" Kitty gushed as she ran over to Rogue's windows and opened up the blinds. "Are you excited? I am SO EXCITED!"

Rogue groaned and lifted the blanket over her head. "Oh no, you don't!" Jean said as she grabbed the edge of the material and pulled it aside. Rogue let out a yell as she curled up into a ball. "We have to get you ready."

"Ready fo' what...?" Rogue grumbled. She already knew. She was just praying that she was wrong.

"Your dinner with Remy!" Jean told her brightly. She looked over her shoulder. "Betsy, make sure she can dance in it, too!"

Betsy nodded her had as she shifted through Rogue's clothes. Kitty announced that she was going to get Rogue's shoes. As Jean tugged on Rogue's arm and Betsy and Kitty chattered about what she should wear, the petrified woman on the bed finally snapped. "Okay, that's it! Stop it! Stop it!" Rogue sat up in bed and pulled her arm out of Jeans grasp as she glowered at her friends. "Will yah guys stop it? Listen, Ah'm not getting married!"

Kitty's face fell. "You're going to say no?"

"AHH!" Rogue screamed. "Ah don't know, okay? Ah don't know! Ah have fifteen hours befo' Ah MIGHT get asked a question that will determine the rest of mah life and after a whole day of brooding, Ah still don't know what ta do!"

"Just say yes." Kitty said simply.

"It ain't that easy, Kitty!" Rogue exclaimed. "Ah've only been seeing Remy for two months. TWO! Ah know Ah love him, but..."

"Are you afraid you won't be able to live together due to difference of life style?" Betsy asked.

"No."

"Your family then." Jean suggested. Rogue shook her head once more.

"You don't want to have kids, but he does?" Kitty piped. Rogue just stared at her.

Children. That hadn't even crossed her mind. As Rogue's face twisted with confusion and worry and fear, Jean and Betsy sent Kitty out of the room. Each woman sat beside Rogue and gave her a big hug.

"You're really scared, aren't you?" Jean asked quietly. Rogue nodded, on the verge of tears.

"This is your first real relationship?" Betsy asked. Like the other two, she'd only known Rogue since their freshman year in college. Rogue closed her eyes.

"It is since Ah was 16..." That started everything. Rogue, with all the sudden pressure, or threat of pressure, on her, retold the story of her first boyfriend and her second one and how each of them had affected her life.

Jean and Betsy, and later Kitty, spent several hours consoling and trying to understand Rogue's feelings on the issue of relationships. Around two in the afternoon, Rogue stepped out of the shower, in her robe, and looked at her friends who were waiting for her on her bed, talking quietly.

"So?" she asked softly. "What do yah think Ah should do?"

"Honey..." Jean began softly. "We can't tell you want to do."

"This is a big decision and it's completely up to you, luv," Betsy added. "We know you love him. But if you're not ready for something that serious..."

Rogue nodded. Her eyes drifted over to Kitty, who was hugging one of Rogue's pillows and looking up at wall. "When'd you get this?"

Rogue's eyes followed Kitty's gaze and landed on the sketch. "Yah like it?" she asked with a slight smile. Kitty nodded.

"It's beautiful..." Kitty smiled. "She's really happy...even in her sleep."

"Remy gave it ta meh fo' Christmas..." Rogue said softly. "It's an original sketch by Raphael."

"No way!" Betsy gasped. She sat up straight and looked up at the sketch. "Are you sure?"

Rogue nodded and smiled. "It was at the museum when Ah went a few months ago...the first day Ah saw Remy..." Jean turned to look at her and noticed the wistful smile on her face and how Rogue's features had softened. "It's his...he lent it to the museum. He said he first saw me standing there, admiring her," she said eyeing the woman in the sketch. "He likes ta think that it's what brought us together..."

Jean looked at Betsy and then Kitty. The three women stood up and got off her bed. "Well, we'll leave you to decide on what to wear and rest for a bit." Betsy said with a smile.

"Yah ain't gonna help meh?" Rogue asked suspiciously. The three women laughed slightly and shook their heads.

"We'll be in the living room if you need us." Jean assured her. She ushered the other two out the door and closed it behind her as a peaceful smile rested on her lips. Rogue might not have realized it, but she already made her decision.

The area was packed with people and Remy wondered how in the world they would find everyone in the crowd. Rogue assured him that they always met at this one particular spot and began leading him there. However, that wasn't the only thing bothering him.

The entire night, Rogue had been somewhat distant and quiet. Not her usual loud, energetic, spit fire self. And it was worrying him. "Rogue," he said as he pulled her back slightly. "Are y' okay?"

"Meh?" Rogue said loudly, pretending to be surprised. "Of course, sugah! Why wouldn't Ah be?" Ah'm so obvious...

Remy frowned, confusion stirring in his eyes. "Y' sure? Y' been quiet all night...I'm a lil' scared." he added with a chuckle, if only to mask his worries.

Rogue smiled and nodded. "Ah'm fine, sugh! Don't yah worry 'bout a thang!" She tugged on his arm, pulling him forward.

Remy sighed and followed her. He looked over the crowds and shook his head. According to that big clock everyone was watching, they probably wouldn't get there on time. He looked around and found them in a park area, just before the wharf.

"Rogue, wait a second," Remy said. He stopped as they neared the water's edge and pulled her back. "Rogue, hold on!"

"We're almost there!" Rogue said over her shoulder trying to ignore him. Don't ask meh...please, don't ask meh...Ah'm not ready, yet!

"Rogue, stop it fo' a moment and listen!" Remy's hand tightened around hers and pulled her back. The woman whirled around, but kept her head down as Remy moved them to the side. As soon as they were far enough away, he put his hands on her shoulders. "Rogue, what's going on wid y' tonight? Y've been quiet and haven't even looked at me. Y' mad?"

"No!" Rogue gasped. She shook her head. "Ah'm not! Why would Ah be?"

"Don' know, that's why I asked," he said with a weak smile. "Jus' dat y've been so pre-occupied all night... wondered if someting was wrong."

Oh, Gawd, he's asking me what's wrong! Why are you so perfect, damn you? She shook her head once more. "Everythang is fine, sugah..."

"Don lie t' me, Rogue," Remy said in a serious voice. "I'm really worried 'bout y'." Rogue looked down and bit her lower lip.

"Why won't yah tell meh what's happening after midnight?" Rogue asked in a small voice. Remy jerked his head back.

"Dat's what's been bothering y'? Plans?" he asked, stunned.

"Why does it have ta be up ta MEH?" Rogue stressed. She looked up at him and Remy tilted his head back and took a deep breath.

"Mon Dieu...I was hoping y'd be happier when I asked y'."

"Ask me?" Rogue asked in a quiet voice. She could've sworn her voice went up several octaves. Remy nodded. He gathered her hands in his and smiled as he brought them up to his lips and gave them a kiss.

"Rogue..."

Oh mah Gawd, oh mah Gawd... "We should find the others." she wimpered as her eyes darted around nervously.

"Anna Marie..."

"Ah mean, they're probably waiting' fo' us!" she gasped as her voice trembled. She couldn't bring herself to look at him.

"Will you..."

Here it comes... "Remy-" Her eyes looked up into his as her heart stopped.

"Model fo' me?"

"Ah don't know!" It came out of her mouth without a second thought and as soon as it was out, her eyes widened. MODEL? THAT was it?

Remy looked at her surprised. "Oh...okay, chere. I'll give y' some time t' tink 'bout it. Just an idea."

"Model...?" Rogue stammered out. Remy nodded.

"Fo' de statue at Xavier's. Got his okay on it the other day and couldn't tink of a better model than you." He said with a warm smile. Rogue stared at him.

"What...what's it of?" she asked as she swallowed back a sigh of relief.

"It's gonna be in the classical style representing education and the light of knowledge," Remy said, obviously proud of his idea. "What d' y' tink?"

Slowly, she nodded. Slowly, a smile spread across her face. And then she began to laugh. "Ah love it! Remy, that sounds great!"

"Really?"

"Sure do!" Rogue smiled widely at him as she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a long kiss. "Ah'll do it!"

10

All around them, the people began the final count down. "Great!" Remy laughed as his arm wrapped around her waist tightly as he lifted her up and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

9

"So when do we start?" Rogue asked energetically. He looked down into her emerald eyes and smiled as he saw that fire he loved so much ignite once more.

8

He looked at her, suddenly breathless. Remy smiled. "Anytime y' free, Rogue..." he said in a intent voice.

7

Rogue gushed. "Ah can't believe Ah'm gonna be a model!"

6

Remy laughed and smiled. "Oh, yeah, I have one mo' thing to ask, chere!" His heart began to pound in his chest.

5

"What is it, sugah?" she laughed as all around them, people began counting down to the final five seconds.

4

"Rogue, I love y'!" he said loudly, to compete with the noise as he pulled away. His palms began to sweat.

3

She beamed a smile. "Ah love yah, too, sugah!" Remy held her left hand tightly in his has he bent down before her.

2

"Good!" Remy looked up at her and smiled widely. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box before she even realized what was going on. "Anna Marie Darkholme -" The box opened.

1

"Will y' marry me?"

A.N. #2 - Hehehe...cliff hanger. ;; My managers just got back from a business trip in Japan and so I now have work. I usually write during my long moments of downtime, however I have a few new projects to do, so I won't be able to update as fast. Sorry, everyone!