I want to thank you all for reading, and please do review! It doesn't have to be long. Reviewing is a way for me to see who or how many people are reading my story, and what my readers do and don't like about my story. Please don't be afraid to critique, but please keep it constructive and not degrading. I will hopefully be updating a bit more here in the next coming weeks- but I'm not promising anything.
Thank you, and enjoy!
…
"Boy are we going to busy for the next couple of weeks!" Rogue half yelled from her changing room stall. Jean came out and stood in front of the three mirrors.
"Oh Jean! I love that dress."
"Do you? I don't know- not quite what I'm looking for."
Rogue popped her head out for a few seconds. "It's not what I imagined you wearing Jean."
"Well I think it's perfect," Nanny laughed.
Jean went back in to try on another dress. "So what do you mean Rogue?"
"Well, of course there are all of your wedding preparations we'll have, but Halloween is just around the corner."
"Do the kids typically go trick-or-treating?" Nanny asked.
"No." Jean replied. "We don't have enough adults and trying to find 40 costumes for the kids would be a nightmare."
"But Bobby and I were talking about it." Rogue interrupted as she came out in her burgundy dress; she enjoyed trying on dresses even though she wasn't looking to buy one. "We're going to talk to the Professor about letting some of the older ones go out this year. After all, we have four more adults than we've had in the past."
"I'm sure I could cook up a few costumes." Nanny offered. "It's perfect for the kids, actually. I mean, think about it. It's the one time that they can go out and be themselves without anyone noticing. It'll be perfect for Kurt especially."
"We've also been concerned about the kids using their powers while they're trick-or-treating and creating more trouble than we can handle."
"Like Rogue said, we would only take the older ones," Nanny offered. Jean dropped the subject as she came out in another dress.
…
"It's Prophet, right?"
"Ya. My real name is Josiah, but I don't care which people use. And you're Wolverine, correct?"
Logan nodded, sipping at his beer. "The real name is Logan." They stood in front of the back, sliding glass door, aimlessly gazing over the backyard. After a long awkward pause, Josiah realized that Logan wasn't typically a conversationalist.
"So, what made you join the team?" Josiah asked.
"Oh, I don't know." Logan took a quick glance around the place and the kids who were playing video games on the couch.
'Sure you do,' came Logan's inner voice. 'You joined for two reasons: Rogue & Jean.'
'Three reasons.' The voice echoed again.
"The Professor has a great thing set up here. Who could pass it up?" Logan finally stated.
"This place is magnificent. Just makes me wonder what Magneto's place is like."
Logan smirked. It was a funny question to think about.
"Who's ready for Charades!" Jubilee yelled. Charades was taken very seriously at the mansion and the competition was fierce. Though most embraced charades with as much energy as Jubilee did, Colossus and Bobby were not too eager to give up their video games.
…
"Have you decided on the color of the bride's maids' dresses yet?" Rogue asked as she tried on an Emerald wedding dress.
"I've been thinking silver and periwinkle."
"Ohhhh, that sounds pretty."
Jean came out and they all grinned from ear to ear.
"I think this is the dress."
Rogue and Jean finished changing back into their clothes while Nanny put away the other dresses that they had tried on. Nanny tried on a few too, but she hadn't found many that she liked.
"Alright. Now, are you sure this is the right size? We can have another size here in a week."
"No, it fits perfectly." Jean assured the clerk.
"Any alterations? Lace, bows?"
Jean took another look over it.
"Actually, ya. Is it possible to get rid of the pearl beads sewn around the neckline and up the straps?"
"Absolutely. So you want the neck line and straps plain?"
"Yes."
"You're in luck. Our tailor comes in tomorrow to pick up the next batch of alterations. And not too many people are eager to get married in the fall-winter time. He should have this ready for you in a few days. Just fill out this form. We'll need your name and home phone number. You can ignore the address, unless you would like us to drop it off. And then simply specify what alterations you would like." The clerk handed Jean the slip and a fancy pen. David's Bridal.
…
"Are the girls home yet?" The Professor asked, wheeling himself into Scott's study.
"Yes. Jean's taking a shower and I think Nanny and Rogue are down stairs."
The Professor gave Scott a curious look.
"Professor," Scott grinned, "Jean was smiling from ear to ear when she came in. She was going on and on about how they found the right dress, but of course she refused to tell me what it looks like. Professor, I haven't seen her this happy since … before Alkali Lake."
The Professor grinned too and peacefully wheeled himself out.
…
Nanny was munching on some home made apple crisp that Kitty and Liz had made in home ec. on the couch, flipping through a magazine full of Halloween costumes and decorations. (You know, one of those magazines with loads of cheap decorations and accessories. Only, Halloween was the main focus.)
Most of the children were in bed by now. Rogue and Bobby were up giggling and scheming in the library. "Nanny," the Professor said as he wheeled himself into the room.
"Yes?" Nanny took a sip of water and put the magazine down.
"I mentioned the Danger Room to you the other day. Well, it's finally functional again. Tomorrow morning Scott and you are going to start your first training session. And I suggest you practice as much as you can in these next couple of weeks. After Jean and Scott return from their honey moon we're going to have a competition. The children will have a tournament as well."
"What time should I be in the arena?"
"I think Scott mentioned eight. He's got to set things up and I think he wants to make sure that everything is in order before you begin." Nanny nodded, figuring the Professor was done, and picked up her magazine again.
"I hear you all have found a dress."
"Oh, yes! We would have brought it home tonight but Jean wanted a few things altered. It really is gorgeous Professor."
"Have you looked at bride's maids' dresses at all?"
"We didn't have a lot of time tonight. I mean, I know Jean sifted through the other dresses, but I don't think she found anything that suited her fancy."
"We will be very busy these next couple weeks. I assume you and Jean most of all, however."
Nanny took in a deep breath and sighed. "Ya. I volunteered to set up the reception- which includes decorations and what not. But, since they're not inviting too many people, they're not going to order invitations and the table settings won't be as lavish as they might have been if the reception was held elsewhere with more attendants."
"Well, I'm glad you all had a good time tonight."
"So am I." Nanny grinned. The Professor turned and wheeled himself toward the door and Nanny glanced at her magazine again.
"Oh, Professor!"
"Yes?"
"Rogue and I have an idea."
The Professor wheeled closer. 'This could be dangerous,' he jested telepathically to Nanny.
"Halloween has always been such a great tradition for kids. I know I loved it. Anyways, the team now has more adults and so we were wondering if this year we might take some of the older children trick-or-treating. I could help get or make the costumes, and of course I'd help take them around."
"I'll have to think about it, but it's not a bad idea. These kids need more events in their life and this could be a perfect occasion."
"Oh it is perfect! Especially for Kurt. I know he'd want to take the kids around. Think of it- it's the one time that they'll fit into society. No one could or would ever know the difference on Halloween."
"I'll think it over. But if we do decide to take them trick-or-treating, I don't see why there is any reason to restrict it the oldest. I think the restriction of 'teenagers' would be enough."
"Thanks Professor!"
"Good night Nanny."
…
Nanny, tired of staring at the cheap decorations and accessories, turned from her magazine to the window. She watched the leaves and branches sway carefully in the wind, warning that fall was all but upon them. The howling wind added the perfect effect to her Halloween and autumn mood.
Another noise caused Nanny to turned towards the door- she heard the motorcycle reeve up and heard it speeding out of the drive way. Every now and then Wolverine took off to a bar for some pool, or – well, no one really knew where else. Wolverine certainly didn't regret staying at the mansion, but his spirit was still too free. A little excursion every now and then was good for him.