CHAPTER 8: GUESTS
It had been a few weeks and Emma was starting to get into a routine, being pregnant limited her to what she could do at least at the moment. Vince was back in the Danger Room training with the rest as usual, even though that thing was a death trap it at least made sure she was kept in shape. Plus he also liked it since she knew it was one of the few things that he could let loose and not have to be careful all the time.
At the moment thought she was at her desk checking up on how her little enterprise was doing. It was good to invest in a few companies and already they were showing a profit. She smiled at how she was doing the new stock in Stark Enterprises was doing well.
She was also setting up a few other things a couple of accounts when she got back. One was a college fun for her child there was no way he was skipping out on an education that was for sure. She smiled as she ran a hand over her stomach, "I just know you are going to be a great child and do us proud. After all you are a part of both me and your father I just know you're destined for great things."
Normally she didn't talk out loud to her child at least not in public at the moment. The other account was a trust fund for when the child turned twenty-one. Both accounts weren't to be touched and over time a little would be put in there not to mention the interests would help as well.
There was one more thing she had been thinking of lately, she wanted to make sure her child was cared for and she knew that the baby would be raised by everyone here in case she and Vincent were both killed in a mission. They weren't naïve they knew the risks but she wanted to talk to him about appointing a guardian just in case.
She had a few thoughts but wanted to run them by Vincent first after all it was the future of their child.
Emma finished off her work at the moment and decided to go for a walk, after all she hated having nothing to do and she knew that boredom would be an issue for her later on when she really started to put on the weight. Emma was thinking about maybe taking some mental training exercises to help her with her telepathy, plus she could still perform some of those martial arts moves she had been learning just at a slow pace.
Outside of the mansion though there was an unexpected arrival. A taxi cab pulled up to the front of the mansion. From the back of it came a tall woman with short brown hair, she wore dark shades as well as had a cane for the blind since she was. Her name was Irene but also went by the name Destiny.
She was a blind mutant who could see the future or at least parts of it, she was good friends with both Mystique and had raised Rogue like a daughter. But when she had those terrible visions of what would happen to Rogue and her friends she had tried to get in touch with Mystique. She was the only person she knew to call she should have gone to others but she didn't know if she could.
There had been so much danger around them she had thought that they couldn't help. She had waited this long since the darkness she saw passed by to see them because in all honestly she felt guilty. Guilt for not helping more it had been eating away at her for months but she pressed on.
She thanked the drivers as he set down a suit case for her she only brought the one hoping that she could spend some time here. She wasn't sure about how long she was staying but she picked it up and started to walk to the front door. At least thankfully her gift also helped her mainly to get around, it was hard to explain sometimes but even though blind she could 'see' but not in the traditional sense. In fact she rarely used the cane unless she was in a new area.
Irene took a breath she could hear the sounds of children off in the distance as well as other noises of a mansion filled with people. It was certainly a busy place but it was nice knowing that Rogue was here, she grew up very isolated and it was nice to see that she was starting to branch out more.
She got to the front door and moved her hand to each side finding the door bell. It didn't take long for her to hear someone coming up to the door. The person that answered was in fact Betsy since she had been closest and she had been given a telepathic message by Xavier to see her in. Looking at the woman the British woman in a Japanese body Betsy wondered about her. "Hello there, you a new guest?"
Irene gave a small smile, "I hope so I'm here visiting but then again I bet Xavier already knows I am here."
"And you would be quite right," Xavier said smiling coming in through the other room, "I was surprised when I sensed you coming although I know a few people that will love to see you."
"I hope so," The blind woman stated not sure how she would face some of them.
Xavier sensed her unease and turned to Betsy, "Thank you Elizabeth can you go and fetch Rogue and Mystique?" She was going to send a telepathic message but then realized that he could have done the same. So she simply nodded and gave them a moment to themselves as she went to find them.
"Charles…I just…I'm sorry…" She took a deep sigh when Betsy was out of ear shot. "I knew something horrible was happening and I was afraid to tell you because I doubted that you could save yourselves. I saw nothing but darkness around you all and it seemed that you would all suffer no matter what."
It hadn't been the first time she had been wrong she should have learned her lesson from Apocalypse but she hadn't. She hadn't seen a way out of that either and she paid for the price. Xavier took her words to heart hearing the pain in her voice, "We all make mistakes but I think that is a talk for another time. Now I think we have other things to focus on."
He turned and saw Rogue running to the stairs from the upper level. Rogue had just started running when Betsy told her of the woman that was here, and there was only one blind woman with that description. When she saw who was there Rogue hadn't felt so good to see anyone in a long time. She just ran towards her down the stairs and flew the last few feet of the distance and took Irene into a giant hug.
"Irene! Oh god where have ya been?" Rogue asked her, when she had called home at one time there was a recording saying that the number was no longer in service. She had always wondered what had happened to the woman that had raised her.
Irene hugged her back she had grown a couple of inches in the years and she grip was tighter as well. She could feel the skin on the young woman as well and guessed that she finally mastered her powers and was wearing clothing that didn't cover everything. "I know I'm sorry but I had to go underground when you got into things. Magneto would love to have someone like me on his side and I didn't want that and either did Raven."
Rogue nodded she could understand that, Magneto had a problem with the word 'no' it seems given their latest run in with him left the impression he wasn't done with them or with Wanda. "So are ya here vistin'?"
Irene nodded her head, "Yes that is if I'm welcomed."
Both looked to Xavier and he only could smile, he figured this might be good for Rogue. She had come a long way in her therapy sessions and overcoming her personal trauma but it was still there and he knew some days were hard for her. Having another person for her to lean on might be beneficial to her and maybe to help with Mystique as well. "I don't see a problem Kurt's own family will be stopping in today as well and there is plenty of room."
"Thank you then Charles," Irene nodded to him thankful for this.
"Rogue you can show her to a spare room then," Xavier said to the gothic girl.
Rogue smiled and picked up the suit case and linked her arm with Irene to lead the way. "So how have ya been?" She had wondered how Irene had been doing all this time.
"Doing well although if a bit lonely life," She admitted they continued on with the small talk as Rogue let her to a guest room. Irene would make sure she walked around it a few times to get a feel for it but right now she sat on the bed a little jet lagged from her flight here and the long cab ride.
Rogue sat down next to her, "Ah'm glad you're stayin' for a bit."
Irene took her hand, "So am I…Rogue…I just…I'm sorry. I saw that you were in danger, that the others would be in danger. I saw you in pain and…I thought Mystique would have been able to save you…" Irene had never felt such grief in her life for failing her so badly.
Rogue's face grew a bit solemn as she had remembered the day she wanted to badly to forget. "Ah know…Believe meh, mama has been beatin' herself up over that."
Irene got a small smile at her face, "So you're calling her mama now?" She was pleased to hear how their relationship had seemed to have been repaired.
Rogue gave a small laugh and nodded it did seem strange at times. There was a time she just really hated Mystique with ever bone in her body, she even thought she had killed her once. But they have both come a long way and she felt she was better for it. "Yeah we're slowly becomin' a family, her, me and Kurt that is."
"It's good you have a family, it was one of the things while growing up that I wanted you to have."
"Well ah kind of found an extended family in the mansion. Ah mean we are all pretty close," She told Irene and it was true over the years she felt that everyone here was like family to her in some way. "Plus…Well Ah'm…kind of seein' this guy…" She trailed off glad that Irene couldn't see her cheeks flush a bit.
Irene got a bit interested in this new development, "Oh really? Well I would like to meet this boy, what's he like and does he make you happy?"
Rogue smiled, "Yeah he does make meh happy…When I don't want to smack him one. It's strange he's a total contradiction. Sweet and charming one moment then a total egotistical and kind of annoying…But for some reason ah just love tha guy."
Irene nearly laughed at the relationship she seemed to have fallen into, "Well it certainly sounds interesting that's for sure."
"That's the polite way of sayin' it," She shook her head in amusement. There was a knock on the door and both women looked up to see the blue skinned Mystique start to walk in.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Raven said seeing the two of them together.
"Of course not old friend, please sit with us." Irene smiled and patted the spot next to her. Mystique sat down next to her taking the hand of her oldest and dearest friend. "It's good to see you again."
"And you my dear friend," Raven said gripping her hand it really was good seeing her here. Irene was the first person she ever trusted and to tell the truth she could never had used her more then at this moment.
Irene paused a moment, something in her old friend's tone and in the way she was carrying herself. There was something different in her, so she reached up and felt Raven's face. Sometimes the blind could see better then those with sight. There was defiantly something different, "You've changed since the last time we saw each other."
Mystique held her hand, "Yes…I have changed. Much has happened but I don't want to get into it now."
From the tone in her voice Irene had to agree she would let it go for now, at the moment she just wanted to get to know what was going on in the lives of the two people she cared most about in life.
-Later that Day-
Kurt was pacing nervously in his room and it was starting to drive his girlfriend nuts. Wanda had been in his room sitting on his bed as Kurt waited for his parents to show up from Germany. He had school that day so he couldn't go and get them himself so Ororo had offered to drive to the airport.
They had finally managed to get some free time and they really wanted to see him, he couldn't remember the last vacation they had or if they ever had for that matter. He felt glad that they wanted to take a trip to the US to see him also kind of bad that they didn't want to see more of the world or something. They deserved it after all they had been great parents.
"Kurt, stop pacing!" Wanda yelled at him, "God you keep this up and you'll ware a hole in the floor."
"Sorry," He said a bit shyly rubbing the back of his neck, "I'm just excited, I haven't seen zhen since last Christmas and zhey are staying for a few veeks."
Wanda sighed knowing how much this meant to him but she swore even if she did love him if he didn't stop he was going to hex him soon. "I know but just be patient they'll get here soon enough."
Kurt nodded his head and did his best not to pace, although his tail was twitching like crazy. He really couldn't wait to see them again. Thankfully it wasn't long until from out his window he saw Ororo's car pulling up to the mansion.
Then he saw them, his mother and father stepped out. He turned to Wanda and grabbed her hand, "Come on zhey are here! I vant you to meet zhem." And before she could protest he pulled her up off his bed onto her feet and ported. She caught a long full of his smoke unfortunately, after a time you learn to hold your breath when Kurt teleports but she hadn't been ready for it.
She coughed out the noxious fumes and wished he would have warned her. She looked to see them outside and Kurt was running over to the couple. They looked like nice people who openly hugged their son. Wanda could see the joy on their faces and she lost any anger at the moment seeing how happy they were.
There was a small pang of envy in her that he had such a relationship with his family when she couldn't remember her own like that. She noticed Ororo smiling at the scene as well, although both of them didn't know what the three of them were saying. They were speaking in German and Wanda had been taking a few lessons from Kurt but so far she only caught a few words here and there.
She eventually gave it up and just enjoyed seeing them like this.
Kurt saw Wanda off to the side and decided to switch to English and thankfully his parents knew enough of that language. "Mozher, fazher. Zhere is someone I vanted you to meet." He looked over at Wanda and kind of smiled at her reassuringly seeing her nervousness. He held out his hand and she took it in hers.
"Zhis is Vanda, mien girlfriend."
"Uh…Nice to meet you," Wanda said and even she could hear the nervousness in her voice. She mentally cursed herself in her head. She wasn't one for getting nervous she made other people nervous so why was this so difficult for her?
But thankfully Jimaine Wagner smiled at her, "Ah Kuti I'm happy zhat you've found yourself a nice girl to be vith."
Wanda looked at Kurt with amusement, "Kurti?" Kurt winced at that he just knew he would never hear the end of this now.
Next his father Stefan Wagner nodded his head, "Ja, our son talked all about you vhen he called and it's nice to finally meet you."
His mother gently took Wanda into a welcoming hug as she blushed a bit at the show of affection. She had been worried they may not have liked her but Kurt had been right in that they easily accepted people. She should have known after all they did take in Kurt with no questions asked.
"Vell zhen I vould love to talk but it vas a long flight and I still have yet to meet zhis sister of yours too." She said looking at Kurt.
Kurt was grinning from one ear to the other, "Ja I zhink she's helping out with Irene and…uh…Mystique."
That kind of put a damper on the mood right there. Kurt had told them about his biological mother and at first they had been concerned since all the pain she had caused him and his sister in the past. But he managed to convince them that they she was really trying.
"Vell…Ve can vait until later zhen," His father stepped in trying to change the subject. He knew that his wife may not completely trust that woman she was very protective of Kurt and just knew that if given the chance she was going to have some choice words with Mystique when they met. He really didn't look forward to it, his wife may look kind and sweet and she was. But not when you got her angry.
"I think that is a good idea," Ororo said helping with one of the bags, "We can show you where you'll be staying."
"Ja and I vant to talk to zhese two a bit more," Kurt's mother said smiling at the two youths. "So Kurti…Vhen can I expect some grandchildren?"
"Mozher!" Kurt said shocked by that, Wanda was just as surprised at this.
"Vell I'm not getting any younger Kurt and she's a fine voman. I have no objections if you two decided to get married and I vould love some grand children to spoil." She smiled at him leaving Kurt very embarrassed and Wanda blushing madly. Sure she loved Kurt but marriage and kids? In the future sure but boy his mother sure was direct.
"Now Jimaine let's not embarrass the poor boy." His father said patting her on the shoulder taking another set of their luggage with him.
"I know I'm sorry," She sighed, "It's just zhat back home a few boys your own age are settling down and vell I hoped zhat you vould."
"Vell I do…But vhen I'm ready, but if it makes you feel any better…I zhink I know who vith," He gave a small look to Wanda who caught it and gave him a small smile taking his hand. Kurt's parents saw this and smiled it was so good to see that their son had found himself a life like this. A home where he didn't have to hide, friends, and apparently someone he cared very deeply for. Although they may need to have a talk about just how far they were in the relationship but that was for another time.
Upstairs in the mansion Vincent was just getting back into his room. He had a nice Danger Room training session with the others, showered and then spent the day helping out. He was helping Laura with some of her home schooling at one point and he was looking up some on-line courses that he could take.
He had to pass the time and maybe earn a bit more of an education sure with a rich wife he didn't need to but he felt he shouldn't just sit around on his ass all day, that wasn't him. He found Emma back at her computer doing some more business work on it. From the looks of the graph it was some type of business plan she was reviewing. Although he wasn't sure he left this stuff to her.
She sighed and rubbed her neck looking at the screen and he guessed that she must be getting a bit of a sore neck. He quietly walked over to her as he bet she already knew he was in the room, he placed his hands on her shoulders and started to massage the muscles there.
She didn't jump and he grinned he knew that she knew he was there. He started to work out the stiffness in her shoulders and neck. She would sigh and even moan a bit and he opened up their mental link and was feeling her start to relax more. "God I needed this." She said taking a break feeling his hands work their magic.
He leaned down and kissed her neck, "Hey I'm your husband now I should be attentive to my wife's needs right?" She gave a small humorous laugh another thing that he was good at was making her smile and laugh. She knew she had been lucky to find him, someone that completed her life. Jean often spoke of Scott being her soul-mate and in moment like this she actually believed in that and was thankful she had found hers.
"So anything important you're working on?" He asked her.
"Nothing major," She said knowing he wasn't one for business but nice of him to ask anyway. "But I have been thinking of something important."
He stopped and crouched down next to her, "What's that?"
"I was thinking…If we're still going to be active members of the team when the baby is born…We should pick out god parents that will be guardians for the baby if…If the worst happens to the both of us." She said this in an even tone with no emotion. He knew that she did that now and then when things got serious.
He nodded his head it did make sense. "Yeah…Given how are lives have been up to this point I'm surprised we're both still alive…" The image of Jack ran through his mind and of the monument dedicated to him in the back yard. "But if the worse happens I want to know our child will be cared for."
Her cold face soften a bit at that point knowing that he was behind her in this. She didn't like talking about this but it had to be done. "I have a few ideas on who we might ask."
He smiled and kissed her forehead, "Yeah let's see if we can narrow it down and then ask them about it when we get the chance." He said looking into her blue eyes holding her hand, he felt her hold it back as well.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 9: WHEN MOTHERS MEET