Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. I created Evie and the rose colored world she lives in.

A/N: Loveconquers, you are so wonderful. I was so excited to wake up and find such a long review. It was a perfect start to my day. Bohemianbabe, I know…I had 125 pages written and was still asking myself the same thing. But fear not. I figured it out. This piece was turning into a 'time' filler on our way to the future. I had what I thought was my story but no real action. Now I've gone through with a minor rewrite and have a real action story (well…as real as action gets for me. You all do much better at that than I.) It's not done and won't end at Christmas. Actually, I'm not sure how long it will go. When I see the end, I'll give you warning. It may take until Christmas. How's that for surety; I'm not….:) Karen147145, Thank you. I'm glad to hear you like the series. I hope to keep it going for just a little while longer. Mxfan214, hold that thought. I've got something coming. Courtney, Logan's not out for the duration. They're all coming for the holidays. Thanks for the input on Brennan. I'm trying not to feminize the men. It's especially hard with guys like Brennan and Logan. In my head they are not really like any other characterization of them, I've seen, though I do try to keep to some common elements. Brennan is probably a little more like TV. Logan is really not the menacing, evil, rage constantly brewing, hair-trigger teddybear we've all seen in other mediums. Maybe that doesn't really make him Logan anymore but this is how I would like him. OK OK OK Enough babbling by the author.

We're All Family

Chapter 4

Shawna's joyful arrival was almost 4 months ago. Now Christmas was coming. Evie's favorite time of year and this year promised to be extra special…or at least she hoped it would be…if she could get Adam to put down some of his work long enough to enjoy it with her. He seemed unusually busy. It wasn't the underground. It wasn't mutants with malicious intent. It wasn't even intense experimentation. There just always seemed to be something keeping him occupied. One week to go. Less than one week until everyone arrived on Friday.

This year Christmas was being hosted in Sanctuary. For the past few years everyone seemed to end up at the mansion. Missions came up. Children stayed at school. It just seemed easier. This year was different. This year all of the students who were not legally under Charles care were going home. The X-Men, families included, were looking forward to a change. Evie got the idea after a riotous Thanksgiving. Comments circulated indicating the need for a quieter Christmas. Aside from the adults who would act like children on Christmas morning, there were 3 babies in Sanctuary and 3 from the mansion. Charles also had legal custody of 2 teens. That could be quiet.

Adam seemed to like the idea when she presented it and even took the initiative to contact Charles and extend the invitation formally. Now… it didn't seem like he had much time to enjoy it with her. 'It's not here, yet. There's still a week to look forward to.' Evie consoled herself as she went to answer an incoming call.

"Hello, Jean. I didn't expect to hear from you until later this week. Is everything alright?"

"Yes. Everything is just fine. I was just calling to see if you wanted to go to a lecture with me."

"A lecture, Jean? Christmas week?"

"Dr. Nicholas Winslet is speaking right near you, in town,… tomorrow. He's a pediatric and obstetric surgeon with a specialty in pre-natal corrective surgery. I thought it might be interesting and maybe you'd like to join me."

"Wow, it does sound interesting." After a moment, Evie put on a mocking glare. "Why do I feel like interest is not the only reason you're inviting me?"

"Well, because it isn't." Jean smiled slyly as she knew she'd get caught. "I really want to go but Scott is worried about me going so far from home…alone…during a holiday week…pregnant."

"Ah…there it is. I knew the truth would finally come out." Evie smiled at her friend.

"I really want to hear this man, but Scott can't take me and refuses to let me fly the Blackbird alone. It's too late to get any commercial transportation, especially this week. What do you say?"

"I say, he's right." Evie smiled at the shock she saw cross her friend's face. "I wouldn't want you to fly alone, 5 months pregnant. How long is it? I have a home to prepare for guests in a few days."

"It'll only be for the afternoon. We'd be home by dinner. Besides, you don't have to do anything special for us. We're just glad to be getting a change of scenery."

"It's Christmas. All of it's special. Tell Scott to calm down. I'll talk to Adam. Unless there's a problem, I'll pick you up Monday at eleven. Does that give us enough time to make registration?" She saw Jean smile and nod. "Good. Look for the Helix." Evie smiled as she watched her friend bounce for joy.

"Thank you so much. This'll be great. We'll have fun."

Evie went to find Adam and make sure her schedule could be cleared. "Jean would like me to escort her to a lecture here in town, to hear a doctor speak." Evie frowned when Adam only nodded his head and didn't turn to face her as she spoke. "I should only be gone until dinner," she said to his back.

"Out with Jean. That's fine, Evie," he answered without turning. "I'm sure we can handle things here."

Evie sighed and went to check on Nadene. Later that Sunday evening she decided she needed to speak with Adam…privately. Walking into the kitchen to help with dinner she found the girls already moving in their well rehearsed pattern of meal prep. "Shalimar, Kitty, can I ask you to do me a favor?"

"Sure, Evie. What is it?" Kitty asked as she stirred the pot.

"I don't know if you've noticed but, Adam's been a little …I don't know…preoccupied."

"For as long as I've known him, Adam's been preoccupied with one thing or another," Shalimar teased.

"I know but this is…different. I can't really explain it but…it just feels different than his usual preoccupations." Evie's voice was steady but her eyes conveyed her deep concern.

"It is Christmas." Trying to be soothing, Shalimar offered with a smile, "Maybe he hasn't gotten you anything yet and is stressing over it."

Evie smiled back but it was only half-hearted. "Maybe…but I think it's more than that. We haven't connected very well these last two weeks."

"Two weeks? You two? That's not likely." Kitty turned a disbelieving look to her.

"He's been busy with some research that he hasn't told me much about." Evie turned from Shalimar to Kitty as they stopped working and just looked at her. Feeling very self-conscious at that moment she quickly added, "I've been busy too. I mean…I can't just blame him. Things at this time of year are busier. I want everything to be so nice when Charles and the rest of the family arrive on Friday. Well…we haven't shared thoughts in a while. Sure, I'm conscious of his presence…just like you two are with the guys, though. We haven't really shared our bond in a while. I'm just feeling a little…I don't know… disconnected." She finished and could feel the sympathy coming from the girls as they both stopped what they were doing and walked to her side.

"Hey, it's ok. What do you want us to do?" Shalimar put a hand on her shoulder.

"Can you take care of Nadene for me? I want to try and spend some time with him tonight."

"Of course. Why don't you take him out? Give yourselves an early Christmas present," Kitty offered.

"That sounds like a great idea," Evie's smile brightened. "I'll make reservations at the Château."

"Well, the last I heard the work schedule was clear," Kitty turned back to her pot smiling slyly, "soooo…I was actually thinking of a little more than just dinner."

Evie shook her head at her young friend as she heard Shalimar giggle. "You know with our age difference, if you weren't already married, I'd have to reprimand you for making a suggestion like that."

"Come on," Kitty turned around with a cunning eye, "we all know that age has nothing to do with it."

"You're right, but time does. I have to meet Jean tomorrow morning." Evie thought for a moment. "I can't be out all night but…we don't have a curfew, do we?" She turned bright eyes back to her girls. "How can I get the access codes for the safehouse by the park, I wonder?"

"Oooh, I think I can get them for you. I have a connection who would be more than willing to give up that information…if he knows what's good for him." Kitty winked at her.

"You go and reconnect and we'll handle everything here." Shalimar offered.

"You're the best," Evie moved excitedly to the door. "I think this will be just what the doctor ordered. Thank you,…'Doctors'."

The girls giggled as they watched her leave.

TBC

Ok…it was shorter, especially after the last chapter but I'll post soon.