Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. I created Evie and the rosy world she lives in.
We're All Family
Chapter 8
A few hours earlier, Adam was sitting in the living room of the hotel suite as he waited for Dria to join him. He had insisted that she lie on her bed as he checked her. Scans run and check up over, he mulled over the possibilities as he poured himself a Scotch.
"I keep that here for John," Dria appeared in the doorway. She smiled and shook her head as Adam quickly put down his drink and rushed to her side. "You don't have to help me walk," she reprimanded as she took his hand. "I hate this," she confessed bitterly, "I'm only 40. This should be the prime of my life and look at me. I'm as feeble as a ninety year old."
"You're still as beautiful as you were that last Christmas at home, before you knew anything about Andrew McDermott." He smiled when she looked up at him, her eyes searching for the sincerity she desperately needed.
"Oh, Adam, I wish I could believe you. You're being sweet but I know the way I feel inside must show on the outside. I just don't understand what's happened to me."
"You won't stay sick. I promise. I'll figure this out.…I'm going to take care of you," Adam stated with a tone of finality as he made her comfortable on the sofa.
"I believe that's my job." A voice that rang a little familiar, from the opposite end of the room made him turn. Adam stood up and faced the man now approaching him.
John walked in and stopped a few feet away from Adam. Both men looked at each other…neither moved as an eerie recognition held their eyes on the other.
Her own self centeredness forgotten for the moment, Dria smiled as she looked from her son to Adam. "Adam, this is John," she introduced proudly. "Dr. John Adam Kane." She giggled at the shock on Adam's face as his head snapped around to look at her.
"Mom always told me how much I reminded her of you. Though I must admit, I thought it was just her love for you talking. Remarkable…I really didn't believe it." John moved forward and extended his hand.
Adam looked again at Dria then back to John. He shook the young man's hand and finally smiled. "Doctor? Your mother didn't tell me that, yesterday."
"So I saved some things for when you would meet," Dria smiled slyly as her son leaned down to kiss her.
Adam gave her a soft glare then turned back to pick up his drink. "Scotch? I understand it's your bottle I'm drinking."
"Yes, please. I'm sorry I wasn't here to meet you yesterday. I was preparing for a conference with a friend."
"John was finished med school by the time he turned 21," Dria offered.
"I'm impressed," Adam turned and handed the young man his drink.
John saw his mother smiling proudly at him. "She said I got that from you. What's your field, exactly? Mom told me you studied genetics."
"Yes…I worked in the field for a while," Adam looked into his drink.
"I wish I would have been able to…" Dria began but stopped when tears welled in her eyes. "There's so much of your life I missed; so much I couldn't be a part of," she tried to smile as Adam moved to sit beside her.
"I know. I feel the same way," he took her hand in his and kissed it. Turning to John he added, "And I've missed everything in your life. I want to know whatever you'd like to share."
"Well, I finished med school with a specialty in pediatrics. Mom use to volunteer time at the children's hospital and orphanage and I could see that there was a desperate need at the time. Then I saw how computers were beginning to be used in surgery. I had…an interest so I…" John stopped and looked into his mother's eyes.
She gave him a small nod. "You know how much I trust him." She watched as her son stood and reached for his laptop.
He opened it and extended it for Adam to take.
Adam looked at the blank screen then up in question to the young man before him. "Wait," was all he heard. As he lowered his eyes back to the screen he saw the computer boot. He watched as programs changed and a blank document was finally displayed. 'Hello, Doctor. Please don't be frightened.' appeared as if it was typed with invisible hands. Adam looked up realizing that John was touching the top. "You have a cyber mutation," he stated just above a whisper.
Shocked, John looked at his mother, then they both turned back to Adam as he asked, "You know about… mutants?"
Adam looked at John then turned to Dria; his eyes suddenly sad. He silently stood and handed the laptop to its owner. He picked up his drink and walked across the room. Thoughts wild in his head, he took a sip and paused. She must have been at Genomex. That explains her scan readings…Andrew… Adam's anger began to rise again as he further thought through the implications of all of this.
"Adam?" Dria's voice carried concern for him.
When he turned back, he saw the questions in her eyes. He looked at the young man he now felt even more connected to. "John,…how old are you, exactly."
"22, next week, December 28th," John answered then looked at his mother.
Adam returned to Dria's side and took her hand. "I have a lot to tell you."
Hours later, Evie began to wake up as soon as Adam entered Sanctuary. She was a little disoriented as she woke up. Why am I in the lab? What ever the reason, Adam was getting closer and she didn't want him finding her like this. Quickly, she got off the chair and ducked into her lab. Looking in the mirror, she smoothed her hair and tried to wipe the make-up smudges from under her eyes.
Adam walked into his lab. Conscious of the late hour he wondered about the light in Evie's lab. She's never up working this late. He moved to the adjoining door and looked in. He was tired. It had been a long and worrisome week. Shock over hearing from Dria after all these years and finding out she was sick had consumed his thoughts. Now he stood in the doorway looking at his wife. She's beautiful. A strong desire stirred in him to reach out and feel her hair slide through his fingers. He loved touching her long hair. When they were alone, it was part of their intimacy. When they weren't, it was a tender connection he could make. She would always respond with a smile in her eyes that made his heart skip a beat. It was now that he finally realized he hadn't really spent time with her for a while. He closed his eyes, opened his mind to her and waited. After a few moments he opened his eyes again. Evie didn't meet him. She must feel me… "Evie?"
"Yes, Adam. I do," she whispered. "I just…can't right now." She stood and moved into his lab without looking at him. "Excuse me," she begged as she passed him.
Confusion covered his face as he reached out to touch her shoulder; his hand swiping air as he saw her purposefully evade the contact. Ringing clear in his ears was the sob she tried to strangle as she did it.
Shalimar was asleep in bed as Brennan was rocking Shawna in his arms. He had just gotten her back to sleep. With a gasp, Shalimar sat upright. Brennan felt it, too. He held his breath as he laid his daughter in her crib then moved to the bed and sat beside Shalimar. As he watched her eyes turn from gold to brown, he whispered, "You felt it, too?"
"Yeah. It's Evie. Adam's home." She paused as her eyes changed again. "She's crying. Come on." Shal pushed the covers aside and reached for her robe.
In Evie's current condition, resisting him took effort she wasn't prepared for. She felt the tears begin to sting the moment he opened his mind to her. Her mind was clouding and she felt as if she couldn't breathe. She knew she had to get away from him and walked as quickly as she could through their home and into the kitchen.
Silent and stinging from hurt he didn't understand, he followed her as his mind spun around reasons for her behavior. He thought of all their conversations over the last week. An easy task, he grieved, as there hadn't been that many. It took until he reached the kitchen door for him to remember that she had gone out with Jean today. In an instant he recalled something John had said. The conference…
By this time, Shalimar and Brennan were coming down the stairs. From the rec room, Jesse and Kitty appeared. They all moved quickly toward the kitchen. Adam froze in wonder as he saw the looks on all their faces. He knew his family very well and right now he could read deep concern from all of them. The girls quietly slipped by Adam in the doorway and moved to Evie's side.
Sensing their approach Evie turned quickly. "I did it, didn't I?" Evie looked at them both as their eyes shined at her. Shalimar nodded and hugged her as Kitty rubbed her shoulder.
Adam moved into the room and was about to speak when Brennan and Jesse moved passed him. His words died on his lips as he heard Brennan speak first.
"Evie, come and sit down." He pulled out a chair for her.
Evie pulled away from Shalimar and shook her head. "No, thank you. I'm fine." She felt worse for the sadness she could see in Brennan's face.
"Evie," Jesse's voice was low but firm, "please. Listen to Brennan." He opened his mind to her as she looked into his eyes.
The lab?
You fainted. I scanned you. We know you're pregnant but it's very, very early. Please? It's too dangerous for you to be this upset.
Evie nodded and took the hand Brennan had extended for her as she moved closer and sat in the chair.
He knew Evie spoke into Jesse's mind. It made him sting all the more that she refused to meet him when he came in. He could see everyone's concern for her. Why? Adam's level of alarm now went through the roof or mountain as it were. "What's going on?" Adam moved to the table and reached for Evie's forehead as he knelt at her side.
Evie looked at him, his fear for her clear in his face. "I'm not ill, Adam," she whispered. "I'm…tired," she lied…and she knew he knew it.
He looked at her with creased brow, concern for her health now passed he went back to his realization from before. She saw John. She must think he's my…
She didn't have to join his mind to hear his thoughts. "Yes, I went to the conference with Jean. I saw him…" she saw Adam frown then glance around the room quickly. "They know."
Adam put his head down in resignation. After a moment he stood up by her chair. "Kitty, would you please put the coffee on for us." He extended his hand to his wife as he continued. "We'll be back in just a few minutes and I'll explain everything." He noticed Evie hadn't moved. "Please?" He whispered, his heart beating painfully as he waited for her.
Brennan felt her confusion and fear. He put a protective hand on her shoulder.
Evie took a deep breath and drew from his strength. She turned her face up to meet his eyes. Silently, thanking him with a slight nod she felt him remove his hand as she turned and looked at her husband's hand before her.
Adam saw the exchange and held his breath. Relief washed over him when she put her hand in his. He led her to the waterfall and indicated for her to sit as he sat beside her. "You met John? He didn't tell me he met another Kane."
"I didn't meet him. I only saw him." Evie looked down. "And I registered as Kihliya," she whispered then saw his brow crease in question. "I saw a poster as we walked in. I panicked." Once she began talking it all seemed to spill out…fast. "You've been so distant, Adam. I've been blocked from your mind for days. I wanted to go out with you last night and spend some time alone but when I came down you were gone and you were so secretive when you answered our call. You took off your ring and disabled the car tracker. Then…when you kissed me last night, I got a hit off you." Her voice cracked as she pushed to continue. "You were…thinking of another woman." Tears began to flow. "Then, today, I saw the poster. She's his mother isn't she? You were with her…Twice now." She saw him begin to shake his head. "Don't deny it. What am I supposed to think, Adam?" Evie pulled her hands away from him and covered her face as she cried.
His heart broke as he realized how his lack of attention to her led to this. "Evie…Darling, please, don't cry. Look at me." He waited but she didn't look up. "Sweetheart, you've got it all wrong and it's entirely my fault. I've been so preoccupied that I didn't even realize I'd drifted so far from you. Look at me, please," he whispered.
His voice pulled at her heart, just like it had the first time they met. Reasoning was long lost. Slowly, she lowered her hands and raised her eyes up to his. His deep dark eyes were pools waiting for her to dive in. She knew what he wanted but she didn't want to give in.
"Please, Evie," he begged. "You'll understand much easier. Then we'll go back into the kitchen and I'll explain to everyone." He waited for her, noticing how much it was hurting to not have their connection; the connection he'd been unintentionally denying her all this time. Like a breath inhaled when air had been denied; he felt the relief as she stepped slowly into his mind. He reached for her hands as he felt her roaming his mind. "Her name is Alexandria." Adam closed his eyes and called for early memories of them together as children. He quickly moved them through their time together. He added information from the past two days and what he knew of John. Evie stood staring in amazement as relief…then shame washed over her. Adam felt her feelings change. He embraced her in his mind and let his love for her flow. It was only then that he felt something different. Something familiar was tickling his mind…there but…difficult to read. He closed his eyes and concentrated. After only a moment, he realized the familiarity. Shock shook his mind as Evie withdrew and just looked into his wide eyes.
"Evie, you're?…We're?…Oh, Sweetheart," he choked as he wrapped his arms around her. "I love you so much. I'm sorry I've been so distant. Please forgive me." He moved back as both their shining eyes met…then closed as he moved closer and kissed her. Releasing her lips he guided her head to his shoulder. He could feel her love…then realized something else. "You've been projecting," he stated as he remembered their last pregnancy. Then his eyes narrowed. "They know. That's why Brennan and Jesse were so worried about you." He thought for a moment then concern struck. "Did something happen? Are you ok?" He looked into her face again.
"Yes. I'm fine, now."
"Now? What happened?" his voice soft but urgent. "The baby is…"
"Fine. It's just…I found out you weren't home this evening when I got home from the conference,…well…, I was very stressed…and…you're right, I have been projecting my sadness for a couple of days…"
"Kitty…" Adam began to understand. "That's why she wanted to cry and thought she was pregnant." Adam saw the guilty look on her face and smiled. "It's ok, go on."
"Well, just now, in the kitchen I connected to Jesse. He told me that I'd fainted and they took me to the lab and scanned me. That's why I was there when you came in."
"Are you sure you're ok now?" He stood up and helped her to her feet as he guided her back toward the kitchen.
"I'm fine, really." Evie rested her head on his shoulder as they walked, relishing in the closeness she thought she was losing.
"Jesse," he called as they got closer. He saw Jesse and Shalimar come to the door, knowing they were all waiting on edge. "Shalimar, take Evie inside. Jesse, show me the scan you took."
In the lab, Jesse walked to the computer and brought up the results.
"Evie said she fainted," Adam relayed. "Was she unconscious long?"
"She was sleeping so we left her in the lab. She needed it. It was stress that caused her to pass out. I imagine she slept until you walked in." He motioned for Adam to read the report he brought up. After he knew Adam was satisfied he spoke, "So I guess I get to be the first." He watched Adam turn to him in confusion. "To congratulate you," Jesse held out his hand.
Adam smiled and shook the proffered hand and nodded. "Thank you…for everything."
"Adam," Jesse's face hardened, "She's been stressed for a couple of days now. It's too early,…too dangerous."
Adam looked up, ashamed of what his negligence had caused. "Jess, you have to know I'd never let anything happen to her…or our baby." He watched as Jesse nodded. "Let's go get the coffee and I'll try to explain what's been going on. They turned and walked back to the kitchen where they found the others smiling over steaming mugs of coffee.
The air in the room was much lighter than it had been just a little while ago. Adam touched Evie's hair as he got closer then sat beside her, thanking Kitty for the mug she'd just produced for him. "I take it Evie told you that her previous assumptions of my behavior these last few days, have been just a little off." He smiled as Evie blushed and sipped her coffee. "Last week I got a message from someone I hadn't seen since before my Genomex days." He looked at each of his kids as they sat around the table.
"Tomorrow, you'll all meet Alexandria…my cousin. Her father and mine were brothers. We were both 'only children' and very, very close growing up. She understood me when no one else could. We never did anything without the other. Then I went away to school. We both felt like we'd lost a piece of ourselves but we stayed close. She made sure of it. She wrote constantly. We only saw each other when I went home for Christmas break but we didn't miss each other's lives. She kept us together."
Adam sipped his coffee and his face grew hard. "When I was just about to finish med school I got a letter. Dria wrote to tell me that she had met someone. She said that she was in love with Andrew McDermott. I didn't know him. He was a newcomer to town. Dria was taken with him. He seemed to know just what to say or do and she fell completely in love with him. She was just 18. In one letter she was telling me about this new guy in town. In the next she was telling me about wedding plans set for Christmas when I would be home. A week later I got one that said they'd moved the wedding up. In that letter she said that she'd told him all about us and that it was important to her for me to be with her but there was something about when his parents would arrive from Scotland. She wrote that she would be leaving the country as Mrs. Andrew McDermott, off to see the world on her honeymoon.
I didn't like it. I tried to warn her that I thought she was moving too fast but I was so far away and he was there…everyday; pressuring her to do what he wanted." Adam caught himself as his voice began to convey his true feelings for the man he'd never met. "I called my uncle. He gave me all the reasons why he'd given his blessing and tried to convince me that I was upset just because I was so far away. He said that McDermott really loved Dria and that he was treating her like a princess. I had finals the week they held the wedding. If there was any way…looking back I think Andrew knew that. I got one last letter from Dria telling me about her plans to move to Scotland to his family's estate. She had bought into all the lies he fed her. The whole family had.
I wrote letter after letter to her, trying to get her to wait until Christmas or at least until I could get there. Everything I sent was returned… 'Unaccepted'. My calls were rejected. Later, my mom told me about the wedding. She said Dria had stepped into a fairytale. Right before they were to leave the country I got a call. It was him. He said he didn't believe that I knew what was best for 'Alex'." Adam humffed into his coffee. "She always hated when people used 'Alex'…He threw his name and money around trying to intimidate me. When it didn't work, I guess it made him mad and he began to threaten. He threatened me but soon found I couldn't be shaken. By this time I'd already figured out his true intention in the marriage. It was strictly for political reasons, social and financial status. That's when he threatened Dria. Just from the one phone call, I could tell he was… well… ruthless. He had me and he knew it. He swore if I ever tried to contact her again…she'd be the one to pay the price and each time more and more expensively.
At one point, after I'd gotten my job at Genomex, I hired a PI to find her and see if she was ok. His report was acceptable. 'She was happy,' it read." Adam leaned forward and fisted his hands on the table; his voice turned hard. "A week later I received a picture in the mail. It was my Dria;" he hesitated in rage, "passed out on the floor with a…black eye and a…cut…on her forehead." Adam stopped to regain his control as Evie put her hand over his fists. He felt her soothing his mind and he turned a smile to her. "I had no choice. I had to give her up. I've wondered about her over the years but there was nothing I could do. I couldn't risk it. I kept an eye on Scottish news. Every so often the McDermotts were in the social columns or on the financial page. I saw her in a few pictures and mentioned in a few articles.
Then last week, out of the blue, I got her message. She said that Andrew was dead. She told me when she would be here and where she'd be staying. She also mentioned that she was very sick and the doctors there, didn't hold out much hope. She wanted to come home and see me before…anything happened. I've spent all this time pouring over her medical records. They're sketchy at best. I knew there had to be missing information. The puzzle didn't look right for the condition she described. I was afraid to upset her anymore so I ran what scans I could to come to my own conclusions. Still I was confused. I got the missing pieces when I talked to her tonight. That's where John comes in." Adam looked around the table. The anticipation on their faces almost made him laugh. "Dr. John Adam Kane. I understand how it could look like he was my son." Adam reached out and took Evie's hand. "John is the only child Dria had with Andrew. As he grew, Dria discovered his interests and encouraged him to be a doctor. Now with Andrew gone; John brought her here for help with her condition. I went, yesterday, to see her. She told me about John but I didn't meet him until tonight. He definitely got most of his features from our side of the family." He stopped as Evie again looked ashamed.
"Let's get to bed now. I told Dria about everyone and she's anxious to meet you. You'll all love her, I know it. She's friendly and kind and has a great sense of humor."
After everything that had happened; a group of very tired people filed out and up the stairs as they said goodnight. Congratulations were not forgotten.
Adam closed the door as Evie moved to her dresser and began to remove her jewelry. "You are so beautiful." He moved closer as she looked at him through the mirror. He gently put his hands on her shoulders and looked into their reflection. "I'm sorry I caused you to doubt us."
"No, Adam. I jumped to too many conclusions without talking to you." She turned as he pulled her into his arms. "It hurt so much to think that you were being taken from me."
"Never!" He put his hand to her chin and locked his eyes with hers. "Leaving you would tear out my soul." He slowly moved closer sliding his hand back along her jaw and into her hair as he cradled her head. His lips brushed hers as he whispered against her, "I love you." He pulled her closer to him as he poured his love into his kiss and opened his mind to hers. His strength drew her in until they were one in their minds and souls. Suddenly a warm light began to glow from deep within and grew to encompass them as they seemed to stand suspended in time, the entirety of their world being just the two of them.
TBC
