Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men.

We're All Family

Chapter 16

Monday

"It's Christmas!" Thomas yelled as he came down the steps on his back side. "It's Christmas!…It's Christmas!"

Scott followed him down the steps vainly trying to hush his excited son. He managed to get him to agree to a glass of milk as they waited for everyone else to come down.

Soon after everyone was down and headed toward the rec room. Brennan was the first to arrive at the door and frowned when he found it locked. "Ok, who's the wise guy?"

"Wise guy, present," Jesse yelled from the steps as he carried his son. He got closer to the door and ignored the murmurs around him. "I thought it would be nice if we all went in together…after the little ones." He glared up at Brennan. "Thomas and Nadene, go first. Everyone else, back up." He turned and watched two little excited faces make their way through the jungle of legs around them. When they were in front of him, he grinned. Leaning on the door, he took both their hands in one of his. Quickly phasing the door he pushed them through and stepped into the room, laughing at all the complaining he heard from the other side. Keying in the code the door slid opened.

Everyone's irritation was rapidly replaced by awe at the sight of the mountain of presents around the tree. Once all in and comfortable, Sissy and Jack moved to begin reading tags. As the decibel level rose Evie smiled remembering that she actually thought they would have a quiet Christmas.

There were so many gifts that it was decided to open gifts in sessions, making the fun last all day. The kids were given some presents and as the men help the little ones put together toys and play, the women headed for the kitchen to make breakfast.

After breakfast Jack asked Ro if they could call her family in the village. "I promised Kira I'd call her today."

"That would be very nice. Find Jesse and we will make the call." Ro agreed.

Jack searched and quickly found Jesse putting together a small riding toy for Bryan. "Jess, will you code the computer for me? Miss 'Ro and I want to call her family."

"Sure thing," Jesse handed the tools to Bobby and led Jack back to the computer where Ro was waiting.

"Thank you, Jesse." Ro smiled as he finished and offered her the seat in front of the monitor.

Soon the call was answered by a familiar voice as the picture resolved before them. When Ro had finished with her Christmas wishes for all, she turned to see an anxious young man at her side. "Sister, I believe Jack would like to speak with Kira. Is she available?"

They watched as Onnaka turned her head and nodded. As she stepped away, Kira took her place in front of the computer. "I am here."

Ro stood and gestured for Jack to sit. He did and she saw her niece's face light up. She pat his shoulder and left them to their conversation.

"Hi, Kira. Merry Christmas."

"To you as well. How are you?"

"I'm ok. It's been a long time since we've spoken and I promised I'd call for Christmas."

"I have been awaiting your call."

"Remember I told you I had testing coming up?" Jack saw her nod then suddenly looked down shyly. "Well, your aunt said I did very well in all the academic tests."

"I knew you would do well. You also were not concerned about those. What of my uncle's tests?"

Jack looked back up at her. "They were demanding. I just recently took the last fitness test. It was very hard but…I passed." With a proud smile he added. "Brennan also promoted me to Black Belt."

"Oh, Jack. I am very pleased and proud of you. I knew you would be able to do more than what you thought."

He quickly glanced around to make sure no one was around to hear their conversation. It warmed his heart to hear her accolade but he didn't want anyone else knowing…especially not Sissy. They were best friends but he knew she'd tease him for weeks.

The day traveled happily as everyone thoroughly enjoyed the gathering. Coming to a close, everyone was very pleasantly tired. Clean up was done, tired children were put to bed, presents were being put away.

As the bags of presents were being packed to go back into the Blackbird, John went up to his room then silently down to the hangar. He noticed that the holds' doors were opened. She must have made one trip already.

He stepped back and waited. In a moment, Sissy appeared by the craft and put the last of the bags into their place. As she stepped back and reached for the controls to close the doors, John stepped out. "Sissy, hold on."

Sissy screamed and jumped as she spun to face the voice. Panting heavily, she put her hand over her chest, "Oh, John. You scared me to death. Did Jack put you up to this?"

He chuckled as he came to her side shaking his head. "No. Is it just being here or are you this jumpy at home, too?"

"Only when someone sneaks out of the shadows at me." She glared at him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sneak." He looked at the present in his hand. "I wanted to give you this, before you closed the hold." He held out the gift.

Fear and anger forgotten, Sissy quickly took the gift with excitement. "You got me a present?"

"Well, I got the idea while we were at the mall. No one else would really understand, so I thought I should give it to you alone." He watched her tear the paper and lift the box lid. He laughed to see her face contort as she raised a pair of oven mitts.

Shortly, understanding dawned and she began laughing. She playfully swung the mitts hitting him in the shoulder. "Are you insinuating that I'm clumsy?" She tried to sound offended but the smile on her face prevented it.

"No. Not at all. But you never know who might walk into the kitchen while you're working. Aunt Evie might not be there the next time you get burned." They laughed as they locked up and walked back inside.

In the rec room everyone was relaxing with a Christmas drink. "Scotch?" Adam offered John as they walked in.

"Me, too?" Sissy tried.

"Suzanne," the professor's reprimand made her cringe as everyone laughed at her.

"We were just talking about surgery," Dria informed as John sat beside her.

"I see no reason to delay. We can proceed whenever you are ready." Hank smiled at her then turned to John. "The computer adjustments were done. The equipment modifications would not take long."

"You've been very kind. You're willingness to help us is more than appreciated." John looked at Hank then turned and met the professor's eyes. "We will be forever grateful."

"It is our pleasure to help in any way we can. You will come to see that our home is merely an extension of this, as are our families." Charles smiled warmly at Dria.

"I see no reason to wait." Adam looked to his wife as she smiled and nodded her agreement. "You're going to leave in the morning. We'll get ready and follow. I agree the equipment modification would be done quickly. We can expect an afternoon procedure." Adam smiled at his cousin. "By evening you'll be recovering comfortably."

"Then we'll turn in to be rested for our big day," John stood and helped Dria to rise.

"Ah think Ah betta turn in too. Ah'm really tired." Marie struggled to stand as Remy moved to help her to her feet. She pouted as everyone chuckled at her dilemma. "Ya know, Ah'd cry 'bout this but ya'll went through the same thing and Ah laughed at you, too. Ah'm just gettin' some back."

"It will all be over soon," Hank grinned at her. "I do not feel you will carry too far into the New Year."

"Thanks…Ah think." Marie waddled out the door.

The night was quiet with everyone asleep in their after Christmas peace. Evie was keenly aware of everyone in her home. Even in her sleep she was sensitive to the larger than normal presence she always felt. A sudden intense feeling of fear woke her. Her eyes opened as she instantly sat upright. Stilling to discern the source, she smiled as she turned to her husband.

Adam felt the fear the instant Evie sat up. He put his hand on her shoulder as he waited for her.

"It's Marie," she turned an excited smile to him. "I think she's ready." Evie closed her eyes. Marie? Remy? Is everything ok? she sent.

Chere, Remy tinks de petit is anxious. Maybe mad he miss Christmas.

Stay right there. I'll get Hank and we'll be right in. Evie quickly got out of bed and pulled on her robe. "Hank and I will check on her. I'll call you if we need you." She quickly kissed her husband and turned for the door, sending to Hank as she did.

"Well, it seems my earlier calculations were slightly off. Normally this type of error would cause me no little concern but…in this case I am please to be in error." Hank finished his check up and turned a feral grin at his friends.

"Does that mean that the baby is…" Marie looked panicked as she turned to her husband whose arms were encircling her. "Ah'm not ready. Ah don't have any of the baby's things."

Evie sat on the bed by her side and took her hand. "Don't worry, Marie. The baby's not coming this minute. You have time to get home and settled in the med bay. I'll get Brennan to fly you home right now. The rest of us will keep to our plans. As soon as I get there, I'll check on your progress."

Evie went out into the hall and sent to wake Brennan. In less than a minute the door to his room opened and a very alert feral preceded her husband out the door.

Brennan followed stretching and raking his fingers through his pillow mussed hair. "What's up."

Evie explained. Shalimar went to help Marie get ready and down to the hangar. Brennan went in to dress and then prepped the Helix for take off. When the passengers were safely in their seats he kissed his wife. "I'll get them in the med lab and be back before breakfast."

TBC