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

We're All Family

Chapter 17

Tuesday

By breakfast everyone knew of Marie's departure. Holiday excitement seemed to want to hold on for another day.

Dria turned to Adam as he finished his coffee. "There's already a lot going on at the mansion. Maybe we should delay my procedure."

"No," Adam shook his head in emphasis. Turning to John, "I talked to Hank, this morning. Since he had all the extra time in between checks on Marie, he went ahead and made the equipment modifications. We can begin as soon as you check them out."

"But what about the baby? I don't want to intrude." Dria stated softly.

"There is no intrusion," Charles smiled at her side. "Our med lab is larger than Sanctuary's and our many doctors will insure complete and proper care of both you and the LeBeaus.

Adam nodded in agreement. "John and I would be handling most of your treatment. Hank and Jean are free to deliver the baby.

"Well," Dria hesitated. "If you feel that I won't be imposing…"

"Never," Charles stated flatly. "I look forward to showing you our home. Ororo's greenhouse is especially pleasing during these winter months. I'm sure she will gladly give us a tour."

"It would be my pleasure," Ro smiled then turned to catch the smiling eyes of Jean.

"Logan and Scott have the Blackbird already prepped for flight. It holds more passengers than the Helix so maybe…some of you should come with us." Jean suggested as she handed Evie her mug to fill.

"The guys and I are in the process of redesigning the Helix but for now, you're right," Adam conceded.

"Why don't you all fly over with them," Jesse offered. "Brennan, the girls and I can lock down and follow later. And since the redesign has gone from a nice idea to an immediate need," he smiled at Evie then turned to the professor, "I could use the danger room's holographic systems to do some hands on design, if that's ok?"

Adam saw Charles nod. "Well, that's the plan then."

"I'll go and pack for us," Evie smiled and turned to leave the kitchen.

"I will tell Scott and Logan that we will be having additional passengers." Ro followed Evie out.

When all were ready, the Blackbird took off leaving Sanctuary much quieter.

Upon arrival, Adam and John went directly to the med lab to begin preparations for the surgery. The Logans, Drakes and Summers got all the children settled in and with Jack and Sissy's help, all began the process of unloading bags and presents. Charles saw Dria safely to the Library where he made sure she was comfortable. He stayed with her as she waited to be called to the med lab.

Back at Sanctuary, Brennan and Jesse double checked the Helix and began lock down as the girls got Bryan and Shawna in their seats for the flight. Once in the air, they laughed at the recent events that added John and Dria to their family as well as all the fun they had hosting Christmas for such a crowd.

After only an hour, John was satisfied that the equipment modifications were sufficient, and confident that the surgery would be successful.

Marie was getting closer to delivery but was still not completely dilated. Hank and Jean remained in the lab which was now sectioned off to allow for proper care of both patients. Jean obliged Adam's request to send a message to Charles.

Holding up his hand with an apologetic gring, Charles interrupted Dria as she spoke. He turned his head slightly then smiled and looked at his companion. "It is time."

Dria forced a smile as she looked down at her hands in her lap. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly and whispered her assent.

Charles reached out and covered her hands with his. The look in her eyes when she looked up quickly just before she closed them gave him pause.

Dria had her eyes closed when she felt his hand close over hers. She felt his strength as his fingers wrapped warmly around hers. The tenderness of the gesture caught her by surprise. She was unable to mask her worry when she looked up, meeting his eyes.

He felt for her as he saw the anxiety she could no longer hide. "Do not be frightened. They will not allow anything to happen to you."

She saw the reassuring smile he offered her then looked down. "I'm sorry. I just…"

"I understand," he stated simply. "Come. I will escort you to the med lab." He turned and led the way.

Dria followed but her mind was not on their path. He really seems to. He's being so kind. Just seeing his smile seems to calm me. That's very …curious.

Evie and Jean prepped Dria for her procedure as John and Adam prepared what they would need. In short order it began. All was running smoothly. Half way through, Evie entered to check on their progress. She saw John working diligently as Adam kept watch and handled backup. Hank was standing to one side observing as he periodically moved from patient to patient.

Adam looked up when he felt her enter. Darling?

I was just checking on everyone. Is there anything I can do?

Not yet. Her weakened condition is causing the procedure to strain her vitals more than it would someone else. Her condition when it's over will be very dangerous. She'll need you to help as much as you can. Adam worked continuously but at the last glanced up into his wife's eyes. For an instant there was pleading and need, before he could recapture himself and look back to his task.

Evie easily read the look he inadvertently let slip. Don't worry, Darling. She'll be fine. You're too involved right now. Don't doubt what you and John can do. I don't. Neither does Dria. Evie smiled as she felt his gratitude and silently moved to check on Marie.

Had she not turned so quickly she would have seen the robotic arm shake slightly as John reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow.

Jean was staying with Marie. Remy never moved from her side. Having super strength certainly had its benefits. Most of the contractions were barely noticeable apart from the monitors she was hooked to. Her mood was surprisingly good.

It was Remy who needed the calming and the coaching. The normally cool and reserved Cajun, now sat fidgeting at his wife's side. At her every movement he jumped out of his seat to ask what she needed. Evie smiled as a strong contraction registered on the monitor. Marie merely shifted on the bed but Remy…he was out of his seat and trying to hold a cool clothe to his wife's forehead as she bat his hand away in a frustrated manner.

"I came to see how you were doing."

"Evie, thank God. Maybe you can convince this swamp rat that I'm not gonna break."

"I know you're not gonna break," he huffed at her. "I just don' wan' ta see you in any pain. It was me dat put you …here." Using first person for the last hour, Remy was so upset knowing he couldn't comfort his wife that he couldn't see that she really didn't need it.

Evie had an idea. "Remy, come here."

"No, Chere. I have to stay here."

Jean chuckled as Marie sighed and reached up to his face and tenderly looked into his eyes. "Mon beau, please. Listen to her."

"Remy," Evie glared at him. She saw him look from his wife to her and back again then kiss Marie's head and promise to be right back. Evie shook her head as he approached her. "Remy, you have to calm down." She saw him begin to shake his head but spoke quickly to deter any rebuttal. "Listen to me. Marie is the strongest woman on the planet."

"Oui," he agreed quickly.

Evie laced her arm with his and guided him to the monitor. "Look at this. See this spike." Evie pointed as a strong contraction crested. "This contraction would have Shalimar screaming. Look at your wife. She's only slightly uncomfortable. You're reacting out of expectations. Every woman reacts differently during childbirth. Marie's abilities make this a walk in the park for her." Evie smiled and looked at Jean as they both place protective hands over their own abdomens. "Something the rest of us can only envy." Reaching up and placing her hands on his strong shoulders Evie looked straight into his black and red eyes. "If you will just relax, this will be a wonderful experience for both of you. Trust me…and soon you'll have your child in your arms."

Remy understood and inhaled a deep breath. As he released it he smiled and took Evie's hands. "Tank you, Chere. You are de best." He raised her hands together to his lips and kissed them. He held them to his chest to further show his gratitude when he turned suddenly at his wife's voice.

"Ah'm glad ya'll havin' a nice time over there, but…Ah'd laighke some attention thrown this way." Marie's smile wouldn't allow her comment to sound threatening.

Remy winked at Evie then rushed back to give his wife his full attention as she shifted and grimaced.

"That did it," Jean smiled as she began her work. "I can see the baby now." She sent for Hank who came bounding in a moment later.

Evie helped them and in only another 10 minutes she was handing a beautiful baby boy to his tearful father.

After the work was done and the new family made comfortable Hank moved to Marie's side. "I understand this was a very agreeable experience for you and am please you were not unduly distressed."

"What about powers, Doc?" Marie's look of concern made him smile warmly.

"Just because he did not give us any surprises during birth does not mean he is powerless. We will test and scan him many times over the next few days. If there's one thing little Miss Mulwray taught me is that we can't take anything for granted when blending such powerful mutations. Rest now and don't worry." He gently kissed her head and shook Remy's hand then went back to the other patient in his lab.

Adam noticed Hank's return. "Congratulations," he offered. "Evie said everything went well."

"Yes, I would that all of our women could deliver as easily. How are you progressing?"

"I'm done," John announced as he moved the robotic arm from his mother's body.

"Ok, let's give it a scan and make sure we can close." Adam watched as the computer displayed just the results he wanted to see. "Excellent. Now we close and let her recover."

John was waiting to hear just that. He let out the breath he was holding and then was suddenly overcome with a feeling of dizziness. He slumped against the rolling cart holding the robotic arm and other smaller instruments. It clanged and crashed as it fell to the floor with him.

TBC