X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Forty Seven
Author's Word: Inspiration has been bestowed upon me, my wonderful readers! That feedback truly made the last few days for me. However, I have to warn you all before you proceed, that some disconcerting content is ahead. Have I also mentioned that the next chapter has already been written? Enjoy!
Horror and astonishment blended together on Alex's face as if he felt the work of witchcraft all around him. It took nearly a minute for him to develop a coherent speech pattern.
He pointed accusingly at Charles. "If this is one of your little mind tricks, it's not fucking funny." He glared at Erik. "You're in on this, too? Are you kidding me?"
"Calm down," Erik instructed firmly but made sure to give the on edge young man his space. "You know well that we would never make a joke of your past."
"This is no game, Alex," Charles spoke.
Alex shook his head, unable to believe it still. "My brother's dead…"
"No." Charles held the boy in his lap up like a cherished offering. "He's right here."
Still feeling his head spinning, Alex walked to Charles' chair on weak legs. He lowered to his knees, studying the mysterious child with whom he supposedly shared matching DNA stands. The last image he had of his brother consisted of a bitty little boy who frequently ducked behind their parents or Alex himself whenever he met a stranger.
Charles placed a hand over Scott's forehead. Time to wake up, dear boy.
Scott's eyelids peeled back. He blinked several times before making out the face of an unknown blonde. Startled slightly, he scooted back against Charles.
"Who are you?" the boys asked simultaneously.
The oldest spoke first. "Alex… I'm Alex."
"Alex?" the other echoed unsurely.
A slow grin stretched across Alex's face. "Scottie!" He enveloped the boy in a steel hold. "God Scott…"
Scott managed to wriggle his arms free enough to return the embrace. He closed his eyes again, feeling heat building behind them that had nothing to do with his mutation.
IIIIIII
Charles finished with the fire and returned to the loveseat. Erik came over with twin martinis.
"Thank you." Charles accepted his and reclined back happily. "What a day. An absolutely marvelous day. I could not be happier for Alex, as well as Scott."
Erik sat across from him. "To paraphrase one of your parables: he was dead but now he lives, was lost but now is found, was blind but now he sees." He sipped his drink. "Though I'm not sure how appropriate the latter is after what you've told me about his mutation."
"It's much more spontaneous than volatile," Charles explained. "He has the disciplines necessary to control it. I could tell it within ten minutes of speaking with him. We'll assign him to training with Alex in the bunker."
Erik fingered the base of his glass. "There's a wind of change in the air." He simply could not tell if those changes boded well or not yet. "Which reminds me, what of Emma Frost?"
"She's returned to her apartment in the city," Charles reported. "But she'll be by to check on Scott sometime tomorrow."
"Hm," Erik hummed tentatively. "And that's all there is to it? She calls you completely unexpectedly when she needs help then offers no explanation for last week?"
"Yes, I brought that to her attention." Charles cleared his throat and scratched his temple with one finger. "After I spanked her."
The now fully interested metal wielder sat his drink down on the coffee table. "You got kinky in the presence of an eleven-year-old boy?"
"No," Charles replied quickly. "Honestly, Erik. There are times I fear entering your particular psyche."
Erik flashed his infamous smirk. "As well you should be. So then the spanking was disciplinary?"
"It was," Charles confirmed.
"That says something to me." Charles looked to his brother questioningly. "You and I have very differing approaches in regard to crime and punishment. I'm willing to "correct" nearly anyone I see deserving of it. But you only chastise those in your care."
"Meaning what exactly?"
"Meaning," Erik put forth, "though you and Emma have only been in this… meeting of the minds for a short time, perhaps you already consider her to be yours. On some level at least."
Charles stared down at his martini, considering the all too possible theory Erik presented.
IIIIIII
Up in Alex's room, the newly rediscovered two sat cross-legged on the bed facing each other.
"I don't know how it happens," Scott spoke. "The other day was the worst yet. I set the entire side wall of a shop on fire. Everybody got out, but the owner saw me do it. It was so scary. People were yelling. These men tried to grab me. Then Emma showed up and she made them stop just by thinking."
Alex listened to him attentively. "I'm glad she was there, I'll tell ya." He also quietly wished he could overnight himself to Alaska to take care of those individuals who dared come near his brother. "She's actually pretty cool, except when she was kinda evil. But I guess she got over it or something. I was unconscious at the time. The details are a little sketchy to me."
Scott frowned. "Why were you unconscious?"
"Long, long story," Alex said. "I'll tell you one thing. I'd be dead right now if it wasn't for Joe."
"Joe?"
Alex smiled fondly. "Joey. He's my little man. He has these wild electric powers. He jump started my heart for me."
"Wow," was all Scott could say to that. "So you've been with Charles all this time going on special missions?"
"You kidding me? Charles and Erik didn't find me until last year when all this crazy mutant stuff started. I was in solitary confinement before that."
"You were in jail?" Scott's jaw nearly hit the mattress. "For what?"
"Stole a car right off the lot. It's not what you think, though. My power was so bad at the time I wanted to get locked up." Alex gazed at him pointedly. "Prison wasn't anything to joke about. I don't want you getting into stuff like that."
"Oh, don't worry," Scott assured. "I try to stay out of trouble. Stay off the radar I guess." He shrugged slightly. "Hard to do with eyeball blasters going off at random times."
"At least it's just your eyes," Alex pointed out. "But I've been doing a lot of training with Erik. I can't wait for you to get to know him. He's been like my dad."
Scott turned quiet before asking, "Do you ever think about them?"
Alex responded, "Besides every single day? But I've thought about you more." He cupped his cheek. "You still have Mom's eyes."
Scott placed a hand over his brother's. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Taking in a breath to prevent the tears he felt coming, Alex wrapped his arms around Scott and brought him in close. The day would stand out in the teenager's memory for far longer and more welcomed than the day their family ended.
IIIIIII
At the confounded ringing, Charles reached around for the receiver.
"Good morning," he greeted, stifling a yawn.
"It is now."
Charles quickly perked. "Emma." He glanced at the clock. "Quite a bit early for you, isn't it?"
"Well, I had trouble sleeping." She stretched bare feet out on her couch. "I can only sleep stomach down for so long."
Charles chuckled meanly. "Had you bothered to telephone last week at this time, you would have slept quite comfortably."
"Oh yes? Maybe I'll just come crawl into your bed and make you suffer, too."
"That would be very bad." He then added slyly, "Yet so very good."
Emma smirked in satisfaction. "So how's our baby?"
The Professor fully awakened. "Sorry, what?"
"Scott," the woman clarified. "Has he seen his brother yet?"
"Yes. Things went quite swimmingly there. Though I don't expect to see either of them this morning. They turned into chatterboxes last night, but understandably so." Charles saw his brass doorknob turning. "Oh, I have to go. I will see you later today. Take care." They hung up just as the smallest resident tipped in. "Hello, little one."
Joey climbed up the large bed and into Charles' open arms. "Hi, Daddy. I missed you."
"I missed you, too." Charles brought him close, kissing a temple.
"Why'd you go away yesterday?"
Charles played in the already messy blonde hair. "For a very special surprise."
"What is it?" Joey smiled.
"I'll tell you what." Charles lay down with Joey at his side. "Let's go to sleep a while longer then we'll wake up and prepare brunch for everyone. Then I can tell you all the wonderful news."
"Okay," the child agreed happily.
The still tired pair relaxed and went back to sleep shortly.
IIIIIII
Raven hummed thoughtfully, going back over the second floor layout of the mansion. She and Hank sat side by side at the dining room table.
"I say your room should be our prime objective," Hank said. "It's a private suite with its own bath."
"And just a few lovely steps from the great Charles Xavier," Raven brought up. "Let's go for your room."
"You mean the one right next door to my little sister?"
"She's eleven! Tell her I'm helping you with an experiment."
"No," Hank turned down flat.
Sean came in. "Hey, guys."
When he came close enough, Raven had him stand still between hers and Hank's chairs. "Seanie, what do you think? Where should we move after the wedding? My room or Hank's?"
"Hm." The tall redhead reviewed the floor plan. "Anywhere far enough from me that I don't have to scream myself to sleep at night."
"What're you talking about?" Frank asked, entering next.
"Nothing," all three answered at once.
Frank looked suspicious but did not probe as he took a seat.
By the time Charles and Joey brought their fully prepared brunch out, nearly everyone had gathered.
"Where is Becky?" Charles asked.
"Her recital is this evening," Hank reminded. "They're getting additional rehearsals in. I dropped her off about a half hour ago."
Charles groaned. "That's right. How could I let it slip my mind?"
"You've been a touch preoccupied," Erik pointed out in support.
"Right." Charles faced the remainder of his household. "As you all know, yesterday I made a trip out to Alaska. There, I discovered not only a new young mutant to join us but Alex's own brother— Scott Summers."
All looked stunned outside of Erik and Sean.
"Alex has a brother?" Raven said incredulously.
"What sort of mutation does he have?" Hank wanted to know.
"I don't care whose brother he is," Frank said bluntly. "I'm not sharing my room with this guy."
Erik turned displeased eyes on him. "You find out about a new member of the family and your first thought goes to yourself? Really, Franklin?"
Frank shrugged, glancing away. He looked over at Joey, remembering how new people tended to invade his personal space.
"To answer your question, Hank," Charles moved on, "Scott's eyes release a spontaneous optic blast beam. I have a hold over it for now, but I can't restrict it forever."
"Then we will teach him how to do it for himself," Erik put forth.
Charles nodded in agreement. "I don't believe either of the Summers received much sleep last night. When they do wake up, I want everyone to respect their feelings and give them the privacy they need to catch up properly."
"Yeah, of course," Raven understood.
As the food finally passed around, Charles listened to how everyone else's day had gone in his absence.
IIIIIII
When he awoke to someone's arms around him, Scott's first instinct made him jump back in fear. He then calmed as the events from the previous night came back to him all at once. This person that lay beside him was his brother yet he seemed so foreign to him.
Scott reached a hand out to run through the yellow hair. It felt so soft and Scott vaguely recalled grabbing bits of it in his teeny fists before. He then took Alex's hand and examined it before touching their palms together.
Alex reacted to the squeeze he received next and opened his eyes. "Hey, Scottie." He kept their hands joined. "You sleep okay?"
Scott nodded. "Yeah."
"Yeah?" Alex pulled him into a one-armed hug. "Good." He inhaled happily, glad to know he had not dreamed Scott's rediscovery… like he did practically every other night before. "You hungry?"
"Sure," Scott answered.
"Come on. I'll take you downstairs. We don't really go formal around here on Saturdays." Alex got up and sorted through Scott's suitcase. "Wow, Emma came through big time on clothes for you." He took out a summer gold sweater for him and a pair of blue jeans.
"I could've done that," Scott said somewhat shyly.
Alex shook his head out. "Sorry, bro. I'm just so used to doing this with Joe."
Scott gave him a small smile and accepted the clothes.
After both brothers finished dressing, they started through the second floor together.
"It's quiet for a school," Scott observed, gazing about at his new surroundings.
"Knowing Charles," Alex recalled, "he's probably got all the guys scattered somewhere to give us space or whatever."
"Oh," Scott understood.
Alex brought them into the kitchen. "What're you hungry for?"
"I can do it," Scott told him. "Do you like pancakes?"
"Whoa. Hold it, Scottie." Alex guided him over to a sitting position at the table. "No shrimptoids allowed to use the stove around here unless you're Frank."
"But I learned how already," Scott insisted.
"That's an order, bro." Alex used two fingers to tap him lightly on the head. "Don't act like you don't remember those."
"Barely," Scott said to himself.
Alex went to the sink and got out a mixing bowl. "You've become a high maintenance kid from good ol' Cereal Saturday. I remember when Joe first came in here with me. He was happy with just peanut butter. Probably would have eaten the whole jar if not for Erik hadn't come along and scared the crap out of him."
Scott tried to think of something. "I once had a guardian from the marines. He used to come in and bounce quarters off our beds."
"How far was the stick up his butt?" Alex frowned. "Around here, Charles is the one more likely to complain about our rooms being clean, but he doesn't go crazy. Erik doesn't get into all that as long as homework and major stuff gets done. But with Charles, Hank's lab can be completely trashed and that's okay because he's the genius. So's Sean. Frank, too, even though he tries to act cool about it. How do you do in school?"
"Alright," Scott said lightly. "I've gotten a couple scholastic achievement awards. Nothing to do but study in my spare time."
"Good plan." Alex transferred the finished pancake mix over to the waiting pan. "Wish I'd thought of it." He looked over. "Do you still like Mickey Mouse heads?"
"Oh." Scott had not expected the question. "Yeah, sure."
Alex heated the cakes into the desired shape. "Mom used to make these every weekend." Alex brought two plates to the table and sat. "The last time I had hers was probably…" He grimaced slightly, glancing towards the wall.
Scott did not bother asking as he picked up his fork.
IIIIIII
In the living room, Charles sat observing an on-going checkers game between Sean and Frank.
"Hey, man," Frank acknowledged when Erik walked in.
"Hello, significantly smaller man," Erik smirked, running fingers through the child's hair as he walked through. He then sat on the left arm of the loveseat. "I saw Alex a minute ago. He wanted to borrow my car to take Scott on a drive. He said they'd be back before we have to leave for the recital."
Charles smiled. "Things must be going quite well with the reunion."
"Two Summers." Frank shook his head in despair. "I still don't see what the big deal is over kid brothers."
Sean lightly flicked a black checker at him. "Ya know, me either."
IIIIIII
Entering the kitchen, Raven went straight to the refrigerator for a soda. She sent a warmhearted smile Joey's way, seeing him sitting on the floor next to a chair. A merry little hum sounded from the eight-year-old.
"Hey, cuddle bug. What're you doing?" The blue woman moved to look over his shoulder. She dropped her coke, shattering the glass bottle against the floor when she saw him pricking his palm with a carving knife. "Joey, no! Stop that!"
When she rushed forward to take the knife away, an electric shock from the child forced her to step back.
Beyond alarmed now, Raven screamed, "Charles!" loud enough to put Sean's mutated bellow to shame.
The two headmasters came in together with Charles in the lead.
He felt his heart stop from the briefest moment at the blood streaming from his child's hand. "Joseph!" He grabbed a nearby dishtowel and ran to him.
Continuously humming, Joey sent a jolt the Professor's way as well.
Without a second though, Charles froze the boy in place.
Erik worked swiftly, magnetically taking the knife out of Joey's undamaged hand.
Charles lowered down, wrapping the dishtowel tightly around the small wounded appendage. Not until he finished did he release the boy from the telepathic hold.
"Joseph, what on earth has possessed you?" Charles hissed, giving his bottom multiple swats. "You do not play with knives, not ever."
Erik held up the blood drenched weapon. Something told him the child had not been playing.
Not saying anything, Joey whimpered then fell forward and started throwing up profusely.
Raven put both hands over her mouth, utterly stunned by all of this.
Once he finished, Charles gathered Joey up in his arms. "Hank, Hank!" he bellowed, speeding out of the eatery.
IIIIIII
When they arrived in town, Alex took Scott into the ice cream parlor. While his brother sat at a booth, Alex went to the counter and placed their orders.
Scott looked questioningly at the older boy when the chocolate banana split came down in front of him.
"You think I forget?" Alex smiled, sitting across from him with his own hot fudge sundae. "You used to go to sleep with your face completely covered in chocolate."
"Yeah. I know..." Scott picked up his spoon and started in on the dessert.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked, noticing the slow way he ate.
"Nothing," Scott said, putting on a smile.
Alex let it go for now. He finished his sundae in no time then got up to pay the check.
The moment his brother stepped away, Scott felt something burning behind his pupils. He cursed his luck then jumped up and ran right out of the parlor.
Throwing down a five dollar bill, Alex hurried after him. He tracked the thin boy two blocks down to an empty alley. Scott stared upward, releasing the red beams from his eyes. Alex did not approach until he finished, taking in the full show of the young brunette's powers.
"Man, Scott." He came over. "Don't you ever take off from me like that again."
"I'm sorry," Scott choked out, his back still turned. "I'm… I'm so sorry, Alex."
"Hey, it's okay." Alex rubbed his back. "I'm not mad, buddy. You just worried me. That's all."
"Not just for that," Scott told him. "I can't remember you." Alex frowned in surprise. "I've been trying to all day but I can't. All I get are these little pieces. I touch your hair or your hand and I feel something, but I don't recognize your eyes, your laugh— you keep talking about how I used to be, but I can't even remember myself."
Alex spun him around, grabbing him in a fierce hug. "Don't you dare say you're sorry for that. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I screwed up, Scottie. I let you go. I was supposed to hang onto you."
"No, you didn't," Scott countered strongly. "I refuse to believe that. I haven't been back with you for that long, but I just know you wouldn't let go of me for anything."
"I never will again," Alex swore.
The two stayed that way, as if glue bound their feet to the pavement below.
IIIIIII
Feeling somewhat like a door-to-door cosmetics girl, Emma approached the entrance to the Xavier Mansion. She used a thin gloved finger to ring the bell. When a minute went by with no response, she started to ring again. Erik's sudden presence at the door stilled her hand.
"My, Mr. Lehnsherr. What a lovely surprise."
The metal wielder stared at the woman in white up and down. "If only I could simply be lovely. Must be nice to be you, Miss Frost." He stepped aside to allow her entry.
Emma removed her fluffy coat in the foyer. "Did I ever apologize for that little boating incident?"
"Water under the ship." Erik hung her coat up in the small closet. "Did I ever say thank you for getting my little girl to safety?"
"I'd do it again," she said simply.
Erik folded his arms, looking at her closely. "I don't much favor the mistreatment of my siblings. Individuals who seek to harm them never land in the best of circumstances."
She glanced back at him evenly. "Charles and Raven are very fortunate. I heard how you handled her attackers. Bravo."
"And only a mere preview of what I'm capable."
"Emma." Both turned to the familiar voice.
"Charles," she returned warmly.
"I'm afraid you've missed, Scott," the Professor told her, approaching. "His brother took him for a drive."
"That's good," she said. "I'd love to wait for him if that's alright."
"Of course," Charles willingly granted.
Erik eyed them both with mild amusement. "You'll have to excuse me." He headed upstairs.
Glad to have him alone, Emma faced Charles then formed a scowl at his downcast countenance. "What is it, sugar?"
"My little one," Charles answered grimly. "He's become terribly ill and earlier today… he cut himself. Intentionally."
A gasp escaped her lips. "Oh, my God."
Charles led the way into his study, easing himself wearily into a chair. "I never saw it coming. I never once thought he would self-inflict harm on himself. I knew Scott's presence here would inevitably stir some conflict, but this?"
Emma sat down on his desk, facing him. "Why on earth would an eight-year-old be so jealous of an eleven-year-old? Shouldn't that be the other way around?"
"This isn't about age," Charles told her. "It's about Alex. He and Joey are extremely emotionally linked. Alex was the first one here to offer him acceptance and love without condition while Joey gave Alex the ability to care for another so deeply."
Emma fully comprehended now. "And now that Alex's blood brother has returned, Joey feels threatened."
"He has such an awful history of abandonment. His natural father, mother. She drove off from him in the middle of a lightning storm." Emma's eyes flashed. "He's too young to fully sort through all of this. That's why when the fear arises that another will leave him, it manifests itself into illness. Now, it's become dangerous."
"We must find a way to help him," Emma stated adamantly.
Charles extended a hand. "We?"
Emma locked hands with him, offering him a firm tug.
IIIIIII
It surprised Joey when a knock came to his door. Normally, Charles walked right on in to check on him.
"Come in," the pajama adorned youth invited.
Emma poked in, head first. "Hello, sweet treasure. Do you remember me?"
Joey gave her a wide-tooth smile. "Hello, Miss Frost."
"Oh." She waved a hand, coming closer. "Please no formalities." She sat beside him with her back propped up against the headboard. "It's Emma. You're Joey, aren't you?"
He nodded. "Why are you here?" he asked curiously.
"I was just visiting with your daddy and he mentioned you were sick. I thought I'd see for myself how you're doing." She smiled gently at him. "I hope that's alright with you."
"Sure," Joey replied happily. "Thanks."
After some brief hesitation, Emma moved her arm around his shoulders. When the child only relaxed under her touch, Emma chose to stay that way. She brushed at some of his golden strands, peering into blue eyes that carried such a great deal of kindness and innocence.
"I really envy you, Joey," Emma put forth after a moment.
Astonishment now reflected in the blue orbs. "Why?"
"You're surrounded by so many people who love you," the woman said plainly. "Charles himself made it a personal quest to find you. I happened upon Scott by pure luck. Now he's here. A stranger in a strange school." She shook her head despondently. "He must feel so confused and lonely. You can't begin to know what that feels like."
Joey leaned into her side while she continuously played in his hair.
IIIIIII
Alex clapped Scott's shoulder as they walked together. "Did you have fun today?"
"Yeah." Scott reached up to affectionately grip his wrist. "I'm just glad we get more of these."
"Forever," Alex promised him.
The Professor came their way from the opposite end of the hall.
"Charles," Scott acknowledged brightly.
The man went to him, taking him in his arms for a moment. "My dear one, I missed you." Charles patted Alex's arm. "It's so good to see you two together."
Alex smiled faintly. "Do you need me to drive a few of us to Becky's thing tonight? Or do you have Sean on it?"
Charles sighed. "I'm afraid I won't be able to attend if Joey continues sick this way."
Alex immediately frowned. "Joe's sick?"
"Is he okay?" Scott asked.
"He'll be fine," Charles told them, not sure how honest the reply was. "But he's been dealing with nausea on and off."
"Scottie, I'll be right back, okay?" Alex headed off for the stairs.
Charles took Scott's hand. "Emma is here. Would you like to say hello or go meet the others perhaps?"
Scott thought about it. "In a minute. Could I go outside for a while?"
"Just be sure to put your coat on," Charles said with consent.
"I will."
Scott went towards the front and made sure to stop off at the coat closet. He stepped outside, leaning against the stone railing that overlooked the dormant flower bushes.
A minute later, the front door opened and closed. "You look lost."
Scott veered around, seeing a teeny blonde. "You— are you Joey?"
"Uh huh."
The older boy blinked twice. "You look exactly like my brother. Just… wow."
Joey giggled. "Everybody says that."
Scott approached him. "I heard you weren't feeling good. Are you okay?"
"I feel a lot better now," Joey replied, looking him over a bit. "How old are you? I'm almost nine."
"I'm almost-almost twelve," Scott answered. "So," he walked towards a bench and sat, "how do you like living here?"
Joey came over to him. "I really love it. Me and Becky have a lot of fun and Frank, too, even though he messes with me a lot. It's okay, though. Alex says he does it 'cause he's jealous."
Scott nodded. "Alex is cool, right?"
"He's the best," Joey stated. "He does stuff with me all the time and he never lets anybody mess with me for long. I remember when I first got my bike. He fixed the seat as soon as I got home then he showed me how to ride. I was so excited that I kinda snuck out to ride some more. Alex found out but he didn't even tell on me. I told you he was the best."
Scott listened to the story in its entirety then abruptly walked off a few paces.
A confused Joey followed after him. "What's wrong?"
Looking at him with a weak smile, Scott said, "That memory you have of Alex is ten times more than I have in my whole head of him. And I know you have at least a thousand more where that came from."
Joey's voice dropped. "I'm sorry, Scott. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."
"Hey," Scott touched down on his shoulder, "it's not your fault. Don't worry about it, Joey."
The door opened again, alerting them both.
"There you are, you little escape artist. I've been looking for you." Alex went and knelt by Joey, immediately zeroing in on his bandaged hand. He took the hand and looked to its owner, who seemed to carry a bit of shame in his eyes. "Were you bad while I was gone?"
"Yeah," the smaller blonde admitted in a hushed tone.
Alex kissed the injured palm. "Did you get a spanking?"
"A little one."
"Aww, Al's here." He put an arm around each of the younger boys. "I can't believe I get both of you now. This is a day in the history books for me." He gave them a false firm look next. "But don't get any bright ideas about plotting against me. I have one hand a piece to take down both of you."
"But together we have four hands," Scott quipped.
"Baby hands don't count." Alex wound an arm around Joey and stood with him. "Come on. We need to put on nice clothes and crap." He held his spare hand out.
Scott took hold of it tightly and the three started back inside.
IIIIIII
"Ten minutes, ladies," the stage director announced. "Ten minutes."
Becky stood before one of the full length mirrors, looking herself over. While she liked the yellow dance dress with matching tights, she could not get over the pointed headdress that completed the ensemble.
"Rebecca." The little girl glanced over to where Naomi, her dance instructor stood. "There's a blonde woman who insists on seeing you before the show."
Knowing it had to be Raven in disguise, Becky shrugged and said, "Okay." Then another face stepped up from behind. When Becky saw the reflection in the mirror, she spun around with a grin. "Emma!"
"Darling." Emma lowered to hug her. "How are you?"
"I'm so glad you're here." Becky extended her wrist, showing off the bracelet. "I never take it off."
"It only looks radiant on you." She took Becky's hands, looking at her closely. "And what a pretty costume. Are you all ready to go on?"
Becky showed her the headdress. "Except for this. It looks horrible in my hair and it won't stop tilting."
"Oh, no, no, no." Emma took it. "This will never do." She called the stage director, a middle aged heavy set woman, over. "Excuse me but Rebecca is not going on in this hideous little accessory. What was your wardrobe person thinking? This reminds me of a deformed lemon."
"Excuse me, dear, but I'll remind you that Rebecca is a representation of the sun and this well-designed and carefully thought out headdress represents the rays. Now, you can't have the sun without rays, can you?"
Emma indicated Becky's face. "Between this smile and these jeweled eyes, that's all the sunshine you'll need. Now, will there be a slight wardrobe adjustment or do we need to hold up the entire performance to argue this matter further?"
The stage director gazed about at the numerous expecting mothers behind stage who displayed not an ounce of patience between them. "The headdress isn't terribly necessary. Five minutes, ladies." She walked off to check on other matters.
Emma picked up the nearby brush to glide through Becky's curls. "Five more than you'll need."
Becky grinned, feeling any previous nerves flutter out of her stomach on the wings of butterflies.
IIIIIII
Noticing something out of the corner of her eye, Raven turned her head. "You actually brought that in here? Really, Seanie?"
"What?" Sean held up the glittering poster board. A painted gold sun stood out on it with "The Sun is the Brightest Star" written out across the top. "Me and Joey worked hard on this. Wait until you see the one for the wedding."
"Charles, control your child," Raven beseeched to the one seated on her right.
However, Charles busily tried to connect a flashbulb to his camera. "I knew I should have hired a photographer."
Erik stood so that Emma could retake her seat between himself and Charles. "How is Becky?"
"Ready to radiate," the woman replied.
Hank whispered to Raven, "I desperately want to kick my shoes off."
"I'll massage you at home," she offered.
The scientist smiled. "I'm going to enjoy being your husband."
Frank poked his head out from the row behind them. "I still know where you live, buddy."
Hank responded by pushing the boy's head back with his large palm.
A moment later, the stage director came on to make the introduction. After she stepped down, the lights dimmed and the packed audience grew sharply quiet.
When the curtains divided, the first two to appear on stages consisted of small girls dressed as storm clouds. They performed a two minute number before the stage lights brightened. The yellow clad Becky danced out next. She did a series of twirls that caused the 'clouds' to scatter in carefully choreographed fashion.
Becky remained on stage alone for another minute before the taller girls came out, each representing a flower. For most of the show, only the flowers danced. At the very end, all performers came on and did a final routine together.
When it came time to applaud, Scott leaned into Alex's ear. "The yellow girl— what's her name again?"
"Rebecca," his brother said back, having to adjust Joey carefully in his lap so they could both applaud.
Scott stated, "Rebecca is fantastic," and clapped harder.
"We love you, Becky!" Sean shouted while Frank yelped over the applause.
"Decorum, boys," Charles admonished then continued to snap another dozen pictures.
Though the last two days still left his head in a spin, Scott relaxed and silently hoped each of the coming days could end this way.