X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Ninety Nine
Author's Word: Okay, so I realize last chapter may have left quite a few of you a tad too speechless to come up with favorite quotes, so I'm going to ask that you think of some in time for, yes yes yes, the 100th Chapter! Please enjoy and review!
Extensive cloudiness causing gray to seep in and splatter across the normally ivory walls, the ravishing blonde lay with unfocused yet fixed eyes glued to the ceiling. After lingering that way for another half hour, she extracted herself from the bed and made her way into her en suite.
The warm water from the shower poured down upon her and she pressed her hands against the white tiles to take in the full effect of the invigorating moisture. She finished up, dried her hair and brushed her teeth, then left the bathroom in her robe. Pausing at the dresser, Emma instead took a seat on her bed and picked up the phone.
She dialed the still memorized number and waited for the other end to pick up. "Hello, Lorraine? It's Emma. Yes, I- I know it's been a while. Is my father in? Oh I see. No, it isn't urgent. I'll just… try my luck next time."
They hung up and Emma lay back against her linens, finding the overheard fascinating again.
IIIIIII
Second mile and half completed, the huffing figure performed her cool down on her way back down the block, face slightly dampened by the minute moisture the sky produced and ponytail of red bouncing behind her. When she reached the front of her building at last, her eyes jumped at who sat on the steps awaiting her.
The man looked up, speaking first. "Frank mentioned you were getting over a cold."
"That's right," she confirmed, hands going to her hips.
Pushing himself up to his feet, he walked the short distance that separated them. "Then please explain to me how jogging in the rain helps to accomplish this goal."
"Exercise is good for the immune system. And the water can only cleanse."
He lingered his full height over her, unable to hide his upturning lips. "Every time we meet, I see more of your son within you."
Alana returned, "If you only knew what I saw inside you."
"Breakfast." Erik then clarified, "My treat."
"Erik, I can't let you do that."
"And I won't let you refuse." Unleashing his umbrella, the device proved large enough to offer shelter for them both. "Shall we?"
She smiled up at him. "We both know I have no choice."
Adjusting the umbrella so that it mostly shielded her, Erik gripped his caramel briefcase with his spare hand and walked with her out of the wet yard.
IIIIIII
Returning to his quarters, a toothy smile took over Charles' face at Emma in his bed in underwear only.
"My, my." He blindly tossed the grading he had with him over onto his desk. "Just what have I done," Stepping out of his shoes, he got down to hover just above her on the mattress, "to earn this special surprise?"
Emma glided the back of her thin hand down his cheek. "The smartest decision I ever made was back in Montana; merging our minds for a mutual goal. Ever since then, being with you is all that's made sense."
Detecting something, Charles's brow knitted a bit. "Are you alright, love?"
"I need your help." Emma sat up a little, her blue eyes locked with his. "I've been trying to understand my father. Cordy still has an attachment to him while I've tried hating him and it just doesn't work."
Charles asked her, "What is the source of all of this?"
"That's the part I can't get a grip on," she explained. "All I see are these terrible things he did. I remember him wildly roughing my mother, belittling Chris- he once stripped him down for punishment."
"What?" Charles reacted in astonishment. "What on earth for?"
"I don't even remember. I want you to come inside, journey back with me. Please, Charles," her eyes glossed, "help me find what I'm missing."
He agreed with a nod.
Dipping his head to join their lips, he linked their minds with the same act.
XXXXX
Door spreading open, the loafer cover feet strolled in. With the way the tall shadow moved about, he seemed to gaze around the bedroom.
"Christian? Come here this moment." At only continued silence, he tacked on, "I won't repeat myself."
With a moan at the back of his throat, the eight-year-old slid out from underneath the bed. "Um… yes, Daddy?"
Winston revealed the baseball in his right palm. "Do you have any idea how this happened so near to the, now shattered, Ming vase?"
"No sir, I don't," the boy replied.
"So that wasn't you Mrs. Oswald heard playing in the living room?" Quiet again. "Answer me, Christian."
"…It was an accident, Daddy."
"Was hiding and lying to me also accidental? Because they seemed rather intentional to me." Winston's weight came down on the bed. "And if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times," he brought his son over his lap, "no ball games indoors." Yanking down the soft pants, Winston began spanking him.
"Oww!" Chris instantly reacted, small feet kicking. "Daddy, please! I'm sorry."
"I don't believe you are." Winston continued the punishment, speaking calmly as he did. "Were you truly sorry, you would have come to me as a responsible young man and admitted the error. Instead you chose to hide then lie right to my face. In fact, I think this situation calls for two spankings. One for breaking the rule," he stopped, brought his pants up again, and stood the crying boy, "and another for the deception."
"No, Daddy," Chris pleaded.
Winston held up a silencing hand. "Enough. Ironically son, had you owned up I would have been quite lenient. You'll receive your next spanking right after your bath tonight." Standing, he walked to the door, pausing at the knob to look back at the contrite youth. "Lunch will be ready soon. I expect you at the table with your hands and face washed in exactly ten minutes." He reached over to pick up the baseball he'd left on the nightstand. "And don't expect to see this again anytime soon." He walked out with that.
Chris turned away, crying harder.
Crawling out from under the bed, Emma got up and hugged him, allowing his tears to pour on her shoulder.
XXXXX
Row of various cosmetics laid out across the vanity, the frail girl sat before the mirror, attempting to apply rouge to one side of her face.
She looked up at laughter from the ginger who had taken the liberty of stepping inside. "You can color yourself until you turn into a clown and nothing short of a wrecking ball will help you any."
Glaring, Emma retrieved the pressed power and threw it her sister's way. "Get out of my room, Adrienne!"
The older girl gasped when the substance covered nearly the entire front of her skirt. "This is a designer dress. Just wait until Mother sees what you've done." She turned and charged out of the room.
"Adrienne!" Emma hurried along after her.
Hearing the trampling coming her way, Hazel demanded, "Stop that running inside this second."
"Mother." Adrienne slowed her pace as she descended the stairs. "Look what Emma did."
At the now cream stained black dress, Hazel proved absolutely furious. "Emma Frost!"
"But Mommy," Emma came down to the main level, "Adrienne was—" She could say no more as a handful of fire swiped her cheek.
"I don't want to hear it, you wicked selfish girl," Hazel berated. "Do you know what this dress cost? She was to wear it in the pageant and now you've ruined it."
It was Hazel's turn to be taken aback as an even stronger hand seized her by the wrist and yanked her further out into the first floor hall.
"Winston, let go of me! Let go!" She received her wish along with a fierce shove against the wall.
"If you ever slap one of my children about again, I will crush your face against the dirt," he threatened with venom in his tone. "You miserable unfeeling shrew."
"Burn in hell, Winston," she shot back.
Leaning in towards her face with a deep glower, he returned, "What do you think marriage to you is?"
Completely irate, Hazel dashed away from him toward the back of the house while Winston returned to his office equally heated.
The girls watched the display from around the stairs, both completely silent.
XXXXX
Unbelievable, Emma pulled back to face her, I hadn't thought about her slapping me in so long. All that stuck out was Father's actions.
It explains a great deal, Charles reasoned, her doting of Adrienne, temperament towards you. You treated her death as an inconvenience at best and now I see why.
So do I…
How did Hazel treat Cordelia?
Emma thought a moment. My existence she at least acknowledged. But hers…
IIIIIII
Keys rustling a moment, Alana gained them entry into her apartment.
"So, as usual," Erik went on, taking a moment to shake out and close the umbrella, "she wants to bring this bumper crop of toys with her to the playground- leaving me to wonder why she simply doesn't play at home- and I'm expected to carry the load back and forth. Her reasoning? "They're too heavy, Papa"." Erik let off an amused scoff. "Had I tried that as a child, my father would have given me this treatment." Putting his umbrella and briefcase down, Erik used his hands to make a violin motion.
Alana laughed. "That's funny. I keep telling Trick that, yes, you were young once. Jas still isn't convinced. Pardon the mess." She indicated the various boxes scattered about. "I've been cleaning out the closets, Phil's office, anything I can get my hands on. This stuff has really accumulated with my time away and everything else."
"Think nothing of it." Erik hung up his trench and took a seat on the arm of the sofa. "I know several little ones who don't understand the fact that there aren't teeny cleaning elves that come in at night to pick up after them."
"Frank and the others mean a lot to you," Alana noted.
"You can sympathize."
"Here's what I want to know. Teacher, father," she sat nearest to him on the sofa, "what were your dreams pre-child?"
He glanced down at her meaningfully. "You already know about that."
"In a world without vengeance," Alana clarified.
"Ah, a perfect world." Erik gazed up to fully consider the question. "When I was a boy, living in that tiny Polish community, I used to love getting away to ride my horse. I often imagined the two of us traveling the globe together as these grand explorers. Then somehow making it home in time for supper every single night." At the woman's soft laughter, he returned his eyes to her. "And you? Or was nursing the bulk of it?"
She admitted, "I wanted to see the world, too. To go around, being able to heal sick children. Take them all home with me."
"The Mighty Mother Goose." Erik formed a small approving smile. "I like it."
"So," she shifted to better face him, "there's nothing I like better than old movies on a rainy day. If you're in no hurry, would you like to stay and watch with me?"
"Movies without animated characters? It'll be a shock to the system, but sounds fairly enjoyable."
Alana got to her feet and headed back towards her bedroom. "Just let me change."
"I'll be waiting," Erik called after her.
XXXXX
The teenagers sat huddled side by side in the two chairs right across from the office, the female able to fully sense the waves of dread radiating off the male, with or without telepathy.
"I've really had it now, Em."
"He'll be able to smooth this over," she urged. "It's nothing he hasn't done before."
Chris shook his head hard. "This is my third strike. It'll take an absolute miracle."
"What happened, Chris?" Emma wanted to know. "How did it get this bad?"
The jittery boy replied, "Teachers constantly on me, fellows picking with me. I finally made friends, but but—" He looked at her. "Father's expectations. You know how he is. I just couldn't take it, Emmie. I couldn't. You believe me, don't you?"
Emma nodded and placed a comforting hand over his wrist.
They both jumped when the solid oak door shot open, revealing the large and clearly fuming individual.
"Christian." He crooked a summoning finger at him, saying no more.
Helpless to do anything for him, Emma only watched as her brother made his way inside the study and the door slammed shut again.
Scurrying over to the long crack between the hinges, Emma received a partial image of them and heard all.
"Drinking in the teacher's parking lot? Right during classes? What the devil possessed you?"
"It wasn't in my possession!" Chris defended. "I was only out there with a few friends."
Winston jabbed a finger in his face. "I told you not to see any more of those delinquents. And now because you can't seem to make use of that miniscule brain between your ears, you've gotten expelled. Expulsion, Christian. Do you understand how this will look to every major university in the country? What have you to say for yourself?"
At receiving only a shrug followed by silence, Winston decided he'd had more than enough. He took Chris by the arm and dragged him over to the couch. He sat with the boy across his lap and began working his pants down. The moment the underwear followed, Winston started delivering a multitude of sound swats.
Emma put her hands over her ears and closed her eyes. The muffled blows she still heard did not stop for several minutes. She looked up in time to now hear insane bawling along with her father's strong footsteps approaching. The girl moved back before he could unknowingly strike her with the door.
While a seething Winston proceeded down the hall, Emma rushed into the study and practically fell over her painfully sobbing brother. She helped tug his pants back up then blanketed herself over him in ease.
XXXXX
With the credits to The Grapes of Wrath rolling over, Erik glanced down, seeing that his ailment recovering companion had drifted off. He smiled at seeing her so at peace. Taking two fingers, he ran them down the now loose red hair.
Feeling the call of nature, Erik got up with a stretch before heading for the bathroom. Bumping into the edge of the coffee table, he caused a box to fall over. He knelt down to pick everything up and gazed back. To his relief, Alana only gave off the faintest stir as she shifted positions under the fleece throw.
Returning to the mess he had created, Erik began putting the various articles back inside the box. He took hold of one folder that had gone right under the table. Upon closer observance, Erik caught notice of the forms within, immediately growing intrigued. Getting to his feet again, he stealthy went to his briefcase and slipped the folder inside.
IIIIIII
The cracks from the belt wielded across the nude body, making the young man cry out in complete pain.
Hold on, Charles suddenly interjected, something isn't right here.
I warned you about this, Emma reminded, he stripped him bare.
Yes but unless Winston Frost is warped beyond all reason, why? And look around. Charles indicated their surroundings. Why are they outside? Behind the garage of all places? And his clothes- why are they all the way over there? He pointed out the garments in a pile several feet away.
I… Emma attempted to focus. You're right. Something happened before this.
Charles sent to her, let's travel a bit further.
A woman's scream penetrated the entire backyard and the young girl's head shot up. She got up from the swing and ran to where the housekeeper looked positively pale to the bone.
When Emma got closer to the side of the garage, she saw just what had turned the woman so ghostly. There stood her daughter Clarice, along with Chris, in only their underwear.
"Dear God." Emma glanced back, feeling the dread as her father had, too, responded to the shriek.
Before Chris could speak, Clarice hugged her dress to her chest and ran over. "He made me, Mother. I didn't want to, really."
"She's lying!" Chris accused.
"Mrs. Oswald, please take her home. I will handle this," Winston promised with great certainty.
The housekeeper took her daughter along, forcing her into her clothes as they went.
"You little fool," Winston came up on Chris, casting a shadow over him as he began unbuckling his belt. "What. Were. You. Thinking?!"
Chris tried to explain, "S-she wanted me to feel her. She told me to. I- ugh!"
Winston lowered him to the ground, removing his sole means of protection in the form of his briefs and began whipping the bare behind and leg tops without mercy.
Emma cried out with every whack he received, tears forming in her own eyes.
XXXXX
Taking leave of her own psyche, Emma found Charles' calm eyes gazing back at her.
"I don't understand," she touched her hand with both hands, "how could I lose so many bits and pieces…?"
"Most of these events took place during puberty. That's when your mutation truly started manifesting, yes?" Emma gave Charles a nod. "With so many things happening at home with your family, it stands to reason that only the darkest points stood out for you while everything else blurred. Meanwhile, on a subconscious level you could not bring yourself to be completely resentful toward your father because deep down you knew what really transpired."
"But so harsh," Emma spoke, "why?"
"Emma, be reasonable," Charles emphasized. "Chris was what, fourteen, when that incident with the young lady took place? They were children for God's sake. And what if she'd had him brought up on charges? If I were to catch one of our young men in the same position, I can't promise I wouldn't react in the exact same way."
Emma looked at him closely. "You'd leave them to cry themselves out on the floor as well?"
"Of course not," Charles said, giving her a small disapproving look. "Emma, you'll find that my parenting style is rather unique. One that I not only picked up from my own father but is simply part of my nature as a whole. Have you ever stopped to consider the upbringing Winston endured?"
"Not really," she confessed. "He talked about it occasionally, but all I ever saw was Chris' side of things."
"I know," Charles nodded. "And I also know how much you two cared for each other- or at least you for him. He has a consistent habit of transferring blame. Your father, school, friends- when have you ever heard him honestly take responsibility? I'm not trying to say that Winston was always right, but by the same token, he wasn't always wrong, either."
Emma leaned forward, taking them into another kiss.
XXXXX
Done with her glass of water, Emma started journeying through the main floor back towards the stairs. Faint coughing caught her attention and guided her into the living. There in a chair by the fireplace sat her father with the bundle securely against his chest.
Noticing her presence, Winston acknowledged her with, "Emma, what are you doing awake?"
"I was thirsty." She came in closer. "I thought she was doing better."
Turning back to the baby, Winston said, "She's on the tail end of this cold, but little Cordy's still been having trouble getting to sleep on her own." He looked at his blonde daughter. "Do you want to hold her?"
Emma's eyes darkened. "I don't think she likes coming to me."
"Nonsense." Winston carefully transferred the baby over to her thin arms. "Just watch her head now. You're going to have to get used to this eventually."
"Why?" Emma asked curiously, carefully supporting the new delicate weight in her hold.
"Because," Winston gave her a knowing glance, "you're going to be a mother someday yourself… if you can stop looking sour long enough to turn any decent gentleman's head."
She promptly narrowed eyes and poked her lips at him for that.
XXXXX
Eyes of warm brown revealing themselves, Alana sat up on the couch. Wiping at her blurred vision, she looked to the nearest clock then had to wonder how on earth six o'clock had crept up. Gazing about again, she also discovered the couch along with the remainder of the living room empty.
"Erik?" Taking off the throw, she stood and made her way through the apartment. "Erik?" She entered the kitchen.
Turning from the stove, Erik smiled and said grandly, "She rises." He then took immediate notice of her partly alarmed countenance. "What is it?"
"Nothing." She shook out her hair and smoothed fingers through it. "I just had to wonder if I was still asleep for a minute."
He told her, "I think you filled your quota there."
"I'm so sorry." Alana sat at the kitchen table. "Guess I didn't make for the greatest company."
Erik turned down the heat on the stove and went to kneel at her side. "Did you know you're very pretty when you sleep?"
She looked at him. "It's been so long since anyone's really seen me in that position."
"Yes, I know," he concurred quietly. Getting back up, he returned to the stove. "I hope you're hungry."
"What are you making over there?" she asked.
"Rice, potatoes, and chicken breast." He began transferring the different portions onto plates for them both and carried the dishes over. "Tea?"
"Water." While he went to the sink, Alana cut up the meet and took a large mouthful. "Mm, incredible." Glass full, Erik headed back to her. "You've really gone out of your way today."
"I haven't done a thing." He gave her the water before sitting across from her.
"There you go again." She looked at him in wonder. "Constantly showing up, being wonderful, not taking credit for it."
"I told you I would be here," Erik reminded her strongly. "You need someone."
Alana asked suddenly, "Am I just your charity case?"
Sincere anger flashed in his dark blue eyes. "How dare you ask me that? I would do anything if we could just…"
She quieted then whispered, "I'm sorry. Erik?" He focused on her. "I don't know what's going to happen, but— I don't want this to end."
Erik reached across the table, touching her right, ring void hand. His expression said everything for her and they were able to eat in peace with the occasionally thundery atmosphere the outdoor conditions provided.
IIIIIII
"Do you know what it means when it rains?"
Joey nestled near to Emma's stomach. "What?"
She responded, "God's trying to tell us something."
The boy looked intrigued. "He is?"
"Mmhmm. For you," She gave his nose a tickle, "I'm pretty sure He's saying keep being one of the greatest little boys any mum or dad could ever ask for."
He smiled. "What's He telling you, Mummy?"
Emma kissed his forehead. "I'll let you know when I figure it out."
"Emma," Sean called, "your phone's ringing!"
"I'll be back." Getting up, Emma made it to her room in time to answer the device. "Hello?" She then recognized, "Father."
"My secretary said you called this morning. I've been in meetings all day."
"That's fine." She sat down on her bed. "You didn't have to call back."
Finding her tone strange, Winston asked, "Are you alright? The children? Charles?"
"We're all great," Emma said. "I've just been trying to figure some things out."
Winston waited for her to finish before speaking again. "It's nice to hear from you, dear. I really am proud of you."
"Thank you. I… I need to get back to Joey."
"Say hello for me. I'll talk to you all soon."
After they said goodbye, Emma lingered in silence before rising to walk out again.
IIIIIII
Though initially startled, Alana failed to react further when the skillet flew straight out of her possessions.
Turning to Erik with hands on hips, she stated, "You cooked. I clean."
"You're sick," he reminded her.
"Recuperating," Alana corrected.
Erik's eyebrow went up. "And how exactly does that serve to convince me?." Still, he gave in but now without the direction of, "I'm supervising."
"I'm utterly flabbergasted," she said dryly but in humor.
Erik transferred the various dishes over to her while she got the soapy water ready.
When a crash of thunder resonated and the lights flickered, Alana proved surprised enough to drop one plate he handed her. The dish broke into three odd shaped pieces on the floor.
"Oh my…" Alana touched her head in dismay. "What is wrong with me?"
Erik gently took her wrists and brought her back up as she stooped to take care of the mess. "I'm here."
Discarding the plate entirely, Alana's went around his midsection and he held her near, supporting his cheek against her soft hair.
IIIIIII
Viewing the departing clouds from the balcony, Emma remained still when the strong arms enclosed on her from behind. For a minute, the two only gazed out on the magnificent, though significantly dampened, land.
"It's amazing what we see through our childish eyes," Charles remarked, his chin on her shoulder. "For years, you could only recall your adolescent perspective."
Emma covered his hands with hers. "I keep thinking about how differently things would have been if he'd just taken the time to console Chris after the fact."
"Some fathers can provide discipline and discipline alone."
She said, "You seem to have no difficulty with both sides of the spectrum."
"What choice did I have?" Charles reasoned. "With Mother and her "problems", I had to be both Mummy and Daddy for Raven. And when this all started, outside of Rebecca, most of the children felt uncomfortable being chastised by Erik. I had to do what I could until he reached both sides of the spectrum."
"I never want to hurt the children, either. There are just so many things I wish I could change."
He asked near to her ear, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Sugar, you know we've discussed this," Emma reminded him.
Charles' gaze remained set forward, tone moderate. "That is not what I'm talking about."
Emma went completely still as a final flash of lightning passed through, spraying them both in pure white for a blink.
IIIIIII
With the storm finally coming to an end, Erik returned to the mansion less drenched than when he'd left. He took off his coat and deposited his things in the parlor before heading for his den.
"Papa!" Becky jumped up from the floor to greet him.
Erik smiled and knelt to catch and lift her. He kept an arm open for Frank, who ran to him after gathering the marbles.
"Imp invasion," he said, giving each of them a squeeze. "Were you good today?"
"What's the fun in being bad if you're not around?" Frank joked.
"What was I thinking?" Erik then asked, "Have you taken your baths?"
"Not yet," said Becky. "We didn't want to fall asleep and miss you getting home."
"Well, I'm here now so why don't you go on up," Erik kissed her cheek and stood her, "and I'll be there in just a while, hm?"
"Okay. Come on, Becky." Frank led them out.
Erik returned to the parlor and sat in his chess chair, reviewing the documents he had acquired earlier.
"What's that?"
The metal wielder glanced up at Charles approaching and put the papers back into the folder. "Looking through this new handout for my classes on Monday."
"Ah." Charles took his chair across from him, letting off a heavy sigh.
Erik arched forward, studying him closely. "You look like you've had a long day."
"Mostly internal," Charles said. "Emma and I took a trip inside her mind and I…"
"What?" Erik prompted him, growing in concern.
"… Emma and I are having a baby."
"Lab Rat," Erik folded his arm, a grin quickly growing on his face, "what have you been doing?"