Rise or Fall Chapter 236 All These Things and More, a x-men: the movie fanfic

X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Thirty Six

Author's Word: Fam, I am ultra, He-Man to She-Ra levels sorry. This was supposed to be up ages and stages ago, but I was supremely sick this last week then my family celebrated Adoption Day yesterday. Thanks for all the great feedback and for being so patient. FemaleAlphaWolf, so proud of your hard work on the play! Keep it up! Now, please enjoy and review!

In an act that came as no surprise to anyone, the numerous X-Children filled the mansion with their own brand of holiday cheer. The kind that came in the form of jubilant shouts, running, jumping, and, in the case of some, wall-crawling and flying. The moment the eager Angel and Samantha took off with them, the other teenagers decided to join in on the antics.

The telepaths, in tune with their household as ever, reacted pleasantly and with the day in mind, Charles even refrained from chiding the youngsters about dashing through the house. After they had their robes on, the Professor followed them downstairs while Emma went to collect Brian. When she discovered his crib empty, her initial startle promptly faded upon sensing him with his brother already.

Though Erik knew quite well what Christmas Day brought with it, he feigned sleep for Becky to come in and pounce at him like a kitten. The metal wielder experienced additional weight as the three boychicks piled on as well.

With Cody bouncing ahead of them, Logan and Kayla walked at a slower pace behind him due to them each having a bundle in their possession. The family hid snickers at the zombie-esque way Adrienne maneuvered through the hall, clearly not entirely used to such X-Men rituals. Victor caught up with the redhead and she relaxed against his strong form.

Raven hardly needed prodding at all and detached from bed immediately. She only took the time to step into her bunny slippers while Hank tried to shrug into his robe without falling over. Changing into her blonde form, Raven only paused at the fresh smells from the kitchen. She found Edna already up and helped her with the coffee platter.

When everyone at last settled in the living room, the once beautiful boxes circling the tree fell prey to absolute destruction. The mess of fractured ribbons and ripped paper piqued the interest of Midnight, who jumped around to attack every piece he could land a paw on. Charles shared a chair with Emma while they sipped tea, satisfied with the fact that the cat currently took his wrath out on paper instead of the antiques for a change. Hank followed Raven's lead into joining the kids on the floor. Victor sat on the arm of Adrienne's chair, full attention on the children. Erik, Edna, Logan, and Kayla lined the sofa with the Howletts feeding Todd and Mira from their bottles.

"No, no, Bri." Holding the fair haired baby, who currently played with a bow, in his lap, Joey helped him rip the paper on one package. "Like this. Go ahead."

Brian quickly caught on and massacred the paper. Discovering the fluffy yellow duck toy inside, Joey tried to show it to him, but Brian only enjoyed whacking it around by the bill.

Charles commented, "Someone's been spending a smidge too much time with Uncle Erik."

Erik looked towards his brother and said, "Be grateful he hasn't impaled it yet."

Lowering her coffee mug, Edna slipped into recollection. "Henry had a tendency to dissect his stuffed animals."

Popping his head up, the young scientist insisted, "It was in anticipation for residency, Mother."

Logan glanced away from Todd at that. "Edna, give it to us straight. Did you have that boy or did you find him in the middle of a cornfield somewhere?"

Edna laughed heartily and Alex piped up, "Pretty sure that's where we got Seanie from."

"Nuh uh," the red haired male protested. "It was at the aquarium. They found you on a Tasmanian devil farm."

Tugging his new wooden vehicle over by its rope, Scott claimed with great glee, "Logan, this is the greatest sled ever!" Careful of Todd, he still leaned in to embrace the man. "Thanks a ton."

Sparing one hand to pat the boy's back, Logan said, "Think nothin' of it. Just don't forget to thank your buddy. He put in enough of his own elbow grease."

Scott turned around in time to see Frank stand.

The older Eye Screamer approached him. "I'm glad you like it and I'm still really sorry about the other one."

Scott crossed his arms and appeared to think that over then stated, "You lose anything of mine again and I'm shipping you off to the Tasmanian farm."

Grinning, Frank slapped both hands with him.

With the teenage girls ecstatic over their new fashions, Adrienne addressed her youngest sister. "You're going to be thirty and still raving over Christmas morning, aren't you?"

Cordelia responded matter-of-factly, "And perfectly wrinkle free as well."

Everyone reacted to the shriek that sounded from Angel as she discovered one glimmering package. "Fashion model Barbie? Oh, my God!" She hugged it right through the box. "Oh my—" She glowered with menace at all those around her. "Mine, don't touch her!"

"That's going to be tough," Alex joked while Leon remarked, "We'll attempt to restrain ourselves."

Becky crawled over to Angel. "You still like Barbie?"

Angel told her, "I never had one before. Especially not like this one." She held up the doll in red satin runway gown.

Becky placed a hand on her arm then noticed another package for herself.

Unwrapping it, she found a much younger fashion doll inside. "Skipper?"

Emma explained, "Barbie's little sister."

"Oh yes!" Becky grinned.

Charles saw Hank's somewhat relieved expression and sent to Erik, wonderful to see that our dear girl hasn't quite outgrown her dolls yet.

Small favors, Erik responded with equal gratitude.

IIIIIII

Despite the multiple layers packed on him to prevent even a hint of a chill, Trav raced through the fresh snow. He left the deepest footprints he could with his heavy boots.

"Follow me, Mommy, follow me," the boy directed. "I'll protect you."

"She's going to need it." Landing on his hands, Hank used his feet to open fire with snowballs.

"Eeek!" Raven fell into the white moisture dramatically. "We have a mommy down."

"Mommy!" Hurrying to her side, Trav flopped down along with her. "Let's make snow angels."

Raven brought an arm around him. "I have my angel right here."

Trav giggled at the Eskimo kiss they shared.

With yellow duck in the baby's possession, Joey finished filling the wagon with the plethora of other stuffed animals his brother had received that morning. He made sure to grab Dicken as well. Taking hold of the handle, Joey started them off across the yard.

At Brian's giddy reaction, Joey smiled back at him. "Want me to go faster?"

"Not too fast," Emma immediately rang out, seated at the patio table with Adrienne.

"I know, Mum!" Joey called back, picking up the speed for his brother.

Coming out to the backyard, Alex raved, "I can't wait to go cruising in my new moto jacket."

"I can't wait to walk briskly in mine," Leon replied.

"Look on the bright side," Alex tossed an arm around him, "when you do get your bike back, you'll have that nifty extra helmet Dad got you."

Leon stuffed his hands in his jeans pocket. "You should have heard Emma's reaction to that whole thing. I swear I thought she was about to get the belt out next."

Alex's face stiffened at that. "That's a line of scary I'll never cross."

"Seeeeeannie?" Cody bellowed, despite being attached to the teen's back.

Sean spun in a circle in the snow with him. "Yes, Code Man?"

"When's Smiley gonna be here?"

"Before it's time to eat," Sean repeated for the third time but remained unbothered. "She just wants to spend some time with her mom."

"Okay," the child sighed.

"Now, what do you say we test out those groovy new sleds your dad put together?"

"Yeah!" Cody responded eagerly.

The batch of silver dollar pancakes warm and ready, Edna brought the platter over to transfer the contents onto the waiting plates of the four X-Girls. In addition to Becky, Samantha, Angel, and Kiki, their little gathering included several of their inanimate companions. One chair held Becky's Lana doll as well as the white bear, Sweetie Imp. The World Dolls Samantha had received that morning filled another chair. They were twelve inches tall with one representing Kenya, another China, one Sweden, and another from Mexico plus Angel's new Barbie. Kiki's favorite pink dressed teddy bear sat in another chair with other stuffed animals she had unwrapped that day.

"Do you need any help, Mrs. McCoy?" Angel asked.

"Oh not until this afternoon," Edna reassured. "You have your fun." She ran a hand down one of Kiki's pigtails. "You ladies look so adorable."

"Thank you, Grandma," said Kiki after swallowing one tiny cake whole.

They all wore light pink Christmas sweaters with black skirts and tights. Samantha's depicted kittens, Becky's white stars, Angel miniature trees, and snowmen for Kiki.

Edna asked, "Is that what you're wearing for supper tonight?"

Angel said, "I think I'm wearing burgundy tonight."

"I'm wearing pink," Samantha stated proudly. "It's my favorite."

"And mine," Becky concurred.

"And mine!" Kiki parroted.

"Mine, too," Angel defended. "Sam just has the whole monopoly on it."

Edna laughed at that then went to pick up Samantha's Kenya dolls. "You girls certainly are fortunate. No toys like these existed when I was young. Of course, they would have been far too expensive for my family."

Angel played in her Barbie's long, thick hair. "I know what you mean."

After some extensive begging on Trav's part, Scott finally agreed to letting him ride with him in Scott's brand new airplane sled. A ready and willing Cody lined up beside them at the top of the mound with Joey and Frank in the other sleds.

Gathered with Hank, Raven, Alex, Leon, and Cordelia, Sean directed things from the bottom of the short hill. "Okay. One for the money, two for the ice cream, three to own victory, and four. To. Go!"

The young boys launched with that, spraying snow in every direction.

"Gonna have to do better than that, cat-brat," Frank teased.

"You just try to keep up, dim lightbulb!" Cody shot back.

"Might want to save the cheap talk for later," Scott advised with a smirk. "Right, Trav?"

"Yippee!" the smaller boy hollered, arms up as high as they could go.

From below, Cordelia cheered, "Let's go, Joey!"

"You've got this, Cody," Leon encouraged.

"Go, Frank-O," came from Sean.

"Make my son look good, Scott," said Hank.

With Joey and Scott both in the running, Alex pumped his fists but remained silent otherwise.

"Yes!" Scott shouted upon reaching the bottom first.

Trav jumped up. "We did it!"

Rising to his feet, Scott hoisted the six-year-old up to spin around.

"Two out of three!" Cody immediately demanded.

"It still counts," Frank insisted. "One Eye Screamer wins, we both win."

Trav on his shoulders, Scott came over to slap gloved hands with Frank.

"We'll see about that." Cody turned to Joey. "Let's ride together this time."

Eyes reacting to something, Joey's entire being lit up. "Uncle Chris?"

"Huh?" Seeing the blonde adult approaching, Cody grinned and ran after him. "Hi!"

"Chris!" Cordelia hurried over to join the embrace on her brother.

"What in the world?" Adrienne came over with Emma who brought up, "We thought you were in Canada."

"I was." Chris left hands on Joey and Cody's backs. "Snow, French. Not exactly snapshot worthy."

Cody said, "That's how I remember it."

"I'm here under assignment as well." Chris patted Joey's head under his hood. "Your grandfather wanted me to deliver your Christmas loot personally."

Joey smiled eagerly. "Oh boy!"

"But first thing's first." Chris stood, facing Adrienne. "When do we leave?"

The redhead crossed her arms with a raised eyebrow. "We? What are you talking about?"

"Cordy called to tell me you're in need of back-up support so," Chris' smile widened along with his arms, "here I am. Your knight in armor."

Features entirely deflating, Adrienne turned scathing eyes on the youngest Frost sibling. "You told him?"

Cordelia regarded her with a countenance filled to the brim with adorability.

From their distance, Leon leaned in near Raven. "Has this family ever had a boring Christmas?"

The shapeshifter replied, "Not as long as I've been around."

IIIIIII

"There is no way you are accompanying me on this tour!" Adrienne raved about the Xavier living room. "I have enough on my plate without having to be responsible for my moronic oaf of a brother!"

Chris only countered, "And there is no way I am letting anyone get the chance to place you in harm's way simply because you're too proud to accept a little help."

Jabbing a finger at him, Adrienne hissed, "Stick the chivalry up your ass, Christian. I am the eldest."

Chris placed hands on his hips as he countered, "And with Father out of the country, I am the man of this family. No matter how much you enjoy acting the part."

Adrienne released an outraged chirp but no other sound produced.

Seated between her brothers on the couch, Raven put forth, "Don't you love when the Frosts visit? They make us seem so functional."

"Dare I say normal even?" Charles threw out.

Erik admonished, "Bite your tongue, Lab Rat."

Emma stepped in to place dividing hands between Adrienne and Chris. "You both need to calm down."

Walking forward as well, Cordelia wanted to know, "Why can't you ever accept help from any of us, Dri?"

"Help?" Adrienne scoffed. "From you three? That's laughable."

"Careful, Big Sis. Laughter on you might accidentally lead to a stroke." Despite the glare that resulted from the remark, Chris insisted, "I am going with you tomorrow. Like it or not."

Cordelia stated, "I want to go to, too. I want to support Angel, anyway. It's not like I'll be missing school."

Emma looked at Charles, who nodded his agreement.

Sighing in aggravation, Adrienne pointed out, "You have work."

Chris only smiled haughtily. "And I've accumulated an abundance in vacation hours."

Something between a groan and growl escaping her lips, Adrienne still claimed, "Forget it."

"Fine." Cordelia turned to go. "I'm telling Daddy."

"You would dare—" Adrienne snatched her by the arm. "You conniving little snitch."

Emma jumped in at that. "Oh look who's talking there."

"What do you mean?" Adrienne demanded.

"You've always been the miserable little tattletale," Chris reminded her. "Now it seems we at last have leverage over you." He folded his arms meaningfully. "Though on the other hand, I'm sure Daddy will be interested to know that his ever responsible eldest has been keeping violent threats to herself. He'll snatch the Secret Service right out from under Johnson."

Remaining in rigid but fuming place, Adrienne started out of the room. "I hate you all."

"Save the mushy business," Chris called after her.

Arriving in the hall, Adrienne nearly collided with a broad chest.

Victor informed her, "We need to talk."

Rolling her eyes, the woman muttered, "Doesn't this just keep getting better?"

After bringing them up to his loft, Victor started things. "Letters? Photographs? You and Angie have been walking targets all this time and you haven't said a word to me?"

"Hearts and Stripes Forever? Don't tell me you are so naïve that you didn't think a few bigots would crawl out of the sewers here and there. We were always walking targets."

Victor shook his head. "Not like this."

"It doesn't matter, Victor,' Adrienne attempted to soothe. "They won't get away with this."

Victor instantly surmised, "You know who they are." She gave him a single nod. "I'm going with you."

"No," came her automatic reply. "No, this is not happening."

"Adrienne—"

"I built this agency up entirely on my own!" Adrienne raised forcefully. "I will not hide behind an army of big, strong shoulders like some sad, pathetic female. These neanderthals think I can be threatened like a little girl at a tea party. I will make them writhe, Victor. Like the cowardly worms they are."

Taking that in, Victor said, "And I'll be right there with you. By your side." He brought his arms around to envelope her. "You were there with me to go in and save Sam. Now I want to be there for you, baby."

Lowering her head with a deep sigh, Adrienne finally nodded into his shirt.

IIIIIII

Wondering how long it would take his bitty son to spill something most colorful all over himself, Charles dressed him in the new blue outfit regardless.

"Darling?" His voice brought Emma's attention away from putting on her white-gold hoops. "I've been thinking." Charles brought Brian up to his shoulder. "Perhaps you should go along with your siblings on this tour. Adrienne really does need your support right now and I think it would be nice for you all to spend the time together."

"I've… considered it." Coming over, Emma sat near him on the bed. "Are you sure you would be comfortable with my leaving? So close to our anniversary?"

"We will have plenty of time to celebrate together." Charles neared her lips for a kiss. Including a few things we didn't get to do last year…

Keep it up, Sugar. Emma kissed him again. And you'll never get rid of me.

Taking possession of his father's tie, Brian stuck the tip into his mouth.

White dress shirt all buttoned, Leon next picked up the brush to smooth out his still damp from shower lochs. The knock that arrived next startled him, mainly due to the fact that it did not come from his door.

Turning towards the window, he immediately invited, "Get in here." When the female rematerialized before him, he said, "How close do you have to come to pneumonia before you realize it's okay for you to come in?"

"Hey, any earlier and I would have caught you indecent," Melissa pointed out.

"Whatever that means." Leon quietly regarded her. "Looks like you're ahead of me. I wanted to get away to see you tonight."

"Maybe I just have less patience."

"Maybe; likely. I have something for you." Going into his closet, Leon retrieved the small decorative box. "There's this stand at the mall where they make all of these personalized trinkets."

Melissa gave off a small shake of her head. "You didn't have to. God, I feel like such a deadbeat. I didn't know we were… gifted yet."

"No, it's not about Christmas. Not really. I wanted to get it for you." Returning to her, Leon handed her the box. "Please."

Undoing the thin red ribbon, Melissa took off the lid. Inside, she discovered the purple keychain of 'K-R-I-S-S-Y' spelled out in cursive.

"Leon…"

He spoke with, "I know she'll always be Number One with you. You have no idea how much I respect that. Personally, I'm just glad to make your list at all."

Hands shooting up, Melissa brought them around his neck. "Thank you."

Leon said nothing back, only lingered holding her at first. "Family dinner starts soon."

Melissa promptly stepped back. "I should go."

"Wait. Could you… I could use some help picking out a tie."

Melissa smiled up at him. "Call me your valet. Or call me cheesehead. Just call me."

Leon laughed breathily through his nostrils.

IIIIIII

Despite the richness that the main meal had offered, all presented seemed to have ample room remaining for the cake and pies that arrived on the table next.

Charles immediately reacted to the retreating young people. "And what is the meaning of this? None of you have been excused."

"Sorry, Uncle Charles," Becky apologized.

"Yeah, we're sorry." Cody then added, "But can't we eat dessert in front of the TV?"

Trav said, "We want to play with our toys."

That surprised the Professor not. "I'm sure, but that will have to wait. Your grandmother and the other ladies, not to mention Frank, spent half the day in the kitchen. You all could stand to help put things away and tidy up."

A chorus of groans resulted from the order.

"Do we have to?" Trav moaned.

"Can't it wait?" came from Cody.

"No," said Erik, "but this whining certainly can."

Joey brought up, "But Uncle Chris has to leave in the morning."

"Fear not, little nephew." Chris came around to kneel at Joey's chair. "I'll give you a hand."

Cordelia raised an eyebrow. "You know how to help in the kitchen?"

Chris shrugged one shoulder. "First time for everything."

Scott stood from his seat to collect plates. "Come on, X-Men. Let's get to it."

"Let's get to it," Cody mimicked with a grand eye roll.

To keep things civil and the process as quick as possible, the older teens moved to help the youngsters.

As soon as they finished, Maya went up to the recreation room to play with Cody and his new Lego set. Kiki used her plastic stove to recreate Christmas dinner with Hank and Becky in attendance. Raven listened to Trav read from his junior history book. Samantha and Angel played fashion runway with their dolls.

Scott looked surprised when Frank took hold of one of the action figures he had out. "Thought you big high school kids didn't play with this kind of stuff anymore."

Frank sat down, "Eh, what do I know?" and started operating the Superman.

IIIIIII

At the mug presented to him, Victor immediately recognized it as, "My sister-in-law's apple cider."

"What can I say? It has addictive properties." Dressed in soft, casual attire, Adrienne took over the spare swivel chair with her own cup. "Where's your usual partner-in-crime?"

"Wanted tonight with his family," Victor explained. "Told him I'd hold it down."

"Yes," Adrienne sipped her cider, "we will."

Victor reminded, "You got an early day tomorrow."

Adrienne rolled nearer to him. "As do you."

With a small smirk, Victor placed most of his attention on the cameras before him.

When her husband arrived back in their quarters, Kayla stopped nursing Mira to place a shushing finger over her own lips. She indicated Cody who lay sleeping next to her with Todd snuggled in his hold. Logan better adjusted the blankets over them before joining them in the bed himself.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…"

Peeking into the nursery, Emma observed her brother seated on the floor, facing Joey who held Brian in the rocking chair.

"In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there," Chris continued the recitation.

Joey pecked Brian's head as the baby gave off a small yawn.

Flipping to the next page in his fat horror novel, Sean hardly turned away when his bedroom door creaked open. At the additional weight that climbed tiredly onto his back, the redhead moved his face just enough to nuzzle cheeks with Frank. Trying to read over his shoulder proved futile as Frank's eyelids grew heavier. Sean smiled and stretched himself out better to make the younger teen more comfortable.

So preoccupied with writing in his lab journal, Hank did not notice anyone until he felt the blanket tucked around his shoulders.
"Oh, Mother," he acknowledged. "Thank you."

Edna ran fingers through his dark hair. "Don't work too hard now."

Hank watched her head for the door. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you, too, son," Edna paused to look back, "with all my heart."

With a drowsy Scott attached to his back, Alex stopped only to wave at Angel, who they passed in the hall. Re-entering her room, she first spotted Midnight stretched out at the foot of Samantha's bed. Going to where her sister lay sleeping, Angel collected the dolls she currently hugged and left them on display on the night stand for her to awaken to. After rubbing the contented Midnight's furry stomach, Angel settled into her own bed.

IIIIIII

Attention distracting from the chess game, Charles' gaze went to the doorway at the one who lingered there in yellow pajamas. "You're still up, Baby Blue?"

Raven walked over in a zombie motion, relaxing in Charles' lap. "I had a dream rabid space monkeys were chasing me."

Charles rubbed her back. "I've told you about having cake, pie, and cookies before bedtime."

"I stopped before I could reach the ice cream…"

From his own chess chair, Erik shook his head over the two.

"Okay, so here's what's weird." The blue female poked her head up from Charles' shoulder. "I've been a mom for over a year and I haven't screwed it up. Charles has been married almost a year… is this really our lives?"

Charles frowned in concerned. "What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember our old Christmases? Swapping gifts from inside the closet or under the bed?"

"While the sounds of China smashing against the wall could be heard all around?" Charles nodded. "I remember well."

"And you've both come so far," Erik pointed out. "While I continue on in my duties as the poster boy for bachelorhood." At the looks they gave him, he immediately tacked on, "Gaze upon me with anymore pity and you're both in big trouble."

Transferring over to Erik's lap space now, Raven insisted, "You deserve to be happy with someone who is really worthy of you. Not married and confused or evil and crazy."

"I have achieved more happiness than I ever thought I would," Erik stated. "Certainly more than I deserve. And it all started with the two of you. However, Big Girl…"

"Big Girl?" Raven echoed. "Oh boy, I'm not going to like this."

Erik went on with, "At some point, you will have to show your real face to your mother-in-law."

Raven responded to that with, "You really haven't seen the score card for my mom track record, have you?"

"He is right, Raven," Charles agreed. "Edna McCoy loves you for how good of a woman you are. Your appearance could not do anything to your place in her heart."

Raven leaned on Erik's shoulder. "I thought I was past all of these appearance problems. It just feels like I'm starting all over again every time I get close to someone new."

Erik patted her arm. "While we're being honest, there are times I find myself thinking about Vanessa. About how at any time she could have tried to tell me the truth. That if she had at least tried then maybe Becky would have been willing to know her. We actually could have had some kind of life together."

Raven said, "Vanessa's the one who missed out there. She doesn't deserve anything from you, let alone being Becky's mother."

"Harrington is still hospitalized." The other two mutants moved to face their middle sibling. "At first, guilt consumed me over him. Lately, though, other thoughts have taken over. That if he does stop breathing, some form of justice will be had. For what people like him put Sean and Leon through. Not to mention the mutant children that have been lost to those like Ignacio."

"You are not wrong for thinking this way, Charles, nor are you some kind of monster," said Erik firmly. "If they choose to proceed in this manner, forcing our hand, then they have sealed their own fates."

The three remained in individual ponder until Raven proposed, "Want to see if there's any cider left?"

Charles stood while Raven nestled against Erik for him to carry her towards the kitchen.