Rise or Fall
Chapter 321
NOTE: Greetings Fam, from the artic wasteland known as Midwest America. I hope those of you suffering through this toe-numbing torment are taking part in the Snuggle Initiative of having one or, preferably, more furry animals in your bed. For those nowhere near this barbaric climate- stop being stingy and send us some warm winds! Somebody call Storm! Please enjoy, review, and bathe in hot chocolate!
Mild heat relief swept through that morning with a moderate breeze accompanying the seventy-five degree temperatures. In the backyard before a vibrant sweet birch, Becky stood near to Logan while he properly situated the wooden cross. The security man positioned the hand-carved ornament in the center of his bed of ivory lilies. The rest of the present mansion dwellers, all adorned in dressy casual attire, observed from a few feet away. With the horses also among them, Samantha stood beside Hazelnut and held Midnight. Joey and Cody stayed near Xander and Blaze. Raven and Hank gripped Steel and Franny's reins for Trav to hold Bounty while Kiki cradled the blanketed Grace.
Light festooning completed, Logan resumed full height as he faced the gathered. "Proverbs tell us that the righteous man cares for his animals, but the wicked are only cruel."
The Eye Scream Team emerged from the horde. Crouching, Scott lit the blue candle on Logan's right and Frank ignited the red one to his sister's left.
Open journal in her grasp, Becky picked it up with, "Before man received the breath of life, light, air, earth, sun, moon, sea, and beasts thrived. Man was made to name and care for this vast creation. For anything to be considered a sacrifice, it first has to be a valuable. After the fall, the loss of even one little lamb is a sacrifice. With these thoughts in mind, we lay to rest Queenie and Prince and thank them for our baby, Grace. We also give thanks for our Xander, Bounty, Midnight, Hazelnut, Blaze, Steel, and Franny. Amen-Shalom."
The chorus of, "Amen-Shalom," signaled the commencement.
Emma made a path to squeeze hands with the adolescent telepath. "That was beautiful, darling."
"Thanks, Auntie." Becky glanced to the side. "Thank you, Logan."
The canine mutant bobbed his head once then moved on to assist his wife with the youngest members of their brood.
Scott and Frank retrieved their candles. Once they got in the proximity of Kiki and Trav, the McCoy children blew out the flames.
IIIIIII
As soon as he emptied his bowl of intricately diced and glazed meats, Midnight made a direct path for the active dining room. He curled up under Samantha's feet and purred near her ankles. She spared her right hand to cherish his sleek black fur periodically. As for the other humans, the clinking of forks and knives almost overtook the content chatter around the table.
"I am so overflowing my hot tub with a hundred batches of this later," Alex raved, adding another ladle full of the strawberry sauce to his plate.
"Peach mango's the best," Joey said of the gold substance.
"Hey, hey, try it with some of Grandma Jay's rasp-blackberry." Cody pushed over the transparent boat.
A magnanimous stack of hotcakes preceded Maya's re-entry. "Who has room for more?"
Among the elated responses, Logan commended, "You sure put your foot in these flapjacks, Smiley," and took the loaded serving platter from her.
Maya pecked his cheek and quite proudly reminded, "I learned from the best there is." She retook her seat by her fiancé.
"So did he." Victor aimed a fork at his brother.
"Ma's blue ribbon cakes," Logan slipped an arm around Kayla after lowering the platter, "and ma-in-law's prize spreads."
Kayla patted his hand and turned to Maya. "I can't tell you what it means that you and Sean will share these old recipes at your table soon enough."
Erik piped up, "To think, this is the last meal prepared by Maya Patterson before she becomes Maya Cassidy."
Most of the youngsters playfully swooned, "Awwww," at Sean and Maya joining hands.
"Yes, quite touching." Charles nudged over his empty plate. "More blue ribbon decadence, please."
Emma supplied him with two additional cakes, but Brian interceded when she slid the plate back. He arched over in his highchair and babbled spiritedly. When he saw what his nephew desired, Erik helped Brian cut the cakes to feed the pieces to his father. Charles indulged his son along with his appetite.
"Sorry, sorry, nearly forgot." Scuttling back into the room, Nate made his way over to the betrothed couple. "These are from my host dad," he gave one envelope to Maya, "and Chris. With their apologies that they can't attend the ceremony."
Getting hers open first, Maya read the note that poked out. "The key to a happy household is everything and everyone in their place."
"That's Daddy," Emma and Cordelia affirmed in unison.
Sean shared the other note. "First is the worst only in terms of childbirth order."
Boos and thumbs-down resulted from the eldest siblings present.
"Oh, you have to show that to Dri when they get back," Cordelia grinned impishly.
"Here's hoping your first is your forever," Sean concluded before removing the second piece of parchment. "Ooh. Thanks for the faith, dude."
Sean showed her the check and Maya displayed the one from Winston as she determined, "Apologies accepted."
Logan put forth, "We'll go by the bank after this then you two need to get crackin' on your last boxes. Saturday mornin's a blink away."
"You soak your leg in the hot tub," Alex directed Sean. "Let the Best Man handle the rest of your load."
Erik zeroed in on Tommy's lowered fork, but remained silent for the time being.
Sean and Maya shared an extended gaze.
"Come on, champ." Alana used a napkin on the corners of her mouth and started to rise. "We need to get you to school."
Frank put down his juice glass and declared, "Back to the grind. Nice seeing you guys for two whole hours."
"Frank-O, wait. We have to tell you something." Sean glanced around at the rest of them as well. "Everyone." All eyes on them, he went on to inform, "With everything that's happened recently, we don't think trying to move to the new place by Saturday morning is going to work. We need to postpone a few things."
"Postpone?" Logan leaped to his feet, knocking over his chair in the process. "Old age better be catchin' up with these ears of mine because I know you whelps ain't droppin' this bomb with only two days to spare. We've got people fly-"
"We're going on with the ceremony Saturday evening as planned," Maya rapidly reassured. "Please, only Armageddon could get in the way of that and that's only if the Temple is taken out first. We're just holding off the honeymoon and moving out."
Cody and Frank developed enlarged eyes with the former yelping in glee and the latter uttering, "Are you serious?"
Sean confirmed with, "At least until Alex's birthday."
The Best Man scoffed in jest. "You just want to be around to booze it up."
Sean made a taunting face at him. "Nuh uh- completely." He reached over to stroke Kiki's cheek. "I'm gonna be right here for you."
The little girl left her seat to rush him with a hug.
A smiling Maya then told Tommy, "We want you here with us, too."
The boy started to grin then brought up, "What if Mom and Dad pitch a fit?"
"Then, I'll pitch a fit." Sean made Kiki comfortable in his lap. "And I'm louder." Tommy pumped his fist in glee. "Oh," the redhead remembered something else, "I still don't think my leg's going to be a hundred percent by Saturday." He turned to Charles. "Do you think I could borrow your cane?"
Hank right away offered, "I can attach an extension to accommodate his height."
The Professor locked blue eyes with Sean. "… I'll dig it out as soon as we're done here."
An impatient Brian drummed his fork. The infantile nagging prompted Charles to accept another sticky mouthful from him.
IIIIIII
Easing the black and violet vehicle into the appropriately cozy street space, Brenda detached from the front of the scooter. As soon as the accompanying English native got up next, she activated its Marco-made lock and alarm system.
"Thanks again for donating your manliness to the best-bridesmaid-ever cause." Brenda unlatched her helmet. "I could've goaded one of my guys into helping, but I'm not really up for Collin's anti-girly gag noises behind my back. And Fab's completely orbiting Cordelia these days. As if they're not whisking off to Boston together soon."
"I can't wait," Nate responded earnestly, taking off his own headgear. "Believe it or not, you're doing the tower liberation today. My host dad doesn't let me go any real distance without the chauffeur and he keeps a specific path marked of places I'm actually allowed to venture into alone."
As they headed into the shop for all things floral, festive, and fragrant, Brenda wondered, "Are things really that bad in Boston?"
"He doesn't want me seeing the wrong things or happening on the worst people," Nate explained. "He means well, but it puts a real thorn in the international experience."
"He means well," Brenda echoed, peering through a display of bath salts. "Pretty sure that's the host dad mantra."
IIIIIII
On his way out of the grand kitchen, the mentally elsewhere teenager nearly collided chests with his patriarch.
"Mijo," Estevan placed a gentle grip on the youth's shoulders to steady him, "ten cuidado."
"Me disculpa, Papi." Fabian gave off a shake of his head to clear it. "I should really try looking out of both eyes, hm?"
Estevan chuckled at that then asked, "Have you seen Melissa?"
"She's likely involved in the last of the wedding preparations. All the girls are, it seems."
"Alas, female priority." Estevan then reacted to the zealous dog's entry along with another set of footsteps seemingly belonging to no one.
Fabian quickly sensed, "Max."
"Maxwell!" The thunderous summons sent the eatery into silence and made the child in question rematerialize. "The oven is still hot from the maid's baking. What have I told you about playing in this kitchen?"
While Max stammered for words, Fabian picked up the all too stalwart Jack.
Estevan stood in heavy displeasure when the boy could only utter "sorry" multiple times and, more regrettably, "I wasn't paying attention".
"When I tell you something," taking the nearest chair, Estevan brought him over his lap with a vigorous tug, "you will remember." He raised his hand, "I'll see to that," and brought it down again.
As the first smack connected with gusto, Fabian cast his in gaze the opposite direction and made Jack do the same. He partly did so to ensure no one else chose that moment to acquire a snack. Fabian counted ten strikes before stepping out a few paces to keep the dutiful terrier in his grasp calm. When only the little boy's sniffles could be heard, he quietly peered in again. The teen inwardly battled against the nag of envy he experienced at Estevan rocking Max and murmuring to him in Spanish. Even without full knowledge of the language, the child appeared comforted by every syllable.
Standing from the chair with his hold on Max reminiscent of steel, Estevan brought up pointedly, "You will behave while I am away?"
Max nodded into his shirt. "Si, Papi."
"Bueno, mijito." Carrying him out, Estevan directed Fabian, "Bring Jack up."
Fabian complied and followed. When they reached the second floor, he recognized the distinct ringing from his room. Estevan gave him his leave to go and Fabian put Jack down, who eagerly continued after the man and boy into Max's room.
Hurrying into his own quarters, Fabian snatched up the receiver. "Bueno?"
"And how, beefcake," Cordelia's voice sounded on the other end. "This just in, Sean and Maya aren't honeymooning in their new Syracuse chateau. They're going to be here until right around Alex's birthday. Same goes for Tommy, who they'll be hoarding."
Laying stomach down on his bed, Fabian replied with a resounding, "Fantastico."
IIIIIII
A light knock preceded the airy petition of, Treasure.
Muuuum, came the mental moan on the opposite side of the wood, can't it wait? I have to get this wedding stuff done already.
The sequestered artiste, I'm well aware. Which is why I figured you're in desperate need of a pick-me-up.
Opening the door, Joey accepted the tray of sandwich, corncob, and Ovaltine from her. You're the best, Mum.
Emma reached down to stroke his chin. I'll bring a few cookies by later.
Once they parted, Emma continued on towards her next destination. Before she walked into the library, she could sense the hums of ebullience radiating off her husband. When Trick made his entrance by floating in through the floor, he found a copy of their typed agenda already in front of his once regular meeting chair.
"Timely today, best mate," Charles pleasantly noted. "That's a fine change of pace."
"A few brownie points here and there never hurt." Trick relaxed in his seat.
The pairs of Victor and Erik and Logan and Kayla soon joined them. All the elder mutants situated themselves before the IQ filed in with Raven up front.
"This isn't going to take forever, is it?" an impatient Alex wanted to know. "Some of us have Best Man duties."
"Yes, compared to those of us merely twiddling our thumbs between now and Saturday." Erik used the agenda notes to reach over and thump the blonde's knee.
Resisting an eye roll, Alex corrected his posture.
Leon darted his glance between the two and made sure to keep his own back straight.
Charles began things with, "I've outlined our most pressing matters for after the wedding. The children's progress and what they individually require moving ahead. We also have decisions to make about the psychiatric facility along with our other commitments- most importantly, Kayla's other students- with the household needs in relation to your new academic schedules at WU."
"And that's only the gist of what lies ahead," Erik asserted.
"We're still in rotation and several adults and trying to obtain GEDs over the summer," Kayla reported. "I'm hoping to have the Underground Academy's schedule in front of us all soon."
Hank indicated himself and Victor as he added, "Plus our second year at the grammar and high schools.'
"With so much deliberation facing us," Emma put forth, "I think it would be best if we move on to something more concrete. Charles?"
Taking the cue from his wife, the Professor unearthed a separate stack of paperwork. "Read these carefully before signing and/or initialing by the arrows."
Erik got his own assortment from his briefcase. "Emphasis on read."
At the pens and papers presented to him and the McCoys, Alex gaped indignantly. "Whoa, hey, what is all this? What's with all this legal jargon?"
"Well, it is straight from the attorney's office," Charles reasoned nonchalantly. "They're rather well-known for such jargon down there."
Raven quickly realized, "The custody forms."
"Custody forms?" echoed a further bewildered Alex.
"Of Joey and Scott." Charles went on to clarify, "Should I pass on before they come of age, you will have joint custody of Joey with Emma and shared guardianship of Scott- unless he wishes to be fully adopted prior to that- in which case, you'll retain joint custody of him as well. If Emma and I are both lost, you will share custody of Joey and receive full guardianship or custody of Scott."
Mouth wide open, but verbalizing seemingly impossible, Alex managed to gather his words. "Wait, slow down. Are you really telling me that not only can me and Scott never get separated again, but if anything happens to you, I basically become Joe's…"
"Second father," Charles supplied, "yes."
Raven rapped on Alex's shoulder with her fingernails as she sharply reminded, "Shared with second mommy."
Leon propped his head with his hand. "Uncle Charles and Aunt Emma are going to mysteriously vanish one day now, aren't they?"
"No!" Alex and Raven refuted, though both wore brief thoughtful gazes for a moment.
"Wait a second." Alex faced Erik. "You're okay with this?"
"This is what's best for the boys," Erik reaffirmed. "You."
Victor likewise nodded his agreement.
Emma brought up, "Erik already signed off on joint custody of Brian with Raven.
Logan put forth, "Your old man's goin' to go along with this? Just like that?"
"It's out of his hands," Emma stated matter-of-factly. "Charles and I also already signed for Becky in the event something happens to Erik. Hank and Raven will have joint custody after Charles and I. Erik also has it for Kiki and Trav after us."
"And this seals it," Raven blithely said of their paperwork.
A speedreading Hank readily signed and initialed wherever indicated.
Still in a floored state, Alex retained capability enough to work his own pen.
II
The slim form only half filling her father's executive chair, Becky finished tying the intricate baby blue bow. She attached it to the box wrapped in a deep shade of green that nearly matched her eyes. Finding herself short on tape for the next gift, she rummaged through Erik's office supply drawer. Finding a couple of stray candies as well, she covertly helped herself to a caramel sphere. At the creaking from the steel doors, the distracted telepath jumped. She then watched as a paper airplane made a very precise path for her. When it came close enough, she caught it by its tip.
Even without seeing or sensing the boy who poked his head in next, she immediately knew the plane's craftsman. "Cody, this better not be more of your ZAP cr—" Unfolding the purple parchment, she realized, "The auditions?" She looked in his direction again. "What are you doing with this?"
Cody folded his arms as he replied, "Question is, Princess Prickly Pants, why aren't you gettin' ready to try-out? And don't waste your breathin' tryin' to convince me you don't want to. I saw how great you looked on that stage and my sight's a whole lot better than yours."
Despite her best efforts to display the contrary, Becky's features show wavering. "Even if I wanted to, I don't have so much as five minutes to worry about this. And neither do you. Or did you forget we have a wedding to get ready for?"
"Wedding's not 'til Saturday," Cody reasoned coolly. "Auditions are tomorrow."
Becky's eyes enlarged when she noticed the date. "Seriously?"
"Well, today and tomorrow, but no way will we make it there on time. We gotta go tomorrow."
"Now, you're really out of your mind," Becky declared. "Even if we could get a ride into the city, it says here that we have to memorize and recite a literary or theatrical passage. We can't even memorize the school's address by tomorrow."
Cody dismissed that point even sooner than the previous one. "You've got plenty of passages in your head. Your read and journal all the time. You should've heard how sweet that eulogy sounded this mornin'. Your poem at Charles and Emma's weddin', the essay you wrote for your dad—"
"None of that was memorized."
"Could've fooled me."
Becky arched back in the chair with light weariness. "Why are you badgering me about this, anyway? What's it to you?"
Cody came around and hopped up to perch himself on the edge of the desk. "You stuck your neck out big time for Scott with baseball. You even joined the pompom brigade for him. You're always lookin' out for us younger kids and, well, I just think, y'know, maybe you deserve a cheerleader now."
Becky formed an affectionate smirk. "Think your mom will have time to stitch a skirt for you?"
"Oh, funny, guess you really do belong on stage." Cody rolled his eyes humorously. "I'm doin' the next best thing, tryin' out with you. I've done a few school plays. And we can help each other practice."
Becky lingered in ponder for a few seconds. "This is going to be ten times harder than anything at the community center. I don't want everybody to know. In case I don't make it."
"My lips are sealed," Cody vowed. "I'll make sure whoever drives us knows to keep their trap shut, too. So…?"
"… Fine," Becky at last relented then softened. "Thanks, Cody."
With a salute, the leonine lad stood to take his leave.
Becky read through the flyer again and quickly dampened it with her moistening palms.
IIIIIII
When yet another swapping of names failed to placate her, Maya gave the entire map a prolonged stare. With an incensed purr from the back of her throat, she experienced elation upon telekinetically shoving the poster board and writing utensils onto the floor.
Positioned at the desk, Melissa whipped her head back. "Matrimonial meltdown starting early, I see. You just have to be ahead of the curve in everything, don't you?"
The frustrated girl on the bed tossed her hair with a near growl. "How has it taken me this long to make sense of this seating chart?"
Melissa twisted around in the chair to better face her. "Can't find a neutral corner for the Montagues and the Capulets?"
"Wolverine gets to be father-of-the-bride in every way," Maya tried to explain, "but no matter how I set it up, it feels like Kay gets shafted to Guest Number Twelve next to my mom and that's completely unfair. Yes, my mom has been more supportive of Sean and me than I ever knew she was even capable of. And yeah, my heart exploded on the spot when she showed me that dowry. But Kay has been there for me before and after the engagement. She made my wedding dress, for God's sake." She released a lengthy sigh, dragging fingers through her already frazzled hair. "What should I do here?"
Though she listened intently, Melissa came back with, "If you're looking for an unbiased opinion, try not asking a diehard rep from Team Kayla."
Slipping into her own mind, Maya's interests floated over to the mass of information on top of her desk. "Wow," she left her bed to go look over the other brunette's shoulder, "look at you, so well researched. I only did three backup schools."
Instinctively shifting her features to indifference, Melissa claimed, "Drawback of Team Kayla. How she has time to slip me these 'gentle reminders' I'll never know. And really, you needed backup schools? Your acceptance letters probably came sprinkled in stickers and glitter."
"And delivered via unicorn," Maya smirked. "But you know, we could probably sneak you into Le Moyne with me." She gripped Melissa's shoulders from behind and went on dreamily. "We'll be co-eds together, wear matching green and gold jackets…"
Melissa interjected, "Watch me spontaneously combust if I set foot on the campus founded by Jesus."
"Don't be ridiculous. It was founded by the Society of Jesus, Melissa. Keep it straight."
Melissa eyed her blankly. "Why do I get the feeling I'd spend ninety percent of my time keeping bullies off your back?"
"To be honest, you'd pretty much be a placeholder until Bren graduates." Maya jumped to her feet and dashed out, causing Melissa's hurled pamphlet to hit the door instead. Maya poked her head in once more to briefly stick out her tongue.
"Up yours, too," Melissa shouted after her, "Bride of Banshee!"
II
Pale fingers with reddened tips danced along the black and white keys. Sitting practically entranced, the young musician filled the studio with Chopin.
Entering to the tune of Nocturne in B Flat Minor, Maya stopped at the piano bench. "What happened to your little people posse?"
"I'm not allowed to come within reach of them for another hour." Sean retracted his hands and shifted his gaze for a proper view of her. "Kiki, Scott, and Trav are working on "wedding pretty" we're not privileged to see yet."
"Really?" Maya's resolute posture softened significantly. "Kiki, too?"
Sean confirmed that with, "She even has Grace and Midnight helping… somehow. Supervising, I guess." He caught something infantile in her radiant face. "And what have you been doing, dear?"
"Engaging in random brattiness."
"Ah. The X-Men have ruined you."
"Hallelujah." Maya lowered to share the bench with him. "This Saturday really is all about us, isn't it?"
"If you want to be logical about it, I guess," Sean shrugged. "In my own little world, it's all about you."
Grinning, she sent arms around his neck tantalizingly. "Then you'll love the seating arrangement I came up with. Forget our little circle-of-contempt table. We'll smush together two of the rectangular ones."
"To symbolize how square people thought we were before we became cooler than them," Sean followed along.
"And this is why I have to marry a literary guy. Science guys know nothing of this symbolism of which you speak." Maya then continued her previous explanation. "Wolverine, Kay, and Mom on my side and the Professor, Emma, and your folks on yours. Naysayers can take it up with our bouncers, the brothers Howlett-Creed."
"Now, you're thinking like a bride," Sean concurred impishly. "Except one little thing." At her heeding expression, he said, "I want Erik, too. Think Wolves will have time to rig up a highchair for him?"
Maya laughed at the visual and planned to do so throughout the remainder of the day. "My side will be uneven, anyway. I'll stick him in."
Sean could not resist pointing out, "Even though it'll totally look like he's there with Lauren."
"Chemicals colliding," Maya cringed. "And not in a sexy way. But…" a sizable portion of her good humor waned. "Maybe it is best to put a little distance between Erik and Mrs. Tolbert."
An understanding but forthright Sean said, "Calling her that won't magically repair her marriage, honey. Besides, they didn't exactly make the headlines three years ago and Hank and Raven's wedding was way bigger than ours."
"It has nothing to do with avoiding the gossip column," Maya strongly assured. "It has to do with me not wanting to watch one of my fathers be strung along by someone else's unhappy wife. I'm sorry- I know how much Frank's mom means to you, which is why I haven't really said anything about… but Erik deserves better than these hurtful women."
After some thinking on his own part, Sean leaned forward to press foreheads with her. "We just have to be careful not to make too much of an uproar with this. I can't lose Frank again, baby."
Maya affirmed her agreement by brushing her lips against his.
II
Summer conditions failed to deter the long-haired male from the piping hot, heavily caffeinated substance. Fresh from the pot, the large mug the pensive one poured for himself became intercepted by the abrupt arrival of another and far more impertinent airy mutant.
"For me?" She smiled in Cheshire fashion. "Who says we're not in sync?"
"I believe the word you're looking for is 'insane'." Leon started to fill another cup.
Melissa began accenting her pilfered one with preferred cream and sugar ratios. "And I do believe we're at approximately fifty hours and counting until festivity, family, and fakery by the fuck-load. Your heart all aflutter yet?"
"She asks while standing within a hundred feet of me." Leon enjoyed a sizable sip on route for the bed. "Sure you didn't get that GED from Pimpin' Pete in East Harlem?"
"I told you he has a backlog for the next six months." Drinking her coffee to the midway point, Melissa fully absorbed his somewhat lax form. "You make for a creepy attractive zombie." She came to stand before him. "Haven't we established that man can't live on caffeine alone? You need to toss in a few M&Ms here and there."
Leon offhandedly claimed, "Hershey has more healing components than Mars."
Melissa sat by and continued to face him. "You're still seeing the fires, aren't you?"
Leon came back with, "Still eavesdropping on me in bed?"
"I'd love to take credit for keeping you warm at night, but that's a tough sell with snow in my veins."
Deciding to dispute that later, Leon responded to her initial inquiry. "I don't know what it is. I should have some semblance of satisfaction knowing blazing walls won't stand between me and loved ones in peril. But as soon as I close my eyes, the bomb goes off. Again and again."
Melissa caressed a few strands of his hair. "What does your aunt say?"
"That's a whole other dilemma of sorts." Leon next explained, "At our instructor meeting earlier? My uncle busted out random custody forms.'' When Melissa raised an eyebrow, he tacked on, "For the kids, in the event of unforeseen shittiness. My dad gets Brian, Hank and Raven get Becky. The aunt, uncle, and Alex get two-for-one. Kiki and Trav for them. Joey and Scott for Lex."
Melissa displayed droll sympathy. "Maybe you can put in a bid for Cody while I swipe the twins."
"As much as I endlessly dream of raising the next generation of the mutated and mind-fucked, it was a rough slap of reality." Leon looked at her. "What's really weird is that it actually felt kind of good to be thrown that legalities curveball. Like, for a fraction of a second, I forgot that caring about me tops road rage and cancer as a guaranteed expedition to an early grave."
When he finished lamenting, Melissa said, "Lee, after what you went through, it's good that they're being so responsible. Look at who we are; how we live. Even when you take mutation and our extracurriculars off the table, still, look at who we are." She pointed to the mirror across the way.
Leon followed the path of her finger and took in the reflections staring back at them. "You're right. We're always going to face hatred. If only the world dared to accept our amazing hair without contempt."
Melissa bunked her fist against his shoulder. "No. the contempt comes from those mornings I wake up with a bird's nest on my head next to a guy growing silk thread out of his scalp." She grew more somber. "You know what I'm talking about, wise guy."
Leon remembered something. "When we were teamed up, Trick and I actually found conversation beyond local weather. He told me even with his divorce and the assaults, he wouldn't change getting together with his ex."
"I was already burned at the stake-of-suburbia," Melissa brought up flippantly. "Lynch mobs have more to fear from us. The eastern world isn't the only place silk thread is valuable."
"And just think," Leon developed a gradual smirk, "we get to share that mindset with the western world in a little under fifty hours."
Melissa responded with a hearty, "Just what I needed to get through this corny crap."
Both darted startled eyes over to the invasion level pounding at their door. "Missy, move it. I know you're in there. Don't even try to act like you guys are doing it."
"Huh, she's got us there," Leon glibly admitted.
Eyes rolling in access, Melissa headed for and opened the door. "What do you want, Maniac of Honor?"
"You to quit slacking off, Mary Shelly's secret crack baby," Brenda answered matter-of-factly. "You're needed on the third floor. The supreme Queen Fox has Supergirl distracted, but we don't have a lot of time to get this honeymoon suite together." She glanced into the room with a wide smile. "Hi, Leon."
"Sergeant Sparkles," the dark-haired male counter greeted.
Brenda narrowed her gaze at Melissa, "Hurry up," before sprinting off for the stairs.
Starting out after her, Melissa looked over her shoulder again. "Less than fifty hours…"
Leon lifted his mug. "And counting."
II
As if the rubber sphere sprouted ringers to fly from his fingertips, it continued to soar until it successfully dropped through the hoop.
Going after the ball, Cordelia released a celebratory outcry. "That's four in a row. You're sizzling, fireball."
"Thanks," Tommy replied. "You're pretty decent for a dame."
The girl with hair bound in loose pigtails humorously came back with, "You're lucky you're still much more of a charmer than Sean."
"Far mouthier as well." The third participant stepped up, seizing the shortest one from behind. Tommy let off a giggle from the contact. "Are we sure there's not a bit of a banshee in you?"
"Sure. Listen." Tommy attempted a shriek.
"Impressive," Erik reacted. "I don't think I've heard a better Tarzan impersonation in my life."
"Really? All two thousand years of it?" Tommy's lighthearted cheekiness turned into rich laughter when Erik bombarded him with tickle fingers. "Ah, cut it out."
Keeping him in his grasp, Erik tumbled back and made certain the child landed on top of him. Tommy repositioned himself in order to go after the man's armpits with pokes. He then evaded Erik's next attempt to grab him by rolling to one side and scrambling to his feet. Naturally, Erik gave him chase until Tommy veered around. Hardly two yards between them, the male pair lingered in fighting stances with unwavering pupils locked on each other.
Tommy, at last, took off and Erik resumed pursuit. Abruptly zipping in another direction, the boy raced for a tree. Instead of going for a branch like Erik anticipated, Tommy walked up the trunk. At the midpoint, he executed a flip over the tall metal wielder. Both Cordelia and Erik very quickly went from amazed to concerned. Neither needed to intervene as he landed securely on both feet, albeit with a bit of wobbling.
While Cordelia appeared enamored over the feat, Erik went to one knee to inspect the child's lower limbs. "Are you alright?"
Tommy touched his head. "Sorta dizzy, but not enough to hurl."
"Tommy, that was amazing," Cordelia raved. "I've never seen anyone your size pull that off as high as- well," she indicated Erik with her thumb, "his size. Not without the last name Howlett, anyway."
"Thanks." Tommy peered back at the tree. "I didn't know I could go that high, either."
"Strong adrenaline and a sharp mind are an impeccable combination," stated Erik, regaining the young ones' attention. "However, I don't want you making that a habit unsupervised." He brought his hand to Tommy's cheek. "I don't want you hurting yourself for the sake of theatrics. We only have so many canes to go around."
Tommy leaned forward on him to send into his ear, "'Kay, Daddy."
No words for the moment, Erik gave him a mighty squeeze in return.
"Oh, salvation!" Back in his own private Promised Land, Frank put down the twin bags he carried and let his backpack plummet. "Ball!"
Cordelia fulfilled the request and Frank sprinted forward for a slam dunk.
Erik cleared his throat, which promptly set the male teenager's eyes on him. "How was school, boychick?"
Frank replied, "I didn't get booted."
"Very good." Erik then moved onto, "Now, would you kindly remember your mother isn't your maid service? Take those packages inside."
An amused Alana added more benevolently, "Let's get this stuff to the kitchen then you champs can play for a while. Out of your school clothes, preferably."
"Got it, parent people." Frank managed to part ways with the basketball to retrieve his discarded cargo.
"I'll help," offered Cordelia.
"Me, too," seconded Tommy.
Erik joined the effort by strolling over to take both large bags Alana carried. "Must you see fit to strain yourself? You have enough on your plate."
The redhead adjusted her purse strap. "I'll try not to suffer a hernia between here and the iceboxes."
Cordelia and Frank took the groceries while Tommy wore the older boy's backpack. The three youths shared secretive entertained gazes over the adult pair.
II
With the exception of the far and away McCoy wing, the mansion's third story mostly remained an untapped territory. Though the hallway stayed properly kept up like the rest of the elegant dwelling, its many rooms tended to go neglected. For the upcoming newlyweds, Raven had selected a suite with a bathroom and queen sized panel bed. Though it had a wall of windows, she knew the bronze Paladino chandelier would bring out the Edgar Allen Poe enthusiast in Sean. However, the shapeshifter also determined the dreary gray walls would not exactly give Maya's heart wings to fly. The blue woman along with the other three participants wore brown fashion-expendable coveralls and hats while getting everything secured under tarps.
Brenda put forth, "I thought Cordelia was helping."
"What about Becky?" Samantha brought up. "She loves this kind of thing."
"Cor opted for basketball over beautifying," Raven explained, getting a dresser covered. "And since this is an X-Wedding we're talking about, Becca's working on her own thing. Granted, I think the manual labor part has a little something to do with it."
"Here we are, ladies." Also clad in coveralls, Nate came through with two paint cans in each hand.
Melissa looked his way. "Invasion of the testosterone."
"Hey, he's all in for the cause," Brenda proudly defended. "The official brides-squire."
Nate said, "We were going to go with brides-man, but that pretty much made me sound like the groom."
Raven smiled at him. "Welcome aboard."
Brenda went through the paint labels. "This blue and green motif is so cool. Most brides go by the "it colors" in magazines."
"Not around these parts," Raven assured. "Hank and I knew from the get-go we wanted blue and purple."
"I love your pictures," said an enthused Brenda. "I'm wild for purple."
Samantha put forth, "I want pink and green."
"Green does look great on redheads," Raven mildly teased, only making the blonde develop a face of fondness.
'Oh hey," Brenda turned to her housemate, "we're probably doing pink and purple for your wedding, right?"
Made dizzier by the question than ever during vigorous combat, Melissa appeared somewhat faint. "Wed- what- no, no, no, count me out of your little 'what if' world."
"Why?" Samantha rebutted coyly. "Leon would look incredible in orchid."
"Have you seen him?" Brenda emphasized. "Leon Osaka would look incredible in neon plaid."
"Which is good, considering the tuxes Sean picked for the groomsmen," Raven said with far too much furtive glee.
Brenda spoke again, "And I already know Anne has dibs on Maid-of-Honor. Can I be the…?" She glanced at Nate. "What's a girl squire?"
"A corpse," fielded Melissa, "if you keep it up."
Collin wondered, "Is Anne coming to the ceremony?"
Brenda answered, "She's not in the mood for a crowd and everything. She likes Maya fine, but she knows Becky will be just a teeny bit distracted."
"Speaking of, let's focus, Bridal Brigade," Raven proclaimed. "I want this room to measure up to the piece of paradise Em designed for me and Hank."
"Where is she, anyway?" inquired Melissa. "Shouldn't she be death-glaring my way about now?"
Raven informed, "Keeping her perfect French-tipped mitts off. There's only one Matron-of-Honor around these parts, buckaroos. Now, come on. I've got the plumber coming by later. You know Vic charges baked goods by the hour."
IIIIIII
Upon reaching the second floor, the X-Women placed Mira and Todd on their feet. The four linked hands with the twins walking in the middle.
"Okay, did we miss the Second Coming?" Maya quipped. "This house is never this quiet. I think I have a runaway bridal party."
Kayla shook her head in good humor. "I think wherever they are and whatever they're doing is for them to know and you to find out."
With an unusual air of pleased overwhelm about her, Maya stated, "This whole thing is a dozen birthdays at once."
Honing in on their incoming presences, Logan cautioned from the walk-in closet, "Gettin' decent here!"
An unaffected Kayla remarked, "That's a first in fifteen years."
Logan came back with, "I'm up to four showers a year and still, she nags."
Maya giggled and began helping get the babies changed into comfortable play clothes.
Logan stepped out in significantly cleaner jeans and a flannel shirt. "Were you good for your ma?" He squatted and opened his arms for the incoming Todd.
"They were both great," Maya assured, getting on the cushioned rug with Mira. "Especially with some of the Temple parishioners cooing all over them."
"That alone earned a trip to the ice cream shop," said Kayla.
"So nice to be in the fresh air," Maya watched Mira operate her xylophone, "before I'm completely smothered tomorrow."
"What's say we sit out the preliminaries?" Logan maneuvered over to the girls and held Todd close for the boy to paw at him. "With brunch, just you and me."
Maya's initial elation dampened rapidly. "I should probably leave brunch open for the in-laws. I'd rather my husband not be eaten alive."
"Sweetheart, you have a long married life ahead to let relatives derail your every plan," Kayla reasoned.
"And I already talked to Red," Logan informed. "He says he's got the chaos covered plus the grandparents for backup. And if anybody really wants to make a stink, you leave 'em to actin' father-of-the-bride, Smiley."
Features brightening with adoration, Maya told him, "You were never acting, Wolverine."
Maintaining one arm around Todd, Logan drew her in to kiss her forehead.
IIIIIII
With a hum that seemed content to never fade from his lips, the Professor re-entered his study. Eyes mainly on his purchases, he raised his head briskly as his chair suddenly veered, revealing the silent blonde figure who filled it.
Charles' shoulders jumped and he dropped his cloth bag. "Alex."
The unconvinced younger male only stared at him. "You knew I was in here."
"Yes, naturally," Charles confessed nonchalantly. He stooped to gather his discarded items. "Far be it from me to ruin your earnest attempt at Bond villainy."
"Oh, real ri—" Alex noticed the highly colorful trinkets. "… Are those cat toys?"
Charles rushed to get the jingling objects back into the bag. "Along with a gnaw stick for Bounty and a few comics for Seanie. Now," the telepath returned to his feet, "what might I do for you?"
"What more can I ask for after today?" Alex countered. "Besides the truth. Did you cook up all these legalities because of what you did to Lee? You seriously thought gift
wrapping the boys for me would set things straight between us? I don't know whether to be pissed at that or the fact that it's working."
"Firstly," Charles deposited his bag on the desk as he made his way around to him, "they're still my boys. Secondly, I know you're angry, but do you really think so little of me- of Emma, your father- that you believe we would make such a crucial decision entirely to placate you? Thirdly, why do you think so little of yourself?"
The genuinely confused blonde responded, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Alex, you are not a child anymore," Charles emphasized. "You are a man as well as an exceptional instructor. You don't contradict us simply for the sake of doing so. For over three years, I've witnessed your dedication to the little ones. You have every right to disagree with me or any one of us. In fact, we expect it of you. I'm not going to buy you a shiny new toy to regain your favor."
Alex said pointedly, "That method doesn't work too well around here."
Experiencing the same recollection of recent events, Charles concurred, "I know." He reached to apply a slight massage to Alex's shoulders. "It's clear we all still have much to learn from each other. And if I'm being honest, your reaction to Leon only reaffirmed the confidence I have in you to take over raising Scott and Joey if necessary."
"How?"
Charles brought up with a bit of a smirk, "You can't possibly have forgotten how angry you used to get with me when I had to use that spanking treatment whenever Joey's powers got the better of him. You were a little more reserved when I had to punish Scott the first time, but I still sensed it. It doesn't matter how much I push you, but when it's your brothers, God help us all."
"… You're right," Alex knew, affectionately amused by the brief trek through time. "Can't say it was all that adult of me to ignore every word whenever you tried to explain your side. I know you weren't scheming to screw with Lee's head, but I couldn't stop remembering what that shadow did to us… while we were out training last year."
"I remember. The Triad felt it as well," Charles sympathized. "I'm certain it doesn't help that the shadow was once a regular telepath." Picking up on Alex's guilt streaked features, Charles urged, "I don't take it as an insult, Alex. I've wondered more times than I can remember if I'm capable of becoming something far worse than the Shadow King. Letting myself succumb to something so perverse. I needed you by my side on that mountain much more than you needed me."
"Charles, I…" Every muscle going tense at the subtle sound that only grew. "Do… can you hear that?"
Charles confirmed, "Your ears do not deceive you."
All but rocketing from the chair, Alex took his leave on legs that nearly blurred. Charles followed, but let the younger X-Man stay far ahead.
Plagued by Doubt and Dismay
Let Heaven Lead the Way
Once he reached the studio, Alex had to grip the doorway as he took in the female vocalist. "… Holly?"
Rising from where she shared the piano bench with her brother, the curvaceous figure wore a dress almost as scarlet as her hair. "There you are, stud." She managed to peer slightly beyond him to, "Charles."
The telepath bobbed his head cordially.
"I don't…" Alex attempted to gather words as she came to stand with barely more than an inch between. "What are you…"
Holly silenced him by coiling both arms around his neck. "Did you honestly believe I would let the Best Man go stag?"
Deeming the verbal most unnecessary in that instance, Alex instead used his lips to commandeer hers. Returning the greeting, Holly clung tighter to remain upright with him.
Trick stretched his fingers and resumed the tune on the piano.
When You Can't See the Sun Through the Gray
Remember He Who Made Night Brought You to this Day