Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men: Evolution or its characters. Just my OC, Molly Callum/Creature, and any original characters/background characters that may pop up from time to time.


The next morning, Remy was up later than usual, around nine-thirty. He'd done little sleeping, too keyed-up from the days' events. Instead, he stayed up watching TV in his room on the 45-inch screen in between playing solitaire to pass the time. (The couple assumed all guest rooms had televisions, as Molly's did as well. Unreal.) Nighttime had made concern fill his mind. Before there'd been no time for worry, it had been go-time immediately. Now he had to wonder if his dad and the family were going to like him. How could he make the best impression? What was he going to do if his dad hated him and didn't want anything to do with him.

Remy knew he had to get a grip. He was worrying as much as Molly. He would bounce back whatever happened.

Remy got up out of bed and went and took a long shower in the bathroom. So long that he was late getting to breakfast.

Molly was nearly finished with a plate of waffles, looking satisfied and very pleased. "You should be happy we're not home and the chef can make you fresh waffles.
If not, you'd be missing out. They're _ingeniously_ amazing! He's even giving me the recipe."

"Great, but I'm not sure I can eat right now. Too nervous about tonight," Remy sat down, fidgeting by thumping a made-up beat onto the table with his fingers.

"At least you're up," Violet smiled at him, looking fresh as a daisy, "We were getting concerned, but knew you were tired. At least have some eggs, dear."

"Okay," Remy agreed. He expected plain eggs, scrambled, but what arrived ten minutes later were the best eggs he'd had in his life. Mixed with peppers and onions and some crunch raddichio for texture, cloud-soft and fluffy, the eggs woke up his appetite. He had a couple of waffles a bit later. Molly was right-best waffles ever.
"So, first we're going to get that DNA test, and then what?"

"Well, I don't want to tire you two out. I was thinking we could do a little shopping and go to the Creole Creamery after catching lunch. You know it, right?"

"Of course! We go every time we come down here," Remy smiled.

"Once every couple of months, I like to go down and get some raspberries and mint flavor," Violet smiled.

"That one's good, but I like the dark chocolate and mint," Remy said.

"Well, once you're all finished eating, we can go. We'll start at the doctor's office and see my personal physician, he's very thorough," Violet said.

"Sure thing," Remy said.


Soon enough, they'd gone in for the DNA test. Remy was relieved it was only a swab for a spit sample. Violet had some pull at the doctor's office, being a pillar of the community, so they had the test rushed and were going to get it in the next couple of days.

"I want to take you to my favorite store first," Violet said after they got in the car, "Then we can go where ever."

"We're up for anything," Molly said, holding Remy's hand from the back seat.

They got to a store that would've looked like a small mall if it hadn't been squeezed next to other stores. It was two stories high and next to an alley. The outside was white, with a big, old-fashioned store window with mannequins in the front. They parked, taking a long walk from the street to the store.

"Whatever you two want, I'll buy it," Violet offered.

"We couldn't impose..." Remy said.

"Nonsense!" Violet insisted, "It's a pleasure to. I don't mind."

"Okay, we won't run up a huge bill. _Right_ Molly?" Remy blinked back at Molly. She knew he'd spoiled her enough, but Molly also had some manners.

"Right. No seven-hundred dollar dresses," Molly smiled warmly.

They made it into the store. Remy was reminded of the high-end stores in New York City. White marble floors with gold veins smattered on them, high ceilings and chandeliers dotting the room. A short escalator as the focal point of the downstairs. There were eight cases for jewelry and perfume before the escalator. And more wracks of clothes than it looked like the place could hold.

"Where should we start?" Molly asked Violet.

"I think...we should get Remy a new suit," Violet smiled.

"I like that idea," Molly smiled like the cat that got the cream.

And so, for a full hour, they picked out outfits for Remy like he was their own personal Ken doll playing dress-up.

"That looks amazing on you, Remy," Molly's eyes glittered as her fiancee stood there in a three-piece grey suit with a teal tie and matching pocket square.

"As well it should," Remy smirked, "I make anything look amazing."

"Sorry," Molly waved her hands at violet, smiling apologetically, "Your son has vanity and ego issues we forgot to mention."

"He comes by it honestly, dear. Henry was just the same in his youth and I've been known to skip a meal or two to fit into a dress. Had some botox done too, for a brief period." Violet held her head high.

Remy blinked. Botox? Her? Well, everyone had their weaknesses.

They kept going, buying Remy a few new outfits. Then it was Molly's turn.
"I don't want to impose," Molly ducked her head staring into the floor, "This is yours and Remy's special time together."

"You're going to be part of the family soon, Molly. Please, I won't go overboard, just let me get you a couple of things," Violet insisted.

"...Okay. Sorry. I'm just used to only Remy buying me things," Molly was used to taking care of herself and Remy spoiling her.

They looked around and Remy found a couple of things he wanted Molly to try on, as did Violet. Molly went into the dressing room, soon coming back out in a vixen-like strapless glittering black gown that went down to the floor.
"It's pretty, but I've never worn a strapless dress before. I feel kind of naked," She worried.

Remy was too busy staring so hard, his eyes practically dried out. The dress hit in all the right places. Nevermind the gorgeous view of her bare shoulders.

"Nonsense! You look lovely. Remy? What do you think?" Violet asked.

"...Hm? Sorry, I was just trying to think what I did to deserve ma ange," Remy smiled.

"I guess I could get it if Remy's going to have that kind of reaction. Might get me out of trouble sometime,"

"Or get you into some trouble," Remy smirked.

"Not in front of your mother, sweetie," Molly gave him a light one-handed shove with a gentle smile before ducking back into the dressing room.


Time soldiered on and soon enough, they were driven to dinner at Remy's dad's house by one of the staff.

Remy was nervous again, but didn't want to show it as they rode down the New Orleans streets in a gorgeous black, ancient refurbished 40's Packard. The couple was in the back, while Violet was up front with their older driver. (The guy was still in his work suit. Very professional.)

"My heart is pounding, but you seem calm. I thought you'd be jumpy, like yesterday," Molly said in a low voice.

"Hey, I'm meeting my dad. I've had worse,"

"You're still nervous," Molly smirked knowingly.

"I am, but the first hurdle is over with and I know he'll like me. And he'll like you, of course."

"And the step-mom?" Molly stared into his eyes.

"We'll have to see on that," Remy said.

They soon arrived at the house. The driver promised to come back with them from a call from Violet. It was a modest one-story house painted green, with a cement porch, in a suburban neighborhood. There was a wire fence and kid's bikes and roller blades in the front yard. Nothing suspicious, nothing weird, but as Remy had learned, the most subtle, tiny things could be the things that hurt you. Or could be overlooked until it was too late.

They rang the bell and heard the familiar sound of screaming kids rushing to the door and loud, tromping feet. "Boys! You mind your manners, I just cleaned that rug this morning!" A female voice shouted. The door opened and Remy swallowed his heart back down his throat. "Hello there," Henry and the rest of his family stood around the inside of the doorway.

Henry was as just like the picture Remy had seen months ago. Tall, with Remy's impeccable jaw structure, a straight nose, thick stubble, and shaggy brown hair that hung in his eyes. A different chin than Remy, more pointy, but a fit build for a man his age. White shirt, blue jeans.

Next to him were the wife and kids. London was short, with cinnamon-colored skin, a heart-shaped face, slightly chubby with dark black hair worn up in a bun, and wavy bangs framing her face. Russo was tall and thin, and had light cinnamon skin with brown hair, with his mom's heart-shaped face. Whereas the younger, Ari, favored Henry through and through, pointy chin, short brown hair, and a smattering of freckles with his left front tooth missing. "Uh, hi," Remy waved.

Everyone stood there, perfectly awkward strangers.

"Well, let them inside before the bugs get at them!" London ordered. Everyone came in. The house was like any other. Living room on the right side, with tan couch and matching recliner,
a red rug. No fireplace, just a modest TV on the wall. There was an open concept kitchen straight ahead with a screen door going out to the back porch, and a hallway in the middle leading to the bedrooms and a bathroom. Nothing special, but it was cozy all the same.

"Well, look at you," Henry held Remy by the shoulders, giving him the once over, "Chip off the ol' block and then some. When Violet called me with the news, I couldn't half believe it, but here you are. Remy. Our Remy."

Remy was half-surprised by a tight hug. Wasn't expecting that. Not much, anyway.

"Come sit down. We have so much to catch up on," Henry said.

Everyone sat in the living room, after grabbing a couple of chairs from the kitchen table. They sat around.

"So, uh, what do you want to know?" Remy asked.

"Everything, boy! Where you grew up, what you did with your life. How you proposed to that fine young lady," Henry said.

"We didn't get properly introduced, sorry. I'm Molly, Remy's fiancee," Molly nodded.

London said something to Molly in Spanish and they had a short conversation.
"Uh, sorry," Molly said, "London was asking if I was Mexican or something else. Puerto Rican and white, so I'm not full-blooded anything, unlike Remy."

"I can always tell. The hair, the body, the small sense of ethnic pride every Latin carries themselves with," London said.

"My baby girl is the best of the best," Remy held Molly's hand.

"'Baby girl'! Listen to him, London. Smooth as silk!" Henry slapped his knee, delighted.

"Well, anyway, I got to grow up in New Orleans. It's a long story," Remy said.

"But first, I want to meet these sweet kids," Molly chimed in.

"Russo, ma'am," Russo nodded at her.

"I'm Ari. You're gonna be like our new sister, huh?" Ari said.

"Something like that," Molly smiled, "Later on, maybe Remy and I can take you out in the yard and show you something cool."

"Yeah!" Ari smiled hugely.

"So, anyway..." Remy launched into his living on the streets, subsequent adoption into the thieves guild, the cliff notes version of his time with Magneto's followers and with the X-Men, and up to meeting Molly.

"And we eventually got to be friends, then it turned into dating, and here we are. Rock on her hand and all," Remy finished,
"I'll tell you more over dinner."

"That's amazing, Remy!" London was enthralled with the story.

"More than amazing, babe. Remy is a certified superhero. I'm sorry we never got to raise you, but it sounds like you made a good life for yourself. And it's soon to say, but I couldn't be more proud if I tried."

"Uh, thanks." Remy said, "I'm gonna step out and get some air."

Remy all but ran out onto the front porch. He wasn't having a full-on panic attack, but he wasn't fine either.
Shortly, Molly followed him out.

"This is real, right? I'm not dreaming or something?" Remy stared her in the face.

"Come on, Remy. We all know your fantasies involve me in some two-piece on an empty beach somewhere. I know this is scary, but it's gonna be okay." She grabbed his hand in reassurance, letting go of it after a moment.

"This is all I ever wanted, dropped into my lap. I don't know what to feel. How to...react." Remy held out his hands.

"You don't have to act or react, baby," Molly said, rubbing his arms, "It's a first-time thing. Just take it one step at a time. Enjoy yourself. He's your dad. He'll understand. He's gotta be freaked out too, but he's...he's just too proud and happy to show it. Kind of like you." Tears reached Molly's eyes.

"I know it's real if you're crying," Remy scoffed, pulling her into his arms. She was pleasantly warm against his chest, "We can't both fall apart."

"Sorry!"

"I know, Cherie."

"I was three seconds from throwing up earlier."

"I know, Cherie."

"You're sure I'm not the one hallucinating?"

"Positive."

"Why?"

"I'm not practically naked in a speedo serving you mimosas."

"...oh, shut it, you."


They quietly went back inside. The adults were staring at them with worry and concern. The kids just looked confused.

"It's alright, honey. It's a lot," Violet smiled.

"I know, thanks," Remy said. He pulled Molly to sit back on the couch.

"So, anything you want to ask me?" Henry wondered, "We can take it slowly."

"Do you care that me and Molly are mutants? It's okay?" Remy asked straight-forward.

"I couldn't care less if you were just a skeleton covered in goo. Red eyes or not, your my boy. Someone else raised you, but we're blood. Nothing's going to change that," Henry was earnest. Loving. A real father, "And the same goes for Molly. She's gonna be family, so I accept her, no matter what she can do."

"Okay, great. Awesome." Remy smiled.

Silence.

"Anything else?" Henry asked.

"Can't think of anything just yet," Remy said, "Violet and I covered a lot of stuff last night. We've got plenty of time to talk. That was the big one. I just wanted to hear it from you myself."

"Good to know," Henry said.

"Well, dinner is ready when everyone else is," London stood up. The troop followed her to the kitchen and they sat at the table. It was enough food to feed an army, but Remy didn't mind. Typical of a southern household; Show extreme hospitality and open your home to your guests.

"This is delicious, thanks Miss London," Remy savored the spread.

"Just London Remy. You all are family," London smiled at him.

Remy looked over at Violet. She'd been pretty quiet since arriving. As corny as it sounded, he wanted his parents to still get along.

"So, you were going to finish telling all your stories," Russo said, "Right, big brother?"

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, sure...little brother" Remy said, trying it out, "So, uh, Molly and I had this big adventure. A scary one, mostly on her end, getting captured by evil scientists-"

"Oh my! Mi hermano, mi encante, mi encante!" London gasped.

"And after myself and the team swooped in to gallantly rescue her, it was after seeing her like...in a bad situation...I decided it was time to put a ring on it. I wanted to propose here, but I ended up going overboard-as usual-and proposed on top of the Eiffel tower instead." Remy said proudly.

"Typical," London rolled her eyes, "Henry did it in a hot air balloon, at dawn, with the letters spelled out in old history books because he couldn't afford flowers. I love history."

"For me, it was recreating our first date," Violet said, "But that's not important."

"Yes, it is," Remy smiled, "Tell us about it, uh, later."

Violet smiled at him. He didn't want to leave any of his new family feeling bad on this special night.

Everyone kept eating and making conversation. Remy had plenty of thieves guild stories and X-Men stories to keep them entertained for hours.

"Daddy, can I be an X-Man _and_ a thief when I grow up?" Ari asked.

"I thought you wanted to be a baseball player?" Henry said.

"That was last week."

"Just go start gathering up the trash, buddy." He ruffled the kid's hair.

Ari ran off into the hallway, happy like any normal kid.

"We'll have dessert later," London said, "I made spice cake and apple pie, I wasn't sure which you'd like."

"I told them how much you like pie," Violet said.

"Thanks," Remy smiled. They retired back to the living room.

"Well, we've talked a lot," Molly said, "But, if I can ask something..."

Remy raised an eyebrow. What was her game?

"Anything you want," Henry invited her.

"Did you really do everything in your power to try and find Remy after he was kidnapped? I just need to know," Molly's whole body bristled from Remy's view.

"Of course we did, Cherie," Henry smiled, "Turned New Orleans upside down and then some looking for him, but his so-called grandfather kept him well hidden. I risked my life a few times trying to find Remy, but wherever he was taken back then, he couldn't be found by us. It all worked out in the end, even if it wasn't a perfect ending."

"Uhm. Molly is very protective of me," Remy felt flushed, "_Very_ protective."

"Good. I just had to know, even if it was a long time ago." Molly said.

"Anything about Remy you want to know, Molly, I'll answer, but I expect straight answers from my future daughter-in-law as well. So, can you tell me about yourself?"

"That's fair," Molly said, with her usual warm smile, "I like reading, I'm quiet. I've been more animals than you can shake a stick at and I like them more than most people. I graduated college with a degree in computer graphics. I've got a job with billionaire Tony Stark on top of my job at the Institute. My favorite color is red, I snore, I'm too honest, I worry too much and I've put my life on the line for Remy and my friends on more than one occasion. And you should know, I didn't date anyone before him. He was it for me. We're getting married young, I know you might be concerned, but we'll make it work. And if I'm being really honest, you're the first people in a while that haven't looked at us weird for being together. We don't exactly look like we belong together because I'm paunch and he could be a model, so it's a sore spot for us. Thanks for that."

"When we were dating," London said, "We got looks too. My family wanted me to marry another Mexican, and when Henry was younger, he was just as handsome, so people never bought us being together either. But they accept it eventually."

"Ah, cool," Molly nodded. Remy could tell she didn't want to make Violet feel bad, "It's nice to see another couple that can, uh, relate."

"So, Violet, you were going to tell us how Henry proposed?" Remy said.

"Another time, Remy," Violet seemed unsettled, looking at him with hard eyes like she had to hold her tongue from snapping abruptly.

Molly nudged at Remy, sending him a look. One of those looks that said, 'Don't. Can't you see she's hurting?'.

"Umm...so maybe we can go outside and show everyone our powers?" Remy quickly changed the subject.

"We'd like that," Henry said, then yelling towards the hallway, "Boys, get in here!"

Russo and Ari appeared, and everyone went to the backyard.

Remy charged up some cards and threw them at a large, dead tree. It didn't fall over, but the burns from the blast were obvious.

"Woah!" Russo smiled big.

"Awesome! Cooler than cool!" Ari was beside himself.

"If you think that's something, pick an animal. Any animal," Molly smirked.

The boys looked at each other. "Alligator!" They said at the same time.

Molly transformed herself into a shiny scaled, nearly six-foot-long 'gator. A bit impressive, as she'd only been one once, to Remy's memory. The kids poked and prodded at her, climbing on her like she was a large dog instead.

"Are the boys safe doing that?" London worried, knuckles at her mouth.

"It's just Molly," Remy smiled, "Teeth and all. Safe as playing with a kitten." When the kids had nearly their fill, Molly walked off several feet and switched off to being a tiger. Russo and Ari had more fun with that than with the alligator.
Everyone else pulled up lawn chairs and continued conversation, watching the kids play.

"So, Remy, tell me more about yourself. The Xavier Institute and stuff," Henry said, "We hear about the X-Men on the news all the time, but that school sounds like something else."

"It's definitely something else," Remy handed off his phone, showing off pictures of the School and his friends. His other family,
"Imagine a boarding school, but make it ten times more chaotic. The only semblance of structure in the place is meal times and training sessions. We have rules and all, but the kids and teachers are also allowed a lot of free reign."

"I can imagine," Henry said, "So, anyway, you probably had girls lining up around the block before Molly, didn't you?"

"I did, but not at the school. Too young for me," Remy rubbed the back of his neck abashedly, "I've had plenty of girlfriends in my time, but I hope you can get to know Molly. There's lots of reasons I picked her. She's great."

"I get it, I get it," Henry said, "Got you wrapped around her finger and whipped. If you need anything for the wedding, don't hesitate to ask. We're not well off, but you can't afford to be poor taking care of two growing boys either."

"Yeah, Molly and I talked about it," Remy said, "We were hoping you and Violet would want to chip in. It's only right. We don't have too much left to buy, but every bit helps. The honeymoon is taken care of, but ma ange is going crazy with the decorations and things. She wants everything to be perfect."

"Brides always do, Remy," Violet finally smiled, "I'm in. We'll talk later."

"I'll cut you a check before you leave," Henry said, "I've got to work tomorrow and the rest of the week, but the boys and I will take you out soon. Go fishing, I promise. Just the four of us."

"I'd like that," Remy said.

Molly and the boys dragged themselves back to the small throng.
"Whoo! These two have the energy of ten kids. I don't know how you reign them in."

"We try," London said.

"Molly," Violet said, "Can I steal you away to the trip to the spa tomorrow?"

"Uh, sure."

"And this weekend," London said, "We can go to the bookstore. Remy said you like reading."

"Sounds good," Molly nodded, looking uncomfortable.

Remy saw that he wasn't going to be the only one being fought over for both side's attention.
"Petite, hey," Remy pulled her to him, "You wanna go inside and call Scott? Let him in the others know we're doing okay? I'm sure they're curious." It got her out of the "line-of-fire" and gave her a chance to breathe a moment.

"Yeah, okay," Molly went inside.

"Tell us more about your friends, Remy," London asked.

Remy started telling them about his friends, feeling more comfortable than earlier. He had a whole other family now to get to know, and it was overwhelming,
but filled that missing part of his life that had been the unknown for so long. He wasn't going to get sappy about it, but it warmed him inside to now have parents and new brothers. An actual mother. They accepted him, mutant or not, checkered past or not. It was more than he could've hoped for all his days.


Later on, they finished dessert and started packing up to head out. Hugs all around, promises to get together, that sort of thing.
Remy opened the door to lead them out when he saw a familiar face standing there.

"Julien?"

Julien Beaudreaux looked just as surprised as Remy was. "LeBeau? What are you doin' here?"

"Long story short, he's my son," Henry said, "You know each other?"

"Unfortunately," Julien said, "Here's your money, Henry. I gotta get out of here, the air is getting a little thin." Julien handed over a rolled-up wad of cash and made his leave in an ostentatious red mustang.

"How do you know him?" Remy demanded of Henry, "What's going on?" This couldn't have been anything good, Remy knew it for certain.

"Just a little business, nothing to worry about. Something to help pay the bills," Henry had Remy's 'I'm innocent' look on his face. A sharp smile paired with big eyes.

"Sometimes keeping your scruples is a little more important than bills, Henry," Violet stared at her ex with suddenly dark eyes, "We'll talk more later. Keep in touch."
The three of them piled into the waiting car outside, the mood going from joyful to somber in a snap.

"I don't get it," Remy said, "What business has he got with that snake Julien? Did you know about this?"

"No. I'm sorry Remy. If I did, I would've told you. Most of the rich people around here know about the Rippers versus the Guilds, so Julien's name gets tossed around.
I never imagined Henry would stoop to doing anything shady, but people change. We'll talk to him about it and get it sorted," Violet said.

"It'll be okay, Remy. Whatever it is, we're in it together," Molly squeezed his hand.

Remy had been wrong. The other shoe had dropped and he didn't like it. Not one bit.


A.N: I love my new "children" Russo and Ari. SO CUTE! (Russo is one of those names I wouldn't normally pick, sounds more like a last name to me, but it's also very French. Ari is the name that never stuck for the rabbit I had (re-homed to us, named Dookie) and one I always liked. Normally short for Ariel (it's a girl's name to me), but I think it stands on it's on better for a boy as it is.