A/N: Wow, you guys are truly the best:) You're reviews mean the world to me! :) SO this chapter is the longest yet I think, but I don't think I'll be able to post tomorrow, so hopefully this can tide you over for a few days! :)
And I know that Christmas was a couple months ago, but it wasn't when I wrote it, so let's just go with it ;)
Please R&R!
Sunday, November 18th, 1963,
There is no way I can possibly put my current feelings in words. Excited, obviously, but nervous too. Erik has put lots of work into this, and I hope for him that it really does work.
Last night, as I was reading Fredrick Syncline's new book on genetics, Erik gave me what maybe the single-greatest gift I will ever receive. A cure. After living in a wheel-chair for more than a year, I was finally beginning to accept my predicament. But now, Erik has brought me hope.
I spent a good two hours listening to Erik explain. I'm happy to say that Emmett Farthing is my true savior. Erik found out about his mutation and quickly got in contact with him. Mr. Farthing is a time traveling mutant. I am not yet sure of all that he is capable of, but I will soon. In return for retrieving my cure, Erik has promised a place for him to stay. With us. And train for us. For what he has done for me, it is the least I can give back.
According to Erik, Emmett traveled to the year 2076 to retrieve my leg-saving medicine. Apparently, in the years to come, this medicine is easily available with a 95% success rate. Either way, Hank tested its safeness, and it got his stamp of approval! I'm to take my first injection tomorrow.
I can feel Erik coming back from his run, so I must stop for the night.
Charles Francis Xavier
Tuesday, November 20th, 1963,
I had the pleasure of meeting Emmett today, and I must say, he is a wonderful chap. He is quite intelligent for only 22 years-of-age. We are lucky to have him, and I am very excited to continue to learn more about him.
I took my first injection yesterday. Nothing noteworthy yet, but I'll keep you posted.
Charles Francis Xavier
Friday, November 23rd, 1963,
Erik kneed me in the leg this morning while we were both asleep and I awoke. Is this the first sign of feelings?
Charles Francis Xavier
Saturday, November 24th, 1963,
I began my training with Emmett this morning. As far as I can tell, when he travels, he cannot come in physical or verbal contact with anyone. It seems that he appears invisible to everyone. However, he is capable of bringing objects back and forth with him. I hope to find out if people are included in this. Truly a marvelous mutation.
Charles Francis Xavier
Monday, November 26th, 1963,
It's been a week since my first injection and I have to say, my legs are stiff. I'm starting to regret not agreeing to physical training for my legs back at the hospital. Maybe constant stretching of my stumps for legs back then would have ridded me of my current pain. If only I knew a time traveler who could actually communicate with people…O well, Erik and I are going to attempt standing tomorrow.
Charles Francis Xavier
Tuesday, November 27th, 1963,
Standing's a no-go for the moment. Erik went to get ice.
Charles Francis Xavier
Saturday, December 1, 1963,
Has Erik always kicked this much in his sleep? I think it's safe to say that I have full feeling in my legs now. Time to work on mobility.
Charles Francis Xavier
Monday, December 3rd, 1963,
Stood today. Maybe I was heavily leaning on Erik before I collapsed, but it's a start nonetheless.
Charles Francis Xavier
Wednesday, December 5th, 1963,
Trained again in the Danger Room. Today we fought cyborgs in the frozen tundra. I think the room is able to read Emmett's memories of the future.
Charles Francis Xavier
Thursday, December 6th, 1963,
I actually stood today. No supports or anything. The feeling was very groovy. It appears there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Charles Francis Xavier
Monday, December 10th, 1963,
I feel like a baby learning to walk again. I'm not admitting to any tears or bruises on my head from falling into tables, but I can suddenly relate to a poor year-old child. I cannot believe the pressure we put on them.
Erik even suggested I try crawling at one point. The image of a 25-year-old crawling. Ha. But maybe he has a point…
Charles Francis Xavier
Tuesday, December 11th, 1963,
So apparently a houseful of teenagers doesn't accept a full grown man crawling around the house.
Charles Francis Xavier
Saturday, December 15, 1963,
I guess a cane is the solution to all of our problems. I managed to walk from the chess set to the bed all by myself. Maybe it wasn't the prettiest sight, but I did it anyways!
Charles Francis Xavier
Monday, December 17th, 1963,
Put up the tree and decorated the mansion today. It's hard to believe that Christmas is in just a week!
Charles Francis Xavier
Saturday, December 22nd, 1963,
Erik and I went gift shopping for the kids today. It was my first time out in public without my wheelchair. Surely no one knew that, but it was a milestone for sure. I have to say though, using a cane makes me feel more like an old man than I ever have. Luckily, as the days progress, I feel less need for the silly thing.
Charles Francis Xavier
Tuesday, December 25th, 1963,
I think today is the day. Truly a Christmas miracle.
Charles Francis Xavier
xxxxx
Charles set down his pen and closed the journal. He stifled a small yawn. He and Erik had been up late last night wrapping presents, only to be awoken by the voices of excited teenagers at 5:30.
Erik and the kids were already downstairs. Charles promised to be downstairs in a few minutes, hoping to make some sort of entrance. He looked at his clock. 6 minutes had passed. He stood up and walked out of the study, leaving the cane by the desk.
Charles walked down the hallway and over to the main staircase. The staircase, without a cane.
Maneuvering the stairs was a daunting task, but it luckily felt close to normal. He didn't use the railing any more than he remembered he used to. If he was relating it to a different time, it would probably be equivalent to stumbling up the stairs drunk.
Charles was standing on the last landing when he heard the chatter of six overly excited voices – Erik's included. Lucky for Charles, the last flight of the stairs is easily seen from the main sitting room. The first person to notice him was Hank, who gave a fake cough, silencing the room. He nodded his head towards the staircase.
Raven was the first one to say anything. "Charles?" she said with a mix of emotions. She quickly got up off the floor, and ran up the stairs, pulling him into a hug. She pushed him back a step, looked down at his legs, and then back at his face, the amount of teeth showing in his grin would make Erik proud.
Charles was quickly accompanied on the stairs by Hank, Alex and Sean. Hank was muttering something about the 'speed of recovery time,' Alex was making a sarcastic remark that Charles didn't understand, and Sean stood looking confused, not understanding what the fuss was about.
"He's walking, idiot," Charles heard Alex whisper to Sean, whose eyes flew open like he finally understood a dirty joke.
Charles directed his gaze over his shoulder, into the sitting room. Emmett and Erik were both sitting on chairs, deep in conversation. The latter had a smug smile fixed upon his face. Charles looked back at the attention around him.
"Right. So, gifts?" he asked, wanting to go down by Erik. The group let Charles go down first, jaw gaping as he walked down them. The other four quickly came down after him, sitting in various places all over the room. Charles walked over to the chair Erik was currently occupying, and sat down.
"Off."
"I'm rather comfy, but thank for the offer."
Giving up, Erik sighed. "Congratulations," he whispered into Charles's ear.
"All thanks to you darling."
They opened Sean's gift first. He had given everyone earplugs, more so as a joke. Hank mumbled something about them 'not being done in the lab yet.' Apparently Alex doesn't believe in gift giving, only recieving.
Raven grabbed a present from under the tree and handed it to Charles. "For you."
"From?"
"Me silly," Raven said, leaning back against the couch. Charles unwrapped it and pulled out a set of gray knit gloves.
"Gloves?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. With fingers. I don't understand the purpose of those other things you always wear." He heard Erik snort.
"Hey! They are per-"
"Don't even try your defend your insanity," Raven laughed, "Erik! We got something for you too!"
"We?" Erik asked suspiciously.
"Me and Charles!"
"Is that so?" Erik said, nudging Charles who was still on his lap. "Did someone forget a certain pact about 'no gifts'?"
"Yes, but another certain someone gave me back my legs. Consider this the first gift of many. And! In my defense…she made me do it!"
"O, would you two stop bickering and let Erik open it already?" Raven cried. Erik held a large, skinny rectangular box.
"Charles Francis Xavier, if you got me clothes…" Erik joked, laughing as Charles's face turned bright red. Erik unwrapped the gift and opened the box. Inside were six turtlenecks: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
"Blue and Black turtlenecks get dull Erik," Raven explained.
"Don't forget the purple one he wore before Cuba!" Sean piped in.
"Charles and I think you need to brighten up your wardrobe," Raven finished.
"And you agreed to this?" Erik asked Charles, amused.
"I think you should wear the yellow one today," and embarrassed Charles muttered, unsure if he wanted Erik to hear or not.
"What's that?" Erik laughed, "The yellow one? Well…if my lab rat insists…" He yanked his white t-shirt he had slept in over his head, and pulled the yellow turtleneck back over. "You happy now?" Erik managed to say in-between fits of laughter. The room filled with hysterics as Charles buried his face in his hands. "Now. Which one would Charles look best in?"
"None, thanks."
"You sure? I think green would make you look like a beautiful young leprechaun!"
"I don't want these images…" Alex moaned.
"Still good with none thanks," Charles mumbled into his hands.
"Alright," Erik said, patting a hand on Charles's shoulder, "but don't expect to get off this east next time."
Charles groaned "There's going to be a next time?"
Sean changed the topic as quickly as possible. "What's that big box back there?" Charles looked up, noticing the rather large gift he too didn't recognize.
"It's from me," Emmett spoke out, a large grin on his face.
"Emmett you didn't ha-"
"Nah, it's okay. And I'm sure you'll love it," he said pulling out one big box, and a few miscellaneous other ones too.
Sean unwrapped the big one. "Whoa…it's hu- wait. What is it?"
Emmett laughed, "That, my friend, is a TV."
"No it's not! No way do they make TVs this big. If they did, I'd know about it."
"Maybe TVs this big don't exist in the 1960s, but the 2000s, is a different story."
"So this is from the…?" Charles asked.
"Yup. Open up the other boxes too." Along with the TV, Emmett gave the group what he called a DVD/Blu-Ray player, surround-sound, and stacks of movies. They all got various movies to share. In the stack included movies like Finding Nemo and other 'Disney Classics'. He brought musicals like The Sound of Music and Grease. Charles made a note not to watch The Shining by himself. According to Emmett, Star Wars was the greatest movie ever made. "Just the originals, not the prequels. Though if you wanted them, I could always go and get them."
Along with the shared DVDs, Raven got a set of her own, which according to Emmett were all 'girly crap'. Many titles made Charles laugh – 'When Harry Met Sally', '50 First Dates', and 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' amoung his favorites. "I'll set it all up sometime today."
The group went off to their own little world after that. "Celebratory walk?" Erik asked Charles.
"Sounds wonderful," they headed toward the door. Sean had begun to follow them, but Raven pulled him back to the floor.
xxxxx
Charles and Erik trudged through the newly fallen snow outside the mansion. Charles's hands were shoved deep in his pockets, casually bumping shoulder with Erik every few steps.
"You know, I didn't even think about it 'til now," Charles said, looking down at the ground.
"'bout what?"
"Hanukkah. Isn't that what you would normally celebrate around this time of the year?"
"O. Well I supposed, but it's okay. This Christmas thing isn't half bad."
"We could still…"
"Surely you know that we'd have needed to start a few days ago."
"We could always start it late."
"Charles," Erik said stopping, looking down at him, "I haven't celebrated since I was 11. I think I can wait one more year."
"Alright." They continued to walk the path around the mansion.
"I kinda like this," Charles said softly after a couple minutes.
"Like what?"
"I don't know… This. Walking. The snow. You…"
Erik put an arm around Charles's shoulder, "I like this too," he said, lightly kissing the top of the telepath's head.
xxxxx
It all started when Charles suggested that they go out for celebratory drinks. They agreed to go out to the first bar they found that was crazy enough to be open on Christmas. When Charles made the suggestion, no one besides Raven and Erik knew what they were in for.
When they arrived at a place logically named The Bar, they were amazed to find they wouldn't be along. Charles quickly set the rules straight. "Right. Now, Alex, Hank, Sean – no alcohol. Raven," he eyed her, hoping she caught his drift, "…you too." She nodded. "Right then. Erik?"
xxxxx
6 drinks latter, Charles started to show signs. "You know Erik; you look very groovy in that yellow turtleneck. Are you aware that I may have…persuaded…Hank to use yellow in the suits," he slurred, attempting to tap the side of his head. "And that was all for you love." Erik rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the drunk Brit standing next to him.
"Is he always like that?" Emmett asked Alex as the set of five watched the scene from a distance. Alex shrugged.
"Yup," Raven answered instead, "Ever since Oxford. He'd have normally attempted to hit on at least five girls by now if he didn't have Erik. Actually, I'm surprised he hasn't forgot about Erik yet…o wait…"
They watched Charles walk away from Erik – who was ignoring him – over to an auburn haired college girl. From a distance, they were still able to hear a few words. 'MCL1', 'groovy', and 'life form' being the most prominent. They watched Erik walk over and grab the back of Charles's shirt, pulling him back to the bar like nothing was new.
At 11:30 they approached their two elders, asking to go home. Charles attempted to refuse, but Erik quickly agreed.
"Professor, you should probably put on those gloves Raven gave you," Hank suggested. "It is cold out, and when you're…intoxicated, you'll be less apt to…"
"Yes, alright," Charles muttered, pulling out the gloves. "But Raven, you really didn't need to get me anything. A nephew will be the best gift of all, minus my legs of course!"
Raven's jaw dropped. Erik quickly fumbled to put a hand over Charles's mouth. The boys' eyes grew wide.
"Wait you're…" Hank mumbled, eyes shooting from her stomach to her face, and back again. "…when?"
"When you idiot? How about who?" Alex remarked, "It was that Azazel. Wasn't it? That's disgusting you know. Isn't he like…100?"
Raven turned around, and headed down the sidewalk filled with rage.
"Whoa. What's wrong with her?" Sean asked. Everyone besides Charles shot him a glare. He held up his hands in surrender. "Whoa! What's with you people?"
"I may have just…let it slip that Raven's…pregnant," Charles said, suddenly feeling more sober.
"Wait she's…" Sean said, trying to phrase words into sentences, "…but she doesn't look…"
"Dude, she's morphing it. I've only been here for a month and I can tell you that!"
"Surely that's not good for the…" Hank said to himself. "I'll have to run tests to sure it's…"
"I don't think now's the right time Hank," Erik said placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked to Charles, "I'd normally suggest you go talk to her, but I think we can all agree you're not at your best right now."
Charles nodded, then face palmed himself. He leaned into the wall behind him, "What have I done?" he muttered, slowly sliding down the brick wall.
Erik wanted to comfort Charles, but he knew was needed elsewhere.
xxxxx
When Erik found Raven, she was seated alone on a park bench; only visible by the light glow of the street lamp. He sat down next to her. "Alright, I know I'm not your brother, but we both know he's not feeling the best at the moment. If you prefer me to go get Hank I'd understand…"
She managed a small laugh. "No, you'll be okay," she said sliding a little closer to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he put an arm around her.
"I know you're not happy with him, but if you think about it, he did you a favor. You were going to have to tell them at some-point, and now he just got rid of the horrifying when and how part."
"I suppose…"
"And now, no more hiding," he said softly. Raven knew how much he hated people who hid themselves. Erik set a hand on her stomach, and she morphed her blonde persona, slowly revealing a small bump. "Perfection."
"Thank you," he saw the corners of her eyes tinted red.
Erik nodded, suddenly feeling a wave of sympathy for the mutant sitting next to him.
xxxxx
Charles started the next day with a killer of a headache. When he walked down stairs, he was glad to find Raven in a good mood. She was sitting in the main room watching a movie. Most of the household was with her in the room, minus Hank.
"Which one is the-oooh, no loud noises please," Charles moaned, rubbing the sides of his head as he sat next to Erik on the couch.
Erik clapped his hands three times, nice and loudly in Charles's ear. "Little Hung-over, are we Professor?"
"It's times like these that I wish my mutation was to turn off all senses." Erik gave a truly evil laugh. They continued to watch whatever was playing. Much of it made no sense. Many of the people wore the weirdest clothes, while using phones with no chords that were like strange TV like devices that did numerous tasks for them.
When the credits rolled, Raven seemed happy. Erik was far from it. "Do the people in the future have no creativity? The past 3 movies I've seen had the exact same plot. They meet, fall in love, something bad happens, they hate each other and somehow live happily ever after."
"Are you telling me you've never experienced anything similar?" Charles prodded, raising an eyebrow.
"That's the horror of chick-flicks," Emmett explained. "I suggest you try Star Wars."
Apparently Charles, Erik and Raven didn't enjoy Star Wars as much as they should have. Alex and Sean were a different story.
"When does Star Wars come out?" Sean asked excitedly.
"1977," Emmett replied.
"Darn. That's like…" Sean held his fingers up in front of him.
"14 years," Alex said.
"Yeah! That's like 14 years! I'll be an old fart like Charles then!"
Emmett put in the Shining next. Erik disapproved of that one too. He began to stand up, grumbling something about Hollywood 'not knowing true horror'. However, Charles pulled him back down and clung onto his arm. It was the bathroom scene, and there was no way Charles was letting Erik leave the room.
Emmett was fed up with Erik's poor reactions. Convinced to keep his interest, he put in Inception. That was the winner. Charles watched as Erik twitched his face, trying to figure out the plot.
In the end run, Charles deemed it a good day. He could definitely get used to this kind of environment.
So if you can't tell, I have I strong feeling against Chick-flicks! And there was fatherly!Erik in their too! And please don't kill me for giving Charles his legs back...you don't realise how hard it is to write an entire chapter and then realise Charles is in a wheelchair and you have to go back and rewrite the whole thing :P so I have my reasons! :D
I hope this will tide you over til the next chapter! Please review!