Chapter 7

Thanks to everyone for the great reviews. They help to keep me motivated. Hope you enjoy the update.

/

Ororo knew from the start that her decision would not be received well.

She remained in her room the rest of the day and waited for her father, and the quarrel that would no doubt follow.

A long, wet sigh moved beyond her full lips.

Truth be told, Ororo was tired of always having to fight.

Fight to live.

Fight to be seen.

Fight to be heard.

Fight to be understood

Fight for acceptance that she acknowledge may never come.

Unconsciously her hand began to caress the barely there roundness of her belly.

"When our paths cross one day, I pray to the goddess that you both understand why I must do this."

As she watched the day change from mid-day to early evening, she wondered with no lack of frustration when Charles would actually make an appearance.

The wait was making her antsy.

And when he finally arrived at her door…

It was to ask her if she would be joining them in the dinning room or if she preferred to have her meal in her room.

Ororo started at her father open- mouthed, her perfectly manicured eyebrow arched in question.

Huh?

She searched his face carefully for the deception behind his words, but she found none.

Charles offered a small smile at his dumbstruck daughter.

He knew that Ororo had been in her room mentally preparing for a verbal battle with her father.

And though he acknowledged it was a tad cruel on his part, he had purposely made her wait.

It both amused and saddened him to see the look on her face. The fact that his past behavior led her to only consider the worst possible outcome.

The amusement he felt at the look on her face was overwhelmed by a sudden bolt of anger.

Not at Ororo.

But at himself.

However, that anger would benefit no one.

The past was the past and he could do nothing to change it.

Fortunately, he had been blessed with the opportunity to right his wrongs, and he was not about to take that for granted.

Shaking the negative feeling aside, he once more focused on Ororo.

"Is there something wrong, my dear? You are not feeling ill are you?"

Ororo tried to answer him, but found it impossible. She was literally shocked into silence.

"Child, please do say something. Do I need to get Hank or Jean?" he asked urgently, fearing something may indeed be wrong with her.

Seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, Ororo finally came to herself enough to form an answer.

"No. No daddy, there is no need. I am feeling fine. You are feeling fine also, yes?" She asked cautiously.

She was silently thinking that maybe HE was the one who needed to seek medical help.

Charles chuckled lightly.

"Yes, Ororo. I assure you I am alright. Now, may I escort you to the dinning room, or should I have Scott bring you your meal?"

Ororo blinked once…twice, desperate to clear the bafflement that had permeated her mind.

Was this some kind of joke?

"Dinner. You came to ask me about dinner? Nothing more?" Ororo asked in disbelief.

"Well yes. Unless of course there was something else you wished to discuss?"

Ororo's sighed as her right hand furiously ran back and forth across her forehead.

"I thought that you…I was sure that…well earlier Jean and I were speaking and…I told her…I thought for sure she would…and that you-"

"Ororo, you seem to be having some difficulty in your communication. Do you mind if I offer you a bit of assistance?"

Ororo looked wide-eyed at Charles and nodded her head in the affirmative.

"You were expecting me to come here because of what you shared with Jean earlier. Yes, Jean did inform me of your decision regarding the babies. I will admit, I am surprised at your resolution and I while cannot say that I agree-"

"Daddy, I…" Ororo launched into her planned defense, but Charles raised a hand to stop her.

"Please, Ororo, let me finish. Now, as I was saying, I do not agree with you choice, however it is your choice to make, not mine. I want to know that despite my personal feelings, I will support you any way I can."

Ororo was stunned at Charles declaration.

She had replayed this scenario in her head for hours.

Those scenarios never played out like this.

Instead of being furious, he was offering support?

She was forced to sit down on her bed, her legs threatening to give out under the surge of relief that flooded her veins.

"I do not understand. I thought for sure…" she turned tear filled eyes to Charles.

"I though for sure you would be angry with me. I do not understand?" she finished, her voice barely above a whisper.

Charles looked up towards the sky line, guilt heavy in his heart.

Only recently has he realized how his constant criticism, his need to control every aspect of her life, had done more harm than his intended good.

A sad, self-depreciating smile formed on his lips.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The smile fell from Charles' lips as he moved his chair close enough to take her small hand in his.

Ororo closed her eyes, trying to stop the tears from falling. Eventually a lonely, fat tear fell on their joined hands.

"Ororo, I am sorry for upsetting you. That was not my goal, I assure you." Charles attempted to catch her eyes, but she kept them closed.

He placed his hand under her chin, lifting it so she could see him.

"Sweetheart, open your eyes. Look at me." he coaxed softly

Ororo slowly opened her eyes, letting the tears fall freely now.

He used his thumb to brush away her hot tears.

"After my break-up with Moira, I resigned myself to the fact that I might never have a family. The day she walked out the front door, she took my dreams with her.

In order to fill the void in my life, I dedicated myself to the mutant cause. For some time, it was enough, it had to be enough because that was all I had."

"Daddy, I never knew. You, more than anyone I know, deserved to be happy."

A smile of thanks graced his handsome faced as he continued on.

"So, you see, when one day Moira arrived here with a small boy in tow, I was thrilled to take him in. It took some time to gain his trust and establish a relationship, but after the first few months, it was like we had never known a day without each other. Suddenly, I did not feel so alone anymore. Scott quickly became the son I never believed I would ever have, perfect in every way. He was extremely intelligent, a quick study, a natural born leader, and fiercely loyal. Not much different from the man he is today. I loved him, and as far as we were concerned, we were complete. Imagine, then, how I felt when I first locked eyes with a tiny, blue-eyed, goddess?"

Ororo smiled at the pleasant memory.

"I never believed in such things as love at first sight or happily ever afters until that very moment. I fell totally in love with you, and I swore I would move heaven and earth to ensure you knew not another day of grief or pain. And anyone who dared to try to take you from me, or harm you, would surely die."

He took her small hand in his.

"Ororo" Charles voice hoarse with emotion. "All I ever desired was to give you all of the love and protection you deserved. Making you happy, made me happy. Please believe that it was never my intention to hurt you, to make you feel inferior to anyone, especially your brother. Believe me when I say I love you both. It is because of that love that I will support you in whatever you do. I want you to know I trust you with your life."

Ororo's tears seemed to know no end, and she made no attempt to stop them.

"Daddy, do you mean these things you have said? Please do not feed me false words just to placate me."

"Never, sweetheart. I love you and I am sorry that I ever made you doubt my feelings for you. Forgive me."

It was a good thing Charles was already sitting down, because Ororo launched herself into his arms with enough force that they would have fallen had he been standing.

Ororo buried her wet face in Charles's neck, her tears of relief soaking through the collar of his shirt.

In that moment, she released the years of hurt and anger over her parents death.

The short, but horrendous time she spent on the streets of Cairo.

The fear that she was a disappointment to her family.

The embarrassment of her current condition.

The agony she was sure to feel when she gave away her children.

Ororo gave it all to Charles that night in her room, her carefully erected walls crumbling down at her feet, threatening to crush her under there weight.

And true to his word, Charles was there to catch her before she could fall.

Gradually, Ororo's sobs subsided, but they refused to move and disturb the precious peace that surrounded them.

It had been much too long since they were able to just enjoy each other like this, and they were both hesitant to welcome in the world that lay beyond the 4 walls of her suite.

Here, there was no Professor X.

No Storm, of the X-Men.

No one had run away.

No adoption to consider.

All that existed was a father and his beloved daughter.

Eventually, the comfortable silence was broken by Ororo's rumbling stomach.

Ororo blushed and smiled sweetly at Charles.

"Sorry. It seems as though the little ones are trying to tell us that they are in need of sustenance." she laughed lightly as her hand moved over her middle.

Charles lips formed a slight grin as he secretly acknowledged the warmth in Ororo's voice when she spoke of the babies.

Maybe, just maybe…

He leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead.

"No need to apologize, child. Now, why don't you go freshen up, and I shall wait for you in the dinning room."

Ororo nodded her assent, and removed herself from his lap.

Charles had just opened the door to leave when Ororo's voice stopped him.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, my dear?"

"I am not sure if I believe in love at first sight, but I do believe in you." and with that she disappeared into he bathroom.

This time, it was Charles' turn to cry.

/

Ororo sat on the front porch of the mansion enjoying the early morning air.

It was now early spring, perfect time to take flight and enjoy the emerging sights and sounds nature.

Too bad Ororo was grounded due to the expanse of her belly.

Ororo let loose an emotionally laden sigh as she absently caressed her mid-section.

Just a couple more weeks to go, and the babies would be born.

It still amazed her how fast time had gone.

After the conversation with Charles in her room, Ororo announced that she wanted to obtain her teaching license in order to begin teaching at the school.

Not only that, but once she was physically able, she would be taking her rightful place by Scott's side as co-leader of the X-Men.

She was finally ready to put her childish ways behind her and emerge as a responsible adult.

Ororo had immersed herself in her goal for a productive future, hoping it would distract her from her growing belly.

Her plan failed miserably.

Despite all else, she could not help the bond that existed between her and the babies.

She was never completely alone with them around.

Ororo talked to them often, amazed at the new things they would do daily.

She steadily tried to ignore the sharp stab of regret she felt every time she would remind herself it was a bad idea to keep interacting with them because she was not keeping them.

Ororo looked down at the twins, who had finally settled down after a lengthy game of tag.

"I know that despite all, I have made the right decision. I just hope that when we do meet again, you will understand and forgive me."

"Talking to yourself now?" Scott as he made his way over to her.

Over the last few months, their relationship had mended.

They were once again close, but the relationship was different. It was healthier for both of them.

He had surprised her with his support, even helping her study and test for her teaching license.

Ororo greeted him with a bright smile.

"I confess, I am guilty as charged. It is a good thing you came along, yes?" she teased.

Scott took a seat next to her and handed her a glass of orange juice.

"I guess it is." Scott looked over her person before his eyes rested on her belly.

"You were up awful early this morning. You feeling alright?" he asked, his eyes moving back to her face.

Without a second thought, Ororo placed her hands on her middle.

"These two decided to have an early morning game of tag. I guess they woke me up to keep score."

Ororo's action did not go unnoticed by Scott.

He knew the window they had was quickly closing with her approaching due date. An opportunity like this would probably not present itself again.

And he was going to take it.

"Are you ready?" he asked gently, his eyes flashing towards her frame.

"Oh yes, Scott. I am extremely uncomfortable and achy. These last few weeks seem to be dragging on forever"

"Ro, that's not what I was talking about."

Ororo fell silent, turning away from Scott.

"I know." Ororo turned back to face Scott, her sad smile and somber voice revealing her depth of emotion.

"You can always change your mind you know."

"That is not possible, dear brother."

"Sure it is, Ro. It happens all the time. I have known you forever, and I know you don't really want to give them up. It's written all over your face." he pleaded with her.

"It is not a matter of what I want, Scott. I need to do what is best for all of us. Trust me, this is for the best."

"How can you…" he began.

"Scott!" Ororo gasped almost breathless.

Scott stood up and started to pace the length of the porch.

"Please, just hear me out. You don't have to do this alone, we all…"

"SCOTT!"

The urgency in her voice had him turning towards her about to ask what was wrong.

Ororo was still sitting in the same spot, but now her face was drained of blood and there was a puddle of water at her feet.

"Holy shit, Ororo, what the hell happened?" he asked as he kneeled down beside her and took hold of her hand.

"I…I think my water broke!"

"Why would it do that!" he asked in a panic.

"How the hell would I know. Stop asking such ridiculous questions and do something!"

"Like what!"

"Contact Jean, Hank…somebody." just then a painful moan escaped her lips.

"Shit…shit." he yelled as he lifted Ororo in his arms.

~~Jean…JEAN!~~

~~What is it Scott?~~

~~Get Hank and the Professor now! I'm on my way down to the medlab with Ororo. Her water just broke!"~~

~~Oh, God! We're not ready!~~

~~I don't think the babies care, Jean, so you guys better get ready cause here they come.~~

Scott burst through the lab doors to be greeted by Hank, Jean and Charles.

Hank calmly directed Scoot to place Ororo on the delivery table, then asked him to step aside.

"Hank, I am not due for another 2 weeks at least. Are the babies going to be alright?" Ororo asked, her voice laced with worry.

Hank looked up at her distressed eyes, laying a soothing hand on her right knee to soothe her.

"I assure you, my dear. There is no reason to believe that they will not be healthy. Now, I need you to relax as much as you can. Concentrate on your breathing and conserve your strength. This may take some time." he finished as he started his exam.

In actuality, they did not have to wait long.

Despite this being Ororo's first delivery, 2 hours later, the first baby arrived.

On April 15th, Baby Boy Munroe came into the world weighing in at 4lbs 6oz and 19 inches long.

It was no surprise to Hank and Jean that he was so small.

Ororo's morning sickness plagued her throughout her pregnancy. It was not until the last month that she was able to eat a more normal diet.

After a quick check, Hank placed the baby in Jean's waiting arms.

Jean cradled the baby lovingly as she conducted a visual inspection of him.

Without hesitation, she approached an exhausted Ororo.

"Ro, you have a son. Would you like to hold him?"

The other three occupants in the room held their breathes while they waited for her answer.

Ororo closed her eyes and turned her face into Scott's shoulder, who had been supporting her during delivery.

Her chest rising and falling quickly, desperate to hold back her sobs.

"No, I do not wish to see him."

Hank busied himself with preparing Ororo to deliver baby number 2, as Scott and Jean shared a worried look.

Scott opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Charles moving over to the trio.

He shook his head, silently telling them to drop it.

Charles and Jean proceeded over to the area that had been set up for the newborns, checking him over and cleaning him up.

No one really had time to ponder the situation because just as Jean got the baby settled, Ororo was once again hit with contractions.

With one last gut wrenching scream before losing consciousness, Baby Girl Monroe came into the world at 10:10am at 2lbs 6oz and 18 inches long.

She was the tiniest scrap of femininity that any of them had ever laid eyes on.

And she was not breathing.

A flurry of activity broke out immediately.

Hank quickly checked to verify that Ororo's fainting was due to exhaustion and not excessive bleeding. Once he assured himself that she was in no danger, he turned his full attention to the little baby girl.

Despite both Hank and Jean's efforts, 30 seconds later there was no response from the baby.

Jean turned to Hank. "We have to incubate her now!" Jean ordered as she started grabbing the tubing.

As the doctors started grabbing the life saving equipment, Charles moved over to the baby and picked her up off the table.

She was so tiny she fit in one hand.

"Charles, what are you doing. We need to do this now!" Hank bellowed.

"Not, yet, give her a moment and she will breathe."

"We do not have a moment, Charles. She is going to die."

"I said give her a moment, damn you!"

Hank grabbed his fur in frustration, as Jean stood by helpless.

Charles looked down at his granddaughter and spoke to her as he rubbed her chest.

"Come now, little one. Breathe for me."

Nothing.

His voice became more demanding.

"Come on, come on…you can do it, just breathe!"

Still nothing.

"Professor, we are running out of time!" Jean cried desperately.

"Dad!" Scott yelled frantically.

And then, in a booming voice that they did not even know Charles possessed came the words.

"I COMMAND YOU TO BREATHE!"

Miraculously, the baby girl startled in Charles hand, and took a life giving breath.

Charles breathed a great sigh of relief. If she had died because of his interference…

Charles smiled down on the beautiful baby, as she still struggled to breathe evenly.

"You see, I told you to give her a moment."

Charles laughed out loud as he looked at the shocked and relieved faces of his comrades.

"Well, once you all compose yourselves, maybe one of you will be able to cater to the needs of this young one." he handed her over to Jean who had yet to close her mouth.

"Hank, please attend to Ororo. Once she awakens she will more than likely wish to recover in her room. Do not refuse her, just see that she is moved there at once and made comfortable. I will check in with her and the children later. Right now, I have an important call to make"

He looked knowingly at them and then took his leave.

Just in case things did not resolve themselves as he hoped, he needed his plan B to be ready.

TBC…