Cinderfella
by Starsinger
A not so new twist on the classic fairy tale. Hope you enjoy. Robin, I blame you, you were my partner in crime with regards to this story. Still don't own them!
Peter sighed as he sat down once again to try and read the twins a bed time story. "A long time ago, in a faraway land, there lived a beautiful girl, her name was Ella."
A small hand tugged at his sleeve. Peter looked over as Moira looked at him with big brown eyes, "Not that one Daddy."
"I thought you said you wanted Cinderella," Peter exclaimed. Kitty was off on Hellfire Club business. He had a long day convincing students that no, they could set fire to the new puppy, even if it is made of marble. His sister looked in on them and gave him an innocent look.
Meanwhile, his daughter, Illyana, piped up, "We want Ella to be the Princess. The prince to be the poor one."
Peter hung his head. His sister and his wife were good at making up stories. The imploring eyes of his first born children caused him to close his eyes. "All right, a long time ago in a faraway land there lived a handsome boy and his beautiful mother…"
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"Piotr!" came the firm voice of his mother's butler, Nikolai. "You and Remy need to come here. Remy is expected home!"
Piotr's friend looked at him, "Mon ami, your mother is due back with your father? I believe you should need some time to adjust."
"Too late," Piotr muttered as the coach arrived. A tall, imposing man exited the coach and held out his hand for the woman in the coach. Alexandra exited, a handsome woman, Alexandra's hair had turned grey since her first husband's passing. In the ten years since that occasion she had doted on her only son. She was fond of his roguish friend, Remy, and trusted him implicitly. "Mother," Peter approached them with a bow. Both young men wore finely tailored doublets and tights, as was stylish for the day.
The man smiled grimly at the two boys before him. "You must be Piotr," he said. "Your mother has spoken of you. I am Sebastian Shaw, your new father."
"Sebastian," Alexandra said with a smile, "Introduce your sons."
Two more boys exited the coach, "This is Scott and Pete. You should be friends," the man rumbled. All of the boys bowed as Alexandra smiled.
"Remy, before you leave, I would like to see you. I promised you something last month that I finally obtained."
They entered the chalet to find a large entrance with a double staircase going up. The large windows showed a feminine touch of curtains and tapestries. The marble floor was covered in rugs. Alexandra headed up the stairs with everyone close behind. "We have enough rooms so everyone has their own." Piotr could hear Pete and Scott's obvious sighs of relief. "The servants quarters are downstairs. "We're fairly self-sufficient In that we can grow our own food." Servants followed them with their luggage. "Pete, here's your room." The room was large enough for both boys. In fact, the room given Scott was also large enough for both boys.
Alexandra showed Sebastian the room they would share and asked him to settle in. She had some business to attend to. She led Piotr and Remy to her private library where one of the servants set a satchel. "Remy, I found this for you," she removed a box. "If times get tough, press the red button, and all will be revealed." Remy opened the box, and for the life of him couldn't find a red button. "As for my boy," she removed a book. "Of course I could not forget my favorite boy."
Piotr's eyes grew huge, "War and Peace". It would take him a long time to finish it. Several years passed in relative peace when Alexandra, unexpectedly, became pregnant again. Piotr was overjoyed, and Sebastian glowered a little less. Unfortunately, Alexandra died in childbirth, although the little girl lived. The last thing she told Piotr was, "Do not forget the box with the red button."
As Piotr grew into manhood without his mother, Sebastian isolated him from the few friends he had. Remy remained persistent and adored the little girl, Illyana, as much as Piotr did. Unfortunately, it turned out the Shaw was a vain and selfish man, who doted on his sons and new daughter. Piotr was forced from his room and into the servant quarters. The servants, one by one, left. Only Nikolai and his wife Anette, were left to help Piotr cope with an increasingly somber household. Meanwhile, a beautiful Princess grew up in a nearby castle. Unaware that anything was wrong.
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Jean tied back the curtains to the large bed, "Good morning, Your highness." Princess Catherine, aka Kitty, woke up. Sunlight streamed through the window. Jean held out Kitty's robe as she slipped into it. "You do remember you have gentlemen in you parlour?"
"Count LeBeau and Baron Beaubier?" Jean nodded. "Did you get the chamber pots?" Jean grinned. "Well, I'll finish breakfast before I wake them up." Jean sat. She wore the crisp black and white uniform common to maids. As soon as Kitty finished her food they rose and opened the door into the parlor. Jean slid the chamber pots next to the chair and couch where two bodies slumbered, loudly as Kitty walked over to a large window and threw back the curtains.
The reactions were immediate and satisfying. "MY EYES!" Remy cried reaching for the chamber pot.
"BRIGHT LIGHT! BRIGHT LIGHT!" Jean Paul proclaimed as he fell off the couch.
Two pairs of red eyes peered at both women as they started laughing. "Remy, Jean Paul, you both should know better than to end up in my rooms after getting drunk!" Both men groaned, "Go, I have an audience with my parents today, they say I should choose my new Lady-in-Waiting."
Remy's eyes brightened, "Ah, yes, they say Duchess Frost is extraordinarily beautiful."
"I'm more interested in the new country baroness, Anna Marie," Jean Paul said.
"Here, take the chamber pots and leave me to dress. Jean Paul, you'd be more interested if they didn't wear skirts." The Baron smirked as Jean shoved them out the door.
Later that day the glittering court met. King Charles and Queen Ororo sat in their thrones. They were bedecked in crowns, jewels, robes, everything that you would picture they would wear. Kitty stood behind them in a blue gown, a diamond and sapphire tiara adorned her elaborately braided hair. Duchess Emma Frost entered first. Her ice blonde hair and even icier eyes froze everyone where they stood. "Your Majesties," she said with a deep and graceful curtsy. Her white gown resembled the ice she represented.
Baroness Anna Marie Rogue entered afterwards. Her walk to the thrones was much less graceful, and her brown and green dress was very much out of season. Her curtsy was awkward, she nearly fell over. "Your Majesties," she murmured. Kitty and Jean Paul were not watching this, instead, they were watching the interesting spectacle that had become Remy LeBeau. His mouth had fallen open and he appeared to be drooling, at Baroness Rogue. Jean Paul started waving his hand in front of his face who didn't even blink. Finally, as a last ditch effort to snap him out of it, Jean Paul kissed him.
Remy's eyes bugged out. Nothing had prepared him for this moment. He finally reached up and pushed, gently, his friend away. He kept this wonderful creature in his sights as she left the room. She never noticed the necklace that disappeared, from around her neck.
Later that day as Kitty traversed the corridor with ladies from the court when she heard a commotion. "Give me back my necklace, you heartless man!" The new courtier had spirit. She knew to whom she spoke and hurried toward the noise to tell Remy to do just that, now, not next week as was his habit. He always returned whatever he stole. It might be next week, but it always came back. As she entered the sound of a fist hitting solid flesh was unmistakable. Remy skidded to a stop at the edge of Kitty's skirt.
"Give it to me, Remy," Kitty said. His face proclaimed that he was about to proclaim his innocence when she replied, "NOW Remy."
Remy reached into his belt and pulled it out. He fastened it around Anna's neck and left, but not before he goosed her. She squealed as Kitty said, "I know who my new Lady-in-Waiting is." Remy quickly left the room, Anna hot on his heels.
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"Okay, ladies, good night," Peter told the little girls.
"No, Daddy, more!" Moira whined.
"Tomorrow, Moira, tomorrow." Peter bent over and kissed their foreheads before turning out the light. He had no idea how he was going to continue this tomorrow
Remember, Peter's telling this story. He's not going to know all the nuances of what everything is called. Just be glad he remembered the chamber pots, and didn't give them bathrooms! Please R&R.