Chapter #28 Epilogue (Always Forever…Now)
Salem Center, New York
Tuesday, December 21st 2004
8:25 am EST
The morning was the first quiet one the Xavier Institute had enjoyed since the semester started in early September. The School’s halls were mostly empty, though they wouldn’t stay so for long as the holidays neared.
While the school staff that agreed to stay on through the end of the month (and get paid handsomely for it) continued their early morning chores, one of the headmasters moved about the grounds leisurely, taking a quiet inventory outwardly, but inwardly relishing the quiet.
As footsteps came to the back of the mansion-turned-school, a low chuckle was stifled at the sight only a few short yards away.
Across from the black stone marking the school’s founder, the memorial garden’s tender was hip deep in perennials, her features appearing deep in concentration as she moved the young buds into the perfect position. The snow all around her didn’t seem to bother the woman at all.
Unaware she was being watched, Ororo leaned back on her knees, watching the plants. No one could understand why she was planting flowers, but the weather witch only planted on the Solstice. Besides, if anyone could protect the plant, Ororo could. Sure, it would take some concentration, but it had been a tradition of hers for years. Usually she did the “Planting” on the back of her brownstone, but since she wouldn’t be there, the school would have to do. Besides, she thought her dad would get a kick out of it.
Smiling sadly, she would miss him this Christmas, but his kids and their extended family of older graduates were all set to make the inner walls of the currently deserted school quite lively this holiday season.
The thought of spending the holidays with them warmed Ororo’s lonely heart, and as she fingered the newly planted buds around her, she couldn’t escape her memories of another missed soul.
I wonder how am I still here
I don't want to move a thing,
It might change my memory
Oh I am what I am,
I'll do what I want, but I can't hide
I won't go, I won't sleep,
I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
I won't leave, I can't hide,
I cannot be, until you're resting here with me…”
It was almost exactly four months since she’d last heard from or seen Logan, and truth be told, she missed him more each day they were apart. Her bravery the night they’d said their goodbyes now seemed so foolish to her, but after the things he’d told her about Section X, Ororo understood why Logan thought she might be better off without him.
Still didn’t mean it hurt any less.
Or that she wanted him back any less.
They might wake me from this dream
And I can't leave this bed,
Risk forgetting all that's been
Oh I am what I am,
I'll do what I want, but I can't hide
I won't go, I won't sleep,
I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
I won't leave, I can't hide,
I cannot be, until you're resting here with me…”
Holding in her feelings was also tiring the Xavier Institute’s headmistress. She didn’t tell her sisters or brothers the details of her ‘break up’ with Logan, and they’d respectfully left it at that. She was ok with allowing them to assume it had something to do with her past & what happened with her parents in Cairo. The less they knew the better, Logan warned her. She believed him. But Beth and Marie were still worried of their sister’s sullen attitude and melancholy, especially these days. They were around much more than their substituting classes warranted, but Ororo knew that was for completely different reasons…
Struggling to get to her feet, Ororo sighed, taking a deep breath. She was still surprised every time she forgot how hard simple things like standing were becoming.
“Need a hand?”
She looked up into Scott’s smiling face, and willingly took his hand. He helped her to her feet, but didn’t let go immediately, as she only walked a short distance to the nearby stone bench with her gardening tools. “Thanks. What are you doing up? I thought you might sleep in.”
“Why’s that?” He asked with a smile he probably wasn’t even aware he had on.
Ororo couldn’t help but shake her head like an older sister would a younger sibling. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you were out to all hours last night. Hm, must’ve been some date.”
He actually chuckled at that, and the sound made her fight a smile even harder. “Wow. Scott Summers just giggled. Like, really giggled. Marie is never”“
“Going to hear about this!” He warned her, still smiling.
Ororo laughed at his expression, then sobered, watching Scott seriously. “Ok…then I guess you’ll be bringing the good doctor to the Christmas Eve party Friday?”
He looked a little embarrassed, just for a couple seconds. She couldn’t understand his hesitation in discussing his blossoming relationship with Jean. Ororo liked the doctor, of course, and she was thrilled to see Scott actually chasing an attainable woman that wasn’t psycho like Emma. Besides, one of them needed to be happy.
“Yeah, maybe…You don’t mind?” His face changed to an expression that mirrored hers asking did I seriously just say that?? Before he could take back the words.
Allowing that to go, Ororo patted his hand, giving him a grin. “You’d better bring Jean. I haven’t seen her much lately and we’ve got some…catching up to do.”
Apparently he didn’t catch the cryptic, distant aspect of that statement, which told Ororo Dr. Grey also hadn’t divulged certain things to Scott either.
“Ok, no problem,” he stood, rubbing his hands together then looking down to her and offering his hand. “You know, I don’t care if you don’t catch colds; you really shouldn’t be out here like this. Especially now.”
Rolling her eyes, Ororo took his hand, but didn’t let go when she stood. Squeezing it tightly in her gloves, she smiled up at Scott, dismissing his unnecessary concern with a flash of her own dazzling grin. “Scott, don’t be a mother-hen”“
“(scoffs) You did not just call me that”“
“(giggles) Hey, if it looks like a hen and nags like a hen…”
“Ok, ok. I get it. I just…I worry about you, you know? Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you mope around here these days.”
“I do not mope, Mister.”
“Yes, you do.” He started their trek back to the rear of the school, pulling her with him. “And I know why. I may not understand it”“
“Scott.” She warned ‘playfully’.
“”but I sympathize. Look, I’m just trying to say…”
She peered up at him as they reached the back doors, waiting for what she was sure to be another smart remark about Logan. But this time Scott surprised her.
“…no matter what happens, I’m going to be here for you. Both of you. Ok?”
Her eyes widened a little, and seriously, she asked, “Scott, if you and Jean”?“
Shushing her, he took her by the shoulders and leaned in carefully, kissing her forehead as he replied, “Jean understands.”
Without another word, he led the way back inside, but Ororo was slow to follow him. She was completely floored by the offer”no, the promise he’d just made her. Their relationship has definitely taken its share of changes and transformations”from childhood friends and then lovers to distant ex’s, to mourning ‘family’, now to co-workers and ‘siblings’”but Ororo never expected an admission like the one she just received. She smiled, but in her heart she wished those words had come from someone else.
With a tired sigh, she rubbed her slightly protruding belly, and headed after him inside. The rest of the house decorations weren’t going to put themselves up, after all…
NOT the End…
