Chapter 24

Estelle POV

It's been a few weeks since my wedding, and two days since my honeymoon came to an end. Almost three weeks of sex, duels, good food, and moments that felt like an eternity.

Now I'm back, and so is Logan.

On the front lines, fighting the good fight while I rule from afar. Being a king in the eye of man is not his style, nor mine but it's a duty I uphold. Jean and Scott have been rebuilding their relationship, slowly leaving Ororo to lead the X-Men while they find some semblance of peace.

Bishop returns to his time, and from his joy, finding the peace he worked hard to obtain.

Now here I am, holding a paper bag filled with burgers and fries for Logan and me. Sitting on the bench with him he hands me the papers I asked him to look over.

"So what do you think?"

He takes a bite of the savory meal, "Building a new city on earth is a bit risky, but so was all of this."

I sigh, "I know, I'm kind of scared to step forward with it. Trauma still runs deep within the root of New Genosha, protecting this is hard enough alone, I can't do the same for a city on land."

Folding the papers I tuck it in my pocket, zipping it up to keep it secure. Sighing I take a bite of my burger, enjoying the heaven on my tongue. Sipping the coke, I pop a fry in my mouth only for a wave of nausea to fill me. Grabbing the empty paper back I bend over, filling it with bile.

Using my abilities the taste quickly fades away from my tongue, "Great now I can't eat fries."

Eating my burger I smile at the sweet taste. Looking at Logan's worried gaze I smile, "I'm fine."

He shakes his head, "You keep saying that but you keep barfing at random things. Also what's on your burger, it smells weird."

Throwing away the paper bag I sit back down, "Honey, barbecue sauce, lemon juice, and onion."

His face twists and turns, before his eyes widen. Finishing his burger he throws his trash away, "Come one, we're going to the doctor."

Frowning I finish my burger quickly, throwing away the wrapper. Grabbing my bottle, he pulls me away, "Logan! Why are you in such a rush? I'm fine."

He hopes on his bike, "I know you are, 'cause you're pregnant."

My mind went blank then his words hit me like a shot, "WHAT!"

Putting the helmet on we head back to the palace. Now, I used to take pills, but after all the stress I stopped, especially since my cycle ceased 5 years ago after my world truly crashed. I didn't care at the time, and it never occurred to me to worry about it now. But looking at Amelia in shock as she explains that I'm four weeks pregnant, I quickly realize that my reproductive organs are working perfectly fine.

Now, I'm lying with Logan in our bedroom, silent and happy.

"I'm pregnant."

"I know."

He seems as out of it as me, we never prepared for this, but most don't.

"We're going to have a baby."

"We are."

Looking at him, we smile at each other. It may have not synced in for us now, but we're ready.

Hearing some commotion down the hall, my armor quickly transforms. Following it, I find Xavier on the ground while a man looms over him. The other X-Men flood in, but it doesn't matter as his body twists and weakens at my command.

Power booms in my voice, "Who are you? And why have you come!"

The others get ready to attack, and he speaks, "Gabriel Summers!"

Scott's voice speaks out, "What..."

Logan holds my hand, worry in his eyes, not for him but for me.

The baby. 

I shouldn't exert myself.

Reversing the effects I've caused, Jean stuns him.

"Why have you come?"

He explains, every detail of Xavier, every sin of his past, and what he's done to divide and manipulate the Summer brothers. To manipulate Scott to become his perfect solder. Distraught fills the X-Men as the man they trusted, and looked up to, is nothing but a fraud.

A puppeteer.

From controlling people to killing, causing the X-Men more trouble and torment. Manipulating the mind of others to do his bidding. Sealing the fate of mutants for years, sometimes causing the X-Men to fight, nearly dying for a cause unsure.

Scott turns his back on Xavier, and the others follow him, viewing Scott as something greater.

Walking over to Gabriel, he stands, "You are free to go. As if today never happened, but you will not kill this man. Go. His punishment will be held under the law of New Genosha."

Looking at me he leaves, causing the room to tense. Looking down at the bald man I speak plainly, "Charles Xavier, for crimes committed for laws unwritten now are, and the understanding for the few good you've done under weighing the bad. You shall live the rest of your life in imprisonment. Confined far from the city and under the watchful eye of New Genosha. You will be escorted before nightfall."

Crawling to his wheelchair he has his head down, "Wait, Scott, let me explain-"

I step in front of him blocking his view of Scott and the others, "It's best you don't speak. We will find out what is true and false at a later date. Please leave."

He does so, allowing the guards to escort him.

Looking at the X-Men, I frown, "You may speak to him once he makes it to his room. Far from prying eyes, if you wish for a different punishment you must talk to the council for an appeal."

Jean holds Scott's hand, "Thank you, Estelle."

They leave, trying to swallow the sins unfolding and bare. Placing my hand over my belly, Logan does the same, "I'm sorry, I..."

He shakes his head, "It's okay, we have to be more careful."

This isn't going to be easy.

A month later, the rise of Master Mold and Moira, once a dear friend of Xavier, who now despises her mutant ways and self, resulting in her turning her back on her allegiance with mutants. Under their leadership, anti-mutant groups have risen to cause more distraction and damage. Sentinels have returned under Master-Molds rule, leading cities to come close to an end without the heroes standing to fight them.

Each month it gets worse and each month we fight harder to find the two. Somehow they have evaded Emma's sight and limiting the use of my power I can't do much but plan.

By the ninth month, I stand at the communication center, watching as mass infiltration begins. Logan's down there, he promised to be here before the birth, but deep down I know he won't. Watching the cameras attached to the various group leaders, one by one they go down.

Before I can panic, pain shoots through my stomach as a warm liquid leaks within my suit. Emma rushes to my side, "Get the medical team! Now!"

I hold onto her, "You need to stay here, inform Logan as soon as you can."

Walking towards the door, I push the guards away, "I can walk just fine."

I mustn't show weakness.

Escorting me to the medical wing, I keep my armor tight. Walking around in circles, the nurses try to lay me down.

"No...I'm not dilated enough...please leave. I'll call you in when things proceed faster. It's not safe..."

They look reluctant, but flashing them a small smile they nod and wait outside. Letting my armor slip I walk around in circles, trying to help the process better. The pain shoots through me once more, I cry out, legs buckling I slam my hand against the wall. Taking deep breaths, I bend over as tears run down my face.

"It's okay babygirl, I know you're ready."

Taking off my clothes, I rub my stomach, as the pain continues. Leaning against the wall I squat, my voice ridged as I cry out. My powers activate as the wall quickly ages I try to change it back but the pain sets in again.

"AHHHHHHH!"

The doctor and nurses step inside, looking at them I cry, "Where is he...?"

They rush over to me, trying to get me on the bed but I refuse. It hurts far more lying down, they scramble to accommodate me, "LOGANNNN!"

Maybe if I shout his name he'll come, maybe somehow he'll hear me across the stars. Listening to the doctors I begin to push. Tears in my eyes, I shake my head, "Logan, please...I need you."

A plead I have said so much in the past, and over the years it remained unheard.

"ESTELLE!"

I look up to see him coming into view, tears well in my eyes as my chest burns with joy. He's here. 

"Logan... please come here."

Scared to touch him, he doesn't worry, holding my hand gently he kisses my sweaty forehead. Pushing over and over, everything is a blur until I suddenly feel empty. Logan catches the baby. Crying softly, I look down and smile, "My baby...our baby girl."

Watching him cut the cord, the nurses help me on the bed, helping clean me up. Logan takes off his mask, cleaning our daughter with pride. Bringing her over to me, I lay her on my chest, "My sweet girl, Lilith."

Calming her wails, I keep her close, smiling at Logan happily.

"You made it."

Kissing my forehead, then the babies he smiles, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

As much as I want to enjoy this moment, Emma rushes into the room, "Master Mold, he's begun his attack."

I frown, cradling the baby a bit longer, I hand her to Logan, "Stay here with her, I'll be back."

Looking at him, I make it to my feet, healing my body slowly he protests. But I don't listen as I slip my armor on, "Emma takes me to the communication room. Deploy all groups to Moira, corner, and dispose of her. We move now."