Making It Official

Gambit smiled brightly and his eyes almost glowed when he looked into her own. And then words were no longer necessary as Gambit made passionate love to her. While he washed her hair in the shower, she had glorious hair, he talked to her about a ring.

“So I’m guessing you know where to go to get a ring? Can we pick it out together?” he asked as he messaged in the shampoo and used his fingers on her scalp like he knew she loved him to do. Her face was tilted up and he steadied her with his body though her arms were out, one against the block glass and one against the stonewall of the shower.

Serena was so happy she felt like her heart might burst from her chest. She was giddy with it and even though she had not slept at all the night before she felt elated and full of energy. Perhaps she and Gambit were rushing things, but she didn't care. He made her the happiest she had ever been and that wasn't going to change. She had always been envious of her parents marriage. They fully trusted each other and relied on one another. They were open and honest and were still passionately in love. She wanted a marriage like theirs...and she knew she would get that with Gambit. They were truly partners in life and she couldn't wait to start this new life with him. There would be no more waiting...no more hesitation...no more denial of her feelings for him.

She closed her eyes as she felt Gambit's fingers massaging her scalp. It felt wonderful and she felt completely relaxed. She smiled when he mentioned going out and picking out a ring. "Sure, we can pick it out together." She became quiet for a moment as another thought came into her head. "Can I make one request though? Will you go to my parents and talk to them and ask them for my hand? I think they will respond better to this if you do that. I'm going to marry you no matter what they say, but I want us to start off on the right foot with them. Will you do that for me?"

Gambit wasn’t exactly surprised by her request but he hadn’t expected it right then. How did he feel about that? He couldn’t be certain and though he felt her mother was warming up to him he wasn’t certain about her father. This would probably be the biggest hurdle he’d have to face but the prize was more than he could ever have dreamed of in his life. Gambit had always been a gambler by nature but he didn’t feel as if it was chance alone that brought Serena back into his life. He hadn’t realized he was massaging her breasts until he heard her moan Into his ear. Her hair was still soapy and her eyes were closed for fear that she’d get soap in them. He could see the smile on her face.

As he drew one hand down between her legs he spoke into her ear. “I will do this for us,” he whispered as his fingers found what they had been looking for…

After they were dressed and Serena was blow drying her hair he had more time to think about this. He could imagine what they would say. ‘She is too young and not ready’ or ‘Why the rushing into it?’ or ‘Would this be fair to peter?’ All things he’d never say to Serena because they were, in part, all true. And also none of it really mattered. If the helicopter with that missile system meant anything it meant that time was fleeting. Either one of them could die at any moment and he knew in his heart that he had more to offer than just love to a woman, to Serena. His devotion, his time and his promise to always be beside her. He would marry her and together they would take what was coming head on. Mischievously Gambit left their room and headed to the parking garage. He didn’t want to put this thing with her parents off for another moment.

Meanwhile, at the Tower Isabella and Tony had gotten an early start to the day. Isabella had checked on Peter and made him some breakfast. She knew that something bad had happened between Peter and Serena last night and she knew that Serena would not be returning to the Tower until Peter was fully well again and she felt safe. She planned on talking to Charles later today to ask him about Kitty Pryde.

She and Tony were in their office doing some work when they were alerted by security that Gambit was there and requested to speak to them. Isabella told the guard to let him up and she and Tony met him at the elevator.

“Is everything alright?” she asked with a worried expression.

Courage was an odd thing for Gambit. Today he was filled with it and he had a good bit of time to consider what he was going to say. He felt strong and he would do this thing than go back to Serena victorious. Gambit was confident as he pulled up to the tower and also on his way up in the elevator. He smiled and his heart felt as if it might burst with happiness. And then the elevator opened.

First off Isabella had a worried, a concerned look on her face. Well that wasn’t good. And Tony just gave him that neutral expression though Gambit always saw it as open disapproval.

“No, nothing is wrong I just wanted to ask you something,:” he said. “And it couldn’t wait,” he said.

------------------------------

At breakfast Serena was joined by Storm, Rogue and Nightcrawler. Storm looked at her and tilted her head. With a smile she asked. “Well don’t you look happy, where’s Gambit?” She asked. Rogue had accepted their relationship but she still had feelings for Gambit. It wasn’t love she knew but he was kind and familiar to her. They were still ‘friends’ but the loss of the closeness she felt with him was still fresh in her heart. She did not begrudge Serena though and honestly wanted them to get past this and become friends. Nightcrawler mirrored her own smiles though he didn’t know what she was happy about right then.

Isabella was relieved to know that everything was alright with Serena. She had been dreadfully worried about her all last night after what had happened with Peter. She was curious to know what it was that Gambit wanted to talk to them about. She and Tony shared a glance between them before she looked at Gambit and gave him a little smile.

"Of course. Let's go down to our office."

She led the way and they all stepped in and she closed the door behind them. There was a seating area in the room and they all took a seat. She and Tony sat next to each other with Gambit across from them.

"So, what was it that you wished to speak to us about?"

--------------------------------

Serena knew whenever she finished drying her hair and Gambit wasn't there that he had gone to speak to her parents. She hoped that things would go well with this meeting. She wanted them to have a good relationship. She knew it could never be like the one her parents and Peter shared, but she didn't want for it be like that either. She just wanted them all to be civil and friendly towards one another.

When she was dressed she walked down to the cafeteria alone and got some breakfast and then sat down. Soon, some of the other members of the team joined her. She didn't realize she was smiling until it was pointed out to her.

"He went out. There was something important he needed to take care of this morning,” was all she said. She wasn't going to make any announcements or reveal anything without him there. They would probably want to reveal this information to Charles, Hank, Storm, and Scott first before the others.

When it came to Gambit, Tony was not certain at all how he felt about the man. He knew of his origins and what he had done in the past but it was a complete contrast to who he had become. However Serena was in love with him and he needed to get used to the fact that he might be around for quite some time.

Gambit wasn’t one to be nervous but he certainly felt that now. He needed the support of Isabella and Tony and he knew how important it was that they got along well.

“As you know Serena and I have become...close once again. We are both in the X-Men and are part of the team. We share a room in the mansion,” he said honestly and Tony’s hand gripped the bottom of his chair until his knuckles went white. He also tilted his head as he listened.

“We have reconnected and I am definitely crazy about her,” he said as he looked at them in turn. “This last thing with the helicopter, and the lives we lead has got me thinking about the future,” Gambit said.

‘Oh god, no, not now! Not this!’ Tony thought inside his head.

“We could both die tomorrow, in a week or a year. Time is fleeting in what we do and so I wanted to come here and ask for your permission to marry your daughter,” He said as he looked at them in turn.

Tony’s eyebrows drew up in surprise but he knew that this was what it was going to be about. He bloody knew it!

As Gambit began to speak Isabella stopped breathing. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until after those final words were uttered and her breath escaped her lungs in a rush. Gambit had not gotten off on the right foot with them two years ago, but Isabella could see how happy he made Serena and it was very clear that he cared deeply for their daughter. He was willing to put his life at risk for her and that said something.

Beside her, she could feel Tony tense up. She reached out and lightly touched his back to calm him down. They were very protective of their daughter but they had known this day would eventually come. She looked over at Tony and said just one thing.

“My parents.”

He would know what she meant by that. Her parents had been vehemently against her marrying Tony. They had not believed he had changed and thought Tony was going to break her heart. They had not attended their wedding and it had taken years to repair their relationship.

Tony’s look didn’t change even though he knew exactly what Isabella meant. Serena was a stubborn, willful woman and what choice did they really have. To either be a part of her life or not to be. This wasn’t really fair he didn;t really approve of Gambit for a son in law so in that sense his affirmation was one out of duress. But did he really dislike Gambit that much? He really wasn’t certain. And Serena wasn’t a fool. She had loved Peter but Peter was no longer even an option for her and that was what really stung for Tony. That and what Gambit was true to a degree. Time was fleeting. Tony sat back and his face took on a partially defeated look.

“Gambit, you have our blessing,” he said though the words had to be nearly forced out. Gambit smiled at each of them. He extended his hand out to Tony and stood up. Tony sighed and stood up as well then shook his hand. “Thank you sir, thank you,” he said. ‘You hurt her and I will kill you, consider that a given,’ He thought. Gambit all out hugged Isabella though and kissed her cheek.

Isabella breathed out when Tony finally gave Gambit their blessing. For the last two years they had imagined that Peter would be the one coming to them to ask to marry Serena, but Isabella and Tony needed to change their image of who their daughter was with. This problem was with them and not with Gambit. In all honesty, Isabella liked Gambit. He was loyal to their daughter and she knew that him coming here and asking them for permission had been...difficult. Tony was rather intimidating to most people, but Gambit had handled this situation with as much grace and dignity as possible.

She could see how happy Gambit was and that made her happy for them. She smiled and hugged Gambit back.

"Congratulations. We should all get together and have dinner soon."

“That would be grand. Perhaps you would let me cook for you? I know several creole dishes that are among my favorites,” he said happily. And then sat back down. For the next couple of hours they spoke about Serena, and the ways she had enriched their lives.

When he finally returned to the mansion he decided to play a trick on Serena. He maintained an angry expression on his face though she was not there in their room when he arrived. Today it was Saturday and so he knew she didn’t have any classes. She could be in the game room or most anywhere but he was tired and so he decided to take a nap until she came back. Which was how she found him snoozing away on their bed. He was in his clothes minus his shoes and he was facing the far wall.

Serena had spent the morning working on upcoming lesson plans and then she went to do some training with Scott. She was improving everyday and Scott was quite impressed by her skills. She hadn’t heard from Gambit and hoped everything had gone well with her parents. As she walked back into what was essentially now their room she found him asleep on their bed. She smiled and removed her shoes before slipping into the bed with him. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and kissed his neck gently.

Gambit murmured and shifted as he felt her lips on his neck. “I was wondering where you went to today,” Gambit said as if still half asleep. “Your father,” he said in a very unfriendly tone and he shifted to face her. His face held a pained wince as he continued. “Gave us his blessing,” he said and his face grew into a smile. He grabbed at her wrists for fear that she was going to slap him for teasing her but then his hands moved and pulled her atop him.

“I think I want to change my name,” he said. “Would you be alright with that if I took your name?” he asked hesitantly.

Serena’s face grew quite worried and upset when Gambit started to mention her father. However, he suddenly began to smile and told her that he gave them his blessing. She laughed out of relief and if he hadn’t grabbed her wrists she would have playfully hit him. As he pulled her up onto him she grinned down at him. Her eyes were filled with love. When he hesitantly asked if he could take her name that look of love only grew.

“Of course I would be alright with that. I actually think it would please my father since he and my mom never had a son.”

“What are your thoughts on holding off telling anyone until we get a rock on that finger?” Gambit asked as he looked into her eyes. “Oh Cherie Mwen, when you look at me that way…” he said as his eyes moved to her lips then back up to her eyes again.

Serena looked down into Gambit's eyes with a soft expression. What he said caused her to blush slightly and smile at him. She kissed him softly a few times. "I would actually prefer not to tell anyone yet. I also think that before we tell anyone that you should tell Rogue. I would rather her not hear it any other way."

Gambit let Serena’s lips do what she wanted to his own. He liked that more than he thought he would and he kissed her back. “I will tell her but first...I want to play a little, with you,” he said and grinned. “Take off your shirt,” He whispered. “I want to see you,” he said.

A little time later he went to seek out Rogue. This wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation. He thought that in some way his being with Serena was some kind of infatuation. Something that would pass over time and then he’d come back to her. He knocked on her door and he was thankful she was inside and he came in.

“Hello Rogue, I wanted to talk to you, if you have a moment?” he asked.

Rogue was surprised when she opened her bedroom door and saw Gambit standing there. She let him in and closed the door behind him. She had been having a difficult time getting over him...a much harder time than she had ever thought she would. She felt a little betrayed by Gambit. Sure, they had had their differences, but she came from a much more similar background to him than Serena. How much could they really have in common? The way he said he needed to talk to her really put her on edge. She could already tell from the way he said it that she wasn't going to enjoy this conversation.

"Alright..." she said in a rather unsure voice. Then, to break the tension she added, "If you and Serena have broken up you can't come crawlin' back to me."

Gambit nearly winced at what Rogue said and he looked longingly at the door behind her. ‘Trapped like a rabbit!’ He thought. He and Rogue had almost identical beginnings. Both a Lebeau, both forced into a life neither of them wanted. Both escaped that life together and became more together. Much more.

“Is it really impossible for us to just be good friends? We’ve been through so much Rogue,” he said as he moved up to her and put his hands on her arms. “Im sorry for hurting you, I really am but this thing with Serena...its not going away. Its not just some ‘fascination’. I really love her, I mean really love her,” he said. “But what good is it if me being happy means you cant be? I dont want that. I dont want you to hate me Rogue,” gambit said.

Rogue sighed and looked at Gambit. "I...I don't hate you Gambit...I could never hate you. That don't mean I'm happy with you though. I just...I just don't understand what she's got that I don't. What can she offer you that I can't? What do you two even have in common?"

“Rogue, people dont have to come from the same place to have anything in common. We talk for hours about just about everything. We complement one another. You and I fought so much. I dont want to fight anymore. I just want love and I want to be loved and that what Serena and I have. You deserve that to Rogue,” he said.

Well, she hadn’t hit him yet or slapped his hands off of her. He knew he had to say it but he also knew that it would break her heart.

“Please, let me go. I’ve never asked you for anything, I want her. Please, let me go, let me have what I want,” he said pleadingly as if it was her that was stopping him. In a way it was. If she would not relent he would not be able to marry Serena. He had not told Serena that.

Rogue sighed and looked away from Gambit. The truth was was that she was jealous of his relationship with Serena. Their relationship hadn't even come close to what they had. It upset her because she wanted a man who worshiped the ground she walked upon just like Gambit did to Serena. But she knew that man would never be Gambit. She needed to just let him go so she could move on...and she needed to move on. She looked back at him.

"Fine...I let you go...you are a free man."

Gambit’s eyebrows drew up. No, this cant be that easy. It just cant. But he had to tell her. He knew that. “Alright, then I need you to keep a secret. Serena and I are getting married,” He said.

Rogue's eyes doubled...no tripled in size at what Gambit just revealed to her. "What?! Are you...you can't be serious? Is she pregnant?"

Gambit’s eyes doubled in size just then. “WIll you keep your voice down! No, she’s not pregnant. I went to ask for her father’s blessing today and he gave it. I love her, she loves me...what else is there to say?” he said. “But that doesn't mean that I want to lose your friendship Rogue. You mean alot to me,” he said forcefully.