Destiny Awaits

The invitation had arrived in a plain but quality envelope and he would have normally ignored it but his curiosity was piqued. It had been correctly addressed to him when most people did not even have his current address. So he put a little weight on it, thought about the simple little invitation and the sender whose name he'd only really heard in passing.

Curiosity more than anything is what drove him to go to the address at the appointed time and of course he wasn't empty handed. He wished he knew anything about Irene Adler's preferences or if she had any allergies but he didn't and so he defaulted to making a small platter of cookies at the very least as a response to the invitation.

Remy had been told by the simple white card stock to arrive by one in the afternoon and he was precisely on time. Fashionably late was fine as long as it was a known social situation and this was not one of those. He didn't know the possible repercussions of being late to their... meeting? Whatever this was.

Without waiting or stalling he walked up to the door, checked the address on his invitation, and knocked. It could be a horrible mistake, but at least his curiosity would be satisfied... surely there were no idioms about that.

Irene could always be mistaken to be a kind soul. She carried herself in such a way that didn't usually denote she was actually a very wanted terrorist. So, when one received an invitation from her, they didn't expect a threat.

Specifically, Irene had seen many timelines for her daughter, Anna Marie, and almost all of them showed Remy LeBeau. Having learned more about him in her free time - partially thanks to Raven, partially thanks to her visions - she had decided she didn't like him and didn't want him near her daughter.

What she hadn't realized, however, was that this was one of the few timelines that Remy was not, in fact, into her daughter. She had assumed from the countless visions, and to her, that was enough to justify setting up this little...meeting.

When the knock was heard, the precog stood up and walked to the door, opening it. She was kind enough to wear her glasses, as she knew some people were not as open as her Raven was about seeing a blind person's eyes.

+ The future had ALWAYS been something Mary Jane had been CURIOUS about . As one pondered just WHAT their future would hold, she had never been any DIFFERENT . The images she imagined coming to PASS might have changed with the passage of time, but it was a CURIOSITY that never quite seemed to find itself satisfied . To know that some were gifted with the ability to potentially even partially satisfy that THIRST ? It was absolutely AMAZING , in her eyes .

" I certainly wasn't PLANNING on it . " she answered, smiling as she nodded . For all the challenges they'd faced in their marriage, she didn't want to even TRY to imagine a version of her life where she didn't have PETER right there beside her .

The fact that Mary Jane wasn't afraid of her...it was relieving. Many did not trust mutants, and many more would not trust someone who could see the future such as herself. Yet here was someone who did not seem to care about either thing, rather, she seemed quite curious, especially about her future. If only the rest of the world was as understanding and tolerant.

"Irene Adler. You may call me Irene, there is no need for such formalities with me."

This was why divination was supposed to be something you trained at, that you developed with guidance and lessons, a teacher. Lilia had had natural gifts that no amount of studying would grant another witch, but that didn't mean she'd been born instinctively skilled at what she Saw, or how to use it.

Sometimes her powers were too strong, her Sight too forceful, that things slipped out, but Lilia made a conscious effort at every turn both not to invade someone's private life unless asked or necessary, and to filter what she told them even then.

"Any kind of Sight, mutant or witch, doesn't give you the right to insist." Liia pursed her lips, increasingly irritated, before making a decision.

Listening to the sounds of the other writing, Irene saw her own flash, seeing the block being placed onto her person, then seeing herself unable to speak...something. What that something was, was beyond her. Regardless she understood what was going on. The witch was trying to silence her.

"You know we all have painful things we must face. You think you are alone, that no one understands. But I do. Even if you don't think that to be the truth, it is."

Reaching into her bag she had brought, she pulled out her most recent journal, a place she wrote any new major visions she had down. Slowly she slid it over. Inside was page after page of visions, but what might have stood out the most was the fact that almost half were about her own death in multiple timelines.

"I will not push further, but I ask you stop what you're doing and at least read my visions."

Each was dated, the most recent from a few days ago. The fact she was blind and could still write with ease was impressive. However, despite all her own deaths being recorded, there was other things that usually accompanied them after. One that particularly stood out was about her lover, Raven.

'After my death, my Raven had me cremated, and when she went to spread my ashes while on a cruise, instead of drifting out into the ocean, my remains blew right back into her face. She couldn't help but laugh. I haven't heard her laugh like that in decades. I know I cannot be there for her, but to know I could still bring her such joy even after my passing...it filled me with comfort. At least I could bring a smile to her in the end.'

Rogue's relationship with her foster mothers had been strained at times. She would always love them, but she grew up and realized that the anger and violence that Mystique had taught her weren't the way she wanted to go about things.

Somehow, even when they were at odds, Mystique had found a way to be there in some of the best and worst times in Anna's adult life. She had always felt the absence Irene had left after her death. She hadn't even gotten to say goodbye to her. With the whole new start it seemed everyone was getting, she wanted to make sure to take the time to enjoy and appreciate the people she cared about.

Even if Irene wasn't the biggest fan of Remy, she knew he made her daughter happy, and she tried to focus on that, rather than on her dislike of him. But if he ever hurt her...he would have two angry women to answer to.

"I wish I could have properly been there."

She meant it too. Even if she wouldn't have been able to see, she would have loved to have been there regardless. It was Anna's happiness that meant the most to Irene. And to have been there with all of their strange little family...it would have been so nice.

Shiori had second-guessed herself the whole way here, to the woman who supposedly saw the past, the present, and everything in between. What could she possibly get out of such a visit? Answers? She didn’t need or want those; those only led to disappointment. And yet she stood, being told exactly what she didn’t want to hear.

Irene could tell that Shiori was the type who wanted everything to go a specific way, and yet her life would never go the way she wanted. The precog knew that for certain. The way she spoke showed her disdain for herself, something no one as young as Shiori should ever have to deal with.

"Miracle? No, you will suffer still, Shiori. All of us mutants suffer as long as this world does not fully accept us. Even worse still is being chained to one like Sinister. You will continue to suffer hardships, it will mold you into a stronger woman, but make no mistake, it is not an easy path that will redeem you."

Slowly the woman took the mask off, willingly letting down her guard, to show the other she meant no harm. Her milky eyes and fair face soon were revealed to the other, letting herself show weakness, to show the other she was not there to fight or cause problems.

+ @fxturesight liked for a starter !

Irene couldn't help but laugh in response, while most heroes and villains never saw themselves ever wearing the costume, she herself did.

Getting Raven even to consider doing this had taken weeks of convincing. They had been down this road once before, and she couldn’t take a repeat of their child being taken from them. But it was hard for her to deny Irene anything, and she would be a liar if she said she never thought about it, so she eventually agreed.

She reached over to place her hand on Irene's stomach. She was happy but beneath that was the fear that something bad would happen. They'd mess it up somehow or some new vision would tear them apart just like they had done before. Raven knew Irene was aware of how terrified she was, but she tried to keep their conversations a bit lighter.

Raven never had to say anything, Irene knew when she worried. The way her wife went about caring for her was always a bit more intensified than normal. What killed her was that the other was bottling it up, rather than talking about it. However, the precog also knew that her reassurances from her visions wouldn't fix the fear building inside her lover this time. Not after what happened with Kurt.

"I'm only following the whims of our child, so don't rest the blame entirely on me."

i vaguely promised this about a year ago, it took me about a year to get like, half of these??? and then over the last two days i ended up compiling enough for like, three lists, so here’s one of the lists!! do NOT add to this list!!! i have other lists ready!!!

“ i wanna have a baby with you. “

“ i don’t know if i’m ready to be a mom/dad/parent… “

“ actually, do you mind if we meet at the park instead? i’m sorry, it’s just… i can’t stand the smell of coffee anymore. or lavender. the baby is super picky, it seems! “

“ huh… that’s one hell of a unique craving, you know. “

“ look, we had fun. it was good! but, you know… i-i didn’t sign up for this. i’m not exactly cut out for the parenting life. “

“ hey, go rest yourself, alright? let me handle the chores; you can’t be lifting these boxes in your condition! “

“ i think the baby’s using my bladder as a stress toy… “

“ i… i think my water just broke. “

“ you know, before this, i could pretend everything was normal. but now… i mean, i’m wearing a maternity dress. it’s official. it’s real. and i’m beginning to freak out a little… “

“ you swiped right. you wore a condom. you didn’t sign up for a baby, and i get it. i don’t want you sticking around because you think you’re supposed to. this is just me informing you. okay? “

“ hey, hey, it’s okay! false alarm, the doctor called it braxton-hicks contractions. totally normal; i just need to go home and take it easy for a bit. “

“ i mean, look at these little booties! look how tiny they are! it shouldn’t be possible that there’s gonna be feet that small! “

“ look, i don’t like you living so far away… why don’t you move in with me? i have plenty of space, it’s closer to the hospital, a good neighborhood… what do you think? “

“ if i get married, i want it to be because of love, not because of a positive pregnancy test. “

“ so… that was the surrogate. it’s good news, babe… we’re gonna have a baby. we’re gonna be parents! “

“ the adoption agency just called. they want us to come in tomorrow… sweetie, they say they might have a kid for us… “

“ the IVF worked! we’re gonna have a baby! “

“ hey, it says you shouldn’t eat salad while you’re pregnant. nice one! “

“ do you mind if i put you as my emergency contact? it’s just that the hospital needs one, it’s no big deal, just standard procedure for pregnant patients. “

“ here, i can drive you to the next appointment, if you like. it’s a scan, right? you shouldn’t have to miss out on that! it’s no trouble, seriously. “

“ now, i know you said you didn’t want one, but… the others organized a surprise baby shower for you. try to look surprised, please? “

“ how far along are you? “

“ so, i saw a maternity pillow in the baby store on the way here, and i thought i’d get it for you. you said you were having trouble sleeping, right? “

“ you know, with the baby coming along… i was kinda thinking of maybe getting a new place. one closer to the schools, with a nice garden, more space, a safe neighborhood… what do you think? “

“ can you stop?! i’m pregnant, for crying out loud, it’s not like i’m made of glass! “

“ yeah, well, the father wants nothing to do with us, so… single parenthood ought to be a blast, right? “

“ are you pregnant? “

“ i know we’ve been trying for so long, but… now that it’s finally happening, i’m starting to freak out a little. what if i’m a bad parent? “

“ i brought lunch, orange juice, a bunch of nail polish, and the entire aisle of baby-proofing stuff at the supermarket. you’re in charge of music and relaxing on the couch, i’ll handle everything else. got it? “

“ sorry, i don’t mean to cry all over you… god, this is so embarrassing, i don’t even know if i’m crying because of the hormones or because of my actual problems! “

“ so, remember last week when i couldn’t go out because of the stomach flu? turns out it wasn’t the stomach flu. i’m having a baby. “

“ i’ve decided to give the baby up for adoption. “

“ sweetheart, just because we can’t get pregnant, doesn’t mean we can’t have a baby… what if we adopted? “

“ pregnant, huh? wow… h-how do you feel? “

“ listen… i’m/you’re pregnant now. and as much as we mightn’t want it to, that means that a lot of stuff is gonna change. and that’s okay! right? “

“ i don’t know how to feel about having and raising a kid when i don’t know if i can keep them safe… “

“ i thought i’d bring you some meals, you know, for the freezer. i figure you might be too busy to cook once this little one comes along! “

“ no way, this is too dangerous for someone who’s pregnant. “

“ i already know this kid’s gonna be the luckiest kid in the world. they’ve got you as a mom/dad/parent/aunt/uncle/etc. “

“ how long have you known? you know, about the baby. “

“ look, i know we said i wouldn’t, but i couldn’t resist! these baby-gros were just too cute! i got five of them, and i kept the receipt if you hate them, so there’s no harm done either way! “

“ i’m so sorry to bother you, but would you mind picking up my keys? i dropped them, and my bump’s kinda in my way! “

“ so, i was wondering… when the time comes, would you wanna be in the delivery room with me? “

The answer was one Raven had dreaded hearing. She pulled back slightly to get a better look at Irene. She noted the bewildered expression on her face and the fervor with which she moved the pen across the page. Whatever Irene saw, it had scared her, and that haunted look was enough to alarm Raven.

She almost didn't want to ask, but if she didn't go out guns blazing, curiosity was the next most likely cause of death for the mutant Mystique.

Not once had Irene ever seen the death of Raven. It just wasn't something her visions ever chose to touch on, and she suspected after time that the other was just too resourceful to get let herself die. And yet, for the first time, she had seen her beloved die. The worst part was that she truly didn't know if this was their timeline or another, and that only added onto the fear that now gripped her very being.

"Your death."

Her voice was small, and upon voicing it, her entire body collapsed into the arms still wrapped around her. She couldn't imagine losing the woman she called her soulmate. The one person she knew she would never be able to live without.

The list of negative things that mutants had faced until now was endless, but one thing Rogue would always be grateful for was the control she had gained over her powers. Finally, she could allow those she cared about the most to get close to her.

Rogue almost laughed at how strange what she was about to request was. "Would ya mind to just... stay here for a while? We could catch up and all."

To hear Rogue ask her to stay and catch up...it made Irene smile wide. Even if she knew a majority of what all happened, the little things were what she truly missed out on. She wanted to hear all of it.

"Of course I can. I would love nothing more than that.