Cross Country Escape

Chapter 21: The Beginning in The End

A thrilling weekend in Connecticut, a charming stay in New Orleans, and a cozy few weeks in a snowy mountain cabin, but this, this beach right here, this beautiful, warm, picturesque beach had to be her absolute favorite stop they had made so far. She knew it to be true the minute she stepped out onto the warm sand, the sun setting on the horizon, the bright yellows and oranges seemingly swallowed up by the sea. It was perfect, and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore gave her an extra sense of calm.

Rogue sighed as the rays of the sun beat down on her, warming her body and giving her that sun kissed glow. She reveled in the warming breeze that tickled her skin. She'd never felt so relaxed, except perhaps when she was lying in the arms of her sexy Cajun lover. She smirked to herself, images of their many times together, each one filled with passion and love. Always fun, sometimes frenzied, other times slow and romantic.

Rogue had known Gambit for over three years and even when he was her enemy he held a special place in her heart. As the months passed that place grew and grew, filling up with warm, happy memories. It was the last year, however, that really made the difference. They'd had their ups and downs, moments that really made her world seem so much brighter. He was her savior.

Rogue opened her eyes as she notice the sun disappear. She followed long, toned, powerful legs covered by black board shorts, riding low on narrow hips. She continued up to rock hard wash board abs and pecks. Her mouth began to water. Her eyes continued up the hard column of his neck finally coming to rest on the most handsome angular face she'd ever seen in her entire life. She smirked, leaning up on her arms.

"Hey darlin'." She greeted lowering her sunglasses on her nose and looking him up and down. He smirked back kneeling down next to her and handing her a glass of lemonade. Her smirk turned into a sweet smile as she sat up completely and took the glass from him. He watched her as she drank from the glass, his eyes roaming her body.

Gambit smirked as he watched her, admiring the very tiny bright green bikini. He found himself grateful that there were very few people if any on the beach. He'd be damned if he let anyone else lay eyes on her. He chuckled to himself. He could only imagine what her father would di if he saw her dressed this way. Gambit looked up at her face when he heard a light giggle emanating from her.

"Liahke what yah see, sugah?" she asked the smirk now back on her face. He returned her expression, leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers.

"Always." He replied his ruby iris' glowing with emotion. Her smile widened as she closed the distance between them. He rested his hands on her waist as she moved her own around his neck. He smirked into the kiss, feeling her hum in appreciation as he massaged her sides. They pulled apart minutes later both trying to catch their breath. He smiled. "So, Remy been t'inkin' petite." He began.

"Well, that can't be good." She teased, leaning back in her chair.

"Oh haha Roguey." He replied poking her playfully in the side. She jumped in surprise. "Anyway, Remy t'ink we should stay 'ere till August 'den we head to our next destination." He told her. She smiled lightly and nodded.

"Sounds good darlin'." She answered. "That'll give me three months to decide where I wanna go with you next." Gambit smirked.

"Go wit' moi, huh?" he questioned, her choice of words. Her smile widened as she nodded.

"Of course, Rems." She replied. "If Ah stop and let mah self think about it now, Ah realize it ain't eva' been just about the sights and gettin' away." She continued. "It's been about the sights and gettin' away with yah." Gambit chuckled.

"'Dat all it eva' been fo' moi, ma Cherie." He told her. She looked at him confused. "'Dis whole trip." He began. "All it eva' been about 's bein' wit yo'."

"It worked." She answered, her tone giving away how touched she felt. "Ah feel….so much lighter." She explained as if finding the right words was difficult. Gambit chuckled.

"Remy glad he could help mon amore." He added before standing up she watching him curiously. "Now, Remy t'ink he'll go an' begin dinner, non?" he finished. Rogue nodded in understanding before watching him walk back to the cozy beach house they were staying in. she could help but notice the waiver in his voice as he spoke. It was almost as if he excused himself to avoid doing something embarrassing in front of her. She smiled to herself. She loved when he played the big strong man.

Gambit sighed as he entered the house making his way to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Almost mechanically he pulled out ingredients and utensils, pots and pans. Despite his focused demeanor on the outside, on the inside his heart was racing, his mind swimming with the gravity of the situation he was in.

For two years he had chased the Rogue, at first because he thought of her as a challenge but that quickly changed once he'd learned her story. It wasn't long after their little trip to New Orleans that he realized one very important fact…. He was in love.

From then on he focused all his attention to wooing the young southern bell, most of the time, to no avail. He knew for a fact that she had a soft spot for him, otherwise she would have already killed him for always invading her space. However, it wasn't until recently that she had let her walls down and seemed to return his feelings. To be honest he thought of the day they got together as the greatest day of his life, although he had a feeling, a hope really that it would be the last time he said that, especially with her in his life.

About a half an hour passed and Gambit was hard at work on dinner when he felt a warm, loving presence behind him. He smirked as he felt said woman slowly wrap her arms around his waist. He felt her hum in satisfaction against his back. The sound was music to his ears.

"Mmm, that smells amazin' darlin'." Rogue cooed softly. Gambit chuckled

"Glad yo' t'ink so." He replied, setting down his knife and turning in her arms. She smiled up at him, before burying her nose in his chest. She took a deep breath, basking in the scent that was so Remy. After a few moments, she pulled away.

"Ah been thinkin' darlin'." She began.

"Oh, 'bout what petite?" he questioned in return leaning down to peck her on the forehead. She smiled lightly.

"Ah think we should go home after this." She told him. He looked at her surprised.

"Really, yo' sure?" he asked, a bit disappointed. She nodded.

"Yea, Ah just think Ah'm ready tah go home. Ah've had so much fun with yah, and Ah can't tell yah how thankful Ah am for everythin' yah've done for meh. But Ah miss mah family." She explained. Gambit smiled lightly.

"It was mon pleasure, ma Cherie." He replied softly. "An' if yo' feel yo' ready 'den is what we will do." He explained. She smiled widely.

"Good. Now," she began. "Since we'll only have a few more months just the two of us, I think we should make the best of it." She smirked up at him with a sultry smile. Gambit smirked back leaning down to capture her lips in a chaste kiss before pulling away. She pouted up at him.

"As much as Remy would love to oblige you, chere, mais dinner be waitin'." He replied, amused. Rogue looked around him toward the stove, pouting as she noted the various pots and pans which reminded her that he was indeed right.

"Oh fine." She relented before another smirk played across her face. "I'll just hop in the warm, steamy shower and get cleaned up before dinner." She replied turning away from him and sauntering away. She really was too good at getting under his skin, but that's what he loved about her.

He really did love her, more than anything in the world, so much so that he had come to the conclusion that his life without her would be as empty as it had ever been before he'd met her. He was a lucky man, and he had no doubt that he wanted to spend no less than the rest of his life with her.

"Mmm Remy, that was amazin'." Rogue told him with a sweet smile on her face. He smirked back refilling her glass with wine.

"Merci, mon amore." He replied setting the bottle aside. He took a deep breath turning back to her. She noticed his sudden change in demeanor and looked up from her glass. She watching him fidget in his seat. She opened her mouth to voice her concern only for him to cut her off.

"'Dis passed year, Chere, had been 'de greatest year a Remy's life." He began looking up at her to see her eyes soften. Taking that as encouragement he continued. "Remy done a lot a t'ings he non proud of an' he been wit' many femme he wish to forget, mais yo' Remy never been more proud, more happy with, more in love wit'." He continued. He watched her expression, knowing her had her full attention. He stood from his seat, moving to stand next to her. She looked up at him confused. He smiled at her, before kneeling down in front of her and taking her hands in his. "Yo' make moi life complete Cherie, yo' make moi mo' happy 'den Remy eva' been."

"Remy.." Rogue tried but he cut her off.

"Please chere, let moi finish." He told her. She nodded albeit confised. She watched as he reached into the pocket of his jeans pulling out a small square box. She gasped as he held it out to her, waiting for her to take it. She did, opening it slowly.

"Oh mah gawd, Remy." She said softly.

"Will yo' spen' 'da rest o' out lives wit' moi?" he asked taking the box from her and pulling the platinum and diamond engagement ring out. she nodded tears in her eyes as he slipped the rind on her finger.

"Nothin' would make meh happier." She told him leaning in and capturing his lips with hers.

And so her escape became the beginning of her new life. A life she could wait to start.

A/N: And so it ends. It took far too long to get this chapter going, finished, and posted. But I'm glad I finally did. Fear not people, my hope it to write two short companion stories to go with this; one with a wedding, and the second about starting a family.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone whose read this story, who's stuck with me through the whole thing even with my annoyingly long update lags. Thank you so much for everything, you guys are awesome!

-RED