Ten years later.

The infirmary of the Institute.

Kurt closed the door, shutting out the others who'd needlessly crowded around.  This was a private moment for him and Amanda and he wanted to keep it that way.  The others would get their chance.  Sister Rogue was being nice enough to keep the doors shut from the outside, leaving Kurt and his wife in peace.  Even Hank had left, after taking care of the necessities.  Now it was just the two of them.

Them and, of course, the little one.

Kurt smiled, sitting down onto the hospital bed next to his wife, who smiled up at him.  The ring he'd given her ten years ago (to the day, actually) no longer lay around her neck, but now adorned her finger instead.  A matching one, though slightly larger, had been wrapped around one of his own fingers.  That had been awkward, he remembered, thinking back to the wedding.  He didn't exactly have a ring finger, thus they'd had to pretty much pick it at random.

Gently Amanda shifted below Kurt, pulling back the bundle wrappings that held the little one in her arms.  She was blue, like her father, though of a slightly lighter shade.  Dr. McCoy had already cleaned her up and taken care of the more gruesome necessities, leaving her with the parents.  No fur covered her skin, but her dark blue, almost black hair was still damp and clung to her tiny, delicate little head.  Her eyes were closed as she slept contently in her mother's arms, but before when they'd been opened they were a dark blue.  A tiny tail worked its way free of the wrappings and lashed about gently as she dreamed.  The tip was shaped like a tiny little heart.  Her tiny hands were curled up along the rim of her blanket, and she had only three small fingers, plus thumbs.  Though her toes were covered, Kurt knew they were a similar nature, one more digit on hands and toes, but otherwise the same as his own.

They'd named her Bluebelle.

And Kurt and Amanda could not have been happier parents.

"Best Christmas present I could've ever asked for," whispered Amanda softly, rocking their sleeping child in her arms.  She was still very tired from giving birth, but she'd never looked happier in her life.  Not even when Kurt had worked up the courage to propose.

"Me too," he whispered, kissing his wife softly on the forehead, holding her and his daughter close.  "Merry Christmas."

Suddenly the doors of the infirmary slid open, and Rogue stepped in.  There was someone else with her, but neither Kurt nor Amanda could recognize her well, for she stood in the shadows of the doorway.  It wasn't either of the happy families, the Seftons or the Wagners.

"Kurt... uhm, someone here ta see ya," said Rogue cautiously.  Almost apprehensively.  "She says she's not here to cause trouble..."

Kurt watched in a mixture of horror, curiosity, and confusion as Raven Darkholme, more commonly known as Mystique, stepped across the threshold of the infirmary.  It had been many years since she'd been seen by either of her children, and the years had not been kind to her.  True, her skin was the same unblemished blue scales it had been a decade ago, and her now shortly cut hair was the same rich shade of red that put Jean's to shame.  But it was around her eyes and lips that the most difference was noticeable.  Wrinkles, deep, angry lines now marked her face, even when she smiled.  Which she was currently doing.

Kurt gently laid one hand over Amanda's, the other over the bundle that held his precious daughter.  In a split second he could have them out of here, should he need to.

"I'm not here to harm anyone, Kurt," she said gently, holding up her hands in a non-threatening gesture.  Kurt didn't relax.  He'd seen her move like lightning when she wanted to.  "I just... I'd like to see my granddaughter... please..."

"You gave up any claim to me or my family when you abandoned us, Mystique," he replied darkly, his golden eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

"Kurt," whispered Amanda, her voice still soft.  Her free hand closed over his gently, using her other arm to support Bluebelle.  "It's Christmas... let's not have you two fighting anymore."

Kurt sighed deeply, nodding, knowing in his heart Amanda was right.  Gently he slid off the medical bed and walked over to Mystique, extending his hand.  A peace offering, nothing more.  He wouldn't claim he accepted her as mother, but they didn't need to be enemies.

Mystique took his head, and for the first time Kurt noticed drops of moisture at the corners of her eyes.  Tears?  She was sincere, he realized, and he immediately regretted his own harsh words.  Smiling, he led the new grandmother over to see her grandchild, sleeping contently.  He and Rogue took up positions on either side of Mystique as she did.  No sense in taking chances, after all.

"She looks just like her father did at that age," remarked Mystique, bringing a smile to Amanda's lips and a blush to Kurt's cheeks.

"Kurt, I gotta go handle the folks," said Rogue, making her way back to the exit.  "They wanna see their grandkid soon too."

"Alright, send them in here in about," here he paused, glancing at Mystique.  His eyes asked the silent question 'do you wish to stay?'  To his surprise, she nodded.  "Five minutes," he finished.  "Thanks again... Auntie Rogue," Kurt added with a snicker.

"Stop callin' me that!" she replied with a groan as she made her way outside to find the Wagners and Seftons.  "We ain't even technically related!"

Kurt smiled as the sister of his heart, if not his blood, departed to gather the families.  To his surprise, Mystique didn't hide or alter her appearance either.  She stood as she was, though Kurt noticed she trembled fearfully.  This wasn't like an enemy she'd faced before, this was family.  Still, she stood her ground, and Kurt realized she did truly care, if she was staying.  Perhaps, given time, they could patch the rift that time and circumstance had wedged between them.

The Wagners were, including Kurt's little sisters Katja, Anja and Erika.  They'd also changed a lot over the years, and were now not so little, he noticed.  Erika was almost done with high school.  Kurt's adopted parents barely spared a cursory glance at Mystique, other than an explanation from the Wagner matron that "Oh, you must be Kurt's mother."  Kurt had, of course, told them all how he found out about the circumstances that led him to their doorstep (or rather, it seemed, down the stream near their home).  The Seftons were a little more apprehensive, requiring Amanda to assure them that Mystique was indeed a friend (family, even) and was welcome to join them all.

Finally, all the family had gathered around, including Rogue and Mystique, to admire the new life that had been brought into the world on the same day as Jesus Christ.  Kitty Pryde, one of the only non-family allowed to join them, had produced a camera and was happily snapping pictures of the families, the happy new parents, and of course the new little mutant girl.

                                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour or so later...

Kurt stood beside his wife as they walked down the hallway of the Institute to join the others, helping to support her and little Bluebelle.  Amanda may have recovered some of her strength but she was a little weak from childbirth, and Kurt didn't want her to push herself too hard.  Mystique and the other family had already rejoined the others in the living room, clustered around the tree on the various pieces of furniture strewn about the room.  It was there that the young family turned their steps.

It was somewhat late in the evening but most of the students were still up, as well as most of the teachers and residents of the Xavier Institute.  The youngest of the students, Gabi, Torpid and Dorian were outside waging snowball war against Danielle, Christina and Kevin.  The older students were inside, enjoying hot chocolate and marshmallows.  Rogue floated down gracefully from the tree, where she'd just placed the star atop.  She landed, of course, right into the arms of her waiting Cajun, who smiled up at her.  Scott and Jean stood nearby, their little bundle of joy Rachel Summers still in her mother's lap.  All immediately turned to all but swarm around Amanda and admire the newest little mutant at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters.  Logan alone did not partake in the holiday cheer, reading his newspaper on the windowsill as was his way.  Still, those who glanced his way when he wasn't looking noticed a quiet smile on his careworn face.

A sudden squeal drew the attention of everyone present.  It seemed that Bobby Drake was still up to his old tricks, as his girlfriend Darcy playfully smacked him in the stomach, shaking the ice out of her jacket.  The very ice he'd put there.  Kurt smiled at this.  Some things never change.  Tabitha, smashed on holiday liquor (which was kept out of the reach of the children) laughed at that.  Amara, more sober, helped keep the blonde standing before she stumbled and hit the ground.

Kitty and, surprisingly, Wanda, had managed to convince the Brotherhood boys to go out caroling, and they weren't there, but they'd sent their best wishes to Kurt and Amanda anyway.

Pretty soon the night wore on, the kids and elderly retired, and the others left to find other spots, while Kurt, Amanda and little Bluebelle rested comfortably on the couch before the fireplace.  Even Mystique had set off to speak with her daughter, and try to patch up a few things with her as well.

It was the Best Christmas Eve ever.

                                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Notes:

And the introduction of precious little Bluebelle.  Ironically, the comic versions of Kurt and Amanda actually had this child.  Think a female Kurt who goes 'bimf' instead of 'bamf' when she teleports.  Heheh, Dr. McCoy.  Tell me that isn't funny with a straight face.  I know Hank McCoy isn't exactly a doctor but in the future I made him one.  I mean, how many normal doctors would've taken in Kurt and Amanda?  Not many, methinks.  Mystique showing up was a last minute idea, but I think it came off rather well.  And one big happy family reunion.  Nice, yes?  And yet more glimpses of the families and friends of the future ten years hence, celebrating the holidays.  Bobby's girlfriend Darcy is an OC from Kinomi's fic 'Melt Me.'  The kids outside playing in the snow were the new New Recruits in Weapon X24, including Leech (Dorian Leech), Husk (Paige Guthrie), Krystal (made her up based on someone I spotted briefly in TAS), Torpid (you know, the little Morlock girl), Blink (Gabi), and Mirage (Danielle Moonstar).  Also added Kevin.  Longtime fans of the comics and TAS likely know which mutant -that- refers to.

Desert-Rose6: Thanks.  Glad you think its cute, and hoped you like this last chapter.  If it didn't pull at your heart-strings, nothing will.

Gambi316: Well glad you like.  And yes, thank you again for the inspiration of the Romy part, as you put it.  Hope this chapter you enjoyed just as much.

Comet-hime: Well sorry but I try not to be too blatant about the femslashiness.  I leave that to you.  And Rahne's I wanted to keep simpler.  Hehe.

The Rogue Witch: Well my dad is from England and spent time in Australia, so I can do the accent pretty well, methinks.  But thanks for noticing all my hardwork.  And glad you like Kurt, Tabby's and Todd's gifts.

Elrohirthewriter: Glad you liked it, that was one of my fav too.  Linkin Park is my favorite group, and whenever I hear it I think of Wanda.  To season five, which would be the best gift we could recieve this holiday season!

Steven P.P: I confess part of the idea was inspired by Lesli's artwork, yes.  Comet-hime and I submitted three such works for that very contest (well, mostly her work.  I just colored).

Kinomi: Glad you think so.  Thanks for the grammar checking as always, hoped you enjoy the reference to your own brilliant work.

Taineyah: Well thank you Tainz, glad you enjoyed it.

Link: Wonderful!  Another fan of my work.

Snitter in Rivendell: Still got them fuzzy warm holiday feelings?  I only did one Evo character and that was for Betsy for coming back to us.  But glad you liked anyway.  Hopefully season five will exist at all, but yeah.  We need more Evo.