Chapter 16

One trivial thing Charles had missed about his Westchester mansion was the feeling of the clean sheets in his bed. The very touch of of the crisp fabric against his skin was a feeling he relished in, so much so he actually looked forward to getting into bed at night with a good book to read and a cup of tea on his bedside table. His senses slowly returned to him and the telepath could have sworn he felt his sheets beneath his touch...and the aroma of tea in the air. He opened his eyes slowly and found himself staring up at his bedroom ceiling. A warm hand suddenly gripped his own, and he looked to see Erik sat on a chair next to him, wearing his old, black sweater. Despite the dull ache in his mind and across his stomach, Charles felt as if nothing had happened to them in the past months. He felt safe again.

"Morning," Charles said, as if it were a regular Sunday morning.

Erik grinned, showing all his teeth. "A good morning to you, sir. How do you feel?"

"Like I'm a student back at university...my head aches like the hangovers I used to get." The two stared at each other for a few moments before Charles managed to push himself up on his elbows.

"Luke?"

"Ssh, don't worry, Charles." Erik pointed to an elegant cream cradle on the other side of the room. It was wood, from what Charles could make out, with carved detail on the sides. "I've just finished feeding him. He's asleep."

Before Erik could stop him, Charles was hastily on his feet, making his way over to the cradle, his long, grey pyjama bottoms covering his feet. Erik slipped his arm around the telepath's waist, seeing as Charles was already overestimating his abilities to walk without collapsing. They leant over the side of the crib to see their son dressed head-to-toe in a light blue outfit, his arms raised above his head as he contently slept.

"...Where did you get all this?" Charles gestured to the various items that were placed around the crib, including a rocking chair, a cupboard and a giant teddy bear.

"Moira and Raven volunteered to make a supply run and came back with all this. I trust them to know what's best for a newborn boy," Erik smiled.

Charles laughed. "Indeed." He raised his eyebrows looking at the piles of nappies/diapers and wet-wipes that clodded the corner. "How is everyone else?"

"They're all fine, Charles. Worried about you, obviously. Moira is settling any issues the CIA have with what happened, so you don't need to worry. Doctor Engel returned home to his family after discharing you from his care, with the instruction that you're to take it easy for the next couple of weeks." Erik winked. "Just until all your wounds heal."

Charles nodded. He was disappointed that he never was able to thank Alexander Engel for all the help he had given him. Perhaps they would meet again one day. His mind became a lot calmer knowing that all was well. The two stood in silence for a few moments before Charles spoke.

"...Are you sure you're okay with all this?" Charles' gaze darted down to Luke's sleeping form and then to the small amount of space that was between them.

"Of course, Charles. Why wouldn't I?" He placed a gentle kiss on the telepath's temple, but Charles seemed to pull away.

"Because I tried to use the pregnancy against you the day I was taken. Because you weren't there at his birth. Because you didn't have any say in what we named him...because I didn't think the 'family life' was something the dangerous Erik Lehnsherr would settle for."

"Charles, stop it," Erik said, his tone abrupt. He gripped Charles' shoulders and turned the telepath's body so they were face-to-face. "I'm not 'settling' for anything. I'm here because I want to be. Because I choose this." He leant in, placing a light but meaningful kiss on the telepath's lips. He pulled away, his heart saddening to see a sorrowful glint in Charles' eyes. "Because I love you."

The telepath met Erik's gaze and threw his arms around the strong shoulders, pulling the taller man down to his level and pressing their lips together. A well of strong emotion rippled between them as their minds became strongly connected with each other. Their moment was disrupted, however, when the sound of scratching metal hit their eardrums. The metal lamp on the bedside table next to Luke's crib was slowly contorting inwards. Charles looked at Erik, as if to ask him whether it was his doing but the mutant shook his head. They looked over the side of the crib to find Luke smiling and waving his hands in the air. Charles gently picked him up and held him.

"He...controls metal?" Erik asked.

"So I was told," Charles replied. The telepath gently placed his forefinger on his son's temple but only felt the tiniest of sparks. His expression saddened.

"What is it?"

Charles removed his finger and looked at Erik, tears in his eyes. "They also said he was a telepath...but...I guess Shaw's machine must've diminished his telepathic abilities."

Seeing that his beloved was clearly saddened by this, Erik pulled Charles in for an embrace. "It's okay. His skills may yet return."

"It's not that," the telepath replied, "I just despise the thought of Shaw hurting him."

"I know, I know. But he can harm us no longer," Erik replied, kissing Charles' forehead and allowing Luke to grip his little finger. The trio moved back to sit on the bed, Erik still having his arm wrapped around Charles' shoulders. Luke murmured and smiled as he held his father's finger in his grip, as his mother's sense of overwhelming happiness radiated through their bond.

"No harm shall come to either of you ever again. I promise." He pressed his lips to the top of Charles head, feeling the emotion through their connection. Erik smiled, content with having Charles' positive presence in his mind once more.

Woop, finished! I hope you liked it and apologies for it taking so long to properly complete. If you've read it all the way through then I cannot thank you enough. Let me know what you think...please!

Until next time!