Nope don't own it.

Ch.24 - the end

It had been a two years since the six friends had parted ways and now they were all together again. The first to arrive at the mansion was Remy and Rogue. They were greeted by Kitty and Piotr.

"Ello mon ami, so you be an X-man now?"

"Da."

He shook Remy's hand and pulled him into a brotherly hug.

Piotr was a little taller and he had a few more muscles, Remy had also grown a little taller and his hair was longer.

"Like it's so good to see you!"

Kitty embraced her friend and then stepped back to look at her. Rogue's hair had grown past her shoulders. She wore black pants, black high heal boots and a green blouse that flared out at the elbows. Her gloves were black

Rogue fingered Kitty's short hair. It was cut just below her ears, her valley girl accent was still present and her wardrobe had matured. She wore jeans and a long sleeved button down blouse that was a soft blue color.

"Your hair looks nice Kit."

"Like thanks, let's go inside its cold out here."

The four headed inside and sat down in the living room. The Christmas tree was up and decorated. Presents were under the tree and some of the younger students were looking to see which ones were theirs.

"How many students are there now Kitty?

"Last count was at fifty three, they range from as young as eight to our age. The professor is having another wing built to hold them all."

She handed Rogue and Remy a cup of coffee and gave Piotr one as well, she took the last one for herself.

"When is John and Wanda com'in?"

"Their like going to be here in an hour."

"Da, and Wanda said she had a surprise for us."

Remy and Rogue put their bags in the room they were staying in and talked with the others about what they had missed in the past years.

The cab pulled up and first out was John, he wore black slacks and a red dress shirt. He went around the car and opened the door up for Wanda. She was dressed in a red skirt, black blouse, and black dress shoes. Her hair had grown to her shoulders and her bangs were dyed red. The two headed for the door, John carried their bags. They knocked and the door was answered by Kitty.

"Like, OMG! Is she the surprise!"

Wanda held a small bundle in her arms. It was a baby girl. Kitty pulled the couple into the house and closed the door afterwards. Wanda went into the living room and sat down on the couch. She carefully unwrapped her baby from the blanket and cradled her in her arms. Kitty came in and sat down next to Wanda.

"Like what's her name?"

"Malenda."

The baby opened her eyes and blinked. She looked around and became interested in the decoration on the nearby table, she stared at it and tried to reach for it. Rogue sat on the other side of Wanda and smiled at the baby.

"How old is she?"

"Thirteen months."

Malenda got tired of reaching for the decoration and turned her attention on Wanda's fingers. She reached up and grabbed hold of Wanda's pinky and started to suck on it. By now most the girls had gathered around the baby and a collective, "Awwww" Was heard.

The men had all gone to watch foot ball and do some catching up.

"How's Australia?"

"Good mate. Got me a job as a firefighter."

Scott, Bobby, Piotr, Remy, Ray, Sam and Jamie stared at John.

"What? I love Sidney too much to let her burn, besides with Wanda and the baby I needed a job that paid good and with my control over fire the jobs a piece of cake."

"Who are you and where be da fire crazy Pyro we all know and hide da lighters from?"

He lit the lighter Piotr and Remy had given him and sent small dragons around the room.

"When the siren rings I suit up in my bunker gear, go in and put the fire out. My obsession with fire was replaced with Wanda and Malenda."

He pulled the dragons back into his lighter and then put it away.

"So what about you mates?"

"Ah be back in da thieving business, Rogue and Ah are living in New Orleans with my family."

"Katya and I live here, I teach art and Russian at a nearby school and she works for a computer company programming their equipment."

Another "Awwww" was heard coming from the women and the men shuttered.

"Their all gonna to want one now, thanks a lot Jonny."

"Sorry mate, had to show my little shelia off."

They laughed a little and turned their attention back to the football game.

Malenda was being passed from woman to woman. Everyone thought she was adorable.

"An't she a little sweet heart?"

The baby was chewing on Rogue gloves.

"Me and Piotr are getting married in the spring and I can't wait to like start a family."

"Remy already said he wanted ta see a little him runnin around soon, he proposed last month, we haven't set a date yet."

The men erupted in cheering, they started to high five each other and jump around.

The professor cleared his throat and motioned for everyone to gather around the tree. Wanda took a seat on a chair holding Malenda, John stood behind her making faces at Malenda causing the infant to giggle. Piotr sat on a couch and Kitty took a seat on the armrest next to him. Rogue and Remy sat next to Piotr on the couch. The others sat in chairs, on the ground and some stood. The professor smiled at them all and began to speak.

"It's funny how things change. Our world is an example of this. People mature, they grow and change with each passing day. New members of family's are added."

John squeezed Wanda's shoulder gently.

"Some people marry and start families of their own."

Kitty smiled at Piotr and entwined their fingers together, Remy kissed the top of Rogue's head.

"But the one thing that will remain the same no matter what happens to us, are our friends. Friends can become as close as family, they will always be there to show support and help us on our way."

He raised his glass.

"To friends."

Everyone toasted and repeated him.

"To friends."

They drank and the professor smiled at them all and said,

"Merry Christmas everyone,"

The mutants began to clap and the presents under the tree were passed out. Some of the younger students went outside and played in the snow. The older students and teachers stayed inside and talked. When the sun went down Storm called everyone back in. Most were covered with snow. John lit a fire in the fire place for them to warm up. Later that night the youngest of the students were sent to bed as the others cleaned up the mess the Christmas party had left.

Rogue, Remy, Kitty, Piotr, John, and Wanda stood in front of the large window in the living room next to the tree. Remy had his arm around Rogue's waist, Kitty was holding onto Piotr's arm and John stood behind Wanda with his arms around her. Malenda was asleep in the basinet Wanda and John had brought with them.

The Acolytes and their girls gazed out the window enjoying each others company. The friends didn't need to speak, they understood each other without words and for now all they wanted to do was hangout together and watch the snow glitter in the moon light.

The professor was right, these six friends had become a family and they would always be there for one another.

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Thank you to all my reviewer's, this story is over but that doesn't mean I wont be writing anymore, I have some story ideas working their way into my head as I type and soon I'll write them and post them for everyone to read. Thank you again and nave a nice day.