With This Ring, Thee I Wed

[just_a_phase]

She's battered and bruised and--despite his insistence on carrying her bridal-style into their home and all the way to their bedroom--she's aware that Piotr is too.

Kitty doesn't care.

This. This is what she's been moving towards for a decade, even if at times she denied the fact. They've finally made it through all the pain and hurt and lies (to themselves as well as each other) and now--

They're actually married. She's kept her maiden name, while they both muse on if he takes her name or she takes his, but that means nothing.

The fresh ink on and in her skin tingles, even if rationally she knows it can't.

She's seen so many marriages fall apart, and she promises herself, nuzzling Piotr's neck as he shuts the door to their room with his body, that this marriage won't be one that does.

Comments

[just_a_phase]

For several moments she just breathes, saying nothing.

"And I'm forever grateful to finally be home. And I don't...mean this house."

[konocc]

"Da."

He breathes in some more of her hair. "Has there been any more signs?"

They suspected from the beginning that any lovemaking they engaged in might result in starting a family. There had been some interesting readings, but it had been too soon to tell. Still, with the amount of times they've been at it, it almost feels like it's a foregone conclusion. He did also tell her the first night here that he had the resources a man should have in place to start a family. And honestly? Having this kind of life is all he ever truly wanted down to his soul. when you know what life you want, it's impossible even for a patient man not to want it as soon as possible.

[just_a_phase]

She doesn't response immediately before finally saying, "My nausea is more frequent. Not bad, but more frequent. And my headaches are worse when they kick in. And I just feel...kinda off."

Another pause. Because she's so afraid to be wrong about this.

"I think...I think that we're looking at a 95% chance I'm pregnant. At least 95%," she amends, but then adds something quietly.

"And you know that won't stop me from taking on the Red Room when the time comes, Piotr.

[konocc]

"I wish it would. They have taken too much."

[just_a_phase]

"Yes. They have. And that's why there's not a fucking thing in existence that will stop me from returning the favor."

She cups his cheek with one hand.

"But I'm also not going to risk losing this baby. Not even slightly. I've been modifying the space armor Seth planned to use while kidnapping me. Iron Man won't have a thing on me when I'm done, love. Plus, I do have this ability called 'phasing'."

It's all true--and the best reassurance she can give him.

[konocc]

"But we don't know how phasing will affect them," he frets, hand moving to her stomach. "Mutants have more risk in everything."

[just_a_phase]

She stares at him, then points at the ceiling. "Kinda just phased now."

And then, more gently, "How many nights do I phase in my sleep, Piotr? Remember, sweetie: my natural state isn't to be solid. It's to be phased. I'll be phasing no matter what. I won't be able to help it." Kitty kisses him softly, then. "We're just...I think we're just going to have to have faith. No matter what."

These are not the sort of words anyone would ever expect from Katherine Ann Pryde.

But then, she's never been pregnant--on her own terms, that is--before.

[konocc]

Everything about him is so solid, which is why the fragile smile is that much more vulnerable-looking.

"And hope," he agrees in a voice barely above a whisper.

[just_a_phase]

"We're bad at having both of those," she acknowledges with a sigh, arms wrapping around him. "But this is a good reason to have to get better, I guess."

Kitty bites her lip and then murmurs, "Wow. A baby." It frequently hits her all over again the same way it did the first time.

"We're having a baby. If not now, then, like. Really soon." She rarely sounds amazed.

She does now.

[konocc]

This thought brings the light back to his eyes. "They will probably be good with computer things," he grouses.

[just_a_phase]

She winces. "Remember what I said about using a singular pronoun? Either he or she?" But she's also grinning up at him. "And I'm going to have to teach her to have fun, since she's half Russian," and Kitty flicks his ear as she says that. "She'll be at a disadvantage there, after all, since Russians don't do fun well."

Actually, Illyana was great at it. But Kitty's generalizing from one Russian in particular.

[konocc]

"But it would be rude to say the wrong thing," he protests.

Followed by more protesting. "Russians are not allergic to fun!" Then he amends. "Just much fun Americans would not understand."

Even Yana would back his opinions here.

[just_a_phase]

She stares. "Rude...how? I don't think the baby can hear us. And I'm pretty sure he or she will forgive us for sometimes using the wrong pronoun if he or she can here us. Honey. Darling. Love."

Then Kitty laughs. "Nooot exactly. It's more that Russians--or one particular Russia who our baby has several genes from--find fun in a limited number of things. And rarely cut loose and just, oh, play pranks. Skip class for a concert." Dryly, "Or do anything at all on a computer."

[konocc]

"I am not taking that chance." After the Summer, who could blame him?

"You cannot make food from a computer," he insists, pointedly.

[just_a_phase]

Kitty can't help rolling her eyes a little. "Yes, dear." It's said patiently, if with some amusement.

Her hair has dried a fair amount and, almost impossibly, the henna has already done it's work--and extremely well. Her hair is not quite as red as her mother's is, but it's damned close.

She hasn't noticed this yet.

Kitty giggles a little at his response. "And you cannot work all the time, even if you take pleasure in your work." Gently, "I know farming takes a great deal of time--but maybe you should make the plot sizes a little bit smaller. Just a little. It would give you more free time to spend with me. And the baby, whenever we have a baby."

Though oh, she hopes it's in nine months.

[konocc]

He shrugs. "Farm life is different. The size of the farm does not matter. The seasons chose the work. I have the students, but -" He shrugs. "Some of this just must be done by one's own self."

"If you want more time for me, learn to predict weather and soil."

[just_a_phase]

"Don't tempt me to do just that," she mutters.

A strand of red hair crosses her vision, startling her slightly. She wraps some around a finger to look at it.

It really is so close to the color of her mother's.

"The size does matter. Some. But I guess modifying the plots only a little won't do much. It would have to be more."

Kitty sighs, looking away from her hair and into Piotr's eyes.

"It's not me needing more time. I mean, I love time with you. But I'm happy in my workshop. It's me pregnant wanting you around more and experiencing as many moments as possible. And then me wanting you spending time with the baby--and needing you spending time taking care of the baby."

[konocc]

He kisses her lightly. "The winter is coming." That smirk is downright lethal. So are where his hands are going. "And Russians know how to have fun in the winter!"

In the Spring, he will have student helpers, and he will ask for more help from the X-Men.

This is, of course, also if fate allows the Red Room a swift death. He refuses to think on this more, however.

[just_a_phase]

She can't help smirking at him. "And I bet they know the best ways to stay warm, too."

But mentally, she's planning to also spend the winter working on some new projects in her workshop.

She may not be able to predict the weather, but by God she'll make things to ensure Piotr has much, much more free time.