Her eyelids flutter slightly, as a mild consciousness washes over her. She knows where she is, why she’s here, and that she’s just woken up after hours of surgery. However, thanks to the anesthesia administered to her before the procedure, she doesn’t realize any of these things at the moment, as her sense have been diluted to the fullest extent. All she knows right now is that it’s somewhat bright in the room, everything’s blurry, she has various tubes inside of her… and then there’s the large, blue figure standing over her.
“Cecilia? Can you hear me?”
She feels the touch of soft fur against her hand as the words flow from the man’s mouth to her ears. There’s a sort of echo when he speaks, but she can still hear him clearly. She can’t really understand the words or think of how to respond, though that will return to her in a matter of hours, after the effects of the medicine have worn off. All she can think about now is… nothing. Nothing at all.
“Cecilia… you’re all right. Everything’s all right. You made it through the surgery. Everything is going to be just fine from now on. I love you…”
There is a brief moment of realization for her as the man speaks the words, and in that moment everything comes back to her. A solitary tear finds its way out of her eye and slides down her cheek. She still can’t think a coherent thought for the life of her, but that doesn’t matter, because very soon, everything’s going to be better… soon, this will all be over with.
For Cecilia Reyes, today is the first day of the rest of her life…
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- THE BEAST
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- CECILIA REYES
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- CYCLOPS
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- PHOENIX
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- STORM
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- ICEMAN
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- DAZZLER
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- ARCHANGEL
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- BANSHEE
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- SKIN
TWO LITTLE WORDS
By Ryan Krupienski
New York University Medical Center
A petite, gray-haired African American woman walks down the wide hallway, quickly zeroing in on her intended destination. A wide smile is fixed on her face, and even though it’s garnering her strange looks from some of the staff and patients around her, she doesn’t care. She has every reason in the world to be happy, most prominent of all the fact that she’s going to see her baby. Her darling daughter is awake, she’s all right… she’s going to live.
Mary Reyes arrives at the door to her daughter’s hospital room and announces herself with several gentle knocks. “Cecilia,” she calls out, “I’m here.”
“Oh, Mama, come in,” Mary hears Cecilia respond, and the elder woman’s smile widens as she pushes past the door and walks into the room. Her eyes fall on Cecilia and instantly water up, and she begins to sob gently as she walks swiftly to her daughter’s side. The two women embrace, Mary holding her daughter tightly and whispering, “Oh, thank God you’re awake… thank God you’re alive…”
“I’m fine, Mama, you don’t have to cry,” Cecilia says in an attempt to console her mother. They hug each other for a few moments, then Mary pulls back to take a look at her daughter’s face. “See? I’m fine. I made it. I’m awake, I’m fine. Fine.”
Mary smiles at her daughter as she holds Cecilia’s face in her hands. “You are so beautiful,” she tells Cecilia. “You are so beautiful. You are so strong… you made it through this.”
“As long as it doesn’t come back in the next five to ten years, Mama,” Cecilia says. She’s trying to stay grounded, not get caught up in the fact that the surgery was a success; the tumor may have been completely removed, but that doesn’t mean she can’t have a relapse.
“Oh, don’t even think like that, Cecilia,” Mary says. She pulls a chair over from nearby and sits down next to the bed. “When they told me you were awake, I came rushing to see you. How are you feeling?”
“A little woozy still, but I’m not nauseous anymore,” Cecilia answers. “I’m doing fine. Just trying to get my strength up.”
“Have you eaten?”
“A little bit. Gotta take it slow.”
Mary nods. “Good, good.” She smiles again at her daughter and continues, “Are you tired, dear? If you want to sleep…”
“Oh, no,” Cecilia says, dismissing the idea with a shake of her head. “I’m too antsy to sleep. I’m just… I’m so excited. Trying to keep busy.”
Mary looks at the papers and magazines resting in Cecilia’s lap – wedding materials. “I… see.” She looks down for a moment, then back at her daughter. “So you still plan to marry that man?”
Cecilia gives her mother a confused look. “What? ‘That man’? Mama, the attitude… where’s this coming from all of a sudden? I thought you were happy for Hank and I…”
Mary sighs, looking deep into her daughter’s eyes. “Cecilia, listen,” she explains, “I like Henry. I do, he’s a wonderful man, but… well, you’re… you’re going to be okay! Your life is going to go back to normal now… and I’m thinking, perhaps once all of this is behind you, it can go back to how it was before you even met these people…”
“Whoa, now, hold on,” Cecilia says, interrupting Mary. “Am I hearing you correctly? Are you telling me I should break up with Hank? Break my ties with Xavier’s?”
“I… well, yes, I am,” Mary confesses. “And it’s not because I’m prejudiced, please don’t think that! It’s just because… because I love you, and I want you to have a chance at a normal life! What kind of life is it to be a second-tier superhero?”
Cecilia can feel rage starting to build up inside of her; she can’t believe her mother is doing this, especially now. “You are unbelievable, Mama!” Cecilia practically yells. “I thought you understood me, understood what I was doing with my life, but I guess I was wrong. You still don’t get it!”
“Cecilia, please…”
“Don’t even!” Cecilia snaps. “And you’ve been lying to me this whole time, then? Just pretending to be happy for me?”
Mary’s eyes begin to water again, and she says, “Cecilia! I didn’t think you would make it, and I wanted you to be happy, make the most of what you had.”
“Is the reason you didn’t think I’d make it… because grandma didn’t make it?” Cecilia half-asks, calming down just a little. She sighs sadly, remembering her grandmother’s warm, loving face. “Well, certainly you realize that medicine’s a lot better nowadays than it was twenty years ago, right?”
“Oh, of course,” Mary says with a nod. “I know that. I just couldn’t help it, I suppose… I was scared.”
“I understand,” Cecilia assures her mother. She then turns more serious as she continues, “But I don’t understand this sudden attitude of yours. I mean, how dare you suggest I leave the man I love and the life I’ve built for myself!”
“You make it sound so horrible!” Mary says. “All I’m saying is that if you distanced yourself from all of that insanity… maybe you’d be happier.”
“For your information, I am very happy with my life,” Cecilia retorts. “I love being a doctor, I love teaching here and at the institute… and I love that I’m able to represent my community while doing those things. I love the fact that I can be a positive public representation of mutants! I guess you wouldn’t understand…”
“Oh, look at me, Cecilia,” Mary says, becoming a bit angry herself. “Don’t think I don’t understand. I was there in the sixties, I was part of the march. I have faced discrimination all of my life!”
“Then why are you saying these things?” Cecilia asks. “What you’re saying is basically code for ‘stop being a mutant’!”
Mary sighs and shakes her head. “Oh, I knew this wouldn’t go well…”
“Yeah, I guess you know a lot of things,” Cecilia says. “Well, this is what I know: I love Henry. I don’t care that he’s covered in blue fur, that he doesn’t look like a ‘normal’ man… the fact is that he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’ll be damned if I let him go! I am going to marry him, Mama! I’m sorry if you can’t accept that, but I will not sacrifice my one chance at true happiness for you.”
“Cecilia…”
“And another thing! How dare you pass judgment on people you don’t even know! I wasn’t crazy about them at first myself, but after living with them and getting to know them all, I can’t imagine my life without them. They’ve sacrificed their chances at normal lives to protect people like you, and this is the thanks they get?”
“Cecilia! Please, you need to calm down… it’s not good for you to be so upset right now…”
“I really don’t think you know what’s good for me,” Cecilia says coldly. She’s calmer now, mostly because she’s sick of arguing; what’s the use? “Mama, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Mary’s heart skips a beat at the request; it hurts to hear those words from her own daughter, and in such a tone. She wonders, does Cecilia hate her now? She wouldn’t be able to bear it.
“Oh… okay,” Mary reluctantly agrees. She looks at Cecilia, who doesn’t do the same. Mary begins to make her way towards the door, stopping near it and turning back to her daughter. “I love you.”
Cecilia says nothing, just shaking her head, and then Mary is gone. Cecilia’s first instinct is to cry, but she refuses; she won’t let her mother get to her like that. It’s times like these that she wishes more than anything that her father was still around.
Cecilia’s thoughts are interrupted by another knock at her door, and she rolls her eyes, thinking Mary’s returned. “Yes?” she says.
“Ah, you’re awake, excellent,” a man’s voice answers. “Can I come in?”
Cecilia perks up as she realizes who the voice belongs to. “Sure thing,” she replies
The door opens and in comes the tall, somewhat lanky form of Frank Hubbard. He smiles at his fellow doctor and asks, “How’re you doing?”
“Oh, you know,” Cecilia says with a shrug, “I’m alive.”
“Something up?” Frank asks her as he moves a bit closer. “I just saw your mom leave…”
Cecilia shakes her head. “Nothing. It’s stupid. Just sort of messed up because of the medicine is all.”
“Well,” Frank says as a grin crosses his face, “I think I have something that’ll make you feel better.”
Cecilia looks at him, puzzled, then notices the large, blue-furred figure moving into the room behind Frank. Cecilia starts beaming at the sight of Henry McCoy, and holds out her arms as he walks over to her side. “Hank!” she says happily.
“Well, hello there,” Henry says, taking Cecilia’s hands and gently kissing each of them. “I’m glad to see the effects of the medicine have mostly worn off.”
“Oh, believe me, it’s not over yet,” Cecilia jokes. She gives Henry a kiss on his cheek. “I’m just so happy to see you.”
“As am I,” Henry responds, smiling at his lady love. He takes a glance at the reading materials in her lap. “Keeping up with business, I see.”
“Oh, I never stopped,” Cecilia tells him. “I want to get married, Hank.”
Henry smiles again at her words. “As do I. And we have plenty of time…”
“No, no,” Cecilia interrupts. “I don’t want to wait. I want to do it as soon as possible. As soon as I can be discharged… I want us to get married.”
The Xavier Institute
Two individuals, one man and one woman, stand on the front lawn of the massive estate, admiring the surrounding landscape and the warm, calm weather. It’s supposed to be almost winter by now, but Ororo Munroe has seen to it that the elements today will be more than hospitable to the festivities that are to take place later on. Scott Summers remembers back to his own wedding day, when Ororo did the exact same thing.
“Beautiful day,” Scott says, his lips curling ever so slightly into a smile. “I’m glad Hank and Cecilia will have this. The last thing they need is bad weather to ruin their wedding…”
“Unless I pass out from drinking too much at the reception, the weather will remain as it is,” Ororo jokes. Scott gives the woman a surprised look, though he can’t help but laugh.
“I can only imagine what kind of weather we’d have if you got drunk,” Scott says. “Not to say I wouldn’t pay to see it…”
Ororo rolls her eyes and laughs. It’s interesting, that in this man she’s known for so long and has only recently rekindled her friendship with, she’s discovering a long-hidden sense of humor. He’s less stoic, serious, reserved these days… he’s loosened up a bit. It’s refreshing, really, and Ororo herself has been undergoing something of a similar ‘transformation’. Less doom and gloom, more laid back and willing to have a little fun. It works wonders for the soul.
“So I wonder who will be next,” Ororo says. She begins to walk slowly, and Scott follows beside her.
“To get married?” Scott asks. He ponders an answer for a moment, then responds, “I don’t know. Honestly, I always thought Alex and Lorna would be married by now. Hell, I expected them to be married before me and Jean…”
“Well, Alex has made it abundantly clear that he and Lorna are finished. I believe he will find love again, though,” Ororo comments.
“I hope so,” Scott says. “He deserves some stability in his life.”
“We all do,” Ororo adds in. “And I believe each of us will one day have it. I know that eventually, I plan to return to Kenya, and leave this life behind.” She pauses for a moment, then asks, “What about you?”
“Good question,” Scott replies. He sighs and continues, “Honestly, I want to quit all of this, Ororo. I think deep down, Jean does too. Especially considering that we have a daughter to raise. I’d love to move back to Alaska, have another child, have some sort of ‘normal’ family…”
“But?”
“But,” Scott says, “every time I even think about leaving, I always get this feeling, telling me I can’t leave. Not yet. It’s like there’s some unfinished business, something else I have to do before I can finally be done with this crazy life.”
“I’ve felt the same at times,” Ororo tells her companion. “And I believe it is almost always best to follow our instincts. For now, my instincts tell me to stay.”
“Same here. Looks like we’re stuck,” Scott quips. “For who knows how long.”
“Well, I think we’ll be able to make the most of it,” Ororo says with a firm nod of her head. “And things could be much worse.”
“For Hank and Cecilia in particular,” Scott says. “I just hope she doesn’t get sick again. It’s been hard enough for her, for both of them, and today they’re getting married… I can’t stand to think of them having to suffer anymore than they have.”
“No matter what happens, they will always be together,” Ororo assures him. “They have the kind of love that lasts forever.”
“I know,” Scott agrees, “I just want them to be happy. I want them to be able to grow old together… I want someone to have that kind of happiness that seems to always elude us mutant vigilantes.”
{X-MEN EMERGENCY!}
The telepathic message rings through Scott and Ororo’s minds, and they immediately do an about-face and turn back to the mansion, starting to move swiftly towards it. The mental cry seems a little campy to have come from Jean, but there’s trouble that needs attention nonetheless. Or is there?
{Just kidding,} Jean laughs into her teammate’s minds. {You can relax.}
{Jean!} Scott says to his wife through the telepathic link. {What’s the deal here?}
{Oh, nothing major… Hank’s having trouble with his bow tie and no one can figure it out for the life of them,} Jean explains.
Ororo smiles and shakes her head. {I’m on my way.}
Cecilia Reyes’ Bedroom
She stands before the tall mirror, looking over the flowing white gown that she’s wearing. There are still other pieces to put on, and her make-up isn’t completely finished yet, but it all shouldn’t take too long. Right now, she’s just spending some time alone, looking over what she’s got on so far, making sure it’s all in order. There’s one thing in particular, however, that’s occupying her mind.
Her breast. Her right breast. Her eyes keep wandering to it, and while it’s covered up and looks normal, she knows what it truly looks like. All the tissue was removed from it, and now it’s pretty much flat, in addition to having a large scar running along the bottom of it. She can’t stand to look at it, and she’s refused to let Hank see her even partially naked since being discharged from the hospital. She knows she shouldn’t feel this way, but she’s disgusted with herself… she’s disgusted with how she looks.
It didn’t really hit her until after she came home to the mansion. In the hospital, she was focusing more on just the idea of the cancer returning at some point, but now she’s seen the mark the disease has left on her. At some point she knows she’ll be able to have reconstructive surgery, have an implant put in, and all the scars will heal. It will all look as it did before; the problem is, Cecilia will always know what’s really there.
She sighs, part content and part distressed, as she catches sight of the time on the clock. A few hours… not very long at all. There’s still so much left to do, and it all has to beperfect. She won’t let this day be ruined.
“Hey hey,” comes the warm voice of another woman, accompanied by the slight creaking of a door. Cecilia turns her head and sees Alison Blaire standing in the doorway. They exchange smiles as Alison walks into the room. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” Cecilia says as Alison moves in closer. “Girl, you don’t have your bridesmaid’s dress on yet!”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’m still planning on wearing it,” Alison assures her friend. “Rebecca’s just been fussy today, I had to spend a lot of time getting her calmed down.”
Cecilia lets out a laugh, and a puzzled look crosses Alison’s face. “What is it?” Alison asks.
“Just… I don’t know, kinda funny,” Cecilia tells her. “You an’ me really just met when all this happened… when me and Hank really got serious, when your baby was born… and now look. I’m getting married, your daughter’s growing up… I don’t know. Maybe I’m not makin’ any sense, I guess it just sort of feels like everything is coming together. Like some things are happening the way they’re supposed to.”
Alison smiles and takes one of Cecilia’s hands in her own, giving it a light squeeze. “I know what you mean,” she says. “And I am so happy for you and Henry. I’m so happy that I can be here for the wedding, too.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Cecilia tells her. “I’m glad to be here. I never thought in a million years I’d end up living at a mansion full of other mutants, that I’d be marrying a member of the X-Men of all people… and that’d I’d end up being the luckiest woman in the world.”
“Life has a way of surprising us,” Alison says with a shrug of her shoulders. “Good and bad.”
“Bad, indeed,” Cecilia sighs, placing her hands right above her chest. “At least you can’t tell…”
“Oh, Cecilia…” Alison moves right next to Cecilia and takes hold of one of the bride’s arms. “You’re beautiful, scar or no scar. Don’t doubt that. And you know Hank couldn’t care less about it.”
Cecilia nods. “I know,” she says. “It’s just… it’s difficult. Because no matter what, it’ll always be there to remind me.”
“One day it’ll just be a reminder of how you beat this disease,” Alison insists.
“Yeah, long as I don’t have a relapse in the next ten years…” Cecilia sighs and turns to her side, away from Alison. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be negative, bring the mood down… hell, I should be ecstatic. It’s my wedding day!”
“I… I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through,” Alison begins. “All I know is that you’re a survivor. You’re a fighter. You’re so incredibly strong, Cecilia… and you deserve this. You deserve to be the happiest woman in the world.”
“Not according to my mother,” Cecilia says as she turns to face Alison. “She actually came to see me at the hospital, after my surgery, and in no uncertain terms told me I should dump Hank and ditch the X-Men.”
Alison furrows her brow in shock and confusion. “She did what?” she says. “Why? I thought your mother liked Hank…?”
“So did I,” Cecilia says, shrugging her shoulders. “She says she does, she says she’s not prejudiced, but she thinks that I can’t have a normal, happy life if I marry into this crazy mutant family. She doesn’t understand that I’m not ashamed of being of mutant, that I’ve embraced it… she doesn’t realize how much I care about the people here.”
“I’m sorry,” Alison says. “To think that your own mother isn’t going to be here for your wedding…”
Cecilia cocks an eyebrow and looks Alison in the eye. “Oh, no,” Cecilia says, “I have no doubt about her coming to the wedding today. My mother will show up… I know it.”
The Courtyard
Henry McCoy stands near the makeshift altar where, shortly, he will be married to the woman he loves. The problem of his bow tie has been solved, but he’s still nervous. He’s not someone who usually gets nervous, in any type of situation, but this wedding is testing that idea. Very much so.
Around the tuxedo-clad groom are several of his oldest friends; Scott Summers and Bobby Drake are by his side, while Warren Worthington III and Sean Cassidy are walking around the immediate area, making sure everything is in order. It won’t be long now until the ceremony starts, and everyone is doing their part to ensure that there are no unwanted surprises. The team is on the watch for any possible attacks as well – those pesky villains have been known to crash their enemies’ weddings.
“Looking good, Hank,” Bobby says, winking and giving the large, blue-furred man the thumbs-up. “And it looks like everything’s in place… man, you’re actually going to bemarried pretty soon…”
“Don’t remind him,” Scott jokes. “You’ll be fine, Hank. If I could make it through my wedding day in one piece… you’ll pass with flying stars and garters.”
Henry gives Scott a mock evil eye, then eventually lets a smile show. “Oh, yes… I’m sure,” he says with a sigh. “I’m sure I’m going to have a heart attack.”
“Yeah, from all those damn Twinkies you eat,” Bobby teases.
“Bobby, kindly do shut up,” Henry says with a soft growl. The younger man’s eyes widen for a mere second and he does as he’s told.
“I’m surprised you two aren’t having a priest perform the ceremony for you,” Scott comments. “I know you’re not religious, Hank, but Cecilia’s a devout Catholic I thought…”
“Ah, that,” Henry says with a nod. “Well, oddly enough, Cecilia insisted on a more – ‘universal wedding’ was the term she used. I wouldn’t have minded either way, but that’s what she wanted. And in planning a wedding, the bride to be must always have her way.”
“Most definitely,” Scott says matter-of-factly. “So when are your parents supposed to arrive? Cutting it a bit close…”
“Their flight was delayed but they are most definitely on their way,” Henry explains. “Now, Cecilia’s mother… that’s another story.”
“Maybe it’d be better if she didn’t come,” Bobby says, the disgust evident in his voice. “I still can’t believe she actually told Cecilia to dump you.”
“She just wasn’t who we thought she was,” Henry sighs. “It’s unfortunate, because I’m quite fond of Mary… but there’s nothing Cecilia nor I seem to be able to do to change her mind.”
“You have each other, though,” Scott says. “That’s all that really matters.”
“Indeed,” Henry agrees with a nod. “Indeed…”
“Hey, Doc McCoy,” Angelo Espinosa says as he approaches the three veteran X-Men. “Your parents just got here.”
Henry smiles. “Thank you, Angelo.” He looks at Bobby and then Scott, and says, “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse, I’m going to go greet my parents… and then I believe it will be time for the nuptials to begin.”
“Friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness the union of this man, Henry McCoy, and this woman, Cecilia Reyes. The bride and groom have decided to forgo the traditional ceremonial vows, and instead have written their own. I will now let them speak.”
The justice becomes silent, and Henry and Cecilia take each other’s hands. They smile at each other, while all of the guests seated before them anxiously await the exchange of vows.
“Cecilia, my love,” Henry begins after clearing his throat, “I honestly do not have words to express how deeply I feel for you. At least, no words of my own. Instead, I’ve selected a poem to recite that reflects my love.”
Henry squeezes Cecilia’s hands a bit tighter and gazes deep into her eyes. “I peered through life, ever avoiding strife, but now am undone, my barriers broken. For one has found me, reached in and unbound me, her love has burst my bonds, and set music to my songs. Her need for me, and mine for she, has made my winter spring. A new start, with hammering heart, we color the world with our dream, nothing is as it did seem. The darkness of my solitude is done, she – my rising sun.”
Cecilia’s eyes water as Henry finishes the poem, and her smile widens. She’s always been fond of his appreciation for poetry, and he never fails to come up with just the perfect poem for every occasion. Cecilia briefly looks to the side, at the crowd seated before her and Henry, and her heart skips a beat when she sees her mother seated in one of the front rows. Mary smiles at her daughter, mouthing the words ‘I love you’.
Cecilia turns back to Henry and gazes deep into his eyes for a moment before beginning her vows. “Hank… this is a dream for me. I never used to think I’d be the girl who fell in love and got married. I didn’t think I wanted these things, but I was so wrong… you’ve proved me wrong, loving me as much as you do, showing me how wonderful life can be when you share it with someone else. I can honestly say that I’m never as happy as I am when I’m with you.”
“You’ve shown me courage, honesty, and loyalty. You’ve shown me what it means to truly love someone. No matter how bad things got, you’ve stayed by my side; you never gave up on me, not even once. You are truly the most magnificent man I have ever had the good fortune to know, and I am so happy to be standing here and marrying you. No matter where the uncertain future takes us, there is one thing that will always be certain for me – that I love you, Henry McCoy. I love you with all of my heart.”
Henry’s parents, who are sitting in the front row, smile and grip each other’s hands. His mother, Edna, dabs away some tears from her eyes; she can’t help but cry. Mary, who’s sitting next to her, is in a similar way.
“Beautiful vows,” the justice says to the bride and groom. “Now… let’s get to the good part.” Everyone enjoys a small laugh at the comment, but the noise quickly subsides. The justice holds out his hand, in it two matching wedding bands, and motions for Henry and Cecilia to take them from him.
“Please place the rings on each other’s fingers,” the justice tells them, and they do as they’re told. Cecilia laughs a little as she puts on Henry’s ring; his fingers are so thick and while the ring is extra big, it’s still proving to be a challenge to get it on. She achieves her goal, though, and the two of them resume holding hands.
“Henry McCoy, do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
Henry answers with a slight nod, “I do.”
“Cecilia Reyes, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and cherish, until death do you part?”
Cecilia smiles wide. “I do.”
“By the power vested in me by the state of New York… Henry McCoy, Cecilia Reyes… I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
NEXT ISSUE: Cassandra’s back – just in time for all hell to break loose! Everything comes crashing down as a lurking evil in the X-Men’s midst is revealed… the tables are about to turn on the mighty mutants, and nothing will ever be the same!
It’s kind of funny because this is sort of a defining issue for me. Ever since I started writing this series, I had the intention for Beast and Cece to hook up and eventually marry, and now here we are almost five years later… the wedding issue! At long last. So, with this story now finally told, don’t expect to see these two for the next several months (they’re gonna have a nice long honeymoon – they deserve it!). To those who are concerned that Cecilia’s cancer storyline has been swept under the rug – it’s not over yet. Just for the foreseeable future, there are other matters to attend to.
We are very, very close, y’all. Next month is the prelude to the big crossover starting in January. And I am very excited!
~Ryan
11/25/03
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