"Oh, my gawd," Rogue moaned.
"Oh, you," Jean smiled, taking the curler out of the edge of Rogue's hair. "Perfection." She turned Rogue to the mirror.
Her hair was piled on her head, two tendrils on either side of her cheeks curled. A mother-of-pearl comb seemed to be holding it up, but Rogue knew that with the bobby pins used, they kept a factory in business for another year.
"Ah look like an adult."
"You are an adult, honey. An adult getting married."
"Ah'm in shock. This weddin' is gonna be huge!"
"At least as big as mine was," Jean laughed. "Except, this wedding has bad guys, too."
"Ah don' remember them, but they insisted on comin'. Ah hope there ain't gonna be no trouble," she looked worried. Looking out onto the great lawn, her eyes crossed. "How did we find so many chairs?"
"There isn't that many people!" Jean smiled at her.
"Generation Next, some X-Force, X-Factor, X-Men, both teams."
"The leaders of the two teams are getting married. And even so, they're your friends. You'd gut them if they didn't show."
"True," Rogue giggled. "Where's 'Roro? Ain't the maid-o'-honour supposed to be doin this stuff?"
"Yes," Jean stood up. "But hey, if someone doesn't, you'll be walking down the aisle in your slip."
"Remy'll like that."
"So would most of the guys."
"Can I see?" A voice called.
"C'mon in, Jubilation. Yer welcome."
"Thanks," Jubilee walked in. "Wow! You look great! That isn't the dress, is it?"
"Heck no, this is my slip, girl," Rogue grinned, pointing at the lush gown.
"Wow," she looked wide-eyed. "Hey, did you know the BLOB is here?!"
"Yeah. He insisted on comin'. He knew me way back when. That when ah don' remember, but that's ok. Mom said he wouldn't cause trouble. Ah can't do this."
"What do you mean," Jean looked severe.
"Ah can't get married. Ah just don't think ah can handle all the eyes."
"You are not shy, Rogue," Ororo chuckled, coming into the room. "Sorry it took me so long. Let's get you into this."
Rogue began to struggle into the gown "It's too big."
"No it isn't."
"What if he doesn't show up?"
"Then we'll track him down and do things that I can't say because it's censored."
Rogue giggled. "It's too small."
"It was perfect yesterday."
"It's too tight. Ah think we should put the weddin' off til ah lose some weight.
"You'll never lose weight there."
"Ororo!!!!"
"You're being silly, Rogue. You want to marry Remy, do you not?"
"Yes."
"So?"
"Ah'm nervous. Just ignore me," Rogue smiled.
Ororo turned her to the mirror, and began to fix the fall of the fabric.
An old fashioned gown in lace and silk, it was the dream of a true southern belle. It had been the nightmare of the seamstress.
Falling to the floor in a wash of fabric, the skirt was full with tiny beads sewn in flower shapes. A bustle of silk and antique lace decorated the back. The bodice was form fitting, and dipped low. Long sleeves of pure lace started off the shoulder and dipped into a v-shape at the hand. All in all, the woman had taken a month to make the creation, and Rogue looked spectacular in it.
"Omigosh," Jubilee sighed. "You look so gorgeous, Rogue!"
"Remy will die," Jean agreed.
"Ah hope not! Ah need him for the honeymoon!!"
The women laughed.
"What's so funny?" Kitty asked, coming into the room.
"You had to be here," Jubilee smiled. "Doesn't she look awesome?"
"You look awesome, Rogue," Kitty smiled. "A perfect bride on a perfect day."
"Do you think I'd let it rain?" Ororo looked hurt.
"Of course not," Kitty laughed. "How dumb can I get?"
"Oh, kitten, you are not dumb."
"I know that. So, what time did the boys get back from the bachelor party?"
"I don't know," Jean smiled wickedly. "They were back before we got back from the bachelorette party."
The girls laughed, looking happy and relaxed.
"I'm so happy for you, Rogue," Kitty smiled. "I had my doubts about him at first, but he's shaped up pretty good."
"Amazing what a little work will create," Jean piped up.
"So, Ororo, when are you going to get yourself a man?" Kitty asked with a naughty smile.
"Huh?" she asked eloquently.
After the laughter died down, Ororo pursed her lips. "Perhaps I do not wish a genetically inferior creature, such as a man. Perhaps a goldfish."
"A goldfish!" Jubilee laughed.
"Ah think ah'd rather have me Remy. He isn't too slimy. And he's usually toasty warm."
"Mmm. Perhaps you're right. Maybe I'll go that little extra to catch the bouquet," Ororo nodded.
"Paige is going all out for it."
"She is too young. She does not need it."
"Yes, and Ororo is getting old, and definitely needs help," Jean said, looking serious.
"Jean!"
Rogue giggled, turning away from the group. Looking out the window, she could see the 50-or-so guests beginning to take seats. A bazillion butterflies fluttered in her belly, and she got the idea that if she hiccupped, some would flutter from her mouth, and fly around her head.
And there were so many people out there she didn't remember.
At least, she thought, ah have the support of the greatest friends in the world.
"Ah wonder," she said out loud, "what the boys're doin' right now?"

~end chapter 7
~by Michiru