Epilogue

“Moira MacTaggert,” said Professor Xavier, “was perhaps the only X-Man who was not a mutant. She did more for this school, this dream, and all mutants everywhere, than I can even begin to tell you.”

Everyone at the funeral already knew this. What no one besides Rahne knew was that she also inadvertently did more harm to mutants than they would ever know. But that had been an honest accident, born from good intentions. There was no need for them to ever know that she created the basic strain that the Legacy Virus was made from. She paid for that secret with her life, and through a lifetime of research in Genetics and Mutation. Xavier and all the rest did their best to honor Moira and mark her passing with extreme dignity. Tears were shed seemingly without end.

Rahne kept to her room for a few days. Sam thought this wasn’t normal but he didn’t interfere, knowing that the relationship his wife had with her mother was exceeding special. He took food to her and tried not to bother her, and eventually her grieving ebbed.

Moira’s nurse gave Rahne a note from Moira, which she had written at the height of her sickness. It read:

My dearest, darling, only daughter,

I am sorry for the pain that I have caused you. I hope that one day you will understand and forgive me. I did some bad things, but it was always because I had someone else’s best interest in mind.

I regret leaving you with Craig more than you will ever know. I know he’s a hard man, and not fit for raising children, but at the time, I was a hopeless alcoholic. Every time I thought about going to get you, I was reminded of Proteus. I felt like I wasn’t worthy of having a child, and I was scared of what Proteus could do to you. But when finally fate- or God- put you in my arms, I couldn’t resist you any longer. It was so hard, just to send you away to Xavier’s. I love you, Rahne, and I hope I have been a good mother to you in the short time we’ve had together.

Stay with Sam, honey. He’s gold for sure. Oh, and if you ever move, consider getting a place with better-insulated walls. Trust me.

Try to forgive the Professor. I know he did an awful thing, but I know him and he would never willingly hurt you.

Please do not regret leaving if I am gone before you return. I know you didn’t mean to leave me like that. I can only imagine what Craig might be telling you about me, but I guess it doesn’t matter. You know me, Rahne. I promise you that there are no more secrets between us.

Whatever you may do, wherever you may go, I want you to know that you are a wonderful person and a true lady. My heart nearly bursts with pride every time I think about the woman you’ve become. You made my life worth living and my death more unwelcome. But I’ll always be with you, my girl, and don’t you forget it.

Love always,
Mummy

The week after Moira’s funeral, the Guthries went with the rest of the X-family to Genosha, for the service to commemorate the hundreds of mutants and humans slain by Hodgelock. Quicksilver left the throne of his ruined country to his sister Wanda. He disappeared without a trace after that.

Professor Xavier paid the Guthries  a personal visit in Kentucky—something he had never done.

“I’ve been arrogant,” he said. “I suppose being the ‘top dog’ for too many years can go to your head. I made some bad decisions—inexcusable actions, because I was too busy or too lofty to care enough. I see now that I did not appreciate you, or anyone, as an individual—as opposed to just part of the team.”

They agreed, silently, with that.

“I’m sorry for what I did in the lab that day. And I’d like you to come work for me. Not as X-Men, as instructors. I’m asking you, please. I can legally end your contract with the state if you accept.”

They accepted.

The following week, they went to a service on Muir Isle for the prisoners and guards who died there. Rahne, carried by Sam, scattered Moira’s ashes all over the island.

They landed near the shore, where Rahne held the urn close to her to try and block the stinging wind. They looked out over the water towards the mainland.

“Ya sure ya wanna do this?” asked Sam.

“Yes. If you are.”

“Then let’s go!”

Reverend Craig looked strange trying to be polite. It was new to him.

“Coffee, Samuel?” he asked Sam.

“No thank you, sir.”

“So,” started Rahne uneasily. It was awkward for her to say much to him. “Ye won’t be the Pastor here anymore?”

“No. I have much to think about, much to learn. I have no place lookin’ after children either. I’ve asked the officials to take them in.”

Rahne said nothing in response to that. The damage done to her was just too bad to forget about. She looked at her husband, who was having a lot of fun playing with the two-year old girl with big hazel eyes. As she had hoped, they were hitting it off quite well.

“Ye having fun, honey?”

“She’s an angel, baby. What’s her name?”

Rahne looked at Reverend Craig for an answer.

“Lauren,” said the Reverend. “She doesn’t say much yet.”

“Lauren,” repeated Rahne, smiling at her and Sam.

“Hmmm…Lauren Guthrie?” asked Sam.

“Lauren Paige Guthrie sounds good.”

“Yes, it does,” said Sam.

“We want her,” said Rahne to the Reverend.

“There are papers to fill out and such …ye’ll have to wait until next week for the officials to come and…”

“We want her TODAY, Reverend. I know ye can make it happen.”

“Alright,” said Craig humbly. He knew he’d better not displease Rahne any further. “I’ll fill out all the papers myself. Ye can take her home today if ye want.”

Rahne looked back at Sam, who was throwing Lauren up into the air and catching her. She’s laughing. Good. I want her to laugh a lot. I hope she laughs herself silly. Sam is having a blast. That’s wonderful. I can hardly wait to show Dani and the others…

“Rahne,” said Craig, “I don’t want to be pushy, but…can we correspond sometimes? A letter from time to time?”

I don’t love you, old man. I don’t know what to feel about you. I suppose Christ would say yes…

“Alright. Maybe ye can send a letter sometimes. But I can’t promise ye anything.” She looked away from him, not wanting to shed one ounce of pain for him. “Sam, we should be going, don’t ye think?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

They both knelt near Lauren and tried to convince her what a wonderful home they had, and asked her to come live with them. She was ecstatic.

“Let’s go get yuir things,” said Rahne, and away they trotted. Sam, however, stayed with the Reverend. He stood very close to him and gazed deep into his eyes.

“My Pa always said ya should give everybody a second chance. Well this is yours, Reverend. But I’ll warn ya one time only: Don’t you ever hurt her again, in any way. If she cries when she reads a letter from you, I’m flying over here to break your neck. Got it?”

The Reverend did not scowl or raise his voice. “Aye,” he said.

Rahne came back with Lauren, some clothes, a doll, and a comb. “Let’s go home,” she said.

Sam flew them to the rendezvous point with Lila. He did loops and spins all the way there. Lauren was too young to be scared of the flight. She laughed and laughed at the wind blowing their hair around and at Sam talking to birds that were in his way. Every time Sam would do an acrobatic move to make Rahne scream, Lauren screamed right along with her. Their joy was just beginning, but it was already strong.

"I was sad because I had no family...but then I found out later,
sometimes the family ye're born into isna as important as the one ye
make..."
--Rahne, in X-Factor #103

~finis~

Explicit: Thank you for reading this story. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks again to Timon for editing it. Feedback of any kind--whether comments, corrections, or criticism--is always welcome. Email me at: davis77@netzero.net or, if this addy becomes outdated, check for a new one on the main WX page. Thanks again.