Second in the "Blood Ties" series, featuring the children of the X-Men. You don't need to read the first one, though it does help to give you a hint as to the overall tone of the series. For one thing, there's a noticeable lack of spandex...

Disclaimer: Everything recognizable is probably copyrighted to Marvel Comics. Original characters are mine.

Rated PG.

Something old, something new,
Something borrowed, something blue,
And a silver sixpence in your shoe.

"How the hell do you stay so calm?" Abigail Boyden demanded enviously, watching her best friend adjust a spray of orange blossoms attached to her tiara. "God, I remember back when I married Hajime... I couldn't stop puking."

Rebecca Summers grinned, patting down her auburn hair. "That's 'cause I've got good luck," she laughed. "Let's see... I have my mom's veil -- that takes care of something old and something borrowed... new shoes... blue garter..."

"I wish I went into all that trouble," her friend said wistfully. "Maybe my marriage would've lasted longer."

"C'mon, Abby, you know that's not true." Rebecca hugged her gently, trying not to smear make-up all over the ivory-white bridesmaid's dress. "You know you don't love him anymore. What were you supposed to do? Just sit there and be miserable?"

"I guess you're right," Abigail concurred, smiling uncertainly. She fiddled with her corsage of white roses and baby's breath. "Stefan's a much better guy, anyway. What was I thinking when I married Hajime?"

"I knew you and Stefan were made for each other!" the bride crowed, delighted. "Aren't you glad I introduced you to him?"

"Very. I think." Her smiled blossomed into a grin. "He asked me to marry him. I love him, but--"

"But nothing," Rebecca interrupted firmly. "He's mad about you, Abby, and he really is a nice catch. Say yes."

"Well... I'm supposed to give an answer tonight. God, I'm nervous."

"You'll be fine, honey." The redhead frowned, looking at herself in the mirror. "I wish I don't have to wear the suppresser. Uncle Hank did his best, but it doesn't even come close to looking like a bracelet."

"Ladies and gentleman, I present to you my best friend: a fashion critic," Abigail teased.

"Oh, shut up," Rebecca shot back playfully. Her mother was registered as a P13 telepath, but she was at least a P17. Emphasis on "at least" -- in a knock-out, drag-out fight with Franklin Richards himself, it was hard to tell who would be the victor. Without the power suppresser, she would go mad from the constant babble of mental voices. Even with it, she still had to go through extensive training to build her psi shields.

There was no harm in dreaming, she thought to herself. A glow touched her eyes as she thought of her husband-to-be. She had dreamed of him for so long, and even when he... slipped, she never stopped loving him.

Silently, her lips formed his name. Thomas Channing. True Thomas. He had readily admitted the affair, guilt marring his handsome face as he did so. She forgave him, of course, after he proved that the silly bitch who tried to steal him was nothing more than a fleeting indiscretion. He proposed to Rebecca four months later, which she accepted happily.

"Ready, sweetie?" a woman called out, breaking into Rebecca's thoughts. Jean Grey-Summers poked her head into the room, beaming with maternal pride. "Tom's here and your father's wearing out the hall's carpet." She grinned. "Before you ask, I've cleared out all open graves, pigs, lizards, cockerels, monks, nuns and all manners of bad omens. It's safe to go out."

"Thanks, Mom," Rebecca answered wryly. "I don't suppose you have lambs and rainbows waiting in the backyard?"

"No, but Ewan brought his cats and it's April," Jean explained cheerfully. "I think that's enough good luck for anyone." She gave the two younger women a broad wink, then left.

"Right." The future Summers-Channing took a deep breath, paling a little. "I think I'm rea--"

"Wait!" Abigail exclaimed, digging through her purse. "You don't have a sixpence in your shoe. I don't have any, but I think there's a penny in here somewhere... Aha!"

"You, Abby, are the best friend anyone can ask for," Rebecca chuckled, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for the loan."

"Hey, anything for you." They exited the room arm-in-arm, laughing all the way.

THE END