Spice and firecrackers

[Gambit]

“I beg t’ differ, p’tite,” Remy replied with a confident air. “I got y’ t’ come home wit’ me, didn’t I?”

Grinning wickedly at her, he adjusted the luggage he carried and continued down the road. Jubilee had never been one to fall all over him like most femmes did, that was for sure, but she wasn’t completely impervious to his charms. They just took on a different form with her. Joke as he might, he was also more sincere with her than anyone. If anyone knew him, or even had even the slightest chance of understanding him it was her.

Her, and the people in the house that had just come into view. Slowing to a stop beside Jubilee, Remy just stared at the house, his sunglass covered eyes taking in every inch of it. It had been a few years now since he had laid eyes on this place, ever since that day... the ‘happiest’ day of his life, supposedly. Wasn’t that what people always said about weddings?

Besides looking slightly more run down and unkempt, the place hadn’t changed a bit. Swallowing his own nerves and plastering and easy smile back on his lips, he nudged Jubilee gently on the arm. “Y’ gonna be fine, Jubes. Dey gonna love you.”

[Jubilee]

Jubilee grumbled at that, but didn't reply. Who knew what would happen if she let him out of her sight? It wasn't like he was good at looking after himself. In fact, he was kind of awesomely bad at it. One of these days, she was going to convince him to quit smoking, for real.

They arrived at the house, and Jubilee lifted her chin stubbornly. She could handle this. She could so handle this. After all, it couldn't be worse than winning over Mags, for serious. These were just humans...and Remy's family. Who she knew, maybe better than most, meant a lot to him. Their approval, their love.

Ugh, this was all such a bad idea.

"Of course they'll love me. Who couldn't love this face?" she said, and tossed her head a little, smoothing hair out of her eyes. Maybe if she kept telling herself that, she'd believe it herself. She adjusted her Raybans on top of her head and pulled a little at the hem of her tshirt, straightening herself out. "So, are we gonna knock on the door or turn 'round and go back to NYC?"

[Gambit]

Although he put on a good show, Remy was actually a bit nervous. What if he wasn’t welcome here anymore? What if the order of exile still stood? He hadn’t exactly been the best at keeping up communication, so he had no idea if his leaving had accomplished the truce between the guilds after his wedding had almost created an all out war.

“Tempting...” he admitted, though with his usual joking edge so Jubilee hopefully wouldn’t think him serious. “But I be hankerin’ fo’ some good ol’ home cooked gumbo, an’ I jus’ don’ t’ink I can get back on a place wit’out some.”

Sucking up his nerves, he took those last few steps to reach the wide front porch, not noticing the figure sitting in a rocker at one corner.

((Enter Tante Mattie?))

[Jubilee]

"Hmmph." Jubilee shook her head and looked around again before walking towards the verandah, following Remy up the steps. This was a bad idea. Everything about it was bad. They should have done what she said and gone to Florida for a holiday. They could've gone to Disneyworld.

"And what makes y' think I'm gonna let the likes of you in my kitchen, boy?" a rough voice came from the rocking chair, and dark weathered hands pushed the body in the rocking chair up out of it. Tante Mattie raised an eyebrow at the masterthief on her doorstep, bright red do-rag tied around her braided hair to keep it back and under control. Masterthief he may be, but child to her he still was. "Don't call, don't write, and then you turn up expecting to be fed?" She sighed in mock remonstrance, and opened her arms. "C'mere, Remy LeBeau, and give me a hug. Then introduce me to y'r p'tite friend there."

Jubilee closed her mouth and glared at the old black woman, and tipped her Raybans down her eyes. It wasn't like she was that little! Where did everyone get off calling her small anyway?