time eternal.

alternate ending.

part one.

August groaned, turning on her side and shoving her face into her pillow. Footsteps could be heard running down the corridor towards the bedroom, and August knew that there was no point in trying to go back to sleep.

"Darling, it's time to get up."

August looked up at her husband, taking in the fresh morning sight. The sunlight from the window shone against his fair skin, making him look like an angel among mortals. His eyes were tired, but they held love and brightness inside the blue irises as he gazed down at her. His newly cut hair fell against his forehead, making him look like the first time August met him.

"I don't want to get up, Charlie," she protested, setting a hand on his bare chest. "Can't we just go back to bed? I'm exhausted from last night."

"I'm glad to hear you enjoyed yourself, love," Charles sniggered, his voice husky from lack of use. "But you know who's coming if we don't–"

As if right on cue, two little children came running into the bedroom, both clothed and fully awake.

"Mommy, Daddy, wake up!" the little eight year old exclaimed, jumping up on August.

August squealed, rushing to cover herself with the satin sheets as her daughter jumped on top of her. Charles laughed, only to have a little five year old slam his elbow into Charles' crowned jewels as he attempted to climb up the bed. August laughed along with her two children as Charles groaned in pain.

"Mommy, guess what!"

August smiled down at her daughter. "What is it, Charlotte?"

"I found out what my mutation is!" Charlotte said excitedly, bouncing up and down on her mother's bladder. August muffled her complaints and smiled at her daughter.

"Oh really?" Charles stated, recovered from his son's attack and now held him in his arms. "What are they, then?"

"I can poison people!" Charlotte announced, throwing her arms in the air. August shared a glance with Charles, knowing fully that Charlotte couldn't have possibly discovered her mutation this early.

"How did this happen?" August asked, brushing a lock of hair from Charlotte's face lovingly.

"Lottie was baking Uncle Hank some cookies," Matthew answered. August then realized what had happened.

"Have you made sure he was okay?" Charles asked, almost laughing.

Charlotte shook her head, her brown hair falling everywhere. Matthew only stared in guilt down at his father.

"I think we should go apologize to Uncle Hank, don't you?" August suggested, giving Charlotte a pointed look. She nodded her head, quickly getting off the bed and running off to find a sick Hank McCoy. Matthew was soon to follow after kissing his parents good morning.

August laid back down next to her husband, a lazy smile on her face. Her bare shoulders were exposed as the blankets covered everything else. Charles ran his fingers across her collarbones, giving her goosebumps in the process.

His hand trailed down to August's stomach, massaging the area softly. "What do you think we should name this one?"

August raised her eyebrows. "Jumping to names so soon, are we?"

"I'm excited, what can I say?" Charles grinned, propping himself up on his hand. August looked up at him in adoration. "I was thinking we could name this one after you, since Charlotte is named after me."

"I'm not objecting," August whispered, running her fingers down his bare shoulder and chest.

"What about Autumn?" Charles asked, thinking of the first name that came to mind.

"How are you so sure it's going to be a girl?" August smirked and Charles looked at her.

"I was right about Matthew, wasn't I?" Charles pointed out. "Besides, I have a good feeling about it."

"Whatever you say, my love." Charles leaned down, kissing August sweetly.

Their hair was a mess, and they were both exhausted beyond belief, but they were still beautiful in each other's eyes. Charles was as young as he ever was, and August was as lovely as she could ever be. Their life was like a dream, and neither of them would trade it for the world.

"Mommy, do you want a cookie?"

•

Surprise, surprise. I'm writing alternate endings for August and Charles. :)

Request things, or not, that's up to you. I'll write whatever you'd like; whatever ending you wish to read. Just comment on here and I'll make it happen.

All my love,
mikayla x.