「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(218) Welcome Back

Lynn's POV

It is said that time crawls for those who wait, yet whizzes past for those who are afraid; lengthy for those who wither in regret, but brief for those who live to celebrate.

Indeed, the advanced technologies around the house suddenly began working too slowly for me.

The automatic doors slithered open too lazily, the wheels of my chair seemed to spin perpetually sluggishly regardless that I had set the joystick at full speed and the mundane procedure of the security cameras examining my retinas was basically a torturous treat as I drummed my fingers impatiently on my armrest but the moment I laid eyes on his conscious frame, it was like all my frustration had spontaneously dissipated.

A wide grin curved itself onto my lips as I briskly approached his bed and our hands naturally ended up in each other's grasp. I gazed fondly into those crystal blue irises and my smile faltered in the best way possible.

There was always something so stunning about his eyes. Every expression familiar, yet every one distinct, reproducing starkly different effects on me.

Some times, they looked spirited, like they were bearing the energy of the world, instantly giving me strength. Other times, they danced with pure exhilaration, like they were showered with a boundless supply of happiness, immediately bringing me joy. Now, they sizzled in a watery passion, like the flames of unconditional devotion standing resolutely against the rain, directly melting my heart.

My lips twitched faintly and my entire body fell weak, succumbing to the sparkles of tenderness glistening from the corners of his eyes. My mind was static, the sweet kind of hollow following a surge of elation and relief, and as my chin trembled with progressive noticeability, he gently cupped my face, both of us knowing for certain what was going to happen next.

"You're such a crybaby, my love," Charles remarked teasingly, stroking his thumb across my cheek to push away the tumbling tears of pride.

"This one's definitely on you, Xavier," I retorted bashfully but bolting through that docile front was an urge, so fervent and violent, it was unstoppable.

Before another train of thought could trundle through my brain, I leaned forward and wrapped my hand around his head, planting a sentimental kiss to his lips as I yanked off all the overhanging wires. Charles reciprocated vividly, despite his supine position, with a burst of undivided tenacity as he cradled my skull at the crook of my neck, his fingers probably caught in an entangled mess between my bare skin and my hair, and vigorously kissed me back.

Romance and excitement rapidly heightened as our tongues waltzed in sheer delight and whatever residual stress burdening us was tossed into the darkness eradicated by the rising intensities of our dedicated affection.

"I've missed you, Charles," I confessed quietly, breaking away breathlessly to see his face.

"I've missed you, too, Lynn," he mumbled with a candid smile as he meticulously tucked away my straying locks behind my ear.

"I'll take it as you've forgiven me?" Charles presumed in a haughty and sly expression.

"I'd say yes if you actually did something wrong," I retaliated smugly and he chuckled, all too charmingly with that adorable blush.

"Welcome back," I admitted gladly and he smiled, but his face inevitably creased into a scowl as he tediously propped himself up on his elbows.

"Where are the kids?" Charles investigated curiously after he strenuously pushed himself into a seated posture and scanned our unaccompanied surroundings.

"They've gone to stop Erik," I answered in a neutral tone.

"I knew you'd find your way," Charles commended with a pleased expression and carefully bent forward to peck my forehead.

"I had you to guide me," I acknowledged with an appreciative smile and he shrugged pompously, nonchalantly tugging off the remaining connections.

Telekinetically fetching his chair over, I merely shifted myself to grant him more space and politely observed as Charles independently transferred into his seat. Despite the mild throbbing I had plagued his arm with, I knew better than to offer assistance and Charles smiled in satisfaction, albeit panting slightly, as he managed a rather elegant drop into his chair.

"Would you like something to eat?" I proposed innocently but Charles' ecstatic expression quickly faded as I navigated his gaze towards the trolley of dishes.

"Tell me you did not cook with one hand," Charles confronted sternly with a confounded face of anxiety and severity.

"It was Jean," I informed delicately, marginally taken aback by his fierce tone and moderately distrustful attitude, albeit not that he could be blamed, given my unhealthy track record.

"Thank god," Charles murmured, heaving a relieved breath.

"Promise me, you won't overwork it again. Please," Charles kindly appealed, watching me intently as he took my good hand in both of his and rubbed his thumb smoothly along my knuckles.

"You know how much it breaks me when you hurt yourself," he sheepishly lamented and my gaze simply sunk into a sea of guilt.

Undeniably, Charles predicted, accurately, I harbored a tinge of eagerness to use my hand again before it had totally recovered, and fretted, justifiably, that it would only do me a disservice but I truly hoped that, unlike me, he could be obscured from the fact that, even without any external tolls, my hand had been crippled beyond complete repair, for as long as reality would allow.

"I promise, I won't hurt myself again," I swore honestly and squeezed his palm in reassurance.

"I'm sorry, Charles," I apologized, staring repentantly into his eyes glinting with agony.

"No, that was- I was harsh. I'm sorry," he confided remorsefully, pulling me into a warm hug and lightly pecked my temple as he glided his palm along the auburn tresses on my head.

"I think we should stop," I claimed, giggling at our probably endless yet characteristic antics.

"You're right. I'll get you dinner," Charles replied humorously and readily steered himself towards our lavishly decorated meals.

"Shall we watch something while we eat?" I suggested, conveniently floating the television's remote control into my palm and pressed on the conspicuous red button to activate the large screen hanging from the wall to our right.

"With the ceremonies beginning shortly, it looks as though the last of the dignitaries have landed at Newark and Teterboro airports and will be arriving momentarily. It would seem the United Nations has had their wish tonight. There doesn't seem to be an empty seat in the house," the newscaster reported from the foreground of a steady stream of limousines crossing the two-lane bridge from New Jersey.

The picturesque night scene specked with numerous headlights soon switched to a beautiful aerial view, flaunting the multiple, and supposedly impervious, layers of surveillance blanketing every square of Ellis Island as countless choppers drifted in and out of the image, promptly delivering various international delegates and their families to the glorious event.

"Would you like a closer look?" Charles tempted with a mischievous smile as he came around my uninjured side, resting his chin on my shoulder and cautiously looped an arm around my waist.

"It's alright, dear. I don't want you overexerting yourself again," I declined courteously, intertwining our fingers and reclined comfortably into him as I focused my eyes on the broadcasted programme.

"I promise, I won't hurt myself again," Charles affirmed earnestly, whispering into my ear.

XXXXX

Yay Charles is back! How about that? Did you all enjoy it? Be sure to vote and comment if you have and have a great midweek! 😘

Oh and where was everyone yesterday? It seemed like a couple of my favourite and usual readers just suddenly disappeared from the votes/comment scenes too 😅