Some lives don't go right the first time around. Or the second. Maybe this third incarnation of the young Phoenix called Rachel will get it right, not just for herself, but for all. Sometimes another chance is needed to right the past.

Scott stood over the cradle, his dark eyes unreadable behind the ruby sunglasses. Behind him, Jean lay in the bed, dark circles rimming her eyes. After nursing the small occupant of the cradle, his wife had immediately fallen asleep. The miracle in the cradle, born only that morning, rested quietly for the first time on her first day. The leader of the Xmen leaned over, peering with awe and incomprehension at something so small that could already cause so much change.

She had red hair, of course. He couldn't imagine a daughter of his having anything but red hair. It seemed...right to name her Rachel. Yes, maybe it was a way of trying to cheat Fate, but somehow, it seemed that it had to be.

He knelt down, reached out a tentative hand and stroked the red fuzz on her soft head. Hey, sweetheart... It felt odd, trying to make a connection with someone this young. Not even a day old yet, but they had already felt her reaching out telepathically. Charles and Jean had spent hours trying to coax her out of the nice, warm womb. Besides, Remy still claims that Siku could understand anything he was saying from when she was that young... He smiled in the darkness, remembering the scrap of blue fur that Remy had brought home almost six years ago. Sweetie, you have so many people that want to meet you and love you...we've been waiting for you for a while now... And luckily, you had a cousin to pave the way...

His thoughts turned back to his wedding day, all those years before, when Rachel and Nate had stood together as brother and sister, and everyone realized that the future finally had a chance to right everything the past had done. I can't guarentee that we'll do it right this time, but I promise you, you'll have your chance to live as normally as you can.

Normal? That was a laugh. He was still trying to face his own past, still trying to get over the pain of losing his family. It helped, finding his father and brother years later, but still... That lost time.... And even his own son... But it was best not to think of Nathan now... Maybe with this child, it would be a chance to make peace with his son as well as with what had happened.

He looked back at Jean, sleeping peacefully for the first time in many nights. Neither of them had spoken of their worries. They'd both seen what had happened to the last Summers child... Since you are your mother's daughter, I know I'll never be able to hide that sense of uneasiness from you... There was so much that we lost in...in your sister, and so much more that I wished I could've done for Nathan Christopher... He closed his eyes briefly, trying not to let that tear fall. He couldn't let his disciplined demenor fall. Years of practice had taught him to internalize as much as he could, to let it strengthen him instead of break him apart.

The baby yawned, opening her rosebud mouth, delicate eyelashes fluttering slightly as she squirmed in her first sleep and dreamed her first dream. Scott couldn't help smiling, once again marvelling that he could create such a breath-taking creature.

You're going to steal so many hearts, Rachel Summers. Luckily, you'll have lots of uncles to protect you from the boys... He chuckled, already anticipating what Logan, Remy, and the rest would manage to cook up to protect both of the little girls in the family. With Nathan, he had felt a joy looking at his small son, but somehow with Rachel, the bond seemed deeper. Hank said I'd understand the true meaning of Daddy's little girl...

He brushed a kiss against her forehead. Sleep tight, small one. Your mama needs her rest... He slid into bed beside his wife, curling up against her side as he had over the many nights they'd had together. Wrapped in a feeling of intense love for his small family, he fell asleep.

A soft ghostly chuckle whispered through the room as a bit of flame surrounded the cradle. The flame coalesced to form a young girl's shape, standing over the newborn. Yes, little one, he will learn eventually... He does loosen up with time. The baby made a small contented sigh in her sleep. The girl echoed the sigh, looking down on the infant with something bittersweet--a wistful glance that spoke of all that had been, and all that would never be. Someone has to guide you that's been there before... Not everyone gets another chance, and I'm going to make sure that this time, you get it right. The apparition smiled. Everyone needs an older sister, and though I'm sure Nathan will do his job, I have to do mine too.

The form blew a kiss to the baby before she faded off into the east to where the morning sunrise was waiting for her. Goodnight, little Phoenix. Remember that we always manage to rise again.

THE END...Return to Fan Fiction