Letters to Charlie
Chapter 1: The First Attempt
by
Gatekeeper
Author's note: I promised myself that I wouldn't gush about the movie (or Hugh Jackman - he should have won the Golden Globe, damn it!) so I'd better make this quick. Hope this doesn't sully the nascent section, but if it does, let me know - unless I get the appropriate warning, there will be more of these coming.
Oh, and the movie mentioned is Hallmark Hall of Fame's The Love Letter. I hated the ending, but the movie was great.
Dear Charlie,
Remember that movie you told me about, where the couple communicated through letters left in a hundred year-old desk? Well, I decided to try it, but since this is the real wold I decided to trust a reputable legal firm Leo uses instead of the desk. I just happen to remember it being
around in 2001, and they have been given specific instructions to deliver it to Mr. Charlie McKay six months after the day I left.
Kate threw her feather pen down in disgust. "Damn it, Leo, this is stupid. I get once chance to communicate with my brother, whom I'm never going to see again, and all I can do is babble!"
Setting down his own pen far more gently, Leopold walked over and put his arms around his wife. "You're not babbling, my love, you're explaining - a most admirable pursuit. You will get to the words of affection later. Just let them flow."
Sighing, she settled back against him. "He's never going to get it, anyway. Things like this only work in romance novels."
Leopold smiled slightly, kissing the top of her head. "A duke from the year 1876 travels to the future to find the love of his life. From what you've told me about them, it sounds remarkably like a romance novel."
Kate looked up at him with a grin. "You're just lucky I decided you were more important than blue jeans."
Enough with the babbling. I miss you. I miss you and I love you desperately, but you'd better have known that already. I won't ask you questions, because the fact that you won't be able to respond hurts too much, but I hope you're having the wonderful life that you deserve.
I'm happy, Charlie. I'm amazingly happy. Leo and I have been married for four months now (we both wanted it to happen sooner, but you should see what the 19th century considers necessary wedding preparations) and I find I've developed a taste for it.
"In large part, I would say, due to the magnificent new territory it provides for your managerial skills."
Pen pausing in mid stroke, Kate looked up at her husband, who had yet to move from his previous highly enjoyable location. "Don't you have some schematics you need to be drawing up for those factory owners? An elevator doesn't just build itself, you know."
"I quite agree," Leopold nodded sagely, then began doing delightful things to her neck as he murmured, "But this is proving far more interesting."
"Leo ..." Kate could feel her eyes start to glaze over, then remembered what she was supposed to be doing and shooed him away reluctantly. "You are most definitely not helping me focus."
"How odd." Leopold's grin was the very definition of wicked. "It seems to be doing wonders for me.
The one challenge I've faced is to find outside interests other than "duchessing." Luckily, Leo's elevators may save me - I'm developing a marketing plan that will recover the family fortunes faster than any heiress could. Though Leo's uncle is cheered somewhat by this idea, we still haven't figured out a way to explain the way I went from being completely unheard of to Leo's fiancee in one crazy night. So he still doesn't quite know what to do with me.
Leo chuckled at that. "A challenge many face, I'm afraid." His fingertips trailed along Kate's exposed collarbone - there were certain advantages to 19th century dress. "Fortunately, I have never considered it a difficulty."
Kate's voice now had a distinctly breathy edge to it. "You're going to make me spill the ink again, Leo. You know what a fuss Otis made about that last time."
There are so many things I want to tell you about, Charlie. Life in 1876 is so different, so much slower. People are actually allowed to sleep in and, though I hate to admit it, Leo was right - the cooking is much better.
Leo is attempting to teach me to ride, though all this has resulted in so far in an impressive collection of bruises and a deep, deep longing for taxis.
"Even when I tend to those bruises with so much loving attention?"
"Did I say that risking my life didn't have some very distinct advantages? I don't think so."
I hope you haven't run into problems because of the way I left the century. If you have to, make up a story about a serious depression I managed to hide. Use Stuart as an example if you need to - I just don't want you hurt.
Kate stopped writing for a moment. "Not very nice, I know, but ..."
Leopold shook his head. "There is never a need to apologize for a sister's love. I am certain that Stuart does not wish Charles hurt, either, and will do all he can to protect him." He hesitated a moment. "Your name, however ..."
Shaking her own head, Kaye twined her fingers through Leopold's. "What people think of me there doesn't matter anymore, Leo. My life is here now." She planted an affectionate kiss on his jawline. "My happiness."
"I am afraid, my love, that you are going to make me dangerously sentimental."
She smiled. "I like a little danger, my love."
I'll say it again - I love you and miss you desperately. Leaving you is my one and only regret from taking a literal plunge into matrimony and a different century. I know you'll understand, though, when I say that I have gained so much and, if I had to, I would do it all again.
Leo sends his love, and we both hope things work out with Patrice. Remember to be yourself - all girls go crazy for sweet and charming. Even though I'm just your sister, I still know these things.
Love you forever,
Kate
Kate slowly set the pen down, her voice suddenly thick. "Great. I'm going to start crying, which will ruin my make-up and force me to fight with that poor maid all over again."
"I do not believe so. She has been sufficiently warned, I should say, that the duchess wishes to paint her own face." Leo pressed his wife more tightly against him, laying his cheek against hers. "I am sorry I took him from you, my love."
Kate wrapped her free arm around his neck in reassurance. "Haven't you been attention, Leo? I chose you, and I would do it again. I love you. Now, do you promise this will be sent off tomorrow?"
"I swear it."
Kate grinned, just as wickedly as he had. "Then, my dear husband, you still have some schematics you need to take care of. I suggest we go work on your focus."
"Excellent idea, my dear wife."
***
There was a distinct noise coming from the study when Otis walked by a few minutes later. Completely against propriety, he allowed himself a small grin. No matter what anyone else said, the new duchess had been quite good for Leopold.
Of course, the organization of that desk was another matter entirely.
All references to characters belonging to the X-Men Universe are (c) and TM the Marvel Comics Group, 20th Century Fox and all related entities. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, duplication or distribution of these materials in any form is expressly prohibited. No money is being made from this archive. All images are also (c) and TM the Marvel Comics Group, 20th Century Fox and all related entities; they are not mine. This website, its operators and any content used on this site relating to the X-Men are not authorized by Marvel, Fox, etc. I am not, nor do I claim to be affiliated with any of these entities in any way.