Author's Note
This is a side story to One Last Mission
This story details some of the losses James had dealt with and lives with for the rest of his immortal lifespan.
Memories
James looked up at the clear night sky, the stars twinkling brightly.
He closed his eyes and began to remember those he had lost back home in his old universe. He had lost so many close to him.
No wonder he had tried to stay alone for so long. He couldn't handle the pain anymore.
Sometimes he wished he could perish with them. A kind mercy on his soul.
Alas, he couldn't. Immortality was his curse.
He hated having to live with immortality, he'd felt awful about it ever since he realized his daughter Sunrise had immortality in her genes.
Poor kid. He didn't want her to have to live with his suffering.
Sometimes he wished he died in the battle. He'd fought with a small military troop against a bunch of terrorists and mercenaries back in his old world.
He was able to handle bullets constantly being fired at him, passing through his body and against the Adamantine coating his skeleton.
He'd dispatched them quickly and efficiently. Making sure none were left alive.
His soul wasn't clean. He'd killed before. But always for the right reason. He wanted to do the right thing.
Whenever he looked at Sunrise, she reminded him of his younger self in many ways.
He loved his baby girl dearly. She and her mother Sunset were two of the best people in his life.
He also had come to care about his brother-in-arms Mekarm who'd taken a grenade for him. The guy had lost his left arm at the cost of saving James's life.
He owed him his life. He was in Mekarm's debt. Always.
Mekarm had helped to raise Sunrise throughout her life. Becoming something of an uncle to her. Thanks to the evolution of technology and science, he'd managed to construct Mekarm a new arm after the loss of his old one. The arm was made from stem cells and a very advanced metal.
James heard the door open behind him, he turned around and noticed his daughter Sunrise walk over to him.
She walked over and sat down next to him as she gazed at the stars above.
"Ya know Sunrise, ya remind me of mah younger self when ah was yer age." He chuckled and shifted slightly. Lovingly, he kissed her forehead. He ruffled her hair as he softly ran a thumb down her cheek.
"Yer so beautiful." He crooned, smiling lovingly at his baby girl. He loved her ever so much. He'd raised her as best he could with Sunset. They wanted her to be better than they were at her age.
He'd trained her in multiple martial arts for Self-Defence and fighting. Just in case it was ever needed. Plus, she always had her hand and foot claws as well.
"Thanks dad." Sunrise said, hugging her father as she rested against his body. His warmth a soothing feeling to her.
"Ah'm just rememberin' someone. They passed a long time ago. Always appreciate having them around while they're with ya kid. Trust me." He looked down at his hands as the memories came back to him.
"Who was it that you lost?" She asked carefully, not wanting to make her father upset. He could smell her fear and became concerned. She was worried she'd upset him.
She'd always been selfless and caring about others. It made him proud how much she wanted to help others.
Maybe one day she could join the X-Men and help people.
"Who ah lost a very long time ago were yer other grandparents. Grandma Heather and Grandpa Frederick. As well as yer uncle Michael. They died in a house fire caused by an evil company named Alkalis Transigen. They wanted anyone close ta me dead so they could kidnap, torture and experiment on me so they could create an unstoppable beast. Something that had no soul, but knew only ta kill. They wanted the beast within me, The Wolverine." He recalled what they had done to him back in the Transigen facility in Mexico.
"I'm sorry, dad. I wish I was there so I could've helped you." Sunrise said, wrapping her hands around her father's back as she hugged him, nuzzling her head against his chest in comfort and affection.
He chuckled and hugged her back, running a hand through her hair softly.
"Even though they're gone now. It doesn't mean they're gone fer good. They're up there in the sky, in Heaven. Looking down at us. " He looked up at the sky as he felt a tear slide down his cheek.
Sunrise hugged him tighter as she noticed the tear going down his cheek. She was near to being upset herself. She hated seeing her father sad.
James could sense that she'd become upset at his grief. He hated seeing his daughter upset and in pain.
"Don't cry darlin'. It's not yer fault. Ah don't want ya ta be upset because of me. Yer such a wonderful daughter and ah couldn't be prouder of ya fer being who ya are." He whispered adoringly.
"I love you, daddy." Sunrise said, snuggling up against him.
"Ah love ya too, kid. Ah always have and ah always will." He answered lovingly, running his hand through her hair.
"Do you miss them?" looking up at her father. Tears burned in her eyes. She could sense his sadness.
"Of course. Ah miss them all the time. Nobody's truly gone because they're never forgotten. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." He said, quoting Dr Seuss. He knew that Sunrise never getting to meet two of her grandparents would be something they'd both have to live with.
"What about uncle Michael?" The question was asked with innocence and curiosity. Malice and cruelty nonexistent.
"Him as well. Ah miss him too. He could be a massive pain in the backside most of the time, but he taught me a lot on cars and technology." He answered softly.
He hugged her softly and kissed her forehead.
He noticed that his baby girl was getting sleepy.
Time to put her to bed.
He gently picked her up and carried her out of the garden and into their home. Sunrise let out a sleepy yawn and stretched her arms.
James gently laid her in her bed and tucked her in, making sure she was covered up to her neck by the soft and warm covers.
Sunrise wriggled in place and opened her eyes slowly. She blinked and yawned again tiredly.
"I love you daddy," She slurred, snuggling into the sheets and rested her head on her pillow.
"Ah love ya too, baby girl. Sleep tight." He answered softly, a gentle smile gracing his lips.
James lowered himself to a knee and gently kissed her forehead, ruffling her hair as she smiled sleepily.
He walked out of her room and closed her door. Letting her sleep in peace and quiet.