A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own Xmen, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this fanfic.
After several years away from the Mansion, Logan finally meets the newest member of the Summers' family.
Rachel
The vision of the little red haired angel that fled at the sight of him, made his heart contract. She reminded him of how long he had been away, and of how things have changed since his absence.
He knew who the tyke's mother was, knew it too well, they both have the same vivid green eyes, and the same shade of hair color.
"Mommieeee." Cried the little girl, and crashed into the waiting arms of a smiling Jean Grey. Her little voice echoed in the vast marbled entrance hall of the Mansion.
"Aw Rachel, baby... what is it?"
From underneath her bangs, the five year old girl flashed an accusing look in Logan's direction, just as Jean lifted her daughter off the ground. When Jean caught the direction of her daughter's gaze she simply laughed. "Did the dark hairy man scare you?"
Rachel stuck her chin up in the air when she answered. "Daddy doesn't like him."
"Rachel that's not polite. That's your uncle Logan, and I'm sure he has a present for you."
The five year old's green eyes appraised Logan suspiciously.
"Hey pun'kin."
Logan approached mother and daughter. His hand moved over Rachel's head to stroke her hair. The little girl shook her head from side to side, her pigtails almost whipping Jean's face. She then buried her face in her mother's auburn mane.
"I'm sorry Logan, she's usually very social."
"It's okay." He said and thoughtfully examined the hand splayed on Rachel's small back. A diamond ring and a gold band encircled Jean's ring finger. He had, almost like reflex, subtly checked Jean out the second he laid eyes on her. He was not in the least surprised that motherhood added a different kind of sensuality to her figure and her aura. Part of him always knew Jean would gracefully ease into motherhood, a change that could only awaken another part of her to fall in love with.
God, how he envied Scott Summers.
His hazel eyes leveled to her gaze, and he smiled. "It's good to see you again."
He caught a hint of a blush from Jean's cheeks. "Likewise. Planning on staying long?"
"We'll see."
Jean was about to say something, when Rachel tugged her mother's hair. The little girl then peered into her mother's face with a scowl. She clearly disapproved of her mother conversing with the dark stranger.
Logan bit back an amused smile, little Rachel was proving to be a hellion. He started to wonder just how much grief she had caused Jean and Boy Scout when she turned two.
"Rachel," Jean's voice took on a warning tone.
The five year old's expression didn't change. The grip on her mother's hair only tightened.
"Logan."
Boy Scout reached the final steps of the ancient oak stairs. Face as stoic as Logan last remembered, ass probably still just as tight. He has no doubt it can produce a diamond if someone decided to stick a lump of coal up there. Maybe he can talk Bobby Drake into testing that little theory later.
"Daddy!" An unmistakable enthusiasm colored Rachel's voice. And she twisted her little body so that both her arms were outstretched towards Scott. Her tiny hands closing and opening like butterfly wings, impatiently anticipating her father's arms.
Scott took Rachel from Jean and her small arms wound tightly around the younger man's neck. Her little legs wrapped around his waist, as if she hadn't seen her father in a month. Logan half hoped Rachel's grip would cut off the circulation in Boy Scout's head.
Daddy's little girl.
Scott's left arm braced his daughter while he settled his other hand on Jean's hip. The gold band on Boy Scout's finger, glinted in the filtered afternoon light.
"So are you back for good?" His voice was still formal and somewhat aloof.
"Still not sure, about that. I actually came here for help in locating someone."
"We're always glad to be of help one way or another."
Rachel's head twisted from Scott's neck, and when she caught Logan's eye, she stuck out her tongue at him and quickly hid back her face.
Logan raised an eyebrow at that, oh yeah paternity test aside that kid was definitely Summers'. She may look like a younger version of Jean but underneath, she simmered with the same dislike Boy Scout harbored towards him. He just didn't think of it, up till that moment, as something that could actually be inherited. Suddenly an amusing thought struck him, should he have kids of his own, would they also share the same dislike for Scott Summers and his descendants?
"Your old room is ready by the way. We'll let you settle in, and we can all catch up later." Jean said.
"Fine by me."
"Oh, and Logan," Jean said, as he walked past them. "Welcome back."
He smiled, and proceeded up the stairs.