We only started decorating for Christmas today, and it was very disturbing. I had to begin by purchasing all of the decorations for the halls with Jubilation Lee and Marie. They were something else, running throughout the mall buying almost everything in sight. And then once we returned home the real decorating began…
"Robert Drake! Bring those streamers back here right now before I become angry!" Ororo Munroe yelled over the booming music and the loud voices. Deafening thunder roared in the background as the windows shook with its force.
Suddenly everyone and everything thing was quiet as they watched Bobby sulk over to Ororo and hand her the beautiful green streamers.
"Come on 'Ro! It's Christmas! Let Mr. Drake and the kids put up the decorations for the hall. Let's go set up the tree. Scott already bought the tree; all we have to do is start putting up the ornaments. It'll be fun!" Jean said grabbing Ororo's arm and leading her to the 12-foot long tree, while she watched in horror as the 'children' put up the streamers and things.
It'll be fun she says! I got stuck untangling all of the Christmas lights as she and Scott began with the ornaments. I sat there watching the two and looked down at the mess in my hands. The lights were like me in a way. Tangled up into a mess, and very lonely while in the process. Lonely as ever. My best friend Jean had someone so why can I not be happy for her?
"Jean, I think that I will continue with this later. I am quite tired tonight," Ororo yawned. Jean nodded and giggled like a schoolgirl as Scott wrapped his arms around her. Scott smiled to Ororo acknowledging that she was leaving, and all she could do was smile back at him.
Ororo walked slowly up the stairs to her attic room. She stared around herself at the decorations arranged by Bobby and the others. Okay, so they weren't their prettiest but at least the children themselves did these decorations. Ororo smiled for once and shook her head as she opened her door and entered.
December 20, 2002
Well everything is all done for the exciting Xavier Mansion Christmas. Nothing ceases to amaze me on that day. There are always some kinds of catastrophes that happen, but in the end things seem to fall into place. I remember once Bobby froze the tree and almost everyone was furious until the Professor pointed out that it could be a tree with real life icicles. Ha ha! I remember that.
"Hey 'Ro whatcha doin'?" asked Jean, taking a seat on the couch next to Ororo who was staring at the Christmas tree. "Are you all right?"
"Yes Jean, I am quite all right," Ororo signed grabbing onto her diary. "I was just thinking of all of our Christmas' together," she said, closing her eyes and for some reason wishing she were alone to write and to think and to even take a crap on the toilet by herself. For some odd reason there was always someone waiting to talk or gossip or whatever, when all Ororo wanted was to get some time alone with herself.
"Oh yeah! Remember just last year?" Jean asked holding onto her sides and as she kicked and laughed.
"Yes I was thinking of that one," Ororo confessed. She too, laughed along with her friend. That seemed to cheer her up a little bit but then again Jean always did. She was like the sister she never had and talking to her helped to let some of her frustration out. "Too bad Marie will not cheer up. I wish Logan would come back home just to see her truly smile again."
"Don't say that 'Ro! Sure, I wish he could come back too but I have to tell you something. I'm pregnant and Logan would only bring Scott and I waves that we don't need right now. We only married a couple of months ago and we really don't want any of that," Jean admitted, keeping her eyes closed. Ororo suspected she was afraid to look her in the eye because of what she had told her.
All she did though was pull her best friend close and hugged her. "I understand every word and I am more than happy for you Jean. When will you tell Scott?"
"When will she tell me what?" a voice said and Jean nearly jumped into the ceiling. Ororo simply smiled and patted Jean's shoulder. "Good night all."
"G'night 'Ro," Jean replied and watched as Scott made his way to his wife.
December 21, 2002
Pregnant?! Wow, I could not be happier for the both of them. I think I was always glad that they were together, happy that they found each other. I just never realized it more than now. I wonder when she will tell him? Oh well, it is not my place to say anyway. It is becoming closer to Christmas Eve and I cannot wait for it. All of my presents to give out to my loved ones. Yes, I must admit shopping is always fun…
"What about this one 'Ro?" Rogue asked holding up the white teddy that was available for buying, on sale as a matter of fact, at Victoria's Secret.
"Marie?!?" Ororo yelled and her eyes became wide with shock.
"Ah come on 'Roro. I'll buy it for ya!" Jubilee answered grabbing for her hand and dragging her over to the checkout counter.
Yes I certainly remember that day. And how she convinced me to buy that teddy I have no idea! That was fun though I have to admit. I miss that. Shopping with two of my very favorite students and that smile that Rogue wears so few.
"Miss Munroe?" Rogue asked quietly. Ororo turned her head slightly and watched as Marie inched closer.
"Yes Rogue? How may I help you?" Ororo asked. "Oh and by the way, you can call me Ororo, you are on Christmas vacation you know?"
"Oh okay. Well Ah wanted to talk ta you about Logan," Marie began and Ororo shook slightly with the mention of his name.
"Yes? What about him?" Ororo asked. She fidgeted with her fingers as they played over the small pink ribbon of her little diary.
"Ah just needed to talk ta someone about him. Ah hate the way he left me. Even though he did say good-bye ta me. How could he leave after he knew Ah needed him? How could he?" And all of a sudden the tears fell and the real Marie came out of her shell. That certain wall crumbled and the she was. Ororo hold her in her arms and listened to this girl as she talked of a man who she loved as though he were her father and how he really just up-and-left. Ororo knew Rogue didn't mean any of it but all she needed to do was let some of it out.
My talk with Marie seemed to help her a lot I think. Tomorrow she is going to help me bake cookies and make eggnog. Hopefully she will stay in her better mood. Oh and I mustn't forget to thank Jean for somehow getting her to open up to me. I do not know how she did it but I just have a feeling that she gave Marie a push in the right direction.
"Ah'm ready 'Ro! Time ta bake some of ma famous Christmas cookies!" Rogue said taking out necessary ingredients.
Ororo smiled and walked back to the refrigerator to get the ingredients for the eggnog. "All right then, you start the cookies while I begin the…" Ororo stopped suddenly and dropped the milk and eggs that were in her hands, all over the kitchen floor. Marie heard her gasp and turned around suddenly.
"Logan!" she screamed. She jumped into his arms and he hugged her with all his might. Somehow the kid always did make his day a little bit brighter. Ororo, who had her hand over her mouth, was still in shock and had forgotten about the eggs that lay cracked on the floor and the milk that was spilled everywhere. The only thing that shook Ororo from her trance was the milk sipping into her slippers.
"Need some help there Storm?" Logan's deep voice guiding her back to reality.
"Oh what? No, no I will clean this up. Go ahead Marie, I am sure that you two have a lot of catching up to do," Ororo stammered and bent down to start cleaning the milk. She silently cursed herself for losing composure.
Suddenly, large hands were picking up the broken eggshells that were scattered about. Marie was grabbing for a towel but couldn't seem to find one anywhere. "Ah'll be right back Logan! Ah'm gonna get a towel," she called running down the hallway.
"You needn't do this Logan. I am sure that you are very tired from riding in all that snow," Ororo said trying not to make eye contact. The winds picked up a bit outside causing the glass to shake slightly. The thin layer of snow that lay on the ground was picked up in a swirl of wind and carried softly away in the background.
"It's fine Storm. I'll be glad ta help ya," he said brushing against her suddenly and Ororo had to stop and try regain her composure. If he was going to play like this than she needed something else to protect her. She would have to call upon the Goddess.
"Logan," she began, standing up with paper towels in her hands and her hair falling in front of her face. "Thank you for your help," she stated throwing the towels in the trash can, "and it is good that you are back. You have truly been missed by everyone." And that was it.
December 22, 2002
How stupid could I get? Logan saw me all…oh Goddess, hopefully he didn't suspect anything. I just do not know what to do anymore now that he's back. At least Marie will be happy. And could I have been ruder to him? I shouldn't have put up my Goddess front. He doesn't know that I was worshipped in Africa but still, there was no reason to treat him coldly. And I just left him there standing like that. Maybe I should go and see if he needs any help…
"Miss Munroe!" Rogue called from behind Ororo's door. "Are ya going to come and bake cookies with us? It's gonna be fun ya know!"
Ororo couldn't help herself; she opened the door and smiled down at Marie. "Child there is no reason to be loud," she said quietly, and even quieter to herself, 'I should drop the Goddess routine now.' It was only nine o'clock at night but maybe some were asleep. Doubtful, very doubtful.
"Sorry 'Roro but Ah thought that maybe you would still like ta come and bake cookies and make eggnog with Logan and me. Do ya?" she asked with a hopeful voice. Who would be able to resist?
Ororo looked down at her nightgown and tighten her robe around her. "I will be right there after I change from my milk infested slippers and nightgown," Ororo said happily. Rouge nodded and said that she would tell Logan and they would wait for her.
She nodded and shut the door. Ororo walked to her closet and pulled out a large gray shirt and tight spandex shorts. 'Maybe I shouldn't be afraid of what Logan will think of me,' Ororo silently said. She shook just by saying the name. 'Goddess help me…' she thought letting her platinum hair down and opening her door to walk to the kitchen and meet her doom.
December 22, 2002
Baking cookies with Logan was not as bad as I thought it would be. He seemed like a changed man. We did not talk about what happened in Canada or if he found anything useful. If he wants anyone to know, he will bring it up himself. But anyway, seeing Marie light up was a really nice treat for everyone. She practically glowed. And I am not sure if I have ever seen Logan smile so many times in one night.
"Logan!" Ororo yelled. The flour that was flying threw the air at Marie, had accidentally hit Ororo instead. She turned on him and he knew he was in trouble when thunder became louder in the distance.
"Sorry Storm," he said, grinning. Marie was giggling behind Ororo and almost peed in her pants when Ororo called upon her winds to throw the whole bag of flour at Logan! He was ready though and his claws sliced through the bag. The room was practically a snowstorm itself. The flour coated the tile floor and the air still consisted of the ingredient.
A sudden gust of wind cleared the air and everyone was covered from head to toe in white flour. They all laughed then. After three hours of playing around and cleaning up the kitchen, they had finally finished the cookies and eggnog. Bobby came in once and saw Logan. He was very surprised; actually more than surprised.
"The professor told me to ask come down and ask Logan if he would come up to his office and at first I didn't believe it. I though that maybe the professor was going crazy, but apparently I was wrong," Bobby said.
"Apparently," mumbled Logan.
"Logan," warned Ororo.
"Sorry, thanks a lot kid. I guess I'll go and pay Chuck a visit." And with that he left, trudging over to the elevator and up to Professor Xavier's office.
I still do not know what Charles wanted with Logan. He has not returned from his office yet. I told Jean that he had returned to the mansion and she almost fainted from the shock. She still has not told Scott about their little bundle of joy and that was just going to be the icing on the cake. Logan's back. I wish her all the luck in the world because she might need it…
"Hey ya Storm," a deep voice, said from behind the couch.
"Ah!" Ororo said grabbing her chest. She had to take a deep breath before returning to normal. "Please do not do that Logan! You scared me have to death!" she said moving over a little to allow Logan a seat on the sofa next to her. She pulled her legs close to her chest and rested her diary between her stomach and legs, so that Logan wouldn't know that she had a diary, let alone has written in one.
"Where is everyone?" he asked looking at the tree. It was finally up and running.
"I am not sure. Marie and Bobby are in the library watching a movie, so I am pretty sure that is where everyone is too."
"How come you're not in there?" he asked turning to look at her.
"I guess I need some time to myself that is all," Ororo said looking out the window that was directly across from her. The snow outside was still coming down.
"Where's Jean?" he suddenly asked, drawing his attention to the outside as well.
Ororo turned away and stood from her seat. Logan was mildly surprised that she did that. "She and Scott went out to have dinner…alone." Ororo walked out of the den to the kitchen and heard Logan get up and follow her. His boots thumped on the tile floor, allowing Ororo the advantage of hearing his every step.
"What's that mean?"
"Nothing," she answered, reaching up and taking a cup from the cupboard.
"Then why'd ya say it?" he asked. A chair scratching the tile was heard from Ororo's spot near the coffee machine. She was depending upon her senses more than her eyes. For some reason, she always did that around Logan.
"I was just stating a fact that is all," Ororo said holding tighter to her diary. "I'm sorry I said that Logan, if it upset you that much."
"Ya didn't Storm, I was just wonderin' why ya said that," he replied.
"I…oh Goddess…I am sorry. It seems that we have gotten off on the wrong foot again. I shouldn't have said that Logan." Ororo took a seat across from Logan and stared at her black coffee. Her diary lay safely in her lap. "I did not mean anything by it. I was just being a protective sister, in a way."
"Squash it Storm," Logan said suddenly, cutting off her explanation.
"Logan…"
"I know people probably think that I still wanna steal Jeannie from One Eye but my trip to Canada maybe opened my eyes a little bit," he said popping out one of his claws. Ororo jumped; she always did that hearing his claws come out.
"What happened?"
"Nothing. That was the problem. Nothing happened. Just because I'm not happy, I shouldn't take away Jeannie's happiness. She deserves that at least," he said, his claw disappearing before his skin.
"You must care for her very much," Ororo stated.
Logan didn't reply to her sentence. He just kind of grunted and went back to staring at Ororo. There was an awkward silence, and Ororo was the first to look away, afraid he would see the blush raising in her cheeks. "I never really noticed that your eyes were more like a sky blue than the regular color," Logan whispered.
"Oh Goddess, that makes me feel good," Ororo said standing up and dumping the rest of her coffee in the sink.
Logan laughed and stood up with her. "It was a compliment."
"Oh Goddess," Ororo whispered. "Well, thank you for barely noticing my eye color now," she said rolling her eyes. "Where is the Logan that we all know and love? I do not think that he would be the one to hand out compliments left and right anyway."
"Oh he's here somewhere Storm."
"Well tell him to come out because I do not think I could handle it if another one of the X-Men becomes sappy and in love."
"So you think that I'm in love with you?" he asked questionably. Ororo's eyes went wide and her cheeks even redder. She stumbled for words and Logan practically fell over laughing. "I was kiddin' Storm."
"Yes well…do not do it again Logan. Unless you want to become a human metal conductor," Ororo warned.
"Where's your sense of humor Storm?" Logan laughed.
"There was my sense of humor," she said winking at her friend. "Yes well, I think that the old Logan has come out of hibernation."
"Thanks Storm," Logan said walking out of the kitchen and crossing the den.
"Where are you going?" asked Ororo sticking her head out of the corner of the kitchen area.
Logan stopped and thought for a second or two and then answered. "C'mon Storm, we're going to the library. I have ta go and kick that kid Bobby's ass."
"Logan! What for?"
"Because he's trying to feel up Marie," he said continuing to walk.
Ororo jogged over to his side and met his strides, step for step, but she was becoming short of breath from taking such big steps. "How do you know?"
"I can hear her screaming at him," he said and Ororo laughed. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all…
December 22,2002
Watching a movie with the Wolverine is not all that bad. I did have to stop Logan from trying to beat up Bobby, who cowered in the corner after he found out that Logan knew what he was doing. Rogue just stuck out her tongue and I couldn't help but laugh. I saw Jean and Scott walk by the library holding hands and I am sure that I was not the only one who knew. I saw Logan stiffen a little and then relax after I touched his shoulder. He smiled and then kept on with his smart-ass comments. After the movie ended Logan, Marie, Kitty, and I stayed up a little more to just sit and talk. Logan didn't really say much but he knew that Marie wanted him near and I sure didn't mind. After about an hour, Marie and Kitty headed to bed while Logan and I cleaned up.
"Why do you do this Storm?" he asked taking the video out of the VCR.
"Do what?" Ororo asked picking up a paper cup that lay on the floor.
"Why don't you make the kids clean this up?" Logan asked helping by picking up a paper plate that still had a half-eaten piece of pizza on it.
"I do sometimes, but that does not mean I shouldn't help out."
"You're going ta be one lenient mother Storm. Some kid is gonna love you for it," Logan stated grabbing a trash bag and walking over to Ororo for the trash in her hand.
"What does that mean Logan?" she asked raising a cloud colored eyebrow. "At least my child will not be in the danger room day and night trying to beat his brains out," she finished bending down to pick up a napkin.
"At least he won't be a spoiled little brat," Logan countered. Thunder rolled in the background and the snow, that was still falling, came down even harder. "Why are we even havin' this conversation?"
"Because you brought it up," Ororo said taking the bag from Logan and walking out into the hall, and down to the kitchen.
"Where are you goin'?" he asked watching her moves. Ororo opened the backdoor and the snow slipped past her and onto the tile floor. "Ororo!" Logan called and watched as she walked into the snow in a gray shirt and shorts, with no shoes on.
A/N: Sorry for just cutting u all off like that! Don't worry I'll try extra hard to get another part into the story! Well, n e way, Review if u like but it'll make all the difference!