Chapter 2: New Job

"Bout damn time ya showed up," Remy greeted him as Logan parked his bike in front of Remy's cottage, bright and early the next morning. Remy smiled down at his friend as he walked up the steps to join him on the porch.

"I got lost three times tryin' ta get ta here. Had ta finally ask fer directions," Logan grumbled good naturedly. Remy was an instructor at a private school that was more like a miniature college. The school's campus stretched out across 100 acres, enclosed by a large wrought iron gate on all sides.

"It's good ta see ya, mon ami. Been too long since Remy laid eyes on his brudah," Remy told him, pulling him into a brotherman hug.

"Three years ain't that long, Remy," Logan replied, smiling at his longtime friend, "Stop being a wuss."

"Man, don come ta me home and call Remy a wuss," Remy replied, ushering him inside, "Least not in front of de missus." Logan chuckled as he heard the soft footsteps.

"Logan," Anna Marie said, holding out her arms for a hug, "Oh, it's good ta finally lay eyes on ya, sugah."

"Hey Anna," Logan said, stepping into her embrace, mindful of her protruding belly, "So de ole man finally knocked ya up, aye?"

"Yeah, took 'im long enough," she said, protectively running her hands over her belly, "Doctor says we havin' twins so ya get to name one too."

"Are ya shitting me?" Logan replied, looking over at his friend who shook his head.

"Non, de doctor confirmed and showed us de ultrasound. Tink ya kin handle bein' de godfather of two?"

"It will be an honor," Logan replied, going over and shaking his friend's hand as Anna made her way back into the kitchen.

"Go wash up, loves. Breakfast in a few."

"Ya rested yet?" Remy asked Logan as he stood in the doorway of the guest bedroom.

"I guess. Anna sure can burn in the kitchen. I'm going to need to work twice as hard in the gym to burn off some of her fabulous cooking.

"Dat's the main reason why I'm up at 5am ever' mornin' workin' out."

"I just might have to join you," he replied, getting to his feet, "Let's go so ya can give me the grand tour."

"Oui. We kin have lunch at de mansion, because Remy's cooking up sometin' special fa dinnah," he told him and when Logan looked at him quizzically, he shook his head, "Don give me dat look, padnat. Remy kin burn."

"Yeah, burn down da house. Anna let ya cook in 'er house? Don't she know who she married?"

"Oh yeah, she know. Dat why she let me in de kitchen. Why ya think she married Remy? Remy got skillz," he told him mischievously.

Logan chuckled. "I bet. I'm sure Anna wouldn't appreciate ya talkin' like that," Logan told him talking loudly.

"Shush, mon ami. Ya trying to get Remy in trouble wit de wife."

Logan chuckled. "That Anna ain't changed a bit. Still got ya on a short leash?"

"Yeap and I wouldn't trade 'er in for the world. Come on man, let me show ya 'round."

"We got ten teachers and wit ya, that brings the staff to 11, not includin' Professor Xavier, the headmaster. Ya'll get ta meet 'im Monday."

"Each teacher has they own cottage and soon as construction complete, ya will too, mon ami. Til then, feel free to crash at our place," Remy told him as they passed by several well-kept cottages, some larger than others.

"De cottages kin be expanded to accommodate growin' families like ours," Remy explained, answering Logan's silent question.

"When ya gonna expand yours?"

"After the twins turn one. I figure dat'll give Anna enough time ta work out de plans of de house she wants, though 'chere's pretty much done. It kin happen sooner than later. Either way, Remy be okay just long as my bebes and mi amour are happy."

"I'm happy ta lend a hand if ya could use it. I kin take a peek at da plans if ya want," Logan replied.

"Remy hopin' ya say that. Anna's been houndin' me 'bout sendin' ya de plans so ya kin give 'em a once over."

"Least I kin do since ya got me this gig. Thanks again by da way. I owe ya big."

"Ya being heah be payment enough. Come on, let Remy show ya the rest of the school."

Autumn had descended on the Xavier School for the Gifted. The kaleidoscope of colors across the quad and grounds called many to spend time under the canopies of the trees shedding their leaves.

Everywhere Logan looked, there seemed to be students. They were congregated under trees, running on the lawn playing games, standing in small groups having conversation or sitting alone on the quad, focused on one electronic device or another. Logan and Remy continued up the path toward the mansion and when they turned the corner, Logan came face to face with the woman from the bar.

Ya gotta be kidding me, he thought, turning his attention to Remy's greeting of the woman.

"Ah, 'chere. Tis a treat ta see ya out and 'bout. How ya been?" Remy asked the white haired woman who stood, welcoming the warm embrace from her colleague, looking over at Logan with a slight smile.

"Well, Remy. And yourself? How's Anna? The twins aren't giving her trouble yet are they?"

"Everybody be fine, mon ami," Remy said, smiling and when he saw her eyes look behind him, he remembered Logan, "Where are my manners? Ororo, this is Logan, the new PhysEd and Shop teacher. Logan, this is lovely woman is Ororo."

She stuck out her hand to him that he accepted with a nod. Hopefully, he will take the hint and follow my lead, she thought.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Logan. Thank you for agreeing to join the staff."

"The pleasure is mine. Ya have a beautiful place here and I'm looking forward ta learning more 'bout it as well as da people here," he replied, playing along with her rouse.

Nodding, she asked, "Have you taught before?"

"Not in a structured setting such as this but I have done some instruction before," he said, getting a look of surprise from Remy. Close yer trap, Logan thought, knowing his friend was surprised at his choice of words and use of "proper" English.

"Great. Well, I'm sure you will pick up on things fairly quickly," she replied, hoping he noticed on the double entendre and compliment she threw at him, "If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to let me know. I'm sure Remy will show you where the offices are and my door is always open. Now, if you will excuse me gentlemen."

She nodded to them before turning and walking down the walkway toward the school.

"Is she a teacher too?" Logan asked after she disappeared from sight.

"Oui. Ro teaches Advanced Literature. She is also second in charge of the school and is responsible for the curriculum," Remy replied.

"Damn, what doesn't she do?" he asked, impressed with her to do list.

"A few tings but I'll let 'er tell ya that," Remy said with a sly smile.

"What's with the smile, Rem?" Logan asked.

"Nuthin' mon ami. Just thought 'bout somethin' Anna said."

"Yeah, and ya still a horrible liar," Logan replied, his thoughts going to the woman who had continued to intrigue him. Truly who was she? Ororo, Ro, or Rory?