A/N: Thank you muchlies for the reviews my lovelies!

Chapter 6

Anna made her way warily down to breakfast, after practically pushing Remy back out of the window because he wouldn't stop laughing. Anna wasn't feeling nearly so amused about the situation.

Stealing down the stairs, she poked her head around the kitchen door frame. Anna's mouth fell open at the sight that greeted her. The kitchen was a complete mess. Her father and Ororo were both covered in pancake batter, and there were numerous pancakes lying haphazardly around the room, there was even one clinging to the ceiling.

Anna couldn't help but laugh. "Oh mah Gawd! What happened in here?"

Logan turned to her and flashed her one of his once rare smiles.

"Mornin' darlin'. Pancakes?" He asked waving a batter filled ladle in her direction, creating yet more mess.

Anna rolled up her sleeves and stepped carefully onto the kitchen floor.

"Well ah think ah'll have to lend a hand if any of these are gonna end up on a plate rather than the floor. "

She marched over to the stove, and expertly ladled the mixture into the frying pan, creating a thin crêpe style pancake. She waited a few minutes before gently shaking the pan then flipping the pancake up in the air and catching it in the pan once again. She flashed a cocky grin at her father.

"Hhmmph." He grumbled. "You always were good at that."

Eventually, and mainly thanks to Anna, everyone had filled up on pancakes. Silence now descended on the breakfast table. Anna looked from her father to Ororo. She was fairly certain her father had no idea about Remy having spent the night; he would have no qualms about letting her know if he did. Looking back at Ororo, the older woman shot her a comforting smile and a sly wink. Anna immediately relaxed. She knew Ororo wouldn't be telling her father anything.

"Anna, I thought we might go shopping later. I noticed your wardrobe seems much more suited to New York than Louisiana, and school's starting soon so we need to get your uniform." Ororo stated serenely.

"Yeah sure that sounds great…uh, hang on, uniform?" Anna asked slightly confused. She'd never been to a school where she had to wear a uniform before.

"Sorry darlin' must have forgotten to tell you in all the excitement of you comin' home. You'll be attending Xavier's, it's a private school – they like uniforms." Logan offered by way of explanation.

"Oh, ok. Xavier's? Isn't that where you teach 'Ro?"

"Yes, I'll probably be your English teacher, I teach most seniors." A sly grin appeared across the woman's face. "I've been teaching Remy for years."

"I'll be going to the same school as Remy?" Anna couldn't stop the smile breaking out over her face.

Logan groaned. He hadn't thought he'd be having to deal with boys so soon after his daughter's return. Of course he should have known better with a certain Cajun living next door.

-xXx-

Anna and Ororo left Logan tinkering with something in the garage, and drove out to the mall.

Anna had always liked Ororo and found her very easy to get on with and loved her like any other family member. It was for these reasons that she was finding the silence between them suffocating. Whilst she was glad that 'Ro hadn't caused a fuss over finding Remy in her room this morning, Anna didn't like the thought of the woman thinking badly of her.

"Um…'Ro?" Anna started hesitantly.

"Yes child?"

Anna took a deep breath. "About this mornin'…thank you for being so cool about it, and for not telling dad."

"Yes, well I hardly think that would have been beneficial for anyone." Ororo replied with a hint of amusement apparent in her voice.

"Ah just want you to know…we weren't havin' sex, we were just kissin' and stuff…ah just don't want you to think ah'm some kind of hussy." Anna explained somewhat lamely.

Ororo pulled into a parking space and turned off the ignition before she replied. She reached over and took one of Anna's hands between her own. Anna was looking fixedly at her lap.

"Anna, child, look at me."

Slowly and hesitantly Anna looked up into the clear blue eyes of her stepmother.

"Anna the last thing I think of you as is a hussy. You're a beautiful, intelligent young woman and I trust you to make your own decisions. Remy's a wonderful young man, and I don't blame you for falling for his charms. I can't stop the two of you having sex, but when you do I trust that it will be because you love him and because you're ready. I remember what it's like to be young and in love and I wouldn't dream of coming between the two of you."

Anna felt her eyes misting up and she threw her arms around the older woman's neck.

"Ah love you 'Ro, you know that right?"

"I do now, I love you too Anna."

They pulled apart and both wiped at the tears that had broken free. Anna let out a laugh.

"Gawd look at us! Who'd have thought a shopping trip would result in tears?"

"I know! Come on, spending some money will clear them up." Ororo laughed.

-xXx-

Anna had never really been a huge fan of shopping before, at least not in New York and not with her mother. New York was far too big and busy and shopping had mainly consisted of her mother dragging her around some very snobby, expensive, designer shops. Not really Anna's scene.

Shopping with Ororo on the other hand…now this Anna could get used to. Ororo was stylish for sure, but it was a much more relaxed, unfussy style than her mother's. She took Anna to a wonderful shop that was full of clothes in the most beautiful prints and fabrics. Anna picked out a long skirt in a red and white batik print that was perfect for the hot Louisiana days. They trailed around the shops purchasing similar hot weather items; camisoles, swimsuits, shorts, sandals.

Just as they were sitting down for lunch at an outdoors café, Anna's phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Bonjour chère."

"Hey Rem." Anna couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Ororo pretended to be overly interested in her napkin.

"Aw chère you already recognise the sound of dis Cajun's voice."

"Well ah don't exactly know many people who speak French, so the options were limited."

Remy chuckled down the phone. Anna was glad she was already sitting because it was a laugh that made her want to melt into a puddle.

"What do you want swamp rat?" Anna feigned annoyance to cover her surging hormones.

"You wound dis Cajun chèrie and here Remy was just trying to ask you out."

"Hmm, keep talikn'…"

He laughed again and Anna lost any thoughts of playing hard to get that she might have been harbouring.

"Well there's a great band playin' tonight, thought you might like to come chère….You, me, a little music, some dancin'…what d'ya say petite?"

"Ah say count me in Cajun."

"Until tonight then ma belle."

Anna hung up the phone and turned to her companion who was studying her with amusement.

"Ah think ah might have to skip out on dinner tonight 'Ro, ah've got a date!" Anna beamed.

"Well then, you'll be needing a new outfit."

Yep. Anna could definitely get used to shopping with Ororo.

-xXx-

A/N: Another update as promised. Sorry for the lack of Romyness but there will be more following soon.

There might be a bit of a delay with the next update. I tend not to get much written during the week when I'm working and it's my 21st birthday next weekend so I anticipate being too hung-over to write anything constructive, but I will try :D

Please review!

Kate

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