Note: Extra long chapter for you guys this week! Summer vacation's over, the kids are back in school, and Logan makes a leap forward! :) Hope you like.

Chapter Ten

Summer vacation quickly came to an end, and in the first week of September, the kids were all back in school. Ororo had been following doctor's orders, as difficult as it was, taking it easy and doing a lot of resting as well as cathartic activities. Watering her plants and tending to her new indoor garden in the loft was very calming for her, and having a little more of nature inside appeared to have a similar effect on Logan as well.

With the continued help of Kitty and Rogue, Logan had even gotten used to spending a bit of time away from Ororo without being so agitated that something might happen to her if he wasn't keeping a constant vigil. Kitty had convinced him to wear a communicator on his wrist that matched one given to Ororo, explaining that if his wife needed him at any time he could be contacted. Despite his mainly non-verbal ways of communicating, Logan had appeared to understand the concept.

Ororo had noticed more changes in Logan's physical appearance in the past few days; the excessive muscle mass he'd gained upon going feral had gradually lessened to the degree that he was back to his pre-adamantium extraction size, and the fur-like body hair was gone as well. The only reason he continued to look so wild was because he kept romping around barefoot and half-dressed, and his face was still unshaven with the longer, unkempt sideburns. He was also still galloping around on all fours seventy-percent of the time and rarely spoke actual words around anyone but her.

What really concerned Ororo, however, were the dark circles she'd begun to notice around Logan's eyes, and the sudden lethargy he'd been exhibiting in the last day or so. It was so disconcerting because Logan's healing factor prevented him from suffering common ailments, and if it was a lack of sleep causing this condition, his mutant ability would do its best to counter the effects of that as well. Logan would have had to have been losing sleep for some time in order for his healing factor to have difficulty keeping up, and that's what deeply worried Ororo.

Lying on her side in bed, she hummed softly and rubbed circles over her stomach, all the while studying Logan, who was crouched on the armchair in the corner of the room, watching at her. "Logan, come to bed," she called softly, patting the space in front of her.

He huffed out a short breath through his nose and tilted his head a moment before leaping off the chair and bounding over to the bed in the dark. Logan slowly got on the mattress without taking off his tattered cargo shorts and settled down facing away from her.

Ororo snuggled up to his back as closely as she could with a gigantic baby bump between them and fell asleep, curling an arm around his bicep possessively.

She awoke in the middle of the night with the need to relieve her bladder, and was startled to discover Logan perched on the corner chair again, watching her like a guard dog. Ororo frowned slightly as his dark eyes silently followed her graceless roll out of bed. "Is this what you've been doing at night? Staying awake and watching me? How long has this been going on?" At his typical lack of response she stopped in front of him and sighed softly. "Logan, the baby and I are fine. I'm not going to break, and you need to sleep, too."

"Nnn-no." Logan muttered with a soft growly noise.

Ororo sighed at his stubbornness and pointed firmly at the bed. "Lie down and go to sleep." She hated treating him like a dog, but sometimes that particular tone with a command was the only thing that worked.

"Hnnh…" He made a low noise in his throat and lumbered toward the bed.

Ororo waggled a finger at him. "Ah-ah. Get undressed first this time."

Logan straightened his stance with a blank look.

"Your shorts." She gestured to his tattered cargos. "Off."

Snorting, Logan clumsily shucked the filthy shorts and climbed onto the bed in his boxers, circling briefly on all fours before lying down.

Ororo smiled at her little victory and quickly continued off to the bathroom before she had an embarrassing accident.

As she returned to bed a few minutes later, Logan's breaths were heavy and even, and he appeared to be down for the count. Ororo couldn't be sure he wasn't feigning sleep, but didn't know if he was wily enough to do that in his feral mindset. Choosing to believe he was actually sleeping, Ororo got back in bed and drifted off again.

.

Morning arrived, dreary and rainy. Ororo knew she had the power to change that and reveal the sun, but chose to let nature run its course. Rainy days were good for lying in bed, relaxing, and following her doctor's orders. Now all she needed to worry about was having someone around to keep Logan occupied for a while, knowing he wouldn't be able to sit still long enough to lie around with her all day watching movies on the couch in the rec room.

The only problem was that the kids were all at school and the only others in the mansion were Charles and Hank. The Professor wouldn't be able to keep up with Logan, and having her feral husband spend any time with Henry was definitely out of the question. Seeing the big blue beast still evoked a dangerous response in Wolverine, and it was an issue that was definitely going to require their attention at some point, especially if Hank was going to be the one delivering their baby. Ororo knew she'd been intentionally putting off the encounter, as had Hank. As her doctor, he was concerned that the meeting between them would prove to be too stressful.

Hank had even suggested that Ororo not be there for the eventual encounter so that Logan would be a little less driven by protective instincts, but she still didn't think her husband was quite ready for that yet. She wasn't sure Hank was ready for that yet. Especially once Rogue came to Ororo in private, revealing some of Logan's feral thoughts that were still in her head. In Logan's mind, an encounter with Hank wouldn't involve the simple 'standing still without making eye contact' sizing up. Because of Hank's sheer size and beastly presence, Logan felt the need to physically battle Hank to prove his dominance and secure his place in the mansion as alpha male.

Learning the circumstances from Rogue, Henry even offered to let Logan knock him down without putting up much resistance, but Ororo had feared that Logan would know he was only feigning submission and become enraged. It was far too dangerous to take the risk.

Emerging from the bathroom fresh out of the shower, Ororo waddled over to the bed where she'd laid out her clothes. She dressed slowly and methodically before it even occurred to her that she didn't know where Logan was. The balcony doors were still open as usual, but only slightly so that all the rain wasn't coming in. She knew he wasn't outside in the storm. "Logan?"

Ororo breathed out softly in relief when the door to the hall creaked open and Logan poked his head in. His hair was still damp from the shower he'd taken just before her, and as he fully lumbered back into the room, she noticed that he hadn't finished getting dressed. He was only wearing some plaid boxer shorts, and she saw his clean pair of jeans lying in a heap on the floor, like he'd dashed out while in the process of getting dressed. Brows furrowing curiously, she waved him closer. "What were you doing out there?"

"Hurrh." Logan dropped into a crouch.

Pursing her lips, Ororo moved toward him and bent carefully to retrieve his jeans from the floor. Her best guess was that he must have smelled or heard something and gone out the door to investigate. She held Logan's pants out to him. "Put those on so we can go downstairs and get breakfast."

He rose from his crouch to comply, tentatively taking the jeans from her and clumsily putting them on. Logan usually had an easier time with the baggy cargo shorts, but with the weather getting a little cooler each day, Ororo tried to get him to cover up a little more. Her next obstacle would be getting Logan to wear a shirt now that he could fit into all his old clothes again. Not that she minded the view, however.

.

During breakfast Ororo noticed that Logan was particularly lethargic, and he didn't eat as much as he normally did either. When they had finished, she cleaned up after them and then returned to the loft, hoping for a short nap. Usually at this point Logan would be restless and full of energy, but today he dragged on behind her sluggishly as they went back to the room. Ororo figured that maybe once the kids returned from school, Kitty or Rogue could try taking him to the danger room with the forest program running. Perhaps she could get Logan to nap with her now, and he would feel a little more energetic in the afternoon.

Lying down with a blanket and listening to the rain, Ororo called Logan over, but he wouldn't get on the bed. "Mrr..." He whined softly and gazed longingly out towards the balcony before finally going to crouch on the floor near the parted doors, gazing out into the storm.

Ororo sighed, her eyelids growing heavy as she watched Logan sit there motionless, just staring at the falling rain.

When she felt the baby grow restless within her womb, Ororo surfaced from her nap and blinked blearily at the dreary atmosphere of the loft. The rain still beat down steadily, pattering loudly against the skylights above. She rubbed a hand in soothing circles over her rounded belly and looked toward the floor in front of the balcony doors where she'd last seen Logan. He wasn't there, but the doors were open all the way and rain was coming inside.

Curious, Ororo pushed herself to sit up and slid toward the edge of the bed, letting her legs dangle over the side so she could better see outside. To her surprise, Logan was standing out on the balcony, his form a little blurry due to the torrential rain coming down. She sat up a little straighter as the baby did a slow somersault, and stared at her husband's drenched, statue-like presence just outside the loft. Leaning sideways slightly to get a better view and call him inside, Ororo was shocked when Logan's legs gave out from underneath him without warning and he collapsed onto the rain-soaked balcony.

"Logan!" she cried out in alarm, pushing to her feet and supporting her belly with one hand while waddling out to her husband. Ororo crouched beside him as much as she was able, placing her hand on his cool, rain-drenched shoulder. "Logan? Logan, what's wrong? Please, you need to get up." She shook him gently, but he didn't budge, eyes struggling to stay open futilely as he waged a war against unconsciousness.

There was no way Ororo would be able to physically drag Logan inside without risking harm to herself and the baby. She needed help. A glance at the bedside clock let her know that the kids had not yet returned from school, and that left only one person available that had the ability to move Logan: Hank. It was a risk, but a risk she would just have to take. Ororo refused to leave him lying there out in the rain until he could get himself up or the kids returned from school.

Rising from his side with some effort, and using the door as leverage, she went to the phone and called for Henry on the intercom. He finally picked up in the library. "Henry, I need your help," she said desperately as soon as he answered.

"Ororo? Are you alright? What's happened?"

"It's not for me, I'm fine," she assured him quickly, her voice calm and composed. It was no use getting herself worked up. "Logan's collapsed out on the loft balcony and I can't get him inside."

She heard the doctor exhale softly into the receiver. "I'll be right there."

.

Hank arrived quickly, bounding into the room with a stethoscope around his neck as he made a beeline for Ororo and the balcony doors. She stepped aside as he came out into the rain and effortlessly pulled her unconscious feral husband into his massive, blue-furred arms, hoisting him over one broad shoulder without hesitation.

"Where would you like me to set him down?"

"The bed is fine, Henry. Just wait a moment; let me grab some towels." Ororo shuffled into the bathroom as swiftly as she was able (which wasn't very), taking several thick towels from the closet and returning to the bed. She laid a few over the comforter and motioned for Hank to set Logan down.

Nodding, Henry laid the soaking wet Wolverine down on the towels with great care, taking his stethoscope from around his neck to listen to the feral's heartbeat.

"I don't think he's genuinely slept in over a week, ever since I had the scare with the baby," Ororo stated softly, standing by the foot of the bed and rubbing her arms. "That's probably when this all started. I suspect he's been guarding me and not sleeping." She frowned with concern. "I caught him just watching me last night and tried to get him to rest, but I think he was only pretending until I went back to sleep."

Hank pulled the stethoscope down from his ears and turned toward her, nodding. "His heart-rate is strong and steady." He abruptly went still as a statue when a sudden weak growl rose from the bed.

Ororo moved closer, standing beside Hank. Logan's eyes weren't open, but his nostrils were flaring and his upper lip kept twitching up in a snarl. He was still fighting to stay awake, and he could probably smell Hank nearby as well as hear him. "Logan?"

"Hnnhh….rrf…" He stirred slightly, but his body wasn't cooperating enough to let him fully wake or even get up.

"Easy, my friend," Hank murmured, bravely placing his large hand on Logan's chest.

Ororo inhaled sharply as her husband's eyes flicked open and he brought up his right arm, Logan's hand weakly grabbing at the furry doctor's thick wrist as they made eye contact. "Henry—"

"It's—I think it's alright," he insisted softly.

Brows furrowing in confusion, Ororo looked between Logan and Hank, a strange sort of understanding passing between them. She thought maybe that Logan could finally see that Hank was only trying to help, and no longer appeared as though he wanted to fight the big blue mutant.

"I assure you, Logan, I have no interest in being the alpha male in this household," Hank promised calmly, quirking a brief smile.

"Hrh…Haaaank." Logan tiredly tilted his head where he lay, releasing Beast's wrist and grunting softly as his eyes drifted back to Ororo.

The blue-furred doctor grinned. "That's right, my friend."

Ororo wasn't sure if Logan finally sensed Hank's sincerity or what, but for the first time in a while, the feral wasn't growling or displaying any kind of aggression toward the big, blue beast.

Hank gave a short nod and took a step back, turning toward Ororo. "We need to get him out of his wet clothes."

Ororo pursed her lips. "Perhaps I should take care of that alone, Hank. Although Logan appears to be alright in your presence at the moment, that might very well change if you start undressing him." She gave a little smile when the doctor's eyes widened and he ducked his head slightly.

"Ah, yes, that's a fair point my dear. I'll just step outside while you take care of that, then I'll have a closer look at him."

Logan was losing his struggle to keep conscious as Hank stepped out, and Ororo leaned over him with a warm smile, placing her hand to his cool, damp cheek. "It's alright to rest now. The baby and I will be fine without you watching us twenty-four-seven; I promise."

"Hrr…" Groaning softly, Logan's eyes drifted closed for a few seconds until she started to unbutton his jeans. Then his eyes snapped back open and his right leg twitched. "Nnh?"

"You need to get dry and warm," Ororo said softly, tugging the clingy, soaking fabric of his jeans and boxers down his narrow hips. Logan gave a disgruntled snort and growled when he couldn't sit himself up. Ignoring his frustration, she tossed his wet clothing aside and then dried him off with the rest of the towels before covering him up in a blanket so Hank could come back in. "Logan, relax." She gently patted his chest and then turned to call to the door. "All clear, Hank."

Logan managed to push himself over onto his side and let out an irritated growl as his shaky limbs struggled to cooperate. He dropped back down onto the mattress with a heavy exhale.

Hank still approached cautiously despite their sudden apparent understanding, just to be on the safe side. He looked Logan over without touching him, studying the feral's weak movements and obvious lack of energy before turning to Ororo with a slight frown. "Has he eaten today?"

"This morning, but very little." Ororo nodded and hugged her arms around herself. "I should've noticed sooner, but the last few days he's been a little lethargic, and much more-so today."

"Mm-hm." Hank rubbed his furry chin thoughtfully. "I think you were right about him not sleeping. For Logan's healing factor to be driven to the point where it can no longer keep up, he must have thoroughly exhausted himself by depriving his body of sleep since he has not been injured recently."

Ororo pursed her lips, frowning. "Is there anything I can do?"

"He'll need to actually sleep; I recommend several straight hours today, then back to a normal nightly schedule." Hank glanced down at Logan again, who was still trying to keep his eyes open, even though he couldn't get up. "If you can't convince Logan to sleep then give me a call and I'll have to administer a heavy sedative. As much as I am aware that both you and he would prefer I not go to such an extreme measure, you know as well as I do, Ororo, that Logan can not keep going on without sleep. It isn't healthy pushing his healing factor like this."

She sighed. "Yes, I understand Hank."

He nodded and smiled kindly at her, and Ororo followed him to the door. "Listen, Ororo, you don't need this added stress either, so if you want someone to sit with Logan a while so you can relax and have a break, I'm sure Kitty or Rogue wouldn't mind. They should be back from school soon."

"I know. Thank you, Henry. I'm trying not to get worked up, and I'll call for one of the girls if I think I need to."

Hank smiled warmly at her and stepped out the door. "I'll check in later."

"Alright." Ororo sighed softly as he left, lingering by the door when she closed it behind him.

"Hrrnn…nnnrrhh…"

"I'm right here, Logan," Ororo hushed gently as she returned to the bed. She laid down behind him and urged him to roll to his back so she could snuggle up against his chest. She brushed damp hair from Logan's forehead and then lightly stroked her warm hand along his bare chest, cuddling as close as she was able with the baby bump between them.

"Please sleep, love," she murmured softly, her thumb sweeping back and forth against his collarbone. "Please," Ororo pleaded again. She could still feel him fighting it, the way he twitched intermittently, tensing and relaxing every few minutes. "Logan, you're worrying me. You need to be healthy just as much as the baby and I. You're important, too. Please, just sleep. Nothing's going to happen."

He groaned softly and heaved a sigh that Ororo took as reluctant compliance.

As she lay against him, Ororo could finally tell he was starting to let go, let the fatigue take over and just give in to unconsciousness. She tried to calm her own mind, listening to Logan's steady breathing as he slept at last.

Ororo napped again for a short while, and when she woke, was pleased to discover that Logan was still asleep. He definitely wasn't faking this time. She smiled down at him and carefully got off the bed, padding quietly into the bathroom.

Her stomach was growling by the time she was done, the baby starting to wake up and move around as well, reminding her that it was getting late in the afternoon and she hadn't had any lunch yet. Deciding she'd like to walk around a bit and leave the room, Ororo quietly went over to the phone to see if Rogue or Kitty was around to stay with Logan for a little bit so she could go downstairs and have a bite to eat.

.

"He's sound asleep right now, Kitty," Ororo assured her softly as she quietly entered the loft. "Hank said that Logan's just overtired, so if he wakes up just let him know that I'll be back soon and he can go back to sleep."

"Okay." Kitty nodded and walked over to the small desk in the corner of the room to set her backpack down. She'd brought her schoolwork with her so she'd have something to do besides sit there and watch Logan sleep.

"I shouldn't be too long."

"Take your time. I've got homework to keep me busy anyways." Smiling reassuringly at the pregnant woman, Kitty started taking out her books as Ororo glanced back at Logan one more time before quietly slipping out the door.

With the rain still coming down loudly against the skylights and casting a darkness within the loft, Kitty turned on the desk lamp and flipped through her notebook. She quickly started in on her homework, turning around every once in a while to check up on Logan. He never moved besides the steady rise and fall of his chest, and eventually Kitty lost herself in her books, forgetting to turn around altogether.

A loud thumping noise startled her sometime later, and Kitty nearly knocked her chair back as she stood rapidly and spun around. "OHMIGOD," she gasped as she discovered a very naked Wolverine crouched beside the bed and turned back around, covering her eyes. "I like so did not need to see that." Wincing, she clenched her eyes shut briefly and stumbled sideways in search of a bureau, keeping one hand up to shield her peripheral vision from accidently catching a glimpse again.

Reaching the dresser, Kitty began pulling drawers open in search of some pants for the feral man. She felt bad for going through his and Ororo's things, but she definitely didn't want to be babysitting a naked Logan while she waited for Ororo to get back.

"Huhnn…hrrh…" Logan made a few low, guttural sounds, and Kitty could hear him moving around behind her.

Kitty momentarily stopped rifling through the drawers and closed her eyes, fling a hand out behind her in a halting motion. "Whoa, whoa! Just…Just stay there like a sec and don't move." She thought she heard him stop and then opened her eyes again, going through the next drawer down. Thankfully, it was full of old t-shirts and pajama pants. Grabbing a pair of black sweats, she tossed them backwards over her shoulder and closed her eyes firmly. "Put those on, 'kay?"

Waiting patiently, Kitty listened for sounds of Logan dressing. When she finally heard the tell-tale rustle of soft fabric and some other clumsy movements, she counted another thirty seconds in her head and then turned slowly, squinting in case he wasn't dressed and she'd need to snap her eyes shut again.

She breathed out a sigh of relief when she saw that he'd put the sweats on, and fully opened her eyes. Logan was crouched just a few feet behind her, head tipped, peering at her curiously. "I know," Kitty said softly with a tight smile. "I bet you're like wondering why I'm here and Ororo's not, huh?"

Logan's head tilted in the other direction, his nostrils flaring slightly as he sniffed and grunted.

"It's okay. Ororo just went downstairs for a little while to get something to eat. She'll be back up soon, though, and she told me to tell you it was alright to go back to sleep."

Standing up straight, Logan staggered sideways a few steps before dropping back down into a teetering crouch.

Kitty lurched toward him, noticing for the first time how tired he really looked. It was hard to tell with so little light in the room, but now that she was closer to him, Kitty could make out the dark circles under his eyes, and saw the way he swayed, even while practically sitting on the floor. "Hey, let's get you back to the bed." She reached for his arm slowly to help him stand up, but he jerked away with a growl.

Holding her hands up in a non-threatening gesture, Kitty took half a step back. "Okay, okay, I won't help then." She sighed and rolled her eyes, wondering how Ororo dealt with him when he was like this. Kitty figured the older woman had a much easier time trying to boss Logan around though, because according to Rogue, Ororo was the alpha female in the pack and therefore the only person Logan would defer to. The feral mutant pretty much saw Kitty and the other teens as pups, so there was really no chance of her helping Logan or ordering him around if he didn't let her.

Since he wouldn't allow her to help, Kitty patiently followed just behind Logan as he groggily moved toward the bed on all fours. Every step was slow and deliberate, like he didn't have the strength to walk properly or even get up all the way. Dammit, she wished he didn't have to be so darn stubborn.

Logan stopped beside the bed but appeared put off by the effort it would take to climb back onto it. Snagging a pillow, he hunkered down on the area rug with a grunt and heavy sigh.

Kitty was surprised as she realized how exhausted Logan was when he dropped off to sleep almost immediately. Tip-toeing over carefully, she pulled the blanket from the bed and gently draped it over the slumbering feral before returning to her schoolwork at the desk in the corner. She smiled to herself and sat down as she began to hear Logan's deep, growly snores.

When Ororo came back upstairs carrying a dish of food and a bottle of Gatorade, which Kitty presumed were both for Logan, she closed her school books and got up from the desk. "Hey, Ororo."

"Hi, Kitty." Ororo's brows furrowed as she looked around the loft in confusion. "Where's—" she cut herself off, moving over to the bed and noticing Logan on the floor beside it. "Oh."

"He, uh, woke up and then kinda couldn't get back on the bed and like wouldn't let me help. I managed to get him to put some pants on though." Kitty grimaced bashfully and then offered a helpless shrug.

Putting a hand to her forehead, Ororo looked over at her apologetically. "Oh dear, I am so sorry, Kitty. I should have thought to get him dressed before I left, but I didn't think he'd try to get up. I should've known better."

Kitty shrugged and waved a hand dismissively, trying to make herself feel less awkward about the situation. "I turned around quick and closed my eyes so I'm not gonna be like totally scarred for life or anything." She felt like smacking herself in the forehead for that bold, yet incredibly lame bit of blubbering. Her cheeks were aflame with mortification.

.

Ororo laughed at the teenager's attempt to play off her embarrassment and offered a smile and a teasing remark. "Well I'm glad, then. I was worried about that." She winked at Kitty and then padded closer to Logan.

Crouching low or bending over was rather difficult in her current condition, so Ororo gently nudged Logan's arm with her bare foot. She didn't want to wake him, but eating and drinking something with much needed nutrients would offer his body fuel to help recharge him along with the replenishing sleep. "Logan?"

His loud snoring choked off abruptly and he turned on his side while cracking open one sleepy brown eye. "Hrmf? …'Rrro?"

"I brought you something to eat." Ororo turned and motioned for Kitty to grab the plate she'd left on the bureau near the door and tried not to laugh at the girl's disgusted face as she carried over the dish filled with mainly meat.

Logan sniffed loudly and attempted to sit up as Kitty brought the food closer. There were two rare-cooked steaks piled atop one another with a heap of oven roasted potatoes and some cold green bean salad.

"Here, Logan." Kitty offered him the plate and gave Ororo the Gatorade bottle.

Ororo sat on the edge of the bed as she watched him devour the first steak, setting the plate in his lap and eating with his hands. She hadn't bothered bringing him a fork, knowing he wouldn't have used it anyway.

Kitty went to gather her school work at the desk while Logan swiftly demolished everything on his plate, even the green beans.

Uncapping the Gatorade bottle, Ororo held it out to Logan when he'd finished his food. He gave her a puzzled look but took the bottle tentatively and started drinking, grimacing at the taste. "I know you don't really like this stuff, but just finish it all, please," she said softly. "It's good for you. You need the electrolytes."

He gave a reluctant grunt before doing as she'd asked, then rumbled out an irritated growl when he tried to settle back down on the floor and Ororo grabbed at his arm.

"On the bed, come on," she urged gently, her free hand resting on her belly. Ororo knew she really shouldn't be doing anything as physically strenuous as hoisting Logan to his feet. "Kitty, would you mind giving me a hand?"

"Sure." Kitty set her bag down and hurried to get on Logan's other side but refrained from touching him just yet. She gave Ororo a look of uncertainty. "Uh, last time he wouldn't let me."

"Don't worry," Ororo smiled reassuringly.

As Kitty reached for Logan's arm he pulled away and snarled softly. It wasn't an angry snarl meant for an enemy, but more like a scolding snarl to a disobedient pup.

"Logan," Ororo said firmly, one hand on her belly. "Let Kitty help you up. I can't lift you on my own."

"Hmph." He snorted, but when the teen grabbed his arm again he didn't growl or pull away and glanced at his wife with something akin to concern in his dark eyes.

Without straining herself, Ororo was able to help Kitty get a still very tired and sluggish Logan back up on the bed. He laid there on his stomach with a grunt, struggling to keep his fluttering eyelids open and not bothering to reposition his arms that were spread out by his sides.

Kitty helpfully picked up the blanket from the floor and gave it to Ororo to drape over him. When Logan started to snore, Kitty's eyes went wide with surprise. "Wow, I think he's like asleep already."

Ororo smiled faintly and nodded. "He's really quite exhausted. It'll serve him well to rest for a good long while."

Retrieving her backpack with a nod, Kitty quietly padded to the door.

"Thank you for staying," Ororo called after the girl softly.

"Sure, no problem." With a small wave, Kitty left the loft.

With her feet and back feeling a little achy and a wave of mild fatigue washing over her, Ororo thought it might be a good idea for her to lie down again. More or less waddling over to her side of the bed, she carefully got settled, trying not to jar her sleeping feral too much. Stacking the pillows behind her to support her back, Ororo relaxed with a soft sigh and closed her eyes, hands resting over her stomach.

When Logan moved beside her and there was a hitch in his growly snoring, Ororo went still for a moment, thinking she'd woken him. He only rolled toward her and sleepily cuddled against her side, his head resting next to her belly as he resumed snoring again. "I love you, Logan," Ororo murmured with a soft sigh, lightly brushing back the hair at his temple.

.

Logan slept all day and through the night, only waking twice to use the bathroom. While he was up Ororo made him rehydrate with water or Gatorade and then he went back to sleep. He seemed stronger each time he woke, more confident on his feet and finally starting to look a little rested.

Opening her eyes as she felt warm sunshine on her skin, Ororo smiled at Logan's sleeping face in front of her. They were both lying on their sides, facing one another. Without even looking outside she could tell that the storm from the day before had passed. As much as she would like to lie there watching Logan sleep, the baby was pressing on her bladder and she really needed to pee. She tip-toed to the bathroom (as well as a seven months pregnant woman could tip-toe), relieving herself and then deciding to take a quick shower.

She left the bathroom fifteen minutes later, wrapped in a towel and finding Logan crouched by the foot of the bed. He got up when he saw her, striding over quickly and getting in her personal space, nuzzling her neck and sniffing at her affectionately. "Good morning, love," Ororo greeting him with a soft laugh as his facial hair tickled her, her shoulders hunching.

Logan leaned back slightly and then forward again to nuzzle at the other side of her neck, growling lovingly against her warm skin, inhaling her freshly-showered scent.

Ororo slowly wrapped one arm around him, keeping her towel up with the other hand and lightly scratching at the nape of his neck. He continued making soft, growly noises, and then she began to realize that the nonsensical growls were actually starting to sound like words. Ororo clung to him and listened carefully.

"Rrr…'roro…hrrnhh…luh'v…you…rrn…"

"Logan," Ororo breathed as she leaned back, gently holding his face between her hands and forgetting about hanging onto her towel. Tears gathered in her eyes, and her mouth twitched into a watery smile. "You…you just—You said—"

"Hrrn." Logan tipped his head forward and put his hands on her forearms, looking into her eyes. His brown orbs were like pools of dark chocolate, swirling with emotion. "Luh'v…you 'Rrro."

Ororo wasn't sure what came over her. Maybe it was the hormones, maybe it was just the relief that he was trying…he was trying to come back to her, for her and their baby, but she just started sobbing. Uncontrollable, wracking sobs that shook her entire frame. She must have scared Logan, because he let out a low whine and suddenly scooped her in his strong arms, carrying her over to the bed. She nearly lost her towel, but she didn't care. He laid her down gently and curled around her awkward pregnant body, enveloping her with all his limbs and pressing his face into her damp hair.

.