A/N: Here us the next chapter of Fatherly Instinct. I am trying my best to show that Laura is slowly growing accustomed to life outside the world of a lab. I hope I did all the characters justice. I own nothing but my OC Ivy and some of the plot for this story. Please enjoy the chapter, and leave a review! Maiden of the Heavens (MOTH)

Chapter 10

Bourbon Street was packed with the people that dwelled in New Orleans. Music and chatter floated around the small section of the French Quarter, making their own unique sound. Laura held on tightly to Logan's hand as they made their way through the crowd with Rogue. The young seven-year-old Mutant wasn't sure if she was more overwhelmed or excited, Rogue seemed to be more nervous then anything. Crowds were not her thing, it meant risking her own safety as well the people around her.

Rogue glanced at Wolverine, trying to conceal the worry in her hazel eyes, but not doing the masking justice, as he gently brushed a single finger against one of her snow-white locks. "How much longer, Sugah?" she questioned, wrapping her jacket tighter around herself and making sure her gloves were secure.

"Nearly there," Logan replied, as they stopped in front of a bar called Oz. "This is where Gumbo said to meet him."

Laura quirked an eyebrow at her father, "Gumbo?"

Rogue rolled her eyes as they walked in, the bar being ten times quieter then the street, and less crowded. "He means Remy LeBeau."

A Cajun accent laced with charm and sarcasm spoke out from behind the bar. "You called, Cherie?" A tall man stood up straighter from where he had been stooped. His fedora slightly askew. His bow-staff with its diamond-tip leaning against a barstool, where his black leather trench coat was also draped across lazily. His brown hair had been trimmed to barely brush his jaw line, and for once he was also clean shaven. The steel blue dress shirt he wore, was slightly damp at spots from cleaning glasses, and his denim jeans were scuffed and torn. As usual, he had a Queen of Hearts playing card tucked into the breast pocket of his shirt. His sly fox-like smile turned an actual all out grin as he spotted Laura hiding behind Logan.

The Wolverine seemed just as unhappy as he usually was seeing the Cajun, as his seven-year-old daughter treaded her way toward Remy. Her wolverine stuffed animal hugged close to her chest. Remy laid a hand on Laura's ink-black hair and lovingly scuffed it up.

"How you doin', Petite Bête?" he asked, crouching down to her level.

Laura shrugged, "Good, I guess. People here talk funny. Even more funny, then Rogue."

Remy could not helping laughing at her innocence, he straightened himself and glanced over his shoulder. Standing in the doorway of the storage room was a lady with dark chocolate cork-screw curls that trailed down her shoulders, her skin was the color of porcelain, and her eyes were deep-rose pink in color. Her hands and feet were smudged with potting soil, and the paper bag she held in one hand, crinkled ever-so-slightly.

She was wearing a mulberry colored dress, that reached just about to her ankles. A lemon chiffon colored sash was tied around her middle, ending up as a neat little bow in the back. The one thing that Laura noticed besides the odd color of the lady's skin and her eyes was the fact that she was bare foot.

"You must be Laura." Her voice was soft and gentle as she spoke, her accent was a mix of Quebec and New Orleans. She left the brown-paper on the countertop of the bar, and smiled softly at Wolverine's daughter. She knelt down to her level and kissed her on both cheeks. "I am very glad to meet you, I'm Ivy. Remy's wife."

"Can I call you Auntie Ivy?" Laura asked, and before Ivy could answer. The young mutant glanced over at Remy. "Can I call you Uncle Remy?"

Remy's smirk only grew as he felt Logan glaring daggers at him. He looked over at Ivy and smiled and then back at Laura. "I dun see why not. We would be honored."

Laura smiled and glanced over at Rogue. The Succubus-like Mutant had settled herself into the corner of the bar. Wolverine and her were talking in hushed whispered, but Laura could tell they were talking about her. The seven-year-old frowned and tugged on her father's hand.

Wolverine looked down at her. "Something wrong, Kit?"

Laura scowled. "You shouldn't't talk about people behind their backs, Daddy. It's rude."

Logan sighed and gathered his daughter into his arms. "It's only because we're worried about you, that's all."

The seven-year-old let out a sigh. "I know, but I'll be okay, cause I have you and Rogue-Mama to protect me." She smiled at Marie. Who only looked at her with wide hazel eyes filled with surprise. "Is it okay, if I call you…Mama?" Laura asked in a whisper.

Marie nodded trying to blink away the tears in her eyes. "Of course you can, hon."

Laura grinned, she then looked back at Remy and Ivy. "I-I have a family now?"

Wolverine kissed his daughter on the head. "Yes, you have a family now."

Ivy was busy waiting for the stove to heat, while Remy rummaged around in the back for something for Laura to drink that was not alcoholic. Laura was now sitting on a barstool listening to the hissing of the grill, while Ivy searched in the cabinets for ingredients.

"We're gonna eat dinner here?" Marie asked, as she sat down beside Laura.

Ivy nodded as she twisted her curls into a bun with a piece of ribbon. "Our house is not big enough, so here will do."

Ivy's dark rose pink eyes found Logan's scowling face, as he sat down on the other side of Laura. "Who is the headmaster of the School now?"

"Kitty, surprisingly. Ororo took her under her wing so to speak." Logan answered.

Laura looked at her father, her face filled with confusion. "One my teacher's is a cat?"

Rogue quickly stifled back her laughter, "No, No, Hon. Her nickname is Kitty. But you're going to call her Mrs. Rasputin. She is another mutant like us."

Laura nodded with a confirmed, "Okay."

Remy came out of storage with an ice-cold bottle of chocolate milk for Laura and beers for the adults. He grinned when he smelt what Ivy was cooking. "Boudin. You never make Boudin, Petite Fleur."

Ivy whacked his hand away from the cooking meal with a wooden spoon. "Tonight is special, we have family over." the Earth Elemental winked at Laura, and continued to cook. "Tomorrow, I'll show you my garden, Laura."

Laura eyes sparkled with excitement. "A garden with real flowers and bees, and everything?"

Ivy's face was suddenly showered with concern. "You've never seen a garden before?"

Laura shook her head, "Nuh-uh."

"Then tomorrow, we will make you, your special section in my garden just for your flowers."

The seven-year-old grinned at her father, "Daddy, I get to have a garden!"

Logan ruffled up his daughter's hair and mouthed 'Thank you." to Ivy.

Ivy only smiled back and began to pile five separate plates with food. She watched in amazement as Laura began to shovel her food down by using her hands. Logan gently stopped her and gave her a fork and knife. He looked at her and said gently, "Slow down and enjoy it….no one is going to starve you anymore. I swear."

Laura nodded, looking ashamed as she resumed eating, with the fork and knife in hand. She then looked up at Ivy. "I'm sorry, Auntie Ivy."

Ivy smiled, "It's okay, Laura."