A/N: I apologize for the long wait on the chapter, please review! -MOTH
Chapter 11
After Ivy had helped Logan, Marie, and Laura get situated in the snug guest bedroom. The Earth-Puppeteer headed downstairs and away from the living quarters of her flower shop. It smelt heavenly of dirt, and flowers. Ivy knelt down and searched her cabinets for some sunflower seed packets, before she righted herself again. Sitting on the stairs was the Succubus-like mutant, her gloved hands covering her tired face, but Ivy could still see tears soaking the fabric that covered Marie's hands.
The Earth-Puppeteer sat down beside her, the packet of seeds still in her thin fingers. She was not really sure what to say to Marie, they had never actually had anything close to a friendly connection; it was more like they were ships passing each other in the night. The silence that surrounded them was almost eerie. The only thing lighting in the kitchen was the silver light of the moon and it easily slipped passed the barrier of glass from the window.
"She called me, Mama." Marie finally whispered, and angrily wiped the tears that trickled down her cheeks. She hated showing weakness, especially in front of others. But Logan was trying her best to help them both uncork their bottled emotions.
"That should make you very happy." Ivy said, glancing at Marie. She was somewhat jealous that the younger female mutant was now considered a mother.
"It does. It really does. But what am I supposed to do now?" Marie questioned.
"Love her. Help her to show that she has a place in this world, that she isn't alone." Ivy replied simply, her dark-rose pink eyes almost switched to cat-like slits, as she turned to look over her shoulder. Standing on the steps, in one of Wolverine's shirts with her stuffed animal wolverine hugged tightly to her chest, was Laura.
"Mama," she said softly, her voice filled with sleepiness. "Can you read me a bedtime story?"
Marie smiled and gave Ivy a half-smile of gratitude as she followed the seven-year-old feral upstairs and into the bedroom. "What story do you want me to read to you?" she asked, knowing that Logan had packed her at least two full boxes of books, and that Laura had insisted that the Canadian bring them in.
Laura picked through the neatly stacked piles of books, as she finally found one that suited her exhausted mind, "This one." She gave the book to Marie, who sat down beside her on the small twin-sized bed that had been mushed against the wall, in order to make room for the twin that was tucked underneath a shelf that had pictures of Remy and Ivy from their honeymoon in Paris.
Marie looked down at the title of the book, The Borrowers. Marie got as close to Laura as she dared, and to Marie's shock, Laura laid her head against Marie's night-shirt covered chest. They had only made it to the start of chapter three, when Logan came into the room. He had been sparring with Gambit, and had just gotten out of the shower. Running his hands through his fingers, he smiled at the scene before him.
Marie was tucking a kitten-picture covered bookmark into the spot that she and Laura had stopped at, the seven-year-old now breathing softly, fast asleep against the succubus-like mutant she had claimed as her mother. She tucked a strand of snow-white hair back behind her ear, as she looked over at Wolverine, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment.
"She-uh-wanted me to read to her…" Marie somehow entangled herself and tucked Laura more securely into the bed, making sure to tuck Apical in beside her.
"You're doing a really good job with her." Logan whispered and pressed a gentle kiss to Marie's cheek.
"So are you, this parenting thing is scary." Marie said, smiling a little.
Logan grinned and chuckled softly, "Sure is, kid. But we'll get through it."
The morning sun rose in the sky, bathing it with the colors of morning. The sun shined directly into the Wolverine's eyes as he growled in annoyance and went to bury himself into Marie's back, like he normally did, but when he turned over, she wasn't there. Panic nearly bubbled in the feral mutant, until he heard Marie's voice drifting up from the kitchen and to where he was. He could also hear the Cajun, and Laura laughing. There was the sound of Ivy humming, and the smell of bacon, eggs, and pancakes being made on the stove. Logan through on jeans and a fresh t-shirt after applying deodorant, once he made his way downstairs the smell of meat sizzling made his stomach growl.
He sat down beside Rogue as she struggled, while wearing gloves to get a grip at her utensils. Logan piled his plate with blueberry pancakes, bacon, and a heaping pile of scrambled eggs that were mixed with cheddar. Ivy was busy sipping at a cup of chamomile tea, after all the cooking was over. She had promised Laura that after they were done with breakfast that they would go out, and start the young mutant's garden. Ivy nibbled on her piece of toast with strawberry jam, Gambit began to clear the table of dirty dishes and put them in a sink full of hot water and soap. Rogue helped to put away the leftover food.
When Gambit was down to scrubbing the last plate clean, he could feel his mutant activating as an uneasy feeling hit the pit of his stomach. He glanced toward the window that showed the garden. Ivy was busy helping Laura plant her sunflower seeds, as well as water the rest of the garden. Logan had also stayed inside; Rogue was curled up in a chair in the living room, reading a parenting book.
It was the growl that came from Logan's throat, which startled Rogue. Remy Lebeau was already gripping one of his playing cards in his hands, it began to glow fuchsia. The Cajun glanced out the window that was in the front door, and glared. Standing outside were two officers, yet they were not normal police. They were from the Mutant Response Division. Gambit and Ivy had refused to sign the papers that said that they were mutants. All they wanted was to live a peaceful life, but apparently that was not going to happen. Remy's eyes were now black with red pupils as he opened the door, the card still in his hand.
The smirk that went across the Cajun's face would have made a sly fox proud. "Can I help you, officer?"
The grumpy and bald man was dressed head to foot in SWAT gear. Gambit could tell from his wheezing breaths, that he was cooking in there. "You and your wife have not signed the forms declaring that you not human."
The card in Remy's hand nearly exploded, he grit his teeth into a forced smile as he bit out the words. "We are humans, we're just different."
"You're freaks is what you are." The officer replied and put the paperwork into Remy's hands before leaving the front porch steps and heading back to their vehicle.
Gambit turned to face Wolverine and Rogue; he tossed the paper-clipped together papers on to the kitchen table. "You three better get goin'." He said simply, as Ivy and Laura came back inside their nails and hands crusted with dirt and mud.
"After you're down washing up, Laura, we need you to pack your suitcase." Rogue said as gently as possible, as she headed up the creaky steps to gather her own belongings.
Laura scrubbed her hands clean, and then made her way upstairs. She put her books back into their boxes, and put her clothes into her suitcase, along with her stuffed animal wolverine. When she made her way back into the kitchen, Ivy and Remy were sitting at the table, talking in low voices, a mixture of creole and French-Canadian. When they saw the little feral mutant, Ivy gently hugged the girl and kissed the top of ink-black hair. Remy picked her up and squeezed her tight.
"Don't be a stranger, you can come and visit whenever you like." Ivy said, and then she went over to Logan and hugged him tightly.
"Be careful, Logan. And take good care of your girls." Ivy whispered as she detached herself from Wolverine.
"You don't have to worry so much, Ivy." Logan reassured her.
Rogue was already in the passenger seat, she had buckled Laura up in the back, with a book to keep her occupied, when Logan finally joined them, he sighed. The jeep did not have any problems starting as they drove away from the LeBeau home, and into the thick of Louisiana heat. Marie fiddled with the radio stations until she found something that was not unpleasant, Laura was quiet, her face crinkled up in deep thoughts. Logan on the other hand, concentrated on getting them to New York. The sooner they got to Xavier's School for the Gifted, the better.