Thirteen

A few hours later, Logan's dining room table was beautifully set and laid out with the feast his mother had managed to prepare with the food items she was able to gather from his refrigerator and pantry. Being half Italian, his mother had made a spread that highlighted her heritage. The table was laid out with her special baked chicken parmesan, smoked salmon in a vodka cream sauce, antipasto salad, an assortment of roasted vegetables and a parsley risotto. He didn't know how she did it, but the woman had even managed to bake a pound cake to go with the vanilla ice cream she had found deep in the back of his freezer.

With the others getting to know each other in the den, Ororo and Logan sat in the kitchen together enjoying a stolen moment before everyone descended to full their bellies. Logan stood behind Ororo who was perched on a bar stool, massaging her shoulders as she rested the back of her head against his muscled chest, enjoying the contact between them.

"Why are ya so tense?"

Ororo's eyes drifted closed. "I was worried that your parents would not…"

"Like ya?"

She nodded in confirmation. "Why would ya think that?"

Ororo opened her eyes and tilted her head back so she was looking up directly at him. "Hmm…why would I think that?" She repeated, "Let us see, I knowingly kept their grandchild away from them and from you for sixteen years. I am not his birth mother. I am not…"

Logan effectively cut her off. "I thought that we weren't going ta dwell on the past, 'Ro."

She sighed. "I know, but sometimes I cannot help thinking about the past."

"Happy memories, darlin'. That was our deal."

"Are you always so pushy?"

Logan chuckled as he massaged her tense muscles gently. "Only when absolutely necessary."

The smile she gifted him caused his heart to lodge in his throat. Being that close to her was driving him insane. Her unique earthy scent mixed with the jasmine oil she used as fragrance wreaked total havoc on his senses. It was all he could do not to take her upstairs and ravish her.

"I'm glad ya're here, babe," Logan leaned down and whispered hoarsely in her ear.

A delicious shiver went through her as his warm breath caressed her skin. Logan grinned, not missing her reaction. "Me too," she responded in kind.

He maneuvered them, so that her head was still resting on his chest, but he had ample space to lean over her, so his mouth hovered above hers. It was an awkward position, but they managed to fuse their mouths together. She sighed as his mouth closed over hers. His tongue sought out the vulnerable spots in her mouth and stroked them.

Their interlude was interrupted when Nathan came into the kitchen. "Jeez, you two, get a room."

Ororo blushed furiously as Logan released her lips.

"Whatever, kid," Logan retorted smilingly.

Nathan was quickly followed by his grandparents. Elizabeth playfully rolled her eyes as she gazed at her son and future daughter-in-law. It didn't take a genius to know that her son was in love with the Nubian beauty and that she undoubtedly returned his feelings. She was incredibly happy for her son, especially after the entire debacle with Carol, whom she never really did take a liking too. She had thought that her son would never risk falling in love again and looking at the both of them now, she was happy that she was wrong. "Ok, the both of ya take yer seats. It's time fer dinner."

"Jamie, sweetheart, would ya please grab the pink lemonade out of the fridge?" Elizabeth said cheerily, giving her well laid out spread one last scrutiny. "Ororo, my dear, please grab the garlic bread in the warmer." Logan muffled a growl as he went to do his mother's bidding, miffed that he was being pulled away from Ororo's warmth.

Ororo laughed at the annoyed look on Logan's face, but truth be told, she felt comforted that she was being put to work in the kitchen. It meant she was part of the family, accepted by them. When she and Nathan had first arrived, she was a nervous wreck, worried about how she'll be received. Her worries were for naught, when Logan's mother had literally flew out of the front door and smothered her in an all consuming hug after she had delivered the same treatment to Nathan. From then on, it was as if all those years didn't stand between them, as his mother who had remembered her from the Catskills, openly engaged her in conversation and every now and then would toss her a motherly smile.

Logan's father advanced towards his seat at the dinner table, clapping his hands together in delight. He passed his grandson on the way, smacking him on the back affectionately. "Well, Nathan, my boy, be prepared ta taste the best Italian food ya've ever eaten in yer life."

Nathan grinned and threw his hand around his grandfather's shoulders. Ororo saw the action and smiled. She was happy for her son. He had always wanted a big family and now his wish was coming through. She had to ruthlessly squash a pang of guilt that tried to surface at the thought that she had denied him this for his entire existence. She was trying her best to do as Logan had said and focus on the future and not the past, but there were times that she was reminded of her selfishness in denying him a father and family. She was smart enough to know that she would always be reminded of the past, but it was also up to her to figure out if she wanted to live in the past or move on and learn from it.

Logan caught the pensive look on her face and immediately went over to her, snaking his arm around her waist. "Ya ok, darlin'?"

She gave him a bright smile and nodded her head in answer.

"Alright everyone, take yer seats and dig in," Elizabeth singsong, taking her seat. Her exuberance didn't distract Logan from the worry and melancholy that practically rolled off of Ororo.

"We'll talk later," he murmured, taking her hand and leading her to the seat next to his. He held out her chair for her, kissing her on the cheek when she sat down.

Elizabeth saw the intimate moment and beamed. She turned to her newfound grandson and began the dinner conversation. "So, Nathan, how are ya doing in school?"

Nathan swallowed the food he had just taken a bite of before politely answering her. "Very well, Grandma. I'm currently the top student in the entire tenth grade."

Logan grinned, damned proud of the boy sitting directly across from him.

Dinner was a relatively pleasing affair. Ororo had let enough of her guard down to enjoy the evening, continuously amazed at Logan's parents' easy acceptance of her and Nathan. And having Logan offering easy smiles and gentle caresses under the table helped a lot. To look at him, one wouldn't guess that he was the touchy feely type. But she was happy that he was, because it showed her that he was taking their relationship seriously, that he was thinking about her and wanted her to be comfortable with him.

After dinner, the adults retired to the den for coffee, while Nathan retired to the living room to play video games. Ororo was casually strolling around the room, as she had dubbed the room one of her favorites in the home when Logan had given her the full tour. She didn't get the opportunity then to peruse the photographs and paintings that were abundant in the room, so she did so now. She smiled when she came upon a photo that revealed a younger grinning Logan looking cute as a button in a white basketball uniform holding up a huge trophy, surrounded by who were obviously the other jubilant team members.

"Logan?"

"Yeah babe?"

"Is this when you won the city championship playing for Cold Lake Middle School Trojans?" Ororo asked, nodding to the photograph she was smiling at. He had imparted that tidbit to her during their many talks in the Catskills. She knew he had played a variety of sports and excelled in all of them.

Logan was amazed that she would remember that. They communicated silently when his raised eyebrows posed the question to her. I remember everything about you and what you told me during that summer, she silently replied. Logan smiled warmly at her before gazing fondly at the photograph. "Nope. That was when we won the provincial championship." He nodded to another photo three spaces down. "That's when we won the city championship."

Ororo laughed lightly at the other picture he indicated. In that one, he was wearing a green uniform, still grinning widely, holding one end of a smaller trophy, while another teammate held the other end, surrounded by their triumphant teammates. "You looked so cute," she teased. "What happened?"

"Ya got jokes, huh 'Ro?"

"My boy was the best shooting guard on that team. Had a killer three point shot," his father interjected, chuckling. "What about ya, Ororo? Ever played any sports?"

"Unfortunately not. I was more of a bookworm than anything. My father due to his line of work, exposed me to the world of books at a very young age. I was an avid reader by the time I was five years old," she murmured in response to Jonathan's easygoing question.

"Jamie excelled at everything he did," his mother tossed in proudly. "Could always do anything he put his mind too."

"Nathan is the same way," Ororo voiced instinctively.

"I can tell he is," Elizabeth said. "Ya did a wonderful job with him, Ororo."

Ororo ducked her head at the high praise, suddenly shy. Logan flicked his eyes to her, noticing her reaction to his mother's statement, he went over to stand next to her.

"Thank you," she replied softly, as she felt Logan's callused hands stroking her back.

Logan ducked his head and whispered in her ear, "Ya see, babe, I'm not the only ta think so."

She gave him a soft, shy smile and it was simply too much seeing that he had desperately wanted to kiss her, really kiss her since she had arrived for dinner. Giving little thought that they were still in the company of his folks, he quickly turned her in his arms and swoop down to capture her lips. It took sheer willpower on his part to not groan out loud as soon as his lips collided with her soft pliable ones. The taste of her lovely mouth sent a shaft of pleasure knifing through him and it exploded like lightning in the depths of his stomach. Lost and drowning in her addictive taste, his tongue thrust deep. At that moment, he was heedless of everything and anything except the stunning, receptive woman in his arms.

His father's discreet cough brought them back to reality. Logan gazed numbly at them a bit miffed at the interruption, while Ororo blushed to the roots of her hair.

"Save that fer later, son," his father mentioned, winking at Ororo and trying his best not to give into his mirth when he saw his son's peeved expression.

Logan grumbled under his breath as he pulled Ororo to the sofa. "Thanks a lot, Pa."

Elizabeth stood laughing, gathering up empty cups and plates. "Anyone fer more coffee? Snacks?"

"No thanks hon, I'm still stuffed from dinner," Jonathan replied, rubbing his belly for emphasis.

Logan and Ororo also replied in the negative. He reached across the small space separating them and laid his hands over hers. "Do you think we should check on our son?" She asked, a snowy eyebrow shooting up.

Logan shook his head no. "Eh…he's alright. Got that damn video game ta keep his company."

She laughed lightly as she sank into the sofa soaking up the gaiety of the evening. Replete with good food and drink, her head slowly descended to Logan's welcoming shoulder. She was incredibly relaxed for the first time in a very long time. By all standards, the evening was a roaring success. Ororo, by the end of the evening felt as and was made to feel as if she was a member of the family, due to Elizabeth's and Jonathan's relaxed and loving natures.

Ororo must have dozed off because the next thing she knew, Logan was gently shaking her awake. "Sorry darlin', but my arm fell asleep."

She lifted her head from where it had slipped down to his strong hard bicep and looked around, noticing that she and Logan were now the only occupants of the room. She murmured, "I guess I must have dozed off."

His eyes roved over her face reverently, lovingly. "Maybe ya and Nathan should spend the night instead of driving back home tonight."

She gave him a lazy smile in reply. "Tempting offer."

Logan drew her closer to him. With heart stopping slowness, he slid his hand around the column of her neck. He pressed his thumb against the pulse point at its base, feeling the erratic beating of her pulse. His breath was warm against lips, "Take me up on it."

Ororo sighed and closed her eyes just as his mouth fused with hers. The kiss was hot, wet and wicked, evoking a raw act of love. His thumb continued its hypnotic dance along her neck. It was only a hint of the things she wanted him to do to her and what he needed to do to her. She unconsciously pressed closer to him, causing her nipples to contract against his chest. Logan's groan was sheer guttural at the erotic contact. The passion that they shared only served to heighten the sexuality and sensuality of their kiss. Deep inside the core of her femininity exploded with sensations that rose into her chest, setting her breasts afire and making her heart swell with the love she held for him. The desire that rushed through her veins was heady, drugging her as the seconds ticked by.

She was jolted out of her desire-laden state and back to reality at the piercing ringing of her cell phone. She groaned at the interruption.

"Don't answer," Logan grunted.

"I have too. It might be important," she whimpered.

Gently and reluctantly, she extricated herself from his heated embrace, walking over on shaky legs to where her purse rest on the side table next to the decorative chaise. She gave him a small smile before pulling the phone out of her purse. She frowned when she saw that it was the number belonging to the nursing home. Pressing accept, she lifted the device to her ear. "Hello."

"Miss Munroe?" The voice was crisp and one may say, cold.

"Yes. May I help you?"

The caller identified himself as one of the nursing home staff doctors. Dread coiled around her and settled in the pit of her stomach. "Your father suffered a stroke a few minutes ago. We are transporting him to Salem General Hospital right now. Please meet us there."

Ororo's breath escaped her lungs in a rush. "How…" she gulped audibly. "How serious is it? Is he going to be alright?"

"We won't know that until we get him to the hospital. Please hurry."

The dread quickly spread. "Yes, I will be there immediately."

Logan who had seen her face go ashen with fear was instantly at her side. "Baby?" He reached for her hand.

She quickly ended the call and grabbed her purse, hollering Nathan's name as she attempted to sweep past Logan. He shot out his arm to still her movement. "What's going on?"

She tried to pull herself away from his hold, but found out that it was virtually impossible. His hold on her was that tight. She turned to him, tears trailing down her smooth cheeks. "Let me go, Logan. I have to go." A sob, then, "Nathan!"

Nathan came rushing into the room, having heard his mother's first bellow of his name. He took in her frantic demeanor and knew something terrible had happened. "Mom? Mom what's going on?"

Elizabeth and Jonathan were hot on their grandson's trail, having heard Ororo's shouts. They took in Ororo's state and immediately turned wide, confused eyes to their son. He had no answers as he himself didn't know what the hell was said during the phone call to upset her so.

Logan was worried. Her frantic movements coupled with the tears running nonstop down her face was too much for him. "Sweetheart, what the hell is going on? Tell me," he pleaded.

"My…my…Dad," was all she was able to managed before giving in to her panic.

"What's wrong with Grandpa, Mom?"

She swiped at her tears. She glanced at the other occupants, dazed as she said, "That was the nursing home. He had a stroke and they said I need to the hospital right away."

"I'm going with ya. Ya're in no condition ta drive," Logan said, his voice brooked no arguments. "Nathan, ya stay here with Ma and Pa. I'll make sure yer mom is ok."

Nathan nodded before walking over to his mother, embracing her. "He'll be alright, Mom," he whispered, attempting to reassure her as much as he can in the moment.

Ororo nodded before kissing him on his cheek. Turning to Logan, she said, "Let us get going."

Logan sprinted to the main entry way, opening the door to the hall closet to grab a pair of black sneakers, slipping them on. As he donned a lightweight black parker, he called out, "Ma, Pa? I'll call ya from the hospital."

"Be safe, Jamie. Take care of her," his mother responded.

Ororo didn't hear the exchange, as she was already out the front door, waiting for him. She tossed the keys to her jeep to him as he came to join her outside, slipping into the passenger seat silently.

She sat ramrod straight in the seat and her silence continued as Logan maneuvered the vehicle within the confines of the speed limit on their way to the hospital.

Logan, not knowing what to say to her, reached out his right hand to rest on her knee in a comforting gesture. Christ, but he felt like a complete imbecile, not knowing how to begin consoling her.

"Ya ok, darlin'?"

Her head swiveled towards his direction, but she didn't look at him. "Goddess! I honestly do not know. I hope this is not the end. I hope…"

"Ya can't think like that, baby. Ya have ta have faith."

She released a small mirthless laugh. "Faith? Right. Logan, my last conversation with my father was not a good one. I do not want it to end with him thinking that I despise him." Her voice sounded small and afraid in the passenger seat of her Jeep Liberty.

His grip tightened on the steering wheel, knowing that she was blaming herself for defending him to her father.

"Baby…"

"He cannot die, Logan. He cannot. There is so much we need to resolve." Tears leaked from her eyes that were squeezed shut. After a few minutes she composed herself. She gave him a sad smile and covered his hand where it rested on her knee with her own. They rode in silence the rest of the way, each caught up in their own thoughts.

She stared out the window, deep in thought, barely paying attention to the darkness that had completed ushered in the night. She was so caught up in her thoughts that it took her a while to realize that Logan had brake her jeep in the spot closest to the hospital's entrance and was softly calling her name.

The feeling of dread that had clobbered her since she received the call had more than tripled as she stepped out of the vehicle and made her way into the hospital. Logan was right beside her, his arm snuggly wrapped around her waist, providing her with a measure of comfort as they approached the woman seated behind the admittance desk.

"I received a call about my father being brought in. His name is Charles Xavier."

"Xavier…Charles Xavier," the woman clucked as her fingers typed away on her desktop keyboard. Her brows scrunched together as she input more commands to the machine. "Ahhh…here we go. He was admitted about ten minutes ago. He's on the sixth floor…room 62R."

Ororo muttered her thanks as Logan ushered her to the elevator bank a few feet from the desk, pressing the arrow up button. It seemed like forever before the elevator dinged, announcing its arrival. With his palm pressed in the middle of her back, he nudged her into the elevator once its doors opened, pressing the button for the sixth floor. As soon as the elevator doors closed, he pulled her into his arms, pressing a firm kiss to her temple. Ororo clung to him, doing her best to absorb all the comfort he was offering her.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"It's my job," he replied simply.

They stepped off the elevator once it deposited them onto the desired sixth floor. They looked around for a few seconds before following the appropriate arrows and numbers that pointed to the room where her father laid. As they approached the room, a man of medium height and build, blue eyes and blond hair, wearing a white coat over what appeared to be khakis and a T-Shirt stepped out of the room, gently closing the door. Ororo recognized him as Dr. Foley, one of the nursing home's staff doctors regularly assigned to her father.

The doctor smile gently when he saw her. His eyes alight with recognition when he saw Logan, but he forced himself to concentrate on the matter at hand. "Miss Munroe, how are you?"

Ororo gave him a stiff smile. "Dr. Foley, how is he?"

Dr. Foley glanced at Logan then back at her, clearly attempting to gain her permission to discuss her father's case with a stranger present. "He is my boyfriend, doctor. It is fine."

The doctor nodded. "Your father is stable now, Miss Munroe. He had what is called a transient ischemic attack or what we in the medical field more commonly call it…a ministroke. It's caused by a temporary clot and the symptoms are usually short-lived."

"Will he be alright?" Ororo asked anxiously.

"He will be, but I must tell you that these types of strokes are to be taken as a warning and very seriously."

Logan felt some of the tension drained from her body at the doctor's answer. "May I see him?"

"Yes, but for a short visit. He needs his rest."

"Thank you," Ororo replied on a huge sigh of relief.

"You're welcome. I will be around for at least another hour or so. If there are any problems, have them page me." He turned to leave. "Good night Miss Munroe, Mr. Howlett."

Logan, who up until that point had remained silent, opened his arms and Ororo walked right into them. They held her as she shook, her body releasing the remaining tension and fear.

"Goddess, Logan. I was so scared." Her voice was muffled against his parker.

His gruff timbre was reassuring and just what she needed at that moment. "I know ya were, baby. But now ya know, he's going ta be fine."

"Yes." She sighed. "I am going in to see him."

"Go ahead babe. I'll be right here waiting fer ya." He lowered his lips to hers and pressed a loving, supportive kiss to her lips.

Giving him a sweet smile, she murmured, "I love you," before turning and slipping into her father's room.

Logan's mouth went slack with disbelief. If she had turned around at that moment, she would have seen his eyes widened and a shock expression plastered onto his face.

Chapter 14 Sneak Peek – Charles takes advantage of the opportunity he's been given.