A/N - Hey. Clintasha has NO EXCUSE to not be kissing when they are grown adults and you know ... not sputtering teenager, mkay? But at the rate they're going - Jean and Scott will be kissing first. :P

griezz - it's not up to Jeannie to work on his confidence. That's something he has to do for himself. I don't care who says otherwise, men (and women) don't change unless they want to. Other people can't 'fix' them. And I haven't a clue what her powerset has to do with working on his confidence. Besides. There are boundaries in place and they're still teenagers, after all - teenagers that are working to control their powers not find ways to manipulate with them.

Chapter 26: Impressive Gathering

The weeks leading up to the wedding seemed to go in a blur of activity - most of which somehow involved Jan in some capacity or another as she pulled together what she thought would be the best possible day for the whole Howlett family.

Which was also a neat little detail - the last name that she could put on everything. Not that Logan wasn't still Logan - it was just so fun that there was a name for the whole family, even if Scott wasn't going to change his and Logan and K would still go by their monikers… it was just one more detail that made it all that much more official and that much more perfect.

The invitations had their full names, and there was sign at the front of the little clearing that had both of their full real names in beautiful cursive that Steve had done for her. The weather was perfect in the shadow cast by the massive redwoods where the Avengers and X-Men were gathered to celebrate. And, to Jan's delight, Heather and Mac Hudson had come with half of Canada's Alpha Flight project - delivered by none other than Harry Tabeshaw. Both Shield agents had shown up, and both were quietly smirking alongside a massive man who Scott recognized as the owner of the cottages where K had joined up with them.

And for as tickled as Jan was - flitting around and making last-minute adjustments and giggling to herself at how well everything was turning out - it was clear that Scott had her beat from the smile that hadn't stopped since he put on the tux.

Things were working out more or less exactly as he'd hoped they would. Logan and K were together - and they'd be his parents. Officially. And with the Avengers and his team there, there really wasn't anything Scott could think of that would make the day any better. He was even enjoying the fact that most of Alpha Flight was right there mixing with the rest of the group - and in a weird in-between of adult heroes encouraging the X-Men and a smaller team dealing with the star power of the Avengers.

"It looks like the Hudsons are trying to adopt that redhead you have on your team," Steve said with a little smirk, glancing out the window of the little cabin where they were getting ready - and waiting for the girls to be done, really.

"Doubt they'll have much luck," Logan said. "Pretty sure she's happy with the crew she's with, right, Scotty?"

Scott flushed but nodded. "Yeah… I think she'll stick around."

"Of course she will," Logan said, looking perfectly at ease.

"She just… wasn't so sure. I think practicing together helped," Scott tried to explain, but that only had him pinker.

Logan leaned his head back to catch Scott's attention. "You still talkin' about the team?"

Steve nearly choked on a laugh, especially when Scott couldn't come up with a response except to splutter out a "yes."

Logan smirked to himself but before they could get more ridiculous, Mac came in to wish them well - wearing a wide grin. "Moving kinda fast aren't you?" Mac asked before he pulled Logan into a tight hug.

"Don't give me that. You're the one that moves slow. Not me," Logan shot right back.

Mac chuckled and turned to Scott, still smiling. "You sure you're behind this joker?"

"Hey, I've been pushing for this since way before you even knew he was interested in her," Scott shot back with a smile.

"This is very true," Mac said. "Of course … I didn't know about her …"

"Not my fault you're slow," Scott said, the smile widening into an honest grin.

"Wow. There's an echo in here," Steve said, not even trying to hide the laugh. "We should probably kick this guy out … and get moving."

Mac shook his head, well aware of when he was getting his chops busted. "Alright. Well. Good luck. We'll be near the front. Heather insisted."

"And, smart man that you are, you agreed," Steve said with a smirk.

"I know better than to argue with my wife on anything like this," Mac said with a little wave before he disappeared.

Steve chuckled before he turned back to Logan. "Speaking of married life… you ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Logan replied easily before he turned to Scott. "Anything else you need to do before we kick this off?"

Scott shook his head, grinning a little wider. "I'm ready too - let's go."

Logan and Steve shared a look before they led the way out to where the ceremony was set up to take place. The whole group was in the shadow of the giant redwoods, and though Jan had spent a long time picking and pressing and making her final little adjustments, it looked as if the whole thing had simply sprung into being as it was.

They didn't have long to wait either. Though it was arranged by a pro - Jan - the little couple had more or less refused to run through much of anything, instead taking a 'play it by ear' approach. And by the time that it was K's turn to head down toward them, the gathered group was outright grinning.

Scott caught the low 'wow' from Steve when K finally appeared - it was clear that Jan had worked hard on designing it just for her. It was old fashioned and silk - flowing and form fitting enough that there wasn't any room for error. When Scott turned his head slightly, Logan was just staring at her - off guard enough he wasn't even smiling, instead simply watching her with his lips barely parted.

K didn't bother having anyone give her away - there wasn't much reason to, in her eyes - but when she handed the spring bouquet over to Jan, Jan was doing her very best to stop herself from dancing in place.

The ceremony was simple enough - and the vows were exchanged quickly. By the time they'd gotten to the kiss, there was no way that Scott and Steve could stop matching Jan for the size of their grins.

And when the crowd broke to head to the party, Logan was sure to take a hold of Scott's arm. "There are a few papers we have to deal with that I think you'll want to be around for."

Of course, that only served to widen Scott's grin. "You think?"

"Technically, you weren't around the last time," Steve said as he pulled the pen out of his inner jacket pocket.

"Yeah, well, this time I've got both my parents," Scott pointed out, grinning at K.

She leaned over to kiss his cheek as Jan and Steve signed the wedding papers as witnesses - and then as soon as Logan was done, she took her turn - on both the marriage certificate and the adoption papers. "It's official," K said. "On both counts."

"It already was," Scott pointed out. "It's just on paper now."

"So many big moves," K said. "New husband, last name … a gorgeous kid …" She wheeled around to point a finger at Jan. "And that's. ALL."

Jan put her hands together under her chin. "For now."

K bristled, but before she could tell Jan what she thought, Logan pulled her away with Scott to where the group was gathered to celebrate.

The group of gathered friends and heroes had already gotten into things, honestly enjoying each other's company and swapping stories - but before Scott even got in the door properly, he found himself nearly bowled over by Farrah, who was grinning ear to ear and clearly thrilled. Not just for Scott but also, obviously, a little star-struck by the guest list.

"You didn't tell me that Bridget had a fake name!" Farrah said, laughing. "That explains so much!"

"It wasn't my secret to tell," Scott said. "And I mean, it's not something I was going to put in the mail…"

"It's just so cool," Farrah laughed. "Secret Agent Mom."

"If she hears you call her that, she'll insist on being referred to that way," Scott warned with a little laugh.

"I am so calling her that forever and ever," Farrah promised. "Like she said - turn about is fair play, right, Caramel Mocha?"

"I still can't believe you got away clean," Scott teased.

"Who said I did?" she challenged, one eyebrow raised.

"Oh yeah? What did she call you other than 'sweet Farrah'?" he shot back.

"For a while she used to refer to me as 'coffee with your ice cream' girl," she laughed. "You know. The blended frozen things I like?"

"RIght," Scott said, nodding along. Then, he smirked. "Doesn't quite roll off the tongue like mine," he teased.

"No, but then it was 'the good one' when she was kicking kids out left and right. That was fun."

"Definitely an upgrade," Scott laughed.

"And when she heard my actual name she started flipping her hair at me and making Charlie's Angel's poses … and then 'sweet Farrah'."

"And all I have is 'Caramel Mocha'... And 'Scotty' when she's trying to be nice."

"Because you're so perfectly sweet," Farrah said, smiling up at him before she popped up to kiss his cheek. "Do you want to dance?"

"Isn't that the whole point of these receptions?" he pointed out, offering her his arm. "I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to dance with the Wasp too or she might kill me."

"Did I tell you how wild it is that your Dad has Avengers in his wedding?" Farrah tipped her chin down. "Because it is. Wild."

"Trust me, it took some getting used to when I found out too," Scott said with a little laugh. "Imagine having Thor as your appointed babysitter at age fifteen."

"I could totally get used to that," she deadpanned, nodding slowly. "Where do I sign up for that?"

Scott laughed at that. "You and I are talking about totally different things now, aren't we?"

She grinned and shrugged. "Yahnevahknow."

"Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm pretty sure he has someone he's seeing. Just a little scuttlebutt…"

"Then don't burst it!" she said quickly. "Let's just … have a little fun before the Wasp reclaims the best man, huh?"

Scott grinned at that and nodded. "Sorry, right, where are my manners? I can't believe I tried to bring truth into the conversation about Avengers and babysitting," he teased.

"That's right, there's no place for that here," she laughed, trying to give him a serious expression for her fake scolding. "Some of us have hopes and dreams, you know."

Scott just laughed even more, though. "Right, well, if I find any other tall blond gods, I'll give them your number," he teased.

Her eyes went wide. "Oh, good, you're the best, Scott!"

"What are friends for if not for overzealous dating help?" Scott shot right back, still laughing.

"Um … nothing, obviously," she laughed, leaning on his arm slightly as they made their way through the crowd.

Of course, the whole interaction hadn't gone unnoticed, and while Jean had been dancing with Warren, she was more than a little distracted trying to find out what the story was with Scott and the dark-haired girl that she had never seen before.

At first, Jean though she might be part of the group of heroes - someone's daughter maybe - but when she'd popped up to kiss Scott's cheek…

She wasn't paying much attention to Warren at all by that point as she peeked into Farrah's mind, just enough to see the history there.

"You alright, Jean?" Warren said gently before he pulled her into a spin.

"Mm? Fine," Jean said, quickly trying to cover, though she wasn't doing a very good job of it. "There are just… a lot of new faces."

"Uh huh," Warren said, though he took the opportunity to pour on the charm. "Any of them you like?"

Jean shook her head at him. "I was just…. Well, yes, I think all three of the teams here are very nice. I'm not sure who belongs to who, though."

"Well … the ones that talk funny are the Canadians," Warren joked.

Jean couldn't help but laugh at that. "Oh, right. Obviously."

"You know … the ones that were trying to snipe you to the great white north?" Warren said. "You're not really thinking of leaving us, are you?"

"I'm still not sure I want to be on this team, let alone a more professional one," Jean admitted.

"We'll be more professional by the time you figure it out."

"Probably," she agreed. "They mean well; I know Mrs. Hudson is just dying for another girl on the team."

"She's greedy," Warren said. "And it's too cold up there anyhow."

Jean smiled. "I promise, I'm not really thinking about going up to Canada."

"That's good," Warren said. "I don't know that we'd survive without you."

Jean smiled a little more at that. "You're sweet."

"They do call me Angel," Warren teased before he swept her out for another dance.

There wasn't any kind of a gap in time either before Logan and K had taken to the dance floor. Jan had no idea what to expect, and that was one area of this fiasco that had her holding her breath, though Steve repeatedly told her to relax about it. And once the music got started, the two little ferals made an honest show out of it, with Mac whistling and calling them 'Fred and Ginger'.

Even Scott was impressed as he and Farrah danced close by, and he couldn't help but grin as he passed them - they really were perfect together.

"You, Mister Mocha, are distracted," Farrah said before she turned to take in the crowd. "So … what's the story? Is it the pretty redhead?"

"What?" Scott blinked at her. "I… what?"

"You - you've been watching that angel guy all night - that is … if you're not watching the red head. And I kinda hope it's her that you're watching and not him, or I'm totally off on things and then … you know. I don't want to be that wrong, okay?"

"I'm not watching Warren," Scott said, shaking his head.

She broke into a broad grin. "Great! So … as your official wingman - I think you should go ask her to dance."

Scott almost laughed, even though he was still pink. "When did you become my official wingman, exactly?"

She gave him a dry look. "I'd guess when we both ended up moving away and couldn't really do anything more than that," she said. "Which really sucks, but you know. Not like we had any control over that."

Scott rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry about that. Really."

"No, I'm sorry about that," she said. "I told you we were moving first, remember?"

"I do remember that," he admitted. "I just…" He gestured toward her. "I don't want you to think…"

"Scott, you've got to be one of the nicest guys on the planet. If I thought anything like that, then I clearly wasn't paying attention to who. You. are." She poked his chest with each of the last few words as she looked up at him. "You, Scott Summers, aren't that guy."

Scott was quiet for a moment as he watched Farrah before he let his shoulders drop and then bent slightly to kiss her cheek. "You know… if you ever need anything…"

"I'd really like to keep in touch," Farrah said.

"Please do," Scott said. "I just meant… for a wingman or … something."

She gave him a little smile then wrapped him up in a tight hug. "You'll be my first call. Promise."

Scott squeezed her back for a second and then smirked at her. "You know," he said, "I bet you could dance with an Avenger if I do this right…"

"Want to introduce me?" she asked.

He grinned and offered her his arm. "Captain America is dancing with Wasp right now, and I owe her a dance. Is that a good trade?"

"Oh, yeah, that's okay, I guess," she said, rolling her eyes. "Little bit of a downgrade, but you know. Take what you can get, right?"

Scott couldn't help but laugh at that as they headed over to where Jan and Steve were, and he tapped Jan on the shoulder. "Trade you?"

Jan beamed at him. "Yes! It's tradition, right?"

"And this is a pretty old-fashioned wedding," Scott agreed, then gave Farrah a smirk before Jan could completely pull him almost off his feet to go dance with her.

They were barely halfway across the floor when Jan started giggling. "Oh, Cap is in fine form, too." She leaned toward Scott. "He's teaching your friend Farrah the steps!"

Scott had to laugh when he looked over his shoulder to see that Farrah was almost giddy as Steve walked her through the more formal dance steps, and then he grinned as he turned back to Jan. "I promised I'd set her up with a tall blond."

"Oooh, well if that's what the game is, I want in!" she laughed. "I can totally set her up with a few good dancers!"

"I bet I can set you up with a tall blond too," Scott said, tipping his head toward where Hank and Tony were talking with their heads together a bit apart from the others.

"Oh, you can, can you?" Jan challenged. "I don't know that Tony will take the bait if you ask him to dance. The switch off isn't always so slick, Mr. Summers."

Scott laughed. "No, but if I walk you over there…"

"That would be great," Jan said, still beaming. "After. This song."

"I wasn't trying to get out of dancing with you," Scott swore. "Just… trying to help. He keeps looking over here, you know."

Jan grinned at that. "Oooh, good! That's good, right?" she peeked over her shoulder to see where Logan and K were - still together, and still being graceful as ever, though they were kissing too. "I hate to break them up."

"Then we won't," Scott said. "I said inside a year, remember?"

"Oh … I knew I liked you," she laughed. "And this would just meet up with my bet for Honeymoon …" She grinned wider. "We all win that way!"

"This is the bet you placed after you asked again this morning if she was pregnant, isn't it?" Scott teased.

"Don't be ridiculous," Jan said. "I didn't ask her." She tipped her chin up and looked away from him. "I asked him."

"And he told you…"

"Well he told me to mind my own damn business, but also no."

"Sounds about right," Scott chuckled.

She let her voice drop low so that Scott had to concentrate to hear her. "But I'm telling you - if she comes back pregnant I am so not calling the winner until we know when the baby is born and count backward."

Scott laughed even harder at that. "You really, really want to win, don't you?"

"I really, really do," she agreed. "Don't you want me to win, Scott? I know you do. Just say you do and admit it."

"I wouldn't be opposed to siblings," Scott said with a smirk.

"Oooh, yes, best big brother ever!"

"Hey, I already am that," Scott said. "I just haven't seen Alex in a while. Doesn't make him any less my baby brother."

"No, but you'd just be protecting your crown, that's all," Jan said, smiling affectionately at him.

"Fair enough," Scott allowed as the song came to an end and he grinned, tipping his head toward Hank and Tony. "Want an escort?"

"Please, Mr. Summers. It's been a pleasure chatting with you."

Scott chuckled to himself as he offered Jan his arm and the two of them headed over to where her teammates were. "See you around," Scott said, giving Jan's arm a little squeeze before he slipped off - and couldn't help but smile to himself when he saw that Farrah was still grinning over her dance lessons.

He made his way through the dancers to where Jean was sitting, taking a break, apparently, and sat down beside her. "Do you think you'd like to dance?" he asked before he could talk himself out of it.

Jean turned his way with a little smile and nodded her head a few times before she vocalized it. "Yes, I'd love to."

"Great," Scott said, offering her a hand up before he led her out with a little smile.

"So did your Dad teach you how to dance, too?" Jean teased as Scott situated his hands.

"Actually, no," Scott admitted. "I didn't know he could do that, to be honest."

"Well … it's a shame they don't offer that class," she said, blushing.

Scott flushed a little at that as well. "Yeah… we could ask?" he offered. "Mom's been saying she has nothing to do… but I don't know who would come besides … I mean, there aren't many partners…."

"Right," she said, blushing deeper. She clearly hadn't thought that through very well. "Maybe … I guess if we get more girls at the school…."

"I'm sure we will," Scott said. "I mean, it's not like every mutant in the world is a guy except you, right?" he offered, trying for a tease. "I mean… that… you know what I mean."

"Yes, I do," she agreed, smirking to herself as they settled into the beat.

Scott was quiet for a while as he tried to come up with something to say before he said, "Jan said you picked out the colors?"

Jean's eyes widened at that and she nodded quietly. "Uh-huh," she muttered quietly. "Is … is that okay?"

"Yeah," he assured her just as quickly.

"I thought it was nice that you all got different shades," she said.

"Yeah, that was helpful," Scott said. "I can see hues, so having them all different made it easy to pick them out, actually."

"I just thought it was a nice complement to each other," Jean told him. "You're all so different."

Scott nodded at that. "Yeah, we can be a little overwhelming en masse, right?"

"Sometimes," she said, then quickly amended herself. "It's getting better though. The whole 'shiny and new' thing has worn off a little bit."

"I hope you don't think that's the only reason any of us would want to talk to you," Scott said quietly.

"Honestly, Bobby and Hank backed off a little bit after the nosebleed incident."

"Really?" Scott raised both eyebrows. "I mean, I'm not compla- I mean…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean… why? Or… that's good… I mean…."

She bit her lip and glanced over at them. "Honestly?" she said leaning closer to him. "Bobby is little freaked out. He thinks it's his fault I'm backing off the team a little bit, and Hank … Hank is watching to see …" She stopped herself and then shook her head.

"If you'll have another nosebleed?" Scott said.

"No, no," she laughed. "He's watching to see which way the wind is blowing. Sort of."

"Oh." Scott flushed slightly. "Oh. Well… you and Warren…"

"I didn't bring a date, Scott," she said quietly.

Scott tried not to look too relieved. "Right. I - I didn't either," he said.

She raised an eyebrow at that though. "Oh? I thought ..."

"I didn't," he swore. "I wasn't even thinking about - I was really more focused on the wedding and the adoption papers."

She nodded slowly at that. "So it's all official now. They're your parents for good."

Scott smiled a little wider and nodded. "Yeah. It's kind of a relief, to be honest. I've felt a little bad… everyone's been calling them my parents and it hasn't been official…"

"They haven't seemed to mind," Jean put in.

"No," he agreed. "And my mom just ran with it when it started out as an accident, so …" He shrugged. "Here we are."

"Well it looks like they're enjoying themselves," Jean said. "I don't think they've danced with anyone else yet."

"Yeah, Jan suggested I try to steal a dance with Mom but I'd rather-" He paused, flushed, and corrected himself. "I mean… they're enjoying themselves, like you said."

She smiled a little wider at him. "I'm sure she'd love it though."

"Yeah, but I just asked you," Scott said.

"I'm not trying to ditch you, Scott," she promised. "But if anyone's going to cut in, I think it would be better if it was you instead of Tony Stark."

"She'd hit him if he tried it," Scott said with a smirk.

Jean looked over at the handful of Avengers sharing drinks along the edge of the dance floor. "He really wants to."

Scott bit his lip and then nodded. "Alright. But… will you… would you save a dance for me after?"

"If you don't get swept up after by some lucky girl, I'll be waiting," Jean promised.

"I won't," Scott promised before he led her toward where his parents were dancing and tapped Logan on the shoulder. "Can I cut in?"

"First brave one here," Logan teased. "Go for it."

Scott smirked and let K take his arm - and it wasn't long before she was even giving him a few instructions on how to pull off a more formal dance. Not that Logan let the opportunity pass him by to show Jean the same thing.

"If I knew you needed dance lessons to sweep up your redhead, I'd have taught you before all this," K said.

Scott turned redder at the suggestion. "She… I dunno - she and Warren-"

"Scott, trust me. Go for it," K said. "Your Dad is teaching her just enough for you to sweep her off her feet." She took a moment and shifted his hands. "So … you should know how to do that."

Scott glanced over his shoulder at where Logan and Jean were dancing and then nodded quietly. "Yeah, probably."

K began to mutter little instructions to him that would help him on the short term. "Don't try to lead with anything but your hands yet," she said. "Little pressure to pull or push. She'll get it."

"Right, yeah," Scott said, clearly in his head.

"Scott," K said seriously once he had the hang of it. "Don't be afraid to pull her tight."

Scott blinked at her for a second before he blushed furiously. "Mom."

"She'll love it. I swear."

"Mom."

"She'll grin. A lot." She was still holding a mostly serious expression. "It's totally reflexive."

"I'm not…"

"You should!" she sang out.

"I don't even know if she-"

K started laughing. "I told you." She held his gaze and nodded slowly. "Go for it."

Scott turned a deeper shade of red for an instant, but by then, the song was ending, and Steve came over to steal a dance with K leaving Scott feeling a little dry-mouthed as he made his way over to where Logan and Jean were.

"All yours kiddo," Logan said, handing Jean's hand to Scott.

"I - okay," Scott said, still a little red-faced as he led Jean out to dance.

"Are they always so …" Jean started to ask, but fell short.

"Yeah," Scott said. "They are." He gave her a little smile as he gently led through the dance, still more than a little nervy about what K had said. "I was…" He cleared his throat. "Do you think you'd like to take a walk with me?"

"I told you before I'd love to take a walk any time, Scott," Jean said. "That still stands. If you want." she paused and blushed slightly. "Unless … you meant … something else."

Scott turned redder as well. "No… no, I meant... " He shook his head. "I just… I'm not - I was just thinking - away from everyone else and-"

"So … not a date?"

"Would… I mean…" Scott swallowed. "Well, if I meant - if I was - I'd ask you on a date."

She was blushing harder by that time. "Oh."

Scott paused when he saw the way her smile dropped and shook his head. "Jean, do you - would you go on a date with me?"

She looked up at him with a touch of concern. "Only if you actually want to go on a date…"

"I - well, yeah, I wouldn't ask if - yeah, I do," Scott said quickly.

"I just don't want you to think you have to," she said.

"Why would I think that?"

"Well you were asking about a walk, and I jumped the gun …"

"I was asking about a walk tonight," Scott said. "Not… I'm glad you did," he said.

She bit her lip and it was clear, even through the glasses that she was blushing. "Oh. Okay, I thought … I didn't know … yes. To both. If you like."

"Great." Scott nodded to himself before he shifted to offer her his hand instead of leading. "We'll be back before the cake."

"Alright," Jean said, looking over her shoulder at the dancers as they headed toward the exit.