A/N - Hi there, first of all thank you for the reviews, the faves, and the follows - I appreciate every one! Secondly - apologies for this chapter being a titch shorter than my usual fare ... I wanted to end it on a high note, and well ... I couldn't do that as it is. The next one will likely be much longer. A lot to fit in, kids.
Chapter Two: Test Results
Logan took his time getting back to Westchester. He needed the time to think it over, and he didn't want to rush his answer to Steve. For years, Logan had been part of the Avenger's team, but now, they were branching out and considering Logan's experience working with the younger crowd, Steve was asking him to take on something more … for a younger crowd of hopeful Avengers. It was a lot to ask, really. In addition to the X-Men, Logan was on two Avengers teams, taught at the school, dabbled in X-Force when the need arose - though that was rare while he had his family to account for - and now Steve was asking him to take on a second teaching position too?
That wasn't even figuring in the fact that once again, Mac was pushing for him to come home and he absolutely did not like it when Logan told him that he was home. In Westchester.
When he finally pulled in, he was surprised to have followed Scott and Jean up the drive, and he frowned as he watched them. Especially when Scott waited for him to get out of the Jeep as Jean went in ahead of him. "Hey, Slim," Logan said as he got out, slamming the door shut behind him.
"So what's the story with Captain America?" Scott asked. "Hank said you were caught up there."
"He's askin' a favor, I'm thinkin' it over."
Scott nodded at that. "What kind of favor? Or is this some complicated poker night?"
To Scott's dismay, Logan didn't blow it off as a joke right away, and instead, he stopped and ran a hand through his hair. "He's lookin' for someone to do some evaluations, I think. Trainin' program for new team members. They're a little concerned their team is spread thin with all the crap goin' on with Hydra right now." Logan shrugged and waved it off as much as he could. "Told him I had to think about it."
Scott pursed his lips and his jaw locked down a notch tighter, the muscle near his ear flexing from years of overuse at moments just like this. "K kinda set Jean on a panic attack when she came in," he said, though he was quick to hold up one hand. "Nothing bad. Just ... " Scott couldn't stop the smile in spite of his other concerns. "We're having Hank double check tomorrow, but …"
"Yeah, I can smell it," Logan agreed, nodding. "Why didn't you have Hank look into it today if K was your early alert?"
"We did," Scott said, frowning at how the subject matter was so easily switched, especially when Steve thought his team was stretched thin. "It's … a little complicated. We just need to make sure it's all on track. But that's not ... " Scott pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a breath.
He'd meant to tell Logan that he needed to focus on the school with Scott. He'd meant to tell him that Cap was perfectly capable of doing his own training program and that the kids of Xaviers were more in need of his expertise than any new recruits Cap could find … but instead all that came out was: "I'll talk to you tomorrow after we have a better idea of what's going on with Jean and the baby." But even on saying it, Scott was frowning deeper because he knew that wasn't entirely true. If things were on track, he'd need Logan to step up, and if things weren't on track - he'd still need Logan to step up while Scott took care of Jean and the wreckage that would most definitely follow a confirmed loss.
"Sounds like plan seven thirteen," Logan said off handedly, and Scott shot him a dry look, but didn't really have his heart into starting up anything. Not right now.
The two men were quiet as they headed into the house, and when they got there, their wives were chatting quietly between themselves and the kids looked absolutely worn. All four of them were half-dry and wrapped up in towels - either from swimming or running around in the sprinklers - and James and Rose were sharing a towel and looking as if they were on the verge of nodding off together. The two of them were holding hands - and as always, James was on the left. The twins had always chosen to curl up together like this - and they always held hands the same way when they were close enough to do so - not quite the same as most people did … and it was apparent that it was entirely subconscious and more common when they were tired.
"They shared a bunk all vacation, didn't they?" Jean asked as she watched the twins nodding off.
"You know they did," K agreed, watching her little ones as they leaned against each other. James had his head on Rose's shoulder and she had hers resting on his head. And Abbey was doing her level best to make sure Rachel was comfortable to Rachel's absolute delight.
K turned to Jean and gave her another hug. "Just stay calm. I know it isn't the same as hearing it from a doc, but … you'll do just fine."
"I'll still feel better once we're far enough to hear the heartbeat," Jean said, though at that, K nodded seriously.
"So … maybe just a few weeks then," K said as she picked Rose up and let her settle into her shoulder while Jean did the same with Rachel and Logan picked up James. Abbey of course, looked up at Scott and waggled her eyebrows - exactly the move Scott needed to break out of his headspace - and a moment later, he'd tossed her up into the air to her delight and caught her in a bear hug that he needed just as much as Abbey wanted.
"We can hope," she agreed - leaving the Howletts and the Summers walking in relative silence down to their suites- across the hall from each other. It didn't take long to get the kids settled in - and Abbey was sure to make the rounds giving kisses to both the Summerses and her siblings before it looked as though she'd finally run out of steam. As soon as the doors were closed in the Howlett's suite, Logan told K what was going on with Steve and his request.
"You want to do that?" K asked.
Logan shrugged. "Pretty sure it's just a matter of getting it set up for 'em … can't hurt."
"Where are they going to have this training center?"
"I don't know. One of Stark's places, I'm sure. Have to wait an' see." He drew in a breath and held it for a moment as he pulled her over - and then let it out in a rush. "I don't wanna talk about that right now. I'm already on two Avengers teams, the X-Men, X-Force, and teachin' here too ..."
"Poor sweet Wolverine," K teased. "Everyone wants you around."
"Yeah, yeah." Logan smirked. "Too bad I got just one place I wanna be."
"And Mac-"
"Let Mac drop," Logan said with a growl, frowning seriously as he pulled her over. "Just drop it."
K smirked and nodded once, simply diving right into a whole string of stolen kisses. It was rare enough that he didn't want to talk about something with Steve … the fact that he was trying to put it off was proof positive to K that he wasn't sure if he wanted in on things. But the sense of obligation that he continually put on himself was substantial, and K was sure it would just be a matter of time before he admitted that he had real trouble telling Steve 'no' just like he had real trouble turning down Scott when he finally spoke up and asked for help.
And since the kids were all sleeping … there was no reason that either of them could come up with on why they couldn't steal away for a little bit.
Scott was anxious that night, and though he encouraged Jean to rest ahead of the appointment with Hank, Scott did not sleep much at all. It wasn't that Rachel was being fussy … if anything, when Rachel had woken up a little while after having fallen asleep and wanted to snuggle with them, it had helped Jean settle in and sleep herself. But Scott couldn't stop watching Jean as she was curled around Rachel.
The image was a beautiful one that he wanted to commit to his memory permanently. Jean's face was perfectly peaceful, her chin resting on the top of Rachel's messy loose curls as Rachel tucked into her mother. Their little girl was using Jean's arm like a pillow - which really only made it that much easier for Jean to wrap herself entirely around Rachel as she curled up on her side clutching tightly to the one little girl they knew wasn't going anywhere.
As he watched them, he couldn't stop the muted smile and the moment that Rachel let out a contented sort of sigh, Scott found himself trying to relax a little more.
Yes, their plan had always been to have more than one, and yes, he wanted more … but if this was their only natural born child between them … he wouldn't say he didn't ache for another one … but the little girl tucked between them on the big bed was such a blessing in her own right, he simply couldn't imagine life without her anymore.
Scott turned on his side to face them, and after a moment, he reached over to rest his hand on Jean's arm - joining the two of them as he kept them both in contact. Jean shifted in her sleep - not much, but just enough to draw his attention. She picked her head up partway and smiled sleepily an instant before Rachel pushed away from Jean partially - and rested one hand on Scott's cheek before she let out another sweet little sigh and settled in - one hand on each of her adoring parents.
Scott turned his head slightly to kiss Rachel's palm .. though at that, he felt his eyelids growing heavy.
Of course, the alarm went off not even three hours later and after the initial shock of it, Scott's heart leapt as he realized … just a few hours until we go see Hank.
The usual morning routine went by in a blur … Scott could hardly remember how it was that they got from point A to B, let alone hat the joke was between Rachel and the twins when they left with K to give Jean and Scott some room. Which was good because neither of them were able to carry on a conversation at all. They rushed to the lab - in the same daze that they'd been in since they woke up, ignoring all outside sources aside from Hank as he wordlessly drew Jean's blood.
Jean held her breath as they waited for the blood tests to come back - and that's all it really was, too. Blood tests to measure the hormone levels. It felt so clinical and even though there was little warmth in the methods used, neither Summers wanted to leave the lab empty handed.
"This might take some time," Hank warned. "I'm afraid I can't rush the test."
"I'm afraid I can't leave until we know," Jean said, with Scott nodding alongside her.
"I know, but you could wait in a more comfortable place."
"Yeah, no I don't think so," Jean said, her leg bouncing as she waited. Hank looked over the top of his glasses at her but did not try to tell her to relax. Not when she was so tense, and not when he could clearly see the flames flickering in her gaze and the air around her shimmering slightly from the heat coming off her flames.
But just when Hank was sure he would need to tell her to get a handle on it, Scott spoke up.
"You're hot, Mrs. Summers."
She scoffed, totally misinterpreting things for a moment. "Scott."
"Well, yeah, like that too, you're definitely hot, but I meant you're hot. You're slipping sweetheart."
Jean blinked as she realized how much the phoenix was simmering below the surface then shook her head to focus before she managed to draw back the heat. "Sorry ... I just -"
"No, I'm hopeful," Scott said. "The last time you let it go like that, you were carrying Rachel."
Jean stared at him for a moment then let out a nervous laugh before he pulled her over to steal a long kiss. I just don't want to go until I know for sure.
I know. But you need to relax or you're going to set off the sprinklers - and ruin your blood sample.
Jean smiled at that and kissed him again - though they didn't get too far into it before Hank cleared his throat.
"Mr. and Mrs. Summers," he said, though his tone was even and clinical. "The results are in."
Both Scott and Jean held their breath as they waited for him to continue.
"You'll need to start taking your vitamins and drink plenty of water," Hank said, smiling. "As it stands right now … congratulations are in order."
A second or two passed before Jean and Scott turned toward each other with a broad grin and she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck to hold on tight as Scott grinned and Hank continued his usual spiel on what to expect … but all of that was lost on the Summers when all they could even think was a general feeling of 'finally' between psychic flirts of "Mr. Summers, you're going to be a father" and "Mrs. Summers, I already am" and a whole lot of kissing and growing excitement.
It was just what they needed - and thankfully, for Logan, Scott was wrapped up enough in his good news with Jean that he simply couldn't focus enough on anything but the fact that they were going to have another baby.
As Scott floated in his own good news - because they weren't going to tell anyone that didn't already know until after they'd gotten out of danger - Logan quietly answered a few texts under the table where no one could see.
Steve wanted an answer, and he was pretty clear he wanted all of the Avengers to contribute in one way or another. So while Jean and Scott were psychically flirting and grinning to each other, K looked over Logan's shoulder to read the last few texts.
Logan looked up at her in silent question, and K leaned forward to kiss him as her opinion on the matter. With a nod, Logan quietly responded with a simple I'm in. He was banking on the fact that he hadn't illustrated what he was willing to do, or how much he was willing to put into it, but he would do what he could.
Of course, what Logan thought Steve was going to ask for and what Steve planned to ask weren't necessarily in line with each other.
Scott and Jean had taken a day to quietly celebrate, still cautious, but also so distracted by their news that anything even resembling focus on other things was impossible.
In contrast, Logan had been spending a lot more time than he thought going back and forth with Steve on getting things rolling on the Avengers' new training program. Before Steve could really get rolling, Logan did make a point to tell him he didn't want to be on staff for whatever this was.
It's all in the planning phases right now, Steve had replied - which was enough to get Logan to relax.
At least … he was relaxed all the way up until Scott finally took a seat with a cup of coffee and his smile slipped. "Alright, so Hank told me a little bit this morning about what Captain Rogers has in mind."
"You were talkin' with Hank about what Cap's got goin' this morning?" Logan asked, looking honestly surprised.
"We had an early chat before coffee. And as I understand it," Scott glanced at K, who smiled his way. "You were sleeping in."
Logan nodded at that. "Recovery," he said without missing a beat.
"You needed recovery time after your month away …"
"No, he needed recovery time after I got done with him," K said. "Read between the lines a little."
Scott couldn't exactly stop it as he smirked her way. "Right. What was I thinking?" He shook his head and turned back to Logan. "I'm going to need to know what's happening with this new training program with the Avengers."
"Why, you wanna join up?" Logan asked dryly, which of course, only set Scott on edge.
"No -"
"It's for kids, Scott."
"I know. But we have a ton of kids here that want to be X-Men that you're barely around to deal with."
"Hey," Logan said, narrowing his eyes. "I show up when an' where I'm supposed to, don't I?"
"Most of the time," Scott shot right back. "But if you want more time dealing with training kids, I know our junior squad would love it."
"You sure about that?" Logan challenged. "Seems to me every time I try to make 'em do something it's a bitch-fest. Like pushin' a damn rope."
"So what? You just need to hear it from a bunch of non-mutant teenagers too?"
"Woah, woah, woah, easy big fellas," K said, holding up both hands. "Both of you need to throttle it back a little bit. No one's talking about another teaching position right now."
"You sure about that, K?"
K frowned and looked between them before answering slowly. "From what Logan has told me? And factoring in that he has a family that he likes to be around - yeah. Pretty sure."
Scott held her gaze for a long moment then let out a breath. "Alright then." The three of them simply stared at each other for a moment before Scott got up. "Then I guess I'll see you two at team practice. Jean won't be joining us in the Danger Room."
"For as anxious as she is right now?" K shook her head. "Good. Let her call the shots from the booth."
Scott paused. "That's not what I -" K tipped her head and blinked at him slowly. "- right. Good idea. See you for practice later."
