Title: Morning of Joy

Series: Summerside Roadhouse #10

Author: Cassandra Lee

Disclaimer: I own nothing yadda yadda.

Email: cassandralee1984 at earthlink dot net

Feedback: Yes please!!

Summary: Logan still comforts Marie while keeping his feelings at bay. Kitty welcomes a little bundle of joy to world.

A/N: Thank you Beth for looking over this me. I was a little iffy about ending this one on Kitty and Scott but it just kind of worked out that way. Now there's going to be two more after this one (yeah I said that the last time also).

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Logan glanced at the clock on his night stand as it flashed one o'clock. He wanted a drink badly, anything that would put him to sleep. They had buried Jack that day and Logan felt completely exhausted. He knew that if he didn't get any sleep tonight it would be another long day for him tomorrow. Jack's lawyer had approached Scott saying that they needed to set a time for them to discuss Jack's will. Logan and Kitty had been summoned to attend the meeting also.

He wasn't sure about when they were going to re-open the bar or if they ever were again. He was going to leave all that up to them, he would help with what ever he could.

Logan's thoughts turned to Marie and what was going to happen with her. He knew Scott would let her move in with him and that she would be taken care of. But Logan felt a pain of guilt every time he thought about her slipping away. He had promised Jack that he would take care of her. Logan was angry that Remy didn't try to get back in time for the funeral. He had overheard Marie begging him to come, but Logan was glad that he was the one to hold her hand during the service.

Logan heard the door to the Summers' open and close quietly. He sat up waiting for someone to knock on his door. The past few nights Marie had been coming in a waking him up to talk, or cry. Logan suspected that memories were haunting her and she couldn't handle being in her own house.

He waited but the knock didn't come. Instead he heard someone begin walking down the stairs. Logan figured it might be JJ or Scott. He decided to put on a pair of sweats and check it out. He walked quietly down the stairs hoping he wouldn't disturb the others in case they were sleeping.

Logan saw the small frame of Marie walking across the hardwood floor toward the juke box. She was outlined by the glow of the neon lights from the signs that hung on the wall. He stayed back to see what she was going to do.

He watched as she put in some quarters and started a song. Then she sat on the floor before the juke box hugging her knees, and resting her chin on top them. Logan's shoulders slumped with sadness when he realized what she was doing. She was playing the same song her and Jack danced to.

After allowing her a few minutes to herself, Logan walked over sat down next to her. "Hey," was all he could think of to say. Marie turned to face him, failing at the attempt to smile.

"Hey," she whispered back. "I miss him."

Logan nodded in agreement and rested a hand on her back. "I miss him too," he told her. He noticed that the song had ended and started over again.

"You should be trying to get some sleep," Logan said, "the lawyer will be here early this morning."

Marie nodded her head but didn't move. "I just wanted to come down here and listen to our song. It was his and momma's song also."

"I remember you telling me that before," Logan said.

"Logan, I'm really glad you're here," Marie whispered, "all the things you've said and done mean a lot to me."

Logan just nodded, he didn't trust himself to speak at the moment. Watching her in the dark, white streaks of her hair shining, lighting up her face, and her eyes glistening with tears, Logan wanted nothing more than to kiss her. But he knew that now wasn't the time to satisfy his own feelings, he'd settle for just being a friend that was needed.

"Come on," Logan said standing up and hold out a hand to help her up off the floor, "I'll walk you back up stairs."

When they got to top of the stairs Marie paused just before entering through the door. Turning toward Logan she wrapped her arms around Logan's neck, "Thank you for taking care of me," she told him through tears.

Logan pulled back, so she would be able to look him in the eye, "I'll always take care of you, Marie."

"You promise?" she asked.

"I promise," Logan said. He placed a kiss on her cheek, and pulled her back close to him. Marie buried her face into Logan's neck and mumbled, "Can I stay with you?"

Before Logan answered, Marie tried to explain her question, "It's just I don't want to be alone and...I understand if you don't want me to."

"It's fine, you can stay," Logan said. He opened his door and led her inside. Since Logan's couch was his bed he didn't have anywhere else to sleep, but the recliner. As Marie climbed under the covers he grabbed the extra blanket of the end of the bed and sat down in the chair.

Marie watched Logan as he threw the blanket over himself and leaned back in the chair. "You could get in the bed, there's plenty of room."

"I'm fine," Logan told her.

"But your back is going to kill you in the morning," she told him, "Please Logan, just get in the bed."

Logan sighed and got out of the chair and walked over to the bed. Marie scooted over and gave him some room. Logan knew there were so many things that could go wrong in next few minutes and he was trying his best not to screw anything up.

As soon as he laid down, Marie curled up next Logan resting her head against his arm. He glanced at his clock and realized it was now almost two in the morning, and with Marie sleeping next to him there was no way he would be able to fall asleep now.

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Marie awoke the next morning with something heavy draped over her waist. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust and recognize where she was. She looked down to find Logan's arm around her waist. Smiling she turned to look at him as he slept on his stomach, his face turned slightly where she could see his profile.

Easing her way out from under his arm, Marie slowly exited the bed. Looking at Logan one last time, Marie walked out of his apartment.

Tip-toeing through the living room so she wouldn't wake JJ, Marie made her way to Kitty's room. She heard someone in the shower and figured it must be Scott since the bedroom doors were open and appeared to be empty. Being quiet in case Kitty was still asleep also, Marie opened the door and shut it slowly.

"Where have you been?" Kitty asked as she watched Marie shut the door.

"You startled me!" Marie shouted in a whispered voice.

"Sorry, but I've been worried about you," Kitty said. She was propped up on pillows, and Marie thought she looked rather uncomfortable.

"I couldn't sleep, so I went downstairs and ended up talking with Logan," Marie said crawling into bed next to her.

"Are you okay?" Kitty asked.

"No, but I know it will get better," Marie said.

"Is there anything you want me to do?" Kitty asked.

Marie shook her head, "Just being my friend is enough. Everyone's done so much for us already with the food and everything."

"Yes, Scott has asked me to write out thank you cards for a few people. I think he just wants to make sure I stay busy without over-exerting myself," Kitty said ending with a small laugh.

"I heard about JJ walking in on you two. Why didn't you tell me you were getting closer?" Marie asked.

Kitty shrugged, "I didn't feel like would be the right thing asking you for a girl talk with all that's happened. It was just a kiss, I still don't know how he feels about me or why he kissed me."

"So do you think that there could be something there between you guys?" Marie asked.

Once again Kitty shrugged, "I'm not sure." Then trying to change the subject she asked, "What about you and Logan?"

"Logan and I have agreed to be friends again. He's been so nice and comforting through all of this," Marie told her, "The way he's been at my side the whole time has been above and beyond the call of friendship."

"Maybe because what he feels for you is 'above and beyond' friendship," Kitty told her softly.

Instead of answering, Marie stared off into space thinking about what Kitty said. In truth Marie had wondered the same thing. She knew Logan cared for her, he had told her that night on the dance floor. But he had also told her that if she walked he would close the door on his feelings for good. If Marie would be honest with herself she'd realize that it was her own pride keeping her from running to Logan, not anything that he had done. Then there was Remy, who had been nothing but good to her. He couldn't help being in Europe while this happened, and he even sent flowers to the funeral home.

Seeing that Marie wasn't going to respond, Kitty started to get out of the bed. When she stood up and stretched, she felt a sharp pain in her side. "Ouch!"

"What's the matter?" Marie asked.

"Nothing, just a cramp," Kitty replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Kitty laughed, "I know what a cramp is. I have to sleep on one side the whole night and so I get a little stiff."

"Okay just making sure,"Marie getting out of bed herself. "Sounds like the shower is free, so I'm going to grab it. The lawyer should be here at eight."

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"And that covers all of your father's will," the lawyer said, as he began to stack his papers into his brief case. "Any questions?"

He looked up at five shocked faces staring back at him. "How..." "What?" "When?" All came at once, in a flood of questions. Kitty started crying at the thought of Jack leaving her some money behind. Logan sat quietly wishing he could do more for the man who not only helped him out in his time of need, but also left him money in his will.

"Why do I get the Roadhouse?" Marie asked.

"Mr. Summers figured that Scott and JJ didn't want to be burden with the Roadhouse, and he knew how much you loved it. That's why Scott gets temporary ownership until you are 21," he told her.

"Where did all this money come from?" Scott asked.

"When your mother died, Mr. Summers put all of her life insurance money into a savings account and never touched it. Add that on top of his own life insurance and you get what he has distributed to each of you."

They all remained silent while he snapped his brief case and stood up, "Questions?"

JJ spoke for all of them when he said, "No."

"I'll give you guys some time to discuss all of this, when you are ready to go over the final paper work give me a call," The lawyer told them and then excused himself.

JJ walked him to the door and then came back and sat down at the table that was set up in the middle of the large dance floor of the bar. "Can you believe all of this?" he asked.

"I need something to drink," Kitty said standing up, "Anyone else want something?"

Everyone remained silent staring at the papers they had before them. So she walked over to the bar to get a class of water for herself.

"What are we going to do about this place?" Scott asked.

"Leave it open," Marie told him.

"Marie, I know that's what you want, but it can't be done," Scott explained, "I have my own job, you're in school and so is JJ."

"I'll quit school and move back," Marie said.

"No," Scott said shaking his head. "You're going to stay in school, you can stay with me on weekends and holidays."

"But I want to keep this place going! It was daddy's and that's why he gave it to me because he knew I would keep it going!" Marie shouted in near tears. "Scott this is where I grew up you can't expect me just to pack and leave like you chose to do."

"Alright hey listen," Logan finally spoke. He didn't want Marie to start crying again. "Jack pretty much taught me everything about how to run this place, let me take over and when Marie turns 21 if she wants to run the Roadhouse she can."

"I don't know, we should be thinking about other options," Scott said.

"We're not selling this place Scott," came from JJ.

"I don't want that either, it's just that...." Scott said.

"Scott?" Kitty called from the bar. "My water just broke."

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Scott ran up to the counter of the emergency room, and breathlessly told the lady, "She's having a baby!"

The receptionist looked around to see who he was talking about, and seeing no one she asked, "Who's having a baby?"

Scott saw Kitty and Marie walking slowly toward the sliding doors, and ran back to them, "Come on you need to get inside."

Kitty looked at Marie and who was fighting the urge not to laugh. "Scott you need to calm down a little, everything is going to be okay," she told him.

"I know but the baby is coming! And you're still standing outside," he told her anxiously. His eyes were wide and his arms were stretched out in mid air. He stood there waiting for them to move or say something, but they just stared at him. Then at the same time they both burst into a fit of laughter.

"Who would have ever thought my brother could lose control!" Marie said continuing to laugh.

"Yeah, I thought you were supposed to be a leader? How are you supposed to lead people if you're running around like a chicken with its head cut off?" Kitty asked giggling.

Scott's face relaxed and his hands dropped to his sides. Unlike his previous expression this one made Kitty and Marie instantly sober up. "We're sorry Scott, we know you're just trying to help," Kitty said patting him on the arm.

"Shouldn't you be inside and in a wheelchair?" Logan asked gruffly as he walked up to where everyone was standing.

"That's what I keep telling them, but they seem to want to stand around and laugh at me," Scott said.

"Let's get you inside, before you have this baby in the parking lot," Logan said grabbing Kitty by the elbow and ushering her to the door.

"Uh oh, Kitty now there's two of them," Marie teased.

"You just wait until it's your turn," Kitty warned, "They'll be even...oh!" Kitty stopped bent over a little holding herself up on Logan's arm.

"Breathe....remember....hee..hee...hee...hee...hoo," Scott coached her through it.

After the contraction was over, Kitty began to walk slowly again, "Let's get inside, so I can get some drugs."

"That's what we've been trying to tell you darlin',"Logan said

All four of them walked into the hospital and up to the receptionist desk. The same lady as before looked at Scott and asked, "Is she the one having a baby?"

"Yes," he answered sheepishly and then began giving her Kitty's information.

"Logan, there are some empty wheel chairs over there," Marie pointed. He went to fetch one for Kitty while Marie stared at her best friend who was rubbing her stomach and starting to breath harder.

"You're going to do great," Marie assured her.

"Now that it's happening, I'm nervous as hell," Kitty told her.

"Scott will be there for you, he'll do better once they get you in a room and a bed," Marie told her with smile.

"Okay we have to follow her," Scott said turning to face them. "Oh good, thanks Logan," he said taking the wheel chair and helping Kitty into it.

"You guys can follow us they have a special waiting area near the delivery room," Scott told Marie and Logan.

"Marie would you call the Drakes and let them know I'm here?" Kitty asked just before she went into the room.

"Sure is there anyone else you want me to call?" Marie asked. She was wondering if Kitty wanted to inform her parents also.

"Maybe Ororo and Mrs. Warren. My parents are out of town visiting Jean," Kitty said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Okay I'll call 'Ro and Mammaw for you," Marie told her.

"Is there anything else you need?" Logan asked Scott.

Scott shook his head, "Wait...can you find out where JJ is? He's supposed to bring our bags."

"I'll find him," Logan assured him.

Then Scott and Kitty went into the room, leaving Logan and Marie behind.

Marie smiled at Logan and said, "Can you believe that she is finally having the baby? It seems that she's been pregnant forever."

"I know, I just hope she'll be okay," Logan said. "You don't think she'll have to have one them C-sections do ya?"

Marie shook her head and said, "Not unless something goes seriously wrong."

Logan let out a breath of relief, "Good."

"There's nothing to do but wait now," Marie told him, "I'm going to go call the Drakes and everyone else. You want to come with me?"

"Yeah sure, I need to find JJ for Scott anyway," Logan said following her down the hall.

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A few hours later.............

Logan was pacing the waiting room out of nervousness. Marie sat between her grandmother and JJ with Ororo across from them talking to Bobby's parents.

They all were waiting anxiously for Kitty's baby to arrive. Dr. McCoy had been in there once and then gave them some assurance that everything was all right.

Logan's head snapped up at the sound of Kitty screaming from the next room, and he began to walk down the hall away from the noise. Marie watched him go and wondered why he was so nervous in a hospital.

She watched him turn and start walking back toward the waiting area. Marie knew that she needed to talk with Logan, after last night she promised herself that she would get over her broken pride and forgive Logan.

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"OH GOD! Scott it hurts, I don't wanna do it anymore," Kitty cried.

Scott bent over and rested his head on the pillow touching Kitty's forehead with his own. "You're doing great and she's almost here."

"Get ready to push again," the nurse instructed, "we need two more good pushes."

Kitty shook her head, "I can't do it. It hurts too much."

Scott brushed her hair out of her face and said, "You're almost done, just two more pushes and it's over with."

Kitty turned her face away from him and began to cry. "Don't give up, Kitty," Scott said.

Bracing herself Kitty began to push again. Trying her best not to scream out like she did the last time. Scott's face started to reveal his own pain as Kitty gripped his hand tighter and tighter.

"Okay that was a good one Katherine," Hank said.

Kitty let out a breath and tried to start breathing normally again. When she thought she had her breath under control she heard Hank say, "Lets do that again, just like the last one."

Kitty groaned, but started pushing again. "There you go Kit Kat that's it," Scott encouraged her. He saw the baby's head as Hank held it up as Kitty finished pushing. Slightly dizzy for a moment Scott stood back and watched as Hank held up the baby.

"Oh she's so beautiful!" Kitty said before throwing her head back against the pillow in exhaustion. She looked up at Scott who was staring down at her, with what Kitty knew with out a doubt, love in his eyes.

"You did wonderfully," Scott told her softly. He bent over and kissed her on the forehead.

"Miss Pryde," the nurse said interrupting their moment.

Scott turned to see the nurse holding the baby wrapped in blankets. "Would like to hold your baby girl?"

Kitty held out her arms to take the baby. "Look at you," Kitty cooed at the baby. "You are so pretty."

"Have you decided on a name?" the nurse asked directing the question at Scott.

"Umm...." Scott began but Kitty answered for him. "Katie Summer Drake," then looking back at Scott she said, "I thought I'd leave the 's' off if that's all right."

Scott could only nod his head.

"How about we let Daddy take Katie to show her to everyone that's waiting to see her while we get you cleaned up," the nurse suggested.

"I'm not..." Scott tried to say, but was once again interrupted by Kitty.

"Here take her," Kitty said attempting to hand Katie over to Scott.

"Are you sure?" Scott asked.

"I can't think of anyone else I'd rather want...." Kitty paused realizing that Scott was probably just asking if she was sure that he take Katie out to see everyone. "I mean, yeah you can take her out."

Before Scott took Katie, he tilted Kitty's head back and kissed her soundly on the mouth in front of everyone. "We'll talk about the other later, okay?"

Kitty nodded as she handed Katie to him. She couldn't help but cry as she watched Scott walk out of the room with his head bent over softly making baby noises trying to get Katie to stop crying.

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