A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews! You guys sure know how to make a girl feel at home! And upon demand, here's part two…I'm sorry it's so short – I'll make the next part longer. As always, I appreciate any reviews/comments/suggestions from my readers!

Disclaimer: Same old, same old…

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Part 2: On the twelfth day of Christmas…

 

          By nine in the morning, most of the household was up and about. Fresh cinnamon rolls with icing were passed around the dining table and pancakes soon joined the meal. Jean and Rogue were cooking up a storm in the kitchen and they soon joined their friends and family with four more large platters of assorted breakfast food.

          "Ah hope this takes care o'everyone! Ah've had it with cookin' foah today." Rogue announced as she placed a platter of sausage and bacon down. Hank quickly lifted the dish and it was passed around the table.

          "Did anyone wake Ororo?" Jean asked as a plate of blueberry muffins was lifted from her hand by Remy.

          "I didn't think she needed a wake-up call." Jubilee commented, stuffing the remains of a cinnamon roll in her mouth.

          "Normally she doesn't." Charles agreed. "And where's Logan? He usually can't sleep through this noise."

          As if on cue, the two old friends walked in the door, both looking rather tired.

          "Good morning, everyone." Ororo greeted, smiling as she sat next to Jean.

          "Yeah, Merry Christmas." Logan nearly grunted to his friends. "Now where's the coffee?"

          The plates were passed around and Logan took his normal mound of food. He quickly chugged a mug of coffee and poured himself a second cup before handing the caffeinated beverage to Ororo. She rolled her eyes at his plate and took three pancakes and some sausage.

          "Big eater today, eh Stormy?" Remy cracked. Normally all she would eat for breakfast was half of a grapefruit or maybe a bagel.

          "I am hungry." She replied simply. "And do not call me that ridiculous name."

          "O'course, Stormy, wouldn't dream of it."

          Ororo gave him a playful 'I hate you' glare and poured an excessive amount of maple syrup on her plate.

          "Whoa, slow down, dere Stormy! No need to drown de pancakes. What'd dey do to you?" Remy teased.

          "Shuddup, Swamp Rat." Rogue said as she hit his leg. "Ah tryin' t'eat mah breakfast and yoah voice is givin' me a headache."

          "Bobby, you better unfreeze that coffee and I mean now!" Jean scolded, holding the frozen pot.

          "I didn't do anything, Jeannie, I swear!" He raised his hands in innocence.

          Grumbling, Jean got a second pot of coffee from the kitchen and Logan took it off her hands once she poured herself a steaming mug.

          "Jeez, Wolvie, that's yer third cup of coffee and you've only been here for like 2 minutes!" Jubilee exclaimed. "What you'd do, stay up all night?"

          "Somethin' like that." He replied.

          Breakfast continued with similar comments and friendly banter until Charles announced it was time to open the gifts. Jubilee tried to contain her excitement, but failed miserably despite being sixteen now. Gifts were carefully passed around the room and soon ribbons and colored paper littered the floor. While everyone was opening gifts and exchanging thanks, Logan approached Ororo with a small gift bag in his hand.

          Logan handed the gift to Ororo and she gave him a box with a small smile. He had stepped the gift up this year and was hoping he didn't over-do it. In the past, he had stuck to little things like simple earrings or sometimes even nice clothes (when Jean helped him shop). Last year he'd stepped up a little and had given her a rare African flowering plant. He had even flown to the African coast to hunt it down after Hank helped him locate its natural habitat. Of course, he couldn't remember the name of the flower now if he tried, but she had been so happy so it was well worth it.

          "You first, darlin'."

          She carefully pulled the tissue from the gift bag and began searching for the gift that lay hidden inside. First she pulled out a flat, square box and then a card. She fumbled with the bag slightly and pulled out another small box.

          "What should I open first?" Ororo asked.

          "The boxes." He said, leaning on the arm of the couch.

          She slowly pulled the ribbon off of the square box and opened it. A glittering necklace greeted her eyes and she gasped. It was made of flat platinum and ended in a curved point. A blue sapphire teardrop was set in the point and was surrounded by small diamonds. It wasn't too big or thick. It was simply stunning. Before she could comment, he handed her the small box and she opened it carefully. As she flipped the top open, she almost gasped again as she saw two matching teardrop earrings.

          "Logan, this is too much." She said softly.

          "So ya like 'em?" He smiled.

          "They're beautiful." Ororo's mouth hung open. She gently touched the necklace and was surprised at how smooth the metal was.

          "Ya still got the card." Logan reminded her.

          "Oh of course." She replied, thinking it was just a Christmas card. After she pulled the card out, she almost burst out laughing. It was a picture of two doves sitting in a tree over a small boy with his mouth open catching snowflakes, getting ready to drop their own 'gifts'. Ororo softly chuckled and opened the card. Inside were two tickets to the New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve concert. Ororo secretly loved George Gershwin and she had known that the New Year's Eve show was dedicated to his music this year. She had mentioned it to Logan months ago but the tickets had been sold out for ages.

She read over the tickets in disbelief and noticed they were orchestra seats. Again, her mouth dropped. These were the best seats in the house and they must've cost him a fortune on top of the amazing jewelry.

          "How on earth did you get tickets?" She asked, shocked.
          "I got my ways." He winked. 

          "Thank you so much, Logan." Her eyes were shimmering from unshed tears.

          "Merry Christmas, Ororo."

          They exchanged a simple kiss, which wasn't too unusual for them, but something seemed different this time. Ororo felt her heart speed up and she felt slightly flushed. Logan could smell a new scent from her – desire? He wasn't sure and it rattled him. Logan broke away first and stood up, feeling suddenly awkward.

          "I'm gonna grab somethin' to drink. Ya want anythin'?"

          "Uh, no, I'm fine." Ororo replied, also shaken.

          Logan quickly left the den and stood in the hallway, breathing deeply.

          What the hell was that about? He thought to himself. Maybe she's finally catching on to what I've been doin'. Or maybe she's just happy and I got confused from her scent.

          He stood there, debating with himself, for a moment longer before Jubilee bumped into him.

          "Hey, Wolvie!" She greeted, a cup of hot chocolate in her hands. "You wanna exchange gifts now?"

          "I'll be back in a minute and then we can, ok, darlin'? I need somethin' to drink." He ruffled her hair and she grumbled at him.

          "Hey, don't mess the do!"

          "Ya got some serious bed-head." He said, walking to the kitchen. "Didn't know it was a 'do'!"

          He heard her mumble something in reply about his 'do' but he was listening. Somehow, Ororo had managed to get to the kitchen before he did.

          Must've gone through the dining room. He thought.

          "Logan, I must ask you something." She said, pouring him a glass of eggnog.

          "Ok, darlin', shoot." He paused. "But I'd try t'make it quick, otherwise Jube'll be on a manhunt fer me."

          "Why the jewelry?"

          "Simple. I couldn't take ya out to the show without somethin' nice and flashy around yer neck." He grinned as she gave him the 'you are impossible' look. "Every lady deserves t'have a nice set of jewelry and I know ya don't have much in that department." He paused to sip the thick drink. "Besides, the necklace and earrings will match that nice blue gown ya got." With that, he turned and made his way back to the den.

          Ororo stood in the kitchen and marveled at the man who meant so much to her. He had taken into consideration the dress she would wear and probably even knew what perfume she would put on, despite his protests. He noticed everything, as always, and she sometimes forgot how considerate he could be. Then again, he was usually only like this around her, Kitty and Jubilee, so it wasn't a very common occurrence. As the weather goddess picked up her eggnog, a large smile spread across her face. She suddenly realized that she had a date for New Year's Eve for the first time in years with one of the nicest men she had ever known. Life couldn't get much better.

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Please R&R so I know what you guys think! Any suggestions for Ororo's gift to Logan would be wonderful – I'm having a hard time thinking of something! D'oh!

~*PAF*~
Jubes