Blix: Lol, more family bonding awaits!

Sych: Hehe, Logan is the only person who can greet Charles like that, yes, lol, you're right. I'm glad you liked the 'nie little insult' part. Here, it's great o make people laugh! And no, i'm not telling you, it doesn't have much relevance to the story anyway, just a random chat. Though, for you, lets say he was talking about siren's lesson. P

Chapter 16

The next morning was Christmas Eve, and Madeline strolled alone around the grounds of the mansion. Her sleep had been rather fitful, but she did feel somewhat refreshed and ready to face this new day. The grounds were still carpeted in snow; it glimmered beneath the soft rays of weak sunlight, shining merrily. The air was clear, no snow fell, and Madeline was blessed with a wonderful view of the snow-covered distance.

She softly walked across the lawns, her shoes lightly crunching in the settled snow. A lot of thoughts were travelling around her mind, thinking about what Logan had said to her the night before. That morning she had only briefly seen Logan; he was waiting outside her room with a welcoming smile. Her first instinct had been to fall into his arms again, she needed his support, and she had needed it all her life. But now she needed it more than ever. However, to her surprise, he had suggested the most ludicrous idea. That she should attend the annual Christmas party here at the mansion. The last thing she wanted to do was to celebrate and have fun!

But, as she thought on, perhaps Logan was right, it would ease her a little, introduce her to everyone, and rouse her out of her grief. She blew out a gentle sigh as she thought it over. Surely it was too late now anyway, she had nothing to wear. She looked up slowly, surprised to find herself at the door to the mansion. She must have been walking around in such a daze. She shook her head gently and she climbed the steps and walked inside the glistening entrance.

She looked around slowly, listening. She could hear a lot of voices and a lot of movement. She briefly remembered Logan telling her that the lessons were finished for the term and that the students were on holiday now. She glanced around slowly as she saw groups of people pass her by, giving her once-overs as they went by before waving cheerfully at her and bidding Merry Christmas. Madeline managed to repeat it back, a small smile on her face.

Then, through the horde of walking students she saw a familiar figure walking towards her.

"Hey, kid," greeted Logan as he gently took her arm and steered her to one side, "How are ya doin'?"

"I'm ok.." said Madeline softly, watching Logan with a tender smile, "I had a walk outside.." she glanced behind her gently to look out of the window, "It's beautiful around here."

Logan smiled gently upon her, "It is.." he agreed softly. "Have you thought anymore about Christmas?" he really wanted her to attend, for the first time in a long while he actually wanted to celebrate Christmas, and more importantly with her.

Madeline looked slowly back to Logan, a gloved hand gently brushing her hair from her face, "Well.. it's too late now isn't it? I mean, I have nothing to wear."

But Logan grinned at her, "Nope, Storm has gone out to buy Christmas outfits today for us all, we ask Charles to give her a ring."

"We can?"

"Yup."

Charles smiled to the pair as he saw them stood at the door of his office, "Come in," he said gently as he smiled to them both, "How can I help you?"

Madeline glanced nervously from Charles to Logan. Logan shared her gaze before exhaling lowly and looking to Charles, "We, er, want to attend the Christmas party this year."

Charles rested gently upon his desk, studying the two mutants over the top of his poised hands. Then suddenly, his face broke into a warm smile, "That's wonderful," he said gently, his eyes moving upon Logan, "It will do you good, both of you."

Logan exhaled a soft, it was too late to go back now, "Yeah." he said slowly.

His eyes lifted back upon Charles as he watched the man pick up the receiver of his telephone. He pressed one button before holding it up to his ear and waiting patiently as it rung.

"Hello?" answered a gentle voice.

"Hello, Ororo. I have some more additions to your list of outfits."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes, could you please fetch a dress for Madeline?"

"Oh! Is she coming? That's great! Alright, what size?"

"What dress size, Madeline?" asked Charles gently as he looked over to Madeline.

"Er.. 10," she replied, glancing up to Logan again.

"Size 10," said Charles back down the phone.

"Alright. Who else?"

"Logan."

An incredulous tone took over the voice, "What? Logan?"

"Yes.. Logan."

Logan huffed gently at this, now folding his arms.

"Ok.. " Storm murmured gently.

"She better watch what she's buying. I don't want nothin' poncy," swiftly growled Logan.

"He says he.." Charles began to repeat.

"I heard what he said," answered Storm with a soft laugh.

Charles was about to speak some more but Logan reached forward across the desk and fastened his fingers around the handle of the phone. He yanked it out of Charles grip and held it to his ear as he spoke roughly into it, "I mean it, Ororo," he growled, "Get me anything that looks remotely like Scott's outfit and it's classed as too prissy for me, understand?"

However, Storm laughed gently down the phone, "Alright Logan, don't worry."

"You better not.." he said lowly.

"What size do you want, Logan?"

"Just use my uniform measurements. And remember, nothin' poncy," he muttered before dropping the phone down upon its hook. He raised his eyes to glare at Charles, "She won't will she? Cos I ain't comin' if she does!"

Charles smiled gently, bowing his head to Logan, "Ororo would not do anything spiteful, Logan."

"No." he murmured gently. Logan looked back to Madeline, "Right then," he said, now smiling, "Want a tour of the grounds?"

"I didn't go far, but you can show me now," answered Madeline as she gently took his arm.

"Alright," said Logan softly, turning before giving a small wave to Charles and the pair exited the office.

The dimming sky cast a gentle glow over the grounds of Xavier's mansion. The sky was a rosy hue, though thick swirling snow clouds covered most of it, these being the cause of the current snowfall over the already carpeted lawns. But that smooth layer of crisp white had been scarred by many trails of footprints. Not only that, there were random holes dug into the snow, as if somebody had slipped and fell.

"Argh no!" came a panicked cry. Madeline stumbled on through the snow, laughing softly as her boots skidded across the snow. Her fiery shaded hair was dotted by snow, including the thick coat she wore. She shielded her face behind her hands as a snowball hit her, and she fell back from its impact, laughing still.

Logan ran on after her, a wild smirk on his face as he tossed another snowball. It hit the already grounded girl who gave a breathless squeal of giggles as it hit her. But she wasn't done yet. With misty pants for air she pushed herself up off the snow, now armed with a snowball of her own, she scrambled around on her knees, managing to stumble upright and run towards Logan. She was intending to flatten him, but that would be quite impossible. Logan outstretched his arms, catching her safely before she barged into his adamantium ribs. But his rescue was reward by two snowballs being ruffled into his hair. He spluttered, letting go of her and staggering backwards to shake the snow out of his face. He dropped backwards, sitting down heavily on his rear.

Staggered steps were made as Madeline fell down beside Logan, still laughing. She sat up on her knees, grinning to him from a rosy cheeked face, "Sorry.." she said breathlessly.

Logan looked up slowly, smiling to her, "No worries, kid," he chuckled shaking the remaining snow at her. The pair shared soft laughs for a few minutes. Logan couldn't remember a time when he had felt so content. Those past fifteen years left a horrible gaping hole inside him, and when it was filled in he felt so elevated. Nor could he remember the last time he had enjoyed a Christmas, but he knew once, he did.

Soft twinkling lights came from the tall Christmas tree that stood in front of the bay window of the living room. The room was a decent size, but the layers of Christmas decorations made it look smaller. Tinsel lined all the pictures, a bowed garland hung from the fireplace. And most importantly, the beautiful Christmas tree shimmered grandly; baubles shone from their perches, the star on top glinted in the soft light.

The room was entered by a small group of figures. In lead was Roxanne, clad in a long silk crimson dressing gown, outfit tipped by bare feet. In her arms sat a small child who yawned gently before staring eagerly around the room. Her small body was clad in a soft pink babygro, small mittens waving excitedly at the glow of Christmas lights. Behind the mother and daughter entered Logan, who had a wide smile on his face. He walked slowly over to where Roxanne had sat on the sofa, "Merry Christmas, darlin'.." he murmured softly, kissing her gently before presenting a small wrapped up gift to her. He kneeled down gently on the floor in front of her, resting his arms softly on Roxanne's lap, absently closing his dark dressing gown over his bare chest.

Roxanne grinned gently, slowly placing baby Madeline beside her as she took the present out of Logan's hands. Logan looked over to Madeline, grinning at her and gently stroking her chin. In response Madeline happily babbled, her hands reached forth to clasp at Logan's fingers. But suddenly, Roxanne made a delighted gasp; she had opened the present from Logan. She quickly flung herself about Logan, who grunted under her tightly held hug, blinking a moment before laughing softly as he kissed her cheek, "I guess ya like it?"

"Oh, it's lovely," she replied; now pulling a stunning gold necklace out of the scarlet coloured box. The end tipped in a heart shaped pendent, middle encrusted by a brightly glimmering emerald. Logan smiled gently up at her, his hands gently rested on her wrists, holding her tenderly. Madeline looked up, staring at the swinging pendent, she made a little giggle, rising up on her knees and attempting to grab the heart. Roxanne blinked, moving the pendent out of Madeline's reach and laughing softly, "No, sweetie, this is for mummy, not you."

"But this is for you," said Logan, slipping a large parcel towards Madeline who stared down at it in utmost awe. She made a little squeal before she grabbed her hands down on the paper, tugging at it. Both Logan and Roxanne gently helped their daughter tear away the paper. The rustling of wrapping simmered as a box was left. Logan slowly extended a finger and opened the box latch for her, bringing it up.

Inside laid a most endearing teddy bear, fur of a beautiful honey glaze, eyes as bright as a flame. Madeline made a thoughtful noise before she pulled it out of the box and clung to it for dear life, quickly babbling her happiness. Both Logan and Roxanne share a smile, reaching towards each other to kiss each other slowly, but soon they were prised apart by tiny hands, which reached up to Logan in want of a hug.

"Daddy!" she whined, clambering upon the chest of Logan as she held onto him tightly, not wanting to miss out on the attention. Roxanne smiled gently, closing the hug upon Madeline and gently kissing her daughter's cheek.

"So.." said Logan gently as he rested his head upon Madeline's, "What time is your dad coming here for?"

Roxanne kissed his forehead gently before she leant away, lifting a present out for him, "He said he'd be here for noon." She then grinned down to Madeline, "And he's got gifts for his granddaughter hasn't he? He has!" she cried, snuggling up to a giggling Madeline. Logan smirked gently, letting Madeline go as she crawled into Roxanne's lap. "This is for you, Merry Christmas, James,," Roxanne then gently said, bringing Logan back to attention as she handed him a gift.

He smirked gently at her before he sat back on the carpet, happily pulling apart the wrapping paper to reveal a slender wooden box. Slowly he lifted the lid and peered inside. His eyes lit up softly as he lifted a beautiful pattern cut whiskey tumbler from it's place in the moulding of purple satin, "Good lord, Roxanne," he murmured, "This set must have cost you a fortune.."

"Anything for my James," said Roxanne with a smile as she leant back on the sofa, holding Madeline in her arms, including the teddy bear, "Just promise me one thing.."

"Yeah?"

"Don't go challenging my father to a drinking contest. He'd never turn you down, and you'd win."

"I promise."

Good," said Roxanne gently with a laugh, "He's still very stubborn, even if he knows your healing factor boosts you."

Slowly Logan looked up slowly, his eyes performing short blinks. Madeline was still watching him, her eyes looking rather worried. She gently took his arm, softly shaking him, "Dad?"

It wasn't the best way to rouse Logan from his daydream, for he made a scared sort of gasp at her name choice, "What?" he whispered.

"Are you alright? You sort of zoned out," she replied gently, now standing up in the snow.

"Um.. yeah. I'm good." Logan stood up slowly, blinking a little as he looked around. It was rather stupid really, why should he feel so shocked to hear his own daughter call him 'dad'?

"Logan? Madeline?" called a voice from the doorway of the mansion. They both turned to stare up at the mansion to see Storm stood there laughing and waving to them, "I got your outfits, wanna come and see?"

Logan chuckled gently as he walked up through the snow, "Oh, this is gonna be good.."

Next chapter is the party! Woohoo!