The small white invitation nearly glowed in the Anna's dim bedroom. It had been nearly a month since she had received it and weeks since she finally had the courage to open it. Her first response was to throw it out and not be bothered. It was probably from David anyway, rubbing her nose in his new happiness with whichever patient or co-worker he was infatuated with at the moment. The thought had upset her so much that she had placed the envelope in the trash intent on discarding it as he did her. It had stayed there for nearly a week mocking her. Each time she walked past the small trash can at the foot of her bed it reminded her of her cowardice and inability to face him. Angrily she snatched from the garbage and hid it in her nightstand. Still it upset her. Her sleepless nights became accompanied by restless days. Her mind wandered back to the beautiful white invitation constantly. She dreamt of its contents at night and worried about it during the day. She was terrified of what she would find inside. Unable to admit herself a coward, after weeks of torment, she finally gave in and opened it. The names she read inside shocked her more than she thought possible. Anna smiled at the thought of her old friends. They had been more then friends, they were team-mates and allies. Of course she was happy for them and was relieved that she could share in the happiness of two people she had been so close to in her past, but new terrors plagued her. If she accepted the invitation she would have to face them again. If she was to attend the wedding she would have to face everyone that she had not seen since they disbanded. So much had changed in her life since then. It was hard for her to face her past. None of the people she had put faith in when she was younger knew of her life now. She didn't want them to know the mess her life had become. Now she sat on her bed with her knees against her chest with the tiny white envelope and contemplated picking up the phone, as she had done night after night. She sighed, knowing what she must do. She owed it to Logan and Ororo. They deserved all the happiness in the world and if that meant having all of the X-men together again she knew she couldn't take it away from them because of her own fears. They had even gone to the trouble of arranging the wedding at the mansion. Anna took a deep breath to clear her head and erase the emotion from her voice and gave into the inevitable. She picked up her phone from her night-table and dialled the number to RSVP. After three rings a strong female voice answered.

"Hello?"

Anna paused for moment unable to speak.

"Is there someone there?"

Clearing her throat she tried again.

"Ororo?" she asked hoarsely.

"Yes"

"It's Anna."

It was Ororo's turn to pause. Anna nearly hung up before Ororo spoke again.

"Rogue?"

"Yeah."

"By the Goddess, It has been so long." She said warmly, "We were afraid that you had not received the invitation we sent."

Anna forced herself into the role she had played many times before, one of contentment, of the carefree self assured women she had once been, one of happiness.

"I'm sorry to keep ya'll waiting shugah. Somehow ah managed to lose the number. 've been searching for the blame thing fer weeks. Ah wouldn't miss yer wedding fer the world"

"We are just glad to hear from you. We are still not sure how many guest are coming or when they will be arriving."

"Ah'm sorry to put more stress on yah. Ah know yah must be wound tighter than clock by now. Ah know ah would be." She quickly tried to change the direction of the conversation away from herself. "How's Logan doing with all this? Got him pickin' out flowers and fabric?" She could almost hear Ororo smile through the phone.

"You would be surprised what that man is willing to do."

"Ororo, you mean yah got that boy whipped? Never thought Ah'd see the day."

Ororo looked over her shoulder at her fiancé and laughed. Logan raised his eyebrows, questioning what had been said. Assuming it was at his expense he playfully tossed a pillow at her, which hit her leg and fell to the floor. She ignored him and returned to her conversation. Logan watched Ororo as she caught up with an old friend. Her white hair fell down her back and swayed as she tilted her head to hear. Logan then turned back to his newspaper, shaking his head. He knew he was lucky. When he thought back on all the times he had been near death and all the women he had been with he could not imagine ending up were he was now. He was happy, once in his life he felt content. He didn't even mind doing the mundane preparations because it brought him one moment closer to his wedding day. He never thought an extravagant wedding would be important to him but now nothing would be big enough for his fiancé. Having the wedding at the mansion had been Ororo's idea and both of them could not think of a more perfect place. If not for Xavier their paths would have never crossed. The X-men had given them both the family they craved and now had given them each other. Having everyone together would make the day complete.

Logan folded his paper when Ororo hung up the phone and walked over to him. He grinned and pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arm around her.

"Who was it?"

"Anna. It seems she has not forgotten us after all."

Logan laughed, "how's she doin'?"

"She seemed alright and she said she would arrive on the Friday."

"Nearly a week of catch-up with mosta the group, we hear from everyone yet?"

"Nearly," she said kissing his cheek, "I have still not heard from Kurt and Remy has not yet decided when he will be arriving."

Logan pulled his fiancé closer to him and kissed her cheek, "They'll be there if I know'um."

Storm smiled and ran her hands through his hair. He kissed her forehead.

"You feelin' okay darlin? You seem a bit hot."

Ororo shifted her weight looked at Logan.

"I'm alright Logan. All the stress of the wedding must be getting to me that is all."

"It ain't supposed to be a chore Ro."

"It is not. I did not mean it that way. I love you Logan."

"I know darlin. I love you too. I just worry about you."

"There is no need," She kissed him and rubbed his back, "You cannot get rid of me that easily."