Rise or Fall Chapter 197 Fox Tales, a x-men: the movie fanfic

X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter One Hundred Ninety Seven

Author's Word: Hi, fam. Thanks for the incredible feedback. I'm sorry this has taken so long, but I'm wrestling with an annoying cold right now (really, this late in the season?). Hopefully, I'll have it trounced soon. Also hoping things are great with you guys. Please enjoy and review!

Assortment of peanut butter, chocolate chip, and oatmeal raisins warm and gathered, the Blackfoot woman moved to carry them out with her. Her oldest popping up in the doorway in his normal spontaneous fashion slowed her pace. When he reached to take the platter from her, Kayla smiled and handed it over, despite it being a far from strenuous load from her. With energy in his every step, Cody guided them back into the main unit living room.

There Angel, Cordelia, and Scott lined up on either side of Logan on the couch. Nearby, Joey shared an arm chair with Trav. Leaving the cookies on the coffee table, Cody climbed up to get comfortable between Angel and Cordelia while everyone reached for an oven-fresh sweet.

At the sound of the front door opening, Joey brightened at the possibility of his father returning. His countenance then dampened when the line-up of incoming mutants consisted of Becky, Leon, Sean, Alex, Frank, and Erik. Though he delighted in having them back, he instantly felt hopes dashed at the lack of Professor.

"Hi," Kayla acknowledged them, "how was the service?"

Erik answered, "Rather pleasant."

"Better than ever," Sean replied with full confidence. "The place looks great and Rabbi Chad and Ben were incredible."

"It was really nice," said Becky, who had spent the better part of the day vexing over it.

"What's that, Wolves?" Frank came near to the man who had a fat book open.

Logan wrapped an arm around the well-dressed boy's middle. "This is a sketch a friend of ours did from our weddin' day."

"Whoa," Frank took in the gathering of people around the waterfall, "hey, isn't this Niagara?"

"One and only," Logan confirmed.

"What a gorgeous place to get married," Angel practically swooned.

"You said that right, baby. They say there's magic to these falls." Logan took Frank's hand to trace fingers over one picture. "The slaves that crossed over to Canada? As soon as they saw this, freedom became real for 'em. As if the Falls washed the chains right off."

Frank could only respond by staring in sincere awe.

Erik came to peer inside the book. "Your weekend destination?"

Kayla nodded. "It's the last thing I'm able to do before the baby arrives."

"The only rotten part is I had to get all my homework done today," Cody grimaced.

Kayla looked to him with a raised brow. "And did you?"

The little boy replied with a dutiful, "Yes, Mama."

After they finished off the cookies, the group started up to their different floors to settle in for the night.

In the room belonging to the youngest boys, an all-out pillow war sprang up almost as soon as they had their pajamas on. Bounty observed them in what could easily pass for fascination from the safety of his crate.

"Alright, alright," Erik entered, going to stand in the middle of the room with both arms raised, "cease fire until day's light."

"Awwww!" came the three-way groans.

"But it's the weekend," Trav moaned, hugging his pillow.

"Yeah," Cody crossed his arms, "Uncle Vic would let us stay up later."

"You've already been up for half an hour longer than usual. Besides that, you and your parents have an early day tomorrow," the metal wielder pointed out. "Unless you prefer to sleep through the boat ride."

"No," Cody sighed. "Okay."

When he got into bed, Erik tucked him in. "Straight to sleep, young cat," then turned to the pair sharing the other bed. "Your parents will be in to kiss you good night shortly."

Looking pensive, Joey sat up a little. "Uncle Erik, can I please wait for Daddy?"

"No," the man promptly answered with a shake of his head. "Manhattan traffic has him very delayed and if he comes home to find you still awake, you'll be spending the remainder of the night on your stomach."

Joey let off a small sigh. "Yes, Uncle Erik."

Erik reached over to give him a small hug. "He'll be home soon enough, Kangaroo. Don't worry. Your mother will be up to see about you and if you need anything else, you can come to me or Alex."

Joey nodded against his uncle then laid down with Trav.

Erik gave an affectionate stroke to Bounty's back before taking his leave of the room.

Once he completed full rounds, he lingered on the second floor in the living room. He picked up the novel from the previous night to resume reading. Before long the familiar weary sigh and footsteps neared.

"Late night, young man," Erik faux chided, flipping another page. "What am I to do with you?"

"Ground me, please." Charles practically poured himself into the nearest chair. "A year should suffice."

"My poor little Lab Rat." Erik went to prompt work mixing a drink.

Charles suppressed an eye roll. "Must you call me that?" He immediately perked at the scotch and soda presented to him. "Your kind, thoughtful, wonderful man."

"Must you soil my image?" Erik sat down again, eying his brother closely. "This is the second time this week you've arrived home at this hour."

"I know." Charles sighed deeply, fingering his glass. "But tell me, how did things fare at Temple?"

Allowing for the change of subject, at least for now, Erik told him, "Much better than I anticipated. Alex, Leon, and Frank came out for support. I believe Becky needed it more than I." An uncomfortable expression took over his face. "I don't like this, Charles. She shouldn't be left to feel responsible for Vanessa's actions. I was the one who allowed her venom into our lives."

"Stop right there," the Professor ordered with commanding hand raised. "I won't hear of you feeling guilty over this situation a moment longer. All you did was return affections to a woman who seemed to sincerely care for you. I'm the mind-reader between us and she pulled the wall over my eyes as well."

Erik quieted then gave off a short nod. "You should see about Emma and the children. Joey missed you tonight."

His intense exhaustion instantly becoming unimportant, Charles finished off his drink with a final gulp and got to his feet.

IIIIIII

The thunder's crack resonating throughout his sensitive ears, Logan's eyes opened next. An initial panic came over him at discovering the spot behind him entirely vacant.

"Fox?" In a second, he honed in on her over by the window. Detaching from bed, he walked up to envelope her from behind. "What're you doin'?"

"The storm's supposed to pass in a few hours," Kayla inhaled pleasantly, "but simply smell that rain over the cut grass. It's so invigorating."

"Sure is." Logan bowed his head to cherish her neck with kisses. "Come on." He took her hand and headed back to their bed.

After relaxing in her husband's solid hold, it took hardly moments for Kayla to drift away once more.

XXXXX

A sharp gasp seemed to explode anguish throughout the room. Combined with the equally abrupt jerking taking place right beside him caused the male in the bed to raise upright.

Lighted only by the generous moon shine trickling in from their windows, he gripped his wife's shoulders with an urgent, "Jaylee."

"Where is she?" Searching somewhat ravenously through their covers, she demanded, "Where is my daughter? Where is she?"

"Mama." The small voice in the room caused them both to look over at the blanketed child who had entered in absolute delicate silence. She moved around to the woman's side of the bed. "Here I am, Mama."

Chest panting with relief, Jaylee gathered the little girl up to clutch. "Kayla." She dragged one hand through her soft locks of hair.

Kayla hugged her back with any might she could muster. "It's alright, Mama."

Exhaling through the nostrils, Codiram kissed both their heads then proposed, "Let's go back to sleep now."

Situated between her parents on the mattress, Kayla waited until she could be certain her mother had resumed rest. "Papa," she rolled a bit to prop up on his strong chest, "why can't Mama stop having bad dreams?"

Codiram left an arm around his nine-year-old. "It's a lot better than when you were very small; they're less frequent now. Even the slightest idea of something happening to you frightens both of us terribly." He laced fingers with her. "You're our miracle, Kayla." He raised her hand to kiss. "Forever."

Her smile materialized in the darkness. "I love you, Papa."

"And I love you." He offered a squeeze to her hand. "Sleep now, beloved."

Laying flat on her back, Kayla quickly eased into slumber between them.

"Who can name the five boroughs that make up New York City?" Amidst the multiple raised hands, the ever observant teacher pointed out the one whose interests resided beyond the window. "Keme?"

Yanked from his own inner musings, the boy attempted to sit up straight and gaze forward. "Yes, Miss Ottu?"

"Can you name the five boroughs that make up New York City? At least one?"

He appeared to scan his own mind for the answer. "Um, Kings."

With a shake of her head, Miss Ottu said, "Not quite," then called on the next hand to shoot up. "Kayla?"

The girl recited, "The Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Queens."

Miss Ottu regarded her with a lengthy smile. "Correct. And it's just about time for recess. Some of you might use the time to review. The test begins as soon as your return." As her class filed out, Miss Ottu indicated for Kayla to approach. "Be sure to thank your father again for the new textbooks."

"Oh he was happy to do it," Kayla assured. "I'll let him know everyone appreciates it." She then hurried after the other Blackfoot children.

A girl walking in step with her asked, "Do you want to skip rope?"

"In a little while, Nadie." Kayla sat under a shade tree and began flipping through her book.

Completely incredulous, Nadie remarked, "You're studying again? You've been at it all week."

Kayla attempted to explain with eyes never leaving her current page, "I just don't want to forget anything."

With a monumental eye roll, Keme came their way. "There goes teacher's pet again. Think you're smarter than everybody else."

"Leave Kayla alone, Keme," Nadie ordered. "You're just jealous her marks are better than yours."

"She's only smart because she's that doctor's daughter and he can buy her all these dumb books." He then made swift work of snatching away the one currently in her possession.

"Keme!" Jumping to her feet, Kayla bolted after him. "Give that back."

"Can't catch me!" Stuffing the book down his shirt, Keme started up the tree.

Kayla did not hesitate to follow him up. "You give that back to me right now!" She grabbed hold of one branch then shrieked when it snapped clean off and she fell just as quickly.

"Kayla!" Nadie rushed to see about her. At the others also gathering around the fallen girl, she shouted, "Get Miss Ottu!"

Slowly easing out of the deep restfulness brought about by the pain medication, she still experienced a haze as she tried to rise. Left hand going to her right upper arm, she noticed the significant decrease in soreness there. In fact, she found herself able to move the limb fairly well. The sound of her parents' voices captured her attention next and she started for her door.

"I cannot believe the nerve of that Mukro boy," Jaylee fumed, pacing back in forth. "That troublemaker."

"Believe me, I made our grievances well-known to his parents," Codiram promised. "He'll think twice and thrice before the notion of tomfoolery enters his mind."

"My God…" Jaylee stopped long enough to rest a hand against their counter. "She could have broken her neck instead of her arm."

Codiram took her into a hug. "I know, but do not worry. She'll be fine before too long."

"Mama, Papa?" Kayla moved from the back of the house into the kitchen.

Jaylee immediately went to see about her. "Beloved, you should be resting. How's your arm now?"

"Much better," the girl reported. "Almost perfect really."

"Codiram," Jaylee took the arm for closer observance, "come look at this."

When the doctor neared, his lower mouth nearly connected with the floor. "Impossible… this looks at least three weeks healed. Are you still hurting?"

Kayla answered, "Only a bit now."

Jaylee and Codiram faced each other with prolonged gaze of astonishment.

Heads of near waist-length black hair soaring with their every push, the two seemed determined to grasp the beaming sun overhead.

Pausing a moment, Kayla said, "I'm so glad I didn't have to miss school."

"You're something else, Kayla." Slowing her own swing, Nadie replied, "If I were you, I'd have played sick for a week at least."

"I can't get behind on my work," Kayla told her. "I can't be a teacher if I don't know anything myself."

"You know plenty to be a teacher," Nadie stated sincerely. "More than any kid I know."

"I do not," Kayla denied.

Nadie then zeroed in on the one rapidly approaching them. "Oh boy, here comes that rotten little toad."

Kayla sighed in annoyance. "What do you want, Keme?"

He stopped to gape at her. "Your father told my father that you broke your arm."

Kayla shook her head. "It just felt like it. Falling out of a tree and all."

"Listen…" Keme bit his lip. "I wanted to say I'm real sorry about yesterday."

Nadie said, "My mother said you deserved an all-out switching."

"Believe me, that's what I got." Keme then returned his attention to Kayla. "Anyway, I'm really sorry. Here." He pulled something out from behind his back.

Kayla accepted the colorful "Get Well" picture. "Wow… thank you, Keme."

Bobbing his head, he waved at them somewhat bashfully before hurrying off to return to his own friends.

Nadie grinned Kayla's way. "He likes you."

"Yuck," Kayla reacted. "Well, I don't like him. I don't have time for silly things like boys."

The other girl reasoned, "How are you supposed to get married without a boy?"

Kayla shrugged her left shoulder. "I don't care if I ever get married."

"How are you supposed to have babies with no husband?"

With no sufficient enough response to that, Kayla uttered a disgruntled, "Darn it."

Various supplies returned to the leather case, the brown-eyed man looked to where his daughter finished conversing with the bed-ridden woman.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Mrs. Mateeto." Kayla offered her an embrace. "I'll bring you some of Mama's pound cake."

Codiram tacked on pointedly, "If you take your meds without question."

"Yes, yes Doctor, I understand. Believe me. I'm all fussed out." The elderly lady offered Kayla another smile. "We'll sing another song tomorrow."

"That sounds fine." Kayla slipped off the bed to approach her father. "I want to carry it, Papa."

"I will bargain with you. You carry this," Codiram handed her the medical bag before hoisting her up with ease, "and I'll carry you." He held a departing hand out to Mrs. Mateeto as they left.

"She looked much better today," Kayla noted when they reached the outside again.

"I believe your company has helped a great deal with that. This is what we've been called to do, Kayla." Codiram held her tighter. "It took countless year of hard work, but every moment of it proved worthwhile. Now that we have the resources to serve our people." He then reacted to one of the hunters barreling their way. "What is it, Tabo? What's happened?"

"Dr. Silverfox!" Stopping short of crashing into the pair, the young man bent at the knees to inhale enough air to resume speaking ability. "It's Chayton. His breathing is too short."

Not bothering to question him, Codiram kept a firm grip on his daughter as he and the other man took off for the other direction.

As soon as they reached his house, Tabo came close to tearing the door down. "I found him, Lina!"

The woman with tear-streaked face held up her cherished bundle. "Doctor, please… help him."

Moving his own child to stand, Codiram took the bag from her and dashed over to see about the baby.

Between the frantic words exchanged among the parents and how the room seemed to become consumed with tense heat, Kayla used both hands to cover her mouth. Her eyes rapidly welled up with distressed moisture.

"His airways are constricted. I need to clear them. Someone get some steam boiled," Codiram directed, going to the nearby table to lay out his tools.

Tabo leapt up to speed for their kitchen.

Daring to approach, Kayla came to stand right before the paling infant.

"Chayton…" Lina's voice choked with sobs. "I can't lose him… please…"

Kayla carefully reached forward, placing a ginger hand on the baby's bald head and using her other to offer some bit of comfort at his stomach. Gasping at the abrupt sensation that overcame her next, the little girl had to try to keep standing as she experienced a bizarre force leaving her body.

Lina's expression grew stunned and she could not collect words initially. "Doctor!"

Turning back to them, Codiram stood in complete astonishment as Chayton's full coloring returned, his eyelids peeled back, and a contented gurgling echoed from his lips.

"What's going on?" Returning to his sitting room, Tabo promptly rushed over to his wife's side to take in their son as if for the first time.

"She did it…" More tears flowed from her eyes as Chayton reached a bitty fist Lina's way. She faced Kayla. "You made him well again. Oh Kayla…" Lina seized her wrist and held it with an intense gratitude. "Thank you- thank you!"

Kayla herself could only remain in place, all words lost in her.

At the conclusion of the ancient tale, Codiram arrived inside the doorway. He lingered only a moment before entering the youthful feminine bedroom in full. Seated on the side of the mattress, Jaylee finger combed through their child's hair. It had taken some time and doing but the girl had finally managed to nestle into sleep.

Codiram took Jaylee's hand and lifted it wordlessly.

"After so much loss," Jaylee looked from him to their daughter, "we are truly blessed beyond all parents."

Hugging her soft doll with hair as silky as her own, Kayla quietly readjusted her head against the pillows.

Finally done unloading the cargo from the plane that had carried him and his brother along, the private removed his hat to use it as a fan. He gazed over as the crowd of people thinned a bit and his sharp blue eyes detected one in particular yards away from him. She stood with arms folded behind her back, listening to a few of the elders speak. She wore an expression somewhere between thoughtful and quizzical on her all too exquisite frame. Even with her lengthy skirt and long-sleeve top, he easily saw the curves that made up her phenomenal form.

Blindly reaching out for the first native that walked his way, he stopped him long enough to inquire, "That girl in the blue. Who is she?"

Following his eyes, the young man understood immediately who he meant. "That is Kayla Silverfox, our new schoolteacher. And the doctor's daughter."

A sly grin developing on his face, Logan seized the opportunity as soon as her glance came their way. He lifted his hand in acknowledgement.

With a tight smile in place, Kayla waved one back at him as she leaned in towards one of the village women. "Why is that troll staring at me?"

Looking herself, the other lady advised, "Don't make eye contact for too long. God only knows how long it's been since some of these soldiers have seen a woman."

As most of her students dismissed for lunch, Kayla looked away from her roster at the arrival of her expected delivery- not to mention the one who carried it in. Many of the Blackfoot boys paused to stare on in awe at the way the soldier brought in the massive crate with one arm.

"School aides," He unloaded on the side of Kayla's desk and dipped his head, "Miss Silverfox."

"Thank you, Private Howlett." She proved eager to get it open. "I've been anticipating these."

"Eh, allow me." Taking hold of the crow bar, Logan worked the top off with a swift ease.

"Oh, perfect." Kayla began pawing through the near endless supply of books and paper aides.

Peering in himself, Logan remarked, "Perfect load of garbage."

Kayla's head came up slowly to meet his gaze. "Excuse me?"

"Just take a look at these kids." Logan gestured to where a group of them played beyond the window. "They need to be taught survival skills; fishin', first-aid. Not wastin' time on the history of useless dead guys."

Kayla stayed fixated on him with one hand going to her hip. "You call education a waste of time? Better yet, you have the audacity to stand there and tell me how to run my own classroom?"

"Just a piece of advice," he shrugged. "No offense intended."

"Here's a little advice for you." Kayla stepped closer to near his face. "Get out of my sight while you still have full use of your legs."

Logan bobbed his head with a, "Yes, ma'am." He walked backwards out of the school before turning to leave through the door. He nearly collided with his brother outside.

Looking away from monitoring the children, Victor studied his features. "What trouble you stirrin' up now?"

After his blue eyes stopped being glassy, Logan announced, "I'm gettin' married."

Certain that his keen hearing had somehow failed him, Victor gripped his shoulder. "You want to repeat that?"

"Kayla Silverfox." A slow-building grin formed along Logan's face. "I'm gonna marry that girl."

"And then as a gift for the moon's bravery, the river bathed the sky and the land became quenched with rain enough to cherish the people, their crops, and all of the animals." Jaylee lowered her fingers from imitating the rain effect. "And the people would know prosperity then and for every generation to come."

As the applause ended for his wife's story, Codiram got to his feet with drinking glass raised high. "I wish to thank you all for welcoming my family into your village this way. In a mere two weeks' time, we've been able to see our own prosperity. I also wish to give my full appreciation to my wife," he took Jaylee's hand to help her stand from the log, "and our beloved daughter, Kayla." He then helped the quite bashful Kayla to rise, which only ignited more applause.

Turning away from where his brother had to work to hold onto several of the little girls while the boys all wanted to climb his back, Logan ventured forth.

Reaching the Silverfox family, he extended one hand to its youngest member. "Dance with me?"

"I don't think so," Kayla turned down, hoping she sounded somewhat courteous.

"Kayla," Jaylee touched her daughter's wrist firmly, "after all they've done for us, the Private only asks of a dance with you. You mustn't refuse him."

Holding in a sigh, Kayla recited, "Yes, Mother," and grudgingly joined hands with the dark haired soldier.

Logan moved them out to the center of the other steppers. "I take it I'm not one of your favorites."

Staying in tune with him, Kayla responded, "You figured that out all on your own? Dare I say, there's hope for you yet."

"Not a chance," Logan smirked. "But I'll tell you this. You've done a world of good by these kids. It's no surprise, though. You're like no teacher I've ever seen."

Kayla looked at him closely. "The Private has observed me?"

"Here and there, mostly from the window. You not only know your stuff, you care about these kids."

"Of course I do," Kayla said seriously. "Teaching is no mere profession. It's a privilege for me."

"Miss Silverfox," Logan veered around with her, "I like the way you think."

From the corner of her eye, Kayla honed in on Jaylee's wildly shaking hands. "Mother!" Separating from Logan, she dashed over, only to graze the campfire on her way.

"Kayla!" Codiram took hold of his daughter's singed hand and the entire celebration seemed to come to a halt.

Logan approached. "She alright?"

"Oh she's fine," Jaylee assured, rubbing Kayla's arm.

"I'm afraid we'll have to call it a night, but please, the rest of you enjoy." With a smile in place, Codiram headed back to the house with his family.

At the shuffling of feet, Kayla promptly ceased peeling potatoes to gaze over at the kitchen doorway.

"Mother, why aren't you resting?" she wanted to know.

"The only thing more exhausting than being on one's feet all day, is keeping one's feet up all day." Jaylee joined her at the table. "I'm sick of it. Let me help you."

"Mother, I'm fine here, really."

The front door opened and closed and Codiram entered with a kiss for them both. "My beautiful vixens." Taking Kayla by the hand, he noted, "Ah, good as new. Excellent."

"Except you aren't the only one who noticed," Kayla informed, getting both sets of their eyes on her. "Private Howlett has been sniffing around again."

"Oh Kayla," Jaylee smiled, "Is he really so terrible?"

"He's troublesome," Kayla claimed. "Earlier he had the nerve to come right out and say that he wants me for himself."

Codiram released a hearty chuckle at that. "Ugly and deluded." He fetched an apple from the bowl to take a bite out of. "I almost pity him."

His wife turned displeased eyes on him. "Now Codiram, we mustn't be that—" She ceased speaking as she grabbed hold of a pained portion of her shoulder.

Kayla dropped the potato and knife to go to her. "Mother, are you alright?"

"Yes," Jaylee took slow breathes, "It's passing already."

Kayla offered, "Let me heal you."

"Kayla," Jaylee cupped her cheek with all the gentleness in the world written on her face, "you can't prolong the inevitable for your father and me forever. Not even you have such power."

Kayla shook her head. "No."

Touching his daughter's shoulder, Codiram said, "Your mother is right, Kayla. Though it pains us to speak of these things, eventually you must accept—"

"No!" Kayla shot up from the table. "I won't hear of this."

"Kayla," Codiram seized her in a backwards hug before she could stalk off, "you must be reasonable. You're an excellent teacher." He brought her around to face them. "However, it is now time for you to strongly consider settling down. You can have any one of these men."

"Men, Father?" Kayla stared at him in disbelief. "Boys. At least next to me. I'm more than twice their age. I could hide that little fact, spending my entire married life in a lie, but that's not what I want."

Jaylee took her hand to pat. "You're a living blessing, Kayla. You deserve the best this world has to offer."

"I have the best in you two," she stated. "And I'm sorry because I know that somehow I'm still able to have children… but I never will. Excuse me." She stepped out to head for her quarters.

Sunrise seemed to arrive earlier that morning. Under a sky filled with splashes of gold, red, and orange, she slipped away from her home. Clothed in a white satin sleep dress and robe, she made tracks towards the creak.

Making it there before too long, Kayla stopped shortly at the one she instantly spotted. The initial urge to leave became dull within her as she looked on. Legs folded under a particular rock formation, the water seemed to rush down on him like a miniature waterfall. The drips flowed down his chiseled chest, completely soaking the gray pants he wore. He proved so incredibly motionless, Kayla neared to ensure that he was still breathing.

The second she came upon him, his blue eyes shot open. "Fox."

Though startled, the first words out of her mouth still came out as, "I'm sorry- I didn't mean to disturb me."

"You never could." Logan stood up straight from his place of tranquility. "I'll go if I'm in your way."

"Don't be silly," she said. "You were here first."

Indicating the water, he propositioned, "Up for a swim?"

Kayla shook her head. "I don't think…"

Logan countered, "I think you think too much." That said, he took a strong dive.

Watching for a few seconds, Kayla finally dropped her robe and entered the water after him.

Bursting his head out from one side, Logan watched her move along like an angel fish. When she came close, he gingerly took her hand and they journeyed back under. They swam continuously that way for well over a minute before they decided to climb back to shore.

"Thank you," Kayla said when he cloaked her with his own towel.

"Don't worry about it." He took a seat in the grass near her. "What are you doin' up so early?"

"Wanted some time to myself I suppose. What about you?"

"I like to use this time of day to clear my head."

Kayla studied his side profile. "I can't imagine the things you've seen."

"I think you can a little." Logan looked to her now. "You get to the point where you have to move around. Folks can be so superstitious- they don't need to get wise."

Amused confusion covered her features. "What are you talking about?"

"Not a lot of folks can hold their breath as long as I can."

Kayla shrugged lightly. "I've learned more than my fair share of survival under my father."

"Yeah, your folks are somethin' else. Especially your ma," he commented. "Never met a woman pushin' eighty with a twenty-five-year-old daughter."

Kayla reminded sharply, "I never said anything about being twenty-five."

"Nah, the way you teach- with the wisdom of the whole world in you- if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were about twice that." Logan eyed her purposefully. "If not more." Kayla glanced away from him. "How come you ain't married?"

"Not that it's your business," she began, "but ever since I was a little girl, my parents have emphasized service to others with me. I've always been too busy to focus on the idiocies involved in courtships."

"Hm, that's funny." He leaned back against his hands. "I've never been one for settlin' down myself. Until lately."

She faced him again. "What changed your mind?"

"Lots of things." Logan returned her gaze. "You want a family?"

"What I want really doesn't matter. It's not likely to happen."

"Same here," Logan concurred. "Probably wouldn't be much of a father, anyway. But you know…"

Kayla nudged, "What?"

The soldier stated, "I'd love to have a son of my own. Probably more than anything."

Kayla wanted to say more but stood. "I have to go. I need to get breakfast started." She handed him back his towel to get into her robe. "I'll," she looked back, "I'll see you later in the day?"

Logan nodded. "Count on it." He then watched her take off for the main part of the village again.

Tossing the towel to one side, he took another leap into the stream.

Perfectly still before the floor-length mirror, the woman tried to absorb her own appearance within the long baby blue dress with lace sleeves. Her long dark hair poured down her back.

"It's beautiful," was all she could say.

Moving away from working the buttons in the back, Jaylee stated, "What's beautiful is the one within it. Without you, it wouldn't be fit to act as a dust rag."

"Oh Mother," turning from the mirror, Kayla practically engulfed her in an embrace, "thank you."

A brief knock came next. "Vixens?"

"Come on in, Codiram," Jaylee ushered.

Stepping inside in his full suit, the doctor said, "I was having a word with the groom."

Jaylee put on a show of annoyance. "Tell me that poor boy isn't ready to jump ship."

"I believe he'll stick around for the full festivities." Codiram saw his daughter and it took all of his strength to continue speaking. "We're nearing the Falls now… are you ready?"

Shaking her head a little, Kayla practically collapsed into his arms. "Papa."

"It's alright, beloved." Codiram sent soothing fingers through her hair. "You have earned today and every wonder that is to come after it. You've nothing in this world to worry about. Nothing."

At her daughter's sniffling, Jaylee put the soft tissues to work. "Come now. There's no sense in the Falls if you drench yourself already. Let's be off," she squeezed Kayla's hand, "Mrs. Howlett."

Pulling away from her father, Kayla nodded while fixing her hair.

Holding the door open for Jaylee, Codiram took the time to link arms with Kayla before they departed next.

XXXXX

"Here they come," Logan signaled, "hang on."

Instantly, Cody became sandwiched between his parents but still experienced the untold sensation of the powerful water coming down on them. Shouts and laughter alike filled the entire boat.

"Woohoo!" Cody hollered as it came to an end.

Guffawing deep in his throat, Logan tugged up the hood of Kayla's rain poncho. "How was it?"

The woman replied, "Breath-taking," while keeping a grip on his and their son's hands.

IIIIIII

Immediately sensing the missing member from the motel bed, Logan's sharp vision honed in on the young boy playing with toy jet planes underneath the window.

"Cat," the man sat up, "boy, get back in this bed."

"Aww," the caught child lowered his play things and scrambled back up onto the mattress, "but I can't sleep."

"Well, give it another go. We got to be up bright and early to grab that boat goin' back to New York." Logan brought him to rest on his chest and rubbed his back up and down.

Cody managed to settle against the hairy chest.

However, not five minutes later did the bed experience another rise.

"Logan?" Kayla sent fingernails into his shoulder.

Careful not to jump and drop their son, Logan still became alert. "Huh- what? What's wrong, Fox?"

"… The baby's coming."

"What?" Hanging onto Cody, Logan sat right up. "Now? Can't be. We got at least two weeks left."

Despite the pain, Kayla wore a distinct smile. "Tell that to your child."

"What?" Cody became animated as well. "Mama's havin' the baby? Really?"

"Looks like." Then transferring his oldest onto the mattress, Logan almost fell out of bed with the choices of phoning a doctor or boiling water ringing throughout his head.