Chapter Two: Plie, Pas de Deux and Arabesques
Over the next few days Logan found himself fantasizing more than usual about Marie, with the most vivid ones happening right after he'd been in her company. He tried to envision Hayley as the star of these dreamy little productions, but she kept morphing Mystique-like into Marie. Thumbing through the most recent issue of Playboy that he'd *borrowed* from Bobby and John was of no help either as the centerfold looked more like Marie than Hayley. Logan was frustrated, but there wasn't exactly anyone he could talk to about the situation, so he just relieved himself in the shower. He tried to avoid Marie as much as possible as there could be no reasonable explanation for why he always had a hard-on whenever she was in the vicinity. And the fact that none of the other women floating around the mansion, as beautiful as they were, had the same effect on him made it all too obvious where, or rather with whom, his interest lay.
One afternoon he walked into the kitchen in search of a snack and found Marie sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea. And if that wasn't bad enough, she had her shirt unbuttoned and was nursing Ethan. Logan stood in the doorway glued to the spot and transfixed by the sight of the newborn contentedly suckling. He cleared his throat rather loudly to announce his presence. Marie looked up, gave him an acknowledging smile and then returned her attention to the magazine she'd been engrossed in. He raided the refrigerator and was about to beat a hasty retreat out of the kitchen and away from the vision of Marie's bare breast when something compelled him to sit down across from her instead.
"Is there anything left in the fridge?" Marie asked as she glanced up and saw the huge array of food in front of him.
"Box of baking soda," Logan replied as he tried and failed not to stare at the point where Ethan was latched onto his mother.
"Hmmm. Yummy," she said and then noticing where Logan's attention was riveted, added, "It's just a boob, Logan."
Logan simply shoved a chicken drumstick in his mouth to avoid answering. Marie rolled her eyes, made a 'tsk' sound and went back to her magazine aware that he was still staring at her breast. He chided himself for getting a hard-on watching a woman do such a perfectly natural thing as feeding her child, but then he justified, this wasn't just any woman – this was Marie and he wanted to shove that poor baby out of the way and take his place. When Ethan fell asleep and released his grip on her nipple, leaving it bare to Logan's gaze he thought he'd come in his jeans. Marie shifted the baby and pulled her shirt back into place finally breaking his concentration. Just then Scott walked into the kitchen and leaned down to kiss his wife, which effectively caused Logan's erection to wilt. When she seductively suggested to Scott that they take a 'nap' while Ethan did, Logan stomped out of the kitchen in search of something to break. Luckily for people and antiques alike he managed to restrain himself until he got to the gym where he destroyed one of the punching bags.
When he finally returned to his room he called Hayley. He hadn't seen her since that brief encounter at the mall because she'd had a rather nasty case of 72-hour flu and even though he was in no danger of catching anything she refused to see him while she looked, as she put, like something her cat had left uncovered in the litter box.
"Hawwo," Hayley answered sounding still decidedly clogged up.
"Hey, it's me."
"Woban, hey – dib you pig up your tus?
"Yeah I got it. God, darlin', you sound awful."
"I feel even wuss den I soun," she replied, then a loud noise that sounded like her blowing her nose came across the line.
"Poor baby, want me to come over and kiss you better?"
"No bay hose ay – I woog lige Rudof de reb nobe rendeer."
"I wouldn't necessarily be aiming for your face."
"Woban!"
"You're cute - you sound like just Sara," he chuckled, "Okay, I won't keep you – just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you."
It wasn't a complete lie; he was trying to think about her, he just wasn't succeeding.
"Dab's so sweed," Hayley said and then hacked loudly.
"Get some rest and I'll check on you tomorrow," he told her, and then added, "Sure you don't want me to bring you some chicken soup?"
"We hab chigen sube here – you're nod seeing me til I woog bedder."
"Gee, I hope we don't have to miss the ballet on Saturday – that would be such a shame," Logan said unconvincingly.
"You're nod gedding oudda it dab easy, mifter."
"Oh well, it was worth a shot. I'll talk to you tomorrow – night, darlin'."
"Nide, Woban," Hayley replied and then hung up.
That night he tried to ignore the noises coming from Scott and Marie's room. He really needed to speak to Charles about moving into a room on the other side of the mansion or better still, finally doing something about getting his own place.
Unfortunately for Logan, Hayley was over her cold by Saturday morning and so nothing short of a Brotherhood attack was going to get him out of going to the ballet. He got out of the shower and studied his face in the mirror – his clean-shaven face. In the week since the donkey attack the muttonchops had started to grow back in, but after Marie's comments about his smooth cheeks suiting him, he found himself keeping them that way.
Marie was in her own bathroom prepping for the evening by taking a bubble bath while Sara was kneeling on a stool examining all the various toiletries on the vanity.
"Are you using my Mr. Bubble, mommy?" Sara asked as she picked up a perfume bottle and sniffed it, then put it back down and turned her attention to the assortment of make up brushes in a glass holder.
"No, sweetie, I'm using a special bubble bath for grown-ups," Marie replied as she sunk further down in the large oval tub and let the silky water caress her.
"Will you paint my toenails?" Sara asked as she swept a large make up brush over her face and blew an air kiss to her reflection in the mirror.
"Sure, honey – pick a color and I'll do them when I get out."
Just then Scott walked into the room dressed in just a short bathrobe and went over to the sink.
"How come girls don't get hair on their faces?" Sara asked curiously as she watched Scott slather on some shaving foam.
"Some girls do," Scott replied as he glided the razor through the foam.
"Scott!"
"What? Mrs. Jenkins gets a mean five o'clock shadow by lunchtime," he answered, referring to the cook.
"How come you have hairy legs and mommy doesn't?"
"I see we're full of questions today," Scott said as he kissed his daughter's nose.
"Men and women are just different, Sara – one day you'll understand that a little better," Marie told her.
"But not until you're thirty or I'm dead and buried, whichever comes first," Scott said as he finished shaving and rinsed off the residual foam, then reached for a towel.
"Oh, you're gonna be one of those fathers, are you?" Marie asked in amusement, "I seem to recall I was still a teenager when we first got together."
"Exactly," he replied with a sly grin, then said to Sara, "Just remember, peanut, daddy has eye beams and friends who'll help him dispose of the bodies."
"SCOTT!"
"Relax, I'm just kidding," he said, "I wouldn't drag my friends into it, I'd take care of the bodies myself."
"Daddy, will you paint my toenails?" Sara asked, oblivious to his threats against her future boyfriends.
"Uh," Scott hesitated and turned to Marie.
"You painted my toenails when I was pregnant and could no longer see my feet," she reminded him.
"Okay, peanut – hop up onto the counter and I'll give it a shot," he instructed.
"I want this color," she said as she handed him a bottle.
"Princess Pink," Scott read off the label, "very appropriate for my princess."
"Can I have a tiara?"
"When you're prom queen," Scott replied as he began painting her toenails.
Marie watched her husband paint their daughter's toenails and smiled. The water had started to cool off, so she released the plug, stood up and gingerly stepped out of the tub.
"Mommy, when am I gonna get boobies?"
"Next Thursday," Marie answered as she wrapped herself in an over-sized bath sheet – much to Scott's disappointment.
"Need any help drying yourself?" he asked suggestively.
"I still have to fix my hair and make-up, I don't have time for you to *help* me."
"You're no fun," he said as he finished Sara's nails and recapped the polish bottle.
"If you really wanna help me, you'll go change Ethan's diaper and put Sara in her nightgown."
"Daddy, blow on my toes to make them dry quicker," Sara told him.
Scott complied and as soon as the polish was dry he gathered Sara in his arms and carried her into her own room. Marie was standing at the vanity in just a pair of panties and a strapless bra applying her make up by the time he returned.
"Too bad that Logan and Hayley are coming with us or we could've done it in the limo."
Marie turned around and wrapped her arms around Scott's neck.
"You're so kinky," she said, then with a smile added, "Don't ever change."
And with that they melted into a heated kiss.
"Whoa, didn't mean to interrupt anything."
"Oh hey, Jubes," Marie said looking over Scott's shoulder, "She's helping me fix my hair," she explained to him.
"I can come back in …what, ten, fifteen minutes. How long do you usually take, Scott?" Jubilee asked mischievously.
Scott just looked stunned, while Marie answered, "Sadly, we don't even have time for a quickie."
"I'm gonna go change in the kids' room," Scott said as he quickly excused himself.
"Did I embarrass him?" Jubilee asked pointlessly.
"No, Jubes, flame red is his natural color."
Marie handed Jubilee her hairbrush and sat down on the stool in front of the vanity.
"So are we going for sexy or schoolmarm?" Jubilee asked.
"Something that won't fall apart before we even get to the theatre."
"Oh, the 'hairspray special', got it," Jubilee replied as she began running the brush through Marie's thick hair.
Half an hour later, Scott and Logan were already in the main foyer waiting for Marie to join them.
"So what's 'Duck Lake' about?" Logan asked as he yanked on the collar of his shirt, the bowtie already feeling like a mini noose.
"It's 'Swan Lake'," Scott corrected.
"Duck, swan, whatever … they all taste like chicken," Logan replied.
Scott merely let out an exasperated sigh, rolled his eyes and turned back to Kitty. She'd offered to baby-sit and he was giving her last minute instructions.
"Scott, I know Marie's cell phone number and there are dozens of other people here to help me in case I run into any problems, including Jean, who just happens to be a very capable doctor. Stop worrying," Kitty told him as she perused the list of 'helpful hints' he'd shoved into her hands.
"Marie told you about the container of emergency breast milk that's in the fridge in case Ethan wakes up before we get back?"
"Was that in the round Tupperware container with the blue lid?" Logan asked.
"Yes," Scott replied, "why'd you ask?"
Logan suddenly looked sheepish and said, "I thought it was for the cat."
"You didn't?"
"Well, not all of it," Logan replied, "I used some of it in my coffee. What? I thought it was liquid creamer."
Logan waited a heartbeat as Scott's face dropped and then said, "I'm just kidding. It's way too easy to yank your chain, Scooter. The boob juice is still there."
Kitty worked hard to suppress her amusement as Scott shot Logan a death glare.
"You need a new hobby, Logan," Scott told him.
Their bickering was interrupted by Marie's arrival.
"I'm finally ready," she announced.
Both men stared open-mouthed as she glided down the stairs in a floor length strapless gown in deep forest green, her hair pulled back in a classic chignon.
Scott smiled proudly, while Logan looked down to check if his tuxedo jacket was long enough to cover his crotch area and hide his newly formed hard-on.
"Doesn't my mommy look beautiful?" Sara asked as she tugged on Logan's jacket.
"Yes she does, angelface," Logan replied with a catch in his throat as he stared longingly at the only woman he'd ever loved.
Scott walked over to Marie and, dipping her backwards in his arms, gave her a passionate kiss.
A thought flashed through Logan's brain, but he decided that extending a claw, tripping Scott and *accidentally* impaling him probably wouldn't be a particularly good idea. And with Logan's luck, Scott would survive anyway and all he'd have to show for his efforts would be blood on his tux and a pissed off Marie. Okay, so attempting to kill Scott was scratched. Logan caught Charles looking at him funny and made a mental note to himself not to project around known telepaths.
On the limo ride over to Hayley's, Marie was in the middle between Logan and Scott, close enough to Logan to brush against his thigh. The near proximity afforded him a perfect view of her cleavage and he was immensely thankful that neither she nor Scott was a telepath because some decidedly rude thoughts were currently running through his brain.
"Aren't you gonna go up to the door and escort your date to the car?" Scott asked.
Apparently they'd arrived at Hayley's, but Logan had failed to notice. He managed to tear his attention away from Marie long enough to exit the limo and walk up to the house.
"Wanna make out?" Scott asked his wife as soon as Logan had shut the limo door.
Joshua answered the door and let Logan in where he met Joshua's parents, Hayley's employers. Logan felt like a high school boy on a date with Mr. and Mrs. Prim's precious virginal daughter as Daniel Abbott grilled him. Finally he was directed to Hayley's suite down the hallway. He knocked politely and waited to be invited in.
Hayley was sitting at her dresser just putting a necklace on.
"Here let me help you with that," Logan offered as he walked over to her and kneeled down.
She handed him the dainty necklace and he looped it around her throat.
"You smell good and you look even better," he said as he secured the clasp and kissed her shoulder.
"Looking pretty stylish there yourself, Mr. Bond," Hayley replied with a dimpled smile.
Her pale blonde hair was in a roll with part of it still hanging loose, her fair coloring working to perfection with the pale pink spaghetti-strapped chiffon dress adorned with crystal beading that flowed over some pretty nice curves.
"Thank you for doing this for me," she said as she ran a hand over his cheek.
"It was worth it just to see you in that dress," Logan replied genuinely.
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips before pulling her up.
"Your carriage awaits, my lady," he said as he extended his arm.
"Wow, I'm getting the full treatment tonight," Hayley said as she grabbed her purse and looped her arm in his.
"I think it's the penguin suit, I've been feeling strange ever since I put it on," Logan joked.
As they walked towards the front door Joshua jumped into their path.
"Have her home by midnight," he told Logan.
"Why, does she turn into a pumpkin?"
"Sorry about that," Charlotte Abbott said as she shooed Joshua away, "He's rather highly strung."
"Yeah, he should be," Logan muttered under his breath to Hayley.
Once they were safely outside he said, "I'll help you make a run for the border."
Hayley was laughing and when they got into the limo Marie asked what was so funny.
"Logan in a tux?" Scott offered, which earned him an elbow jab from Marie.
"Logan had a minor run-in with Joshua," Hayley explained as she settled herself down.
"A four year-old giving you trouble, Mr. Badass?" Scott scoffed.
"I can't gut him, but you on the other hand," Logan warned.
"Nobody is getting gutted or blasted tonight. Do I make myself clear?" Marie asked firmly.
"Yes, dear," Scott replied contritely.
Logan gave a low chuckle and then catching Marie's glare aimed in his direction, hastily added his own, "Yes, dear."
"That's better," Marie said as she winked at Hayley, who smiled and gave her a 'thumbs up'.
At the theater Logan offered to buy a round of champagne, but Marie politely declined because she was nursing.
Scott snapped his fingers and with a mischievous lilt in his voice he said, "Damn, there goes my plan to get you tipsy and have my way with you later."
"You know one glass of apple juice and I'm yours," Marie replied before pressing a kiss to his lips.
Logan's jaw twitched as he tried to mask his irritation. On the way to their seats, Hayley's casual comment about what a wonderful couple Scott and Marie were just vexed him even further. Scott slid into their row first and Logan planted himself between Marie and Hayley. The two women had to lean forward to talk around Logan and Marie was just about to suggest that he switch seats with Hayley so they could converse easier when the lights dimmed to indicate the start of the show. Scott, Marie and Hayley watched the performance while Logan surreptitiously watched Marie. He breathed in her perfume, it wasn't her usual scent – this one was spicier and sexier. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to fantasize about re-enacting the limo scene from "No Way Out" with her. In that movie Kevin Costner had helped Sean Young wiggle out of her cocktail dress, but Logan would simply release a claw and cut the forest green gown off of Marie. Her bra and panties would meet similar fates. His clothes would be quickly dispatched and then he'd be over her and in her, and it would be his name she'd be crying out as she came. Logan excused himself and rushed out of the auditorium to go to the men's room.
"Are you okay?" Hayley whispered when he returned.
"I'm fine," he replied and resolved to stop thinking about Marie in ways that could get him into any more trouble tonight.
Logan's resolution turned out to be falling asleep and Hayley had to shake him awake at the intermission.
"Sorry," he mumbled apologetically.
"It's okay, I know this isn't really your thing," she replied understandingly, "Now escort me out to the lobby, I want every woman here tonight to be jealous of me."
'Every woman … except the one who counts.'
Logan chastised himself at how easily he let Marie slip into every thought. He had a beautiful and attentive girlfriend who he should be concentrating on instead.
During the second act he put his right arm around Hayley and caressed her shoulder gently while his left hand was clasped lightly in hers. She laid her head on his shoulder and the scent of her soft floral perfume helped him to focus on her. He was proud of himself that he didn't so much as steal a glance in Marie's direction during the entire second half of the performance.
They went out for a light supper after the show. Having Marie sitting directly across from him at the restaurant was a real test of his willpower, but Logan proudly managed to keep himself in control. After coffee and dessert he even magnanimously offered Scott a cigar and then it was finally time to head back to the suburbs.
The limo deposited Scott and Marie back at the mansion first, giving Logan and Hayley some private time on the way back to her house. The drive over there was relatively short but the chauffeur was perceptive enough not to disturb them after they arrived. Logan lost himself in kissing Hayley to the point where he'd successfully managed to push all thoughts of Marie out of his mind – at least for the moment. It was Daniel Abbott coming out of the house and tapping on the dark tinted glass that finally ended their little smoochfest.
"Hiya, dad," Logan said as he lowered the window.
Daniel didn't even have the decency to look embarrassed. With a final kiss Hayley said goodnight and got out of the limo. She gave a little wave and blew Logan a kiss before following Daniel into the house. Logan lowered the privacy glass between himself and the driver and told him to take him home.
Back at the mansion he made a pit stop in the kitchen to grab a beer before heading up to his room. He was amused to see a note in an easily recognizable handwriting attached to the container of breast milk that read For Ethan, not the cat or Logan. Yeah, Scott was one funny guy.
Logan passed the rec room on the way upstairs and heard the distinct sounds of sexual activity. He figured someone was simply watching Skinamax and didn't even contemplate that they'd be doing anything more private in such a public place – even at one o'clock in the morning. Deciding he could use a little visual entertainment himself, he padded quietly into the room. The first thing he noticed was the scent of sex permeating the air, the second was that the television wasn't even on, third was the bathrobes and underwear strewn all over the floor and fourth was the source of the noises he'd heard. Marie and Scott. They were on the over-sized leather couch, naked and in the throes of passion.
He found himself rooted to the floor unable to move, as if Magneto himself had control over his body. Marie was under Scott, her legs wrapped around his hips as he pistoned into her. Her head was tipped back and her eyes were closed as Scott's face was buried in her neck, kissing and licking at it as she rose to meet his thrusts. She was making those little throaty little whimpering noises that Logan had become all too familiar with. It was like a traffic accident and he found himself unable to tear his eyes away from the scene before him. He knew it was wrong on so many levels to be standing there watching them like some sort of pervert, but most disturbing was his overwhelming urge to kill Scott in a jealous rage. He knew he had no right to feel that way. He couldn't even claim that Scott had deviously stolen Marie away from him, because she'd never been his to steal in the first place. One quick and unsatisfying boink with Jeannie and his whole future had been effectively shot to hell.
Scott knew I was gonna be coming back in and would have to pass this way, he's done this purposely. Yeah, you dick, I get the message – she's yours. Bastard.
He was finally able to will his body to move and had just cleared the doorway into the hall when his sensitive hearing picked up Scott saying, "Love you, Mississippi," as he climaxed.
In his room, one shredded mattress later, Logan's rage was finally abated.