Chapter 15: The Lovers Find A New Pace

After Abbey was born, t took a couple weeks to get into the swing of things - even for the pair of ferals. The little one was sleeping well, waking only for feeding and diaper changes before she would simply snuggle back in to sleep. With K fully healed on day one, she wasn't as tired as most new moms would be, so she would lie awake after Abbey fell asleep in the middle of the night. Usually, Logan was up with her, watching over the two of them and helping where he could, but this time, he was blissfully asleep, looking totally peaceful. K watched his chest rise and fall, the even pace soothing to watch. She laid the baby down, and crawled over to her husband, pulling the covers off his muscled form slowly so she could snuggle up closer.

But it wasn't long after he put his arm around her and she'd gotten comfortable before she was letting her hands wander. He tensed for a moment - but only just before he couldn't help but smirk and pull her up for a kiss.

"What happened to taking it easy?" Logan asked when the kiss broke.

"Who the hell said anything about easy?" K asked, her nose scrunched up, though she put a little distance between them as she pushed herself up with one hand on his chest. "Wait … are you actually listening to people in the house about when we should … oh. Come on."

"No, no I didn't say that, darlin'." he said quietly, tipping her chin towards him as she narrowed her eyes. "They just had a fair point and I don't want to make you miserable."

K opened her mouth, holding her breath as she reordered her thoughts. "The only way you're going to make me miserable is if you try to ignore your instincts and mine. That's … no."

Logan stared at her openly for a moment, definitely not expecting that, though he really should have. Not only did she sympathize with the drive to follow your gut - she lived it more often than he did. "Alright …"

"Don't get me wrong," K said. "I'm in no rush for another one, so you can feel free to go the opposite direction if my scent is just so, but come on. Logan." She let her shoulders drop and she did her best to look put out. "Come on."

Every single fiber of his being was telling him to go ahead and roll with it, but he truly was concerned. He knew it was him being overprotective against his own actions, but Celia's warning was stuck in his head. He didn't want to end up getting her pregnant right off the bat. But she knew all of it and was still ready to blow past his concerns, waving as she went by.

And as he opened his mouth to say something, Abbey made a little noise of distress, and just like that, K was out of his arms and gently lifting the baby out of her bassinette. She cooed to the little one and made her way over to a chair in the great room of the boathouse where they'd settled in and kissed the little one as she nursed her, rocking the baby until she'd finished and had started to fall asleep.

As Logan watched the two of them from the doorway, K gently got to her feet when Abbey was done eating to pace the room, humming a familiar tune to her, seemingly oblivious to his presence. Finally, Abbey let out a stuttered sigh on her mother's shoulder and K knew she was out, so she carefully made her way toward their bedroom again. Logan stepped back so she could slip past him then she took a moment to be sure that Abbey was comfortably laid her back in the bassinet - and soundly asleep.

She stood there for just a moment, watching, then went to the kitchen, with Logan watching her go. She didn't even say a word to him as she passed, simply leaving him in the lurch. He took a few moments to head back over to the little one while K was in the next room, and when he saw how peacefully out the little one was, he had to smirk to himself before he gently covered her up.

A flash of movement from across the boathouse caught his attention and he glanced up to see only a ripple of K's flannel covering her hips as she headed a bit closer - to the living room, her hair tousled and loose and her legs bar.

Fond dark memories of aggressively stolen kisses and his wife panting in his ear were becoming vivid in his mind and he started to stalk forward to where she would be. He found her drinking a glass of water, staring into the darkness outside. She tipped her head, indicating that she'd heard his nearly silent approach, but didn't say anything as he sat down next to her.

She gave him a friendly smile before dropping her gaze again, but he had finally gotten her message loud and clear. He reached over and took her glass out of her hands and set it down, then without another word, he pushed her back into the couch to kiss the sense out of her and simply see where it went from there.

"Come on, darlin'. We gotta get up there soon," Logan called out as he rocked little Abbey. The little girl was perfectly content - and her her blue eyes shone up at him as she studied his face.

"I look awful." K said back from the other side of the bedroom door. "Nothing looks right on me."

"Bullshit. You'd look good in a paper bag. Come on out," he growled.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" K challenged as she finally stepped out, and as far as he was concerned, she looked great. The sweater didn't fit quite right though. To K it looked as if she was showcasing her breasts, seeing as it was a tad tight across her chest and baggy everywhere else. Her jeans hung from her hips a little, and she was sure to point out her concerns to Logan. "Look. This is just not … ugh." She reached over her head and stared down as her hip bones poked out over the top of her jeans and her sweater rode up, earning her a growl from him.

"Alright, you made your point. Go change," he barked.

K lifted an eyebrow at him in a silent 'told you so' before peeling off the sweater and exchanging it for one of her favorite flannels and a white t-shirt. She decided she'd rather be comfortable than stylish, but she still wasn't getting anything to sit right.

She was still fussing when he grabbed the front of her jeans and pulled her closer for a kiss. "Your pants are still fallin' off, sweetheart," he told her. "You're too damn skinny."

She frowned, looking down at herself. "I know. And I am trying. I've been eating like a horse, but it's just not doing anything. She's takin' it outta me." With a frustrated growl, K returned to the bedroom for a belt. With K finally more or less done fiddling, Logan stole a longer kiss and the three of them headed up to the soiree Jean had arranged to announce Abbey to their friends and family. The ferals were running late, as expected and when they got there, most of the crowd was waiting.

K quickly put Logan on Abbey watch and slipped off away from the crowd for a minute before they could get full tilt on the hugging. As much as she knew it was a loving gesture and one that this group used often, she just didn't want to be touched at the moment. Her chest was tender, and many of their friends were enthusiastic huggers. It was a definite conundrum when she wanted to let them celebrate, but she didn't want to explain four hundred times why she appreciated the hug, but did not want it anyhow.

K slipped into the kitchen fairly unnoticed and stuck her head in the fridge, searching for one of Logan's hidden six packs. It was high time she had a brew. She was nearly waist deep, digging past everything when she finally found it - far in the back hidden behind some two liters. Smiling, she cracked one open before she even closed the door. Leaning on the counter, she tipped it back, eyes closed as she more or less drained it. Of course there was no way she wouldn't get caught. Logan had handed Abbey off to Kitty and he spotted her as she was mid pull. He waited until she lowered the bottle before he spoke though.

"Sneakin' off for beer. You should be ashamed," he teased. K smiled sheepishly his way as she opened her eyes to see him grinning at her.

"I contend that you should be ashamed for hiding it," she countered. "As if I wouldn't know you weren't holding up your end of the bargain."

He shrugged guiltily before stepping closer and pressing her into the cabinetry as he kissed her. "You still shouldn't be drinking," he told her trying to take the bottle from her.

She pressed the cold bottle against his neck in retaliation. "No, no. Beer's OK. Ask Hank. Good for the milk bar," she countered finishing off the last couple swigs and pushing his hand away when he reached for the bottle so she could finish it. He smiled and began leaned in to start working his way down her neck.

"You don't need any help there either, darlin'," he told her as his hand drifted up her side and into the northern no-fly zone. K's eyes closed as she leaned into him, not at all prepared to argue - and not really wanting to in the least.

"We're going to have to stop. I'm pretty sure Jean didn't throw this party so we could get horizontal," K told him as he lifted her onto the counter top between kisses.

"Who said anything about horizontal?" he asked stepping between her legs and nipping at her neck just as Kurt walked in holding Abbey, who was starting to complain.

"I'll come back then," Kurt said. "Though, if you are trying for Catholic twins, I will insist that I baptize the next one a little closer to his or her birthday." His tone was teasing, but Logan stopped what he was doing to turn away from K with one eyebrow raised.

"Is it so bad for a guy to be happy?" he asked, though he had not stepped back from his wife yet.

"No, of course not, and far be it from me to deny you such joys. I'll just take this joy out of the room while you work on the next," Kurt countered, already heading out of the room.

"Wait …" K called out. "Was there a reason you were bringing Abbey in here?"

Kurt let out a sigh as he looked down at the fussy little girl. "I believe it has something to do with your insistence on nursing her rather than letting anyone else get a chance to feed her. But it could be something else - in which case … please. Carry on."

"She shouldn't be hungry yet," K said, looking his way with a frown.

"She had met about half of everyone here then she got mad. I admit, I really don't know what she wants," Kurt said, half cuddling, half tipping her so that her parents could look at her. Logan turned for that, then took the little one from his best friend as Kurt looked as if he just wanted to be the one to settle her out. But Abbey relaxed once Logan let her cuddle next to his neck, and a tiny sigh a few moments later let them know that she'd fallen asleep.

"She was tired," Kurt said in a breath, sounding almost disappointed.

"Just had to hold her," Logan said as Kurt shook his head.

"I did that," he said, crossing his arms. "The trouble is that she wanted you." He said, almost glaring Logan's way, which only got a crooked smirk out of him.

"You thought it was cute when she listened to him," K said, one finger pointing Kurt's way. "Now you have to deal with it too." Though that simply had Kurt grinning before he teleported over to her and wrapped her up in a loose hug.

"Yes, well I see the error of my ways now," Kurt told her as he gently pulled her toward the crowd and Logan let Abbey sleep on his shoulder.

The party went on exactly as Jean had hoped. Once word got out that the little one was asleep, the noise level dropped considerably as the group as a whole just wanted to see her. Heather was charmed with her long dark hair and blue eyes, declaring them to be Logan's. Ororo saw K's nose and cheekbones in her face. K couldn't tell who she looked like. She'd already written it off that she was just too little to know yet. "Give her some time to grow," she'd said over and over.

And amid the adults, some of the more matured students were there, making a point of telling K they missed their classes with her and wanted to know when she'd be back. But that was one set of questions she couldn't answer, not knowing how long it would take for Abbey to get herself on a schedule.

Finally, K had to take the little one from Kitty a little while later, retreating to their old room in the teacher's wing to let her nurse, the party continued in their absence. And hours later, when it was all said and done, and the dust had settled, K was a worn from all the attention. As much as she'd planned on it being all about the baby, there was plenty of well wishes her way, and attention to her and her figure. Some of their friends had even gone so far as boldly putting their hands on her waist, or in Ororo's case, her hips noting for themselves her physical condition. She had gotten uncomfortable, and made a point of telling them so as Heather tried to sneak a peek at her stomach, though Ororo managed to push her away and wrap K up in a hug instead as K got irritated.

"Enough already! You girls are worse than the guys at making me feel like a piece of ass. Just back off!" she half growled. Kitty looked at her in a bit of shock, clearly not thinking that the light teasing was enough to push her buttons. But Ororo was all set to rescue her.

"We're only admiring your figure. Have you and Logan managed to get back to your usual routine?" Ororo asked, raising her eyebrows. "As I understand it you were quite rudely interrupted in the kitchen earlier."

K couldn't believe her ears. "That gossipy little demon," she muttered before she untangled herself from Ororo's long limbs. "I'm leaving now. And for the record, my hips should NOT stick out like this." She stuck a finger Ororo's way and gave her a half hearted glare. "You are not subtle."

"Why would I want to be that?" Ororo asked with a growing smile, and K let out a throaty laugh before she spun on her toes and put a little distance between her and the weather goddess. Logan spotted her from across the room when she yawned hugely, trying to hide it as she made her way to him.

"Time for bed, darlin'?" he asked before he pulled her into a kiss, but he didn't expect her to shake her head.

"You can stay, but I have to go. I've had enough," K replied, but he wasn't about to let her slip off alone. Not when he could join her.

"Then we're done here. C'mon. Let's get you in bed," he told her, reclaiming their daughter from Charles, who looked near tears as he held the tiny child, a grin on his face as he watched the little girl stare at him.

"She's very smart, Logan," Charles said softly. "As clever a child as I've ever met."

Logan glanced at him with an eyebrow raised. "That surprise you somehow, Charlie? She takes after her mother after all."

With one last grin, Logan headed back to his wife who was trying to get away from a few of the Avengers' members that had shown with well wishes that she'd missed on the initial pass through.

When they returned to the boathouse, it was clear that K was exhausted. She kissed Logan and took the little one from him to settle in as Abbey was worn out as well. His girls, as he liked to think of them, retreated to the bedroom and soon found themselves asleep. Abbey was in her little bassinet and K was on the bed, fully dressed -shoes and all, with one hand resting on the bassinet. By the time he got in to check on them, they were completely out. He took it on himself to help K get more comfortable, removing her clothing that he considered 'unnecessary for sleep', leaving her in little more than a t-shirt.

But that just made it clear to him that she really was too skinny. Her hip bones were jutting out enough that when she was wearing something over them, the fabric stretched between the bones, leaving a gap between her belly and the cloth. She was getting skeletal. He covered her up and called Kurt to come down and keep them company. He wasn't sure why, but he wanted someone with her while he hunted. Likely because she looked so ... frail. Even if he knew that she wasn't … it had him in a definite protective mindset. Moreso than where he'd already been since Abbey's birth.

Kurt and Kitty showed up shortly after, happy to be there. Between the two of them, there was little doubt that Logan's girls would be safe while he was out. He thanked both of them then slipped into the woods. Venison had worked before to build her up a little. Maybe it will do it again.

He wasn't far into the woods when he found the herd of deer. It was hunting season, and usually if he was stalking the deer this time of year, it was for the purpose of kicking out trespassers that were poaching on the property. But this year was different. He was pleased when he found his quarry, and quickly chose the one he would bring home. When he returned to the boathouse, all was quiet. No sign of any trouble. He came in with some fresh meat, and though Kitty was wrinkling her nose when she saw it, Kurt looked ready to dive in and help, already pulling out some of the tools they'd used last time Logan had done exactly this.

Logan dropped the hunk of meat on a cutting board and washed his hands, while Kurt inviting himself and Kitty to stay for dinner and started to help Logan work.

K woke up not long after, and she made a point to slip on a pair of yoga pants and her flannel. She crept into the next room silently and startled Kitty and Kurt both as she leaned on the counter next to Kitty.

The little group of them enjoyed themselves, quietly nibbling and chatting as Kurt told them about the gossip at the mansion, and Kitty occasionally raved about Logan's cooking skills.

When Abbey woke up and began to make noise, Logan jumped up, motioning for K to stay while he took care of things, leaving K with the two of them. They watched him go with contented smiles as K watched both of them instead.

"I always guessed he'd be a great dad," she said, turning to K. "He was for me, and I wasn't even his. I never said this to you, but I should have a long time ago. You've been really good for him. I'm glad you two got together."

K turned in her seat, watching Logan in the next room as he made over his daughter. "I can't believe he asked me to marry him," K said, shaking her head as she nibbled at her steak. "I'm not your typical girl. I drink and fight and curse. This is not something I thought was ever going to happen."

"You know, he said nearly the same thing about himself when talking about you. It's just a good match," Kurt said quietly. "And one that we are all happy to see."

K turned his way, not expecting the perfectly pleased expression on his face before he gave her a warm smile.

Logan brought the little over out to her mother. Abbey was wearing a crooked smile on her little face as she tried to raise her tiny eyebrows at her father. "You're up, sweetheart," Logan growled out, handing her to K, who took her to the couch where she could sit easier to feed her.

The two old friends shared a look and Kitty was first to her feet to give Logan a hug around the neck before Kurt did the same and the two of them headed back to the house, smiling as they heard K humming to the little one in her lap.

As the fall turned into winter, things kept pace pretty much as they always had. Abbey was two months old when K started the horse classes again. The holidays came and went with the usual fanfare. A card from Bill kept K in touch with how her cabin was faring.

It was proving to be a particularly nasty winter and he finally conceded that he wouldn't be able to keep the path clear. K assured him when she called that it would be fine. It was then that he mentioned in passing that his brother out west would need some help come spring time if she could break away for a week. She thanked him for keeping her in mind and asked to call again when they got closer, already having learned from the rest of the team that making plans wasn't always the greatest of ideas.

Abbey was growing quickly. She wasn't following Celia's growth charts at all, but K wasn't concerned. She was small for her age, Celia had said. Too light, too short. And K had laughed, pointing out that neither of her parents were Amazons and that she was small at birth too, having only tipped the scales at a little over five pounds.

And while Celia was frustrated at the apparent genetic capacity to ignore every rule in the book, Charles was right. The little girl was incredibly bright. The telepaths couldn't get enough of her. She couldn't speak yet, but her thoughts were loud, clear, and brash. She particularly liked when Jean held her, and the little one seemed to know that the redhead needed the attention as much as she needed to give it. Not that Jean was going to complain about it. Ever.

By the time Abbey was six months old, her eyes had changed color, finally settling on the same icy blue her father had, though the shape was nearly identical to K's. Her hair was growing and lightening up, and she'd made a habit of making the women of the mansion laugh as they tried to put bows in it. Her tiny reach was just enough to knock them off her head. She was starting to babble and she found it particularly amusing to babble over Scott in whenever she heard him talking, sometimes shouting so loud, she had her little fists balled up as she wrinkled her brow, working hard at drowning him out.

It didn't help at all that Logan encouraged it, or that even Jean and Charles laughed when it happened.

The only problem in sight was that both K and Logan were feeling the draw of the north, and the longing to be in the woods getting stronger as time wore on.

K was still off of active duty since Abbey was still breastfeeding, and the past few days had been particularly frustrating for both mother and child, not that most people knew it. K winced when Logan came back into the boathouse from a mission in Saskatchewan, just shaking his head.

"Hey love. Guess who has teeth?" K said with a little grimace of a smile before she kissed him, which got a giggle from Abbey and a look of sympathy from Logan.

He dropped his cowl on a chair as he pulled K closer by her hip. He smiled to himself as he rubbed his thumb across her side. Months of work and eating like a linebacker was paying off for her. Finally. She was muscling up again, filling out in the best ways while he was away.

"We gotta get outta here, darlin'," he announced in a growl before he kissed his wife soundly and then broke free to drop onto the couch. "We need to go North."

"Agreed," K said, quickly joining him on the couch for a pow wow.

They were barely seated before Abbey was reaching for him, totally oblivious as to what the adults were saying. She loved when her daddy wore his uniform. She'd lean on his chest poking the stripes at his shoulders, and running her tiny finger along the line between black and yellow, wide-eyed and frustrated at who knows what, slapping him at that line of color break. She didn't do it with anyone else, just him.

The girl was entirely focused on his stripes like it was the only thing in the world that mattered.

Logan kissed the side of Abbey's head and turned to continue his talk to K. It was clear, and neither adult even thought it was a discussion on the if or when… no. The pair discussed where they needed to go.

Of course, Logan's argument was for his cabin, K for her cottage. Promises were made and plans fell into place to go back to K's cottage, and as the adults relaxed, Abbey finally bit her father's stripe hard, showing him just how sharp her little teeth were with a giggle when he winced.