Ororo squinted as she struggled to read the illegible handwriting of young Theresa Cassidy's final history exam. She was definitely going to have Professor Xavier greenlight that Penmanship course when the new school term began in the fall. She shook her head as she marked a grade of B- on the girl's paper and input the grade into the computer system. The slight creaking noise the door made as it was being opened caused Ororo to glance away from computer screen. Though she was tired, a bright smile immediately lit up her face when she saw who her late night visitor was. Ro didn't even bat an eye when her guest tossed her a toothy smile and made his way to the sofa. She graded the two remaining exams then placed the pen on the desk and slowly stood, making her way over to where her guest curled up under his favorite blanket. Ororo lowered herself onto the sofa and reached over to sweep the thick waves of black hair off her son's forehead.
Her heart swam with joy and her maternal instincts immediately kicked in as she asked gently, "Is everything alright, sweetheart?"
Jamie Howlett was her pride and joy. After two failed pregnancies and many doubts about ever becoming a mother, she and Logan were blessed with this spirited little one. Ororo laughed lightly as she remembered the look on Logan's face when Hank had announced they were the parents of a bouncing baby boy. She had won that bet and had proudly collected her winnings from the man who had swore up and down that "the Gods ain't gonna be kind ta me and give me a son."
Jamie turned into his mother's caress and yawned. "Can't sleep," he mumbled. For a six-year-old, his sleeping habits rivaled his father's.
She was curious as to why he wasn't with his sisters as was the plan, as she and Logan were both pulling an all-nighter. 'Ro leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I thought you were going to be spending the night with Laura and Jubilation? Did something happen?"
"No." 'Ro frowned, instantly wary. Before she can question him further, he responded, "Need to know you and Pa are near me to sleep."
Ororo smiled. According to Hank, the mutant abilities he acquired from his father were already manifesting themselves and his parents' proximity and scents provided a safety net to him as get use to his abilities. "Oh, I see. Well, you knew I had a few more papers to grade before the school breaks for the summer and your father is helping Uncle Hank upgrade the danger room."
"I know. But still…" he trailed off.
Ororo stood and leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Well, you are welcome to stay and keep me company."
Jamie smiled at his mother before closing his eyes and burrowing deeper under his blanket.
Logan yawned as he made his trek to his wife's office. Upgrading the danger room was always taxing, especially with Hank being as dogged as he was and with him being the one to test the upgrades. His healing factor had taken a beating testing the programs specifically upgraded for a higher level of training and he knew he'll have no problem falling asleep tonight. With Jamie spending the night with his sisters, he hoped 'Ro will be done with her grading and the final preparations for graduation, for it to be a quick escape to their home for much deserved rest and relaxation.
As he grew closer to the office, he couldn't help but smile at the unexpected, yet welcoming scent of his boy mixed with the unforgettable one of his wife. A quick glance at his watch told him it was approaching half past midnight. Slowly, he opened the door and leaned against the doorjamb, taking his time appraising his wife, who was glaring at the computer screen, unaware of his presence. A glimpse at the sofa told him that Jamie was asleep. He took a few moments to savor the joy of it all with having a family of his own. Quietly, he entered the room and closed the door, before turning and crept his way over to his wife.
Ororo was finally alerted to his presence and looked up, tossing him a tired and sweet smile. "Hello love," she whispered.
"Hey darlin'," he returned. He came to stand behind her and bent to press a kiss to her neck, taking a deep whiff. "Ya ready ta go?"
"Mmm…just about," she mumbled, while hitting send on an email to Professor Xavier. She closed the opened apps on the computer before shutting it down. She stood and turned to face her husband, wrapping her arms around his neck, as his snaked around her waist. "Are we staying at the mansion, or making our way home?" Home for them was the boathouse they were gifted by Charles and remodeled to suit their needs, but they still maintained the attic loft at the mansion, as Charles didn't have the heart to pass it on to someone else.
Logan's eyes shifted to his son. He was in a deep sleep as his breathing indicated. He didn't want to wake him, knowing that he had trouble falling asleep at times, much like him. "Let's stay here. Hate havin' ta wake and move the runt."
Ororo nodded in agreement, as she moved to press her lips to her husband's. "He came in about two hours ago and said he needed to know we were near in order for him to sleep."
Logan frowned, knowing Jamie was having a hard time getting use to some of his mutant powers. Hank had said it was nothing to worry about, and in time, he will get use to it, but Logan remained skeptical. As old as he was, he still wasn't used to all his abilities. He hated this for his kid, knowing the difficulties he would have with powers like his. Logan sighed.
Ororo, knowing the thoughts that were undoubtedly swirling around in his head, kissed him again. "He shall be all right Logan, as long as we are here to support him and give him the love and comfort he needs."
Logan released a harsh breath, looking over to where his son slept. "I know, darlin'. I just don't want him goin' through what I did with the powers we have."
His words weren't new to her. Since Jaime's birth, Logan's ultimate worry was Jamie developing, in his words, "his cursed mutant abilities". When some of the child's powers manifested a few months ago, her husband was in anguish, seeing their son in pain, as his claws sprouted, and his senses heightened. It was their first major crisis as a family and Ororo had a hard time reassuring her husband and calming a continuously crying child. Surprisingly, it was Laura who was able to put things into perspective for her father and lent that extra level of support he desperately needed. Now, with the help of his father and sister, Jamie was on his way to controlling and understanding his powers. But the misgivings still haunt Logan.
She placed her hands on his cheek, silently urging him to look at her. "You both will be fine." She punctuated each word with a kiss, leaving no room for doubts.
Logan's grin was lopsided, as he swooped down to deepen the last kiss. After a few moments, he said, "Who am I ta argue with a goddess?"
They were interrupted by a soft "Pa? Ma?"
They both turned to their son and walked over to the sofa. Logan stooped down and ran a callused hand through Jamie's soft hair. "Hey kiddo. Ya ok?"
Jamie nodded. "Yep."
Logan smiled, softening his battle-hardened visage. "Let's get ya ta bed." He stood and turned to 'Ro, who looked ready to drop. "You too, darlin'."
Ororo had no complaints, as Hypnos was quickly pulling her under. She watched as her wonderful husband gathered their son into his arms, carefully cradling him as he drifted back to sleep. Logan then silently motioned for her to precede him, turned of the lights, then closed the door behind him. With Jamie secured in his burly left arm, he wrapped his right one around Ororo's waist and in sync, made their way up to their attic loft.