| Summary:
It's Christmas at the Xavier School for mutants and there are some
surprises ahead. |
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"Where's Logan?" Danielle asked. "He's not around?" Marie asked back. Danielle instantly sensed she was hiding something. "This is really weird. He's been disappearin' like this for days now," Danielle said. "He didn't tell you anything?" Marie asked. "Nope," Danielle responded. "Odd," Marie blankly replied trying to end the conversation. Danielle carried Jean Marie, now a month old, down the hallway to the Professor's office. "Ah, hello, Danielle. How is Jean Marie doing?" Charles asked. "She's fine – already batting her eyes at Logan and making him turn to mush," Danielle replied. "Logan has taken to fatherhood quite well. I suppose it has been because of you," Charles snickered. "I can't take all the credit. This school and all the residents and staff have had a profound effect on him – something he desperately needed," Danielle said as she shifted Jean Marie to lay on her right shoulder. "My feeling is that you are here wondering where Logan is," Charles said. "I am. So, you can either tell me or avoid the topic like Marie, Scott, and Jean have all done with me," Danielle said. "Well, I wish I could tell you. But, Logan has been doing a fine job avoiding me. And, quite honestly, I don't feel it proper to invade his privacy," Charles responded. "So, the mystery goes on," Danielle said. "I wouldn't fret over it. He obviously has his reasons," Charles said. That was where the probing ending and Charles took delight in a few precious moments with Jean Marie. "I never imagined having youngsters here. You don't know how lucky you are, little one, to have the parents you have," Charles said as he lifted Jean Marie on outstretched arms and looked into her face. A broad smile cut across Jean Marie's face and Charles chuckled happily in making her smile. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The entire school was busy putting up the finishing decorations and readying for Xavier's yearly holiday party. Danielle and Marie went out shopping for new holiday outfits. Jean Marie held onto her mother with tiny hands, but her curiosity was intense as she peered around and made goo goo noises. Marie found a long black gown of satin with silver accents. "Marie, that is just stunning on you. You better be careful you don't knock poor Bobby on his ass," Danielle giggled. "So, did you settle on something yet?" Marie asked. Marie took possession of Jean Marie as Danielle took a gown to the dressing room. She changed and ventured out slowly. The gown was a deep wine color made from velvet and hugged her feminine form. A long slit ran up the side and showed enough leg to be stunning without being slutty. "Oh, Lord, Logan is gonna drop," Marie said. "That's if I ever see Logan," Danielle said sadly. Logan had been disappearing for extensive periods of time and it was beginning to take its toll on Danielle. She knew deep down in her gut he was up to something and that he would reveal it when the time was right. They found a hunter green velvet dress for Jean Marie, paid for their purchases, and headed out to Danielle's car. Danielle started the car and as they pulled out of the parking lot, Marie noticed how silent Danielle had become. "He'll be at the party," she said taking Danielle's hand. "C'mon. Let's go get a manicure and have our hair done." Danielle smiled and looked into the back seat where Jean Marie was safely harnessed in her car seat. "What do ya think? Should we go get our hair done and look like a knockout for Daddy?" Danielle asked. Jean Marie smiled widely at her mother and began to laugh. "Guess that's a yes," Marie said with a giggle. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xavier had all his usual guests and some new potential investors visiting. The entertainment room was full of activity. A fire burned in the fireplace warming the room and the spirits of the guests and residents. Eggnog and champagne were on tap as well as roasted chestnuts and home baked Christmas cookies. Danielle stood against the wall sipping a glass of champagne and holding Jean Marie, who was pulling at the bow in her hair. Jean and Scott joined the crowd. Jean was expecting their first child in two months, but she still looked totally gorgeous in a black jumpsuit with her hair tied up in a bun. The evening was moving along. Several investors presented Charles with some sizable checks to be used at the school. They showed plans to Xavier and all of the guests a proposal to expand the school with new dorms, supplies, and computers. But for Danielle, it was becoming torturous – Logan still had not showed up and it was nearing 9pm. "You ok?" Jean asked Danielle. "Yeah," Danielle said sadly while shifting Jean Marie's weight on her hip. "Are you sure? You look sad. Is it because of Logan?" Jean probed. "I just wish I knew where he was. I hate this," Danielle replied. "I am sure he is fine. You know he is ok," Jean said as she moved off to be with Scott. "She's getting anxious," Scott said. "Yes. Where the hell is he?" Jean asked. "He is a bit late," Scott replied. Just then, Logan entered the room. He wore black dress slacks and a navy blue plaid sweater – surprisingly leaving behind his usual jeans and flannel shirts. Danielle was chatting with Marie when he arrived. Marie caught sight of him first. "Aw, my gawd," she stammered out. Logan walked over to them slowly. He looked fabulous – he smelled fabulous. Danielle caught the scent of Drakkar cologne – her favorite men's fragrance - something he never did before. Logan took Jean Marie in his arms and lifted her up over his head making funny faces that made the infant giggle uncontrollably. He growled and snarled and Jean Marie laughed even harder. Logan tucked her into the crook of his arm and blew on her belly making all kinds of silly noises. Jean Marie continued to laugh and it brought such a smile to not only Logan's face but to many of the residents. He finally settled down and looked Danielle over nearly taking a step back in shock. Logan took her hand and kissed it gently. "Ya look gorgeous," he said to her. Danielle took a sip from her champagne and glared at him angrily. "I know. I know. Yer pissed at me," Logan said. Xavier called for everyone's attention, as it was time to distribute gifts around. Everyone chipped in to buy Logan a box of expensive cigars. Marie and Bobby gave Jubilee a new yellow sweater. The children gave Xavier a new dress shirt. Danielle received a new set of camera lenses. "Well, this year is a special year. We have a child celebrating her first Christmas ever," Xavier announced. Scott and Logan brought in several packages for Jean Marie. The group circled around Logan, Danielle, and Jean Marie as they sat on the floor among the myriad of gifts. Scott and Jean gave her a big stuffed teddy bear that Jean Marie reached out for. There were new clothes galore. Logan hauled in a big bag of wrapped packages he had assembled himself. He gave Scott and Jean a gift certificate out to dinner at one of the local and highly recommended Italian restaurants. For Marie and Bobby – there was a collection of different music CDs. For all the children – a new set of videogame cartridges. His daughter – his pride and joy – he gave her several little stuffed animals, some toys, and a precious little red dress he had picked out all by himself. Marie took pictures of Logan, Danielle and Jean Marie with all the gifts. There were happy smiles and lots of laughter from the baby. Logan stood by Danielle's side as he reached into his back pocket. "Hum. What's this?" he said trying to be cute. He handed the little box to Danielle. It was wrapped in silver foil with a tiny red bow on it. Danielle handed Jean her daughter and then looked at the little present hesitating to open it. She looked to Logan, then to Marie. "Before we all turn another year older, Danielle," Scott snickered. Danielle slowly unwrapped the package, jokingly sticking the bow in Logan's hair. The box obviously was from a jewelry shop – the soft purple velvet felt soft to her touch. Danielle was nervous – her scent of fear was strong in Logan's nostrils. He reached for the box gently taking it back. "I felt I owed you this," he said as he opened the box. An oval shaped diamond sparkled from the glow emanating from the fireplace. Danielle held her breath as he presented the ring to her. He took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger in front of the wedding band. "I...I don't know what to say," she stammered out. "Logan worked hard for that and he refused any charity towards its purchase," Xavier said. "Logan's always been too proud for his britches," Scott said snidely. Danielle stared hard at the ring – the engagement ring he never gave her. She remembered the day Logan asked her to `be his girl.' He gave her his dog tag as an engagement gift – completely untraditional otherwise – but Danielle loved him all the same. "Is that why you haven't been around all that much lately?" Danielle asked. "He's been working odd jobs to earn the money," Xavier replied. "Ya didn't have to," Danielle said. "I wanted to," Logan replied before kissing her softly. |
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