Future Hopes: Part Two

by Kerri

Rogue sat in one of the rocking chairs in the nursery that was once Logan's room. She held Sara in her arms, rocking the sleeping baby gently. She'd grown into the habit of coming here late at night when she couldn't sleep, which seemed to be happening more and more.

She didn't see Logan appear in the doorway between the rooms, awakened by the creak of the chair, claws extended on one hand. He'd found himself incredibly attuned to the small noises the babies made in their sleep; the slightest deviation brought him to battle attention. She didn't see his look of mild annoyance. He went back to bed without disturbing her, gathering a sleeping Charlotte in his arms and going back to sleep.

She rocked back and forth, thinking how sweet the tiny girl was, how good she smelled, wishing she was hers. She was plain jealous of Charlotte for having the children, being able to carry them inside her, to hold them next to her skin. She felt an overwhelming longing when she came upon Logan one day by the pool, bare-chested, dozing in the late afternoon sunshine with Nick asleep on his chest, the baby clad only in a diaper. He'd taken the baby swimming and the experience had tired both of them out.

Fatherhood had changed Logan. He seemed more at peace with himself. He was still the fierce fighter and cunning hunter on their frequent missions, still scared strangers and acquaintances alike, still found time to frighten Jubilee's potential dates, but the moment he entered the mansion, he was Daddy. He smiled more, took offense less, had generally become even-tempered.

She longed to see Remy sleeping with a child of their own cuddled against his chest, ached to see a little face turned up to hers like Sara's was now, the lower lip thrust forward, the utter contentment in the baby's expression.

She wanted a child so much it hurt, it squeezed her heart dry. So much so she continually thought of Charlotte's words about Xavier's future plans. Plans for more children.

Charlotte had used Torelan technology and, with Hank's help, implanted the circuitry in a pendant to create a body shield that contained her power to absorb others. It was a miracle to her, but it wouldn't allow her to carry a child inside the shield. She could touch Remy now, could touch them all, but the one thing that would complete her as a woman, motherhood, was denied her.

She thought about surrogacy, had read up on the subject. It was paved with legal pitfalls to start. And if Remy agreed to it, a stranger would be wrong for them. Charlotte was right. A child deserved to be conceived in love. She would want one of the few friends she had to be her child's surrogate mother. Jean, Storm, or Charlotte.

Who to ask, though. Jean just delivered her own baby boy and would not want to have another so soon and Scott would probably not be open minded enough to let her. Storm was currently not committed to anyone, having broken up with Forge recently, but it was still a lot to ask of her. Nine months was a long time.

Charlotte would be the logical choice. And her pregnancy wouldn't last long. She had the perfect reference, the little angel Rogue presently cradled in her arms. And she already knew Charlotte's views on surrogacy.

"Chere?" She'd been so wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't see Remy at the hallway door. He stood there a few minutes, watching her hold the child. She was so beautiful to him, it made him ache. He never saw her so soft and loving as she was when she held one of the babies. When he woke up alone he knew he'd find her here.

"Hi," she said softly. "Couldn't sleep."

He sat down in the other rocker.

Once more Logan looked through the doorway into the nursery. With a shake of his head, he drew the door until it was almost closed. Sure he knew his kids were wonderful, but the late night visiting was getting out of hand. Rogue was just one visitor. Storm had been spotted here, so had Hank. Remy had been seen here on his own, too. He'd found Bishop just sitting next to Nick's crib a few times.

She continued to rock the baby in silence, her eyes resting on his handsome face. He leaned back companionably with his eyes shut, content to be with her. She could see a small mischievous boy with his face racing around the mansion, or a little girl with his beautiful hair.

"Ya evah think 'bout havin' kids?"

His eyes opened. "Sometimes. It hard not to wi' all de babies here now."

"What would ya think if we had a young'un?"

He sat up. "You tryin' to tell me somet'ing, chere?"

She shook her head. "Nah, Ah'm not pregnant. Ah just want a baby."

"T'ought you couldn' have one."

"Ah cain't. But Ah been readin' about surrogate mothers. Thinkin' maybe that might work for us."

He didn't say anything. He knew she was depressed lately, but he'd had no clue her thoughts ran in this direction.

"Well, Ah was just thinkin'," a tear slipped down her face.

He got up from his seat and moved over to her. He lifted her up in his arms, baby and all, and took her seat, holding her against his chest. He kissed her softly, lingeringly. "If dat what you want, dat what we do."

"Ya got ta want it too. A baby's got ta be wanted an' loved by the momma and the daddy."

"I didn' t'ink we could have a baby," he rested her head against his shoulder, stroking her hair. "A family would be nice. We'd be good parents. I doan agree wi' having a babe if we not married, though. A baby needs security. You'd have to marry me first an' make an honest man of me," he teased her gently.

She laughed weakly. "Are ya askin'?"

"Oui. An' now you can' avoid answering me. Make me happy, chere. Marry me."

"Do ya think we can run off an' do it quietly?"

"T'ink our friends let us?"

Not the team, but our friends. He was right. They'd want to throw a wedding, share in the joy. "Yer right. They'd want a big weddin'." She slipped off his lap, he let her go reluctantly, and laid the baby back in the crib. "Come on," she tugged his hand, pulling him up from the chair, meeting his lips in a passionate kiss. "Let's go an' talk about it."

End.

back to Kerri's stories | Cyke and Logan archive | comicfic.net