Logan pushed open the door to the small cottage with his hip. “ Remy?” Where was he? He sat the bags of groceries on the table in the kitchen and walked to the living room. When he left here an hour ago Remy was lounging on the couch with an icepack on his ankle. He had promised to stay put and stay off the injured limb. Yeah Right. “ Remy? Where the hell are you? Your skinny butt better be in the bed or-” He heard a noise from the bedroom. “Shhh Cher! I just got her to-” The tiny cry from the room made Logan cringe.
“ What’s she doin here?” Logan asked quietly, “ I thought we agreed to let her stay at the mansion?” Remy turned guilty eyes to his lover, “ We did but-” Logan raised a hand to stop him. “ Rem…we can’t keep her.” He walked up beside his lover and kissed him on the temple. Remy was standing by the bed holding the baby. “ Where are the crutches?” Logan raised an eyebrow and gave him a stern look. “ Dey’re a pain Cher. Couldn’ hold her and use ‘em.” He sighed and gently put the sleeping baby down. “Over dere.” he pointed to the wall by the door. Logan wrapped an arm around his young lover’s waist.
“ Come here, we gotta talk.” He helped Remy to the couch and they sat. Logan grabbed a pillow and put it on his lap then reached down and lifted the injured ankle and sat it gently on the pillow. “ Please tell me you didn’t go back and get her.” Remy shook his head,
“ Non. I called and Bobby brought her over. Dat boy’s easy to play.” Logan sighed
 “ Why are you doin this to yerself darlin?” Remy shrugged, “ Because any minute dat phone’s gonna ring and Henri’s gonna say someone is comin for her. Cher, I don’ even know her name but I just know I was meant to find her. I can’ explain it any better dan dat.” There was a knock on the door and Scott and Jean let themselves in. “ Don’t get up.” Scott said. They sat on the chairs that faced the couch. “ We have news. I thought it would be easier if we came in person.” Remy’s shoulders fell and he looked down at his lap. “ Her name is Katherine Anne Hunter. Her birthday is June 19th. She has three aunts and two uncles who have all been notified. There are no living grandparents.” Scott stopped and looked at the men on the sofa. It was clear Remy was fighting back emotions as he got up and limped to the doorway of the bedroom where Kate was sleeping. Logan looked at Scott and Jean then went to wrap an arm around his waist to support him as he stared at the little girl. “When are dey comin?” He whispered without turning. Jean walked up behind them and placed a hand on his shoulder. “ Remy, I know this is hard-” He spun and glared at her “ You know nothing!” He reached in and grabbed the crutches then left the cottage without saying another word. “ Logan…” He held out a hand “ I know Jeannie. Let me know what’s going on. I’ll go talk to him. Could ya take Katie back with ya?” Scott walked in and lifted the sleeping baby then he took Jean’s hand and they walked back to the mansion.

Logan found Remy sitting on an old bench down by the lake. He sat down and put his arm around his young lover and pulled him close. They sat staring out at the water for a long time.
“ Where is she?” Remy finally whispered. Logan kissed his hair and gave him a quick hug. “ They took her home to the mansion.” he replied quietly. “ What’s goin on Rem?”  Remy didn’t say anything for a long time, just watched the ducks on the water. “ I coulda been her. Maybe dat’s why I don’ have a family. Maybe I got dem killed. Maybe I been killin innocent people since before I can remember.” He looked at his lover to silence him then he continued. “ Maybe dose people who left me on de street were’n really supposed to have me. What if it happens to her? Cher, I can’ let her go! I can‘ take dat chance!” A tear slid down his cheek and Logan kissed it away. “ Darlin” he started quietly, “ We are never gonna know what happened when you were little like Katie. Do you really blame her for getting her parents killed?” Remy turned shocked eyes to his lover “ NON!” He looked back out at the water, “ But she will someday. Dat‘s why I gotta keep her, so I can explain everyt‘ing to her when she‘s old enough to un‘erstand. I won‘ never know how I ended up bein‘ a whore on de streets but I‘ll die m‘self before I let it happen to her.” He stared deeply into Logan’s eyes. “ Cher, I love you more dan anyone or anyt’ing. I don’ wan’ you t’ t’ink I need more. I don’. You make me happy. You make me complete. It’s jus’ dat she’s so little an’ she’s all ’lone. It’s a big ole world out dere Cher an’ it’s mean and ugly when ya look differen’. I jus’ wanna save her from dat, jus for a l’il while.” Logan rubbed his arms, it was getting dark out and the evening air was turning chilly. He kissed the young Cajun and tilted his chin until their eyes met again. “ I know that kiddo, I’m not the jealous type.” he smiled. “ I kinda like havin’ her around too.” He ran the back of his hand across Remy’s cheek. The young man closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. “ I just don’t want ya to get too involved. I don’t want ya to get hurt. I can’t stand to see you hurt. Why don’t we go on in? Yer cold and I know yer hurtin again. You gotta start listenin to Hank darlin, that ankle’s weak from the last time you hurt it. I’m gonna go steal dinner from the mansion.” He kissed Remy and helped him to his feet. “ Merci Cher. I’m sorry for bein’ a pain. I just have too much time to t’ink right now I guess. I know she be better wit’ her real family and I’m sure dey’re gonna love her too.” Logan gave him a careful hug, “ That’s my boy. Get some ice on that ankle while I’m gone.” He opened the door and waited until he was sure his stubborn young lover would listen before he left to collect some food.

Hank was standing in the kitchen holding a screaming Kate when Logan arrived. He hurried over and looked up at his friend. “ Geez Blue, what’d you do to her?” He fought the urge to take her from the doctor. “ I am at a loss my dear friend. Nothing I do for her seems to making any difference. I’ve already driven everyone else out to eat even though dinner is cooked and waiting. I don’t suppose I could convince you to have a go? She responded to you before.” Logan felt a stab of pride but hid his delight. “ Well if I don’t wanna go deaf I guess I better try.” He took the red screaming infant and placed her on his shoulder just like he’d seen Jean and Scott do with Rachel a hundred times. He patted her back and swayed side to side and the little girl began to calm down. Everything was silent for a moment then a loud burp was heard and Logan felt a warm wet mess spread on his shoulder. “ Oh Hell. Beast! Take her!” Hank just laughed and backed away from the pleading eyes of his friend. “ I think not. Do you have any idea how long that would take to wash out of fur? Your lover brought her home, you take her for a while!”   Logan looked at Kate then he looked at the retreating back of Hank and sighed. He froze suddenly and sniffed the air; looking back at the tiny angel in his arms he wrinkled his nose. “ Damn girl, what the hell did he feed you?” Looking for someone to save him but finding no one else home he carried Kate into the living room and laid her on a blanket on the carpet. I must really love that boy he thought to himself as he stared at the little girl.
 “ Okay Katie, we can handle this right? I mean I’ve stood toe to toe with the likes of Magneto for cryin’ out loud. How hard can it be?” He looked around and found one of Rachel’s diaper bags; there was one in every room of the house it seemed. He removed a diaper and the wipes and went back to stare down at Kate who seemed to find this all very amusing. “ What’s so funny, huh?” Logan couldn’t help but smile at the sweet innocence of her. “ Yer other daddy’s gonna hear about this when we get home.” He told the child and her smile grew. “ Ya like him a lot don’t you?”  She blew bubbles at him and he smiled again. “He has the same effect on me but don’t tell him okay?” She cooed and laughed.
 

 As soon as he was finished and had her re-dressed he lifted her up blanket and all and walked into the kitchen. “ We gotta get some food for me and yer other daddy and get back. He’ll be walkin up here to check on us if we don’t hurry and he’s supposed to stay off his foot. If you do… No, when you do have to leave I hope whoever takes ya lets him visit once in a while. I think he needs you more than you need him. You got a lot of people who will probably love you forever. I think he‘s trying to save the child he was, tryin‘ to prove to himself he was worth lovin‘ too.” Kate sat in her borrowed baby chair and watched as he gathered food for grown ups and baby then hurried into the living room and grabbed the diaper bag. “ They have one in every room, they won’t miss this one.” He cringed at the pink bunnies that happily hopped all over it. “ That woman has no taste.” He threw the diaper bag over his shoulder, picked up the baby then tried to figure out how he was going to carry the bag of food too. “ This is harder than fightin’ Sinister!” Once he had everything in hand he started for the door only to stop and stare at it. “ How’m I supposed to open the damn thing?” Storm and Jean couldn’t help laughing at the mighty Wolverine holding a baby, a diaper bag covered with demented pink bunnies and the stolen food, stopped dead by a closed door.  He spun and almost dropped his dinner when he heard them laugh behind him. “I could use a little help here?” was all he said but he could feel the blush rising on his face.
“ I thought Katherine was going to stay here?” Storm said as she entered the room and kissed the baby’s head.
 “ Kate. And Hank handed her to me and disappeared so I was takin’ her home with me until you came home.”  Storm eased her from his arms and smiled at her. “ It is my turn to care for her. Thank you Logan.” He wanted to take her back, tell them she belonged with him. That Remy was her father now and they didn’t need any help but he bit his tongue and slid the hideous pink diaper bag off his shoulder. “ Good. Remy’s too attached already. It’s better if she stays here.” He didn’t sound very convincing even to himself.
 “ How is my brother? Jean told me about his reaction to the news that we found her family.” Logan couldn’t stop himself from holding Kate’s tiny hand. “ He’ll be okay once he can see that she’s in good hands. This is dredging up all kinds of old fears and buried feelings. He just wants what’s best for her.”  Storm sat and started singing to Kate but she blinked and started crying. Logan didn’t even think, he just reached down and lifted the baby out of her arms, swaying and talking quietly. Kate stopped crying and smiled up at him. Jean stood behind Storm and placed her hands on her best friends shoulders. “ I think I’ve either created a monster or the best babysitter ever!” He picked up the food and the pink bag and moved to the door. “ She just likes me.” he tried to growl and quickly left.
 

“ Logan? Where you been? I was gettin…” Remy stopped talking when he saw the little girl in Logan’s arms. “ Oh t’ank you Cher!” He wanted to run over and grab her and never let her go. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he felt immense relief when Logan placed her in his arms. He kissed her and held her gently against his chest. She wiggled a moment then reached for his nose. A few minutes later Logan handed him a bottle that he warmed in the kitchen and smiled down at them as his young lover placed the bottle to her lips. Remy turned and smiled up at his lover. “ Looks like yer a natural darlin.” Logan left again and Remy heard sounds in the kitchen. When he returned he sat two plates of food down on the coffee table before he slid down onto the couch beside Remy and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He leaned in to kiss his soft hair, almost convinced that the look on Remy’s face at that moment was worth fighting anyone to keep Kate.
“ Why’d you bring ’er home?” Remy whispered as he stared at the baby in his arms. “ I just decided that you deserve to take care of her. It was you who saved her after all.” Remy leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Merci Cher. I know I can’ keep her; dat she’ll be safer away from all o’ dis but…” Logan watched them, his lover and Kate, Remy’s empathy was flowing through him. He’d never known a time Remy had felt so at peace. It was close to the feeling he got after they made love. Even if she left tomorrow he was glad he changed his mind and gave his young lover this one little moment with Katie. “You get to change the next diaper though. I’d rather fight Creed. Yer doin‘ the laundry too, she leaks nasty stuff from both ends.” Remy laughed and Logan knew complete happiness. To hear that laugh everyday was his goal in life. There was a knock on the door and Remy and Logan stared at each other. Remy unconsciously pulled Kate closer as Logan patted his knee and went to answer the door.

Scott and Jean stood outside the small cottage waiting for the door to open. “Remy’s scared we came to take her away again.” Jean whispered to her husband. “ We should have waited for the police to show up at the fire,” he said. “ We never should have brought her home in the first place. I just don’t know what I was thinking. I saw her and all I could think of was Rachel. I had to make sure she was safe.” Scott replied. The door opened a crack and Logan peered out at them. “ Yeah?” Jean smiled “ Can we come in? It’s cold out here and it‘s starting to rain.” Logan opened the door and the couple entered carrying a bassinet, a baby seat and a bag of Rachel’s clothes. “ We thought you might need these.” Scott sat the bassinet in the corner and Jean opened the bag. “ These should fit Kate, Rachel is growing so fast I’m sure by tomorrow I’ll have more.” Remy hadn’t said a word yet but started to relax when he saw the tiny clothes.
“ Merci. She been wearin’ de same sleeper since I foun’ her.” He lifted the baby to his shoulder and gently patted her back. Jean smiled at the confidence he showed. “Helping with Rachel is really paying off I see.” Remy heard a tiny burp and gave Kate back her bottle. “ Oui. I helped out wit’ de li’l ones on de street too.” he said without thinking.
“ Somebody had to ’elp dem an’ I didn’ wan’ dem to ’ave to do what I did to eat.” He realized what he just let slip and blushed. Logan sat beside him and brushed back his long bangs. “Told ya you were a natural. You been takin care of babies since you were one yourself.” Scott and Jean sat down across from them. “ We heard from all but one uncle.” Scott said quietly. “ The response was…not what we hoped.” Jean took his hand. “ I was shocked. There was so much hate and anger…She’s just a baby for heaven’s sake. She didn’t want them to get killed!” Remy placed the empty bottle down and lifted Kate to the shoulder toward Logan. He closed his eyes and kissed her head as he patted her back and bounced her gently. Logan reached over and caressed first Remy’s then Katie’s cheek,
“ What about the last guy?” Jean spoke softly, “ We don’t know. All we know is that he’s married and lives on the west coast.”
 

 Remy stood and limped to the window. He seemed to be in his own little world. “ See de rain p’tite? Dose are Angel’s tears. It’s okay dough, dere happy tears. Dey’re happy for me cause I found you.” He held the child so that they could both watch the drops slide down the windowpane. “ When I was a l’il pup I remember dere was dis huge storm, blew in from de gulf. Dere wasn’ a dry place to sleep in all o’ Nawlins, nobody around t’ lift money from; no food in de dumpsters…” He talked quietly to Kate as he stared out the window, lost in his own past. He spoke as if they were the only two in the room. “ I was six I t’ink. Was on m’ own by den. Was hungry an’ scared. I remembered seein’ Angel’s in de big church uptown. Dey were so beautiful, kinda like you.” he smiled at the baby and she cooed back at him. He hugged her gently and continued; Logan, Scott and Jean listened silently as he let slip another tiny piece of his past. “ I figured anyt’ing dat beautiful would be sad if a l’il boy was hungry and scared so I pretended dat de raindrops were de Angel’s tears. I pretended dat dey were kinda like armor. Protectin me, keepin me safe. I was still wet and hungry but I didn’ mind so much after dat.”  Logan stood and wrapped an arm around Remy’s waist, pulling him close. Scott looked at Jean and said
“ We better go. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything else.” Logan turned and said goodnight then turned his full attention back to Remy. “ That was a pretty story darlin. Even then you were full o‘ hope. ” Remy leaned into his lovers embrace, taking the weight off his ankle and loving the intimate contact with the man who was his life. “ If you lose hope dere’s no’tin left,” he whispered. Kate was asleep in his arms. He kissed Logan deeply then turned back to watch the rain. “ Dis a sign Cher. De Angels be watchin her for me. She gonna be fine.”
TBC