Sam Hunter hung up the phone and sat down hard. Two days ago he found out his brother Eric and his family were killed in a fire at their house. The firefighters on the scene found proof of arson almost immediately. When the neighbors were questioned a man down the street confessed. His exact words were “ I couldn’t let the little demon live. It was a danger to my family!” Now he finds out that the baby survived, had been rescued and was staying with people in Westchester. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t need this. He had a new house, a new job, could they handle a new baby too? He walked into the living room where his wife sat waiting to hear the latest. “ Well? Who was that on the phone? Was it something about the fire?” Alice Hunter took her husband’s hand and pulled him down to sit beside her on the couch. Sam looked at her and tried to collect his thoughts.

“ He said his name was Scott Summers. He and some friends were at the house after the fire was already out of control trying to help. They found Eric and Pam in the kitchen. They were about to leave when one of his friends ran back into the fire… His friend found Kate. She’s still alive, she’s staying with the friend and his lover at a mansion in Westchester.” Alice covered her mouth “ The baby’s alive? Oh Sam that’s wonderful news! Oh my God! That bastard set the fire to kill her and she was the only one who survived? Is she all right? She wasn’t hurt?” Sam shook his head, “ No, she’s fine. Honey, I know this is a lot to ask…She’s all alone Alice. None of Pam’s sisters and brother is any better than the jerk that killed her and Eric. You saw their reaction to Kate when they saw her! You heard them when Pam left the room. Honey, Eric was my only brother. He loved that little girl with all his heart. I was in there talking on the phone to Pam’s brother just now, he assured me that he and his sisters wanted no part of Kate. I’m glad in a way; I would have been scared something else bad would happen to her if one of them had to take her. Since they all live on the east coast they probably would have been the first people the police called.  Alice…I want her. I want Kate to come live here with us. She’s so little we could adopt her. When she’s older we can explain what happened, tell her about her parents.” Alice Hunter looked deeply into her husband’s eyes and kissed him. “ I knew I loved you for a reason. Of course we will go get her! Oh Sam, I know this sounds really cruel but…she’ll be our daughter. Oh, I’m glad all Pam’s siblings are jerks! Well not glad, oh you know what I mean! Sam, it’s like some kind of miracle or something. We’ve been trying for so long now. Maybe this is God’s way of answering our prayers.” Sam pulled his wife close and kissed her. “ Shall we go make a call to New York? Tell them we are coming to pick up our little girl after the funeral Saturday?” Alice couldn’t hold back the tears any longer; she fell into her husbands embrace and wept.

Scott hung up the phone and pinched the bridge of his nose. How was he going to tell them? They had created this perfect little family down at the cottage. Hank said the baby was thriving. Though obviously loved and well cared for by her parents, she showed no signs that she was missing them. Logan and Remy had fallen into the roll as easily as breathing. Scott was a bit embarrassed, it had taken him weeks to feel as comfortable and confident as they had become in days! Now he had to go down and tell them that on Saturday Katie was leaving. He stood up and walked to the window. He had a beautiful view of the lake from here. On the far side, through the trees he could just make out the cottage Logan and Remy called home. They had been through so much in the last two years. Admitting their feelings to themselves and the team. There was the horrible nightmare of Remy’s attack and amnesia. The trauma that remembering it caused. Remy was scarred, mentally and physically. Hank had helped with the physical scars as soon as Remy was able to handle the thought of it. Logan had helped heal the mental ones by committing to him in a beautiful private ceremony. They were finally happy and healthy. He watched the ducks glide by for a few moments envying their serene life. Well, there was no sense putting it off any longer. Should he call Jean? Would that make it easier or harder on them? Should he go to their home or call them up here? He rubbed his temples trying to rid himself of the headache that wanted to make this even harder. ~ Just go tell them ~ a feather soft voice whispered in his mind. God he loved that woman. She was his ground whenever he had to do something he didn’t want to do. Her love kept him sane.
“ Thanks honey. I love you.” He whispered to the room. He could feel her smile.

The walk around the lake gave Scott time to work out what he would say. When he rounded the last bend in the path he could hear them laughing about something. He stopped and watched from a distance, Katie was lying between them on a blanket kicking and waving her tiny fists in the air. Remy was reading a book to her and unless his eyes deceived him, Logan was acting it out for her with little stuffed animals! Oh why didn’t he have surveillance cameras out here!  He purposely kicked a stone to announce his arrival.  Both men turned and smiled at him. “ Hey Cyke, What brings you to our little corner of the world?” Logan asked as he quickly dropped the toys. Remy’s laugh was sweet and the look that he threw at Logan was priceless. Logan reached across the blanket and gently punched his shoulder then he stood. Scott smiled back at them and walked to the blanket. He bent and picked up Katie “ Can we talk?” Logan helped Remy to his feet then wrapped an arm around him to support him as they walked into the house. “ Could y’ put ’er down in de bedroom? De l’il one was up all night. I t’ink we all need her to take a nap.” He kissed her head as Scott walked by to the bedroom. “ She’ll start sleeping through the night soon” he said as he sat on a chair across from them. Remy winced as Logan gently rubbed his sore ankle. “ How are you doing Remy?” Scott asked. “ Henri says I’m fine. Logan convinced me to let him use his Shi’ar healin t’ingy on me. Said takin’ care of Katie would be a lot easier.” Logan laughed, “but he wouldn’t sit still for the whole treatment so he’s better but not a hundred percent yet.” Logan continued his massage
“ His ankle was still weak from the last time he hurt it. Hank says he needs to take it easy for a couple more days, he‘ll be back to bug ya in no time.” He looked at Remy and shook his head. “I think he does this on purpose so he doesn’t have to do morning danger room sessions.” Remy huffed, “ Y’ wound me Cher! I hate bein cooped up in ’ere. You won’ let me do anyt‘ing. You keep telling me to sit. Won’ even let me cook.” Logan carefully re-wrapped the injured ankle. “ You don’t take care of yerself, someone’s gotta!” Scott watched the exchange with a smile. They sounded just like him and Jean. “ You two are starting to sound like an old married couple.” Remy spun around on the couch so his back was leaning against Logan’s broad chest. Logan kissed his hair and rubbed his arms. Remy reached up and stroked his cheek. “ Dat ain’ what you want to talk about is it? Us bein’ an ole married couple?” Remy pulled Logan’s hand up to his lips and kissed it before lacing his fingers with the captured hand and resting it in his lap. Scott straightened and cleared his throat. “ No.” Remy sat up straighter and looked back at Logan. “ You heard from de ot’er uncle?”  Scott nodded and Logan gave Remy a little hug. “ Well? Don’t keep us waitin here Cyke.” Logan said, “ What’s up?” Scott watched the two men he thought of as more than teammates. Remy had leaned back into the stronger older man for emotional support. He looked incredibly young all of a sudden. Logan held him close.
“ His name is Sam Hunter. His wife’s name is Alice. He’s Kate’s uncle on her father’s side. They live in Portland, Oregon. They’re in their early thirties, they have a new house, he’s got a new job, and she‘s an artist so she works from home. They’ve been trying to have kids since they got married eight years ago…” Scott added so they would understand how much the Hunter’s wanted kids. Maybe knowing would make it easier to accept what he was telling them.  “ They think of her as a gift from God. They sound like good caring people Remy. We’ve had them thoroughly checked out Logan. They are flying in on Saturday for his brother’s funeral and then they will pick her up.” He waited for a reaction. Logan dropped his head and kissed Remy’s hair. Remy closed his eyes and pulled Logan’s captured hands around him in a hug. They sat silently like that for a moment before Remy looked back at him and softly said “ Katie’s gonna be so happy. We been telling her dat de perfect parent’s were comin for her soon.” Logan hugged him again and added, “ What time will they be here?” Scott was a little shocked. They were taking this much better than he had expected. “ The funeral is at eleven o’clock.” Logan nodded and was about to speak when they heard Katie start to cry. Remy got up and limped out of the room. “ Pardon moi.” he whispered and disappeared. Logan watched him go then turned back to Scott. “ He’ll be okay. He really does want her to be with her real family.” He was quiet and Scott could hear the emotion he was trying to keep out of his voice. “ Can ya let yerself out? Katie’s gonna be hungry and we got some stuff to do.”  Scott stood and walked to the door “ Sure. We’ll see you at dinner.” As soon as he was outside he heard a quiet sob. He peeked in the bedroom window and watched Logan pull Remy into a tight embrace. “ Shhh darlin, it’s gonna be okay.” He rocked his young lover as gently as he rocked the baby and Scott found it hard to swallow past the lump in his throat.
 

As the taxi drove away, Sam and Alice Hunter stood at the gate at the end of the long driveway and stared. “ Look at this place Sam, they must be so rich.” Sam swallowed hard and nodded. “ I bet they could give Kate the moon if she asked for It.” he whispered back. He pushed the button on the intercom and waited. “ Xavier’s Institute, may I help you?”  A friendly female voice asked. “ M…my name is Sam Hunter. I…we…my wife and I are here for our niece, No! Our daughter Kate?” There was silence for a moment then the voice replied, “ Please, come up to the house.” The gate suddenly opened all by it’s self and Alice and Sam just shook their heads and laughed. They walked slowly up to the mansion admiring the gardens and the lake. They watched a group of students ride by on beautiful horses then turned to watch a rather unique game of basketball. One woman was hovering by the basket and there was a man who looked to be made entirely of…ice? Another man was wearing strange red goggles and there was a beautiful black woman with snow-white hair. “Oh My God.” Sam stopped and grabbed his wife’s arm. “ Do you recognize them? The Ice guy, the woman who can fly… they’re X-Men Alice! Katie’s been living with the X-Men!” She looked back at the basketball court; sure enough there was the man with blue skin and wings!
“ Sam, this is so cool!” She smiled at her husband and he relaxed. “ Hello, I’m Jean Grey-Summers.” They turned suddenly and found themselves facing an extremely beautiful redhead. “ It’s a long walk up from the gate. I’m sorry no one came to meet you but as you noticed most of us are involved in a rather heated basketball game. It‘s our way of working off stress.” She smiled sweetly and held out her hand Sam shook it politely.
“ That’s okay, it’s a beautiful walk.”  Jean looked out at the elaborate gardens. “ Ororo Munroe is our resident green thumb. Come on in and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”  Jean led them into the study. “Can I get you something to drink? Water, Iced tea, coffee?” Alice whispered quietly “ does um… does the Iceman make the ice?” Jean chuckled,
“ Only during heat waves. You can’t imagine how handy he is in the summer.” They all laughed and the tension in the room started to fade.
 “ My husband Scott and the others are very anxious to meet you. Please, relax, I’ll gather everyone and we’ll answer any questions you may have.”  She left the room and Alice turned to her husband, “ She seems really nice.” Sam nodded “ Yeah, it looks like someone was watching out for Kate that day, a guardian angel maybe?” Suddenly the door opened and in walked a panting, sweaty group of men and women. “ Hello I’m Scott Summers, we spoke on the phone.” he shook Sam’s hand then did all the introductions.
“ You already met my wife. This is Bobby Drake, Warren Worthington, Ororo Monroe and this, well,  Rogue.” Sam and Alice stood and stared, the X-Men were standing in the same room with them! There was an aura of power surrounding them but at the same time they looked like a bunch of college kids. “ I’m sorry we’re staring it’s just… you guys are superhero’s!” A chuckle made it’s way through the room at that.
“ You have to excuse us,” Bobby said,
“ We’re used to people hating us and blaming us for everything.” Everyone sat and Sam shook his head, “ No, since Kate was born we’ve been paying a lot closer attention to mutant news on TV. My brother was a good man. He and his wife loved that little girl; we do too. When it’s that close to home you learn quickly to tell who’s good and who’s not.” Alice started talking, “ Kate’s mom was a sweet girl but her brother and three sisters… the things they said about that beautiful little girl when Pam wasn’t around to hear… We are so thankful you found Kate and she wasn’t sent to one of them. Her life would have been a living hell.” Scott looked at Jean “ I guess you’d like to see Kate. She’s staying with the man who rescued her and his lover. Remy and Logan live in a cottage on the other side of the lake. Jean and I will walk you over and tell you about them on the way.”  Sam and Alice stood, “ We’d like that.”

Logan hung up the phone. “ That was Ro, they’re on their way.” Remy sat holding Katie, “ I guess dis is it den.” He looked at the smiling little girl in his arms, “ Cher… I can’ be here when dey take her. I’m okay dat dey’re comin; I jus can’ be here to say g’bye.” Logan lifted the baby into his arms and gave Remy a hand up. “ If that’s what you want darlin.” He kissed the young Cajun then watched as he slowly made his way out the back door of the cottage. He could tell from his lover’s empathy that he was really happy that Kate was getting her “ Happily Ever After” ending but he was lost in his own past again. All the “What ifs” that had ever popped into his mind were front and center and no matter how happy he was at this moment for Kate, the little boy who was abandoned was crying out “ Why couldn’t that have happened to me! Why didn’t anybody love me like that! Why was I thrown away? Wasn’t I worth loving?” Logan wanted to go to him and make everything okay. He wanted to hold the man and comfort the child inside. Make all the pain and fear go away. Tell him over and over again I love you! I want you! I need you! I will keep you with me in my heart and in my soul forever! That would have to wait for a while because he caught a scent. They were here.
 

Alice stopped a dozen feet from the doorway. “ My new baby is right inside that door,” she whispered. “ I prayed for this so many nights. Cried about it so many times. Sam… I’m going to be a mommy.” A tear slid down her cheek and Sam kissed her. “ Well mommy, don’t you want to go in and hold your baby?” She sniffed and kissed him back,
“ Yes daddy, I really, really do.” Sam looked at the small group, “ It’s really unbelievable you know? Losing my little brother in such a horrible way was such a tragedy. Now here I am three hours after his funeral, ecstatic because I’m about to hold my new little girl.” Scott and Jean led the way to the door of the cottage. Logan never gave them a chance to knock. He opened the door and studied these strangers who were going to take his Katie away. They stood there unmoving, somehow sensing that the man was making sure they were good enough for the angel in his arms. His eyes slowly took them in. His sensitive nose checking for any lies about their intent. The man was nothing special, just your average Joe, but he was hard working and honest. The woman was afraid of taking on the challenge of a new baby but she wanted it more than the air she breathed. Logan looked down at Kate and kissed her one last time. “ Mommy and daddy are here Katie Bear.” Jean had to wipe a tear that escaped her eye. “ Logan, this is Sam and Alice Hunter,” she said finally. Sam stepped forward and took Kate from his arms. He kissed his new daughter and handed her carefully to his wife. Alice buried her face in the soft blanket and cried. Jean led her into the cottage to sit down and Sam shook Logan’s hand. “ I can’t find the words to tell you how much we appreciate what you’ve done for Kate. How do you say thank you for the life of a child?” Logan looked the man in the eye. He liked this man. “ Remy did most of it. He saved her, he brought her here, he cared for her and loved her.” Sam, Scott and Logan went inside with Jean and Alice. “ Can we see him? We owe him so much.” Logan shook his head, “ I’m sorry he-” Remy slowly entered from the kitchen,
 “ I’m right here Cher. I tried… but I jus’ couldn’ let her go wit’out sayin’ g’bye.” Alice wiped her tears and stood; she handed the baby to Sam and walked up to Remy and pulled him into a hug. She got on her toes and kissed his cheek. “ I don’t have the words to tell you what this means to us. Thank you sounds so stupid. You risked your life for a stranger who everyone else seemed to want dead.” Remy slowly took off his glasses and looked Alice Hunter in the eye and she smiled softly.
“  Mrs. Hunter, I’d gladly do it again in a heartbeat.” Logan stood and walked to his young lover. He wrapped his arms around him and held him close; not caring a bit what anyone thought or felt. After a moment he released his hold just enough to kiss him. Remy laid his head on Logan’s shoulder and watched Sam with Kate. It was right. She belonged in his arms. They were her real family. He blinked back the tears that wanted to fall and cleared his throat. “ Do y’ t’ink… could I …could I hold her one more time?” His voice was small and so sad. Sam walked across the room and carefully held his new daughter out to the man who saved her. “ It won’t be the last time,” he said. A stubborn tear slid down Remy’s cheek as he carried the little girl out to the bench by the lake. “ I gotta say g’bye now Mon petite ange. I will never forget y‘. Y’ gave me a chance to do somet’in’ for m’self no one else ever did. Y’ gave me de chance t’ love a lost soul. Yer so special Katie, don’ y’ ever let anyone tell y’ different. Your eyes are beautiful an’ special but dey don’ make y’ who y’ are. Dat comes from in ‘ere.” He kissed the baby’s chest above her heart.
“ I’m gonna give y’ back now. Y’ be a good girl.” He kissed her again and inhaled deeply so he would always remember her sweet scent. He untangled her tiny fist from his hair and carried her back to her parents.

Scott and Jean, Sam and Alice, and Logan, his heart, were standing on the back porch as he walked back up to the cottage. He kissed Kate again and handed her to Alice. Any second thoughts he may have had vanished when he saw the love shining from her eyes all directed toward Katie.  Sam walked over to Logan and Remy “ We want you both to be a big part of her life. She may need help and advice we can’t give her in the future but I don’t think there is anyone more qualified for the job than her Uncles Logan and Remy.” Scott whispered “ and Scott and Bobby And Warren and Hank and Aunts Ro and Jean and Rogue and Betsy…” Everyone smiled and Logan shook Sam’s hand “ You know where to find us, day or night, we’ll be there.”  Scott whispered again “ unless we’re out saving the world again.” Jean punched him in the arm and he pretended to rub the pain away. It was a lame attempt to lighten the moment. Sam turned to his wife, “ Well honey, I guess we better be going. Our plane home leaves in two hours.” Alice shook all their hands one more time. “ Thank you.” Scott looked at Logan and Remy once more
“ Jean and I will give you a ride to the airport.” The two couples walked slowly back around the lake carrying Kate out of their lives. Logan watched until they were out of sight. He turned to say something to Remy but he was nowhere to be found.
 

Dinner that night was quiet. Logan showed up alone and Jean became worried. “ He just needs to be alone for a while Red. He isn’t gonna starve if he misses a meal.” Logan was silent the rest of the night and he returned to the cottage shortly after dinner. Remy was where he knew he’d be, sitting on the old bench by the water. “ We gotta get a more comfortable bench if you’re gonna keep comin down here to think.” Logan said quietly as he sat beside his life mate. Remy was quiet for a while “ Y’ know what I wan’ t’ do?” He said quietly as he turned and lie back against Logan’s chest again. “ Name it.” Logan replied as he kissed the soft hair before him. “ I wanna go inside, lock de doors, shut de shades, strip y’ down an’ jus’ hold y’ for ‘bout a hundred years.” Logan hugged him,
“ Can I strip you too?”  He felt Remy tense a bit. Remy was still disgusted by the faint scars on his body. No matter how many times Logan told him they didn’t matter, Remy still acted ashamed. “ Darlin?” Remy sat up and turned to look his lover in the eye. “ I wanna f’get about everyt’ing but you an me. I wanna make love until we see Heaven.” Logan pulled the young Cajun close and whispered into his hair “ I see it every time I look at you.”  Remy closed his eyes and sighed deeply “ I’m so sorry I been actin’ crazy dese las’ few days. I don’ know what I was t’inkin. De past is de past, can’ be changed. I know now I will never need anyt’ing but you to be happy.” Logan kissed his lips then kept kissing his way up to a perfect ear. He concentrated on the feelings flowing from his young lover and smiled, there was only a trace of the sadness and longing that seemed to be overwhelming him before. Now there was only deep undying love. “ Can we go do that stripping thing now?” Remy threw his arms around Logan and was pulled into a hungry kiss. He sent all the love and hope and joy he felt straight into his soul mate’s heart and mind. When they finally broke apart they were both breathless. Standing up together from the old bench, connected body and soul, they slowly walked back to their little cottage. It was just the two of them again but they were secure in the knowledge it was all either of them would ever want.
 

END
 

Note: sorry about the sappy ending, my husband and I just celebrated our 18th anniversary and I decided to share the feelings.