Logan opened his eyes slowly, the rising sun slowly seeping underneath the curtains. It always took him a moment to recall everything.
They were in Canada, living in the Cascade Range, at peace. Jean, Laura, their kid…and him. His family. For the first time in what seemed like forever—they were safe and happy.
His gaze moved to Jean sleeping peacefully beside him, her red hair sprawled across the pillows and his gaze softened as it always did. He could lie here for hours, just watching her sleep…
For the first couple weeks while they settled into their new life in the mountains, he had. He'd sat up wide awake, beer in hand, sometimes patrolling the cabin. Surely this was too good to last…
And no doubt it was. But Logan had decided that it was better to enjoy the peacefulness, the sliver of happiness he had now while it lasted. Of course this didn't mean he wasn't searching for trouble—he always was. All three of them.
Jean's powers were almost back to full strength—much to his relief, and there was Laura too. And once the kid came along…
Logan's heart warmed at the idea yet he still marvelled that this had happened. That something he had wanted for a long time was his to enjoy. He pressed a kiss to Jean's forehead and quietly got up, knowing he was already late. Jean rolled over to hug his pillow, murmuring something in her sleep about it being an ungodly hour. A grin tugged at the corner of Logan's mouth as he dressed. She never did like waking up early. Especially now she was pregnant.
He tugged on his jacket and softly closed the bedroom door behind him, opening the fridge on his way out to the porch and sculling a beer on his way out. The doe and her fawn looked up from their grazing as he headed down the hill to the valley and the forest that stretched beyond. It was the little things sometimes, that meant so much…like a cold beer, and a view like this. He took a moment to pause and just enjoy the sight of the sun rising above the mountains behind them and the smells the cold air brought, feeling chills prickle down his spine. It still felt like a dream most of the time.
Reminding himself he was late, he spun around and tore down the hill, sending the two deer galloping off. The sharp, early morning wind stung his face and made him feel alive.
He slowed once he reached the edge of the forest, pausing to glance around the long grass. All was quiet. He slowly stalked forward, nostrils flaring. A fox scuffled away with its cubs, a grizzly bear bellowed far in the distance, the birds chirped. Everyone was home. He left a fresh slash of claw marks on a couple trees and then turned and continued through the forest, out to the stream, always looking, always smelling. Then in the silence, a bird called.
Logan spun quickly, but not before a figure leapt onto his back and tackled him to the ground. He spluttered as he got a mouthful of leaves, lashing back and meeting another pair of shiny claws as he leapt to his feet. The clash of metal echoed in the forest constantly, along with the scuffling of feet and the occasionally growl or grunt. But no blood was spilled.
And then, just as suddenly as it started, it was over. And the two stood quietly, catching their breath.
"Toadstools?" Logan asked dryly.
"I rolled in them." Laura insisted proudly, obviously very proud of herself. She was grinning. "So you wouldn't smell me."
"No, instead you just smell like a walking toadstool. Which as far as I know, don't live around here." Despite his rather unimpressed tone, Logan couldn't help but be rather proud of her. She was getting very good at this.
"I still got you." Laura reminded smugly, as if he didn't already know. "You didn't know I was here."
Logan gave her a rather exasperated look, retracting his claws. "A little birdy told me you were."
Laura giggled, and the happiness shinning in her eyes made Logan's heart soar. He'd been worried, when he told her about Jean being pregnant. He wasn't sure how Laura would react…
She'd needed to think about it, and talk some to him—privately. Which had worried Jean. But she'd come around to the idea, and Logan knew she'd be a fiercely protective older sister when the baby did come.
"Just admit that I'm better." She crossed her arms and gave him an expectant look.
"No way." Logan gave a teasing growl and lunged at her again, and once more they tousled on the ground. Laura managed to pin him briefly, and promptly sat on his chest, raising her eyebrows again. "Say it."
"Or what?" Logan demanded, knowing very well he could throw her off easily. Despite how advanced her moves were now—which was saying a lot compared to how good she'd been when he met her—he still had the advantage of being physically stronger.
Laura thought deeply for a long moment, then a cheeky smile spread across her mouth. She said nothing.
"Oh no." Logan groaned. "Not the beers…"
"Yes yes yes!" Laura laughed, giving a little bounce which made him grunt, considering she was still on his chest.
"Okay okay…" Logan relented, "You win."
"And?" Laura probed.
Logan hesitated, drawing it out until she was wriggling with anticipation. "You did good."
"Annnddd?"
"Look, kid. I'm not singing your praises…"
"I know where you keep the extra beers."
Geez. Where did this kid learn manipulate? "Rolling in the toadstools was a very good idea, you're attacks are better timed, you're anticipating better, and I didn't smell you until a few seconds before you jumped. Happy?"
"Si. Very happy." Laura gave him a wide grin and hopped off his chest, letting him get up.
"Good. Because you're not winning tomorrow." Logan dusted himself off and the two of them headed back through the forest.
"You didn't say sorry for being late."
"What are you, an interrogation officer?"
"Ten minutes late. I was waiting."
"I got distracted."
"And you were late."
"Okay fine, I'm sorry."
"For?"
"For being late."
"And you won't be late tomorrow?"
"No. In fact, you better be early."
The sun was rising over the Cascade Range, casting shadows on the small cabin tucked away on a hill as a father and daughter raced each other up to the porch.
The End...for now