Epilogue

A girl. That's what Logan had said and that's exactly what we had. A beautiful, perfect little girl. Their bond was unbreakable from the first day she called to him. That was a little over three years ago. What a little hellion she was. 'Wild thing' he liked to call her; and she was wild. From her first cry, or rather yell she commanded much attention. She didn't squeal when she wanted something, she bellowed. Rina had much of Logan in her, from his dark brown hair to his piercing scowl. She looked just like a miniature version of her daddy when she was agitated and had his fiery temperament to go along with it. She could be very demanding and insisted upon doing things her own way. And she never gave up. Ok, so maybe she had a good bit of both of us in her.

I could hear their laughter outside, Logan's throaty and deep and Wild Thing's squealing in childish abandon. I moved from the kitchen window of the cabin to the screen door where I could watch them play together in the bright mountain sunshine. It was a beautiful spring day, the weather crisp, though not overly so. Cool in the shade, yet warm in the sunlight; perfect weather for the two of them to play outside. I had to laugh with them, their fun was contagious. Logan was so large in comparison to the tiny toddler. He towered over her little frame and shortened his strides to match hers, looking ridiculous in the process. He tripped over his own feet which amused Rina to no end. She giggled like crazy as daddy awkwardly chased her around the knobby pines. I smiled at the scene. Contentment overwhelmed me.

Logan was happy. We'd made a pact. We would discover his past - together. Never again would he feel the need to be alone. His family now came first. His past still interested him, but didn't dominate his every waking moment as it once had. His priorities had changed. The dreams had stopped. Becoming a parent put things in a different perspective; where once he only had to worry about himself, he suddenly found someone else depending on him. And where once it didn't matter where or how he lived, he'd come to the realization that it was no longer enough. So we came back to the little cabin where it all began, relishing each and every moment together.

Snikt The sound pulled me from my reverie. I watched as the little claws sprang forth as Rina practiced her moves on Logan. As quickly as she sliced he healed. "Good!" Logan praised her efforts, the pride he felt apparent in his voice. She was nailing him pretty hard. We had wondered what if any powers she would have, as it turned out she was truly daddy's little girl in both powers and disposition. Stubborn wasn't even the word for it. Both of them were headstrong and it was a true contest of wills when they locked horns. Logan usually gave in first – spoiling her as only an indulgent daddy can. Her sense of smell was keen and she could find Logan anywhere. That was evident when he went fishing one day. She had awoken from her nap and ventured out to find him, leading me by the hand, sniffing the air, turning this way and that until she found him at a nearby stream, nearly a quarter of a mile from the cabin. A regular chip off the old block - only not as hairy.

"Keep going," he encouraged her. "Harder."

She sliced and diced at his bare arms, his ribbed t-shirt torn in several places where she'd gone for his chest and belly. Logan let out a ferocious roar and snikt his blades extended and he started to block and counter her moves.

Be careful I thought to him. I didn't want her to get hurt and they were starting to play a little too rough for my liking. My powers had come back full force since giving birth. It was amazing how debilitated I became while pregnant, and Logan had shown a side of him that I didn't know existed by taking infinite care of me and catering to my every need.

I've got everything under control Jean.

I bit my tongue and anxiously watched as Logan ran after Wild Thing, his blades fully extended. I knew he could retract them in an instant, but they were as sharp as razors and she was just a toddler. Apprehension filled me.

Rina ran as fast as her little legs could carry her – darting in and out of the trees as Logan followed closely on her heels.

"I'm gonna get you." Logan warned.

"Nuh-uh." Rina countered with a giggle.

Logan sprang through the air, blades at the ready. My heart caught in my throat as I watched Rina stumble and fall on a slippery pile of leaves and twigs. She landed with a 'oomph' as Logan tried to stop himself from landing on her. He couldn't. I gasped as the scene unfolded before my eyes. Everything happened in slow motion, the realization that he couldn't stop himself dawned on his face as he fell prone, his body nearly covering the tiny tot. Suddenly Logan was suspended in mid-air just a few feet above Rina – his arms and legs fully extended, blades at the ready – hovering ever so close. I forgot to breathe. Time stood still for what seemed like forever before I finally regained my wits.

Logan looked from Rina to me, "Jean?" he questioned breathing hard.

"It's not me." I said in stunned fascination as I stepped off the porch and walked toward them.

Logan looked back at Rina as she chortled in childish pleasure at having done something new, very pleased with her results.

Still held in suspended animation Logan looked back at me, one eyebrow cocked in question. "So, this is how it's going to be, huh?"

A slow smile came to my lips as I looked from father to daughter, delight showing in my eyes that she'd inherited a little something from me as well. "I guess so."

The End