There was a gentle tapping on the suite door, whoever it was was clearly being courteous to the sensitive hearing of, literally everyone who lived in the suite, and the fact that it was after a couple of the occupant’s bedtime. In return Logan popped the door open before the knock could sound again, and possibly rouse James or Ava.
"Hey kid, everything alright?" Logan asked, as he opened the door to reveal Caleb, Flora stepped out from behind the boy and waved shyly. "My apologies, 'kids'," Logan added with a grin, as he held the door open and waved them in. Both teens looked uncomfortable as they shared a look before Caleb asked if they were free to talk.
"Of course, anything in particular you want to talk about or should I start grilling you on your school work and the fact you're slacking in defence class?" Logan asked.
"Oh, uh, about that, I just didn't want to hurt anyone, but there is actually something we wanted to talk to you about..." Caleb said, still obviously uncertain.
"Before we get on to whatever you want to talk about, don't go easy on your classmates, okay, don't actively try and hurt anyone but going too easy on them will only hurt them in the long run, if any of you ever end up having to defend yourself your opponent isn't going to go easy on you, you know that first hand. Now sit down and spill before you chicken out of whatever you want to say," Logan handed them both a soda as he sat back down on the couch next to Rogue, who had set down the book she was reading.
"We, um, we wanted to talk to you... about..."
Flora giggled next to Caleb as he gave up his halting speech. "We want your advice on our relationship," Flora stated firmly, even as she blushed and worried her lip nervously. "We love each other, at the same time we're not entirely sure we completely understand what that means, we know we're young, and we don't plan on doing anything stupid like... well, like anything stupid, but we would like advice, and your blessing, basically," she said, with a shy shrug.
For a moment neither Logan or Rogue spoke, sharing a look that said the admission was not entirely unexpected.
"Well, I am glad you're not planning on doing anything stupid, for the love of god do not get pregnant, please, I do not want to have to help you explain that one," Logan started in response, Rogue and Flora giggled, while Caleb went from looking uncomfortable to blushing for the first time. "We are both happy for you, and happy to help you out anyway you need and any way we can, was this just an FYI or did you need some advice already?"
"I actually wanted to talk to you, and Rogue," Flora replied, "We were talking about, how this is going to work, and Caleb mentioned there might be an aspect of his mutation involved, I want to be sure I understand that, which Caleb said you would be able to explain better than he could, and I wanted to get Rogue's advice on... how that works, practically."
"Well, the mutation aspect is rather simple, I actually did some more research into this after Caleb asked me a while back. Ferals mate for life, is the easiest way to explain it, we bond with our partner for as long as we get to have them, to death and sometimes beyond. We expect the same loyalty in return, you can't lie to a feral, you can't cheat on a feral; well, you *can* but it won't end well, we are jealous, and a little… a lot, possessive, but not controlling or oppressive. Ferals can't 'fall out of love' with their mate, ending a relationship is not something a feral deals with well, we'll do our best to keep our mate happy to avoid that, so you need to be aware of that, you can't just change your mind in a year, or two, or five, or ten. That's why we make you wait before we stake our claim," Logan added with a grin.
"Oh, I wondered about that," Flora said, thoughtfully, "I guess it makes sense... How long does that usually take?" she asked cheekily.
Logan smiled at her. "Depends on the couple, you're fifteen, you don't have much in the way of life experience yet, and you're not ready to be a mom yet, don't rush it, be comfortable, be happy where you are, with who you are, relationships are deeper than physical connection, trust me, I've got three kids to three different women, but I've bonded to a completely different woman, a fact I never thought about before and I feel pretty shitty about now, both for the kids, who had to grow up without a dad, and for Rogue who's picking up the pieces now.
"I am sorry about that darlin," Logan admitted turning to Rogue. "Don't get me wrong I love Ava and James, and Caleb too, more than even I thought would ever be possible, and I can't imagine my life without them now but... you didn't deserve to be pushed into that role so soon, and I'm sorry for that."
"You don't have to be sorry for that, I never thought I'd be in this situation either but I wouldn't choose anything different," Rogue assured him.
Flora was watching them with a soft happy smile, before she turned to Caleb and cuddled up to him. "I love you that much," she said to him quietly, "Though I would appreciate it if you didn't bring home several secret children one day," she added teasingly.
"It's okay," Caleb replied with a chuckle, "I think you probably caught me early enough but if you want I can I double check with my previous flings."
"The apple didn't fall far from the tree there I take it?" Rogue joined in the young pair's laughter as she teased Logan, who good naturedly humoured her.
"So, what about for you Rogue, what is being a ferals mate like? What do I need to be aware of so I don't make me harder to deal with than I already am?" Caleb asked.
"Once you've accepted a feral, like Logan says, you've got to stay loyal, it's honestly not hard, I mean, he does get a little frustrating every now and then but communication and an easy going nature are key, if he ever makes you feel stifled, because ferals are... intense, tell him, some things you just have to laugh off, or nod along tolerantly, but you have to do that in relationships in general anyway. On the plus side, you've got every woman’s dream in a man who'll stick by you through anything and is never gonna cheat, he'll even put up with a shitty restrictive mutation," Rogue smiled sadly, as she observed her and Logan's gloved fingers entwined where they rested on his thigh.
He had taken to wearing gloves too in recent months, so he could touch her when and where ever he felt like it. That had led to some pretty heavy make out sessions, when they could distract the kids for long enough, but Rogue couldn't help but feel like Logan was getting a raw deal. At least he seemed to be content with that, having deflected her attempts at progressing their physical relationship.
"There’s nothing to 'put up with' Marie, your mutation is just part of you," Logan answered, kissing her fingers before her kissed her forehead too.
"Yeah, yeah, so you keep saying," Marie smiled, "Anyway, does that answer your questions?"
Flora and Caleb both nodded, that was everything they needed to know for now. "That really helps, we're on the right track, and I think we understand what's going on, and where we're going, what we're doing," Flora said. "My parents are coming to visit next week, um, would you... would you... we want to tell my parents too, get their 'blessing', would you be there too, when we tell them?" she asked nervously.
Logan groaned, hanging his head as he chuckled. "How did I know that was coming, " he commented before acquiescing, "How do you plan on breaking it to them?"
"We're taking them out for dinner on the last night of their trip," Caleb said, with a nervous shrug, "We don't want it to be, or expect it to be such a big shock that way."
"And if you don’t mind me asking... Marcus?" Logan asked the pair.
"Oh, he got the idea at Valentine's, Scott must have talked to him, and then seeing how epically he got outdone in the flower department he admitted defeat," Flora giggled, obviously relieved.
They chatted for another hour before Logan sent them off to bed, they'd already missed Flora's curfew. Caleb was lucky, having both his parents on site, and not living in the dorms, meant he got more latitude with curfew.
"This is going to be interesting," Logan commented once they were gone.
--
"Wow, he's really going all out," Logan commented as he helped Rogue out of the sportscar they'd borrowed from the garage for dinner. Tonight, was the night Caleb and Flora where going to break the news to her parents that they were seriously seeing each other. The pair had been out with her parents sightseeing for the day, Rogue and he were to meet the rest of the group at the restaurant at six, and it was a flash restaurant.
"Yeah, not really my scene but I guess when you're showing off to your girlfriends’ parents..." Rogue grinned at him as he took her arm and led to her inside. She was wearing a fitted sparkly green dress she had borrowed from Jubilee, full length with long sleeves that looped over her thumbs, with short black lace gloves over the top. Logan had 'dressed up' too, and she wasn't going to complain in the slightest about the tight black jeans and, black dress shirt. He looked dark and mysterious, and incredibly hot, so hot she was considering asking him to forgo the suit for their wedding, the very next day, and wear this same outfit instead.
It turned out they'd beat the rest of their party so they were seated alone for the time being. Despite the fact Rogue was only newly eighteen, no one asked for ID, and Logan didn't say anything when she ordered a cocktail to go with his beer.
About twenty minutes later the rest of their party joined them, Logan stood to shake hands with Flora's parents, while Rogue just smiled and waved, it was easier than putting either of the newcomers in the awkward position of not knowing quite how to deal with her mutation. Sarah arrived too before everyone had sat down. When they were finally all seated Caleb was next to Logan, Flora on his other side, Sarah was beside Rogue, and Flora's parents on the opposite side of the table. Flora's mother had a secret smile on her face as if she had caught on to what was happening tonight.
The meal progressed in a light manner, all parties got on well and conversation flowed easily from everyone, except Caleb. He would engage well, whenever anyone asked him a direct question, but other than that he was obviously not concentrating on the conversation.
Between courses Logan nudged Caleb and murmured softly, "Get it over with already," knowing Caleb, and probably Rogue, would be the only ones to hear. Unfortunately, Caleb instantly paled, Logan could have sworn he stopped breathing for a couple of minutes until Flora noticed and leaned over.
"Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
"Uh ... yeah," Caleb choked out, as he shifted uncomfortably.
"Obviously there is an important reason you two invited us all out for the night?" Sarah added, hintingly.
"Uh ... yeah," Caleb repeated, leading Flora to glare at him, though she was clearly trying not to laugh. When Caleb finally managed to get out his pre rehearsed speech, Flora let out a sigh of relief when her parents didn't immediately freak out as she had been fearing, in fact, they seemed to find the situation as amusing as Caleb's parents did.
"Relax son," Kyle reassured him, "That was a ballsy move, much respect to you, I didn't have the balls to talk to my girls father until I'd already knocked her up... wait you're not...?"
"Oh god, dad!" Flora replied, flushing bright red, burying her face in her hands as she giggled.
"No sir!" Caleb replied forcefully, shaking his head.
"Oh well that's good," Kyle replied with a grin, as his wife stifled her own laugh, smacking his arm and pointedly glaring at him, her code to tell her husband to stop teasing the poor boy. "Well, don't do that any time soon if you please, I'm not ready to be a grandfather yet, as for the rest, I can honestly say your request comes as no surprise and I can assure you we would be very happy to have such an outstanding young man as our future son-in-law. We are also very happy that you've acknowledged your age as a factor in this situation, I'm probably over stepping my boundaries here but this is my only little girl so you'll have to forgive me for being a little over protective, I would like to ask you, both of you, to wait to take your relationship to whatever the next level is - I'm hoping the fact you're so certain she's not pregnant means you haven't started sleeping together yet-" he chuckled again at the mortified look on Flora's face, Caleb just look embarrassed but was starting to relax and find the humour in his situation, now that he seemed to be confident the answer was positive.
"We would like to see you both finish school, at the very least, before running the risk of bringing a baby into this situation, you're both very responsible and mature, and that gives us hope that you'll take all avenues into consideration before getting into that situation, and you both appear to be very open to taking advice and asking for help when you need it, so consider our door open if you ever need our help. We would also ask, that though we have no problem with you being in a relationship, even getting engaged, if that's what you want to do, we would like you to wait to get married until Flora is eighteen, we want you to both be certain of your decision before making that final step. Can you both accept that?" Kyle asked, as Marlene nodded along in agreement.
Flora answered this time, after confirming, non-verbally, Caleb was in agreement. "Yes, we agree, I do just want to make it clear that I don't plan on going to college, we do want kids, and I want to be a mom so, getting a useless expensive degree just doesn't make sense, and... we do plan to move back to Canada..." she added, ducking her head so she didn't have to see the look on Logan's face. The guy had come all the way to Manitoba to bring Caleb to New York in the first place, he likely wouldn't be happy that they planned to move away again, eventually.
"It sounds like you are both planning your future very carefully, keep that up but also be flexible, life likes to throw shit at you from time to time, learn to roll with it," Marlene suggested, with a happy smile at her daughter, who was growing into an amazing young woman.
"Yeah, that's been hit home pretty clearly over the last several months," Flora replied, shuddering as she remembered the various things that had come so close to drastically changing her life. Front and centre was the image of Caleb, badly charred, as Logan had bundled him out of sight after the encounter with Johnny.
Caleb recognized the look on her face and decided it was probably a good idea if she didn't dwell on whatever she was thinking about just then. "Well, now that we have the blessing of the wider family-" he got out of his chair and knelt down next to Flora- "Will you be my future bride, in about three years, maybe longer but eventually..." He popped open the small dark green ring box he produced from his pocket.
Flora stopped, staring open mouthed at him, she hadn't expected him to actually propose, not yet at least, and definitely not with a ring. Which was when it suddenly occurred to her, he was holding a ring, her eyes dropped to the box in his hands. Her eyes opening almost as wide as her mouth as she saw the colourful gem stones in a flower shaped setting; a small round citrine, surrounded by teardrop shaped rubies set out like petals, all flanked by hear shaped peridots that resembled leaves, on a silver band.
"Oh my god... it's beautiful!" Flora commented, "Oh, and yes, sorry, probably should have said that first!" she added with a laugh, as tears welled in her eyes. Caleb gently slid the ring onto her finger before he kissed her gently when she moved in to hug him tightly. When they finally broke apart Flora was still giggling giddily, as she showed off the ring to all in attendance.
"Where's the box?" she asked Caleb, once she was finished showing it off.
Confused he pulled the box out from where he'd stuffed it back in his pocket, finally it wasn't burning a hole in his pocket as it had been doing all day. "What are you doing?" he asked in confusion, as she slid the ring off her finger and popped it back in the box.
"I can't start wearing it now!" Flora replied incredulously, "Logan and Rogue are getting married tomorrow I am not going to steal their thunder by flashing a brand-new engagement ring at their wedding!"
"Oh I don't mind, please, by all means, take as much attention off me as possible," Rogue replied with a laugh.
"It's not just that, I'd rather we told the teachers first too so they don't freak out when they notice, but tomorrow is going to be too busy for that, I'd rather wait until after," Flora reiterated. Caleb nodded in agreement, admitting it was a fair enough point, before he offered to pop the box back in his pocket. "Mm, no, I'm not done looking at it yet," she answered, propping the box open in front of her as the table’s dessert arrived.
"Speaking of 'waiting until after', Rogue and I are taking a month off and going on a honeymoon-slash-family holiday, leaving day after tomorrow, James and Ava are coming with us for obvious reasons, it would mean a lot to both of us if you two would come too. This marriage, it isn't just about us, it's about our family, we've done a decent job getting comfortable around each other but we'd really like to use this holiday as a chance to really get to know each other, I figured now would be a good time to ask so you can get your parents’ permission Flora," Logan added, not telling her he had already asked them and had confirmation it was fine with them. She was well ahead in her classes, having crammed in as much studying as she could, to prove to her parents it was a good idea to let her come to New York.
"Mm, where too?" Caleb asked cheekily, making out he wasn't sure about going.
"I can neither confirm nor deny the location or activities planned, it's a surprise, isn't it Marie?" Logan replied with a grin.
"And if you could stop talking about it that would be great because I'm starting to get really curious and it's doing my head in trying to figure out what you're up to this time... you haven't told the kids anything this time so I can't weasel anything out of them, Scott seems to know but he won't talk..." Logan chuckled in response but didn't say more, other than to turn the option back to the teens.
"Would that be alright?" Flora asked her parents, rushing on before they could answer, "I could do the summer classes to make up any missed time and..."
"Yes," her dad interrupted, before she could launch into a full reassurance. An excited squeal and a hug were her only response.
"And that's okay with you too mom?" Caleb asked Sarah.
"Of course, go, have fun, and offer to babysit your younger siblings as often as you can so these two can get a bit of alone time," Sarah added, directing a grin at Logan, who looked mildly uncomfortable for a moment before he moved on.
"And you're still okay to have the rug rats for another sleepover tomorrow night?" Logan asked, noting Rogue perk up her ears.
"Of course," Sarah assured him, "Speaking of plans, I happen to know both of you have people planning a bachelor and bachelorette party for each of you, respectively, that you have been actively avoiding for a week, and you are using this event to hide from the last ditch attempt tonight, so we should probably send you guys home before too much longer," Sarah said.
"No, no we're good," Rogue answered, joining in with the chuckles all around, though they did eventually give in and head home.