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That night David was waiting at the Draven and didn’t wait long as John arrived first with Sarael, Rachel, Jimmy, and Xavier. “Thanks for letting us use the space on such short notice. But my brother finally left the apartment and wanted to see the whole family. And this way he can see Amiko and Hudson before they have to fly home.”, John said shaking David’s hand as they walked in. “Yeah no problem. We were closed tonight anyways. This way we are at least making money.”, David said stepping aside letting them inside. He took John to the office to sign the paper work and collect the two hundred for the space. Out in the club Sarael, Rachel, Xavier and Jimmy greeted Amiko, Haung, Hudson, Teresa and Junior as they arrived. “So any idea when dad is going to arrive?”, Hudson asked as Junior kept trying to wiggle out of his arms. Rachel giggled at her little cousin. “Here let me take Junior.”, Rachel offered extending her hands. Hudson looked to Rachel and then to Junior. “Do you want to go to your cousin?”, Hudson asked with a laugh as Junior was reaching for Rachel. “Rac-hel! Rac-hel!”, Junior demanded. Hudson handed him over. Rachel giggled. “Come on my little man I’ll show you around.”, Rachel said setting Junior down and just gently holding his hand walking around the club letting him climb into booths and explore.
The doors opened and the group looked to see if it was their guest of honor but were disappointed as they saw Cero walk in with his wife Mia and their daughters Nikki and Reine and behind them was Kirra. Kirra had opted to not bring her current boyfriend with her to Bayville, since meeting her dad she felt wasn’t their stage of relationship. Nikki and Reine rushed past their parents to their cousin Jimmy. “Hi Jimmy!”, Nikki greeted. “Hi Nikki. Hi Reine. So father told me that your powers came in and you are going to be staying at the institute with the rest of us.”, Jimmy greeted his younger cousin. Nikki nodded. “Yeah. Daddy said I got powers like my grandma Nikki, I can control the earth. Sadly I didn’t get the Howlett mutation like you did.”, Nikki said with a small shrug. “Maybe it skips generations. I’m second generation but you’re third. Guess we’ll see if Reine and Junior get the powers.”, Jimmy said. Renie frowned a little. “I just hope I get a power. I don’t care what it is.”, Reine admitted. Mia walked over and bent down and hugged her youngest and kissed her cheek. “Reine don’t worry so much about if you will or will not be a mutant. It won’t matter if you are or not because you will always be my little Reine and we’ll love you just as much.”, Mia explained tucking some of Reine’s sandy blonde hair behind her ear. Mia couldn’t help but love her youngest, she was the spitting image of her sister who she’d lost fifteen years ago in the attack on the school. Those sweet green eyes were why Mia had chosen to name her daughter in memory of her sister. Reine frowned. “I know mommy. I just. You are a mutant, daddy is a mutant. And I want to be a mutant like Aunt Reine had.”, Renie admitted. Cero scooped up his youngest daughter and started tickling her. “You’ll come into your powers when it’s time, so just focus on being the sweet little girl you are. You get to meet grandpa today, be excited about that.”, Cero said. Renie wiggled and giggled trying to escape her dad. “I will daddy.”, Reine said between bouts of laughter.
“And we get to officially meet Grandma Aurelia too right?”, Reine asked still giggling. Cero stopped tickling his daughter and sat her back down. The girls had never officially met Aurelia as they’d lived in Alaska having really nothing to do with Aurelia or Rose. They’d seen Rachel and Jimmy and even young Junior as Cero happily hosted his little cousins and nephew during summers at his home. He sat Reine back down to the ground and looked to both his daughters. John turned his attention having heard his great niece called Aurelia grandma. He was interested to see how his nephew would handle this. “Who told you to call her that?”, Cero asked. “Um. Well Nikki said we are supposed to call her that.”, Reine admitted. Cero turned his focus to Nikki. “And you got this from whom?”, Cero asked. “Grandpa.”, Nikki stated. Cero blinked. “Grandpa? You’ve not met him yet.”, Cero stated. Nikki shook her head. John and Hudson now both took active interest in this conversation and folded their arms watching. Jimmy noticed how his dad and cousin were standing and decided to mimic. He never really understood his cousin’s issue with his Aunt Aurelia. “When did you see grandpa?”, Kirra asked stepping next to her brother. “This morning. I was playing at the institute and he was walking to Professor Fear…Fearb..Fearbhirigh’s office.”, Nikki said having some trouble saying Duncan’s last name. “And what did grandma tell you?”, Kirra asked. Nikki gulped. “He said I’m supposed to call her that. Because it’s the respect and title she deserves as his wife, or at least she will be when he gets her to a preacher.”, Nikki said thinking back to her conversation that morning. “And daddy you told me that when I meet grandpa I should be nice and do what he tells me.”, Nikki added. Amiko smiled and bent down lightly touching her niece’s shoulder. “And that’s correct. You should listen to what your grandfather tells you. He’s a wise man and would never lie to you.”, Amiko said shooting a ‘try and say otherwise’ look to her brother and sister. Cero and Kirra glanced to each other and sighed. “I suppose.”, Cero said relenting for the moment.
The younger kids played by the stage under the supervision of Xavier and Rachel. Reine finding the instruments most interesting. She tried to go for the drums and Rachel rushed up to stop her. “Oh sweetheart let’s not touch the instruments. I’m sure Landon wouldn’t get too upset, but let’s not potentially break his drums.”, Rachel said scooping her little cousin up. “Who’s Landon?”, Reine asked. “He’s a friend. He is in the band Meddling Kids with your Aunt Rose. He’s also a team leader at the institute.”, Rachel explained with a soft smile. Reine raised a small eyebrow to her cousin. “A friend? Why would you want to have a boy for a friend? They have cooties.”, Renie answered. Rachel laughed shaking her head turning a light shade of red at her cheeks. “Some boys might have cooties. I’m sure. Landon isn’t one of those boys. He’s a very sweet, kind, and considerate boy.”, Rachel said smiling thinking about Landon’s good qualities. Renie looked unconvinced. Nikki walked over listening to Rachel. “You like him.”, Nikki declared. Rachel blinked looking at her young cousin wide eyed and covered her mouth. “Shh. Please.”, Rachel said looking and glad that Xavier and her brother Jimmy were off chasing Junior to not have heard that. Landon had a lot going on in his life and she knew the last thing he needed was to have some girl crushing on him. And as it stood the only person who knew that she had feelings for Landon was Blaire and despite being known as a big mouth Blaire would never tell a soul. Nikki and Reine giggled. “Rachel has a crush.”, Reine teased. “Hope for your sake he doesn’t have cooties.”, Reine added with a giggle. Rachel sighed shaking her head. “We don’t talk about this okay girls?”, Rachel asked. Nikki nodded and nudged her little sister who nodded. “Cross our heart. We won’t talk about it. Is he at least handsome?”, Nikki asked. Rachel chuckled and pulled out her phone and brought up her photos and found one from the dance of her and him. “That’s Landon.”, Rachel explained. Nikki and Reine peaked at the phone. Reine shrugged and walked away to find something else to do fun. “He’s handsome.”, Nikki said before heading after her little sister. Rachel smiled shaking her head softly looking at the picture before turning the phone off.
While everyone was talking the room went silent as the doors of the club opened. Everyone else was there so that only left three people which included the guest of honor himself. And there in the door way sandwiched between Aurelia on his left and Rose on his right stood Logan. He was shorter than both of the red heads making his placement between them amusing at first sight. Logan’s hands were tightly holding both Aurelia and Rose’s. He knew they were both uncertain about being in the same place as Cero and Kirra, even if they wouldn’t say it to him. Amiko looked and a bright smiled spread across her lips and she rushed to the door. “Father!”, she called wrapping her arms around his neck only having an inch on him hugging him tightly. The last she had seen him they looked rather close in age. But the last fifteen years she had aged as a human would and developed grays where she figured even if he’d not been trapped in limbo he’d still look the same. “I have missed you so much father.”, Amiko said. Aurelia and Rose let Logan’s hands go which he then wrapped his arms around his eldest child and hugged her tight. “I have missed you too Amiko. You and Haung have done an excellent job with my grandson Xavier. I’ve enjoyed seeing him here and there during my time in limbo when Rose visited you and even more since he came to Bayville to stay with John.”, Logan said looking past Amiko to Haung who gave a respectful bow. “Gifu.”, Haung said giving respect to his father-in-law. Logan looked and smiled giving a nod. “Giri no muuko.”, Logan acknowledged his son-in-law. Amiko pulled back from the hug realizing she was monopolizing her father. She turned instead to Aurelia and gave her a hug. “Always wonderful to see you.”, Amiko greeted then hugged Rose. “I’ve missed seeing you little sister.”, Amiko said. Aurelia and Rose smiled and hugged Amiko back, she wasn’t who they were worried about dealing with. They knew Amiko loved them as family without question. Xavier walked over to stand in front of his grandfather, he’d gained his fathe’rs height and had a good five inches on his grandfather. He bowed respectfully. “Sofu.”, Xavier greeted. Logan smiled seeing how Xavier had much of his father in him. “Mago.”, Logan greeted before hugging Xavier. “It has been far too long since I last truly saw you, mago.”, Logan said. Xavier blinked a bit at the hug and nodded returning it realizing his mother was right, his sofu was affectionate to family. “Yes it has, sofu. Hahahoya said that last you saw me I was just born and that you gave the idea for my name of Xavier in honor of Professor Charles Francis Xavier.”, Xavier agreed. Logan let go of his grandson and patted his arm. “Yes. And you do very well by the name you have been given, mago.”, Logan said turning his attention to the rest of the room.
Teresa decided she wasn’t going to wait and longer and moved over hugging her former instructor tightly trying to not cry. “It is so good to see you again Professor.”, Teresa said. Logan sighed and patted his daughter-in-law’s back gently. “Please Teresa do not cry and love of god do not call me Professor. Kisa did this same thing when I saw her. I’m not your teacher anymore. I’m your father-in-law, highness.”, Logan teased. Teresa pulled back from the hug laughing a little holding back her tears. “I can’t help it Professor. You were Professor Howlett long before I fell for Hudson. I just, I can’t believe your finally back. You have no idea just how much us students missed you these years.”, Teresa said hugging him again. Logan sighed shaking his head. “I know, I know. But you all did very well without me. I’m proud of all of you..”, Logan said. Hudson moved forward carrying a squirming Junior. Logan turned his attention to his son and grandson. “Hudson, I hope you don’t mind but I put that flame out this morning at the headstone.”, Logan greeted. Hudson chuckled and nodded. “Of course I don’t mind dad. It only burned for your return and here you are. And I’d like to formally introduce you to Prince Logan James Howlett. Mom suggested we call him Junior, so that there wouldn’t be confusion with your name. Uncle John said he looks like you did at this age.”, Hudson said. Logan held his arms out. “Will you come to me then, Junior?”, Logan asked. Junior looked at him inquisitively his face sharing many of the features of his daddy and Uncles and cousin. So he let Logan hold him and stared him down, his honey brown eyes being the difference between them. Logan smiled. “You have your mother’s eyes though. It’s very nice to meet you Junior.”, Logan said speaking softly as he used to when he spoke over Rose’s crib even if she couldn’t hear him. Junior tilted his head to the side trying to figure him out. “I’m grandpa.”, Logan explained. Junior looked past him to Aurelia and started to wiggle and reach past him for her. “Gama! Gama!”, Junior shouted. Logan laughed and turned. “Oh so we do have something in common love of red heads already.”, Logan teased handing Junior to Aurelia who happily took the toddler and rubbing noses with him. “Hello my little one.”, Aurelia greeted. Hudson hugged Aurelia. “Hi mom, glad dad let you leave the apartment at last.”, Hudson teased. Aurelia rolled her eyes but gave Hudson a side hug. “You know your father.”, Aurelia said with a shrug. Hudson nodded. “Yes, I do.”, Hudson agreed.
Logan turned his attention to Kirra who stepped forward next. “Hi daddy.”, Kirra greeted timidly. Logan sighed and hugged her. “Hello my little firebird. I see you decided to leave behind…oh what is his name…Chaz…or was the most recent fellow Dorian? Over fifteen years I found it hard to remember who you were dating.”, Logan greeted. Kirra chuckled and shrugged. “I didn’t really think bring Patrick to a family reunion of my father returning from the ‘dead’ would be in his best interest. He’s human after all daddy he would probably freak out.”, Kirra admitted. “Oh right Patrick. Irish lad you met this past summer during your trip to Dublin.”, Logan nodded remembering. Kirra blinked. “You really were around? You kept track of me?”, Kirra asked. Logan nodded. “Of course. Where I was prevented me from speaking or interacting with all of you, but it didn’t stop me from seeing everything. I kept my eyes and ears on all my children the best I could. I just stayed closest to my Rose.”, Logan said looking to Rose who was tickling Junior as he wiggled in Aurelia’s arms trying to escape. Kirra rolled her eyes a little not thinking that Logan noticed, but he did. Logan sighed and turned his attention to his remaining child. Mia smiled at Logan and hugged him. “You aren’t going to call me Professor too are you Mia?”, Logan asked. Mia laughed. “Like Teresa, I can’t help it Professor. You will always be our Professor Howlett. You were that before we knew your sons.”, Mia said smiling. Logan noticed some scares on her bare arms that her quarter sleeve shirt didn’t fully cover. Logan sighed and hugged her. Mia realized he’d noticed the scares and tugged her sleeve. “Some things can’t be healed..”, Mia said softly. Logan nodded. “I know kid. I know.”, Logan said softly patting her shoulder. He looked to the girls and smiled crouching down to be eye level. “Nice to see you again Nikki. And you my dear must be Reine as you look just like your aunt.”, Logan greeted. Reine stood with her shoulders back proud that he recognized her. “You knew my Aunt right, grandpa?”, Reine asked. Logan nodded. “Yes I did. Reine was a very kind young girl. She controlled the light like my good friend Alison Blaire..well now Alison Delaney. Your Aunt did well in my class. When you get big enough I’ll teach you all I taught her.”, Logan said. “But what if I never have powers?”, Reine asked nervously. “What does powers have to do with learning to defend yourself? I trained the students to fight without their powers. Others with powers like theirs taught them to use their powers. However if you come into powers it’ll be grandma Aurelia that teaches you to fight as she’ll be teaching Nikki this year.”, Logan explained.
Aurelia paused hearing Logan call her grandma to Cero’s daughters. She looked to Cero and waited for the explosion. But all she saw was a slight twitch in Cero’s face. Aurelia laughed a little together realizing that Cero didn’t have the nerve to speak against his father as he had John these past years. Logan patted Nikki and Reine on their heads and stood up to look at his son that had seven inches on him. “Cero.”, Logan greeted. Cero smiled and extended a hand. “Father.”, Cero greeted. Logan nodded and shook his hand. “You’ve done very well, for the most part, with my granddaughters. I know you’ve taught them much of your mother’s tribe. I’m sure Nikki would be pleased by that, to know her tribe’s culture has been carried on.”, Logan commented. Cero nodded. “Thank you father.”, Cero said simply. Logan then turned to the remaining four in the room. John stepped forward and hugged Logan tightly picking up his little brother as he did which got a laugh from the room. “Alright John put me down.”, Logan insisted. John laughed and set him down. “I’m sorry James I couldn’t help it. You’re real. You’re here. Landon, Rose, and all the others they really did it. I just I can’t believe it.”, John said. Logan nodded. “Yes, with great risk to themselves the eight came through just as I knew they could.”, Logan said looking over to Rose again. “It’s good to be seen again brother. I have missed you.”, Logan admitted looking to Sarael. “And my dear sister in law.”, Logan said hugging Sarael. Sarael smiled and returned the hug. Logan held her a tad tight his mind thinking to how she’d died so violently in the other world. “Alright Logan you are squeezing a tad tight.”, Sarael said. Logan snapped back and let her go. “I’m sorry. Just forget I’m tangible again.”, Logan said covering up his real reason. He then looked to Rachel and Jimmy with a smile. “And there’s my brilliant niece Rachel. And my nephew, the other namesake Jimmy. It’s nice to finally meet you both.”, Logan greeted. Rachel wasn’t sure how she was supposed to be as she spun the gold bracelet on her arm. Logan chuckled having seen her done this in the before since Landon gave it to her. He hugged her and whispered. “Didn’t Landon tell you to not spin that. Listen to him, he’s a smart enough kid. And no need to be nervous tonight. It’s a reunion. And don’t worry about him, I’ll make sure that vision is false.”, Logan whispered very softly as too many had similar hearing powers to him. Rachel blinked in surprise as Logan spoke but nodded. “It’s nice to finally meet you Uncle James.”, Rachel greeted returning the hug. Logan let her go and looked to Jimmy and offered a hand. Jimmy accepted and squeezed tightly trying to prove he was strong too. Logan chuckled looking at Jimmy. “Other than having your mother’s complexion you are all Howlett boy. Let’s hope for your sake you get your father’s height and not mine, aye.”, Logan teased. Jimmy nodded. “I can hope. But if I don’t know big deal. You became a legend and no one mentions your height because your reputation makes you seven feet tall.”, Jimmy said. Logan nodded. “I suppose it does.”, Logan said patting Jimmy’s shoulder.
The reunion continued people making small talk, Logan staying close to Aurelia and Rose most of the night. David came out briefly to set up a keyboard on the stage as Rachel had expressed interest in playing with Rose. Rose noticed the stage set up and tugged at her cousin and the duo walked to the stage. Rose took a breath and put on her mic. “Um. Hi everyone. I didn’t exactly have the time to write something original, so with Rachel and Landon’s help I found a piece that was close to what I wanted to say and kind of changed it. So well this is for dad.”, Rose said nervous for the only time to be on that stage. Logan raised an eyebrow and moved over to the stage and sat down. He’d never seen Rose nervous on stage, it’d been a place she was always so confident. Aurelia walked over and sat down next to him taking his hand interested to hear this. The others made their way over sitting down. Cero and Kirra hanging back a little but did come closer. The melody started before Rose’s voice began. “The greatest man I never knew. He came home late most nights. He never had too much to say. Too much was on his mind. I never really knew him. And it seems so sad. Everything he gave to us took all he had.”, Rose sang doing her best to control her voice as her and her cousin played. Rose looked over the group and fro the most part she saw smiling encouraging faces, except of course Cero and Kirra. But then she looked to Logan who was sitting straight as a rail watching her intently a look of pride on his face. She wondered if over the years when he was there but she couldn’t see did he have that look every time she sang. “The greatest man I never knew. The man all though would never die. Was gone before I arrived. He was the best at what he did. But there was still more left to do. The greatest words I never heard. I thought I’d never hear. He never got to say he loved me. Guess he thought I’d know. The greatest man I never knew. He never really left. Every day he was by my side. We could speak at all. How was I to know he thought I hung the moon. The greatest man I never knew is back. He has his second chance to be everything he wanted to do be. No longer the greatest man I never knew. Now the greatest man I’ve ever known.”, Rose sang letting herself only focus on the song. She took a breath putting down her guitar as Rachel stepped back from the keyboard.
Rose looked at her family and saw her mom trying to not cry. Logan nodded and stood up and walked up to the side of the stage and onto the stage. He first stopped and gave Rachel a hug and a light kiss on the cheek. “Thank you Rachel.”, he said before walking to Rose. He took a breath and looked at Rose who looked back at him uncertain of his reaction. Logan smiled and hugged Rose and kissed her cheek. “I don’t know how many times, going back to when you were still in the womb, I’ve said this wishing you would hear me…I love you and always will my little Rose.”, Logan said. Rose smiled and hugged him tightly. At her seat Aurelia was having a hard time not crying. Hudson reached over offering his handkerchief. “Here mom.”, Hudson whispered. Aurelia nodded taking the white handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. Logan looked to the group of his family and saw most were smiling but he noticed that Cero and Kirra seemed a tad too indifferent to the touching song that their little sister just sang. Logan took a breath and picked up the mic with a free hand keeping an arm around Rose. “Thank you Rose and Rachel. That was a very lovely song. You both are very talented, I don’t know where that came from as neither John or I were ever musically inclined.”, Logan said with a small laugh. “I have proudly watched every Meddling Kids performance these past years and attended every piano and violin recital for you Rachel.”, Logan said looking between the two girls who smiled. “I want to thank all of you for coming from so far to see me. I know I made you wait not just all these years I was gone but this past week while I’ve stayed home with just Aurelia. And as it seems our reunion is winding down I’d like to say a couple things. Basically clear up any misunderstands that have occurred these past fifteen years I’ve been gone.”, Logan said keeping his arm around Rose. Everyone looks at him intrigued and a little confused. Logan cleared his throat a little.
“I’ll keep this as short as I can. Cero and Kirra, both of you step forward.”, Logan said nodding to the dance floor closest to the stage. Cero and Kirra exchanged confused looks. “That wasn’t a suggested. Get your asses over here, now.”, Logan said his tone changing for a moment to that of the gruff survival instructor that Teresa and Mia remembered. Cero and Kirra quickly moved from their places in the back to stand before him. “You two seem to need to get a grasp on a couple things. So I’m here to make sure this is made clear as crystal to the both of you. I considered making this a private conversation, but I think the whole family should hear what I’m gonna tell you.”, Logan said looking to his son and daughter. “First thing involves Rose. I’ve seen how you have treated her since the day it was announced Aurelia was expecting. And I was there to hear what you had to say outside the delivery room at Mikali’s offices. Who do you think tripped you idiots.”, Logan said trying to keep his voice from turning to a growl. Cero and Kirra blinked remembering how they’d tripped on nothing. “I’ll make this damn clear and you two better be listening. Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett is mine as much as you two are. She’s a Howlett by blood and you will see fit to treat her as your sister or face my wraith. You both owe her a lifetime of apologizes before you leave Bayville. It’ll be her discretion if she forgives you.”, Logan stated. Hudson and Amiko both covered their mouths to stop their laughter as she watched cero and Kirra hang their heads being chewed out by their father. “The second thing I am going to clear up is about Aurelia. You better start treating her with respect. Because I am marrying her like it or not she will be your step mother. She doesn’t just deserve your respect because she’s going to marry me. She should have earned it a long fucking time ago because she has been nothing but faithful to me all these years. She never gave up on me coming back. Anyone that holds such devotion to your father should have at the least your respect. And you will start giving her that going forward. I catch even a whisper that either of you are not treating Aurelia and Rose as Howletts I’ll take you over my damn knee and give you a beating that will make you thankful you got my healing.”, Logan warned before letting the mic drop.
At first no one really knew what to say till suddenly there was clapping heard. Cero and Kirra turned their heads and saw that Mia was clapping. Cero looked at his wife with an arch eyebrow as she clapped at his father not only shaming him but threatening him in front of everyone. Mia shrugged smiling as she clapped. Teresa decided to join and whistled and applauded with her sister-in-law. Haung chose to not clap because it wouldn’t be respectful but he couldn’t hide that he was smiling. Aurelia was hiding a smile being her hand as she shook her head. To see how Logan could flip from sweet father and uncle with how he spoke to Rose and Rachel to the Wolverine he was known to be when speaking to Cero and Kirra. John coughed as his effort to maintain composure. Sarael chuckled a little behind her hand. Amiko and Hudson were laughed out loud and started to clap as well. Xavier smiled resisting the urge to laugh or clap. He enjoyed his grandfather ripping into his Uncle and Aunt for how they’ve behaved to his grandmother and Aunt Rose. Jimmy laughed a little but resisted clapping. Rachel just blinked a little and covered her mouth to not laugh at the image of her rather short uncle spanking her taller cousins. Rose smiled and had to cover her mouth to not break out laughing. Logan let Rose go and gave a little bow playing into it. “Now apologize the both of you.”, Logan instructed jumping down from the stage and moving past the pair to sit back down next to Aurelia. Cero cleared his throat and waited for the clapping and laughter to die down before looking to Rose. “Since father has made it clear that without a doubt to him you are his….I am sorry that I held my doubts. You are my sister and I will try my best to treat you as such.”, Cero said. Kirra nodded. “Right. I am sorry as well. But if dad says you are Howlett then you are.”, Kirra said. John leaned to Logan. “Yet when I said she’s Howlett that meant nothing?”, John joked. Logan snorted. “Means more coming from their dad than their uncle.”, Logan whispered back. Rose nodded. “Um well thanks for apologizing at least.”, Rose said getting off the stage and going over to talk with Rachel and Xavier. “Wow, I didn’t see sofu letting into them…at least not publically.”, Xavier whispered. Rachel and Rose nodded in agreement turning to watch the pair turn their attention to Aurelia. They both sighed. “We are both sorry to have held doubts about you Aurelia. In the end as long as you make our father happy we should not have qualms with you.”, Cero said Kirra nodding alongside him. Aurelia nodded. “Thanks for the apology.”, Aurelia said though not certain how much would really change now.

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That night David was waiting at the Draven and didn’t wait long as John arrived first with Sarael, Rachel, Jimmy, and Xavier. “Thanks for letting us use the space on such short notice. But my brother finally left the apartment and wanted to see the whole family. And this way he can see Amiko and Hudson before they have to fly home.”, John said shaking David’s hand as they walked in. “Yeah no problem. We were closed tonight anyways. This way we are at least making money.”, David said stepping aside letting them inside. He took John to the office to sign the paper work and collect the two hundred for the space. Out in the club Sarael, Rachel, Xavier and Jimmy greeted Amiko, Haung, Hudson, Teresa and Junior as they arrived. “So any idea when dad is going to arrive?”, Hudson asked as Junior kept trying to wiggle out of his arms. Rachel giggled at her little cousin. “Here let me take Junior.”, Rachel offered extending her hands. Hudson looked to Rachel and then to Junior. “Do you want to go to your cousin?”, Hudson asked with a laugh as Junior was reaching for Rachel. “Rac-hel! Rac-hel!”, Junior demanded. Hudson handed him over. Rachel giggled. “Come on my little man I’ll show you around.”, Rachel said setting Junior down and just gently holding his hand walking around the club letting him climb into booths and explore.
The doors opened and the group looked to see if it was their guest of honor but were disappointed as they saw Cero walk in with his wife Mia and their daughters Nikki and Reine and behind them was Kirra. Kirra had opted to not bring her current boyfriend with her to Bayville, since meeting her dad she felt wasn’t their stage of relationship. Nikki and Reine rushed past their parents to their cousin Jimmy. “Hi Jimmy!”, Nikki greeted. “Hi Nikki. Hi Reine. So father told me that your powers came in and you are going to be staying at the institute with the rest of us.”, Jimmy greeted his younger cousin. Nikki nodded. “Yeah. Daddy said I got powers like my grandma Nikki, I can control the earth. Sadly I didn’t get the Howlett mutation like you did.”, Nikki said with a small shrug. “Maybe it skips generations. I’m second generation but you’re third. Guess we’ll see if Reine and Junior get the powers.”, Jimmy said. Renie frowned a little. “I just hope I get a power. I don’t care what it is.”, Reine admitted. Mia walked over and bent down and hugged her youngest and kissed her cheek. “Reine don’t worry so much about if you will or will not be a mutant. It won’t matter if you are or not because you will always be my little Reine and we’ll love you just as much.”, Mia explained tucking some of Reine’s sandy blonde hair behind her ear. Mia couldn’t help but love her youngest, she was the spitting image of her sister who she’d lost fifteen years ago in the attack on the school. Those sweet green eyes were why Mia had chosen to name her daughter in memory of her sister. Reine frowned. “I know mommy. I just. You are a mutant, daddy is a mutant. And I want to be a mutant like Aunt Reine had.”, Renie admitted. Cero scooped up his youngest daughter and started tickling her. “You’ll come into your powers when it’s time, so just focus on being the sweet little girl you are. You get to meet grandpa today, be excited about that.”, Cero said. Renie wiggled and giggled trying to escape her dad. “I will daddy.”, Reine said between bouts of laughter.
“And we get to officially meet Grandma Aurelia too right?”, Reine asked still giggling. Cero stopped tickling his daughter and sat her back down. The girls had never officially met Aurelia as they’d lived in Alaska having really nothing to do with Aurelia or Rose. They’d seen Rachel and Jimmy and even young Junior as Cero happily hosted his little cousins and nephew during summers at his home. He sat Reine back down to the ground and looked to both his daughters. John turned his attention having heard his great niece called Aurelia grandma. He was interested to see how his nephew would handle this. “Who told you to call her that?”, Cero asked. “Um. Well Nikki said we are supposed to call her that.”, Reine admitted. Cero turned his focus to Nikki. “And you got this from whom?”, Cero asked. “Grandpa.”, Nikki stated. Cero blinked. “Grandpa? You’ve not met him yet.”, Cero stated. Nikki shook her head. John and Hudson now both took active interest in this conversation and folded their arms watching. Jimmy noticed how his dad and cousin were standing and decided to mimic. He never really understood his cousin’s issue with his Aunt Aurelia. “When did you see grandpa?”, Kirra asked stepping next to her brother. “This morning. I was playing at the institute and he was walking to Professor Fear…Fearb..Fearbhirigh’s office.”, Nikki said having some trouble saying Duncan’s last name. “And what did grandma tell you?”, Kirra asked. Nikki gulped. “He said I’m supposed to call her that. Because it’s the respect and title she deserves as his wife, or at least she will be when he gets her to a preacher.”, Nikki said thinking back to her conversation that morning. “And daddy you told me that when I meet grandpa I should be nice and do what he tells me.”, Nikki added. Amiko smiled and bent down lightly touching her niece’s shoulder. “And that’s correct. You should listen to what your grandfather tells you. He’s a wise man and would never lie to you.”, Amiko said shooting a ‘try and say otherwise’ look to her brother and sister. Cero and Kirra glanced to each other and sighed. “I suppose.”, Cero said relenting for the moment.
The younger kids played by the stage under the supervision of Xavier and Rachel. Reine finding the instruments most interesting. She tried to go for the drums and Rachel rushed up to stop her. “Oh sweetheart let’s not touch the instruments. I’m sure Landon wouldn’t get too upset, but let’s not potentially break his drums.”, Rachel said scooping her little cousin up. “Who’s Landon?”, Reine asked. “He’s a friend. He is in the band Meddling Kids with your Aunt Rose. He’s also a team leader at the institute.”, Rachel explained with a soft smile. Reine raised a small eyebrow to her cousin. “A friend? Why would you want to have a boy for a friend? They have cooties.”, Renie answered. Rachel laughed shaking her head turning a light shade of red at her cheeks. “Some boys might have cooties. I’m sure. Landon isn’t one of those boys. He’s a very sweet, kind, and considerate boy.”, Rachel said smiling thinking about Landon’s good qualities. Renie looked unconvinced. Nikki walked over listening to Rachel. “You like him.”, Nikki declared. Rachel blinked looking at her young cousin wide eyed and covered her mouth. “Shh. Please.”, Rachel said looking and glad that Xavier and her brother Jimmy were off chasing Junior to not have heard that. Landon had a lot going on in his life and she knew the last thing he needed was to have some girl crushing on him. And as it stood the only person who knew that she had feelings for Landon was Blaire and despite being known as a big mouth Blaire would never tell a soul. Nikki and Reine giggled. “Rachel has a crush.”, Reine teased. “Hope for your sake he doesn’t have cooties.”, Reine added with a giggle. Rachel sighed shaking her head. “We don’t talk about this okay girls?”, Rachel asked. Nikki nodded and nudged her little sister who nodded. “Cross our heart. We won’t talk about it. Is he at least handsome?”, Nikki asked. Rachel chuckled and pulled out her phone and brought up her photos and found one from the dance of her and him. “That’s Landon.”, Rachel explained. Nikki and Reine peaked at the phone. Reine shrugged and walked away to find something else to do fun. “He’s handsome.”, Nikki said before heading after her little sister. Rachel smiled shaking her head softly looking at the picture before turning the phone off.
While everyone was talking the room went silent as the doors of the club opened. Everyone else was there so that only left three people which included the guest of honor himself. And there in the door way sandwiched between Aurelia on his left and Rose on his right stood Logan. He was shorter than both of the red heads making his placement between them amusing at first sight. Logan’s hands were tightly holding both Aurelia and Rose’s. He knew they were both uncertain about being in the same place as Cero and Kirra, even if they wouldn’t say it to him. Amiko looked and a bright smiled spread across her lips and she rushed to the door. “Father!”, she called wrapping her arms around his neck only having an inch on him hugging him tightly. The last she had seen him they looked rather close in age. But the last fifteen years she had aged as a human would and developed grays where she figured even if he’d not been trapped in limbo he’d still look the same. “I have missed you so much father.”, Amiko said. Aurelia and Rose let Logan’s hands go which he then wrapped his arms around his eldest child and hugged her tight. “I have missed you too Amiko. You and Haung have done an excellent job with my grandson Xavier. I’ve enjoyed seeing him here and there during my time in limbo when Rose visited you and even more since he came to Bayville to stay with John.”, Logan said looking past Amiko to Haung who gave a respectful bow. “Gifu.”, Haung said giving respect to his father-in-law. Logan looked and smiled giving a nod. “Giri no muuko.”, Logan acknowledged his son-in-law. Amiko pulled back from the hug realizing she was monopolizing her father. She turned instead to Aurelia and gave her a hug. “Always wonderful to see you.”, Amiko greeted then hugged Rose. “I’ve missed seeing you little sister.”, Amiko said. Aurelia and Rose smiled and hugged Amiko back, she wasn’t who they were worried about dealing with. They knew Amiko loved them as family without question. Xavier walked over to stand in front of his grandfather, he’d gained his fathe’rs height and had a good five inches on his grandfather. He bowed respectfully. “Sofu.”, Xavier greeted. Logan smiled seeing how Xavier had much of his father in him. “Mago.”, Logan greeted before hugging Xavier. “It has been far too long since I last truly saw you, mago.”, Logan said. Xavier blinked a bit at the hug and nodded returning it realizing his mother was right, his sofu was affectionate to family. “Yes it has, sofu. Hahahoya said that last you saw me I was just born and that you gave the idea for my name of Xavier in honor of Professor Charles Francis Xavier.”, Xavier agreed. Logan let go of his grandson and patted his arm. “Yes. And you do very well by the name you have been given, mago.”, Logan said turning his attention to the rest of the room.
Teresa decided she wasn’t going to wait and longer and moved over hugging her former instructor tightly trying to not cry. “It is so good to see you again Professor.”, Teresa said. Logan sighed and patted his daughter-in-law’s back gently. “Please Teresa do not cry and love of god do not call me Professor. Kisa did this same thing when I saw her. I’m not your teacher anymore. I’m your father-in-law, highness.”, Logan teased. Teresa pulled back from the hug laughing a little holding back her tears. “I can’t help it Professor. You were Professor Howlett long before I fell for Hudson. I just, I can’t believe your finally back. You have no idea just how much us students missed you these years.”, Teresa said hugging him again. Logan sighed shaking his head. “I know, I know. But you all did very well without me. I’m proud of all of you..”, Logan said. Hudson moved forward carrying a squirming Junior. Logan turned his attention to his son and grandson. “Hudson, I hope you don’t mind but I put that flame out this morning at the headstone.”, Logan greeted. Hudson chuckled and nodded. “Of course I don’t mind dad. It only burned for your return and here you are. And I’d like to formally introduce you to Prince Logan James Howlett. Mom suggested we call him Junior, so that there wouldn’t be confusion with your name. Uncle John said he looks like you did at this age.”, Hudson said. Logan held his arms out. “Will you come to me then, Junior?”, Logan asked. Junior looked at him inquisitively his face sharing many of the features of his daddy and Uncles and cousin. So he let Logan hold him and stared him down, his honey brown eyes being the difference between them. Logan smiled. “You have your mother’s eyes though. It’s very nice to meet you Junior.”, Logan said speaking softly as he used to when he spoke over Rose’s crib even if she couldn’t hear him. Junior tilted his head to the side trying to figure him out. “I’m grandpa.”, Logan explained. Junior looked past him to Aurelia and started to wiggle and reach past him for her. “Gama! Gama!”, Junior shouted. Logan laughed and turned. “Oh so we do have something in common love of red heads already.”, Logan teased handing Junior to Aurelia who happily took the toddler and rubbing noses with him. “Hello my little one.”, Aurelia greeted. Hudson hugged Aurelia. “Hi mom, glad dad let you leave the apartment at last.”, Hudson teased. Aurelia rolled her eyes but gave Hudson a side hug. “You know your father.”, Aurelia said with a shrug. Hudson nodded. “Yes, I do.”, Hudson agreed.
Logan turned his attention to Kirra who stepped forward next. “Hi daddy.”, Kirra greeted timidly. Logan sighed and hugged her. “Hello my little firebird. I see you decided to leave behind…oh what is his name…Chaz…or was the most recent fellow Dorian? Over fifteen years I found it hard to remember who you were dating.”, Logan greeted. Kirra chuckled and shrugged. “I didn’t really think bring Patrick to a family reunion of my father returning from the ‘dead’ would be in his best interest. He’s human after all daddy he would probably freak out.”, Kirra admitted. “Oh right Patrick. Irish lad you met this past summer during your trip to Dublin.”, Logan nodded remembering. Kirra blinked. “You really were around? You kept track of me?”, Kirra asked. Logan nodded. “Of course. Where I was prevented me from speaking or interacting with all of you, but it didn’t stop me from seeing everything. I kept my eyes and ears on all my children the best I could. I just stayed closest to my Rose.”, Logan said looking to Rose who was tickling Junior as he wiggled in Aurelia’s arms trying to escape. Kirra rolled her eyes a little not thinking that Logan noticed, but he did. Logan sighed and turned his attention to his remaining child. Mia smiled at Logan and hugged him. “You aren’t going to call me Professor too are you Mia?”, Logan asked. Mia laughed. “Like Teresa, I can’t help it Professor. You will always be our Professor Howlett. You were that before we knew your sons.”, Mia said smiling. Logan noticed some scares on her bare arms that her quarter sleeve shirt didn’t fully cover. Logan sighed and hugged her. Mia realized he’d noticed the scares and tugged her sleeve. “Some things can’t be healed..”, Mia said softly. Logan nodded. “I know kid. I know.”, Logan said softly patting her shoulder. He looked to the girls and smiled crouching down to be eye level. “Nice to see you again Nikki. And you my dear must be Reine as you look just like your aunt.”, Logan greeted. Reine stood with her shoulders back proud that he recognized her. “You knew my Aunt right, grandpa?”, Reine asked. Logan nodded. “Yes I did. Reine was a very kind young girl. She controlled the light like my good friend Alison Blaire..well now Alison Delaney. Your Aunt did well in my class. When you get big enough I’ll teach you all I taught her.”, Logan said. “But what if I never have powers?”, Reine asked nervously. “What does powers have to do with learning to defend yourself? I trained the students to fight without their powers. Others with powers like theirs taught them to use their powers. However if you come into powers it’ll be grandma Aurelia that teaches you to fight as she’ll be teaching Nikki this year.”, Logan explained.
Aurelia paused hearing Logan call her grandma to Cero’s daughters. She looked to Cero and waited for the explosion. But all she saw was a slight twitch in Cero’s face. Aurelia laughed a little together realizing that Cero didn’t have the nerve to speak against his father as he had John these past years. Logan patted Nikki and Reine on their heads and stood up to look at his son that had seven inches on him. “Cero.”, Logan greeted. Cero smiled and extended a hand. “Father.”, Cero greeted. Logan nodded and shook his hand. “You’ve done very well, for the most part, with my granddaughters. I know you’ve taught them much of your mother’s tribe. I’m sure Nikki would be pleased by that, to know her tribe’s culture has been carried on.”, Logan commented. Cero nodded. “Thank you father.”, Cero said simply. Logan then turned to the remaining four in the room. John stepped forward and hugged Logan tightly picking up his little brother as he did which got a laugh from the room. “Alright John put me down.”, Logan insisted. John laughed and set him down. “I’m sorry James I couldn’t help it. You’re real. You’re here. Landon, Rose, and all the others they really did it. I just I can’t believe it.”, John said. Logan nodded. “Yes, with great risk to themselves the eight came through just as I knew they could.”, Logan said looking over to Rose again. “It’s good to be seen again brother. I have missed you.”, Logan admitted looking to Sarael. “And my dear sister in law.”, Logan said hugging Sarael. Sarael smiled and returned the hug. Logan held her a tad tight his mind thinking to how she’d died so violently in the other world. “Alright Logan you are squeezing a tad tight.”, Sarael said. Logan snapped back and let her go. “I’m sorry. Just forget I’m tangible again.”, Logan said covering up his real reason. He then looked to Rachel and Jimmy with a smile. “And there’s my brilliant niece Rachel. And my nephew, the other namesake Jimmy. It’s nice to finally meet you both.”, Logan greeted. Rachel wasn’t sure how she was supposed to be as she spun the gold bracelet on her arm. Logan chuckled having seen her done this in the before since Landon gave it to her. He hugged her and whispered. “Didn’t Landon tell you to not spin that. Listen to him, he’s a smart enough kid. And no need to be nervous tonight. It’s a reunion. And don’t worry about him, I’ll make sure that vision is false.”, Logan whispered very softly as too many had similar hearing powers to him. Rachel blinked in surprise as Logan spoke but nodded. “It’s nice to finally meet you Uncle James.”, Rachel greeted returning the hug. Logan let her go and looked to Jimmy and offered a hand. Jimmy accepted and squeezed tightly trying to prove he was strong too. Logan chuckled looking at Jimmy. “Other than having your mother’s complexion you are all Howlett boy. Let’s hope for your sake you get your father’s height and not mine, aye.”, Logan teased. Jimmy nodded. “I can hope. But if I don’t know big deal. You became a legend and no one mentions your height because your reputation makes you seven feet tall.”, Jimmy said. Logan nodded. “I suppose it does.”, Logan said patting Jimmy’s shoulder.
The reunion continued people making small talk, Logan staying close to Aurelia and Rose most of the night. David came out briefly to set up a keyboard on the stage as Rachel had expressed interest in playing with Rose. Rose noticed the stage set up and tugged at her cousin and the duo walked to the stage. Rose took a breath and put on her mic. “Um. Hi everyone. I didn’t exactly have the time to write something original, so with Rachel and Landon’s help I found a piece that was close to what I wanted to say and kind of changed it. So well this is for dad.”, Rose said nervous for the only time to be on that stage. Logan raised an eyebrow and moved over to the stage and sat down. He’d never seen Rose nervous on stage, it’d been a place she was always so confident. Aurelia walked over and sat down next to him taking his hand interested to hear this. The others made their way over sitting down. Cero and Kirra hanging back a little but did come closer. The melody started before Rose’s voice began. “The greatest man I never knew. He came home late most nights. He never had too much to say. Too much was on his mind. I never really knew him. And it seems so sad. Everything he gave to us took all he had.”, Rose sang doing her best to control her voice as her and her cousin played. Rose looked over the group and fro the most part she saw smiling encouraging faces, except of course Cero and Kirra. But then she looked to Logan who was sitting straight as a rail watching her intently a look of pride on his face. She wondered if over the years when he was there but she couldn’t see did he have that look every time she sang. “The greatest man I never knew. The man all though would never die. Was gone before I arrived. He was the best at what he did. But there was still more left to do. The greatest words I never heard. I thought I’d never hear. He never got to say he loved me. Guess he thought I’d know. The greatest man I never knew. He never really left. Every day he was by my side. We could speak at all. How was I to know he thought I hung the moon. The greatest man I never knew is back. He has his second chance to be everything he wanted to do be. No longer the greatest man I never knew. Now the greatest man I’ve ever known.”, Rose sang letting herself only focus on the song. She took a breath putting down her guitar as Rachel stepped back from the keyboard.
Rose looked at her family and saw her mom trying to not cry. Logan nodded and stood up and walked up to the side of the stage and onto the stage. He first stopped and gave Rachel a hug and a light kiss on the cheek. “Thank you Rachel.”, he said before walking to Rose. He took a breath and looked at Rose who looked back at him uncertain of his reaction. Logan smiled and hugged Rose and kissed her cheek. “I don’t know how many times, going back to when you were still in the womb, I’ve said this wishing you would hear me…I love you and always will my little Rose.”, Logan said. Rose smiled and hugged him tightly. At her seat Aurelia was having a hard time not crying. Hudson reached over offering his handkerchief. “Here mom.”, Hudson whispered. Aurelia nodded taking the white handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. Logan looked to the group of his family and saw most were smiling but he noticed that Cero and Kirra seemed a tad too indifferent to the touching song that their little sister just sang. Logan took a breath and picked up the mic with a free hand keeping an arm around Rose. “Thank you Rose and Rachel. That was a very lovely song. You both are very talented, I don’t know where that came from as neither John or I were ever musically inclined.”, Logan said with a small laugh. “I have proudly watched every Meddling Kids performance these past years and attended every piano and violin recital for you Rachel.”, Logan said looking between the two girls who smiled. “I want to thank all of you for coming from so far to see me. I know I made you wait not just all these years I was gone but this past week while I’ve stayed home with just Aurelia. And as it seems our reunion is winding down I’d like to say a couple things. Basically clear up any misunderstands that have occurred these past fifteen years I’ve been gone.”, Logan said keeping his arm around Rose. Everyone looks at him intrigued and a little confused. Logan cleared his throat a little.
“I’ll keep this as short as I can. Cero and Kirra, both of you step forward.”, Logan said nodding to the dance floor closest to the stage. Cero and Kirra exchanged confused looks. “That wasn’t a suggested. Get your asses over here, now.”, Logan said his tone changing for a moment to that of the gruff survival instructor that Teresa and Mia remembered. Cero and Kirra quickly moved from their places in the back to stand before him. “You two seem to need to get a grasp on a couple things. So I’m here to make sure this is made clear as crystal to the both of you. I considered making this a private conversation, but I think the whole family should hear what I’m gonna tell you.”, Logan said looking to his son and daughter. “First thing involves Rose. I’ve seen how you have treated her since the day it was announced Aurelia was expecting. And I was there to hear what you had to say outside the delivery room at Mikali’s offices. Who do you think tripped you idiots.”, Logan said trying to keep his voice from turning to a growl. Cero and Kirra blinked remembering how they’d tripped on nothing. “I’ll make this damn clear and you two better be listening. Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett is mine as much as you two are. She’s a Howlett by blood and you will see fit to treat her as your sister or face my wraith. You both owe her a lifetime of apologizes before you leave Bayville. It’ll be her discretion if she forgives you.”, Logan stated. Hudson and Amiko both covered their mouths to stop their laughter as she watched cero and Kirra hang their heads being chewed out by their father. “The second thing I am going to clear up is about Aurelia. You better start treating her with respect. Because I am marrying her like it or not she will be your step mother. She doesn’t just deserve your respect because she’s going to marry me. She should have earned it a long fucking time ago because she has been nothing but faithful to me all these years. She never gave up on me coming back. Anyone that holds such devotion to your father should have at the least your respect. And you will start giving her that going forward. I catch even a whisper that either of you are not treating Aurelia and Rose as Howletts I’ll take you over my damn knee and give you a beating that will make you thankful you got my healing.”, Logan warned before letting the mic drop.
At first no one really knew what to say till suddenly there was clapping heard. Cero and Kirra turned their heads and saw that Mia was clapping. Cero looked at his wife with an arch eyebrow as she clapped at his father not only shaming him but threatening him in front of everyone. Mia shrugged smiling as she clapped. Teresa decided to join and whistled and applauded with her sister-in-law. Haung chose to not clap because it wouldn’t be respectful but he couldn’t hide that he was smiling. Aurelia was hiding a smile being her hand as she shook her head. To see how Logan could flip from sweet father and uncle with how he spoke to Rose and Rachel to the Wolverine he was known to be when speaking to Cero and Kirra. John coughed as his effort to maintain composure. Sarael chuckled a little behind her hand. Amiko and Hudson were laughed out loud and started to clap as well. Xavier smiled resisting the urge to laugh or clap. He enjoyed his grandfather ripping into his Uncle and Aunt for how they’ve behaved to his grandmother and Aunt Rose. Jimmy laughed a little but resisted clapping. Rachel just blinked a little and covered her mouth to not laugh at the image of her rather short uncle spanking her taller cousins. Rose smiled and had to cover her mouth to not break out laughing. Logan let Rose go and gave a little bow playing into it. “Now apologize the both of you.”, Logan instructed jumping down from the stage and moving past the pair to sit back down next to Aurelia. Cero cleared his throat and waited for the clapping and laughter to die down before looking to Rose. “Since father has made it clear that without a doubt to him you are his….I am sorry that I held my doubts. You are my sister and I will try my best to treat you as such.”, Cero said. Kirra nodded. “Right. I am sorry as well. But if dad says you are Howlett then you are.”, Kirra said. John leaned to Logan. “Yet when I said she’s Howlett that meant nothing?”, John joked. Logan snorted. “Means more coming from their dad than their uncle.”, Logan whispered back. Rose nodded. “Um well thanks for apologizing at least.”, Rose said getting off the stage and going over to talk with Rachel and Xavier. “Wow, I didn’t see sofu letting into them…at least not publically.”, Xavier whispered. Rachel and Rose nodded in agreement turning to watch the pair turn their attention to Aurelia. They both sighed. “We are both sorry to have held doubts about you Aurelia. In the end as long as you make our father happy we should not have qualms with you.”, Cero said Kirra nodding alongside him. Aurelia nodded. “Thanks for the apology.”, Aurelia said though not certain how much would really change now.