Chapter One

The Colorado skies were defiantly a sight to marvel over, especially sunsets. A painting of reds, blues, pinks and gold that stretches across the horizon and makes the far of peaks of the mountains glow like they were wearing halos. It was indeed a beautiful sight, and Logan enjoyed seeing it during twilight when he began to make dinner. He sighed; running a hand through his hair as the scene slowly began to disappear as the sun sunk down to bed. Tonight was Italian night, and a large pot was already bubbling to a boil awaiting the pasta while sauce simmered on the stove. Logan rolled up the sleeves of his dark red flannel over shirt and took a large swing of beer before going back to work. He quickly began to cut slices of bread, spreading butter on it and sitting it aside, waiting for the right time to tuck it in the oven to toast. While waiting for the pasta to finish, Logan quickly set the table with two lit candles in the center of the table with a single rose settled in a crystal vase. The former X-man stepped back and looked at his work. The room was so homey, as was the rest of his humble abode. The little log cabin adorned with forest green and tan colored furniture and decoration was lit with warmth by the fire that blazed in the fireplace. He was a country man, and lived like one. His home was back in the woods a bit, not too far from town and his lumber company but far enough to still have privacy. Logan sighed and stretched his arms out, feeling his claws very anxious to come out and have some fun. It was the feral side of him that wanted a little fun, but since the news came about five months ago he had curved the feral side of him to working out and going more into the field with his job. His workers at the lumber company were more than delighted to invite their boss out into the field with them, and it gave them a time to bond and learns about their boss and him about them. Logan turned, smirking to himself as he went over to strain the pasta. She was going to love this. Italian was always her favorite. The sun officially dipped below the horizon and bathed the world in darkness, until the moon made his grand appearance. "Dinner's almost ready!" He shouted up the stairs to her. She heard her feet began to shuffle as she got up from what he assumed to be a nap. Logan smiled, quickly pulled out the broiling pan of toast while forgetting the glove as he shoved it on top of the stove. Thank god for his fast healing as he plated the noodles and backed chicken over top of it. Pouring the sauce over it, tucking the bread in a basket he quickly set the table for when his beloved walked down those stairs. He knew she was going to love this as he wiped his hand on a towel and tossed it back over into the sink. He smile was wiped away as the doorbell echoed through the small home. "I got it." He called, jogging over to the door. He straightened his flannel shirt for a moment before opening the door. He instantly didn't wish he did. There, standing in the door, was his old team mates Hank McCoy and Ororo Monroe. Logan clenched his fist around the door handle, threatening to bend it beyond belief. "What are you both doing here?" His voice didn't house hate and anger, just annoyance. They knew he gave up the X-Man life. Hank had a uneasy smile but 'Ro's face looked pretty grim as she clasped her hand on the doorframe.

"Can we come in Logan?" Hank asked. Logan was skeptical for a moment. Did he really want to hear what they had to say? He surely wasn't in the mood for bad news, and he knew anything they could say with these faces was bad news. Logan opened his door and the two X-Men filled inside towards the living room. Loan followed, skeptical as they all took a seat, him in his chair and the two on the couch. "How have you been all these years?" Hank asked. Logan always hated the small chatter.

"Cut the chit chat Hank, what do you really want?" Hank looked up, seeing Logan had set a romantic table in the next room and seemed to be quiet about it. Ororo sighed, stood up and turned to him with her hands on her hips. The grim look still sat on her face as she said,

"Striker's back Logan." The words stung Logan like a bitch slap. Striker was back. Logan felt such anger and hatred build up inside him as the words echoed through his head. Striker was back. Logan stood quickly, fist clenched and his knuckles white as Ororo's hair. That son of a bitch. Logan turned, growling and slamming his fist into the wall of his living room. Chips of paint broke off, falling with the small cluster of dust to the floor below it. His fist sat in the dent as Logan's heart and adrenaline started to race. If there was a God, he swore to him that he was going to kill Striker even if it took his last breath.

"Logan?" Wolverine's heart seemed stop as the soothing voice quieted the scream of anger. Logan turned, looking up the stairs and at his beautiful muse. She was in jeans, with a tank top and one of his large flannel shirts. It was obvious that she just woke up by her tousled blond shoulder length hair. Logan moved to the stares, reaching her and taking her hair as she descended the rest of the stairs. Her bump was showing, not to large yet as she placed her free hand over her swollen belly. "Are you alright?" Her thumb traced over his hand as she looked up at him with concerned blue eyes. Damn, she was so beautiful and easily was able to sooth him out of his rage. Hank stood now with Ororo, both seemingly shocked at the fact that this pregnant woman came downstairs and took Logan's hand. Logan leaned over, kissing her forehead and sighing. She smelled like Vanilla. Logan turned, nodding toward his friends in which she turned and looked at him. "oh, company?" Logan chuckled and wrapped an arm protectively around her.

"Erinn, this is Hank McCoy and Ororo Monroe." Erinn smiled and bravely left her husband's arm to come toward them. She stretched her hand out, shaking their hands with a bright a beautiful smile. "Hank, Ro, this is my wife." Hank's eyes seemed to widen in shock. Logan was never the type to settle down and start a family. But Ro just smiled and turned the hand shake into a small hug.

"It is so wonderful to meet you both. Logan has told me so much about you." As she straightens up, her hand instantly went to her belly. It was a habit for most expecting mothers to have a hand on their belly, almost like protecting the child. Logan move forward, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and tucking her against his side. Concern flashed back into the young woman's eyes as she looked at Logan. "What's wrong?" Logan gulped, knowing damn well he couldn't say anything. She could read him like a book.

"Striker is back." Ororo said, butting in to save Logan from the comment. "He is a bad guy that we once fought." Her attention turned to Logan pleading in her voice as she asked, "We need you. Please, come back to the Mansion and help us. We fear he is only gathering forces, so lord knows what he is going to do to the mutant population." Erinn's hand laced through Logan's squeezing lightly as she looked up at him. He knew that look. Logan looked up at them, sighing as he held her close to him. He wanted revenge on Striker, for everything that bastard of a man did to him. And as long as he is alive, Logan and his family were never going to be safe. Striker wanted Logan, and Logan had strong plans on killing him.

"Give us a moment." Erinn said, taking Logan's hand and tugging him along. Logan was like putty in her hands as she lead them back to the laundry room. It wasn't large, but just enough space between the dryer and washer to hold a hamper and their two bodies. His little wife looked up at him, with her hands fiddling with the buttons on his shirt on his chest. Logan smiled softly at her, his arms sliding down to encircle her lengthening waist. One hand moved to touch her stomach where his child was growing. "I am going to call the children's hospital, and take an extended leave of absence. Andrea will understand under these circumstances. The boys at work have you back." Logan raised his eyebrow and ran a hand through his hair.

"Are you sure about this?" He said, tracing his hand down her hair and across her cheek. "What about the baby?" She smiled delicately up at him and laid a hand on her stomach. Logan was obviously worried about both of their health and well being. But the Mansion was equipped with the best medicine in the country, so if something were to happen to them Hank would be able to take care of them.

"Time for you to put on that X," her fingers made a X across his chest as she gave him a sly little smile. "And kick their ass." Logan burst into a laugh and cupped her face. They kissed, and Logan felt the fireworks spark inside his soul. He was excited that she was alright with this. Ever since she found out he was a mutant on their third date, she was more than supportive in him. Logan took her hand, stole one last kiss and walked out into the living room again.

"We are coming." Hank grinned as Ororo nodded and told them that they had a room ready for then. Logan kissed her forehead before she went upstairs and started to get some things together. He then turned to Hank and Ro, more serious now that ever. "If anything hurts my wife, I hurt anyone involved." With that he smiled and said, "Have a bite to eat while we get things together. There is chicken parmesan on the table." With that, he bounded up the stairs to attend to his wife who he was sure was going to try and get the suitcase down from the top of the closet.