Epilogue

It wasn't quite dawn yet, when Ororo sat up in bed, gnashing her teeth and rubbing soothing circles around her protruded stomach. She felt as if her lower half was on fire, with the pains of the contractions that were hitting her quick and furious. She glanced over at the sleeping form of her husband and smiled, reaching out with her free hand to run her fingers through his tussled hair. She smiled when she heard his contented sigh. Even in his sleep he was attuned to her touch. As much as she didn't want to wake him, she knew that she had no other choice because, ready or not, their bundle of joy was getting ready to make its appearance into the world.

"Logan?" When no answer came, she whispered again, "Logan?"

"Hmm?" Came the grunted reply. He laid on his stomach, his face nestled into his folded arms on the pillow.

"I think it is time," she murmured, trying to stifle the groan that sat in her throat as another contraction ripped through her. The contractions had started a few minutes after they had climbed into bed a little over six hours ago. At first, she thought that they were the false labor pains her doctor had warned her about, but within the last hour and a half, they were coming at a much faster and ferocious pace and she was more than convinced that they were the real deal. She waited until now to reveal her distress to her husband, knowing that he would have more than likely flew off the handle the moment she made him aware of to her agony.

"Time fer what, darlin'?" He mumbled sleepily. A few moments later, he shot up out of the bed. Ororo giggled at the silly picture he made, standing naked and looking down at her with wild eyes. She mentally started to count the seconds before he fully descended into panic.

"Cripes! Oh cripes! Flamin' hell!" He rasped, completely going to pieces. "Is this it? Oh cripes!"

Four seconds. "Dearest, please calm down," she gritted through clenched teeth. "It would not do either one of us any good if you are not calm."

"Calm? Ya're about ta drop yer load and ya want me ta calm down?" He scrambled over to his closet where the jeans he had on earlier laid carelessly on the floor. Muttering incoherent curses, he picked up the piece of clothing, shoved his legs into them and stood up in one fluid motion, fastening the button. Grabbing a random shirt off a hanger, he quickly slipped into it, leaving it unbuttoned. He literally flew to her closet, rummaging through it for something for her to wear.

She smiled when he came to her side of the bed, holding up some clothes for her to put on. She reached for her cell phone. "I am going to call the doctor's service." She placed the call and told the doctor's answering service to notify the doctor that she was on her way to the hospital.

"Come on, get dress. What do ya want ta wear? Ya wanna wear this shirt or this dress? Where's yer bag? Ya did pack it already, right? Are ya in pain, baby? What ya want me ta do, 'Ro?" He fired off the questions in rapid succession, his anxiety clearly evident.

She heaved her heavily pregnant frame off the bed. "Like I said…" She trailed off when a contraction seemingly ripped her in two. She cried out and reached out for Logan, who was at her side in a flash. He clasped her hand, counting through the contraction with her. He kissed her forehead when the pain subsided.

Slowly, he helped her to stand straight, but moments later, she screamed his name as she bent over double, liquid trickling down her legs. "My water just broke," she cried.

Swearing liberally, he helped her to get dress through the pain and grabbed her packed bag, slinging it over his shoulder. Grabbing his wallet off the dresser, he slipped it into his jeans pocket before he wrapped her in a blanket and lifted her into his arms, hastily making his way to the garage. "Breathe, baby. Just the way they taught us in Lamaze," he commanded, even though his own breathing was uneven.

On their way to the garage, he grabbed the keys for her new BMW X5 SUV that he had presented her with on their anniversary. He tossed her bag into the backseat carelessly, before buckling her into the passenger seat of the vehicle and then running around the front, his opened shirt flapping.

"Where is your jacket? It is still winter." She said coolly, as he slipped into the driver's seat.

"Why are ya worried about me at a time like this?"

"I worry about you all the time and I cannot have you getting sick on me that is why."

He looked at her to gauge her seriousness. When he saw that she was indeed serious, he hissed a curse before dashing out of the vehicle and running into the house to grab a jacket to appease her.

When he came back, his eyes widened in alarm as he witnessed her in the grips of another contraction. He cupped her clammy cheek and she leaned into him for a few seconds while the pain abated.

When he was sure that she was alright, he made sure his seatbelt was fastened before starting the vehicle. Pressing the button that controlled the garage door, he waited until the door was fully lifted then backed out. Waiting another few seconds for the door to close, he pulled them out of the driveway, leaving the home that they had been sharing for the past two and a half years. They were empty nesters now that Nathan was away, working on completing his second year at Yale University and working hard towards obtaining his degree in Engineering. But soon enough they would no longer hold that title. Soon enough, sounds of a new baby would fill their home. And they couldn't wait.

Ororo didn't remember much of the time between leaving their home and arriving at the hospital. The only thing she remembered was Logan speeding through red lights like a man possessed and she cautioning him a few times to calm down and not get any traffic tickets or even worse, into an accident. He ignored her entreaties, reminding her that driving was what he did for a living.

She groaned when a particularly sharp pain knifed through her, causing her to arch upwards.

"Oh hell, baby. Hang in there," Logan wailed, as he reached across the car interior and laid a hand on her stomach. "I'm here, darlin'. Just a few more minutes and we'll be there."

"Logan, I am scared," she hissed through the pain, covering his hand with her own.

"I know, baby. I'm scared too. But it'll be alright. I'm right here. I got ya."

The tires screeched as he came to a harsh stop in the parking lot of the hospital emergency room. Quickly, he was out of the SUV and at her side, unbuckling her and scooping her up into his arms and carrying her inside.

Once all the insurance information was exchanged and she was officially checked in, a nurse turned to Logan and said smilingly, "The doctor needs to see her alone for a few minutes, then you can join her Mr. Howlett."

It was clear Logan didn't want to leave her side, which prompted the nurse to say, "She's in good hands."

He nodded reluctantly before lowering himself so that he was eye level with her where she rested on the hospital bed. He smoothed a few strands of hair away from her face and kissed her tenderly. "I love ya."

"I love you too," she replied, gripping his hands. "Please call everyone."

By the time he had notified his parents, Jean and Nathan, he was able to join her in the delivery room, wearing the scrubs that were required.

"Sexy," Ororo quipped once he came in properly attired.

"Maybe I could go inta modeling once racing is done," he joked. He bent over her, his eyes suddenly turning serious and misty. "Thanks, 'Ro."

She reached up and touched his cheek. "What for?"

"For this entire experience," he stated gruffly. "Ya have no idea what being able ta go ta the appointments, Lamaze classes, indulge yer cravings and giving ya back rubs meant ta me."

Ororo's eyes glazed over. "It was my pleasure. Did you call Nathan?"

"Uh huh. He's excited. Said he'll drive up on Friday fer the weekend ta see his new sibling. Jean says she's on her way here and my folks will be here by tomorrow evening."

She gripped his hands as the pain of another contraction washed over her. "Stay with me, Logan."

"Always, baby. Forever. I ain't going anywhere."

For the next hour, Ororo huffed, puffed and screamed at her doctor, husband and anyone else in the vicinity of the room as she struggled through the birthing process. Although she threw him death glares and tossed unsavory words at him for getting her into this predicament, she was damn happy that he was there to reassure her, love her and calm her down. When she thought that she couldn't go on anymore and was about to give up, Logan gave her the added strength she needed to push through the immense pain. There was no way she was going without painkillers next time.

Minutes later, their daughter announced her arrival into the world with the loudest wail anyone in the room had ever heard. The good-natured doctor lifted up the newborn for both mother and father to see, before calling Logan over to sever the connection between mother and child. Ororo used that time to let her body sink gratefully onto the bed and closed her eyes, allowing herself a few seconds to take in the gravity of the moment.

Once baby girl Howlett was cleaned and wrapped in a cotton blanket, the doctor lifted the squalling squirming infant into her daddy's arms. "I believe this healthy beautiful little girl belongs to you Mr. Howlett." Logan's eyes widened before he succumbed to his emotions and cried in relief and joy as he held his little miracle who had quieted down instantly once she was in his arms. Lingering tears blurred his vision and there was wonder and a whole new promise present through those tears as he gazed down at his daughter. Ororo recognized that look. Logan was in love with their little one. Tears of joy escaped her eyes as she witnessed the bond being forged between daughter and father.

"She has your nose and hair," Ororo voiced with feeling.

"She's absolutely gorgeous," Logan whispered in awe. "Stunning."

It was an hour later and Ororo was in a private room, cleaned and lying in bed waiting for them to bring her little girl back after the routine foot and finger prints, weight and height measurements. Fifteen minutes later, the nurse wheeled their little one inside. After informing them that baby girl Howlett was seventeen and a half inches long and weighed in at six pounds, one ounce, they were finally left alone with their daughter. They took their time to admire every inch of her and laughed every time the cotton cap would slide off her head due to the amount of hair on her head.

"I can't believe it, 'Ro," Logan said gruffly, while fingering his daughter's head of thick raven hair. "I never thought that this was possible fer me. Having a family of my own has been my number one dream and ta see it coming through now, I…I can't describe it. All I can say is thank ya fer giving this ta me." He readjusted the cap on the baby's head.

Ororo reached up and affectionately stroked his cheek. Gazing up at him with love, she said softly, "I am the one who should be thanking you. Thank you for loving me enough to want this with me. This entire experience has made me feel as if my life has come full circle."

He wasn't ashamed of the water that ran down his cheeks as he leaned over her and touched her lips with his. It was a brief, tender and precious kiss. Just then the little one cried out with zest, her tiny arms flailing.

Logan stood, adopting a defensive stance, ready to defend his daughter against whatever made her cry. Ororo laughed softly. "I think she is hungry." Carefully holding her daughter with one hand, she pushed the strap of her silk gown down her shoulder, exposing her left breast. Immediately, the newborn latched onto the nipple and suckled her mother's breast robustly.

Ororo chuckled quietly, tenderly stroking the soft café au lait skin of her daughter's cheek. She leaned down and nuzzled her, enjoying that fresh sweet baby scent. There were no words to accurately describe how she was feeling right now. This beautiful miracle was all hers. After two years of marriage, she was beginning to wonder if her dream of ever carrying a child and giving birth would ever come to fruition. The doctor had assured her that she was in perfect health physically and there was nothing to prevent her from becoming pregnant, but that had not been enough and she had thought that she was cursed…doomed to not live that one dream. Many times, Logan had to reassure her that it would happen in its own time, but no matter his assurances, she felt as if she was a disappointment to him.

She was shocked when the home pregnancy test gave her hope and completely overjoyed the very first time the doctor had confirmed the pregnancy. But her reaction was nothing compared to Logan's. The man actually did cartwheels on their front lawn and literally howled with happiness. From that moment on, they journeyed through the next few months together and Logan had even gone so far as to take a sabbatical from racing during that period of time. They were both grateful for the miracle they had been blessed with and wanted to endure the joys, pains and aches of the pregnancy together.

Smiling as she remembered that experience, she crooned softly, "What are you going to name your daughter?" She had names picked out for either a boy or a girl, seeing that they had elected to find out the baby's sex at birth. However, looking up at her husband now, she knew that the gift of naming their first child together was rightfully his. Besides, she was anxious to hear what names he had decided on, since he was so tightlipped about it.

Logan's eyes shot up to meet hers. She had completely stunned him with that question. He had always thought that she would want to name their child, but it didn't mean that he didn't have a name ready. "Me?"

Ororo laughed lightly. "Yes, this one is all yours, my love."

After a scant moment of silence, he said thickly and with confidence, "Zuri Aine Howlett."

Her radiant smile told him that she absolutely adored the name. "I love it. Zuri, I know, but what about Aine?"

He swallowed hard and cleared his throat. He touched the baby's cheek with his finger, admiring the way her cheek puffed in and out as she suckled noisily. "Well, I thought Zuri would be the perfect tribute ta ya and yer own mother." He paused to smile at her. "Aine was my dad's mother's name. Grandma Aine was a very generous, loving and pretty woman. I think it means brightness or something like that."

"Perfect," Ororo whispered, bending to lightly kiss her daughter's cap covered head. "Welcome to the world, Zuri. You are loved so much."

Their tender family moment was interrupted when Jean came into the room carrying a beautiful flower arrangement in a vase. She smiled in chagrin, knowing that she had interrupted something powerful. "I'm sorry to interrupt," she whispered.

Ororo smiled at her sister and beckoned her closer, as she transferred Zuri to her other breast. Jean placed the vase of flowers on the nearest nightstand and then bent down to bestow a kiss on Ororo's cheek, then Logan's. There was no longer any awkwardness between them, the past seemingly having melted away to the furthest recesses of their memories. "Congratulations you two," she said cheerily. "She is gorgeous."

Logan smirked. "She sure is. Say hello ta Zuri Aine."

With a broad smile, Jean leaned over to closely inspect her niece. Staring into the face of the newborn, Jean couldn't help but reach down to cradle her own three month pregnant belly. She and her husband Bobby were thrilled to learn that they were expecting just six months into their marriage. Looking at her niece, she couldn't help but say a small prayer of thanksgiving for all the second chances she had been given. Tears formed in her eyes as she stood to her full height and cast her eyes to Ororo, who fully understood her thoughts and feelings at that moment.

"I'm so happy for you both. I'm sure Nathan flipped out."

Logan laughed, remembering his son's squeals of elation when the news of his new sibling was relayed to him. "Yep, the boy did. He'll be driving up on Friday after classes."

Jean laughed as well, glancing down at her watch. She had half an hour to get to the boutique and open up. Part of her proving to Ororo and Nathan that she was keeping her promise to both of them was opening her own boutique that sold organic skincare and cosmetics products from different parts of the world. With Ororo as her business partner, their business was thriving and they couldn't be happier. Although Ororo still did her freelance web designing work, she found that there was a certain joy in being a business owner and having a steady stream of income. "I have to get to the store to open up," she said, "Bobby and I will be back after closing." She pressed a kiss to her sister's brow and clasped Logan's shoulder. Tossing them one more smile, she quietly slipped out of the room, giving the new family some privacy before the nurse came to take their precious bundle away.

Two minutes later, the nurse did come in, carrying another vase of flowers. "More flowers," she announced as she placed them next to the vase Jean brought. "If you're done nursing Mrs. Howlett, I have to get her back to the nursery."

"I think she is finally fully," Ororo replied, gazing down at Zuri lovingly. She had stopped sucking and was sleeping with satisfaction.

She pressed an affectionate kiss to Zuri's head before Logan slipped his hands underneath his daughter and lifted her out of her mother's arms. He too pressed a soft kiss to the baby's forehead, nuzzled her cheek and admired her beautiful sleeping face before placing the child in the bassinet. The nurse smiled at him before wheeling the bassinet towards the door. Logan escorted them to the door, his eyes trained on them until the nurse disappeared into the last room down the hall that was the nursery.

When he turned towards the bed, he saw Ororo's eyes intently focused on him. Her mouth opened to convey how happy she was, but she was rendered speechless when the emotional tumult of the day suddenly ensnared her. Logan saw the vast amount of emotion on her lovely face and silently made his way over to her. He sat down on the side of the bed and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. He captured her left hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing her wedding band. This moment right here symbolized the struggle and long way they had to travel in order to have what they have with each other. It epitomized their relationship, their love and commitment to each other.

"I love you, 'Ro," he muttered thickly, adjusting her gown to cover her bare breasts. "Ya're the woman I was born ta love. You, Nathan and Zuri are my life." He leaned down and kissed her again, savoring the sweetness that was all her.

"You are our protector and provider," she replied huskily against his lips. "I love you."

Their eyes held for several misty seconds and Logan, not really a religious man, couldn't help but remember one of his Grandma Aine's favorite psalms…weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. His life was renewed that day he had stormed up her driveway demanding to know why she was sending him threatening letters. That renewed life flourished when he finally remembered that summer and the goody two shoes Goddess and accepted Nathan as his son. But his joy didn't come until the Goddess staring up at him with such adoration became his. And now, she had given to him one of the greatest of gifts life had to offer…a child.

Ororo reached up and lovingly curved her hand around the back of his neck, drawing him down towards her chest. She felt his breath on her breasts as she stroked his head tenderly. Silently, they laid in repose, delighting in the significance of the journeys their lives had taken to bring them to this point in time. Their fates were sealed that day they were first introduced to each other, but their lives had to take the paths that they did in order to prepare them for this. All the tragedies and heartaches they had to endure and conquer had led them to savoring this moment, where they both made the promise to guarantee that their daughter would be loved and cherished. That promise, they both know, would only serve to strengthen their love for and devotion to each other and to make certain that their love would burn with such ferociousness that nothing and no one would ever be able extinguish it.

Zuri is of Swahili origin and means beautiful or lovely.

Aine is pronounced awn-ya and is believed to be the beautiful Irish goddess of love, summer and wealth.

A/N: This is it for this story. It was great fun writing this particular story. Thank you for travelling this journey with these characters.