Fic: Fender Benders and Consequences (13/22) Part One of Two
Logan was upset that the nurses insisted on waking Marie every two hours throughout the night. They tried to explain to him that it was standard treatment procedure for someone suffering a concussion, but it didn't stop him from protesting vigorously every single time. With a little pleading, he’d managed to negotiate a three-hour stretch of undisturbed sleep; which was going to expire in about another fifteen minutes. He looked down at her, she didn't look like she was ready to wake up in the next fifteen minutes - maybe he could sweet talk the nurse into just one more hour. He kissed the top of her head and pulling her in closer, placed his hand on her stomach. Closing his eyes, he listened contently to the steady rhythm of her breathing.
Fifteen minutes later the door opened, but instead of one of the nurses, it was Jean that stepped into the room. Stopping abruptly at the sight in front of her, she felt like someone had just punched her hard in the gut. She hadn't expected to find Logan in here, especially not in the bed. Marie was sound asleep curled up in Logan's arms; his right hand was gently caressing her stomach. She felt a sharp stab of jealousy at such an obviously intimate gesture. Logan was touching the place that contained his child. A child he was having with someone who wasn't her. At that moment he turned towards her, their eyes met and he gave her a small smile.
He looks different. He looks peaceful. He looks happy.
"I just wanted to stop by and see how she was doing before heading home."
In the two years that Jean had been with Scott she and Marie had always gotten along well - anticipating they would be sister-in-laws one day. Jean had ruined so many relationships with just that one small error in judgment on her part. Everyone else appeared to be mending fences and moving on - without her. A wave of sadness washed over her, because she realized she had no one to blame but herself.
"Actually, I was going to beg and plead for one more hour of undisturbed sleep for her," Logan told her.
"I think that's acceptable. Everything looks good on her chart, I think we can consider her out of danger."
"Good, does that mean she can go home soon?"
"I'll have Dr. McCoy check her in another hour and we'll let him decide, but it should be okay."
There was an awkward moment of silence.
"Well, I'm heading home then. Goodbye, Logan."
"Jeannie...."
"Don't, Logan. Please - just don't say anything."
Jean turned and was gone before Logan could say another word.
"Was that Jean?" A sleepy voice asked.
"Yeah, baby. They're gonna send someone to check on you in an hour and see about releasing you."
"I'm thirsty," she said in a small voice.
Logan was out the door like a shot, seeking out some juice. Taking care of Marie was something he could get used to.
~*~*~*
An hour and a half later Marie was being discharged with the strong admonishment to rest and take it easy for the next week. Logan had been on the phone earlier that morning making various arrangements. He was taking the rest of the week and the following week off to take care of her and he would stop by the office on the way out to Westchester to pick up a laptop so he could tele-commute. Agnes was given instructions to have copies of whatever files she thought he would need. Rogue was already in
Westchester at the vet's getting spayed, so that was taken care of. They stopped by the hotel so that Marie could change into clean clothes and were at the office by noon.
Agnes stood up and came around her desk to embrace Marie in a bear hug.
"It's so nice to finally meet the young lady who's having such a positive effect on our Logan."
"It's nice to meet you too, Agnes. Logan speaks very highly of you."
"Agnes, could you please do me a favor and call down to that deli across the street and order us some lunch,” Logan instructed, then addressing Marie, he asked, "Do you want the Chicken Salad again or something else?"
"Chicken Salad is fine." Wow, he actually remembered what I ate a month ago.
"The usual for me, please, Agnes."
"I know, anything as long as it once moo'ed." Logan's affinity for red meat had become a running joke between them.
"Add a soda for me and some juice for Marie,” he instructed, then addressing Marie he asked, “Do you want some pasta salad with your sandwich?"
"No, I'm not that hungry - just the sandwich is fine."
Logan took out his wallet and peeled off a couple of bills. "This should cover it, and pick up something for yourself, too."
"Thank you, Logan. I'll be right back." Agnes now only addressed him as Mr. Roberts in front of clients.
Just then Scott's secretary, Laurie walked up flashing Logan her best seductive smile.
"Scott said you would be needing these files. Something about tele-commuting next week?"
“Yeah. Thanks, Laurie.”
"Hello, Marie. If you're looking for Scott, he's in a meeting in the conference room."
"Actually, I came in with Logan, but thanks."
Laurie shot a nasty glare at Logan.
"Thank you, Laurie. That will be all for now," Logan said, dismissing her.
With a huff, she turned on her heels and stalked away.
"Remind me not to come here anymore. I'm not comfortable being around your former liaisons."
"Sorry about that, honey, I really am."
"Just out of curiosity, Logan, is there anybody here you haven't slept with?"
"I haven't slept with Agnes - yet! Although, if they'd kept you in that hospital any longer, I just don't know..." He paused then added, "Of course, there's always Old Mrs. Gardner in accounting. I hear she has her eye on me …well, her good one anyway."
"If you're gonna go that way, I can always set you up with my neighbor, Mrs. Anderson."
"Thought you said just looking at me naked would give her a coronary?"
"Yeah, but what a way to go!"
They both started laughing hard.
They ate lunch with Agnes in Logan's office and an hour later when everything he would need for the next week and a half was gathered together, they were on their way to Westchester.
~*~*~*