The sound of laughter rings through the halls , usually still and cool with winter’s touch , through cracks and crevasses no mason could ever close. Welcome to the halls of the Westchester Home for Ill-children and their families. Usually these walls hold little joy and much sorrow.
That is different today. For today it’s Christmas and some very special visitors have come to lend their talents to these so often harried care-takers and weary families. The X-Men have volunteered their time and their energies to making this day of all days , different and special.
The day has dawned brightly blue but cool with Frost. No hint of snow on the ground or a cloud in the sky , making a White Christmas a dim reality. But what is Christmas but the time of miracles? So enjoy this small miracle upon this occasion of December 25 , 1999. Brought to you in love and affection by the talents of Buffywatcher and Tasfree1. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The atmosphere is jolly and laughter rings through these once sterile halls. Scott and Beast are decking the halls with children hanging on their legs like ornaments , gaily sprinkled with tinsel and popcorn. They are industrious and playfully as they string popcorn for the garlands , eating or throwing 2 for every one they thread onto their strings. Iceman is surrounded by wide-eyed children and amazed adults as Ice sculptures appear as if by magic , holding one form for but seconds before morphing into a new form. Gambit is cooking , aided by an entranced Bishop , who’s eyes are as wide as any of the children’s and his smile as innocent. Christmas was but one more thing he lost by growing up during a war. Gambit smiles at his foster son and marvels at the joy and happiness , the large man so rarely shows. Rogue is helping Gambit and Bishop in the kitchen , looking on lovingly as Gambit beams with paternal pride at Bishop’s happiness. Archangel is outside , darting to and fro in the sky , cradling children in his strong arms as he chases imaginary dragons through the sky. The screams of the children’s bell like laughter and Archangel’s own bass rumblings are lost to the wind as he ferries children on rides. Professor X is cradling a small sleeping baby girl in his arms and re-telling the story of Christmas to an audience of children , their families , and the Staff of the Children’s home. Phoenix and Psylocke are dressed as elves and handing out presents to all the girls and boys and even to their families with glee. Storm stands regally at Santa’s side , dressed as Mrs. Claus in a calf length gown of red velvet trimmed with white fur. Her fantastic hair is upswept and falls in artful curls around her beautiful face. Black leather boots trimmed with white fur , a black leather belt , and a fur muff complete her outfit. Wolverine dressed as Santa Claus sits upon a golden throne as child after child whispers their heart’s wish for Christmas. His patience never wavers , his voice is never raised , and his hands are always gentle. Storm listens to their whispered wishes and sends their Christmas requests to Phoenix and Psylocke who are telepathically listening to her. The sight of the children’s joy as they receive just what they wanted is heartfelt thanks enough for their efforts. They entertain the children , their families , and the Staff for hours , never asking for thanks or accepting offers for recompense from the happy Mothers and Fathers. They graciously accept only their geniune thanks for the smiles on the small angels’ faces. They are tireless in their efforts to make this Christmas the most special one of all for these often overlooked and smallest of God’s precious gifts.
At last there is only one child left for Santa to hold and he is the weakest and frailest of all. Logan holds him close and wills part of his lifeforce to enter this small boy and make him well. No child should ever die but in his heart of hearts he knows that what must be , must be. Some angels are just brought to Earth not quite ready to fly and God calls these littlest angels home. They will return in the fullness of time to enrich the lives of those that they touch. Logan cradles the thin , frail form of the boy in his arms. “What is your Christmas wish , Little one?” Logan asks , his oice soft. The tiny boy looks up at him with huge brown eyes as the Boy’s family looks on with sad expressions. “I wish it would snow Santa. I’ve never seen snow. I want to touch it and play in it. I want to feel it squish between my hands. I want to see it fall and feel it tickle against my skin.” The boy’s Mother comes forward. “Tim , we spoke of this. Santa cannot make it snow for you. That is Father Winter’s Miracle and he is not here. He is making it snow up at the north pole to keep Santa’s elves cool while they work. If they get hot then they won’t be able to make toys for all the other girls and boys all over the world. Santa is a toymaker. Ask him for a toy.” She urges softly. Logan strokes the long red bangs of Tim’s hair out of his eyes. He looks up at Storm , who smiles softly and silently slips away. Phoenix and Psylocke slip over to flank Santa’s throne. “Did you know that Santa has a very Special Angel , who can grant one wish a year to a very special boy or girl?” He asks. The tiny boy shakes his head. “She is a very beautiful Angel and she has heard your wish.” Logan stands carrying the small boy to the window. Archangel has landed and herded the children up under the eaves. The sky has darkened and the wind has turned chilly.
Logan carries the young boy through the door and outside. He walks down the steps carefully with his fragile charge and stands in the yard beneath the sheltering limbs of a pine tree. Tim’s parents have followed them and stand nearby. Logan looks up and though he cannot see her , Logan knows that Storm is sculpting the forces of nature as Michealangelo once sculpted marble.
One by one everyone makes their way out onto the veranda to watch what’s happening. Logan sees the first flutter of white and steps out of the shelter of the tree. “Hold out your hand and close your eyes.” The little boy does as he’s told and weakly holds out his hand. He giggles as something lands in the center of his palm and tickles. He opens his eyes and laughs as flutters of white begin to rain down. Soon the ground is white and it piles higher and higher , but only around the house. In the distance the sky remains blue. It is truly a Christmas miracle.
Logan hands Tim to his beaming Father who kneels to set his son on the growing pile of snow and sinks to his knees beside him. Tim’s Mother looks on crying as her son laughs and her tearful husband helps their small son start to gather the snow and roll it. The children on the Veranda cheer and soon pour down the steps in a flood , laughing and cheering as they dive into the snow. Their familes are soon drawn by their joy and soon the yard is a winter wonderland as families , children , and the Staff play like carefree children in the snow. Iceman lends his aid by surreptiously adding snow to the growing piles and lowering the temperature to preserve the snow longer. Logan watches as even the X-Men are drawn into the innocent wonder of the newly fallen and still falling snow.
Logan hears a soft stirring of wind and knows that Storm has landed. He turns to face her and gets a faceful of snow cast with uneering accuracy!! Logan laughs and wipes the snow from his face and mock growls at a mischieviously smiling Storm. He walks forward and puts a hand on her waist and the other strokes her cheek. “Ya did good ‘Ro. Ya did well good.” Logan says. “That boy’s gonna remember this day as long as he lives.” Logan’s eyes sadden as he realizes that may not be all that long. Storm cups his shoulders and leans down to kiss his lips softly through the fake stubbliness of his Santa beard. “Not all of us reach the circle of our lives at the same time , Logan.” She says against his lips. “I’m sure his parents would never have chosen to not to know the joy of him. While he is here , he is a joy to them. Tomorrow? Who can say what miracles can happen?” Logan hugs Storm and holds on tight. “I can only hope that our child is as beautiful as he is.” Storm says softly. Logan pulls away and stares at Storm in shock. She slowly smiles and nods and he bites his tongue to contain his rebel yell of happiness. He catches Storm up against his body and pants , unable to catch his breath. “Merry Christmas Daddy.” Storm says softly kissing Logan. Logan pulls storm into a gentle embrace and stands holding her , thanking God for answered prayers.
A soft sound reaches their ears and they pull away from each other. Tim is standing smiling at them , holding his Mother and Father’s hands. They support and help him as he walks slowly and laboriously towards them. Logan falls to his knees as Tim’s parents release him and he staggers towards Logan. Logan catches the small boy and holds him as Tim hugs him as tight as he can and giggles as Logan’s whiskers tickle his soft cheek. “Thank you Santa for my snow. And thank your Special Angel for me too. She made my snow and my dream come true.” Tim grins as Logan says gruffly. “You’re Welcome Tim. I’m sure my Special Angel knows what miracles she’s wrought.” Logan rumbles.
“I wonder what the last kid’s name was before me , who got their wish.” Tim says with all the innocent curiousity of a child. Logan glances at Storm , his heart in his eyes. “Logan.” He says. “His name was Logan. He wished for an Angel’s love and he got it.” Storm smiles gently and she kneels to hug Tim as well. Tim giggles and says that her hair is as soft and white as the snow. Storm laughs huskily and kisses Tim’s cheek , thanking him for comparing her to his precious snow. She rises regally as Logan stands and carefully hands Tim back to his beaming Father and smiling Mother. Storm is pulled to Logan’s side by his powerful arm arounfd her waist.The small family turns and starts to walk away but Tim’s last comment floats back to Storm and Logan. “You know , I always thought Santa Claus would be taller . . . .”
EPILOGUE
In the fullness of time , Logan and Storm would be watching a strong , handsome young teenager accept his high school diploma. Their 12 year old daughter , Arianne , between them. After all sometimes miracles DO happen.
~~~ Marry Christmas ^_~ ~~~
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