The idea for this story came to me one morning while I was half asleep and it just went from there. I wanna thank LT and especially Deke for all their beta help on this and Elektra for leads on research and basically just listening while I rattled :-).
This is another one of my odd jumbles of Movieverse and comic canon. It's Movieverse Logan with comic book Logan's background although I've taken some liberties with the timeline of Logan's epiphany.
I've also taken some literary license with the existence of burlesque theaters in New York City in the 40's since Mayor Fiorello La Guardia actually began shutting them down in 1937 but I'm sure you all don't really care ;-)
Disclaimer: Logan and anyone else you recognize belong to Marvel and 20th Century Fox. Everyone else is mine but I'm willing to share 'em. I'm poor and not making any money of this so please don't sue me.
Feedback: Fugu me, man!
On their days off, more often than not, Logan found Nina in front of her sewing machine. Whenever he would try to peek over her shoulder at what she was making she'd turn her back and say, "This doesn't concern you yet." She was sewing her wedding dress and trousseau.
When it was done she told him, "I'm ready whenever you are!"
They decided to keep it as quiet as possible and just go to Borough Hall to the Justice of the Peace. Nina asked Mrs. Lieberman to be her Matron of Honor and Logan asked Joe to stand up for him as Best Man. Mike attended as ring bearer, thrilled to death that Uncle Logan was finally becoming his daddy.
One cold Tuesday morning in December just before Christmas, Logan awaited Nina's appearance in front of the Justice of the Peace on the second floor of the building that housed the borough's administrative offices. When she came through the wooden doors she took his breath away.
She was wearing a very pale pink satin dress. The Queen Anne neckline framed her heart-shaped face. Long, pointed sleeves ended at matching pink gloves. The bodice was seamed just under her bust and again at the waist accentuating her shapely figure and flaring to a full skirt that ended just below her knee. On her head was a matching satin bonnet adorned with silk flowers. A short veil hung off the back to her shoulders, her one concession to the secret of her true unmarried status. In her hands she carried a small nosegay of pale pink roses. Logan wore a matching rose in the lapel of his charcoal gray suit.
He took her hand as she stepped up to him and smiled ecstatically at her. She answered with one of her own.
Nina went through the ceremony in a daze; the Justice's words nothing more than droning to her. She knew enough to answer, "I do," in the correct place but all she could think was, "I'm marrying Logan! I'm marrying Logan!" Before she knew it, he was placing a beautiful diamond and platinum band on her left hand and she was placing one on his and they were being pronounced man and wife.
The first kiss he gave her as Mrs. James Logan sent electricity through her to the tips of her toes. She looked up at him, breathless.
Congratulations were offered all around. The Justice shook their hands; Mrs. Lieberman hugged them both fiercely and everyone posed happily for the photographer Logan had hired.
Joe clapped Logan on the back. "Congratulations to both of you. To celebrate, I'm taking everyone, Mike included," he said ruffling the little boy's hair, "to the Brass Rail for prime rib." He lowered his voice so Mrs. Lieberman wouldn't hear him. "Although why I should reward you for stealing my best stripper away is beyond me."
At lunch Nina and Logan told Joe they were giving two weeks notice. He told them he'd assumed as much. The men talked about Edmonton and Mike asked Logan dozens of questions about fishing and the mountains and whether or not he'd get to see real bears.
Mrs. Lieberman cried and told Nina how much she'd miss them both so much but she was ecstatic that Nina had found such a good husband and a man who would obviously be such an excellent father to Mike. Nina hugged the older woman, thanking her for everything she'd done for Michael and herself.
Joe left them after lunch to go to the theater. Logan, Nina, Mike and Mrs. Lieberman took a cab back to their house.
Nina changed into a pink wool "going away" suit the same shade as her gown and topped off by a pink felt hat. Logan pinned a corsage of the same pale pink roses as her nosegay to the lapel of her jacket. Even though "going away" only meant crossing the bridge to Manhattan for a couple of days, he wanted her to have as many of the trappings as possible. He'd arranged for a limousine to come and pick them up and take them to The Plaza Hotel for their short honeymoon.
He carried her valise out to the car and helped her in for the quick ride to the hotel. Nina settle back into the circle of Logan's arms.
The Plaza! She could hardly believe it! Logan was taking her to The Plaza, the most luxurious hotel in the City. He'd promised her tea at the Palm Court and dinner in Trader Vic's. She sighed contentedly and thought of all the beautiful new clothes she'd made, now safely packed away in the trunk of the limo.
They checked into their small suite and he carried her over the threshold to the amusement of the bellboy. When they were alone, Logan put his arms around Nina and gave her a kiss that was filled with the promise of the delights to follow that evening. Nina broke the kiss and reached up to nervously pat her hair.
"Well, on that note I think I'll shower and change into something a little more comfortable," she said.
He flashed her a wicked grin that started her heart pounding and caused her breath to catch in her throat. She hurried to the bedroom, grabbed what she needed from her suitcase and crossed into the master bath. With trembling hands she unbuttoned her blouse and removed her skirt and under things and stepped into the shower.
Logan waited in the living room of the suite until he heard the bathroom door close and the water start running in the shower. He had a hunch Nina would be awhile so heading into the bedroom he shucked his suit jacket, tie and shirt, grabbed his dopp kit out of his suitcase and went to the smaller bathroom to shave. Several times he had to stop and take a deep breaths in order to steady his shaking hands. He had butterflies in his stomach and he thought he might hyperventilate.
He couldn't believe how nervous he was, as nervous as. . . well, as a bridegroom. He gripped the side of the sink and inhaled slowly. Get a hold on yourself, Logan, he told himself. You're not exactly an inexperienced kid. But no matter how many times he told himself that, there was still a part of him that knew you only slept with your wife for the first time once in your life.
When he finished shaving he called room service and ordered a light supper of shrimp cocktail, pate', caviar and champagne and turned on the radio to a music program.
Crossing to the bedroom he changed into a new pair of silk pajamas, and a merino wool robe. A few minutes later he heard the water stop running in the shower and the sounds of Nina getting ready. When room service came he closed the bedroom door and went out to the living room to let them in.
The waiter set all the food on the small table near the window of the suite. He lit the candles and asked Logan if he'd like him to open the champagne.
Logan shook his head. "No telling how long the lady might be," he told the man with a smile on his face. "I'll open it when she's ready." He sent him his way with a big tip and walked to the bedroom door.
Knocking lightly he called, "Nina, darlin'. Are you ok in there?"
The door opened a crack and her little blonde head peeked out. She glanced conspiratorially to her left and right.
"I don't think you should be here," she said with mock seriousness, "my husband will be back any moment!"
"Is that so? Well, I think I can handle him. Why don't you come on out?" He said with a smile.
Nina pulled the door open and, it seemed to him, nearly floated into the room. She was breathtaking in a powder blue silk negligee covered with a blue chiffon peignoir trimmed in white lace. Her curls were pinned atop her head with matching blue bows and on her feet she wore blue satin mules adorned with rosettes. He pulled her close.
"God, Nina, you are so beautiful," he whispered huskily against her ear before lowering his mouth to hers in a sensual kiss.
"You don't look so bad yourself," she murmured against his lips.
He turned and pulled the chair out for her.
"I ordered a little supper. Lunch was so big I didn't think you'd be that hungry."
"Oh, Logan this looks delicious!" She said eyeing the shrimp cocktail. "What's that?" She asked pointing to the caviar.
"Russian Caviar, darlin'. Only the best for my wife." He pulled the champagne out of the bucket and began unwrapping the wire from the cork.
"Ooo, I've never had champagne before," she said watching wide eyed as the cork flew halfway across the room.
Logan quickly poured into the two glasses on the table to avoid spilling the foaming liquid. He slewed his eyes toward her.
"Well then, you can't have too much; don't want ya getting drunk. Relaxed is good, drunk would be very bad," he said wryly.
He held up his glass and touched it to hers, "Here's to the most beautiful wife in the world."
She smiled up into his eyes, "And here's to the most perfect husband."
They sipped and he chuckled when she wrinkled her nose. "It tickles," she said.
"It does," he agreed. "That's why you sip it."
"Ok, so how does this caviar thing work," she said looking curiously at the table.
He picked up a toast point and spooned some of the rich, black substance onto it along with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped egg and handed it to her.
While she was chewing on that he took a small piece of crusty baguette and spread some pate' over it for her. He watched amused as she rolled her eyes appreciatively at the caviar. She took the pate' laden bread from him.
"Pate'" he told her.
"Oh, you mean liverwurst," she side wryly.
"Nina, baby, I guarantee this is like no other liverwurst you've ever had."
She bit into the bread and groaned appreciatively. "Oh, I could get very used to this, Logan."
He smiled, "I promise you caviar, pate' and champagne at least once a year on our anniversary. Fair enough?"
She nodded and began nibbling on her shrimp cocktail. They both ate quietly, sipping at their champagne and sharing significant looks and smiles over the candles on the table. Their suite was on the east side of the hotel and they had a view of the fountain in front of the hotel as well as a stretch of Fifth Avenue and Central Park with hansom cabs lined up waiting for tourists.
Nina stared dreamily at the early evening traffic passing by on the avenue and Logan stared dreamily at her. The dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra were playing in the background on the radio.
Logan smiled when he heard the lyrics.
Time and again I've longed for adventure
Something to make my heart beat much faster
What did I long for, I never really knew.
Finding your love, I found my adventure,
Touching your hand my heart beat much faster
All that I want in all of this world is you.
He took Nina's hand and gently tugged her out of her chair, "Dance with me, darlin'."
He took her in his arms and pressed her head to his shoulder. They swayed gently to the music.
You are the promised kiss of springtime
That makes the lonely winter seem long
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
Nina sighed and snuggled closer, reveling in the smell of his shaving soap and the masculine scent of his skin. Being held by him made her feel like nothing in the world could ever hurt her. She listened to the slow beating of his heart and it made her feel so secure.
You are the angel glow that lights the star,
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Someday my happy arms will hold you,
And someday I'll know that moment divine
When all the things you are, are mine.
Logan rested his cheek against the top of her head. Holding her like this, listening to Sinatra's voice wash over them, he knew that everything he'd ever wanted, ever searched for, ever felt he was missing in his life was right here in his arms. He held her tighter and let the feelings engulf him. His desire for this girl. . . no woman, he corrected himself, was wrapped around so many other deeper feelings. He moved his hands over her back and savored the sensation of her soft flesh under the silk negligee.
His breathing sped up and he had to remind himself to go slowly, she was still inexperienced despite her history with Grant. They'd only been together one night and Logan needed to treat her like the innocent she was.
She raised her face and he looked into her eyes. Those sapphire blue orbs showed him everything; he could see her apprehension but it was tempered by the naked love and trust shining there for him and his breath hitched in his throat. He cupped her face in both hands and slowly lowered his lips to hers. His eyes flew open in surprise when she opened her lips to him and began cautiously teasing him with her tongue. She was inexperienced but she was passionate and it was going to be his undoing.
He groaned out loud when she stood on tiptoe and pressed the length of her body against his. His hands reached down to cup her buttocks and fit her against him. He dipped his head to nibble on the sensitive skin where her neck met her shoulder.
Nina was hot and cold all at the same time. She'd never understood what all the fuss was about regarding sex. Sleeping with Grant had been pleasant, but solely because of her feelings for him and not because of some earth shattering physical experience, in fact it had been rather painful. But he'd never made her feel the way Logan was making her feel right now, like her bones had turned to water and her skin to liquid fire, like she was going to collapse into a heap on the floor and start screaming right now if she didn't get. . . what? What did she need? She wasn't sure but she was desperate to find out!
She let out a surprised chirp when Logan literally swept her off her feet and carried her into the bedroom. He placed her gently on the bed and stood back to remove his robe and slippers before lying down beside her. She kicked her own slippers over the side and put her head back against the pillow. Logan ran his hand over her side and began working the negligee up her leg until he'd bared one beautiful thigh to his hungry gaze. His fingertips lightly trailed over her skin and along her inner thigh just barely brushing the moist skin between her legs. Lowering his head he lightly teased one nipple to life beneath the thin silk of her nightgown, smiling slightly when she gasped and arched against him.
Her hands had gone around his back and were now under his pajama top caressing the muscular expanse. She frantically wanted to feel his skin against hers and began undoing the buttons. Logan glanced up into her face and caught the wild gleam in her eye. He would have been amused if it hadn't sent a bolt of raw lust through his body. He was harder than he'd ever been in his life and he wanted so much to thrust mindlessly between her thighs until she screamed with pleasure and he spilled inside her but he took a deep breath and grasped anxiously at the modicum of control he had left.
He was going to make sure it was as pleasurable as possible for her before he began worrying about himself.
"Nina," he said, his voice coming out husky with passion, "sit up a second, sweetheart."
She leaned forward and he lifted her negligee over her head, exposing her body to his fevered view. He drank in the sight of her. Of course he'd seen plenty before at the theater but now she was in front of him completely nude; no fishnet tights, no spangled tulle illusion, just her beautiful creamy skin.
A moan of appreciation escaped his throat. "You're so perfect, baby." he said, his eyes moving over her curves and down to the honey colored tuft of hair at the juncture of her thighs. "I can't imagine what I ever did to deserve you."
She blushed and glanced away but he could tell she was smiling. His pajamas quickly joined her nightgown on the floor and he leaned down and began brushing kisses across her neck and shoulders, slowly working his way over her chest and down her belly.
She gasped and bucked against him when he gently pressed a finger in her soft folds. He worked her slowly, still planting kisses on her hips and belly, slowly moving his mouth closer and closer to her wet core. She cried out in surprise, coming up off the bed when his tongue gently touched her aching clitoris. He pressed her down against the covers with his free hand and continued laving her with his tongue and moving his finger slowly in and out of her center until she was frantic.
Nina could sense strange feelings curling in her belly. She wanted that illusive something now more than ever if only she knew what it was. She moved instinctively against Logan, the tension building inside her and knowing that he was the only one who could release it.
She cried out as waves of pleasure washed over her. She felt like she was breaking into a million little crystal pieces and then being put back together again. This incredible feeling tingled right down to her fingertips and she never wanted it to stop.
Logan's hand tightened around her thigh and he kept working her core until the last tremor of orgasm had passed through her. When she stilled he slowly crept up to cover her body with his. He knelt between her thighs and looked down into her unfocused eyes. His erection brushed gently against her wet sex and he shuddered with his need for her.
Slowly, so slowly so as not to frighten her, he thrust into her, just a little bit at a time until he was fully sheathed in her tightness. He groaned as she closed around him. Nina whimpered with delight and raised her legs to encircle his waist.
"Oh, God, darlin'," Logan managed to bleat out, "don't move."
But Nina couldn't help it. The feelings were building again and she moved without thinking, knowing now exactly what awaited her. Logan grit his teeth and began thrusting against her. He heard her breath rasping in his ear and the small sounds of arousal she was making were driving him wild. He could tell she was getting close to peaking again and he prayed he could hold on.
She grabbed his face between her hands and forced him to look into her eyes.
"Logan! Say my name!" She hissed. "I want to hear you say my name."
With his last shred of coherent thought he knew exactly what she was asking. Brandy was the object of so many men's desire. Brandy was the one that saw lust reflected in their eyes. She needed to know that it was Nina that he wanted, Nina that was the object of his desire.
Scorching hazel eyes bored into her glowing sapphire ones, "Nina," he rasped, "my Nina. Beautiful Nina."
He could feel her climax flood over her as she arched against him. Her hands went to his back and she raked her nails across his shoulders, crying out his name as she came.
His last bit of control shattered as she cried out and he moaned as he exploded into her. He wanted to weep with the rush of feelings that were wrapped up with coming into her. It was the most intense thing he'd ever felt with a woman. When he was spent he collapsed against her.
"Oh, God. Nina, baby, I love you so much," he whispered gently into her ear.
He held her until both their breathing slowed then moved to her side and pulled her against him. Feeling wetness on his shoulder he looked down to see her crying.
"Are you ok, darlin'?" He asked, alarmed. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
She gave a watery laugh. "Logan you did the farthest thing from hurting me. I'm sorry to be such a ninny; it's just I. . . I never knew it could be that way. Will it always be that wonderful?"
He smiled and pulled her closer. "Baby," he murmured against her temple, "it'll be better."
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