Chapter Text
A baby. That's what turned Logan Howlett’s entire world upside down.
Just as Logan is about to sit down on his couch, he hears his doorbell ring. “Who the hell is here at this time of night?” He grumbled to himself, setting his half-drank beer bottle down. He hated unannounced visitors, especially late at night.
He grumbled to himself all the way to the front door, expecting Jean, or even Scott. To his surprise, when he opened the door, right there on his front door-step was a basket, torn and old. Inside was a bundle of blankets, a note, and most surprising of all, a baby.
Logan let out a long, disgruntled sigh. He picked up the basket and brought it inside, running his hands through his hair. “I can't take care of a fuckin’ baby. Who the fuck even dropped this thing off?” Logan grabbed his reading glasses and put them on as he opened the note left inside the basket. It read as follows:
“Hello Logan. My name is Sarah Kinney, I work at Transigen Research. This is my daughter, Laura… or as they called her, X23. She was made using your DNA and I was used as her incubator. She is only 2 months old, but she deserves to grow up safely, not as an experiment.
Inside the basket should also be an envelope with $2500 in it to help with expenses for a while. Please do not try to find me. If the higher ups find out what I have done, they surely will kill me. Please raise our daughter like she deserves to be raised.
-Sarah Kinney”
Logan let out another sigh and closed the note. He dug around in the basket and found the envelope stuffed with cash. “Well… there’s the money.” He stashed it away in his wallet and looked at the baby. “I can’t take care of this damn thing… I'm not a good father.”
He took a deep breath and picked up the bundle of blankets and before he could grab his keys, he looked down at the baby, Laura. Her big green eyes staring up at him and suddenly he couldn’t picture a life without her.
Logan pulled his hand away from his keys and used it to support the back of her head. With a shaky breath, he sat down in his recliner and held Laura close, rocking her gently.
This baby, this tiny little thing, she was now his responsibility, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
———————————————————————
The next morning Logan was awoken by loud, hair-raising wails. He looked down and saw Laura, still in his arms, screaming and crying. He panicked and tried rocking her back to sleep
Nothing was working.
He tried everything he could think of before taking the longest breath and calling Jean.
Ring.
Ring.
“Cmon Red…. Pick up.” He mumbled, trying to stop Laura’s screams. Suddenly the ringing stopped and Jean’s voice came through, “Hello? Logan?”
Logan let out a sigh of relief. “Jeannie! Hun… listen I know I haven’t called in a while, but.. I need help,” he took a breath, before diving into the explanation, “Last night a baby was dropped off at my doorstep, apparently she’s my kid and she won’t stop screaming..”
Jean laughed a bit. “She’s probably hungry, or needs a diaper change. Was there any supplies?”
The confused look on Logan’s face was all Jean needed, no supplies.
“Let's go. We need to get her supplies. I’ll call Scott.” Jean looked up at him. “Was any money left behind?”
Logan sighed. “Like twenty-five hundred. But I was just gonna pocket it and buy booze later.”
Jean hit his arm. “That is one thing that is gonna change, this baby does not need an alcoholic for a father. Understood?”
Logan nodded.
——
Logan stared at the baby clothes and looked at Laura, who was staring up at him with big eyes. He gave her a small smile, a drastic change from his near permanent scowl.
Jean came over with a shopping cart full of baby supplies; diapers, pacifiers, formula, stuffed animals, and bottles.
Scott quickly joined her, he had a crib, a stroller, a changing table, and a dresser.
Logan looked at them. “Listen… I wanna thank you two. I’d be lost and she.. she’d probably have starved to death if it wasn’t for you two..”
Jean hugged him, mindful of baby Laura. “It’s the least we can do to help.” She rubbed his back. “We care about you, Logan.”
Scott nodded. “Besides,” he started, “she’s a cutie. How could we not help?” He booped Laura on the nose.
Heading to check out, Laura began to wail.
Logan put her up on his shoulder, patting her back and trying to soothe her. “Hey.. hey.. It's ok. You’re ok kid.”
Jean watched, a small smirk playing on her lips. “You’re a good dad, Logan.” She went to the self checkout and began scanning the items. The total came up to $1370. Jean looked at Logan. “Go on, use that money you were given.”
Logan sighed and paid for everything. It was for Laura, everything he will do from now on is for this little thing in his arms.
——
At home, Logan was in his recliner while Scott was setting up the nursery. Jean was showing him how to give her a bottle.
It was nearly an hour before Scott came out. “Nursery’s done, she can now sleep in a comfy bed.”
Logan sighed. “Thanks again. I would’ve just given her up if it weren’t for you two…”
Jean pressed a loving kiss to his forehead. “We will always be there to help, ok? Always.”