One-Way Ticket On A Runaway Train

Guide to Hawaiian vocabulary used in this chapter:
Kahiko - tradition Moku – island Kai – ocean Mana – spiritual power
Aina – earth Moana – sea Keiki – children nohea – handsome
Kamee – hero maikai – beautiful mea aloha – beloved
http://www.hisurf.com/hawaiian/dictionary.html

Arriving back at the hotel suite after a relaxing day at the spa that included facials, massages, manicures and pedicures, the four women started getting ready for the wedding. Rogue and Logan had decided not to go with traditional wedding attire due to the tropical location, so Rogue’s dress was a simple short white silk slip dress with thin spaghetti straps and a lace overlay. Kitty, Jubilee and Ororo were in similar style silk short dresses in various soft pastels, Jubilee’s being pale lemon, naturally. There was lots of fussing with hair and makeup along with general bouts of giggling as final touches were applied.

The knock on the door announced Hank’s arrival to pick them up, but when Jubilee answered the door, instead of being greeted by a large mass of blue fur, a young man in a chauffeur’s uniform was standing there.

“Oh, chica, looks like we’re gonna be riding in style,” Jubilee squealed in excitement as she peered over his shoulder to see a white stretch limo parked in front of the suite.

Kitty ran up to the door and peeking over Jubilee’s shoulder, let out a delighted gasp.

“Oh man, this is so cool,” Jubilee said, pulling the sunglasses off her head and putting them on.

“Rogue, sweetie, you ready?” Ororo asked as she scooped the keys to the suite off the coffee table and placed them in her purse.

“Yeah, ah’m ready. Let’s do this,” Rogue said, taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly and smoothed down non-existent wrinkles in the silk fabric of her dress.

Jubilee slipped her arm around Rogue’s shoulder and giving her a reassuring squeeze, said jokingly, “You’re only getting married, chica, not being led to your execution.”

At that, Rogue broke into a much-needed laugh and kissed her friend on the cheek.

“Thanks, Jubes. I needed that.”

“Even if it is to tall, dark and growly,” Jubilee added whimsically, earning her a swat on the arm from Rogue.

“Be nice or ah’ll tell him ya said that,” Rogue warned playfully.

“Oh, please. He’ll be way too busy doing rude things to you on your honeymoon to worry about gutting little old me,” Jubilee responded flippantly as she bounced out of the suite toward the limo.

In the limo, the girls cracked open the bottle of champagne, that a note attached to the neck told them was from Scott, and toasted to everyone’s future happiness. Rogue took several small sips, sunk back into the leather seat and tried to relax. Upon arriving at the house, they were greeted by Hank who informed them that Logan, Scott and the Professor were already down on the beach.

Turning to her three friends and with misty eyes, Rogue said, “Ya guys are just the best. Thank ya fer everything ya’ve done fer me, especially since Christopher……….well, ya know. Ah love ya all and ah couldn’t have made it ta this point without ya.”

“Don’t cry you’ll ruin your make up,” Ororo said as she dabbed a tissue to Rogue’s cheek, while brushing away a tear that ran down her own face.

“Hey, nobody is allowed to cry. This is a happy day,” Kitty sniffed as she too plucked a tissue from her purse.

“Okay, okay, group hug,” Jubilee announced, gathering the four of them together.

The four women huddled together and squeezed each other tightly while Hank observed and smiled warmly. He also felt a twinge of sympathy for Jean, because she’d ostracized herself from the group, she was missing special moments like these. That she’d apparently shut herself off emotionally worried him as well. Rogue tugging on his sleeve and waving a hand in front of his face interrupted his thoughts.

“Ready ta escort me down the aisle, Hank?”

“Ready when you are, my dear, and I must say you look quite enchanting,” Hank told her as he handed over her bouquet.

“Thank ya, sugar,” Rogue replied, giving the gentle giant a light peck on his cheek.

With one final check of her make up in the mirror, Rogue looped her arm into Hank’s for him to escort her down to join her fiancé. As they stepped outside, Rogue slipped off her shoes as Hank placed a beautiful lei of white orchids around her neck.

As the Professor saw the small group appear, on cue he pressed the play button on the portable stereo and the melodic chords of Enya’s “Only Time” started drifting out across the serene vista.

Logan shifted his weight, digging at the sand with his bare foot and cleared his throat as he watched Rogue approach.

Noting Logan’s unusual nervousness, Scott said, “She’s looks beautiful, Logan. You’re a lucky man.”

Never taking his eyes off of her, Logan replied with a mischievous smirk, “Forget it, Scooter, she’s mine.”

Finally coming to the water’s edge, Hank gave Rogue a quick kiss on the cheek and stepped aside. Rogue smiled warmly at Logan, looking devilishly handsome in a billowy white shirt and black slacks, noticing that he’d shaved off his signature muttonchops. She raised her hand to run it along his smooth cheek.

“Je t’aime,” Logan whispered softly as he reached out and pushed a lock of platinum off of Rogue’s face, letting his fingers caress her cheek in the process.

With Logan’s right hand interlaced with Rogue’s left hand, together they turned toward the minister as the ceremony began. Scott looped his arm lovingly around Kitty’s waist as she wrapped her own arms around him and with a soft sigh, leaned her head against his shoulder.

“We have come here today to join together Logan and Marie in the holy bonds of matrimony. What is marriage? It’s not merely a commitment, but so much more. It’s never being too old to hold hands. It’s remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. It’s never going to sleep angry. It’s at no time taking each other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, but should continue throughout the years. It’s having a mutual sense of values and common objectives to stand together facing the world. To form a circle of love that encompasses the whole family. It’s about doing things for each other, not out of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It’s speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It’s not looking for perfection in each other, but cultivating flexibility, patience and understanding. It’s about having the capacity to forgive and forget and giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It’s establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and obligation is reciprocal. It’s not only marrying the right partner, it’s being the right partner.”

As Logan and Rogue lovingly gazed into each other’s eyes, Scott and Kitty exchanged serene smiles, as they contemplated their own upcoming nuptials.

“Before we get to the traditional vows, I believe you have something you’d like to say to each other.”

Logan began, “I used to be afraid of falling in love, of giving my heart away. Marie, when I met you, I realized that I didn’t need to be afraid anymore. You’ve changed my life in so many good ways. Where there was cold, you’ve brought warmth; where there was dark, you’ve brought light. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I love you to the core of my soul and always will. You have renewed my life and today I join that life with yours, not merely as your husband, but as your friend, your lover and your confidant.”

“Logan, since we’ve been together, ya’ve provided me with strength, security, confidence and love. Ya’re truly mah knight in shining armor. Ya’ve helped me and saved me in so many ways. Ya’ve been by mah side through mah darkest hours, so ah’ll be the light in yer life. As ya’ve cared fer me in times of infirmity, so ah will keep ya sheltered when storms arise. As ya have loved me, so ah will love ya. Ah believe that we were meant ta be and ah will always love ya with all mah heart.”

“As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love, please pledge your vows,” The minister instructed.

“I, Logan, take you Marie to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow and forever. I will cherish you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst of times. Whatever may come, I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my heart to keep forever.”

“Ah, Marie, take ya Logan, ta be mah husband, mah partner in life and mah one true love. Ah will cherish our friendship and love ya today, tomorrow, and forever. Ah will cherish ya and honor ya. Ah will laugh with ya and cry with ya. Ah will love ya faithfully through the best and the worst of times. Whatever may come, ah will always be there. As ah have give ya mah hand ta hold, so ah give ya mah heart ta keep forever.”

“May I have the rings?” The minister asked Scott.

Scott reached into his pants pocket, fished out the two rings and handed them to the minister.

“The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It’s a seal of the vows Logan and Marie have made to one another. Bless O God these rings that Marie and Logan, who give them and wear them, may abide in thy peace. Living together in unity, love and happiness for the rest of their lives.”

The minister handed Rogue’s ring to Logan, who gently placed it on her finger and said, “I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Taking Logan’s ring from the minister, Rogue placed it on his finger and said, “Ah give ya this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that ah am, and all that ah have, ah honor ya. With this ring, ah thee wed.”

“In as much as you have each pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Logan, you may now kiss your wife.”

The couple melted into a tender kiss while the small group broke out into applause.

When they finally parted, the minister offered the final part of the ceremony.

“In the kahiko of the Hawaiian moku, you will now take off the leis you have around your necks and throw them in the kai as an offering to the mana that rules over the aina and moana. May your lives be blessed with happiness and many keiki.”

Logan and Rogue walked into the water, removed the leis and tossed them into the surf as the minister continued, "These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they may go, may they always return to one another in their togetherness. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. Gaze out over the kai to the horizon, take a deep breath and feel the sand beneath your feet, feel the air against your skin, soft and benevolent on this very special day, the day of your marriage.”

The minister reached out and shook Logan’s hand and added, “Congratulations."

At that moment, Hank noticed Leilani, Warren’s housekeeper and cook waving to them from the patio.

“I do believe the wedding feast is awaiting. Or as they proclaim here in the islands, our lu’au,” Hank said, lifting the Professor out of the beach chair to carry him back to the house.

“Great, 'cause I’m polloi,” Scott declared then smirked when Kitty gave him a puzzled look, so he explained, “It means hungry. I borrowed Rogue’s Hawaiian dictionary.”

“Yeah, what’s Hawaiian for ‘I desperately need to get laid’?” Jubilee asked mischievously as she bounced past them.

“JUBILEE!” Kitty, Scott, Ororo, Hank and the Professor shouted in unison.

“What?” she asked in mock surprise, “We’re going out clubbing later, thought it might come in handy.”

As the group made their way back to the house, Logan leaned over and whispered in Rogue’s ear, “Maikai mea aloha.”

Rogue let out a soft laugh and told Logan, “And yer mah nohea kamee.”

When they reached the patio there were ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ at the wonderful buffet that Leilani had set up, complete with a small ice sculpture of a swan.

As they were finishing their dinner, Scott tapped his fork against his glass to get everyone’s attention.

“Hank, would you please do the honor of opening the bottle of Moet et Chandon?”

Hank obliged and then went around the table filling everyone’s champagne flutes with the golden bubbly liquid.

“Ugh, piss with bubbles,” Logan groaned, holding the glass in front of him as if it contained cyanide-laced Koolaid instead of champagne.

“Ah, yes, while it doesn’t have the stellar vintage of last Tuesday like Molson’s, it is tradition, Logan,” Scott said with a smirk.

“It kinda tickles going down,” Jubilee remarked as she took a second sip.

“I haven’t made my toast yet! You’re not supposed to drink until I’ve made my toast. You people have no respect for tradition,” Scott whined.

“Go ahead, honey, make your toast and nobody will take any more sips until you’re done,” Kitty said, flashing a look to everyone else that was a mixture of pleading and warning.

“Okay, then. As the best man, it’s now my honorable duty to make a toast. Now, I could use this opportunity, as is tradition, to take cheap shots at Logan,” Scott began.

“You better not or you’ll get a claw up the ass,” Logan interrupted.

“You know, Logan, your constant promises to violate me anally are starting to worry me. So I think it’s only fair to let you know, I’m really not into that weird kinky shit and besides, you’re not my type by a long shot……..sorry.”

Kitty tried her best to contain her amusement, pressing a napkin to her mouth, while Jubilee had no compunction about being polite and roared with laughter. Ororo had covered her mouth with her hand to hide the smile. Hank concealed his amusement by taking a sip of his ice tea and the Professor merely smirked and shook his head in resignation. Even Rogue was biting down on her bottom lip trying to suppress a snicker.

Noticing that Logan had suddenly gotten quiet, Scott continued, “As I was saying, and I’m gonna get serious here for a minute, we’re all very happy for both of you. We’ve been through a lot lately and I’m glad that we have this opportunity to experience a little joy. So I want to thank you for including us in this special occasion. I wish you maikai pomaikai; which means good luck and most of all, maluhia; which means peace,” Scott then raised his champagne flute, “To Logan and………Marie.”

Kitty, Ororo, Hank, Jubilee and the Professor raised their flutes and said in unison, “To Logan and Marie.”

Logan pushed back his chair and stood up. Shifting from foot to foot, he cleared his throat. “Okay, so I’d rather take on Sabretooth than have to give a speech. So I’m just gonna keep this simple. Marie and I appreciate you flying all this way to share this special day with us. You’ve been good friends to both of us and we’re grateful, even to certain people who irritate the shit outta me, not mentioning any names,” Logan said as he pointed directly at Scott, who feigned surprise, “To good friends.” he ended, raising his glass.

For dessert there was a two-tiered white frosted wedding cake decorated with pink frosting roses, but the groom on the top of the cake had been replaced with a small figurine of a wolverine.

“Very funny, Scooter,” Logan said, plucking the figurine off the cake and tossing it at Scott’s head.

“Wish I could claim it, but it wasn’t my idea,” Scott said as he ducked and the figurine hit the ground behind him.

Logan turned to the only other person who consistently irritated him and found Jubilee with a look of genuine innocence plastered on her face.

“Wasn’t me, either, Wolvie.”

Logan swept the table, trying to decipher who’d done the deed. Everyone greeted him with a shrug of their shoulders or shake of their heads until he got to the Professor, who was grinning wickedly and had his hand risen slightly.

“Chuck?” Logan asked in genuine surprise.

“What? You don’t think I’m capable of being funny?”

”Good one, Charles,” Scott congratulated.

After dinner, the Professor played deejay and Logan and Rogue danced together for the first time as husband and wife. The soft sounds of Rod Stewart drifted from the stereo speakers as Logan took his wife in his arms.

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness
take away all my sadness
ease my troubles that's what you do

For the morning sun in all it's glory
greets the day with hope and comfort too
You fill my life with laughter
and somehow you make it better
ease my troubles that's what you do
There's a love that's divine
and it's yours and it's mine like the sun
And at the end of the day
we should give thanks and pray
to the one, to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness
take away all my sadness
ease my troubles that's what you do


As the couple glided across the patio, Logan whispered in Rogue’s ear, “Let’s say we ditch these stiffs and start the honeymoon.”

“Sounds good to me,” she whispered back conspiratorially.

When the music switched to a more upbeat tempo, the newlyweds slipped out and took the limo to the hotel where the honeymoon suite awaited them. Sitting in the middle of the bed was a large blow-up doll with a note attached in Scott’s handwriting that read, ’In case your healing factor wears out your bride.’

Logan unsheathed a claw, popped the doll and smirked as it deflated and fell on the floor.

“I am so gonna get his mangy little butt.”

“Er, sugar, ah really don’t want ya thinking about Scott tonight,” Rogue said seductively as she wrapped herself around her husband and nuzzled against him.

“Scott? Scott who? Never heard of him,” Logan joked as he lowered his wife to the bed.