This Is What It Feels Like
He shudders, the pain fading as the numbness settles in, the edges starting to blur around Laura’s face as she cradles him in her arms. He’s been in her exact place too many times; forced to watch those closest to him die before their time…
He’s relieved to be the one to go, this time.
“Daddy,” Laura whimpers, and now she’s crying, and desperately clutching at his hand. He wants to say so many things to her - his daughter - how much he’s come to care for her, in so short a time together. How much he sees himself in her, too much of himself, and that he wants her to have a better life, and a better end.
That he’s honored to have known her, and how proud he is, to be her father.
You should take a moment, feel it.
The warmth in his chest grows, and he squeezes her back, just a little.
“So," he manages to say, just barely, trying to smile, his limbs, his whole body, getting heavier by the second. “Oh, so this is what it feels like.”
“Daddy? No,” Laura cries, and it’s…okay. She’s safe now, and she’ll be alright. She has friends, a family, like he did once upon a time.
Her face...her face.
It's the last thing he sees.
—-
We’ve been waiting for you, Charles says - he's in his chair, back in an immaculate three piece suit - as he reaches to take Logan’s hand.
Yes, we have. And it’s Ororo, radiant and full of life, tossing a can of beer at him with a grin. You sure kept us waiting a long time.
Always gotta make a grand entrance eh? Scott quips, patting Logan on the shoulder. Right Jean? Can you believe this guy?
That’s our Logan, Jean replies, lips curving into a teasing grin. We’ve missed you. Welcome home.
Home, Logan says.
Yes, Charles answers, you still have time.