This is the sequel I assured you I would write at the end of the year. I reread and edited some dumb typos in the previous five stories. I really cannot believe this is the SIXTH story and fifth sequel to "Tear Away the Mask." I really enjoyed rereading them and encourage you to do the same if it's been a while. I'd forgotten a lot of details! Rereading made me love them and the world I and Rob Thomas created. Since I like my world so much better than the movie world he created with the shallow, undeveloped or unevolved supporting cast, I love writing in it and claim it half mine! I can't predict how long this story will be or how often I will post. I am working on a novel for a M.F.A. in creative writing, so I can't write for FF as much as I'd like. However, I ALWAYS have so many things I want to write. Of course, BTVS crossovers are my favorite still, and this series remains my sole VM story. Nope, I will not be creating any other VM stories outside of this series because it doesn't interest me unless it's a BTVS crossover. This will probably be the last one!
This story or the previous two would NOT exist at all if there weren't so many of you that continue to read and show your interest. Because I do have so many things I like to write, your reviews and comments do impact what I prioritize at times. I can't thank my faithful reviewers and readers enough. Thank you!
This story will have a lot of angst like all my stories and romance. All of the previous couples will be featured, but the story is primarily a LoVe story with MaDi secondary. Some of my supporting casts will probably show up less as the story and timeline progresses. This story begins about a month since the birth of Logan and Veronica's daughter, Sara. If you can't recall all the details, reread the final two chapters of "MaDe to Endure" that is the previous story. The spring semester will move quickly because the bad guy is playing the long game, and I want them to graduate. Do you realize it's taken me six stories to get them through just three years of college? Way too slow.
If you haven't read the previous stories, do NOT start with this one. Go to my profile and start with "Tear Away the Mask," the story that started it all.
Chapter 1: Baby's First Christmas
*****The Beach House*****
"What will survives of us is love." Philip Larkin
T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house laughter and voices could be heard. Lianne smiled as she came in carrying the bags of Thai food the children requested. This was only the second Christmas she'd got to spend with Veronica since their reconciliation, but this one was the best. Her granddaughter would never remember this first Christmas, but to all the adults in her life, this Christmas was extra special. The birth of Veronica and Logan's first child was the best gift any of them could ask for. Christmas was best celebrated through the eyes of children. Lianne was so very blessed to be a part of the baby's first Christmas.
Wallace jumped up when he saw Veronica's mom come in loaded with to-go bags. The ever polite and well-mannered young man offered to take them off her hands and carry them into the dining room.
"Thanks," Lianne said to him.
"Mom, did you see any reindeer outside?" Veronica asked with a wink.
Lily looked at Lianne, her eyes wide as she waited for her response. She was such a beautiful child. The blonde hair and intelligent gaze reminded her so much of Veronica as a child.
"No, sweetie, I can't say I did," Lianne replied.
Veronica was almost as excited as Lily this Christmas. They were gathered at her house waiting for Duncan to arrive with Parker, who went home for a week and was flying in to spend the rest of the holidays with Duncan and Lily. Veronica knew that Duncan had a very special gift planned for Parker tomorrow. Normally, they spent Christmas together, but this year was different. Wallace was flying tomorrow evening to Chicago to spend the rest of the week with Thea and her family. They were going to have Christmas dinner at two at Alicia's, so he could join them before heading to the airport. Her dad had a special surprise planned for Christmas Eve.
Logan traded kids with Trina, who eagerly accepted Sara. Richie was getting so big. Trina had flown in with him the day before. They had been in for Thanksgiving and the birth of Sara. Logan knew that she was excited to have Veronica open all the baby girl outfits she'd bought. It was a good thing they ended up changing the baby's clothes more than once a day or none of the clothes would ever get worn.
"Baby!" Richie said, pointing at Sara. He clapped his hands excitedly.
"Yes, this is your cousin, Sara," Trina told her son as she cradled the newborn in her arms. Richie had been born with a head full of red hair. Sara, though, was born with practically no hair. Now there was some baby fine blonde hair on her head. She was more petite than Richie had been at the same age. Trina and Dick had been looking at the photos of him earlier and comparing. It was fun to note the differences and to see where Sara would be in a few months or so.
"Mine!" Richie declared, holding out his hands.
Logan laughed and bounced his nephew on his knees. "No, little guy. She's too small for you to hold right now. Give her some time, and she can chase you around in about six to eight months or so," he said, kissing Richie on the cheek.
The doorbell rang, and Dick came in with Mac. They looked like Christmas cheer was lost on them.
"Are you guys okay?" Veronica asked in concern.
An unusually glum Dick threw himself down on the sofa. "We just spent three hours with two set of Mac's parents," Dick said warily. "Christmas sucks at their house this year."
"It's the first Christmas without Madison. The moms were very emotional," Mac said gently.
"Oh," Veronica said with a wince. She might've detested the ground Madison walked on most days, but she would have never wished her gruesome murder on anyone. "How's Lauren holding up?"
Mac shrugged. "About as well as can be expected. The holidays are when the loss will always hit them the hardest," Mac said. "She's got Brad to help her. I think she's spending tomorrow with his family. That'll be good for her. Ryan's going to his girlfriend's, so I am free to be with Dick."
"Which will be spent with you guys!" Dick said in relief. "Momma Sinclair thought keeping an empty seat in remembrance of Madison was a good idea. All it did was upset everyone every time they looked at the chair she usually sat in."
"Yeah, I think next year, I'll have to say something. It's not good for Lauren to never be able to escape her grief. The girl's been through enough," Mac said.
"Dickie, guess what?" Lily asked, interrupting the dreary talk.
"What?" Dick asked, picking her up and setting her on his lap.
"Santa Claus is coming tonight!" she announced eagerly.
"Is he? I heard he only comes for good little girls. Have you been a good girl this year?" Dick asked her.
Lily nodded her head up and down. "Yes, I have! Daddy says so!" she proclaimed proudly.
"What do you think Santa's going to bring you this year?" Dick asked her, grinning.
"It's a secret. Daddy says it's a surprise!" she told him solemnly.
"I thought we were best buds?" Dick asked in a wounded voice. "You aren't supposed to keep secrets from your buds."
"I'll tell you, but you have to keep it a secret, okay?" she asked him.
Dick nodded and held up his hand. "I promise!" he vowed.
She cupped her hand, and he bent his head down to whisper in his ear, "Santa's going to bring me a mommy this year! Daddy said so!" she shared excitedly.
Dick grinned. Of course, they all knew that Duncan was going to pop the question this year. Parker had moved in with them after she was shot and never moved out. Only Veronica was surprised that she was still living with the Kanes. No one could deny how happy the situation made Lily, though. Parker was great with Lily.
The door opened and Duncan announced. "We're here!" he exclaimed.
Veronica quickly texted her Dad.
Lily ran to them. "You're here!" she squealed opening her arms up for a hug from Parker.
Logan and Trina moved to the floor in front of the couch. Trina rested her back against it, sitting Sara on the floor in the V of her legs. Logan moved at an angle, so Richie could play with the toy car he loved. Watching the two of them together made his heart so full. His eyes locked with Veronica's, and she smiled reading his mind.
They'd been through so much, but things now were so wonderful. Logan knew that life swung on a pendulum. Sometimes things would be bad—tragedies would happen. But then it would swing back to the good. Right now, their life was perfect, and he was determined to enjoy every minute of it. When things changed as he knew they inevitably would, it wouldn't matter much because his wonderful wife and new angel would be there to come home to every night. His dream of family had finally come true.
Suddenly, a loud jingle of bells could be heard.
Lily jumped up so excited she couldn't form words. "Daddy!" she finally eked out.
The front door opened slowly. "Ho, ho, ho!" rang out.
"It's Santa Claus!" an excited Lily announced as she jumped up and down.
"I heard that there were some good little boys and girls at this house!" he announced.
Alicia and Darrel snuck him behind him. Darrel, of course, knew that Santa was really Keith, but he played along for Lily.
"Darrel, it's Santa!" Lily shouted when she locked eyes with her crush.
"I know! I bet he has a lot of gifts for you," Darrel said with a grin.
Santa put his big red bag down. "I need a volunteer to hold open my bag!" he declared.
"I got this, Santa," Wallace said, getting up to help. He held the bag while Santa passed out gifts.
"Lily Kane," Santa said, reading the name on a box.
"That's me, Santa!" Lily shouted, raising her hand eagerly.
"I heard that you were a very good girl this year," Santa said to her.
"Yep, I have been. Right, Daddy?" she said, looking at her dad.
"Yes, you have," Duncan said, smiling, his arm around Parker.
Santa proceeded to pass out gifts to all the children or their parents. All the gifts were kid gifts. Mac and Dick got the old game Operation. Veronica and Logan got Clue. Duncan and Parker, naturally, got Monopoly. Wallace, though, was too excited about Twister. He and Dick immediately pulled it out and began to set it up to play.
Lily was ecstatic over her new doll that talked to her.
Veronica opened Sara's gift from Santa. It was an engraved ornament that said Sara Lynn Echolls Christmas 2010. On the other side, it said Baby's 1st Christmas.
"Thank you, Santa! It's perfect!" Veronica said, smiling up at her dad who winked at her.
"Well, Santa has to go to other good boys and girls. Have a Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!" Santa said.
"Bye, Santa!" Lily said. She ran to him and hugged his legs. "I love you, Santa!"
"And Santa loves you!" he replied, patting her head. Alicia opened the front door for him.
A few minutes later, Keith came in. "Did I miss Santa Claus?" he asked.
Lily nodded. "You did! He was here and gave everyone gifts!"
"Where's mine?" Keith asked.
Lily frowned and looked around. "I guess you weren't a good boy," she said sorrowfully.
Veronica laughed and Wallace snickered.
"It's 'cause he's too old!" Dick exclaimed.
"Old? I'll show you old!" Keith announced. "Watch me kick your tail at Twister!"
Dick laughed in delight. "It's on, dude!" he replied.
Logan left Richie playing and helped Veronica put the new ornament on the tree. "Tonight was so perfect!" Veronica said, leaning against him.
"It is," he said in agreement.
"I'm going to go kick Dick's ass in Twister," she decided.
"Go get him, snookums! Show him just how bendy you are!" Logan said with a leer.
It was a perfect Christmas Eve.
******The Next Day******
Mac and Dick came over and joined the Echolls and Lianne for Christmas breakfast at eight. They had decided to do that because Dick and Mac wanted to watch them opening the gifts for Sara and Richie. Later, they would head to Keith and Alicia's for dinner.
"Merry Christmas!" Dick exclaimed as he came in carrying gifts.
"Merry Christmas!" everyone said back. Veronica was holding Sara while Richie was dumping out his stuffed stocking.
"Richie didn't want to wait," Logan said with a grin.
"Well, he is my kid!" Trina said with snicker.
"Okay, presents time!" Veronica announced.
Mac and Veronica started passing out the gifts. Veronica and Logan had gotten Mac the latest Samsung phone that they knew she'd love.
Logan got Veronica a ring with Richie and Sara's birthstones. He got Trina a similar style necklace. Both girls loved their gifts. Veronica was just relieved that having Sara didn't diminish her bond with Richie. In fact, she loved seeing them together and couldn't wait until Sara was older.
Mac and Dick got Richie every toy that made noise in the toy store it seemed. Of course, Mac made sure there were a few interactive learning toys. They had a few for Sara. She'd be able to play with them in a few more months. Veronica and Logan both enjoyed opening the gifts for Sara. Even though she was tiny, this was her first Christmas, so every gift and every moment was wrought with meaning.
"How am I going to take all this back to New York?" Trina said in dismay as she looked at the pile of gifts.
"We can keep a few of the toys here for when he comes to visit," Logan said.
"I am surprised that your mother didn't come back with you," Lianne said to Trina.
Trina grinned. "New York has this really impressive deaf community. She's got a special male friend now," she shared.
"Really?" Lianne asked. "How nice!"
"Yeah, that's cool. Old peeps should get love, too!" Dick said. Then he winked at Veronica's mom. "So when you gonna get some, Mrs. Mars?"
"I think I'm fine, thanks," Lianne said, smiling.
Mac elbowed Dick. "Dick! Not appropriate!" she scolded.
"What? Dad's been married like three or four times. Veronica's mom is still hot. She could catch herself a nice rich man like my dad," Dick suggested.
"My mom could so do better than your dad!" Veronica said in offense.
Dick frowned. "What's wrong with my dad? He's not bad looking for an old dude. At least he has all his hair—unlike yours!" he pointed out.
Any criticism of her beloved father was the gravest of insults. Veronica wasn't about to take that one lying down. Just as she opened her mouth to put the louse in his place, Logan pulled her back, biting back his laugh. "Stop it, you two! This is a ridiculous subject and so not worth fighting about on Christmas!" he exclaimed.
"My thoughts exactly!" Mac agreed.
Veronica glared at Dick, who gave her a smug, superior look as he patted his own head of hair. "Keep it up and see what happens!" she threatened.
"Stop it, Dick!" Mac said to him, giving him the look.
Trina snickered. "I think my mom would say that if you meet someone who's right for you, you just know," she said.
"Is things with you and Clint getting serious?" Mac asked.
Trina shook her head. "Not really. I like him a lot, but if I've not fallen in love with him by now, I'm not going to," she said.
"I'm sorry," Mac said.
"I'm not. He's still around. Takes me to nice dinners. Buys me flowers. He's a great lover," Trina said with a grin.
"Hey! Brother here!" Logan said with a shudder. Everyone laughed.
"Next Christmas, maybe we can all go to New York," Veronica suggested. "A white Christmas would be a really nice change."
Mac smiled at the idea. "It really would," she agreed.
"Is your brother joining us for dinner?" Dick asked Logan. "Lily really likes your niece."
"She's a cutie!" Veronica gushed. "We saw them yesterday for lunch. They drove down, and we took them out to lunch. Mom watched the kiddos. His in-laws and adoptive parents get the rest of their holiday time."
"So you finally met your brother? What was that like?" Dick asked Trina.
She shrugged. "It was fine. I met him before, remember? He's a nice guy. Very different from Dad in personality, but he looks so much like him that it's disconcerting at times," she said.
"His wife is great. They bought Richie a set up blocks that he's enjoyed throwing at us," Veronica said with a grin.
Trina laughed. "Yes, he does seem to enjoy that a bit too much," she said.
"He'll outgrow that," Lianne said knowingly. "If you're hungry the breakfast quiche I've prepared is in the oven."
"Thanks, Lianne," Mac said, picking up wrapping paper as Lianne went to the kitchen to get things ready.
"I'll get him in his high chair," Trina said, picking up Richie.
"I'll feed him!" Dick said eagerly.
"Have at it," Trina said. "You get to clean him up afterward!"
Mac laughed and went to help.
Veronica leaned against her husband. "This was so perfect. Exactly what I wanted our first Christmas with Sara to be like. Later, we'll be with Dad and Alicia. I don't think it could be any better," she said.
"I wish your Dad had been here this morning," Logan said, helping her to her feet.
"He said that this Christmas should be just us," Veronica said. "I told him that Mom, Dick, and Mac were already crashing, so he should, too. But he's stubborn."
"You come by your stubbornness naturally," Logan said with a grin. He gave her a light kiss. "We'll have a full, perfect day with him later today."
"Yes, we will," Veronica said happily. She picked Sara up from her Snugabunny bouncer chair that her grandma had bought for her. She gazed down at Sara, who was in her Christmas elf pajamas. "She's so gorgeous."
Logan put his arm around them. "Yes, she is. Like her momma," he said. "I love you both so much."
Veronica's eyes met his. "We love you right back. Thank you for giving us the best Christmas," she told him.
"It's my pleasure," Logan said joyfully. His girls were now his world. And his world was so beautiful.
*****Chapter End*****
I hope you enjoyed this Christmas chapter. I know I've definitely written more, but I wanted this to be mostly LoVe focused. Reviews are the best gift you could give me! Merry Christmas!