This chapter only contains LoVe. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 3: Malibu Magic

*******Thursday Night in Malibu*******

After eating the leftover's from lunch and watching some television, Logan and Veronica decided to try out the hot tub that was outside on the deck that extended from the master bedroom.

"If we had a bigger house, we could so have one of these!" Logan said as he prepared to step outside.

"Logan! You can't go out there naked!" Veronica exclaimed in a scandalized tone.

Logan grinned. "Why sure I can. Watch me!" he arrogantly replied as he stepped out on the deck nude as the day he was born.

Veronica watched from the doorway, quickly scanning the area for peeping-Toms. When she realized the beach was deserted and there wasn't a neighboring deck that'd grant an accidental viewing, she relaxed. "Well, don't expect me to join you! I'm not that free yet!" she announced as she went to join him. Logan held out his hand and helped her step into the tub so that she wouldn't fall.

"That's okay. I like it when your suit is all wet and molding tightly against your body," Logan said with a suggestive grin.

Veronica had her hair pinned up and was leaning back across from Logan. She smiled with her eyes closed at his words. "I know you do," she said. Then something occurred to her, and she opened her eyes. "You know you might not find me so attractive when I get fat and bloated."

"It's different when a woman gets fat because she lets herself go, not caring about her body, her health, or appearance, than when she is big because she's pregnant," Logan said. "I can promise you I will find you just as attractive at nine months as I do right now."

"From what I've read, women often get the biggest with their first pregnancy, and it's not always easy to lose the weight. What if my metabolism slows down, and I stay fat?" Veronica asked with a frown.

"They'll just be more of you to love," Logan said, finding her sudden insecurities sweet. It was so unlike her. Pregnancy was bringing out facets of her that he never knew existed. It was fascinating.

"You say that now," she said doubtfully.

When Logan realized her concern was real and not hypothetical, he moved until he was next to her. He put his arm around her. "Babe, you are carrying my baby. There is not a hotter thing possible for a man, at least for me. I marvel everyday at what's happening to your body. It's exciting to look for the changes and know that it's our baby growing inside of you-something we created. Something wonderful and miraculous," Logan said as he put his hand on her stomach. "I can't wait to feel the first kick. I can't wait to be awakened one night because our little girl is kicking me in the back from inside your tummy."

"Don't you mean our son," Veronica said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Cause you know little Eli is definitely going to be kicking you!"

Logan laughed and groaned at the same time. "You're killing me!" he complained. "How about Elijah?"

Veronica grinned. "Elijah Keith Echolls sounds perfect! We can call him Eli!" she said happily.

Logan closed his eyes in resignation. "Fine. But you're having a girl, so it won't matter. We need to think of some girl names," Logan said.

"If it's a girl, we have to give her the middle name of Lynn after your mother," Veronica said.

"Really? Even though she killed herself, you'd want to name our baby after her?" Logan asked in surprise.

"Of course! I liked your mom, and if it wasn't for her and the qualities you inherited from her, I'm not sure I'd have fallen for you," Veronica told him. "It was your sensitive side that won me over, and we both know you didn't get that from your father."

Logan's eyes darkened at the thought. "No, I didn't. So did you want to name her after your mom?" he suggested. "You were really close to her before she went off the deep end."

"No!" she said quickly.

"Veronica, I think it's time you started looking for your mom. You're about to be a mom, and you'll need her," Logan pointed out.

"She left. She knows where we are. If she wanted to be here with me, she would be. She didn't even reappear when you were shot, and that was all over the news. I was hit by a car, and she didn't appear. So it's obvious that she is so far gone that she doesn't care about me anymore, so why should I care about her?" Veronica asked, upset. Her eyes filled with tears. She brushed them away. She hated how emotional pregnancy made her. It was inconvenient and frustrating.

"But you never give up on the people you love. If one of your friends went off the deep end, you wouldn't abandon them. You'd work day and night to save them. I don't understand this," Logan said, frowning. "I'd want my mom no matter how messed up she was. It's better than her being dead and knowing she'll never return."

"For all I know, my mom is dead," Veronica said flatly. Then she started to cry as that thought hit her. Logan pulled her against him and rubbed her back soothingly.

"You know she isn't. You're dad would know if she was," Logan said. Then he decided right then and there that when he got back to Neptune, he was going to get the ball rolling and find Leanne Mars. Veronica would forgive her mom, and she'd be grateful in the end to have her back.

******The Next Day******

They had decided to spend Friday at the beach and Saturday at the Malibu Pier. They were going to go surfing after breakfast. Logan let Veronica sleep in and drove down to the diner he'd noticed on the way in. He picked them up some pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Surfing always made him hungry, and he knew Veronica needed to eat for two. While he was waiting for the food, he was looking at the menu and had an idea. He talked to the waitress about it, and she agreed to help him.

A half hour later, he sat his two bags down in the kitchen. He emptied the bags and organized the purchases. He grabbed the breakfast plates and cup carrier that had two coffees and two orange juices and headed upstairs.

"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty!" he announced as he sat the food down on the small table and chairs that was in the room by the balcony doors. He opened them and the ocean breeze came in. Logan loved the smell of the ocean. He breathed it in as Veronica opened her eyes.

"Good morning," she said with a sleepy look. She sat up. "Is that breakfast?"

"Yep. I drove down to the diner we passed when we arrived yesterday. Coffee and juice with pancakes, eggs, and bacon!" Logan said. "Come eat before it gets cold."

Veronica got up eagerly. "I'm starved, so thanks. I always wake up so hungry these days," she remarked as she opened up the coffee and added some sugar. "It's such an improvement over the constant throwing up!"

"That's because you're eating for two!" Logan said with a smile. He opened up the carry-out box and checked the temperature. "It's still hot. There's syrup and butter."

"Perfect!" Veronica said, biting into the bacon. Then she took a sip of her coffee. "I'm so glad the doctor said one cup of coffee would be okay. I'm not sure I could handle quitting cold turkey."

"I'm not sure I could handle you without your caffeine either!" Logan said with a smirk.

"Well, I'm going to quit drinking it soon, so watch out!" she warned.

"So I had the restaurant make us a lunch of cold-sandwiches, chips, cookies, and bottles of water. I figured we can take it down to the beach with us and have a picnic for lunch," Logan said.

"Great idea! I can't remember the last time we did that. Our house is so close to the water that it never seems to make sense to eat by the water when our kitchen is so close and convenient," Veronica remarked.

"I figured we can surf together, and after lunch, I'll surf while you admire me from the sand," Logan said with a grin.

"What are you trying to say? That I'll hold you back?" she asked in mock outrage.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying!" Logan proclaimed.

Veronica laughed. "Fine. I'll bring my I-pod and book," Veronica replied.

"I thought while you were taking your afternoon nap, I'd go down the road and rent us some kayaks. We've never went kayaking together. Does that sound like fun?" Logan asked.

Veronica smiled at the idea. "Yes, that does. It sounds like a perfect day. Then tomorrow we can stroll around the Pier," she suggested.

"Exactly what I was thinking," Logan said. "Now aren't you glad we came?"

"I am. I miss Richie already, but I know he's fine," Veronica said.

"And we'll call Trina tonight and make her get on her computer, so you can see him live," Logan reminded her.

Her smile expanded at the thought. Her day no longer seemed right if she couldn't see him and kiss his sweet little cheek.

They had a great time at the beach. Logan was pleased that Veronica remembered what he'd taught her, and she managed to catch her first wave. They'd only gotten to go surfing a few times since he taught her, and she's never quite been able to ride a wave. She was so stoked about it.

"I can't believe I finally mastered a wave and Dick isn't here to see!" she said as they went to the shore for a break.

"I can't believe you actually wish Dick was here!" Logan said laughing. "Those pregnancy hormones really are messing with your head!"

Veronica shoved him. "You know what I mean! I don't wish he was here, so much as wish he'd seen it. He's always making fun of my little pink board that I love. He won't believe that I didn't wipe out for once!" she said.

"Don't worry, sugarpuss, I'll tell him!" Logan said with a grin. She was so lit up with her excitement and joy in the moment. It was intoxicating watching her. He put down his board and grabbed her. "You are so irresistible!" He gave her a passionate kiss to prove it.

"Whew! If you keep kissing me like that, we might have to cut your surfing time short," she said, giving him a suggestive look.

"Anticipation just makes it better!" he replied with a smug smile. "Besides, I'm starving already. I want to eat one of those sandwiches."

So they agreed to have lunch. A half hour or so later, Logan was back in the water. Veronica dutifully admired him for about ten minutes before she lounged back in the chair and put on her music. Soon she was lost in her book, enjoying another perfect day.

An hour later, Logan convinced Veronica to shower with him to save time. He was reminded of just how sensitive her body was since she became pregnant, and he enjoyed the shower immensely.

"Okay, we're clean!" she complained. "Quit teasing me!"

"Teasing you?" he asked with an innocent look.

"Yes, you know exactly what you were doing! I won't be able to rest now that you've got me all worked up!" she informed him as she cut off the water and stepped out of the shower. She wrapped her hair in a towel.

Logan gave her a heated look as he grabbed a towel and wiped off, never taking his eyes off of her. He watched her wrap another towel around her and walk into the bedroom. She was opening a drawer looking for clothes when he came up behind her and planted a kiss on her neck.

"How about I help you relax?" he suggested.

Veronica turned and faced him. "And how do you plan on doing that?" she asked archly.

"By making sweet, slow love to you until your boneless and exhausted," he replied confidently.

"That sounds like a definite possibility. Let's see what you got," she said coyly.

He dropped his towel. She inspected him as if giving him real consideration. "Hmmm. Maybe. What else do you got?" she asked with a cheeky grin.

He got on his knees, yanked down her towel, and proceeded to show her exactly what else he had.

*******Later that Night*******

Kayaking had been a blast. "We need to kayak with Dick and Mac. I think it's a water sport that Mac would actually enjoy," Veronica said.

"You're probably right. It doesn't take a lot of athletic skill, so I wouldn't exactly call it a sport. I'm not sure why we've not done it before," Logan said.

"Or kite surfing. We said we'd do that after our trip to Catalina Island, and we haven't yet," Veronica reminded him.

"True. But we have the rest of our lives to do all the things we want to do together," Logan reminded her, giving her a light kiss. They had went to dinner at the local diner instead of going further down the road and finding a nicer place. Veronica was never one to need expensive restaurants.

When they got back to Gary's house, Logan asked with a leer, "Do you wanna try to the hot tub again?"

Veronica flushed thinking about the way he'd pleasured her earlier that afternoon. His mad skills in the bedroom department only seemed to get better. "How about you call Trina first?" she said, knowing if she let him start touching her they'd never leave the bedroom.

Logan grinned and pulled out his phone while Veronica went to get her laptop. A few minutes later they were in front of her computer looking at Trina who was holding Richie in her lap. Trina had his little hand and was waving it at them.

"Hey, sweetie!" Veronica said.

"I don't really think he's old enough to see you, Veronica," Trina said. "Are you guys having fun?"

"Yes, we went surfing and kayaking today," Veronica shared. "I miss your sweet, perfect baby."

Trina grinned. "He misses you. He's been fussy all day," Trina said.

Veronica grinned and elbowed Logan. "Told you he's old enough to notice if we're there or not!" she exclaimed, feeling vindicated.

Logan laughed. "We'll be home Sunday morning, so we can spend the day with him," he said.

"That's fine. Mother Mary wants me to go shopping with her. She's met some guy at some deaf single mixer, and she's very anxious. I told her I'd help doll her up," Trina said, smiling.

Logan knew how much his sister loved to shop and was glad she'd allowed herself to grow close to her birth mother. It was another tie to keep her in Neptune. A part of him was still worried that she'd get a wild burr in her back and decide to go gallivanting around the country and this time take Richie with her. He never discussed his fear with Veronica, but he knew that the thought was in the back of her mind as well.

"That's great, Sis," Logan told her.

"I'm going to put Richie to bed now, so say goodnight," Trina said.

"Good night, Richie! We love you!" Veronica said, waving at the baby.

Logan said goodnight and Trina got offline. He knew seeing Richie would make Veronica sad. Turning to face her, he said, "None of that! You saw him. That's suppose to make you feel better, not worse."

"It did. I just miss him. But I'll be fine. I never knew being around a baby would affect me so much," she said sardonically.

"I know what you mean. He's my first baby, too. Babies are amazing things. Soon we'll have our own little girl for him to play with!" Logan enthused.

"You mean boy! I'm telling you, it's a boy. Mothers know these things," she said airily.

Logan laughed. "We never did pick any girl names. How about Emily?" Logan suggested.

"Emily Lynn Echolls. That sounds nice. We should get a baby book," Veronica said.

"Most definitely," Logan said. "So what do you want to do now?"

"I'm sure we can think of something," Veronica said, smiling as she wrapped her arms around Logan's neck.

"I know I can," he said as he kissed her.

*****Saturday******

Logan and Veronica were holding hands and strolling alone the Malibu Pier. Logan was excited to show her the official Surfrider Beach that the Malibu Pier boasted. The pier was less crowded than the Santa Monica Pier.

"This is nice. A great view," Veronica remarked as they looked around.

"So right over there is the spot," Logan said pointing. He pulled her over and peered down.

"What are we looking at?" Veronica asked.

"That idiot Jack Osbourne thought he could fly and jumped off the pier right here," Logan said with a smirk.

"Really? Attempted suicide?" Veronica asked.

"No, not even he is that stupid. It's not high enough to kill you, but he did succeed in breaking his arm. The moron," Logan said with disdain. "Spoiled sons of rock stars are really annoying."

"Yeah, I'm sure there so much worse than spoiled sons of Oscar winning actors," Veronica said with a smirk.

"Hey, I'd never been dumb enough to jump off this," Logan said.

"Yes, but Dick would. And didn't Duncan jump off the bleachers at school?" Veronica reminded him with a grin.

"That's what happens when you go kissing other guys!" Logan insisted with a grin. "Poor Duncan saw you kissing Troy and went nuts! I can relate!"

Veronica laughed. "Guys are so dumb sometimes!" she commented. "Hey, there's dolphins!" They looked and watched some dolphins jump up. Veronica was delighted. "I bet Lily would love coming here. Duncan told me they were going to the carnival yesterday."

"It's still there. We can take Richie tomorrow afternoon if you'd like," Logan offered.

"He's really too young. Next year," she said, smiling at the thought of getting to show him his firsts. "Logan, do you think Trina's going to stick around? What if she decides to leave and takes Richie? I don't think I could deal very well with that."

"Well, the thought has occurred to me, too. But she's spending time with her mother, she's working, and she seems more content than I've ever seen her. So I'm hoping that won't happen. Plus, if she ever wants to travel, I'm sure she won't want to drag Richie with her," Logan said.

"You think she'd leave him with us?" Veronica asked, hopeful.

"I do," he said.

"Although I'd prefer that over her taking him, what will that do to him if his mom is always leaving him all the time? I don't want him raised the way you and she were," Veronica stated.

"Me either. Let's wait and worry about it if something comes up with Trina. I'm really proud of how far she's come and that we have Richie," Logan said.

"Yeah, who would've thought? Sometimes people can surprise you," Veronica observed. "Oh, let's go check out the gift shop. There's also the Lagoo Museum. It sounds lame, but we might as well check it out while we're here."

"I've been there before. It is lame, but there's worse things," Logan said. He was just content to be with her and enjoy the day. It was great not having to worry about anything for a few days and have her all to himself.

******That Night*******

After another great day together and a good meal at Beachcomber, they went back to the their borrowed beach house.

Logan was stripping down to the boxers he normally slept in when Veronica opened up her bag and pulled out a wrapped box. She looked pleased with herself. "So I got something for you. Consider it an engagement gift or another birthday gift," Veronica said.

Logan was surprised. "Really? But I didn't buy you anything yet. I was going to wait until it was closer to the wedding," Logan said.

"I don't need any expensive gifts. The ring you got me is perfect. Besides, this didn't cost me much. And I love being the one to give you something for a change. And you are the one with a birthday," Veronica said with satisfaction.

"Yes, but you got me a new waterproof, surfer watch," Logan said, indicating it.

"That's so you don't lose track of time and forget about me when you're out surfing," Veronica said. "It was kind of a selfish gift. This isn't."

Logan opened up the box and found a 5x7 double picture frame. There was a picture inside each of the frames. One was a shot of him and Trina playing with Richie. Logan didn't think he'd ever seen a picture of him with his sister that captured them so candidly. Not to mention so happy. The look of joy as they both looked down at Richie was plain to see. It was an incredible shot. He looked up at Veronica. "Wow! This picture is unbelievable!" he exclaimed. "It's even better than the last one you took."

"I know. Richie's eyes are actually open, and you can see his sweet face better. I couldn't believe it when the pictures were developed. I was snapping so many pictures. I know Trina will want a copy of it, too, but I wanted to surprise you with it," Veronica said proudly.

"Thanks!" He glanced at the other picture that was connected to it. It was of him and Veronica holding Richie. Logan had his arm around her while she held the baby. She was looking happily down at the baby while Logan was looking at her. Someone had captured the normal look of adoration he had on his face when he looked at her.

"Mac took this one. She knew I'd want it. I thought both pictures side by side was perfect," Veronica said.

"It is. It's perfect," Logan said, pleased.

"We are definitely going to have to pose for some family Christmas pictures this year. It will be Richie's first. Think we can get Dick to sit still long enough?" she asked with grin.

Logan loved the fact that she knew he'd want Dick in any family photo they took. Since Cassidy died, Logan had become so much more than Dick's best friend. Even though Dick had reconnected with his dad, Logan knew that Dick thought of Logan as his brother. They couldn't be closer if they were blood related. "We can make him hold the baby," he suggested, making her laugh at the thought.

He put the picture on the nightstand and turned to her. "I'm going to have to work extra hard to repay you for such a thoughtful gift. I know just what to do," he said.

"You do?" she inquired with an arch of her eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips.

"I do," he said confidently. He bent down and kissed her shoulder. Then he moved his lips up her neck, causing her to sigh in contentment. "You have on too much clothes." He reached down and pulled up the t-shirt she was wearing. Her pink bra caused him to smile. "Although I love the new bra, it's going to have to go, too." He adeptly unsnapped it and pulled it away.

Veronica smiled and helped him by standing up and stepping out of her jeans. When she was wearing only her panties, she moved and straddled him, his growing desire for her pushing against her core. She purposely wiggled against him, causing him to groan.

He laid back on the bed and quickly moved and had her on her back. "Now this is more like it," he said, grinning in satisfaction. He ran a hand down her body, admiring her. "Have I told you today how beautiful you are?"

"No, you haven't," she said, pleased with him.

"You are exquisite," he said with admiration.

"You're kind of cute yourself," she said with a cheeky grin.

"I love you," Logan said, no longer in the mood to flirt, captivating her with his intensity.

"I know you do. I love you, too," she said softly. She raised a hand briefly to his cheek.

"Marry me," he said.

"I will," she vowed.

"No matter what," he said, a hint of question in his voice.

"No matter what. You're stuck with me," she said, smiling.

"There are worse things," he said, smiling again. Then he began to kiss her, reminding her of one of the many reasons she was so crazy about him.

*******Sunday Back in Neptune*******

When they arrived back home, and Veronica was busy playing with Richie, Logan stepped outside on the patio to make a phone call.

"Yo," Weevil said. "What's up?"

"Well, I was wondering if I could hire you for a job," Logan told him.

"Really? Sure," Weevil said in surprise and curiosity.

"The thing is, I don't want it to get around to Veronica," Logan said.

Weevil snickered. "Like you can keep secrets from her," he said.

"That will be your job. I want you to track down her mother. She's going to have a baby, and she'll need her mom with her when the time comes," Logan said. "I'd ask Keith, but I'm not sure he should be the one doing it now that he's happily married to someone else."

"Good point. We'll get started on it. I'll tell Jason not to say anything to his sister," Weevil said.

"Thanks. And when you locate her, I want to know what kind of condition she's in before we tell Veronica. So let me know. Don't tell her anything," Logan warned.

"Got it. Not a problem," Weevil replied.

"I don't know what would be worse. Finding her mom sober and healthy and knowing she just didn't want to see Veronica or finding her bombed out of her mind," Logan said.

"Knowing Veronica, the second choice. No one wants to think a parent doesn't love them enough to want to be a part of their life," Weevil said.

"I know but Leanne Mars is going to get her act together and come home. I know that no matter what Veronica says, she wants her mother in her life. And I'm going to make sure it happens," Logan said grimly.

"I'll get started on it," Weevil said, hanging up.

Logan put up his phone and went back inside. He watched Veronica with Richie. It was his new favorite sight. She was going to be so great with her own child, but he knew Veronica better than anyone. She would want her mother to be there when the baby was born. And he would find her mother for her. He knew if their positions were reversed, she'd do the same for him.

*****Chapter End******

For some reason I wasn't inspired to include any steamy bedroom scenes. Sorry if you were disappointed! :) Let me know how much you liked this chapter! FYI: The Jack Osbourne story about the Malibu Pier is true.