Chapter 4: A New Year
In the beginning of January, just before Charlie has to return to teach, he decides to visit Veronica in the apartment she lives in with her father. The press has been unrelentingly negative about her pregnancy and Logan's possible paternity. He is upset that his brother is really worried about his sons and hurting that he is on the outside. He looks at the apartment from the driver's seat of his car and wonders what to say to Veronica if he is even able to get in to see her. He waited for a time that most of the press has left and he walks quickly up to the door. Knocking he waits to see if he will be let in. He ignores the guys taking pictures and the questions they are asking him. He is recognized as Logan's half brother. The door opens to a burly, balding Hispanic man with tattoos who does not look happy to see him. He says, "I'm Charlie Stone." He is waved in and the door is unceremoniously shut in the faces of the press
The man turns to him and says, "I've been wanting to talk to you."
Unsure at the tone Charlie quietly agrees, "OK and you are?"
"I'm Eli Navarro. I tried to contact Logan and then I tried to contact Logan through his buddy Dick and you. You all blew me off," the upset man explains a little menacingly.
Looking nonplussed, Charlie tries to explain, "I didn't know Veronica was pregnant then. Once I found out, I made sure Logan knew."
"I may not come from Hollywood stock but where I come from if you have been with a girl, you don't refuse their calls if they say they need to talk to you." Eli tells him firmly.
Taken aback at the plain talk, Charlie uses his calm teaching voice and tries, "I am not here to explain Logan's choices. I am here as the future uncle to her children. I want to see if she needs any help."
Frowning, the tough young man points out, "I thought you guys were going to wait for the paternity testing. Didn't you get the memo?"
Sighing Charlie says, "Look, can I please just talk to Veronica for a minute. I promise not to upset her." The heavy set man turns abruptly and goes into what Charlie presumes is Veronica's bedroom. Charlie stands nervously by the kitchen island. He hasn't been invited in or asked to sit down so he just waits. The apartment is very small. He remembers when he got his first taste of avoiding the press. He and his mother were both essentially under house arrest. His small apartment got oppressive at times. Now Veronica is stuck in bed and is the object of a lot of speculation. He feels badly for her and he feels badly for Logan who wants to talk to her but can't.
When the muscular young man comes back he reluctantly says, "V will see you." When Charlie moves to go into Veronica's room, Eli puts his hand up and says firmly, "I'll need your phone before you go in to see her."
Annoyed at being treated like he is visiting someone in prison, Charlie asks, "Why? Do you think I'll take a picture and sell it or something?"
"No," shaking his head, Eli explains, "I want to make sure you don't give Logan a call. She has been upset enough by that ..." He bites off what he was going to say but Charlie can tell it was not polite. Looking at the angry young man who seems to be a friend of Veronica's, Charlie can see that he is not going to get in to see Veronica with his phone so he hands it over and then slowly walks into the back bedroom.
When he looks in the bedroom, Veronica is on top of the bed linens in sweat pants and a t shirt. Her baby bulge is quite pronounced. She is working on her computer. When she sees him standing tentatively in the doorway she puts shuts her laptop and looks at him expectantly. Walking in he says quietly, "I don't know if you remember me but I am..."
"Charlie Stone, Logan's half brother," she supplies. She adds sarcastically, "I believe we talked on the phone."
Uncomfortable at her reminder, he coughs a little and agrees, "Yes." He shifts a little on his feet and then starts, "How are you feeling?"
She looks at him like she is disappointed in him but she answers, "I am fine. Thank you for asking."
He looks a little disconcerted and then tries, "I guess that was a stupid question. I don't really know the proper etiquette in a situation like this." His uncertainty increases as she sits there just looking at him with almost no expression on her face. Charlie has the impression that she doesn't really want to talk to him and although she can see he is uncomfortable, she isn't going to help him out. Pushed into talking again, he tries, "I just came over to see how you and my nephews are and to see if there was anything I can do to help."
"Well until they are born and the paternity tests come back, they aren't really your nephews, are they?" She looks away from Logan's brother feeling a little guilty. It seems like he helped Logan avoid her but once he knew she was pregnant, he did the right thing and made sure Logan knew. He doesn't deserve the drama that is always associated with her and Logan. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. Rubbing her hand absently over her baby bump, she says more kindly, "Look, I know what I am supposed to do. I will have my lawyer contact Logan's lawyer once the paternity test results are back."
Charlie steps forward and says earnestly, "Logan knows they are his babies. He just wants the testing for legal purposes. He is in charge of the Echolls' fortune and he has to make sure everything is done legally."
"I got that from my conversation with Logan," she tells him. "Was there anything else you wanted?"
He feels helpless and worried. "Veronica, Logan and I hate the idea that you are stuck here in the apartment. Why don't you move in with us? The press can't get past the gates and there is a lot more room in the house. You could lay in the living room or out on the deck. You wouldn't be stuck in your bedroom for another month." He adds enticingly, "My housekeeper could do your laundry and cook your favorite meals for you."
She looks at him in shock and finally says, "Charlie, Logan has avoided me for six months. He moved to another country to get away from me. What would make you think it would be a good idea to move me into the same house?"
"OK," he tries, "If you don't want to move in with Logan then maybe we could buy or rent you a place to live that would make things better for you."
She interrupts his planning and says kindly, "I really appreciate that you are trying to help but I am fine here. I am only allowed out of bed to go to the bathroom and shower. I have all of that here. I have my Dad and my friends who keep care of the apartment, get groceries, cook me meals and take me to the doctor." She takes a deep breath and tells him, "In a few weeks, the boys will be born and then we can do the blood testing. Once those results come back, we can get everything sorted out legally and above board."
Charlie sits in a chair by the bed and says quietly, "Logan has missed so much already. " He puts up his hand to forestall any comments she may make, "I know he made some less than ideal choices but he is here now and he wants to be here for you and your boys."
Frustrated she tells him, "It took me a while but I have accepted that Logan never wanted to see or hear from me again. He himself told me that he wouldn't have come back or contacted me if I wasn't pregnant so although he is here now, he is not here for me so please quit saying that."
A little shocked at her bluntness, Charlie flounders on what to say. Veronica says, "Right now, there isn't much Logan can do for the boys. Once they are born and the paternity testing comes back, we will talk and work out a visitation schedule." She looks away for a few seconds and then looks back at the man who is going to be the uncle to her babies. She researched him for Logan when he found out he had a half brother. He is a good man who seems to care about the welfare of his students. He is clearly taken aback by her anger. She takes a deep breath and tries, "Look I get that you are Logan's brother and your focus is him." She waves her arm silencing him when he opens his mouth not wanting to hear that he is concerned for her. "Logan was gone but I haven't been alone. I am very lucky in that my father has been there for me and I have some good friends who have helped. I don't need Logan to help me." Meeting his gaze she adds, her voice less agitated, "To answer your question, it's not ideal but I have been working with the hand I got dealt."
Charlie tries again, "Look, I am just suggesting that you allow Logan to bond with his sons after they are born. It is best for the boys."
She frowns a little and then says, "I guess it is up to Logan if he wants to see the boys before the paternity test results or not. I just got the impression that he wanted positive proof before he got involved." She leans over towards the bedside table and opens the top drawer. She pulls out an envelope and hands it to Charlie. He takes it and looks at her in question. She explains, "It is copies of all the ultrasounds so far. There are some videos and some are just audio." Pausing she looks at her hands which are again resting over her baby bump and adds quietly, "I was saving them in case some day he wanted them." She looks at Charlie and then back at her hands and adds, "I didn't mail them because I thought he might throw them out without looking at them..." her voice trails off. Charlie doesn't know what to say so he just looks at her. Nodding at the package she goes on, "There is a baby book of boys names and meanings in there. I highlighted the ones I like in yellow and Logan can highlight the ones he likes in blue." Pausing she adds hesitantly, "Then we can talk about the green names once they are born if he wants."
Surprised Charlie says, "That is a good idea. I will give the book to Logan."
She sighs and says tiredly, "I was taking prenatal classes but I guess I won't get to finish now." Meeting his gaze she adds, "Before my bed rest I did tour the high risk deliver area and met some of the nurses that work there." She sighs and Charlie can see that the hospital tour freaked her out a little. She carries on gamely, "There really isn't anything more to do but go to the doctor appointments and then wait for the delivery. Logan isn't really missing out on anything."
"What about being in the delivery room?" he asks.
My Dad is going to take me to the hospital when it is time," she says immediately looking away. Charlie thinks he can hear tears in her voice as she continues, "I am like every first time mother I guess. I am nervous about the labor and delivery. I know there will be increased risk because they are twins." She stops and bites her lip as she thinks for a few seconds and then she carries on, "I will be in a special room with special equipment and pediatricians available. A lot is going to be happening and the person helping me has to be someone I trust. I need my dad there with me to help me." After a short pause she looks at Charlie and says, "I am not trying to punish Logan. He can be outside and see them right after if he wants. I can tell the hospital staff that he is the father and he can see them as often as he wants. I will put Echolls as their last name on the birth certificates if he wants." She finishes, "I just need my dad in the delivery room. I trust him."
Charlie doesn't know what to say. It is clear that she is hurting and he never thought about how she might feel having Logan in the room with her when the boys were born. He just never thought about how alone and afraid she has been. He guesses he was only looking at it from Logan point of view. So much as been out of her control and she is just a scared young girl without a mother to help her.
He says, "I am going to give you my number and if you need anything, you can call me."
She looks at him and says, "Look Charlie, I am glad that Logan has you now. If you want to do something for me, keep Trina away from me after the boys are born."
Charlie gives her a small smile and says, "I will try."
She nods but doesn't meet his gaze. He stands and says, "Thanks for talking to me." She doesn't look at him as she tells him goodbye. He walks to the door and turns to look at her. She has laid down and is on her side hugging a pregnancy pillow. He leaves without saying anything more. The tattooed guy is waiting a little anxiously in the living room. Charlie thanks him for taking care of Veronica and he waves him off stating, "V is like family to me."
Charlie nods and takes his phone back. He walks over to the phone on the kitchen island and writes his number down on a pad that is sitting by the phone. He tells Eli, "I am going to leave my number in case Veronica needs anything."
Nodding Eli says, "I'll give it to her." Eli opens the door and Charlie walks out to wards his car carrying his package. He is now hurting for Veronica and Logan. Logan wants to be involved now he knows about the pregnancy but Veronica has learned to cope without Logan. She doesn't want him around; Veronica needs her father and friends with her. There doesn't seem to be a place for Logan. Logan doesn't seem to see a future with Veronica either so it looks like the boys are facing a future of sharing their lives between two parents.
Logan shuts off the TV in disgust and gets up and paces back and forth across the room he has been using to work on his novel. The story of Veronica's pregnancy will just not die. They are making her out to be a money grubbing tramp. Logan is beyond frustrated. He has agreed not to contact Veronica but every day he wonders how she is doing and how the babies are. He can tell from watching the television that she has been trapped in her apartment with the press waiting outside. He knows she is on bed rest and he is truly worried how she is doing and how their sons are. He thinks about what they are going to look like, how big they are going to be and what it will be like looking after them. He really wishes he could contact her but he is worried that he will upset her again and harm her or the babies.
After Charlie went to see her, Logan felt a little better about the situation. Veronica is being really reasonable about his rights. She is going to name him as the father on the birth certificate and let him help name the boys. She is even willing to let him see the boys before the paternity results. He feels like a huge weight has been lifted from him. He was genuinely touched when Charlie gave him the envelope holding the baby name book and all the ultrasound pictures, tapes and videos. He finds himself looking at the pictures, listening to the sound of his sons' heartbeats and watching the video more often than Veronica probably imagines. Charlie and Dick were both affected by the latest video as the boys turned so their heads were together and it almost seemed like they were communicating with each other. Their heartbeats are fast and strong. To Logan's surprise, Dick joined in suggesting a few names he thought were cool. In his head, Logan understands Veronica wanting her father to help her in the delivery room; they are close and she trusts him. The fact is, he really wants to be there. He wants to be at her apartment now helping her and he wants to be there during the labor and delivery. It bothers him that she has cut him so thoroughly out of her life. Yes, he gets the irony of his thoughts. Be careful what you ask for and all that but it doesn't change the fact that he really wants to be more involved. He sits down and opens the video on his computer to play the latest ultrasound again.
Standing in the kitchen visiting with Charlie, Logan's cell phone rings. He looks at the ID and sees Veronica's name. He tells Charlie it is Veronica and he answers it, "Veronica?"
He hears Keith's voice saying, "No it's me Keith Mars."
Feeling the worry rise in his chest, Logan says, "Mr. Mars." He listens as Keith tells him that Veronica is in the hospital and Charlie watching sees the color drain from his brother's face. Alarmed Logan questions, "What happened? Is she OK? Are the babies OK?"
Keith feels a little pressure ease in his chest at Logan's obvious concern. The fact he asked after Veronica first is good news to Keith. "Veronica was knocked down by the paparazzi on her way in to see the doctor. She hit her head and has a minor concussion and she sprained her wrist. She started having contractions so her doctor is going to keep her overnight at least."
Upset, Logan asks, "What hospital?"
Hearing the emotions, Keith reassures him, "Memorial Logan. Her labor has stopped. She had an ultrasound and the babies are both doing OK right now."
Logan says, "I'll be right there."
Keith says, "Good, I will put you on the visitor list." He pauses and adds, " Just to let you know there are a lot of paparazzi out front."
Logan scoffs, "They haven't done enough damage already?" He hangs up and looks over at Charlie who is looking at him with concern. He tells Charlie that the paparazzi knocked Veronica down and she started labor.
Charlie sucks in his breath. He says, "Is she OK?"
Logan nods and reassures him, "Thank god just a minor concussion and sprained wrist. The babies are fine too. I have to go to her."
Charlie pulls out his keys and says, "I'll drive."
The reporters and paparazzi crowd around Logan and Charlie as they push their way through and into the ER. Security lets them through and they are escorted up to the unit where Veronica is staying.
When Logan and Charlie enter the waiting room, Keith Mars stands and goes over to shake their hands. Charlie can see Eli, Wallace and the young girl that are waiting there are not happy to see Logan arrive. Keith tells Logan that the babies are still doing well and that a nurse specialist is checking the baby monitor frequently.
Logan, concerned asks, "How is Veronica?"
Weevil snorts and says, "Like you care."
Keith Mars intervenes and quietly tells Logan, "Her wrist is sprained and the doctor said her concussion is mild. Other than that, she has a few scrapes but she is fine."
Relieved, Logan asks, "Can I please see her?"
With a little shake of his head, Keith says, "I'll ask her if she wants to see you but right now we need to talk about keeping her safe for the rest of the pregnancy."
Frowning, Logan meets Keith's gaze and asks, "What exactly happened to her?"
Wallace steps forward and talks about how he was escorting her from the car into the doctor's office building when they were rushed by the paparazzi. He tells Logan and Charlie how they pressed in and he pushed them away but there were too many of them. He says, "They knocked her backwards off the path and down a small hill to the parking lot." He talks about how they were yelling questions at her and taking her picture as she fell.
Mac steps over, opens her lap top and starts a video for Logan and Charlie to watch. Logan is horrified and angry at the things the press was yelling at her. Then when she fell, they just kept yelling questions while they filmed her plight. At the end of the video, Wallace just picks her up and almost carries her back to his car. Veronica is in shock and crying with her hand protectively wrapped around her expanded belly.
Charlie and the others see Logan's pain and anger as he watches the video. Logan paces away and comes back trying to keep his anger at bay. Watching them hurt Veronica was really difficult. He wants to find the guys who hurt her and punch them out. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, he says, "You need to let me hire security for her. She needs to live somewhere she can be protected."
To the group's surprise, Keith nods and says, "She does need more protection but I am not sure how she will take the idea of accepting your help."
Meeting the older man's gaze, Logan says, "Let me talk to her." When he sees the resistance on her father's and friends' faces, he adds a little exasperated, "I won't upset her but they are my sons and we need to work together to make sure she is safe and they are protected." When they look at each other unsure, Logan adds, "Just give me a chance to talk to her. I know that her health and the health of the babies is the most important thing. I will be very careful what I say."
Keith nods and says, "If she gets upset or the babies become distressed, you have to promise to leave immediately." Logan nods his agreement and Keith says, "OK, I am trusting you to step up for her and your sons. Don't let her down."
"I won't," Logan vows. He turns and heads purposefully down the hall towards her room. There is a security guard outside the door who looks at Logan's identification and then writes his name down and lets him in.
Once inside, Logan stops in shock. Veronica is laying on the hospital bed with her left arm in an ace wrap and it is elevated on two pillows. She has small white bandage on the left side of her forehead. The baby monitor is wrapped around her swollen belly and there are waves on the monitors along with the quiet sounds of the boys heartbeats. She looks so pale and so scared that Logan's heart feels like it is going to jump out of his chest. He knows what he has to do. He has to do what is best for her and his sons. He has to put his feelings on the back burner for now. He quietly walks over and sits in the chair next to her bed. He looks at her and the monitors. While he is thinking about what needs to be done to help her, she has opened her eyes and is gazing at him. He looks pale and is sitting in the chair looking at the baby monitor. She shifts a little as her boys are moving again.
Logan's head darts over and his eyes meet hers. Clearly upset, he asks, "How are you feeling?"
She says, "The babies are fine Logan. I had an ultrasound."
Logan says firmly, "Please stop Veronica. I don't want to go down that path again." Veronica's eyes tear a little. Logan says gently, "Ronnie please just listen." Taking a deep breath, he starts, "I do know you. I know you are telling me the truth and that you have been taking great care of our babies. I know they are my sons. I know you are going to make a great mother. I know you are not after me for my money or name. Please don't think otherwise."
Veronica is looking at Logan with tears in her eyes. He says, "Since Aaron died, I am constantly involved in law suits. He had so many shady money deals and so many paternity suits…. " Logan shakes his head in disgust. He says, "I have an investigator full time and a lawyer who deals with them all. Now women I have never met or briefly met but never had sex with are coming out of the woodwork with paternity suits listing me as the father. It really is enough to make me want to just give Aaron's whole fortune away so they will all leave me alone."
Veronica is watching him. He meets her eyes and says, "I want our sons to have the testing but only for the legalities. So far the only legitimate Echolls are Charlie, me and now our twins. If there are more out there then I will happily share the money. It's not about that. I just want everything to be above board and legal. Aaron had so many affairs that there are probably other Charlies out there whose mother raised them alone and didn't want anything from the great Aaron Echolls. The point is Ronnie the tests have to be done the next time someone sues me for part of Aaron's estate. Plus, I need to know that if anything happens to me our boys will be looked after."
Veronica can see he is telling her the truth. He pleads, "You know me Veronica. I only let a few people really get to know me and you are one of them. Please tell me you believe me."
Veronica's eyes remains teary but she nods. She tells him, "I do believe you."
Logan lets out a relieved breath. He says, "Thank you." He leans closer to her and meets her gaze, "Ronnie, you have to let me help you. I want to hire security to protect you and our boys. I think you should let me get you somewhere more secure to live."
She immediately shakes her head and says, "I get I might need security when I leave the apartment but I don't need you to buy me a place to live. I am OK at the apartment."
He sighs as he guessed she would be stubborn. He points out, "Once they are born, you will need to be someplace with better security."
"We'll deal with that when the time comes, " she says firmly.
He knows when she isn't going to budge so he says, "I think that we should start to deal with the housing situation soon. It takes a while to buy a house and close on it."
Shaking her head she points out, "I can't go and look at houses anyways."
He shifts his chair closer and leans in, "Ronnie please try and see this from my perspective. I know what the press is going to be like when the boys are born. The first picture of them is going to be worth millions. Even the best hired security can't protect you in the apartment. To be protected here in Neptune the house needs to be in a gated community with high fences and a secure gate. There needs to be a state of the art security system, blackened privacy windows and private security. I lived the life. I understand what is needed better than you do right now." Veronica looks upset but he can see she understands what he is telling her. He adds, "I wish it wasn't going to be like that. I wish the boys wouldn't be paparazzi targets. I wish the public wasn't interested in me anymore. I wish my sordid tabloid life didn't affect our children but wishing doesn't change what is and we have to protect them."
She closes her eyes and Logan immediately sees that she is shutting him out. She opens her eyes, looks past his shoulder, audibly sighs and says, "I am really tired. I just want to get out of here and go home to my bed and pretend that my wrist and head are not hurting. I want to pretend that I am not in the tabloids every day. A few tears escape and she chokes out, "Can you please leave and send in Wallace? I will think about what you said once I am home."
Sadly Logan nods and stands. He says, "I'll arrange for a security team to protect you. They can help take you back to your apartment when it is time." He watches as Veronica nods, tears on her face. Sad that she is so closed off from him he adds quietly, "Please call me once you have had a chance to think about what you want." She nods and turns onto her side. A tiny moan of pain escapes her and she grabs a pillow and holds onto it as she puts her sore wrist up on it. Logan really wants to hold her and comfort her but it is not his role now. He quietly tells her goodbye and leaves the room.
Back in the waiting room, he tells her anxious father and friends that she has agreed to the security team and then tells Wallace that Veronica wants to see him. Wallace nods and immediately heads down the hall to see Veronica. The rest of the group listens as Logan calls the security firm he uses and outlines the protection he wants for Veronica. After he has made the call, he looks over at Veronica's father and says, "I guess I will head out now. If you could call me once you meet with John Clark and are satisfied with the protection he sets up?"
Keith nods and says, "I will." He stands and shakes Logan's hand and then watches as Logan and his brother leave. He is glad he called Logan. Veronica is dead set against taking any money from Logan but realistically, she is going to have to accept that her children are going to need protection.
Mac, watching the exchange, shakes her head. She is not sure what drove Logan away six months ago but the pain on his face when he left tonight is clear. She has seen that look before when Veronica was drugged by the Hearst rapist and then after she caught him. Logan is feeling very protective of Veronica and it really bothered him to see her physically injured.
Eli has also seen the protective look on Logan's face. He is not sure why they can't be together but he is sure that they love each other.
When Wallace walks in the room, he sees Veronica laying on her side and she is crying. He heads over to the side of the bed and pulls the chair so he can sit near her. After he is settled, he gently asks, "Do you need me to go and beat him up?"
To Wallace's delight, her laughter bursts out of her. She is so quick, she immediately gets his reference to his running offer to beat Logan up each time she cried over him. She looks at him with gratitude and agrees, "You are right. I shouldn't be crying over him. I am going to blame my pregnancy hormones."
Leaning closer he adds, "Or the fact you still love him."
Sadly she meets his gaze and agrees, "I may always love him but I am not going to pine over a man who doesn't love me or want me. I am better than that."
Nodding his agreement, he says, "That you are." He broaches the subject of the security guards and says, "I am so sorry I couldn't protect you."
Immediately she reassures him, "I am not sure a security company could have stopped the buzzards."
Grateful she is not upset, he shares, "I am very glad that Logan hired you professional protection." He adds, "Don't get me wrong, your father, Eli and I will still want to be there but the more, the merrier."
She smiles a little at him and sadly asks, "Can you please rub my back for a minute? It hurts where my little soccer star is kicking me."
Agreeable, he immediately goes around to the other side of the bed and rubs her lower back. The size of the twin pregnancy combined with her petite size has made her back stiff and sore almost every night. As he rubs her back, he sees her breathing even out and he is glad that she has fallen asleep for a while. He knows it won't last as she will have to pee or one of the boys will kick and wake her up but sleep whenever she can get it, is welcome.
Logan made one other stop on his way out of the hospital. He stopped in accounting and made arrangements for Veronica's hospital bill to be sent to his accountant. He is not going to allow Mr. Mars and Veronica to worry about how to pay the hospital bills. Veronica can't work right now and in reality this hospital trip is because she is a paparazzi target. On the way home, he called his lawyer and asked about restraining orders at least against the press who pushed Veronica causing her to fall down the hill. Charlie listens to the call and hears Logan's anger that the press could hurt Veronica and his sons. It was clear to Charlie that Logan loves Veronica. He really wishes Logan would consider trying to get back with the woman he loves. It would be best for everyone if they could make it work.
Later, Logan is sitting on the deck at Charlie's house. He looks up at the stars and enjoys the peace and quiet. Almost unconsciously he rubs his chest over his heart. It hurts so much to see her physically hurt and then to have her so emotionally distant from him. He went across the world to get away from her but sitting here now, he knows he still wants and needs her as much as he ever did. Fate can be a cruel bitch! He meets a woman like Veronica and he falls deeply in love and they aren't good together.