The Choices We Make
By Misha

Disclaimer and Author's Notes in Part One.

Part Seven- Back to Normal?

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2003

"So, Shelley's party is on Saturday night." Duncan reminded her after school as they drove back to the Kane estate.

Veronica nodded. "I remember."

After all, Shelley held a big party every year. Shelley's end-of-the year party, called such because it was usually one of the last parties before the Christmas break, was one of the highlights of the 09er social calender.

"We're going?" Veronica asked, even though it wasn't a question. She knew everyone expected her and Duncan to go to the party, after all everyone would be there.

"Of course." Duncan answered, though he didn't sound that enthusiastic.

Veronica knew why. "This'll be the first party since..."

"Yeah." Duncan agreed. "We knew it would happen and she'd want us to go."

"That's true." Veronica agreed. "But it's so soon."

It had been two months since Lilly had died and not quite a month since Veronica had moved in with the Kanes.

She was getting used to living there. Jake, as he had insisted she call him, was great, Celeste was a cold to her as ever, but at least she was polite and being around Duncan all the time was the best medicine Veronica could think of. Even if it hurt to be in that house without Lilly.

Everything was weird these days. She saw her mom most weekends and had seen her dad twice for dinner and both times had been really awkward. She just didn't know what to say to him. He was her dad and she loved and she felt so guilty for siding against him, but what choice had she had?

Still, besides those things, life was slowly going back to 'normal'. Or as normal as they'd ever be without Lilly, and that hurt. Just the idea of going to a party without Lilly hurt and yet, Veronica knew they'd have to do it sooner or later.

"We don't have to go." Duncan said quietly.

"Yes, we do." Veronica told him.

She knew that everyone would expect them to attend and maybe it would be good for them to get out. Maybe.


Saturday, December 6th, 2003

"You kids look great." Jake said as Duncan and Veronica got ready to leave for the party.

"Thank you, Jake." Veronica answered as she and Duncan made their way to the front door.

"Have fun and be safe." Jake called out as they left. He watched them go.

He was glad to see them going out, that things were getting back to normal. Or at least, that they were starting to.

It was still so soon after Lilly's death, too soon for things to be entirely normal, but he was glad that they were making an effort. He thought it was good that they were going to this party, that they were going out and being social.

He also really enjoyed having Veronica around. She had been living there almost a month now and she filled a little of the hole left by Lilly. Not all of it, of course, not even close, but she had made it a little easier.

Of course, he still had to find out who her father was. He had finally sent away the DNA test a couple of weeks before and would know for sure in a few days whether or not she was his child.


"Hey you guys!" Logan greeted them, when they arrived at the party.

Veronica had to assume from his enthusiasm that he'd already made his share of visits to the bar already. Of course, she knew that he'd also been in Tijuanna recently with Luke and Sean and that he'd scored some liquid X, so that could explain it as well.

"Hey, Logan." Veronica answered quietly.

Duncan smiled slightly and then looked at Veronica. "Want a drink?"

"Oh, yeah." Veronica murmured, knowing that she'd need plenty of fortification to get through the night. A thought she was sure that Logan and Duncan shared.

"I'll get it." Duncan told her and disappeared into the crowd.

"This sucks." Logan said suddenly. "It's just not the same without her."

"No, it couldn't be." Veronica told him. "She was the life of every party after all."

She and Logan were both silent, as they thought about Lilly. Veronica wondered how in the Hell she was going to get through this night. Lilly had only been dead seven weeks, so what were they doing at a party, trying to pretend everything was normal? It wasn't right.

Just then, Duncan appeared with a drink in each hand. He handed one to Veronica.

She took it gratefully and chugged it down. She knew how she'd survive this night, with artificial happiness, and with Duncan.

She looked up at him and knew that as long as he was there, she could bear anything. They'd be there for each other, now and always.