Patient

"You okay, sweetie?"

Veronica drops a kiss to the side of her daughter's head, her hand stroking her hair as she moves past her and pulls open the fridge.

"Yeah, I guess."

"What's wrong?" Veronica pulls out a carton of milk and turns back around to face her little girl.

Deep brown eyes lift to meet hers. "When's Dad gonna be home?"

"Soon, sweetheart." Veronica smiles sympathetically. "He'll be here soon."

"Will he?" The ten-year-old raises an eyebrow, giving her a look that's pure Logan. "He's already three days late and it's my birthday Saturday. He said he'd be home for it."

"I know, honey." She steps forward, sliding an arm around her, hugging her close. "He's doing his best, I promise. He'll get here. You just have to be patient for a little while longer."

Her daughter nods, looking glum. "This sucks."

"It totally does," Veronica agrees wholeheartedly. "You know how much your Dad loves you, and if he could be here right now, he would be."

"Yeah, I know."

"Listen." Veronica lets go of her and leans forward, resting her elbows on the island countertop. "When he gets home, while he's on leave, we're gonna spend a ton of family time together, okay? Just you and me and Dad. Whatever you want to do."

"Really?" That earns her a wide smile, her daughter's eyes lighting up. "Can we go to the water park?"

"Uh huh."

"Disneyland?"

"If you like." Veronica gives her a warm smile.

"Can we go on vacation?" she tries next. "Dad said he would take me to New York."

"Oh, he did, huh?" Veronica cocks an eyebrow. This is news to her. "Well, we'll have to see."

Dear God, what have you been agreeing to, Logan?

"So," she says, standing up. "What'll it be for breakfast?"

"French toast and strawberries?" Pleading eyes look up at her, expression perfectly matching her father's when he wants something, and there's no way Veronica can refuse.

"Okay." She nods with a smile. "Coming right up."

She fixes two portions of French toast, and she's just sliding onto the free stool at the island when the FaceTime app on her phone dings.

"Daddy!" Her daughter gets to it first, grinning widely when Logan's face fills the screen. "Where are you? Are you nearly home?"

"Hey, baby girl," Logan's smooth tone comes through the speakers. "How are you doing? Is Mom there, too?"

"Right here," says Veronica, swallowing a mouthful of strawberries as she leans across so he can see her. "How're you doing?"

"Missing you guys," he says. "I don't have long, but just wanted to let you know that we're on our way back. I can't say exactly when we'll dock, but I should be back by Saturday."

"Yay!" Their daughter claps her hands together excitedly. "You'll be home for my birthday."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He smiles affectionately. "Listen, can I talk to Mom for a minute?"

"Okay," the ten-year-old chirps. "See you soon, Dad."

"Finish your breakfast and then go get ready for school, okay?" Veronica instructs as she takes the phone from her and heads out of the room.

When she's safely in her bedroom, she turns to the phone again, smiling down at Logan. "What's up?"

"Nothin'." he smirks. "Just wanted to tell you I love you, and that I'm dying to get you naked and show you exactly how much I've missed you."

Veronica's stomach clenches in response to the mental images his words conjure and she licks her lips. "I can't wait."

"Me either." He gives a salacious wink.

"Do you have a bit of time to talk?" she asks.

"A couple more minutes."

"Good. Because what's this I hear about you promising our daughter a trip to New York?"

He winces, lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck as he looks at her sheepishly. "Ah, yeah… well…I was gonna tell you, but—"

"Hey, I'm not mad, okay?" she interrupts quickly. "I think it's a great idea."

Logan looks visibly surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah." She smiles. "We can take in the sights, see a show... I can show her my old stomping ground at Columbia. We'll make a whole trip of it."

"Wow." Logan blinks. "I thought for sure I'd have to talk you round."

Veronica rolls her eyes. "I'm not some kind of fun-sucking misery, Lo."

He smirks, then gives a throaty chuckle, which causes her to frown. "What?"

"I seem to remember there being plenty of fun when you're sucking," he quips mischievously.

"Oh, you're hilarious." She tries for deadpan, but she can't help the smirk that tugs at her lips.

"I thought so."

He grins and longing hits her right in the chest.

"Get home soon, okay?" she says seriously. "And be safe."

"Will do," he promises. "And you, too. Both of you."

She swallows down her emotions as she says, "Love you."

"Me, too, Bobcat."

She smiles at the old nickname. "Come back to me. To us."

Flashing a grin, he replies, "Always."


Note: This story is standalone and not specifically related to any of my other fics :).