Author's Note: I wanted to update yesterday, but the demon child i babysit for woke up before i could start. I have a lot of work this week due so the next update might not be till the weekend. I apologize in advance I have to papers and a test this week plus my freelance work and they're all due friday. THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED! You guys never cease to surprise me! So just a quick note, I've never been pregnant and the people who I know that have been pregnant were not responsible so all the info I got is thanks to the internet. I think you guys will like this chapter, or I'm hoping so at least. Let me know what you think! Please review! Also I hope this answers your questions about Lynn and Aaron. There will be more to come. Btw fun fact Logan's parents are married in real life. They're been married for like 20 years.

Thank you to: Sophiamommy, sydcasy, amandamary, Guest, cantarams, Bindie, LoveForever14, MakailaJaydeJac, Kerali, Anonymous, Bondopoulos, Guest, Jess, Clementine20, Lunky, ellen7loveslife, Guest, Viki, Jessi, Bethelove, P, tigerlady1981, Nikatsu, JeniLynn2000, AngelPete81, Jessnicole, Jeremy Shane, and Cocoboheme!

Enjoy!

Chapter 10 The Heartbeat

It was the week before school let out for winter break and so far people hadn't tormented Veronica. Well at least not as much as they had in the last few months, but there were still some incidents. Even with Logan's continuous threats. As a matter of fact he had gotten a three-day suspension that week because of getting in a fight with Dick of all people. In actuality it was something Madison had said about Veronica being a slut because of some reason or another. Dick had agreed after Madison threatened to not have sex with him and since Logan couldn't threaten Madison despite the fact she deserved it he lashed out at Dick.

Logan was still hanging out with his friends, but he did notice that not as many people wanted to talk to him and after his and Dick's fight he figured that he wasn't going to be invited to a New Years party anytime soon. Oddly enough he didn't mind as much as he thought he would.

Veronica knew she should reprimand him for getting suspended and tell him that she could take care of herself, but in reality because of the whole hormones all over the place thing she wasn't feeling like her complete self. She started crying at the drop of a hat or got angry about something very easily. She even was beginning to notice that she was feeling weird stomach flips around Logan. Butterflies are what some people would say they were, but she refused to compare Logan and butterflies in the same sentence. All of this she related to the weirdness of her hormones and pregnancy.

If the hormones weren't bad enough she was beginning to take note that she had to start wearing looser clothes. Her bras were uncomfortably and she had noticed her boobs getting bigger as well as her waistline. She wasn't exactly showing, not yet, but her clothes were feeling tight and she personally felt like a whale. When she complained to her dad about it he just laughed and told her she had a long way to go.

"Honey, are you ready to go?" Keith asked as they ate breakfast that morning. It was the morning of her first official doctor's appointment where she would learn in more detail what was going on with the baby and where all of her questions would get to be answered.

Veronica nodded setting down the oatmeal Keith had been making her eat because of the nutrients.

"Is Logan—" Keith began to ask, but was cut off by a knock on the door.

Veronica gave him a wary smile before getting up to answer it. Logan stepped into the apartment giving her a slight head nod before going over and shaking Keith's hand. Since the holidays were nearing Logan had oddly become politer and not as snarky at least around Keith, which Veronica was sure amounted to the fact that Logan had gotten his daughter pregnant and wanted to avoid being shot with one of Keith's many guns. A fact that was weird in itself since Logan and polite were like talking about walrus and chickens in the same sentence.

"Hello, sir." Logan said giving him a polite smile and then turning to Veronica.

"Are you ready?" he asked his voice steady, but his body language shifting in anxiety. She didn't blame him she felt the same way. She cast one last look at her dad who gave her an encouraging smile and then she nodded.

"As ready as I'll ever be." She said quietly before going to hug her dad and then walking towards the door with Logan. Logan said 'goodbye' to her dad and then they were off to the doctor's.

Neither of them said much in the car both too nervous for the upcoming hour or two they would have to be at the doctor's. Eventually Logan turned on the radio to drown out the silence.

"How's suspension going?" Veronica asked trying to break the silence as the commercials came over the radio.

Logan glanced over at her and smirked. "I was wondering when you were going to reprimand me for getting in trouble." He said softly.

"I'm not going to reprimand you, Logan…even though I should." She admitted.

His smirk widened and he kept his eyes on the road.

"Although I think that you should ignore the comments. I know it's hard, but they don't bother me as much anymore and they'll die down…eventually." She said trying to be optimistic.

Logan sent her a yeah right look and she knew he was right. Although she didn't want to admit it.

"I know it's hard, really I do, but I can take care of myself. I know you like being King of Neptune but—"

"There are more important things then being King, Ronnie. I won't lie and tell you I hate being popular, but as of right now my priority is you so if people have a problem with you or me standing up for you then without a question I'm siding with you." he paused as they came to a stop sign and Veronica opened her mouth to begin to speak when he continued. "And it's not because you're pregnant either. I should've stood with you from the beginning." He added so softly if he hadn't turned the radio down she wouldn't have heard him.

She tried to ignore the gooey hot sensation in her stomach, but she couldn't help it. His words made her melt.

"What about Duncan, Dick and everyone else? What are you going to do when they find out? I mean minus Duncan he's avoiding us like the black plague." She said.

Duncan hadn't been at school since they'd told him almost two weeks ago. She wondered if he'd told his parents.

"Nothing. I'm going to continue to take care of you and all those guys can suck it. If they're my real friends then they'll still be my friends after they find out the truth." Logan said as they pulled into the doctor's building.

"You know I don't need to be taken care of, right?" she insisted as they parked.

Logan looked over at her with an intensity in his eyes she had been noticing more and more as of late. She gulped wondering briefly if he was going to lean in and kiss her. Then she thought of what she would do and she realized with a drop of her stomach she'd return it. God, her hormones were messing with her brain now.

"Keep telling yourself that Mars." He said turning away from her and breaking the moment. He got out of the car and she followed not sure if she should try and fight him on the fact that she really didn't need help.

She had been looking for jobs and so far nothing was really that appealing, but she figured she'd find something. The Java Hut was hiring, but there were a lot of people that came there from school and she wasn't sure if she wanted to spend even more time with them. Plus Carrie Bishop worked there and that itself left a bad taste in her mouth.

"So when do we find out the sex?" Logan asked as they walked towards the elevators.

"18-20 weeks." She said pushing the button so they could go up.

"Do you want to find out?" he asked trying to be casual.

"I'm not sure. I kind of want it to be a surprise."

"Getting pregnant at 16 on your first time wasn't a surprise enough?" he snarked.

She huffed and stepped into the elevator. "I just thought it would be kinda fun. I mean you can find out if you want, but I'm not going to."

Logan shrugged knowing she was testier than usual because of her hormones. He found it amazing to watch her go from happy to sad to angry within a five-minute span. He knew it shouldn't amuse him, but seeing her so angry always made him feel turned on. He didn't really understand it he'd never been turned on by anger before, but with Veronica he was noticing a lot of what she did turned him on. The worst part about it was that he couldn't do anything because they were just friends.

They arrived at the doctor's office and Veronica filled out some paper work before they were called in. She made him wait outside while she changed into the paper gown they gave her and after too long of a wait the doctor came in.

"Hello Veronica how are we today?" the doctor asked beginning to check her blood pressure.

"Good." Veronica said quietly.

"And who did we bring with us?" the doctor asked looking over at Logan awkwardly standing in the corner.

"The father." Logan said shuffling and looking everywhere but at Veronica who was in the stirrups.

Veronica looked over at Logan and swore he was blushing as he stared at the ceiling. She bit her lip to keep from giggling. The doctor looked her over to make sure everything was as it should be. Her blood pressure was a little high, but that could be from stress. He asked about her diet, exercise, and any changes she noticed occurring. He also wrote her a prescription for prenatal vitamins so keep her healthy.

"My dad's been the one to dictate my diet honestly, but most things I can't keep fully down. Does that get better?" she asked anxiously.

"Yes once you get out of the first trimester it should die down. I know it's hard now, but it does get better. On the other hand you have heartburn, constant urination, constipation, and back pains among other not so fun things to look forward to." He said delicately.

"I also want you exercising to keep yourself healthy. Not too much, but just enough say thirty minutes to an hour a day. That can be walking or swimming anything that's not lifting or high stress." The doctor continued.

"Also I want you to take the vitamins I'm prescribing to keep you and the baby healthy. Most importantly eat right, take care of yourself, and remember that the time goes quickly. Currently you're at 10 going on 11 weeks. You're going to start to show soon and you'll be going into your second trimester in a few weeks so you can even start telling people once you're ready. Do you have any questions for me?" the doctor asked looking at the two parents.

"Do we get to see the baby today?" Logan asked breaking his silence.

The doctor nodded, "Once we're done with all of the questions, check ins, etc I can have a technician come in and you can see and hear the baby." He said.

"Will my hormones be crazy the entire time?" Veronica blurted out shifting awkwardly around.

The doctor gave her a sympathetic look, "It actually gets more intense. You become more hormonal and your sexual appetite increases." He said looking between the two. The doctor looked away trying not to laugh when he saw the teens turn scarlet at his comment.

"Anything else?" he asked.

They shook their heads.

"Ok make an appointment when you leave and remember to get your vitamins. Here's a list of things you shouldn't do and here's a list of foods you shouldn't eat. If you have any questions call me and we'll see you in a month. Also I recommend getting some baby books to prepare yourselves." He said giving the papers to Logan and then leaving the office.

Veronica and Logan shared a look before getting interrupted by the technician coming in.

"Good morning!" she chirped getting her tools ready.

"Would you like a movie and a picture of the baby? Possibly several for family members?" she asked looking between the two.

"A movie would be great!" Logan exclaimed shocking Veronica. She looked over at him startled and he gave her a smirk.

"Two pictures would be nice." She added.

"Great lets get started!" the technician chirped.

Veronica and Logan watched as she set everything up and then put a cold gel on Veronica. Once she was set up she switched the monitor on and a loud noise filled the room. Instantly Veronica felt tears well in her eyes and she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Logan with an identical look to her own as they stared at the screen and the noise of the heartbeat filled the room. Without realizing it Veronica took the hand on her shoulder and curled it into her own wanting to feel Logan's skin on hers. She held his hand tightly as the technician began to explain the different parts they were seeing and how in a few short weeks they'd be able to tell the sex.

"He or she is about as big as a kumquat." She said offering Veronica a tissue.

She nodded her throat too clogged up to say anything.

"He or she is developing slowly but surely. He or she can bend their limps and they're growing fingernails. It's pretty exciting." She exclaimed.

Veronica nodded her hand tightening in Logan's and then much to her surprise Logan leaned down and kissed her gently on the top of her head. If her heart hadn't melted already at the sight of their child it would've melted at Logan's sweet gesture.

After the appointment Veronica went over to Logan's and they re-watched the movie of the baby. Logan couldn't get over how amazing it was to see the child and to hear it all growing inside of Veronica. He had never been a particularly emotional person, but seeing such a tiny human thing growing in Veronica was possibly the most amazing thing he'd ever witnessed. He knew in that instant as they stood in the doctor's office he never wanted anything to happen to that child. He wouldn't be how his father was to him. Granted he had never wanted children because he was afraid he'd turn in to his father, but when he saw that image on that screen he knew he could never let any harm come to the baby.

He loved the child already and he'd protect it with everything he had until he died. He wouldn't be his father, he told himself. The baby was a part of Veronica and a part of him how could anyone hurt a child like that? He vowed he'd never hurt that child and he wouldn't be his father. He kept repeating the mantra as they watched the video again.

Part of him wanted to tell Veronica his worries, but then again that would bring up the fact that he had been abused most of his life and that was something he didn't want Veronica to know. He didn't want to see that look that people gave him when they knew and the worst part of all was he didn't want her to accept it like everyone else had.

"This is so amazing." She breathed as the video came to an end. She held her picture tightly in her hands tears coming back into her eyes.

Logan smiled at her enjoying the image of such a vulnerable Veronica, something that was rarely seen anymore.

"What do you want it to be?" he asked laying down on his bed.

She shrugged moving off the floor to lay beside him. "I don't care as long as it's healthy and happy." She said looking over at him.

Logan smiled slightly. "I hope it's a girl." He said rolling on to his side and propping his head up with his hand.

"Why do you want a girl?" she asked laughing.

"I figured you'd want a boy to surf with and to mock me with." She teased.

Logan smiled sadly and shrugged moving back onto his back to stare at the ceiling.

"I just think it would be fun to have a girl. Obviously she'd never date anyone I'd be like your dad, but a small version of you would be…nice." He said glancing over at her to see her reaction.

The tears had gathered in her eyes again and before he knew it she had curled herself into his side and was crying into his shirt.

"Y-you…a-amazing…b-baby…f-f-father…." She cried into his shirt most of her words muffled.

Logan smiled and wrapped his arms around her small frame and pulling her into him as close as possible. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes trying to get a hold of her emotions.

"Are you ok?" he asked rubbing her back soothingly.

"I will be." She whispered.

"You weren't kidding about those hormones." He joked.

She laughed softly. "It's annoying. One minute I'm fine then the next you say something or someone else says something to make me a blubbering mess. I have to get a hold of myself especially if I need to get a job." She said quietly.

Logan looked down at her with a frown. "A job? Why?" he asked curiously.

"Money, idiot." She grumbled into his shirt. Her eyes were still closed and she was enjoying his arms around her more than she'd admit. His presence comforted her in a way she was unaware of ever feeling before. Granted her dad comforted her, but it was a different kind. Logan made her feel like there was a bubble around them and nothing bad would happen. He made her feel safe, warm, and cared for.

"What kind of job?" he asked curiously.

She shrugged, "I don't know…I looked in the paper and there's nothing I'm really good at. Java hut is the only thing that looked worthwhile, but kill me if I have to be pregnant and deal with those losers at school. Plus I don't want to be on my feet all day." She bemoaned.

Logan chuckled and pulled her closer enjoying the warmth she gave off. "What about some detective work?" he asked out of the blue.

"What do you mean?" she asked moving away slightly so she could look up at him.

Logan shrugged, "I mean you've always been good at figuring out the bad guy I think it's cause your dad's the Sheriff, but this kid's computer was stolen in my bio class. He's been complaining about it, I bet you could get it back." Logan said thoughtfully.

Veronica stared at him for a moment contemplating the idea. "What's his name?"

Logan filled her in with the details and after turning the idea over in her head again she agreed to talk to him on Friday about it.

"You think you can find it in one day?" he asked amused.

She shrugged, "I don't know, I'll try. I mean I've done some detective work and I've helped out at the station, but I've never really done anything like this. It beats making coffee, though and sounds more exciting." She said thinking of the money she could earn. She also made sure to leave out her own personal investigation she was doing on Lilly's murder. She didn't want Logan knowing about that. It was true she hadn't done much detective work until Lilly had died and she had put time into finding out who killed her because of saving her father's job as well as clearing her own conscious. But she figured she was good at it and she was smart so how hard could it be to find some kid's computer. The question that really bothered her was why hadn't she thought of that first?

"Logan!" Aaron called up the stairs when he and Lynn returned a little after three. They had been gone a few weeks doing publicity for his new movie. He expected to see Logan when he got home since he saw his son's car in the driveway.

"Logan!" Aaron shouted again grumbling when he realized he'd have to go upstairs and find his son. He left Lynn to unpack and angrily walked up the stairs to find his son. He burst into Logan's room and looked in surprise at the little blonde curled around his son.

"Dad?" Logan rasped rubbing his eyes.

Aaron felt the angry dissipate for a moment when he saw they'd been sleeping. Logan uncurled Veronica from around him and he stood up.

"We're home son." Aaron said walking over to him and pulling him in for a rough hug. His voice roused Veronica from sleep and she sat up quickly taking note that the famous Aaron Echolls was looming above her.

"Hi Mr. Echolls." She said giving him a friendly tired smile.

"Veronica." Aaron said giving her a smile before looking at the TV where the frozen image of the baby was.

Aaron stared at the image for a moment not quite sure what he was seeing. Logan and Veronica shared a look not knowing what to say or do until Aaron turned back around and gave them a stiff smile.

"What's going on?" he asked looking at the TV then the couple.

"Nothing." Logan blurted out.

"What are you watching?" Aaron asked his voice getting lower and lower.

Logan looked over at Veronica who was unsure of what to do.

"It's uh…a—" Logan stuttered, but was cut off by his mother entering his room.

"Logan! There you are! And Veronica! How nice to see you." Lynn gushed coming over to hug her son and then Veronica.

Aaron continued to stare at Logan with an unreadable expression on his face and Logan looked everywhere, but at his father.

"Logan has something to tell us." Aaron said his voice dangerously low.

Veronica shivered and she slid off the bed. With a deep breath she blurted the truth out. "I'm pregnant." She said looking between both of Logan's parents.

They stared at her in shock and then turned to look at Logan who nodded watching his dad particularly to see his reaction.

"Pregnant?" Aaron mumbled.

"And it's Logan's?" Lynn asked staring at her son.

Veronica nodded slightly watching as tears welled up in Lynn's eyes.

"Oh, Logan!" she said shaking her head before hugging her son again. Veronica watched the scene unfold not noticing the look in Aaron's eyes.

"How could you be so stupid?" Aaron asked incredulously. "Didn't you use protection? Do you know what this means? What about my image? How is the public going to see me, Logan?" he exclaimed his voice rising steadily.

Veronica stared at him in horror for a moment before speaking up. "It's not just his fault, Mr. Echolls!" she exclaimed.

"No I'm sure it's mostly your fault for seducing my son! " he yelled finally snapped.

Logan moved forward angrily not wanting his father to take out his anger on Veronica. "Don't yell at her!" he shouted knowing that he was going to pay for this later, but for now all he could think about was Veronica and keeping her and the baby safe.

"Logan why don't you take Veronica home and then we can talk about this." Lynn said quietly.

Logan nodded and took Veronica's hand before leading her out of his room and away from the chaos of his family. He knew when he got home he'd pay, but for right now he wanted to enjoy the last few remaining moments he had with her before his father made him learn his lesson.

As they left the house Veronica swore she heard something crash upstairs. She realized as they got into his car and he began to drive her home that she didn't want to leave him she had a feeling something bad was going to happen.

"You'll call me when you're done talking to your parents?" she asked anxiously.

Logan nodded stiffly and tried to concentrate on the road, but Veronica's worried eyes were gazing at him as if she knew something bad was going to happen. Logan knew Aaron wasn't going to talk about the fact he was going to be a father when he got home. When he returned home he knew that he'd have to go pick a belt out like he'd learned to do since age five and get the beating his father thought he deserved, but he didn't want to tell Veronica that.

"Let's take the long way." He mumbled taking his hand off the wheel and reaching out for her. She gripped it tightly much the same way she'd done in the doctor's office.

(A/n: i couldn't resist putting the last line in. It's one of my favs. So what did you guys think? Please review! Next up Veronica finds out something interesting and I'm thinking it's christmas.)