Veronica took in the scent of the cooking foods. The house smelled so festive, so full of life and holiday cheer. She smiled, loving how it felt to be with friends. She wasn't so sure she would be able to be alone again, after the week of love and laughs and friends.
"Everything is pretty much set up, all we have to do now is wait for the food."
"What about the deserts?"
"There is only so much room in the oven Trina." Veronica smiled and continued to roll the dough as she prepared to cover the apple pie.
"Ahh! Hot! Someone grab the pot!" Mac plopped it upon the counter as Trina grabbed it with the potholder.
"Mac, you're not supposed to touch it with your bare hands." She rolled her eyes and brought it over to the table with a large serving spoon. She scooped in some of the cinnamon apples, and Veronica proceeded to cover it and put on the little apple carvings they made of dough to decorate it. They smiled at it and then put it off to the side. The oven would be empty in ten minutes, then they could put in the deserts.
They sat at the table, a peaceful silence falling between them. The air seemed to hold both holiday excitement and a sad air of finality. After all, once the holidays were over, they would all have to go back to real life, to their own corners of the Earth, and Veronica would be left in her open B&B… alone. It was a sad thought, and yet, she loved every second she was spending with her friends. Her mind drifted back toward Logan. The past week had been such a rollercoaster ride. She wasn't quite sure how it would end.
She remembered his look as he opened his heart and felt her stomach flutter. She had waited for so many years for him to look at her that way. The way that he had looked at her several times before in high school, when they could dance around their feelings, and pretend not to see what stood right before them. At least then, they had each other at all times, and knew that they were never too far away. But now… now she was afraid of losing him forever.
The doorbell rang, shaking her out of her reverie and she headed to see who it was.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" She heard as she opened the door. She smiled, looking into the bright blue eyes of Duncan Kane.
"HEY!" She reached out and hugged him tightly, and then rushed him inside, to get him out of the cold. He was followed by a small blonde woman with bouncy curls and a slight flush in her cheeks. Veronica smiled as they both stepped inside and she closed the door behind them.
"Veronica, look at you! You look fantastic!" Duncan smiled widely as he started removing his coat and gloves.
"It's so great to see you." She couldn't help but smile, after all, Duncan had always been able to make her do that. "And you must be his girlfriend."
The small woman smiled as well and nodded as she removed her glove and extended her hand. "Hi, Meg Manning."
Veronica looked up and caught Mac and Trina, standing at the kitchen doorway, watching the new girl carefully. She laughed internally, the protective look of the girls not going unnoticed. They were like territorial cats, for goodness sakes.
"Well, it's a pleasure to have you here Meg. I hope you enjoy your stay."
"Thanks." She smiled and they both handed Veronica their coats.
"Well, if it isn't Duncan Kane." Trina smirked as she walked into the room.
"Oh geez, you didn't tell me Trina would be here." Duncan winked and grabbed her in for a hug. "How are YOU doing stranger?"
"I'm doing well. In a few months I open my third boutique; this one will be in Los Angeles. So, I'm going big time."
"Yea, not surprised. Just glad that I didn't hang around, you always threatened to use me as your model." They laughed and he grabbed Meg's hand as he moved her over next to him. "Trina, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Meg."
"Hello." Trina smiled as she shook her hand and then looked back at Duncan. "You better be careful with him, he's a maniac. One of those, belching, farting, and push up machine kind of guys."
"TRINA!" Duncan rolled his eyes and turned to Meg. "Don't listen to her, she's probably upset because her gingerbread cookies didn't come out perfect."
"Don't worry Trina, it's not like it's a big secret." Meg said with a grin and they all laughed. She'd passed the test. She was now a friendly part of the group. Veronica smiled and walked over to the couch to move the pillows. She motioned for them to sit as Trina and Meg sat down and started talking. They seemed to have hit it off so quickly.
Mac walked in from the kitchen and Duncan froze in place, an evil grin forming on his face.
"WINDOWS!"
"DON'T call me that. I didn't write something that popular ."
"Oh come on, you are like a computer goddess, and now it's official. You're my windows!" He opened his arms wide, moving slowly toward her for a hug.
"STOP IT! DUNCAN! I am NOT windows! AGHH!" He threw his arms over her and hugged her tightly, as she struggled to get loose. "YOU MORON!"
Meg laughed at the sight and shook her head.
"I can't take him anywhere."
"So, where are the rest of the guys?" Duncan asked as he headed to sit down and left Mac trying to fix her hair and sweater.
"They left to enjoy the city before dinner tonight."
"Yea, they were afraid Trina would make them go around caroling or something." Mac whispered. Everyone started to laugh, well, everyone except Trina of course… she was looking at Mac with wicked eyes.
"Well… this place looks great Veronica. I must say, you've outdone yourself."
"It is beautiful." Duncan and Meg stood, looking around the room and into the kitchen.
"You guys want to see your room?" They nodded and Veronica ran up the stairs excitedly, wondering if it would be so much fun with each new guest.
***
"What a life. Can you imagine being able to live like that? A room dedicated solely to dancing. A dinner table to seat like 12." Wallace ranted on excitedly as they walked down the steps of Marble House, one of the many famous Newport Mansions.
"They had lots of kids then. You figure, without the anesthetic…."
"Dick." Logan and Wallace looked at him and started laughing. Where did he come up with this stuff?
"These places are incredible. So, rich and full of history. It's like you walk in and are transferred back in time."
"Yea, I know."
"You guys are a bunch of nerds." Dick rolled his eyes and headed towards the back when he froze. They walked behind him, and stopped to stare at the image before them.
"Woah." It was as if the three of them breathed it out at the exact same time.
"Now, that is worth the price of the airfare." Dick whispered as he walked up to the stone ledge. They looked out over the cliff into the cold blue waters as the winter sun set.
"That's pretty awesome." Wallace said with a smile and looked over at Logan who was deep in thought. "Hey, you ok? You're not going to cry are you?"
Logan smiled and shook his head. "This is Veronica's favorite spot. It's incredible, right? Imagine living in a place like this."
"Uh oh, are you imagining it?" Dick turned to look back at Logan and he simply shrugged his shoulders. "Crap man, if that's the case, you're in deeper than sh-."
"We get the point Dick. Thanks." Wallace laughed and patted Logan on the back. "Tonight's the night Logan. It's now or never." He nodded in agreement as Dick continued to stare out.
"This would make an awesome painting for my shop. But it's too frickin' cold to sit out here and enjoy in the Alaskan cold. I'm surprised there aren't Eskimos floating around here."
They laughed and headed back toward the car.
"Any way you can take a picture of it and hang the picture, right?" Dick threw his arm around Wallace's shoulders and smiled.
"I knew you were my friend for a reason. You're a genius kid." They got into the car and closed the doors as they rubbed their hands to warm them. "Now let's go eat, I'm starving."
***
Veronica knew the minute they'd walked through the door. She felt the vibrations of the floors as the door was slammed shut. She smiled, knowing Trina was seating them in the dining area. Veronica looked ahead into the full length mirror before her and sighed.
"You look great V." She looked at Mac's reflection and smiled.
"Yea, sure." She laughed as she smoothed down her red velvet skirt and fixed her Santa hat.
"You ok? You seem a bit… sad."
"I just have a weird feeling tonight, that's all."
"What kind of feeling?"
"I don't know how to explain it. Maybe, I'm just nervous." She turned to face Mac and smiled. "Ok, you ready?"
"Ready." Mac smiled, her own red dress flowing as she walked in her prim heels, her hips swaying from side to side down the hallway. Veronica laughed as she closed her bedroom door behind her, and headed down the stairs to meet the guests.
Mac led the way down the stairs, and into the living room as the voices and laughter grew louder. The smells of candles and food were mixing to form a cozy home atmosphere.
"Ahem! Excuse me, can I have your attention?" The room went silent as everyone looked up from their tables to look at Mac. "Hello everyone. My name is Mac and I am your MC this evening. I now present to you the hostess of the estate, Veronica Mars."
Veronica smiled as Mac made way for her to appear at the doorway as the room erupted in clapping and laughter. She blushed slightly, and bowed slightly, establishing herself as hostess.
"Welcome everyone to the Northern Bungalow. I hope you have enjoyed your stay and will be enjoying Christmas here. Dinner is a special treat tonight. The menu was prepared by our own Trina Echolls." She looked over as Trina stood and took a small bow.
"As you all see, there is a fabulous array of entrees as well as deserts and I hope you will all enjoy it. Then after, there will be the exchange of gifts and the Three Golden Santa's performance." Veronica smiled as everyone laughed. Then, she stepped in closer to the table. She looked down, the spread of edible masterpieces looking fit for a royal court. She couldn't help but smile. What a job.
"Ok everyone. Eat!" The minute she gave the flag, the crowd jumped up, plates in hand, and headed to form the line. She moved over, giving everyone enough space and leaned up against the wall, awaiting her turn. She would eat last, that way she could watch everyone enjoy themselves. That in itself was worth the wait. She looked over to the kitchen doorway, as Mac stood, leaning up against the entryway, with a funny smirk on her face. She obviously was feeling the excitement as well.
Veronica turned her head as she saw Dick head over to her, a sly smile on his lips.
"What?" She looked at him, recognizing the devilish grin.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"I'm trying to be polite and wait."
"You, polite? You never had manners before, why start now?" He leaned against the wall before her, his body leaning in suggestively. Veronica giggled, obviously the attraction had never truly left those two.
"Dick, why don't you just…." That's when he leaned in and pressed his lips tightly against her, catching her totally off guard and making her wrap her arms around him for support.
"What was that?" Mac yelped, her voice shaky from the passion. Dick pointed upward at the mistletoe hanging above them, and leaned in again, devouring her lips.
"Guys… we're trying to eat over here. Please… wait until after dinner." Veronica laughed as Trina screamed over at them and sat herself beside Wallace. They all were laughing as they started to talk and eat.
On the other side of the table were Duncan and Meg, whispering to each other, a few moments of private romance, and then jumping into the conversation between Trina and Wallace. There was an air of romance within the dining room, with the candles burning upon the tables, and everyone pairing off. Veronica smiled and finally headed toward the buffet table.
She managed to put a little of everything on her plate, hoping to enjoy at least a taste of all of their hard work. She looked at the deserts and decided it was best to wait. She might not even have room after all the food.
She turned to look for a space and caught the smiling face of Logan, obviously coming down from a laughing fit with Dick at the table. He was looking at her with an expression of pure happiness. She thought back and smiled as she remembered that laugh, that smiling face of his youth.
She was startled when she noticed the movement of his head, motioning for her to join him at the table. She smiled and nodded, as she headed slowly over to the table and put down her plate as Logan pulled out her chair for her to sit.
"Either way, there was that one Christmas, our junior year, remember? Me and Mac had just started dating…."
"Mac and I." Trina interjected between her bite of food. Dick looked at her with a low growl and continued telling his story.
"Mac and I… had just started dating and Wallace had volunteered to be Santa for Trina, because she was having this ridiculous Festival of Lights. So we all volunteered… what a nightmare."
Veronica laughed, remembering the picture that was forming in her mind. That had been one of the craziest winters of her life. Not including this one of course.
"Hey! I was trying to put together a benefit concert ok? Those kids were orphans and they needed better winter gear and toys! I was trying to do a good deed!"
"Yea, but you made me wear the Santa costume, even though I was allergic to the material. So, I ended up with a huge rash for like three days after Christmas." They all erupted in laughter as Wallace whined. Mac nodded her head in remembrance.
"Veronica and I were forced to wear those dreadful elf costumes. Snowflake and Candy Cane. What were you thinking Trina?"
"And Duncan was the head Elf… what was your name?" Mac looked over with a smirk.
"Well, the kids called me Peppermint King, but I let the ladies call me Big Poppa P." They all laughed as Dick continued the story.
"Yea, that was a great time."
"Except, when you pretended to be Wallace in his Santa costume. You lured me into the little house and then tried making out with me."
"Yea, she was mad at me for like a week Dick. She thought I'd lost my mind."
"Look people! All I've ever tried to do was be a good person! Try to make a nice holiday for the little children. Can you blame me?"
The room went silent for a long moment and then everyone responded. "YES!"
Then the room erupted in laughter.
Veronica looked over at Logan, remembering another aspect of that Christmas that she'd forgotten. The promise. Logan looked over at her, as if suddenly remembering the same thing.
It was about fifteen minutes until midnight that Christmas Eve and she'd been on elf duty all night. He pulled her aside and offered her a cup of hot chocolate to warm herself. It had been a cool night in Neptune and she seemed exhausted. It was exactly what she'd needed. They snuck off to the edge of the Winter Wonderland Trina had created for a few moments of peace.
"You look… great." She looked over at him and elbowed him softly. The hint of playfulness in his eyes not going undetected. "Shut up. I look insane. Like a little insane elf. That's what I get… for being short I guess." They laughed and took another sip of their hot chocolate. "Thanks for this, by the way, I really needed it." "No problem." They stood in silence once again, enjoying only the feeling of each other's company. "It's beautiful isn't it? I mean, as crazy as Trina can get… she sure has the right idea." They looked out over the brightly lit trees and the snow covered ground. Trina had created her own fantasy land. "You know… it's moments like these that I'll never forget. Having hot chocolate with you, in your elf suit, on the edge of the Winter Wonderland." She looked up and smiled, his eyes holding an earnestness she'd seen few times before. "Logan?" "I'm scared Roonie. One more year, and then what… what happens to us?" "Nothing happens. We grow up. We go to college and we keep in touch through email, and letters and cell phones." "I don't know if I can make it through college without you." "Oh come on, you're smart. You haven't always cheated off me in Journalism." She smirked, making reference to their sophomore year. "Will you promise me something?" "Anything." She smiled as she took another sip of her chocolate. "That when we get older, if we find out way back to each other again… when we find out way back to each other again… you won't leave me." "What do you mean?" "That if I go to you, pleading, I want you to accept my offer." "Offer of what?" "Marriage." "MARRIAGE!" She almost choked on her hot chocolate as she looked up into his now flushed face. His cheeks were becoming red with the cold but his eyes still held that warm golden fire. "If we meet up, say ten years from now, and life has passed, and we haven't grown apart, and we've accomplished things we've set out… I say, we make a pact tonight, that we'll then enjoy the rest of our lives together." "What if I'm with someone else?" "Then, you make a decision. Who do you truly love?" "What if you're with someone else?" "I doubt I could ever be with anyone else." "And if you are?" "Then… I'd have to see if you were still willing to be my wife before I could ever move on." She smiled widely, enjoying the sound of his words. Of course, she'd always known they held some special connection. But she'd never wanted to push it. What they had was beautiful. There was no need to add complications. "Ok." "Ok?" "I agree." "You're not messing with me?" "Here." She removed the Christmas tree broche she'd pinned on her elf suit. "As a sign of my acceptance." And then he'd kissed her.
Veronica was suddenly shaken out of her reverie by the loud laughter in the room. Seems Mac and Dick had brought up another crazy story of their pasts. Meg was red with laughter as she listened carefully to stories of Duncan as a teenager, which sadly, weren't too different from him as an adult. Trina and Wallace threw in a few of their own references. She looked over at Logan, still sitting beside her. He was staring at her as well, obviously just as indulged in his thoughts as she was.
She'd forgotten about that pact. She thought back to the first day he'd arrived. The hesitancy he'd held.
Her stomach began to flutter. Could that be why he seemed so unsure to tell her about Christine? She shook off the feelings. How ridiculous. It was just a little conversation they'd had back in high school so many years ago.
There was no way he even remembered. Right?
