After lunch with Wallace, Veronica spends the rest of the afternoon distracted, unable to concentrate, her thoughts focused on Logan instead of on the case she's currently working. She has to talk to him, she knows that, but she has no idea how to broach the subject.
"All right, hon, I'm heading home." Keith pops his head around the door just after six p.m.
Veronica looks up, forcing a slight smile. "Okay."
Keith frowns, his expression turning concerned as he studies her thoughtfully, and Veronica resists the urge to sigh.
Not you, too, Dad.
"You sure you don't want to come over for dinner tonight?" he asks, for the second time this afternoon. "Logan's welcome, too."
"No, it's okay. We have plans." Veronica shakes her head, the lie leaving her lips easier than she would have liked. "But, thanks anyway."
"Okay, no problem." He nods. "Well, just let me know if you change your mind."
"Will do." She injects as much brightness as she can into her tone, which unfortunately seems to backfire, because her father steps into the room, eyeing her thoughtfully.
"Veronica, is everything okay? You seem out of sorts today."
"I'm fine, Dad. Really," she says. "Just tired."
He doesn't look convinced, but nods anyway and turns to leave. "Well, okay… I'll see you soon."
"Have a good weekend," she calls after him.
After he's left and the office has fallen quiet—Mac having gone home, too—Veronica struggles through another hour of work before slumping back in her chair and exhaling heavily. Closing her eyes, she lifts her hands to her forehead, massaging her temples.
What to do… what to do?
She should go home, get it over with, but she doesn't know if she can face Logan right now. Doesn't know if they can actually have a civilised conversation about this particular topic without it turning into another fight. She feels terrible about how she reacted the other night. She flew off the handle, got mad, when it's obvious now that all he was trying to was talk. It scares her though, all this talk of families and babies, and she's afraid he's just going to keep pushing and that she's not going to be able to say yes, and it's going to be what drives them apart.
Sucking in a breath and steeling herself, she shuts down her computer, then stands, gathering her jacket and bag, and gets ready to leave. Almost on autopilot, she turns off the lights, shuts the doors, and locks the office, before walking to her car.
She's about halfway home before she turns around and heads towards her father's bungalow instead.
"Veronica?" Keith looks surprised when he opens the door to her.
"Hey, Dad," she says. "I changed my mind."
He looks confused for a second before breaking into a smile and opening the door wider. "Come on in."
She follows him into the kitchen, placing her jacket and bag on the edge of the island, then grabs a drink and perches on one of the stools at the island, watching him prepare the dinner.
"Thought you and Logan had plans tonight?" Keith asks as he chops vegetables.
"Yeah…" She cringes. "I kinda stretched the truth on that one."
"You know, if you don't want to come over, you can just tell me," he says. "You don't have to make excuses."
Veronica sighs. "It's not that, Dad. It's just…"
She trails off, not sure how to articulate what she's feeling right now. Keith turns to her, wiping his hands on a dishcloth.
"Veronica, what's going on?" he asks kindly.
When she fixes him with a questioning look, he just raises an eyebrow.
"Come on, you're my daughter; I can tell when something's wrong."
She closes her eyes briefly, then looks down at her hands. "I…"
Keith puts down the cloth and slides onto the stool beside her. "Did something happen with Logan?"
"I don't know what to do, Dad," she says eventually. "It's been going so well. We've been happy, and I really thought we could make things work this time, but—"
Keith grimaces, a hint of anger in his tone as he says tightly, "What did he do?"
"Oh, no." Veronica shakes her head quickly, realising where his thoughts are going. "It's nothing like that. It's… we're just having some… agreement issues."
"Agreement issues?" He looks bemused.
Veronica sighs, conflicting emotions swirling inside her. "He wants to get married."
"Really?"
"Yeah," she nods. "It was kind of a shock when he suggested it, because I didn't think that was something he wanted."
"Well, I have to admit, I can't really picture it myself: Logan Echolls, a family man?" Keith chuckles, which makes Veronica smile in return. "So, why the change of heart?"
"I think it's because of what happened to Bilbo," she admits. "He said that if anything happened to him in the line of duty, it would be better if we were married. You know, for legal purposes."
"Sounds sensible," remarks Keith.
"Yeah. It is."
"So, what's the problem?" Keith looks puzzled. "I mean, sure, Logan Echolls has never been my ideal choice for a son-in-law, but this should be something to be happy about, right?"
Veronica blinks in surprise. How can he say that, when he knows…
"Dad, you know my feelings about marriage. Hell, even Logan knows, but he still brought it up anyway."
"Wait, you still feel that way?" he asks incredulously. "Veronica, I thought that was just a reaction to what happened with your mom and I. A teenage phase, if you will."
"Of course I still feel that way," she says. "I mean, maybe being married would be good at first, but inevitably it always ends in disaster. Adultery, hooking up in sleazy motel rooms, divorce, settlements, bitter custody battles … no, thank you."
"Veronica…" Keith shakes his head, looking concerned. "Marriages can and do work, you know. It's not all gloom and doom. Not everyone ends up like our clients."
"Oh, yeah?" she responds. "Name one long-lasting, happy marriage you know of."
"Uh… well…" He struggles to think.
"My point exactly."
"What about your aunt and uncle in Omaha?" he says suddenly. "They've been married 25 years."
"Okay, so maybe there's one," she concedes. "But this is Neptune, not Nebraska."
"Wait, aren't Mac's parents still together?" he counters then. "That's at least one in Neptune too."
"They are," Veronica concedes. "But I'd say the MacKenzies are more the exception than the rule, wouldn't you?"
Keith just gives her a somewhat sympathetic look, as he shakes his head. "Look, Veronica, you're entitled to your opinions and feelings about this, but remember: a marriage is what you make of it."
"Dad, I don't—" Veronica tries to interject but he continues.
"I know how much it hurt you when your mom left, but you and Logan are not Lianne and I," he tells her sincerely. "She was the love of my life, but I wasn't the love of hers, and because of that, our relationship was never gonna end happily. I was willing to work at it, but she wasn't."
"Yeah." She nods, feeling a little bitter. "I know."
"But, Logan is the love of your life, right?"
"He is."
Of course he is. After all this time and everything we've gone through, he's the only one I can see myself with.
"And you're his," adds Keith.
"I think so."
I hope so.
Keith smiles. "You are. I can see it in his eyes whenever he looks at you."
"Yeah?" A familiar warmth spreads through her chest at the thought.
"And if you're both committed to each other, and to working at your relationship when things get tough, then there's no reason to think it won't work out. You are the only ones who can make it work. You can't just turn your back on the idea just because you're scared that something might go wrong."
"I suppose so," she concedes.
"Unless…" Keith's straightens, his expression a mixture of worry and concern. "I mean, you're not worried about him cheating, are you?"
Veronica blinks, startled by the words. "Oh, God, no. Logan is the most loyal man I've ever met. After what Aaron did? No, he would never."
"Oh…" He looks surprised.
"What?" she asks defensively.
"Nothing. It's just… well, didn't you break up with him in college because something happened with that Sinclair girl?"
"Ah." There's a tightening in her chest at the memory of that particular incident. "No. I mean, that wasn't… well, yes, it hurt me, but he didn't cheat. We weren't together when it happened."
"Right. Sorry, I thought…"
He shakes his head, seemingly changing his mind about what he was going to say, before nodding slowly and changing tack.
"Look, if you love each other, and you're not worried about him cheating… then what's the issue?" Veronica sees the moment understanding dawns on his face. "Wait… Veronica, you know you're not your mother, right?"
She forces a light-hearted tone as she tries to joke, "Well, we are pretty similar."
"No. You're not. You might be her flesh and blood, but you are not her," he says resolutely. "You are not a drunk, and you are not a cheater. You are who you choose to be. If you make the choice not to make the same mistakes she did, then you won't make them."
"Yeah, maybe you're right," she admits.
"Of course I am," he jokes, before looking at her fondly. "And remember, you're not just her daughter, you're mine, too. And I like to think I'm a pretty decent, upstanding citizen."
"I know. And you are."
"Look, I truly believe that if you want something enough, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, it will." Keith smiles warmly. "If you do that, you and Logan can make it work, whether you're married or not."
"Yeah." Veronica nods, taking that in, her spirits lifting slightly. "I guess we can."
Keith regards her seriously for a moment. "There's something else, isn't there?"
She sighs. "Yeah, there is. He wants kids, too."
"And you don't?" His eyebrows rise.
"No." Veronica shakes her head decisively. "I don't."
"Why not?"
She shrugs. "Lots of reasons."
"Like?" he presses, leaning a forearm on the counter.
"Well, you know, there's the whole 'kids are the ones that suffer in the divorce' thing."
"I thought we just covered that part?" he counters.
"Yeah, well, maybe. But it's still easier if kids aren't involved," she says simply.
He looks like he wants to say more, but instead asks, "Okay, that's one reason. What else?"
"Come on, Dad, you know, I'm not the maternal type. Never have been. Babies and me…we just don't mix," she says. "I have no experience with kids. I mean, okay, there's Hunter, and he's a great boy, but I barely see him and when I do, I don't even know what to say or how to act around him."
Keith smiles at that.
"What?" she questions.
He gives a small chuckle. "Back when your mom and I got married, I felt the same way. I'd never really thought about having children either—it wasn't something I particularly wanted."
"Really?" Veronica's surprised; her father was the best when she was growing up, and he was always great with the kids he dealt with when he was Sheriff.
"But then you came along, and it was love at first sight." His expression softens. "Of course, I was clumsy and clueless and barely knew what I was doing with a tiny baby, but I wouldn't have given you up for the world."
"Yeah?"
"Of course not." He reaches over, tucking her hair behind her ear, like he used to when she was a girl. "You might not think you're good with kids, but it's different when it's your own. You have this precious little bundle in your arms, who is this miracle, this amazing part of you, and all you want to do is love and protect her forever." He smiles wistfully. "There's nothing like it."
Veronica swallows, feeling a rush of emotion at the expression in her father's eyes.
"Maybe that's true," she manages, focusing back on the logistics again. "But, still, we don't exactly lead child-friendly lives, either of us. The PI business is anything but nine to five, and Logan's in the Navy—he deploys every year or two. I'd be a single parent for months at a time. I couldn't do that to a child."
"Eh, it's not so bad." Keith looks at her pointedly. "I mean, you turned out okay, didn't you?"
"Dad, I was 16 when Mom left." She returns the pointed look. "That's not the same thing."
"Maybe not,' he concedes. "But, still... being a single parent isn't the worst thing in the world. It's not like it would be permanent—Logan deploys for what, 6 to 8 months at a time?" She nods. "And you wouldn't be alone; you'd have me, and your friends. We'd help you with whatever you needed."
"I guess…"
Keith reaches over, placing a hand on hers. "Plus, he won't be in the Navy forever."
"You're right. He won't."
Veronica manages a small smile. He's making a lot of sense. She studies him for a moment, before her eyes narrow suspiciously.
"Wait, you aren't just saying all this because you want grandkids, are you?"
He shrugs, looking sheepish. "Well, I can't say it wouldn't be nice."
"Dad…" She pushes his hand away. "Come on."
He grins for a moment, before turning serious again.
"Look, Veronica. What you do with your life, and your body, is your own choice. If you don't want to marry Logan, or have children, you don't have to." He leans a little closer, his tone soft now. "I'm just saying, don't dismiss the idea based on how you felt more than a decade ago. People grow up, their feelings, and opinions, and goals… they change."
"I know they do."
"So, what does Logan think about all this?"
Veronica averts her eyes guiltily. "I, uh—"
"You have discussed it with him, haven't you?"
"Not… exactly," she hedges. "We had a fight."
He sighs. "Oh—"
"Don't 'Oh, Veronica' me," she cuts in quickly. "I screwed up, I know that. He just kept pushing and I didn't know what to say, how to deal with it. We haven't spoken in two days."
He fixes her with that disappointed look of his, the one that makes her feel about five years old. "You need to talk to him, Veronica."
"I know I do." She nods. "I will."
"Good."
Veronica slides off the stool and round to the other side of the island, picking up the knife he put down and resuming chopping the vegetables.
"Veronica…"
"What?" She focuses on chopping.
"What are you doing?"
"Making dinner," she says. "What's it look like?"
"I mean, why are you still here?"
She feigns innocence as she glances up at him. "I thought we were eating?"
"Go home, Veronica," he says sternly. "Talk to Logan."
"But—"
"No buts." His tone is firm. "You can't keep avoiding him. And the longer you leave it, the harder it'll get."
"He might not even be home." It's a feeble protest and she knows it.
"So, then you'll be there when he gets back."
Veronica puts down the knife in defeat. "Okay, fine. I'm going."
She reaches for the jacket and bag she placed on the counter earlier, then moves to her father, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, Dad."
"Anytime, Veronica." He gives her a fond smile. "I just want you to be happy."
"Yeah, I know."
"And don't worry about Logan. It'll be fine."
"I hope so."
The condo is dark, and quiet, when Veronica lets herself in. Logan's car is in the driveway, but there's no sign of life in the house.
Guess he's taken Pony out.
She closes the door, then makes her way down the hall toward the bedroom and changes into a tank-top and sweats. Running a brush through her hair, she heads into the kitchen, grabs a glass of water and a cereal bar and takes a seat on the sofa. She doesn't bother to turn on the light, instead just letting the moonlight flood in through the French doors.
While she waits, she runs through her conversations with Wallace and her dad earlier, trying to figure out what she's going to say to Logan. She's still undecided when the front door opens, and Pony comes bounding into the house, followed closely by the man in question.
Logan stops when he spots her on the couch, Pony barking excitedly in her direction, straining on her leash.
"Veronica?" he asks, sounding puzzled. "Why are you in the dark?"
She stands, her hands sliding down over her sweats as she does so, and steps toward him. He moves further into the living room, meeting her halfway. She avoids his eyes as she runs a hand over Pony's head in greeting.
"I was waiting for you," she says finally, looking up at him.
"Okay…" He looks a little bemused and Veronica can feel the awkward tension fizzling between them.
She takes a steadying breath. "We need to talk."
He nods, his expression guarded. "We do."
"Can we sit down?" She gestures toward the couch.
"Sure," he says. "Just let me…"
He gestures to Pony, then the kitchen.
"Okay."
While he's moving around the kitchen area, putting out a bowl of water for the dog, and pouring a glass of orange juice for himself, Veronica turns on the table lamp in the corner, then occupies herself with pulling at a loose thread on one of the cushions. She doesn't look up until the cushions dip beside her and his knee appears in her field of view.
"Okay, let's talk," he says.
She lifts her head to find his dark eyes studying her, making her feel exposed, vulnerable. She opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.
"Veronica?" he prods.
"I'm sorry, Logan," she says eventually. "I've, uh… I've been avoiding you."
"No shit." His tone is flat, unreadable, and Veronica frowns, unable to tell if he's being serious or not. He sighs, glancing toward the ceiling, mouth opening slightly as he does so. "Sorry, that didn't… Carry on."
"I shouldn't have yelled at you," she says. "I overreacted."
"I noticed," his tone is still flat, but there's a slight upturn to his lips now. "What's going on, Veronica?"
She takes a deep breath, twisting her fingers together in her lap, before forging ahead. "This last year with you—long deployments not withstanding—has been the best of my life. I never thought we could ever get to this point… but here we are."
"Yeah." Logan nods, a slight smile twitching at his lips. "Here we are."
"It's been going so well, you and me. The best it's ever been with us… right?"
His hand slides over hers, stilling the movement of her fingers as he nods. "Right."
"I'm happy, just as we are right now," she adds. "I don't want that to change."
"It won't."
"I didn't think it would, but, Logan…marriage, kids? That would change everything. And I just… I can't…"
"Veronica…" Logan says softly, his thumb running over the back of her hand. "I don't want to dismiss your feelings, okay? I want to understand them. I need to understand why you got so mad. I mean, what is it you're scared of?"
Veronica takes a moment to collect her thoughts before she starts speaking.
"I… I used to want all of those things," she starts, looking down at their joined hands. "When I was a kid, I would see how happy my parents looked, and I decided that's what I wanted for my future. I wanted to fall in love, get married, have a family. I wanted to be happy."
She turns her hands beneath his, linking their fingers together.
"When my mom started drinking, Dad would pretend nothing was wrong, but the cracks were starting to show," she continues. "Then when Lilly died, everything fell apart and my whole world came crashing down around me."
"Veronica…" Logan murmurs sadly, gently squeezing her hands.
She swallows, pushing away the bad memories. "After that, all I saw was the truth, everywhere: that there was no such thing as a happy ending, that marriage always ended in heartbreak, and children were the ones who suffered. I swore back then that I would never put myself, or any children, in that position."
"I get that, Veronica," Logan says softly when she takes a breath. "I do. Believe me, I know exactly how screwed up families can be. You're not your mother any more than I am mine, or my father, for that matter."
"I know I'm not." She nods. She's always had the niggling fear that one day, she might turn out just like her mom; it's only recently that she's started to believe she won't. "Believe it or not, you're the second person to say that to me today."
"Oh?"
"I went to see my dad after work," says Veronica. "We talked. He said some things that made sense."
"Yeah?"
"Look, I'm not saying I'm changing my mind," she admits. "Because I can't just change how I feel overnight."
"I know."
"I haven't even considered the prospect of getting married since I was about 12," she continues. "And I'm terrible with kids, Logan. I'm not maternal at all—I wouldn't even know what to do with a baby, let alone a toddler, or an older kid. Plus, there's all your deployments." She looks up at him pleadingly. "Logan, I don't think I could handle being alone and looking after a child without you for all that time. It wouldn't be fair on them, or on you or me either."
"No, I guess you're right."
She extracts her hands from his and gets up from the sofa, pacing in front of the coffee table.
"And what if something were to happen to you, huh?" The words are tumbling out now. "It would be hard enough for me to handle, but our children too? God, I don't even want to think about that."
"Veronica…" Logan rises from the couch, reaching out to stop her. "Nothing's going to happen to me."
She gives a scoff. "We've had this conversation before, remember? Something could happen, you know that. No matter how careful you are."
"Look, I get that you're scared, okay?" He runs his hands down her arms. "And unsure, and confused. But I am, too. I'm shit-scared that something could happen to you, or that I couldn't keep our kids safe, or I might not see them grow up, or they might resent me for being gone half the time."
"Really?" That makes her stop and look at him. "You worry about that stuff?"
"Of course I do." He looks almost offended she would think otherwise. "I'm well aware of the risks, of what could happen if we brought children into the world."
"But I don't understand," She frowns. "If you're afraid too, why do you want this? Why is it so important to you?"
His lips tug up into a soft smile, his expression filled with affection as his fingers come up to trace along her temple.
"Because I love you. So much." The tenderness in his tone makes her feel choked up. "Because I want to share this experience with you. I want to finally have a real family, to give my children the loving home I never experienced."
Veronica swallows, her heart pounding and head feeling light in response to the wistful tone in his voice.
"And I know we would, Veronica," he continues earnestly. "Because you're the most loving, most giving, most generous person I know, and there's no one else I would want to have children with, ever. Look, you might not believe it, but I think you would be an amazing mother."
She lets out a soft snort, pushing down the lump in her throat. "Wouldn't be so sure about that."
"Don't underestimate yourself, Veronica." He shakes his head. "I'm not saying we'd be perfect parents, because we probably wouldn't be, but I do know that I would—that we would—do everything in our power to love and protect them, to make sure they know right from wrong, and to hopefully make sure they make the right choices."
"Logan…" Veronica's voice cracks as she speaks as something in her chest gives way, the tension slipping from her body. "I—I don't know what to…"
She trails off, then looks at him straight on, gathering herself for her next words, the ones she's dreading hearing the answer to.
"Is this going to be a deal-breaker for you?" she says cautiously. "I mean, if we didn't get married, and we didn't have children… would you be okay with that?"
He studies at her thoughtfully for a long moment, before saying seriously, "I love you, Veronica."
"That's not an answer, Logan," she chides. "I need to know you won't resent me—or hate me—if it doesn't happen; if I can't give that to you."
"Of course I won't," he says, like it should be obvious… though she can't quite allow herself to believe it.
"You say that now, but—"
He cuts her off with a finger to her lips. "I mean it. I love you. I will always want to be with you, no matter what."
"Really?" She has to be sure.
"Really," he says sincerely.
Veronica nods. "So, where does this leave us?"
"Where do you want it to leave us?"
"Well, I want to be able to say, 'yes, of course I'll marry you, Logan; I'd love to have children with you'," she admits. "But honestly, I still don't know if it's something I can do."
"Just tell me you'll consider it," he says, his expression verging on pleading. "That you won't rule it out completely, forever."
"I'll consider it," she says truthfully. "And I'm sorry, again. For not listening to you; for getting mad and storming out. I should have handled it better."
"I'm sorry, too," he admits. "I knew you were uncomfortable with it, and I still didn't let it go. But, please, Veronica, next time, just talk to me, okay?"
"Okay. I will."
His arms come around her, enveloping her in his warmth as he hugs her tightly. She drops her head to his chest, returning the embrace, revelling in the feel of his strong body surrounding her.
Maybe things will be all right after all. Maybe they'll be able to get through this and come out the other side stronger than ever.
The next morning, when Logan steps out of the en-suite bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist, he stops short at the sight before him. Veronica is sprawled out lazily on the bed, sheet bunched around her waist, leaving her chest bare, exposed to his gaze.
"Hey," she murmurs softly, watching him from under hooded eyes.
Her cheeks are still flushed, hair in disarray, from their early-morning exploits, and he can't help but smile indulgently. He moves to the bed, leaning down to kiss her. Just before their lips meet, he whispers a soft, "Hi."
Her arms come around his neck, tugging him closer as she deepens the kiss. He smiles against her mouth and allows her to pull him down onto the bed. When his damp skin comes into contact with hers, she lets out a sound of surprise, breaking the kiss.
"Ugh, you're all wet."
He chuckles. "Isn't that normally a good thing?"
"Not in this case."
She shoves him away and he rolls off, settling beside her with a grin, clutching the towel to his waist. She shakes her head, an amused smile playing on her lips, then slides closer, only keeping a slight distance as she rests her head on his chest. He moves to accommodate her, arm coming around her shoulders, fingers caressing the soft skin of her back.
"We're okay, right?" she says softly, her fingers tracing his chest.
"Yeah, we're okay."
"I love you, too," she says after a moment, before adding, "Just realised I didn't say it back last night."
"You didn't have to, you know."
"Even so…" She gives a one-shouldered shrug against him, then lifts her head, stretching up and gently kissing his cheek. "I do. Love you, that is."
He tightens his arm around her, tugging her close, turning his head so he can kiss her. Veronica presses herself against his side, one leg sliding over his, and snuggles closer, ignoring the dampness of his skin now.
"You know, I used to be so scared of settling down, of wanting a family," he says softly. "For years, I was convinced that I would turn out just like… him. I was convinced that if I ever had a wife, or children, I would eventually end up hurting them, because… well, it's in my genes, you know? What if, no matter how hard I tried not to, I just snapped one day and—"
"Hey, that's not going to happen," she says quickly. "You would never hurt someone you loved. It's not in you to do that."
He lets out a scoff. "Pretty sure I've hurt you enough times in the past."
"That wasn't physical, Logan," she reminds him. "You would never lay a hand on me like that; I know you wouldn't. And you would never hurt a child either. You're just not capable of it."
"Yeah… " he admits. "I do know, now… I mean, it's taken a long time to realise, but I get it now: that it's my choice—if I don't want to turn out like him, I can choose not to."
"Exactly." Her arm snakes around his waist.
"I've decided I want the Echolls name to mean something, I want it to be remembered for more than just what my—what Aaron did."
"It is, Logan. It will be," she tells him. "You've turned your life around. You're a decorated naval officer now, you protect and serve your country. If that's not something the Echolls name can be remembered for, I don't know what is."
"Yeah… but I don't want that to be it," he continues. "I don't want the line to just end with me; I want it to carry on, I want to leave a legacy that is more than just a famous movie star-turned-murderer and his former screw-up turned military officer son."
"Oh…" Her voice is soft, unreadable.
"I'm not trying to pressure you or anything," he says quickly. "I just want you to understand where I'm coming from."
"No, it's okay. I get it," she says then. "We should be talking about this. And I want that for you, I do. I want to be able to give you everything you need."
"Veronica, you don't have to—"
"There's just this part of me that keeps holding me back," she continues, as if he hasn't spoken. "I can't explain it; it's like whenever I start thinking maybe I can be happy with it, you know…marriage and kids… this voice in my head comes along and shuts it down, and the fear rushing comes back." Logan swallows at her despondent tone. "I'm working on it; I'm really trying to get over it… but all those years of conditioning myself to believe it's a terrible idea are hard to overcome."
"I know," he says in understanding.
They fall quiet for a few moments, before Logan decides a change of subject is definitely needed.
"Okay, enough of all this serious talk." His arm tightens around her shoulders, urging her even closer. "Come here."
She complies, lifting her head to meet his lips as he pulls her on top of him. She stretches herself out over him and his body begins to react to her closeness.
"Again?" she murmurs, as her hips slide against his, only the towel separating their naked bodies.
"Definitely again," he says between kisses. "We've got several days to make up for, remember?"
She sighs into his mouth, and, taking that as an invitation, he reaches over to the bedside table, fumbling for more protection. Veronica lifts herself up so he can unhook the towel and slide the condom on, then settles back over him again. Logan runs a hand up over her back and into her hair, pulling her down, lips meeting, his tongue tangling with hers. As they kiss, Veronica straddles his hips, positioning herself over him so he can slide up into her. A soft moan escapes his lips as her tight, wet heat surrounds him. Veronica buries her face in the crook of his neck and Logan lets his other hand drift up over her back, holding her tight as they begin moving together slowly, sensually.
They're going to be fine, he thinks, as the pleasure builds and they climb towards climax together. No matter what happens in the future, they'll be fine.