Author's Note: Many thanks to the betas who worked on this chapter: haleyhazz, His_Beautiful_Girl, and pyrodaemon, and the idea factory: Luner Kat.
Chapter Four
The Start of a Beautiful Friendship
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Logan's Inspirational Message
'A mother's heart is a patchwork of love.' — Unknown
After dinner Keith, Veronica, and Logan cleared the table and sat down in the living room with the thick stack of paperwork. An hour later, Logan looked up with a slack jaw and showed Veronica the page. "Am I reading this right? Was Mom worth over half a billion when she died?"
Veronica's eyes grew the size of saucers before she took the papers and read for a minute. "Yeah. She wrote all the scripts for the movies and T.V. shows developed from her published work and also produced them. That might explain why she's worth so much more than other authors. Plus, she had an extensive catalog and there have been remakes of movies that didn't need them because the critics and fans alike already considered them classics so..."
Another glance at the page before their gazes met. "Jeez, Konstantin Industries must know what they're doing. They turned a couple hundred million into half a billion in about twenty years."
After a minute of more reading, she glanced up again, letting out a low whistle. "Sheesh, Logan, can you imagine what it'll be worth when you get the last tier of the trust a decade from now?"
A tender hand brushed against his. "You were right all those times you said you wouldn't need to work."
"Come on now, that was only me playing the part of an oh-niner jackass when I said that. But I had no clue about any of this. I was talking about the tens of millions that should be in my trust that Aaron set up. He puts money into it often, ya know, to show what a wonderful father he is. But Mom made sure it's irrevocable. I'm the only one who can access any of it, but not until I turn eighteen. When he adds money, he always lets it slip in interviews or private conversations with people he knows sell information to the tabloids. It happens whenever he wants a new project or needs publicity for an existing one. Money well spent, I guess, since in his mind it makes him look like a loving father and gives an uptick in the number of people talking about him. Anyway, the trust should be big by this point, but nowhere near this big, more like a tenth of this. Enough, I'd never have to work if I invested it well, but now, I could make bad investments and still not need to work."
She reached over and squeezed his hand before she handed the papers back. "If your mom is legally deceased before your eighteenth birthday, you receive an allowance every month starting at twenty-five grand. The wording is strange. Why say 'legally deceased' instead of just 'deceased' or 'dead'?"
She furrowed her brows and went quiet for a few moments before shaking her head like she did when she was trying to clear it of mental cobwebs. "Anyway, the trust should backdate this amount. So, once Mr. Wolfe sorts things out, you'll get somewhere between seventy-five thousand and a hundred grand as a lump sum. After that you'll get an additional twenty-five thousand every month until your eighteenth birthday. Then it will turn into fifty thousand every month until your twenty-eighth birthday when you'll gain full access to the whole thing. The monthly amount goes up to a hundred fifty thousand if you get married before you turn twenty-eight. And there's a fifty thousand dollar increase to the base amount for every child you may father."
He let out a breath. "That's all great news even if we're not in a rush to start a family, school first. But I'm not confident that Aaron will keep paying me every month. Twenty-five grand is still more than the ten thousand I asked for. That way I'll be able to keep living how I'm used to living. And, I won't need to dip into the six hundred thousand I got earlier today or the check I deposited."
With a snicker, she poked his good arm. "Oh, to live the high life, but don't worry, Pumpkin, I've got you covered. I recorded everything in the den yesterday when he handed you that check. He goes back on our deal and we have the power to take him down, even just with that single conversation. He threatened to make what he did 'two weeks ago' look like a hangnail. Your hospital records give the date someone attacked you. And I made sure the recording had the correct timestamp. Therefore, anyone listening to it should be able to count two weeks back and realize he was talking about the night I brought you to the hospital. While the words are not an outright confession, they are close enough. And since I recorded it on your phone and you were part of the conversation, it's all admissible in court. He won't be able to prove it wasn't you who recorded it."
A laugh ripped out of him and he grinned. "That's my girl, always one step ahead."
She pecked his cheek while Keith flipped to the next page of the paperwork he was reading. "A chip off the ole block. I have taught her well."
Veronica beamed at her father before Keith glanced at Logan. "So, how're you coping with the smaller space in your new apartment?"
A cheek splitting grin was all the answer needed. "It's awesome. And, yeah, things are a little tighter than I'm used to space wise. However, the lack of fear that I'll do something and get hit makes up for the extra space I had at Aaron's house."
Veronica leaned over and hugged him for a minute. "I'm glad and proud you're acclimating so well."
Backup hopped onto the couch and snuggled into his side. The dog's fur tickled while he petted the crown of Backup's head and relaxed farther into Veronica's side. "The worst part is waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm working under the assumption that if Dad keeps paying every month, at some point he'll leak it to some reporter he's giving me money and how much. He'll spin it to look like he's supporting the son who has abandoned him in his time of need. He'll make himself look like the wronged party and me the ungrateful brat."
A kiss dropped on his cheek and when Veronica pulled back, she bit her lip. His response was tugging the sleeve over his injured hand. "I don't care about the opinions of the world, so that won't matter. It might cause the press to hound me at Mrs. Fennel's—I mean Alicia's—house, though. And I don't want her to ask me to leave because she can't get into her front door."
Veronica threaded an arm through his. "Logan, she won't do that. It's not something in your control, and she's a parent who wants all kids safe and happy. Therefore, she won't kick you out because your dad sics the press on you. Besides, Alicia is a momma bear. By the time she's done with the press, she'll have them too scared to step anywhere near her property. That woman would bring hellfire down on them all if she thought their presence was affecting her children, and that includes you."
Keith lowered the papers in his hand and made eye contact. "I agree. She wouldn't kick you out any more than I would. Besides, she's already taken you under her wing, and she's the type that once you're there, she doesn't give you up. Like it or not, you'll have Alicia and I fighting by your side till we breathe our last breaths. The press pestering us won't change that."
A casual shrug later from him and then Veronica leaned against his arm and they returned to reading.
If he needed to purchase something big, Mr. Wolfe could give him extra money for specific things. So, if he needed a new car, not that he'd ever get rid of his baby, or another place to stay, he could buy new ones.
While tempting, buying a house would alert Aaron to the fact that Lynn kept secrets. The bastard would try to get his hands on his money by forcing Logan to move back in with him. That would give Aaron control of the trust since he's not eighteen yet. He'd let the ass have access to the trust over his dead body. Not because he wanted the money but because it was his mom's and Aaron already took too much from her. He wouldn't allow Aaron to steal what she left behind.
Around ten, he yawned, so Veronica stood and held out her hand. "Come on Lo', it's time for all people recovering from life-threatening injuries to go to bed. Let's get you home, Pookie Bear, okay?"
With droopy eyes, heavy limbs, a sleepy nod, and a chuckle, he grabbed a hold of her hand. Muscles flexed and pain flared while she pulled him up, well, as much as a munchkin could pull a full-sized man out of a seat any way.
Keith let out a chuckle at the sight. "Have a good night, Son."
The only response was the twitching of the corners of his lips.
"Don't stay too late, Veronica, or the curfew fairy will revoke yours."
Veronica winked but nodded before she pulled him out of the apartment.
When they arrived at his new digs, he lingered in the car with Veronica. They exchanged kisses and light touches of skin on skin. Hands caressing cheeks, a finger drawn over lips, noses brushing, foreheads resting against each other, heavy breaths ghosting over flushed flesh. The two of them connected through touch once more now that parental figures were no longer observing.
Yawns interrupted the caresses and kisses a few times before Veronica pulled back. "Okay, Mr. 'Yawn into the Kiss,' time for bed."
A chuckle rumbled low in his throat and a bruised and battered hand stroked her cheek before he leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. "Sorry, Peaches."
Her face tilted into the caress. "Don't be. I made you get up early. Now, I must live with the consequences of that and let you go home early so you can catch up on sleep. And veto to Peaches. If you must use pet names find a better one, no food names."
Another low rumble in his chest, lips pressed against lips, lingering there until a yawn interrupted again. With yet another laugh, he opened the car door. "See you bright and early tomorrow for 'Weevil's School of Wizardry and Automotive Care'."
Giggles erupted out of her mouth before keys turned in the ignition, starting the car. "I'm so telling him you called it that."
He brought his good hand to his heart with a tender smile. "All the love in my heart, Veronica."
A few kisses blown. "Love you to the ends of the universe and back again."
His hand reached out and caught the kisses before sending one back, and then walking to the apartment door, turning, and waving while the car drove off. After turning back and unlocking the door, he opened it, and noticed a note taped to the window, so he pulled it off and read.
'Logan, sorry we didn't connect today. I understand it was a trying day so if you need to talk, please come to the house. Even if you don't want to talk, but want a snack before bed, still come to the house. Veronica shared her Snickerdoodle recipe, and I made several batches for all the growing boys in my care. If I don't see you before tomorrow, I hope you have a good sleep. — Alicia.'
Having a capable and sober maternal figure was weird. His mom loved him but the last week living in the Fennel's guest house had been a novel experience. Alicia checked in at least once or twice a day to make sure he was okay. And she insisted that he eat with them whenever home and awake. She asked how his day was and listened to his answers, asking follow-up questions.
On the nights he wasn't at the Mars' home, Keith was at the Fennel's, spending time with Alicia, but also spending some time with him. They watched movies and played cut-throat games of Gin Rummy and Poker for a dollar pot. Keith even humored him and let Logan attempt to teach him how to play Halo 2 with hilarious results.
One might think they didn't trust him or wanted to make sure rules were being followed. But that wasn't it at all. Keith and Alicia cared what happened and wanted him safe and happy. Other than his mom, no adult had ever wanted those things. And his mom couldn't or didn't understand how to make those things happen.
Parents who cared took some getting used to. Before Veronica, he would have spent most of his recuperation drunk. However, caring adults were much preferred to an alcoholic haze that only allowed him to forget the lack of parental care for short stretches at a time. The haze would lift, and reality was always a harsh slap in the face. Since Aaron's most recent attack, he'd been enjoying having actual decent adults care.
If he gave the go-ahead, Keith and Alicia would do everything to bring down Aaron. But they'd be no match for Daddy Dearest's money or fame even with the recent fall from grace. The bastard would tear them to shreds even worse than Jake Kane did to the Mars family when Lilly died.
He also didn't want the entire world aware of what life had been like. More than anything, he didn't want the attention and for the rest of his life, it would be the first thing people spoke of whenever his name came up. The last thing he wanted the world to remember until time ended was the fact his father beat him daily.
For the time being, Keith and Alicia seemed willing to follow his wishes provided he stayed safe. If he tried to move back in with Aaron, they would both take action, though, they'd need to get in line behind a certain tiny blonde one. If he stayed safe, however, they'd do it his way. Overall, the whole thing had been weird, not unpleasant, but very uncharacteristic of his life to date. Repaying either of them, though, for everything, would be impossible.
A rumbling came from his half empty stomach. There was plenty on his dinner plate, but he only ate about half of what was there. Indigestion over the business with Mom affected his appetite. Therefore, he ended up pushing the half full plate to his action-figure girlfriend, who ate the Italian food with gusto.
After closing the door, he headed to the house for a snack before bedtime. No one was in sight, so he headed straight for the kitchen where Alicia was having a cup of tea before bed.
Lips tilted upward. "Logan, how are you doing?"
Half a shrug to avoid aggravating his injured shoulder was enough of a response. "Mr.—Keith—told you about the bank and the lawyer?"
With an inclined head, she stood and moved to the counter. The tender up lifting of her lips gave him pause while she took a Tupperware container out of the cabinet, retrieving a plate and glass from the other shelf. After returning to the table and setting everything down, she walked to the fridge and grabbed the jug of milk.
The look on her face caused his heart to flutter. "Keith and I aren't monitoring you. But the last few weeks have been rough. You're not used to having interactive parental figures, but we worry. So, we've been doing our best to keep the other informed. That way if you ever need a non-judgmental ear to talk to, we'll be up to date. But we won't ever push you to hash out anything you don't want to talk about."
He tapped a loose fist against his chest above the top of the sling. "I understand you're not spying on me or whatever. It's nice to have adults who worry, novel, but nice." He paused and ran a hand through his hair. "God, how lame is that? Most kids wish their parents would leave them be. Here I am soaking up the parental attention like I can't get enough and I can't."
She poured a glass of milk and motioned to the seat opposite hers, so he sat. "Well, I imagine your life experiences have differed from those of most other kids, even the other privileged kids. While your life has had positives in it, you faced abuse and neglect daily."
The frown formed on his face without a thought but he inclined his head, so she nodded back, "That's not to say your mother didn't love you. Everyone who has spoken about her has always said how you were the apple of her eye. She loved you, but I don't think she could deal with the hand life dealt both of you. There's no tangible way to prepare for falling in love with an abusive man. They hide it well until it's too late and I'm sure your mother didn't realize the options available to her. That's a trick of the abuser. They make it seem like they are their victim's only option."
After she opened the container of cookies and held the box out, with a grin, he took four before grabbing one more for good measure. Laughter bubbled out of her for a few seconds, before seriousness returned. "Logan, you're lucky. You and Veronica found each other. She showed you that there were other options and opened your eyes and heart to something more, not just in terms of love, but life. Veronica helped you find the tools and the strength to fight and showed you how to get out. Now, you've chosen to leave your father behind and live in freedom and peace. It appears your mother didn't have someone who could show her a healthy way."
He took a bite of the cookie and moaned before chewing and swallowing. "God, these are almost as good as Veronica's."
Alicia chuckled, touching his uninjured cheek, and after bringing the milk back to the fridge, she sat back down, wrapping her hands around the teacup. "Well, I should hope so since the recipe is hers."
After taking another bite in response, he leaned back in the chair. "You're right about Mom, she couldn't see another way out. But I'm still pissed off and hurt that she left. I'm not alone, not by any stretch of the imagination, but I still need Mom in whatever capacity possible, and instead she abandoned me."
Alicia reached out and covered his hand with a tea-warmed one. "You're right, you are not alone, and it's not fair that she's gone. Anger is natural, though, and acceptable towards both of your parents and anyone else."
A sigh escaped his lips and silence overtook the room.
After eating two more cookies, he cleared his throat. "Um, I want to ask you something that I'm hoping won't offend you so if it does, that's not my intent."
She gave an encouraging smile, so he took a sip of milk and stalled for a moment. "Keith told you that Aaron gave me a hundred fifty grand instead of the ten thousand I asked for, right?" When she inclined her head, he laid out his idea. "Now I have a hundred and fifty thousand plus the six hundred thousand from the safe deposit box and the monthly allowance from Mom's trust. You're helping in ways I can't even express gratitude for. And you agreed to rent. But um, how would you feel about having a kitchen added to the apartment?"
Her mouth opened, so he held up a hand. "If we add one, then when I move out, you'd be able to ask for more rent from the next tenant. It'd be a full apartment. I have the money to do it, and I want to repay your kindness."
With stiff shoulders and rigid posture, he nibbled on the next cookie, and the corners of her lips turned up a little. "That's sweet, Logan, unnecessary, but kind none the less. I can see from the set of your shoulders you're set on this idea. So, here's what we'll do. I'll agree on two conditions. The first being, once you find out the cost, we'll divide the overall cost by your monthly rent. Then you can stay in the apartment rent-free until I've paid you back for what I would view as an advance payment on your rent."
He shook his head. "But then you're missing the income the rent would give you, and you're feeding me."
After a pause, she seemed to consider the options. She took a sip and after swallowing placed the cup back on the table. "How's this, instead of paying six fifty every month, you can pay three twenty-five and pay to add the kitchen? But we'll still do the other thing where we'll decrease the rent until I've paid off your advance or you move out. That way I still get the extra income, and I'm not taking advantage of your generosity."
He tilted his head and broke a cookie in half, before dipping one end into the milk for a second. He pulled it out a moment later. "Will three twenty-five be enough? Six fifty is too low. The apartment may not have a kitchen but there are two bedrooms, living and dining rooms, a full bath, and a cellar. I looked it up, you could get at least double of what I'm paying you. But I get your point. Still, I can pay up to six twenty-five, and you'd still be paying off the perceived debt."
The damp half of the cookie sagged, so he popped the half in danger of falling into his mouth, bringing grins to both their faces. "You're a good boy, Logan. Three twenty-five will be more than enough. I use the rent money for extra expenses. Most months I put it in the bank to save for a rainy day. So, it shouldn't be an issue, but if I need to renegotiate these terms, I'll say something."
He beamed and dunked the other half of the cookie, getting the tips of his fingers wet before taking a bite, chewing, and swallowing. "Good. What's the second condition?"
She took a sip from the tea cup before tilting her head. "You still have to have dinner with the family at least a few times a week."
Laughter bubble up, and some cookie caught in his throat. So, he took a sip of milk to wash down the piece that didn't go down all the way. A few more coughs had him grabbing his ribs, which protested. After taking another sip, it helped ease down whatever crumbs lodged in his throat.
Alicia raised an eyebrow, but he shrugged a moment later. "Sorry. Cookie went down the wrong way. But you have yourself a deal. I'm not stupid or stubborn enough to pass up your cooking. The only person I've ever met who might be a better cook than you is Mrs. Navarro, and even then, it's a close call."
With a soft chuckle, she gave a pleased grin, so he tilted his head. "I'll call Franklin, my lawyer, on Monday and have him look for an architect and contractor to add the addition onto the house. You can approve or nix any of the features they come up with."
Her lips lifted higher, so he took another bite. Once he swallowed, he inclined his head. "Thank you for letting me do this. You and Keith took me in, and I—I don't want to take advantage. I love not living in fear every day, and I appreciate how you're treating me like one of your own kids. However, the fact is, I'm not yours, and so I'm just an added mouth to feed."
She shook her head from side to side. "First, I hate that you lived in fear for so long. I'm all for making that a thing of the past. Second, you're much more than just another mouth to feed, Logan. But we can work out some babysitting duties for Darrell and maybe some chores, so you feel as though you're a part of this family. Because, you are, Logan, you are part of this rag-tag family now and there is nothing you can do to dissuade us from that claim."
Laughter erupted before he grabbed his side when his ribs objected. "How messed up is it that being expected to do chores scares the crap out of but excites me at the same time? Most kids would complain about the prospect of chores. I've never had them before. However, they might be part of what I need to grow up into a productive member of society."
When her lips lifted upward, her eyes glowed with some emotion he couldn't place, but it made his chest expand. Or maybe that was his heart, growing to accommodate the warmth and fullness of Alicia's blatant love, despite not having known him for long. The feeling was foreign, and he didn't know what to do with the emotions it evoked. So, with his head tipped back and eyes closed for a long moment, he breathed through the pain, before straightening again. After making brief eye contact that he couldn't hold in the face of such an unfamiliar emotion from a mom, his eyes closed again.
He tried to bring the focus off all the wonky feelings going on inside him. "Although, now that I'm aware of what my new net worth is, I can just hire staff and never work a day in my life. But I don't want to sit around doing nothing for the rest of my days either, so…"
Her grin broadened, and she reached out and patted his hand. "You're still young and have plenty of time to figure out what and who you want to do and be. But you're well on your way to becoming a fine young man. Wallace chose well when he befriended you and Veronica, even if I didn't see that right away."
Head ducking, while heat grew in his cheeks, he soaked in more of the warm fuzzies of having an adult say something nice about him and mean it. He didn't respond though, and they sat while she sipped from the tea cup.
A few minutes later she lowered the cup and made eye contact that he held this time. "Do you read and if so, what types of books do you prefer? And do you have any books you're looking to read soon? Darrell has been saving up for a book on King Arthur."
He stared at the table for a minute before taking another sip of his milk while he thought about the answer. "I read an abnormal amount, compared to my peers, because it's a quiet activity and allowed me to stay off Aaron's radar. I want to read Eragon by Christopher Paolini. The sequel should come out in late August. I've heard good things about the first book. But I never remember to buy it when I'm at a bookstore, so I haven't gotten it yet."
After nibbling on the last cookie, he yawned. "As for the books I like, well, I'm eclectic in terms of literary tastes. There are at least three books from every genre on my faves list. There's a few more I at least enjoyed even if they didn't make it onto the list. And I take college classes, and have for years, and my unofficial mission is to take every literature class that Oceanside Community College offers."
Another yawn broke in. "By the time graduation rolls around I might accomplish the feat. Pretty much if it's the written word, I'll read it at least once. I favor fantasy, horror, gothic, and the classics though. My favorite contemporary author turned out to be Mom, but other than that I'll try a new to me author at least once."
The corners of her lips tilted upward even more. "It's good that you like to read so much. Reading is an exercise for the brain and I'm lucky that both—all three—of my boys seem to enjoy the activity."
She took periodic sips from the cup and he finished the last cookie and the rest of the milk in between yawns.
When he yawned for the third time in a minute, Alicia's lips turned down. "I understand you woke up early by normal standards. So, I think it's time to hit the sack. Your body still needs more sleep than normal. At the risk of sounding like an overbearing mother, listen when your body tells you it needs something."
He grinned but yawned again. "You're right." After standing, he put the dishes in the dishwasher.
When finished with that, he walked towards the kitchen door before turning back. "In case I've forgotten to mention it, thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me. I appreciate it."
With eyes that glowed, she had a soft expression. "You're very welcome, Logan."
He inclined his head and covered another yawn before leaving the kitchen and heading to his nice comfy bed in the safe, Aaron-free apartment.
