Disclaimer: It still isn't mine

Thanks To: My Betas, Hoppit1104, aka Sam, and my roommate who both do a wonderful job at telling me when I mess up. Still, all the mistakes are mine J

Part 3

"My mom told me you had called the hospital so I knew you were awake. I figured you would be hungry," Wallace said, handing her a brown paper bag.

He walked inside and dropped his jacket on the couch as Veronica peeked in the bag.

"Pancakes, waffles and doughnuts? You're spoiling me, Wallace Fennel," she said playfully, setting the bag on the counter.

"Do you have company?" he asked, pointing at the two bowls.

"Now I do." She smiled at him.

Wallace looked at her for a few seconds, waiting for her to elaborate. She pretended to be busy putting the cereal boxes away, and taking the hint,he decided to drop the topic for now. He got out plates and silverware and pulled the food containers out. She gave him a grateful look and started filling her plate, drowning the food in syrup. Wallace imitated her and they went to sit down on the couch and started eating.

"So, I don't want to state the obvious, but that's a pretty big bruise you've got there, girl."

Wallace was doing his best at trying to be casual, but couldn't hide the concern in his voice.

"I could be a poster girl against domestic violence with no make up. I am still trying to decide which part of the bruise is from the steering wheel and which part of the bruise is from Aaron Echolls."

Wallace didn't look amused or satisfied by her answer.

"What did the doctors say?"

"Not much really. It's just a bruise. My dad is the one who got hurt." Her voice got lower as she spoke and she found herself having a hard time looking at Wallace, who picked up on her mood swing.

"It wasn't your fault. You know that right?"

She smiled a grateful smile again and put her now empty plate next to Wallace's on the coffee table.

"You're the best BFF a girl could ask for." She said hugging him.

Wallace felt very proud of his BFF abilities and his face lit up with a big smile.

"I hear you're having car troubles. You want a ride to the hospital?"

Veronica gave Wallace a smile. A weight she had not known was there lifted up from her chest.

"I need to take a shower.I'll be out in 15 minutes."

She stood up and paused on her way to the bathroom.

"Wallace?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

She disappeared around the corner. Yes, Wallace was feeling very proud, indeed.

"What the hell?" said Veronica, pointing at the small army of journalists posted in front of the hospital.

"They were there already when I came by earlier. With Aaron Echolls still in the intensive care unit, they are not about to go away."

Wallace drove on to the maternity ward parking of the hospital and put the car in park.

"My, Wallace, I didn't know. How far along are you?"

"Very funny. I figured it would be easier to sneak in through here rather than the front entrance. They've been trying to keep the paparazzi out but I saw a couple hiding in the stairway, biding their time."

"I guess it was meant to happen. I've got to say I was surprised that there were none at the apartment. Itkind of put a stop to my thinking that I'm so special."

They got out of the car and walked in the hospital undetected. When they arrived at her father's door, Wallace offered to go get something to drink so she could have some time alone with her dad. She didn't protest and knocked softly on the door as Wallace disappeared down the hallway.

"Hey Dad," she said, entering the room.

"Hey honey," he said from his bed. "Alicia told me you had called and that you were okay. I was worried about you."

Veronica walked up the bed and wrapped her hands around one of Keith's bandaged hands.

"And I was worried about you. Where is Alicia?" Veronica asked.

"She had to go pick up Darrell from the neighbors. She will be back later. I was a bit surprised to see her here when I woke up," he said, looking right into the eyes his daughter.

Veronica's eyes welled up with tears for what felt the millionth time that day. She blamed her lack of sleep and her near-death experience for her very poor emotional control.

"I called her. I thought you would want her with you."

The room was silent for a few minutes as she was trying to find the right words. They would not come, so she opted for the direct approach.

"Mom is gone," she explained slowly.A lone tear rolled down her cheek. "I told her to pack. She was still drinking, you know?"

If Keith was surprised, he didn't let it show. He pulled his daughter against him as best as he could and hid a grimace of pain when she hugged him.

Keith released her andclumsily tried to put a strand of Veronica's hair behind her ear but missed and won a chuckle from his daughter. He smiled, but just as fast his expression was back to serious.

"Honey, the doctors said it might take a little more than a couple of weeks before I'm released from the hospital. I don't want you alone at home after what happened. I want you to go live with the Fennels for a while."

Veronica opened her mouth to protest, but Keith cut her off.

"Veronica, listen to me. Alicia and I talked about it and she would be very happy to have you. Plus, school is not over yet and you have classes on Monday. Wallace and you can go together. I want to be sure that you are safe."

"I am safe," she said. "I have Backup. Wallace is going to drive me to get your car, so I can get around and I'll comevisit you twice a day. Everything is going to be okay now, Dad."

It was obvious that Keith didn't agree and was working hard to find counter arguments.

"Veronica…"

"Dad," she imitated his mildly exasperated voice. "I'll come and visit you before class. I'll call you as soon as I get to school, and at lunch. When school lets out, I'll come and visit you again. Then I'll go right back home and call you. Take Backup for a walk while talking to you on the phone. Go back to the apartment, lock the door, take a shower, and call you. Fix dinner and talk to you while I eat. You'll hear me even more than when you're not stuck in the hospital."

Keith didn't look amused by her monologue, but knew his daughter and didn't bother to argue. He was already imagining himself with his laptop on the bedside table, tracking Veronica's phone 24/7.

"Any transgression to that plan will have to be run through me first," he saidin his best patronizing voice.

"Will do," she replied cheerily.

"Veronica."

"I promise."

"Charming family portrait," Sheriff Lamb said, entering the room, followed by Wallace.

"Don," Keith said. "I'm so happy to see you. I've been told that I missed your earlier visit."

"Well, I'm here now," Lamb retorted, obviously annoyed.

"And we," Veronica said, grabbing Wallace, "are going."

She kissed her father's forehead, and as she was about to leave, Deputy Sachs stumbled in the room.

"Sir, we have an emergency in the Echolls' room. His son just attacked him."

TBC...