Chapter 5: Family

*****MLK Day****

Veronica was lying on her side on their bed. She and Logan had little Richie in between them. She had gotten him up and fed and bathe him while Logan slept in. It was after nine, so she had brought him in to wake up his uncle. So far Logan was sleeping soundly. Veronica had laid Richie on his stomach close to Logan's face. He hadn't quite figured out why his uncle wasn't giving him the attention he normally did. So far he'd hit the bed with his little hand trying to get Logan to look at him. Veronica had refrained from waking Logan because she was enjoying watching Richie struggle to reach Logan. She loved to see him grow into a new phase in his development. It was exceedingly fascinating to watch. She had never spent much time around babies and was still surprised to discover the new things Richie could do. Lately, he was more and more excited and animated when he recognized someone he loved. It was so amazing to see how naturally and effortlessly a baby loved. Veronica was happy that she now only got a small pang when she looked at him and thought of her baby that was lost.

Finally, Richie scooted so close to Logan that his little hand was within touching distance. Veronica couldn't resist moving him slightly higher on the bed. She grinned when Richie reached out to slap Logan's cheek. He gurgled and did it again. Logan finally opened his eyes.

"Your nephew has been trying to get your attention for five minutes!" Veronica said, grinning.

Logan gave a sleepy smile. "Someone wore me out last night!" he said. He reached over and picked up his nephew. Kissing him, he laid him on his chest. "Good morning, little man."

Richie smiled and patted his chin. Logan grinned, the cobwebs clearing. "So what do you want to do today?" Logan asked her.

"I was thinking we could go get Lily and take them to the Children's Museum in San Diego. We haven't gotten to spend much time with Lily outside of wedding plans in quite a while. Her birthday was kind of ignored by us since it was so close to the wedding," Veronica suggested.

"That sounds good. We should get Darrel, too, since there's no school," Logan suggested.

"Good idea. We should see if Dick wants to go," Veronica said. "Mac probably won't have the time. She has a first project due this Friday for one of her classes."

"Already?" Logan asked in surprise.

"Well, you know those computer classes always assign program designs or web page stuff," Veronica said with a shrug. She reached over to take Richie. "You get showered, and I'll call Alicia and Duncan."

An hour later, they were at her dad's picking up Darrel. Her dad had the day off and opened the door to greet them.

"Hey, Dad," Logan said with a grin, trying out the new title.

Keith smiled and reached out a hand to grip Logan's shoulder. He gave it an affectionate squeeze. "New son. Here to take my other son?" he asked with a wink.

Veronica laughed. "You went from no sons to three! And I never had to share my toys growing up! How great is that?"

Keith gave her a hug as Logan sat the baby carrier down Richie was in. "Well, you were the best son a dad could've asked for!" he joked.

"The kind of son that can give you a grandson some day?" Veronica reminded him with an arch of her eyebrow.

Keith got an eager look on his face. "Are you trying to tell me something? Are you expecting?" he asked excitedly.

Logan grinned. "Not yet! But you never know since she's not on birth control," he shared, giving her a leer.

Veronica's face flushed, and she glared at Logan. "I can't believe you said that in front of my dad!" she fumed.

"Does that mean you want to get pregnant?" Keith asked.

"Just because I'm not on birth control does not mean we aren't using some kind of birth control," she said as delicately as she could.

Much to Veronica's relief, Darrel came into the room, forcing an end to the embarrassing topic. "I'm ready!" he said. "Where's Lily?"

"We're going to get her next," Logan said.

"We'll bring him back probably before dinner. Definitely before dark," Veronica told her dad.

"Hey, you can have him," Keith said with a wink. "I tried to give him away to the mail man, but he said the price of postage was going up. I didn't have any money on me!"

Darrel rolled his eyes. "Your jokes get lamer and lamer!"

"That's a good point," Veronica said, nodding. "Dad, you need to quit spending so much time with those deputies of yours. They are too in awe of you to provide good fodder material. Makes me miss Lamb. He was always good for something at least."

"The butt of your jokes," Logan said with a knowing smirk.

Keith frowned unapprovingly. "Let's not speak ill of a man who died in the line of duty. Whatever his faults, he died honorably," Keith reminded them.

"True," Veronica acknowledged. "We'll catch you later." Darrel said goodbye and then headed to Duncan's.

Lily was ecstatic when they arrived. She had developed a serious case of puppy love for Darrel and followed him everywhere at the wedding after he had danced with her once. Now she got to spend an entire afternoon with him and her godparents. Duncan smiled indulgently at her as she greeted them exuberantly.

"Dick isn't here yet? He said he'd meet us here," Logan said.

"No," Duncan said.

Logan pulled out his cell to text him.

"He's going to have to drive himself. We should've had him just meet us there," Veronica said. "He won't want to ride in the back of the SUV."

"Why don't you let our driver take you guys? There's no sense in taking two cars anyway," Duncan said.

"Sure," Logan said. He glanced at his wife to see if she cared.

Veronica shrugged. "That's fine, I guess."

Duncan went to tell his driver when Dick pulled up.

He came inside and clapped his hands. "Let's get this party started!" he announced.

"Dickie!" Lily shouted and ran to embrace him. Dick scooped her up.

"How's my favorite Lily-pad?" he asked, grinning at her.

"Darrel's coming, too!" she informed him, obviously overjoyed over the fact.

"He is? Well, we'll have to show him how to have a good time, won't we?"

"Yes," Lily said, nodding seriously.

Dick grinned at her. "I have never been to the Children's Museum. Is it way cool?" he asked Lily.

"Yes. Grandmother took me one time. We didn't get to play much, though. But there's lots of fun stuff," Lily said.

"I haven't been before," Darrel said.

"Yeah, Neptune doesn't have any fun places for kids except the park and pool," Veronica said.

They left to enjoy their day of fun.

Later, that evening Dick was giving Mac a play by play of all the fun she missed. Mac smiled fondly as she listened. "It sounds like I missed out on a great day. We'll have to go again when Richie is older and can enjoy it more," she said.

"Absolutely!" Dick agreed.

They were in her bedroom. She was sitting on her bed with her laptop on her lap, finishing up her project. A few strokes of the keyboard and she declared, "I'm finally done!"

Dick grinned. "You are? Does that me I get to play with you now?" he asked eagerly.

"I'm all yours," Mac said, flashing her dimple at him. She closed her computer and sat it on the nightstand.

Dick wasted no time in crawling onto the bed, leaning over her. "What should we do first?" he asked, kissing her neck.

"Well, we haven't been together in three whole days, so I think you should show me how much you missed me," Mac suggested, giving him a coy smile.

Dick rose up onto his knees and pulled off his shirt. He'd already kicked off his shoes when he'd first come into the room. Then he leaned back over her and fused his lips to hers, kissing her hungrily. A few minutes later, his lips had moved down her throat, his hands busy unbuttoning her shirt. Soon, he had it off and unclasped her bra. She gasped in pleasure when he put his mouth to one of her breast, sucking on it. He used his hand to squeeze the other, knowing what she liked. Just when things were getting interesting, her phone rang.

"Don't stop!" she said as she moved to see who it was. Dick gave her a wicked grin and trailed his lips down her stomach. He began unbuttoning her pants as she answered the phone.

"What's up, Marilyn?" she asked. She raised her hips slightly as Dick removed them and her panties. She gave him a heated look as she half listened to her bio mom talk. Dick pulled her legs apart and made himself at home between her legs. He began kissing the inside of her leg as she struggled to focus on what her mother was saying. She bit back a moan when he inserted a finger inside her. "Uh, huh," she said into the phone, trying to listen. When he started pumping his fingers in and out of her, she bit her lip to stifle the moan of pleasure. Dick flashed her that wicked grin of his. "Marilyn, I'll come by tomorrow after class, so you can tell me this in person. If Lauren needs me, I'll be there," she said in a rush to end the call. Marilyn said something that she never got as she quickly ended the call because Dick had moved his lips to her core. "You are so bad!" she said on a gasp as his tongue plunged inside of her.

He pulled back and gave her a leer. "You like me bad and you know it!" he declared. "You may look like an innocent school girl, but I know you!" He loved that he was the only one that got to see her naughty side. It made it even hotter.

"Someone upset Lauren at school on Friday. Marilyn thought I should come see Lauren," Mac said. When Dick resumed kissing the inside of her other leg, she smiled at him. "How about we talk later? You have work to do!"

"I never asked why she called," Dick pointed out.

Mac laughed. "True. So I'll quit talking," she said. Then she frowned as she noticed his clothes. "You have too many clothes on!"

Dick rose up and quickly remedied that. Then he resumed making love to her. After he'd spent a full hour pleasuring them both, he collapsed on the bed next to her. She curled into his side and sighed in contentment. "Are you staying the night?" she asked.

"Unless you plan on kicking me out of your bed," he replied, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

"Of course not!" she said. "I don't have an early class on Tuesdays."

They laid in comfortable silence, both long past the time where they felt they must always speak. Finally, though, Dick asked, "Do you think you've forgiven Cassidy for what he did?"

Mac was surprised by his question. She turned to face him. "What brings this up?" she wondered. Dick was often random, but that was random even for him.

"I went to church with Weevil on Sunday, and the priest was talking about forgiveness and how unforgiveness can lead to bitterness and destroy your other relationships," Dick shared. "I was just thinking about how hard it was to know you'd forgiven someone that wasn't alive."

"Do you feel angry when you think of Cassidy and what he did?" Mac asked him.

He thought about it and shook his head. "Not anymore. Mostly it makes me sad, so I don't think about it. I'd rather think of the good times."

"I feel the same way. Your brother kept a side of himself from both of us. He let his pain turn him into someone that didn't care who he hurt. That doesn't mean we have to hate him like his victims do. We can remember the good in him and be grateful for those," Mac said.

"So you've forgiven him?"

Mac nodded. "Yes, I have," she said softly. Dick look relieved. Mac reached up to kiss him. "I love you and your big heart."

Dick looked sheepish. "I love you, too."

"Why the sudden interest in church?" she inquired.

He shrugged. "Not really interested. Just something to do. Weevil was going. That kind of interested me. I never saw him as the church going type," Dick admitted.

"He's Catholic. His grandmother raised him, and she's very devout. Some of it was bound to have rubbed off on him," Mac said.

"If we got married someday, would you want to be married in a church?" he asked.

"Probably. I was raised Presbyterian. There's a nice church in my neighborhood we went to. If we didn't do a destination wedding, I wouldn't mind being married there," she shared.

Dick's eyes perked up at the mention of destination wedding. "Destination wedding? That'd totally rock! We can get married in Vegas on purpose!" he said excitedly. "Or at Niagra Falls? Paris? Hawaii?"

Mac laughed. "Well, after we graduate, you can surprise me with a proposal. Then we can talk about it!" Mac told him. Somehow she didn't think a church wedding was in the cards for the two of them. She didn't mind. She liked knowing he had no doubts about their final destination as husband and wife.

"It's a date!" Dick vowed.

"So are you done showing me how much you missed me?" Mac wondered.

"Not even close," Dick declared with a wide grin. "We better get some food in me, though, 'cause I'll need the fuel!"

Laughing, she reached over to grab the take-out menus she kept in her nightstand top drawer.

******The Next Day*****

Jason had decided that he needed to be more strategic with Daisy. He'd gotten Veronica to email him Daisy's class schedule. He had planned out various ways to "accidentally" run into her. Now that he knew what building her classes where in, he was bound to find her. He sat on a bench in front of one she was supposed to be coming out of shortly. Pulling out his phone, he pretended to be busy while keeping an eye out for her. In less than two minutes, he saw her coming out. He debated on letting her spot him or in getting her attention. Then he decided if she saw him and walked away he still wouldn't have gained any ground.

He stood up and put himself in her way. Daisy spotted him. He was glad when she didn't immediately turn away. She paused and waited for him. "Hi," he said, flashing her a warm smile.

"Hi," she said. Daisy knew seeing Jason on campus was something she needed to get used to.

"How's things going?" Jason asked.

"Fine," she replied. "How's things with you?"

"Good," he said. Didn't they used to talk so freely? Why was he having so much trouble now? Words always came so easily to him. "How many hours are you taking?"

"Fifteen. Two on Tuesdays and Three on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays," Daisy said.

"Do you want to get a coffee with me at the food court? Do you have time?" Jason asked, deciding to take a chance.

Daisy wasn't sure what he was doing. They'd broken up. Didn't he get that it hurt to see him? Why couldn't he get that? "No. I don't really want to," she said. When he looked right down glum at her answer, she added, "I don't think I'm quite ready to just hang out and be friends with you yet."

Jason frowned. "I'm not wanting to be friends. I mean, I'd like you to consider me your friend, but I want to spend time with you. I miss you, Daisy. I don't want you to forget me. I want you to miss me, too," Jason said. He gave her an imploring look.

Daisy was caught off guard by his words and found herself admitting, "I do miss you, Jason. That's why I don't want to have coffee with you. It's too hard. It hurts to be around you. I need more time."

"Will you forgive me?" he asked.

"I'm working on it. I need some time," she said.

He nodded. "Okay. If that's what you need, I guess I can give it to you. I just don't want you to move on to someone else," he said. "Are you still seeing the deputy?"

She shook her head. "No," she told him. "He was looking for more than I was willing to give him."

Jason felt reassured at her words. "That's good. I know he's a good guy, but I love you. I don't want you to be with someone else," he said earnestly.

"That's what happens when two people break up," Daisy reminded him.

"Maybe so. But not if they still love each other and belong together," Jason said.

Daisy was finding him hard to resist. She did love him. Maybe she should give him another chance. She was starting to weaken when they were interrupted.

"Hey, Daisy," Duncan said, figuring she would be glad to be rescued from an awkward encounter with her ex. He acknowledged Jason with a nod. Jason didn't look happy to see him. "So we got our first soccer scrimmage this weekend. Do you think you can come?"

"Sure. I'll be glad to go. I like soccer. It's not very popular in America, though," she said.

"Yeah, I know," Duncan said. "But it's gaining in popularity. We could use some fans."

"Well, count me in. I'll have Mac come, too," she said.

"Do you have another class? I'll walk you," Duncan said. The two of them started talking, completely ignoring Jason, who couldn't believe it.

Daisy suddenly realized how rude she was being and paused to look back at him. "I'll see you around, Jason," she called over her shoulder.

Jason did not appreciate Duncan untimely interruption. It felt like Daisy was about to give him a chance. He decided that he'd make a point of being at Duncan's soccer game. At least then, Duncan wouldn't be able to interrupt!

*****Sinclairs*****

Mac stopped by to see her sister after her last class. Lauren wasn't home yet, so she chatted with Marilyn. Marilyn filled her in on Lauren's recent upset. They decided to let Lauren tell her about it. Mac was telling her about her classes when Lauren came home.

"Mac!" Lauren said with a happy smile. "It's good to see you!"

"I was hoping my favorite sister would go get a frozen yogurt with me?" Mac suggested. "I'll get yogurt. You can get ice-cream, of course."

Lauren grinned and looked at her mother. "Go ahead, sweetheart. You girls have fun," Marilyn said, glad to see her daughters together.

Mac took her a nearby place. After they'd each ordered a cone, Mac found them a corner table. "So how's things going with you?" Mac asked.

"Pretty good. I got a solo at our winter showcase," Lauren shared, giving her a shy smile.

"Really? That's so great! When is it? I am totally there!" Mac said excitedly.

"Next month," Lauren said. She looked uncertain for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Mac asked, deciding to prod her.

"Nothing really. Just some stupid girls at school trying to make out like I only got the solo 'cause my teacher feels sorry for me. You know. 'Cause I got cancer," Lauren shared, looking glum.

Mac grew angry at the thought of anyone being so unkind to her sister who'd been through more than most people face in a life time. She remained calm, however. At least on the outside. "Are these girls in choir, too?" she asked. Lauren nodded. "Did they get solos?" Lauren shook her head. "Then it should be pretty obvious they are jealous and trying to ruin this for you. Don't let them. Pick a kick ass song and silent all the critics!"

Lauren grinned. "Do you think I can?" she asked.

"I know you can. I'll help you practice!" she offered.

"I was thinking of singing Celine Dion's song, 'My Heart Will Go On' or 'I Will Survive,'" Lauren shared.

Mac laughed. "Both powerful. Both very hard to sing!" Mac said.

"Yeah," Lauren said sheepishly.

"Well, you'll have to sing them to me. I'll help you pick!" Mac said, excited for her. It was nice feeling like she could finally be there for her sister. Although she regretted the years they lost and probably always would, Mac was happy that they were now a family.

******Wednesday******

Logan went into Faces Wednesday afternoon. He'd just begun going through his messages when Trina came into his office. She'd had a great time in New York with her new boyfriend. Logan couldn't actually remember the last time he'd seen her so happy. He smiled at her as she sat in the chair across from him. "You still got that smile on your face that you'd been wearing since yesterday," he observed.

She gave him a sheepish look. "Yeah, I know. I can't help it! I'm really happy. And excited," she shared.

"I'm happy for you, sis. You deserve to be happy," Logan said.

"Logan, I could really love this guy," Trina said, more serious than he'd seen her in a long time.

"He's that great? What does he think of you having Richie?" Logan asked. Not many guys wanted to seriously take on another man's kid.

"I don't know really. He likes kids. He doesn't seem bothered by the fact that I'm a mom," Trina said.

"I guess it's hard to get him interested in Richie if he never gets to see him. New York is far away," Logan said. He had an unsettling feeling in his stomach.

"That's what I want to talk to you about. Now don't overreact. And please, please, don't say anything to Veronica yet," Trina said.

"I don't keep things from Veronica," Logan said flatly.

"I had a meeting today with the Goldsmiths," Trina announced. "They agree that we need to seriously look at New York City for a new opening Faces."

Logan blinked, not expecting that. He'd expected her to talk about going to New York with Richie, but he hadn't thought she'd bring their business into the equation. "It's too soon. We agreed to wait a year."

"It's been six months. We finished the year in the black," Trina pointed out. "It'll take a few months before an office could be opened. It'll be about a year by the time it's ready."

"Is this about Clint?" Logan asked.

"Not completely. We talked about this from the beginning. New York has always been in the plan, but yeah, now that I'm seeing Clint, I'm more motivated to get it going," Trina admitted.

"You'd leave Neptune? Take Richie away from all of his family?" Logan asked, feeling sick at the thought. This was Veronica's greatest fear.

"We can worry about that later," Trina said dismissively. "Let's focus on opening a New York office. Everything else will work itself out."

Logan gave a bitter laugh. No matter how far she can come, some things never changed. Trina would do what she wanted and assume nothing bad would happen because of her actions. Or she didn't care enough to worry about consequences.

How could he back any idea that would result in taking Richie away from him and Veronica?

*****To Be Continued******