Chapter Three
Late December 2018
Veronica stands at the kitchen island, surveying the scene before her with a smile. It's Christmas Eve and she and Logan are hosting a festive gathering at their beachfront house. Over by the French doors, her dad is deep in conversation with Marcia Langdon—the two of them started dating a few months ago and have been practically attached at the hip ever since—while her mom and Hunter are playing with Pony in front of the fireplace. Sarah, Chaos and Dick are relaxing on the couch, and Logan's sitting on the floor in the middle of the room, playing with Ava, who has now rediscovered her previous affection for him.
Veronica, meanwhile, has enlisted Mac and Wallace to help her clean up the kitchen, though she's not exactly concentrating on the task at hand. Instead, her gaze is fixed on Logan and Ava, a warm smile on her face as she observes them together. They're playing with Ava's toy airplanes—the toddler's latest fascination—and they're just adorable to watch together.
"That's a cute scene," says Mac, stopping beside her, dishcloth in hand.
"It is." She agrees with a nod, as she absently wipes down the counter top.
"Who'd have thought it, huh?" adds Wallace from behind them. "Logan Echolls is good with kids."
"Yeah, he is." Veronica can feel Mac's eyes on her, and she fidgets under her friend's scrutiny. "What?"
"You're thinking about it, aren't you?"
Veronica feigns innocence. "Thinking about what?"
"Babies."
Mac is looking at her with an indulgent smile and Veronica shrugs self-consciously. "Maybe."
"Really?" That comes from Wallace. "Since when?"
Veronica shrugs. "For a while now. But Logan's been gone the last few months... so, you know, nothin' happening there."
"Well," says Wallace after a moment, looking thoughtful, "you know, if it's what you want..."
"Yeah…"
Veronica focuses on Logan once more; he's telling Ava what the different parts of the plane do. He seems in his element and a pang of longing hits her out of nowhere as she finds herself picturing him doing the same with a little girl or boy of their own.
God, Veronica, when did you become such a sap?
Logan looks up, catching her eye. He smiles one of those sweet, closed-mouthed smiles of his, his eyes dancing, and Veronica smiles back. He hands Ava the plane he's been demonstrating with and stands up, making his way around the kitchen island and coming to a stop in front of her.
"Hey."
"Hey, yourself," she replies, lifting her chin as he leans down for a kiss.
He nods towards the guests in the living room. "Good turnout, huh?"
"Yup," she agrees. "I'm actually surprised everyone's getting on so well."
"I know." He grins. "It's weird."
"I'm gonna miss all this," she admits softly. "When we leave."
"I'm sorry," he says, the apology almost automatic now, given the number of times he's said it over the last few weeks. "But you've still got a couple months left here."
"True."
They've agreed that it's not practical for her to go with him to Nevada for the SFTI training, given it's only for nine weeks and the base is out in the middle of nowhere. So, Veronica's going to stay in Neptune while Logan trains in Nevada, and they'll see each other when they can. It's not the ideal solution, but she'd be so bored there anyway, and this way she can continue working in Neptune for a couple more months.
"And, you know, it's not like we'll be gone forever." He smiles, running the back of his knuckles along her cheek.
"I know." They've both agreed that this relocation to Virginia is only going to be temporary; that they plan to return to Neptune when it's over.
Veronica's eyes move to Ava, who is sitting in her father's lap now, before shooting Mac and Wallace a meaningful look. They get the hint, quickly making themselves scarce, and Veronica looks up at Logan again, gathering her nerves for what she wants to say.
"I've been thinking…" she starts, a little hesitant.
"Do tell." Logan smiles down at her, slipping his arms around her waist as Veronica's hands come to rest on his biceps
"You're really great with Ava," she says. "A total natural."
His smile widens. "Thanks. So are you, you know. Sarah says you were a Godsend while Chaos was gone."
"Not sure I'd go that far, but that does kind of lead me into what I wanted to say." She sucks in a breath. "Logan, I think it's time."
"Time?"
"To have a baby."
"You—I…" He stops, just staring at her for a long moment, mouth opening and closing. "Wait, are you sure?"
Veronica nods, though her heart is pounding, the confession bringing her out of her comfort zone—a place she's not fond of. "I am."
"Wow…" The breath leaves him in a rush.
"You sound surprised," she says, "but you know I've been thinking about it since last year… and the last few months, helping Sarah, seeing Ava become her own person... well, it's been on my mind a lot lately. Think about it, Logan; it's kind of the perfect time. I mean, three years with no deployments... you wouldn't miss anything. I wouldn't have to worry about you not being here."
"A very good point," he concedes with a smile, before studying her seriously. "But are you absolutely sure about this? I mean with my training, and then Virginia… I don't want you to regret it later."
"I'm sure," she says firmly. And she means it, she really does. "Watching you with Ava just now… it hit me, you know? How much I want what Chaos and Sarah have. I want us to have a family of our own."
"I want that too," he says softly.
"And yeah, okay, it's not ideal that you'll be in Nevada and then we'll be living in Virginia," she admits, "but I also I don't want to miss my chance because we kept waiting for a more convenient time."
"Yeah, I get that." Logan nods. "I just don't want you to feel like it's something you have to do, especially not because of me. If you don't want kids, we won't have them. I'm not going to pressure you into anything."
"I know that, Logan," she assures him. It's true; he would never force her into anything just because he wanted it. He's not that kind of guy. "This is all my decision, okay? I want this."
"Okay, then," he agrees easily, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "Let's do it. Let's have a baby."
He grins widely, and Veronica can't help but return it.
Logan's grin quickly turns into a leering smirk as he leans in close, and says, "You wanna get started right now? 'Cause you know I'm up for it."
Veronica tries to be discreet as she glances downward. "Oh, I bet you are, but, we have guests, remember?"
"Spoilsport." He pouts playfully.
"Who's a spoilsport?"
Logan visibly startles at the intrusion, straightening up and schooling his features as Keith appears beside them.
"No one," says Veronica, suppressing a smile at Logan's discomfort. "What's up, Pops?"
"Just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful meal this evening," he says. "You've outdone yourself, Veronica."
"It wasn't just me," she says quickly. "The others helped, too."
"I can attest to that," Logan adds. "She had me peeling and chopping all afternoon."
"Well, the food was delicious," Keith says. "Look, it's been a lovely evening, but Marcia and I are going to call it a night."
"Okay, no worries." She steps away from Logan, reaching out to give her father a hug. "Thanks for coming, Dad."
"I'll see you both tomorrow for Christmas Dinner?"
"Of course, Keith," Logan speaks up this time. "We'll be over at noon."
"Come on." Veronica holds out one arm to her dad in invitation. "I'll walk you to the door."
It doesn't take long after Keith and Marcia leave for the others to head home too, trickling out in twos and threes, eventually leaving Logan and Veronica alone except for Pony, who's decided she's had enough for the night and has fallen fast asleep in her bed.
Veronica locks the front door and turns to face Logan. "So..."
"So..." Logan lips twitch, though his expression turns dark, lustful.
Veronica swallows, licking her lips, heart beginning to pound. The look in his eyes is... well, let's just say that whenever he looks at her like that, she ends up thoroughly satisfied.
"You wanna...?" He tilts his head toward their bedroom.
"Oh, I wanna. Come on." She grins, grabbing his hand and dragging him down the hall.
When they reach the bedroom, she kicks the door shut and, pressing her hand against his chest, walks him backward to the bed. The back of his legs hit the mattress and he sits down abruptly, leaning back on his hands as Veronica climbs onto his lap.
"I've wanted to do this all evening," she admits as she unbuttons his shirt. "There's just something about seeing a man being all adorable with a kid."
"Yeah?" He raises an eyebrow, giving her a lazy grin.
"Uh, huh." She nods, biting her lip as she slides her hands inside his shirt, running her fingers over the planes of his abs. "Definitely."
His grin widens, eyes darkening with lust. "Good to know."
"Gets me all hot and bothered," she teases, fingers creeping lower, brushing against the bulge in his jeans. "Makes me wanna do unspeakable things to you."
"Fuck, Veronica…" He groans, sitting up straight, his hands coming to her hips.
"Nuh, uh." She shakes her head, removing his hands and pushing his upper body down onto the mattress. "I'm in charge tonight."
He tuts. "So bossy."
"You love it."
"I do," he agrees with a nod. "Gets me all hot and bothered."
"Oh, I know," she murmurs, as she pulls her shirt over her head and tosses it to the floor.
Logan tries to reach for her again, but she slaps his hands away with a stern look. He sighs, clenching his fists against the bedspread instead.
"So, now that I have you at my mercy," she says conversationally, running one finger down the centre of his chest to his stomach, "what shall I do with you?"
"Whatever you like," he says, swallowing, his voice strained. "I'm game."
"Really?" she leans forward, reaching for his wrists and pushing his arms up to the sides of his head, towering over him. "Anything?"
"Anything," he returns with a leering smirk.
"Hmm," she muses, debating the options. "Let's see... reverse cowgirl?"
"If you like."
"69?"
"Sure," he agrees easily.
"How about a blindfold and handcuffs? I'll tie you up and have my wicked way with you."
"Bondage?" He raises an eyebrow. "Kinky."
She considers it for a moment, but then stretches forward, fingers entwining with his on the mattress, as she presses herself against him, kissing him softly.
"Actually," she murmurs against his lips, "I think I like it better just like this."
"Okay."
"But don't think you're getting off easy..." she murmurs. "Once these clothes are off, you're doing all the work."
"Oh, I am?"
"Uh, huh."
She kisses him again, then releases his hands and sits up, reaching back and unclasping her bra. It slips from her shoulders and she smiles when Logan sucks in a breath in response, his gaze fixed on her chest. Sliding off his lap, she unfastens his jeans and he lifts his hips so she can ease them and his boxers off. She makes quick work of his socks, then tugs off the rest of her clothes.
Logan shrugs out of his shirt and slides further up the mattress, settling against the pillows. Veronica grins, climbing back onto the bed, crawling up until she's straddling his hips. As she leans forward and grabs his hands again, resuming their previous position, his arousal brushes against her inner thigh. She sucks in a shuddering breath, internal muscles clenching in anticipation, and lowers her mouth to his as she lifts her hips, ready to take him inside.
"Uh, honey?" Logan murmurs against her mouth.
"Yes, sweetie?" she responds, breaking the kiss, her voice tinged with faux pleasantness. She knows that tone; he only uses pet names when he either wants something or he's done something wrong.
"If you're gonna make me do all the work, I'm gonna need my hands free," he says, amused. "Otherwise we're not gonna get anywhere."
"Okay. Fine. Have it your way." She makes a show of rolling her eyes as she disentangles her fingers from his, and places her hands on the mattress for support.
"Thank you, sugarpuss." His voice is tinged with sarcasm.
He grins, bringing one hand to her neck and pulling her down for a kiss as his other hand slips between their bodies and guides himself to her entrance.
Veronica sighs against his mouth at the feel of him pressing right there, right where she needs him. Without warning, his hips lift and he thrusts up into her.
"Oh!" She gasps in surprise, lifting her head and pouting playfully. "Hey, I wasn't ready yet."
"Tough luck," he responds cheekily, running his hand down her back. He cups her bottom with both hands guiding her upwards as he pulls out, then tugs her hips back down, immediately thrusting in again. "I'm calling the shots now."
With a soft moan, Veronica pushes herself up to a sitting position, closing her eyes and biting her lip as the change in position pushes him even deeper inside her. For only the second time ever, there's no barrier between them and it feels incredible.
Opening her eyes, she schools her features into some semblance of a serious expression. "Hey, what happened to foreplay, huh? You can't just start fucking someone without proper preparation."
"Oh, I think you're plenty prepared already." Logan visibly tries not to smirk as he slides a finger between her wet folds. Veronica can't help moaning louder this time as tendrils of pleasure shoot through her. "And fucking? I'm sorry, I thought I'd signed up for 'making love'. If that's not what this is, I want my money back."
Veronica shakes her head. "Sorry, no refunds on the Mars Pleasure Train."
At that, Logan actually laughs out loud, free and unrestrained.
"Mars Pleasure Train?" His tone is incredulous. "Oh my God."
Veronica doesn't even feel embarrassed for saying it, because truthfully, it makes her happy to see laughing him like this again. He's been so tense the last couple months, since he came home, that anything which makes him laugh so freely can only be a good thing.
So, she shrugs unapologetically and grins down at him. "It's one wild ride."
He doesn't say anything, just stares up at her, the amusement in his eyes turning to something else, something more intense.
When he finally speaks, his voice is tight with emotion. "God, I love you."
The serious turn in the conversation has Veronica swallowing down her own emotions. She gives him a gentle smile, leaning forward until her bare chest is pressing against his and their lips are barely an inch apart.
"I love you, too," she replies softly, meaningfully. "I want everything with you."
"I want everything with you," he whispers.
Their eyes remain locked as he lifts his head and captures her lips with his. A tingle shoots up her spine as the emotional connection between them deepens. The fun and games over for now, Logan rolls so she's pinned beneath him, breaking the kiss and gazing down at her intensely as he pushes inside her again. Their eyes remain locked as he thrusts, slowly, purposefully, until she's practically begging… for more… for harder… for faster. His palm slides down the outside of her thigh, curling around the back of her leg and pulling her knee up toward her chest, opening her further, allowing him to thrust even deeper.
Oh, God… yes. Right there. Just like that. Fuck me, Logan. The words are right there on the tip of her tongue, but it seems inappropriate to say them out loud right now. The only sounds in the room are their gasps of breathless pleasure and speaking would only break this incredibly intense, crazily beautiful moment between them.
So she stays silent, instead hooking her leg over his lower back, one hand pressed against his side and the other gripping the pillow beside her head as he brings her closer and closer to climax… until she tips right over the edge, panting and gasping, back arching and body shaking.
"It's after midnight," Veronica murmurs softly into the dark bedroom as they snuggle up together, relaxed and sated. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." Logan smiles, kissing the top of her head as his fingers stroke along her arm. He gives a contented sigh. "God, that was fucking amazing."
"Yeah, it was." Her voice is soft, dreamy and it makes him smile wider.
His hand drifts to her stomach. "Hey, you think we made a baby just now?"
"I doubt it," she says bluntly.
"What?" His brows crease in a puzzled frown. "Why not?"
She gives a small, soft chuckle. "Because we only decided to start trying two hours ago. And I took my pill about twelve hours before that. It's too soon."
"Oh."
"Yeah." She nods, then pats his chest. "That was just a practice run."
"Like we need a practice run," he jokes, then, glancing at the small, fake Christmas tree over on the dresser, changes the subject. "Hey, this Christmas is gonna be great, right? 'Cause last year should have been amazing, and yet…"
"I know," she says softly, running her fingers across his skin. "I'm sorry about last year."
It should have been the perfect Christmas; their first holiday season together. The year before, he'd been deployed, stuck on the ship, and they hadn't been together over Christmas back in high school or college. So, it should have been great... but then, as usual, things hadn't quite gone as planned. The whole week leading up to the holidays had been so stressful, what with Veronica having a busy caseload, the wedding being only a few weeks away, and Logan's training schedule ramping up in advance of his upcoming deployment. They'd been so busy preparing for all of it, that celebrating Christmas had been pushed to the wayside.
Veronica hadn't even dug out the decorations until a few days before, he'd had to work late on Christmas Eve, and to make matters even worse, on Christmas Day, Veronica got food poisoning from the take-out they'd ordered the night before, and he spent the morning in the ER with her, followed by an afternoon and evening of holding her hair back and making sure she kept her fluids up by drinking those gross rehydration concoctions.
"You have nothing to apologise for," he tells her. "It wasn't your fault."
"I know, but I still feel terrible for ruining our Christmas."
"It wasn't ruined," he says softly. "I got to spend it with you. That beats all the other Christmases combined."
"Aww, such a sweet-talker." She lifts her head, resting her chin on his chest and grinning up at him. "You know, you don't have to suck up to me anymore; I already married you."
"It's not sucking up if it's true," he says, returning the grin.
"No?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Nope." He shakes his head. "And I'm standing by that."
Veronica leans in for a kiss before settling back down beside him.
"I'm gonna make sure this is the best Christmas you've ever had," he tells her determinedly, "even if I have to sell my soul to do it."
Veronica reaches up and pats his cheek this time. "Aww, my hero."
The next evening Logan sits on Keith's sofa, Veronica curled up beside him, both of them pleasantly full from the large Christmas Dinner they tucked into a couple hours earlier. Marcia, Dick, Lianne and Hunter joined them for lunch too, which was an odd bunch for sure, but Marcia has no family in the area, Lianne and Hunter travelled up from Arizona especially for the holidays, and Dick has pretty much no family to speak of anymore, so Logan asked Keith if he could join them too.
"Okay, you were right," says Veronica, her head resting against Logan's shoulder. They're alone in the house for a few minutes while Keith gives Marcia a ride home.
"Damn straight I was," he states immediately, giving an affirmative nod, then pauses. "Right about what?"
He sees Veronica smile from her position tucked against his side as she reaches for his hand, resting on his thigh, and links her fingers with his. "This Christmas."
"Really?" He grins. "Best you've ever had, huh?"
"Well, it's right up there."
"Right up there?" he echoes incredulously. "What could be better than a champagne breakfast in bed, Christmas hot tub nookie, an array of presents and a hearty meal with family and friends?"
"Ah, see, we didn't watch The Year Without a Santa Claus this morning," she says. "It's a life-long tradition in the Mars household."
Logan suppresses a smirk. "You're telling me that you would have forsaken an extremely satisfying morning in the hot tub for The Year Without a Santa Claus?"
"Of course."
"Seriously?" He shifts so he can see her better. "You really would have turned me down for a kids movie?"
"Actually, I would have moved the TV into the bathroom and watched while we were in the tub."
"Now, that's just weird." Logan wrinkles his nose in distaste, though an idea comes to him. "Hey, you know what, why don't we watch it now?"
Veronica frowns. "But it's not on now."
Logan stifles a chuckle. "Uh, Veronica, it's called On Demand for a reason."
"Right. Of course." Her cheeks flush adorably as she sits up. "You mind if Dad joins us when he gets back? We always used to watch it together."
"Sure," he agrees easily.
"Great." Veronica smiles, moving to stand. "I'm gonna grab something to eat while we're waiting. You want popcorn?"
"Sounds good."
As she heads into the kitchen, Logan locates the remote and turns on the TV and selects the On Demand menu. He has to chuckle when he sees Keith has already recorded the movie on TIVO, no doubt with the same idea in mind.
Keith arrives home just as Veronica reappears in the living room, carrying a bowl of freshly-popped popcorn, a bag of chips and a large bottle of Skist.
"Hey, Dad," she grins when Keith raises an eyebrow at the food, clearly wondering why they need even more food. "We're gonna watch The Year Without a Santa Claus. You wanna join?"
"Ah, you read my mind." Keith smiles, shrugging out of his jacket and hanging it by the front door. "I was hoping you'd watch with me tonight."
Logan grins, pointing to the screen. "Yeah, he even has it right here on TIVO."
"Should've known," quips Veronica playfully as she takes a seat.
They settle down together on the sofa to watch, Veronica in the middle, holding the popcorn bowl, with Keith and Logan on either side. It doesn't take long for the bowl to be set aside though, and for Veronica to snuggle up to Logan again. He slips an arm around her without hesitation and relaxes back against the cushions. There was a time when he felt awkward being affectionate with Veronica in her father's company, and it took getting married for it to really sink in that Keith has accepted him completely. Now, though, it feels pretty great to be part of a close family unit like theirs.
Logan can't help giving a chuckle when Veronica and Keith start singing along to the Snow Miser and Heat Miser songs, playing off each other as they do so. He never experienced Christmases like this as a child; his parents were too busy holding lavish parties and 'making good impressions' to bother sitting down for any fun, family time with their kids. As he watches his wife and father-in-law really getting into the Christmas spirit, Logan vows to make sure all their future holidays are filled with love and laughter and family.
Veronica notices him smirking at her antics and asks quizzically, "What?"
Logan shakes his head, shooting her a grin. "Nothing."
"Okay…"
When Keith's attention has turned back to the movie, he lowers his mouth to Veronica's ear and murmurs softly, "Hey, you think this time next year we'll have a new addition to watch with us?"
Veronica turns her head, giving him a tender smile. "Maybe. I hope so."
Logan dips his head for a quick kiss. "I do, too."