Author's Note: I hope everyone is doing okay after Season 4 :). Right now, I'm just pretending it doesn't exist and never happened.
I had been planning to post this chapter last week, before the season dropped, but then it got released early, and I'm sure we all know what happened after that! I'm finally back in a place where I feel like I can post again, so here we go...

Chapter Thirty-One

18th April 2021

Twelve months old (and eleven weeks along)

"Okay, here we go," announces Veronica, putting down the lighter and lifting the small plastic plate from the counter, carrying it across the kitchen.

She nods to the party-goers and they launch into a slightly out-of-tune rendition of Happy Birthday.

Holding the plate with the miniature cake and single, lit candle safely away from Abi's high chair, Veronica leans forward with a smile. ""Happy Birthday, sweetheart. Can you help Mommy blow the candle out? Like this."

She demonstrates how to do it, and Abi stares first at her and then the cake, before she purses her lips and blows a raspberry. There's a wave of laughter and exclamations of 'she's so cute' from their party guests. Behind her, Veronica hears Logan murmur, 'that's my girl' with an amused chuckle, and she fights the urge to turn and roll her eyes at him.

"Come on, sweetie," she says instead. "Look, do it with me."

She takes a deep breath and blows out the candle for her, just as Abi sticks her tongue out and blows another raspberry.

"Woo!" Dick shouts from the audience, while everyone else cheers and gives Abi a round of applause.

Abigail strains forward in the high chair and stretches out her hands towards the cake, so Veronica quickly removes the candle and gently places the plate down on the high chair tray. She straightens, taking a step back as Logan moves forward, his arm sliding around her waist. They watch Abi dig her fingers into the frosting, grabbing a handful and smushing it against her face, almost completely missing her mouth. Veronica winces at the sight, her nose wrinkling.

Apparently it's tradition these days to give toddlers a sticky, frosting-covered cake on their first birthday and let them go to town on it… which Veronica thinks is a stupid idea, because she's inevitably gonna be the one who has to clean it up afterwards, but Logan was all for it, and well… he can be very persuasive when he needs to be.

"Oh God, she's getting it everywhere." She cringes. "It's even in her hair."

"It's her birthday," Logan murmurs against her hair. "Let her live a little."

She sighs, relenting, before turning and holding up a finger to him, "You're on clean-up duty, buster."

Veronica stops in the entrance to the living room, leaning against the wall, an affectionate smile spreading across her face as she takes in the sight before her. Logan is standing in the middle of the room, a freshly-bathed and now cake-free Abigail raised high above his head, his strong arms confidently steering her from side to side as he makes silly airplane sounds. Abi giggles hysterically as he dips her down towards the floor, then swoops her up over his head again.

"Lieutenant Abigail Echolls ascends high into the sky, then banks to the side," Logan narrates as he swings her around. "She breaks formation and completes a barrel roll before finally coming in to land."

As he says the last part, he dips her again then drops to the floor, rolling onto his back and hugging her to his chest. Veronica's heart swells with love as Abi giggles again, trying to squirm out of Logan's grasp and rising up on all fours as she attempts to clamber off him.

"You realise she's never gonna sleep tonight if you insist on getting her all excited like that," teases Veronica, pushing off the wall and finally entering the room. "She's already hyped up enough from all that sugar this afternoon."

Logan glances over at her with a pout, his grip on the baby loosening and allowing her to slide to the floor. "But it's her—"

"Her birthday, I know," she finishes with a smile.

"Mama!" exclaims Abi, twisting into a sitting position and holding her arms out, before rolling over and reaching for the couch, pulling herself up to standing. She starts walking herself sideways, using the couch for balance, but Logan's behind her in an instant, reaching for her hands.

"Hey, baby girl, maybe this'll help," he says, turning her so she's facing Veronica and helping her walk towards her.

Her smile widening even further, Veronica crouches down, holding her hands out to her daughter. "Come to Mommy, sweet thing."

She catches Logan's eye for a second and he smiles at her, eyes shining, and her heart does a funny little flip in her chest. She smiles back, then looks back down at Abi with affection. God, she loves them both so much.

"That's it, baby girl," murmurs Logan as Abi's tiny feet pad across the carpet.

Everything seems to slip into slow motion for Veronica then, as she sees Logan's hands loosen until Abi's only holding on to one finger of each hand, before his fingers disappear completely… but her baby's still standing. She's still moving. By herself. Unsteady, but unaided.

Veronica's mouth drops open in shock. "Oh my God, Logan, she's walking!"

"Would you look at that." Logan's voice is faint with wonder.

Veronica stretches her arms out to Abi. "Can you walk to Mommy, baby?"

Abi takes a couple more wobbly steps before overbalancing and falling hard on her bottom.

"Abi, you did it!" Veronica claps her hands in congratulations, before sweeping Abigail up into her arms and planting a big kiss on her cheek. "You took your first steps! I'm so proud of you."

"I didn't think letting go would work," Logan muses softly, coming to kneel beside them and running a hand over Abi's hair. "But what do you know?"

Abi snuggles against her chest, her eyelids beginning to droop, and Veronica adjusts her in her arms.

"I guess all the excitement wore her out after all," she murmurs, looking up at Logan with a smile. "I should go put her down."

He nods, leaning down to kiss the top of Abi's head. "Goodnight, baby girl. Happy Birthday."

She carries Abigail to her room, setting her down in her crib. She must be exhausted, because she barely makes a sound in response and falls asleep immediately.

With a soft smile, she strokes her baby's cheek. "Sleep well, sweetheart."

Veronica returns to the living room to find Logan sprawled out on the couch, flicking through the TV channels.

"That was quick," he comments, turning off the TV and shifting to make room for her beside him. Veronica smiles as she slides into the small space between his side and the back of the couch and curls up against him. "She was tired, huh?"

"Uh huh." She nods. "Fast asleep as soon as I put her down."

Comfortable silence falls between them as Veronica lays her head against his warm chest.

"Our baby girl is walking, Logan," she says, awed. "She's a year old and she's walking."

"They grow up so fast," he murmurs wistfully, his hand coming to rest on her arm as he kisses the top of her head.

"They do…"

"You okay?" he asks softly a moment later.

"Yeah." She nods against his chest.

"Veronica…"

"I am," she insists, lifting her head to meet his concerned gaze. "Today was perfect. I spent the day with all my favourite people, my baby celebrated her first birthday and took her first steps, and now I'm enjoying my gorgeous husband's company."

"I don't disagree. It was awesome," he says. "But you know what I meant. How are you really doing?"

"I'm okay. I promise." When Logan doesn't respond, she adds, "I mean, I'm still… dealing with everything, but since we talked, it's been… better. I feel better."

"Are you sure?"

"You and Abi looked like you were having fun earlier," she says softly in lieu of a direct answer.

"Veronica…" Logan's tone is almost warning, but she continues anyway.

"Just watching you together," she says, "hearing her giggling like that, seeing the joy on your face as you spun her around… seriously, I thought my heart was gonna explode."

"Yeah?" Though she can't see him, she can hear the smile in his voice.

"I love you both so much," she says sincerely. "So much."

"I love you guys, too." He kisses her hair again, his arm tightening around her. "But, Veronica—"

"Don't," she says quickly, cutting him off. "I just wanna spent the rest of the evening snuggling with my honey, okay?

He hesitates for a second, before nodding, his chin brushing the top of her head. "Okay."

"Thank you." Veronica slips her arm around his waist, pressing herself even closer to him, enjoying the comfort of his embrace.

19th April 2021

Twelve months old (and eleven weeks along)

"Good morning, ma'am." Logan dips his head in acknowledgement as he enters his commander's office the next afternoon.

"Lieutenant Echolls. Take a seat." Commander Murphy waves a hand towards the chair in front of her desk. Logan obliges. "So, what can I do for you?"

"Well, ma'am, as you know," he starts, "my statutory service is up in October, but I'm still undecided about re-enlistment."

"All right." The Commander nods, leaning forward on the desk, linking her fingers together. "What's causing this indecision?"

Logan draws in a breath, then exhales it slowly.

"Look, I honestly don't want to leave the service, ma'am," he says, "but my wife is three months pregnant with our second and I need to be here for her and the baby. If I re-enlist, I'll be back on sea duty, and—"

"And you don't want to be away from them for long periods of time," Murphy interrupts.

"No, I don't," Logan says vehemently. "I love the Navy, ma'am, I really do, and like I said, I don't want to leave. But if it's a choice between my family and the service, well…"

"I understand." Commander Murphy nods, giving him a small smile. "These decisions are difficult, especially when our spouses and children are involved."

"Yes, they are," Logan agrees. "I was hoping for some advice, or at least some clarification, on what my options are."

"Okay," she says. "Well, I know you're aware of the pilot shortage in the Navy right now; we're trying to hold on to as many of you as we can."

"I know," he says. "And that has been a consideration for me."

"It would be a real shame to lose a good pilot like yourself," the Commander adds. "Have you read up on our incentive schemes? There are some not insignificant monetary bonuses offered for re-enlistments of either three or five years."

"I have." Logan gives a nod. "And they're great schemes, but, if I can be honest, the money isn't so much of a factor for me. And it doesn't solve the problem of long deployments away from home."

"No, it doesn't," she agrees.

"Say I do re-up," he says slowly, "what kind of schedule can I expect? Would I have to deploy right away? Could I have a few months at home first, with the baby?" The questions begin rolling now that he's started. "And what about reassignment? Is there any chance of being assigned to North Island again?"

"Okay, Logan, just slow down a minute." Commander Murphy holds up a hand, a sympathetic smile on her face. "I know these are important questions for you, but I'm going to be completely honest here: we can't guarantee anything. You're well aware of how this job works; you could be assigned anywhere, at any time. That's just the reality of this life."

"Right." Fuck. Logan's heart sinks. So much for that. Sure, he knew it all already, but it was worth a try. He moves to get up. "Well, thank you for your time, Commander."

"Sit down, Lieutenant." She halts him with a look, her lips twitching with barely-concealed amusement. "I'm not finished."

"Sorry." He slides back down into the chair.

"Logan, how much do you know about the PFI program?"

"Not much." Logan frowns, he vaguely remembers the Professional Flight Instructor Program being introduced a couple of years ago, but he didn't pay much attention at the time, what with everything going on with Veronica. "It's only open to O-4s and above though, right? I'm still an O-3."

"It was, when the program began," says Murphy. "But there are circumstances in which it may be offered to Lieutenants like yourself."

"Really?" Logan sits up straighter, intrigued.

"It would mean at least a thirty-six-month commitment," she tells him, "but you would be a permanent instructor. No more sea/shore rotations, no deployments. You could stay in the same place."

"Here?" Logan sits up at that, his mind reeling with the possibilities. "At North Island?"

"Maybe. It would depend on the vacancies," she says. "But I have to warn you, you would no longer be eligible for the command track. You could qualify for promotion as far as O-5 but no higher."

"Wow. Okay." Logan blinks, taking in all this new information, before frowning, remembering something. "Wait, don't I need at least three years of statutory duty remaining to qualify for it? I only have five months left."

"That is one of the conditions." Commander Murphy acknowledges. "But there are waivers available if you don't meet all the requirements. And you do have a lot going for you, Logan. You're a qualified SFTI and you already have two years of instructor experience under your belt."

"That's true." He nods slowly.

"Listen, I think this could be a good opportunity for you, but take a couple of days to think it over," she tells him. "Discuss it with your wife. The application deadline for the next selection board is May fourteenth, with the board convening on the twenty-first."

"Okay. Great. I will." Logan smiles, standing and holding out his hand to the Commander. "Thank you, ma'am."

As he leaves the room, closing the door behind him, a smile spreads across his face. Why hadn't he considered the PFI program before now? This could be exactly the solution he's been looking for.

The TV is on when Logan arrives home from the base that evening, and Veronica's sitting on the couch, feeding Abi, with Pony curled up beside her. She looks bored as she stares at the screen, her fingers absently playing with Pony's fur.

"Honey, I'm home," he announces with a grin, one he hasn't been able to get rid of all afternoon.

Veronica jumps a little, startled, which causes Abi to fuss at her breast, and turns her head in his direction. "Oh, hey. Sorry, I was in a world of my own."

"So I see," he says, crossing the room and tugging Pony off the sofa so he can flop down beside her. She adjusts Abigail in her lap, settling her back down again.

Logan leans in, still smiling. "What'ya doin'?"

Veronica's eyebrow rises, even as a smirk plays on her lips. "I'd have thought that was obvious."

He reaches out, running a finger along the side of Abi's leg, before pinching her toes gently. He leans in to rest his chin on her shoulder. "So… whatd'ya do today?"

His playful tone has her shifting away, turning to look at him with a puzzled expression. "Okay, you're acting weird. What's going on?"

He grins again. "I think I've found a solution."

"To what?" she asks, as Abi finishes nursing.

Lifting her up, she hands her to Logan so she can fasten herself up. He tries to get Abi to settle in his lap, but gives up when she shimmies out of his grasp and slides to the floor to play with her building blocks.

"To what I'm gonna do in October," he says, smiling at Abi for a moment before turning his attention to Veronica.

"Well, don't keep me in suspense." She waves her hand in a 'get on with it' gesture. "Spill."

"The PFI Program," he announces triumphantly.

She looks lost. "Which is…?"

"Professional Flight Instructor. The program was introduced a couple years back as an incentive to retain pilots when their mandatory duty was up," he explains. "It would be at least a three-year commitment. Usually it's only open to O-4s and O-5s with at least three years left of statutory duty, but apparently they can offer it to Lieutenants as well. And Murphy says she thinks I can apply for a waiver for the lack of remaining duty."

"Okay…" she says slowly. "But if it's a three-year commitment, how does that help us?"

"It helps because I would be a permanent instructor, Veronica," he says, carefully. "I'd be stationed in the US the whole time. No more deployments."

"Wait." He sees the exact moment when she realises what he means. "You'd be here with us… all the time?"

"Yes." Logan smiles widely.

"And we could stay here in Neptune?"

He hesitates. "Well, I don't know for sure, but with the new F/A-18 unit here, and the hand I've had in setting it up, I hope so."

"Wow…" She sinks back against the couch cushions as she takes that in, her tone filled with wonder as she murmurs, "I can't believe this."

"I would be able continue on the program in three-year stints until my service retirement," he continues, "And if I wanted to return to regular sea/shore duty again at some point, I could do that too."

Veronica nods, her gaze falling on Abi who has occupied herself with dropping all her blocks into a bucket and then tipping them out onto the floor again. Her lips purse in thought, before she looks over at him again.

"What's the catch?"

Logan frowns. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, there's gotta be something, right?" she says. "Something you'd have to give up or compromise on?"

"Well, going the PFI route would mean I wouldn't be eligible for the command track," he admits, "I could still reach Commander, I just wouldn't be able to advance higher than that."

"And is that a problem?" she asks, looking concerned.

"I don't know." He shrugs, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his knees, rubbing his hands together. "It'll be six to eight years before I can even reach Commander, and at least another three to five years before I could apply for promotion above that." He looks over at her. "I don't even know what I'll be doing with my life in eleven years, let alone whether I'll want another promotion."

"Okay." She accepts that with a small smile. "But, um, is this definitely something you want to do? Become a permanent instructor and not deploy anymore?"

Logan straightens, lifting his hand to cup her cheek as he smiles softly. "If it means I can be with you and Abi and the baby full-time, then yes."

She smiles, leaning into his touch, before her expression becomes serious again. "I don't want you to make this decision because of me, Logan."

"I'm not," he tells her sincerely, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "This is… it kinda seems like the perfect solution, right? Best of both worlds."

She nods, her smile widening as her eyes light up. "Yeah, it kinda does."

"I mean, I still have to apply and get through the selection process and everything," he adds quickly. "But Murphy reckons I have a good chance of getting it, with my experience."

"Then, you should go for it," Veronica tells him decisively, her eyes shining. "You'll get it. I know you will."

His chest gives a flip at the happiness in her expression and on impulse, he surges forward, capturing her mouth in a warm kiss.

"You're the best," he proclaims when he pulls back. He rests his forehead against hers. "Everything's gonna work out, Veronica."

Early May 2021

Twelve-and-a-Half Months Old (and Thirteen Weeks along)

It's a gorgeous spring afternoon, barely a cloud in the deep blue sky, and the sun beats down on Logan's shoulders as he flips burgers on the grill in Keith's backyard.

"Doing great, there, son." Keith claps him on the back, grinning as he comes to stand beside him.

"Thanks, Dad," Logan lobbies back with a smirk.

"No need to get smart, boy," returns Keith, giving a chuckle. "How those burgers comin' along?"

"Couple more minutes, I'd say."

"That's good, that's good." Keith nods, eyes scanning the grill for a moment, before he glances across the yard.

Logan follows his gaze to where Veronica's kneeling at one end of the blanket laid out on the grass, urging Abi to walk to Marcia, who's waiting at the other end.

"She's growing fast," comments his father-in-law. "And walking already."

"Yeah, she is." Logan smiles at the sight of Abi tripping over her feet and falling into Marcia's waiting arms. "She learned a new word yesterday, too: Pony."

"Really? That's great."

Logan tilts his head. "Well, it's more 'Ony than Pony right now, but it's early days."

"She'll get it in no time."

"Yeah, she will…"

Logan's smile turns lazy and affectionate as Abi makes her way back across the blanket again and Veronica scoops her up into her arms and plants a big kiss on her cheek. She turns her head, catches his eye and gives him a wide smile, and he winks back.

"Okay, folks, burgers are ready!" Keith calls out then, bringing Logan's attention back to the grill, where the meat is now in danger of turning to charcoal.

"Shit," he mutters, quickly removing them from the grill and piling them onto a plate.

Keith carries the food over to the table on the patio, while Logan cleans up at the grill and then heads to the table as the women join them. Veronica balances Abi on her knee while she arranges an assortment of finger food onto a plate for her, but their daughter has other ideas, pushing away the carrot Veronica offers and instead twisting around in her lap and trying to stand up.

"No, come on, sweetie," Veronica coaxes, turning her back around and holding out the carrot to her again. "You need eat your lunch."

"No." Abi shakes her head.

"But it's a yummy carrot," she tries again. "You like carrots."

Abi clamps her mouth shut, her face scrunching up like she's about to start screaming, and Veronica looks up at Logan in exasperation.

"Want me to try?" he asks, holding his hands out for her.

"Sure." She sighs in defeat. "Be my guest."

"Come here, baby girl," he says, lifting her up out of Veronica's lap and setting her down in his, before pulling the plastic plate of food over to him. "Will you be good for Daddy and eat your carrots?"

As if on cue, Abigail leans forward in his lap, grasping onto the edge of the table with one hand and reaching for a piece of carrot with the other. As she curls her tiny fingers around it and brings it to her mouth, Logan shoots Veronica a look of pleased surprise.

She shakes her head, giving a scoff. "Typical."

Logan grins, then glances up, noticing Keith watching them with amusement. He nods at his father-in-law, before taking a large bite of his burger.

Towards the end of the meal, when their plates of Marcia's homemade lemon meringue pie are almost empty, Keith clears his throat and clinks his beer bottle as if he's about to make a toast.

"Can I have your attention, please?" When they all turn to look at him, he glances at Marcia and takes her hand, resting them both on the table. "This afternoon hasn't just been about our family bonding over burgers. We have something to tell you."

Sensing what's coming, Logan glances over at Veronica to see her reaction… which so far is non-existent. She's just watching her father with an unreadable expression, waiting patiently for his news.

Keith inhales deeply, huffing out the breath and Marcia smiles at him encouragingly. "Marcia and I are engaged. We're getting married."

"Wow, congratulations!" Logan turns his attention back to Keith and Marcia, flashing them a wide smile. "That's awesome news. Isn't it, Veronica?"

"I, um…" Veronica looks a little shell-shocked for a moment, but she quickly shakes herself out of it and smiles. "Yes, of course, it is. Congratulations, Dad, Marcia. I'm happy for you."

Pushing her chair back, she stands, rounding the table so she can hug Keith, holding his upper body tightly for a long moment, before turning to hug Marcia next.

"So, when's the wedding?" she asks brightly, returning to her seat.

"Oh, uh, well…" Keith exchanges a look with Marcia, who takes his hand again.

"We haven't decided yet," she says. "Maybe sometime next year?"

"Well, let us know when you do decide, so we can save the date." Veronica smiles again, though Logan can't tell whether it's genuine happiness or if she's just reacting the way she thinks she should.

Veronica looks to Abi then, who has remnants of mushed-up mango slices smeared across her cheeks, and then to him, reaching for his hand and raising her eyebrow in silent question as she tips her chin in Keith's direction. It takes a second for Logan to realise what she's asking, but when he does, he returns the nod with a smile.

"Actually, Logan and I have some news, too," she says, linking their fingers. She waits until she has Keith and Marcia's attention before continuing. "We're having another baby."

"Oh, Veronica!" Keith exclaims, his smile widening into a grin. "That's wonderful! Congratulations, both of you."

"That's great news, Veronica… Logan. Congratulations," adds Marcia. "How far along are you?"

Veronica smiles at Logan. "Thirteen weeks. Due early November."

"I didn't know you were planning for another one," says Keith.

"We weren't," admits Veronica, with a sheepish shrug. "It just sort of… happened."

"Well, I'm happy for you both." He gestures across the table. "Come on, give your old man another hug."

When all the congratulations have been passed around and everyone's finished eating, Veronica helps her dad clear the table. She's rinsing the dishes when Keith comes to stand beside her.

"Tell me the truth, Veronica," he says softly. "Are you okay with this, with me getting married again?"

She stops rinsing, turning to look at him.

"Of course I am," she assures him. "Dad, it's your life, you know? You can do what you want."

"I know," he says, "but we haven't always seen eye-to-eye about these things in the past."

He has a point… she always struggled to accept the women in his life before, but she was a teenager back then. She's an adult now, with a family of her own. She's found her happiness, and who is she to deny her father the same thing? Besides, she likes Marcia; she's good people, and the two of them have been together almost three years now.

"That was a long time ago," she dismisses. "We're all adults here. If this is what you want, if you and Marcia are happy together, then you have my blessing."

"Thank you, sweetie." He leans forward, kissing the side of her head. "I appreciate that."

Silence falls in the kitchen for a few moments, as Keith wraps up the leftovers. Veronica finishes rinsing the plates, but as she turns around, wiping her hands on a dishtowel, her father speaks up again.

"So, another baby, huh? That's exciting."

Veronica flashes him a quick smile. "Yeah, it is."

She moves past him, intent on heading back outside to Logan and Abi, but her father's hand on her arm stops her in her tracks.

"Is everything okay, Veronica?"

"Yeah, it's fine."

"Veronica…" his tone is soft, but there's a hint of warning in it.

"I'm fine, really, Dad," she assures him. "I mean, yeah, this pregnancy wasn't planned, and honestly, we didn't think we'd be able to have any more. But it happened, so here we are."

Keith watches her with concern for a moment, before his expression clears and he nods, giving a small smile. "As long as you're happy, sweetheart."

He moves away then, busying himself with storing the leftovers in the fridge, and Veronica turns back toward the patio door. She smiles when she sees Logan playing peekaboo with Abi and a vision of him doing the same with two kids comes to mind. Her hand moves to her stomach as her chest tightens with emotion at the thought, and she feels a tiny fluttering in response.

Okay, so, yeah, having another baby right now isn't the most ideal situation, but now that the morning sickness has eased and she's feeling more like herself, she's starting to come around to the idea.

So, is she happy?

Yeah, she really is.