Veronica's Hangover
Chapter 6 - Happy
Flashback - Saturday Evening - Wedding Chapel - Bride's Room
Veronica peeled off her champagne-soaked outfit and dried herself off with a towel. A La Perla lingerie bridal set - all white with vintage-style lace - was waiting for her to slip into, including a bustier, bikini, garter belt and silk stockings. Jane offered assistance with the hooks on the back of the bustier. Veronica shivered looking at herself in the mirror. She'd never owned such beautiful undergarments before. She wondered what Logan would think of them?
Jane unzipped the garment bag hanging from a hook and Veronica gasped. The wedding gown was stunning. It was classic and understated, gathered and draped with a hint of Grecian styling. It was exactly what she would have picked out for herself. This had to be a sign of good fortune for their marriage. Veronica stepped into the strapless dress and Jane helped with the tiny buttons that ran up her back.
Veronica hadn't worn white since the night of Shelly Pomroy's party. Looking in the mirror, she expected feelings of panic to arise in remembrance of her rape, but they never came. Instead, a sense of serenity washed over her. For someone who'd said that they would never marry, Veronica felt no fear, just a sense of 'rightness'.
Jane poured Veronica a glass of champagne, and Veronica giggled. She'd lost count of how much bubbly she'd drank already. Jane then led Veronica to a chair, and asked Veronica how she would like her hair for the ceremony.
"Wow." Veronica laughed. "Does everybody get this type of service?"
"Not at all." Jane admitted. "Only the very rich and very connected. Is it true that you're about to marry Logan Echolls? I feel like I watched him grow up in the magazines. He was the Suri Cruise of my generation."
"The one and only." Veronica admitted. "I watched him grow up in the swimming pools and the beaches. I've known him since he was 12."
"That is so romantic." Jane giggled and Veronica excitedly nodded in agreement.
Jane draped a cape over Veronica's dress and presented her with an album showing bridal hairdos. Although tempted by the elaborate up-do's, Veronica decided to wear her hair loose and wavy. Logan had always liked it that way.
She sipped champagne while Jane got to work on her hair and makeup.
In the Groom's room, Logan found that his garment bag contained his own Prada shawl-collar tuxedo. How on earth had Sophia gotten it here from LA? She really was a miracle worker.
He'd purchased the tuxedo last year and had only worn it once: when he'd accompanied Trina on the red carpet for the Golden Globes when she'd been nominated for her portrayal of a battered wife. Trina had been robbed of the Best Supporting Actress award, but Logan had ended up on all of the 'best-dressed' lists.
He usually hated any type of press coverage, but with the fashion writers raving over how hot he'd looked, all he could think of was to wonder whether Veronica had seen the coverage and whether she'd agreed with their assessment. Probably not. She'd never had much of an interest in fashion.
It was hilarious to Logan sometimes how he could end up in the magazines and gossip columns based only on who had given him his genetic material. He had never attempted acting or directing. He'd never picked up a microphone or a guitar. Nevertheless, step one foot on a red carpet with his sister, and he was plastered all over the magazines.
After spending a few (or frankly, more than a few) minutes fixing his hair in the mirror, he began pacing, waiting for Veronica. He couldn't wait to tease her for finally spending more time getting ready than he had.
Out in the lobby, Logan saw Sophia talking with the wedding coordinator.
"I'll finish up in here." She told Logan. "Head through that door. The ceremony will take place in the gazebo."
Present Day - Veronica's bedroom
"Wake up." Logan said.
Veronica ignored him.
"Wake up." He said leaning over her and sprinkling kisses on her face.
"Go 'way." Veronica muttered. She pulled a pillow over her face.
Logan nuzzled his way under the pillow sprinkling more kisses on her face.
"Wake up."
"Sleep now. Sex later." Veronica grumbled. She pulled the pillow back over her face.
"Wake up." Logan said. He nuzzled back under the pillow. More kisses followed.
"Ugh, Logan. I want a divorce." Veronica said grouchily.
"Never." Logan laughed. "Wake up."
Veronica sighed and pulled the pillow off her face. Logan sat back on his heels grinning. He was actually bouncing. Bouncing?
"I liked you better when you hated mornings." Veronica said.
"You woke me up from a perfectly good dream to take a leisurely drive through the '09?" Veronica asked.
"Yep! I know I said we'd go house hunting this weekend, but there's one house I want to look at right now."
"You always did have the patience of a saint." Veronica smirked.
"It just went on the market yesterday. I want to see it before anybody else does." He reached over and squeezed her hand.
"When you suggested that I take the rest of the week off to stay in bed with my husband, I thought we might get to…you know…stay in bed." Veronica grumbled.
Logan smirked at her.
A minute later, Logan pulled into a wide driveway with a large open gate. As he drove around the bend, the house came into sight.
Veronica's mouth opened.
"Oh My God?" She looked at Logan questioningly.
"Same architect." He grinned.
Putting his SUV in park, they exited the vehicle. Logan waited for Veronica and put his arm around her as they approached the front door.
"Mr. Echolls." They were greeted by the realtor. Logan shook her hand.
"My wife, Veronica." Logan said.
"Debbie King." The realtor introduced herself and shook Veronica's hand.
"So Debbie, I've been here dozens of times, but Veronica hasn't. Do you mind if I take a few minutes to show it to her myself before you give us your spiel?"
"No problem at all. I'll be in the kitchen when you need me." Debbie answered smiling.
Logan took Veronica's hand and led her into the house. Veronica's mouth dropped open in awe.
"You've been here before?" Veronica asked.
"Yeah, this is the Enbom estate." Logan answered.
"You know, when I was younger, I was so proud of my house. Duncan's family was richer. Dick had a bigger house. But I had the coolest house. Obviously, I hated the shrine to my father, and all the faux fur everywhere, but I loved that damn house. So did Mr. Enbom. He came for a party, and fell in love. He asked my dad who his architect was, and then proceeded to build an even better house. I always kinda hated John Enbom for that." He flashed a grin at Veronica.
Veronica looked around in awe, trying to mentally replace the furniture with that from the old Echolls estate. It was close.
"I've always wanted this place. It has all of the best parts of my house, without the worst parts." Logan said.
As Logan led Veronica from room to room, she couldn't help but agree with him. The house was spectacular.
Logan led her into the Master Bedroom.
"I've never been in here before." He said, looking around. "But it's similar to my mom's room."
"Logan, we could fit my dad's entire apartment in this bedroom." The room was immense, with a fireplace and built-in bookcases.
The attached bathroom was all marble, with a giant bathtub and separate shower. A large vanity with a cushioned bench sat between the two sinks.
"Oh, the baths I would take in you." Veronica told the bathtub flirtatiously.
"Look! My walk in closet!" Logan called from a doorway. Veronica followed him into a giant closet with built-in's.
"And...This closet is the size of my bedroom." She said.
She appraised the closet. The built-ins were all of the same rich cherry as the rest of the house.
"A chaise lounge in the middle of a closet? For those days when looking at all of your clothes makes you exhausted?"
She dropped onto the chaise dramatically, placing the back of her hand against her forehead. "Oh however shall I make up my mind about what to wear?" She asked in a Scarlett drawl.
Logan leaned over from above and kissed her. "I can think of other things to do on that chair." He said, waggling his eyebrows.
"Sex in the closet? You're such a romantic." Veronica smirked.
"You can have that wall" he pointed. "And I'll take those two walls." Logan teased, dividing up their closet space - rather unequally.
Veronica gave up counting the shelves and cubbies.
"If I ever own more than 200 pairs of shoes, I might run out of space." She told Logan. "That could be a problem."
"Or we could just enlarge the closet. Wouldn't want you to go through shoe withdrawal. I hear it isn't pretty."
"Logan?"
"Yes Buttercup?"
"You're looking at this closet the same way you look at me."
"Then I must be in love." He grinned. "Come on." He held out her hand.
Outside of the bedroom through two French doors, was a private terrace with a Jacuzzi.
"Mmmm. Want." Veronica said dreamily, before heading back inside.
The common rooms were much like the old Echolls estate. The woodwork and cabinetry was darker throughout, but the layout was mostly the same, and the entire back wall of the house was made of glass.
Outside, the pool area was very similar to the Echolls house as well, flanked by areas for entertaining, a bar, grills, conversation areas, and the obligatory poolhouse.
Logan opened the door to the poolhouse. It had the same layout as the one he'd grown up with.
"You know what I'm thinking?"
"Poker games?" Veronica hazarded a guess, and Logan grinned.
"Good idea." she said rubbing her hands together greedily.
Logan shot her a worried look. "Which nights do you work late again, Pookie?" He asked.
Veronica smirked.
"So?" He asked, as they walked back to the main house.
"So?" Veronica parroted back to him.
"What do you think?"
"Is there a specific arena…?"
"Don't torture me. Do you like the house?"
"Eh...I've seen worse." Veronica said.
Logan's face fell.
"But I haven't seen better." Veronica finished and Logan's grin returned.
"You want to buy this house dontcha?" Veronica asked teasingly.
Logan nodded enthusiastically.
"You don't want to look at any other houses?"
"Not really." Logan said, shaking his head enthusiastically.
"You can afford this?" She asked.
"Yes. We can afford this." Logan answered.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" Veronica smiled shoving at his arm. "Go make a bid!"
Logan's face lit up like a Christmas tree. He grabbed her and kissed her, spinning and twirling until she was half-dizzy.
"You sure?" he asked once they'd stopped. Veronica nodded and Logan wasted no time rushing off to the house to find Debbie the realtor.
Veronica watched him go with her mouth open.
She hadn't seen Logan this giddy and happy since their first romance back during Junior year.
She could get used to this.
Logan found Veronica sitting by the pool: barefoot, jeans rolled up, feet in the water, leaning back on her hands.
He dropped down beside her and joined her.
"You put in your bid?" She asked.
Logan nodded, smiling. "So now we just wait for a phone call. Debbie was disappointed that she didn't get to use her sales pitch."
"I'm glad to see you so happy again. It's been a long time," Veronica said.
Logan examined her eyes, waiting for the punch line. When none was forthcoming, he leaned over and kissed her deeply. Afterwards, he put his arm around her and pulled her close to his side.
"Could you be happy living here?" Logan asked.
Veronica almost said something mushy, but figured she'd already used up her quota of mush for the month, so she answered with a simple "Yes."
Logan kissed her forehead.
They sat quietly for a while, just living in the moment.
"So the big day is tomorrow, huh?" Veronica said.
"Are you nervous?" Logan asked.
"Terrified." Veronica admitted.
Logan squeezed her reassuringly.
"So am I supposed to wear a wedding dress or something?" Veronica asked.
"That would spoil our surprise, Shnookems." Logan said.
"Hey. Did we get any pictures of our wedding?" Veronica asked, suddenly curious.
"Pictures and video." Logan said. "Sophia has them. She left town for an errand, but will be back by the party. I'll have her bring them."
"I wore my skirt and blouse for the ceremony?" Veronica asked.
"No, you wore a wedding gown. God, you were so beautiful!" Logan's face looked dreamy, and Veronica blushed.
"I could have showed you your dress if you hadn't rushed out of the hotel room like it was on fire. It was in the closet."
"I can't wait to see the pictures. Or maybe not, if I was drunk enough to black out." Veronica added. "So what should I wear to the party?"
"A cocktail dress? I was going to wear a suit."
"A cocktail dress? I don't really have anything that great." she mused.
"We can go shopping." Logan suggested.
"Here? In Neptune? What about our little secret?" Veronica asked.
"That was not a pleasant déjà vu." Logan said, shuddering. "Last time you said that, I ended up stood-up, on a yacht, chugging champagne all by myself."
"Oops. Sorry for the reminder." Veronica said looking contrite.
"It's OK. Even that can't ruin my mood." Logan said leaning over and kissing Veronica again.
They arrived back at Veronica's place with a handful of shopping bags.
Veronica carefully hung her new dress in her closet, noticing that Logan had already squished some of his things in there.
"Quiet evening in?" Veronica asked.
"I wouldn't say quiet,'" Logan teased. "You can get pretty…"
Veronica's hand covered his mouth, cutting him off.
"Are you trying to imply that I'm not a perfect lady?" She asked him primly.
"I'm trying to imply that you're a beast." Logan grinned down at her. "Why do you think I keep running back to you over and over again?"
Veronica snarled at him.
"Let me take a shower, and then we can watch a movie." She said.
Logan flopped down on Veronica's couch, and flipped on her TV scanning through the channels.
Right when he was starting to get interested in a program on Machu Picchu, he heard the shower turn off. He paused the program in case Veronica wanted to watch. Maybe he could talk her into travelling there someday.
In his mind, he sees them together making that long, arduous, climb to the top of the mystical place. He looks out over the majestic views and then turns to his ladylove. She lovingly lifts her hands to his chest, and then shoves him off the cliff for making her climb such a ridiculously steep terrain. Maybe he should go with Paris instead.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the front door.