Veronica's Hangover
Present Time – Neptune Grand Ballroom
The screen turned on, displaying a giant photograph. Logan wearing a tuxedo and Veronica in a beautiful wedding gown, a tasteful tiara on her head, were holding each other's hands. Veronica was giggling, and Logan had his head thrown back in laughter. Behind them stood a rhinestone jump-suited Elvis with an amused look on his face.
And that...was when all hell broke loose.
It began with Keith: "Veronica, what have you done? Not Logan Echolls!"
Sophia broke in to defend Logan, and suddenly the entire table was yelling at once. Veronica couldn't even make out who was saying what, only catching snippets of their words.
"Anybody but Logan Echolls...Bum Fights...turned him in for murder...bashed your headlights...Rich dude kryptonite...So Romantic...Attacked Piz...the way he treated Lilly...destroyed the Aaron Echolls tapes...Fifth time's the charm...Rescued her from Cassidy...Broke her heart...Broke his heart...Mrs. Casablancas...Burned down the swimming pool...Madison Sinclair...ran back to Duncan...Bound to happen...Belong together...whipped...saved her when the rapist drugged her...used Hannah Griffith...Gory Sorokin..."
Veronica began laughing. This was ridiculous. She looked at Logan desperately, and he returned her look. He didn't know what to do either.
"Stop it." Veronica yelled. Everybody ignored her.
"Stop it." She yelled even louder. Everybody ignored her.
She tried to leave, but the table was too close to the wall.
"Let me through." She said to her father, but he ignored her, too busy arguing with Sophia.
"Let me through." She said to Sophia, but she ignored her, too busy arguing with Keith.
She rinsed. She repeated. Same results.
Veronica looked at Logan again helplessly. There were only two ways out of here, and she did not feel like climbing up on top of the table, and dodging crystal and candle flames. She dropped to her knees, lifting the tablecloth, and crawled underneath. She saw the tablecloth lift from sthe other side, and there was Logan's face.
"Peek-A-Boo?" He asked, eyebrows lifted. Veronica, remembering her lustful thoughts from a minute earlier, pulled him into a kiss.
"Veronica?" He said after they parted. "As much as I'd love to continue making out under our wedding table, we have a situation here." His eyes angled at the table above them. He helped to lift her from under the table, and off of the dais.
Veronica wrapped her arms around Logan's neck, kissing him again, soundly, as he slowly lowered her to the floor - much to the pleasure of the 200 or so guests at the round tables who whistled at them. She looked back up at the dais, but nobody seemed to have even noticed she was gone except for Mac, who was giving her a thumbs up, and Heather who was beaming at them.
Annoyed, Veronica grabbed Logan's hand and dragged him across the room.
"Hey Butters." she said storming the DJ booth. At his dirty look, she amended: "Vincent, I mean. Give me your microphone."
"Sorry, Veronica. Nobody touches my equipment." He said.
"Do you not see World War 3 breaking out at the bridal table?" Veronica asked.
"Sorry. No. Can. Do." Butters said.
"Give me your microphone." Veronica insisted.
"Get me another date with Mac." Butters countered.
"Deal." Veronica said guiltily, taking the microphone from his hand and hitting the power button. Looking back at the dais, she saw that they were all STILL arguing.
"Silence!" she yelled too closely to the microphone, causing a high squeal of feedback. Suddenly, every eye in the room was on her, as people rubbed their aching ears.
"So it looks like I have your attention." Veronica laughed nervously. "First of all, to our assembled guests." She swept her hand towards the round tables. "Logan and I would like to thank all of you for your presence tonight. We appreciate everyone making it on such short notice and with so little information. Now please forgive me while I chew out our closest friends and family." She pointed toward the bridal table. "All of you, the arguing and bickering needs to stop immediately."
"I understand that some of you think that Logan is no good for me. Others of you think that I'm no good for Logan. That may have been true in the past. Logan and I have caused each other a lot of pain. And I do mean each other. I have caused him just as much, if not more, pain as he's caused me. But the thing is? We just can't stop loving each other. Time doesn't make it go away, and distance doesn't make it go away."
"And yes, Logan is going to make me crazy. He'll probably make me crazy at least once a day, but he'll also make me happier than I could ever possibly be without him. We love each other and we belong together. I need all of you to respect my marriage and I expect every single one of you to treat my husband with respect if you want to remain in my life."
She turned as if to return the microphone, but then pulled it back. "Oh, and Mac? I apologize profusely, but you're going on another date. I owe you big time. Now did somebody say we were having prime rib?"
She handed the microphone to Logan to pass to Butters.
As she looked out at the room, all of the guests where staring at her silently, except for Jake Kane who smiled and started a slow clap.
"My girl is fierce!" Logan said into the microphone smirking. "Go get 'em Bobcat!"
He passed the mike to Butters and took Veronica's outstretched hand. He stopped her when she tried to lead him away.
"Your rings?" He asked, and she nodded. Logan pulled them from his pocket and slipped them back onto her finger.
Veronica kissed him tenderly, a smile on her face.
"I meant everything I just said." She told him.
"I know." He answered. "And for the record, making you... crazy... is my favorite activity."
"You make everything sexual." She laughed.
"And yet, you adore me." He answered, kissing her forehead before they returned to their table.
Veronica led Logan by the hand back up onto the dais to take their seats, challenging each person with her eyes as she passed them by. Duncan looked pleasant enough. Mac looked like she wanted to ring Veronica's neck, so Veronica broke eye contact with her quickly. Weevil pursed his lips and gave her the side-eye. Wallace and her father managed to look contrite enough.
As Veronica and Logan took their seats, Sophia reached across Logan to take Veronica's hand, squeezing it. She didn't say a word, but she didn't have to. Veronica squeezed back. They had an understanding now.
Veronica chanced to look down Logan's side of the table. Trina was smiling at her. Charlie stone looked confused. Dick looked like somebody had run over his dog, and Heather looked like she was about to burst from excitement.
Sophia clinked her glass again.
"Attention everybody." She said when the conversation died down. "They will begin serving the sit-down dinner any minute now. Please notify your server if you require the vegetarian meal. In the meantime, I have a special treat for you tonight. Let's call it dinner entertainment."
Veronica looked at Logan, but he shook his head. He didn't know what Sophia had planned.
Sophia continued. "Logan and Veronica regret that their friends and families couldn't come to their wedding. Therefore, we've brought the wedding to you."
"Sophia." Logan said with a tight smile. "You're not planning to show our wedding video are you?"
"But of course, Logan. If I had to sit through it, I think all of these people should too."
"Um..no. We were drunk." He said, still smiling tightly.
"That's what makes it so funny." Sophia smiled.
"No. You are not playing that video."
Sophia called out to the guests. "Never mind. Logan doesn't want me to play his wedding video. I apologize for the confusion."
The ballroom was filled with a chorus of "Boo's." Even most of the guests at the head table got into the act.
Logan looked at Veronica. "What should we do? Besides firing Sophia?"
Veronica shrugged. "Play the video. I'd like to see it."
"Wouldn't you rather see it in the privacy of our own home, darling?" Logan asked.
"I just chewed out my friends in front of 200 guests, if I can deal with that embarrassment, I can deal with a wedding video."
"OK, but you asked for it." Logan said warily and sourly motioned for Sophia to proceed.
Sophia opened the video on her laptop, moved it to the extended desktop, where it replaced the photo of Logan and Veronica on the giant screen, and pressed play.
Wedding Video - Saturday Night - Wedding Chapel
The video opened with a view of Veronica standing in an open doorway onto a garden lit with thousands of white lights. She was wearing her wedding dress and holding a bouquet of lilies. The perspective changed to show Logan who was clearly overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of Veronica. Sophia stood by his side. Elvis, wearing a rhinestone bell-bottom jumper was standing in the center of the gazebo. Piano music began playing, and Elvis began singing "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You"
Veronica, expecting the traditional wedding song, snorted a laugh. She began walking down the aisle slowly, trying her hardest to control her laughter. A third of the way down the aisle, Veronica tripped. She caught herself before she fell, and did a little dance step to cover. She did a few more dance steps. Logan looked on laughing. Veronica managed to make it the rest of the way down the aisle with only a few wobbles.
Veronica smiled as Logan reached out his hands to take hers, guiding her to stand in front of him, as Elvis finished his abbreviated version of the song.
"One second." Logan said. He took Veronica's bouquet of lilies from her.
"Did you bring what I asked for?" He addressed Sophia. She rolled her eyes and handed him a tissue-wrapped glazed donut.
He looked at Veronica. "Now we can have Lilly and Duncan here with us, like it should be." he said setting the items down on the first-row pew.
Veronica laughed. "Lilly would love this. If she didn't kill me first for marrying her boyfriend..."
"I know she would." Logan agreed. "Of course she would have campaigned for some Vegas showgirls as bridesmaids."
Veronica laughed in agreement. "She would have borrowed the showgirl's costume. I can just see Lilly in feathers."
Logan laughed. "We're ready." he told Elvis.
"Logan and Veronica - Today you enter as individuals, but you will leave here as husband and wife, blending your lives, expanding your family ties, and embarking upon the grandest adventure of human interaction. The story of your life together is still yours to write. Those present have come to witness and celebrate your love and commitment this day - eager to be a part of the story not yet told."
Elvis began reciting a speech about love. It wasn't audible on the video because of the laughter. It started when Veronica tittered. Then she chuckled. Then she broke into a full-fledged laugh. Logan smiled down at her amused. Veronica held her hand up, and took several deep breaths to get ahold of herself. Finally, composed, she gave Elvis the signal to continue. The moment the first word came out of his mouth, Veronica burst into laughter again. Logan joined her this time, cracking up. This went on for several minutes. Every time they got their laughter under control, their eyes would meet and they'd start laughing again. Finally, wiping away tears, they managed to get a grip on their laughter.
Elvis eyed them warily, wanting to make sure they were truly done with their hysterics. Finally, he moved on.
Do you Logan, take Veronica to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?"
"I do." Logan said, smiling at Veronica.
Do you Veronica, take Logan to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?"
Veronica pretended she was considering it for a moment, and then said, "I do."
"I'm glad they took out the obey part." Veronica giggled.
"You know that I'll always obey you, sweetheart." Logan smirked.
"Logan, have you prepared any vows of your own?" Elvis asked him.
"No, this was a complete surprise." He said, and Elvis nodded ready to start back up.
"Wait." Logan said.
Veronica smiled up at him...
"Can I just make something up as I go?" Logan asked.
Elvis gave Logan the 'be my guest' hand gesture.
"Veronica, I never thought I would be able to get you to the alter. I would like to thank you for drinking tequila tonight, and to thank you for talking me into getting married. It's what I've always wanted – you and me married. I look forward to a lifetime of arguing with you. I look forward to seducing you five minutes before you need to head out the door, and watching you squirm every time we have dinner with your father, and being bossed around by you, and interrogated by you, and tracked by GPS. I look forward to you getting jealous every time another girl even looks at me. But most of all, I look forward to you being there every morning when I wake up and every night when I go to sleep. I really love you, Veronica."
Logan smiled to indicate he was done.
"Veronica, would you like to say anything to Logan?"
Veronica laughed. "Gosh Logan! How could I possibly beat that? Let's see...things I look forward to...I look forward to being too much man for you, and watching every girl in the vicinity hit on you, and the paparazzi - they're always fun. I look forward to the emotional roller-coaster that we are, and Daily Inspirational Messages, and those ridiculous pet names that you make up on the spot." Veronica's smirk softened to a gentle smile. "I look forward to you constantly touching my face and kissing my forehead. I look forward to having somebody who just "gets me" and likes me anyway. I look forward to you always having my back and being there when I need you the most. And I really look forward to the things you do with your hands." Veronica covered her mouth, remembering where they were. "I really love you too Logan."
Elvis made a gesture that it was time to move along. A mischievous smile coming upon her face, Veronica continued.
"Logan, I take you to be my Hunk a Hunk of Burning Love. I'm finally ready to move out of the Heartbreak Hotel."
"Because I've stopped being such a Hound Dog?" Logan asked.
"And I've tried to get a handle on my Suspicious Mind." Veronica asserted.
"So you Won't Be Cruel anymore?" Logan asked.
"Nope. I'll even be your Teddy Bear." Veronica answered.
Elvis rolled his eyes at Sophia.
"Thank God, because I've been Lonesome Every Night." Logan said.
"Well, you didn't have to be, but all my letters were Return to Sender."
"I never could Help Falling in Love With You." Logan said.
"But can you Love Me Tender?" Veronica asked.
"For my darling I love you, and I always will." Logan said quietly.
Veronica stared into his eyes and then wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him.
"After the ceremony." Elvis said putting restraining hands between them. "You realize you just stole my whole shtick! I have to skip the entire next section now."
"Sorry." Veronica said, trying not to laugh again.
Following Elvis' instruction, Logan said: "I give you this ring, as I give to you all that I am, and accept from you, all that you are."
He slipped the platinum band on Veronica's finger.
Veronica repeated the process, slipping the ring on Logan's finger.
By the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
As Elvis began singing "Love Me Tender", Logan kissed Veronica reverently, touching her face as he did so.
"Are you happy?" he asked when they parted.
"Yes!" Veronica answered. "And kind of starving too."
Logan laughed.
"Would it be mean if I ate Duncan?" she asked, reaching for the glazed donut.
"His purpose has been served." Logan answered, leaning over to take a bite. "Give me half of that."
Logan thanked Elvis and then pulled Sophia into a hug. "Thank you so much for putting this together at such short notice. Love you Soph."
Sophia grumbled as the video faded out.
Present time - Neptune Grand Ballroom
Veronica sat very still with bright red cheeks. Now she understood Logan's warning. She could not believe that her father had just heard her talk about the things Logan could do with his hands. She looked at Logan and he raised his eyebrow.
"If you say I told you so…" Veronica said.
"Would I ever say that?" Logan asked, smirking.
A/N Part 3 of this chapter will give L & V a chance to mingle with their guests. Then probably one more small chapter and an Epilogue.