Okay so I'm preparing this chapter ahead of time so I can make sure that even if I don't have internet in the house we're renting next week, I can get this out to you with a click of a button on Monday. This was a hard chatper for me to write (the second time around) because it was a filler chapter both times I've had to write it. I was going to make it short and then when I was going to end it 600 words shorter than usual I got a surge of inspiration. So you have a full chapter. Take note that this is the calm before the storm. There's going to be about 5 or 6 more chapters. I might even shoot for a total of 30 chapters overall. Don't want to drag things out too long so if I feel like the story is ending it will. All loose ends will be tied up and all questions that you have left in your reviews will be addressed. Some of you have guessed things that are going to happen so I hope things aren't too predictable. I'm also thrilled everyone is enjoying it. It's so fullfilling to a writer to get constant encouraging feedback.
I also want to thank alligirl785 for not only reviewing but nitpicking my story: You're right about V and the Spanish. Although I have all three seasons on DVD, I haven't watched them in a very long time. So nice catch on V actually being able to understand some Spanish. Alligirl785: 1 Me: 0
I will respond to all reviews for chapters 20 and 21 at the bottom! ENJOY!
I rolled over in bed, the morning sun stirring me from my dreamless slumber. The empty space next to me brought me further out of my sleep until there was no turning back. Logan was no where to be found.
I didn't like the feeling of waking up alone, in a foreign country our first night there. And then something hit the floor in the bathroom. I wished my purse was closer so I could pull my taser out as some sort of safety net but then I heard the familiar voice whisper a curse and my heart rate settled down.
"Logan?" I slid off the edge of the bed, making sure that it was in fact him.
He poked his head through the door, shooting an apologetic look my way, "Did I wake you?"
I shrugged as I brushed past him to use the toilet, "Well, the sun was unbearable…"
"But…" He interpreted my pause.
"But I woke up because I didn't feel you in bed with me."
He cocked an eyebrow in disbelief.
"We've been together 24/7 for the last few months. I'm just used to you being there when I wake up. Sue me."
He laughed and wrapped his arms around me as I turned on the facet to brush my teeth and wash my face.
"Where were you trying to sneak off to anyway?"
Logan stood beside me, finishing up on his morning routine, "I was going to head off to meet Duncan. And I wasn't sneaking off."
"Hello, super sleuth here, remember?" I pointed to myself, "And you were planning on leaving me? Alone?"
He shrugged, sensing I was not happy, "I just figured since you've had a long couple of days you needed the rest. I mean, come on Veronica, you were so worked up last night you threw up. You need to slow down a bit."
"I thought we had a deal last night?" I crossed my arms over my chest.
"We did – do," Logan ran his hands along my arms, "I just figured let me do the dirty work of seeing all these properties and bring you back to the ones I knew you'd like."
I shook my head, "You know I want to be there every step of the way. And besides, I really don't want to be alone right now."
"Okay," Logan gave up, "You win. Get dressed."
The anticipation was killing us. Upon arriving at the restaurant, Duncan rushed us out in a hurry to get a jump on the day. I only had time to grab a handful of cookies on display in the lobby on the way out the door. We were then led to Duncan's non-descript vehicle that seemed out of place for the successful realtor he was, let alone the heir of the Kane fortune.
The ride was silent as Duncan placed a finger to his lips to thwart any conversation before it happened. I didn't mind though, because the Australian scenery was meant to be appreciated in silence. The waves, beaches, greenery, shops, houses, even the people were so new and different to me but none of it was something I couldn't live with.
Soon civilization dwindled away to nothing as we pulled down a dirt road. A dilapidated building came into view. Logan and I searched Duncan's face in the rear view mirror for some sort of clue to what he was doing. But instead of an answer, he climbed out of the car and began with long strides towards the building. We had no choice but to follow.
He halted suddenly causing Logan and I to trip over ourselves. He didn't turn around immediately so we waited because neither of us knew what questions we should be asking.
"So," He whipped around, causing me to jump out of my skin, "Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?"
Logan smirked, "How eloquently put, DK."
"No beating around the bush."
"Who's bush are we beating around?" Logan waggled his eyebrows in his signature way, earning him a swift back hand to the chest, "Easy, Sugarpuss."
Duncan waited in silence, not backing down from his wants. I guess I would have to be the one to give it to him, "You know Neptune," I started, sighing in a nostalgic way.
"And you know Veronica's magnetic pull to bad things…" Logan mimicked me.
"I'm sure you're also familiar with Logan's fists of fury?"
We glared at each other and passion ignited in my special place. Damn my raging hormones and damn Duncan for accompanying us to this very remote location.
"And I'm sure you're familiar with the bush we're not beating around…" Duncan added to our tirades. I looked around, a nervous habit I had picked up living in Neptune, "It's safe here. Why do you think I went through all this trouble? I mean fake names? Contacting me? Putting us all in danger? I deserve to get all the facts."
"Okay, okay," I conceded, "It all started with the number one email attachment starring yours truly…"
Recounting our story caused a pit to form in the bottom of my stomach. The wounds were still too fresh to be able to talk about the past few months involving our run ins with the Sorokins. A lump was forming in my throat as I spoke but familiar arms snaked around me, and I knew that there, I was safe.
Duncan stood in front of us digesting both the story that brought us to stand in front of him and the sight we were, wrapped in each other's arms. If I weren't sure I would fall apart if Logan let me go, I would've pulled away to save Duncan from seeing me, his ex and first love, with his best, or former best, friend. Had I been the same Veronica I was when Duncan knew me, I would've been stronger for both of them.
"So, this baby…is this guy Pig's kid?" Duncan swallowed hard.
Logan laughed, probably slightly angry that he didn't come up with such a nickname for my ex, "Unfortunately, I'm the one who reproduced with Miss Mars."
Duncan seemed to breathe easier. At least he was stomaching the fact that Logan and I were solid. I just hoped that Logan could see that no matter what realtor stood in front of me or whichever ex-boyfriend of mine ever came back into my life, I was standing strong by his side, having his baby and loving him for what I hoped was the rest of our lives.
"After I left," Duncan hesitated, formulating the sentence in my head, "You guys got back together? Were there for each other?"
Logan nodded. I saw the hurt flash in Duncan's eyes so I added, "It was after graduation. It was just so much had happened to us, to me, and still Logan was always there. He's my –"
"No," Duncan held up an authoritative hand, "I understand. I'm happy that you've had each other. You don't know how lonely life can get."
"What about Lilly?" I began to panic, hoping all of my hard work hadn't been wasted. But then again, Duncan was still hiding out, "Is she okay? Where is she?"
"Whoa," Duncan laughed at my mood swing. He would still have a less than four months to feel the full extent of my wrath, "There's only so much spit up and smelly diapers you can take before you crack. It just would've been nice to have another adult to confide in though."
"Well," Logan spoke up, "Had we known we'd be in this mess now, we could've joined you sooner and alleviated the drama."
Duncan shook his head, "I don't really think it's the location that matters…"
That comment earned him one of my back hands to the arm. He laughed and rubbed the spot. I knew it hurt him but he'd never admit it. I was going to miss my excuse to hit people and have my outbursts. Maybe I'd just have to get pregnant all over…
I pushed that thought out of my head. Not even twenty yet and I was planning on another baby. I had really lost my marbles. I needed a distraction from my inner monologue, "So boys, let's talk business."
"Well, dude," Logan ran a hand through his mane, "I'm not really feeling this place. I mean, I'm all for a fixer upper but I was, we were, looking for something a little more marketable, and profitable."
Duncan laughed, "Do you think I don't know you guys at all? I just picked this property because I knew it was secluded. But trust me, I have the perfect property for you guys."
Duncan wasn't lying either. The next piece of land he showed us was definitely closer to civilization, which was already a plus. The beachfront property towered over the natural vegetation that surrounded it.
"It's owned by the bank right now," Duncan led us through the front doors, "The previous owners ran out of money to fund the rest of the construction."
The fact that it was unfinished stood out to us. I saw it as more money and work but Logan only saw possibility. The clean slate the property provided was ironically symbolic. Naturally, the papers were drawn up immediately and all we had left to do was hear back from the bank. Duncan warned us it would take a lot longer than usual when dealing with bank owned property.
"Time is not an issue," Logan slung his arm around my shoulders, "We have all the time in the world."
I shrugged his arm off, "Actually we have two and a half months. After the baby comes, we're not going to have time for signing papers and construction."
He kissed the top of my head. I watched Duncan cringed, "Don't you worry your pretty little head about that. No stressing out here."
"Easy for you to say. You're not counting down the days until a person comes out of your vagina," I scrunched my face up at the thought, "And plus, we need a place to live, baby things, a doctor. Two and a half months is not a long time."
"Breathe, Sugarpuss," He whispered soothingly into my ear, "You don't need a melt down now, with only two and a half months left."
My stomach grumbled audibly.
"The baby vessel has spoken," Logan's voice boomed, "Care to join us for dinner, DK?"
Duncan shook his head, "I got to get home."
"Oh my God!" I shrieked realizing why Duncan needed to be at home, "Lilly! Can I see her? It's been so long. How big is she? Is she walking? Talking?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Duncan laughed, putting his hands up to defend himself from my bombardment of questions, "Want to wine and dine at mi casa?"
"No more Spanish," I winced, "And I'll be doing a lot more dining and a lot less wining."
There might be some whining," Logan snickered at his joke. Instead of a laugh in return he earned himself a swift back hand. That stunted Duncan's laughing.
My stomach grumbled louder right on cue. That's what Duncan gets because I missed breakfast not counting my few cookies. I figured dinner would repay him for my grumbling stomach. Without words, I pulled both of them towards the car at a pace that was barely human. When food was beckoning, there was no stopping me. Logan had learned this but moody, crazy craving Veronica was something Duncan would slowly need to realize.
The weirdest part of the night had to be meeting Lilly again. She seemed to be a spitting, and miniature version of her namesake. She was loud, always smiling and the center of attention. It was like the Fab Four was back together again. Sure, I knew that one and a half year old Lilly could never fill the void the real Lilly left in all of our hearts but it was nice to see the boys getting along. It felt good to feel like we were on top of the world again, all together. It was the first time that I felt at home in this strange place.
That was funny because, we still didn't have a home. We didn't have a place to live besides our hotel room and the dream of a resort clouding our vision. We didn't have much clothes or supplies. There was nothing to sustain life here. I felt panic rising up in my throat. There was so much we still needed to do in so little time but instead we were enjoying an evening of reminiscing.
But it was this moment that I cared about. I could allow myself to get lost in the memories of homecoming, of slumber parties, of mischief, beach days and drunken fun. Every sentence started with "Remember the time…" and ended in a fit of laughs. My sides were splitting and we were all gasping for air by the time the moon was rising in the sky and Lilly was fussing out of sheer exhaustion. We all knew as she grew older, she'd be able to handle all the attention with zealous energy and a perfected smirk on her face.
The stories grew more and more forced with all the good ones already out of the way. It was easy to see the night was ending with a promise of a good life all together. I knew that even though there was still a lot to do before we were actually settled in Mollymook we would finally fit into this place as a family, with friends and a happy future.
In the cab ride back to our hotel Logan turned to me and said, "It feels good to have the Fab Four back together."
He hadn't even needed to say it because I think we were all able to feel how together, we all fit like a puzzle. Even the baby must have felt it because she'd been kicking away all night. I rubbed the spot where I felt her elbow pushing on my belly, "Soon to be Fab Five."
"Speaking of Fab Five," Logan mimicked my soothing circles on the other side of my stomach, "We have to get going on all this baby stuff. Like you said, we only have two and a half months. I mean, there's baby clothes, cribs, stollers…"
I put a gentle finger to his lips to silence his rambling, "Let's just start with a doctor's appointment and go from there."
"How are you not freaking out right now?"
I shrugged, smiling, "Because I know that things will work out. No matter where we live, what we have, how prepared we are, we'll make it work. We always have. And tonight I realized that no matter what we've been through or go through we'll always be us."
"God, I love you."
"I realized that too."
SheriffsGrl: I totally know how you feel. There are so many stories and great stories out there that suck you in! I'm really glad to hear that my story was just that for you. Hope the rest keeps you just as interested.
TSJorSydPip: Thanks for always keeping me motivated with your comments. I love the fact that you think the story has depth because there are times I feel like I'm just skimming the surface. Hopefully it stays just the way its going until the end. Like I said above, the looses ends will be tied up. You'll just have to wait and see...
Superficialcynic: I think fights make their relationships. I mean, yes they deserve happiness but without little fights inbetween it would feel superficial and one dimensional. And I think things never really change. People just grow up and figure out how to handle things differently. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
JustTrippin: Thanks for your reviews! I'm glad you love the LoVe interactions and the fact that I'm trying my hardest to stay true to the characters! Hopefully the rest will live up to the standards after the baby comes...
Isilady: Thanks you soooo much for always reviewing. You always keep me encouraged and motivated to know that I'm keeping constant readers throughout.
Bethelove: I'm glad you're thinking the story is fun because it's been a bumpy road to get here. Hopefully what comes next will be just as inticing.
anonymous: You're welcome! And thank you for actually reading my story! As I'm writing, it's hard not to LoVe things!
kh2009: I will forgive you for forgetting to review a chapter because you love it so much! Hope what I have planned is going to be worthy of your reviewing commitment.
starcrazed: I cannot confirm or deny any of your speculations/wishes. You'll just have to wait and see what I have planned in my crazy mind. And I really appreciate your listing of the things you liked. I'm really big on genuine dialogue so I hope it was just that that made the scenes. Hope you like what's coming next!