I find it weird that with my resurfacing, I have gained more views EVER for this story. Maybe the longer I waited, the more people missed Veronica and the crew that they're more apt to read any story containing the characters. So thank you for not only the people who reviewed, but also those who added the story to their alerts or merely just checked it out. But no more babbling from me because I've made many wait too long to wrap this story up.

As always, individual reviews are at the end. If you've got the time, let me know how I'm doing, even if you hate it. I've got thick skin.

Sleep had become something that I missed. There was a time when I could sleep for hours, days almost and those days I will always cherish. The distant memory fades as the deafening cries wake me, again.

"I'll get her," Logan mumbled, rolling out of bed.

Mornings had become a routine. Logan would drag his butt out of bed to calm the baby down. Once she was changed, he would bring her in to our bedroom where I would feed her. With a full tummy she would drift back off to sleep and that gave us a little time of peace and quiet. But Logan was usually getting ready for a day of work. Recently, he'd been concentrating on the construction of our new house.

I hoped, once the house was built and ready to move in to, the hotel staff would not be able to bother us as much as they had these past couple of weeks.

"This is new for everyone, V." Logan had tried to explain. "We're all just trying to get a hang of things."

I sighed. This conversation seemed played out. "I get that. I really do. It's just frustrating that we have to get the hang of being parents and owning a hotel."

"I think we're doing a pretty good job, if I do say so myself." Logan waggled his eyebrows.

I laughed, "I'm waiting until this whole parenting thing gets a little more glamorous. I want to be able to wear an outfit that isn't spotted with spit up."

He pulled on my baggy t-shirt that undeniable had stains on the shoulders, "I think you wear motherhood well."

"I'm not really sure if that's a compliment or not, but thanks."

And suddenly, Brittlynn was a month old. Where the time had gone was a mystery. Between diapers, feedings, baths and naps our little girl was growing, fast. Luckily, just as the parenting magazines had speculated, breast feeding did help me drop some of the pregnancy weight and Logan still got to enjoy my enlarged chesticular area. Along with the increased parenting skills, Logan learned to juggle running a hotel and building our house. For once, I could say I couldn't have been happier.

"Alright, babe," Logan emerged from the bathroom, dressed and ready for the day, "I'm just going to check how things are going downstairs and then I'm going to the house for the morning. I'll meet you for lunch in the restaurant?"

That gave me a few hours to get showered and presentable looking. I had little desire to leave the suite and cared even less how I looked during a late night run to the store for diapers. Sure, I'd never admit it out loud, especially not to Logan, that deep down I was subconscious. When I was pregnant I had an excuse to eat what I wanted and disregard the weight. But now, I longed for my old body back. I never had to work out a day in my life, being blessed with a superb metabolism and frankly, I was too tired to start now. I could only thank Mother Nature for the effects of breast-feeding.

As soon as Brittlynn went down for her nap, I jumped in the shower. I prayed that nothing would wake her because I needed a nice long, soothing shower to ease my aching muscles. This luxury was usually granted to me when Logan was around and it was usually accompanied by a nice massage. I willed myself to remind him when we got home but my aching muscle would do all the talking.

I took the time to pick out an outfit, laying it out on the bed. Brittlynn would need one more feeding before we headed out to lunch and I didn't want any dribbles on it. I had learned from a previous outing to wear my clothes according to the readiness to breastfeed. The cosmos seemed to be aligned because button-down shirts were making a comeback. For once, I was fashionable.

There was still time to spare after Brittlynn's belly was full. I burped her before changing into my crisp, clean button-down tunic. For the first time in more than a month, I was venturing out in a clean outfit. Now, it would be a test to see how long I could keep it that way.

I wanted to curse as the urgent knocking on the suite's door succeeded in waking Brittlynn up. I ran my hand through my tangled tresses before lifting the flailing baby from the crib. Whoever was knocking on the door was going to feel the wrath of a baby awoken from a nap. "This better be good."

I swung the door open, "Melinda…?"

"Vaughn, I'm so sorry for intruding but there's a situation downstairs."

I eyed the woman carefully, having gotten close the last few weeks. I had ventured down to the front office from time to time when I was sick of being stuck in the room, talking but not really understood by the baby. "Where's Lucas?"

She shifted uncomfortably, "He's with the contractors at your house handling something else. I would've called but I was afraid I would wake the little one." We both focused on the fussing infant in my arms. "I'm so sorry."

"Nothing we can really do now." I reached back inside the suite for her pacifier, plugging her mouth to distract her from crying, "You said there was a situation…I'm not really sure how much help I can be."

She motioned for me to follow her to the elevator. It was only when I caught my reflection in the mirrored doors did I hesitate. Hell, I owned this place and whoever this "situation" was had woken my newborn. Appearances were hardly important at this point.

"Apparently we lost this gentleman's reservation. We cannot accommodate him because we're at capacity, " Melinda took the time to smooth her flawless hair. Now I was really second guessing my neglectful outfit, "He's an irate little Seppo demanding to speak with the owners. I explained I was the President of Operations but he still insisted."

As we stepped into the elevator I felt a lump start to rise in my throat, "So what's the protocol for something like this? I mean, I thought the customer was always right?"

"Within reason," she nodded, "But there's nothing we can really do besides send some comps his way."

I took the time to think as the elevator descended to the lobby. "And there's nothing we can do? Not one room opened?"

"Well we have our emergency rooms opened," she explained.

I furrowed my brows, "Isn't this an emergency?"

She shook her head and cocked it to the side, "They're for different emergencies. Like if something happens with a current guests rooms we have somewhere else to accommodate them."

"Looks like I'm good cop," I muttered, "We have to give him the room."

The woman nodded as if I was a queen and she was agreeing to sending someone to the gallows, "Whatever you feel is best to rectify the situation."

We had finally made it to the lobby. The doors opened to the normal weekend hustle and bustle. Duncan had been right about one thing; resorts were where the money was. Since we opened a little over a month ago, business was booming. It seemed everyone wanted to try out the new spot in town. And though it was hectic, neither Logan nor I were complaining.

Melinda opened the office door for me as I shifted Brittlynn in my arms to put her down in the Pack N Play we kept in there for such an occasion like this. I mumbled a 'be good' as I walked out to the front desk with Melinda on my heels, "I'm probably going to need you for the computer."

She was obedient as ever and she pointed out the short man with all the problems.

"Sir, I'm sorry about the wait," I put my best customer service face forward, "My name is Vaughn…" He turned and my voice caught in my throat. "…Lester."

"You own this place?" His façade never faltered as he launched himself into his rant, "You don't even look old enough to own a bra."

My cheeks were burning red. Luckily he was smart enough to cover the color with insults. It was obvious who was more in practice to pull something like this off because I had yet to find my voice.

"Seriously," He turned to Melinda, "Did you just dress up a maid and call her the owner?"

"Sir," I choked out, "I am prepared to place you in a reserved room and comp your stay but please, calm down so we can resolve this."

He shook his head manically, "I was told there were no rooms. I've traveled all day to get here and all I wanted to do was relaxed. I even was thoughtful enough to give this new place a shot and look where it got me. And you're American! How is that supposed to greaten my experience? I came to Australia to mingle with the natives not deal with some teeny bopper that I tried to leave behind."

Now he was just trying to mess with me. I even felt my cheeks tug in a smile, "I am sorry for any inconvenience. As you stated, we are brand new and just like any company we have a few bugs to still work out. As I mentioned, we do plan on compensating to make your stay as enjoyable as possible." I motioned for Melinda to begin the transaction, "How long had you planned on staying?"

"You're saying my stay is free? No strings attached? Like I could order all the room service I want and it'll cost me nothing?" I nodded, "Well I was going to be here a week but I think my calendar just opened up…"

"Sir," Melinda was gripping the edge of the desk tightly, obviously irked by his display. I placed a soft hand on her shoulder.

"Whatever you like, sir." Melinda and I shared a glance but I authorized the room for her. Sure she could be upset for my blatant disregard for the rules and regulations but I'm pretty sure I had all the authority in the world. This was a different sort of power than I was used to.

He rattled off his alias to Melinda who typed the information into the registry with ease as I placed his keys in the little envelope taking careful time to write down the room number.

"Do you have any bags, sir?" I didn't look up. I was still shaky from making eye contact.

"I don't want to tip anyone to throw my valuables around."

I motioned for the bellboy anyway, "I'm sure Cohen would be delighted to help you to your room." He brushed the teenager off and I shot the young man an apologetic glance. "At least let me accompany you to your room to make sure you have everything you need."

He gestured before him and I promised Melinda I'd be back in a few before stepping back through the office and into the lobby. My knees were shaking so bad I didn't think I'd make it into the elevator. And even as we stepped into the elevator I gripped the rails after pushing the floor's button.

We rode all the way up in silence, which greatly contrasted the scene just minutes before but the one time I opened my mouth to try to speak, he shook his head and I obeyed just as I always had. I darted out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened behind me, hoping he'd follow closely as we made our way down the hall to his room. I fumbled with the key card but finally the light turned green and we stepped into his room. As soon as the door closed I threw myself across the room and into his arms.

"Dad!"

He didn't respond. There was no echo of a 'Veronica'. All he did was sob into my hair, gripping my back for dear life. I realized then that I was not the only one with knocking knees.

"But how did you—"

He finally released his grip and used his arms to smooth my hair, "When you see Clarence Weidman at the scene of a fatal car accident you know something is up. But when you see Jake Kane at your daughter's funeral something is most definitely fishy. I thought he had you killed."

"Tell me you didn't persecute Jake Kane again!" I groaned. The Mars name did not need to try to take down the billionaire again.

"I aggressively questioned him, off the record of course." His eyes sparkled with tears and were lined with age. Age that wasn't there a few months ago.

"But wait! How did you find us? If it was that easy than anyone could find us. Where you tailed? Are you sure no one followed you?"

"Calm down, Veronica." His voice was just as soothing as I remembered. "It did take me months to find you. And I'm a damn good PI. I knew if you faked your own deaths it had to be for something big. I pulled out all the stops for this one."

I clasped a hand over my mouth to stifle a cry. I saw our whole cover blown, our lives compromised. But I wasn't afraid of the Sorokins finding Logan and I. I was terrified for Brittlynn. "I just got so scared. We hadn't really planned an escape route had someone found us. It would be so hard to disappear again."

He squeezed me close again, so tight that I thought my head was going to pop off. I didn't complain, "Shh, it's okay. Everything's going to be okay now. We're going to figure it out, together. I just need to hear everything."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. When the case had been fresh, we had thought about the possibility of being recognized or found but after Brittlynn's birth, it all was pushed to the back burner. We had barely changed our appearances. We were careless. Something bad could have, would have, happened.

My brain was finally catching up to my body. I needed Logan.

"I'm supposed to be meeting Logan downstairs in the restaurant for lunch."

"Veronica," He said sternly, "I just got the most solid proof that I could that my baby girl was in fact not dead. I'm sure your stomach can wait."

"No, I meant, he should be here." Speaking of baby girls, "And there's someone else you need to meet."

He nodded, "Well, I'll stay here. I don't want to get lost or look suspicious wandering the hotel. I'll order room service. I get everything for free."

The ride back down to the lobby was different because I had a mission to focus on rather than my impending unraveling. I needed to get Logan and Brittlynn as quickly as possible before I broke down anymore than I already had.

"How did it go?" Melinda questioned as I opened the office door.

"Where's Brittlynn?" I panicked, eyeing the empty Pack N Play.

Melinda stood up, startled by my attack, "Lucas took her to wait for you in the restaurant. I thought it would be okay to release her to him…"

"Of course!" I felt bad. She had been subjected to my father's charade and now I was attacking her for giving our baby to Logan, "Just a little on edge after that one."

"That man was horrible." She agreed, "I cannot believe you gave into his ranting."

I shrugged, my cheeks burning, "Sometimes you have to kill them with kindness."

"It might be better if we could just kill people like him," she joked.

I laughed the laugh I had practiced to perfection. Polite, yet still joke ending, "Well I'm sure Lucas is starving so I better get to him before he gets cranky."

It was Melinda's turn to laugh, "He sounds worse than the little one."

"I am the proud mother of two…" I backed away towards the door, "I hope your day gets better. Anymore problems, call Lucas."

"Noted. Enjoy your lunch."

firecracker93: I've really wanted to write a Neptune chapter but because of my first person POV, I really don't want to change the format now. Though I do try to give little inklings of information. But hopefully the surprise visitor was a little slice of Neptune you were looking for.

HoneyBee1: I'm really glad that you had such strong emotions for some of the scenes. My favorite stories are the ones that do that to me so it means a lot to hear that. As for many of your questions, I guess you'll just have to wait and see how things end up and where they end up. Ultimately, I know the end of the story so we'll have to see if it's satisfying enough when I finally post it.

Nerdyesque: I was told in a few reviews that I was losing my Veronica voice but in reading over the chapters constantly during the time I was MIA, I found that I didn't lose the voice, the character just matured beyond the show. The lack of whit lately is mostly due to my lack of cleverness but right now, I'm rewatching the series and I miss that Veronica and Logan. If only the show got more of a shot I wouldn't have had to leap in such undeveloped territory.