So this chapter is a bit longer than the last few have been. A little treat before I give you some news. I will not be updating next week. With the last of my finals and graduation, I just haven't had time to write the last chapter. So I am giving myself an extra week to do so. Or maybe a little more. But I can guarantee that before the end of May I will have completed this stories last chapter.

Enjoy this chapter. Individual reviews are at the end as usual.

The thing about growing up was you're supposed to change. I just always thought I had done all the growing up I needed to the night my best friend was murdered. All that I had endured since that night seemed so much more than any girl my age should have gone through. But here I was, still growing up but this time I had someone by my side. And it was nice to see that Logan was growing up as well. Never would I have thought that Logan would step away from binge drinking and surfing but here he was, being the best father and husband he could be. Although I knew he was afraid of history repeating itself, I saw no such signs of Aaron within him.

Without Logan, I would not have realized what was truly important in my life. I would've never figured out what family and happiness truly meant. He was why I was contacting my father directly for the last time until the Sorokins were finally brought down.

"This isn't safe!" Was all that my dad had said when he figured out it was I who was calling from the blocked, untraceable number.

"I know, but this will be quick," I promised, "And it's important."

He sighed, "Well, talk."

"I don't want to be involved with bringing the Sorokins down anymore."

"Wait, what are you saying…?"

"No, hear me out. I want them to suffer for all they've put us all through. I just don't want to worry or stress about this anymore. And I don't want you to either. I'm happy, Dad and I don't want them taking away anymore time for any of us."

I could almost hear the wheels in his brain cranking, trying to compute what I was telling him, "I don't think I'm following, sweetie."

"You know that we're alive and well. That's all I really needed to sleep easy again. I'm okay staying hidden for as long as it takes. I don't need to be back in Neptune. I just want us all to live our lives."

"You don't want to come home?" He sounded so defeated and confused.

I shook my head even though he couldn't see me, "Not never, just not right now. Logan and I are really working over here. Home is all relative. As long as I know that you're okay, I'm okay anywhere in the world. Just let Weidman and Kane handle this."

"You want me to just sit back? After everything?"

"Yes. They're not our problem anymore."

He sighed heavily again, "I don't know if I'm fully agreeing with you right now, but I'm sure you have your reasons. But honey, as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

"I am." I smiled down at the sleeping bundle wrapped snuggly in my arm. "But when it all is over and done with, I need you to do one thing for me."

"Anything, sweetheart, just say the word."

I knew he'd say that, "I need you to…"

"Well hello, Sugarpuss, you are looking extremely chirper." Logan greeted Brittlynn and I as we made our way over to the table he had reserved for our lunch. He had been out all morning putting the finishing touches on the construction of the house. As soon as all the furniture was delivered we would finally rid our lives of living in a hotel. Though that would be like closing a chapter in our book, it was a huge leap forward in our lives.

I smiled brightly, "I took care of business this morning. Dad's on board. Now all we have to do is wait."

"Are you capable of just sitting around and waiting? What are you going to do with all the free time?"

"I'm sure we can think of something." I picked up the menu and scoured it for something that would satisfy my ever-present hunger.

Our lunches were brought a few minutes later and we both ate with smiles on our faces. The weight that was lifted off our shoulders was immeasurable and for the first time in the last few months, I didn't have the nagging feeling of looking over my shoulder. I had finally felt what it was like to be safe and secure. With this taste, I vowed my plotting and scheming would be brought down a few notches because the energy and attention could be used on better things like the man I loved and our daughter. I didn't stop smiling until Logan wiped his mouth and stood up to leave.

"Don't give me that lip," Logan shook his head, "I may not be able to resist the head tilt but I can definitely fight off the lip."

"But I thought we'd get to spend the day together..."

"The more time I spend making sure the work gets done at the house, the faster it gets done. Then, you'll have my undivided attention."

"Geez, I need a hobby."

Logan agreed, "I've never seen you this whiny before, Bobcat."

Having spare time on my hands was something I was never used to. I had always played sports or been on the pep squad or staked out sleaze balls in grimey motels throughout the years. I had always had a mission, something driving me towards an ultimate goal but here I no longer had a care in the world. I mean, my life was on someone else's schedule now. When Brittlynn needed food she cried. When she needed to be changed, she cried. When she had nothing better to do, she cried. I was on call and yet during the down time, I had nothing else I had to do.

"I guess I'll hang out at the front desk with Melinda." I decided that adult company could do me good.

Logan reached across the table and pinched my cheek, "Look at my girl being nice, making friends."

I narrowed my eyes, "There was a time when I was an innocent little girl. I wore pink and wrote boys' names in hearts all over my binders."

"Can you go back to writing my name in hearts?"

"Only if I can have a pony…"

He leaned across the table to plant a quick kiss on my lips, "You can have whatever you want."

I shooed him away, "You better hurry up and go while I still want a house all to ourselves."

Logan took Brittlynn from my arms and waited as I finished off the last bite of food from my plate. Together we walked to the lobby, Logan waving a goodbye to the restaurant's manager. He nuzzled his face to the baby's chest, nibbling lightly on her full belly. I waited as they shared their moment knowing all too well the time Logan had been putting in to start our lives together was taking away precious moments with his daughter. I also had full confidence that that would change as soon as the house was move in ready. And when that time came, Brittlynn would be the biggest daddy's girl the world had ever seen.

Logan hesitated, rethinking his decision to go back to the construction site. I knew how hard the decisions were to him so I clapped my hands together and reached for our baby. His kissed her all over her tiny face before handing her over to me before he kissed me in the same way, facial hair rubbing against my skin.

"Be good, my girls," He walked backwards towards the door as I made my way around the front desk to join Melinda.

I let my mouth drop open, "I knew there was something going on between you two."

Logan glowered back, "Play nice."

"Don't tell the boss but I'm stealing all the colored pens I can get my hands on." He shook his head at my comment and was gone.

Melinda reached for Brittlynn and I granted her the little chubster. With my hands freed, I pushed myself up onto the desk and let my legs swing freely. Some professional I was.

"So…" I looked around for something we could talk about. Though I had spent many afternoons behind the desk with the girl, we hadn't really broken into the friendship zone yet. I mean, I really hadn't let new people in willingly since Lilly and the friends I did make along the way all had needed my help in some way or form. Here in Australia, it didn't seem like my services were necessary, not that anyone knew to ask for any private investigating. But looking back on my past it made sense why I bonded with the people I did.

"Is the house almost done?" Melinda took a stab at conversation.

I shrugged, "So he says but I suspect he's spending more time surfing than constructing."

"No," Melinda tried to defend Logan.

"That," I cocked an eyebrow, "Or he's seeing someone on the side."

Melinda drew in a sharp breath, "You can't really think that. He's absolutely in love with you and this little girl right here."

I cracked a smile, "You, my friend, have got to get with my humor."

"How can you joke about things like that?"

I shrugged again, "When you've been through the things we've been through cheating seems like a sitcom."

"I'm sure you're exaggerating." She shook her head.

"Wish I was." I sighed, "If I could tell you the half of it, you wouldn't believe me."

"Well I know you must not have much in the way of adult conversation, but if you ever want to talk, you know where to find me." Melinda flashed a genuine smile.

I nodded and took a deep breath, "Thanks. That means a lot to me."

Before either of us could say anything else I heard my name being called across the lobby. I jumped off the country to see Duncan and baby Lilly rushing towards me.

"What's wrong? What happened?" I questioned his panicked state.

"Nothing," He huffed, "My babysitter didn't show and I have a really important client outside of town and I just needed someone to take Lilly."

"Jesus," I breathed out, fearing the worst for all of us, "Of course I'll watch her."

"Thanks V," He handed the baby across the counter, "And I'm so—"

"Don't." I cut him off, "We'll talk later when you come get her."

"Okay," He nodded, "Thanks again."

Truth was I hadn't seen him since the incident right after Brittlynn was born. It's not that I was still angry, because there was still a little bubbling in the trenches of my body somewhere. I just didn't know what to say to him. I didn't want to hurt him by being around him with my happy little family knowing what he really wanted. Rubbing it in his face was not going to help either of us any.

"Who was that?" Melinda watched as he disappeared again out the front doors.

I narrowed my eyes at her lofty face, "That's our realtor, Dane."

"He's got a face that can sell anything…" Her tone revealed that she had really meant the comment to be an internal thought, but alas it wasn't and I took the opportunity to laugh. Duncan Kane still had his good boy appeal.

"And this," I let Lilly stand on the desk and bounce up and down, "Is Lilly."

"You are all making me feel like I am a failure with all your reproducing and whatnot." Melinda made faces at had once though obnoxious, causing Brittlynn to giggle in her arms.

"We're older than we look."

"What are you all, like twenty-three?" Melinda asked doubtfully.

I furrowed my brows, "I guess we look older than we are."

"You're kidding right?" She gazed, wide-eyed.

"Sure, kidding." Admitting we were all merely nineteen was not something that was necessarily important to our identities.

"So…" Melinda dragged out, "Are you friends with Dane's wife too?"

A blush spread to my cheeks. Girl talk was something that I wasn't well versed in. But sleuthing, like to figure out if the man who had just handed a baby over the lobby's counter was married or not in a far more discreet way, "You didn't check for a ring?"

It was Melinda's turn to blush. "I – I mean…I was just asking about your girl friends."

It was hard not to chuckle at her tongue tripping over her words. "He's not married. And you're not very convincing."

"It's just silly," Melinda hung her head, "I don't even know the man and he's got me all flustered."

"Duh—Dane has that effect on girls." I thought of a time that seemed so far away, a different lifetime even. A time when Duncan Kane and Logan Echolls ruled the school. A time when Duncan, Logan, Lilly and I were the fab four. A time when I had been just as captivated by the Kane heir myself. Melinda's instant attraction was justifiable.

"So you're saying he's single…" Melinda still asked. It was so…cute. But being cute got girls hurt and I liked Melinda. There was so much I could teach her.

I rolled my eyes, "If I have to spell it out for you, yes, he's single."

She smiled wider and her eyes twinkled. Smitten. "Gee shelia, it's not like I was hounding you or anything."

"You…" I waggled a finger at her after I switched Lilly to my other hip. Brittlynn watched on with big eyes before opening her mouth to wail. Someone did not like her momma paying attention to any other little girls. But with Brittlynn's cries ripping through the lobby, Lilly decided she too would like to compete in the who-can-cry-louder competition. Judging such an event was unpleasant.

"Looks like some little girls are a bit tired." I sighed. Brittlynn could get really difficult when she was tired and nap time was a sanctuary. I just hoped the two babies would fare well together inside the Pac-N-Play so that I could keep them under my watchful eye, "I'm going to put them down for a nap up in the suite but don't think you're off the hook just yet."

"What is this hook you speak of?" I wasn't sure if Melinda was joking or genuinely, Australians didn't use the expression. But still I maneuvered the two girls in my arms to bring them upstairs for much needed rest.

I was just about to walk to the elevator when I remembered the real reason I had stopped to hang out with Melinda in the first place, "I need you to let me know if someone specific checks in. Can you make a note of that in computer?"

Melinda nodded, "Yes, it's quite simple. What's the name?"

I told her quickly and she furrowed her eyebrows. I took the expression as my cue to leave before she had the chance to ask any questions. I was slightly out of practice with sleuthing in general, I was sure I would mess something up for all of us.

I juggled the two girls in my arms as I made my way into the elevator, bending in ways even I didn't know I could to push the button for our floor and again when swiping my key card in our suite's door. I placed Lilly down on the floor to free up a hand to get the playpen set up for their nap. And once the girls were settled in nicely, I took the time to put my feet up for a while on the couch with the television playing in the background softly. It wasn't long before the three of us were all soundly asleep.

My nap ended sooner than I had hoped when someone knocked on the door. I shot up quickly hoping whoever it was didn't wake the girls but when I looked over the side of the playpen, neither was sleeping anymore. Instead they were playing, together. The whole marshmallow feeling crept right back into my soul. I shrugged and opened the door to come face-to-face with Duncan.

I don't know why I was surprised. I was watching his daughter. But I still took a protective step back. He took the space in the doorway as an invitation to come inside.

"Veronica," He didn't make eye contact, "Thank you for doing this."

I put my hand on my hip, "I didn't do it for you. I missed Lilly."

"I never got the chance to apologize."

More like, I didn't give him a chance to apologize. "I wasn't ready to hear it."

"I know, and I gave you your space," He sank onto the couch, "I didn't want you to think that I didn't care. I care about you. I care about Logan. And your daughter. You guys are all Lilly and I have."

"I have always cared about you, Duncan Kane, even when you treated me like shit in high school. But you crossed the line." I admitted, "I was hormonal and vulnerable and you took advantage of the situation."

"I keep doing that to you, don't I?" He let out a small laugh. "Should've known it would happen after the mess at Shelley Pomroy's party."

I put up a firm hand, "If we're going to get past any of this, we have to stop living in the past, Duncan."

"I wish I could, Veronica," He sighed and finally our eyes met, "But the past is all I have left that connects me to my old life."

"You don't need it, Duncan." Again, I felt bad for the guy, "You've got this amazing daughter. And look at all you've done for her. That's all that should matter. She's all that should matter."

"She is." Duncan hung his head in his hands, "It's just, as soon as you guys showed up here I've had to see true love and happiness. After all the months, years, that I thought I would have those things with you, it was hard to admit that I was out of your equation."

"Listen Duncan, you can't wait around for me anymore." I sat down next to him, "Logan and I will always be there for you, no matter what crazy stunts you pull, but you deserve that happiness too."

Duncan cracked a tight smile, "It's not that easy to get out there when you have a secret identity and a kid, you know."

"Oh really," I cocked an eyebrow, "Grab an offspring. This is me, proving you're wrong."

Duncan questioned my actions as we caught the elevator. He hounded me all the way to the lobby but I just kept that sly little grin that he knew too well. As we approached the front desk he shut up real quickly.

"Melinda," I eyed the girl, "Have any dinner plans?"

She barely looked up from the desk, "Someone called in sick so I'm stuck here for a while. Was just going to grab something quick from the restaurant in a bit."

"Good," I pulled Duncan closer, "You're going to have dinner with my friend Dane here while I fill in for whoever called in sick. And I'll even throw in free babysitting."

"V, you don't have to do this…" Duncan shifted uncomfortably next to me.

I maneuvered Lilly out of his hands, "Sure I do. One of the kids is mine anyway. I wouldn't feel right charging."

I walked to the end of the desk and pushed through the door. I ordered Melinda to bring the playpen out from the office and when she did I placed the kids inside and shooed her out from behind the desk. Awkwardly Duncan and Melinda eyed each other.

"She's not going to take no for an answer, huh?" Melinda jerked her head towards me.

Duncan took a deep breath, "She never does."

Remember to review and let me know how I'm doing!

Individual Responses:

Nerdyesque: The whole growing up this is something I've been trying to get across so I'm glad it's finally hitting home with more people. I mean, if I could keep V the same way as she has been with the whole act then think kind of mentality, I would but for this story's intent, not really possible. But hope to hear what you have to say after this one. Your reviews keep me motivated!

JW: That was a mistake that I have yet to fix. V really didn't say Logan to Melinda. I keep forgetting to go back and fix that but I love that people are pointing it out because that means you're all actually reading it like any loyal VM fan would.

Didine34790: Yeah, obviously, I'm not continuing with the Australian slang. It was too hard. If it were any other language, it would have worked out so much easier to just use a translator but I searched all over the internet to translate between the different Englishes and there was nothing. That would be a very useful tool for Irish English, British and all the others that use such different words for different things.

krazieneko: I love how your reviews were set up almost like one of those dramatic trailers you see for action movies and shows. I can't really answer them all for you but hopefully with the final chapters, you're seeing where its heading and everything will wrap up with the answers to all your questions! And the Jake/Keith/Weidman trifeca is definitely a force that needed to be combined on the show. They'd have been unstoppable.

CGirl2009: I felt like they were lacking in the love department. Their relationship has always been either up or down and right now I'm just started watching season 3 again and they're still in that up, lovey, protective stage before everything goes to hell that it only seemed appropriate to give them a little happiness.

bethelove: Thanks for taking the time to both read and drop a review. Reviews keep me motivated, and had you not reviewed when you did, I would have forgotten to update the story this week. Hope you keep enjoying the last chapters!