Author's Note: Okay, so here we go: the penultimate chapter of this story... an epilogue will follow soon :).

Chapter Seventeen

Logan's cast is removed the second week of June and he's cleared to return to work shortly thereafter. He's been relegated to desk duty for now, while he regains the strength and muscle tone in his leg, and until his collarbone has healed completely, but it's better than nothing. He still can't drive, which means relying on either Veronica, Dick, or Chaos for a ride to the base each day, sometimes staying over with Chaos and Sarah when it's too late to get back to Neptune.

He's attending regular physical therapy sessions and his therapist says he's making good progress, but truthfully, he's feeling claustrophobic and frustrated, eager to get back in the air again. His OC is still refusing to make any kind of statement about whether he's likely to be cleared to fly again, saying he has to be signed off by his doctor first, so Logan's in limbo and it's pissing him off.

On the brighter side, he's still marvelling over the fact that Veronica actually wants to marry him, as in, really, truly wants to. Since she told him as much a couple of weeks ago, she's been showing her affection toward him much more than normal, and while it does show her decision has come from the heart this time, there's a niggling thought at the back of his mind that it's actually a case of her trying to butter him up for his promised proposal.

While he's never been the most conventional person, given he never thought he would get married at all, he has to admit that now that it's a real possibility, he wants to do things right; which is why, on Saturday morning, while Veronica is out with Wallace and Mac, he gets Dick to drive him over to Keith's.

"Logan?" Keith looks surprised when he opens the door.

"Morning, sir," he greets with a tentative smile. "I was hoping I could speak with you about something?"

"Of course." Keith's confusion clears, replaced quickly with a smile as he holds open the door. "Come on in."

"Thanks." Logan steps forward, limping a little as he enters the house, his leg still weak.

"Here, take a seat." Keith gestures to the couch. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Water's fine, thanks."

"Coming right up."

Keith disappears into the kitchen, leaving Logan sitting awkwardly in the living room. He starts glancing around the room, but quickly turns his attention to his hands when his eyes fix on the pillar a few feet away, causing his cheeks to heat. He doesn't need to be reminded of incredible reunion sex with Veronica when he's trying to have a serious discussion with her father.

"Here you go." Keith returns to the room, handing him a glass, before taking a seat in the armchair off to the side. "How are you doing, Logan? Healing well?"

"Yeah." He nods, patting his leg. "Getting my strength back. Collarbone's good, too. I'm doing exercises, but it's gonna be a while before I regain full movement."

"Veronica tells me you're back at work now?"

"I am," says Logan, taking a sip of water and then placing the glass down on the coffee table in front of him. "Stuck behind a desk until I'm cleared to fly again."

Keith tries, and fails, to suppress a smile. "Bet you're loving that."

"Oh, it's a ball." He can't stop the sarcasm from slipping out, even as he gives an internal wince.

Luckily, Keith's smile widens and he nods.

"Believe me, I know all about that. Last year, Veronica practically had to lock me out of the office while I recovered from the accident," he says. "It was hard enough for me to just sit back and not do anything; I imagine it's been even harder for you, given your profession."

"Yeah," Logan agrees readily. "It's been fucking torture."

Shit, he thinks, what are you doing swearing in front of your future fiancée's father?

"Sorry," he says quickly. "Excuse my language."

Keith just continues to smile, looking amused. "It's okay, Logan. We're all adults here."

"Yeah."

"So, you wanted to talk to me about something?" Keith changes the subject.

"Yes, I did." Here goes. "I love your daughter, more than I ever thought I could love anybody, and the most amazing thing is, she loves me too."

"She does," Keith agrees kindly. "Much to my chagrin, being with you makes her happy."

"She makes me happy, too." Logan glances down at his hands, pressing them together as he gathers his courage. "I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Which is why I'm here: to ask for your blessing to marry her."

He chances a glance at Keith, who looks a little taken aback. He doesn't say anything for a long moment, just stares at Logan with an unreadable expression.

"Uh, Mr. Mars?"

"Oh." Keith blinks. "Sorry, Logan. It's just… that was the last thing I was expecting you to say."

"Really?" Logan's surprised. "Veronica said she'd talked to you about the possibility."

"Oh, she did," says Keith wryly. "I'm not so much surprised at the prospect of you getting married, as I am that you're actually asking me for my blessing. Didn't peg you for the traditional type."

"Ah, well, me either," Logan admits. "But then, I never expected to be in a position to get married at all."

"And Veronica?" Keith asks. "Last I spoke to her, she wasn't too enamoured of the whole idea. Wouldn't want you to end up disappointed."

Logan gives a soft smile. "It seems Veronica's had something of a change of heart."

"Really?" Keith's expression suggests he wasn't expecting that either. "Well, I have to say, I'm glad. I hadn't realised she'd been so against the idea all this time."

"Yeah, it's taken a while to get her head around it, but I think she's realising she doesn't need to be so cynical." Logan nods, then turns serious, nerves resurfacing. "So, uh… you haven't answered my question…"

"I wasn't aware you'd actually asked it." Keith's expression is serious, but his tone is light.

"I assumed it was implied…" Logan says hopefully, but Keith isn't budging, instead just giving him an expectant look. He takes a deep breath, preparing himself. "Mr. Mars, will you give me your blessing to ask for Veronica's hand in marriage?"

Keith purses his lips as he studies him thoughtfully. Logan tries to stay calm, remain stoic in the face of his possible future father-in-law, but inside his nerves start getting the better of him, his palms becoming sweaty as he waits for him to speak.

Keith's eyes narrow, giving what Logan recognises as his stern, Sheriff's stare. The very stare that used to have him shaking in his boots as a teenager.

"Will you promise to always love her, to be loyal and faithful, and to treat her as she deserves to be treated?"

"Of course, Mr. Mars," Logan replies earnestly. "She's the love of my life."

Keith's gives a slight smile in response, and Logan frowns, feeling like he's missing out on an inside joke.

"And will you willingly deal with the recklessness at work, the sarcastic comebacks, the constant pop culture references, and the odd habit of eating ice cream for dinner?"

At that, Logan's mouth twitches and he allows himself to relax slightly. "Definitely."

"Well, then, Logan," Keith says with a half-smile. "You have my blessing."

Logan lets out a sigh of relief, the tension dissipating from his body. "Thank you, sir."

"Look, son…" Keith leans forward in his chair. "I know I haven't been easy on you, and haven't always trusted that you've had my daughter's best interests at heart, and I want to apologise for that."

"Thank you, sir," he repeats, for lack of anything better to say.

"I misjudged you back then, Logan," Veronica's father continues. "I worried that you would hurt Veronica, that you couldn't be the solid, dependable, loving man I wanted for her, that you would—"

"That I would lie, cheat, disrespect her?" Logan finishes for him. "Mr. Mars, you have to know I would never do that. My father might have been a lying, cheating, scumbag murderer, but I am not him. I know how damaging that behaviour is and how Veronica feels about it; both of us have been affected by adultery, and I could never forgive myself if I ever hurt her like that."

"Good answer." Keith nods, looking impressed. "I will admit, back when you broke up that last time and she was so mad at you, I thought you'd cheated with that Sinclair girl—"

Logan blanches, feeling sick at the memory of the stupidest drunken decision of his life.

"While it wasn't exactly my most stellar moment, Veronica and I weren't together when that happened," he clarifies. "I didn't cheat. She was mad because of who I was with. She and Madison Sinclair have a history; Veronica hates her; blames her for—"

Logan stops short, realising his mistake. As far as he knows, Veronica has never told Keith what happened to her at that party back in sophomore year, and he respects her privacy too much to spill the beans without her knowledge.

"For what?"

"Oh, uh, they were rivals back in high school," he backtracks, thinking quickly. "A prank went wrong and Veronica never forgave her for it."

"Right." Keith nods, though his expression suggests he knows there's something he's missing. "So, uh, do you have a ring yet?"

Grateful for the subject change, Logan shakes his head. "Not yet. I haven't exactly been mobile lately, and it's not like I can ask her for a ride to Tiffany's."

"Tiffany's, huh?" Keith raises an eyebrow. "While I'm not sure Tiffany's is the right way to go—knowing my daughter as I do—I'd be happy to help out if you need transport, or maybe some suggestions."

"Thank you, sir."

Keith smiles. "As satisfying as it is to hear you, of all people, calling me 'sir', Keith is fine, Logan."

"Okay." Logan nods, shifting forward on the couch and holding his hand out to Keith. "Thank you, Keith."

Veronica's father nods, clasping his hand in a firm grip.

"Good luck, Logan" he says seriously, before breaking into a smirk. "I have a feeling you're going to need it if you're going to be spending the rest of your life with my daughter."

Veronica narrows her eyes as Logan enters the kitchen, looking delectable in well-fitting jeans and a dark green, long-sleeved Henley, his hair damp from the shower.

Yum.

She resists the urge to lick her lips and instead focuses on why she's annoyed with him. It's been a month since she told him she was ready to get married, and since then… nothing. No surprise proposal, not even an acknowledgement or hint of when it might come. It's got her on edge.

"Good day?" she asks cordially as he pours a mug of coffee, then offers the pot to her.

"Not bad. Glad it's Friday." He flashes her a smile as she holds out her mug and he fills it with steaming coffee. "Had physical therapy today; looks like my leg's pretty much back to full strength."

"That's good news." Veronica can't help but smile widely as she steps closer, coming to stand beside him. She places her mug on the counter and slides her arms around his waist, taking the opportunity to inhale the scent of soap and cologne clinging to his Henley. "And the collarbone?"

"It's getting there," he says. "Still aches if I make sudden movements, but my therapist thinks I could be cleared to fly in the next few weeks."

"Really?" She grins. "That's great."

Admittedly, she hasn't exactly been the biggest fan of him flying fighter jets, but these last few weeks, she's come to understand exactly how much flying means to him and how difficult it's been for him to cope with not being able to do it. But all she wants is for him to be happy… and flying makes him happy.

"Yeah. It is." He turns so he's facing her fully. She tilts her chin up so he can kiss her gently. "Any plans for tonight? You wanna get dinner somewhere?"

"Sure." She nods. "How about Luigi's?"

Before Logan can answer, her phone rings.

"Sorry." She reaches for it, checking the caller ID. It's her father. "Hey, Dad, what's up?"

"Veronica, hi. Glad I caught you," comes Keith's voice on the other end. "I was wondering if you could do me a favour?"

"Sure." She frowns. "What do you need?"

"I've just got a lead on the Wilkinson case. I've tracked him down to the Camelot, room 226. We need to check it out tonight. I'd go myself, but I'm gonna be tied up at the office for the next couple of hours. Would you mind?"

Well, there go my dinner plans.

She sighs, then nods. "Yeah, okay. I can do that. What am I looking for?"

Her father relays the details as Veronica jots them down, then ends the call.

"What's going on?" asks Logan as she hangs up.

"I'm gonna have to take a rain check on dinner," she tells him apologetically. "Dad needs some help on a case."

"Now?" Logan's face falls as he leans against the counter.

"Sorry," she says. "I have to get to the Camelot. Follow up on a lead."

"Well, hey, why don't I come with you?" he suggests. "We could grab dinner after."

"Yeah, because that went so well last time." She shakes her head. "You were bored out of your mind."

He grins, pushing off the counter and sidling up to her. "Nah, I seem to remember some pretty hot sex in the backseat."

"Okay, fine. You can come," she relents, then holds up a finger when she sees his lips twitch. "Hey, no innuendos. Behave yourself."

"Okay, here's how this is going to work," says Veronica as she pulls into the Camelot parking lot and cuts the engine. "You stay in the car, I'll head up, stake out the room and grab a few pictures. Once I have what I need, we can get out of here."

"No, I'm coming with you," he says, shaking his head. "I don't want you skulking around alone outside this guy's motel room."

"Logan, no," she insists forcefully. "This is my job; you can't be involved."

"How about for appearances' sake then?" he suggests. "It'll look much less suspicious if you're on your way to your room with your boyfriend than if you're just hanging around the balcony for no good reason."

Veronica contemplates that for a second. She has to admit, it makes sense, even if she hates the idea.

"Okay. Fine." She exhales. "But don't draw attention to yourself."

She reaches for her bag, checks her camera is ready to go, then climbs out of the car. Logan joins her and they head up the concrete steps together. Veronica gestures for him to stay back as she approaches room 226.

"Oh, hey… this brings back memories," he comments from behind her.

"Logan, shh."

"I'm serious, Veronica." He grabs her hand, tugging her around to face him. "Look where we are."

She's about to berate him further when she looks up to find him leaning against the slatted wall, appraising her with a soft smile, and realises what he means.

"Our first kiss," she murmurs softly. "It was right here."

"It was." Logan reaches out, his thumb brushing her cheek as he tucks her hair behind her ear. He leans in, so his mouth is close to her ear. "One of the best moments of my life."

Veronica swallows, his warm breath against her skin making her shiver. "Yeah?"

He straightens, studying her with that serious, intense gaze of his for a moment, before he smiles, expression filled with affection, and kisses her. It's a slow, tender kiss, one that makes her feel light-headed and sends thrills down her spine. She has to grab onto his arms to keep her balance as he spins her around so she's now the one with her back to the wall.

"Mmm," she murmurs when he eventually breaks the kiss, her eyes still closed as she recovers. "What was that for?"

"I love you, Veronica," is his response. She opens her eyes to find him looking down at her earnestly. "I think I've always been at least a little bit in love with you, but it was right here, that day you kissed me, that I fell hard. After that, there was no one else for me but you. Everyone else just paled in comparison, no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise."

"Logan, I—" she tries to respond in kind, but he doesn't let her, placing his finger against her lips.

"You've seen me at my best, and at my worst; you've been here for me when I needed you; you've helped me through some of the most difficult times of my life, and I am so grateful for everything you've ever done, and sacrificed, for me," he says softly, his voice almost hypnotic as Veronica hangs on his every word. "You're kind, and giving, and loving. You fight for what you believe is right, and you don't take any of my shit." A soft laugh escapes her lips at that. "Veronica, I can't imagine ever being without you again—deployments notwithstanding—and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you."

Veronica's heart starts to pound, her mouth going dry and a lump rising in her throat as she realises what's about to happen.

"Logan—"

He shakes his head, then takes a step back, his hand furrowing in his jeans pocket.

"Oh my God," is all she can manage as Logan slides down onto one knee, looking up at her with that crooked half-smile of his, a small, square, velvet box in his hand.

"Veronica Mars…" He opens the box to reveal a white-gold ring, a single diamond sparkling in the middle, surrounded by a blue stone on each side. "Will you marry me?"

Veronica swallows, mind going blank, her gaze fixed on the gorgeous ring he's offering to her.

"I, uh—" She blinks, tearing her attention from the ring and looking into his eyes. His expression is a mixture of hopeful and nervous. She nods—for once, she doesn't feel any hesitation or fear at the situation—and her voice is breathy as she manages a soft, "Yes."

"Yes?" he checks, nervous smile widening into a delighted grin as his body sags with relief.

"Yes." Veronica nods again, smiling widely now.

He fumbles with the box, extracting the ring and reaching for her hand. His fingers shake slightly as he slides it onto her finger, and Veronica marvels at how perfectly it fits. He must have done his homework. Before she has time to admire it further, he's standing up and pulling her into his arms, kissing her enthusiastically. She responds in kind, wrapping her arms around his neck and pouring all her emotions into the kiss.

"I love you," he murmurs against her lips. "So much."

"I love you, too."

He spins her around again, moving her away from the wall and a couple of feet further along the balcony. Reality hits, however, when he reaches for the doorknob of the next room and Veronica pulls back, eyes widening.

"Logan, what are you doing?" she hisses, glancing toward the window, which shows a light on inside the room. "I'm supposed to be tailing the guy in that room!"

Logan just shoots her a lopsided grin, before turning the knob and tugging her inside. She opens her mouth to protest, but then stops short, taking in her surroundings as he closes the door behind them. The room is illuminated by soft lighting, cleverly disguising the not-so-pleasant interior; there's an ice bucket on the bedside table, a bottle cradled inside it, and a box of what look to be her favourite chocolates sitting on the bed.

"God, you planned this." She shakes her head in wonder.

He just shrugs and grins. "Told ya it would be a surprise."

"And my dad, he was in on this too?" she questions.

"Of course. How else was I gonna get you up here?"

Barely able to comprehend the events of the evening so far, she turns to him and swats his arm. "You bastard."

"Hey, is that any way to talk to your fiancé?" he retorts.

That makes her pause, and she glances down at the ring on her finger, murmuring a soft, "Fiancé. Wow."

"Hasn't quite sunk in yet, huh?" he teases, sliding his arms around her from behind. She relaxes back against his broad chest, her hands covering his on her stomach. "What do you say we spend the next few hours making that happen?"

Veronica eyes the bed warily. "Is it safe? We aren't going to catch some nasty disease from the bedding, are we?"

"Don't worry, I brought sheets. They're all fresh." He grins, then turns more serious. "Look, I know this place isn't exactly The Grand," he says, "but it seemed fitting, you know?"

"Yeah, it is…"

Veronica extracts herself from his arms and wanders over to the bed, picking up the box of chocolates, then inspecting the bottle on the table.

"Champagne and chocolates, Logan?" she queries. "Not exactly our usual fare."

He shrugs unapologetically. "I figured since I was doing this the traditional way, I'd go all out."

"But you don't drink," she says. "Champagne's wasted on you."

"Don't worry." He advances towards her, taking the chocolates from her hand and placing them on the table. "I stashed a bottle of the non-alcoholic variety underneath."

"Well, you've thought of everything, haven't you?" she teases.

He takes her hand, running his thumb over her newly-acquired engagement ring as he brings it to her lips, kissing the back of her hand.

"Come to bed, Veronica," he requests, a glint in his eye. "I want to ravish my new fiancée."

"Oh, if you insist," she returns airily, letting him pull her down to the bed.

Veronica can't take her eyes off the ring on her finger. She's never been one of those girls who needs expensive, glistening jewellery, but Logan has done well with this ring. It's the most gorgeous thing she's ever seen, and it's perfect for her: beautiful but compact and not too flashy. She's not even going to ask how much it cost; she'd rather remain blissfully unaware.

"Everything okay?" Logan asks from his position behind her in the bed, his chin coming to rest on her shoulder. "You haven't been able to take your eyes off that thing for the last twenty minutes."

"Perfect," she says softly, her voice almost dreamy. "This ring is perfect. Everything's perfect."

"Wow, anyone would think you were a romantic," he quips, reaching around her for a couple of chocolates, handing one to her and popping the other into his mouth, chewing and swallowing quickly.

"Shut up, I'm happy." She elbows him lightly, before taking a bite of the chocolate.

"I love seeing you happy," he whispers close to her ear. "I love being the one to make you happy."

She shifts a little in his arms, so she can face him. "We're gonna get married, Logan. We're actually doing this."

"We are," he confirms with a smile, then his face falls. "Wait, you're not having second thoughts?"

"Surprisingly, no," she says. "I keep waiting for them, but…nothing so far."

"Well, I'm thankful for that."

He smiles, reaching out and pushing her hair back over her shoulder, and letting his fingers linger on her bare skin. The touch leaves tingles in its wake.

"But now we've had our fill of champagne and chocolates, what do you say to round two?"

Veronica smiles, taking his chin between her finger and thumb and pulling him in for a kiss.

"I say that sounds perfect."

*BEEP*

Message received on… 26 July… at… 11:15 am.

"Hey, Veronica. Sorry, I'm gonna have to take a raincheck on our lunch plans. Chaos just got the call; I'm going with him to the hospital. See you later."

*BEEP*

Message received on… 26 July… at… 1:33 pm.

"Veronica, not sure if you got my message. I'm at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital. Sarah's in labour. Chaos is in with her. Are you still in San Diego? If you are, can you do me a favour and pick up some shampoo and toothpaste for Sarah? Chaos forgot to pack them."

*BEEP*

Message received on… 26 July… at… 7:03 pm.

"Hey, me again. Still at the hospital. The baby was born about 10 minutes ago. It's a girl. I'm gonna stick around for a while, see if they need anything. Talk soon."

It's almost nine p.m. when Veronica arrives at the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital in San Diego, and as she rushes inside, bag full of toiletries and gifts for Sarah and the baby, she curses the fact that she put her phone on silent after Logan's first call and subsequently missed the other messages he left. As soon as she heard the latest one, she called Logan and told him she was heading back down to San Diego right away and would see him at the hospital soon.

"Hey," she says, spotting him in the lobby of the maternity ward and heading over.

"You made it." He leans down to kiss her.

"Yeah, sorry. If I'd realised, I would have been here hours ago," she explains. "But after you cancelled lunch, I got caught up in a case and didn't resurface until this evening."

"Hey, it's okay."

"How's Sarah doing?" she asks. "And the baby?"

As Logan runs his hand through his hair, Veronica realises how tired he looks—and he wasn't even in the delivery room.

"Yeah. Sarah's doing great. Exhausted, but great. The baby is—" He grins suddenly. "You know what, you need to see for yourself."

He takes her hand, linking their fingers as he leads her down the hallway. He knocks on the door of one of the rooms, then turns the knob and walks in.

"Hey, Veronica's here."

Veronica steps into the room behind Logan, finding Sarah propped up in the bed, looking completely exhausted, while Chaos sits in the comfy chair beside the bed, a tiny bundle of blankets carefully nestled in his arms.

"Hi guys," she gives a small awkward wave, feeling like she's intruding on a privat moment. "Congratulations."

"Veronica." Sarah gives her a tired smile, while Chaos just nods in greeting, barely taking his eyes off the baby.

"I brought the supplies you needed." She holds up the bag of toiletries. "And something for the baby too."

"Thank you," says Sarah, gesturing her over.

Veronica goes tentatively, unsure how to act around a woman who has just given birth. She places the bag down on the tray beside the bed.

"How are you feeling?"

"Truthfully? Like I've been hit by a truck." Her friend gives a weak smile. "I think I could sleep for a week."

"But the delivery went okay? No complications?"

"No, thank God," Chaos answers this time. "And now we have a daughter."

Veronica catches Sarah's eye, sharing a smile at the awe in his tone.

"That we do."

"Does she have a name yet?"

Sarah smiles, giving a slight nod. "She does. Ava Grace."

"That's a beautiful name."

"Okay, I gotta hit the head," announces Chaos. "Who wants to hold her? Veronica?"

Veronica freezes, eyes going wide. She's no good with babies, has no idea how to interact with them.

"Oh, uh, I don't—I'm not sure I—"

"Here, I'll take her." Logan steps forward smoothly, saving Veronica from having to make excuses.

"Thanks, man."

Chaos carefully hands the bundle over to Logan, who gently adjusts her in his arms as his friend gets up and heads for the door. Logan settles into the chair, sending first Sarah, then Veronica a smile, before his attention focuses on the baby.

"Hey, look at you, aren't you a little sweetheart, huh?" he croons to the child. "I'm your Uncle Logan."

Veronica can't do anything but watch, mesmerised by his adoring expression and the complete tenderness with which he's talking to the infant, gently stroking her face with the tip of his finger.

"I'll be here for babysitting duties," he's saying, "and when you're older, I'll be making sure you know how to fend off all the unwanted male attention I'm sure you're gonna get."

Veronica grins at that.

"Hey, Veronica." He looks up at her, eyes bright and shining. "Come see how adorable she is."

With a hesitant glance at Sarah, who nods encouragingly, she joins Logan, perching on the arm of the chair as she looks down at baby Ava. She's tiny, her face still blotchy and red, but Veronica can see a tuft of dark hair under the blanket, and her eyes are open; deep, blue eyes that are staring up at Logan in wonder.

"She's beautiful," she tells Sarah. "Great job, Sare."

"Thanks."

Veronica looks down at the baby once more, and this time she can't deny it; there's a definite tug in her chest at the sight of Logan holding her.

"Here," Logan shifts in the chair. "It's your turn."

"Oh, I don't think—" she declines quickly.

He frowns in confusion. "What are you so scared of? She's a baby, not a bomb."

"I'm not, it's just… she's so small and fragile," she says. "I might drop her or something."

"You won't drop her," Logan assures her, before exchanging an amused look with Sarah.

"Hey, I saw that," Veronica protests. "I can't help it; I haven't held a newborn since… well, ever."

"You'll be fine," says Sarah. "She's not as delicate as you might think."

"Okay, fine. I'll hold her."

"Great." Logan smiles, sliding out of the chair.

"Go for it, Veronica," adds Sarah.

"Here, take a seat," he says. Veronica obliges. "Okay, just hold your arms like this. Good. I'm gonna pass her over; just make sure you support her head while you're holding her."

"Okay," Veronica mutters as Logan places the baby in her arms. "Here goes."

It takes several moments to adjust to the feel of a tiny human being in her arms, but after a minute, Veronica starts to relax a little.

"See? You're a natural," Logan says, perching on the arm of the chair.

"Not sure I'd go that far," she mutters, looking down at the little girl, whose eyes are open again, looking around at the world.

It hits her out of nowhere.

One moment, she's awkwardly holding her friend's new baby, unsure what to do, and the next, said baby is looking up at her curiously, tiny fingers clutching at the blanket, and she's feeling this crazy rush of emotion toward a child that isn't even hers.

Oh God, is this that broodiness everyone talks about? Some primal need I never thought I had, rearing its ugly head?

"Hey, you okay?" Logan's hand slides across her back.

"Yeah." She nods, then looks up at him. Their eyes lock and something passes between them. She swallows. "Yeah, I'm okay."

Oh God. Oh God, oh God. It's happening.

She's suddenly seeing this really vivid picture of her and Logan with a child of their own, and not only that, but she's feeling it—this strange desire to have a baby—it's like an ache in her stomach and tightness in her chest all at the same time.

Shit.

"Okay, I'm back." Chaos enters the room again, bringing Veronica out of her thoughts. "Everything okay?"

As if on cue, Ava starts whimpering in Veronica's arms, and within seconds the whimpering turns into full-out crying. Veronica sends a panicked look towards Sarah, but her friend just shakes her head, indicating it's nothing she's done wrong.

"She's probably hungry," says Chaos, moving over to her and holding out his hands. "Here, I'll take her."

"Thanks," says Veronica as Chaos lifts the child out of her arms and carries her over to Sarah.

"Guess that's our cue to leave you guys to it," says Logan, standing up. "Congratulations, both of you."

"Thanks, Logan," Sarah says, trying to calm the baby.

"Thanks for everything, man." Chaos holds out his hand to Logan. "We couldn't have got through today without you."

"Anytime."

"And Veronica." Chaos turns to her. "Thanks for being here."

"My pleasure."

"We'll drop by soon, okay?" says Logan. "Just let us know when's a good time."

"Will do."

They exit the room and start heading down the corridor, but Veronica only makes it a few feet before she drops down on one of the chairs along the wall. Logan quickly joins her.

"Hey, are you all right?" He reaches for her hand, squeezing reassuringly.

"Yeah." She flashes him a quick smile. "I'm just uh… still getting my head around the fact that Chaos and Sarah are parents now."

"I know."

"I mean, I've been so engrossed in college and law school, and working for my dad again… I haven't really been in a position to have friends who are starting families. It's kind of…"

"Overwhelming?"

"Yeah."

"I felt the same way when the guys in my squadron started having kids," he admits. "It was like they'd all suddenly grown up and I hadn't even noticed."

There's a pause before Veronica says, "Logan… back in that room, when you were holding her, when I was holding her…I felt… God, I don't know."

"You felt it, didn't you?" he asks knowingly. "I could see it in your eyes."

Veronica nods slowly. "I think I did. We were just sitting there, and then suddenly I could picture it. You, and me, and a baby."

He's silent for a long moment, before he clears his throat. "Are you saying you—?"

"I don't know what I'm saying, Logan." She shrugs helplessly. "I'm still trying to process it."

"That's okay." He slides an arm around her shoulders.

"Maybe…" she starts quietly. "I mean, a baby would be a part of both of us, you and me, something we made… and maybe that bond is more important than what might happen in the future. Maybe that outweighs everything else. Maybe—"

"Veronica, it's okay," Logan cuts in. "We don't have to make any big decisions right now…"

"I know."

"There'll be plenty of time for that in the future," he assures her. "Let's just take things one step at a time."

"Yeah." She nods, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, you're right."

"Besides, we have a wedding to plan first."

Veronica relaxes, the tension draining from her body. She leans towards him, kissing him gently.

"We do."