Greatly Exaggerated
A/N Last chapter before the epilogue.
Chapter 14
Veronica looked twelve years-old sleeping on a hideous green vinyl chair. The ugliness of the chair would have been enough to convince Logan that he was in the hospital, were he not surrounded by the blipping and beeping of machines. After a quick mental scan of his body, he located the source of his pain in his upper left chest.
"Ouch." Logan moaned, surprising even himself with the whininess of his tone.
Veronica stirred as if waiting for the slightest sign of life. "Logan?" She asked, her voice breathy.
"Hurts." Logan said through clenched teeth.
Veronica dragged her green chair closer to the bed. She poured him a glass of water and helped Logan take a sip, before reaching for his hand.
He breathed in the scent of her perfume. It felt like forever since he'd last seen her face.
"How long?" Logan croaked.
"You've been out for about 24 hours." Veronica told him.
"The twins?" He asked, panic evident in his eyes.
"They're fine." Veronica smiled, her eyes offering reassurance.
"What happened?" Logan asked, his voice a dry croak. "After…"
"Well, when I arrived home, I found Logan clinging to you like a life preserver, pressing his shirt to your wound. A neighbor was there - a Mr. Maralli. He called 911 for Morgan and then came back to the house to offer his help. The ambulance and police arrived about three minutes after I did."
"Mr. Casablancas?" Logan asked.
Veronica smiled wryly. "He was secured to the cargo net on the pirate ship. I guess my father once taught Morgan how zip ties can be used in an emergency instead of handcuffs. She managed to find my stash in the garage, and used three of them on each wrist and ankle. She even secured him by three of his belt loops. Morgan didn't take any chances."
Logan let out a pained laugh, which led to a cough. Veronica helped him take another sip of water.
"A child psychologist examined both twins." Veronica said. "She'd like Logan to come back a couple more times to make sure he isn't exhibiting any PTSD symptoms. Morgan is absolutely fine, and rather proud of herself."
Logan smiled. "She should be. She's amazing. Both of them are. You did such an amazing job raising them."
Veronica smiled with pride. "I did, didn't I?"
They sat in silence for a moment. Finally, Logan broke the silence.
"Veronica." He said. "I am so sorry."
"You should be." Veronica said. "You put another scar on that pretty body of yours. I liked it the way it was."
"Veronica. I'm serious. I am so sorry for putting you and the twins at risk!"
"So you knew Mr. Casablancas would be coming after you? You knew he was the shooter from six years ago?"
"No. But I'm still to blame for sleeping with Kendall. I can't believe my stupidity." Logan scrubbed a hand over his face.
Veronica walked around to the other side of Logan's hospital bed and climbed up next to him.
"You were stupid." Veronica agreed, taking Logan's right hand. "But you were seventeen. You'd lost your mother and found out that your father was a killer. You were accused of murder, and then I practically ripped your heart out. Nobody should have to deal with that much pain at the age of seventeen, and you could hardly be blamed for making stupid decisions."
Logan's face showed regret. "If I were a better man, I would disappear again, so you and the twins would never again have to suffer for my mistakes."
"Logan, don't…"
"I'm not a better man, Veronica. I'm selfish. I can't live without you or my children. Will you allow me to stay in your life?"
"I'd like to see you try to leave." Veronica threatened. "This time I will hunt you down and bring you back at gunpoint."
Logan gave her a weak smile. "Still love me?"
"More than ever." She said with sincerity.
"So would this be a bad time to mention moving to an estate? I owe my daughter a stable full of ponies. Also, gates and a security system would be much appreciated."
"Ohhh. You're so manipulative." Veronica smiled indulgently. "We'll discuss that when you get out of the hospital.
"I still love you too." Logan said as he began drifting off to sleep.
The next time Logan awoke, daylight streamed in through his hospital windows. He winced as he pushed himself into a sitting position. Veronica and the twins were sitting around a small table drawing pictures.
"Hi guys." He said.
"Dad! You're awake!" Morgan said, rising and coming to his bedside. She stood on her tippy-toes and tried to hug him, but was still a little too short to reach. Logan squeezed her hand instead.
Lo stayed at the table, his eyes red-rimmed. Veronica gave him a little smile.
"Guys." Logan said. "Do you mind if I have a moment alone with Lo?"
At the look on Morgan's face, he said "Don't worry Morgan, you're next."
She smiled then, and left the room with her mother.
"Hi Lo." Logan said.
"Hi." Lo answered, not meeting Logan's eyes.
"You want to come up here and sit next to me?" Logan asked, patting the bed to his right.
Lo nodded and climbed up on the bed next to Logan.
Logan used his right arm to pull the boy into a hug.
Lo squeezed him back, tears coming to his eyes. He swiped them away angrily.
"Hey." Logan said, looking at his son knowingly. "I understand how you feel. You and I are exactly the same."
Lo met his eyes in surprise. "We are?"
"We are. Me and you...we feel things too deeply. Your mother and Morgan can turn off those feelings in order to get the job done. But you and I? Our 'happys' are happier and our 'sads' are sadder and our 'mads' are madder. When we love, we love with all our heart and when we hate… Well, let's just say people like us shouldn't hate and leave it at that."
Lo gave his father a little half smile.
"But the thing is? I understand you, and I understand exactly what you're going through right now."
"You do?" Lo asked.
"I do." Logan assured him. "And we emotional basket cases need to stick together."
He held up a hand, and his son smiled and gave him a high-five.
"I wanted to tell you something." Logan said.
"What?" Lo asked.
"I wanted to say thank you very much for saving my life. You were so brave!"
"I was scared." Lo said, looking embarrassed.
"Of course you were. Anybody would be scared. He had a gun and he wanted to kill me. But you pushed past your fear to save me. The only reason I'm alive right now is because of you and your sister. I am so proud of you. You're my hero!"
Lo's face broke into a proud grin, and Logan reached over and ruffled his hair.
"Hey, watch the hair!" Lo said, but he was smiling.
Morgan was much less hesitant than Lo when she came into the room.
"Get up here." Logan said patting the bed next to him. Morgan leaped up and threw her arms around Logan's neck.
"Ouch! Bullet wound." Logan winced, and Morgan pulled back contritely.
"Hey, it's OK. I love the big hugs that you give. Let's just save them all up until I'm healed. Then we can have a Hug-a-thon, OK?"
"OK." Morgan said, already over it.
"So Morgan, that was pretty cool what you did for me back there." Logan said. "You saved my life. You and your brother."
"I know." She said proudly.
"You want to talk about it?" Logan asked.
"Yes!" Morgan said. "I've already told a bunch of people. The ambulance people, the policemen, and mom, and Grandpa, and the doctors and nurses, and Uncle Weevil, and Uncle Duncan."
"So you're the private type." Logan snarked.
Morgan looked at him funny and went on. "I came in the house, and I saw the bad man putting tape around your hands. I took a bunch of pictures of him, and tried to call 911, but the phone wouldn't work. So I told Lo what was happening and went to Mrs. Wheeler's house. I knocked and rang the doorbell, but she never came. Then I went to Mrs. Catalano's house. I knocked and rang her doorbell too, but she didn't come. That mean little dog of hers barked at me a lot. I like big dogs better. Like grandpa's dog, Backup."
"Backup is still around?" Logan asked smiling.
"Where else would he go?" Morgan asked. "All of the other neighbors are strangers - except Mr. Maralli, but I just met him yesterday. So I came home, and figured we would have to rescue you ourselves. He was too big, so we couldn't beat him up."
"I'm glad you didn't try." Logan said.
"So Lo said: 'maybe he'll fall asleep and we can rescue dad'. That's when I remembered that mom has medicine that can make you fall asleep; and Lo said 'How can you make him take the medicine?' Then I remembered that when Backup has ear affections, grandpa has to hide his medicine in his food. The bad guy wasn't eating any food, but he was drinking out of a bottle, so I put the medicine in there."
"You saved my life by doing that, Morgan." Logan said, squeezing her with his right arm. "But it was dangerous, too."
"I know. Mom already told me that I should get help next time instead of taking matters into my own hands."
"Your mom is absolutely correct. That said, I am still very proud of you. And a little scared of you, too." He said with a smile.
Morgan beamed.
"I'm so lucky to have such brave and brilliant children." He said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"I know!" Morgan said.
"I forgot to mention humble." Logan said.
"What does humble mean?" Morgan asked.
"Never mind. You'll never need that word."
"OK. So when are you going to marry mom?" Morgan asked.
Logan groaned. "You never give up, do you?"
"Nope." Morgan smiled mischievously.
"You really want me to marry your mom?" He asked.
"Yes." She nodded enthusiastically.
"But you can't get married without an engagement ring." Logan warned.
"I'll help you pick out a ring, dad." Morgan promised.
Logan glanced over at the door and saw Veronica leaning in the doorframe suppressing a laugh.
He smirked at her.
"You really want to help Morgan?" He asked.
"Yes!" She said excitedly.
"It's a big responsibility helping with a project like that. Are you up for it?"
"Yes!" She giggled.
I don't know if they make diamonds in the shape of a horse." He warned.
"I know that!" Morgan giggled.
"OK. Well, I think your mom would probably want a little diamond. Probably the smallest one in the store. We'd probably have to find the smallest one and have them cut it in half to make your mom happy."
"Really?" Morgan asked, giving an 'is-she-crazy?' look.
He glanced at Veronica, smirking. Raising her eyebrow, she stepped into the room.
"Don't listen to your father, Morgan. I don't think he knows me very well at all. If he did, he'd know that I would want the biggest diamond in the store."
"Game on." Her look communicated to Logan.
He smiled at her brightly. As if he would ever buy her anything less than the best.
"Oh my God, Logan!" Trina rushed into the room, throwing herself at him.
"Ouch! Bullet wound!" Logan groaned.
"Does it hurt?" Trina asked. "Good! Because I hurt when I found out you were dead."
"And even more when I left all of my money to Veronica?"
Trina brushed the question off.
"Imagine my surprise today when I was told that my dead brother was in the hospital with a gunshot wound? I almost didn't believe it. And then to find out that the gunshot wound was received defending your children?"
Trina broke down into actual tears. "I thought I was alone in the world." She cried.
Logan patted her arm, awkwardly.
"I'm so happy that you're alive." Her face was full of sincerity. "Can I meet your children?"
"I don't see why not." Logan said. "We can have you over once they release me."
"Thank you." She said. "Now that I have a family again, I'm going to make it a top priority."
They chatted for a while, and then Trina said her goodbyes, promising to visit as soon as possible.
"So what time is the press conference?" Logan asked before she walked out of the room.
"Five o'clock." She answered with a flippant little smile and wave.
"Trina. Gotta love her." Logan said to himself after she left.
Logan received an unexpected visitor around 1:00 AM. Dick Casablancas, looking around furtively to not be caught, snuck into Logan's room. His eyes were red-rimmed from crying.
"Dick!" Logan said coming awake slowly. "It's alright man, nobody died."
"No." Dick sniffled, "But somebody was born. I have a daughter! She was born about an hour ago, but they just kicked me out."
"Hey! Congratulations!" Logan said. "I am so happy for you."
Dick approached Logan's right and gave him a hug.
"Dude. I am so sorry about my dad! He's looking at life in prison if they can prove attempted murder."
"You should be sorry! We should all be held responsible for the actions of our fathers." Logan said, straight-faced.
Dick looked at Logan awkwardly for a moment.
"Oh…" He laughed finally. "I get it. Your dad was a murderer."
Logan patted Dick's shoulder, indulgently. "So tell me about this daughter of yours."
Dick's face lit up. "She was born at 11:42 PM. Seven pounds, three ounces. Twenty inches long."
"Is that a good size?" Logan asked, having no idea.
"It's perfectly average." Dick said, proudly.
"If you're wondering about the twins. They were premature. I think Morgan was five and a half pounds. Lo was smaller - five pounds three ounces. She was born about ten minutes earlier."
"I can't believe you know the birth weights of my children off the top of your head." Logan said, shaking his head.
Dick took a seat at Logan's bedside.
"You're the best friend I've ever had." He said. "When we lost you, I vowed to treat your children as if they were my own."
Logan was almost moved beyond words.
"Thank you." He said finally. "You have my eternal gratitude for that."
"It was a pleasure." Dick smiled. "Those twins rock!
"You're the best friend I ever had, too." Logan said after a moment.
"Really?" Dick asked, his face lighting up. "I thought Duncan…"
"Nah. You're much more loyal. And you never stole my girl!"
Dick laughed. "No way! You can keep the rich dude kryptonite. I'll take my Mac any day."
"How's Mac doing?"
"Great! She's sleeping. She was in labor most of the day or I would have come to see you sooner."
"So did you and Mac come up with a name for my God Daughter?" Logan asked.
"How did you know we were going to ask you to be her Godfather?" Dick asked.
"I don't know...maybe the 'best friend forever' girl-talk we just had?" Logan laughed.
"Ohhh." Dick said, nodding.
"So? Does she have a name?"
Dick looked uncomfortable. "She does, but I'm not sure how you're going to like it."
"Why would I have an opinion about what you choose to name your daughter?"
"We named her Cassandra."
"OK..." Logan said, confused.
"We'll call her Cassie.
"OK..."
"We originally wanted to name her Cassidy, but thought that might be a slap in the face to the people that he hurt."
Understanding came over Logan's face and he squeezed Dick's arm, reassuringly.
"You know, I miss Cassidy too. He wasn't always so broken. He was a really good friend to me once, and I wish more than anything that things could have turned out differently."
Dick swallowed painfully. When he looked into Logan's eyes, he gave a little nod.
"Welcome to the world Cassie Casablancas!" Logan smiled giving a toast, and Dick became emotional all over again.
"If you don't watch it Dick, I'm going to make you join the Emotional Basketcase Club with Lo and I."
"OK, as long as I don't have to be the treasurer. I suck at math." Dick said.
If Dick arriving at 1:00 AM came as a surprise, Veronica arriving at 2:00 AM was a bigger surprise. Noticing that Logan was awake, she locked the door behind her and crawled up into bed next to him.
"Hi." Logan said, smiling. He felt incredibly shy all of a sudden.
"Hi." Veronica smiled back. "The twins are sleeping over Duncan's, and I can't sleep."
"Miss me?" Logan flirted.
"You have no idea." Veronica admitted, squeezing his hand. "Plus, I've gotten kind of used to having you around to wear me out before bed."
Logan waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Want me to wear you out?"
"Negative. You're in no shape for sex," Veronica said.
"I can manage just fine, thank you very much." Logan pouted.
Veronica rolled to her knees and leaned over to give him a light kiss.
"Nope. Sex is off the table, although I can think of a few less strenuous outlets for that sexual energy of yours. You wearing anything under that sexy hospital gown?" She asked pulling back his hospital blanket.
Logan's shivered as her hand began creeping up his thigh, and almost jumped out of his skin when she grasped him.
"Does that answer your question?" He asked, closing his eyes and leaning his head back.
"You don't know how afraid I was for you." Veronica said.
"Actually, I do. I've been there before. Remember?"
"Promise me you'll never leave me again." Veronica asked, her eyes pleading.
"I promise." He said looking into her eyes.
Veronica smiled softly, and Logan tugged at the hem of her shirt. She used her free hand to tug her shirt over her head.
Logan reached up with his right hand and traced her gunshot scar.
"If matching gunshot wounds aren't a sign of meant-to-be, I don't know what is." He said.
"Written in the stars!" Veronica agreed.