Although some of you have been leery of Leanne, there is no reason to be. I know most fanfiction stories have villainized Leanne. I never really understood that though because all indications from the show were Veronica and her mom were very close. Veronica easily gave up her savings to try to save her mom from her addiction. Even after her mom stole from her, she was upset senior year to learn her mom might've been a mean girl like Madison. She loved her mother. Logan, who knows her better than anyone, instinctively understands this. Addicts steal and hurt those they love. It doesn't mean they don't care, but they are a slave to their addiction. If you have addicts of any kind in your family, it will be easier to understand. When an addict makes a real effort to change, it should always be encouraged in my opinion. No matter how much Veronica may love Alicia, she's not her mother. I want to give her back her mother. My reason will be clear soon enough.
Chapter 16: An Unexpected Turn
********Happy Valley, Oregon********
Leanne Mars looked at Logan a moment in shock. Then she said, "Why are you here? Is Veronica okay?" she asked anxiously.
"Do you care?" Logan asked bluntly. He stepped inside the apartment.
"Of course, I care!" she said.
"Really? Veronica was involved in a hit and run last month, and you didn't show up to play the concerned mother," Logan said. "Veronica is convinced you don't care a thing about her."
"She's my daughter. I will always care," Leanne said flatly, turning away.
Logan shut the front door and regarded her coolly. "I hope so. I really do because your daughter needs you," Logan said. "We're expecting a baby."
"You and my daughter? Who would've thought?" Leanne said smiling. "Congratulations."
"We're engaged," Logan said.
"Really? When's the wedding?" she asked.
"New Year's Eve," Logan said.
"I wanted to come back last fall when I saw you and her on the news. But she looked so happy with you, and I didn't know if she'd want to see me," Leanne admitted.
"She doesn't know I'm here," Logan shared.
Leanne nodded in understanding. "Would you like something to drink? Please, have a seat," she gestured to the living room. She walked into the kitchen.
"So you're still drinking?" Logan asked walking to the kitchen behind her.
"No. I've been sober a year now," Leanne said as she opened up the fridge. "All I can offer you is a Pepsi, tea, or water."
"Water is fine," Logan said. Leanne handed him a bottle of water and took one for herself.
"You know your daughter told me once that you used to fill bottles of water with vodka," Logan said. He broke the cap of the water bottle. "But I can see this isn't vodka."
"No, it isn't. As soon as I heard about her almost getting shot and you taking the bullet for her last fall, I wanted to run back to Neptune. But I was a mess. I knew she wouldn't want to see me the way I was," Leanne told him. She walked a few steps and went into the living room and sat down on the couch. Logan sat down next to her. She continued, "I put down the bottle and went to a meeting."
"Just like that?" Logan asked, his doubt evident.
"No, not just like that. It was hard. I'm lonely and the booze makes me forget what a mess I've made of my life," Leanne shared.
"Yeah, it can do that," Logan said. "But only for a few hours. Then you're just depressed."
"Yes, that's true. My friends here in Happy Valley have helped me a lot. Now when I feel down, I call one of them," Leanne said.
"That's good to hear. That's exactly what I was hoping to hear, in fact," Logan said. "How do you feel about coming back home? Keith's remarried, and he's sheriff again."
She smiled. "Good for him. Keith was always the best man I knew. I'm ashamed to admit though that I could never love him the way he deserved. But he was such a wonderful father to Veronica. He loved her more than anything from the moment she was born," Leanne said.
"She's definitely a daddy's girl," Logan said with a fond smile.
"I loved my daughter, but she and I didn't have our own secret language like the two of them did," Leanne said. "When he lost his job as sheriff and my so-called friends quit talking to me, it was just the three of us. I finally realized that although I could be content as a sheriff's wife, I would never be happy married to a guy who spent most of his time chasing bail jumpers. I just didn't fit into their secret world."
"It's an honest living," Logan said.
"I know. And I'm glad Keith found someone again. He deserves it," Leanne said.
"And what do you deserve?" Logan asked.
"I'm not sure. I stole from my own daughter, Logan. I am so ashamed. How can I ever look her in the eyes again?" Leanne asked, her eyes tormented.
"Your daughter has a very big heart. I know better than anyone. She's forgiven me for quite a bit, and she's about to be a mother. Don't you think now's a good time for you to come home and start building bridges again? Let her know that you care and that you're sorry," Logan said.
"I am. And I do care. Once I got sober again, I couldn't believe how low I sunk. Do you really think she can forgive me?" Leanne asked hopefully.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't," Logan said.
Leanne smiled. "You two have a good life?" she asked.
"We do. It's pretty amazing," Logan said with a grin.
"So tell me all about it," Leanne said eagerly. "What have I've missed?"
******Back on Campus******
Jason left the journalism building after submitting his article. He went to the maintenance building looking for Eli.
"Hey," Jason said when he found him. "Do you have a minute?"
Eli gave him an annoyed look. "No. I had a minute this morning, but you blew me off. Now I'm busy. Go away," he said grimly.
"Look, I'm sorry. I had to go. Daisy was crying on the phone. Her cousin died," Jason said.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but it doesn't change anything," Eli said, giving Jason a disgusted look.
"Daisy's leaving for Puerto Rico tomorrow. The funeral is Saturday. I'm going to fly down there Friday to be with her," Jason said.
"Oh really? You're just going to fly to another country for a weekend when your sister is spiraling down some black hole? You're a real prince," Eli said with derision.
Jason was beginning to get annoyed. "I don't need your criticism, Eli. My girlfriend is devastated. Jazmin isn't. She's just freaking out over a pregnancy scare," Jason said.
"How do you know? Have you even went and talked to her?" Eli asked pointedly.
"Well, no, but-"
Eli cut him off. "That's what I thought. Your sister, who you claim to love more than anyone, your reason for being in this town and going to this school, has not been acting right for over a week now. But you can't seem to notice or be bothered, and it's really starting to piss me off!" Eli exclaimed getting in Jason's face.
"You better back the hell off, Eli!" Jason said angrily. "You have no right to criticize me or pass judgment on my relationship with my sister! I've known her our entire lives. You, about five minutes in comparison. Don't you dare act like she doesn't matter to me! If I thought there was something actually wrong with her, I'd be the first one by her side. She's had me long before she had you!"
The two men glared angrily at one another. Eli finally turned his back. "I got work to do," he said dismissively.
Jason sighed in frustration, but he turned and left. Although Eli's insinuations really pissed him off, he decided to go see his sister. Eli wasn't one to overreact, and he was really upset. Jason headed to his car.
******At Jazmin's*****
Jazmin smiled as Dick relayed one of his favorite surfing stories. They'd had a great time. She could tell that nothing made Dick happier than surfing. Well, except for maybe Mac. He pulled up to her house.
"So we should do this again on Sunday with Logan. Surfing chicks are hot! We've been training Ronnie, but she's not as into as we are," Dick said with a grin. "Maybe if you start going, she'll go more." They got out of his truck. They were getting her new surfboard out of the back of the truck when Jason pulled up.
Jason was more than surprised to see his sister dressed in a wet suit getting a surfboard out of Dick Casablancas' truck. "So what's going on?" he asked, smiling at the surprising sight.
Jazmin smiled at her brother. The first genuine smile she'd given him in a while. But she was feeling really great. Surfing had energized her and chased away the dark clouds that had been following her around. "Dick took me surfing!" she shared.
"Your sister was a natural!" Dick said proudly.
"Well, I'm glad you two had so much fun. I haven't gotten a chance to try it since we've been here," Jason said.
"We're going to go out again on Sunday," Dick said. "You should come with us."
"Actually, I can't. Daisy's favorite cousin died in car wreck. I'm flying Friday to Puerto Rico to attend the funeral with her," Jason shared. "Some other time."
"Dude, that blows!" Dick said with sympathy.
"Is Daisy okay?" Jazmin asked.
"Not really. She's pretty devastated," Jason shared. "Mac's with her now."
"Dude, I'll go pick up some lunch and take over to them," Dick said looking at his watch. "It's just now one. I'll call Mac and see if they've eaten."
"That's a good idea. I'll be there soon to relieve Mac," Jason said.
Dick gave Jazmin a bear hug. "Glad you're feeling better, Jazzie!" Dick said.
"Thanks for everything, Dick!" Jazmin said happily. Dick got into his truck with a wave.
Jason took the surfboard from his sister. "Let me carry this for you," Jason said. They went up the steps and inside. Jason set the board against the wall in the foyer. Jazmin unzipped her wetsuit and stepped out of it. She had one a black one-piece bathing suit underneath.
"That was really so amazing, Jay! I can't even explain it!" Jazmin said enthusiastically.
"I'm glad to see you so animated. Eli is really worried about you," Jason shared.
Jazmin's smile wavered. "Yeah, well, he didn't take it well when I told him that I needed some space," she said.
"Well, women don't usually ask for space when they're madly in love, and I was under the impression that you were," Jason pointed out.
"I do love Eli. More than ever. That's not what this is about," Jazmin said. "Are you thirsty? I'm wiped out. Let's move to the kitchen. I need liquids."
Jason followed her into the kitchen where she got a bottle of cold water out of the refrigerator. After she took a long drink, she said, "Eli is intense. Normally, I love that. But we had a bit of a scare last week."
"He told me about the pregnancy tests," Jason said. "Why didn't you call me? You know I'm never too busy for you."
"I know that! But I need to quit relying so much on you. For the longest time, you and I only had each other. Now, however, we have other people in our life who care about us. We both have friends we can trust. You are serious about a girl for the first time, and I have actual girlfriends. So it's time for me to quit running to you every time I freak out about something," Jazmin said.
"And that's all that's going on? Just a little freak out? Nothing more?" Jason said, looking intently at her.
"I'm okay, Jay," Jazmin said without directly answering.
"So what about Eli? Are you really so upset with him that you want to break up with him?" Jason inquired.
"I don't want to break up. Not really. And he hasn't done anything. He's pretty perfect actually," Jazmin said. "But we got really serious really fast. The pregnancy scare made me realize that I need to step back a bit. I just need some breathing room. That's all, and Eli just doesn't understand."
"Well, I'll try to talk to him," Jason said. He felt reassured. His sister seemed fine—just like he thought.
"Please, do," she said. "And tell Daisy I'm sorry for her loss."
"You know it'd be a nice gesture if you called her yourself or sent flowers," Jason suggested.
"Okay. I can do that," she said. "Call me when you make it to Puerto Rico. Are you going to tell Dad?"
"I'll be back Sunday night, so why bother him?" Jason said with a rueful grin.
"Well, I won't rat you out, but you better hope the plane doesn't crash 'cause Dad'll kill you!" Jazmin teased.
Jason laughed and gave her a hug before leaving. Jazmin felt a twinge of guilt for once again misleading her brother. However, she wasn't lying exactly because she really was feeling better. She just needed some space. Time to get her head on straight.
*******A Few Hours Later******
Veronica decided to stop by and talk to Jazmin on her way home from her last class. She was determined to get to the bottom of what was really going on with Jazmin. She got out of her car and was about to head up the steps to the front door when she was stopped by a sharp pain in her stomach. Her hand went to her stomach, but it was gone as quickly as it came. Frowning, she went up the steps and rang the doorbell.
Jazmin opened the door. "Hello, Veronica. Come in," Jazmin said with a smile. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. I am more concerned with how you are," Veronica said pointedly.
"Have a seat," Jazmin said, gesturing to the couch. She sat down and turned her body slightly to face Veronica. "I'm fine. Dick and I went surfing today. It was a lot of fun." She gave Veronica an easy smile.
"That's good. But I want to know what would make you want to break up with Weevil?" Veronica asked. "And don't give me that line about needing space that you gave him." Another sharp pain hit her stomach. Jazmin noticed her wincing.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm okay. I want to know what's been going on with you the past two weeks? Something was up even before I put the idea in your head that you were pregnant," Veronica said. "I'm sorry about that, by the way."
"It's okay. That did freak me out. It made me realize that things were moving too fast with me and Eli," Jazmin said, dissembling.
"I don't believe that! I know all about a pregnancy scare, and if it's with the man you love, it's not that scary!" Veronica insisted. "We're not in high school or living with our parents." When Jazmin was unable to meet her gaze, a thought occurred to her. "Oh my God! That's it! You weren't sure Weevil was the father!" She got to her feet in disbelief and another stabbing pain hit her, doubling her over.
Jazmin forgot about Veronica's remark as concern for her friend propelled her to her feet. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
"I started having some sharp pains when I got out of the car," Veronica admitted.
"Go to the bathroom and check to see if you are bleeding," Jazmin ordered, pushing her toward the downstairs bathroom.
Two minutes later, Veronica came out of the bathroom, her face white. "I'm spotting," she shared. "What does that mean? Am I miscarrying?"
"Let's get you to the hospital and find out," Jazmin said. She grabbed her purse and made Veronica give her the car keys. She drove Veronica's car straight to the ER.
Veronica called Logan and got his voicemail. She left a message. "Logan, call me back. Something's wrong. I'm having some pain. Jazmin's taking me to the hospital." Then she called Mac and got her voicemail. She left a short message. Then she called Wallace, who picked up. They were pulling into the hospital as she explained what was going on. He said he'd call their parents and meet her there soon.
Veronica hung up the phone, feeling like everything was moving in slow motion. Jazmin told the nurses what was happening and was given papers to fill out. Jazmin tried to ask her questions, but it was like her voice was far away. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Finally, Jazmin grabbed Veronica's purse and located her insurance card. She gave the papers to the nurse. "She needs to see a doctor right away," Jazmin said urgently.
"She will as soon as possible," the nurse said with an unconcerned glance.
Jazmin didn't appreciate her attitude but went back to Veronica's side. "How are you feeling? It's going to be a few minutes," Jazmin said.
"I'm okay. The pain stopped," Veronica said, unclenching her fists. Maybe it was nothing. Then an agonizing pain ripped through her, making her cry out.
Jazmin got to her feet. "She needs a doctor right now!" Jazmin yelled angrily. Finally, the nurse came out with a wheelchair, and they helped Veronica in it as she began to cry.
"I don't want to lose my baby, Jazmin! Where's Logan? I need Logan! Why isn't he here?" Veronica demanded, her fear visible.
Jazmin felt helpless in the face of Veronica's fear. She grabbed her friend's hand, but the nurse wouldn't let Jazmin go with her. "I'll call Logan. Don't worry!" Jazmin told her as Veronica was wheeled through the double doors. She got out her phone and dialed Logan's number. It went straight to voicemail, so she left a message. "Logan, please come to the ER. I think Veronica may be trying to have a miscarriage," she said into the voicemail. She hung up feeling sick. She knew exactly how Veronica was feeling right now. The physical pain, the fear, and the anguish were all things Jazmin had once felt. She said a silent prayer that things would turn out differently for Veronica.
Keith arrived a few minutes later, dressed in his sheriff's uniform. "Where's Veronica?" he asked in concern.
"They took her back a few minutes ago. They wouldn't let me go with her," Jazmin said, upset.
He nodded and went through the double doors. Not much longer after he arrived, Wallace and Dick showed up. Both look worried. "Where is she? Is she okay?" Wallace asked Jazmin.
"I don't know. They just took her back five minutes or so ago," Jazmin said. "I can't get a hold of Logan."
"He went to Portland on business," Dick shared. "It's just a day trip. He should be back tonight."
"It may be too late then," Jazmin said grimly.
"What do you mean? Is she going to lose the baby?" Dick asked, a frightened look on his face.
Jazmin looked at Dick. She didn't know what to say. Instead of answering, she leaned against him. His arm went around her shoulders, hugging her. The three friends looked at each other, scared for their friend.
******To Be Continued******