If anyone feels jerked around with this sudden development, I apologize. I actually had originally planned in "Road to Epic" to have Veronica lose the baby in the car wreck and have it break them up for a time. But when I wrote that scene at the hospital, I realized that Logan loved her too much and the baby wasn't real to him yet so it wouldn't break them up. What would cause problems would be her unwillingness to share the news, so I went with that storyline and postponed the miscarriage. Then I resolved the Sorokin and had the engagement, and it was such a beautiful happy time that I decided to end the story and save my darker plans for another story. I also wasn't sure I'd have the nerve to go through with it because I, too, loved the picture I was painting of them having a baby.

However, I did warn you at the beginning it was a darker tale. I did so not to write the unexpected, but to challenge myself as a writer. I wanted to write a grittier, grown-up tale. Rape and miscarriages, and break-ups are a part of life. I get tired of adultery tales, so I like to keep couples together as much as possible and have them work through obstacles. At least couples that have been tested. New couples may break-up but if they are meant to be, they will find their way back together! I do have some good stuff a head for all the couples even in the midst of heartbreak. This story will pay off major for those that like to be moved and to have emotions pulled out of them, but it's not really a fluff tale. I will be moving all the characters into unchartered places to one degree or another. The plotlines will move quickly in the next few chapters. I hope you will be entertained. Thanks for all of those who continue to support me and this tale.

Sorry for the long author's note!

Chapter 18: Numb

******The next day******

It was Tuesday afternoon, and Jason had stopped by Daisy's to drive her home to San Francisco. She gave him a tired smile while Jason kissed her cheek. "Hello, mi amore," Jason said.

She smiled at his Italian endearment. It made her melt every time. "Hey," she said.

Jason noticed the small bouquet of flowers. "Should I be jealous?" he asked with an arch of his brow.

She looked puzzled until she saw what he was looking at. "Oh, those are from your sister," Daisy said.

"Really?" Jason asked with a pleased smile.

"Yes, she sent me a very nice condolence for my loss," Daisy said, still surprised by Jazmin's unexpected kindness.

"And did you call and thank her?" Jason asked.

"Well, of course!" she said with a haughty look.

Jason pulled her close for a hug. "Thanks. You know how much she means to me. I hate that you two aren't close, but I'm happy that you're both trying," Jason said. "Are you ready to go?"

"It's still a little early. Didn't you need to stop by your work today?" Daisy asked.

"No, Nico's got it covered. But I thought maybe you may want to stop and see Veronica," Jason said.

"It's funny that you should mention Veronica. She hasn't called me at all," Daisy said with a frown. "I didn't notice at first, but Mac was over here and even Dick yesterday. Veronica's like the first girlfriend I made here at Hearst. It kind of hurts that she didn't even call."

Jason felt a stab of guilt. He had told Mac and his sister not to say anything to Daisy about what happened to Veronica or what had happened with Daisy to Veronica. She was so upset yesterday that Jason wanted to wait a few days. Now, however, he knew he had to tell her before she left. "Well, it's my fault. I'm sorry. You were just so upset, and I didn't want to make you more upset," Jason explained.

Daisy frowned. "What am I missing?" she asked.

"Monday afternoon Veronica had a miscarriage," Jason shared.

"What?" Daisy asked incredulously.

"She lost the baby," Jason said.

"And you didn't tell me!" Daisy yelled, slapping his arm in annoyance.

"You have enough to deal with. Same reason Dick and Mac didn't tell her about your cousin. She has enough to deal with," Jason said unapologetically.

Daisy rolled her eyes. "I'm not made of glass, you big lug! I can handle being there for my friend! She probably thinks I don't care like I was wondering about her!" Daisy said in outrage.

"She's probably not thinking about you at all, sweetie," Jason pointed out.

Daisy winced. "That is so awful! She was so excited. Logan even more so! How did this happen?" Daisy asked.

"No real reason. She was with Jazmin talking and then started having pains," Jason shared.

"Well, let's go see her before you drive me to my mom's," Daisy insisted.

"I figured you'd say that," Jason said. He grabbed her suitcase and carry-on bag.

"Next time don't keep important things from me because you think it's for my own good!" Daisy scolded as they went out the door. "I'm not Jazmin. Nor am I some little miss that must be protected."

Jason sighed. "I know. I'm sorry," he said in resignation.

A short time later, they made it to Veronica and Logan's beach house. Jason and Daisy both went in to offer their condolences. Dick answered the door. Logan and Mac were in the living room. Mac got up and gave Daisy a hug. "When will you be back?" Mac asked her.

"Late Sunday night. I'm going to have to miss some classes, but if I bring them a funeral program, my professors will excuse my absence. I'll have just enough time to make up the work before Thanksgiving break starts," Daisy said. She looked at Logan who was sitting somberly.

Jason sat down next to him. "How are you doing?" Jason asked.

Logan shrugged. "Okay, I guess. I still can't believe it happened," he admitted.

"Where's Veronica?" Daisy asked.

"She's outside on the patio," Mac said. "She's not really okay."

"Of course, she's not! It'll be a while before she is okay," Daisy said. She went to the patio. Veronica was sitting in a lounge chair staring out at the water. "Hey."

Veronica turned and looked up at her. "Hi," she said, giving Daisy a wan smile.

"Jason just now told me about what happened, or I would've called," Daisy explained. "We were on the way to my house. I'm flying with my mom to Puerto Rico in the morning. A close cousin of mine died."

Veronica winced in sympathy. "I'm really sorry," she said. She reached out and grabbed Daisy's hand for a sympathetic squeeze.

"Me, too," Daisy said. "For both of us. What happened? If you don't mind talking about it."

"I'm not sure. I started having pains yesterday afternoon when I was talking to Jazmin. She took me to the ER. I miscarried while I was there. The doctor says this happens sometimes," Veronica said grimly.

"Yeah, it does," Daisy said, nodding.

"But I was knocked around Saturday night by Madison Sinclair," Veronica shared, an edge to her voice.

"What? She laid hands on you?" Daisy asked in disbelief.

"She slapped me twice, so I broke her nose. Then she shoved me into a corner table, and I hit my stomach," Veronica recalled. "We went to the ER, and it seemed like I was fine."

"But now your baby is gone, so I'd be thinking that may have something to do with it, too," Daisy said knowingly.

"I feel numb, but I know once I wrap my mind around the fact that my baby is gone, the rage will kick in," Veronica said.

"When I get back from my cousin's funeral, I'll need something to keep my mind off her death, so count me in if you need help making the chica pay," Daisy offered.

Veronica gave her a small smile. "I just might. Thanks," Veronica said.

"Well, I gotta get going, so I'll see you soon. Take care of yourself, mi amiga," Daisy said. She bent down and kissed Veronica on the cheek and then turned to leave.

After she left, Veronica turned back to stare out at the water, hoping it would sooth her.

Inside, Mac walked Jason and Daisy out. Logan glumly watched them leave.

When Mac returned, she asked Logan, "So what exactly were you doing in Portland yesterday?"

"Yeah, dude, why don't I know about a new client?" Dick asked.

Logan looked a bit guilty. "I didn't go to see a client. I had Weevil track down Veronica's mother," he shared.

Dick and Mac were both surprised by his announcement. "No way!" Dick said in disbelief.

"Does Veronica know?" Mac asked in concern.

Logan shook his head. "No. Not yet. I wanted to see how Leanne was before telling Veronica. If she's still drinking. Where her head is. Stuff like that," he shared.

"And is she?" Mac inquired.

"No. She's actually doing really well. She said that when I got shot a year ago it motivated her to get sober. Knowing Veronica could've been killed really shook her," Logan said.

"So is she gonna come home?" Dick asked.

"I told her Veronica was about to have a baby," Logan said, feeling sick. "Now I have to call her and tell her there's no baby."

"It doesn't mean Veronica doesn't still need her mother," Mac said.

"Ronnie never talks about her mom. She probably doesn't even miss her. I don't miss mine," Dick said with a shrug.

"You were never close to your mom. Veronica was. Her mother didn't start spiraling downward until Lilly died and her dad lost his job," Logan said.

"Lilly's death really messed up everyone," Dick said with a sigh.

"So should I tell Veronica now? Do you think it will make things worse or better?" Logan asked.

"Dude, haven't you learned anything yet?" Dick asked incredulous.

"Tell her," Mac said. "You can't have a marriage if one person is doing things behind the other's back and keeping things from the other."

"It wasn't like that!" Logan protested, offended. "I wasn't trying to be sneaky. I just figured if her mom was still a mess, she'd never have to know about it."

"Well, I think it'll do her some good to know her mom is in a good place and wants to reconnect," Mac said.

Logan nodded and didn't say anything more. Dick frowned at Mac. He didn't know what to say to make Logan feel better. Mac understood what Dick was feeling and reached over and took his hand. They sat in silence a few minutes.

Finally, Logan said to Dick, "I just don't understand how this happened. Sunday night the doctor said she was fine."

"Well, can't there be like a delay or something? Like the baby is sick but not sick enough to..ah..you know—not make it?" Dick speculated.

"I'm sure getting hit in the stomach couldn't have done the baby any good," Logan said angrily.

Mac frowned at the remark. "You know doctors and the law refer to the unborn as fetuses for a reason. They're not developed enough to live without the mother. They're not really a baby in the first trimester. Veronica wasn't quite at the fourth month yet. And ultrasounds can't always detect when something's wrong," Mac explained.

"That's kind of cold, Mackie," Dick said in displeasure.

"I'm not being cold. Just scientific," Mac said.

"Madison slapped Veronica twice and shoved her hard into a table knowing she's pregnant!" Logan said in growing anger. "Everyone knows that pregnant women are fragile. Veronica was already in a car wreck. Maybe this second assault was just too much for the baby."

"Madison was drunk and wasn't thinking. Veronica's not really showing, so she probably forgot Veronica was pregnant," Mac defended.

"Like it would've stopped her if she was reminded!" Dick said with a snort. "I know Maddie better than anyone. When she's mad, she doesn't think about anything but hurting her target."

"That may be true, but Madison didn't cause the miscarriage. Do your own research. You can't miscarry by knocking into something. There had to have been something wrong with the fetus," Mac insisted.

Veronica was at the patio door listening to Mac in growing anger. Finally, she heard enough and moved into their line of sight. "There wasn't anything wrong with my baby!" Veronica said hotly. "I can't believe you would sit here and minimize my child while defending Madison Sinclair!"

Mac winced at Veronica's attack. "I'm sorry, Veronica. I didn't mean to minimize your loss," Mac assured her.

"But you did mean to defend Madison? You think she wasn't responsible for what happened?" Veronica asked in disbelief.

"I looked it up, and the baby is well protected in the womb. And the doctor told you that it was probably a chromosomal imbalance," Mac said.

"That's bullshit! He said it usually was and that it was doubtful getting hit in the stomach affected the baby! Not certain!" Veronica said heatedly. "My baby is gone just two days later, and you want to sit here and say Madison had nothing to do with it? You want to defend her in my house?" All the numbness she had been feeling disappeared in the wake of her sudden anger.

"I don't want to defend her. I just don't want her being blamed for something that isn't anyone's fault because it does no one any good," Mac said quietly. "I know you, Veronica. I know that you always got to look for the bad guy. There's always got to be someone to blame. But it's not always like that. Sometimes, things just happen. Things we can't prevent or control. I'm sorry this happened, but I don't want you to focus on Madison. Focus on healing and moving past this."

"It just happened, Mac. Maybe you can move on like that, but I'm not made that way," Veronica said grimly. "I know that my baby was fine until I went to your sister's party. I was attacked and two days later, my baby is dead! It wasn't a fetus. It was my son! The son I will never get to hold! The son I will never get to name! If you're really my friend, you won't sit in my house and defend that woman! Not ever!"

Mac sat there in shock as Veronica unleashed her anger. She wanted to cry. Never had Veronica used her legendary tongue-lashing abilities on her. Mac had just wanted to offer comfort. She didn't think wasting time and energy blaming Madison, who really wasn't responsible, would help anyone. Now Veronica was yelling at her. She got up, trying to hold back the tears and headed for the front door.

Dick looked dismayed at the sudden fight. Veronica and Mac not only never fought, but they never even disagreed. Logan had gotten up and pulled Veronica against him for a hug. Dick got up to chase after Mac, following her outside. Reaching out, he grabbed her hand. "Ronnie's just upset. Give her time," Dick said.

"Madison isn't to blame for Veronica's miscarriage, Dick," Mac said flatly, brushing at her tears.

"You can't know that!" Dick replied.

"Actually, I can. Science is on my side. If Madison's shove had hurt the baby, Veronica would've started bleeding right away or later that night. She didn't. She was fine all day Monday and most of yesterday," Mac said.

"Well, Jazmin lost a baby by a fall. Babies don't just die," Dick said.

"Babies don't, but fetuses do. Women miscarry all the time. Most never know why. Normally, miscarriages are just nature's way of preventing deformations and other sicknesses that are developing in the baby," Mac explained. "Madison didn't cause this, Dick. I'm certain. Am I supposed to say nothing and let Veronica start taking her pain and anger out on Madison?"

"What do we care what happens to Maddie?" Dick asked.

"Dick, I have to care! You know that! She's Lauren's sister!" Mac reminded him.

"Well, if it makes Veronica feel better to have someone to blame, what does it matter? Isn't making her feel better the most important thing anyway?" Dick wondered.

"It matters, Dick, because I know Veronica. She won't stop at blame," Mac said knowingly.

*****Later That Night******

Logan crawled into bed next to Veronica. He put his arm around her, and she moved to lay her head down on his chest. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Right now? I feel numb. The anger I felt early at Mac is gone. Now I just feel numb again. I can't even cry anymore," Veronica said morosely.

"It's going to take time," Logan said.

Veronica sat up and looked at him. "Do you think this is my fault?" she asked in a small voice.

Logan's eyes widened in surprise at her question. "Of course not!" he exclaimed.

"When I first found out I was pregnant, I freaked. I didn't think it was the right time," Veronica reminded him. "Maybe the baby felt unwanted. And I pissed off the guy who ran me over. Maybe this is my fault."

"This is not your fault! If anyone's to blame, it's Madison. Knocking you around when you're pregnant. We should sue. The Sinclairs raised a vindictive monster and should pay!" Logan said in disgust.

"Well, Lauren and Mac are both Sinclairs, and they're both fine. Madison just thinks she's better than everyone. But I think it's about time she learns that she's not," Veronica said grimly.

"I agree," Logan said. The girl had caused him too many problems over the years. He was quite sick of her.

"I think she needs to feel pain. Pain is an effective way to teach a bitch, and Madison is the biggest bitch I know," Veronica said. She moved and grabbed her phone off the nightstand.

"Who are you calling?" Logan asked.

"Leo," Veronica replied.

"Deputy Leo? Who you dated?" Logan asked with a raised eyebrow.

Veronica smirked. "Yep!" she replied. She was going to make Madison's life miserable. "Leo will be just the one to help us start teaching Madison some humility."

Logan grinned malevolently as he figured out what his devious woman was going to ask of the young deputy.

******Chapter End*******

Now you will start reading about some payback! You will really enjoy the next chapter! I promise!

It's up to you to decide if Madison is truly to blame. I wrote this chapter using Mac as the voice of reason. If you research it, you will find pretty much what Mac says. However, just the other day I saw a story on the news about a pregnant woman who lost her baby by getting punched in the stomach. I still say, though, if Madison was ultimately to blame, she would've lost the baby the night it happened. But in their grief, Veronica and Logan won't be thinking rationally on the subject. Before you get mad at Mac for defending Madison, remember the closer Mac gets to her sister Lauren, the more Madison will be a part of her life. If Madison had vindictively set out to cause a miscarriage, Mac would not be defending her, so please don't think she is disloyal.