Chapter 30: Getting Better
******Tuesday Before Thanksgiving******
A very pissed off Keith headed to J & E looking for Eli. He only found Nico.
"Is Eli here?" Keith asked.
"He's got class on Tuesday and usually comes in later," Nico said. "Can I help you?"
"Yeah, maybe. You can tell me what the hell you and Eli were thinking?" Keith asked, his anger obvious.
"About what?" Nico asked smoothly.
"You know what!" Keith said. "I just got a report that David, your niece's rapist and abuser, has lawyered up! I can't even question him now! That's if he steps foot back in this town! What did you and Eli do?"
Nico gave him a surprised look. "How could we do anything? Isn't David in Texas?" Nico asked.
"You know damn well where he is! You two have tipped my hand and made my job a hell of a lot harder!" Keith said. Keith knew Eli didn't have the resources to get to Texas and back so quickly alone.
"Being Sheriff is a thankless job," Nico said with sympathy.
Keith didn't appreciate his sympathy. "Why did you let Eli go to Texas? Did you go with him? I know it wasn't Jason or Sebastian. I've been keeping an eye on them," Keith said.
"We haven't been to Texas. At least I haven't lately," Nico said easily.
"Where were you Sunday night?" Keith asked.
Nico reached into a drawer and pulled out a camera. He had planned for this. He enjoyed the irony of using the Sheriff's own stepson to provide their alibi. Wallace was a good kid to hire for easy, no risk surveillance. "Eli and I were on stake-out. The camera is time stamped," he said, handing it to Keith.
Keith looked down at the camera and scrolled through the pictures. He frowned. "This doesn't prove anything to me. I know Sebastian has a private plane in San Diego and private flights do not have to be logged," Keith said.
"I don't work for Sebastian," Nico said firmly.
Keith gave him a considering look. "Maybe not. But you love Jazmin. I can understand the urge to investigate. But the thing is, you've now limited my effectiveness," Keith said grimly. "I'm never going to get the D.A. to press charges now. I hope you and Eli are happy." Without waiting for a response from Nico, he turned and left.
Nico regretted that Keith was angry. But he knew that as hard as Keith would try, the courts would never give them justice for Jazmin. However, unlike Eli, Nico knew that vengeance was best served cold.
******Jazmin's******
Jazmin was released from the hospital Tuesday morning. Her dad wanted to head home today. Her grandparents had already lined up a nice facility in Schaumburg, a northern suburb of Chicago, for her to spend time at after Thanksgiving. She didn't protest. She knew that she had let things get too bad. Maybe if she had gotten real treatment when she'd lost her baby a few years ago, she would've had better coping skills. A deep shame for what she had done was slowly growing inside of her. It was hard to believe how low she'd sunk. What had happened to her had not been her fault. On a certain level, she really knew that. However, it had been her and not David that had swallowed those pills. She alone had done that. Jazmin wasn't quite sure how she'd get past all that had been done to her and all she'd managed to do to herself. She'd really hurt her brother, Eli, and her friends by her silence and her actions. For the first time in her life, she knew without a doubt that she had more people in her life than Jason who really cared about her. It made her sad to think she may now lose some of them because of her actions.
Her brother held onto her elbow as they walked up the stairs to the house she shared with Parker and Mac. Her father and Michael were right behind them.
"I really like living with my friends," she said to him.
"I know. I'm sorry. It's not like you won't still get to be with them or see them. Our place is just a few blocks away," Jason said. He opened the door for her.
"Staying with your brother will be best for now," her father added.
When she stepped inside, she blinked in surprise to see all her friends, including Eli there. A banner that said, "Get Well Soon! We'll Miss You!" hung across the wall facing the front door. Her surprise was obvious. Her friends grinned and surrounded her. She blinked back tears at their kindness.
"We weren't going to let you leave without letting you know how much we love you," Veronica told her. She hugged Jazmin.
"I hope you get help quickly, so we can see your beautiful face back in town," Duncan said as he smiled at her and gave her a hug.
"I am so sorry I wasn't around more for you to talk to," Mac said. "Parker and I feel pretty awful about it."
"We love you," Parker said.
"Please, don't feel bad! I am so sorry!" Jazmin said sincerely. "It was just such a nightmare. I didn't make the right choice trying to handle it on my own. I know that now."
"Good!" Logan said. "If you're going to hang with us, you gotta know that we don't get mad or sad. We get even!"
"Damn straight!" Dick agreed. "My brothers at the house are already coming up with various plans to beat the shit out of David if he is dumb enough to show his head back in this town. We figure if enough guys are involved, they can't arrest or expel all of us!"
Jazmin was deeply touched by their support. Thea gave her a hug and whispered in her ear, "You are stronger than you realize. Don't see yourself as just a victim."
Wallace pulled her aside, wanting some privacy. He gave her a look filled with such pain and shame. "I don't even know how to begin to apologize to you." He looked at Jason, who stood by her side. "I don't know why I am so gullible. It makes me physically sick that someone I trusted and liked used my friendship to get to you. I hope you can forgive me. Sorry doesn't even begin to cover how I feel."
Eli was standing nearby, waiting for his time with her. He glared at Wallace. He was angry with everyone: himself, Jason, Wallace, and even Jazmin. "Yeah, you really are an idiot!" Eli exclaimed with disgust. Everyone turned at the raised voice.
Veronica, always quick to defend, glared at him. "No, he's not! Don't you dare try to blame Wallace! He is better than all of us, and you damn well know it! He isn't cynical or bitter or suspicious! That's how a normal person should be! We are the ones with the issues, Weevil! Wallace looks for the best in people and finds it!" Veronica said hotly.
Eli knew, of course, that Veronica was right. It was the very quality that he liked the most about Wallace. However, it didn't make him feel better. It didn't keep him from resenting Wallace's unknowing hand in what had happened to her. He remained silent.
Wallace just looked miserable and hung his head in shame. Jason spoke up. "Maybe all of us have a little bit of responsibility. I don't know. I know that after David raped her, we all could've been a bit more aware of what was going on with Jazmin. However, I don't know that any of us could've done anything to prevent what happened. I've known a lot of bad guys in my life. Normally, I can spot a guy up to no good. But, Wallace, I didn't think David was up to no good. Even though our dad pointed him out the last time he was in town at Veronica and Logan's engagement party, I wasn't concerned. My dad didn't like the look of him. But dad is suspicious of so many that I dismissed his concern. So if anyone could've prevented what happened to her, it would've been me. Then again, you can't be with a person all the time. However, Wallace, we don't blame you," Jason said firmly.
Jazmin reached out and took his hand. "I did cry out for you. I prayed desperately that you'd come back to your room in time to stop him. It was cruel fate that you didn't. However, it wasn't your fault. David is clever. He planned it perfectly. Both times. If I had told someone, maybe he wouldn't have gotten into our house so easily to attack me a second time. That's not on you, Wallace. It's on me," she told him. "I love you, and there is absolutely nothing to forgive. It's me that needs forgiveness." She hugged him and then looked around at all her friends who had come closer when Veronica began yelling. "I am truly sorry for not asking for help. I know that each of you would've given it to me. I am so grateful for your kindness and friendship. I will miss all of you."
"You'll be back for our wedding, right?" Logan asked.
"Of course!" Jazmin agreed.
Sebastian stood unobserved several feet from his children watching them with their friends. Michael, ever vigilant, stood next to him. "Boss, the kids have some good people here. It's not a bad place. Probably better than Chicago in many ways," he said to Sebastian.
"Yes, I can see that. It is good that my baby has finally found people she can trust. I know it's foolish of me to be angry at any of them. But it's a father's prerogative to hold those in her life somewhat accountable," he said. However, he knew that people intent on evil could not ever be stopped. That was a fact of life. Monsters could wear masks. David was one of those kinds of monsters. However, Sebastian had not liked the way he'd looked at his daughter last month. It rang an alarm inside of him. But he was not sure that he would've predicted or even suspected the depth of depravity the man possessed.
"Nico said the man is easy to grab at his home if you want to send someone in for him," Michael said.
"Texas is not a state you want to commit a crime in, my friend," Sebastian said. "We are the outsiders there. We will wait for our opportunity and wait until he is dumb enough to come back here."
"He'd be a fool to do so," Michael said.
"Young men often are. Rape is about power, not sex. Guys like him will not be easily cowed," Sebastian remarked. "I know he will return. We will wait."
After chatting some more with Wallace and Jazmin, Veronica looked at Jason and asked, "Where's Daisy?"
Jason looked away and admitted, "We broke up."
"What?" Jazmin asked in surprise. "Why would you break up? You're in love for the first time!"
"I know why!" Veronica said, throwing his father a scathing look. She lowered her voice. "I was there and witnessed that ugly little scene with you and your father. I can't believe you're letting him dictate who you'll date!"
Jazmin looked dismayed. It was obvious that her brother hadn't confessed anything to her. She knew her brother well enough, however, to not say anything with their father close by. Veronica knew no such thing. "You are making the biggest mistake of your life!" she fumed.
"Maybe. But it's the one I need to make right now. If Daisy loves me like she says she does, she'll understand that," Jason said quietly.
Veronica shook her head. "She'll never forgive you. She doesn't let people get close to her easily. She's not going to understand this. I wouldn't," Veronica said.
Jason glanced at Logan. "Logan would say that if we were meant to be together, we'll find our way back to each other," he said.
"True. I would say that," Logan said with a grin. "Veronica and I did."
Veronica rolled her eyes. "Logan is a hopeless romantic! What does he know?" she asked.
"Thanks, babe," Logan said dryly.
"Hey, I love you, but how much suffering did I cause you?" Veronica pointed out. Then she turned back to Jason. "Just remember this: 'Be wary of a woman scorned.'"
The doorbell rung, interrupting them. Mac went to it and opened it. It was Keith Mars.
"Dad, do you have news?" Veronica asked.
"Jazmin, I'm glad you're feeling better," Keith said, not answering her question.
"I'm flying home with my dad and Jason in a few hours," Jazmin told him.
"Sheriff, did you come with some news?" Sebastian asked, echoing Veronica.
"Unfortunately, yes," Keith said grimly. He looked pointedly at Eli. "Someone went to Texas and pounded on David. He's hired a lawyer. The D.A. says that there is insufficient evidence to issue a warrant for his arrest for rape. You can still file assault charges, though."
Angry protests broke out from everyone. They all started talking at once. Jazmin said nothing while they all argued with Keith and each other. Veronica was yelling at Eli, obviously convinced he had something to do with David's beating.
Finally, Jazmin asked, "So who pounded on David?" She glanced at her father.
Keith, however, looked at Eli. Jazmin noticed his look. "Eli?" she prodded.
"How would I manage such a feat while being in Neptune?" he asked defensively.
Keith gave him a disbelieving look. Dick spoke up. "Is the guy like half dead?"
"No. I don't think the damage was too extensive," Keith admitted.
"Then it couldn't have been Weevil!" Dick insisted loyally. "Weevil would've killed the dude!"
Jazmin shook her head. "Would you come help me pack?" she asked Eli, not wanting to continue talking about her rapist.
Eli nodded and took her hand. They went upstairs. She went into her room while he stood in the doorway looking at the room. His mind flashed back to the last time he was in the room. He saw her still form, unresponsive on the bed. He couldn't remember a time when he'd felt so scared and impotent.
Jazmin noticed his frozen demeanor. She glanced at the bed and guessed what he was thinking about. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"I just don't think I'll ever get the image of you almost dying out of my head," he admitted. He finally stepped into the room.
She went to him and put her arms around his waist, hugging him. "I'm so sorry, Eli. I didn't mean to put you through that. Truly," she said. She pulled back and looked at him.
He knew she meant it. He shook his head clear of the ugly image. "It's okay. You were traumatized. You weren't yourself," he said.
"I love you so much, and I know it'll take some time for us to get back to where we were, but please don't give up on us," she begged.
"Never," he said. He kissed her. When he broke the kiss, she smiled at him, relieved.
She took his hand and led him to the bed. She sat down and tugged him down next to her. "Before I pack, I need to ask you something. It's a favor. It's really important," she said earnestly.
"Sure. Anything. What do you need?" Eli asked her.
"I need you to give me a promise," she replied solemnly.
"Promise for what?" he asked.
"Promise me that you won't pursue David. Please. Don't pursue him, please!" she begged.
"You can't ask me to do that," Eli said.
"Just leave it alone. Please. For me," she pleaded.
"I can't do that," Eli said grimly.
She got up from the bed in frustration. "That's exactly why I didn't tell you to begin with! I didn't want you to have anything to do with David. He's sick and twisted. I don't want you to turn into my father. I don't want blood on your hands! Not because of me! Never because of me!" she exclaimed passionately.
Eli sighed. He hated seeing her upset. She'd been through enough. "Okay. I'll stay away from him. I can't promise what I'll do if I ever lay eyes on him, but I won't take any trips to Texas," he assured her.
When Jazmin's face lit up with relief and happiness, Eli decided that maybe his vengeance could wait.
Downstairs, Jason asked Wallace, "So what's your plans? We could probably get David expelled from campus, so you don't have to move out of your dorm room."
"I'm all for getting the guy expelled, but I can't stay in a room that I know your sister was raped in. That's messed up. I can barely sleep as it is," Wallace said in disgust.
"Yeah, I can see how that would keep a person from sleeping. I wouldn't be able to either," Jason said. He didn't add that he hadn't been able to sleep much the past few days anyways.
Thea was standing next to Wallace and reached out to take his hand. She hated that he was feeling so responsible. Then again she felt some responsibility herself. She knew that David wasn't right. Instead of pushing the issue, she'd let her concerns go. Wallace gave her a grateful look; he squeezed her hand.
"I'm going to move into Dick's family house. He's moving out of the beach house. Veronica and Logan are getting married next month, so he figures it'll give them some privacy. Plus, it's getting a bit crowded over there. His dad is gone most of the time and doesn't want the house sitting empty. After the spring semester starts, Piz and I will get a place together."
Jason looked over at Piz, who was talking to his girlfriend. "He's a good housemate," Jason said.
"It's really cool of you to let him stay with you and Weevil. I know you didn't really know him, but I'm glad to have him back," Wallace said.
"Eli's going to need to find a new place, too," Jason remarked.
"Things are that bad between you?" Wallace asked in surprise.
"Well, things are pretty bad with us, but no, that's not why. Jazmin is going to move back in with me," Jason shared.
"Really?" Thea asked. "She's that scared?"
"No, that's basically the conditions of her being allowed to stay in school here. Dad is pretty upset," Jason said.
"I can understand that," Thea said in sympathy.
"Weevil can't stay there, too? It's a three bedroom," Dick said. He had wandered over and was listening to their conversation. He had yet to learn not to interrupt. "They'd have separate rooms."
Jason looked at him and shook his head. "My grandparents would flip as well as our mother," Jason said.
Mac had walked over to join Dick. She finally asked the question she'd been wondering, "So why hasn't your mom came to see Jazmin?"
"Our mother doesn't deal well in crisis or emergencies," Jason said.
"Sounds like every mother I've ever known!" Dick exclaimed.
"Not mine!" Mac said.
"Or mine," Wallace added.
"Or mine," Thea said grinning at Dick. She really liked him. He was a perfect fit to Mac. They were very different but seemed to complement one another. She hoped that would be the case with her and Wallace.
"It's exactly like mine," Dick said. "She didn't even bother coming in for Cassidy's funeral."
"Sounds like my mom. She stole my college fund and skipped town right after Aaron almost killed me," Veronica shared.
"Our mom isn't quite that bad, but she and Jazmin have never been particularly close," Jason admitted.
"I'm going to go upstairs and check on her," Veronica said.
"Better knock loudly better entering," Dick said with a snicker.
Veronica didn't have to knock on the bedroom door because it was open. Jazmin was handing Weevil clothes, and he was folding them and putting them in her suitcase. She blinked at the sight of the very domestic scene. Weevil kept surprising her.
"Knock, knock," she said. Jazmin looked up and smiled at her, so she stepped in the room. "I just wanted to say goodbye. I also wanted to ask you something."
"Do I need to leave?" Weevil asked.
"No, you can stay," Veronica said. "I wanted to know if you'd be one of my bridesmaids?"
Jazmin looked surprised at the request. Then she smiled her pleasure. "I've never been in a wedding before. I'd be honored," she said. "Thank you."
"Mac is my maid of honor. I haven't asked yet, but I figured she knew that. I'm going to ask Parker and Daisy to be bridesmaids, too," Veronica shared. "Lily will, naturally, be my flower girl. I was thinking that Richie would be the ring bearer. Trina can carry him down the aisle."
"That'll be adorable," Jazmin said, smiling at the picture.
Veronica looked at Weevil. "Logan will probably ask you to be a groomsman. Dick is his best man. Wallace and Duncan will be groomsmen also," Veronica shared.
Weevil was surprised. "I'm no groomsman," he mumbled.
Jazmin grinned at him. She threw her arm around his neck. "You'd make a very handsome groomsman. I've never seen you in a tux," she told him.
"And I'd hoped you never would!"
"I doubt Logan will be wearing a tux, so you can relax. The groomsmen wear whatever the groom wears. Probably just a tie and vest," Veronica told him.
"Well, maybe. If he asks nicely," Weevil said sourly.
The girls laughed. Then Veronica asked, "Did you know your brother broke up with Daisy?"
Jazmin shook her head. "I had no idea. He hadn't said a word. Daisy didn't call you either?" she asked.
"No. She's probably too upset to talk about it right now," Veronica said.
"He's an idiot," Weevil said in annoyance.
Veronica debated what she should tell Jazmin. Then she decided she needed to know. "Well, the night you were hospitalized, Logan and I stayed in the waiting room until your dad arrived. There was a very ugly scene between him and Jason," she shared.
"Really? What happened?" Jazmin asked. When she saw Veronica hesitate, she said, "It's okay. I'm not that fragile."
"Your dad slapped your brother pretty hard and basically told him that it was his fault you were in the hospital and that his main job in life was to watch out for you until you were married," Veronica said with a grimace. She still had a hard time believing what she witnessed.
Jazmin looked sad but not surprised at Veronica's tale. "I wish I could say that was surprising," Jazmin said.
"Your dad all but told Jason to break up with Daisy," Veronica said. "Of course, he was too clever to order your brother to do so. Instead, he piled on the guilt."
"If Jason is that spineless, Daisy is better off," Weevil told her.
"No, Weevil, you weren't there. It was like he was using Jason's love for Jazmin as a weapon," Veronica said. "It was really disturbing."
"I'm sorry you had to see that," Jazmin said. "My dad has raised my brother with a strong sense of responsibility, especially concerning me. Since we've been out of Chicago, Jason has given me more breathing room than he ever has before. Now that this has happened his sense of guilt and responsibility will be even stronger." She looked at Weevil. "You can't be blaming him for this, Eli. It's only confirming what my dad said. He in no way could have stopped what David did to me."
"I knew something wasn't right with you and told him more than once. He all but blew me off," Eli said grimly.
"Because I made sure he wasn't concerned," Jazmin said firmly. "I know my brother better than anyone. I know how to manipulate him just like he does me. If I don't want him to be worried about me or pay too much attention, I know how to get him to relax."
"I've managed that feat a time or two with Logan and Wallace. Men tend to see what is in front of them. The smartest of men can be led if you know what to say to them," Veronica said. Weevil rolled his eyes but didn't comment further.
"I'll talk to him when we get home," Jazmin said.
"I'm going to miss you," Veronica said. She gave her a hug. "You take care."
******An Hour Later******
Jason was at home packing. He was leaving with his dad and sister for Thanksgiving break in another hour. His doorbell rang. He was surprised to see Chip, Daisy's stepbrother standing there. Before he could greet Chip, he stepped up and punched Jason in the face.
Jason was so startled that he didn't retaliate. He rubbed his jaw. "What was that for?" he asked Chip.
Chip glared at him. "You know damn well what it's for! You hurt my sister. We may not be as close as you and Jazmin, but she's still my family. You got what you wanted from her and then threw her aside," Chip said crossly.
"It wasn't like that! I love your sister. I just need to focus on getting Jazmin better," Jason said.
"You don't hurt someone you love that way," Chip said. "You had better stay far away from her and avoid any Pi Sigmas for the foreseeable future if you know what's good for you. Who would've thought that Dick Casablancas would be better boyfriend material than you?"
Jason said nothing. What could he say? He stepped back and shut the door. He was already miserable, and Chip just reminded him why. He was trying to focus on Jazmin, but he missed Daisy so much already. He knew he was risking Daisy moving on to some other guy. The thought made him crazy. He had never even come close to loving a woman before. Now she was all he thought about. Even now when he'd made a real effort to turn his focus to helping his sister, she was never completely gone from his thoughts.
He resumed his packing, thinking about his last conversation with her. He hadn't wanted to break up with her. He had just wanted them to slow things down a bit. He had no desire to be with another woman. In fact, he couldn't even imagine being with anyone else. However, he believed his dad was right. He was too young to be so serious. He needed to make room in his life for all the things that were important to him equally. His school work needed to be a priority so did helping Jazmin. That didn't mean he wanted to cut Daisy out of his life. He just wanted to take a step back. But with Daisy, it was all or nothing. He just couldn't give her all right now. Jason knew that he'd hurt her. He wished there had been another way. With another girl, he might've handled things better, but Daisy was so passionate, so all consuming. He didn't know really a better way to handle things.
Ignoring his own pain, he closed the suitcase.
******Later in the Afternoon at the Beach House******
Veronica was snuggled against Logan on the couch watching some mindless television. Dick was on the loveseat. They had just gotten home from their last class for the week. Trina came into the living room and sat down in the recliner.
"Can I talk to you guys?" she asked them.
Veronica sat up. "Of course. What's up?" she asked.
"I was wondering how you guys would feel if I went to New York for Thanksgiving. I really wanted to go see some friends," Trina said.
Veronica frowned. "Well, this is Richie's first Thanksgiving. I don't want him to miss it. Or rather I don't want him to miss it with us!" she protested.
"I don't either, so I was thinking I'd leave him here with you," Trina clarified.
Veronica was surprised. "You want to spend his first Thanksgiving away from him?" she asked.
"He's too young to know anything right now. It's not like he'll remember," she pointed out.
"True," Logan agreed. "It's fine with me."
"All right," Veronica said. "If you're sure that's what you want."
"Thanks! I want to fly out in the morning, so I'm going to go pack," Trina said excitedly.
Veronica looked at Dick. "What are your plans?" she asked him.
"I'm going to spend it in Vegas with my dad," Dick replied.
"Is Mac going?" Veronica inquired.
Dick shook his head. "She doesn't think Vegas is a good way to celebrate the holiday, and the Sinclairs and McKenzies are having a combined dinner," Dick said.
"I can't believe you're going to let her go through it alone," Veronica said in disapproval.
"It wouldn't be so bad for her if you and Logan would quit the torture of Maddie," Dick pointed out.
"We will as soon as Madison realizes she just can't go around treating people, especially Veronica, the way she does," Logan said resolutely.
"How is Mac handling everything?" Veronica wondered.
"You should ask her yourself," Dick said crossly.
"We've been focusing on Jazmin the last few times we talked," Veronica said.
"She's okay," Dick said with a shrug. "I don't want to leave her, but I'll spend Christmas with her. My dad's all alone and has business in Vegas. We're going to leave tomorrow. I'm going to stay the night at Mac's. I'll be back Saturday morning. I'm going to move my stuff to Dad's when I get back on Saturday."
"You don't have to move or rush to get your stuff out," Logan said.
"Are you sure you want to move, Dick? I don't want you to leave unless it's really what you want," Veronica said.
"Yeah, it's a good move. Wallace is already moving his stuff. He's going to stay at his mom's until Saturday. That house is too big to live in alone," Dick said.
"Yeah, that's true," Logan agreed.
Dick asked Veronica, "Do you think Weevil would like to stay there, too? Wallace is only going to stay there until he and Piz get a place together in January. I don't want to be there alone. It's too depressing," Dick said. "Mac's not ready to move in with me. Jason said Weevil was going to have to move out next semester."
Logan laughed at the thought of Weevil living with his friend. "You and Weevil? Now that's a match made in hell!"
"It's a big house," Veronica remarked thoughtfully. "Maybe he could move into the pool house. I don't think he'd be comfortable in the main house, especially when your dad is home."
Dick brightened at the suggestion. "Good point!" he said. He got up. "Well, I better get packing. You two have a fun break without me. Take some pictures of little dude eating his first turkey."
"He's probably only old enough to handle the stuffing," Veronica said, smiling.
Dick just grinned and went to his room.
Later that night Veronica finished getting ready for bed. She crawled into bed next to Logan. She sighed as she laid her head down on his chest.
"This Thanksgiving is kind of sucky. We don't have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving," she complained.
"Sure we do," Logan said. "We can be happy that nothing is physically wrong with you, so we can have kids someday. We can be thankful to have Richie. I know he's not our son, but it's pretty great having a nephew so close. We can also be thankful Jazmin is okay and is getting help."
"Yeah but David is going to get away with what he did!" Veronica reminded him.
"For some reason, I seriously doubt that. I can't imagine that this is the end of it," Logan said.
"You're probably right. I don't see David making it to New Year's. Not with Jazmin's father," Veronica said.
"But mostly what we have to be thankful for is that in five weeks, we will be husband and wife," Logan said, looking down at her.
She smiled. "Very true. Finally, you can't get away from me!" she teased.
Logan looked incredulous. "You're kidding, right?"
She giggled and kissed him. She was really thankful that no matter what happened she and Logan would always be together. They'd finally have their happily ever after. And she knew that even if bad things happened like they'd always tended to do, they'd face it together. She realized that that was definitely something to be grateful for.
******Chapter End******