DISCLAIMER: Characters of Veronica Mars, the canon events of their storylines, and recognizable dialogue belong to Rob Thomas.

A/N:

This chapter begins with the last scene of #1.21 "A Trip to the Dentist" and moves on into #1.22 "Leave It to Beaver."


Chapter 12

Backup was still being playful as we stumbled through the door. I was laughing as I entered and said, "Honey, I'm home!"

Having seen Dad's car in the parking lot, I expected to hear his voice reply.

Instead, it was my mother's voice: "So am I, honey. So am I."

The sight of them sitting on the couch together was both normal and abnormal, but definitely odd and unsettling. I closed the door as Mom came over to give me a hug, which I returned guardedly. Although I had not had much time to think about it lately, it did occasionally cross my mind that it seemed, by her radio silence, that Mom did not want her family involved in her recovery. Yet, here she was.

"Oh, Veronica, it's so good to see you," she said affectionately as she smoothed my hair.

It occurred to me that this must seem rather strange to Dad, since all he knew was that she ran off. Unless she had reached out to him before showing up (judging by his body language, she had not), then not only would Dad have been surprised to see her, but he would have had no knowledge that she went to rehab. Because that was another thing I had kept from my father.

Needing a minute to myself, I quickly came up with an excuse to leave the room. "Let me drop my jacket and stuff in my room. I'll be right back."

I walked straight back into my bathroom and closed the door, immediately texting Weevil: my mom just came home.

His reply: that's a good thing, right?

Not sure.

Call later?

I typed the words I'll try and went back out into the living room.

They filled me in on the conversation they had been having before I got home – which was basically Mom informing him that she had gone to rehab and was now ready to come home. By the look on his face, he had not yet decided if he felt that was a good idea.

In the course of Mom's rambling, she let it slip that she couldn't thank me enough (she may have used the words 'could never repay me') for what I had done for her. This, of course, did not go unnoticed by Dad, who then wanted to know what she meant. He was clearly unhappy to find out that my college fund really was empty. Also, he seemed conflicted about where the money had gone. I don't know if Mom picked up the signs, but it was obvious to me that Dad did not trust her.

Dad abruptly stood and walked into the kitchen. He began to put fruit, bottled water, and a few other items in a bag. As he did this, he explained the plan he had decided on. "I just got home from two back-to-back business trips. I am on the verge of breaking one case wide open and have some solid leads on another. I've disrupted Veronica's routine enough already. So although I'm truly glad that you went to rehab and seem to be doing well, I'm not ready to have you back here at home … yet."

"Keith ..."

He waved off her attempt to speak. He spoke firmly, but kindly. "Lianne, if you had included us – your family – in the process, then we would have had an opportunity to work through this together, to communicate, to rebuilt trust. But you didn't." He looked away before continuing. "You were gone a long time … long enough for us to begin to move on with our lives. We're gonna need a little time to get to know one another again."

Mom's expression was a combination of sadness and hope. She looked like she had something to say, but held back.

Dad looked at both of us in a way that made it clear he was the adult in the room – and was not one bit happy to have been left out of the loop on this one. To Mom, he said, "I'm going to drive you to the little hotel down the street, the one next to the grocery store." Holding up the bag he had just packed, "Here are a few things 'til you can go shopping. I'll pay for a couple nights upfront. And we'll plan to make dinner here tomorrow night … spend some time together and see how things go."

He didn't really give Mom a chance to say much of anything. He grabbed his car keys and began walking toward the door with her suitcase. Turning to me, he said, "I'll be right back."

[

When Dad returned about half an hour later, we had a long conversation about many things: my college money; me keeping secrets from him and trying to handle things on my own (a recurring theme of late); how I felt about the possibility of Mom moving home and to a lesser extent, how he felt about it. He asked me not to say anything to Wallace for right now – he wanted to talk to Alicia first.

Once we had all of that settled (or at least as settled as we could for now), he told me that the last trip he made was to interview a witness who could provide an alibi for Abel Koontz, thereby proving that he could not have killed Lilly. He would be turning over the information to the authorities. It would probably make the news in the next few days. He wanted me to be prepared for any potential hassling that might result from the murder case being in the news again.

For a moment, I wondered if Dad had (or would) give Mom the same heads up – because not only was Dad about to prove that Koontz was innocent, he was about to implicate the Kanes' involvement in a coverup. How would she feel about all of this? Would she end up running again?

I got a text from Weevil asking if I needed to talk. Normally, he would ask if I had time to talk. The difference in his wording tonight was not lost on me. I did need to talk and it was sweet of him to offer a listening ear.

After letting Dad know where I would be, I walked down to the patio area that looks out over the ocean. It was a good place to think through things and in this case, to make a phone call without being overheard. I wasn't surprised when Weevil picked up after a single ring.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about stuff with my Mom yet, but I wanted to hear your voice."

"We could finish the conversation we were having on the beach earlier."

I smiled. "We could?"

"Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you're clear on the fact that I get why your dad was grilling me about the tutoring and plans after graduation. It bothered me at the time, but I get it. If I have a daughter someday, I'll probably be even more protective."

An image of Weevil with a little girl popped into my head immediately. I found myself wondering what he would be like as a father. While I was lost in thought, he continued talking.

"We didn't get to the other topic."

"What would that be?" I asked.

The tone in his voice screamed that he was trying to make light of something that was in fact important to him. "Look, I know we're not dating, not really. But we have been making out quite a bit. Recently, you … established guidelines … but then … last night."

"Yeah," I said slowly as I exhaled. "Last night was …" I sighed heavily.

His tone matched mine as he said, "Yeah, it was."

"Is it okay if I don't try to figure this out right now?"

He didn't press the issue any further.

[

[

The next morning, I listened to the radio while getting ready for school. The DJ probably thought it was funny to start off my week with The Bangles' "Manic Monday." Although I was not amused, I did sing along while choosing my clothes: "… it takes so long just to figure out what I'm gonna wear …"

As the song was ending, the DJ added a piece of trivia that I found interesting. It had actually been written by Prince.

Hmm. The more you know.

[

Weevil was waiting in the parking lot for me when I arrived at school. He walked over to my car, casually asking a loaded question, "Everything alright?" After I nodded, he leaned over to whisper in my ear, "Wish I was kissing you right now." Then, he handed me a piece of paper, winked, and walked away.

As I walked slowly toward the building, I looked at the paper he had given me. It was a list of days and times – his schedule for the week, when he was working and when he had free time. A short note at the bottom explained that he figured my schedule would be crazy this week – with Dad back from his trip and my Mom coming home – but he did not want me to forget to make time for him. My heart was racing and melting at the same time.

[

Fearing that I would accidentally say something to Wallace about Mom being back, I avoided going to lunch. Instead, I went to the computer lab.

I thought that I was alone until I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard the words, "Hello, beautiful."

Nearly jumping out of my chair, I said, "Careful. We're in an empty room, but the door is open."

He sat down next to me. In a sultry tone, he asked, "Wanna go find a dark corner?"

I smiled at his words … and the thought of what we could be doing. "Not right now."

He held up a CD that was simply labeled: V.

"What's that?"

"The other night … the song on the radio that you liked. And a few others."

Before I could stop the sound from escaping my mouth, I said, "Aww!" followed by a little squeal as I took it from his hand.

He raised an eyebrow as he said, "You tell anyone, I'll deny it."

"Seriously? Who'd believe me?"

He smiled that too-damn-cute crooked smile of his. Becoming more serious, he asked, "How are things with your Mom?"

"Dad checked her into a hotel last night, so I didn't see her this morning. But we're supposed to have dinner together tonight."

He studied my face. "Hotel?"

"I think he had started to accept the fact that she wouldn't be coming back. Plus, he didn't know that she had gone to rehab. So this is a bit … out of the blue. Then, there's the fact that he's been seeing Wallace's mom."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And I'm not supposed to tell him about Mom being back 'til Dad has a day or so to figure out what, if anything, he is going to tell Mrs. Fennel. Don't say anything in front of Wallace."

"Got it." He glanced toward the door to make sure we were still alone before asking, "Did you look at my note?"

"Yes. Definitely not tonight – family dinner, as I already said. I'll have to get back to you about the rest of the week."

I checked the time and began to gather my things. We walked toward the doorway, but Weevil stopped me before I could go out into the hallway. He shut the door and pressed my back up against it as he kissed me.

When he stepped away from me and reached for the doorknob, I reached out to wipe my lipstick from his lips. Then, I asked, "How long before our friends figure out what's going on?"

"Pretty sure Felix suspects. I'll have to tell him soon."

"How soon is soon?"

"I don't know. This week?"

"I need to talk to Wallace, too. Give me a day or two. And then, we'll sort this out."

"If Felix asks?"

"Then, tell him." I couldn't change the fact that many things in my life were complicated, but this did not need to be one of them. "Simple, honest, direct – it really does make things less complicated."

[

When I got home after school, Mom was sitting by our door with a couple bags of groceries.

She stood when she saw me approaching. Picking up the bags, she explained, "I was in the store and decided we should make tacos. We always had fun in the kitchen on taco nights. Didn't we?"

I unlocked the door and walked inside. "Sounds good, Mom. Why don't you get started? I'm gonna drop my books on my desk." And take a moment to prepare myself, I thought to myself.

"Got a lot of homework tonight, honey?" Mom called from the kitchen.

"Yeah. I figure if I help you with food prep before dinner, then I'll do homework while you and Dad do cleanup."

"Good plan," she said as she began to unload the contents of the bags.

When I returned from my room, she asked me to find appropriate music to go with our dinner.

"I may just have something." I turned on my heel and went back to my room to get the CD Weevil had given me. "A friend at school just gave me this. Pretty sure most, if not all, the songs are in Spanish. I haven't listened to it yet."

"Put it in. We'll give it a try."

Dad arrived as we were cutting onions with spoons hanging out of our mouths – you know, to prevent tears. He pointed at the stereo and asked what we were listening to.

Mom replied before I could. "Dinner soundtrack courtesy of one of Veronica's friends."

Dad gave me a sideways glance that told me he knew who it was from, but wasn't going to bring it up with Mom here tonight.

While he got out silverware and dishes to set the table, Mom mentioned that she didn't have a key and asked if he could give her one – so she wouldn't have to sit outside waiting for me next time.

Dad avoided making eye contact with her, saying that he didn't have a spare and would have to find time to get a copy made. I knew he was lying about not having an extra key; I suspected he was just being cautious about letting her back in our lives.

After we all had our fill of tacos, I excused myself. "I'm going to leave cleanup duty to you two while I wrestle my homework into submission."

Safely in my room with the door closed, I flopped on my bed and texted Weevil.

Family dinner done. Sorta weird but fun cooking with Mom again.

What did you have?

Tacos.

Need to eat at my house.

Soon.

Time to talk?

Not now. Homework. Maybe later.

A little over an hour later, Mom knocked on my door as she opened it. "Dad's taking me back to the hotel. I wanted to say goodnight."

When Dad returned from dropping Mom off, he told me that the Koontz story was going to hit the morning paper and that he planned to talk to Alicia tomorrow evening. When I asked what he was going to say, he said he hadn't completely decided.

"You mean, you haven't decided about Mom. I can tell by the way you've been acting with her that you don't quite trust her."

"You're right. I don't know, honey. I can't put my finger on it, but something doesn't sit right with me. I know I'm not comfortable having her live here or even giving her a key. Not yet, anyway. But I can't put off talking to Alicia." He looked down and then back up at my face. "How do you feel about all this?"

"If you'd have asked me a few months ago, I'd have said that you need to give her a chance, that I wanted my family back. But I see how happy you've been with Mrs. Fennel and I really started to accept our new life, that this is our family now. And …"

"And what?"

"I agree with you about Mom. I think something's off."

"Well, I'm going to bed. I want to get to the office early tomorrow. See you there after school?"

He kissed my forehead and walked into his room.

I pulled out my phone and texted Weevil to see if he could talk. After closing the door to my bedroom, I went into my bathroom, closed that door, and turned on the faucet to cover the sound of my voice.

We didn't talk long, but I wanted to fill him in on what was happening with Mom and Dad. I also wanted to warn him about the article that would be in the paper tomorrow.

"That why your Dad was out of town? A break in the case?"

"Yeah."

"Does that mean you know who did it?"

"No, just able to prove that Koontz didn't." I waited for him to reply, but he remained quiet. "I just wanted you to hear it from me."

"How long have you known?" There was an edge in his voice.

"Dad told me some of it last night. The rest … just before I called you."

His tone softened as he asked, "Now what?"

"Now, we go back to all the original statements and evidence. Try to figure out what got missed."

"Anything I can do?"

"Honestly, at the moment, the best thing you can do is stay as far away from it as possible. Don't give Lamb or the Kanes any reason to go after you."

"But if you find yourself in need of help?"

"I will call you. Immediately."

"I hope you mean that."

"I do. I promise."

After we said goodnight, I went out to the living room to retrieve the CD which I had left in the stereo. I took it back into my room to listen to as I fell asleep.

The first song was the one that had played on the radio as we sat in the car late Saturday night – just two nights ago. Simply allowing the melody and the Spanish lyrics to wash over me, the song was beautiful and moving. But as my mind translated and my heart felt the meaning of the words, the fact that he had burned me a copy of the song meant so much more.

And you arrived

And I was amazed at the power that was in this love.

And you came, a blessing.

I still remember the moment when everything changed.

Neither of us had used the "L" word yet. It was too soon for that. But what I felt for Weevil was different than what I had felt for anyone – even Duncan. I wasn't sure what I would call it. But it was intense. There was power in it. And everything had changed.

As I drifted off to sleep, I was aware that the contentment I felt was stronger than the chaos swirling around me. Before Lilly died, I had (what I now consider to be) a false sense of contentment. After her murder, all I could feel was the chaos. This new state – being aware of both at the same time – felt foreign, but right somehow.

[

[

The next day, it was Wallace who met me at my locker … with the morning newspaper in hand. He read to me from the article: "Since his removal from office, Keith Mars, the ousted sheriff, has tirelessly and single-handedly continued his own investigation despite being shunned by the community at large."

"You'd think it might be gross to read a love letter to your dad, but I kind of enjoy it."

While we were standing there, Weevil approached me. We exchanged nods.

He paused next to me briefly, asking, "Talk later?"

I nodded in agreement and Weevil continued walking.

Wallace shook his head and said, "Seriously, what is up with you two? You go into business together or something?"

"Or something. I gotta get to class. But we'll talk at lunch."

"You mean you'll actually sit with me today?" Wallace said in that mocking tone of his.

"Ha ha," I gave a fake laugh as I walked away. It was getting more and more difficult lying to my best friend. Lying by omission is still lying. Keeping the truth from him about one thing was hard enough. But two things – my Mom being back and this thing with Weevil – that was brutal.

[

Later in the morning, Weevil and I met up in a rarely used hallway.

"Will I see you later?" Weevil asked.

"I've probably got a busy evening at the office with Dad. Why? Need tutoring?"

"Well, I think you know the answer to that, but mostly I want some time alone with you. Driving me crazy to see you and not be able to kiss you, hold you. Hell, I'd settle for talking openly."

"What do you call this?" I asked sweetly.

"A little too 'cloak and dagger' for my taste."

"Oh, um … Wallace has been asking questions. I was thinking that maybe you should be there when I talk to him. Find me at lunch?"

[

During lunch, I asked Wallace to come sit with me around the corner from the main seating area – where Weevil and I had shared French fries a while back.

"Alright, Veronica, what's this all about?"

"You've asked me a couple times about Weevil and I."

At the same moment that Weevil came around the corner, Wallace replied, "Yeah. I'm more than a little curious."

As Weevil walked over to sit next to me, Wallace eyed him warily.

I began hesitantly. "I'm sure you remember that I did a little favor for the PCHers after I cut you down from the flagpole. We struck that deal to keep them off your back." Wallace was nodding as I continued to speak. "That day at the beach when Logan bashed in my headlights and Weevil offered to help me out with the repairs … Then, when his grandma was arrested for credit card fraud, I helped him out, because I'm just crazy enough to think the guilty party is the one who should be behind bars."

Wallace looked back and forth between us. "Your point?"

"I've known him for years. Not only did we both grow up going to school together here in Neptune, but … well …"

Weevil let out a laugh as he said, "Her dad and I go way back."

It was clear that Wallace wasn't sure if he should laugh at that or not.

To fill what threatened to become uncomfortable silence, I continued, "Yes. Anyway, even with … our long history, we did not really … you know, hang out. But after making the surveillance video disappear, we just sorta fell into this favor trading thing. Like when I was trying to track down the piñata from inside Troy's stolen car. Or when he used minor intimidation tactics to help me persuade the manager of a clothing store to cooperate with me. Then, I helped him get back his poker winnings that had gone missing. And occasionally, I help him review for tests or whatever."

Latching onto the last thing I had said, Wallace asked, "So, all this is about tutoring? And what? You want me to keep quiet about it … to protect his rep?"

"Well, yeah, but no," Weevil said as he glanced at me.

"Somewhere along the way, favors and flirting … turned into … something more." As I spoke, I held Wallace's gaze, waiting for understanding to show on his face.

"Wait. What?!" He was shaking his head as if that would make it go away. "No."

Weevil and I just nodded.

Finally, Wallace spoke. "This is why I don't get as many calls from you in need of help? I thought you just stopped pissing people off and getting locked in the trunk of your car."

I gave him a semi-apologetic look. "Turns out he makes a good bodyguard."

Wallace shook his head again and asked, "How long … when did you …?"

I answered, "It's been a few weeks or so since we first kissed."

Wallace was upset, but having played out the 'worst case scenario' in my head, his reaction was not really that bad. I explained that we hadn't told anyone else – even my Dad only knew about the tutoring.

Adding in a nearly pleading tone, I added, "I – we – would appreciate it if you could keep this to yourself … you know, at least until he has a chance to … They should really hear it from him."

The longer I waited for Wallace to reply, the more apprehensive I became about what his response would be.

Weevil cleared his throat. "Look, man ... I know you were just doing your job when you hit the silent alarm … and you didn't volunteer the videotape when Lamb asked. You … didn't deserve what we did." He looked down at the ground. "I could say I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I'd take it back."

"What did you just say to me?!" Wallace asked.

Weevil raised his head to look Wallace in the eyes. "What I mean is … I don't think I'd trade what I got out of it. And I'm not sure that you would either." He tilted his head toward me. "She doesn't let that many people past that wall she has built around herself. I don't think either of us would be this close to her right now if I hadn't taped you to that pole." He rubbed his jaw as he looked away. "I know that we … uh, settled things that day at the beach, but …" He reached his hand toward Wallace.

"I'm not giving you the Sac-n-Pac tape. And this doesn't mean we're friends." Wallace glared at Weevil, but when he shifted his gaze to me, his expression softened.

Weevil leaned forward, his arm still extended. "Truce?"

"Yeah. Alright," Wallace said as he shook Weevil's hand. "But you do anything to Veronica – hurt one hair on her head, make her cry one tear – you'll regret it." He pointed emphatically as he said, "I mean it. I will dedicate my life to ruining yours."

"Got it." Turning to me, Weevil smiled. "I'm beginning to see why you two get along so well."

I was relieved to finally tell Wallace the truth about me and Weevil. Hopefully, I wouldn't have to keep my Mom's return a secret much longer.

[

When I walked into the office late that afternoon, I interrupted a conversation between Dad and Mrs. Fennel. She didn't complete her last thought. Her hand came up to cover her mouth as she shook her head.

Dad placed a hand on her arm as he asked, "Can we maybe finish talking about this later?"

She nodded, then turned and walked out without making eye contact with me.

"Dad, everything okay?" Seeing the look on his face, I didn't need to hear his answer. "Sorry. I know how much you care about her."

"Yeah. I felt like I had to be honest with her, but since things haven't really sorted themselves out yet … it kind of leaves us in limbo."

"Which sucks for her. Well, really, all of us."

Dad began speaking, as much to himself as to me, "Not long ago, I would have said I'd do anything if there was a chance to keep our family together. But now …"

"Yeah. I get it, Dad. I can't do anything to help, but I get it." I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before asking cheerily, "What's for dinner?"

"I told your mom that we'd meet her at that restaurant around the corner from the hotel. Conveniently, I could truthfully tell her that we are both swamped right now. But when she pressed, I had to admit that we could spare the time to eat together."

"You saw her earlier?"

"I met her in the hotel lobby for a cup of coffee. We talked for a while. Still something in my gut telling me to be cautious."

[

[

On Wednesday, Wallace wasn't acting normal. By the time we got to lunch, I decided that I had to ask.

It was obvious that he was concerned as he said, "Something's going on with my Mom. She told me not to worry about it, but she was upset about something when she got home last night. I don't think it's anything at work, unless it has to do with a friend there, because she doesn't ever get like this about work." He looked up at me. "Do you know if she and your dad had a fight or something?"

"Fight? No, I don't think so, but they were talking about something when I walked into the office yesterday after school." I couldn't outright lie to him when he asked a direct question, but I could keep my answer vague.

"Well, let me know if you find out anything. I know moms are supposed to worry about us, but sometimes I worry about her."

I didn't say it aloud, but I understood what he meant. I was beginning to get worried about my own mother. If Dad's gut was right, then it was possible she was still drinking. If he was wrong and he rejected her anyway … well, that would not exactly be good either. I was concerned, but honestly not sure which outcome I was hoping for – for our family to reunite or not. As abnormal as our home life was, it was more normal and more stable without the old Lianne. That was the million-dollar question: had Mom really changed or not?

[

Beaver came looking for me in the journalism room to unburden his semi-guilty conscience. After reminding me that his real name was Cassidy, he filled in some details from the weekend Lilly was killed. While he, Dick, and Logan were surfing in Mexico, Logan kept talking about the fact that Lilly was seeing somebody else. He said that Logan was so upset about it that he got up early to drive home to talk to her. She was murdered later that day.

[

That afternoon, Dad and I were talking about it in his office. I explained that Beaver told me Logan had gotten Lilly a shot glass for her collection. "It said 'I got baked in Ensenada.' She would have loved it."

I could almost see the lightbulb appear above his head as he jumped up and exclaimed, "Baked in Ensenada! Veronica!" He sifted through papers in the murder files. "This is an inventory of everything in Lilly's bedroom, everything in Lilly's car." Stabbing his finger at the paper, he said, "Shot glass. Baked in Ensenada. It's here. It was in her car. You know what this means?

"Means Logan found Lilly."

[

[

The next morning, I was hanging out at my locker, hoping that Weevil would drop by. Someone did stop to talk to me, but not who I was expecting. It was Logan. Thankfully, it was a short conversation. He seemed rattled by the recent news about Abel Koontz and tried to spin a scenario that involved Duncan killing Lilly.

He walked away just before the bell rang and the hallway cleared as everyone headed to class. I ducked into a nearby empty classroom and pulled out my phone to call Dad. Not only did I feel like I should tell him right away that Logan had approached me – just in case things escalated – but I was also curious if he had been able to find out when Logan drove home from Tijuana.

"The Border Patrol got back to me. Logan's car crossed the border at 8:57 a.m. on the day Lilly was murdered. Beaver was telling the truth."

As the chilling realization hit me, I said, "He had plenty of time to get back to Neptune and kill her."

As we finished the call, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around to see Weevil standing in the doorway.

"That's not what it sounded like." It was my attempt to keep him from becoming more angry than he already seemed to be.

"It sounded a lot like Logan killed Lilly. These rich boys think they can get away with anything, don't they?"

I pulled him into the classroom and shut the door. "I need you to promise me that you're not going to do anything stupid. I think we have enough evidence for them to arrest Logan. I know it's tough, especially in this town, but you need to trust the system. Let the authorities handle this and don't get yourself into trouble."

"V …"

"I know you'd momentarily feel better beating Logan to a bloody pulp, but then you'd probably be dealing with assault charges and he'd get sympathy for being the victim."

"Standing back and watching isn't really my style, V."

"Even if you're standing next to me?" Head tilted. Eyelashes batted. "Please. Eli, promise me."

He dropped his head in unspoken acknowledgment that he could not withstand my charms.

Softly, I said, "Soon, this will all be behind us – everything connected to Lilly's murder. And we can try to figure out what a normal relationship looks like."

"I wish I had your optimism. But I do like how that sounds," he said warmly.

He looked around, drawing attention to the fact that we were alone in the empty room. Then, he slid the bag from my shoulder, pressed me up against the wall, and kissed me until we were both breathless.

[

After school, I went straight to the office. I found Dad sitting on the couch, staring at a stack of papers. He told me that he had met with Celeste Kane about the fee for finding Duncan.

"She agreed to pay up, but only if you sign this contract that says that you'll waive any claim on the Kane fortune."

He watched as I signed without even reading it.

I shook my head as I said, "There's nothing that I want from them." And I meant it.

He proceeded to unfold a piece of paper that turned out to be the results from a paternity test. As he showed it to me, he explained, "You didn't sign away a thing. Veronica, I am without a doubt your father."

Simultaneously, I laughed, cried, and hugged my dad. "Yeah, you are!"

"You think that charm of yours is learned behavior? That's genetics, baby!"

As we both regained our composure, the conversation turned to Logan and the fact that Dad could now disprove his alibi.

When Dad left the office, I called Weevil to give him the good news. And there was plenty of it to tell: Logan should be arrested soon, Weevil would be getting his cut of the finder's fee from the Kanes, and last but not least, the DNA test results. I couldn't help it – I cried while I was telling him.

I could tell Weevil was smiling as he said, "You've had a very good day. Just do me a favor? When you call Wallace, please make sure he knows that I'm not the reason you're crying."

I laughed at that. "Nope, not you. And besides, happy tears."

"And happy laugh."


A/N:

Next chapter = continuation of #1.22 "Leave It to Beaver"

Song on the CD: "Y Llegaste Tú" by Sin Bandera (feat. Andrés De León) 2002

Thanks for reading. Until next time …

~Jen

19 April 2017