Expecting LoVe
Logan bounds into the house excited to tell Mrs. H. and Veronica his news. He finds Mrs. H. has already gone home leaving dinner in the warmer. For a brief moment, the young man takes a moment to savor the feeling of home. Although he has had a true home for a few years now, he finds that he still experiences that amazing moment when he comes in the door to his mansion. It doesn't matter who is home to greet him or if no one is there and he is alone, their mansion feels like safety, security and love. He guesses it is probably normal for someone who did not have a real home as a child to hold that feeling more closely to his chest but he doubts that he will ever not cherish that feeling, that moment when he walks into wherever he is living with Veronica. He smiles as he recognizes the distinct smell of Mrs. H.'s spicy pork chops. She knows that today is an important day for him so she made one of his favorite meals.
He stands in the kitchen and listens. The house is quiet so without any obvious clue as to where Veronica is, Logan goes looking for her. Her security reported that she was dropped off at three pm so he knows she is home. Looking out the window he checks the deck by the pool and then heads through the dining room to check the other outside seating area knowing how much she likes to sit outside on warm days. He wanders around the house finally finding her sleeping on the lounger in their room. There is a book beside her that she was probably reading but it slipped to her side when she fell asleep. His face gentles into a look of love as he walks closer to his other half.
It is unusual for her to be home this early; she is a notorious hard worker. To everyone's surprise, the suspicious former FBI agent found someone who she trusted enough to make her second in command. Over two years ago when Veronica was hiring her security team, Juan Aceves applied. He was a former police officer who trained in the FBI at the same time as her. They worked an undercover case together a year after graduation and then again during the period of time that Veronica removed herself from Dick's case. Although neither ever talks about that time, it is clear that both of them trust each other completely. Juan working in Counter Terrorism was injured and put on permanent disability. He heard about Veronica leaving the FBI and hiring security for a new computer software company. Having no real ties to Virginia, he contacted Veronica and flew out to LA to talk to her. Once he passed her security check, she hired him. Mac tells Logan that it is a tossup who her employees are most afraid of; Veronica or Juan. Veronica is, well Veronica. If you are smart, you fear her and most of Mac's employees are intelligent. Juan is quiet, watchful and his face does not often show his thoughts or emotions. It is disconcerting to talk to him.
While Veronica was hiring and setting up the security for MacKenzie Enterprises, Mac was busy hiring staff including an accountant and lawyer. She hired the law firm Vanessa worked at to represent her new company specifying that Vanessa must handle her business. It was during a morning meeting with Mac, Veronica and Vanessa that Juan met his soul mate. He interrupted the meeting to bring Logan to the secure top floor. Logan, after greeting the three women, watched as Veronica introduced Juan to Vanessa. He saw the look on Juan's face and recognized a man who had fallen instantly and deeply in love. So despite the fact that Casey and Vanessa broke up a couple of months later, Juan has become one of Logan's favorite persons because Veronica is comfortable leaving work early and taking time off because she knows he will take care of the company while she is not there.
Logan reaches down and picks up the book to move it so he can lay next to Veronica. It is a lot thicker than the mystery novels she normally reads for relaxation. Absently he glances at the front cover as he raises the book to put it on the table beside the lounger. The breath leaves his body in surprise and he looks at the front of the book in more than a little disbelief. He notes that there is a bookmark near the end of the thick book. Curious, he pulls the bookmark out a little wondering if it is possible that she has already almost finished the book, only to find that it is not a bookmark; it is an ultrasound. He blinks slowly as he looks at the black and grey picture. His eyes travel to the book again before they dart to look at his sleeping wife. Could she be pregnant? His eyes travel to her lower abdomen even as he realizes that it hasn't changed since he held her this morning.
Logan sits on the lounger and looks at the ultrasound picture again. Could that little blob be his son or daughter? Unsure what to do, he lays down on the lounger beside his wife. Their relationship is solid and they have a strong core group of family and friends. Now that Veronica is more settled in her career, it is not a bad time for them to start a family.
Although Logan can tell that sometimes Veronica misses the FBI, he knows she has enjoyed the challenge of working with Mac. As they both expected, Mac has made a lot of money for them. Although they don't really need the money and Logan has never made money an issue between them, Veronica is excited about how much she is contributing to their joint account. She has paid back the original five million loan and has more than doubled that in their joint account.
Veronica, to Logan's surprise, has become much easier spending their money. She bought a building in a district where most of the trendy designer clothing stores are, hired a manager, bookkeeper and an accountant and then moved Jessica and Wanda to the new building. Their time is now free to design clothing and they have a large budget available to get the fabrics and the accessories they want for their unique designs. Of course having Mac, Veronica, Alicia and Vanessa as customers helps ensure that their business, casual and formal designs are noticed.
In a surprise move, Derek has left the FBI and he started a security company with Veronica. She fronted him the money and has become a minority partner. Derek recently won the contract for the security of a private port just outside of LA and that has proved to be very lucrative. Derek and Veronica with their FBI contacts are able to get more complicated security jobs and specialize in international corporate security. Connie is thrilled that Derek is safer and proud of how well he is doing with his company. Veronica is content to be a silent partner and she is happy to help Derek if he needs help or has any issues he wants her assistance with.
If Veronica learned from Logan how to make business deals with friends and former colleagues, she easily taught Logan the right way to deal with family and their sticky feelings about taking money. She met Wallace in his office with an offer of capital for him to expand his business without having to get bank financing. He had been reluctant to accept her help worried that it would affect their relationship. She smiled at him and then she opened her phone, accessed her bank account and without any comment, showed him the last shareholder's deposit from MacKenzie Enterprises. After he picked his jaw up off the floor, he accepted her offer insisting he would pay her back with interest. Smiling affectionately, she showed him the paper her lawyer drew up with the offer of the money for ten percent stock share in his company. When he looked at the paper closely he saw that it was Daryl's name on the paper. Looking in surprise at his sister, he sees that familiar twinkle in her eyes that she gets when she has a plan coming to fruition. Tilting her head a little, she tells him that it was her birthday gift to Daryl and now the company would still be completely owned by Fennels. Wallace could see the scope of her plan as he turned the page and looked at Daryl's signed proxy for him to vote his shares until such time as he was ready to join actively in the business.
Veronica deposited a large amount of money in Keith and Alicia's bank account. When Keith telephoned her, Veronica short circuited his upset by saying, "We are family. We are there for each other." After a short pause she said, "Dad, please think about moving to LA. Alicia is doing an amazing job at the Lynn Foundation, Daryl is out chasing his NBA dream and Wallace and I live here. It might be time for you to quit working and do what you want."
Keith was quiet as he thought about what his beloved daughter was telling him. After a short pause he says, "I'll talk to Alicia."
Quietly Veronica says, "I love you Pops."
"I love you too," he tells her. When he gets off the phone, his wife looks at him knowingly and asks, "So we're moving to LA?"
Keith looks at the woman he loves with his whole heart and sighs, "I'll talk to Eli tomorrow. He will do well when he takes over Mars Investigations."
Alicia walks over and wraps her arms around him and leans in to gently kiss him. She says, "Derek has already offered you a job, Logan wants you to help out at the Foundation and Juan wants you to work at MacKenzie Enterprises." Keith nods and Alicia teases, "You are rich now. You don't have to work, you can just volunteer somewhere."
He looks at her carefully and then admits, "I have been thinking of starting a company that finds and trains police dogs." Alicia smiles and leans her head on his shoulder. A couple of months later, they moved to LA and bought a really nice condo on the fourteenth floor of an expensive tower about fifteen minutes from where Logan and Veronica lived and five minutes from Wallace's home.
When Logan saw the bank statement, he laughed out loud. Veronica had also paid off the mortgage on Wallace's condo. When he asked her about it, she looked at him and pointed out, "I can't spend more on Daryl than I do on Wallace." Taking a sip of his coffee, he smiles at her and agrees, "You are right."
After looking at the view for a few minutes he asks curiously, "I noticed that Vanessa did the paperwork for Daryl and Wallace as well."
Nodding absently as she sips her coffee, "Wallace hired her to do the legal work for his firm."
Logan inwardly smiles as Veronica has arranged for Vanessa to bring in a lot of new business for her firm. She now does the accounts for MacKenzie Enterprises, D & C Security, Fennel Engineering, J & W Dress Shop, Mars Investigations and now of course, Mars K-9 Training. There is no way that Vanessa is not going to made partner this year.
He lays on his side on the lounger and looks at his wife. They are both very settled in their careers and they are financially set. This is not a bad time for them to be starting a family. He thinks about her going to the doctor and getting the ultrasound done and wonders why she didn't call him. His thoughts turn to the logistics of how she got pregnant. She is on birth control. She wouldn't have gone off it without talking to him beforehand; especially as they had not discussed having children yet. She is busy with her job and business with Derek. He is busy with his screenwriting career. The screenplay he wrote earned him an Academy Award nomination. As he predicted, it was a blockbuster hit.
Now today he found out that the book he wrote is going to be published. He is so very excited. It is nothing on the idea that Veronica might be pregnant. He ponders the idea that they might be becoming parents in seven or eight months and he finds that his throat feels like it is closing with his anxiety.
A conversation he had with Keith comes to mind. He had been enjoying lunch with his father in law and Keith thanked him for being such a good son in law to him. Logan had been floored and had immediately told Keith that he was the one who was grateful to be part of the family. The man he most admired put his hand on his shoulder and said, 'Logan, we all love you. You are a good husband, son in law, brother in law, and friend." Meeting Logan's gaze he says, "I know that you and Veronica worry about what kind of spouse and parents you are going to be but really Leane was not a good wife and Veronica is a great wife. Aaron was a very poor husband and you are a wonderful husband. You both are going to be good parents too."
Logan had looked at the man he thinks of as his father in shock. He had not thought of it that way. Keith is right; there is no reason they couldn't be better parents than her mother and his father as well. It was at that point that he began to think that children would be really nice at some point in the future. He still thinks that. He would love to have a family with Veronica. They just hadn't talked about it yet.
He looks at her peaceful face as she sleeps. She is so happy with him and that fact alone fills him with utter joy. He could spend the rest of his life with just her and be happy. Her family and their friends are the icing on the cake. He guesses that children would be the cherry on top.
He puts the book down between them so she doesn't know he has looked at the title and seen the ultrasound. It is her news to tell him. He leans down and gently kisses her awake. She slowly opens her eyes and he sees when she becomes more cognizant of her surroundings. Her slow smile and looks of adoration fill his heart with joy. She sleepily murmurs, "Logan." It is enough for him. He leans down and gently kisses her again.
Veronica pulls away from deepening the kiss and gently caresses his chest. "Logan," she tentatively starts, "You know that life is full of irony."
He laughs and teases, "Well we are the king and queen of sarcasm."
She smiles at him loving his quick wit. Biting her lip she goes further, "I mean a situation that is unintentionally ironic."
As a writer he does know that. He nods and agrees, "Irony is delicious for a writer. It is wonderful when the readers know more about a situation than the unsuspecting protagonist."
Her glance is full of gratitude for his understanding. Taking a deep breath, she adds carefully, "I am thinking of a situation that is ironic. A girl who didn't know if she ever wanted children had a disease that could have prevented her from ever giving birth so she went to the doctor to have the testing. This woman realized that she really wanted the ability to someday have children even though she may never want to."
A little puzzled about her rather long winded explanation and the method she is choosing to tell him, he agrees, "That is ironic."
Carrying on she finally gets to her point, "What would really be ironic is if said woman became pregnant while on a birth control that is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy."
He looks at her and says inquiringly, "Veronica?"
She reaches down and pulls the ultrasound out of the face down book that is between them. The tiny blonde takes a deep breath and then starts, "I went to the doctor today to get my birth control shot and my blood test showed I am pregnant." She adds quickly, almost as if she is going to lose her nerve completely, "I had a ultrasound to make sure it wasn't ectopic and everything is OK; the baby is in my uterus." She adds weakly, "Surprise!"
Logan sees the worry in her gaze and he smiles to show her he is not upset. He teases, "We are not naming our child Irony." He reaches over and takes the ultrasound looking at it again to discern where the baby is. After a few moments he puts the hand with the ultrasound in it over her lower abdomen and his voice full of wonder, tells her, "Our son or daughter is in there right now."
Her beautiful blue eyes fill with tears and she nods as she chokes out, "I know we haven't talked about whether to even have a baby..."
He leans in and interrupts her with a loving kiss. When he pulls away he meets her gaze and tells her, "Don't worry, I am not upset." He sees her relief and adds, "Our son or daughter will be raised in a family with lots of love."
Nodding her agreement she reaches up and says, "Our baby will be have lot of family around."
Immediately he lets go of the ultrasound and reaches up to gently caress her hair back from her face and tuck it behind her ear. He says, "A few months back I was talking to Dad and he pointed out that you and I are good spouses even though your mom and my dad were horrible examples." Meeting her gaze he adds, "He told me that we would be good parents as well."
Clearly surprised at the conversation, she thinks about what he has told her and nods slowly, "He is right. You are a great husband."
Leaning in to kiss her forehead he says, "You are the love of my life and if we never had children I would still think my life was perfect." She tears at his words and leans up to give him a loving, grateful kiss. When the kiss is over, he sighs heavily and shares, "I am worried about being a father. I come from a long line of abusers who hurt a long line of women and children." He meets her gaze and emotionally tells her, "But I know I will have you, Keith, Alicia and our friends to help me."
The tears trickle down her face and she tells him, "Dad is right! You are the best husband and you will be the best father." Putting her hand up to cup his cheek, she admits, "I am not sure what kind of mother I will be but I want this baby so much." Logan turns his mouth to kiss her the hand cupping his cheek. She pulls her hand away, reaches down to lift the book laying between them. She earnestly tells him, "I have been reading. There is so much I don't know."
He looks at the book and has to smile. That is so Veronica, using that amazing brain to get informed and get more control of a situation. He looks at her, his heart bursting, "I love you so much Veronica. This is scary but I know we can handle it."
This seems to be what she needed to hear as she throws herself into his arms, the book falling out of her hand and to the floor as she puts her arms around his neck and hugs him. She says, "I love you too Logan. I need you to help me."
Hugging her back he vows, "We will help each other. We will do this together."
When the long hug is over she lays on her back and puts her hand on her lower abdomen. Meeting his gaze, she tells him about her shock and upset in the doctor's office and then how she had an hour to think as she waited for the ultrasound to see if the baby was in the correct place. She admits, "I knew from my testing that the odds were in our favor but I found that I really wanted this baby to be in my uterus. I only knew about him/her for a few minutes but I really, really wanted this baby to be OK." Meeting his gaze she shares, "I was so relieved when the doctor showed me the picture . I knew then that although I was scared, and I hadn't given a lot of thought to having a baby, I really wanted this child."
He asks, "Why didn't you call me to come and be with you?"
She swallows and explains, "I did but your cell just went to voice mail. Security said you were in an important meeting so I told them that I would talk to you later."
Logan immediately assures her, "You could have had them interrupt me. Nothing is more important than you."
She nods and smiles confident in how important she is in his life, "I remembered you were meeting with the publishers about your book so I thought that I would only interrupt if I needed surgery or something."
She looks at him inquiringly and he tells her, "They decided to publish my book."
Squealing in excitement she hugs him, "That's wonderful news. I knew they would love your book. Congratulations." He hugs her back happily. Today has been a great day. He is going to be an author and a father.
The family is predictably thrilled at the news of Logan's and Veronica's pregnancy and of course, the fact that Logan has written a novel that is going to be published. Good news is always celebrated with a huge party, family, close friends and lots of food. Logan only has to make one call; once Alicia is informed of the pregnancy and the news about Logan's novel, she organizes the party to tell the family the news. He smiles as he answers her questions about his novel and when the baby is due and then he hands the phone to Veronica to talk to her and then her father.
When Logan and Veronica are over three months along, Logan tells his Neptune friends that he and Veronica are expecting while they are at Derek's club. They are not the first in the group to have children so there is a lot of good natured teasing of the couple about how their lives are going to change. Veronica is given a lot of advice on how to select a nanny and Logan is teased about how his sex life is over. She doesn't bother telling the group that she isn't hiring a nanny, they wouldn't understand her need to give their child a normal life.
Dick listening is upset as he can see that Casey and Logan's neighbor Steve already knew about the pregnancy. He has been on the outside of Logan's life for a while now but each time something new happens and he finds out from the press or when the rest of the gang finds out, it hurts. He misses being closer to Logan.
Logan and Veronica leave the club around midnight and after the couple has gone, the conversation turns to how successful MacKenzie Enterprises has been. Mike points out, "Logan is very smart at investing. He fronted Veronica the money and he already has his investment back. I hear they are just raking in the money."
Derek adds, "Veronica is making this money after her marriage to Logan so it will be half his. If they ever split, Logan will be more wealthy than before they got married because of Veronica's stock in Mac's company." Casey has to admit he likes the fact that the Neptune gang underestimated Veronica.
Dick and John look shocked and a little put out. They had not counted on Veronica becoming successful. Leaning towards them Frank adds, "Veronica started that company that does corporate security with her ex partner. I hear they are doing well getting big clients with all their FBI contacts."
Casey decides to share Logan's latest news with his friends knowing that it is public information now. He tells the group that Logan is now on the board of Blackmore Corporation. Clearly impressed, the group talks about how everything Logan touches turns to gold. He is an award winning screenplay writer and has published his first novel. Now one of the wealthiest and most powerful men on the west coast has invited Logan to be on the Board of Directors of his Corporation. It is a clear signal that Logan is going places in the Investment world.
Casey sitting next to Dick notices his upset that he is estranged from Logan. He leans in and tells him very quietly, "If you ever want to be close friends with Logan, you are going to have to accept Veronica is his wife, mother of his child and he is happy with her. If you can't accept her, you will remain on the outside only seeing him when he has time." He says clearly, "As they have more children, his time with his friends will lessen. You will soon be relegated to once a year visits or perhaps a guy he sees at high school and college reunions."
Dick upset says, "So Veronica won."
"It isn't a contest Dick. It is called growing up." He waves his arm to encompass the large group sitting around the table, "A lot of the guys are living with someone or married. They have obligations to their new families. They have less time for friends and partying. It is just how life is." Casey runs his hand through his hair and says, "I know you guys hate her but high school was a long time ago. She is not the same person. I am really happy he has someone who is good to him and really loves him. Logan deserves that. If you want to be his friend and not an acquaintance, you have to show Logan he can trust you" Standing he says, "I am going to head downstairs. There are girls who need partners to dance and there is booze to be drank." The two guys watch Casey head down the stairs. He has given them a lot to think about.
The next few months are busy and exciting for Logan. His book is published and to his surprise and happiness, the book does well taking a spot on the best sellers list. Of course he has to do interviews to promote the book but his close relationship with Casey has ensured that the agent assigned to his book is careful only selecting interviewers that respect his decision not to talk about his parents or his current personal life. If he is questioned, he admits that he and Veronica are expecting their first child but he gives out no further information on the sex of the baby or when Veronica is due. Veronica is completely protected from the press. Work is very secure, Logan has a new security system at home and he has doubled the security on Veronica during her pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a good time for Veronica. Veronica is happy as her family is near her and her friends are doing well. Juan and Vanessa, both close friends, are together and they are really good for each other. Derek is thriving at work and he is so happy with Connie and his children. She loves her first hand look at how absolutely brilliant Mac is. Of course she doesn't understand exactly what programs Mac is developing but she can see that Mac is forward thinking and a genius at working with the talented programmers she has recruited. In addition, Mac is dating Lester. They understand each other and Lester treats Mac like she is the most special woman in the world. Mac doesn't have to hide her intelligence and Lester is not threatened by her success. He could have chosen the path she did but instead, is happy helping to help protect society even though the pay is not as lucrative.
Best of all for Veronica is how close her relationship is with Logan. He is an amazing man and she loves him more every day. She did not adore the nausea, fatigue, cravings and irritability, but she is so grateful that there have been no real difficulties with her pregnancy. The best thing about the bundle of movement below her heart is how absolutely excited Logan is about seeing her pregnant. When they are sitting together or in bed together, invariably his hand is on her baby bump. Every few days, security at the front gate calls with the news that another parcel has been delivered for them. Their family and friends good naturedly complain that by the time their first child is born, there will be nothing left for them to buy. Logan ignores their teasing and Veronica dutifully watches as he opens the parcel and excitedly shows her what new, must have item he found on the internet for her or the baby. How can she be upset with a man who is a great husband and now a doting father? No, she just sits back, enjoys his excitement and she lets him take care of her.
On Veronica's due date, Casey goes over to talk to his best friend. He has some important news to share with him. A while back Logan had advised him to ease up on work a little and perhaps volunteer or find something else to add to his life that has been filled with work since he was sixteen years old. He had taken his advice and Vanessa had encouraged him to start volunteering as legal advocate for children. Casey took the training and he loved the work. A year in, he had been assigned to work with a group of three children whose father is in prison and the mother is in and out of rehab. Unfortunately the children are split up, living with various family members. Both parents rights to the children have been legally terminated. It is not a good situation. None of the family wants to permanently take the three children. The social worker is a really great young woman named Trudy who makes very little pay and works long hours to help children. He admires her so much. Last week he sat in her office very upset at how the situation for the middle daughter had deteriorated. She leaned back in her chair and said hopelessly, "I wish someone would just agree to adopt all three of them."
It was like a light went on in his head. He could adopt them. He had plenty of money. He had a big, safe house. He could do a lot of work from home. He could hire a nanny. He looked at Trudy and found she was looking at him in concern and question. He said wondrously, "I could adopt them."
She had been resistant at first but he had convinced her of his sincerity when he told her, "My parents didn't love me and I was their biological child." Pausing he adds, "Biology means nothing. They are special kids who need a home and a family. I am a man who can be their father and I need them." Meeting her gaze he questioned sincerely, "What do I have to do to make this happen?"
And so it had begun. Logan and Veronica had been shocked when Casey told them what he wanted to do. Logan had sat back on the couch next to a very pregnant Veronica and after a few seconds thought, had met his friend's gaze and teased, "When I advised you to get more in your life than the business, this wasn't exactly what I was thinking."
Relaxing now that he sees that Logan is not totally against the idea, Casey shares, "There are so many kids that get a horrible start in life. I didn't have the best example but I want to give them a better life."
He looks over at Veronica and sees her blue eyes appraising the situation. She says, "It's isn't just a home they need."
Smiling at the way she worded her question, he assures her, "I get that. They need love, security and they need a family." Leaning closer to the couple, he tells them his plan to renovate his mansion, hire an evening housekeeper and a nanny. He tells them how he has good assistants and he can work a lot of the time from home. He talks about how the oldest is in school and how next year the middle daughter will start kindergarten." Looking at his hands he says, "I will need a lot of help but I really want to do this."
Veronica meets Logan's gaze and after a few seconds, she smiles. Logan says aloud, "Well Auntie V, I guess we are getting two nieces and a nephew."
She laughs at his teasing and adds, "The more, the merrier." Looking over at a shocked Casey she pulls out her phone and says, "I think it is time for another party." She depresses a button and they watch her as she waits for a few seconds and then says, "Mom, how are you?"
Logan smiles realizing she called Alicia. Of course Keith and Alicia will be thrilled to have more children in their family. They consider Casey to be part of the family. He is a brother to Logan. He leans back and relaxes as he listens to Veronica who is happily talking to the woman who she thinks of as her mother. Logan looks over at Casey and is truly thrilled to see a look of real excitement and happiness on his best friend's face. He had hoped for this moment. He loves his friend but has been worried about how one dimensional his life has been. He has been focused on his company since high school and he needs to have more. Logan had been happy when Casey started volunteering as a child legal advocate. Looking at his friend who is watching as Veronica talks on the telephone, Logan smiles; he is going to be an uncle.
Casey looks at Veronica in shock and takes the phone from Veronica after she tells Alicia that Casey has news. Veronica leans into Logan and the both listen at Alicia's obvious surprise and then excitement. It is clear that she is now in planning mode. They smile as Casey tries to keep up with Alicia's questions and plans. Obviously she is thinking that they should have a family party to meet the children. Casey makes arrangements for Alicia to meet him at his office on Thursday after she works at the Lynn Foundation.
When he gets off the phone, he hands it back to Veronica and shares, "Apparently you two are having a party so the family can meet the children and Alicia and I are meeting to get a list made up of what the children will need and what rooms in the mansion would be best for them."
Logan smirks a little and gently shares, "You will get used to having family around."
Veronica laughs and adds, "Alicia might be the best mother in the world."
Casey looks at her and then smiles a little. He quietly tells her, "Thanks. I will definitely take the help."
After Casey leaves, Veronica puts their glasses in the dishwasher and checks that the alarm system is activated. Logan, when he gets off the phone from talking to security, walks over and walks with Veronica up the stairs to their bedroom. When Veronica is finished getting ready for bed she goes over to her husband who is standing on the balcony outside their bedroom looking at the view of the ocean at night. Without hesitation she walks over and wraps her arms around him from behind asking, "What are you thinking about?"
He easily twists in her arms, pulling her to his side as he hugs her and they both look out at the view. Quietly he tells her, "This is the most excited I have seen Casey in a long time."
Understanding that he has been worried about his friend, she snuggles closer and agrees, "He is going to be so busy."
Gently squeezing her, he softly agrees, "He is." They both watch the waves hit the shore and enjoy the quiet of the beach at night.