Tucker let out a little squack of discontent, his chubby baby face contorting in a way that told Veronica he was gearing up for a loud, demanding cry.
"Give me a second, little man."
Veronica fumbled around under her shirt, releasing the clasp of her nursing bra. She pulled up her gauzy blouse and slipped the infant underneath. The newborn immediately clamped on to her nipple and began sucking, letting out a little baby sigh of relief. She dropped her blouse down over him, cradling his swaddled, squishy body close to her.
Leaning back in the patio chair, Veronica shimmied on the cushion to make herself comfortable. A light Fall breeze brushed through the backyard, kicking up some of the leaves that had fallen from the trees. Pony barked happily and began chasing them as Jack followed close behind, screaming with delight.
Veronica always loved this time, just after the kids were born, and the birth of their fourth child was no exception. Tucker Reynolds Mars' arrival a few weeks prior brought with it a quiet contentment in the family that had been missing in the previous months. Jack was thrilled to change his title from 'little brother' to 'big brother' and took great pride in helping Veronica with him, in whatever small way he could. The twins were equally excited and insisted that Veronica and Logan drive them to school after he was born so they could 'show off' their baby brother to their friends. And the sight of Logan holding their baby confidently in one hand, Tucker's tiny body pressed to his, as Logan walked him back and forth in their room in the middle of the night, always seemed to make Veronica's heart skip several beats.
"...and I'm telling you, Son, they just have to change a few people on their lineup, and next season will be the Padre's best. I know it."
Keith appeared from the house carrying a tray filled with raw hamburger patties. Logan followed him through the patio doors carrying a large Ziploc bag full of marinated vegetables.
"You say that every year, Keith." Logan chuckled, placing the vegetables down on the outdoor counter near the barbeque. "Maybe if we get season tickets next year that'll help their chances."
Keith placed the hamburgers on the other side of the barbeque and snapped his fingers. "Yes! That'll change their luck! Good idea."
A soccer ball came flying across the yard, hitting the deck rails with a loud thud before it rebounded back to the twins.
"Hey! Keep it on the ground, guys. We're not the net." Logan called out to them.
"Sorr-eeeee." The twins sung back in unison.
Linc swept the ball away from Lexie and kicked it down the yard. It skimmed under the swings towards the bushes and the siblings pursued it, shoving each other a little as they ran.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "They think they're playing rugby."
Logan swivled on his heels to face Veronica, pointing his index finger at her. "That's an idea..."
"No! They have soccer and swimming and Taekwondo. Enough with the activities." Veronica stated, pointing her finger back at Logan.
When they first returned to the house, the transition was hard. Jack originally refused to go into his bedroom alone and so they moved his bed into Linc's room. Lexie began sleep-walking and talking in her sleep, causing them to pull out the old baby-gate to protect her from falling down the stairs at night. Veronica's panic consumed her only once, on the first night when she lay on her back in the bed where Mercer attacked her, staring up at the ceiling fixture. During those first days, Logan traded sleep for sitting up in a chair in the living room, keeping silent watch over his family. With some time, counselling, and weekly martial arts lessons, they began to find their strength again, earning how to cope as a family so they could all finally put the past behind them.
Logan walked towards her, his finger still extended and playfully hooked it around Veronica's. She giggled and hooked her finger to his, giving him a little tug closer. Leaning over, he kissed her forehead, his smiling face beaming down at her.
The sound of the gate opening made Logan stand up straight again, his hand resting on Veronica's shoulder.
"Hi! Sorry we're late," Lianne said as she and Hunter came up to the steps of the deck. "The pies took a little longer in the oven than I estimated."
"That's okay, Mom - Dad and Logan have the barbeque covered..." Veronica smiled as Logan walked up to Lianne, taking the tray of pies from her hands and placed them on the patio table. "...and the salad is tossed and in the fridge."
"Hello Lianne," Keith said with a smile. "How was your week? Did the Super' come and fix your garbage disposal yet?"
Lianne followed Logan onto the deck, walking over to Keith, she patted his back.
"No. So if you don't mind, I think I will take you up on your offer to fix it. The smell is becoming a bit overwhelming in the apartment."
Keith chuckled. "No problem. I'll come by on Tuesday after my doctor's appointment, if that works."
"That would be wonderful, thank you." Lianne brushed her long white-blond hair over her shoulder and smiled warmly.
"Hunter!" Jack yelled before launching himself at his uncle, enveloping the tall boy's leg in a bear hug.
"Hey little buddy," Hunter replied with a smile, ruffling Jack's hair playfully. "Keeping out of trouble?"
"No," Jack replied with a laugh.
Over the summer, Hunter had joined Lianne in Neptune and found that the climate – and the girls he met while learning how to surf – agreed with him. The family made the decision to move to Neptune so Lianne could continue to help Veronica when the baby was born, and Hunter could continue his high-school studies at Pan High. Tall and lanky, with a head full of dark black hair, Hunter's easy-going personality helped him adapt easily to his new life in California. Lianne confided to Veronica that Hunter enjoyed the company of Keith and Logan, and moving to Neptune help to fill the void left by his absent father.
Lifting Jack up in the air, Hunter planted the five-year-old on his shoulders as Jack screamed with happiness. "Come on, let's go play soccer with Lexie and Linc."
As the adults watched the two boys cross the lawn, the sound of the gate opening and closing again made everyone's heads turn.
"Hey."
Dick stepped into view. In one hand, he held a brown paper bag; the other hand ran through his blond mop of hair. Dressed in khaki shorts and a green Polo shirt, he shuffled slightly, his gaze skimming between all the people on the deck.
His stint in the rehab facility ended a few days after Tucker was born and Logan – sleep deprived and unkempt – insisted on making the trek out to pick him up and bring him back home to the beach house. In the days that followed, Logan checked in with him every day, making sure Dick was taking care of himself and meeting with his outreach counsellor. Sometimes, they talked for only a few minutes; sometimes, they talked for an hour. He expressed how he wished he could do more for his friend, but Dick understood and told him often how he appreciated Logan just being there to talk.
Logan walked down the step, opening his arms to embrace his friend. "Good to see you."
Dick patted Logan's back, his eyes fixed on Veronica. "Good to see you guys too." Clearing his throat, he stepped away from Logan and lifted the bag. "I brought a present for your new little dude."
"Thank you Dick," Veronica said with a nod and a smile. "That's very thoughtful of you."
Pursing his lips, Dick nodded as Logan took the bag from him. Reaching inside, Logan pulled out a blue one-piece sun-suit with a small brimmed sun-hat attached to it.
"The girl at the shop said it was SPF, like, 200 or something," Dick said, waving his hand nonchalantly at the gift. "It'll keep Tucker all nice and safe on the beach."
Logan clasped his hand down on Dick's shoulder and smiled. "Thanks Dick. That's really great of you."
"Well, you know, if we start taking the twins out to learn how to surf, then I figured that Tucker and Jack could come and play on the beach with Veronica while we're out in the ocean." Dick shrugged at his suggestion, glancing again between Veronica and Logan.
"That sounds like a great idea," Keith interjected. "Maybe Hunter could join you too."
Logan's face lit up as he turned towards Veronica. "That would be awesome. Hunter's a natural on the board. We can make our own Dawn Patrol...just like the old days."
Veronica shook her head. "No way. If you guys are going to take the kids out for early morning surf runs, count me and Jack and Tucker out. We'll be here, sleeping."
Tucker pulled himself off of her, letting out a large burp and a sigh. Veronica snickered and pulled him out from under her blouse, laying him lengthwise on her lap, his head near her knees, as she attempted to discreetly shove her breast back in her bra under her shirt.
"Let me take him," Lianne said as she picked up Tucker from Veronica's lap, cradling him to her shoulder. Patting him gently, she began rocking back and forth and humming softly.
"Thanks Mom," Veronica said, straightening her blouse and rising. "How are those burgers coming, Dad? I'm starving."
Keith lifted the lid to the barbeque and waved his hand over the grill, testing the heat. "Feels about right. You know, to get a good burger, you can't rush the process, Veronica."
Rolling her eyes, Veronica made her way to the edge of the deck, leaning on the railing to look across the lawn toward the kids at the other end of the yard.
"Okay, Guy Fieri - don't forget about the hot dogs in the fridge for Jack."
"I can grab them," Dick offered, coming up the steps. "I'm going to help myself a Coke from the fridge. Anyone else want anything?"
"If you could grab me a cold Sprite, I would appreciate it, Richard," Keith said as Dick passed by him on the way into the house.
"You got it, Mr. Mars." Dick clicked his tongue and shot his index fingers at Keith before disappearing into the house.
Logan climbed the steps, coming up behind Veronica, his arms wrapping around her thick waist. She leaned into him and he kissed the nape of her neck.
The kids squealed with laughter as Hunter chased them around the back yard, his arms up high above his head, and he growled like a grizzly. The three quickly climbed the ladder up to the top of the play structure, their heads popping out at the top to look down at Hunter. Their faces were lit up with happiness as they laughed hysterically at Hunter, who was now skulking around on the ground, still making bear noises.
Veronica's arms moved across Logan's and he tightened his grip on her, hugging her soft post-pregnancy belly. Warmth spread through Veronica's skin and she inhaled slowly, the cool evening air and the musky smell of Logan's skin stirring her senses.
As it so often did, Veronica's mind sifted through thoughts of them together; young Logan, Lilly, Duncan, and her outside by the pool; laying in bed with Logan at the Neptune Grande, staring at him across the pillow from her; the sight of him in his Navy whites, meeting her at the airport; the tears of joy in his eyes when they found out they were pregnant; the way Logan's lips parted in awe as he watched his children make their way from her body; the many, many days they had ahead of them, walking hand in hand on the beach, while their children bustled around them.
"How are you feeling?" Logan whispered in Veronica's ear.
Veronica turned, softly kissing Logan's cheek.
"Happy. Very, very happy."