Chapter Sixteen

Logan's POV

We walk hand in hand toward her father's house, the feel of her hand in mine still seems so surreal. Even though I have been home for three weeks now, there are still moments where I feel like I am going to wake up from this dream and realize that none of this has been real. However, every morning I wake up and she is still wrapped up in my arms and a feeling of peace overcomes me that I never thought I would have.

I don't think the reality of my new life has really kicked in yet. Being a part of the Navy has been such a huge and defining part of my life for so long that it is still surreal to me that I am no longer a Naval Intelligence Officer. Add on top of that, the fact that Veronica is my wife and it is like I am living a completely different life than I thought I would ever have.

If you would have asked me seven years ago if I thought that Veronica and I would be married and having discussions about babies, I would have laughed in your face. I'm not going to lie, finding that box of pregnancy tests with one missing this morning did cause me a moment or two of panic.

Being a father is something that utterly terrifies me. I was given some really shitty genetics from my father and I would never want to turn out like him. I would rather die than put Veronica and my children through what my mom and I endured at that hands of my father.

I know that Veronica would say that I could never be like him, and deep down I think that I know that too, but that doesn't mean that the fear doesn't still exist. However, even with all those fears, the idea of having a child and watching that little life grow inside Veronica, is quickly becoming something that I really want.

I'm not sure if Veronica is ready yet though and the last thing that I am going to do is do or say anything that will push her away. For now, I am content to know that it is something that is on the table and not completely out of the question. We have so much to celebrate already and I'm just grateful for the fact that we have time together.

Don't get me wrong, I still have lots of worries that plague me daily. What will I do for work? Will I be able to handle Veronica constantly putting herself in danger for her cases? Will our happy bubble eventually pop, and will she start to push me away again?

I try not to let myself dwell on them and I don't vocalize them to her right now. I don't want to put any doubts in her mind, and I want things to continue just the way they have for the last three weeks. In ways, I feel like we have grown more as a couple in the last three weeks, than we did ever before.

I feel her gently squeeze on our entwined fingers and I realize that we have reached her dad's front door, but we are just standing on the porch.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she quietly asks me.

"Only good things," I say trying to give her a reassuring smile.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm honestly just thinking about how happy I am that we have so much to be celebrating today."

She smiles and goes up on her tip toes to place a gentle kiss on my lips. My smile grows even bigger as I pull her into a quick hug, enjoying the feel of her pressed up against me in a gentle embrace.

We make our way into the house and are greeted by enthusiastic cheers. The small group of our closest friends quickly approach, giving hugs and issuing congratulations and welcome homes.

Dick was the last to approach. Veronica was still standing next to me, her hand in mine, but by now she was engrossed in a conversation with her dad and Wallace and not really paying attention to what was going on with Dick and me. We slap hands and give each other a quick one-armed hug.

"Man, I am so glad you are here. Next time try and be on time. I know you were gone for a year, but you have had three weeks of 'catching up,' he uses air quotes to emphasis his point. Mr. Mars was literally looking like he was going to choke me," Dick says with a side glance at Keith.

"Probably because he was tired of hearing the many different ways that you keep implying about why we were late," Veronica somehow interjects, even though she was still having a conversation with her Dad and Wallace. I don't know how she does that sometimes.

"What? It's not like Mr. Mars doesn't know that you and Ronnie have been bumping uglies every chance that you get in the last three weeks," Dick mockingly jokes, but I can tell that there is a little bit of hurt there.

I haven't spent enough time building back my friendships since I have been home, and I think that it may be time to start doing just that. I have been so focused on making up for lost time with Veronica that I may have unintentionally been neglecting the other important people in my life and that is something that I need to remedy now. I would never want Dick to think that him and his friendship weren't important to me, so I think it is time that I start making this up to one of my oldest friends.

"Hey how about you and I go surfing in the morning?" I ask with a hopeful expression on my face.

"Just you and me? Ronnie won't be joining us?" Dick questions in a skeptical tone of voice.

"Dick, since when have you known me to go surfing?" Veronica remarks, her conversation company having moved on for the moment in search of food.

"It's not like we are joined at the hip. We can go surfing for a few hours without her," I say looking at Veronica for confirmation, who gives a slight nod in agreement.

"The hip is definitely not where I think the two of you are joined most of the time," Dick comments, giving me an exaggerated eyebrow waggle.

"I heard that," Keith exclaims at the same time as Veronica says, "Seriously Dick."

Dick at least has good enough sense to look sheepish as he replies, "Surfing sounds like an awesome idea for the morning. Let's head out early so we can hopefully catch some good waves."

As we finish making our plans for the morning, Veronica wanders over to the food to make herself a plate. Not surprising, since my Bobcat's appetite has returned now that I am home. She is finally starting to put back on some of the weight that she lost in my absence and I am so glad that she is looking like the healthier version of herself, as opposed to her barely there form from weeks ago.

Dick walks with me over towards the others and as I walk behind Veronica, I wrap my arms around her waist from behind, resting my chin on the top of her head. She snuggles into me, her back resting against my front.

Dick starts to open his mouth to say something smart ass, I am sure, but he is cut off with a warning from Keith, "Not a word Richard, I mean it."

We all try and hide our chuckles, but we are mostly unsuccessful, which just adds to Keith's irritation with Dick.

Veronica turns slightly in my arms, looking up at me as she asks me, "Everything ok with the two of you?"

She is so perceptive of my feelings and emotions that she must be able to somehow sense the guilt I am trying to eradicate by making plans with Dick for surfing.

"Yeah everything is fine, just think it is time to mend the rest of the broken relationships in my life," I explain to her.

"Nothing is broken," she corrects me. "Just might need a little mending for the two of you is all."

"Ok, not broken then, but it will be nice to get back into the routine of seeing everyone like we did before." I kiss the top of her head, trying to show her with my actions just how much her understanding means to me. She releases a contented sigh before stepping away from me to return to her plate.

I see little Noah running around and gladly scoop him up to play, giving Shae and Wallace a chance to eat without having to chase the little one around. I couldn't believe how much he had grown in my absence and it took him a little bit of time to warm up to me again, but we have quickly become fast friends again.

Noah and I play while everyone else eats and then Shae comes and gets him, instructing me to eat.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are spent simply enjoying being with everyone, enjoying conversations and reminiscing. It feels so good to be able to just relax and spend time with all the people that I love. It is so easy to take things like a simple conversation with your loved ones for granted until you can't do it anymore. This is something that I have desperately missed.

Veronica spends most of the time either sitting right beside me, or on my lap, which is just where I want her. Dick stays close as well, and we spend some much-needed time catching up and are able to easily slip back into our friendly banter.

Before the night is over, we make plans with Wallace and Shae to have dinner this week and make plans with Keith as well. Looking around at all of them just reaffirms my decision to be discharged from the Navy. I know that this is where I am meant to be.

Slowly everyone starts to head home. Veronica and I try to stay and help clean up, but Keith insists that it was a party for us, and we shouldn't have to clean up. After a few minutes of innocent daddy/daughter bickering, Veronica concedes, and we get ready to head home.

Veronica hugs her dad goodbye and I am pleasantly surprised by the hug that I receive from Keith as well.

"I know that I have said this before, but I am so glad that you are home son," Keith tells me while he hugs me.

I find that my throat is a little tight with emotion. I'm not sure if it is because he said that he is glad that I am home or the fact that he called me son, but I find it difficult to form words.

"Thank you, sir," I choke out.

He nods as he steps away, walking us to the door. I glance at Veronica and notice a glisten in her eyes.

She takes my hand and we walk to the car, Keith waving goodbye from the door.

As I drive home, I look over at her and notice how her eyes are starting to droop.

"Sleepy?" I ask her.

"A little," she sighs contentedly. "But it was such a good day, even though I had to share you for a little while today."

"Gotten a little spoiled the last three weeks, have you?" I tease.

"I do enjoy having you all to myself," she snickers sleepily.

"Are you going to stay awake or am I going to have to carry you to bed?"

"I can guarantee that if you carry me to bed, sleeping will be the last thing on my mind," she teases.

"Well then I will most definitely be carrying you inside when we get home."

"Is that right, oh husband of mine?" She giggles from the passenger seat.

"You bet your sexy little ass it is wife," I reply seductively.

"I love it when you talk dirty," she says as we make the final turn towards home.

"God, I love you," I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her fingers.

"I love you too," she says before she pretends to fall asleep so I will "have" to carry her inside.