"No, of course not." I laughed softly, "You were very sweet... drunkenly pledging your undying love for me." I added, smirking. Being able to laugh like this after everything that had happened today was nice. Something we both needed before we went completely crazy.
"Being able to draw from real life is sort of the point. Would you rather make up something we'll have to actually remember?" I asked. "It's not like my dad hates you... he's just... really over protective." I told him gently.
"Okay, um, no babies. We can't exactly pretend that indefinitely." I replied with a slight smile. Not like either of us were even close to ready for that much responsibility. "Which is again why saying my dad doesn't approve of us getting married is the most logical reason why we're married when we're not old enough to have graduated high school yet." I told him. Believability was all in the details, right? "Very glad you're not about to keel over from pretending to be married to me, though, since either way we're going to be living together and all."
If we hadn't gotten back together and more or less picked up where we left off being forced to live together like we were going to be would be unbelievably awkward. Luckily for us we were beyond comfortable around each other most of the time, so it's not going to be a giant strain.
"Which is possibly why your dad hates me. I'm a bad influence on his daughter, drinking before eloping with you? Not to mention the fact that you changed your last name to boot. I didn't like sneak you out of your bedroom window to drive us to Vegas, did I? Remind me what your vows were? Something about death do us part, even if I have to sleep on the couch?" I asked, laughing softly with her.
Her dad did sometimes hate me. It was something all fathers did. I'm pretty sure that some of it has to do with him dealing with the knowledge that Veronica actually had sex occasionally or... unless it was particularly me. Which I'm still not sure I don't doubt.
"What?" I asked, mock gasping towards her when she mentioned living together. "You never said anything in this marriage about living together. I demand a separate room. Just so we can be like all the other dysfunctional marriages out there."
Other than the reason we were actually in this situation? I'm sure this would be a lot funnier and a lot more pleasant. The more we had time to think about it, the less funny it became.
"Don't forget the fact that we're three years away from being legal drinking age." I added with a smirk. "And would it be such a bad thing if you stole me off to Vegas?" I questioned while I pondered what the vows would have been. "And yes, to death to us part even if you have to sleep on the couch was definitely in there...but I can't see me making you sleep on the couch. Much rather have you with me. But if you want to sleep on the couch, I suppose you can." I teased giggling. "There was of course also the obligatory promise to honour each other. But I so didn't promise to obey."
"Right, because we love each other so much that we ran away to get married but we keep separate bedrooms?" I questioned, completely amused. "Seems kinda pointless if you ask me. Especially since we can't ever seem to keep our hands off each other."
This whole conversation was beyond silly, but it felt so nice to be able to goof off like this. We were on the run from a completely insane Irish mafia family and the Balboa county sheriff's department, but I couldn't help but think this was the most relaxed we'd been since the night with the ice cream. Because once we got far enough away? It would be the first time since my dad came home where the badness hanging over our heads won't be completely constant.
"That really depends if you're asking me or this Nathaniel guy," I said in relation to her question if it would be such a bad thing if I stole her off to Vegas. The lines only blurred - which was fake us and real us? It was stupid thing in general to say to her, mostly like everything else that had managed to come out of my mouth today.
"You know," I continued," I really home you don't make me sleep on the couch, because I'm pretty sure I'd rather sleep with you." As if that wasn't obvious by now. I felt a small relieved grin play at my lips before looking towards her at the giggle that escaped from her mouth. "I don't get why I had to promise to obey if you're not."
The point was actually having her laughter ringing in my ears instead of all the insane thoughts in my head that both this conversation and what we were currently doing brought up. Generally, it was just easier to be with her.
Yawning, I rested my eyes for a moment, listening to her speak and her small giggles that seemed to just calm and fade this all away. When I opened my eyes the sky was dark and Veronica was shaking my shoulder, "Huh?" I asked, but then I saw the neon red flashing sign saying that there were vacancies in this motel that we had stopped at.
And for a second we actually stopped. I wasn't sure if I was relieved or not and I knew I wouldn't be when this all came crashing down.
"Sorry. I didn't really want to wake you up, but somehow I figure bed is preferable to attempting to sleep through the night in the car..." I told him softly. "I'm gonna go rent us a room. Can you grab our suitcases from the back while I do that?" I asked, before I got out of the car.
After the motel clerk gave me the room key, directions to said room, and informed me that check out time was at 11 am, I headed back to the car to help Logan bring our stuff to the room.
It wasn't overly fancy, but the simple room would do for tonight. All the usual stuff, TV, coffee maker, cups, a clock, probably a bible in the dresser, shampoos and soaps in the bathroom. I wasn't expecting much else for less than forty dollars a night.
"So, did you want to get some more sleep?" I asked, closing the door behind me. "Or we can raid the vending machine for some food since I forgot to pack any if you're hungry." I suggested, sitting down on the edge of the bed. After that many hours driving, it felt almost weird to not have that constant motion surrounding me right now. "Our hair can wait until the morning if you'd rather sleep." I assured him.
I settled the suitcases on the floor next to the queen sized bed. Looking around for a moment I just felt awkward here. I didn't know if I wanted to just get things over tonight or not, because I wasn't exactly sure that I'd be able to fall asleep again. I almost wanted to keep moving so I didn't have to feel this stopped motion and Veronica looked like she felt the same way.
I let a breath escape from my throat. "I could do with a Coke, I guess," I said aloud. Though really, truthfully, I could do with another sort of beverage right about now.
"We might as well get this over with in one fell swoop, right?" I asked. I wondered if she was tired. I was tired after this day and I had slept. Veronica hadn't stopped moving. I tried not to replay everything that had happened today. Waking up to being arrested to being a general ass to Veronica when she tried to help me in the first place to being broken out of jail to running away.
The fake wedding band glistened on her hand as I went over to check out the small bathroom nearby. The light shined too brightly.
"Okay, so we raid the vending machines, eat, then try not to die from hair dye fumes?" I asked, teasing, if only a little bit, as I looked up to him as he came back out of the bathroom.
"I know this place is pretty crappy, but we should probably save as much money as possible for when we're actually in Virgina Beach, right?" I reminded him. Gas, food and 30 to 40 dollars a night in motel rooms was going to add up really quickly, and then there'd be rent, furniture, a million things to worry about. Logan wasn't used to living on a fixed budget and if we spent the way he was used to, five-star hotels and the whole bit, we'd have no money left in a month.
I stood up and crossed the small distance between us before pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. It was quick, simple, fairly chaste, but full of love. "I've been wanting to do that since I got your voice mail this morning." I told him quietly.
I knew logically that I would be exhausted, dead tired and wanting to do nothing but sleep. I hadn't stopped moving, doing something, since the moment I got up this morning. But I wasn't. Or maybe I was just more, I don't know, relieved to have Logan with me right now, that we were okay, but knew we had a lot to do before I'd feel comfortable with the idea of sleeping.
"So, should we go load up on insane amounts of junk food?" I asked with a smile.
"Veronica..." I started, and I was about to protest money wise cause there were thousands there when I realized that she was right about saving money. We didn't know how long we'd be gone and knowing how deeply stupid the head of Balboa County sheriff's department was, it could be months, couldn't it.
She crosses the distance between us and presses her lips softly against mine and after this day it seems like the best thing in the world. To know that she's actually still there is better than anything right now, because I need her more than ever.
I just try to start to start again even if she's joking about this morning now. "Veronica..." I look up for a moment and let a breath out, "Veronica, this morning. About this morning, I'm really sorry. Okay? I was trying to push you away and... I just hate that I hurt you. That wasn't what I wanted to do."
Her offer of junk food and dye fumes was almost starting to sound appealing. I just wanted this over with. I hate that you're out here because of me, are the words that I'm missing in that whole statement.
"I know you are, Logan." I nodded to him. "It's okay. I promise. I get it. Why you were. But I'm still here, so it doesn't matter anymore, okay?" I asked. "It's over and we're okay. It's completely forgotten." I insisted gently.
I let out a soft breath, smiling to him for a moment. I knew he didn't want to hurt me. He didn't really even have to say that. He was scared. For both of us, and somehow he decided I'd be better off without him. He just forgot I'm unbelievably stubborn when I want to be.
"I know you don't exactly like the idea of scrimping so much right now, but look at it this way...the more we save getting there, the more money we'll have to buy nice things for our place. It'll balance." I said. I knew Logan well enough to know he could deal with a few crappy motel rooms in exchange for a comfy couch, nice TV and a PS2. After all, it was important that we at least felt comfortable in the place that was going to be our home for the foreseeable future, right?
Either way, we had more than enough money to last us for a while. Not so much that we didn't have to keep track of it, but enough that we could live comfortably, more so than I was even used to at this point, for months on end.
"Thanks," I told her softly when she sighed in relief. I'm not sure I was quite feeling relief yet, but I knew it was better that she was here with me and that was mostly what mattered right now. I dipped my head to kiss her softly like I wanted to do all the times she'd been upset this afternoon but I had been too stubborn or scared to do so.
I ran my fingers through her hair, shutting my eyes for a moment. It was the same thing. I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn't a dream and that she was really here with me. This wasn't any illusion, she was really here.
"You know, I really don't care about money right now. I pretty much care that you're here with me." I told her. Sure tomorrow I'd think money would be nice when we both had a backache from a bed that was probably too hard, but overall the only thing that mattered was her presence.
"But for now, money sort of buys food and I don't think amidst the insanity I've eaten all day." I laughed softly to myself. She probably hadn't either. We probably had driven as far as we could get without passing out and with time to sleep. I didn't feel particularly hungry and I'm not sure she was either but eating something was better than nothing - even if it was going to be chocolate, chips and soda.
I leaned my forehead against hers for a moment - a thankful statement before I kissed her hairline.
I returned the kiss softly, a smile forming on my lips, my eyes remaining closed as he ran his fingers though my hair gently. It felt so good just to be close to him right now. It almost made everything from this morning feel like some sort of horrible nightmare. Almost.
Nightmare or not, the important part was we were safe, and together. Together being the key point there. All of this was far too much for either of us to deal with alone. At least together we had someone else around to keep us grounded. Keep us from feeling totally alone. Not being able really be ourselves, talk to anyone from Neptune... I can deal as long as I've got Logan.
"How many times and different ways am I going to have to tell you're stuck with me before you stop being amazed by the fact that I love you and actually want to be with you?" I asked him, smiling warmly. "Maybe after you wake up with me in your arms every morning for weeks?" I was actually really looking forward to that idea. Just knowing he was right there, listening to his steady heartbeat as I fell asleep.
"What a concept, hey?" I smirked when he said money bought food. "Eating in and of itself is probably not a bad one. I know I haven't eaten all day. Haven't stopped long enough for that." I laughed slightly. "I know, I should've eaten... but I'm okay."
"Being able to draw from real life is sort of the point. Would you rather make up something we'll have to actually remember?" I asked. "It's not like my dad hates you... he's just... really over protective." I told him gently.
"Okay, um, no babies. We can't exactly pretend that indefinitely." I replied with a slight smile. Not like either of us were even close to ready for that much responsibility. "Which is again why saying my dad doesn't approve of us getting married is the most logical reason why we're married when we're not old enough to have graduated high school yet." I told him. Believability was all in the details, right? "Very glad you're not about to keel over from pretending to be married to me, though, since either way we're going to be living together and all."
If we hadn't gotten back together and more or less picked up where we left off being forced to live together like we were going to be would be unbelievably awkward. Luckily for us we were beyond comfortable around each other most of the time, so it's not going to be a giant strain.
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Her dad did sometimes hate me. It was something all fathers did. I'm pretty sure that some of it has to do with him dealing with the knowledge that Veronica actually had sex occasionally or... unless it was particularly me. Which I'm still not sure I don't doubt.
"What?" I asked, mock gasping towards her when she mentioned living together. "You never said anything in this marriage about living together. I demand a separate room. Just so we can be like all the other dysfunctional marriages out there."
Other than the reason we were actually in this situation? I'm sure this would be a lot funnier and a lot more pleasant. The more we had time to think about it, the less funny it became.
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"Right, because we love each other so much that we ran away to get married but we keep separate bedrooms?" I questioned, completely amused. "Seems kinda pointless if you ask me. Especially since we can't ever seem to keep our hands off each other."
This whole conversation was beyond silly, but it felt so nice to be able to goof off like this. We were on the run from a completely insane Irish mafia family and the Balboa county sheriff's department, but I couldn't help but think this was the most relaxed we'd been since the night with the ice cream. Because once we got far enough away? It would be the first time since my dad came home where the badness hanging over our heads won't be completely constant.
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"You know," I continued," I really home you don't make me sleep on the couch, because I'm pretty sure I'd rather sleep with you." As if that wasn't obvious by now. I felt a small relieved grin play at my lips before looking towards her at the giggle that escaped from her mouth. "I don't get why I had to promise to obey if you're not."
The point was actually having her laughter ringing in my ears instead of all the insane thoughts in my head that both this conversation and what we were currently doing brought up. Generally, it was just easier to be with her.
Yawning, I rested my eyes for a moment, listening to her speak and her small giggles that seemed to just calm and fade this all away. When I opened my eyes the sky was dark and Veronica was shaking my shoulder, "Huh?" I asked, but then I saw the neon red flashing sign saying that there were vacancies in this motel that we had stopped at.
And for a second we actually stopped. I wasn't sure if I was relieved or not and I knew I wouldn't be when this all came crashing down.
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After the motel clerk gave me the room key, directions to said room, and informed me that check out time was at 11 am, I headed back to the car to help Logan bring our stuff to the room.
It wasn't overly fancy, but the simple room would do for tonight. All the usual stuff, TV, coffee maker, cups, a clock, probably a bible in the dresser, shampoos and soaps in the bathroom. I wasn't expecting much else for less than forty dollars a night.
"So, did you want to get some more sleep?" I asked, closing the door behind me. "Or we can raid the vending machine for some food since I forgot to pack any if you're hungry." I suggested, sitting down on the edge of the bed. After that many hours driving, it felt almost weird to not have that constant motion surrounding me right now. "Our hair can wait until the morning if you'd rather sleep." I assured him.
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I let a breath escape from my throat. "I could do with a Coke, I guess," I said aloud. Though really, truthfully, I could do with another sort of beverage right about now.
"We might as well get this over with in one fell swoop, right?" I asked. I wondered if she was tired. I was tired after this day and I had slept. Veronica hadn't stopped moving. I tried not to replay everything that had happened today. Waking up to being arrested to being a general ass to Veronica when she tried to help me in the first place to being broken out of jail to running away.
The fake wedding band glistened on her hand as I went over to check out the small bathroom nearby. The light shined too brightly.
I left the light on. Yeah, this felt classy.
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"I know this place is pretty crappy, but we should probably save as much money as possible for when we're actually in Virgina Beach, right?" I reminded him. Gas, food and 30 to 40 dollars a night in motel rooms was going to add up really quickly, and then there'd be rent, furniture, a million things to worry about. Logan wasn't used to living on a fixed budget and if we spent the way he was used to, five-star hotels and the whole bit, we'd have no money left in a month.
I stood up and crossed the small distance between us before pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. It was quick, simple, fairly chaste, but full of love. "I've been wanting to do that since I got your voice mail this morning." I told him quietly.
I knew logically that I would be exhausted, dead tired and wanting to do nothing but sleep. I hadn't stopped moving, doing something, since the moment I got up this morning. But I wasn't. Or maybe I was just more, I don't know, relieved to have Logan with me right now, that we were okay, but knew we had a lot to do before I'd feel comfortable with the idea of sleeping.
"So, should we go load up on insane amounts of junk food?" I asked with a smile.
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She crosses the distance between us and presses her lips softly against mine and after this day it seems like the best thing in the world. To know that she's actually still there is better than anything right now, because I need her more than ever.
I just try to start to start again even if she's joking about this morning now. "Veronica..." I look up for a moment and let a breath out, "Veronica, this morning. About this morning, I'm really sorry. Okay? I was trying to push you away and... I just hate that I hurt you. That wasn't what I wanted to do."
Her offer of junk food and dye fumes was almost starting to sound appealing. I just wanted this over with. I hate that you're out here because of me, are the words that I'm missing in that whole statement.
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I let out a soft breath, smiling to him for a moment. I knew he didn't want to hurt me. He didn't really even have to say that. He was scared. For both of us, and somehow he decided I'd be better off without him. He just forgot I'm unbelievably stubborn when I want to be.
"I know you don't exactly like the idea of scrimping so much right now, but look at it this way...the more we save getting there, the more money we'll have to buy nice things for our place. It'll balance." I said. I knew Logan well enough to know he could deal with a few crappy motel rooms in exchange for a comfy couch, nice TV and a PS2. After all, it was important that we at least felt comfortable in the place that was going to be our home for the foreseeable future, right?
Either way, we had more than enough money to last us for a while. Not so much that we didn't have to keep track of it, but enough that we could live comfortably, more so than I was even used to at this point, for months on end.
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I ran my fingers through her hair, shutting my eyes for a moment. It was the same thing. I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn't a dream and that she was really here with me. This wasn't any illusion, she was really here.
"You know, I really don't care about money right now. I pretty much care that you're here with me." I told her. Sure tomorrow I'd think money would be nice when we both had a backache from a bed that was probably too hard, but overall the only thing that mattered was her presence.
"But for now, money sort of buys food and I don't think amidst the insanity I've eaten all day." I laughed softly to myself. She probably hadn't either. We probably had driven as far as we could get without passing out and with time to sleep. I didn't feel particularly hungry and I'm not sure she was either but eating something was better than nothing - even if it was going to be chocolate, chips and soda.
I leaned my forehead against hers for a moment - a thankful statement before I kissed her hairline.
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Nightmare or not, the important part was we were safe, and together. Together being the key point there. All of this was far too much for either of us to deal with alone. At least together we had someone else around to keep us grounded. Keep us from feeling totally alone. Not being able really be ourselves, talk to anyone from Neptune... I can deal as long as I've got Logan.
"How many times and different ways am I going to have to tell you're stuck with me before you stop being amazed by the fact that I love you and actually want to be with you?" I asked him, smiling warmly. "Maybe after you wake up with me in your arms every morning for weeks?" I was actually really looking forward to that idea. Just knowing he was right there, listening to his steady heartbeat as I fell asleep.
"What a concept, hey?" I smirked when he said money bought food. "Eating in and of itself is probably not a bad one. I know I haven't eaten all day. Haven't stopped long enough for that." I laughed slightly. "I know, I should've eaten... but I'm okay."
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