Veronica Walsh

Harlow thanked the barista with a smile, hands clasping around the hot coffee. It was finally getting cool enough that he was able to switch from iced coffees to normal ones. It was still nice enough that he was comfortable in his worn sweatshirt and jeans; but it was warm enough that he didn’t need a coat. Having spotted Veronica on a bench, he shook his head at her question, smiling lightly. “ ‘Course not Roni” He said, taking a seat before taking a sip of his drink. “Just been busy. How have you been?”

“Ahhh the third Harris sibling, where are the rest of the musketeers?” Veronica joked as she moved over so Harlow could have some room. She didn't know Boyd that well but she has grown close to Sawyer and she has known Harlow since high school. They were good people. “A cup of sunshine today, just enjoying some vitamin D. What about you?”

—&—

Sydney sat on the bench with a small huff. Her feet were killing her and she’d chosen the wrong day to break in her new heels. This much walking hadn’t been on her agenda when she’d gotten ready that morning. Smiling at Veronica beside her, Sydney shook her head, “If I was then sitting next to you now would’ve been the worst move in the playbook?”

“I saw you and realized it’s been a while since we’ve had a chat and caught up on things. Plus, my feet are killing me.” But at least she looked great in her new heels.

“Coming from you I might expect it” Veronica joked as she made room for her. “Well I’m not sure why you think walking in the park in heels would be a good idea, although they are gorgeous...Wait are those the new limited edition pair? My friend has style.” 

“I know its been awhile, since I’ve returned I’ve been playing catch up with everyone. Anything new with you?”

—

Alice turns towards the woman and smiles at them because it isn’t the first situation that she meets or speaks to someone due to her job and immediately forgets about them only to find herself in this odd exchange months later. “Hey, sorry. Not at all.” All she can hope for is the woman accidentally dropping her name so Alice doesn’t have the show her cards by asking it. “It’s a nice day. Are you out here enjoying the sun as well?”

“I’m sorry, Veronica Walsh. “ She said with a smile as she pulled out her hand for Alice to shake it. “We met a couple weeks ago, we didnt talk much but I said I wanted your thoughts on something and I’ll reach out when I can.” Meeting up with a investigative journalist might not be the best idea but at this point it was Veronica’s only option. “I am enjoying the sun, wanted to take a break from the indoors. The park always seemed to cheer me up. Do you come to the park alot?”

In retrospect Odion preferred the crisp air that was soon to come. Not that he didn’t enjoy warmer weather but there was a certain essence that this season entailed. Usually, this time of ay he would be running with his ear phones blasting in his ear with his most up to date work out music playlist. However he decided to take it easy and just enjoy the way things were changing around him. “I think I would have been a little more stealthy if that were the case. But no.” A friendly smile surfaced. “I am just taking a walk. Trying to cut back on the coffee. Just don’t ask me how that’s going.” A faint chuckle now leaving his lips.

“Odion?? No way I havent seen you since- I don’t even know how long.” Veronica met Odion back in high school and they just hit it off since. He was one of the few people who didnt judge her based on her family, he treated her like she was Veronica and not a Walsh. “You cut back on coffee? That will be the day. What have you been up to?” Coffee was a need for her so she couldnt understand why anyone would want to or even give up on coffee.

**

Taking a walk to clear her head was something Sloane was doing more and more. She was in between work and she wasn’t ready to go home just yet so instead she found herself in the park, watching the people around her; couples holding hands, children playing, animals running around all of which made her smile. Half paying attention and half still watching the people around her, she noticed Veronica on the bench and moved toward her. “Me avoiding you? No way. How are you?”

“Taking a break from the dance academy? I could of sworn you lived and breathed there.” Veronica joked as she watched a few kids running after a soccer ball. She smiled as a memory popped into her head. A memory that now seems like a forgotten dream. “Ummm, I’m fine.” Hopefully sounding better out loud than how it sounds in her head. “What about you? I havent seen you in a while, how is everything?”

-

Hiten chuckled. “Okay, noted,” they said, “and don’t we all, compliments really are appreciated,” they added, grinning as they shook her hand. “So if not for singing, you must get them plenty for other reasons,” they added with a wink. “Since you are quite beautiful.” And they were one who enjoyed seeing people’s reactions when they did give out compliments. “Nope, I’m from the States, small town, obvious by my lack of Canadian accent. You?”

Veronica blushed at his compliment, she was always complimented on her looks but to have someone say it now after everything made her frazzled almost. “ Well you’re not so bad looking yourself. Flattering will get you everywhere. Are you sure you arent Canadian?” She teased them. “Ahhhh our neighbors from below, they doing okay? I was actually in the states not too long ago.”

“Born and raised, so Canadian I don’t travel without my bottle of maple syrup in the car. So if nobody has, let me officially welcome you to Canada. How about a drink? My treat.”

.

Jasper’s still processing what the fuck Veronica’s just said when she starts in on him and he holds a hand up. “First of all, my life choices have never led to a family member walking in on me fucking their best friend, so jot that down. Second, I wasn’t judging you, I’m scared for you. This is sounding way too much like a sibling version of that surreal early two-thousands spouse swap show and I’m just trying to be your outside voice of reason.” He picks up a limp fry and points it at Veronica. “Fuck your bestie’s brother if you need to, just keep your brother out of it from now on. And if he’s fucking Lola and giving you shit for fucking Wilder just punch him in the throat next time and tell him to get over it. Some men need to be reminded every once in a while that we’re not living in puritanical New England where women get burned at the stake for the heinous crime of enjoying themselves. ”

“Oh my God, you need to get laid or something you have reached a whole new level of crazy. Well you know how men are, you’re sometimes one.” She said then went to drink her shake. In all honesty the silent treatment was getting to her. She has never had nobody not flat out talk to her and it was getting to be harder and harder to not go to his house and steal his dog or show up that precinct. “ Well enough about me, what’s new with you?”

+

     When a figure ran smack into him, Gavin groaned. Some of the club owner’s drink had spilled down his hand because of the impact and that wasn’t all that forgivable. The second he was able to note who had the misfortune of receiving his wrath, the former champion’s mood shifted. He smirked. “Aww shucks, that would’ve made me feel so much better.” Dark eyes wandered south, taking in the vision she was in her dress and remembering how much better she looked out of it. “I think you owe me a drink.”

“ You know I always knew you were stupid, I just didnt think you were actually that stupid enough to believe in your small head attached to your small body that I would waste my money on you and buy you drink.” Veronica snapped at Gavin, someone who she wished she never crossed that line with now that she thinks about it. She felt his gaze on her and tried to shut down that feeling. She turned her body. “Stop doing that, its weird, And what are you even doing here?”

“Are you at least enjoying being back home?” She knew that the Walsh family could be - different. And she wondered if Veronica was actually enjoying being back home, genuinely. “Only a few months ago, well,” she paused, twisting her lips, “yeah only a few months ago I really started to pursue it seriously,” she admitted to Veronica as she thought back to the timeline of everything. At the mention of the woman’s parents, the brunette nodded her head, “Is that not what parent’s are for?” Though she knew her own parent’s driving her crazy was not quite the same as the Walsh family. 

“It’s been a....challenge?” Veronica laughed. “Honestly I’m happy to be home I really am, its just a lot you know? Everyone wants to be a Walsh until they are actually a Walsh.” She loved her family more than anything, hell it’s why she’s doing all of this. However sometimes she feels that the family was just exhausting. “I mean you should know you worked for him.” 

“Really? Do you need clients? You know I do have a birthday coming up you know? I'm thinking Halloween mascarade party.....I guess but its also my brother. Maybe its part of being a Walsh. How are your parents doing?”

~

“Well you’ve come to the right place, I’m in a very helpful mood. Maybe I can guide you on those directions,” she grinned at the other before shrugging. “But no–seriously, come sit and chill with me.” It was always nice to catch up with a friend, especially since every single time she and Ronnie had been trying to meet up–things were not going nearly as well. Those words of being fine coming from the other didn’t seem completely truthful but Sanem wouldn’t ambush her right away. Instead she nodded and smiled at the other, “cruise was nice–hung out with some friends mostly.” She told the other before rolling her eyes at being called out. “Rude, I didn’t want to leave our time together but it was a big deal–I made a nice commission off it,” she admitted before telling the other that it wouldn’t happen today. “So far I’m without any appointments or calls so we should be okay, but if it does happen–I will try and see if I can try to fix it while being here with you. Deal?”

“I’m not sure if you can help this time but two heads are better than one.” Veronica wasn't sure if, no she was pretty sure Sanem wouldn't be able to help her. But she figured she could at least try. She sat down next to her. “Sounds like you had fun though and I’m glad, you deserve it.” She said with a soft smile. “Deal.” Being outside, in the vast outdoors helped Veronica’s increasing heart rate as her anxiety started to rise. The park was mostly quiet except for a few animals and a handful of people. However, the inside of Veronica was like a raging sea, it was like someone screaming for help but unfortunately, nobody was there to hear the call. “Umm...the thing is....” Veronica meant to get through this conversation without crying but the tears started as soon as she spoke. “I’m stuck and scared and I....have no idea what to do.” She struggled to get those words out as she attempted to dry her tears.