Refuge

Complete

Peaceful mornings are hard to come by in the Andrews house, so when Veronica is able to sleep until 9, peacefully tucked into her husband's side, she's almost confused. She lets Archie sleep for a little longer, sneaking out to the living room, where Charlie is perched on the couch watching a show.

Her daughter is 8 now, and reminds her so much of Archie, with a hint of Veronica's sass. The twins are sat on the living room rug, playing with some of their favorite stuffed animals.

The first couple of years with the twins were double the exhaustion of Charlotte, but she also had a lot more help with Archie being around most of the time.

"Good morning, sweets," Veronica kisses all of her babies on the cheeks.

"Mama," Elliot babbles. "Sissy made me my juice." The toddler proudly presents his red sippy cup and Charlotte just smiles.

"I wanted you to sleep," the little girl shrugs, and Veronica smiles back at her little angel.

"Mama, mama," Beckham whines, pulling on the hem of her pajamas, only content when Veronica lifts the little guy into her arms. "Morning," he mumbles, burying his face into his mother's chest.

"Hi, my baby," Veronica holds him close. Elliot never wants to snuggle with her, much more of a Daddy's Boy but much to her happiness, Beckham always wants to be near her. "How did you all sleep?"

"I slept good," Charlie hums, excited to be in the presence of someone who can actually listen, rather than her two baby brothers. "The boys didn't even cry all night."

"Oh, you were good huh?" Veronica rubs Beckham's back, making the boy smile.

"Is Dada awake?" Elliot smiles, the same exact face. They both have Archie's smile, and Veronica's cheeks are always numb from smiling back at them.

"No sweetheart," Veronica tells him, crouching down to give her other boy some morning love.

"I want him to take us outside to play," Elliot frowns. Veronica soothes him with another hug.

"How about you two go outside with your sister, and I'll come out with you," Veronica suggests. Elliot chases after his bag sister, and Beckham hesitates, waiting for Veronica.

"Mama, come play," the toddler whines, pulling her by the hand. She scoops her baby up, kissing his cheek. It breaks her heart that her two babies are almost three, so she soaks up every second.

"Should we swing, B?" Veronica asks, sitting her son in her lap, swinging slowly. She looks to her right where Charlotte has helped Elliot into the baby swing, pushing him as high as she can.

The playset three years ago was a great investment, apparently.

By the time Archie awakes, sunlight streams through the windows, and when he reaches out for his wife, her side of the bed is empty, with the sheets pulled back. He's amazed at how long he slept and imagines Veronica is wrangling all three kiddos without him. He slips on a shirt and brushes his teeth before heading out into the very empty kitchen, and he's confused until he hears the laughter and screams of his kids in the backyard.

Before he can run out, he calls for their dog, Molly, to take her outside. She's a golden lab and so much like Vegas, with even more energy- a gift to Charlotte to make up for the disappointment of not having a sister.

"Well it looks like you all are having fun," Archie smiles, watching the scene in front of him. His picture perfect family sits on the swing set, laughing and smiling, and as he turns back around to check on the dog he glances through the windows into the house he once lived in all alone.