Recovery

Chapter 3

"You just call if you need anything," Mary assures her, comforting her daughter in law with a hug.

"Thank you," Veronica sniffles, she's been crying all day long. "I thought somehow this would be easier. I feel so guilty."

"Veronica, sweetheart, this is not your fault," Mary soothes her, still holding onto her tightly. "You did everything that you could."

"I should have said something sooner, I knew what was going on but I didn't want to believe it," Veronica buried her face into Mary's shoulder.

"You did the right thing by calling us," Mary nods. "I know Archie never would have laid a hand on you, but it's still not a safe environment for you or for my grand baby."

"I just wish he could be here," Veronica sniffles. "He was so excited to be a Dad, to set up a nursery, to get to do all of those things together."

"And you still will have so many special things to do together," Mary reassures her. "When he comes back, he can be there for her blessing, for all of her milestones. I know it's not the same, but it will be okay."

"I don't know how I'm supposed to do this alone," Veronica confesses- she's scared out of her mind. "Not having my mom is already enough."

"Oh, sweetheart, you're not alone at all," Mary squeezes her hand. "You've got me and Fred, and you've got Betty. I promise I'll stay with you as long as you need, okay?"

"You don't have to do all of this," Veronica wipes her tears with her thumb.

"Don't be silly," Mary laughs, making Veronica smile. "You're family, Veronica. And plus, I want the extra time with my first grand baby."

"I can't believe she'll be here so soon," Veronica caresses her bump. "Were you scared before you had Archie?"

"I think every first time parent gets scared," Mary laughs. "Fred was terrified, and I was sure I had no idea what to do. I had secretly hoped for a girl because I thought it would come more naturally to me, we'd even picked out a name, and then sure enough we had a baby boy. It was challenging at first, because there's someone relying on you for everything."

"What would you have named the baby if it was a girl?" Veronica smiles. She's never felt this connection with Mary before, and she's glad the baby can bring them closer since Mary is the only mother figure she has these days.

"Well, since I was a little girl, I always wanted to name my daughter Claire," Mary tells her, still smiling. "But then, we had Archie, and we never had a little girl so I guess that dream kind of died."

"It's so hard to name a baby," Veronica admits her fears. "What if it's not the perfect name? What if they don't look like the name you've picked for them?"

"When you hold your baby," the soon to be grandmother smiles. "You'll know."

"Thanks for staying with me tonight, B," Veronica smiles, cuddling closer to her very best friend on the couch.

"Don't thank me," Betty smiles, hugging her. "Maybe just make me this little one's godmother."

Veronica laughs, holding her belly.

"Was there ever a doubt?" Veronica grins. "Of course you'll be the godmother... and I should run it by Archie, but I want to name her after you. Her middle name should be Elizabeth."

"V," Betty tears up. "I would be honored."

"Our little girl is going to be so lucky to have her Auntie B in her life," Veronica squeezes the blonde's hands. "And I'm so lucky to have you. I don't know any other friend who would volunteer to be her labor partner."

"Well, we've never been just your average friends," Betty squeezes her in another hug. "I'm sorry Arch isn't here, but I promise I'm not leaving your side."

"Thanks B," she smiles, tearing up again. "He's going to hate me so much."

"Hate you?" Betty questions. "Veronica, you're the center of his universe. He loves you so much, and loves your baby, that's why he's angry. But when he comes back, things will get better."

"I don't know how to do this without him," Veronica admits.

"But you've already done so much without him," Betty counters. "You are the strongest person I know, and with the support system you have, you and baby girl are going to be fine, okay?"

"What do you think about the name Claire?" Veronica smiles. She hasn't told anyone about the name idea, just filing it away.

"Claire Elizabeth," Betty smiles. "It's perfect."

After a week, Veronica finally gets to visit, meeting with Archie in some sort of living room with two chairs facing each other. He looks exhausted, his face covered in stubble, but his eyes look better- softer almost.

"Hi," Veronica reaches out a hand, which he takes. "How'd you sleep?"

"I slept okay," Archie lies, knowing he tossed and turned all night every day for the past week, needing to have Veronica in his arms. "How about you?"

"Not the best," Veronica smiles, but it feels good to know he's still thinking about her. "Baby girl couldn't settle down."

"I'm sorry," Archie taps his fingers to her belly. "So, 3 weeks until her due date, huh?"

"Three weeks as of yesterday," Veronica reminds him. "I have some pictures from my ultrasound."

She recently had the 3 dimensional scan where she could see all of the baby's features, and she pulls the photos out of her purse and passes them to Archie.

"Look at this one," Archie grins widely, looking at a photo where she's peeking out from behind her arm. "Is that a smile?"

"It looks like it, doesn't it?" Veronica grins proudly. "Speaking of baby girl, I think I have a good name idea, so I was going to see what you thought..."

"Okay," Archie smiles.

"Do you like the name Claire?" Veronica asks him, hoping he does because she's already so set on it. "And I want her middle name to be Elizabeth."

"I love it, Ronnie," Archie smiles softly. "What about her last name?" he asks, uncomfortably.

"It's going to be Andrews silly," Veronica grabs his hand. She knows he's in an uncomfortable place.

"Okay," Archie holds onto the smile. "Claire Elizabeth Andrews. I love it, it's perfect."

"You really think so?" Veronica confirms. "You're not just saying it because it's what I like?"

"First of all, I'd love any name that you'd choose for our baby girl because you're the one whose carrying her," Archie kisses her cheek. "But, I really do like it. I think it's beautiful."

"I can't wait for you to be home," Veronica snuggles into his chest. The visits are never long enough.

"I'll be home soon, okay?" Archie kisses her forehead. "Tell Betty to keep taking good care of my girls."

A/N:
Here's another chapter for all of you lovely readers!!!

I know it's still not the best circumstances but sweet Fred, Mary, and Betty of course are helping V out for Archie's temporary trip away.

What are y'all hoping to see next?