Recovery

Chapter 12

Archie tries to pace around the room but nothing seems to calm his jitters, not when his fiancé and his daughter are a few feet away, and there's nothing he can do to fix the problem at hand. Veronica has taken to cuddling Claire and just whispering things to her, and she hasn't said a word to Archie that wasn't about the baby.

They meet with the doctor, who wants to run a blood test, so they have to stick the bottom of Claire's foot. Veronica cries more than the baby does and Archie has run out of ways to comfort her. They sit in silence for another hour before Archie speaks up.

"Do you want me to call anyone?" Archie asks, finally getting some eye contact.

"Who would I need to call?" she questions back, turning her attention back on the baby.

"Would you look at me?" Archie finally groans. "I am right here, ready to do whatever will help you, and you act like you're all alone."

"I'm sorry that I have a sick baby, and that I'm focused on her, Archie," Veronica rolls her eyes.

"She's my baby too," Archie lets out, so much frustration between them. "Don't you think I'm worried?"

"Of course you would be worried," Veronica replies. "Do you want to pick a fight with me right now? Because I'm really not in the mood."

"I'm not picking a fight," Archie sighs. "I just want you to talk to me. Tell me how you're feeling, tell me how I can help."

"There's nothing that will help," Veronica tears up. "My baby is in pain, she's sick, and there's nothing I can do for her until the doctors come back. She won't sleep, she won't eat, she's miserable."

"I know she is," Archie steps closer, staring at their baby who is still wide awake, with a red face. "We're doing everything we can, okay? But you have to take care of yourself too."

"I feel like I can't even blink," Veronica frowns. Archie opens his arms to take the baby but Veronica resists.

"Can you please go home and sleep?" Archie tries to push. "I'll stay with Claire, and you can shower and rest."

"What if she's hungry?" Veronica brushes her baby's head.

"I can give her a bottle," Archie reaches for Veronica's hand. "Please, babe, I'm worried about you."

"Okay," Veronica mumbles. "You promise you'll call me?"

"I swear," Archie takes the baby from her arms so she can stand, and Veronica presses her face into his chest. "Love you."

"Love you too," Veronica mumbles, giving Claire a million kisses.

Things quiet down once it's just Archie and Claire, and she seems somewhat okay being cradled in his arms. Her crying has been absent for hours but she's clearly uncomfortable, whining and fussing and kicking her tiny legs around. It breaks Archie's heart not to comfort her.

"I know, sweetheart," he murmurs, rocking her gently. "I promise we'll figure out what's wrong. And Mama will be back soon."

The baby's pout doesn't resolve.

At home, Veronica showers and puts on some comfortable clothes to take a quick nap, burying herself under the covers. Just as she starts to drift off, she hears the doorbell ring. Part of her wants to ignore it but she suspects it must be Betty coming to check on her. 

Instead, it's James at the doorway, hands stuffed in his pockets. Veronica can't even muster up a smile, still frowning.

"Hey," she frowns. "I'm not really in the mood to talk right now."

"Good," James nods. "Because I'm not here to talk."

Before Veronica can react he surges forward, pressing his hands to either side of her face, and she feels the sting of his lips as they meet hers. She finally understands what's going on, pushing his chest until she can see his face clearly.

"What?" Veronica mumbles. "Why did you do that?"

"Because you were upset," James shrugs, a confused look etched on his face.

"I'm upset about... you know what, it's none of your business," Veronica crosses her arms. "Why would you kiss me? I'm with Archie, I thought you knew that."

"I thought you were with Archie because of the baby, I didn't realize you still had feelings for him," James raises an eyebrow.

"Of course I have feelings for him," Veronica shoots him a glare. "You need to go. Now."

James tries to plead his case, but Veronica finally resolves to physically pushing him out of the apartment, slumping against the door as it shuts. Her eyes well up with tears again, and she grabs her purse. She knows she won't be able to sleep now.

Back at the hospital, Archie is lying with Claire who is still not asleep.

"Do you miss Mommy?" he questions, watching the little girl as she chews on her hand. "I miss her too. When she gets back, we can all snuggle for the rest of the night. Will that make you happy?"

Claire's frown has faded and she's left with a blank expression.

"I know Mama is your favorite person. She's mine too," Archie tickles Claire, anything to keep her happy. "We're both really lucky to have her. She was so worried to have a baby, and she's the best mom. Your dad's pretty clueless, but she helps out a ton," Archie chuckles.

He manages to finally bore Claire to sleep, her first time closing her eyes in so many hours. Before he can rest himself, Veronica steps into the room, her eyes filled with tears.

"Ronnie?" Archie reacts, a concerned look on his face. He's able to set Claire down without waking her, pulling Veronica into his chest.

"I'm so sorry," Veronica sobs, and he can feel his shirt soaked with tears, but he doesn't care, just runs his fingers through her hair. "I'm so sorry, Archie. Please don't hate me."

"Ronnie, I'll never hate you," he lifts her chin up with his thumb. "Please tell me what's wrong, you're scaring me."

"When- When I went home," Veronica stumbles over her words, trying to catch her breath. "James came to the door and he was saying these things and then he just kissed me and I swear I pushed him away immediately but now it's clear to me that-" he finally interrupts her rambling.

"Woah, calm down, Ronnie," Archie rubs her shoulders. "Tell me what happened."

"James came to the door and he just kissed me out of nowhere. I pushed him away, immediately," Veronica insists. "Please don't be mad at me."

"Mad at you?" Archie frowns. "Why would I be mad at you, you did the right thing by telling me. But that asshole took advantage of you when you were in a vulnerable state, so you should give me permission to kick his ass."

"No, Archie," Veronica shakes her head, letting out a watery chuckle.

"Are you okay?" Archie asks, brushing her cheek.

"I'm with you," Veronica lies her head against Archie's chest, feeling his embrace again. Beside her, Claire starts kicking around again, stirring. Veronica picks her up and holds her close. "Hi, darling. Did you spend some time with Daddy?"

"She slept for some of it, which is good," Archie explains. "Look, Ronnie, I have to go into work in the morning."

"It's okay," Veronica reassures him. "Someone can stay with Mama, and hopefully they'll figure out what's wrong. Huh princess?"

The sight of Veronica bouncing their daughter has Archie's heart beating out of his chest.

A/N:

A lot to unpack LOL.
And that Riverdale mid season finale :(

But how are we feeling, friends?
Still no news for Claire, but A&V are getting better!!!
Tell me what ya think

See you soon!