One More Time

Chapter 9

Veronica's POV
"Mommy!" I hear Natalie yell from the living room. I walk from the kitchen to the living room, "yes baby?" I ask. "Hungry" she says pouting. "I'm making dinner now. But my friend is coming over for dinner, he'll be here soon" I say walking over to pick her up. She wraps her arms around me and smiles and I kiss the top of her head. "Your couch friend" she says. I roll my eyes "Yeah honey". I set Natalie in her highchair that I keep in the kitchen for when I'm cooking and I get back to the dinner.

I decided to make lasagna, since it's Natalie's favorite, and because it's really easy. As I put it in the oven to melt the cheese I hear a knock at the door. I check my watch and it reads 5:30, "he's right on time" I say to myself as I grab Natalie and walk to the front door. "You are early Ar-" I start but stop right when I see who it is. It's not Archie, but it's Matt. "What are you doing here" I ask. Panic runs through me and my eyes widen. "Hey baby" he says leaning in to kiss me. I step to the side so he misses my mouth and stumbles in. "What are you doing here, Matt?" I ask trying to hide my anger from Natalie. "Hi dada" she says, still gripping onto me. "There's my princess" he coos leaning to kiss her head but I turn again and hold her closer to me. "Are you serious Veronica? She's my daughter" he says angrily. "Ronnie?" I hear Archie's voice and I look past Matt at the door. "Archie, come in" I say walking over to him and closing the door once he's inside. "I'm going to put Natalie in her room. I don't want him around her, just be civil till I get back" I whisper to him. He nods and I walk off into Natalie's room.

Archie's POV
"You must be Matt" I say sticking my hand out "I'm Archie" I finish. He grabs my hand and shakes it "I'm Matt, Veronica's boyfriend" he says, striking a nerve. Ronnie broke up with him, I'm her boyfriend. "Listen dude, I'm sure Veronica has told you things but you don't know anything. She loves me and she loves our daughter. This is my family, you should really back off" he says. I glare at him and I hear heels clicking on the ground signaling that Veronica is almost back. "Hey. I'm back" she says, clearly panicked. "What are you doing here Matt?" She asks crossing her arms. "We need to talk" he says "alone". I roll my eyes "Ronnie if you want to reschedule we can" I say. "No, you were invited here" she says reaching out and touching my arm, "you, Matt, were not" she says walking to the door. "You can go. If you want to talk to me have your lawyer call mine, or call my assistant and make an appointment" she says opening the door for him. "Baby-" he says "we're broken up. Get out" she says pointing to the door. "Fine. But if this custody battle messes our daughter up it's all your fault" he says before storming out and slamming the door behind him. Veronica exhales and runs her hands through her hair "are you okay?" I ask walking closer to her. She nods her head but still avoids my gaze, "Ronnie" I say touching her arm. She shakes her head and leans in to my chest. I run my hand through her hair and kiss her head "it'll be okay" I whisper into her ear. She sniffs and looks up at me, small tears on her cheek "You promise?" She asks. I give her a small sympathetic smile and say "I promise". I'm thinking about going in for a kiss but Natalie runs into the room, "momma okay?" She asks with an adorable smile. Ronnie wipes her eyes and smiles at her daughter "Yeah honey I'm okay. Come here" she says kneeling on the ground. Natalie smiles and runs into Ronnie's arms so fast she almost knocks her over. She stands up with her in her arms and stands in front of me, "this is mommy's friend, Archie. You know the one I told you about" she says pointing at me. "You slept on my couch" she laughs. "Yes that was me, sleeping on your couch" I say laughing with her. The oven beeps in the kitchen and Ronnie looks at Natalie "I have to check the food. I'm gonna have to put you down" she says, "NO! Archie up" she yells. Ronnie looks at me, "do you mind" she asks. "Not at all" I say reaching out to take her. She hands Natalie over to me and goes into the kitchen. "My Mommy is pretty" She says smiling. I smile at her "Yes your mommy is pretty. But guess what?" I ask poking her belly. She giggles "what" she asks. "You look just like your mommy, so you are just as pretty" I say. She laughs and lies her head down on my shoulder.

Veronica's POV
I have the lasagna dish in my hands, ready to serve. When I open the door to the living room I see Natalie lying on Archie's shoulder and I smile. Archie is saying something to her that I can't hear but that just makes it even better. I set the lasagna dish on the table and I walk over to them and hug Archie from behind and rest my head on his back. This is what I've always wanted, a family with Archie. I might actually get that now, I just can't mess it up this time. "I think she's asleep" he whispers. I unwrap my arms and walk in front of him. "If I take her she'll wake up. I'll show you to her room" I say walking into the hall way. I'm not being 100% honest about this, she will not wake up if I take her, I just want to see Archie put her to bed. Anyone who said guys with babies aren't sexy are complete liars. "Here" I say opening the bedroom door. He goes in and sets her in her small bed and pulls the covers on her and walks back out. He walks back out into the living room but I grab his hand and stop him. "What's up" he asks wrapping his arms around my waist. I wrap my arms around his neck and smile at him, "you're amazing" I say. "I don't mind the compliments but what did I do to deserve this praise" he says kissing my cheek. "I mean with Natalie. She normally doesn't do well warming up to people but she basically shoved me, her mother, away to be with you" I say narrowing my eyes at him. "Well it's just the effect I have on the Lodge women, except your mother. She probably still hates me" he says rolling his eyes when he says mother. I laugh and pull him down to kiss me. When we pull apart I take him by the hand and pull him to the dinner table, "lasagna. My favorite" he says smiling. "Well don't flatter yourself, it's Natalie's favorite. It's why I made it" I say sitting down. He sits down with me and winks, "you keep telling yourself that, babe."

Matt's POV
"She already has a man at her new place" I say to my lawyer over the phone. "In front of our daughter too, it's just irresponsible parenting" I finish. "Agreed. We'll make sure to use this in our case, what's this mans name?" He asks. I smirk to myself "Archibald" I say "Archibald Andrews."

Matt is in Riverdale, and doesn't intend on leaving without his daughter. Things are heating up 🔥