One More Time

Chapter 10

1 week after the last chapter

Veronica's POV
I've spent the past week avoiding Matt at all costs. I've been filling my time with work, secret dating, and taking care of Natalie. Archie and I are doing great, he's even watched Natalie while I work. We have the perfect family already. Except for the sword hanging over my head, the possibility of losing my daughter. If I lose Natalie there is no way I can stay here and continue like this. I'm sitting in my lawyers office waiting for Matt and his Lawyer, Stephen Locke, to show up. "They're 10 minuets late" I say checking my watch, "if he can't even show up on time to fight for our daughter then he clearly just doesn't care enough" I finish. Just as I stop the door opens and in walks Matt and Stephen. "Sorry we're late. Minor difficulties" Stephen says as he and Matt sit down. "Hello Veronica" Matt says, not so discretely eyeing me up and down. I roll my eyes again and get back to the meeting. "So where here to talk about what the 2 of you want, for the hope of avoiding taking this to court" my lawyer says "Veronica you are first". I take a deep breath, "I want full custody. No visitation rights" I say. "What the hell" Matt shouts standing up. "Sit down, you will your turn" Stephen says. "Veronica anything else?" My lawyer, Sam, asks. I shake my head no, bracing myself for the things Matt is about to say. "I would also like full custody, no visitation" he says giving me a cold stare. My blood runs cold and I dig my nails into my palm. "Veronica might be a little busy for court, with her new boyfriend and all" Matt says. I look at him in horror "Excuse me?" I ask. "Archie? Your new boyfriend that you are already parading around in front of our daughter" he says. I roll my eyes "are you honestly questioning my parenting skills, you just got out of jail. I'm pretty sure if we check your fingers we'll still see the ink from when they fingerprinted you" I say angrily. "Okay Okay. That's enough. We'll still be going to court in 2 days, only the judge can resolve this. You can all go" my lawyer says. I stand up and go to the exit as fast as I can. I can't even stand being in the same room as him. My mind instantly goes to what Matt said about Archie. Does everyone just assume Archie is my boyfriend? Does Natalie? I get inside my car and I just sit there and hold the wheel, not ready to drive. I need to go somewhere and be alone. Natalie is with my mom until 7 and it's only 2. I pull out of the parking lot and take a left, headed towards Sweetwater River.

I walk through the trees and thank god I chose to wear boots today. I approach the grass clearing that meets the side of the water and I sit on the ground. I think of all of the times I came here with Archie on dates back in high school and I start to wonder where I'd be right now if I had stayed in Riverdale. I wouldn't have Natalie, which would be the last thing I want, but I missed so much time with Archie. Now I'm back and pulling Archie into being a parent in 5 minutes, is this the right thing? My thoughts are disrupted when my phone dings and I pull it out of my pocket. It's from Archie:

A: how did the meeting go? Any new information?

I sigh and hang my head low

V: Nothing I didn't already know

I look back at the water and ignore the next text that comes in. In 2 days I have to fight to win my daughter in court, and if I lose, I'm not sure Archie can fit into that life.

Archie's POV
A: Come over. We can talk

I sent that text at 2:46 and now it's 3. I text her again.

A: Are you okay

I sit on my couch and watch my phone waiting for her to answer. Please answer. Please answer. I shake my head and decide to check Pops, she goes there when she needs to think. I grab my keys and my jacket and go to my car.

I pull into the parking lot but I don't see her car in the lot. I get out of the car and go in anyway, thinking that maybe she walked. I walk in the door and I look to my left and then to my right and Ronnie isn't in here. Despite her not being here I go and take a booth anyway hoping that she'd eventually find her way here.

Hours go by and I've had 2 milkshakes just waiting for her to walk in the door. Betty told me this isn't good and that I should find her but I know that if Veronica wanted us to find her she'd tell us where she is. The rusty bells above the door ring and I look up. Just as I suspected Veronica walks in and scans the restaurant, only stopping when her eyes fall on me. She walks up to me in my booth and sits down across from me, "Hey" she says playing with her hands. "Where have you been?" I ask narrowing my eyes at her. She scoffs "I'm a grown woman, Arch. I don't need to let everyone know where I'll be all day" she says. I shake my head "A text that said 'Hey I'm still alive' would've been enough" I say louder than I intended. "You know what I don't need this" she says before standing up and storming out of Pops. I pull my wallet out and slap a 20 dollar bill on the table before chasing after her. "Ronnie wait!" I shout. She turns to look at me with her hand still on the handle to her car door. I can see the stress and exhaustion on her face and I feel horrible for how insensitive I was. "What?" She asks. "I'm sor-" I start but she cuts me off. "No don't be sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you think you and I could just get back together and have the 3 of us as a family, it's not realistic. And I don't have time for dreams and wishing upon a star, I have to be practical" she says with tears welling in her eyes. "No Ronnie please don't do this" I plead with tears in my eyes as well. She shakes her head which causes some tears to fall. "We can do this. We can be a family, you me and Natalie. And we can date for a while, then get married. After that Natalie will need siblings. We can be happy together, you have to believe that" I say walking closer to her. "Why can't you believe that" I ask while cupping her face in my hands. "Like I said, a wish upon a star. And that's a wish I don't have time to make" She says backing up so my hands fall to my sides. "I'm so sorry, Archie. This is best" she says opening her car door. "But Ronnie, I love you" I say letting tears fall "I can't lose you. Not again" I say. She cries more "Loving someone can't always be enough." She gets in her car and pulls out of the parking lot, leaving me with a broken heart. Again.

Sorry guys :(
This was a bit shorter than usual because I spent all night studying for my midterms and my brain is officially complete mush, so this is the best I could do.