One More Time

Chapter 15

Veronica's POV
It's been 4 days since Matt told me that we're married and it's still eating away at me. Today is mine and Archie's 7 month anniversary and I'm trying to be able to put it out of my mind. This is normal stuff Veronica. You're avoiding speaking to your husband while you go to dinner with your boyfriend I say to myself in my head. I almost laugh at how crazy that sounds. "You almost ready" Archie says into our room. I smooth out my red velvet slip dress and turn to face the door where he is standing. "Yes I am" I say smiling. He smiles at me and walks over to me "You look. Incredible" he says pausing so it sounds more dramatic. "Thank you, lover boy" I say. All of my problems seemingly melt away when I'm with Archie. "Hello?" I hear my dad from the living room. "You called your dad?" Archie whines quietly. "Behave" I say as I take his hand and pull him with me. "Hey Dad. Thanks for babysitting" I say hugging him. "You're welcome, I love spending time with my Granddaughter" he says. "Well we're going to be late for our reservations. Archie can you pull the car up, I just have to tell my dad about how we rearranged Natalie's room" I ask Archie, lying to him. "Yeah, of course" he says kissing my cheek and walking out. "So I was talking to my PI and he can speak to the district attorney and get him back in prison because of those DUI's" he says after checking to make sure Archie had left. "That's great" I say full of relief.  "But that doesn't mean that you'll be granted the divorce. He still needs to sign the papers" he says. I groan and close my eyes "He'd be in prison. You need a prisoners permission for a divorce?" I ask angrily. "Yes. There's not much else I can do except call you a good attorney and give him your number" he says. I shake my head "Yeah do that please. Could you also take Natalie to your place for a little sleepover. I have to tell Archie tonight before this goes any further and I don't want to wake her" I say while grabbing my purse. "Of course. I'm sorry there's nothing else I can do Mija" he says defeated, which is something I've only seen on a few rare occasions. "It's okay dad, you really helped" I say hugging him and heading out.

Archie's POV
As I'm sitting in the car I can feel the engagement ring box burning a hole in my pocket. I could ask her in the car but that wouldn't be romantic enough. I just want to ask her as soon as possible. The car door swings open and Veronica climbs inside and leans over to kiss me. "Ready to go?" I ask. She smiles at me and says  "hit the road, babe."

As we drive to the restaurant my hand is on Veronica's thigh and her arm is linked with mine, a gesture that has always been her way at keeping us connected. I smile and think back to the ring in my pocket, that is my way of keeping us connected forever. "What are you smiling about over there?" She asks while caressing my cheek. "Just thinking about how great you look in that dress, but how it could also look incredible on the bedroom floor" I say looking over at her. "Archie Andrews, very naughty" she says scolding me. "Did you expect anything else?" I ask raising an eyebrow. She shrugs and looks forward again, "I guess not."

"Reservation for Andrews. Table for 2" I say as we step up to the hostess. "Ah yes. Your table is right over here" She says before leading Veronica and I over to a table by the window. The tables around it are empty and I hope to god they don't fill up, I want this proposal to be private. I pull Veronica's chair out for her and then I take my seat across from her. "Your usual?" I ask smirking at her. She smiles at me and closes her menu "You know me so well." I laugh and take her menu and put it with mine.

After we order our food we sit talking to each other like we don't even live together, we constantly have things to talk about. "What's on your mind Archiekins?" She asks, noticing that I am suddenly less involved in the conversation. I'm going to do this now. "It's just that it's crazy that we've only been together for 7 months, because it feels like forever" I start. She nods in agreement but doesn't say anything because she can tell I have more to say. "But I think it feels like forever because we first fell in love over 10 years ago, and we've been in love since. We weren't together but we knew the other person was out there, and I think that's what kept me going. The little things that reminded me of you, like when I heard about Lodge industries on the news. Or when I saw anyone with beautiful black hair I would just remember that you are real and that you're out there, and after that everything just seemed so... simple. Like anything is possible. You make anything possible" I say before getting out of my chair and dropping to one knee. "Oh my god, Archie" she says breathless. I can hear some people behind us shushing and gasping lightly and I smile. "Veronica Lodge, you already make me the happiest man alive. You and Natalie. I'm so incredibly lucky to have 2 beautiful girls in my life. Will you make me even happier by being my wife?"

Veronica's POV
Oh my god. Oh my god. Archie please stop. I repeat those things in my head over and over. You have to say no and explain later. You have to. You're married I say. I open my mouth to say no but when I go to say the word I gasp out "Yes." He smiles even wider and pulls the ring out of the box and slides it onto my shaking finger. He gets up and I stand up fast to hug him, hoping it will ease the shaking. People clap and congratulate us and I smile at them and wave. I pull back from the hug and hold Archie's face in my hands. I didn't even realize I was crying till Archie wipes a tear from my eye and puts his hand back on my waist. "I love you. So much. And I love how much you love my daughter. Our daughter" I say letting more tears fall. "You are incredible" I finish. He smiles at me with tears in his eyes "I love you. And I love Natalie. I don't think I could love anyone or anything more than I love you two. Except maybe our future children" he says. I laugh and we sit back down to eat our food.

We walk out of the restaurant hand in hand. "I can't believe we're getting married" Archie says with a hint of a laugh. "Me either" I say. Possibly because you are already married, my brain reminds me and I'm filled with sheer panic. I look down at my ring and I can't help but smile, it's gorgeous. "Do you like it?" Archie asks holding my hand looking at it too. "I love it. It's beautiful" I say gushing at him. "I'm glad. I basically looked for the shiniest one and bought it" he says. I laugh "Well it's perfect."

We're halfway home as I stare down at my ring as it occasionally shines from the reflections of the streetlights outside. Each time it does I feel a bit of excitement but also a ton of guilt, I feel like I'm betraying Archie. I am married. I have a husband. I'm a wife. I'm making myself sick. How do I tell him? How will he react? Is he going to break the engagement?

Veronica is in deep 😬 Hold onto your seats for the next chapter, I intend on making it a big one! You'll just have to wait till tomorrow 💕