One More Time

Chapter 27

I just wanted to thank everyone for being so understanding about me not updating yesterday! I didn't like how the chapter was turning out and I really want to give you guys my best work!

1 week later

Archie's POV
"We really can't reschedule this appointment?" I ask while putting our now empty suitcases in the closet. "Archie my first trimester is almost over and we still haven't had an appointment. I need more prenatal vitamins, we are keeping the appointment" Veronica says while putting her stuff away. We just got home from our honeymoon less than 1 hour ago and we have to leave again in 20 minutes. "Just look at the bigger picture, babe" she says walking over to me and wrapping her arms around my neck. "We get to see the baby today, and get pictures. And hear the heartbeat" she says smiling. I smile back at her "Okay that does make me feel better" I say leaning down to kiss her. She kisses back and smiles into it "At some point, very soon, this baby is going to pop out. We need to start telling people" she says putting her hands on her stomach. "Well my dad is coming over for dinner tonight, we can tell him then. We can FaceTime my mom tomorrow, she wants to see Natalie too" I say putting my hands with hers. "Telling people will make it so real. But I kind of like our secret baby, no judgement or opinions from everyone else" she says. "Oh god what about your dad" I say groaning. "Archie we're 29 years old, his opinion doesn't matter anymore" she says laughing. I exhale "Old habits die hard" I say. She laughs and checks my watch "We have to go. God Arch I can't believe you still have this" Veronica says referring to the bauble she got me for our first Christmas as a couple back in high school. "Yeah I found it in my dresser drawer when I was packing" I say looking at the watch. She smiles and hands me my jacket, "lets go look at our baby!"

Veronica's POV
"Hello. Appointment for Lodge-Andrews" I say to the receptionist at the desk. "Ah yes. Dr. Barber will be with you in a few minutes. Feel free to make yourself comfortable until she calls you" she says gesturing to the chairs. "Thank you" I say giving a polite smile to the woman and sitting down next to Archie. I exhale and take Archie's hand, only just now realizing how nervous I am. "Nervous?" He asks raising an eyebrow. "Sort of. But I was always nervous for my ultrasounds with Natalie, it's nothing" I say smiling. That statement is true, but not entirely. I am nervous but only because I know nothing can go wrong. I'm secure in my relationship with Archie but losing a child would ruin us, I'm positive. I shake the thought from my mind and look back at our intertwined hands. "Lodge-Andrews" Dr. Barber says from the doorway. We stand up and I give her a polite smile "Hello Veronica I'm Dr. Penny Barber, nice to meet you" she says shaking my hand. "Nice to meet you, as you know I'm Veronica. And this is my husband Archie" I say gesturing to Archie. "Hello" he says shaking her hand. "Alright I'm just going to go grab your chart. Remove everything from the waist down and get on the table then pull the sheet to right below your navel" she says before walking out of the room. "Oh this is the fun part" I say sarcastically. Archie smirks and takes my jacket and my purse as I remove my skirt and climb onto the exam table then pull the thin sheet over me. A moment later there is a knock at the door and I call for her to come in. "Alright Veronica is this your first ultrasound?" Dr. Barber asks while pulling on gloves. "For this baby, yes. But I've had other ultrasounds, we have a 3 year old" I say. She smiles "Well then you're a pro. The gel will be cold" she says right before squirting an, indeed cold, gel on my stomach. Archie takes my hand in both of his and gives me a reassuring smile and I smile back. "Alright. Today we're going to listen for a heartbeat. Take some pictures. And we'll schedule future appointments after the scan is over" she says. She takes the wand and starts moving the gel around on my stomach. She taps on the keyboard and suddenly our baby appears on the screen and I squeeze Archie's hand "Oh my gosh, look" I say pointing at the sonogram. "That's our baby" he says smiling. I smile back and he kisses my forehead. "Okay we're going to move along to the heartbeat" she says moving the wand more to the left. We hear the static of the machine but no heartbeat yet. When I was pregnant with Natalie the heartbeat was right away. My heart races and I squeeze Archie's hand tighter. "Your baby seems to be playing hide and seek with us. Mind lying on your side for me?" She asks, giving me a glimmer of hope with her cheerful voice. "Yeah" I say, staying as calm as humanly possible. I turn to my side so my back is to Archie and my face is to the sonogram, but Archie still holds my hand above my head.

Suddenly a strong heartbeat finally starts echoing from the machine. I exhale and a single tear of relief falls from my eye "Oh thank god" Archie says exhaling just like I did. "Well you two have a very good hider on your hands" Dr. Barber says with a small laugh. I look up at the screen and I see a beautiful little baby, who looks more like an alien right now, but still my beautiful baby.

Archie's POV
My heart is still racing from how long it took to find the heartbeat. I never thought the sound of static could scare me as badly as it did in those few seconds, which felt like an eternity. I look at the sonogram photo and I smile at it, excited to start telling everyone about our baby. Veronica walks into the living room and approaches me on the couch. I look up at her and she smiles and sits down right next to me then drapes her legs across my lap. "I love how happy this is making you. Getting knocked up makes me the best wife ever, doesn't it?" She asks. I laugh "Knocked up or not, you're still the best wife ever" I say. She rolls her eyes "You're just saying that because I have to push a human out of my body for you" She says. I nod my head "I'll forever be indebted to you." She smiles and kisses my cheek then looks down at the sonogram. "If this baby is a boy he better have your red hair" she says while running her fingers through my hair. "Why not your dark hair" I ask looking up at her. "Natalie is my mini me. She has my skin, my hair, my eyes. Everything. You need your mini you. And a baby Archie would just be too cute. I would know I've seen your baby photos" she says smiling. "Wait what?" I say, probably too loud. "In high school. Your dad showed me" she says. I roll my eyes "of course he did". She laughs again and cups my face in her hand. "If it makes you feel better it just made me love you more" she says. I shrug "I guess it helps." She gasps and hits my shoulder "Fine then" she says before backing up on the couch. "No come back. I'm sorry it really helps" I say getting on my knees and crawling to her. "No" she says lying back. I smirk and keep going and eventually find myself hovered over her. "Now you can't ignore me" I say leaning down to kiss her. She sticks her tongue out and licks my cheek when I go to kiss her and I groan "You're surprisingly gross for such a well put together person" I say. She laughs "Thank you." I lean down and start rapidly leaving kisses all over her neck. She starts laughing uncontrollably and tries to push me off. "No- no. Please I'm sorry" she says while still laughing. Suddenly there is a knock at the door and I turn my head. "Stay quiet they'll go away" I whisper. She rolls her eyes "its your dad, go get the door" she says. I groan and go over to the door and whisper to myself "great timing dad."

Hope you guys like this chapter 💕 There will definitely be a chapter tomorrow, I already have a bunch of ideas.