Refuge

The Big City

"Good morning Daddy," Charlie smiles when she emerges from the staircase, her little pajamas covered in moons and stars. "I've been waiting for Mommy to come wake me up."

"Well, sweetie," Archie frowns. "Mommy is gone for a few days- she had something for work that came up so she'll be back soon."

"So it's just you and me?" Charlie sticks out her bottom lip, and Archie's afraid she's going to cry. As comfortable as she is with Archie, she's still much more attached to Veronica.

"It'll be okay honey, I promise," Archie takes her in for a hug. "We're gonna have fun, and then Mommy will be back."

"Can we call her?" Charlie pouts deeply. "I miss her and I wanted to say good morning."

"Yes, baby," Archie nods, sitting down with her on the couch. As it rings, he prays Veronica answers because he's not prepared to handle a meltdown.

"Hi," Veronica tries to smile softly when she answers, but Archie can tell that something is wrong. "I just got back to my hotel."

"Mama, I was waiting for you to tell me good morning," Charlie says, finally perking up.

"Well, good morning my angel," Veronica laughs softly. "I hope you're good for your Dad."

"Yes, Mommy," the little girl agrees quietly. "When are you going to be home?"

"Soon baby, I promise," Veronica frowns. "I already miss you so much, but I know you're going to have fun."

"Okay," Charlie seems content with the answer, hopping off of the couch and pulling on Archie's arm. "Dad, I'm hungry for breakfast now."

"Okay, just a minute sweetie," Archie chuckles softly as Charlie runs into the kitchen. "She'll be okay, I promise babe. And we'll be right here waiting."

"I know," Veronica frowns again. She believes him, but it still hurts to be away from Charlotte. "I love you both."

"We love you too," Archie says, missing her more than he should. "Get some rest, please."

Charlie sits patiently at one of the stools in the kitchen, asking Archie for pancakes which thankfully he knows how to make. He helps her to cut them into little pieces and drinks his morning protein shake while she finishes her breakfast.

"What are we gonna do today, Char?" Archie asks, ruffling the little girl's hair.

"Um, we could watch a princess movie," the little girl suggests, giving Archie an even better idea.

"What if we went to see Frozen 2?" he suggests, knowing that Charlie adores the first movie.

"At the movie theater?" Charlotte's eyes get huge, and she starts to jump up and down. "Daddy, please!! I want to go so bad."

"Yes, at the movie theater," Archie grins. "Let's go get dressed and we can drive there right now."

Charlie is absolutely enamored by the idea of going to the movies, and bounces around excitedly when they get there. He's not like every other parent who has the original Frozen burned in their brain, but he has watched it once with Charlie and just hopes it will be somewhat entertaining.

That morning, Charlotte had insisted on wearing her Elsa dress, so he sent Veronica pictures and promised to send more.

"Are you excited?" he asks, once they've picked their seats, and she nods.

Halfway through the movie he notices her starting to get sleepy so she snuggles into his arms and starts to doze off for a little while. It's these precious moments that he cherishes more than anything, to see how comfortable and trusting she is with him. He's wanted to be a Dad his entire life and the fact that he gets to share a child with the love of his entire life makes his heart swell.