Co-parenting

Chapter 18

"Please don't touch me"

"Veronica please tell me what I can do so you forgive me"

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"I don't know if I can Archie. You hurt me, you broke
me. Because of you I can't trust anyone, not even myself"

Tears develop in his eyes as he sits a little closer to her.

"I'm so so sorry Ronnie. I hate myself every day for what I did. I know it's unforgivable but I need you back Veronica"

"Why?"

"Because I still love you. I don't think I've ever stopped or will stop. You're the only one for me. What I did was so stupid and I don't even know why I did it. I regret it so much. I was a teenager Ronnie, you were my first real girlfriend and I - I don't know what happened but when I kissed Betty or even when we met in the bunker I realized that I don't wanna kiss anyone else or hold anyone else than you. I love you Ronnie. Please tell me what I have to do. I do anything"

She stares at him with glossy eyes. She expected a lot but not that. She doesn't know what to do. One part of her wants to slap him for saying that and confusing her even more and the other part wants to jump on him and kiss him.

"Archie I-"

"Please Ronnie, anything. I want you and Valerie in my life. I wanna wake up next to you. I wanna love you and hold you and protect my two favorite girls. I wanna celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving and birthdays together. I wanna kiss you at midnight on New Year's Eve. I want a life with you and our girl. I want us to be a family"

"I don't know if I can trust you ever again"

"Can't you try please? I will try to make it up to you every single day for the rest of my life. You can forever use this against me but please give us a shot" He takes her hands into his. His thumb his running over her knuckles while he watches the tears stream down her cheeks.

She stares at him. She doesn't know what to say. She wants him back so badly but she doesn't want to get hurt. There is not only herself anymore who she needs to protect but her little girl too. If they don't work out Valerie will be crushed.

Archie falls down on his knees still holding her hands.

"I'm begging you Ronnie" he whispers.

"If we try this-"

"Yes" he interrupts causing Veronica to giggle.

"I want to take it slow. Like really really slow. I don't want Valerie to know yet. I don't want you to touch me below or above my waist and I don't want you to kiss me yet"

"Deal, anything Ronnie as long as I can call you mine"

"Fine" she giggles.

He cups her cheeks and leans his forehead against hers. His hazel eyes are sparkling and all the sadness disappeared.

"Can I please kiss you now? Just once?"

She presses her finger against his lips and shakes her head.

"No. I choose when I wanna be kissed"