Becoming Lodge

Stipulations

"Reina.. you sure about this? What if he decides to throw another temper tantrum and something goes south. Are you ready for that?" Jughead demanded feeling at loss of what to say or do. Jughead understood that Veronica needed to speak with Archie. Veronica wanted the conversation to be as private as possible concerning their daughter. But Jughead truly hated the idea that he wouldn't be there for her during this time. Jughead knew that Veronica was still struggling with her feelings regarding Archie. Even knowing this he knew he needed to respect her wishes. At least he would be appearing to respect her wishes. In all reality he already had a few of the serpents to be stationed nearby unseen.
Veronica swallowed hard nodding. "Of course why wouldn't I be? He's Archie Andrews there isn't anything to worry about." Veronica said knowing she was lying through her teeth. She hated the idea of being that close to Archie alone. The feelings tumbling in her head. No matter how much she didn't want to. This conversation was long overdue.

    Veronica walked into Pop's feeling instantly transported back to highschool. The bells jangled, Archie Andrews looked up from "their" booth. Lost in her own thoughts Veronica smiled brightly when his eyes met hers. Feeling very much like a highschool girl meeting her boyfriend for lunch. The feelings gone in a moment realizing who she truly was. And the reality of the situation itself. Archie smiled brightly back at Veronica reminding him of the boy she had fallen madly in love with all those years ago. The boy who was now a man, one whom she shared a child with. Camila. It's about Camila. Veronica reminded herself. This isn't about him and me. It's about Camila. Steeling herself Veronica dropped her smile forcing herself to appear as if her heart wasn't racing at his presence. Veronica slid in the booth across from Archie. Praying he couldn't hear her heart beating as rapidly as it was. Veronica felt like her heart would beat out of her chest especially sitting this close to Archie. Her mind spinning going miles an hour. Sitting in an uncomfortable silence Veronica shifted her weight in the booth not sure where to start. Archie took it upon himself thankfully. "So we have a daughter." He said softly his eyes betraying the pain he was feeling. "She is more gorgeous then I could have ever imagined..." Archie trailed off not sure what to say or do. Instead of saying anything else he picked up the flowers that Veronica had not noticed beside him. A beautiful bouquet of her favorite flowers that he handed to her smiling sweetly. "If I remember correctly these are your favorites. Veronica Lodge was never one for roses." He teased.
"Don't do that." Veronica said softly her heart racing even faster. "You aren't allowed anymore."
"Do what? Buy you flowers? Talk to you? Veronica..." he said confusion on his face.
"That!" Veronica felt ready to explode. "Don't talk to me like that. Don't tease me. Don't pretend you care. Don't pretend that everything is ok. Because it's not. I despise you Archie Andrews. With every ounce of my being."
"I know." Archie put the flowers on the table. The sadness and regret etched into his features. "I'm sorry. I messed up."
"You did." Veronica replied plainly trying to hide the pain she was feeling. "But it's over. It's all said and done. We don't even need to discuss that. All we need to discuss is Camila. That is all nothing more nothing less."
Archie swallowed hard. "I do care." He adamantly declared. "I do care Veronica because I still love you. I still want to be with you. Especially now with our daughter involved. Veronica I want to be with her and YOU. I've always wanted to be with you. And only you. I messed up. I'm sorry. Please just give me a chance."
"You can't say things like that to me. I won't allow it. Not now not ever. You don't love me, nor have you ever. If you did you would have never cheated on me. Our life would be so much different if your choices hadn't happened." Veronica sighed heavily. Before continuing trying not to let her words sound like her heart was broken. "I'm sorry too Archie. I'm sorry that I had so much faith and trust in you and your feelings for me that I didn't see what was always right in front of me. I'm sorry that I loved you so much that I believed all the lies you told me for three years. Three years." Veronica finished her voice rising in pitch feeling her heart break once again. "Look I'm not here to rehash the past. I'm here to discuss Camila and what is best for her. I don't want to talk about what happened. I don't care it was years ago. If you can't respect that then you can speak with my attorney if you wish to see Camila in the future." Veronica snapped. "Well after the paternity test that is. I couldn't very well put you on Camila's birth certificate now could I?"
"For fucks sake Veronica we both know she's mine. I don't need any paternity test to prove that. You may hate me or whatever you feel for me. But we both know the truth. I am assured that Camila is my daughter. I have no doubt in my mind. None. The only way I would even believe that is if you looked me in the eyes and told me she wasn't. That you cheated on me in highschool. Even then I wouldn't believe it. I know deep down Camila is my little girl."
"Thank God our relationship even as full of lies as it was only had one cheater." Veronica snapped watching the pain on his face echoing the pain she felt in her heart at the words. "Camila is your daughter. There is no one else there never was."
"Tell me about her. Tell me about Camila. I've only really spent a few hours with her."
Veronica laughed softly causing Archie to smile. How he missed her laughter, her voice her everything. Archie felt himself falling deeper in love with her. "Camila was born screaming. So very sassy and with the most hair I have ever seen on a baby. But even then the red was visible. Damn kid betrayed me. Red hair? I never thought that was possible." Veronica laughed at the memory of her frustration with Camila's hair color. Archie smiled at her looking like a lovesick puppy. "She was so perfect and tiny but oh my God was she the neediest baby. Colicky, demanding and oh so sassy even then. But so perfect." Veronica trailed off smiling at the memories of baby Camila. Instantly Archie watched the light die in her eyes replaced by what he could only describe as sadness. "She has always been so intense. An old soul Jughead calls her. The first couple months were so tough. Tougher then I ever expected if it weren't for Jughead and Mary I.." Veronica trailed off once more the terrible memories assaulting her. Shaking herself Veronica continued. "Camila loves music. It's almost a crazy obsession for her. Ever since she was tiny she could memorize and sing songs she had only heard a couple of times. It's still very strange to me." Veronica laughed again. "She has a beautiful voice when she sings. And oh my God does she sing. Everywhere we go she dances and sings. Camila was beginning piano lessons in New York. I promised her I would find a music teacher for her here. She loves to dance Juggy and I were thinking about putting her into ballet." Veronica rambled. "You know it's funny. All those years ago when we talked about our future daughter you don't know how on point we both were." Veronica's eyes darkened. The memory threatening to strangle her once again.
     Archie reached across the table placing his hand over hers like he had done countless times. His touch sent shockwaves through Veronica's body startling her.  "She sounds amazing." Archie felt the same electricity flow through his body at the contact. "Ronnie.."
    "No!" Veronica snapped sharply pulling her hand away. "You can't touch me. You have no right. And I believe I asked you to not call me that. It's Veronica." She glowered wrapping her arms tightly around her body. Trying to protect her heart from the way his touch made her feel.
    "Veronica.. I'm sorry. Look I will keep my hands to myself. Please tell me more. I want to know more about Camila. Please." Archie searched her eyes pleadingly. Where was his Veronica? The way her eyes looked he couldn't see the girl he loved. Archie knew she was there. But how was he going to reach her? "Tell me what's her favorite color? What does she like to do for fun. Does she have any allergies? Tell me about her. Come on Veronica please."
    "Ask your mom. She knows the answers." Veronica snapped rubbing her hands over her arms. She was always so cold anymore. Archie looked at her sadly.
     "I know Veronica but I want to hear you tell me. I want to know things mom doesn't know. Tell me about her first steps her first words. Talk to me Veronica."
    "She's amazing! She's absolutely amazing. No thanks to you." Veronica snapped again feeling her irritation rise. Wanting to fight with him. To lash him with her words. To tell him what he had done. To demand the answers to what she did wrong. Why wasn't she enough? Why couldn't he love her?  "I hate you." Veronica spoke so softly, but with so much feeling. Archie felt overwhelmed by her words. "I hate you for what you did to me. I hate the fact that I loved you more then anything. But that wasn't enough for you obviously. I hate how you broke my heart! I never allowed anyone to do so before, but you did! I hate you! I hate what you made me become. I hate it more then anything." Veronica felt tears stinging the back of her eyes. She would be damned if she cried in front of Archie Andrews. Veronica was so over crying because of Archie.
     Archie put his head down feeling tears in the back of his eyes seeing Veronica struggling to maintain her composure. "I am sorry it wasn't you. It never was.. I'm so sorry Veronica. I'm sorry my actions started all of this in place. I'm sorry that you had to be a single mom. All alone and without my help. But Veronica I want to be here for both of you now if you will let me."
     Veronica laughed sharply startling Archie at the shift in her demeanor. "I was not then nor am I now a single mother. Jughead helped me raise Camila. He was there every step of the way. As was Mary. I wasn't alone. The only reason you even know now is that we live back in this fucked up town. I don't want to share my daughter with anyone let alone you. Especially with you."
    "I know. I get that but Veronica I really want to be part of her life. I will pay you child support, I will do whatever you want. Please just let me get to know our daughter. Can you find it in your heart to at least forgive me enough to let me be part of her life? I will take whatever parts you will let me have." Archie begged.
     "You couldn't afford the shoes she wears. We can't even discuss the amount of money I spend on her clothes. You used to tease me about how expensive I was. Camila is far more expensive then even you could imagine." Veronica laughed. "Best dressed baby ever." She said before catching herself. Archie looked at her clearly remembering when she had said those words before to him.
    "Is she sassy and love clothes? Can Hermès support her shopping habit too? I know they probably struggled before with the demand just from you. Now that we have a mini you how is that going to affect their sales? I guess I should have bought stock then." Archie teased seeing her cheeks flush when she blushed. "Thank God I have two hands if our daughter is as much of a handful as you were."
    Veronica laughed really laughed for the first time in years. The memory that had hurt her so deeply before making her laugh now sitting across from the person she shared the memory with. "Oh Archie if you only knew how on point you were so many years ago even down to her hair and eyes." Drastically and before his eyes Archie watched Veronica shift. "But since you predicted that so on point. Did you predict this too?" Veronica snapped hurt showing on her face. Veronica shook herself internally trying to force the emotions not only from her face but her voice. "Ok so here's the plan. Every other Wednesday after work until nine she can visit. You can see her Friday nights same time and Saturday  from 10am to 8pm. Until I am comfortable with it she sleeps at my house. Sunday's are always a no. We do family dinners every Sunday. That is not up for debate. I don't want your money nor do I need it. I don't expect you to give me a dime for our daughter. All I am asking is that if you make this commitment to her. You don't break it. Not now not ever. I won't allow anyone to hurt her. But especially you. Camila is my world. The most important person in this world to not only me, but to my family.  You ever hurt her and I swear to you it will be the biggest regret of your life."
    "I would never hurt her. I promise you that. I don't even know her, but she is already the most important person in my life now. I will always put her wants and needs before anyone else's even my own.  But Veronica you are wrong about one thing..." Veronica looked up meeting Archie's eyes. "I could never regret anything as much as I do the day I lost you. That will always be the biggest regret of my life. My own stupidity and recklessness took the person I love the most in this world. I could never regret any day more then that one. I regret that day more then words can even express."
    Veronica felt her heart race at his words. They are just words she reminded herself. Cheap words from a cheap person. One who's loyalties changed based upon their moods. "Ok so then tomorrow is Wednesday I will bring Camila by the house around five. Does that time work? If not we can negotiate times."
    "Five is perfectly fine. I will be there. Are you going to stay too? I would like you to."
    "Maybe the first time. But I don't think you need supervised visits do you?"
    Archie laughed at the confusion on her face. "No Veronica stay with us. We can spend time together I would like to spend time with you too. To talk. To maybe fix this. I still love you Veronica I can't stop. I don't want to. I want you and only you now and forever." Archie wanted to touch her hand again to feel the electricity he felt earlier. If she would just let him touch her they could fix this Archie assured himself. Veronica needed physical touch to connect with people she always had.
   "If I stay it will be for Camila. Nothing else. We will never happen again. I don't love you." Veronica lied feeling the lie stick in the back of her throat.
    "I don't believe that Veronica. You can say that all you want. Maybe you even believe it yourself. But you can't lie to me. You have never been able to. Withhold things yes, but never boldly lie to me. Even all these years later. Even after you have changed." Veronica raised her eyebrow at him. "Yes I see you have changed more then I even thought possible. But even now you can't lie to me. The way your voice lilts a little. Your lip twitches just slightly. The way you bite your lip to keep the twitch to your lip under control. I still can read you Veronica." Archie crossed his arms across his chest a smirk on his handsome face. His cockiness at his words  made Veronica's head spin. "Most people don't know you the way I do. They don't notice the little things you do."
    "I don't love you. I don't." Veronica snapped trying to control the things he accused her of and failing epically much to Archie's  delight. "I have to go." Veronica snapped jumping to her feet feeling her heart race even faster. Making her feel dizzy and disoriented momentarily before she found her center again.
    Archie stood and placed his hand gently on her arm the electricity running through both their bodies immediately. Veronica looked at him coldly or at least her weak attempt of looking at Archie coldly. "Veronica I will see you tomorrow at five. It is Wednesday after all." He said before he slid past Veronica touching her back softly. Veronica felt her body light up like she hadn't felt in years his touch reminding her of her feelings for him. She wanted to grab him and pull him into her arms and kiss him firmly. To claim him as hers once again. Instead she crossed her arms tightly across her body again hugging herself tightly. The temperature in her body dropped drastically. Veronica found herself shivering from the cold again. Her head spinning thoughts, memories, love, hate, passion all tossing around making her feel sicker then she had felt in years. Jughead her mind screamed at her feeling shaky and unbalanced. Grabbing the booth seat Veronica felt like she was going to pass out. Fangs Fogherty appeared beside her startling Veronica she hadn't known he was near. "Veronica you ok? Jughead is on his way. " he grabbed her arm to steady her which she pulled away quickly. Almost losing her balance at the suddenness.
    "Don't touch me." She whispered viciously. "I'm fine." Veronica straightened her back up hearing the bells jangle.
    "Reina?" Jughead demanded wrapping her tightly in his arms. "What happened? You good?"
    "I'm fine." She lied which Jughead picked up on immediately. "I just got up too fast and I haven't eaten yet today. It's fine. Where's Camila?" Veronica demanded.
   "She's with Cheryl and the twins. The family came over for dinner and drinks. To celebrate the new house. But I can cancel if you aren't up for it." Jughead said trying to read her face. Veronica shook her head allowing him to lead her out of the diner.
    "No that's fine. In fact that's perfect. A family dinner." Veronica smiled softly at the thought. Her family the family she built. The only ones she could count on and trust. The ones who loved her and wouldn't betray her.