It's been three months since Veronica moved in. She's happy and feels very at home.

She worked out a routine with the kids. It all seems so perfect.

She and Archie got close, very close even. They are like best friends, at least that's Veronica always tells herself. They have a special bond. Neither of them can explain it but they just simply understand each other without a single word.

Most evenings, when the kids are in bed, they sit together and talk. Sometimes they talk about serious topics and sometimes they just laugh. He loves her laugh. It makes his heart beat faster and his stomach tingle. There was just one person in his life that could make him feel like this, his wife or better ex wife. She broke him when she left. Somehow Veronica's laugh and her beautiful smile heal the pain he has been trying to ignore for the past years.

He likes her but there is nothing he can do. She's the kids nanny. Going out or even dating her would be weird.

Veronica feels the same way. She blushes every time she makes him laugh. She usually needs a little time to feel comfortable in a new environment but here, with Archie and the kids, she felt at home really quickly.

Right now she sits in the backyard with a cocktail in her hands. Next to her is her best friend Cheryl and across from them Jughead and Betty. She met them once before. Jughead patiently listens to the girls talk. He's really bored though. He looks over to the pool where Archie is goofing around with the kids. Their laughter make him smile.

"The twins are so cute" Cheryl smiles.

"They are adorable but they can be so moody, especially Ella" Jughead smirks.

Betty laughs "Very true. I still love them though"

"Attack!" Archie shouts. Before anyone can process what he means, Ella climbs on to Veronica lap and kisses her cheek over and over again. Ben wraps his arms around one of hers.

"Ewww" Veronica squeals "you two just got out of the pool. My clothes are all wet now"

Archie walks right in front of her and begins to shake his head so little water drops fly into her face. "Eww Archie!"

"It's just water Ronnie" Ella giggles.

"Yes but you'll pay for that!" Veronica smirks.

The kids' eyes widen. Ella jumps off of Veronica's lap and runs away, Ben follows.

When Veronica gets up too, Archie wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her against his chest. "Run kids!" he laughs.

"Archie let me go" Veronica giggles as she tries to get his hands off her body but he holds her close. "In a second, give them a head start"

Veronica places her hands on his so he can push him away as soon as he lets her. She stares at the kids who desperately try to find a good hiding spot. She can feel Archie's chest rise against her back as he breathes. She likes it. She likes how his big, strong, muscular arms feel around her. Her thoughts are interrupted by his chuckle. "Now go!" he smiles. His hands run over her stomach to her waist before they drop to the side. Veronica runs after the kids. They scream and giggles. Archie watches for a second before he joins their little game.

"Am I the only one who thinks they totally have chemistry?" Cheryl asks with a smirk on her face.

"I agree. I can see that glow in Archie's eyes. He definitely likes her and I don't know Veronica that well yet but speaking form a woman's point of view I'd say she's flirting with him" Betty nods. "The way she placed her hands on his"

"Wow, two Sherlocks" Jughead says and shakes his head laughing. "Of course they like each other. I'm a guy and even I can see that"

Cheryl squeals. "Oh this is so exciting. Betty you have to help me. They need to go on a date"

Betty nods "I think a girlfriend would be good for him and the kids too. Archie is a wonderful father but I think the kids need something like mother too"

"I agree" Jughead says "She's totally his type too. She looks so much like his ex but she's nicer and prettier"

Betty frowns and soon Jughead feels Betty's elbow between his rips. "Ouch" he mumbles "babe I said she's pretty not I wanna date her. You're my girl and maybe you noticed but you and her look completely different"

"Can you two stop and help me figure out how we can make them date each other?" Cheryl says and rolls her eyes.

"You girls are way to complicated. Watch this" he says and turns to Archie. He yells his friend's name and Archie quickly walks over.

"What's up Jug? I'm kinda in the middle of game with my kids and Ronnie"

"Yeah we can see that" he smirks "so will you ask her out?"

"Huh?" he asks confused.

"Bro we all can see you like her. Ask her out"

"I don't know Jug"

"Just do it!" Cheryl groans.

"Okay fine" he chuckles "Even though I think it's not a good idea, I'll ask her out. One date to see how it goes. Can I go back?"

Jughead nods. He turns to the girls with a smirk on his face as Archie walks back to the kids and Veronica.

•••

"Goodnight daddy, goodnight Ronnie" Ella mumbles as she rubs her eyes. Ben is already asleep in his bed. Archie brushes the blond hair out of her face and kisses her forehead. "Goodnight princess. I love you"

"I love you too" she smiles tiredly "I want a goodnight kiss from Ronnie too"

Veronica giggles. She leans down to the little girl and places a few kisses on her cheek. "Goodnight honey"

"I love you" Ella mumbles as her eyes close and she falls asleep.

"I love you too" Veronica grins. She grabs Archie's hand and pulls him out of the room as soon as he closes the door behind him a squeal leaves her body. "Did you hear what she just said?"

"She said 'I love you'"

"Yes" Veronica giggles "she never said that before. She said she loves me" she wraps her arms around Archie in excitement and holds him close. He places his hands on her back and smiles. "It's cute how excited you are about this"

"Are you kidding, of course I'm excited. I think you know how much these little word mean from a child's mouth"

"I do" he chuckles.

He can see how happy she is. Her eyes shine. They're beautiful. He can also see how tired she is. He pats her back before he lets go of her "it's late Ronnie. I think it's time for bed"

Veronica nods. She places her hands on his chest before she turns around and walks into her room. He follows.

"Uhm Ronnie can I ask you something?" he asks and scratches the back of his neck.

"Sure but can I ask you something first?" she asks and sits down on her bed. I actually wanted to ask you earlier but— I don't know I forgot and— well never mind"

"Go ahead" he nods as he sits down next to her.

"There is this guy I met a couple of times. He's really sweet and he asked me out, tomorrow evening so can I- can I maybe get a day off tomorrow so I can— you know, get my nails done and my hair and everything"

Archie feels his heart break. He wasn't even sure if he should ask her out but now that he can't, he feels stupid. He likes her even though it make things complicated. He can't change the way he feels.

"Archie?" Veronica giggles and waves her hands in front of his eyes.

"Oh, sure. Of course you can have a day off. Just bring them to kindergarten please. My mom can pick them up then"

Veronica squeals. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses his cheek. "Thank you, thank you, thank you"

"No problem" he smiles. His cheeks blush but she's too excited to notice.

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