When Veronica wakes up in the morning, she still feels nauseous and tired. Her lower back hurts. Archie is home today but she wants to work and spend the day with the kids. She needs distraction. She sits up slowly and rubs her eyes. "Okay V, you got this" she mumbles to herself. She gets up and walks to her bathroom to get ready for the day. Her hands are on her stomach. When she stands in front of the mirror she turns sideways and pulls up her top. Her fingers slowly trace over her lower stomach.

"You're still very tiny huh? I can't even see you're in there yet" she giggles. "You're daddy doesn't know about you. I don't know how he will react but worse case scenario, it's just you and me. We can be happy alone, not that I want that but maybe we don't have a choice.

Veronica light taps her lower stomach before she pulls her top back down and ties her hair in a bun. She washes her face and then goes to the living room in her pjs where the kids already run around.

"Morning Ronnie" Ella giggles as she runs behind her. She places her little hands on her back and looks at her brother. "You can't catch me!"

"Yes I can" he says. "Don't hide behind Ronnie though. That's unfair"

"No it's not" she giggles.

"Could you two leave Ronnie out of your little game? She didn't even have breakfast yet" Archie chuckles. He picks up Benny and holds him up side down. "Daddy no!" the little boy squeals "let me down!"

Archie smirks and carefully lies Ben down on the floor.

"Hungry?" he asks smiling at Veronica.

"Mhm"

He reaches his hand out to her. She takes it with a grin on her face.

"I know you like avocado toast so that's what I made you plus some tomatoes and scrambled eggs"

"Yummy" Veronica giggles and sits down at the table.

"Coffee?"

"Uhm no not today. Thank you though" Veronica says. She places her hand on her stomach for a second but removes it when Archie places the plate in front of her. "Enjoy. Take your time. I'll entertain the kids"

"It looks delicious. Thank you Archie, that's really sweet"

"Anything for you" he smirks.

Veronica rolls her eyes. Her cheeks blush but she looks down on her plate so he can't see it.

"Do you feel better?"

"Yeah" Veronica lies "I'm good. Thank you"

"Great. If you need anything, I'm outside with the kids"

"Thank you Archie, really"

Archie smiles. As he walks away from the table he yells "Everyone who's almost 5 or 26 into the backyard!"

Veronica giggles before she take a bite of her toast. It's really delicious. She looks outside the big window and watches Archie run around with the kids. She places her hand on her stomach and runs little circles. "Your daddy is really sweet. He made us toast. I love avocados so you do too now. We will have a lot of Avocado toast the next few months especially when your daddy makes them because this is probably the best Avocado toast I've ever had, very yummy"

•••

After she finished her breakfast she puts on a pair of shorts and an oversized shirt. She knows she's not showing yet but she doesn't want to risk anything. Plus she feels more comfortable like this.

She walks outside to the others and sits down in the grass.

"Ronnie!" Ella giggles. She runs towards her with a big smile on her face. She just got out of the pool so the water is dripping down her body. Ella wraps her arms around Veronica with such an energy that the raven haired woman falls backwards. Ella lies half on top of her.

"Ewww Ella" she giggles.

"It's just water. Why don't you like water?"

"I do but you're so cold"

Ella places both of her little hands on Veronica's cheeks. "It's very hot today. You need to cool down. I'm just helping you"

"Thanks" Veronica giggles

Ben sits down next to her. "Leave her alone Ella. She doesn't want it"

"Shut up Benny"

"You shut up!"

"Hey" Veronica interrupts them "don't talk to each other like that. That's not very nice"

"But I don't want her to be mean to you" Ben pouts.

"It's okay Benny. I love you two very much. I don't mind when you snuggle with me and place your little hands in my face. Even though I don't want your hand in my face all the time. Now it's okay.

"Fine" Ben mumbles.

Veronica kisses the boy's cheek and ruffles his hair before she lies down in the grass. "Let's enjoy the sun" she sighs.

"Sitting around is boring. Cant we play or swim?" Ella asks. She plays with Veronica's hand.

"Give me just one minute honey"

Ben lies down too. He rests his head on her chest and places his hand on her stomach. This is how he cuddles with Veronica every time but it feels different now. A smile sits on Veronica's lips.

Ella groan. "I'll go play with daddy. This is boring"

Veronica closes her eyes. She enjoys the sun and the snuggles with her favorite little boy.

She doesn't know how long she was lying but at some point Archie sat down next to her. He didn't say anything. He simply sat down next to her and watches his daughter jump into the pool, climb out and jump back in.

"Daddy come!" she giggles "get into the water and then catch me"

"Uhm actually sweetheart I just wanted to say that we should get inside for a little and maybe eat some ice cream. You and Benny need to get out of the sun"

"No!" the little girl protests.

"Uhm yes"

"No daddy, I don't want to"

"Sweetheart, we have been outside all day long you and Benny need a break from the sun"

"No!"

"Ella, I'm serious! You need to get out of the sun. We can play inside"

"Fine" Ella groans as she climbs out of the water. Archie wraps a towel around her. She loves to be outside. She loves to run around with the grass under her feet and the wind in her hair. She loves to jump into the pool or build a sandcastle. So especially in the summer when it's absolutely beautiful outside she hates to go inside.

She stomps her feet and walks back into the house.

"You can stay outside and relax Ronnie" Archie smiles.

"No I want to come inside with you"

Ben takes Veronica's hand and walks together with her. Archie follows them.

Veronica sits down on the couch. She's still very tired. Ella already forgot about how mad she was two minutes ago and sits on her towel on the rug in the living room and plays with some barbies.

"Ronnie do you want something to drink?" Archie asks. He stands next to the couch and looks down to her.

"Yes but let me come with you" she says and gets up but probably a little too fast because suddenly she feels like the whole world is spinning. She closes her eyes, hoping it will help but it doesn't. Her face is pale and that disgusting feeling of nausea is back too. She wants to go to the kitchen to get a glass of water and calm down but as she sets one foot in front of the other her knees wobble. She grabs Archie's arm to stop herself from falling. He quickly wraps his arms around her.

"Are you okay?" he asks

"Mhm"

"Well somehow I don't believe you. You were at the doctor's yesterday. What did he say? Maybe you should rest a few days until you feel better"

"No I'm good" Veronica lies. She tries to push Archie's hands away and go into the kitchen to get her so desperately needed water but once again her keens wobble so Archie holds her close.

Tears roll down Veronica face. She's mad and embarrassed. She doesn't really want him to know yet but that's because she's not really ready and not because she thinks he isn't.

"What's wrong Ronnie?" Archie asks "please tell me what's wrong. What did the doctor say? Are you really okay?"

"Uhm" she says with a shaky voice. "There — there is something I have to tell you"