Recovery

Chapter 9

She swears in her entire life, Claire has never slept this bad. The baby has been fussy through the night, only closing her eyes if Veronica is rocking her, and the second the movement stops the baby erupts into more tears. Veronica just really needs at least an hour of sleep, and she doesn't know who else to call. He hasn't been by in a month, only seeing Claire when Fred comes to pick her up for a visit, and Veronica misses him more than she cares to admit.

It rings a few times, and she's sure he's not going to answer, until he does, clearly being woken from deep sleep. "Veronica?" he mumbles. "Are you both okay?"

"Well yes," Veronica says quietly. "It's just... she won't sleep, she hasn't slept at all tonight and I could really use your help because I'd like to lay down for at least an hour and-"

"No need to explain," Archie interrupts her. "I'm heading there now."

The ten minutes it takes Archie to get to them feels like an eternity. Don't get her wrong, she loves her baby more than anything on the planet and would stay up with her every night if that's what would keep her safe and nurtured, but doing it alone is challenging and she needs the support of a partner right now. Veronica opens the door and lets him in, and they don't exchange any words, but he can see that Veronica has been crying. All of his anger fades away.

"What can I do?" Archie comes closer, brushing her arm. Veronica states up at him with teary eyes, feeling so exhausted.

"I don't know," she admits. "She doesn't want to sleep if I'm not holding her."

"Let me hold her," Archie attempts, but the baby still fusses. He tries to bounce her, to hum, but she only wants the arms of her mother.

"I'm so tired, Archie," Veronica admits, and he opens his arms for her to melt against his chest.

"It's okay," he kisses her forehead. "I'm here, it's okay."

"Okay," she mumbles, heading to her room as he follows. Veronica tries laying down with the baby on her chest which finally calms her.

"What can I do?" Archie asks, standing at the end of the bed. Veronica looks so defeated, and he just wants her to get some rest. He moves closer, laying behind her with his arms around her waist. He breathes in the familiar scent of this room, of Veronica's shampoo and her favorite candle and the lingering newborn smell.

Both girls are sleepy now, Claire having finally dozed off.

"Close your eyes Ronnie," Archie whispers. He feels her relax as she finally sleeps, but he can't do the same. He stays awake for hours, just watching them. No matter what their history is, Veronica is the best mom and has given him a beautiful daughter, and watching their baby snuggled with her makes him swoon. Veronica has an arm protectively draped around the baby's back. They're both so perfect.

He finally drifts off for an hour in the early morning, but he's awoken by the sun peeking in through the curtains. The baby is still tucked safely into Veronica's chest. Archie decides he'll cook them some breakfast, but the second he moves, Veronica starts to stir.

"Shh, Ronnie it's okay," Archie brushes her arm. "Go back to sleep."

"I want you to stay," Veronica mumbles, turning around to face him. "You're warm."

How could he resist that?

"Okay, I'm right here," Archie tucks himself back under her, feeling how she leans into his chest. She immediately goes back to a peaceful sleep.

With all the hurt between them, somehow now as they hold their baby, everything is alright.

Archie does end up making her breakfast, to her surprise as she finally emerges with a happy baby girl, who smiles at her Dad.