Refuge

Holding On

ONE MONTH LATER

Archie taps his hands nervously on the wooden desk. After all, this could be the first moment of the rest of his life- when he finally gets to be free and with the love of his life. Or it could get worse. But either way he'll stick by her side, his wife.

Even though he didn't imagine he'd marry Veronica in a rush at the Riverdale courthouse, it was the fastest and safest option.

"All parties rise," the judge clears her throat, and Archie holds Veronica's hand. She feels like he's holding her up, not just now but all of the time.

"In the case of Veronica Andrews versus Lodge Industries, Mrs. Andrews is released from her contractual duties and is entitled to all trusts in her name, past and present," the judge announces.

Veronica takes a deep breath before Archie scoops her up in his arms.

"We did it," Veronica kisses him softly.

"You did it," Archie emphasizes, squeezing her tightly one last time. After everything is wrapped up, the Andrews head out of the courtroom, but not before bumping into Hiram Lodge himself.

"Mija," he attempts, but Veronica ignores him and pulls Archie with her. "I'm sorry, it was never my intention to lose my only daughter, and my granddaughter."

"I'm sorry, sir," Archie speaks for her. "But you burned your own bridges."

They get home from the airport in time to tuck Charlie in, and Archie gives both of his girls some extra cuddles, because he's feeling just that joyful. Less than a year ago, he was a completely different man- a lonely bachelor, and now he's laying in beneath pink polka dot sheets with his wife and daughter.

"Goodnight, baby," Veronica kisses Charlotte's forehead as they tiptoe out of their sleeping princess' room.

"You ready for bed?" Archie asks her, kissing the top of her head as he walks down the stairs behind her.

"I need to go fold the towels in the dryer, I'll be right to bed," Veronica kisses his cheek, going to finish her task quickly. She hears a strange noise coming from the bedroom, so she quickly grabs the laundry basket and rushes to check it out. When she walks through the door, she sees Archie doubled over in pain, clutching his chest. "Archie?"

"Call an ambulance, babe," Archie says, his teeth clenched. "Something is wrong."

Veronica paces back and forth in the waiting room, texting Alice Cooper to make sure Charlie is still sleeping soundly in her bed. Even though her and Veronica haven't always had the greatest past, she quickly agreed to stay with Charlie so that Veronica could ride in the back of the ambulance with Archie.

"Mrs. Andrews," a nurse calls from the other end of the hallway. "He's awake, and he's ready to see you."

Veronica walks through the doorway quietly, looking at her Archie hooked up to wires and machines, so pale and sick.

"Oh babe," she cradles his face when she gets close enough, kissing between his eyebrows. "You scared me to death."

"I'm okay, Ronnie," he squeezes her hand, but only with half of his usual strength. "I'm sorry I scared you... I just, I don't know what happened."

"Obviously it was something major, because I know you and you wouldn't exactly make it known that you were in pain if you weren't really hurting," Veronica frowns. "I'm just glad you took it seriously enough that we were able to make it here before you went into cardiac arrest."

"I'm okay, really I am," Archie argues.

"Now you're okay, but before this was very serious Archiekins," she brushes his cheek softly with her thumb. "I need you to get some rest for me, honey, and we'll talk to the doctor in the morning. And I'll be right here when you wake up."