It's the middle of the night and Veronica sits on the couch in the living room, caressing her stomach.

She can't sleep. There is this one thing on her mind and it has been for months now. She can't keep it a secret any longer she needs to get it off her chest. She needs to tell Archie but she's scared. Will he kick her out or maybe leave her? She would be all alone again. Her train of thought is interrupted when she sees him in front of her.

"Ronnie, what are you doing here?"

"I can't sleep"

"Why didn't you wake me? We could've snuggled a little, in our comfortable bed, not here" he chuckles as he sits down next to her.

Veronica smiles too but it quickly disappears when that one thing comes back on her mind. "I needed to think, alone"

"What's wrong?"

"There is something I have to tell you but I don't know how because it's pretty big"

"You can tell me anything love" he says and he softly runs his thumb over her cheek. She takes his hand from her face but holds his hand tightly in her lap.

Her whole body is shaking. Her heart beats faster than ever before. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes before she finally opens her mouth to say it. "I'm the twins' birth mom" she whispers.

For a second there is just silence. She can literally see how Archie is processing her words.

"What?"

"I'm the twins' mom"

"Wait but the twins' mom was 16 when she had them. Four years ago you were like 22"

Veronica shakes her head. "I — I lied about my age. I turned 21 a few months before I took the job. I was 16 when I had them but turned 17 just a little over a month later. When I saw that you're looking for a nanny, I recognize them. Name and birthday were the same too. A mother knows her kids. The twins are mine"

"Wow— I"

"I know you need time to process but are we okay?"

"I— I actually don't know what to say. How could you give them away? They were your children. I didn't know you were so heartless to give your own children away"

"What?" she says quietly. She is shocked by what just left Archie's mouth. He gets up and takes a few steps away from her. So she gets up as well and walks towards him. "Archie?"

"I just— I just don't understand. How could you"

"I didn't have a choice " she says. "You know exactly what happened. You even told me the day you interviewed me. My parents forced me. I never wanted to. Giving them away was the hardest thing I ever had to do"

"No way there was nothing you could have done"

Veronica takes a deep breath. Her hands turns into fists and anger builds up in her chest. "WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?" she yells with tears streaming down her face.

"I don't know run away, hide, anything so I could keep my kids"

"Oh come on, be a little realistic. I was 16. SIXTEEN!"

"So I'm sure there would have been a way! I mean I'm happy you did it because otherwise I never would have met my kids. How can a mother do something like this"

"SHUT UP, SHUT UP! You have no idea okay! You know nothing! You— ouch" Veronica whines. She places both of her hands on stomach and leans forward slightly.

The anger disappears from Archie's face. Instead there is concern and even a little fear. He wraps his arms around her just the second she was about to fall to the ground. His left hands runs slow circles on her stomach.

"Okay that's enough" he says softly "you're pregnant you can't get mad like that. Breathe honey, deep breaths" Veronica relaxes in his arms. She closes her eyes for a second as Archie presses his lips to her forehead. He doesn't even know what he is feeling. Is he mad or confused or just overwhelmed. He's not sure but he knows that he needs to protect his girlfriend and that her well-being is more important than a fight or disagreement. "It's okay" he whispers "I'm sorry. I don't want to fight and I think our little princess doesn't like that either. We can talk about this like adults"

Veronica sighs. She places both of her hands on Archie's so he can run bigger circles on her stomach. She leans into his chest. Her eyes remain closed. He kisses her cheeks softly. "Are you okay? What was that?"

"I'm fine. Your daughter just decided to kick me between my ribs with all her power. She never did that before. She definitely doesn't like when we fight" Veronica sighs.

"Daddy doesn't like it either" he says in a baby voice. He leans down and kisses the side of her bump softly.

"I'm sorry Archie"

"No I'm sorry. I didn't even let you explain. Why don't you tell me what happened?".

Veronica takes a deep breath and leans more into his chest. "I was sixteen and a stupid, horny teenager. There was this one weekend where I had the house to myself because my parents where on a business trip so I invited my boyfriend over. Well i guess you know what we did in an empty house. I got pregnant. He broke up with me because he didn't want anything to do with the kids and my parents are catholic so to say they were disappointed is an understatement. They forced me to give them away. I never wanted to but I didn't have a choice. I was in the middle of high school, I had no job, no money, no one who supported me. I had nothing. How was I supposed to take care of two babies. Do you know how hard it was to give them up for adoption? It was by far the most painful thing I ever had to do. I carried them in me for nine months. I loved them with all my heart. I never loved anyone so much in my life before but I didn't have a choice. I had to. I'm happy I was able to convince my parents to keep them for a few days before I had to give them away but they didn't even look at them once. I gave birth all by myself. They didn't talk to me for months. I was praying every day that they get to a beautiful, loving family. I'm glad they did"

"I promise you Ronnie, I loved these two with everything in me. I always tried to give them everything and make all their sweet little dreams come true. I always treated them like they were mine"

"I know Archie. You have no idea how glad I am that they ended up with you. You're their father and you're an amazing one"

"Thanks" he smiles. He kisses her cheek again before he rests his head on her shoulder. "Sweetheart I need time to process all of this. Let's continue our conversation tomorrow"

"Okay, I'm tired anyway. Let's go back to bed"

"Honey I need a little time to think and like I said process. I'll sleep in the guest room tonight"

Veronica turns around and faces him. She places her hands on his chest, her bottom lip quivers. "No Archie, please don't leave me alone. I need you"

"Ronnie I love you, but this is big. I'm not leaving you alone. I'm right here okay? Tell me when you need anything and I'll get it for you"

"Okay" she mumbles. "I understand" A single tear rolls down her cheek but Archie quickly wipes it away. "It's okay, I just need some time to process. Don't worry"

"Please don't leave me with the baby like the twins' father" she whispers.

"I would never! Veronica I love you and you're the mother of my child or well technically all my children. It will be alright"

Veronica wraps her arms around him. Her head rests against his chest. "I love you too. This sounds weird but can you bring me to the bedroom?"

"Sure" he smiles. He takes her hand and follows her upstairs. She feels weird. There is this weird thing between them now and Veronica doesn't know what to think or say or do. So she just quietly lies down in bed without saying another word. Archie pulls the covers over her body and smiles softly. He leans down to her and softly kisses her forehead. "Goodnight love" He then rubs her stomach and kisses it as well. "And goodnight my little baby"

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✨plot twist✨