I'm sorry . I know it's been forever 🥺✨

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Archie sits in the backyard with a glass of ice tea in his hands. Veronica and Ella are out for a little girls day so it's just him and Ben.

The little boy sits on the swings and shows his dad how high he can go. He watches but his mind is somewhere else. He has been thinking about something special for a while now.

"Daddy look!" Ben squeals.

"I am looking"

"No you're not"

"Can you come here to me for a second" Archie says and pats his lap. The little boy rolls his eyes but jumps off the swings and runs over to him. "I have a question Benny" he says as he lifts him into his lap.

"What's up daddy?"

"I—I want to marry mommy and I —"

An excited scream interrupts him. "Really?" the little boy squeals "we'll be a real family then"

"Yes really" Archie smiles "and I need you to help me plan it. The proposal not the wedding. I'm pretty sure mommy wants a say in that"

"I think so too" Ben giggles "what about Ella?"

"We can't tell Ella yet. She can't keep anything to herself. I will tell her right before but for now this is our little secret okay buddy?"

"Yeah" he nods with a proud smile on his face. "Our secret"

"Any ideas yet?"

"Uhm— it has to be very romantic" Ben giggles "and you need flowers because mommy loves flowers"

"Romantic and flowers, noted" Archie repeats. "More ideas?"

"Uhm" Ben says and taps his finger against his chin. "You have to be very nice to her and tell her you love her and then you have to say 'will you marry me?'"

"Okay, good. I understand" Archie grins. "Can you help we with choosing the right ring?"

"I can help?" the little boy asks with big eyes. He slowly turn and looks up to his dad.

"Yeah. I want you to help me"

Tears form in the boys eyes. He nods eagerly and then hugs Archie tightly.

"Bud why are you crying?" Archie asks softly as he holds him close. "I always wanted a mommy and now I have one and you'll marry her" he sniffs. "We'll be a family"

"Yeah we will be" Archie smiles. He wraps his arms tighter around his son and kisses his head a couple of times. "Do you want to go look now?"

"Now?"

"Yeah! We have time now. Mommy and Ella aren't home"

"Okay!" the boy grins. He claps his hands and jumps off Archie's lap. "Come on daddy!"

•••

It's just a very short car ride to Archie's favorite jewelry store. He passed by that store so often and already saw so many beautiful things. He wishes he could buy Veronica everything but he doesn't want to make her feel like he's buying her love. Kisses and cuddles and flowers already make her as happy as she can be.

Ben explains Archie over and over again how he has to propose and what he has to say.

As Archie parks the car. Ben squeals excitedly. He can't wait to get out of the car and into the store. The little boy already unfastened his seatbelt when Archie opens the car door.

"Should the ring be silver or gold?" he asks as he holds his hand towards his son.

"Silver. I don't like gold" Ben says and wrinkles his nose. He places his little hand into Archie's and jumps outside.

"But this is about mommy bud. Do you think mommy would like gold?"

Ben shakes his head and it makes Archie laugh. He agrees with his son. Veronica doesn't own a single piece of gold jewelry. She likes silver. "I'm sure we will find something she likes" he says and opens the door to the jewelry store. Ben holds his hand a little tighter. He's probably more excited than Archie is.

"Hello" an elderly woman smiles. "Can I help you?"

"We want to buy a ring for my mommy!" Ben giggles

"An engagement ring" Archie adds with a smile as he lifts the boy into his arms.

"Well luckily we have enough of those. Come with me boys" the woman laughs.

Ben excitedly claps his hands while Archie walks behind the woman to a counter made of glass.

"Wooaaahhh, they are all so pretty. Daddy can't we buy two rings for mommy or three?"

"That's not how it works buddy" Archie chuckles. "Trust me mommy will be happy with one"

"Okay but it has to be the most beautiful ring"

They look for a while. Ben wants to have a closer look on every single ring to make sure he helps his dad to find the most perfect ring. In the end they choose a platinum cathedral ring with a round brilliant and little diamonds around the band.

It's one of the more expensive ones but Archie is more than ready to pay the amount. He also gets a little dark blue velvet box where he will put the ring in. Ben seems very satisfied with their decision.

He can't stop giggling.

"Do you think mommy will like it?"

"Yeah" Ben nods "it's so shiny and pretty"

"I think we did a good job" Archie chuckles.

"Me too!"

•••

When Ben and Archie get back home, Veronica and Ella are back too. They sit on the floor in Ella's room and play. Veronica has one hand on her bump. In the other she holds a tiny tea cup. She smiles when she sees the boys walking in.

"Hi mommy!" Ben grins. He wraps his arms around her neck and places a sloppy little kiss on her cheek.

"Hi love and hi other love" she smiles and holds her hand towards Archie. He takes it, kisses her knuckles and then leans down to kiss her lips. "Hi baby"

"Daddy!" Ella says loudly and crosses her arms in front of her chest. "We're in the middle of a tea party. No boys allowed!"

"I'm sorry Ella. Benny and I will leave in a second"

Archie turns to Veronica and runs his thumb oder her cheek. "Is this comfortable?" he asks and points to the pillow she sits on.

"Well actually my back hurts a little. Can you help me up?"

"Sure" he chuckles.

"No mommy we have to finish our tea party!" Ella whines.

"We will let me just sit down in that chair over there" she says while Archie pulls her up. He waits until she sits before he quickly leaves with Benny. The little boy giggles but covers his mouth to hide it.

"Come with me" Archie whispers and walks into the bedroom. Ben reaches for his hand and follows.

"I need to put on something nice before I ask mommy. Can you help me choose?"

The boy nods and opens the closet. He takes a step back, puts his hands on his hips and stares at all the clothes inside.

"I want to wear a dress shirt but which one? Black, white, light blue or dark blue?"

"Light blue" Ben says and nods.

"Tie or no tie?"

"Tie! Mommy once told me she thinks you look really handsome with a tie"

"Okay" Archie grins and pulls his shirt over his head. He tosses it on to the bed before he takes the dress shirt out of closet and puts it on. Ben stares at him while he ties his tie.

"Daddy how do you tie a tie?"

"I'll show you another time okay Bud?" Archie runs his fingers through his hair and then kneels down on the floor in front of his son.

"Do I look good?"

"Yeah" Ben grins.

Archie nods and wipes his sweaty palms over his pants.

"Are you okay Daddy?"

"Yes I'm just a little nervous"

"Why?"

"Because I'm about to propose to mommy. I want to show her how much I love her. What if she says no?"

"But why should she say no?" Ben asks and lifts his shoulder and hands into the air. "Mommy loves you and people who love each other get married"

"I guess you're right" Archie smiles. "Come down stairs with me so we can prepare"

They put candles and rose petals everywhere. On the coffee table there is a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Archie pulls the little box with the ring in it out of his pocket and looks at it one more time. It's a really beautiful ring. The fact he chose it with Ben together makes it even more special.

"Are you ready Daddy?" Ben whispers super quietly.

"Yeah" Archie nods, whispering back. "Go to Ella's room and tell mommy to come to me and then stay with Ella and tell her"

"Okay" the little boy grins and runs upstairs.