This is a long chapter ☺️

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"Mommy!" Ben yells as he runs up the stairs. He pushes the door to Ella's room open and breathes heavily. He never run upstairs so fast. "Mommy!"

"Yes?" Veronica giggles.

"Daddy needs you downstairs"

"With what?" Veronica asks as she slowly gets up. She places her hands on her bump and looks to her son so seems to be fine again.

"I don't know" he lies and shrugs.

"Well let me check. I wanted to get a glass of water anyway"

As soon as Veronica is out of Ella's room, Ben starts giggling. He grabs Ella's arm and pulls her close.

"Daddy is going to marry mommy" he whispers

"You're lying" Ella's says, rolling her eyes.

"No I'm not! Daddy and I bought a pretty ring. He will ask her to marry him"

"Really?!" Ella squeals. She grabs her brother's shoulders and shakes him.

"Yeah, come!" He says. He grabs her hand and pulls her to the stairs. They stop at the top and look down to Archie and Veronica.

"But be quiet" Ben whispers.

"What's up Arch— Oh my" Veronica breathes out when he walks into the living room. The rose petals, the candles, the flowers. It looks so beautiful, so romantic. A few tears form in her eyes. She has always been really emotional but the pregnancy makes her cry faster than ever before. "What is all this?"

"You'll see my love" he smiles and reaches his hand out to her.

"This is so romantic and you look very handsome Mr. Andrews. Did you do something? Is this a way of trying to apologize?"

"No" he chuckles and intertwines their fingers.

"I just want to tell you how much I love you. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. You and the kids but you're brought them into this world and will bring one more so you're the reason I even have my babies. You're so beautiful. Literally the most beautiful woman I have ever seem. You're also really hot" he smirks "You're kind and lovingly and sweet and such an amazing mom. The kids love you and I understand why. You made this family complete Ronnie. This our family. I know you're only 21 so I hope I don't overwhelm you when I say I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to kiss you every morning after we woke up and every evening before we go to bed. I want to hold you close and protect you and just love you with all my heart"

He takes a deep breath, lets go of her hands and keels down on one knee as he pulls the little box out of his pocket "Will you marry me Veronica?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she squeals. Tears roll down her cheeks as Archie puts the ring on her finger. It seems to take forever before he finally gets up and she can wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him like never before. It's a very long and passionate kiss but so loving and soft at the same time.

"Yaaaaay!" They can hear the twins squeals. They quickly run down the stairs. The sound of their little feet pattering over the floor sounds kinda funny. Veronica pulls away slowly with a giant smile on her face and a blush on her cheek. "I love you" she whispers as she places the hand with the diamond ring on his chest.

"I love you" Archie whispers back. He brushes a strand of her hair out of her face before he cups her cheeks and kisses her again but this time their kiss is interrupted quickly by a whimper of pain from Veronica. Her hands are on her stomach and she leans forward slightly.

"Ronnie are you okay"

"I think that was a contraction" she groans.

"What? But— But you're 38 weeks. You still have two weeks"

"I'm telling you Archie, your daughter wants to come now!"

"Okay— okay— okay" he says nervously. He's so overwhelmed that he already forgot that he just proposed to his girlfriend. "I'll call my parents, they take care of the twins and we—we— we two go to the hospital"

"Breathe daddy!" Ella says with wide eyes. She doesn't understand why her dad is nervous all of the sudden. She sits down on the couch and admires some of the rose petals.

"Why the hospital daddy?" Ben asks with a shaking voice. "Is mommy okay?"

"Yes bud" Archie smiles "the baby is coming"

Ben squeals. He jumps up and down and claps his hands.

"Ben you know how to call grandma right?" Archie asks.

"Yeah!"

"Tell her the baby is coming and she needs to pick you two up. Ella please blow out all the candles and Ronnie baby do you want to sit down or stand? Can I leave you for a second"

She nods "I'm okay"

Archie quickly runs upstairs and grabs the hospital bag. He runs back to the living room and almost trips over his own feet.

"Grandma said she'll be here in 10 minutes"

"Okay" Archie says. He takes a deep breath and places his hand on Veronica's back. "Mommy and I need to go. I trust you two. You're not little anymore. I will turn on the tv. You two sit on the couch and watch. No running, no climbing, nothing. Grandma has a key so you will not open the door for anyone, understood?"

"Yeah" the twins nod. They quickly sit down on the couch and turn on the tv. The colorful pictures distract them right away. Archie presses a kiss to the top of their hands before he takes Veronica's hand and walks her to the car.

The entire ride to the hospital he has his hand on her stomach.

"I'm scared Archie"

"You don't need to be, my love. I'm here with you"

"I'm not talking myself" she smiles "I did this before. I'm scared about Rosie. What if her heart is not strong enough"

"It will be Ronnie. Think positive. Our little girl is strong she will make it"

"Hopefully" she whispers quietly and squeezes Archie's hand tightly.

Once they arrive in the hospital they go straight into the delivery room. Archie doesn't let go of her hand. He brushes the raven hair out of her face and kisses her knuckles to support her. He hates that he can't take the pain away from her.

Every other minute Veronica looks over to a machine on her left, that records her daughter's heartbeat.

After 9 hours of labor Veronica finally hears the cry of her baby. She smiles relieved and leans back. Archie kisses her lips and then her hairline. He doesn't care that she's sweaty.

"She's here" the nurse smiles as she takes the crying girl into her arms. She grabs a towel before she places the baby on Veronica's chest and uses the towel to clean her a little. "She's here and she's fine"

"Oh thank god" Veronica breathes out. Tears roll down her cheeks as she holds her baby close to her chest. "Hi love. I'm your mommy"

Archie carefully runs his hand over his daughter's head. She has red curls. Her eyes are brown, like Veronica's. Her entire faces is Veronica's.

"Hi beautiful Rosie" Archie whispers. "Daddy loves you so much already"

The little girl looks at her dad. She stopped crying and now peacefully lies on her mother's chest. Her tiny fingers brush over Veronica's skin before she rests them on her chest.

"I'm so proud of you babe. You did amazing" Archie smiles. He cups Veronica's face and kisses her gently.

"Thank you"

Archie's gaze moves back to Rose. "She's so small"

"Yeah she is" Veronica giggles "Can you believe the twins were even smaller?"

"Smaller than this?"

"Yeah. Twins are always small" she giggles.

"Well" Archie smirks and kisses the top of the baby's head. "She will never grow up. She will stay this tiny for forever. She's daddy's little girl"

"Miss Lodge" one of the nurses interrupts "I'm so sorry but we have to take her to another room to check her heart"

"No my baby" she whines and holds the little girl closer to her.

"Miss Lodge, this is important. We will be back in a few minutes"

"Fine but I'm coming" she says and was about to get up but Archie holds her down. "You just gave birth honey, you can't. I'll go with her"

"Can her father stay with her?" she asks.

"Sure, he can come" the nurse smiles.

Veronica places a soft little kiss on the top of her daughter's head before she turns to Archie and carefully lies the girl down in his arms. Tears roll down her cheeks. The little girl begins to whine but quickly stops when Archie places his hand on her stomach. Her tiny hand wraps around his finger.

"Don't worry Ronnie. We'll be right back" Archie says and smiles softly. Veronica nods. She wipes her tears away and kisses the girl's head again before she leans back and watches how her new born baby is taken away. It reminds her of the day she had to give away the twins. It breaks her heart even though she has them back. Her hands start to shake and more tears run down her cheeks. Her heart beats faster and her breathing becomes heavier. She plays with her fingers.

It seems to take forever but finally the door opens and Archie walks back in with Rose in his arms. A doctor and a nurse follow.

"Baby what's wrong?" Archie asks as he lies the girl back in her mother's arms. She's dressed now. She wears the cute onesie Ella chose. Her daughter looks so adorable in the pink onesie with the little daisies.

"This was just like when I left Benny and Ella in front of that orphanage. I felt it again Archie. The pain. The greatest pain I've ever felt. I can't lose my baby again. I can't — I can't—" Her whole body now shakes. She's crying so much that she forgets to breathe.

"Hey shhhhh" Archie says and cups her face. "Shhhh, breathe. Deep breaths Ronnie"

His soft touch and the lovingly look in his eyes calm her. She feels safe. All the fear is gone. She takes a deep breath but tears continues to run down her cheeks. His thumbs wipe them away. "I'm here, it's all good. Your parents don't have a say in this anymore. This your life, well better our life and we will live it the way we want. No one will take anything away from us. Rosie is safe in your arms. She's fine. She's ours. Our little princess. Don't be scared. You will see her grow up. You will be with her when she takes her first steps or says her first word. You will sing lullabies to make her fall asleep and cuddle with her. I can tell you love, baby cuddles are the best. She's here, with us and no one will change that"

Veronica nods. Her breathing slowed down. She looks at the little girl in her arms and smiles. "I can't wait to see her grow up"

"Always remember, I'm with you no matter what. You don't have to do anything alone. I'll protect you"

"I love you" she whispers. Archie places his finger under her chin and kisses her lips softly. "I love you too"

"We really don't want to interrupt this but we have news" the doctor says with a little smirk on his lips and takes a step closer to the parents.

"Oh sure, we're so sorry" Veronica says but the doctor just smiles and shakes his head "no need to be. We checked your daughter's heart and the hole is still there but it's already smaller than it was a few weeks ago. It looks really good. Little Rosie doesn't have to take an medication but we will do monthly check ups. I'd say that hole is closed before her first birthday and then you will have a perfectly healthy baby"

"Oh thank god" Veronica says. She runs her thumb over her baby's forehead and smiles.

"We will give you more information tomorrow. Rest now Miss Lodge. Your daughter is fine. You have your husband by your side. There's nothing you need to worry about"

"I know. Thank you" she smiles. The doctor smiles back before he and the nurse walk out of the room.

"He called me your husband" Archie smirks.

"You will be soon"

"Mhm. I can't wait to call you my wife" he grins.

"I can't wait to be your wife"

Archie smirks. He kisses her lips a couple of times before he kicks off his shoes and changes quicker into his pjs than ever before.

Carefully lies down next to Veronica and his new born daughter. He slowly runs his fingers through the little red curls on her head. She stares at her dad with her big dark brown eyes. Her tiny hands lie on Veronica's chest.

"Hi love" he whispers. "You and I will be best friends. I can't wait for you to meet your siblings. They're really excited. Especially your brother".

Archie now softly runs his finger over her small hand. Rose grabs his finger and holds it firmly.

"You're such a beautiful little baby girl. You look just like your mommy but with my hair" he chuckles.

"I can't believe all my kids betrayed me. The twins have their father's hair and she does too"

"Well we can make another one. Maybe our next one will have your gorgeous raven hair"

"Archie I just gave birth. I do not want to think about having another baby right now or any time soon" she giggles. She carefully moves and lies her head on his chest. She enjoys the soft little kisses that he places on her head. His arms wrap around her waist. "You should sleep Ronnie"

"I don't want to let go of her"

"I understand love. But it's the middle of the night, you're tired, little Rosie is too. My parents and the twins will come in the morning to meet her. You have to sleep as much as possible because this little princess will wake us up a couple of times tonight"

"You're right" she sighs. "Give me just five more minutes"

"You can have 10 or 20. It's your decision Ronnie. I'm just giving advice" he chuckles. He begins to softly stroke his daughter's head while he presses kisses to Veronica's.

He still can't believe this is real, that he just witnessed the birth of his child. He never loved someone so unconditionally so fast.

Rose looks exactly like Veronica but with his hair. It's so red already. The little curls are adorable.

He can't wait for tomorrow when his littlest meets the twins and his parents.