"Did you miss me?" Hiram 'greeted' his wife.
Hermione turned, "You're here." She too was shocked.
Smithers was bringing in Hiram's bags. "Please handle that one with care", Hiram said. He was pertaining to a red luggage.
Smithers said, "I couldn't be any more happier that you are back, sir."
"Thank you. I hope my wife is as well." He was looking at her obviously meaning something else. Something deeper.
Hermione walked towards him. "Of course I am", she says with not the most genuineness. She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "How was your flight?"
"Tiring" he replied. "It was delayed and I had to change planes and so on. But I bought gifts. For you, both."
"You didn't have to."
Veronica wanted to be anywhere than be here in this Lodge reunion. She was happy her dad's back but a part of her still believes he was guilty for something. Both of her parents were probably hiding a lot of secrets from her. "If you guys don't mind, I'll be in my room."
"Veronica," Hermione tried to stop her. "Your dad just came in. Don't you want to-"
Hiram cut her. "It's okay. I'm a bit tired too. Why don't we all take a nap or something and we take brunch at Pop's?"
"Sounds good to me" Veronica replied then walked to her room.
Veronica spent the next 2 hours texting Archie and Betty. She explained the whole 'My dad is back and I can't believe it' to Archie and the 'Archie kind of asked me to be official. Again.' to Betty. She doesn't want anyone else to know about Hiram just yet.
She took a bath and got dressed. Then she heard knocks on her door as she was drying her hair. "Come in," she said.
It was Hiram. He too changed his clothes except it wasn't as formal as awhile ago. He was now wearing a sweatshirt matched with jeans. He looks ready for Pop's. "Hey," he said. "Are you ready? I'm hungry for some cheeseburgers."
"Yeah." Veronica now only realized how weird her father looked. His everyday wear in New York consisted of dress shirts and coats everyday. He didn't wear jeans or sweatshirts or even t-shirts.
Hiram noticed the look Veronica was giving him. "What? You don't like my sweatshirt?"
"No.. um" she laughed. "I just realized I never really saw you like this. Like a hometown-ey feel type."
His brows furrowed.
Veronica tried to explain. "I forgot that you're from here- that you grew up here." She bit her lip, unsure what Hiram wanted to hear. "I guess you were always the New Yorker to me."
He smiled. "It feels new to me as well. But I'm thrilled to be home."
Home. Riverdale became home to Veronica now. And her dad being part of her new Home, her new phase, is quite surreal. And scary.
"Is mom ready?" She was hungry as well.
"Yup."
...
They ordered onion rings, cheeseburgers, and some milkshakes. It was disturbing for Veronica to see how few the people are at Pop's now as compared to before. It gave her chills to realize Riverdale isn't really as safe. Well, she never really knew the safe safe Riverdale. But 1 bad incident was better than 2. Pop's, where everyone is supposed to be happy and eating and having fun, is now a place of uncertainty.
"Honey?" Hermione was talking to Veronica.
Veronica immediately snapped out of her thoughts. "Yeah?"
"Is everything alright? You seemed disturbed."
She tried to smile. "I was just thinking of school and work-schoolwork I mean."
Hiram knew something was going on. "Do you want to eat somewhere else?"
"What do you mean? We're in Riverdale. Pop's is the best place we've got."
That ended the conversation.
Hiram and Hermione talked about how the town has changed and other stuff Veronica didn't care about. She again was busy with her thoughts. Archie and she is happy with what they have but Fred is still in the hospital, his life on the line. She knows Archie is trying to be strong and trying so hard not to push everyone away. He pushed her away for quite a bit but now they're okay. She fears the day he will again. What if Fred doesn't wake up? What if he-I should not be thinking about this.
She was toying with the onion rings and Hiram and Hermione couldn't help but be bothered.
Hiram calls her attention. "Veronica-"
Just then her phone beeps.
She opens her phone to what others may say as the most wonderful news that has arrived to Riverdale this year.
It was Archie.
He's awake.
a/n: yep. i decided to wake Fred up. So that Varchie will be able to breathe a little bc i am tellin u there will be more to come. more. like betty. and hiram. now, i just want them to be cute and do cute couple stuff (if u guys want that, if not fine). so suggestions? I would love to hear from you so review please? Thanks xo YAY FRED'S AWAKE LET'S HOPE HE DOESN'T DIE IN SEASON 2
