You Can't Escape Destiny

Chapter Eight

" I guess I will see you tomorrow at work, then. " Veronica looked at Archie one last time before nodding her head. She took her purse in her hand and winced. She had completely forgotten about the burn she had on her hand. Archie saw the look on her face and held her hand. " What happened to your hand ? "

" Nothing, Archie. I burned it by making breakfast this morning but it's no big deal. It's a little burn, nothing serious. "

" How come I haven't seen it today ? I was with you the whole day. " He looked in her eyes, guilt in his eyes. Veronica took back her hand from Archie and backed away a little.

" Well, it's not like you were inspecting my hand and I guess I was so focused on other things that it made me forget about the pain. Plus, like I said, it's a little burn, nothing serious. It's okay. "

" Let me take care of that burn before you go pick up Liyah. "

" How would you know how to take care of that ? "

" Well, I'm no doctor but at the club, I've seen a few injuries on the kids when they first came in and believe it or not, burns were few. The kids didn't trust doctors, so I had to learn to take care of them. That's how we became so close and how I won their trust, I guess. I wanted them to have a shelter and they did. They do. They have turned their lives around and no more bad activities for them. I'm proud of them. " Veronica looked at him, surprised. She couldn't help but feel pride, hearing this. She always knew Archie was meant to do big things, even when he didn't believe in himself.

" And I'm proud of you. " Archie smiled shyly at his ex-girlfriend and held her hand again, softly.

" Thank you. Now, can I do something for your hand before you go pick up our daughter ? It'll only take a minute. I just have to bandage your hand with some gauze, so it stays dry and clean. "

" Okay. "

They were in the changing room again. Their shift was over, and nobody was there except for them so Veronica just agreed. They had a little pharmacy and Archie already seemed to know about that because he didn't have any trouble finding what he was looking for.

" I asked yesterday after the job interview when the boss showed me around. I mean, it's important to know where everything is. You might never know when you'll need it. "

" I'm not going to complain. It seems to me that you asked all the right questions and now, you're taking care of me. Who would have thought ? "

" After all the times you took care of me, it's the least I could do. " They looked into each other's eyes. " Here, all done. " Archie slowly let go of her hand, after checking one last time. " I guess that'll do for now, but please get checked out. It doesn't look bad, but we can never really know until you see a doctor. "

" I will. Thank you. " After cleaning and putting back everything at its place, the ex-couple leaved the changing rooms together and said goodbye to each other in front of the supermarket. " So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow. " She hesitated and then, took a deep breath before talking again. " Archie, look, now that you know the truth, we have to think about everything that it means for Liyah so please don't take this the wrong way but don't mess up. If what you're telling me at the end of the week doesn't feel right for me, I won't let you be a part of Liyah's life and it's not a punishment but what's necessary to protect my kid. "

" Our kid, Ronnie and I know. I'll do everything to protect her too. I didn't know about her until this morning, and I know how you must feel right now. You probably never meant to tell me the truth, I could see it on your face earlier, and I know you must not want me there too, but I will be. I want to be clear on that. You won't be able to eject me from her life. "

" You're not in her life yet, Archie. "

" But I will be. No way I'm walking away from this. Even if I must hire a lawyer for this. I have rights. " He saw the look on her face and immediately felt guilty, but he had to tell her this. " I'm not trying to hurt you, I know you must think this is unfair and you clearly don't trust me anymore, I get that, but I can be a good father to Liyah. I want to. "

" It's not about what you want, Archie. I know you can be a good father but it's about what's best for Liyah and right now, you are renting an apartment for a few months and then, you're going back to Riverdale. So, I'm asking you what happens when you meet Liyah ? We tell her you want to be her father and take care of her too but then, what ? What are your plans ? Are they going to change ? Are you planning on staying and leaving your life behind in Riverdale, after all ? Or are you planning to go back there ? Because let me tell you, Liyah won't set a foot in Riverdale. There's no negotiation for that. She lives here in New York. "

" I don't know yet about my plans but you're not being fair. Give me at least the benefice of the doubt. "

" Okay. Well, we'll see. I have to go, anyway. " Veronica looked at Archie one last time and left.

•••••

" That was delicious. Thank you for the meal. "

" You're welcome. "

" So, how is everyone back at home ? "

" Well, I think Fangs is about to propose to Kevin. " Josie looked at Reggie with a big smile on her face.

" Is that true ? What makes you say that ? " Reggie smiled.

" Well, Fangs told me. " He laughed. " I'm sorry, I'm not good at keeping secrets. I'm just so happy for them and I had to tell you. But it didn't happen yet. I think it's for the week. "

" Oh my god, I'm so happy to hear that. He didn't say anything last week. "

" I think he made that decision, during the week here. He was so happy when he told me. I was too. We also have Cheryl and Toni planning their wedding, but you already know that. Let me think .. What else is new ? "

" Well, what's new is that I had no idea Veronica lived here. I'm sad I didn't get to see her but I'm glad Archie decided to stay. I hope he gets her back. These two were always endgame. Even during the brief moment that I dated Archie, I could see it was only a matter of time before they got back together. He never stopped loving her, just like she never stopped loving him. "

" Yeah, you're right. When I was dating Veronica, I knew it was Archie that she loved. As soon as he got back, it was over. There was never even any competition. "

" I didn't know you dated her. "

" It was a long time ago and it didn't mean anything. " Josie looked at him, while biting her upper lip. Honestly, she was jealous, but she would never tell him that. It was ridiculous, she had no right to be. Reggie looked at her and saw the look on her face. He knew her and he could see it was upsetting her. He didn't want that. It was a long time ago and like he just told her, it didn't mean anything.

" Of course. " She got up from her chair and went to do the dishes to clear her mind. Reggie went behind her and put his arms around her.

" You don't need to be upset. We were just talking about how Archie and Veronica were meant to be, and just like I know you were never in love with him, you have to know I was never in love with her either. I really didn't say that to make you upset. That would be foolish, considering how I want you and only you. " He took her hands and put the dishes in the sink, before turning her around. " I love you. I never stopped loving you, Josie and I'm serious. I missed you so damn much, I want us to start over. "

" I love you too, Reggie. I never stopped loving you. But do you really think it could work this time ? "

Reggie smiled, happy.

" I promise you it will work. We are adults now and we can make this work. So, what do you say, baby? Are you ready to give me a second chance ? "

" You said we'd see how it goes during these few days together and not even a few hours later, you succeed in making me say yes. How do you that ? "

" Well, what can I say ? I'm good that way. " They both laughed.

" I'm scared, I don't see how we're going to make it but you're worth it. We are worth it, so yes, let's try this. "

" No, not let's try this. You have to say let's do this, because it's going to work, you'll see. "

Without waiting for her answer, Reggie finally did what he wanted to do since he saw her again. He kissed Josie and it felt like he was finally home again. He couldn't believe he finally had her in his arms after all these years, but he was not going to mess up again. This time, he knew they would work because she was always meant to be his. He had known this since he had met her in high school, but they were teenagers, back then. Now, they were ready.

•••••

" What's up with you, man ? Since you came back home, you barely talked. How was your first day with Veronica ? You didn't say anything about it. Was it that bad ? "

" No, not really. I mean, yes, kinda. I don't know exactly. " Jughead looked at Archie, with a raised eyebrow.

" What are you saying, exactly ? "

" I … We … We have a child, Jug. " Wow, Jughead definitely didn't expect that. He looked at his best friend, with big eyes and then, a smile slowly appeared.

" Congratulations ? I mean, it is congratulations, right ? " Archie finally smiled.

" Yes, it is congratulations. I'm so happy but Jug … " He sighed, sadly. " I'm also so sad and … pissed at Ronnie for not telling me. I get that she was mad at me for what happened between me and Betty but … Come on, she left without telling me she was pregnant and that's not fair. I missed the first years of my kid. She should've told me. I don't want my daughter to think that I left her on purpose, you know? I don't want her to think I didn't love her. I just … " He gulped down nervously and tried to stop himself for crying. After a few seconds, he looked at his best friend, with tears in his eyes. " She is so beautiful, Jug. She's just … perfect. She has Ronnie's raven hair and my eyes … and my smile too. And she's turning five soon … " Tears ran down his cheeks " I missed so much. "

" She, huh ? So, you have a daughter ? "

" Yes. Liyah Valentina. And she looks perfect. "

" Congratulations, Archie. Look, I understand how this must be for you right now. This is hard, I get it, but it's okay, you still can be her father and teach her so many years. You can see her growing up, be there for her. It's not over. You can still do these things. "

" I know. I said to Ronnie that I'm not going anywhere. I want to be in her life, in their lives but .. I just don't know what to do. Am I supposed to leave Riverdale ? Am I supposed to live here and leave all of you behind ? I don't want to spend another moment away from them, but at the same time, I've built so much in Riverdale. I know it's not much for people but these kids, they mean the world to me and I want to help them. I don't want to leave them like that. They've accomplished so much already. They have found a shelter at my club and most of all, they've turned their lives around, they've become such good kids, like I knew they would. "

" Of course, I understand. What you did is amazing, and your father would've been so proud. " Jughead put his arm around Archie's shoulders and looked at him with proud eyes. " I know I am and I'm your best friend since we were kids. I've seen you growing up, I've seen your evolution and trust me, there is no one else I'd rather be calling my brother than you because trust me, you are my brother. And no matter what you decide to do, if you decide to live here to be with your family, I'll support you. We all will. And you'll not be leaving us behind because it doesn't mean it's the end. We'll still be here, and we'll come back to see you. Come on, I'm an uncle now. You really think I'd let my little niece grow up without getting to know her ? Huh huh, now way. " Archie smiled and hugged Jughead with everything he had in him. This man was his brother too and he thanked his lucky stars every day to still have him in his life.

" Thank you, Jug. "

" You're welcome, bro. Now, come on, no more sappy moments. " They separated from each other, laughing. " You have to tell me everything you know about my niece. What are we going to do ? Do you still plan on getting back with Veronica ? How are you going to do that ? "

" I have no idea. All I know is that I can't go back in two months, like I'd planned. "

" Well, that's for sure. You can ask Munroe if he can stay a little longer and take care of the club but if he can't, I'll go in Riverdale to take care of it while you're here. I can still write and take care of your club. "

" I couldn't ask you to do that. "

" Well, you didn't. I offered so that's settled. "