The late morning sun poured into the Lodge-Delort apartment, highlighting the elegant mix of Parisian and Riverdale-inspired decor. The living room exuded warmth with its velvet couches, family photos framed on the walls, and a soft rug where little Aaron was currently sprawled out on his tummy, gurgling happily.

Veronica Lodge stood in the open kitchen, her perfectly styled hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail as she arranged a platter of fruit and pastries. Gabriel Delort, ever the culinary perfectionist, was putting the finishing touches on a quiche Lorraine.

"I have to hand it to you," Veronica said, glancing at Gabriel over her shoulder. "You really do know your way around an oven. It's almost as if it's your only redeeming quality."

Gabriel turned from the counter, his green eyes twinkling with mischief. "Ah, my darling wife. Always so quick with the wit, yet you still can't tell the difference between rosemary and thyme."

Veronica gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her hip. "Excuse me, Monsieur Delort, but this 'wit' is what keeps your life interesting. Without me, you'd be lost."

"Lost?" Gabriel replied, setting the quiche down on the island and wiping his hands. "Without you, mon amour, I'd have far less chaos—but significantly less entertainment."

Veronica smirked, walking over to him with a playful sway in her step. "Oh, admit it. You love my chaos."

Gabriel leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "You're right. But only because it keeps me sharp."

"Sharp enough to survive me?" Veronica teased, their faces inches apart.

"Barely," he murmured, his lips brushing hers.

The sound of Aaron's giggle interrupted them, drawing their attention to the baby. He was on his back now, waving his tiny arms with a delighted squeal, as if he knew his parents' banter was purely an act.

Veronica laughed, stepping away from Gabriel. "Looks like we've been upstaged."

"By our own creation," Gabriel said, picking Aaron up and holding him high in the air. "What do you think, Aaron? Who's the real boss in this house?"

Aaron responded with a happy coo, and Veronica crossed her arms, grinning. "He gets that charm from me."

"Don't kid yourself," Gabriel said, kissing Aaron's forehead. "It's all me."

The doorbell rang, pulling them from their playful debate. Veronica straightened her blouse and glanced at Gabriel. "That'll be Briana."

Gabriel nodded, setting Aaron back down in his baby seat. "Ready to meet your big sister, little one?"

Veronica opened the door to find her daughter Briana standing on the porch, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. Beside her was Maya, her girlfriend, whose warm smile mirrored Briana's energy.

"Mom!" Briana exclaimed, throwing her arms around Veronica.

"Bri, sweetheart!" Veronica hugged her tightly before pulling back to look at her daughter. "You look amazing."

"You too, as always," Briana said, stepping aside so Maya could hug Veronica. "Mom, you remember Maya."

"Of course," Veronica said, embracing Maya. "It's so good to see you again."

Gabriel appeared behind Veronica, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. "And who is this beautiful young woman stealing my daughter's heart?"

Briana rolled her eyes with a grin. "Dad, you've met Maya."

Gabriel held out his hand, his French charm on full display. "Enchanté, Maya. Welcome back."

Maya laughed, shaking his hand. "Thank you, Mr. Delort."

"Gabriel," he corrected with a smile.

"Where's the little guy?" Briana asked, peering inside.

Veronica led them into the living room, where Aaron was lying on a play mat, surrounded by colorful toys. Briana gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

"Oh my god, he's so cute!" Briana knelt beside the baby, her eyes filling with emotion. "Hi, Aaron. I'm your big sister."

Aaron looked up at her, his big green eyes—so much like Gabriel's—blinking with curiosity. He let out a soft gurgle, and Briana's heart melted.

Maya crouched beside her, smiling down at Aaron. "He's absolutely precious. Look at those little cheeks."

Gabriel joined them, picking Aaron up and gently placing him in Briana's arms. "Careful. He's still figuring out how to hold his head up."

"I've got him," Briana said, cradling Aaron like a natural. "Hi, baby brother. You're so perfect."

Veronica sat beside them, watching with a hand over her heart. "You two look like you've known each other forever."

"I already love him," Briana said, her voice thick with emotion.

Aaron stared up at her, his tiny fingers reaching for her hair. Briana laughed, tears slipping down her cheeks. "He's going to be spoiled rotten."

"That's the plan," Veronica said with a grin.

The family spent the afternoon catching up over brunch, with Briana and Maya sharing stories about their recent trip to Santorini. Aaron alternated between napping and soaking up the attention from his big sister and Maya.

"So," Maya said, sipping her coffee, "how's life been with a baby in the house?"

Gabriel and Veronica exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.

"It's… different," Veronica admitted. "But in the best way."

Gabriel nodded. "There's no manual for it, but we're figuring it out as we go."

"You're amazing parents," Briana said, looking between them. "Aaron's lucky to have you."

Veronica reached for Gabriel's hand, squeezing it. "We're the lucky ones."

"And now he's lucky to have you, too," Gabriel said to Briana. "Big sisters are important."

Briana smiled, her gaze falling on Aaron, who was now fast asleep in his carrier. "I'm already planning to teach him everything. How to charm people, how to stand up for himself, and how to survive Mom's sass."

"Hey!" Veronica protested, laughing.

"Good luck," Gabriel said with a wink. "He'll need it."

As the sun set over Riverdale, the family gathered in the living room, the soft glow of the fireplace wrapping them in warmth. Veronica leaned against Gabriel, her head resting on his shoulder, while Briana and Maya sat together on the floor, watching Aaron sleep.

"This feels perfect," Briana said softly. "Like everything's exactly how it should be."

"It is," Veronica agreed, her voice full of love. "This is what life is about—family, love, and being together."

Gabriel kissed her forehead, his voice low. "And it only gets better from here."

As laughter filled the room and the family basked in the joy of their time together, Veronica and Gabriel knew that their love, which had weathered decades and grown stronger with every challenge, was the foundation of the beautiful life they had built. And with their children by their side, the future felt brighter than ever.