Chapter One: Paint it Black

I was walking Betty home from Pop's. "I met the foster family. They seem nice."

"Juggie, I don't want you to go there. It will change things." Betty stopped and turned to me with a serious expression on her face.

I put my hand on her face, "Betty things have already changed." Then my cell phone rang. "Hello?"

"Jug, I need to talk to you."

"I thought you never wanted to see me again."

"Cut the shit Jughead. I need you to come see me. NOW." My dad hung up the phone.

"What was that about?" Betty reached out and put a hand on my shoulder.

"My dad wants to talk to me. Apparently it's important."

"What could he want?"

"No idea. Let's get you home before your mom sends out a search party." We finished walking to Betty's house hand in hand. We stood on the doorstep. "I'll call you and let you know what's up."

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

"I can handle it." I gave her a kiss. "I love you. Now go get some sleep."

"I love you too Jughead Jones." She gave me a big hug and a kiss. After the front door closed behind her I turned to walk to the police station. Butterflies awoke in the pit of my stomach. Last time I saw my dad he told me he never wanted to see me again. After everyone learned the truth about who Jason's killer was I assumed that he didn't actually mean that he never wanted to see me, but this surprise was definitely not a good one. My dad doesn't trade in small surprises; he's a go big or go home kind of guy. I stopped at the front door of the police station, my hands on the handles. I seriously contemplated turning around and going back to Archie's. I took a deep breath and pulled the door open and walked to the reception desk.

"Mr. Jones, are you here to see your father?"

"Yes."

"I'm afraid visiting hours are over." The middle aged woman had a stern expression on her face.

"Make an exception for Jughead." The Sheriff walked up behind the receptionist.

"Yes sir. I will call an officer to walk you back."

"Nonsense, Jughead come with me."

"Yes sir." I didn't want to say much to Sheriff Keller; last time we were in the same room together he accused me of murder.

"Your father has been a busy man tonight. Lots of visitors." He was trying to get information from me.

"Apparently he's got some loose ends to tie up."

"Well here you go Jughead. If you need anything just holler." Sheriff Keller unlocked the door, I walked through, and he locked it behind me. I walked down the row of cells; there were a couple of occupants, but I got to the last one and realised we weren't alone. There was another person on the outside of the bars. She was young, a little bit heavy, but otherwise pretty enough. She must be his lawyer.

"Jughead thank god you're here."

"What do you want dad?"

"I have a few things I need to tell you. I should have a long time ago, but I was waiting for the right time, and now I'm here." He took a deep breath. I looked closer he had been crying, his eyes were red, and he had dark circles under his eyes. "Jughead, your mom's never coming back to Riverdale. I signed her divorce papers a month ago."

"How could you not tell me." I screamed and hit the wall. The woman backed away.

"Let me finish," I turned to face him, my face felt hot, and my stomach was filled with rage. "I met someone." Then it clicked in my head. This woman was his girlfriend; my mom's replacement.

"And this is your girlfriend. Isn't she a little young for you?"

"JUGHEAD JONES YOU WILL LET ME FINISH." My dad didn't yell at me often, and when he did it was never good. "She's not my girlfriend she's my wife. We got married today so that you can stay out of foster care. Jughead meet Annalisa."

"You can call me Anna. Jughead I've been looking forward to meeting you. I just wish it was under better circumstances."

"I'm sorry I got angry it's not your fault." I extended my hand and Anna extended hers opening her jacket a little. Then I realised Anna wasn't fat she was pregnant. My dad saw the look on my face and interrupted the handshake.

"Anna can I have a moment with my son?"

"Of course I'll come and visit you in a couple days," she gave him a weak smile, "Jughead I'll wait for you in the lobby." She turned and walked out.

"Jughead come here." I walked toward my dad. "I'm sorry that you had to find out like this. I need you to take care of her. Please."

"Dad how could you not tell me that you were having another child?" He grabbed my hand through the bars.

"Jug, I wanted to tell you sooner. I needed to show you that I could change; that this time it was real. Then I ended up here. I know it's not fair, what I'm asking you to do, but that child is family and I need you to make sure that the baby, and Anna, stays safe. She's not like us Jug; she doesn't understand what's really out there. She's innocent."

"She's like Betty."

"Exactly son. She also lives in the Riverdale district; you won't have to transfer. I know this is big, but please."

"I'll make sure they're safe."

"Thanks Jug."