The Best & The Worst Of Us
First time in Riverdale for years, after taking a new name and taking the business world by storm. Grace Andrews crosses the town boarder yet again, with nowhere else to go, bring a storm with her. Finding solace in unlikely arms.
1
The last thing she wanted right now was to be out of New York. The business was booming and she had more clients then she knew what to do with. She was from Riverdale but that didn't mean, she was meant for Riverdale
Grace loved her hometown, it had been a great place to grow up but she also knew for most of her life, that there was a big wide world out there and Grace was made for it.
At twenty she took off, sad to leave everyone behind but excited for an adventure. She found it in New York, being a photographer's assistant and then a Stylist. The gorgeous and yet stressful life that she had longed for.
Now she was driving back, one handed. Trying to ignore the pain in her left wrist, driving as far away for where she just was.
Her older brother was out of hospital after being shot in Pop's. God, even that thought didn't make sense to her. Had the town changed so much?
It was the only place she could think of being right now. Maybe the only place she wanted to be? And that was saying a lot, for her at least.
Grace drove by the house but no one looked to be home, next stop had to be Pop's.
She found a parking spot close to the door and plastered a smile on her face as she pulled open the front door.
It was like time had stood still. Grace used to work there, once upon a time, briefly. Just to get enough money to get the hell out of dodge. A million memories flashed into her mind, all happy ones. Innocent and bright.
The smell of grease and sugar invaded her senses but she couldn't help but smile, just like everybody there couldn't help but silently and subtly notice her.
Every inch the city girl, although dressed casually, brown hair piled on top of her head but a face full of make-up. She had certainly learnt some tricks being surrounded by models for years.
"Aunt Gracie?"
She knew the voice behind her was not her nephew but also knew exactly who it was. She turned around and smiled at the now very tall, almost grown up dark haired kid that stood in front of her
"Oh my god, Jug" she didn't think twice before hugging him "Look at you"
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, I was looking for my brother"
"Not here but Archie should be here soon"
"Seems like I am in the right place then"
It didn't take long for Betty joined them in a booth, before Pop was practically was force feeding her and she was catching up on the gossip of Riverdale High. It hadn't changed much, expect for the names had changed, the antics not so much.
Cheryl Blossom sounded like a piece of work but Gracie knew enough not to judge a book by their surname.
Half a burger and Jughead stealing most of her fires later. Her nephew walked in the door. Followed by a dark hair girl that she had never met before and another brown haired boy.
She stood up out of the booth
"Oh my god" Archie yelled before jogging over to her, hugging her and picking Gracie up off the ground
"Hey Kiddo"
"Does Dad know that you're here?"
"No, it's a total surprise, even to me" she told him as he set her back on the floor
"Oh Aunt Gracie this is Ronnie, my girlfriend and Kevin"
"Girlfriend? Hi Ronnie"
Before Veronica could respond Kevin stepped forward and shook her hand with both of his. Eyes wide with wonder and admiration
"You're Grace Castille. I love everything you do"
Grace laughed sweetly
"Within the city limits I'm Gracie Andrews but very nice to meet you, Kevin"
"Your Aunt is Grace Castille? Why didn't you tell me this?" Veronica asked Archie playfully outrage
"I have no idea who that is"
"That dress you put Eva Randell in for the Met Ball last year, made her a household name"
"Well sometimes in a sea of everything edgy, you need to rock the pastel pink"
They all squeezed into one booth as Kevin and Veronica bombarded Gracie with questions, needing the VIP gossip. Where Archie was only focused on one thing.
"What happened to your hand?"
"Oh, this is a cautionary tale to when you pull up to a stop sign to actually, you know. Stop"
All the kids groaned
"Are you okay though?" Betty asked concerned
"Yeah, Honey. Sprained wrist, some whiplash and an airbag to the face but nothing that won't heal in a few days" Grace saw Pop's walking towards them "You kids had enough to eat?"
"Yeah"
"You sure?" They all agreed before she handed Pop's her credit card before Veronica saw it
"Oh, I miss my platinum life"
"Don't worry, Baby" Grace said wrapping her arm around Veronica "You'll get it back"
Veronica wrapped her arms around Grace's waist and snuggled in a little
"I like your aunt. She gets me"
Grace laughed before giving Veronica a cuddle back. Before looking back at Archie.
"I guess we better go find your dad"
"Might still be in the office"
"You wanna do me a favour and drive" she nodded toward the glass next to them "The black one"
The kids looked out the window
"The Maserati?" he asked
"Quattroporte"
"Can I go next?" Jug asked
"How about Jug takes it for a spin around the block? You two go and we'll stay here and I'll tell some more gossip?" she handed her keys to Archie, before stopping him "Don't to be stupid, use your head otherwise you will never drive one of my cars, ever again. Understood? Both of you?"
"Yes ma'am"
"Twenty minutes, Jug"
"Yes ma'am"
The two boys tore out of the diner and bolted towards the car. She heard the car rev and scream out of the parking lot.
Boys and Cars. It was universal.
#
Jughead stood in the Diner buzzing with adrenaline as FP walked up behind his son.
"Why are you levitating?"
"Dad! Dad! You will not believe what I just did"
"Okay, breathe"
"I drove a Maserati"
"A Maserati?"
"Yes!"
"Who has a Maserati in Riverdale?"
"Gracie" Jughead pointed out the window before FP watched her toss the car keys over the roof to Archie
"That's Gracie? She looks so much like her mom"
"Really?"
"Oh yeah. Their mom was from the Southside. She could handle a butterfly knife from the age of nine"
"Archie's grandma was Southside?"
"Ask anybody on our side of town and they will have a story about Rita Castille" FP chuckled "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, apparently"
FP got one final look at her before she hopped into the car and Archie revved the engine. He had the feeling that Fred had some sleepless nights ahead of him