Chapter Ten
"Fall's coming fast." Jughead said as they were walking slowly through Pickens Park, Betty messing with the camera that hung around her neck. Jughead carried her tripod she was loaning him in one hand and his video camera in the other with a duffle bag slung over his back.
"I forgot how gorgeous it was here. Being surrounded by Eversgreen and Fox forests, it's like a Bob Ross painting come to life." Jughead smiled over at Betty as they approached the clearing overlooking Sweetwater River that Archie had pointed out, "This is so pretty! I can't wait! Do you know when they are going to be here?"
"He sent me a text about twenty minutes ago and they were wrapping up breakfast at her favorite cafe, so it shouldn't be much longer. I guess we should find a hiding spot and get set up." She followed him to a cluster of bushes that would be thick enough to hide them from view and held his camera as he set the tripod up, then went and stood in the clearing so Jughead could get the camera in focus before they showed up.
"Alright bring me the bag!" Betty called and he hurried to her, opening the duffle bag and helping her scatter the red and pink rose petals all over the ground. They made sure to leave an empty space where Archie and Veronica would be standing and Jughead took her hand, pulling her behind the bushes as Archie's truck pulled into the parking lot.
"Ready?" Betty turned her head at Jug's question as she took her lens cap off and smiled, blushing at his wink as they heard Veronica chatting with Archie. She scooted further into the bush and found a small opening devoid of leaves, just big enough for her lens to fit through as Jughead began recording.
"Archiekins, look at the rose petals!" Veronica said in awe as he turned to look at her, walking backwards and leading her to the little bare spot, "What's going on?" He stopped, taking both of her hands in his and Jughead smiled as he heard Betty's camera going to work.
"Veronica," Archie began, Jughead thankful that they were close enough that he would be able to get the audio clearly, "I never thought that when I met you ten years ago at Pop's we'd be here today still going strong, still just as crazy in love as ever. It's been a wild ride, Ronnie, and I wouldn't want to go back and change it. You have made me into a stronger person, a better person, and all I've been able to think about is a future with you."
"Oh, Archie." Veronica whispered as he let her hands go, hers moving to cover her mouth as she sniffled and blinked back tears. She let out a happy sob as he reached into the pocket of his black dress pants and pulled out the ring box and opened it, moving to his knee and taking her hand in his. Betty's camera clicked rapidly.
"Veronica Lodge, will you make me the happiest man in Riverdale, on Earth, and marry me?"
"Yes!" she choked out through a happy sob, Archie standing and scooping her up in his arms. She grabbed both sides of his face and kissed him firmly, Betty and Jughead looking at one another and smiling. She got a few pictures of Archie sliding the ring on before they made their presence known, Veronica running to Betty and throwing her arms around her.
"Oh V, I'm so happy for you."
Betty was able to get a few close up shots of the ring, some obligatory kissing photos with Veronica holding her hand up to show off the ring, and a few pictures of them kissing, embracing, or cuddled up together with the river in the background.
"I'll walk you to your car while they have some alone time together to soak up the bliss." Jughead offered and Betty thanked him, both of them looking back at the newly engaged couple before walking towards the parking lot.
"I'm so happy Archie asked me to come this morning." Betty said as she was packing her camera away in the well used and worn out camera bag, closing her trunk and turning to face Jughead.
"It was a special moment." he answered as he secured his video camera in one of the saddle bags on his bike that he had parked next to Betty, standing straight and tightening the long sleeved flannel shirt he had tied around his waist. He heard Betty's phone vibrate and watched as she read through the text, her face falling and she rubbed her forehead.
"Michael?"
"Yeah. We have a lunch date." she said softly and slid her phone back in her pocket, refusing to look up and make eye contact with Jughead.
"Betts?" he asked and heard her sniffle at the sound of her nickname, "Betty, what's wrong?"
"This is my last day here, Juggie." she answered and he cupped her face, tilting her head up to look at her, "I'm so sorry."
"Wait, what are you talking about?" His eyes widened in alarm and Betty reached up to grip his leather jacket.
"Michael said yesterday at dinner that we were packing up and heading back to New York this evening and that I could sell the house from there and come back long enough to sign the paperwork." She was sobbing now and Jughead pulled her against him, kissing the top of her head as he ran his hand up and down her back, "I don't want to go back but I'm so afraid of telling him no."
"Oh, Betty." he sighed, tilting her head back and quieting her sobs with his lips, "We'll think of something, I swear. Even if my guys and I have to come up there and get you, we will think of something."
"I'm gonna miss you so bad, Jughead Jones." she whispered as she rested her hands on the back of his neck.
"I'm gonna miss you too, Betty Cooper." With that he gave her one more kiss, backing her against the car and wrapping her up in his arms. If he could freeze this moment in time he would, where she was right here in his arms and safe from whatever unknown danger that shadowed Michael.
"How was your photoshoot this morning?" Michael asked as he cut into his grilled chicken, Betty pushing her salad greens around on her plate and taking a small bite.
"It went well. I need to sort through them and finish them up so I can send them out." she answered softly as she sat her fork down and looked outside the window at Riverdale.
She didn't want to leave. For the first time, in a very long time, she felt like she belonged somewhere. She could feel the roots of her past taking firm hold of her and she didn't mind. She didn't want them letting go.
"I'm so ready to get us back home, I hate this insufferable town. I see why your mom sent you to live with relatives. You'd be an absolute nothing if you stayed, not that a photographer is much better. At least it's something, even if it's embarrassing."
Archie's faced flashed through her head, then Veronica, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Toni, and….Jughead. Oh, Jughead Jones. She reached up and lightly touched her lips where she could still feel the ghost of his kiss and tears pricked at her eyes.
"I have a lot to do when we get back so we can't stay here and wait for that house to sell."
No…
She felt the ball of anxiety in her chest expand to the pit of her stomach, her heart racing and she'd rather die then face his anger and wrath. She swallowed hard and knotted her hands in her lap, feeling her nails pressing into the palms of her hands as they shook. She was afraid to do this.
But she couldn't put it off any longer.
"We'll pack and head out as soon we finish here."
"I can't." she said, her voice cracked as she turned to look at him. His dark eyes looked up at her and narrowed, Michael setting his silverware down quietly. His fingers threaded together and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and resting his mouth on his hands.
"What do you mean, you can't?" His voice was almost a snarl and dangerously quiet.
Please God let a public setting stop him.
"I can't...I won't leave Riverdale. This is my home, this is where I belong. I am finding myself here and I can't go back to New York, Michael. I won't. I have friends here, I have...I have a future here and I have happiness here. I can't continue being perfect for you and the press. I won't do it anymore."
"You're making a grave mistake, Elizabeth."
She swallowed hard as she reached down and gripped the edge of the chair, tears breaking free and rolling down her cheeks as his ice cold glare never left her.
"Do you want to rethink this insane decision?"
"So she's gone? Just like that?" Toni asked as she poured Jughead a glass of Jack Daniels and pushed it to him, Sweet Pea and Fangs taking shots and sitting on bar stools on either side of him.
"So let's go get her!" Fangs said and Sweet Pea agreed, Jughead shaking his head before downing the glass, the amber liquid burning in his throat the whole way down.
"I want to wait until we can locate Black Hat and dig up more dirt on this guy before we go in there completely unprepared. We don't know much of anything about this guy."
"I'll get a hold of Bloodhound for you, see if I can speed up his tracking." Toni offered as Jughead held his glass out, Toni taking the hint and filling the glass again.
"You know," he said and downed the second glass, "She was a really fucking good kisser."
"Alright, Jones." Sweet Pea said and smacked him on the back, Toni glancing behind Jughead towards the door to the bar, then back down at him.
"Oh yeah? Well, I wouldn't live in the past for very long."
"Huh?"
"Turn the hell around, Jughead." Toni ordered. He looked back over his shoulder, doing a double take as the group of Serpents hanging by the door moved out of the way and Betty stood at the entrance to the packed bar, her eyes looking for him in the crowd.
"Betty!" he called over the music, the blonde's attention snapping to the bar and her face lighting up as she saw him. He pushed out of his seat and she hurried to him, Jughead taking her into his arms and the force of their impact spinning them and nearly knocking him over, "How? I thought you were leaving!"
"I did it, Jughead. I told him no. I told him I was staying, I did it!" she shouted through happy sobs, Sweet Pea and Fangs rushing over to them and taking their turn hugging her.
"You're here! Jug said you were leaving."
"I'm free!" With that she held up her empty hand, Toni walking over with a glass of Snake Bite for Betty and two tequila shots on a tray, two pool cues in the other hand.
"Sweets, I think it's time for a rematch." Betty smiled and she and Sweet Pea downed the shots, both of them taking the pool cues and Betty grabbing her drink. Before she could walk to the pool table Jughead grabbed her around the waist with one hand, pulling her into a firm kiss and feeling her smile against him.
"I'm so glad you're here. Now go have fun, I'll be right here if you need me."
"Bar's closed!" Jughead's voice boomed over the loud crowd, people groaning and starting to stumble out of the bar. Toni stood at the door with her fishbowl taking keys from Serpents who were too intoxicated to drive home, most of them walking and some climbing into taxis or Uber's that were already waiting outside. When the last one filed out he waved goodbye to Toni and she grabbed her messenger bag, walking outside and Jughead locking the door after her. He turned to see Betty sitting on one of the pool tables, her legs crossed as she watched him move towards her.
"Glad you're not drunk tonight." he said with a smirk as he stood in front of her and placed his hands on her legs, Betty uncrossing them and spreading them. She took hold of his jacket and pulled him to stand between them, Jughead sliding his arms around her and burying his face in her neck.
"I wanted to enjoy and remember my first night of freedom in eight years." she whispered softly and tilted her head to the side as Jughead slowly kissed the tender skin up to her ear, nipping her earlobe before peppering kisses along her jawline. She turned her head and captured his lips, moving her hands to tangle her fingers in his hair as his hands slid up her back underneath his shirt. His mouth moved with hers in a deep, heated kiss, his tongue gaining entrance and sliding against hers. She moaned softly and wrapped her legs around his waist, her body feeling like fire and her head spinning as the kiss broke.
"Take me home, Juggie." she whispered softly as they both panted for breath, Jug smiling and nipping her bottom lip.
"Let's go."
A/N: So let me know what you guys think! And stay tuned, next chapter will warrant the M rating! Thank you, lovelies. Your amazing reviews keep me going and let me know that people are actually enjoying this!