Shout-outs: Guest, heatherkw, BookLover07, Alana, 5, 7thseven, gommette.b1002 and Nicole

Rated: T

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

.

Coda

He took the stairs two steps at a time and banged on the door, his heart beating out of his chest. He had dreamed of Betty loving him back his whole entire life. He had written countless novels where the sardonic loner wound up with the golden girl. He never expected it would become a reality, but he was standing on Polly's porch with black & white proof.

She loved him.

He didn't know what he was going to do.

For once in his life, he was at a loss for words.

She opened the door, her weary eyes lighting up when she saw him. Beatrice was perched on her hip and trying to stuff Goldfish in her aunt's mouth.

Betty shook her head and removed her Beatrice's hand from her lips. "Not now, Bee. Hi Jughead! How are you—?"

He held up the school newspaper. "Is it true?" he asked a little more loudly than he intended to.

"Is what true?" Betty asked.

"This!" He waved the newspaper, his voice cracking. "Is it true? Do you. Do you. . . do you love me?"

Betty lifted her chin and met his eyes. "You know I only report the facts, Jughead."

"Say it again. Say it again, out loud this time. Please." he whispered. "I-I read it but I-I need to hear it, Betty. I need to hear you say it!"

Betty put her empty hand on his face, she stroked his cheekbone with her thumb, her gaze never leaving his for a second and that's how he knew she was really telling the truth.

"Jughead Jones, I love you. I think I've always loved you. I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner. I am sorry that I made you wait for me this long. I was so embarrassed and I didn't want you to think I was just saying it because I had to or because you said it first—"He cut her off with his mouth, kissing her despite the squirming toddler between them.

"I love you too," he said.

Betty giggled. "I know."

"We've missed so much time," Jughead answered. "I need to make up for it. I think I'll say it a few times a day, every day for the rest of our lives."

Betty giggled. "Aren't you a romantic? How did I get so lucky?"

Jughead shook his head. "I've asked myself that every day since we met."

Betty blushed. "Stop it."

"It's true," Jughead answered. "I've loved you since then. I know I said it already but it's true and I never thought you'd love me back."

Betty smiled at him. "I did Juggie, I did."

He kissed her again, his heart was so full, he didn't know how to handle it. He didn't think he would ever know how.

But he was willing to try. He had finally gotten a happily ever after even though it had been through unconventional means.

He wasn't throwing it away for anything.

The End

.

Author's Note:
Thank you to everyone who stayed with me through this story and to all the people who joined us towards the end. I am thankful for all the kudos (Ao3) and for the reviews and favorites. You guys made this story worth writing. I hope you will join me on June 3rd for my next multi-chapter story. Until then, I hope you'll review this story one last time.

Until Next Time!

Love,

Holly, 5/21/2017