As I thought about the impending future I knew that there were two decisions that I needed to make: how to propose, and what to do with the Serpents. If everything went according to plan, Betty and I would be living in Virginia which left the group wide open. Before the party, I pulled Cheryl and Toni aside.
"What's up Jug?" Toni asked curiously.
"Since it seems you're going to Virginia, and if Betty agrees to marry me, we will be too, we need new leadership. I think it's time to pass the gauntlet."
"I agree," Cheryl said. "I'm guessing you have somebody in mind."
"I was thinking Jellybean. She's going to stay in Riverdale for the unforeseeable future. She cares about the Serpents, and she's blood."
"Normally I'm opposed to nepotism," Cheryl crossed her arms looking me up and down. "But I think that's a good choice."
"Okay, we can make the announcement at the party. I'll see you in a few hours."
Cheryl nodded and then with Toni in tow left. Betty was getting ready at Veronica's, so I was alone to prepare my speech. I paced the bedroom stringing together sentences trying to concoct the perfect auditory combination. Then I showered and got ready, still trying to figure it out. As I slipped on my gray flannel and leather jacket, I sighed. Then I pulled the beanie over my head hair. I checked out my reflection, put on my jacket, and headed to Serpentum.
As I entered, I couldn't help but think that Veronica really outdid herself. The bar almost looked like an upscale Manhattan hangout. She had clearly called in a professional decorator because every table was decorated in heavy Serpent green tablecloths. A banner hung over the bar with the words "Congratulations all" in silver but on each corner the crest from each of our prospective schools. She had set up an alcohol-free refreshment table for the 'minors' but mainly for her, and in the back corner there were four cakes. The fondant matched the colors of the schools. If it wasn't Veronica I would say she went overboard, but the purpose of this party was to celebrate several different events.
I hooked my phone up to the computer and put it on a playlist with a mix that fit both graduation and the love of friends and family and waited for everybody to show up. I stood on stage surveying the crowd and then Betty arrived with Veronica. Veronica wore a classic black dress with her pearls and the Serpents jacket which was the most out of place I'd seen but somehow it fit her. But Betty…I already knew she was beautiful but as she came towards me, hair curled and loose framing her face, green eyes with makeup to make them pop and an lavender fitted dress that flared out at the hips, I was speechless. Every word in my vocabulary disappeared. And the berry color on her lips…just wow. The topper of course; the Serpents jacket which she wore so well. If this was a movie, she would have some eighties song playing and she and Veronica would have moved in slow motion.
Considering I had no words, I resorted to kissing her.
"Hey," She smiled. "Veronica did a good job, huh?"
"Yeah she did. I don't think I've ever seen this place look livable."
As soon as the rest of the family arrived, Veronica took the stage with Archie. Betty and I stood in the front with the rest of our family and the Serpents we had become closest to. Hand on her stomach, Veronica took a deep breath, grabbed the microphone and spoke.
"Hello!" She smiled at the crowd. "Welcome, and congratulations to our high school graduate and valedictorian, Jellybean Jones. We've got a lot to celebrate today." The crowd cheered and then calmed down. "First of all, you guys are safe. And alive, and here to party!" This time they cheered even louder. "But we've got something serious to announce. In about six months, you'll be welcoming your newest member; Fred Pendelton Hiram Andrews." After scanning the crowd and mainly finding confusion, she spoke again. "Guys, I'm pregnant!"
There it was. The bar erupted with applause and cheers as Veronica and archie grinned. I stepped up, and snapped a photo of the happy couple, and then I took the stage. Alone. This was it. I hadn't written a speech and I had no idea what to say. But Veronica was right. I was best when I didn't know what I was going to say. Veronica handed me the microphone with a wink. I took it in my hands and inhaled before addressing the crowd.
"I think I can say I speak for everybody when I say congratulations." I nodded towards the couple and then looked out at the congregation. It occurred to me how many friends I had gained in the years and then I knew where to start. "Wow, it's so great to be surrounded by so many friends. Betty here can probably remember a speech I gave her in Archie's garage sophomore year. About how I only had her and Archie. Now I have all of you. Betty, will you come up here for a second?" She shot me a confused look but climbed up onto the stage. I grabbed her hand. "We've been through a lot. We've made friends and lost friends, suffered losses, and even survived long-distance."
"Yes we have," She said softly.
"Do you remember a promise that I made back Labor Day weekend? I told you that you were my queen in the Serpents and in life. I love you more than anything. You gave me a family before I got mine back and I will never forget that. I've been thinking a lot about that promise and I think I'd like to make it official."
Here it was, the moment that I'd been waiting for. I fumbled in my jacket and pulled out the ring box, then sank down to one knee. I popped the lid open, and held it up to her.
"Yes," She answered.
"Wait I didn't ask you." I frowned.
"Well the answer is yes."
I slipped the ring on her finger and stood up. She kissed me passionately, to the point where neither of us could breathe.
"How do you feel about Virginia?" She basically yelled over the cheers. Whether it was for that almost rated R kiss or the actual proposal I wasn't sure.
"Betty, I don't care where I am as long as you're there." I answered. I kissed her again "But we have one more thing to do. Why don't you get us some drinks to celebrate?" I whispered in her ear. She grinned and then nodded before stepping down. I lifted my arm to silence the crowd. "Yeah, there's a lot to celebrate but with the good news comes change. I am stepping down as your king and after some careful consideration I've found your successor."
As expected I received noises of confusion and some of outrage. Cheryl and Toni took the stage along with my dad and Alice. The confusion grew with the group but they seemed to be hanging on every word. We waited until it was silent, and then I called up my sister. She stepped up furrowing her brows in confusion then looked tentatively at the family.
"Jellybean," I slung an arm around her shoulder. "You care about the Serpents and fought for them. Do you accept?"
"Hell yeah!" She exclaimed with a grin.
"Then let's put it to a vote. All those in favor?"
Almost unanimously the whole bar raised their hands, even the non-members from school who had come to celebrate their own graduation. Jellybean shrugged on her jacket and grinned at the crowd. I stepped down and met Betty in the corner. She handed me a champagne flute and leaned up to kiss me on the cheek. We toasted and helped ourselves to cake then found a table in the deep corner.
"So how do you feel about an intimate ceremony at the end of summer before I officially start with the bureau? Betty Jones…it has a ring to it."
"I'm glad we're on the same page." I smiled. "I was thinking…the Lincoln Memorial?"
"Wherever you want." She held her hand out admiring the ring. "But first, Veronica's wedding, and now that she's announced her pregnancy, they moved it up to next week. She wants to be able to fit in her dress."
"Alright. But let's just revel in the moment. A lot has happened tonight."
It was true. Jellybean was the new queen and I knew she had a big job ahead of her. I had managed to keep them legit, but would she? All I knew was that she loved the Serpents. With Veronica's wedding just around the corner, I wanted to savor a night of revelry. To celebrate with friends, and we did. Eventually Veronica and Archie joined us, but not for long. About an hour in Veronica yawned and called it a night. Archie followed her leaving us alone. The party raged on around us, but I was pulled in by the green in Betty's eyes. I hardly heard the music and as the night died down, we were soon the only people left in the bar. I glanced at my phone checking the time, and we went home, falling blissfully asleep in each other's arms.
AN Alright, there it is. We have two weddings to write, and then we'll be done. Thank you for following me, and for reading along. I greatly appreciate the support I've received. Ya'll are absolutely AWESOME.