If it wasn't for the love of Veronica, Betty and I would not have been able to marry at our chosen venue. It turns out that people actually like to visit the memorial, so clearing it out and booking it cost a huge sum that would have taken years to save for. Veronica graciously donated the funds for the venue, but the rest was up to us. So we went as cheaply as possible. We had a few hours around sunset, and no seating. Instead we wanted the wedding to feel like a community; a place where our loved ones could congregate and celebrate us.

I woke up to sunlight streaming in. If it wasn't for Betty I wouldn't be caught dead in the extreme heat. It made it difficult to don the Serpents jacket, or the beanie which after a few minutes outside was drenched with sweat. I even had to cut my hair shorter. It still maintained a similar style, but I felt like I was finally growing up. I woke up the morning of the wedding and showered but as I stepped out into the humidity. Then I pulled on my suit. Archie knocked on the door wearing a similar suit, but instead of a tie, he wore a bowtie.

"You ready man?" He smiled.

I ran my fingers through my hair. Was I ready? I mean of course I was. I had loved Betty since we were fifteen, and been committed to her just as long. So what was a wedding except a formality. Even as Seniors there wasn't a scenario when I didn't want to be with her so I knew this was the right choice. And what I was feeling wasn't cold feet, because as I said, I was sure, but more like anticipation.

"Yeah, as ready as I'm gonna be." I smiled nervously. I was ready to be married, but not ready for the wedding, as weird as that sounds.

"Let's go."

Archie ordered us a town car to take us to the national mall and from there it was a slight walk. Then came the steps. In movies the Lincoln memorial looks like twenty, maybe thirty steps, but that's not how it was. From the reflective pool to the chamber there are a total of 87 steps, but we decided to meet halfway, which was 58 steps. There was no music to introduce the bridal party and groomsmen. They just climbed the steps, wearing charcoal strapless, short dresses. Archie walked with Veronica whos' style varied slightly from the other girls because her baby bump was very apparent. Then came Jellybean with Sweetpea, and finally, Cheryl with Toni, who switched roles this time. Toni stood next to Sweetpea, and Cheryl in all her fabulousness found her place next to Jellybean.

I waited, and distracted myself, looking at the sky, which was painted vividly in tangerine, fuchsia, yellow, and swirled with indigo. But the sky couldn't compare to the sight before me. Betty ascended the steps carrying a bouquet of pink roses with lilies, with FP by her side. She wore an almost ethereal pale pink dress which hugged her top half and flowed sweetly down to the floor. Her hair was half up, half down with a lily tucked strategically behind her ear. And whoever did her makeup needed to be tipped. It was almost like she was bare-faced but as she approached I noticed smudges of purple on her eyelid.

When FP And Betty made it to the designated spot, she hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek thanking him. He blushed slightly and went to join Alice in the crowd. It wasn't a small congregation but it wasn't huge, either. It was just the Serpents we were closest to, Betty's family, what was left of mine, and even Polly who had been transferred to a facility in Virginia so Betty could visit often and help her along with her progress. Of course, that meant that the doctors had to be there, too which kind of ruined the aesthetic, but I couldn't complain. Having her sister there made Betty happy.

As she climbed the last few steps to meet me, she smiled sweetly, and I wore the goofiest grin.

"Wow, you look gorgeous." I said.

"So do you," She smiled.

FP was also the officiate and I couldn't think of anybody better to do the job. After all, who better to bring together the former Serpent king and queen in matrimony than the former former king?

"So we all know why we're here." He smiled. "To get these two kids hitched." He looked at Betty lovingly. "So I'm not gonna go with that Bible crap. Speak your vows kids, and let's party."

We couldn't help but laugh at the lack of formality of it all. I took Betty's hand in mine and looked her in the eye.

"Betty," I started. "I remember a fight we had down in the bunker when you were so unsure of our future, but I wasn't. I knew there was no possibility of me having a future without you. And I'm glad I'm right. " I squeezed her hand softly. "I remember the first time that I told you I loved you. I was so nervous you wouldn't say it back because how could this perfect, girl-next-door type ever love the outcast like me. But you aren't the girl-next-door, and I'm not an outcast. We are both misfits in our own ways, and this is why I love you."

"I love you too," She mumbled.

"On paper, it wouldn't seem like we would fit, but here we are. A future FBI agent/gang queen, and crime novelist/gang king. We bring out the best in each other, and we've seen the worst of each other. We probably won't be as rich as Veronica, but I promise to always lend my mind when you're working through crimes. I promise to help you work through your dark side, and remind you of the goodness that you've brought into my life. And, when the time comes, I promise to be a good father, and read the Baxter Brothers and Tracy True to our children so they can grow up to be detectives like this. But most importantly, I promise to remind you to have fun when you get so wrapped up in your head. I love you, Betty Cooper."

One thing about the Lincoln memorial to both love and hate is the acoustics. We didn't need microphones, but anybody else passing by could hear everything that we said. It's not like we were talking dirty, but we did want a private, intimate affair. FP turned to Betty and nodded.

"Jughead," She smiled at me, and reached up to brush a stray hair from my face. "When we met, I was a completely different person. I was trying to live up to these parental and societal expectations of who everybody wanted me to be. Pretty, perfect, Betty Cooper. If it wasn't for you, I never would have discovered what happened to Polly. I never would have found love. And I never would have gotten over the life-long crush I had harbored towards Archie." She smiled at me, and then nodded at the redhead who returned the gesture. "When I showed you the darkness in me, you were the first person to speak up about the goodness in me. When I broke down, you comforted me. You are the most loving, forgiving person that I have ever met and I am so lucky to be here with you. I promise to be your editor when you need it. I promise to love you unconditionally and only judge you a little by how much you eat." She teased. If she would just stop talking I could kiss her. "But mostly I promise to balance you out. To be there when you need a moral compass, just like you were for me. And I can't wait to solve mysteries with you for the rest of my life."

"Alright, it's hot. We got the rings?" FP nodded.

Betty turned to Veronica and handed her the bouquet while accepting my wedding band. I pivoted to accept Betty's more delicate band. Then we faced each other again.

"Do you, Forsythe Pendleton Jones the third take Betty Cooper to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"Of course I do," I smiled at her.

"And Do you Betty—"

"Yes," She answered before he could finish his sentence.

Then we slipped the rings on each other's fingers and kissed. It was a kiss that defied description. It transcended butterflies and fireworks. It was sensual, passionate, loving, and ours. In that moment, there was nothing more important than us. Cheers erupted around us, and as we pulled apart, I smiled.

"Alright, you guys tied the knot. Let's eat!" FP pumped his fist in the air.

"Hear, hear!" I exclaimed

We had booked a local restaurant for the ceremony. And as we had our first dance, I couldn't help but focus on the lyrics and think about the journey.

Laughter tickles my tongue
A breathless chase has begun
I'm gonna let you in
Catch me I'm falling in love
Oh what have I done?

Love how you gamble your pride
Amazed how strong you are
You risk looking in my eyes
And let me melt your heart

I thought about what lead up to the first kiss. How she had just discovered that her sister had not in fact tried to commit suicide but was still pregnant. And yet, she didn't cry. She fought. She made a plan to break her out. I had climbed in the window to check on her, and there it was. The first of our many kisses. Of course she ruined the moment by remembering an important detail but that was just us. Remembering that first kiss, I tilted her head up and kissed her again.

Will you always
Chase me like this?
Will time and space
Leave when we kiss?

Curses burning my tongue
I'm wondering if you're enough
I promised forever
Am I a liar?
Love oh what have I done?

Then there was the time that she came to rescue me at Southside High because she didn't want me to feel alone, or isolate. I remembered stepping outside and explaining to her all that was going on. How supportive she was of me figuring out what the Serpents meant to me. How despite the 'we're-in-danger' kiss with Archie I still wanted her. And how amazing that night was after the confession.

Love how you gamble your pride
Amazed how strong you are
You risk looking in my eyes
And let me break your heart

Will you always
Chase me like this?
Will time and space
Leave when we kiss goodbye?

I thought of her desperation to look after me, how she engaged in the snake-dance, how she wanted to join the serpents, and how I had pushed her away. How she had pushed me away when her father threatened my life. How we had gotten back together but then with the looming threat of Penny, I just wanted to keep her safe. But nothing could keep us apart for too long. Our love was magnetic. We pulled towards each other without even trying. Our love of mysteries and accumulated lack of sleep made it impossible for us not to find each other. Growing up. often times when one of us couldn't sleep, the other would just find each other at Pop's.

I was divided
My heart was so confused
My heart's a liar
And I used to know the truth
I have decided
I'm gonna follow through
I'm wanna gamble and fall in love with you

I hear your heartbeat
You're singing to me

Will you always
Chase me like this?
Will time and space
Leave when we kiss?

And then there was the most painful part of our relationship. When Betty, for a fleeting moment thought that she was still in love with Archie. The kiss they shared in the garage during rehearsal, and then prom night. But after being apart for a couple nights, we reconvened. After the dinner, we closed the latch to the bunker, and we hashed it out. And from then, we were just fine.

And that was the journey. That was our life. And it was only going to get better. Did we expect that it was going to be smooth sailing? No. But did we know we would always go back to each other? Absolutely. Professing the love from our hearts in one of the most beautiful places and settings imaginable was proof of that. And it was just a formality. If we had gotten married in a courthouse it still would have been special. Because it was Betty Cooper…er…Jones, and me. Getting used to the name change would be a challenge, but I knew, as I held her, kissed her and celebrated the beginning of our lives together, that we would have forever to get used to it.

AN: Okay, so this is it. This is the final chapter. The happy ending...or at least happy beginning. I really enjoyed writing this, and may re-visit later. But the question I have to ask now is...would my few readers be interested in reading this from Betty's point of view? Or should I just leave it as is and pursue other plot ideas? Please, comment, let me know. Thank you for reading.

Also, the song is "Faith" by Lacey Sturm. I heard it and I thought it represented the couple very well.