I gave Fred and Archie a small smile as they hauled Christmas Tree into the living room, Owen dancing happily in Ivan's arms as the evergreen was deposited in the corner of the room. "Thanks, guys." I said, fishing some money out of my pocket and handing it to Fred.
"No problem." He said. "I heard about the will reading. Are you ok?" My face fell a little as I nodded.
"Yeah, it went as expected." I sighed. "Everything was left to Paris and me, we can split it however we see fit."
"Remember, Lia, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
"Of course, Fred." The older man gently squeezed my shoulder and headed off.
"See you at the Secret Santa." Archie added, jogging after his dad and closing the door behind him.
"Ok, everyone." Paris called as they descended the stairs with a box of Christmas decorations in their arms. "Time to decorate!" They set it on the coffee table as Ivan set his son down. Owen dashed over to the box and started to dig through the box. Slowly but surely, over the next 2 hours, we decorated the tree, with Own having the privilege of setting the star on top.
"Santa will bring us presents, right?" Owen asked cheerily.
"Of course buddy." Ivan said, ruffling his son's hair.
"Hey, Owen?" Paris questioned, kneeling in front of him. "Do you wanna go get your presents for Aunty Lia?"
"Ok Bibi!" Owen cheered before running off.
"Seriously?" I questioned.
"He insisted." Ivan told me, heading upstairs as well.
"We made sure to get you presents." Paris said. "You're family, of course, we'd get something for you." I smiled at my sibling. "I also have to ask about…" Paris picked up a present wrapped in black, rose-printed paper. "This has been hiding in the top cabinet where Dad hid the good liquor." I reached out and snatched the box from Paris, tucking it under my arm. "Who is that for anyway? It's heavy as hell." I sighed, looking away.
"It's for Cheryl." I admitted softly. "I, uh, got it before I ended things." I moved the box in front of me and ran my fingers over the roses.
"What did you get the girl that has everything?"
"I got her a cherry blossom tea set." I scoffed lightly. "I'm sure Cheryl has a dozen tea sets at home, but they're all that gold-plated shit that her mother refused to let me touch in her presence…but I found it ironic when I saw it." A smile worked it's way onto my face. "I was lucky enough to nab her as my Secret Santa so…"
"Maybe it'll be a step towards getting back together?" Paris enquired, stepping towards me. I shook my head.
"No, no way. I may not be Serpent Queen but, it's still not safe for Cheryl and I to be together, you heard what the Black Hood said the other week? We're sinners, we're going to be punished, and I'm staving off her being hurt."
TIMESKIP
Later that week, I found myself sitting in the student lounge with Archie, Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Jughead, Josie…and Cheryl. Reggie didn't know what to get me, so he just got me cash, which I was fine with. "Cheryl, this one's yours." Kevin said, picking up the wrapped tea set and handing it to the redhead. Cheryl took it and flipped over the tag that held her name. She pressed her lips together and then looked up at me. I averted my gaze for a moment, and then returned to watching Cheryl as I heard the tearing of wrapping paper. She pushed the wrapper off and then lifted the lid of the pink box. Cheryl reached in and picked up one of the glass teacups, turning it slowly in her red-painted fingers.
"Oh that's gorgeous." Betty said.
"Don't you have like a million tea sets?" Reggie asked.
"If you recall, Thornhill burnt down." Cheryl snapped at him. "We lost a lot of things." She then turned to me. "Thank you, Lia." She said gently, putting the teacup back in the box and setting the lid back on it.
"Veronica, it's your turn." Kevin spoke up, prompting the ravenette to pick up the envelope on the table and open it. Her eyes widened a fraction.
"Oh, a gift certificate for a couples massage…" She read. "Thanks, Josie."
"You can go with Betty." The singer prompted. "Or Lia. Or your mum."
"Or I can go with your mum." Reggie but in. I kicked the boy's leg for him to shut up.
"Dear god can we please get this torture over with." Cheryl groaned.
"Betty, you're next, and mercifully, last." Kevin said.
"Well, I think I know who picked my name, based on these wrapping skills." Betty chuckled. Betty opened it and smiled. "Archie…"
"My dad and I were cleaning out the garage, and I found it." Archie told her.
"Swiss Family Robinson?" Veronica read off the cover when Betty turned it around.
"Yeah, it's this old read-along record we used to listen to when we were like, five." Betty revealed. "Oh my god…I love it Arch, thank you."
"Hey, Merry Christmas." A voice greeted. I turned and saw none other than Moose and Midge walk in. Everyone got up to greet them.
"I'm glad you're better, Moose." I said, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Hey, I uh, heard about your mum." He said softly. "I'm really sorry."
"It's ok." I assured. "You're all better, that's all that matters, don't go around getting shot again, ok?" Moose nodded. The bell rang, and that was the end of the school day. It was a half-day due to the holidays, so everyone was heading home. I approached my locker, my present from Kevin tucked underneath my arm. A signed photo of Natasha Negovanlis and Elise Bauman from their time on Carmilla. Kevin says that Natasha looks like me, but I don't see it. As I was opening my locker, I heard the familiar voice of Cheryl as she stepped up to me.
"Uh, Hi, Lia." Cheryl greeted softly. I glanced to her and then back to my things.
"What do you want, Cheryl?" I asked, putting my things away.
"I just wanted to thank you for the tea set, it's…lovely."
"I'm glad you like it." I closed my locker.
"Why won't you talk to me, Lia?" Cheryl asked, defeated.
"You know why, Cheryl." I said, turning away from her. "The Black Hood is a danger, a massive one too. I can't risk you getting hurt, if you did, my god I'd be devastated. Cheryl followed me out to my bike. "Until the Black Hood is dealt with, we have to be what the world see's us as." I threw my leg over my bike. "A Serpent and a Blossom, two people who should never, ever be associated with each other, ever." I started my bike and kicked up the stand. "See you, Blossom." I then revved the engine and peeled off. I headed to the Wyrm, and parked, heading in to see almost every surface laden with toys and wrapping paper. I hip-bumped Fangs out of the way with a smirk and started to wrap.
"What is all this?" Jughead asked as he entered a couple minutes later.
"It's Serpent Traditon." Toni revealed. "Every year, we give back to the Southside. Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels, kids and old folks living alone."
"The Hells Angels do it." Fangs piped up.
"I'm always down for charitable works. Hey, Lia, have you seen dad?"
"Why aren't you both in school?" FP's voice cut through the idle chatter of the bar. I sighed, looking at him as he ambled down the stairs with Tall Boy.
"We got a half-day." I revealed, taking a pair of scissors to curl some ribbon. "Teachers wanted us to relax a little before break."
"Well, in that case, Lia, you and Jug can hold down the fort here."
"Or, I could come with you guys." Jughead scurried after our father while I rolled my eyes.
"You good?" Toni asked, handing me another present.
"Yeah, he yanks the Serpent Queen title from me and gives me scraps." I muttered. "I'm doing peachy."
"I thought you didn't want the job?"
"Well I didn't, but if I was in a position to do good with the Northside, to…" I sighed. "So that we aren't seen as the bad guys. I was ready to do it."
"Sweet Pea, you're with us." FP said before he collected his gear and walked out with Tall Boy and Sweet Pea.
TIMESKIP
The next day, Jughead called Toni, Sweet Pea, Fangs, myself and a bunch of other younger serpents for a meeting. I sat leaning against my bike, watching my younger brother pace. "Penny Peabody has got my dad dealing drugs." He revealed, causing me to straighten a little. "I know this 'cause she had me doing it before him. Now, she's roped in Tall Boy and Sweet Pea."
"Man, if you're pissed because your old man taped me-" Sweet Pea started.
"No, Sweet Pea, I'm pissed because I don't want the Serpents to end up like the Ghoulies. And I doubt that any of you became Serpents just to be at the beck and call of a Drug Queenpin. I know where this ends. Death. Jail. Which is why, in the interest of self-preservation, we have to take out Penny."
"Snake Charmer's helped some of us." Sweet Pea revealed.
"Oh yeah? And what did she ask for in return, Sweet Pea?" Jughead rebutted. "How many favours? Now if we don't stop Penny tonight, she is going to get every single one of us in on this. I promise you, Sweet Pea. What I'm asking is, are you willing to risk your necks to save my dad's life?"
"I am." I agreed, almost instantly as I stood up properly. "I just got my sibling back, I'm not roping them, or their family into this nonsense. And…for Dad, too." Jughead turned to me at that. "Look, we're blood, I want to at least know him as a dad before he dies."
"What is the first law!?" Toni shouted as she stood.
"No Serpent stands alone." Sweet Pea replied, standing as well. "I'm in."
"Me too."
"Let's do this." Fangs stated, rising to his feet. The rest of the younger serpents did so as well, gathering around the lit bonfire, all making a silent vow to help us, the children of the Serpent King, protect him and save the Southside Serpents.
TIMESKIP
That night, the teen Serpents gathered once more to enact our plan. We waited in the shadows as Jughead knocked on the warehouse door where Penny was residing. "Penny." We heard him greet after the door creaked open. "Ho merry ho."
"Jughead Jones…" Penny sighed. "Nice…crowbar."
"This? I brought it in case I need to pry the door open." There was a clang as Jughead dropped the item.
"Are you gonna give me a hand with this stuff? Your dad'll be here in, like, what, fifteen? Twenty minutes? He probably won't be too happy to see you, huh?" Jughead turned and gestured to the Serpents. The Teen Serpents hurried down to meet him, all but me.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. Neither of us are gonna be here." Penny finally turned to see us all.
"Is this supposed to scare me?" Penny sighed. The Mask-Wearing Serpents advanced. "I would not do this if I were you. You are making a big mistake! Are you out of your mind!" A bag was shoved over Penny's head. She was hauled out of her warehouse and shoved into the back of a car. We drove out past the Riverdale border, crossed the bridge over the river and dumped Penny on the side of the road, headlights glaring at the blonde. I stood tall in front of the headlights, Jughead letting me take point for this. "Where am I?" Penny demanded.
"You, my dear, are in Greendale." I told her, crossing my arms and coking my hip out nonchalantly. "This is where you'll put down new roots Penny. But to be quite honest." I stepped forward and squat in front of the tattoo artist. "I really don't care where you live now, but if it's in Riverdale, you'll be chased out, again and again. You won't be a Serpent, and if we find out you're operating under our name, there'll be hell to pay. If you want to go around extorting people, selling drugs, fine, that's your business, I don't care, but when you decided to drag the Serpents and my dad into this, you caught my ire. You won't be doing that on the Southside anymore, it's under our protection."
"You stupid cocky kid." Penny chuckled mockingly. "Serpent Law says you can't hurt one of your own." Penny pulled her sleeve back to reveal the Serpent tattoo on her forearm. I sighed.
"I tried to let you off easy, Snake Charmer." I shrugged off my Serpent Jacket, offering it to someone. "Restrain her." Sweet Pea, Toni and Fangs grabbed her, forcing her arm out as Jughead took my jacket and handed me a knife, ignoring Penny's protests as I neared her. "That tattoo doesn't make you a Serpent." I said lowly. "It's the connections you make on the inside that make you one. And you've made none." My next actions were what I am to believe was one of the most disgusting and vile things I'd ever done in my life. I took the knife that I was given…and cut Penny Peabody's Serpent Tattoo off of her skin.
TIMESKIP
Paris, Ivan and Owen headed out for a little family dinner on Christmas Eve, which they invited me to, but I declined, saying they deserved to have some time for themselves. Jughead messaged me on the 'Scooby Doo' chat saying that the janitor of Riverdale High, Svenson, was the Black Hood. He cut off his finger and taunted Betty and Archie, and he was arrested. They tried to figure out why he had done it, but no one could figure out why. I wished them all well, but then stayed home, washing the blood of Penny Peabody off my hands. I didn't notice Paris or their family head home, but their car in the driveway let me know. I also didn't know how early it was when the blood in the sink turned from red to pink to clear. I looked up, and the sun was high over the horizon, and I knew that my family would be sleeping in. I heard a rapid knocking on my front door and my eyebrows pinched together at the sound, who would be here at this hour? Dad and Jughead were scheduled to come around lunch to have it with the rest of my family so that they could get to know each other better. I headed to the door and opened it, only to reveal a hastily dressed Cheryl, with tears running down her cheeks. "Cheryl?" I questioned softly. "What…?" Cheryl flung her arms around me. I wrapped an arm around her, and then tugged the front door closed.
"I'm so sorry Lia." Cheryl sobbed. "I know you said to stay away but I needed you, I need you right now, please, don't push me away again."
"I'm not." I said softly, holding Cheryl a little closer. "I…Cheryl, what happened?"
"It's my mother." Cheryl pulled away and looked up to me. I lifted my hand and wiped the black mascara marks that were running down her cheeks. "She's…she's turned our house into a brothel." My eyes widened.
"What…?"
"I can't be there anymore." Cheryl shook her head. "Please, don't make me go back there right now Lia."
"I won't, I won't." I assured. I kissed Cheryl's temple as she pressed close again. "I'm right here, Cheryl." I muttered against her skin. "I'm here now, I won't let you go again."