Betty turned one way and then the other as she studied herself in mirror. She'd tried on several dresses already for Cheryl's wedding, but this royal blue dress had really caught her eye. The bodice was encrusted with jewels and the skirt went all the way to the floor with a slight bit of a train in the back. It looked every bit like a princess dress with the high collar and keyhole cutout in the back. There were even sown in pockets.
Betty had assumed Cheryl would pick out her maid of honor dress as was the usual custom for the bride, but as soon as they walked into the store, Cheryl told her to pick out whatever she liked no matter the color or price.
"That is definitely the one," Cheryl came up behind her.
"Is Toni going to be mad she's not here to have some input?" Betty asked.
"She gets to dress Fangs," Cheryl smiled. "Speaking of, let's get a guy's opinion. Archie? Come here for a minute."
"Am I even allowed in the dressing room?" Archie called out from his seat outside the dressing room area where he'd been relegated since they'd arrived at the store.
"There's no one else in here but us girls, so get your ass in here, Andrews," Cheryl called out as Jellybean emerged in a tie dyed bohemian styled maxi dress that somehow seemed to match her personality.
"Jelly, I love that," Betty said.
"Oddly enough, so do I," Archie said.
"Thanks, Archie," Jellybean blushed.
"Oh my god, Jellybean, that is definitely your dress. Go change, and we'll find some shoes to go with it," Cheryl said.
"What do you think?" Betty twirled around to show off her dress to Archie.
Archie's jaw literally dropped.
"We have a winner," Cheryl smirked.
"Wow, Betty, that's..." Archie fumbled for a response.
"It's going to clash fiercely with your hair, but this is totally the dress," Betty grasped the skirt so she wouldn't trip over it, "How about it, Arch, will you be my date?"
"Definitely," he bobbed his head.
"Good because I wasn't taking no for an answer anyways," Betty looked at herself and lifted the skirt to study her feet. "I think I'm going to go with ballet slippers. No point in heels. They won't show."
"What about you, Cheryl, have you figured out your dress?" Archie was surprised she wasn't decked out in wedding attire.
"I have my dress ordered already," Cheryl responded casually, "I've had it picked out for months."
"Come over when it arrives. We can do the 'Yes to the Dress' moment," Betty said.
"Absolutely," Cheryl replied as Jellybean emerged in another dress. "I thought you already found the dress you liked."
"I did," Jellybean spun in the mirror, "I'm just having fun trying these dresses on. I don't get to do this a lot. Mom wasn't really a girlie girl, and my friends at school are sort of anti-shopping. Alice never seems to have the time for it."
"Call me anytime," Betty said, "I'll go shopping with you."
"Same for me," Cheryl said, "I might call you as a referee when Toni and I go shopping for the baby."
"Or babies," Betty said, "Invitro is known to produce multiples."
"Oh, goodness, I haven't even thought of that," Cheryl began to wring her hands together, "Jason and I are twins, and we don't know if Toni is having mine or her baby. I mean, either way it's going to be our baby, but holy crap..."
"Why don't you have a seat?" Betty recognized her cousin was beginning to freak out. "It's just a possibility, not a certainty."
"I think it'd be awesome if you had twins," Jellybean chimed in, "A twin having twins is one thing. But both twins as a parent of twins? You might get written up for a medical journal."
"Oh goodness, let's not even go there," Cheryl replied.
"I'll change and then we can find shoes and accessories," Betty returned to her dressing room.
Archie was going to return to his chair just outside the dressing room, but Cheryl grabbed his hand and yanked him down to sit next to her, "I need someone to sit with me so I don't totally freak out."
"It'll be fine," Archie said, "You and Toni will be great parents. Just take each day one at a time."
"You sound like a fortune cookie."
"Thank you," Archie smiled. "Okay then, take each situation, think about what Penelope would do and do the opposite."
"Oh god," Cheryl's head fell into her hands, "I haven't told Mommy Dearest about any of this."
"My advice? Wait until they're eighteen before you mention the brothel."
"Oh, god," Cheryl looked like she was going to be sick, "I'm so totally screwed. Maybe I should get a restraining order against her."
"Archie stop giving Cheryl heartburn," Betty called out from her dressing room.
"Sorry, Cher," Archie looked at her sheepishly, "Being quiet now."
"Thanks for trying, Archie," Cheryl smiled, "It's appreciated."
"How about I take everyone out for dinner?" Archie tried to make amends for the turmoil he caused his friend.
"Yes, let's go to that really expensive French restaurant in Greendale," Jellybean called from inside her dressing room. "I hear it's amazing."
"We're not going to make Archie mortgage his house for dinner," Betty said, "Especially since I now live there, too. Let's go to Mia's. I could go for their eggplant parm. Cher, are you joining us or going home to Toni?"
"How about I see if Toni and Fangs want to join us?" Cheryl replied.
"Yeah, that sounds good," Betty agreed.
"Two more, sure why not," Archie agreed.
"And since I'm going, it'll seem less like a double date," JB called.
"Anyone you want to call?" Betty offered.
"Oh, heck no!" Archie protested.
"Arch, don't be such a big brother," Betty playfully shoved his shoulder.
"Come on, I used to watch Gladys change her diapers," Archie pointed out.
"Okay, one-weird," JB pointed out, "Two-I'm almost eighteen."
"You're sixteen, sweetheart," Betty reminder her, "Granted closer to seventeen than sixteen, but still not eighteen."
"Fine, whatever, I'm still old enough to date, and neither you, my father, or my brother, wherever the heck he is these days, will stop me," JB told Archie.
"You tell him," Cheryl wrapped an arm around the younger girl with a proud smile.
"Fine," Archie rolled his eyes. "Is everyone ready?"
"Just have to pay for the dresses," Betty emerged from her stall.
"That's right," Cheryl nodded, "Hand them over."
"What? You're not paying for our dresses," Betty pulled the dress away before Cheryl could grab a hold of it.
"The heck I'm not," Cheryl quickly snatched it away, "My wedding, my maid of honor, my expense."
"Cher," Betty protested.
"Don't even attempt an argument, Cousin. Now, go find some shoes."
Knowing she would be unable to dissuade her cousin, she went on a quick mission to find a matching pair of slippers and help Jellybean find some cute brown suede gladiator sandals to go with her dress. Once everything was paid for, they made their way to Archie's truck.
"I'll meet you guys at Mia's," Cheryl stepped towards her red convertible.
"That's a sweet ride, Cherry," Jellybean admired Cheryl's wheels.
"Want to ride with me?" Cheryl offered.
"Heck yeah," Jellybean jumped in.
"We'll see you guys in a few minutes," Betty smiled.
"Last one there, pays for the first round of drinks," Cheryl smiled.
"Deal," Archie agreed.
"Does this count as your bachelorette parties?" Betty asked as she watched Fangs and Toni dance it up. After having a delicious meal at Mia's, they decided to keep the fun going at the nightclub next door. It had separate dance floors for teenagers and adults, although Archie had an eye trained on Jellybean. He wasn't the only one. There had been a few times where Betty thought Fangs was going to jump the rail to ride to Jellybean's rescue. Toni had asked him to dance in that same instance, probably to save the teenager from major embarrassment.
Betty was sitting with Cheryl talking when the music slowed down, and couples got closer together. Toni took of Fang's hands with hers and put the other on his shoulder to keep them dancing.
Betty looked at Cheryl, "Shall we flip for Archie?"
"I can clearly see he has no interest in me," Cheryl couldn't help notice how often Archie looked in her direction from his vantage point at the bar where he was talking to one of his football buddies from high school.
"No offense, Cherry, but you're already spoke for," Betty laughed.
"Still doesn't explain why he's undressing you with his eyes," Cheryl smiled.
"He is not," Betty flushed.
"Yes, he is," Cheryl nodded, "I know he knows what's underneath the clothes, so he's not using his imagination."
"Oh god," Betty's head fell as she tried to hide her embarrassment, "Why do you always say exactly what you're thinking?"
"It's part of my charm," Cheryl smiled, "You should be used to it by now. Seriously, Cousin, how are you two not taking advantage of all that real estate you're living in?"
"He doesn't want to push, and I'm just a bit gun shy."
Cheryl shook her head, "Dios en el cielo. No sé quién es más terco. Usted o Archie."
"You've been taking Spanish lessons from your fiancée, haven't you?" Betty glared at her cousin.
"I figured it would go a long way towards impressing my soon to be in-laws," Cheryl smiled.
"Translation please. My Spanish is mucho rusto," Betty offered up pathetic attempt at the language.
"God in heaven. I don't know who is more stubborn. You or Archie," Cheryl replied, "And my god, Betty, what are you waiting for?"
"Okay, fine, but you can't tell anyone, not even your fiancée," Betty glanced around to make sure that no one else was listening in, "Arch and I are taking it slow, but we are together."
"Finally," Cheryl sighed in relief, "At least we finally have a Barchie to cheer for."
"Can we please not do that couple one word name thing?" Betty groaned, "It makes me feel like I have to disappear in a relationship. I did that for three years. I was merely eye candy for an abusive prick. I'm never doing that again. I am Betty Cooper, and whoever I date will need to recognize that."
"That's my girl," Cheryl patted her shoulder, "I'm glad to have you back, Cousin. Now how about you go show your man how to dirty dance."
"Uh, no," Betty scoffed, "We're keeping this low key, remember?"
"Pfft," Cheryl scoffed, "Lame excuse. You can dirty dance with a guy and not have any relationship with them. Toni and I do it all the time when were out and about. I love my girl, but there are times when I get the itch to dance with a man. I know Toni gets the same itch."
"Cher, I love you, but never, ever, talk to me about your itches, okay?"
"Ruin my fun, won't you?" Cheryl pouted.
"Do you want to hear about my itches?" Betty asked.
"Oh, god no," Cheryl snorted, "I see your point."
"Any cold feet yet?" Betty asked.
"None whatsoever. My feet are so warm they're about ready to start a fire," Cheryl replied, "Heck, I'd marry her right now if I could."
Betty couldn't help it, she gave Cheryl a hug.
"Not drinking tonight?" Cheryl looked at Betty's beverage.
"My stomach is feeling a bit funky, so I told Archie I'd be the designated driver," Betty replied.
"That's nice of you," Cheryl nodded.
"It's better than FP running Archie in for driving drunk."
"I know this is a touchy subject, but have you heard from your wicked ex since his appearance this morning?" Cheryl asked.
"Thankfully nothing yet," Betty replied. "His calls won't come through my phone anymore because I blocked him."
"Good," Cheryl nodded, "But I have a question."
"Of course you do. Go ahead," she gestured.
"What's Archie going to do if Louis shows up again?" Cheryl asked.
"Oh god, I don't even want to think about it," Betty groaned.
"How are things with you and Arch?" Cheryl inquired, "The man has his eyes glued to you. Any good bedtime stories you can tell me?"
"Oh, next question," Betty snickered, "That one is none of your business."
"Is he still a good kisser?" Cheryl wagged a brow.
"Really, you want to compare notes?" Betty snickered.
"Confession, it was when I kissed Archie that I knew I was gay," she admitted, "I mean if I can't feel anything for a hottie like him, then who was I going to have feelings for?"
"Ah, Cherry," Betty hugged her cousin, "You know there is nothing wrong with you, right? Whatever your parents said or did, that's on them, not you."
"In a way, it's a good thing they're out of my life," Cheryl admitted, "I mean, I don't like that my dad offed himself after killing my brother, or that my mother is on the run for killing your father, but when the alternative is their negativity and judgment…hard pass."
"Well, we're family, and we always will be," Betty hugged her cousin again.
"You couldn't get rid of me if you tried," Cheryl grinned.
Archie approached, "Come on, you two. You're being called out to the dance floor."
"You're ruining our magical moment, Andrews," Cheryl scowled at the fellow ginger.
"Hey, it's my chance to dance with my girl out in the open without any tongues wagging the next day," Archie tugged on both their hands. He knew by the way Betty and Cheryl were speaking and glancing at his direction over and over again that Betty had let Cheryl in on their little secret.
"I'd better not see any dirty dancing out of the two of you," Cheryl replied, "I'd like to keep my last meal down."
Once on the dance floor and in each other's arms, trying there hardest to keep themselves at a respectable distance, Archie's eyes bore in on Betty's. "Are you feeling better?"
Betty smiled at his concern. "Yeah, I'm feeling a little better. It was probably just something I ate at the restaurant. I like how concerned you are about me."
"I'm always concerned about you," he bit his lip to keep from kissing her. "Damn, I really want to kiss you right now."
Betty felt a flush creep to her cheeks as she glanced around to make sure no one was listening in. "I want that too."
"Let's get out of here," he suggested, "You're not feeling well, remember."
"Arch, we're out with friends. We can't just ditch them to go home and make out," she snorted in amusement.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because we don't do this often," she began sputtering for an excuse.
"We've spent nearly the entire day with everyone," he reminded her.
"We're on JB patrol," Betty motioned towards the separated dance floor where Jellybean was dancing up a storm with every guy who approached. "FP would murder us if we just left her behind."
Archie growled at her rationale. He'd known Jellybean since she was a toddler. It many ways, she was the sister he never had. He'd hate to see anything bad happen to her, especially because of his own neglect. He released Betty from his grasp, hopped the barrier separating the two dance floors, said something to Jellybean to which she nodded in agreement, and then quickly returned to Betty's side.
"What was that?" Betty asked.
"I gave her a thirty minute warning that we'd be leaving, and she'd be required to come with us," Archie replied.
"And there was no protest or backtalk?" Betty sputtered in surprise.
"I think she feels bad for the snuff tape scandal," Archie shrugged, "She's usually pretty amendable to my ways."
"Or she's harboring a crush," Betty snickered.
"Either way, thirty minutes from now the three of us are heading home," he told her.
"Sounds good to me," she wrapped her arms around his neck to resume dancing with him.
When thirty minutes had passed, Betty said goodbye to their friends while Archie pulled Jellybean away from the swarm of boys. "You're way too popular, JB," Archie kept an arm around her shoulders as he guided her to the door where they agreed to wait for Betty.
"You say that like it's bad to be popular," Jellybean frowned, "Weren't you like the prom king in high school?"
"Actually no," he chuckled, "That honor went to the two brides to be."
"Really?" Jellybean smiled, "That's so cool."
When Betty joined them, Jellybean's head came to rest on her shoulder, "Thank you for letting me tag along today. I had so much fun today."
"I'm glad," Betty's arm wrapped around her stepsister's waist as they walked to Archie's truck.
"Your chariot awaits," Archie held the door open for them.
"Chariot, really?" Jellybean snorted as she climbed into the back seat of the cab, "This beast is older than I am."
"And it will probably outlive that mouth of yours," Archie teased.
"Be nice," Betty poked him in the ribs, "That's my sister you're threatening."
Jellybean giggled at Archie's muttered apology as everyone settled into the truck.
Betty looked out the window, watching Riverdale race by as Archie drove. She smiled sleepily as they passed familiar landmarks while JB played with the radio, looking for something to listen to.
"JB, we'll be home before you settle on a station," Archie told her.
"Doesn't mean I should settle for subpar music. You of all people should understand that," Jellybean stuck her tongue out at him.
Betty giggled softly at JB's comment and action, "You looking forward to the wedding, JB?"
"Of course," Jellybean settled into her set finally, "Cheryl and Toni are going to be really awesome brides. I mean, they have totally different tastes in fashion that somehow always seem to compliment each other."
"This is true," Betty nodded, "They also make each other very happy. That's the important thing."
"Like Dad and Alice," JB nodded.
"Maybe not exactly like FP and Mom," Betty replied, "I mean they are happy, but what Toni and Cherry have is way different. I'm not saying things have been easy for them because they've definitely had their bumps, but they've always found their way past things together. Mom and FP only found their way back together within the last couple years."
"Which is my fault," Jellybean frowned, "If I hadn't gotten into that snuff stuff, Dad and I would have stayed in Riverdale."
"No one's holding a grudge, JB," Archie said, "Let yourself off the hook."
"I wish that was true," the younger girl's frown deepened, "Sometimes I think Alice blames me for them having to break up. Maybe that's why she doesn't spend a lot of time with me."
"It's not you, JB," Betty assured her, wrapping her arm around her waist and bringing JB's head against her shoulder, "That's just how she is. Work is always first, second, and third. In case you haven't noticed, we haven't spent a lot of time together since I returned to Riverdale after four years away."
"True," Jellybean nodded, "But I figured that's because she doesn't like you and Archie living in sin."
"We're just-"
"Roommates," Jellybean rolled her eyes, "I'm sixteen, not stupid."
Archie snorted in response.
"Okay, fine, you can't say anything especially to your brother, but there is a bit more to us than just roommates," Betty conceded.
"Duh," she rolled her eyes.
"Okay, yes, you're oh so smart," Betty rolled her eyes to mimic her stepsister.
"I know," Jellybean smiled, "I'm also glad for you two."
"Oh really?"
"Yep," Jellybean nodded.
"And this is just between the three of us, right?" Betty felt the need to add, "We are telling people on our own time."
"Yeah, I got it," she made a showing of crossing her heart.
"Pinkie swear," Betty held up her finger. Jellybean quickly linked her finger with Betty's just as Archie pulled into his driveway.
"I'll walk Jellybean to her door. Meet you inside?" Archie asked.
"Yeah, we still on for that movie?" Betty asked.
"If you're up for it," Archie looked to her in a bit of concern.
"I'm fine," Betty assured him.
"Night, Betty," Jellybean gave her a quick hug and then linked arms with Archie as he guided her home.
FP met them at the door.
"One teenager returned safe and sound," Archie smiled.
"Good job, Red," FP nodded.
"Night, Arch," JB gave him a quick hug and then darted into the house.
"Night," Archie called before looking at FP, "See you soon."
"Night, Kid."
Archie walked across the lawn to his own home and made his way inside, locking the door behind him. He found Betty on the couch waiting for him.
Archie took one look at Betty, barely able to keep her eyes open. He lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs.
"What are you doing?" Betty asked as she was laid on the bed in the master bedroom, the bed she'd rarely slept in.
"Change into your PJs and meet me in my room," he kissed her forehead. "We can watch our movie in there."
"Hmm," Betty sighed, "Okay."
Archie grinned and left her to change.
A few minutes later, Betty was lying next to him as they chose a movie.
It wasn't long before Betty was sound asleep, snuggled in against his chest as he held her close. He kept the movie running because he didn't want to wake her by reaching for the remote, but he didn't see much of the actual movie as his eyes focused on her. She was starting to sleep peacefully through some nights. He always hoped the next night was one of those nights. She deserved to have peace in her life after far too many years of turmoil.
He ran his hands rhythmically through her hair, as his own eyes grew heavy, finally closing before the end of the movie.
TBC...