Betty was at the kitchen aisle eating her breakfast and drinking a cup of non-caffeinated tea when Archie came in looking for coffee.
"Morning, Blondie," Archie tugged at her ponytail teasingly as he leaned in for a kiss.
"I'm not talking to you," she scowled at him.
"Oh?" he raised a brow. As far as he knew, he hadn't done anything to upset her.
"You knocked me up," she frowned, "Because I'm pregnant, I can't drink coffee. Do you know how difficult it is to start the day without the java bean to kickstart me?"
"I apologize profusely and the moment that kid has left your body, I will bring you as many cups of coffee and cans of Jolt as you want," Archie smiled.
Betty gave him a look, "You've been talking to your mom, haven't you?"
"All the time," Archie nodded.
Betty sighed heavily as she returned to her breakfast, "Do you have time today to join me at the doctor's office? I'm having my first ultrasound."
"Even if I don't have time, I'll make it," he assured her.
Betty smiled, "I love you."
"Love you more," he kissed her cheek as he made himself some coffee.
"I talked to Polly this morning," Betty replied.
"Babe, it's not even eight o'clock in the morning, and you called her?" Archie asked.
"Yeah, I had a question. She's my sister, so I called her," Betty replied, "During the conversation, she said that the twins were starting boxing lessons this weekend, and you're the instructor."
"Yeah, I mentioned that, didn't I?" he asked.
"If you did, I've forgotten," Betty replied, "Polly accused me of having 'Pregnancy Brain' that makes people forget things. She may not be in the know, but she might be onto something there."
"Well, if I forgot to mention it, it's just a youth activity, one day a week," he explained, "I figured I'd start at Juniper and Dagwood's age range so I can teach them properly. Not to mention, the extra cash will be welcome."
Betty smiled, "You should offer a maternity class. That's an untapped market."
"I would, but I have enough trouble not pissing you off right now. An entire class? You'd be looking for my body."
"So true," Betty snickered, "How long will these classes last?"
"Just a couple of hours each Saturday for the next five months," he replied, "I'll be finished up before the baby is born."
"Good," she rubbed at her nonexistent belly, "I expect you to start pulling your weight with this kid as soon as I pop him or her out."
"Deal," he kissed the top of her head.
"Have I mentioned that I kind of love you?" Betty smiled.
"Several times," he nodded, "What time is your ultrasound?"
"One o'clock," Betty replied.
"Is it too soon to find out if we're having a boy or a girl?" Archie asked.
"I'm not sure," she shrugged, "I guess we'll have to ask the doctor at the appointment."
"I'm sure we'll both have a lot of questions," Archie smiled.
"I know I do," Betty nodded.
"We'll hit a bookstore after the appointment. You're still a good student."
"Darn right," Betty replied, "I'd better get to work. Don't hammer off anything important. I'll see you at one."
"I love you," Archie leaned down and kissed her.
"Love you, too," Betty smiled.
"I'm so sorry I'm late," Archie leaned down and kissed her after rushing through the clinic to get to Betty's exam room.
"No big deal," she was up on the exam table in the itchy hospital gown waiting for the doctor, "The doctor appears to be running late too. If I'm going to be annoyed with anyone at the moment, it's going to be her. Does she know how drafty these gowns are?"
"I don't know," Archie grinned. "I kind of like it."
"Jerk," she elbowed him in the gut as the doctor entered. "Hi, Doctor Coffey."
"So sorry I'm running behind today," the doctor, in her early thirties, smiled as she glanced at Archie. It was clear she appreciated the extra person in the room by the way she gave Archie a glance up and down. "And are you the father?"
"He is," Betty answered for him. Her annoyance with her doctor appeared to be increasing.
Archie slipped his hand into hers and squeezed gently. She looked at him and gave him a small smile before she nodded, visibly calming.
After the doctor asked a series of questions about how Betty was feeling and did a quick internal exam, the doctor proclaimed that everything appeared to be moving along as expected. She instructed them both to wait for the ultrasound tech, who would be in soon.
"Doctor Coffee, we actually wanted to know if it was going to be possible to see the sex of the baby today?" Betty asked before the doctor left the room, "We've been discussing baby names and planning out the nursery."
"We're still some weeks away from being able to determine that," the doctor said after a quick glance at Betty's chart, "Today's sonogram is mostly about making sure the baby is developing normally."
"Are there any books or literature you would suggest we read?" Archie asked, "We both feel a bit out of our element."
"We have a list of several books we recommend for both expectant mothers and fathers," the doctor smiled, "I'll make sure the nurse produces a list for you before you leave."
"That would be great, thanks," Archie smiled.
Betty nodded as she leaned back to wait for the tech. Archie stood next to her.
"How was your morning?" Archie asked as a means of distracting her as his hand caressed her stomach.
"Pretty boring," Betty said. "I wrote my article and turned it in for review and editing."
"Sounds productive," he smiled.
"I guess," she shrugged, "It was just a fluff piece. I think my editor is purposely not giving me anything too taxing because I made the mistake of telling him I was pregnant."
"That's discrimination," Archie said.
"But at the same time, do you want me out covering stories about an uprising at Lodge Penitentiary or trying to find out who the new distributor of Jingle Jangle is?"
"Uh, no," Archie admitted, "What's the solution?"
"Not a clue," Betty sighed, "At least I'm working, and I do like the stories I've been given, for the most part. The editor has been understanding about me publishing under E. Cooper instead of Betty Cooper."
"I suppose it's harder for Louis to find you that way," Archie sighed, "We really need to smoke him out."
"None of Riverdale's finest or any of the Serpents have seen him," Betty said.
"Yeah, Pop said he hasn't come in asking about you."
"Maybe he went home."
"Doubtful," Archie gave her hand a squeeze, "FP thinks he's just biding his time, perhaps even lulling us into a false sense of security."
"We can hope, can't we?" Betty smiled.
"Yeah, we can hope," Archie nodded.
The tech came in with the ultrasound machine. It took a few moments for her to set up, but soon, they were seeing the first images of their baby.
"Wow," Archie was the first to speak.
Betty smiled at his awe as she looked too. Archie gave her hand a kiss as they listened to every word the tech was telling them.
"Everything looks really good," the tech told them, "I'll be sure to get you both pictures. I'm sure you'll want them for the baby book."
"Oh, wow, we haven't even thought about that," Betty admitted, "Do people still do those?"
"They're making a comeback," the tech nodded.
"Then yes, we absolutely want to make one," Betty replied, "Can you print up a few more pictures? I think the grandparents will want them too."
"Just let me know how many you need," the tech hit a few buttons to capture the best image.
"My mom, your mom," Archie began.
"Cheryl? Jelly?" Betty asked.
"FP?" Archie included.
"Let's stick with the grandmothers," Betty suggested, "We can make more copies ourselves if we need to, right?"
"Oh, absolutely," the tech chimed in, "The images are yours to do with as you wish."
"Four please," Betty requested as Archie touched the screen.
"We made that, Betty," Archie traced the outline of their child.
"Yeah, we did," she reached for his free hand.
Archie turned towards her. With a surprising surge, his lips were on hers, kissing her with all the passion he could muster. It was a few moments before the clearing of a throat broke through, and he was reminded they weren't alone.
"Sorry," Archie's blush was fiercer than the color of his hair.
"Not the first time," the tech snickered.
After their appointment, Archie had to return to construction site, but Betty was finished at the newspaper for the day. She decided to make her way to Thistlehouse to share her first picture of her child with Cheryl.
"To what do I owe the honor, Cousin," Cheryl greeted Betty at the door.
"I come bearing the first blotchy picture of my baby," Betty held up the sonogram picture of her child for Cheryl to see.
"Oh, let me see," Cheryl snatched it out of her hand and examined it, "Oh, this kid is going to be a cutie."
"How can you even tell?" Betty laughed, "I can barely even make out that it's a baby."
"Comes with practice," Cheryl replied, "Toni and I have about worn out our first sonogram picture, examining every little detail."
"It's a good thing I have copies then," Betty smiled.
"Come on in," Cheryl motioned her in, "We'll make tea and compare images."
"Sounds good," Betty agreed.
At the kitchen counter, Betty and Cheryl put their pictures side by side and went back and forth trying to make out what they were seeing.
"How great is it that our first children will be so close in age?" Betty asked.
"My child will be lucky to have the straight arrow child to keep them out of trouble," Cheryl teased, "Because we both know that you and Andrews are about as clean cut as they come."
"Oh, I think Archie and I are going to get a little rebel," Betty rubbed at her stomach.
"Oh please," Cheryl rolled her eyes, "There are no rebel genes in the Andrews DNA, and those genes are powerful enough to cancel out any rebel genes you're bringing into the relationship."
Toni entered the kitchen having just gotten home from her job at the counseling center.
"Hello, my love," Cheryl was off her stool immediately to greet her, "How was your day?"
"Same as all the others," Toni replied, "Are there any cookies left from the batch we made this weekend?"
"Cookies?" Betty raised her brow, "Cher, have you been holding out on me?"
"You two pregnant women are going to clean out the kitchen of all edible goods," Cheryl went to the cupboard to retrieve the jar of cookies.
"What brings you to Thistlehouse?" Toni parked herself on the stool Cheryl had vacated.
"I had my first sonogram today," Betty slid the picture towards Toni. "I wanted to show our baby off to someone who understands why this picture is so special."
"You've come to the right place because Cheryl had a copy of our first sonogram framed. It's in our bedroom, on the nightstand, on her side of the bed," Toni smiled.
"What a good idea," Betty laughed as Cheryl plated several cookies and slid them between the two pregnant ladies.
"Is that going to be enough or should I leave the jar?" Cheryl teased, "My TiTi has such a sweet tooth right now. She's been baking up a storm to keep up."
"And I let her help with the easy stuff," Toni replied, "I love my ginger haired gal but baking is not one of her callings."
"I blame Penelope," Betty smirked, "She wasn't known as the most domestic of mothers."
"Oh, please," Cheryl rolled her eyes, "Her idea of baking is sending someone to the store to buy a dozen cookies. Jason and I learned very early in life to never volunteer her for any bake sales."
"So, it's just one, right?" Betty looked at Toni's sonogram.
"Oh yeah, after you guys went shopping for bridesmaid dresses, Cheryl got this itch that wouldn't go away. She called our OB as soon as she got home to confirm we were having only one child. She wouldn't relent until the doctor agreed to schedule an early sonogram to confirm we are having a single child," Toni replied.
"Sounds like Cheryl," Betty snickered.
"She also talked about formally divorcing herself from her mother," Toni replied.
"Seriously?" Betty glanced towards Cheryl.
"It's a thought," Cheryl shrugged, "I'm obviously an adult, so I don't need her for anything parental related. I think we can all agree she doesn't have any maternal instincts, and I don't want her anywhere near our child. Drafting formal documents to renounce any ties to my mother seems like a good idea."
"Aren't you worried she might take it as some sort of twisted invitation to insert herself back in your life?" Betty asked.
"And risk getting arrested for your father's murder?" Cheryl asked.
"Then what is the need to formal divorce your mother?" Betty asked, "If she won't risk returning because of the risk of arrest, she's not going to come back to try to bond with you or the baby."
"That was my point," Toni bobbed her head.
"Maybe I need to do it for myself, as some sort of cleanse," Cheryl replied.
"More like an exorcism," Toni muttered.
"Whatever you need to do, of course Toni and I will support you," Betty reached for her cousin's hand, "We both have complicated relationships with our parents. My mother was in a cult for nearly a year. My father was the Black Hood and nearly killed the father of my best friend and eventual father of my own child. Toni's parents weren't exactly the most accepting of her choice of loves. We've all wanted to cut our losses where our parents are concerned at one time or another."
"I guess I just don't want to run the risk of her busting into my life at some point and trying to knock down everything good that I've built with T," Cheryl admitted.
"I'd like to see her try," Toni was off her stool and hugging her fiancée.
Betty glanced at her phone to check the time, "I should be getting home. Archie is going to be done at the construction site soon, and he gets a bit anxious if I'm not where he expects me to be."
"Why don't you text him to come here?" Cheryl suggested, "We can have dinner on the veranda."
"Are you sure?" Betty hesitated.
"Absolutely," Toni agreed, "We have this ridiculously intimidating built in grill that we've never used. Maybe Archie can show us how to use it."
Betty quickly sent the text and was surprised by the immediate response. He usually didn't check his phone when he was on the job site. "He says he's in and asked if he should stop to pick up anything."
"My TiTi has been on a beef kick, so we've got some steaks marinating. We've got more than enough," Cheryl assured her.
"Tell him to bring Cherry some red wine," Toni replied, "She's got this ridiculous idea of staying sober while I'm pregnant."
"Arch is doing the same thing," Betty smiled, "It's a sweet gesture."
"It's the least we can do considering all you're going through to bring our children into the world," Cheryl chimed in.
"I'll tell him to stop by the bakery for something sweet," Betty took a bite of the last cookie on the plate, "I'd hate to deplete your cookie stash."
"Oooh, something gooey and chocolatey," Toni stated.
"Got it," Betty's fingers flew over her phone as she relayed the message.
Archie arrived a short while later after stopping at home to grab a quick shower and then another stop to grab the afore mentioned dessert.
"Perfect timing," Betty greeted him with a kiss, "Toni and I are getting hungry, and we're hoping you would demonstrate your grilling proficiency for us. Cherry has this amazing looking grill, but they don't know how to use it."
"Just point me in the direction of the grill," he chuckled.
Toni was making the side dish when Archie entered the kitchen. Cheryl promptly shoved a plate of meat in his hands and pointed toward the outdoor veranda.
"Hello to you too, Cheryl," he chuckled as he went about getting the meat cooked up. Toni followed him out so she could get a demonstration on how to use the intimidating looking grill. She knew Cheryl wouldn't let her use it while pregnant, but she wouldn't be pregnant forever and she hated having to rely on others.
Archie was patient as he gave her a rundown of all the features.
"Is this something that guys just instantly know how to do, cook with fire?" Toni sat in a nearby chair as he cooked.
"Yeah, it's in our DNA," he chuckled and did his best cave man voice, adding a pounding to his chest, "Must know how to cook with fire."
"Whatever you say, Encino Man," Toni snorted.
"How are you feeling these days?" Archie asked.
"Probably about what Betty will feel like in a month," Toni replied, "Gassy, sassy, and horny."
Archie didn't even fight the laugh that came out. One thing he loved about Toni, she said what she felt and had zero filter. He always knew where he stood with her.
"It's good to have you back in our lives, Andrews," Toni rubbed at her small belly. While Betty had only a slight belly and no one could really tell, Toni's belly made her look truly pregnant and she radiated happiness. "I'm sorry we lost touch after high school. I didn't feel right staying in contact when Cheryl was so clearly on Betty's side."
"It's alright," Archie assured her, "High school didn't end well for a lot of us."
"I think Cheryl always hoped the two of you would end up together," Toni smiled, "We both hated Louis from the moment Betty met him, but neither of us knew how bad it really was until it was too late."
"I'm not surprised," Archie checked the steaks, "Betty said she hid it from her friends and family, and Louis really had her isolated."
"At least things are working out now," Toni rose to her feet, "Now we have a man around to cook our meat for us. Don't let us down. This baby is craving red meat."
"I won't," he assured her. "Tell Cheryl and Betty the steaks are almost ready."
"Will do," she winked at him before disappearing into the house.
After a delicious dinner with perfectly cooked steaks, Toni and Betty tore into the dessert Archie had brought. Cheryl tugged Archie outside to talk privately.
"What's up, Cherry?" Archie plopped himself down on one of the loungers.
"Thank you for doing right by Betty when she showed up on your doorstep at school," Cheryl told him.
"You don't have to thank me for that," Archie replied.
"Even though you'd been estranged for several years, I always hoped that the two of you would find your way back to each other," Cheryl stated.
"I don't know if I ever admitted it to myself, but I hoped for that too," Archie admitted.
"I owe you an apology," Cheryl replied, "I didn't mean for us to lose touch after high school, but my loyalties are-"
"To Betty, I get it," Archie assured her, "I really do. In all fairness, I had your number too. I could have reached out, but it was too hard."
"Were your feelings for Betty at the end of senior year real, or were you just scared with how thing were changing?" Cheryl asked.
"Maybe a bit of both," Archie admitted, "I went about things the wrong way. I should have been man enough to admit my feelings. I shouldn't have snuck around and confessed my feelings to her knowing full well that she was with someone else."
"No, it wasn't the greatest of moves, but honestly when was there ever going to be a right time?" Cheryl pressed him. "Even now, she's only a few months removed from a relationship where she got thrown around on a regular basis and made to feel absolutely worthless when he wasn't beating the crap out of her…Arch, you've been amazing with her, treating her how every man ever should have, and I know you care about her…"
"I love her," Archie amended.
"Then I'm sure you'll understand what I'm about to say," Cheryl stated.
"Is this the part where if I hurt her or the baby that you'll castrate me?" Archie asked, "Didn't we already do this?"
"Castration is tame in comparison to what I have in mind," Cheryl gave him a sinister grin.
"Noted," Archie replied.
"Just be good to her," Cheryl replied, "You and me will have zero issues."
"Then we're going to have zero issues," Archie stated, "I love Betty and this baby. I want to give them the world. If I ever hurt them, do your worst."
"Let's go see if those pregnant mamas left us any dessert," Cheryl tugged him back into the kitchen where there wasn't more than a couple of bites left of the dessert.
"Before you go into a sugar coma, we'd better get you home," Archie pulled Betty to her feet.
"Oh there won't be a coma," Betty wrapped her arms around his shoulders, "That sugar gave me my second wind. You are going to benefit greatly."
"Then we shouldn't dawdle," Archie pressed his lips to hers.
"Night, Cheryl, night, Toni," Betty waved as Archie pulled her towards their vehicles.
TBC…