Archie was sure he was breaking the sound barrier as he drove to the doctor's office to meet Betty for her appointment. He'd gotten caught up doing something at the job site and couldn't get himself free until a few minutes ago.

"Sorry I'm late," Archie came rushing into the exam room where Betty was changed into a hospital gown and waiting for the doctor. He kissed her forehead.

"It's okay," she gave him a reassuring smile, "You haven't missed anything. Doctor Coffey is running behind again today."

"Lucky for me," he took a seat in a nearby chair.

"Everything okay?" Betty noted the slightly frazzled look on his face.

"Yeah," he gave her a reassuring smile, "Just some issues with the lumber order. We only received half of what I put in for. Frank gave the lumber yard manager an ear full. It's nothing you need to worry about."

"I'm glad you made it," she reached for his hand.

"I wouldn't miss this," he brought her hand to his lips, "You were tossing and turning last night. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she replied, "I couldn't get comfortable. Your bed is decent enough for just you and me, but with my growing belly, we're going to need more space."

"You're barely showing," he chuckled, "I think we have a ways to go before we need more room to accommodate your growing belly."

"I know," she replied.

"I've got a week left on this job, assuming I can get the rest of my order filled, and then I'll move our renovations to the top of the list," he told her.

"Thank you," she gave him a grateful smile, "I just don't want to keep putting it off. We're still converting the guest room into the nursery, right?"

"Yes, and my room into the guest room," he confirmed, "We finalized our plans, and I had the blueprints made. I'll put in the lumber order next week."

They were interrupted from any further comment by the doctor entering the room, "Sorry for the delay."

"It's okay," Betty smiled, "We're a bit anxious. Today is the gender reveal day, right?"

"Well, that's up to your baby," the doctor smiled, "Some babies are a bit shy when revealing their gender, but we'll see if the technician can find a good angle."

"Hear that Little One," Betty spoke to her belly, "Today is not the day for shyness. Today you are the most outgoing baby there ever was."

The doctor had a good chuckle as she began the exam, with Archie anxiously holding her hand the entire time.

Betty smiled jubilantly as she and Archie walked down the hall after their sonogram, "I told you it was a boy."

"I had the same feeling," Archie snatched the photo from her hand to admire it, "I would have loved a girl too."

"I know," she snatched the photo back. "We have to make a few calls tonight."

"Yeah," he bobbed his head, "I wish I didn't have to get back to the job site."

"It's okay," she assured him, "I have a couple of hours at the Gazette to put in too. We'll celebrate at home."

"Perfect," he pecked at her lips, "I'll swing by Pop's and pick up burgers and shakes."

"And onion rings," she added, "I'm so craving onion rings."

"Onion rings it is," Archie smiled and kissed her, "Start making a list of who we have to call."

"I will," Betty promised as they walked, "Little Frederick. What are the chances we can keep FP from calling him Freddie?"

"Zero to none," he chuckled as he opened the door for her.

Betty stopped short when she saw someone leaning against her car. "Oh my god."

"You are a hard woman to track down, Elizabeth," Betty's ex-boyfriend, Louis, spoke as he held up a stack of papers, "What the hell is this?"

Archie stood in front of Betty to protect her, "That's a restraining order, which you are now in violation of. Betty, call Sheriff Keller."

"With pleasure," Betty pulled her phone out and dialed, "Hi, I need to speak to Sheriff Keller, please? This is Betty Cooper. I need to report a violation of a restraining order. We're at the Riverdale Medical Center. Okay."

Archie and Louis engaged in some sort of stare-down as Betty spoke to dispatch.

Betty hung up the phone, "He's on his way."

"Listen, Pretty Boy, I don't know you, but I need to speak with my girlfriend," Louis tried to shove him aside.

"You take another step towards her, and I won't wait for the cops to put you down," Archie growled.

"You don't want to do that," Louis held firm, "I've got powerful friends."

"Louis, you need to leave," Betty demanded, "You and I are over. We have been since I broke up with you four months ago, and quite frankly, we were over well before that."

"Why are you at a medical center?" Louis tried to address her even though Archie stood in his way.

"That's none of your business," Betty stated.

"Betty, are you ill?"

"Yeah, I've got the clap. You might want to see your doctor," Betty rolled her eyes.

"You're hysterical," Louis glared at her.

"Thanks, but I want you to meet someone hilarious," Betty pointed behind him as a vehicle pulled into the lot, "He's my friend's dad. He's also the town sheriff."

Sheriff Keller and FP were out of the vehicle nearly the same instant it came to a stop.

"Is this him?" FP pulled out his handcuffs.

"Yes, this is Louis Radford, grandson of Daniel Radford," Betty replied, "Also, the man I've filed a restraining order against. Conveniently enough, he brought a copy with him."

"You're making a big mistake," Louis struggled as FP got the handcuffs locked around his wrists behind his back, "My family is really tight with Hiram Lodge. If I'm not mistaken, he's the mayor of this godforsaken town. He'll have your asses fired before you can finish reading my rights."

"We'll have to test that theory," FP shoved him towards the car as Sheriff Keller approached Betty.

"Are you okay, Sweetheart?" Sheriff Keller pulled out his notebook to take Betty and Archie's statements.

"Yeah, he didn't lay a hand on me," Betty assured him, "He was just waiting at my car as Archie and I left the doctor's office."

"He's still in violation of the restraining order," Sheriff Keller made notes.

"We can lock him up for the night. He has twenty-four hours before he has to be in front of a judge, whose docket is conveniently full up for the rest of the day," FP grinned after sticking Louis in the RMP.

"His lawyer will pitch a fit," Betty warned.

"By the time he gets here, the court will most likely be closed for the day," Tom said.

"Just be careful," Archie warned. "He might call Hiram instead of his lawyer."

Betty looked at the RMP with a frown.

"Betts, are you okay?" Archie asked.

"Hiram's from hell, no question, but I've never seen him lift his hand against a woman. I don't believe he would let Louis just slide out from this," Betty said.

"Don't worry about him, Betty," FP told her, "Once the perp starts violating restraining orders, judges start to throw the book at them, hook or no."

"One can hope, but I wonder if locking him up won't make things worse down the road," Betty sighed.

"Does that mean you don't want to press charges?" Tom asked.

Betty shook her head, "Lock him up. Just let me know when he makes bail."

"Okay," Tom bobbed his head, "We'll make it clear that we have no problem locking him up again and again."

"And do me a favor," Betty whispered, "Don't mention the b-a-b-y."

"We won't," FP assured her.

After FP and Tom left, Betty turned to Archie, "I'm okay."

"Any way I can convince you to go home and rest instead of return to the office?"

"If I go home, I'll be pacing and climbing the walls," Betty took his hands in hers, "I promise if the moment comes that I feel weird or wrong, I will go back to the doctor."

"Okay," Archie nodded.

"I love you," she caught his eyes and smiled. "Keep the picture and show it off when you get back to the site."

"Are you sure?" he hesitated, "Maybe you should hang onto it."

"No, I want you to," she gave him another reassuring smile.

"Okay," he bobbed his head, "Call me if you need anything. Are we still on for our celebratory dinner from Pop's?"

"Yes, definitely," she replied, "I'm not letting that creep ruin our wonderful news."

"I love you," he held her close.

"I love you too."

"First people we call tonight?" Archie asked.

"My mom and FP," Betty nodded, "By the way, think of a new STD for me to use next time we have to deal with him."

"Herpes," he stated, "And hopefully, we won't need it."

"Keep a good thought," she kissed him.

Archie put Betty in her car and waited for her to drive out of the parking lot before getting into his truck.

Instead of returning to work, Betty drove to Thornhill. She needed someone that wasn't Archie to talk to about what had just happened.

Cheryl opened the door with a grin, "Come in, Cousin, but watch your step."

"Thanks," Betty gave an attempt at a smile, "If Archie asks, I wasn't here."

"Okay," Cheryl spoke hesitantly, "Trouble in paradise?"

"Not exactly," Betty shook her head. "We were at the doctor's office for a sonogram-"

"Godson or goddaughter?" Cheryl interrupted.

"That's not the point at the moment," Betty shook her off.

"We're not going any further until we settle this," Cheryl held firm.

"Godson," Betty smiled.

"I knew it," Cheryl gave a little cheer.

"I'd show you the sonogram, but I insisted Archie take it. We'll be calling tonight, so act surprised."

"Will do," Cheryl nodded.

"When we left the doctor's office, there was an unwelcome guest leaning against my car."

"Oh no!" Cheryl knew precisely where this is heading, "It's time to pull out my bow and do some target practice."

"Yeah," Betty sighed, "I tried to act like I was okay for Sheriff Keller, FP, and Archie, but I'm terrified, Cheryl. He found me."

"We'll take care of this," Cheryl shook her head. "That rat bastard doesn't know who he's messing with."

"You may not be Jug's girl anymore, but you're still FP's stepdaughter," Toni joined them, "He's still revered with the Serpents, badge or not. He made it clear long ago, abuse of any kind is not tolerated."

"Louis's in jail for the moment, but we all know that's not going to hold him for long," Betty replied.

"We'll make sure the Serpents are on the prowl," Toni pulled out her phone to send out a text to the key players, "They'll run him out of town as soon as he gets released."

"Thanks, Toni," Betty smiled, "And you owe Cher ten dollars. It's a boy."

"Damn," Toni sighed, "But congratulations, you both must be stoked."

"We are," Betty bobbed her head.

"They're calling tonight to officially tell us, so we need to act surprised," Cheryl smiled.

"Can do," Toni laughed.

"Thanks, guys," Betty hugged Cheryl and then Toni. "Before I forget, how was the honeymoon?"

"Amazing," Toni replied, "Cheryl is spoiling me. We had couples massages every day, obviously the pregnancy variety for me, but they are amazing. I highly recommend them."

"How about some tea?" Cheryl offered, "Maybe it will calm your frazzled nerves."

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Betty bobbed her head.

Over tea, Cheryl was able to repair Betty's frazzled nerves, and by the time she left Thornhill, she was laughing freely.

"Cousin, what would you think if I hired a bodyguard to follow you around, merely as a precaution," Cheryl walked Betty to her vehicle.

"Cherry, that's not necessary," Betty sputtered.

"It's vital," Cheryl countered, "You're carrying precious cargo in the form of my godson. Louis found you once. He may not know about the baby now, but you're starting to show to those who know to look. It's only a matter of time before he's going to realize it and starts doing the math. I don't know that a paternity test is going to keep him at bay."

"Are you trying to scare me?" Betty's hand came to her stomach.

"I'm trying to get you to see reality," Cheryl replied, "I've lost a lot in my life, my brother, my father, my nana, and for the most part, my mother. You are not someone I'm willing to lose. You've become a sister to me. I take care of my family."

"How about a compromise?" Betty countered, "You hire someone, but I don't want them intruding on my life. I don't want to feel like I live under lock and key."

"I can respect that," Cheryl assured her, "You won't even know they're there."

"Thanks, Cherry," Betty hugged her, "For talking me down and for always looking out for me."

"You're very welcome," Cheryl smiled.

Betty came home to an empty house. For the first time, she was nervous about going in. Would Louis remember Archie from the one encounter they had when she'd first moved home and put it together that she was living with him? Stepping into the house, she froze at the threshold, her ears straining to hear if something was out of place. She heard nothing but still proceeded to go room by room with a baseball bat. She jumped when she heard the front door open.

"Betts, I brought dinner," Archie called out.

Betty took a deep breath to calm herself down before she replied, "Be right down. I'm changing."

As quick as she could, she slipped into a pair of shorts and one of Archie's shirts and then made her way down the back staircase to the kitchen.

"Hey, Babe," Archie greeted her with a kiss, "Did you tell your co-workers the good news?"

"No," she smiled, "There was hardly anyone left in the office when I got back. I'll tell them tomorrow."

"The guys were pretty stoked," Archie was grinning from ear to ear, "Uncle Frank says he's going to buy Frederick a hammer first chance he gets."

Betty smiled in response.

"I put the picture on the fridge, so it doesn't get lost," he motioned towards the appliance. "Are you hungry?"

"Famished," she climbed onto the stool and snatched up an onion ring.

"Did you start your list of who we have to call tonight?" Archie took a seat next to her and snatched up one of her onion rings.

"Hey, hands off the o-rings, Andrews," Betty scowled at him, "And I thought we'd call the grandmothers first."

"Yeah, yours or mine first?" he asked.

"Yours," Betty stated, "We promised."

After a plethora of calls, Betty and Archie changed gears and snuggled up on the sofa with the television on, but neither was particularly focused on it. There was also a bowl of freshly popped popcorn on the table, but it sat untouched. Instead, they were focused on Betty's belly and caressing it tenderly.

"I can't wait to meet him," Betty turned slightly to see Archie's smiling face.

"I know the feeling," he kissed her temple.

"I lied to you earlier," Betty admitted.

"About what," he brushed a strand of hair behind her ears.

"I didn't go back to the office after our doctor's appointment. I was too frazzled by Louis's appearance. I went to see Cheryl and Toni," she felt so guilty as she said the words.

"Why did you feel the need to lie?"

"Because I don't want to feel as freaked out as I am," she admitted, "After nearly five months of dodging him, I guess I hoped that he'd just give up and move on. Then on what should be one of the happiest days of our lives, he has to come out of the woodwork. It felt like an enormous punch to the gut, figuratively speaking."

"He's not going to get close to you, ever," Archie told her.

"You can't promise that," tears trailed down Betty's cheeks, "You'd have to be at my side twenty-four hours a day for the rest of my life. That's not realistic."

"What's the alternative?" he asked, "Do we need to leave Riverdale for a while?"

"I don't want to live a life on the run," she sighed, "That's no way to live. Honestly, I don't know what the solution is. Cheryl's offered to hire someone to watch over me. I was against it when she first suggested it, but when I came home today, I was scared to come into the house. Scared that Louis remembered you from that time he showed up at our doorstep and would be waiting inside."

"So a bodyguard," he frowned.

"Maybe we hire a serpent," Betty suggested.

"How's that going to play at the office?" he asked, "A leather-wearing, tattooed guy with slicked-back hair in a room full of reporters?"

There was humor in the way he spoke, but there was also a seriousness to the words. A serpent wasn't an option.

"Toni alerted the guys to keep a lookout for him. They're going to try to run him out of town when he gets released from jail, but he's going to be back, with help if he feels he needs it," Betty replied, "God, I wish I never laid eyes on him. I wish I'd listened to Cheryl when she said the guy gave her the creeps."

"None of what's happening is your fault," he assured her, "This guy has a few screws loose. Guys like that are good at charming people and then flipping the switch."

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

"Dad told me about what happened at the clinic. Are you okay?" Jughead asked when Archie let him into the house.

"Yeah, we're okay," Betty assured him, "Just a bit frazzled."

"There's some burly dude in a black SUV sitting outside the house," Jughead stated, "Tom had a deputy run the plates. He's private security. How can you guys afford around-the-clock security?"

"Cheryl," Betty smirked, "She told me earlier that she was going to hiring someone. I guess she didn't waste any time."

"Maybe we should meet with these people tomorrow, so we know what we're dealing with," Archie suggested.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Betty reached for her phone and texted Cheryl to get the contact information.

"So, what are we watching?" Jughead motioned towards the movie.

"No idea," Archie shrugged as he returned to his seat, "Betty picked it out, but it wasn't holding either of our attention."

"Feel free to pick something else," Betty extended the remote to Jughead.

"You want me to join you?" Jughead was taken back by the offer.

"Yeah, we're trying to be friends, aren't we?" Betty asked, "Don't friends hang out together?"

"And this isn't going to be awkward?" he asked.

"It's going to be ridiculously awkward, but hopefully, over time, it will be less so," Betty smirked, "Sit down and eat this bowl of popcorn."

Jughead flipped through the options on the television, found the weirdest sci-fi film he could, and then settled in the chair, helping himself to handful after handful of popcorn.

It didn't take long for the events of the day to catch up to her. Betty was out by the end credits. Jughead showed himself out as Archie carried Betty up the stairs. Jughead watched their ascent with a bit of longing. Once upon a time, he was going to have the happily ever after with Betty, and now it was his best friend.

TBC...