After a quiet few weeks with no news of Louis Radford's whereabouts, Betty and Archie tried their best to go about their lives, even with the presence of all the security they were being gifted. Sheriff Keller and FP provided them with regular updates, but for the most part there was no news.
Betty and Archie had a long talk with their families and extended families, adding Mary via Zoom to discuss the holidays as they approached. They laid out the dangers of getting together, but everyone agreed that holidays were for families, no matter the risks. So, Thanksgiving Day, Archie and Betty prepared to celebrate with their families.
Betty frowned at herself in the mirror before sweeping her hair back, twisting it and clipping it. Then she headed downstairs.
"Mary, it smells great in here," Betty said.
"Thanks, Sweetie," Mary shot her a smile.
"Is Archie back yet?" Betty inquired. Archie had taken one of the security guards with him to visit his father. He hadn't been there since before they basically went on lockdown. He needed to feel his father's presence. They'd used their time on lockdown to go through the Cooper video collections and found several videos with his father. Even though they brought comfort, sometimes they weren't enough.
"Not yet," Mary shook her head.
"Alright," Betty nodded. She tried to act normal, but she was anxious about Archie leaving the house and going to such an exposed area with the threat of violence hanging over him. There was no way of knowing if Louis had taken out any other contracts after Jughead clearly didn't live up to his end of the ten thousand dollar bargain they'd struck. "I'm heading over to see if Mom needs help with anything. I'm taking what I made, so you don't have to remember it. I'll see you in a bit."
"We'll be over as soon as the casserole is ready," Mary assured her.
"No hurry," Betty checked her watch, "I saw Polly pull up twenty minutes ago. I'm thinking the main problem will be keeping Junie and Dag out of the way."
"I remember that age," Mary smiled, "They're a lot of fun but full of energy."
"And we will be experiencing it all over again," Betty put her hand over her stomach, "See you soon."
Betty walked into the kitchen via the back door of her childhood home and smiled, "Happy Thanksgiving everyone."
"Hi, Sweetheart," Alice was just pulling the turkey out of the oven to baste it, "How are you feeling?"
"Like a two-ton rhino," Betty smiled and then glanced around the kitchen trying to hear the pitter patter of her niece and nephew's feet, "Why is it so quiet?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't hear the pre-game, and this is the one day of the year FP watches football. I know Polly and the twins are here, yet I don't hear anything resembling playing children."
"I sent them outside to wear off their endless supply of energy," Alice explained, "Hopefully, they're still in the yard and not running the alley."
"And FP?"
"Hopefully keeping an eye on them," Alice laughed.
"Well, he must've taken them on a walk or something, because they weren't in the backyard," Betty put the plate she carried down on the counter, "Where's Polly?"
"Taking a shower and getting dressed," Alice said. "She wanted to get the twins here on time, so she decided to get dressed here."
Betty nodded.
"What did you bring?" Alice made note of the plate Betty had brought over.
"I found some old recipe cards that I assume belonged to Archie's grandmother, Virginia, as we were poking around the attic. Since going to the grocery store is such an ordeal these days with security and this belly, I decided to give one of the dessert recipes a try. These pumpkin cookies seemed like an appropriate option for the day. Thankfully we had all the ingredients I needed in the pantry."
"Yum, sounds delicious," Alice snatched one from the plate and bit into it.
"What do you think?" Betty asked nervously. She wasn't much of a baker, but she'd had the urge over the week to give it a whirl. She was pretty sure it was some pregnancy hormone thing.
"I love them," Alice chewed, "Tastes like pumpkin pie. Fred always said his mom was an amazing baker."
"Why wasn't she around when Artie died?" Betty asked suddenly.
"FP said she never got over losing Fred's brother, Oscar," Alice said quietly, "They had to put her in a facility eventually to handle her specialized needs."
"That's so sad," Betty frowned.
"Yes, it is," Alice nodded, "Speaking of the Andrews family, where are Archie and Mary?"
"Arch went to wish his dad a Happy Thanksgiving, and Mary is waiting for her casserole to be done."
"How are you and Archie doing with everything?" Alice asked.
"A bit anxious," Betty admitted, "I don't have as much anxiety when we're together, but when he goes to work or out to run errands or something, I get restless. I figured I'd come over here to see if I could help with anything rather than pacing at home. Change the subject please. I feel a panic attack coming on."
"Wasn't sweet potato casserole Fred's favorite dish?" Alice dutiful picked up her daughter's cue.
"I'm not sure," Betty shrugged, "I know Archie says it's his favorite."
"It's nice of Mary to make it for him," Alice smiled.
"Mom, I know you and Mary have your differences," Betty started.
"Which I plan on ignoring today and for the foreseeable future," Alice promised.
"Thank you," Betty smiled, "We're family now, so it's important to both Archie and I that we all get along."
"Sweetheart, you've put your differences with Jughead aside so that we could be a family with the Joneses. The least I can do is act like an adult with Mary Andrews on the holidays," Alice told her.
"I love you, Mom," Betty smiled, "I don't think I tell you that enough."
"What is enough?" Alice smiled, tucking a strand a Betty's hair behind her ear.
Polly came down after dressing. "Hi, Betts," Polly gave her a hug, "How's my nephew?"
"Hungry," Betty smiled as Polly rubbed her belly, "Happy Thanksgiving, Polls."
"Same to you," Polly smiled. "It smells amazing in here, Mom."
"When are the masses supposed to arrive?" Betty parked herself on one of the stools at the counter.
"A couple of hours," Alice checked the clock, "But it will go quickly."
"What can we do?" Polly asked.
"Just relax," Alice told them, "We're a ways away from magic hour."
"Okay," Betty smiled.
There was a knock on the back door and Polly pulled it open, "Hi, Mrs. Andrews. Hey, Archie. Come in."
"Hi, Polly," Mary greeted her with a casserole in her hands and a smile on her face, "How are you? How are the twins?"
"Good, hopefully they're wearing out themselves out in the backyard," Polly laughed.
"I think FP took them for a walk," Betty said as the front door opened and the patter of little feet could be heard coming closer. Betty noticeably exhaled as Archie crossed the kitchen.
"Guess the walk is over," Archie went to Betty's side and kissed the top of her head.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," he bent down to rest his head on her shoulder as he rubbed her belly. "It was a bit easier today."
"No unwanted visitors?" Betty asked.
"Nope," he kissed her cheek, "No excitement."
"Good," she gave him a small smile.
"Uncle Archie!" Juniper shrieked as she ran at him.
Archie knelt down and waited for Juniper to run him over.
"Hi, Junie, how are you?" Archie as he caught her in his arms.
"I'm good, but I've missed you," she frowned.
"I missed you too," he hugged her. He'd missed all the kids he taught like crazy since he'd had to put the boxing lessons on hold. "Are you keeping up with your boxing practice?"
"Yep," Juniper bobbed her head, "Mommy takes me and Dagwood to the gym once a week, and Sweet Pea says I'm really good."
"You are really good," he chuckled.
Juniper beamed and gave Archie another hug before he put her down, and she ran off.
"I think she likes you," Betty smiled.
"Oh, yes," Polly laughed, "She's got a massive crush on Archie."
"She's got good taste, I'll give her that," Betty smiled, giving Archie a smooch.
"Uncle Archie, Mommy said you have a heavy bag in your garage," Dagwood approached him, "Can we go play with it?"
"I think we have some time," Archie looked towards Polly who nodded in confirmation, "If it's okay with your mom, I'll take you and your sister over for a while."
"No, just you and me," Dagwood moaned.
"Looks like Daggie is jonesing for some guy time," Betty smiled.
"It's okay, Arch," Polly told him, "Junie gets a lot of girl time. It's not a bad idea for Dag to have some guy time."
"Yeah, okay," Archie replied, "FP, want to join us?"
"Sure, why not? Before we go, is there something I can eat real fast? I need a sugar rush. These kids wear me out."
"Try one of these," Alice handed him a cookie from the plate Betty had brought.
FP took a couple of bites, "These taste familiar. Didn't Fred's mother make these?"
"I don't know. I found some recipe cards and picked one that sounded good for today."
"Fred used to say his favorite cookies were the pumpkin cookies his mother made for Thanksgiving. He'd wait all year for her to make them, and then he'd gobble up an entire plate all by himself," FP stated.
Betty smiled, "Think he would've gobbled those up?"
"Absolutely," FP nodded.
"Before you do, get going," Alice shooed her husband out the door.
Betty smiled at how well received her cookies were. She was encouraged to try some more complicated recipes in the near future.
FP, Archie, and Dagwood went next door to have some bonding time when JB and Juniper came down to join the girls. JB had streaked Juniper's hair a few crazy colors.
"Do you like it, Aunt Betty?" Juniper spun on her toe a few times.
"I do," Betty pulled on a strand of her hair, "I hope your mom does too."
"Oh, I don't mind," Polly assured her, "We have those temporary kits at home. She loves to color her hair. It washes right out."
"Is the baby kicking?" Juniper put her hand on Betty's stomach.
"Junie, that's not nice," Polly scolded the girl, "You ask before you touch your aunt's belly."
"It's okay," Betty assured Juniper as she moved the little girl's hand, "He's a little sleepy today, but can you feel that?"
Juniper smiled widely as she felt the flutters of the baby moving against her hand. "Mommy said Daggie and I moved so much that she was always in the bathroom."
"Yeah, I visit it quite frequently myself," Betty chuckled.
"The sleepless nights," Mary chimed in, "Up every twenty minutes."
"Can't find a comfortable sleep position, and when you do, the alarm goes off," Alice added.
"And never finding a matching pair of shoes on your feet," Polly laughed.
Betty looked down at her feet, hoping she'd successfully found a matching pair. Luckily, she matched today. She'd gone to work countless times over the last few weeks to find mismatched shoes on her feet.
"Oh, it's all worth it once you hold the little angel in your arms," Mary assured Betty.
"Have you done the Lamaze classes yet?" Alice asked her daughter.
"Yeah, we did a weekend immersion class. Eight solid hours of nonstop birthing talk. I think Archie was more scarred by the video we watched of a woman giving birth than I was. He kept apologizing all the way home for what I was going to have to go through," Betty giggled. "He's still apologizing. It's working out well. I get him to do a lot of housework that I couldn't get him to do before."
"Yes, that's a fun time," Mary laughed, "Fred wouldn't let me lift a finger in the final trimester. Made that nesting period quite difficult."
"Oh goodness, the nesting period," Alice chimed in, "I rearranged the furniture so many times in the weeks before Betty was born. Polly didn't know what to make of it as she toddled around."
"The only urge I've had so far is to bake cookies," Betty motioned towards the plate she brought.
"Give it time, Sweetheart," Mary smiled.
"We need to talk baby showers," Alice stated.
"No, absolutely no baby shower," Betty replied, "I do not want to endure those ridiculous games and making small talk with people I hardly know all to get some gifts I'll end up having to return anyways."
"What if we promise no games," Mary offered.
"No," Betty insisted, "I know how this goes. You promise no games but the instant the party starts the games do too. Hard Pass."
Both Mary and Alice frowned in response. The two grandmothers were clearly disappointed in Betty's stance.
Dagwood came in a short while later all sweaty and demanding something to drink.
"Looks like Uncle Archie put you through the paces," Polly wiped her son's face, "Did you have fun?"
"Yep," he bobbed his head as he downed the glass of water his grandmother handed him in one gulp.
"Where are FP and Uncle Archie?" Betty asked.
"They had grownup stuff to talk about," Dagwood replied. "They told me to go to Grandma's."
Betty felt anxiety at her nephew's words as he ran off with JB and his sister, wondering what Archie and FP could be talking about. "Maybe I should join them."
"Just relax," Polly told her, "They're probably talking guy stuff, jock itch, football, impending fatherhood. I'm sure Archie will fill you in later."
"And if it's something about the investigation?" Betty asked.
"They'll fill you in," Alice assured her, "I made FP promise that he wouldn't shelter us from what was going on."
"I just really want this to be over," Betty sighed heavily, "Yeah, there's a warrant for Louis's arrest, but we all know that's just a minor irritant to him. He's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."
"At least they've put extra security around your house," Alice noted.
"Yeah, Cheryl doubled her security team too," Betty frowned, "It's making us feel a bit confined, but when the alternative is what it is…It's a worthy sacrifice."
Betty still felt anxious until she heard footsteps coming up the back steps to the kitchen.
"Archie, you're making the mother of your son anxious with your multiple disappearing acts today," Mary scolded her son.
Archie went to Betty's side, "Are you okay, Babe?"
"Just a bit on edge," she smiled slightly as he rubbed her stomach.
"I won't leave your side for the rest of the day," he kissed her forehead.
"Everything okay?" she tugged at the collar of his shirt, trying to bring him to her level so she could look in his eyes.
"Yeah, FP just wanted to talk about the investigation. There's nothing new," he told her.
"You were gone for several minutes for it to be nothing new," she noted.
"He was just listening to my first-time father concerns again," Archie smiled.
Betty smiled, "I have no doubts that you are going to be wonderful at it,"
"I wish I had as much faith in myself," Archie sighed heavily, "FP says it's just nerves and that I'll figure it out when the baby arrives."
"You will," she smiled, "And the first one never counts anyways."
Archie snorted in reply.
"Hey!" Polly frowned, "I resent that remark."
"Archie, we didn't always see eye to eye, but Fred was one of the best men I knew. You learned from him. You'll be fine," Alice smiled.
Archie bobbed his head. He appreciated everyone's faith in him, but it was hard to trust it. Even with the class they took, he felt ill prepared. He had never really been around infants.
"We'll practice on Cheryl and Toni's baby when it arrives," Betty spoke softly. They'd already talked through his hesitancies, and she tried at every turn to boost his confidence.
"If they let me hold it," he managed a smirk.
"Speaking of, they are coming today, right?" Polly asked.
"Yes, they are," Betty nodded, "So are Tom and Sierra."
"Full house," Polly noted, "Do we have enough room?"
"We've rearranged things to accommodate," Alice assured her eldest daughter.
"Speaking of rearranging, isn't it almost kick-off time?" Betty asked.
"Yeah, we'd better get comfy in front of the television before we get tapped for cooking detail," FP pulled Archie with him.
"I thought they'd never leave," Mary joked, "Alice, what can I do?"
"Have a seat," Alice told her, "It's a waiting game. Did you want a glass of wine?"
"I'd love one," Mary nodded.
"I've got it, Mom," Polly went to the bottles on the counter she'd opened earlier to breath, "Did you want a glass too?"
"Just a couple of sips," Alice replied, "I should probably be sober to finish up this bird."
"That's a good idea," Betty nodded as the doorbell rang, "That's probably Cherry and Toni."
There was a pounding of footsteps and then Juniper could be heard conversing with Cheryl and Toni as their voice drew nearer.
"Aunt Toni's belly moves like Aunt Betty's," Juniper announced.
Mary quickly rose from her stool and directed Toni to take her seat. "Pregnant ladies get first dibs."
"I'd protest if I didn't feel as big as a house," Toni bellied up to the counter next to Betty, "Due date is in two weeks, but the doctor says there is no way I'm going into labor then. I might have a month yet. If the baby isn't here by New Year's Eve, I'm being induced."
"Maybe you'll be the first baby of the New Year," Betty smiled, "You'll get your picture in the paper.
"I could care less," Toni scoffed.
"It will all be worth it, My Love," Cheryl chimed in.
"You're doing the next one," Toni scowled at her wife.
"I remember," Cheryl smiled.
"Cheryl, wine?"
"No, I'm on the wagon until my wife gives birth."
"Yeah, Archie is doing that sympathy sober thing too," Betty chimed in, "I'd be more appreciative if he also gave up coffee."
"Oh, I hear you," Toni laughed, "Nothing worse than the smell of the beloved bean when you can't partake."
"Then I shall give it up until you can have it again," Cheryl offered.
"Sure, great sacrifice now that we're a month out," Toni against scowled at Cheryl.
"At least I get coffee ice cream once a week," Betty smiled.
"Why don't you ladies relax with the football watching folks?" Alice suggested, "Mary, Polly, Cheryl, and I will handle everything in the kitchen."
"If you let Cheryl anywhere near dinner, we might as well call poison control right now," Toni replied.
"I am hurt," Cheryl said, "I think the dessert I made for tonight came out beautifully."
"Speaking of, before you go home, Cher, remind me, I found a little booklet of old cherry recipes that had to belong to Artie's mom. I won't use them."
"Oh, yum," Cheryl smiled.
"Shoo," Alice waved Betty and Toni out of the kitchen.
Betty immediately snuggled up against Archie, "Who are we cheering for?"
"Doesn't really matter," he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Did your mom kick you out?"
"Yes, apparently pregnant bellies are not allowed when it comes to cooking dinner," Betty's head rested on his shoulder.
"No skin off my back," Toni chimed in, "Less work for us."
"Good point," Betty smiled, "JB, I thought you were going to see your mom."
"Change of plans," JB admitted, "She had a last minute work thing, or so she says."
"I'm sorry," Betty replied. Betty felt for her stepsister as she knew Gladys had been keeping Jellybean at a distance since she'd decided to return to Riverdale with her father. She'd threatened all kinds of things when FP told her they were leaving Ohio, and ever since she'd made up all sorts of excuses to not see Jellybean or Jughead. "That's a bummer."
"It's okay," JB shrugged, "She'd burn the turkey anyways."
"Where's Jug?" Archie asked.
"He's spending the day with Tabitha serving at Pop's," FP said.
"Probably for the best there too," Betty replied, "Since he's supposedly been hired to kill Archie, it wouldn't be a good look for him to be seen breaking holiday bread with us."
"Little ears, Betts," Archie nodded to Juniper and Dagwood.
Betty looked appropriately apologetic, but it didn't appear that the twins heard what she said. Then she smiled, "You realize that this time next year we're going to have two more sets of little ears?"
"And two of those ears are going to be the most adorable in the world," he kissed her temple.
"Oh, my god, will the two of you get a room," Toni's eyes practically rolled out of her head as she looked at them in utter disdain.
"How are those hormones, Toni?" FP chuckled.
"Sucks the big B," Toni scowled at the man that was practically a father to her.
"Aunt Toni, is the baby making you mad?" Juniper asked with the innocence only a child could pull off.
"Sometimes," Toni nodded a little, "See, Junie, when a woman gets pregnant, she has all these extra emotions playing around in her body so sometimes she'll get mad or sad or even happy really easily."
"Aunt Betty must have the super happy kind," Juniper told Toni.
"Yes, she probably does," Toni glared at the other pregnant woman in the room, "She's not on restrictions."
"What restrictions does Cher have you on?"
"Cher doesn't have any of them on me," Toni sighed heavily, "The darn doctors don't want me going into labor just yet, so I'm on those restrictions."
Archie looked genuinely baffled as Betty caught Toni's drift.
"I'm sorry, T," Betty offered, "It's only a few more weeks."
"With any lucky," Toni rubbed at her much larger belly.
"Your baby's gonna be my cousin, too, right? Like Aunt Betty's is," Juniper smiled.
"That's right," Toni nodded.
"Aunt Toni, can you please have a girl? Aunt Betty's having a boy," Juniper frowned.
"I'll do my best, Peanut," Toni winked at the younger girl.
"Thank you," Juniper smiled and wandered into the kitchen.
"I'm a little glad you're having a boy," JB smiled, "Dag and Dad are way outnumbered."
"You don't want to have a niece you can dote over?" Betty asked.
"I've got Junie for that," JB said, "Besides, I think it's only appropriate for your first kid to be a boy named after Archie's dad."
"Yeah, I agree," Betty rubbed at Archie's shoulder.
"I can't take this lovey-dovey crap," Toni struggled to her feet and made her way back into the kitchen.
"A preview of what I'm in for?" Archie raised a brow in Betty's direction.
"Probably," Betty snickered, "Get ready, Babe."
"Bring it," he grinned at her.
"Hey, time for salad everyone," Polly said to the living room crowd.
"Thank god, I'm starving," Betty announced as Archie helped her to her feet.
"Aunt Betty?" Juniper looked at her hopefully.
"Yes, Sweetie?"
"Can I sit next to Uncle Archie?"
"Only if I can sit on the other side of him," Betty tapped her niece's nose.
"Okay," Juniper bobbed her head.
"Someone's got a crush," Mary smiled, "What is it about Cooper girls and my son?"
"It's the freckles," Betty nodded.
"She's got good taste," Archie chuckled, "Just like her aunt."
"She certainly didn't learn it from me," Polly rolled her eyes.
"Hey, we do share a love for redheads," Betty pointed out.
Polly nodded with a sad smile, "True enough."
Cheryl put her arms around the sisters and squeezed lightly, "You both have excellent taste."
After everyone found their place at the table, they said grace and then everyone dug into their salads.
There was a happy banter that filled the room. Even Toni's mood had shifted as she and Cheryl had their heads together as they laughed and rubbed at Toni's belly affectionately.
Betty smiled at the sight and put a hand on her own stomach as Fredrick moved around.
"Is he awake?" Archie asked quietly.
"Yeah," Betty nodded.
"Guess he doesn't want to miss out on the family fun," Archie's hand rested against her stomach.
"I can't wait," Betty smiled just as Toni let out a sharp cry.
"What's wrong, my love?" Cheryl looked towards her wife with great concern.
"My stomach," Toni said.
"The baby?" Cheryl looked panicked.
"I think so," Toni winced.
"Let's get her to the hospital," Alice spoke up as she and Mary kicked into experienced 'Mom' mode as they went to Toni's side.
"Oooh," Toni breathed.
"Is that a contraction?" JB asked.
"I think so," Toni managed between pains.
"Come on, TiTi," Cheryl got to her feet and pulled Toni to hers.
"Should we call for an ambulance?" Tom offered.
Toni gasped and just as FP was reaching for his phone to dial 9-1-1, a loudly embarrassing burp came out of Toni.
Everyone froze at the roar that came out.
"What was that?!" Polly was the first get her wits about her.
Betty bit her lip to keep from giggling and setting a bad example for Junie and Dag.
"Wow, I have no idea," Toni felt great relief.
"Are you okay?" Cheryl asked in concern.
"Yeah, I think I'm fine," Toni returned to her seat.
"Are you not having the baby, Aunt Toni?" Juniper frowned.
"Not yet, Junie," Toni shook her head.
"Maybe we should take you to the hospital just to be sure," Cheryl looked unconvinced.
"I'm fine, really," Toni assured her, "It was just a bit of gas."
"A bit of gas. It sounded like you released all the gas in the Hindenberg," Cheryl scoffed.
That did it for Betty. She started giggling and was soon joined by JB.
Soon the entire table was giggling, which progressed into outright laughter. Almost immediately everyone was practically rolling on the floor in amusement.
"Oh my God," Betty gasped for breath, "I have to calm down. I'm having trouble breathing."
Archie rubbed her back, hoping to sooth her. "Deep breaths, Babe. I don't want you going into labor."
"You're so sweet," Betty leaned over and kissed him, "I think I want to have your baby. Oops, too late."
Archie rolled his eyes as the entire table began to calm down.
"Aunt Betty, can you make that sound too because of the baby in your tummy?" Dagwood asked as innocently as a child his age could.
Betty smiled at him, "I don't know, Sweetie. I'll have to find out what Aunt Toni ate this morning."
"Don't you worry, Sweetheart," Toni chimed in, "Your aunt will be making those sounds soon enough. The baby makes me super gassy."
"Something to look forward to," Archie smirked in amusement.
"Smith women do not get gas. We do however tend to get very emotional," Alice said.
"I remember that," Polly shook her head. "I cried at the drop of a hat."
"Pol, where's Sweet Pea today?" Betty asked, "I thought he'd be here since the big reveal at the Halloween party."
"There's a Serpent Thanksgiving dinner at the Whyte Wyrm. He goes every year," Polly replied.
"We're stopping by after this," Toni smiled, "FP, you coming?"
"I guess I should put in an appearance," FP nodded. "Polly, why don't you come with me?"
"Oh, I don't," Polly looked at the twins.
Alice picked up on her daughter's hesitation, "They can stay here with me. We'll eat leftover cookies."
"Cookies," Juniper perked up in excitement.
"Sound like she's on board," Archie chuckled.
"You want to join us, Red?" FP asked, "After all, you're an honorary serpent."
"Next time," Archie said, "I don't like straying too far from home these days."
"You should call Jug and let him know. He'd probably want to join," Betty said.
"Good idea," FP nodded.
"It's too bad he's not here today," Alice frowned, "I thought you all buried the hatchet."
"We did," Betty confirmed, "He's helping Tabitha serve holiday dinners at Pop's."
"Ah," Alice nodded, "We'll save him some dessert. I'm sure Pop made his amazing apple pie, but I doubt he made pumpkin cookies."
"I could never get the hang of those," Mary shook her head, "Fred was so disappointed."
"I'm surprised you had trouble," Betty replied, "They were actually fairly easy to make."
"I'm convinced that Fred's mother didn't give me the full recipe. She just wanted to be the one to make them for her little boy," Mary replied.
That got another round of laughs from the table before they cleared plates and had coffee and desserts brought out.
When Archie caught Betty yawing for the fifth time in ten minutes, he knew it was time to make their exit.
"Come on, Babe," he whispered, "Let's get home."
"No," she moaned like a young girl would, "I want to stay with the adults."
"How about a nap?" he suggested, "Maybe we can come back later."
"You know as well as I do, the minute my head touches the pillow I'll be gone until tomorrow morning," she gave him a look.
"That's kind of my hope," he grinned.
"I guess I am a bit tired," Betty conceded.
Archie didn't wait for her to change her mind as he went to retrieve their coats.
"I'm going to help Alice clean up and then I'll be home," Mary said, "I'll be quiet."
"You always are," Archie hugged her and then turned to where Alice was standing with Betty and Polly and smiling at them both.
"Dinner was great, Mom," Betty was saying, "I'm sorry we can't keep our traditional shopping day tomorrow."
"Sweetheart, don't give it another thought. You stay safe and rested tomorrow. There's always Cyber Monday," Alice hugged her.
Betty and Archie left through the front door. Their bodyguards were only a few steps behind as they cut through the yard and climbed the stairs. There was a box on the front doorstep.
"What's that?" Betty looked a bit perplexed.
"I don't know," Archie shook his head and looked over his shoulder to see Tom and Sierra leaving for the night, "Tom? You got a second?"
Tom jogged over to Archie's front door and saw what Archie was suddenly concerned about. "You weren't expecting anything?"
"No, especially not on Thanksgiving Day," Betty shook her head.
"I'll call the station and have them send over the bomb techs just to be on the safe side," Tom pulled out his phone.
"Really, the bomb squad," Betty looked at him, "Isn't that a bit of overkill?"
"Well, Lodge hasn't sprung for that x-ray device that FP and I have been asking for," Tom explained, "Therefore, we take these extreme measures."
"He's trying to prove to Hiram that the x-ray device would cost less in the long run," Sierra approached them.
"Sierra, take Betty and Archie inside. I'll handle this," Tom told his wife.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Betty's voice quivered nervously.
"I'm pretty sure, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," Tom replied.
"Let's go inside," Sierra ushered them around the box and into the house.
Archie began pacing the instant Betty was settled on the sofa.
"Arch, calm down," Betty said. "We didn't hear ticking so if it is a bomb, it's not on a timer. It's probably a pressure release thing. All we do is not open it."
Archie stopped and stared at her.
"I'm rationalizing, okay?" Betty frowned.
There was a great commotion on the other side of the door and then a frantic knocking at the backdoor.
"That's going to be Mom and Mary," Betty replied.
"I'll handle the Mom Squad," Sierra offered.
"Thanks, Sierra," Betty smiled and then looked at Archie, "Can you sit with me and hold my hand while we wait?"
Archie plopped down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"How could he get to us in our own home?" Betty asked.
"He must be watching, waiting for holes in the security detail," Archie pressed his forehead to her temple, "Are you feeling okay?"
"Mildly scared to death," Betty admitted, "That reminds me, my phone vibrated when we were at dinner. I never checked it."
She pulled it out and smiled, "Kevin."
"What's up with him?" Archie was grateful for any chance to change the subject.
"I'll let you know after I listen to his message," Betty smiled and put the phone to her ear to listen, "He says that he can't find a non-vegetarian buffet to attend and to please overnight him a turkey sandwich from Pop's."
Archie grinned at her words.
"Okay, he's saved because he just found some kind of pie house and is going to have a slice of pumpkin, then of pecan, and then apple. If he has room after that, he's going to try shoo-fly pie," Betty shook her head and then set down her phone.
"He sounds homesick," Archie replied.
"I better call him tomorrow to see how he is," Betty said. "I'd call now, but I'm pretty sure I'd fall asleep in the middle of the conversation."
"Why don't you head upstairs and get settled for bed?" Archie rubbed her back. "I'll come up when things are settled outside."
"I don't want to leave you alone to deal with this," Betty shook her head.
"Go," Archie smiled, "I'd feel better if you were upstairs and snuggled into bed."
Reluctantly Betty agreed and was upstairs when Tom knocked softly on the front door.
"It's all clear," Tom told him.
"So, it wasn't a bomb?" Archie asked.
"No, but I think this might be worse," Tom handed him a stack of pictures. "We'll get our deputies to double their patrols down this street."
Archie flipped through the pictures. They were of both him and Betty as they went about their daily lives. It was a reminder that Betty's crazy ex was watching them at all times.
"Are the extra patrols going to be enough?" Archie asked, "He's gotten to Betty twice, and now this."
"Archie, short of locking you both up in this house 24/7, everything that can be done is being done," Tom assured him, "We are going to do our best to make sure you two are safe."
Archie nodded, "Thanks, Tom."
"It's more for Betty than you. Kevin would never forgive me if anything happened to her," Tom said seriously before he grinned, "Get some sleep. Is my wife-"
"Right here," Sierra said, "Alice went home to make sure Junie and Dag are okay. Mary's in the kitchen waiting for the all clear."
"I'd better go talk to her," Archie rubbed at the back of his neck to relieve some unseen tension.
"We'll head out," Tom told him. "Keep your eyes open and if you see or hear anything that sounds out of the ordinary, call the station."
"I will," Archie offered his hand, "Happy Thanksgiving and thank you."
"No problem," Tom nodded, taking Sierra's hand as they left.
After a quick chat with Mary, Archie headed to his bedroom to tell Betty what was found. He was glad to see her in bed. She was half awake, clearly trying to stay awake for him.
"What did they find?" Betty mumbled as she cuddled his pillow.
"Nothing good," Archie sat next to her, "Thankfully it wasn't a bomb."
"It was something worse," she saw the look in his eyes.
"Go to sleep, Betts. We'll talk in the morning."
"Hmm," she sighed, "Love you."
Just as Betty drifted off, Archie heard the doorbell.
Muttering about who would have the nerve to visit so late, he went down to give whoever was at the front door a piece of his mind.
"My security team said there was an unwelcomed package delivered," Cheryl burst into the house, "Is everyone okay?"
"Nice to see you, too, Cher," Archie said, "Hey, Toni."
"I tried to stop her," Toni said, "Jug says hi and Happy Thanksgiving."
"I'm doubling security," Cheryl told him, "Where's Betty?"
"She's hopefully still asleep," Archie replied, "But I can't swear to it since someone rudely rang our doorbell so late."
"It's only seven thirty," Cheryl glared at him, "Go wake her. I want to make sure she's okay."
"Cher, let Betty sleep. She's tired. You know how tired the pregnancy makes me. It's the same for Betty," Toni stated.
"Fine," Cheryl huffed, "But I better receive a phone call from her first thing tomorrow morning, Andrews, or I'm going to be right back here ringing the doorbell incessantly."
"I'll give her the message the minute she wakes up," Archie promised, "I won't even say good morning or kiss her. The first words out of my mouth will be 'Call Cheryl'. I promise."
"Don't try to be charming or cute," Cheryl frowned, "I guess we should go."
"Yes, we should," Toni tried to steer her towards the door.
"I'm calling the security service on my way home," Cheryl assured him, "No one will lay a fingernail on Betty."
"I love you for that," Archie called after the two.
"You better," Cheryl teased back.
With Cheryl and Toni gone, Archie went through the house to make sure all the doors were securely locked as were the windows. He fleetingly thought maybe they needed to invest in a home security system. He climbed the stairs and got himself ready for bed. Things felt a bit better with Betty snuggled into his arms.
TBC...