Archie came in from the backyard with Hugo on his leash. He stomped his feet to remove the snow from his boots as Hugo tugged on the leash. Hugo was a fan of the Cooper women. Since he arrived two days ago, he and Betty were snuggling together pretty much every time Archie turned around. The only time he listened to Archie was when it was time to go outside to relieve himself.
"Hang on, Hugo," Archie quickly shed his coat.
Hugo yipped in reply as he tugged again at the leash. As soon as he was free, he bolted from the kitchen to search for Betty.
"Arch, Hugo's paws are wet," Betty carried him into the kitchen, the puppy licking her face and drawing out Betty's laughter, "I thought we agreed that we'd wipe his feet when he came in from outside, so he doesn't track water and dirt through the house."
Archie reached for the towel they'd set by the door for that exact purpose. "Then you need to be in the kitchen waiting for him because he won't sit still for me."
As Archie got close enough to wipe his paws, Hugo yipped at him, warning him to stay away.
"Hugo, be nice," Betty half-heartedly scolded the pup.
"Only six hours to go," Archie sighed in relief as Betty wiped his paws. Tonight was Christmas Eve, and then they'd be done babysitting this crazy dog. He was well behaved for Betty and when Polly came over to visit, but with Archie, he was a terror, barking and growling in his direction, getting into all sorts of mischief, and the kicker was gnawing on his work boots.
"Aw, is the little puppy driving the master of the house crazy?" Betty cooed to Hugo, scratching behind the dog's ears.
"This is not funny," Archie frowned, "This animal hates me."
"He doesn't hate you," Betty giggled, "He's just not used to you."
"For the next six hours, he's all yours," Archie threw up his hands and made his way to the office.
"Is Hugo still giving you a hard time?" Mary was sitting in the reclining chair, reading a book. She'd arrived early in the week. They'd been busy with decorating the nursery until Hugo's arrival. Since then, it was all about Hugo, much to Archie's annoyance. Mary had wisely decided to stay out of all the Hugo shenanigans.
"He's a good reminder of why Betty and I are wise to wait until Frederick is at least a year old before we consider becoming pet owners. Puppies can be unpredictable, even with the best training," Archie sat himself in the other recliner in the room.
Mary smiled, "I still remember bringing Vegas home. It was a three-way love at first sight for you, him, and your dad."
Archie smiled a little, remembering his dog, "He was the best."
"I know you still miss him," Mary smiled. "I'm so sorry you weren't there to say goodbye. If it helps, it was peaceful."
"It does a bit," Archie frowned. "We were lucky to have him for as long as we did. It's the nature of owning pets. The joys outweigh the sadness."
"Are you okay, Sweetheart?" Mary noticed something in her son's eyes.
"Yeah," Archie bobbed his head, "Betty and I helped Polly pick out Hugo a few weeks ago. There was a dog that was a year older. His name was Einstein. We sort of bonded. It reminded me a lot of when we first brought Vegas home. Einstein hadn't really bonded with any prospective owners, so the breeders were talking about keeping him. I've been going to see him a couple of times a week. When Betty and I went to pick up Hugo, I learned that Einstein had been adopted. I guess I'm just a little bummed that I didn't get to say goodbye and wish his owners well."
"Oh," Mary frowned. "Well, maybe you'll run into him on a walk or something."
"Maybe," Archie nodded.
"What's this I hear about you playing Santa tonight?"
"It was Alice's idea," Archie shook his head. "Have you ever tried to say no to three Cooper women with their batting eyelashes? It's impossible."
Mary giggled.
"Cher? It's me," Betty spoke quietly into her phone after hearing Archie's conversation with Mary. She almost felt a bit guilty for making Archie believe Einstein had been adopted by someone else. "I'm just checking on Einstein."
"Oh my god, he is just the sweetest dog and so well behaved," Cheryl gushed, "He and Toni are napping right now. Any chance you'd just hand him over?"
"Not a chance," Betty laughed.
"Well, maybe in a year, we'll go up and look at dogs," Cheryl said. "It's been a while since we've had one running around the property."
"God, I'd forgotten about the Blossom hounds," Betty giggled. "I think Tracer was my favorite."
"Me, too," Cheryl sighed happily, "How's it going with Hugo?"
"I think he's an angel," Betty giggled, "Archie has a different opinion. I think he's just a bit mad because Hugo chewed up one of his work boots."
Cheryl giggled on her end, "What time's dinner at your mom's?"
"She's hoping to get everything started by five," Betty checked her watch. "Are you and Toni still going to make it?"
"Yeah, we're spending Christmas day with her abuela, that is unless someone goes into labor," Cheryl said, "It's looking more and more doubtful that we'll have a Christmas baby."
"At least you have plans for the holidays, and that you'll be with us tonight," Betty replied, "We want everyone to see the spectacle that is Archie dressed as Santa Claus."
"Can't wait," Cheryl laughed, "Any chance we can get him to do this every year?"
"We're going to do our best at least until all the kids grow up," Betty smiled. "If he doesn't want to always do it, we can trade with Jug or something."
"Somehow, I can't picture Jones as Santa," Cheryl said, "Way too angsty to be that jolly."
"You might have a point," Betty chuckled, "Archie's costume is all ready to go. How's Toni feeling?"
"Uncomfortable," Cheryl sighed, "Doctor Coffey is pretty sure she'll have to be induced. We have an appointment with her for the twenty-eighth, so Ti Ti has four days to go."
"Is she still miserable?" Betty asked.
"Her mood seems to have improved the last few days. I think Einstein is part of the reason for her improved mood, hence my request to keep him," Cheryl replied.
"Still not happening," Betty replied.
"Okay, okay," Cheryl said, "But I expect help in finding a dog when we're ready."
"Deal," Betty smiled. "If you guys induce on the twenty-eighth, does that mean your New Year's bash is canceled?"
"We still plan on hosting," Cheryl assured her, "It's being catered. We've already chosen the menu, so there isn't much else Ti Ti and I have to do. We're hoping to use the party to introduce the baby to our crazy, mashed up family."
"Sounds like a plan," Betty smiled and looked up when the bell rang, "Hey, Cher, someone's at the door. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Okay," Cheryl agreed and they hung up.
Betty waddled her way to the door and peeked through the curtains to see her sister with garment bags on the porch. She opened the door and smiled, "Hey, Polls."
"Hey, Betty," Polly replied, "I was just coming to check on Hugo."
"Please take the dog," Archie joined Betty in the entryway.
"Is he still tormenting you?" Polly chuckled.
"He excels at it," Betty laughed along with her sister.
Polly whistled and Hugo came running to the front hall, jumping excitedly around the Cooper sisters.
"How can this face torment you, Archie?" Polly cooed.
"Sure, he's an angel with the two of you," Archie rolled his eyes, "I hope he's just super attached to the Cooper family rather than an aversion to men, or Dagwood is going to have a rough go of things."
"I'm sure it's a dominance thing," Betty smiled, "He wants to be the master of the household, and he knows with you in the house he can't be."
"Oh, before I forget," Polly held up the garment bag, "Mom and I had a thought last night. We kind of thought that Santa can't show up alone."
"If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, then think again," Betty shook her head.
"Come on, Betty," Polly moaned, "You'll look great. I went through all the effort to find a maternity Mrs. Claus costume."
"Really? You don't think it'll look weird that Santa and Mrs. Claus are having a baby just like Uncle Archie and Aunt Betty?" Betty frowned.
"Oh, Junie and Daggie won't for a minute think you're the real Santa and Mrs. Claus anyways. He's way too busy delivering gifts already," Polly waved away the concern, "Just tell them that you work for him, and he asked you to deliver their gift. They'll be so excited about the dog that they won't think through the glaringly obvious plot holes.
"Come on, Betts, be my Mrs. Claus," Archie smiled charmingly at her.
"God, I hope Freddie doesn't inherit that smile," Betty shook her head and sighed, "Okay, fine."
"Yay!" Polly handed over the garment bag, "It's fresh from the cleaners. We'll see you guys soon. I have to get over to Mom's to help her get the cookies baked. The twins are so excited to decorate them."
"If it's anything like when we used to decorate them, more of the frosting will be on their faces than on the cookies," Betty laughed.
"Too true," Polly nodded as she left.
Betty groaned as she looked at the garment bag in her hands, probably hoping it would suddenly burst into flames.
"You were so excited when it was my humiliation," he teased.
"Yeah, because it was yours alone," she sighed heavily.
"You'll look great," he kissed her cheek.
"This is going to be so itchy, I just know it," Betty frowned.
Archie was dressed and ready to go. In the Santa costume, Hugo behaved like a completely different dog. He'd even allowed Archie to pick him up without a struggle. "Betty, let's go before I sweat through this foam stomach."
"I'm not going," Betty called down from upstairs where Mary had been helping her with the makeup and wig.
"You have to go," Archie reminded her, "It's your family's party."
"I have no family," Betty hollered down, "No family would insist I wear something so humiliating."
"You're exaggerating," Archie called up the stairs, "Come on, Betts."
"Fine," Betty stomped down the stairs with her most annoyed look.
"You look fantastic, Mrs. Claus," Archie approached and attempted to kiss her cheek.
"Touch me and you'll be unable to reproduce ever again," Betty wagged a finger at him.
Archie wisely kept his distance.
"We need a picture," Mary said, "It's like your prom night."
"We do not need a picture of this mortification," Betty shook her head, "The only way this could be prom night is if we lived in the North Pole."
"Come on, Betty," Archie went to her side and wrapped an arm around her waist, "Be a good sport."
"If this picture ends up on any social media site, you'll never know your grandson, Mary Andrews," Betty threatened her before mustering up a smile.
Mary took a picture and smiled, "So cute."
"Yeah, we're freaking adorable," Betty muttered mostly under her breath, even though both Archie and Mary heard her.
"I think you are. Does that count?" Archie grinned at her.
"Let's get this over with, so I can change into relatively decent clothes before everyone at this party can witness this atrocity," Betty trudged towards the front door.
"It's hormones," Mary told Archie, "When I was pregnant with you, I threatened your father with a butcher knife if he so much as touched my hand in the seventh month."
"I know," he sighed, "We'd better get a move on it. Come on, Hugo. Time to work your magic."
Hugo yipped as Archie put the leash on and followed Betty over to the Smith-Jones home.
Betty knocked on the door.
Juniper rushed to open it. Her eyes grew super wide as she was greeted by Archie's best, "Ho, Ho, Ho."
"Santa!" Juniper hugged him around the waist.
Betty couldn't help the smile that crossed her face.
"Junie, who's at the door?" Alice appeared behind her granddaughter.
"It's Santa and Mrs. Claus," Juniper replied.
"That's not Santa," Dagwood replied, "That's Uncle Archie dressed up like Santa."
"Nuh uh," Juniper protested.
"Uh-huh," Dagwood said.
"Well, then I guess you don't want the gift we brought for you guys," Betty said.
"Gift?" the twins stopped arguing.
Betty tugged on Hugo's leash. When the puppy appeared with a bright red bow around his neck, the twins shrieked in delight. Juniper immediately fell to her knees as she hugged the puppy around his neck. She was rewarded with a lick to her face.
Betty grinned and looked at Archie, taking his hand in hers and smiling, "I'll take that kiss to the cheek if you're still offering."
Archie didn't hesitate in bestowing her with his affection.
"We need to name him," Dagwood crouched down next to his sister and bonded with the puppy.
"Actually, his name is Hugo," Archie replied, noticeably relieved when Hugo licked at Dagwood's face. He'd been worried that the puppy would have problems bonding with Dagwood. He's worries appeared to be unfounded.
"I like that," Juniper said, "Thank you, Santa,"
"You're very welcome," Archie smiled.
"Thank you, Aunt Betty," Dagwood hugged her around the middle.
"I'm Mrs. Claus," Betty told him.
"Nuh uh," Dagwood replied.
"The jig is up, Betts," Archie chuckled as he removed his beard and hat to reveal his true identity, "Dagwood is right. Santa is busy delivering gifts to all the girls and boys tonight, but he did ask us to deliver Hugo to you on his behalf."
"You know Santa?" Juniper's eyes went wide with intrigue.
"We do," Betty confirmed.
"That is so cool!" Dagwood said, eyes wide.
"Can we get a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the puppy, and its new owners?" Polly asked with a wave of her phone.
"I'll tell you what I told Mary," Betty warned her sister, "If those pictures end up anywhere on social media, you will never know your nephew."
"Noted," Polly said.
"And do not, under any circumstance, share these photos with Cheryl," Archie said.
"You two are no fun," Polly laughed as she took the picture.
"Now that the fun is out of the way. I'm heading home to change into something comfortable before the party starts," Betty announced.
"Betts, I've got leggings and a sweatshirt that will fit you upstairs," JB said. "No need to trek through the snow to the house."
"You're the best, JB," Betty gave her a grateful smile as she climbed the stairs.
"We've got a change of clothes for you too," Mary produced a bag of clothes for Archie.
"Best mom ever," Archie kissed her cheek before making his way upstairs to change in the spare bedroom.
Once Betty was in JB's room, aka her old bedroom, she took off her wig and shook out her hair, deciding she'd leave it loose for the night, before she let JB unzip her costume so she could shimmy out of it.
"It was nice what you did for Junie and Dag tonight," JB commented.
"Thanks," Betty smiled, "Is your dad still at work?"
"Yeah, he has the afternoon shift, but he'll be home in time for dinner," JB said. "Do you want some lip gloss or anything?"
"I wish I had some ChapStick."
"Easy," JB opened her nightstand drawer. "I buy these all the time out of habit."
"You're a life saver, JB," Betty quickly applied the ChapStick to her lips.
"How are you feeling?" JB watched as Betty wiggled herself into the offered leggings.
"Tired, like all the time tired," Betty admitted, "And a bit cranky. Polly surprising me with the Mrs. Claus costume earlier didn't help matters."
"I tried to talk Alice and Polly out of that," JB snickered.
"Oh, don't worry. I'll have payback," Betty assured her.
"I look forward to seeing it happen," JB grinned, handing her the sweatshirt that had 'Living on a Prayer' scrawled on it.
"Your dad's?" Betty grinned.
"Yeah," JB nodded, "He won't mind."
"Are you sure?" Betty hesitated.
"Oh yeah," JB assured her, "He probably has no idea he still had it. It was in a trunk we moved over after he and Alice got married. It's been in the attic ever since. He told Alice to donate all the clothes in there to Goodwill. I snagged this sweatshirt before she could make good on his directive."
"I'm surprised he wants to give this up. I can remember being a kid and hearing him sing Born to Be My Baby over and over again."
"Yeah, he and Fred loved those all songs," JB smiled, "Remember them getting really drunk that one July Fourth and getting on stage to sing some hair band rock song. God, that was so embarrassing."
"I remember," Betty nodded. "I also remember FP and Mom using Born to Be My Baby as their wedding song," Betty smiled.
"I loved that day," JB smiled. "They looked so happy."
"Yeah, I think waiting that long to be together made the day much more special," Betty replied.
"Yeah," JB bobbed her head.
"Are you okay, JB?" Betty thought she noticed something in her stepsister's eyes.
"I guess," JB replied, "Dad got some paperwork from some lawyers in Ohio. Gladys is suing for custody again. She claims that Dad is using his position as a deputy to deny her parental rights. It's total crap. She only wants custody so she can get the child support that would go along with it."
"I'm sorry, Sweetie," Betty sat down next to her after slipping into the sweatshirt, "Is she still in Toledo?"
"Yeah," JB nodded, "The last time I saw her for anything other than a holiday was when my grandma died and even then, she was practically running out the door."
"You know you have a voice in where you live," Betty put an arm around her shoulders, "You're old enough now that the judges will weigh your desires heavily."
"How do I tell my mom that I don't want to live with her?" JB asked.
"How about you just tell her that you don't want to be uprooted since you've finally settled into Riverdale and have lots of friends and family here?" Betty offered, "You don't have to say anything about not wanting to live with your mom."
"Even though it's the truth?" JB asked.
"Only if it comes to that," Betty replied.
"I could add in that it is the middle of the school year. I'll be graduating in a year and a half. I'll be eighteen soon enough, so there's really no point in me coming to live with her," JB said.
"Good," Betty smiled, "Those are all good reasons which have nothing to do with your not wanting to live with her."
"Thanks, Betty," JB smiled and hugged her.
"No problem, JB," Betty smiled.
"Plus, I don't want to leave my nephew," JB rubbed Betty's belly, "Someone has to teach little Freddie some style."
"Oh, just do me one favor. Never mention Griffins and Gargoyles to him," Betty shook her head.
"I burned all that stuff a long time ago," JB assured him.
"Good," Betty hugged her again, "We'd better get downstairs. You'll want to meet Hugo. He'll love you."
"As long as he tortures Jug, I'm good," JB laughed.
"Well, he seems to like torturing Archie," Betty nodded.
JB giggled as the girls went downstairs.
"Hey, there you are," Archie wrapped an arm Betty's shoulders, "Everything okay?"
"Just a little girl talk," Betty smiled fondly before looking around the room at everyone gathered together. This was a first in a long time for her. She'd spent the last few Christmases trying to be the perfect girlfriend for Louis. She'd been so afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing and paying the consequences later. She never had any time to enjoy herself. She could finally enjoy the festivities and be herself again. "This is so nice."
"Yeah, it's been a long time since I've had a proper Christmas Eve celebration," Archie kissed her temple. "Junie keeps bringing me cookies. Thank God I don't have to train for the ring anymore. Sugar was a big no-no."
"Oh, the horror," Betty laughed.
"You're hysterical," Archie smiled, "You try avoiding sugar around the holidays. It's nearly impossible."
"I know," Betty grinned at him and then turned to the door when the bell rang. "I'll get it, Mom."
Cheryl and a very pregnant Toni were on the other side, both dressed festively for the occasion. Toni had somehow incorporated holiday garland into her outfit to fit around her belly. "Just place the presents under me," Toni told Betty as she commented on her outfit, "I can take the place of the Christmas tree."
"I think we're all square on the tree front," Betty laughed, "Come in."
"Merry Christmas, Cousin," Cheryl gave Betty a hug, "How are you feeling?"
"Large, but otherwise okay," Betty smiled. "Come meet Hugo."
"Yes, we've heard all about this little cutie," Toni smiled as the puppy came to greet the newest guests.
"Aunt Toni, did you know that Uncle Archie and Aunt Betty know Santa?" Juniper bounced on her toes.
"Really?" Toni looked to Betty and Archie in amusement, "How cool is that? Now you have a direct line to Santa all year long, but you'd better be careful. You wouldn't want them giving Santa a bad report next year and ending up with lumps of coal in your stockings."
"I try very hard to be good," Juniper said earnestly.
"I know you do, Sweetie," Polly scooped up her daughter, making her giggle.
FP arrived home to a house that was practically bursting at the seams. "Nice shirt, Step-daughter," he approached and put an arm around her shoulders. "I think I've seen that somewhere before."
"I hope you don't mind," Betty's voice quivered nervously, "JB said you told Mom to donate it to charity."
"Why would I mind?" he gave her a wink, "Looks a heck of a lot better on you than it ever did me."
"Thanks," Betty smiled as she curled into Archie while FP went upstairs to change out of his deputy uniform.
With the puppy in the mix, Christmas Eve dinner was loud and overwhelming. Betty and Archie were quite relieved to don their coats shortly after the table was cleared and head home.
Mary followed them and went right up to bed when they got home saying she'd see them in the morning. She wanted to get up early to make their Christmas breakfast.
Betty and Archie curled up in front of the Christmas tree. "It's so quiet without Hugo," Archie noted.
"I know he was quite the terror," Betty replied, "I hope he hasn't changed your mind about getting a dog after Frederick is a bit older."
"No," Archie smiled, "I think a dog is a good idea for us."
"Just the typical all-American family," Betty teased.
"Sounds good to me," he kissed her temple.
After a mug of apple cider where they spoke about what the next several Christmases would feel like with their little boy, Betty pulled Archie upstairs to tuck her into bed where they both slept soundly.
TBC…