"Excuse me, what?" Jughead stared at Betty, completely taken aback. He wasn't believing that she could've possibly just said what he thought she did.
Surely, he must have heard her wrong. The Betty Cooper he knew wouldn't do something like this, wouldn't keep this type of thing from him.
"Ok, you're gonna need to run that by me again, Betts, because I'm pretty sure I misheard you," Betty cleared her throat, reaching for his hand but -thinking better of it- dropped it back to her side. She swallowed hard and gathered what courage she could before she responded to him.
"I said, his name is James Pendleton Jones. I named him after his father. I wanted to name him after you," Betty said, trembling with fear and hanging her head in shame at the look in his eyes.
Jughead stepped back from her, his mind swimming with confusion and betrayal. He felt like he had just been doused in ice cold water at her words.
"No, that's not- no. No, no, no. Please, please tell me you're joking right now?" Jughead stepped out of her reach, the hurt leaving his body all at once only to be replaced by anger that was rising to the surface.
Jughead is a father? He has a son? He had a son with Betty? A son that she kept hidden from him ever since she left town and disappeared? He's been a father all this time and Betty couldn't be bothered to tell him as much?
How could she do this to me? He thought as his heart constricted, the pain of it only fueling his rage. He felt the darkness in his mind begin to take root as he paced the floor in front of her.
Betty could see his fists balled up at his sides, watched as his jaw clenched and unclenched repeatedly, and she could tell he was trying his best not to explode on her. It was the same look he had the night he threw their love away. It was the same look he had when she was on stage stripping for the Serpents in order to become a part of his world. She sees that very same look clearly in his features right now and it terrifies her more now than it ever did then.
"Juggie, how can you say that? I wouldn't joke about something like that and you know it," Betty pleaded. She wasn't sure how to even explain why she didn't tell him about JJ but she knew this conversation wasn't one to be having with her mostly naked so she rushed to her duffle bag to find something to wear.
Betty grabbed her panties and black skinny jeans, wiggling them on as quickly as possible before grabbing her black lace bralette and slipping it on followed by a lacy, black tank top. She could see from the way Jughead's nostrils flared that he was starting to get impatient waiting for her to explain herself, which only served to make her more nervous. She took a deep breath and started to explain.
"Look Jug, I don't know how else to go about this so I'll just start at the beginning. That night I was so devastated and I didn't know what else to do, so I just ran. My heart was completely shattered and there was no way staying in Riverdale was an option anymore. I knew I couldn't survive that place without you," Betty's voice broke, causing Jughead's jaw to clench tighter at the pain he heard.
"Hell, I almost didn't survive. If I didn't find out about JJ when I did- well I don't know what would have happened. I might have been completely lost to the darkness by now or maybe I wouldn't even be here. He saved me, Juggie. Our son saved my life. And even though I've been through hell, and had to do some things that I'm not proud of over the years, knowing he was taken care of him made it all worth it." A tear slipped down Betty's cheek, unable to be held back any longer. Jughead fought the urge to wipe it away, his anger still boiling him alive.
"But why did you keep him a secret, Betty? How could you do that to me? Knowing how much I wanted a family of my own, a family of our own! You lied to me and kept my child from me, and for what? Did you do it out of spite because I broke up with you? Was this some sort of sick revenge?!" Jughead screamed, startling Betty and causing her to cower slightly. His words cut her deeply and she didn't want him to think she had hid JJ just to spite him. How could she explain her reasoning to him when it seemed so irrational that it didn't even make sense to her anymore?
"God Juggie, no. Of course not! Why would you even think that? I would never-." The tears were flowing freely now, her emerald eyes reflecting the pain in her heart.
She had to make him understand why, he had to understand how scared she was when she found out she was pregnant. How alone she felt and how dark her thoughts had gotten in that month that she was gone. Jughead continued to seethe as he stepped closer to her, towering over her in his anger. Betty tried to stand tall and not to pull into herself but she couldn't help her physical response at his actions.
"I don't know, Betty? Maybe the fact that you knew I would want my son but you changed your name and disappeared on me, so there was no way I would ever find out about him? Jesus, it was just dumb fucking luck that I ended up here tonight. If Toni hadn't wanted to come here to get her jollies, I would've never known about him. Just how long would you have hid him from me if I hadn't stumbled across your little strip show, huh? How long, Betty ?!" Jughead screamed. Betty's cringed at his accusations and couldn't hold her tongue any longer.
"I didn't want to end up like our parents, okay Forsythe?!" Betty screamed back, stopping Jughead dead in his tracks at the name she used. Broken by his words and actions, her voice lowered to just barely a whisper, "I didn't want that to be us, Juggie."
Jughead was completely floored by Betty's revelation. He felt the walls closing in on him and didn't know what to do next or where to go from here. All he knew was that he had to get out of this room as fast as possible before he suffocated.
He couldn't think straight like this. He needed out of this club. Hell, he needed to be as far away from Greendale as possible to clear his head. He had to be as far away from her as possible before he said something that he would regret for the rest of his life, again.
"I-I, uh, I gotta go Betty. I can't- I just- I can't do this right now. I'm sorry," Jughead stammered, shaking his head vigorously while backing away towards the door like a frightened animal. Betty stepped closer to him, her hands outreached, trying to stop him from running away. She didn't want to lose him again, her heart couldn't take it. Not again.
"Juggie please, you have to believe me. I swear I wanted to come home, to tell you about him and for us to be a family together, but I was afraid that if I did we would be doomed to end up like our parents. I knew you wanted us to be over for good and didn't want to only stay together for the baby. And I knew that if I told you, that's what would have happened," Betty pleaded, trying to make him see just where she was mentally in those days. Why she was so afraid of coming home, the not-knowing what she'd be coming home to overwhelming her.
"Dammit Betty, you could've come home. For fucks sake, you could've at least given me a choice in the matter. I would've begged you to forgive me for being the stupid prick that I was that night. I knew I fucked up but I couldn't find a trace of you, no matter how hard I looked. We all looked for you non-stop for years until finally it was just me and Kevin looking. I never would've only stayed with you because of the baby. Betts. I would've stayed because I loved you, do you understand that?" Jughead sighed, fighting the urge to grab her and crush her to his chest.
Even now, with all that had been revealed to him, he longed for her touch but the betrayal was too strong to act on those feelings right now. He had to fight those battling emotions and keep himself in check.
"I couldn't have known that, Jug. You know we both would have always wondered if that was why we got back together. I thought I was doing what was best for all of us, including JJ. He's been my whole reason for living without you. I was barely 17 and fucking terrified in a city I had no idea how to navigate because I felt like that was what YOU wanted. That you would be happier if I just took myself out of the equation so that 'it could stick' and we wouldn't have to keep hurting each other," Betty clenched her fists, sinking her nails deep into her skin, trying to ease the emotional pain she was feeling with physical pain.
She'd tried so hard the last few years to find healthier coping mechanisms but they weren't working at the moment, not when all Betty could see was the cold look in his eyes.
"Well, I guess we'll never know what would've happen huh? I gotta go, Elizabeth. I need time to- process everything and I just can't be around you right now," Jughead turned to walk away, just like he had done that night, and Betty felt all those same emotions flowing through her again as she collapsed to the floor in sobs.
"Please Juggie, don't leave me again. I'm so sorry. I love you," She begged, whispering through her tears. Jughead paused at the door, his heart constructing at the sight of Betty so vulnerable and clearly hurting.
He wanted nothing more than to comfort her but he knew he had to figure out his own feelings, and he couldn't have her clouding his judgement while he did that.
"I know," Jughead simply said and walked away from the woman he loved, again.
"Jones? What the hell-." As soon as he made it back into the showroom, Toni ran up to him looking to get answers but he shook her off. He threw his American Excess card on the table top and grabbed his smokes. He had to get the fuck out of this place before he screamed or lost his freaking mind. There was just too much to process and he couldn't think straight.
"Settle up the bill Toni, I'm getting out of here. I just can't be here anymore. I need a strong fucking drink, I'll see you guys at the Wyrm," Jughead lit up his cigarette and disappeared out of the front doors before Toni or Sweet Pea could even argue with him.
Cheryl's eyes followed him with a mix of concern and anger until she saw him disappear out the entrance. Once she knew he was gone for good, she ran as fast as she could to the back dressing rooms only to find her best friend crumpled on the floor, mid panic attack with blood dripping from her balled up fist and cries coming out in silent gasps. Cheryl ran to her, dropping to her knees and prying her hands apart before cupping Betty's cheeks to get her full attention.
"Oh shit, Betty?! Betty, listen to me honey, I need you to breathe, ok? Breath with me honey, you're having another episode. Follow my voice, that's good B, you're ok, you're safe. I've got you Betty-Boo, you're always safe with me, remember? Cher's got you, you're safe. Just breathe," Cheryl pulled Betty's head to her chest so that Betty could feel her breathing. "In, out. In, out. Good sweetie, you're doing so good. Just keep going. In, out. Now B, where is your purse? I'll get you one of your pills," Betty's breathing was regulating some as she raised a shaking hand to point to the closet beside her vanity.
Cheryl kissed Betty's temple and made quick work of finding the prescription bottle labeled Klonopin and brought it to Betty with a bottle of water. Cheryl placed a pill on Betty's tongue and helped her drink the water, checking to make sure the pill went down ok. Once she knew Betty was ok, Cheryl's anger started to grow more. She hadn't seen an episode this bad in almost 6 months and Cheryl knew that Jughead must have done or said something to trigger this. Betty looked up, her expression completely broken as she whispered.
"He's gone Cher... He left me. I fucked up so bad, it was perfect and then," she sobbed. "...then I ruined everything. He hates me now, for good, I think. God-." Betty choked on her own words, feeling her dark thoughts coming back to the surface. She had really screwed things up this time and she didn't know if she could fix them. Cheryl helped her off the floor and lead her to the small loveseat at the back of the room.
"Hush now with that nonsense, Cousin. It's all going to be ok. I'll take care of everything, I promise. You just lay here and rest until Sabrina is done with her shift and she'll take you home, ok?" Betty slowly nodded, her eyelids becoming heavy as the medication began to make her drowsy. Cheryl laid her down, brushing the hair from Betty's eyes and covering her with a plush throw blanket before turning around to stomp back into the showroom. She looked around until she spotted the snakes Jughead had come in with, recognizing them from high school right away, and marched up to the short, pink-haired girl.
"Alright snake, where did he go?" Cheryl spat, not even trying to hide her anger. She was going to have more than a few choice words to say to the stupid hobo and she was not going to wait to do it. Toni pulled back from the bar, surprised at Cheryl's tone, and laughed at her audacity.
"What the hell is it to you, Red?" Toni stepped forward, getting as close to Cheryl as possible, attempting to stare her down. Unfortunately for Toni, Cheryl had learned a long time ago that she wasn't afraid of anything. Cheryl reached up and grabbed Toni by the throat, nails digging in just hard enough to know she was not joking around but not enough to cause real damage. Sweet Pea attempted to step forward to help his friend until Sabrina tsked and chimed in.
"I wouldn't do that, big boy. I don't wanna have to call Harvey over here, and believe me, you don't want that either," Sabrina motioned to the extremely large bouncer at the front door who looked to be about twice Sweet Pea's size.
The man shot a deadly glare at Sweet Pea so he stepped back, waiting for Toni to let him know if she needed any help. Cheryl slowly lifted Toni off the floor, just an inch or so.
"Now Serpette, I'm only going to ask you this .time. Where the fuck is Jughead Jones?" Cheryl's jaw was clenched in rage as she tightened her grip on Toni's throat.
Toni knew this was not going to end well either way so see whispered 'The Wyrm' before Cheryl promptly dropped her and turned to her girlfriend. "Bri, can you make sure our dear Juliet makes it home ok? She had a terrible post show and the poor thing is resting in the back. I have some business to attend to in Riverdale. And you two," she pointed to both Toni and Sweet Pea, "You better tip my girls. I wouldn't want to have to ban you from my establishment. Don't wait up lover," Cheryl blew Sabrina a kiss then turned to march out the door, jumping into her convertible to speed towards the town she left behind her years ago.
How could she lie to me? How could she keep something like this a secret for so long? I can't be a father. I don't even know how to be a father, it's not like I had the best example growing up. Shit, why did I fucking sleep with her? What the hell am I gonna do now? She looked so hurt. How could I be so cold to her after she said she loved me? God, I am so screwed up.
Jughead's mind raced as he sat at the bar of the Wyrm, nursing another rum and coke while trying to figure out how his whole world could've gotten flipped upside down all in one night. His anger had been tamed by the alcohol in his veins but he still felt all the pain. Nothing was easing that right now. Especially not when all he could see was her broken on the floor of her dressing room, begging him not to go.
Jughead turned to watch the sea of people, dancing and grinding on one another as the music pulsed through the venue, hoping to get that image to go away. This was not how he normally spent his nights off but he needed to think of something else.
Ironically enough, Jughead hated this kind of scene: a stereotypical night club for college kids and highschoolers with fake IDs to come and have a good time. However, when things got rough a few years back, he knew changing the venue style was the smart choice to keep the doors open. What the hell am I going to do? Jughead sighed, sipping his drink again.
Suddenly, Jughead felt a hand snake across his shoulders and a body press against his side. He screwed his eyes shut as he felt her breath in his ear and downed the rest of his drink before turning to greet the interloper.
"Hello Ethel," He said flatly, motioning to the bartender for a refill while ignoring her fingers at the nape of his neck.
"Hiya, Jug. What's got you so down, huh? Maybe it's something I can help you with?" Ethel whispered in his ear, attempting to sound sexy before stepping in front of him to run her fingers down his chest. Before she could slip her hand any further, Jughead grabbed it tightly and forced it to the bar top.
"What the fuck do you want, Muggs? I'm kind of busy right now," Jughead was not in the mood for this bullshit tonight. Ever since Betty left town and Southside High students were transferred to Riverdale High, Ethel had made every attempt to seduce Jughead. Even though Jughead had taken a few sexual partners over the years, Ethel Muggs was never on the list of potentials. The girl had been pining for him since Jr High and no matter how many times he let her know he wasn't interested she just kept on trying, much to his chagrin.
"Well, maybe a little birdy told me you and the gang went to see the new club in Greendale. So, I thought maybe you might be a little frustrated and wanted to offer to help with that, if you know what I mean. Tell me, how did you like it, huh? I bet that closing act was quite...shocking. Don't you think Juggie?" Ethel grinned devilishly, sadistic humor present in her eyes as she reached over the bar to pluck a cherry from the serving station and popping it in her mouth. Jughead's blood ran cold as she laughed menacingly while trying to run her hands on his thigh.
"What?" Jughead almost stumbled out off his barstool, gaping at her in shock..
The implication that Ethel had made the suggestion to visit The Black Cat to Toni, knowing that Betty was the headliner of the show, was clear. She wanted him to see Betty -and what she was doing- but to what end? What did Ethel think she would accomplish by sending him straight to the one person he has been searching for since he lost her? Is she really that fucking dense?
"You know, Jug. Juliet Jones?" Ethel chuckled lightly at his reaction before giving him a look of mock pity.
"It's kind of sad, really. You'd think with a 4.0 GPA, she'd have been more clever in picking a new persona. And look at what your precious little Betty has become, Juggie. Nothing more than a common whore. Dancing for sleazy, sweaty men, doing God knows what. She's-" Ethel yelped, abruptly cut off by a hand in her hair, yanking her off the stool she was on.
"Finish that sentence Muggs, please. .You." Cheryl Blossom gripped Ethel's hair harder as the girl stammered and spat, trying to free herself and say anything in retaliation.
"That's what I thought. Now, here's what is going to happen, just so we are clear. You are going to march your slutty ass out of this sad excuse for a nightclub and never even utter another word about my precious cousin. Then, I'm gonna have a word with the goblin king, here. In private. Got it?" Cheryl pushed Ethel towards the doors while releasing her hair at the same time. Jughead watched in utter shock as Ethel stumbled briefly before running out the front door as fast as she could. He turned back to see the raging look in Cheryl's eyes and downed his drink quickly, feeling like he was going to need it.
"Come on, let's talk upstairs where it's quieter," Cheryl nodded curtly and followed Jughead upstairs to conference room across the hall from his office where they could speak privately.
He knew that whatever Cheryl had to say she wouldn't be saying it quietly so he was glad the walls were soundproof, that way her shrill voice couldn't carry. He leaned against the long mahogany table, lighting a cigarette, and waited for the rant he knew was to follow her little melodrama downstairs.
"Ok Cher-," He started before he felt a hand come into contact with his face, hard.
"What the fuck is your problem Blossom?" He spat at her, rubbing the red mark on his face where she'd slapped him. He took a draw from his cigarette, the smoke burning his lip that was surely split.
"What the fuck is my problem? What the fuck is your problem, Jones? I leave you alone with her for half a fucking hour and then I find Betty in a bloody, crumbled mess on the floor, hyperventilating and in the throws of a full blown panic attack?! What the hell did you do to her? Because I swear to God Jughead, if you hurt her again, you will wish you had never been born!" Cheryl was seething, stepping closer to Jughead and pointing her finger accusingly in his face.
Jughead cringed at the thought of how Betty must of been when he left but he wasn't going to let Cheryl come in his bar and bully him like she had in the old days. He laughed and blew smoke in her face, causing her to choke slightly.
"Hurt Betty? What about how Betty hurt me, huh? What about how she had my fucking kid and never thought to tell me about him, hmm? How about how she spent the last five years living as a ghost and then pops back up and is a fucking stripper, of all fucking things? What about how I fucking feel?!" Jughead's voice rose higher and higher with each sentence until he was red-faced and couldn't think straight. Cheryl shook her head and laughed bitterly, obviously unphased by his little outburst.
"God, you are so fucking self absorbed, Jughead Jones. I'm surprised that you can see the fucking sunshine with your head so far up your ass. You have no idea what Betty has been through, what she's had to endure and survive these last few years," Cheryl shook with anger, hating him for breaking her best friend.
"You don't know how many hours of therapy it took for her to get back to a good place, to stop having those nightmares where she'd wake up screaming your name every night. How fucking dare you come slithering back into her life and accuse her of being a horrible person. All because she was afraid you wouldn't want her anymore after you told her to kick rocks. And why was she afraid, hmm? Maybe it was because your fragile male ego was bruised 'cause all your reptilian bike buddies saw her in her underwear while she did that stupid dance, for you, might I add!" Cheryl's eyes flickered with pain remembering the night that changed everything for Betty but she shook off the dark memories to address the situation at hand. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm her anger some before looking back at Jughead.
"Look. I can't claim to be an expert in you and Betty's relationship but what I do know is that she has never, EVER stopped loving you, Jughead. She always wanted you to know about JJ but her fears got the best of her. She was just trying to protect what little bit of heart she managed to piece together. You have a second chance to make things right with her, to start over. Don't fuck it up," Cheryl's eyes narrowed, turning icy as she continued.
"Because I swear, if you hurt her or JJ, I will make damn sure that your corpse won't be found in Sweetwater River like my brother's was. Got it, snake?" Cheryl spun around and headed towards the door before pausing. She turned, handing him a slip of paper before nodding and walking out the door.
Jughead wasn't sure what she had given him until he looked down and saw an address and telephone number in Greendale. It could only be Betty's information, he was sure of that.
Jughead pulled out his wallet and went to slip the paper inside when he noticed that the letter she wrote that he always carried was gone.
Shit...
"Juggie? Juggie I-" Betty whimpered as she came to, blood seeping out of her mouth and nose. Every bone in her body ached and she could still feel him lingering over her, waiting. Another hard slap came and jolted her awake.
"Say that name again bitch. Go ahead, say it and see what happens!" Adam wrapped his hand around her throat and squeezed, cutting off her airway. Betty clawed at his wrist, trying in vain to get him to stop, to let her breath. She didn't want to die like this.
"Adam... please... stop..." Betty strained to get the words to come out of her mouth. She gasped as he released her throat, air rushing into her burning lungs.
Her reprieve was short lived, however. She felt his boot connect with her ribs again, a sickening crunch accompanying the air being sucked from her lungs once again.
All Betty could think about was that Cheryl would be bringing JJ home any time now and she didn't know what he would do to them. Her vision was becoming spotty, her head pounding as the blackness at the edges of her vision threatened to swallow her whole.
"See you soon baby," Adam kicked her in the stomach one more time before spitting on her and stomping out the front door of her Rochester apartment.
I just need to get to my phone, she thought before managing to crawl slowly to the table, grabbing her phone to text Cheryl.
Cheryl: Help. He found me...
Betty hit send as she was swallowed up by darkness for a second time.
Betty could feel someone bandaging her palms but she just couldn't open her eyes. She was far too tired to care right now.
It felt like her limbs weighed a million pounds and no matter how hard she fought it, she just couldn't seem to escape the waves of exhaustion that were overtaking her.
"Come on babygirl, I got you fixed up. Now, let's get you home before you end up with another migraine from sleeping in a funky position on this small ass couch," Sabrina whispered to her, motioning for Harvey to pick Betty up to get her into Sabrina's car. Harvey scooped Betty up like she didn't weigh a thing and followed Sabrina out the back entrance.
Harvey Kinkle was a menacing look man: 6'8" with broad shoulders, dirty blonde hair that was gelled back to keep it out of his face and large muscles. As scary as he looked however, when it came to the three women in his life, he was a teddy bear. He had grown-up in Greendale with Sabrina, even dated her for a short time in school before Sabrina came out, and he loved the women like his own family. He was more than just their bodyguard, they were his baby sisters, regardless of blood relation.
"Juggie, I'm sorry. Juggie, please don't leave me. Please don't go," Betty whimpered into Harvey's chest in her dreamlike state, tears still staining her cheeks. Sabrina wasn't sure who this guy was that did this to Betty but Sabrina wanted to break his face for whatever it was. Who knows, maybe getting one of those voodoo dolls from her Aunt Zelda and poking a needle in it's crouch would make her feel better? Once they were outside, Harvey placed Betty gently into the passenger side of Sabrina's prius and buckled her up.
"Thanks H. I appreciate the help. I got her from here, I will make sure she gets home safe. Make sure that Kari locks up and just have her put the bank drop in the floor safe until I can drop it off in the morning. K, sugar? I'll text you when I make it home safe," Sabrina kissed his cheek and patted Harvey on the chest for emphasis before she climbed into her car. She waved goodbye to him, driving off to take Betty home.
Once they arrived at her cottage, Sabrina and Alyssa helped Betty to her room where Sabrina changed her out of her outfit and slipped on the threadbare tee shirt with the 'S' emblem that she knew Betty loved to wear and a pair of sleep shorts. After saying goodnight to Alyssa, peeking in on JJ, and locking up the house, Sabrina walked out to her car. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket once she had gotten settled into her seat.
Cher~Bear: I swear to God baby, I just might kill this wannabe James Dean -_-
Witchy~Woman: If it makes you feel better love, I feel the same. What happened across the river?
Cher~Bear: Oh, you know how it is. It was all 'Whine Whine Whine, Me Me Me.' with no regard for his actions or our poor B :(
Witchy~Woman: He's a man Cher, what do you expect? :/
Cher~Bear: I don't know, maybe at least some common sense? Is that too much to ask?! This. This shit right here is why I only date woman.
Witchy~Woman: Well, that's lucky for me then, huh darlin'? ;) Look, I'm about to head to the house from B's. Will you be there soon?
Cher~Bear: Headed that way now, lover. See you soon babe.
Witchy~Woman: You got it wifey ;)
"Mommy? Mommy, are you awake? Mooooooommmmmyyyy?" JJ sang as the 4 year old came running into his mother's room to jump up and down on her bed. Betty groaned at his energy this early in the morning and looked at the clock on her bedside table that read 7:23am. She could already feel herself fighting off another post-episode migraine and having her squirmy little minion use her bed as a bounce house was not helping matters much.
"JJ, sweetie, it's way too early for you to be this chipper and Mommy is exhausted baby. Can't I have like 30 more minutes of sleep? Please buddy?" Betty begged, bringing the comforter over her head to block out the sunlight spilling through the curtains into her room. She could feel her son's gaze on her even through the blanket so she slowly uncovered her head to see JJ with his lip out, pouting.
"But waffles Mommy, you promised," JJ whimpered and lowered his head in sadness. Betty was heartbroken to see the look on her son's face and she knew she was a goner. She never wanted to be the person to cause that look and she knew that anytime he gave it to her, he would get his way.
She remembers that same look of sadness on his father's face the day he told her that Gladys had up and skipped town with Jellybean. And when his father was arrested and he broke down all those nights before he was shipped off to the Southside. She even saw a glimpse of that look the night he begged her to leave and never look back. It's a look she had no power to resist because it was him, it was pure Jughead. She leaned up to kiss her son's curls and hugged him tight.
"Ok, ok. You win J, Mommy is getting up and we can make her famous churro waffles just like I promised. How about while Mommy cooks our breakfast, you go watch some cartoons. What do you say? Sound fun, baby?" Betty showered him in kisses as JJ's eyes lit up, squirming excitedly in her arms.
"Yay!" Betty watched her little boy sprint into the other room singing the theme song to Paw Patrol as loud as he possibly could.
Thank God we live in the middle of the woods or my neighbors would hate me. Betty thought to herself, grimacing at the memory of the time when old man Jenkins from down the hall called the police over her teething nine month olds crying fits.
Betty laid there for just a few more minutes thinking about the horrible night she had, groaning to herself. However, she couldn't help but smile at the wonderful burn she felt between her legs. She hadn't felt that desired in years and, damn it, it felt amazing. The aftermath though? Now that was something Betty decided needed to be pushed down for the time being, for JJ's sake. And hell, if nothing else she got at least one more time with Jughead before it was really over.
A proper goodbye...
"Damn Jughead, you look like hell. What happened to you?" Charlie asked, answering the door to see his half brother looking disheveled and a bit worse for wear.
Truth be told, Jughead didn't get much sleep after Cheryl walked out of his club the night before. He spent most of the night at Pop's drinking coffee, not wanting to go back into that house and having to tell his parents that, not only had he found Betty, but that they were also grandparents. Even though he knew he could've easily crashed in Archie and Veronica's garage next door, he just didn't want to answer their questions either. Betty had become a sensitive subject for all of them, but more especially for the Andrews'.
After Betty left, there was a short period of discord between the three remaining friends. That was until Jughead was finally transferred back to Riverdale High. They bonded again over their mutual search and love for Betty Cooper. And, even after Arche and Veronica gave up hope, they still remained close.
Jughead was the best man at their wedding, a pallbearer at Fred's funeral, he was even there as a witness when Mary signed the house over to Archie so that his kids could grow up where he did. Just a year after Fred passed away, Jughead stood in the same church where the funeral service was held to be named as godfather to Archie and Veronica's first born, Elizabeth Maria Lodge-Andrews. Now, Lizzy was a little over 2 years old and Veronica was due to give birth to their son, Freddie, in just a few months.
Jughead had become their family so he knew that he would have to tell them about Betty sooner or later, he just didn't want to burden them with it. Not yet at least. First, he knew that he'd need to talk to Charlie and Kevin to figure out what they'd found that they wanted to share. Then he needed to figure out what the hell he was going to do about his argument with Betty.
Maybe Kevin and Charlie could help him process this whole royal cluster fuck and come up with a way to deal with it? Charlie may not have ever gotten the chance to meet Betty, but he was still her half brother. Well their half brother. That thought still kind of weirded him out to this day but over all he was just glad to have his older brother in his life. Even if it meant he shared a sibling with the girl he loved.
"It's been one hell of a night Charlie. You might wanna get Kev for this. It's- It's huge," Jughead said, rubbing his hands on his face in frustration, watching his brother's eyebrows furrow in concern.
"Ok Jug, I'll get him. He was just getting out of the shower when you knocked so he should be dressed by now, I'll check. We got a break in the case last night and wanted to go over it with you before we proceed with anything else," Charlie marched up the stairs to where his husband was getting ready for the day.
Jughead was happy that Kevin and Charlie found each other when they did. Kevin was in a bad place, having just gotten his PI license, and he wanted desperately to find out where The Farm disappeared to. They had broken him both physically as well as psychologically and he wanted to make them pay for their crimes.
Once Charles showed up at their door that day, he and Kevin became inseparable. It was love at first sight and even though there was a significant age difference between the two men, Charlie and Kevin seemed to not let it bother them. There was some slight push back from a few snobby northsiders who thought a man shouldn't date someone 10 years his junior, but they just ignored the haters. They loved each other and that was all that mattered.
Jughead could smell the coffee brewing in the kitchen so he decided to help himself while he waited for his brother and best friend to come back down. He still couldn't stop thinking about the encounter with Cheryl and the things she said to him. What had happened to Betty that would prompt Cheryl to nearly rip his head off?
"You have NO idea what Betty has been through, what she has had to endure and survive these last few years... How many hours of therapy it took for her to get to a good place and stop having nightmares where she'd wake up screaming your name every night."
What happened to her that would cause that much trauma? Was he the reason for it or did someone hurt her? Did he make it worse last night when he left her there, broken and in tears?
His head was swimming so bad that it didn't even register a few minutes later when the men were walking back downstairs, Kevin speaking to him even before he rounded the corner to enter the kitchen.
"I'm so glad you're here Jug. We got a huge lead and I wanted to let you know before we- shit Jug, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost," Kevin stopped short when he saw his appearance but immediately snapped out of it and started checking him over like a mother hen, "Did you pull another crazy all nighter at Pop's again? Christ Jones, you remember what happened last time you did that, don't you?"
Jughead couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him at Kevin's 'scoulding'. It had been this way with them for years now, Kevin playing the role of the older brother looking out for him. But the behavior only got worse when Kevin became his brother in law. Besides Archie and Veronica, Kevin really had become a part of Jughead's chosen family that he couldn't live without.
"Yes Kevin, I remember but honestly, I'm fine. Yes, I was at Pops last night and no, I didn't get any sleep. Some stuff happened and-" he paused. What the fuck do I tell them?
"I just had too much on my mind and needed time to reflect on it all. But, we'll talk about that in a minute. First, I want to know: what'd you guys find?" Jughead asked. Charlie stepped to the table, grabbing his briefcase and pulling out a file to hand to Jug. Once he opened it he saw printed photos of Betty and Cheryl standing in front of a club, arm in arm.
"These photos are why we called you last night. Char got some intel from a buddy upstate that there was a woman fitting Betty's description was spotted in Albany with Cheryl Blossom last year. He had the guy send us over some photos, just to be certain, and it's definitely her man. This is the first big break we've gotten in months. Now we know for sure that she, at the very least, has had contact with Cheryl. So all we do now is grab Cheryl and interrogate her until she spills her harpy guts," Kevin raised his coffee up in a mock cheer and took a sip. Jughead stared at the photos of Betty with longing, happy to see her smiling but hating himself for hurting her. He sighed and slapped the folder closed, running his hands through his tangled mess of hair.
"We don't need to turn the screws on Cheryl, Kev. I, uh- I found her. Last night... in Greendale. I saw her, talked to her. Well, more than talked to her," Jughead mumbled, hoping that Kevin would understand what he was trying to say but obviously wasn't getting the hints.
"Cheryl? Well, did she say anything to you about knowing where Betty is? Did she seem suspicious? And what the hell is that succubus doing in Greendale anyway? I thought she skipped town after graduation?" Jughead screwed his eyes shut and sighed again. Ughhh. Why is this so hard? he thought.
"No Kevin, not Cheryl. I mean, yeah, I saw her and we sorta talked but she isn't who I was talking about. I found Betty, in Greendale, with Cheryl," Jughead took a long sip of his coffee as he watched Kevin's eyes widen in recognition.
"Wait, you actually found her?" Jughead just nodded his head slightly, watching as Kevin babbled question after question, pacing the kitchen.
"She's in Greendale? I mean, is she ok? Christ Jug, this is huge!" Kevin looked like he was about to wear a hole in the floor before Charlie stopped him, wrapping his arms around him to calm him.
"Can we see her? Is she coming back home? Shit, have you told Alice? We need to tell her before someone else does," Kevin and Charlie leaned back against the countertop, the former rubbing his hands over his face while waiting for Jughead to respond.
"She's working at Cheryl's burlesque club in Greendale, which apparently they own together. Oh, and turns out she has a kid too. Ready for the kicker? I'm the Dad. She had my fucking kid, Kev. All this time, she's been out there with my son and never told me. How could she do that to me?" Jughead choked, still angry that she had kept something so big from him. He looked into their eyes, ashamed of what he was about to tell them.
"To make matters so much worse, I slept with her last night and then ran out of there after she told me about our kid. Then Cheryl showed up at the Wyrm and chewed me a new asshole and just made me feel so much worse. God, I don't know what to do," Jughead whispered the last sentence, hanging his head to hide the tears that he was trying to hold in. Kevin was flabbergasted by all the information that was just thrown at him but walked up beside Jughead and gave him a half hug, trying to reassure him.
"Look Jug, I know things seem kind of crazy right now but you know Betty. You've known her since she was four years old. Now ask yourself, why do you think she didn't tell you? Because if I had my guess, it probably had something to do with the years of torment she faced having to live up to that perfect Cooper facade. And let's not forget the all too real fear of the unknown. I know how much Betty loved you and if she kept it a secret, then she had her reasons," Kevin gave Jughead one more tight squeeze before stepping back to start packing up the files he needed for the day. Jughead knew Kevin was right, he needed to talk to her and clear the air. She deserved that, at the very least.
"Cheryl gave me Betty's number and the address in Greendale where she is staying but I haven't decided what to do with it yet. I mean, should I call her? Or should I just show up to her place and beg her forgiveness for acting like a jackass? Forget everything that happened and beg her to come home? God, I just don't know," Jughead said, still unsure of what to do. He loved her, even after finding out she had his kid and kept it secret, he still loved her. He didn't think he could ever stop loving her. He just wanted her to come home and be a family with him, for real this time.
"Yes to all of those things, Jug. But first, why not try texting her to see what she says?" Charlie said, scrambling eggs and frying bacon for the three men to have for breakfast. Jughead thought that would probably be the best way to break the ice, at least he hoped. He shot her a text to see if she would respond to him.
Jughead: Can we talk?
Read.
She saw it and didn't say anything. He figured he would try again. Squeaky wheel and all that stuff.
Jughead: Please Betts, we need to talk about this. Please.
Read.
After about 10 minutes of being left on read, Jughead could not take it anymore. If he had to beg, there was no time like the present to start.
Jughead: Betts? Please don't ghost me... I'm sorry.
Read.
"Shit guys, she's seen all my messages but won't write back. What the hell do I do now?" Jughead whined, tossing his phone down beside him on the couch.
"Well, you obviously go to her house and gravel on her front steps until she deems you are worthy enough to lick the dirt from her black stilettos. Yes, you both messed up, but you need to ask her to forgive you for running out last night 'cause that was really messed up, Jug. Go over there and talk, what harm could it do?" Kevin shrugged.
That's just what Jughead was worried about.
Unknown Number: Can we talk?
Unknown Number: Please Betts, we need to talk about this. Please.
Unknown Number: Betts? Please don't ghost me... I'm sorry.
Betty sighed in frustration, checking her phone for the 100th time in the last hour wondering how on earth Jughead even got her number in the first place. If she had to venture a guess, this was probably the doing of her redheaded best friend. She exhaled and put her phone away, watching her son run around the livingroom while singing the intro to Paw Patrol, yet again.
Betty couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm he showed towards his favorite television show. He was such an active little thing and she loved to hear him sing. The episode was just getting started when she heard the doorbell ring. Figuring that it must be Cheryl coming to pick up JJ for their weekly outing, Betty decided she was going to give Cheryl an earful for giving her number to Jughead without her permission. She made sure JJ was engrossed in his show and stomped her way to the front door, ready to give Cheryl hell.
"I swear to God Cher, I'm gonna kick your a-" Betty stopped mid sentence when she saw the person standing on her doorstep. This definitely was not who she was expecting to see anytime soon.
Jughead looked like he hadn't gotten a lick of sleep the night before and he appeared to be wearing the same outfit as well. She could see in his eyes that he was both hopeful and terrified at being here in front of her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she scrambled for some coherent thought to ask why he was here.
"Juggie?" Betty choked out in disbelief. She cleared her throat hoping that the words would come.
"What are you doing here? I thought you didn't want- I mean, you said you..." Betty's thoughts trailed off, remembering how he reacted to the bombshell she dropped on him the previous night. She noticed his breath hitch when he finally took in what she was wearing and she crossed her arms over her chest, watching as he wrung his hands.
"Uh- Hey, Betts. I, um- I'm so sorry for how I reacted last night. I know you would never keep something like this a secret from me unless you had a damn good reason to. I just, I don't want to fuck up everything now, not when I've finally found you again. I've spent all night thinking about you and how hard it must have been for you being all alone like that with a new baby and I just want to start again. And, maybe be able to meet my son? If you are ok with that, of course," Betty sucked in a sharp breath and smiled with tears in her eyes. She had been dreaming about the day when Jughead and JJ would finally meet and nothing would make her happier then to make that dream come true.
"I think I'd love that Jug. I know JJ would," Betty said softly. She held the door open wider for him to enter her foyer before leading him to the living room where JJ was playing. When JJ heard footsteps coming up behind him, he spoke to his mother, his face never leaving the television.
"Mommy is Aunty Cher here?" JJ asked before he turned to see the man who was standing across the room. Without warning, the boys eyes lit up and a huge grin covered his face before he jumped to his feet.
"Daddy! Daddy, you're home!" JJ ran around the couch and jumped into Jughead's unsuspecting arms, throwing the man off balance both physically and emotionally. How does he know who I am? He wondered, hugging the tiny boy to his frame.
"Mommy said you would come find us someday and you're here Daddy! Mommy look, Daddy's here! You said he would come and he's finally here Mommy!" JJ shouted as Betty grinned at him.
Betty had made sure that she always had pictures of Jughead around her house so that their son would know who his father was, even if he wasn't around. She never wanted JJ to not know where he'd come from and she hoped that one day Jug would find them, so she wanted JJ to be prepared for when they finally get to meet.
"I see that baby. Daddy came all this way just to see you, isn't that exciting?" Jughead didn't know what to make of what was happening around him, he just hugged the little boy tighter and rocked him from side to side. JJ leaned back to kiss Jughead on the cheek before squirming to get down.
JJ grabbed Jughead's hand and led him all around the house: to his toy room and his bedroom to show him all his cool lego sets and toys that he had. When Jughead went into his son's room he noticed pictures all over his walls: pictures of Betty and Jughead growing up, of them with Veronica and Archie at Pop's, even pictures of Jughead with his Serpent jacket and motorcycle. He saw some scattered pictures of Betty and JJ with Cheryl and the blonde bartender that he recognized as Cheryl's girlfriend. There were even pictures of Alice and FP, and a few of Betty and Polly as kids. Jughead could hear her lean against the doorframe behind him.
"I wanted him to know you, all of you. That way when we finally came home he would know who his family and his father was. I talk to him about you all the time. About growing up together, about how much we loved each other, and how much I know you love him even when you aren't together. He's been waiting for this day for a long time, Jug," Betty said softly from the doorway. He never would've thought that she'd have told her son about them, not unless she really did plan on coming home someday. Before he got a chance to say anything, there was a loud knock at the front door that had Betty rolling her eyes.
"JJ, that would be Aunty Cheryl. Let's get you dressed for the park, ok? Jug, uh, do you think you could answer the door for me while I help him change? Please?" Jughead nodded and headed back to the foyer. When he opened the front door he saw Cheryl's smile fall as soon as she noticed it was him who had answered. She narrowed her eyes, her nostrils beginning to flare as she stepped inside the house.
"Well, I see you took my subtle hint and came to see our dearest Betty? Don't screw this up Jones or I swear to God-" Cheryl stepped forward ready to fight but was stopped by her nephew slamming into her legs, gripping them in a hug.
"Aunty Cher! I missed you so much!" JJ said, rubbing his face against Cheryl's outer thigh. She smiled down at her nephew and ruffled his curly black locks.
"Hello my darling JJ, Aunty Cher missed you so much too! Are you ready to go have a special adventure with me and Aunty Bri?" JJ nodded his head vigorously and turned to give Betty a goodbye hug and kiss before running to do the same with Jughead.
"Daddy, will you still be here when I get home?" Jughead looked at Betty, who nodded, before answering the boy.
"Yes little man, Daddy will be here waiting for you. We still have so much more to do together," Jughead squeezed the boy tight and smiled into his hair.
"Now, you have fun on your trip with your aunts and be good for them, JJ. Aunty Cher will tell us if you're not. Mommy and Daddy will see you soon, buddy," Betty waved from the door as she watched Cheryl pull away with her precious child, leaving her alone to sort out the mess she made the previous night.
"Betts, can we talk?" She could feel the panic setting in again at his question and she was afraid she might lose it at any moment. Betty closed the door slowly and turned around taking deep breaths.
"Sure, Jug. Can I, um, maybe jump in the shower first? I kind of didn't get to last night and I would really like to wash my hair really quick," Jughead nodded and watched her walk towards what he assumed was her bedroom.
Jughead followed quietly behind her, noticing that she'd left her bedroom door ajar. His curiosity got the better of him and he snuck a peek just in time to see her shed her t-shirt and shorts, revealing that she was completely bare underneath her clothes. He knew he shouldn't be watching but he couldn't stop himself, he was mesmerised. He also couldn't stop himself from growing hard at the sight of her standing nude before him.
Jughead watched her walk into the bathroom and start the shower, steam beginning to roll out of the open bathroom door. He could see her step into the glass shower, the water washing over her body as she fondled her breasts and wet her hair. That was it, he couldn't think about anything else anymore, just that he needed her now as badly as he did last night.
Jughead crept into the bedroom, removing his clothes quietly, and waited until her back was turned before he snuck into the shower with her. Stepping in, he pressed his stiffness against her backside and attacked her neck with his mouth, biting and licking feverishly.
He didn't give a damn if this was a bad idea, he just needed to make love to her. Betty moaned as he groped her breasts and suckled on the sensitive flesh of her neck. Betty reached up to thread her hands into his hair, rolling her hips backwards in the process, rubbing her bottom against his hardened shaft, earning a moan in return.
"Juggie-" Betty gasped, feeling his hand cup her sex and inserting his middle and ring fingers into her pulsing heat while the heel of his palm ground down on her aching clit. Her moans turned into sobs as he pumped into her faster and faster, his desire building at his need to feel her come undone again. Betty felt the coil tightening in her belly, hot and aching, and when it finally snapped, she came with a scream and such force that she almost collapsed right there in his arms.
Once Jughead had worked her through her orgasm, Betty turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck to devour his mouth with hers, pinning his stiff erection between them. Betty wanted to make him feel as good as he made her feel, attempting to lower herself to her knees to pleasure him, but he stopped her.
"Not so fast Betts, I'm not through with you yet," Jughead whispered against her lips before pressing her into the shower wall, kissing her with abandon. Betty could barely gather her thoughts as he slowly worked his way down her body, reaching his destination and finding her center dripping with lust for him. Jughead looked at her like a man starved, licking his lips slowly, before leaning in to run his tongue over her wet slit. Betty covered her mouth, trying to stifle her moans, but Jughead shook his head.
"I wanna hear you, baby. Please. I wanna hear how good it makes you feel." He said before wrapping his lips around her throbbing clit and sucking it into his mouth. Betty writhed and chanted his name over and over again causing his erection to twitch. This had always been one of Jughead's favorite things to do with Betty, going down on her almost any chance he could get when they were dating. The intimacy of it meant so much to him. Betty had been the only woman he'd ever tasted, and now he was glad for that.
She tastes just like he remembered and he couldn't get enough. As she started grinding harder, Betty could feel her climax just around the corner, riding Jughead's face until she felt that tingle in her belly. As soon as he inserted two fingers deep inside her, she came undone again, squirting her juices into Jughead's waiting mouth. She feels her legs tremble with aftershocks but Jughead works her through her orgasm, lapping up every bit of her that he could.
Betty finally smacked him lightly on the shoulder to signal she couldn't take anymore, Jughead pushing away while grinning and wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. He worked his way back up her body, teasing her and pinching her nipples before taking them into his mouth. Jughead palmed her breasts as he worked his way up further, biting her collar bone and sucking more dark spots onto her porcelain skin. When he finally reached Betty mouth again, he surged forward to kiss her, Betty immediately became aroused again at the taste of herself on his tongue.
"Juggie... fuck me... please..." Betty moaned, not having to ask him twice. Jughead reached down to lift Betty up, gripping her thighs, before pressing her back into the wall. She screamed in pleasure as he thrust himself into her all the way to the hilt. Allowing a minute to collect himself, Jughead shuddered breaths against Betty's neck only turned her on more and before long she was begging to be fucked again. He finally gave into what she wanted, pulling almost all the way out before slamming into her over and over again.
"Yes! Oh God, yes Juggie!" Betty cried, her nails digging into his shoulders as he pounded into her. He kept slamming into her at a punishing speed, her cries of pleasure and pain music to his ears and he just knew she would have bruises after this. He could feel his release coming quickly but he wanted her to come one more good time before he finished. Jughead reached his hand between their bodies and began massaging hard circles onto her clit until he felt her walls begin to flutter.
"Come on, let go Betts. Come for me," Jughead whispered into her hair, stars threatening to burst behind his eyes.
"Juggie, I'm- I'm gonna. I-I-AHHHHHHH!" She screamed as she felt herself explode in a powerful orgasm, Jughead following in turn and coming deep inside her. They clung to each other trying to catch their breaths and stop their racing hearts. Betty could feel the water starting to turn cold so they decided to wash off quickly before climbing out of the shower to crawl into Betty's bed, both falling into a deep sleep.
"Who the fuck is he Julie? Who the fuck is Jughead?! Are you cheating on me you fucking whore?!" Adam stood over her screaming, waving his hands around like a mad man. Betty fought the tears she felt in her eyes as she cowered on the floor, her hand reaching up to soothe the searing pain in her jaw from where he had hit her.
"No, I swear baby, I'm not cheat-" Betty tried to say but Adam grabbed her by the hair, dragging her to her feet. Betty cried out in pain but Adam slapped her again to shut her up.
"I don't want to hear your lies, you fucking slut. I swear Julie, if you ever say someone else's name while I'm fucking you again, this shit will look like a walk in the fucking park! You got that?" Adam roared and slammed Betty back onto the floor, grabbing his boxers and stepping out onto the balcony for a smoke.
Betty could do little more than cry at the pain and fear she felt, wondering how she got herself into this mess and just how the hell was she supposed to get herself out of it.
'Juggie, I wish you were here. Please come find me Jug. Please...' she prayed, hoping that somehow he would hear her. 'Please Juggie...'
"Betty? Betty?!" Betty's eyes shot open in terror when she felt a hand shake her, her breaths coming out in pants and her face stained with tears. She let relief wash over herself when she looked up to see Jughead leaning over her, a concerned look on his face.
"Baby, are you ok? You were crying in your sleep and I couldn't wake you up," Jughead's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he caressed her skin, fingers brushing the apple of her cheek. Betty leaned into his touch and smiled, placing her hand over his.
"Yeah Juggie, I just had a bad dream, that's all. I'm ok. As long as you're here with me, I'm ok," He wrapped his arms around her as she snuggled into his chest, burying herself in his scent.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Jughead asked tentatively. He wasn't sure what she had been dreaming about but he knew it had to be pretty intense for her to cry like that.
"Not really. At least not yet, Jug. I just want to enjoy the quiet with you for a few more minutes before JJ gets home. Maybe talk about where we stand?" She asked, hiding her face in fear. She figured if their little tryst in the shower was any indication, he wasn't mad at her anymore and was ready to talk about their relationship.
"Well Betts, I mean, I was kind of hoping we could, um, well... you see, I thought maybe we could have a do-over of last night? I freaked out on you and I shouldn't have said those things to you, Betts. I meant it when I said I wanted another shot, please let me prove that to you," Jughead begged. Betty leaned up and kissed him gently, smiling against his lips.
"Okay." She breathed after a moment.
"Okay? Just like that?" Jughead's grin lit up his eyes as he registered what she said.
"Just like that," She said with a soft smile.
"Now why don't you start that 'proving it to me' right now?" Betty grinned mischievously and began kissing him again with more passion before snaking her hand between them to stroke his shaft. Jughead rolled on top of her, both of them moaning at the feel of their bodies pressed against each other, and lost themselves to passion once again.
The shadowy figure watched from the cottage window as the couple rolled around in their bed, moaning and losing themselves in each other. He felt his rage beginning to peak as he saw his beautiful Juliet being ravaged by some stranger, riding him like a common whore. He always knew she was a slut and now he has proof.
He clutched the knife tighter in his grip, his vision becoming blurred by his anger when he heard her cry out the man's name as she climaxed.
Jughead. he thought, his anger bubbling under the surface. So you're Jughead. Well, well, well Julie, looks like we're gonna have a good time real soon...
The man reached into his pocket, pulling out the note he wrote for her, and taped it to her front door before turning around to disappear into the woods.
See you soon baby...