I moaned into his mouth as Jughead pressed my back into the island, gripping his locks tightly as I slipped my tongue further into his mouth. His soft moans as he granted me entrance only served to encourage my exploration as I pressed my breasts harder against his chest.

This was a sensation that I'd never felt before in my life and I couldn't stop myself, I was starved for him. He had unleashed something inside of me and I didn't think it could ever be caged again. No one had ever made my body combust in the way that he had just from a simple kiss. Not even Archie.

He wrapped his hands under the backs of my thighs and lifted me up, our lips devouring each other as he carried me to his room and gently laid me onto his bed. I chewed my bottom lip as he climbed over me, lowering his lips to mine and kissing me slower this time. He ran his hand down my sides and my body tingled as he toyed with the hem of my skirt just before he ran his hand up underneath it, his fingers ghosting over the sensitive skin of my inner thigh and gliding up towards core.

I gave a soft whimper in protest as he broke away from the kiss until I felt him dragging his tongue along the slope of my neck, licking and sucking soft bruises as he went. I shivered and pulled his inky locks as he reached my collar bone to bite down hard, causing a strangled moan to escape my lips.

He ran his tongue along the bite to soothe the tender mark before making his way back up, kissing every inch of my skin he could and whispering my name, "Betty... Please tell me you want this?"

I nodded feverishly as he hovered over me, kissing me again and stealing my breath. I wrapped my legs around his back on instinct and bucked up into him, seeking some sort of relief for the throbbing ache in my core. All I could think of was how much I needed this, how much I needed him right now. I could feel his need for me pressed against my thigh but when I brought my hand to his waistband, he gently grabbed my wrist and pinned it beside my head.

He pulled back from the kiss to rest his forehead on mine as his labored breaths fanned across my face, his pupils blown wide with lust and a glimmer of something else I couldn't quite place. He lowered his hand back down my body, lingering just below my breast, and I closed my eyes at the sensation of him touching me. "Don't rush, babygirl. I plan to take my time with you."

My skin prickled in anticipation at the headiness of his words. I pushed him gently, rolling him onto his back and straddled his waist with an amorous smile. I reached behind my neck, slowly lowering the zipper of my dress until it was left pooled around my waist. My bare nipples pebbled as the cool air hit them, my core pulsing as I ground against his arousal.

Jughead sat up, removing his shirt and pressing his chest to mine as he ran his hands up my bareback. "Fuck, Betts. You are so beautiful," he claimed my mouth again, rolling over on top of me to pull my dress down and off my body before he removed his pants as well. As I laid there - completely bare except for a black lace thong - he kissed his way down my body, stopping to lavish my nipples with attention before lowering himself between my thighs.

He looked at me expectantly and I nodded, trembling as he wrapped his fingers into my panties and dragged them down my legs. He stared at my dripping sex, licking his lips lasciviously before pressing a timid kiss to my sensitive bud. I gripped the sheets, crying out his name as he began to lick my slit with more fervor. I reveled in the feeling, sobbing in ecstasy as he sucked my swollen clit into his mouth and plunged two fingers into me.

"Please... Please- don't stop, Juggie," I whimpered, grinding my pelvis against his tongue to chase my high. The vibrations from his chuckle were enough to catapult me over the edge, my orgasm wracking through my body like lightning. My back arched off his bed as the waves of pleasure kept cascading over me until I was left boneless in its wake. Jughead continued lapping up my essence before sucking his fingers clean and gradually kissing his way up my body to capture my lips again.

My nails clawed at his back, tasting the salty-sweet flavor on his tongue driving me wild as I begged, "I need you... Please."

Jughead broke away from my lips with a low growl and stood up, reaching over to grab a condom out of his side table and removing his boxers. My eyes widened when I saw that he was so much larger in size than Archie and it had me nervous for the first time since Jughead had kissed me. I'd only ever been with Archie and I wasn't sure how that was even going to fit inside me.

"You good, baby?" He asked hesitantly, his cock twitching under my stare. I swallowed hard and forced my eyes to meet his and stood up, my face inches from his as I pulled the condom from his hand to unwrap it. He hissed as I eased the condom slowly onto his length, his fingers digging into the flesh of my hips.

"I have never been better, Juggie," I whispered as I licked my lips, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down on top of me, his erection pressed against my slick center and waiting to slip into me as I writhed underneath him. Without hesitation, Jughead plunged deep inside me, filling me so completely in one thrust that I tensed up and cried out.

"Shit, did I hurt you?" Jughead asked quickly, his eyes full of concern as he brushed the hair from my forehead. I shook my head and clung to him even tighter.

"No, it's just been a while. Don't stop, baby. I need you," I begged him, squirming to get him to move. That was all it took for him to give in to his salacious needs as he pulled out slowly and surged forward, burying himself to the hilt. After that, his concerns fled and were replaced by pure carnal desire as he pounded into me over and over again. Wanting to feel more I lifted my left leg over his shoulder, allowing him to plunge even deeper and hit my g-spot. I could already feel my walls starting to tighten around his pulsing cock as he fucked into me and I knew it wouldn't be much longer.

"God, Betts. You feel so good, baby... so fucking good..." Jughead words came out in pants, the angle causing him to hit just the right place and sending me over the edge again. I exploded around him, screaming his name as my climax rushed through me. He kept driving into me harder before finally he tensed and came with a shout before he collapsed on top of me, our bodies slick from sweat.

I traced my fingers along his spine, loving the feel of his twitching cock buried inside my sex. His skin prickled in the wake of my touch and he chuckled huskily before placing a tender kiss to my jaw and rolling away to remove the condom. Once he disposed of it he climbed into the bed and pulled me to his chest to spoon me.

"You may wanna get some sleep while you can, Betts. I'm definitely not through with you yet," he whispered before biting my earlobe and burying his face into my neck, both of us falling quickly into a peaceful sleep.

I woke the next morning and stretched out, feeling tender but sated from our night together. We had woken up a few more times in the night, learning each other's bodies and changing positions each time we made love. He was insatiable, wearing me out and still leaving me begging for more until we'd go again. Jughead turned me on in ways that I had never thought possible before. We may need to slow down if I want to be able to walk ever again.

I rolled over and noticed that the bedsheets were still warm but there was no sign of Jughead anywhere. I slipped from the bed and used the restroom before wrapping myself in his sheet and making my way quietly down the hall, the smell of cigarette smoke lingering in the air.

As I turned the corner into the living room I found Jughead - shirtless, jeans slung low enough on his waist to know he had nothing on underneath - sitting on the window seat below the wall of windows and a cigarette dangling from his fingers. Heat surged straight to my core, the image of this dangerously sexy man - smoking - with barely any clothes on was enough to have my clit throbbing all over again.

Jughead caught my eye as he was taking a draw from his cigarette and froze, his eyes traveling over my body. He blew out the smoke and licked his lips, smirking at me. I gave him an impish grin in return, dropping the sheet and swaying my hips as I slowly walked towards him - completely naked. I grabbed the hand that held tightly to his cigarette, bringing his fingers closer to my mouth and pulling a puff off of it and moaned at the burn that trailed down my throat and into my lungs. V's gonna kill me but I can't even give a damn right now...

Jughead's eyes flickered and I watched his pupils start dilating as I blew it out, my breasts level with his mouth as I stood between his parted legs. I took another drag as he pulled my nipple into his mouth, relishing in the feeling of the nicotine flooding my system at the same time as he fuels my desire. I pulled him to stand and sank to my knees, my hand palming his cock through his jeans as he watched me.

He took another drag of his cigarette and raised a challenging eyebrow as I stared up at him. My hands made quick work of his zipper before I tugged his jeans down by his belt loops, dragging my fingers over his freshly exposed skin. His cocks sprang free and it hung heavy in the air as a bead of precum formed. My tongue darted past my lips as I leaned forward, tasting him before taking him deep into my hot, wanton mouth.

I took as much of him in my mouth as I could, wrapping my hand around his base and squeezed as I dragged my lips back up his shaft. Jughead hissed and his hand buried into my hair to guide me back down - breathing through my nose as I felt him going further into the back of my throat. He sped up his thrusts and I hollowed out my cheeks to let him fuck my mouth making him moan, "Fuck me, babygirl, that feels so good."

Suddenly - without warning - Jughead tossed his cigarette out of the open window and dragged me to my feet, moving around me so that I was pulled flush against his chest. My thighs quivered as he glided his fingertips up and down my arms, growling in my ear as he spoke, "Look at you, Princess - all exposed, anyone who walks past can see what I'm gonna do to you. I bet you like that, don't you?"

I whimpered as one of his hands snaked down my stomach towards my dripping sex and the other grasped my throat, squeezing gently. "Does it get you wet, Betts? Thinking about me fucking you right here against these windows for everyone to see?" He asked me as he slid his two middle fingers into my cunt while grinding his palm against my clit, my eyes fluttering shut as he squeezed my throat slightly, already sending shockwaves through my body.

"That's what I thought, baby. Come for me," he growled as his fingers surged into me until I erupted, my legs turning to jelly as he held me up to ride out my orgasm. My body was still vibrating from my climax when he bent me over, placing my palms on the window seat before lining himself up with my slit and pressing just the tip inside. "You want me to fuck you like this, Betts?"

I pushed back until he was fully seated in my cunt and gasped, "Does that answer your question, Juggie?" He chuckled then pulled out and began slamming into me with abandon, driving deeper with thrust and making my screams grow louder. I knew that if anyone was in the bar downstairs right at that moment, they'd all know exactly what we were doing and the thought had me coming apart again, my walls clamping down on his shaft and milking him as he came deep inside me.

"Shit Betts, I wasn't thinking-," Jughead said, panic evident in his voice when he finally pulled out of me.

"It's okay Jug, I'm clean and I've got the implant so I can't get preg-... Wait- you are clean, right?" I asked, my eyes searching his face frantically. Stupid Betty! You used condoms every time you are your husband but one hot session with Jug and you are slipping! I chastised myself.

"Shh, Betts. Yes, I'm clean too. Only had one other partner and we were both virgins and still used condoms while we dated. I got tested a while back if you need to see it?" I sighed in relief and shook my head.

"No, I trust you."

"So, how accurate is this implant of yours anyway? Cause I gotta say, Betts, that was hot as fuck," he growled again, picking me up in his arms. "Come on, let's go grab a shower and then go get you some warmer clothes. Oh, and an overnight back."

As we drove to the Pembrooke, our fingers intertwined, I couldn't help but say a silent prayer that Veronica was at Reggie's place or otherwise out of the apartment.

I knew she would probably flip out on me for disappearing again and I didn't really want to explain where I had been or why I was coming home dressed in someone else's clothes with a guy she'd never heard of. I would still like to keep things between him and me to ourselves, at least for a few more hours.

However, my hopes were shattered when we pulled up to the building and I could see Veronica's car parked in the garage area. My only hope now was to sneak in undetected. I tried not to let my nerves get the best of me but with Veronica, you never knew what to expect.

Jughead parked his truck and walked around to open my door, offering me his hand to help me out. I gripped his hand firmly and lead him inside the building passed the front desk, waving to Andre as we headed to the elevators. He looked Jughead up and down suspiciously before finally pressing the button to activate the elevator doors, letting us inside.

As soon as the doors closed, Jughead was on me with such ferocity that I nearly stumbled to the floor. A growl reverberated in his chest as he pushed my hair away to get better access and buried his face into my neck, bite marks peppering my skin in seconds and.

"Jug..." I whimpered his name as a soft moan escaped my lips.

This only served to encourage his endeavors and I felt his chest vibrating as he gave off his a deep moan of his own. He hooked his hands behind my thighs, lifting me up to feel his arousal pressing against my center.

I knew we'd just spent the better part of the last 12 hours having sex but feeling him against me was driving me wild and all I wanted to do was let him take me again right there in that elevator.

Maybe Ronnie actually is at Reggie's and we can slip in the apartment without her noticing. I know he might be trying to be respectful of my roommate, but I need him. My thoughts are turning utterly sinful as we reached my floor and the elevator doors opened.

Before either of us could register that the elevator had stopped, my eyes opened to see a very worried looking Veronica Lodge: hands crossed over her chest, brows arched in shock.

"Oh!" I shouted, scaring Jughead who then sat me down and attempted to hide me as I straightened my clothes. "Um- hi, V..." I said sheepishly. Veronica's look of shock quickly turned to one of amusement as she registered exactly what I had been up to last night.

"So B, what's new? I tried to find you last night but you were nowhere to be found, again. I called and texted but never got a reply, again. I guess someone else must have found you before I had the chance, again," she smirked knowingly, tapping her foot with an eyebrow raised. Shit.

"Yeah... kinda? V, this Jughead Jones, he's... an old friend. Jug, this is my best friend and roommate, Veronica Lodge," I offered introductions quickly, hoping to shift the focus off the fact that Jughead and I were caught in a very compromising position for simply being 'old friends'.

"Jug-head? That can't be your real name," Veronica laughed, looking at him amusingly. Jughead smiled back at her and laughed as well.

"No, it's just a nickname I've had since I was a kid. Trust me, the real thing is much much worse," he chuckled, looking down at me and grabbing my hand. He squeezed it, giving me a soft lopsided smile.

"Well, any friend of Betty's is a friend of mine. Why don't you come inside and join us for some coffee and a chat?" she paused, looking him up and down before she spoke again, "Oh, and as the best friend, it is my duty to approve all of B's potential suitors," she gave him her most devilish grin but it didn't even seem to phase him.

"That sounds amazing. Then afterward maybe we can all have dinner at Pop's?" He suggested, grinning back at her. Veronica nodded her head and turned to walk towards our apartment. I leaned into him and whispered.

"You might regret this. Veronica can be a bit much. Especially when it comes to me," the look in his eyes made my heart melt. He looked so happy as he whispered in my ear.

"What is there to regret? I get to have two of my favorite things: coffee and being with you, what's not to like?" he kissed me behind the ear and I felt my heart fluttering at his touch. I swear Veronica is gonna have to cut this short or I might explode.

After we followed Veronica into the apartment and got settled, I excused myself to get freshened up a bit and change into my own clothes. I pulled out a pair of black skinny jeans and a black and white striped tee, taking off Jughead's tee and sweatpants before tossing them onto my bed to keep for later. I changed my bra and panties to a matching set, stepped into my jeans and slipped on a black cardigan over top of my shirt.

I brushed my hair and pulled it into a fishtail braid before putting on some light makeup and cherry lip gloss. I sprayed my favorite vanilla berry perfume onto my pressure points and checked myself out in my full-length mirror.

I look pretty cute, not as sexy as my dress but still cute, I thought. I grabbed my overnight bag, tossing some clothes and other essentials inside before I slipped on my black flats and walked out of my bedroom with my bag.

When I stepped into the living room I could hear Veronica and Jughead in the kitchen heatedly debating on the best place to get a milkshake. I sat my bag by the door and followed the sounds of my best friend's voice as she ranted.

"Really Jughead, I'll concede that Pop's has the best milkshakes in Riverdale but you haven't lived until you've had a cotton candy strawberry shake from Black Tap's," Veronica waved her hands passionately and stared at Jughead like he was crazy. "It has rock candy and a giant lollipop on top of it, for God's sake!"

"That very well may be true Veronica but it's not about the embellishment, it's about the substance. Quality over quantity, it's just basic food science," he stated bluntly as if it was the most obvious concept. I couldn't help but laugh at the irritated looks on both of their faces as they turned to look at me.

"Are you guys seriously arguing over who has the best milkshakes?" I walked over to them and kissed Jughead's cheek before grabbing my coffee, taking a seat on the couch in the living room. Jughead followed suit and plopped down beside me, still looking aggravated.

"Yes B, we were. Mr. Jones seems to think that a plain old Pop's shake is better than any milkshake that the city has to offer," Veronica scoffed, seemingly offended at the mere thought and I giggled at her irritation before grinning at her.

"Sorry V, but Juggie is right. I lived in New York for almost a decade and nothing can compare to a strawberry shake from Pop's in my book," I told her with a shrug. Veronica just rolled her eyes and sat down in the chair across from Jughead and I.

"One day and you're already siding with him! You wound me, Bettykins," Veronica showed off her best shockingly offended look before she winked and gave me a sly smile. "Okay well, since we're all here, I have an interrogation to begin. So B, go on... spill it."

We explained everything to her: how I was drugged by some random creep at the Wyrm but Jughead saved me and we'd been carrying on a friendship - well more than - since that night. The dreams, the affair, FP's role in the Blossom murder, Jughead's running the Serpents since his father was in jail, how we grew up as best friends until his mother whisked him away from his father and kept him and his sister hidden so his dad couldn't find them.

We told her about how it was really Jughead who'd solved the murder and how I was a lot more familiar with the Serpents in high school then I'd let on and how he and his father protected me while I was helping to tutor the students at Southside High.

After we were done explaining everything, Veronica just sat there - visibly taken aback - trying to wrap her head around what we'd just explained to her.

"V, I know it's a bit of a complicated situation, trust me when I say I am still processing it myself, but I think that Jug might be the piece I've been missing. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just wanted to get to know him better and see where it went before unleashing Veronica Lodge," I smiled as I glanced up to see him staring at me, "So please," I pleaded, "try not to scare him off. I have a good feeling about this one." Her face visibly softened as she looked in my eyes.

"Oh B, I'm only giving him a hard time. This is the first time since, well, 'the unpleasantness' that I've seen you really smile. And if he's the reason for it, I'll just have to make sure he sticks around," she beamed, standing up to wrap me in a hug. Then she turned to Jughead and her face dropped, becoming almost deadly.

"Now listen carefully, Serpent King, because I will only say this once. You ever do anything to hurt my B and I will make you live to regret it, comprender? You may have a gang of bikers at your disposal but we Lodge's have the entire New York mafia behind us. I will personally make damn sure they find Hoffa before they find you," she showed no emotion, just gave him a stone-cold stare. He doesn't seem the least bit fazed by her threat. He stood up beside me, taking my hand in his before facing her.

"Entiendo perfectamente. Veronica, believe me, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I have no intention of hurting her," he said as he stroked my knuckles and kissed my temple. Suddenly, Veronica smiled and clapped her hands together in excitement. We all say back down and continued drinking out coffee as we talked.

"Okay, now that we have an understanding, tell me more about your father. When is he supposed to be released? Better yet, did your dad ever tell you who his lost love was? And why on earth would your mother not want you to be around Betty? She is nothing like Alice at all. She has never done anything bad to anyone her whole life," Veronica shot off rapid-fire questions, making even my head spin.

"Well, he's supposed to be up for parole in just a few months, but who knows how that will go. He's clean now and goes to AA meetings that are held at the prison chapel. I've tried to convince him a few times to tell me more about this woman but I think he was afraid I would confront her about the affair or something because he won't tell me anything else. All he would say was that she was in his past and that-that was where she had to stay. She hated him for what he did to her and she never let him forget it," he said, his voice holding that same sad tone it did when he told me this story. You know, I bet if anyone could hunt down this mystery woman, it would be Alic-...

And just like that, realization rolled over me like a freight train. My hands started to tremble, knowing instantly - without a doubt - who the mystery woman was. It had to be, it was the only explanation.

Because there was only one woman in this town that hated the Serpents and the Southside with the fires of a thousand suns. The only woman who could be so cold and expected nothing less than perfection.

I have to talk to her. I have to know if it's true. I need to know...

"Guys, I think I need to call my Mom," I said in a shaky voice that trembled, not out of fear, but out of anger and confusion. Veronica nearly spat her coffee across the room at my statement.

"Are you sure, B? Remember what happened the last time you spoke to her. You know how she is and what kind of headspace you end up in when you talk to her. You've gone months without speaking to her and you're doing so good. Why open that Pandora's Box now?" she asked, setting her cup down.

"Because Ronnie, I think... No. I know who the other woman was. And she has to admit it once and for all, not just to me but also to my dad," my voice cracked and I looked Jughead in the eyes as I continued, "It was her, Jug. My Mom. She was the reason your mom took you away from your dad," his eyes grew wide, taking in the information I had just shared. He cupped my face and read his thumb across my cheek.

"Alright Betts, let's go get some answers," he grabbed my hand and my bag, each of us saying a quick goodbye before we headed out the door.

I didn't know exactly what was going to happen, but I had a terrible feel deep in my gut that said things were about to get really rough.

"Hello mother, how are you?" I tried to keep my voice as even as humanly possible as I held the phone to my ear.

"Well hello, Elizabeth. I see you're no longer dodging my phone calls. To what do I owe the pleasure?" She said flatly. I could feel the urge to curl my fingers inward beginning to surface but Jug grabbed my hand and squeezed.

"Well, I wanted to see if you and dad would like to have tea or coffee at the house? It has been a while since I've seen you and I have someone I would like you to meet," my eyes flashed to Jughead's and he grinned.

"Well, your father is out of town for a few weeks on a story but since you just saw him a few weeks ago, I'm sure he wouldn't mind you visiting - even if it's just us."

How the hell does she know? I asked myself as she continued.

"You'll be here in an hour, yes? And I will make sure to set out an extra cup for your mystery guest," then she hung up before I could get a chance to reply.

"Well, I guess that went about as good as I could've expected," I sighed. Jug pulled me into an embrace, rubbing his hand up and down my back as I buried my face into his chest. "Are you sure you want to do this, Jug? Alice can be pretty intense. Hell, she's half nuts if I'm being honest and she doesn't like being questioned. Especially if those questions are coming from her daughter and the leader of the Southside Serpents. Things could go south fairly quickly when it comes to Alice."

"I need to hear the truth about my parent's divorce, Betts. And you need to hear it too, we both deserve the truth. And your dad needs to know what our parents did back then," he pressed a kiss to my forehead before leading me to the truck.

I opened the door to my childhood home and stepped inside with Jughead following close behind me. It was eerily quiet, all I could hear was my pulse thumping in my ears.

"Mom? Are you here?" I called out, stepping further into the living room. I caught sight of my mother standing in the kitchen, facing away from us and pulling mugs from the cabinet. Jughead stood beside me and gripped my hand tightly, anticipating what her reaction will be when she finally turned to face us.

"Yes dear, I'm just getting everything finished up, make your-" she turned and stopped mid-sentence, the mug that she was holding falling to the ground and shattering at her feet. She just stood there in shock, trembling as she stared at Jughead.

"No- It can't be. You can't be-," she took a few cautious steps forward, reaching out to touch his face before she pulled back suddenly, still staring into his eyes.

That was the first time in my entire 25 years that I had ever seen my mother become visibly shaken. Nothing ever scared Alice Cooper but here she was trembling like a leaf over this boy from her past.

"I knew you were back, but I never expected that... you look just like him," she said softly before coming to her senses, her eyes becoming frantic. "Did he send you? Is this because of the letter? Because I never replied?" Alice began to pace back and forth, wringing her hands. I stepped in front of her, halting her and grabbing her hands to force her to stop.

"Mom, what letter?" She shot me a look of confusion. I wasn't sure if it was because of the letter she had mentioned or if it was because it was the first time I'd called her anything other than mother since Polly... well, since high school. I watched her straighten up her posture and put on a stoic expression.

"Oh, nothing dear, it doesn't matter," she tried to pull away and brush it off but I wasn't letting her get out of this so easily. I felt my blood boiling and my patience was wearing incredibly thin.

"Cut the crap Alice, we know about your affair. I know about it. But let me ask you this mother, does dad know about it? And what the hell is this letter you're talking about? You need to stop lying to me and just tell the truth! What happened back then?" I glared at her, seeing that her shoulders slump in defeat. Alice knew there was no use in lying about any of it so she sat down and motioned for us to do the same. She clasped her hands on her lap and took a deep breath.

"Alright Elizabeth, I'll tell you the truth. Both of you were affected by our actions so it's the least I can do. Yes, I had an affair with Jughead's father FP for almost a year and a half when you two were very young. FP and I never could stay too far away from each other after we broke up in high school, no matter how hard we tried to. After we started seeing each other, we agreed that we needed to end our current marriages and we were planning on getting married before- well, before Gladys ran off with the kids and broke him. And before you pass judgment on his behalf, your father already knows about the affair. Hell, he knew about it when it was happening," she said, taking another deep, shaky breath before she continued.

"Frankly, it didn't matter a hill of beans to him, seeing as he was also having an affair. His has been going on for twenty-five plus now," she said, sounding slightly bitter. I sat there in complete shock, not believing what I was hearing. My father has had a mistress for my entire life? How did I never see it? How could they hide something like this from me for so long?

I gathered my thoughts and asked her in confusion, "What? With who? If he has been having an affair this whole time, why are you even still married to him?"

"Why else? For appearances, Elizabeth. That was what was always most important to your father. We never really loved each other in the way that we should have so after you girls were born we stayed married but went our separate ways, romantically speaking. We honestly haven't been more than roommates since his affair started," Alice said casually.

That was when I looked around and realized that the house seemed different. Some of our family portraits were not hanging on the wall and when I glanced over to where my father always kept his laptop and reading glasses, I noticed they were not there. Well, he is on a business trip... but why are the pictures missing?

"Mom, who was she? And where is Dad really?"

"Penelope Blossom. They fooled around in high school but had to keep it secret since she was already spoken for by Clifford Blossom. They started their affair back up about the same time you were born and I started sleeping with FP again right before he found out Gladys was pregnant with Jellybean," she coughed, looking away from us as she cleared her throat.

"It wasn't really a big deal for us at the time, we both had decided that maybe divorce was better and we'd planned to file the week your mother took you, Jughead," Alice looked at Jughead with tears in her eyes as she continued, "I tried to hold FP together- God, I really really tried. But the man I loved left when you and your sister did. And then when..." Alice trailed off as tears fell down her face. She gathered her courage and continued.

"Well, that part doesn't matter. What matters is that Hal found FP's letter a few weeks ago - found out that I had lied to him. He got angry and told me he was going to live with Penelope and that he was filing for divorce. He said that there was no reason to keep up the charade, especially since he knows I still- well, that I don't love him," she whispered, looking down at her lap silently. It became strangely quiet for a few minutes before Jughead broke the silence they had lapsed into.

"Mrs. Cooper, please... You said you got a letter from my dad, what did it say?" he asked her gently. Before he could continue, I asked, "Mom, what did you lie about?" She stood up, brushing her skirt off before she walked into the kitchen. She came back holding an envelope and handed it to Jughead.

"It's probably best to just let you two read it," she turned and walked back to her seat, sitting back down and watched as Jughead pulled the letter out of the envelope addressed to my mother.

Inmate #122096

Forsythe P. Jones II

Shankshaw Maximum Security Prison

Hello My Allicat,

I know you told me a long time ago that you never wanted to hear from me again, but I'm working my way through the 12 Steps program here and I just got to my 9th step. And well Juliet, there is no one else I need to make amends with more than you.

I want you to know how sorry I am, Alli. I'm sorry for the drinking, for pushing you away, for blaming you for what Gladys did, for lying and saying I regretted being with you. I am sorry for all of it.

I never regretted a second I spent with you nor did I ever regret loving you with all of my heart and soul. Hell, I still love you even knowing that you hate me for what I did... What I caused. I know I can never make up for it but I need you to know I am sorry for all the pain I put you through and then leaving you to deal with it alone. You didn't deserve any of that. I will hate myself forever for what I did to you.

I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, and I am not asking you to give it Alli, I just needed you to know that you are and always will be my heart. And for you to know that there are only two great regrets I have in this life: pushing you away and being the reason we never got to see our child grow up. I am so sorry, Juliet...

Eternally Your Romeo,

FP