Season 2 is on Netflix. I watched it across three days last week. My mind was blown for a few days but then it sorted itself out. So now, I can write stuff again. Enjoy!

Breathe Again

Summary – Betty has a bit of an anxiety attack preparing for the biggest day of her life.

BPOV

I stare at my reflection in the hotel mirror as Polly, Veronica, mom, Jellybean, and Gladys bustle around me, tending to dresses and flowers and jewelry and all I can do is try not to break down. Today's the day I've been preparing for all my life. It's everything I ever wanted and so much more. I should be over the moon but inside, I'm screaming. My makeup is applied perfectly, thanks to Roni, all subtle but still striking somehow. A soft pink shadow with long, dark lashes makes the blue of my eyes pop and sparkle. My skin is smooth and flawless with only a thin coat of foundation. My lips are painted a darker pink than usual. Every one of the girls insisted that it's best for pictures. My hair that I finally grew out hangs mostly loose, with a twisting braid on either side meeting in the back held by a crystal adorned rose shaped clip. Polly spent almost an hour doing it for me. Staring at myself, I can't breathe. I look like me but not like me. I want more than anything to take his breath away but I'm afraid that I'm just not good enough. Even after all these years, thinking about my love makes me insecure. Jellybean appears at my side, her green eyes sparkling just like her brother's. She squeezes me tightly.

"We're finally going to be sisters!" the seventeen-year old exclaims. "You look so beautiful, Betty." I smile down at her, able to calm my thoughts looking at the female version of Jughead.

"We're been sisters for the past five years, JB. This just makes it official," I tell her. Five years ago today, Jughead kissed me for the first time in my obnoxiously pink bedroom. At sixteen, it meant so much and it's hard to believe that at twenty-one it means more than it did then. The thought of Jughead alone makes my heart swell with admiration and love. And yet, I'm still so, so nervous. A knock sounds on the door and Polly opens it, the twins rushing in and hugging her tightly. Kevin stands behind them and tells Polly that they wanted to help me get ready. Juniper and Dagwood are dressed to the nines, in a dazzling dress and little tuxedo respectively. My heart melts thinking about my little flower girl and ring bearer that are both so excited to be a part of their auntie's special day.

"What do you say Betty?" Mom asks, beaming at me. "We're all dressed. Are you ready to put your dress on?"

I feel my breath catch again, eyes locked on the white garment bag. I hear the click-click of the photographer taking pictures and I nod slightly. My mom, my soon to be mother-in-law, and my bridesmaids help me into my ball gown. I opted for a simple princess-style gown with full lace sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. The bodice is fully embellished with lace, whereas the skirt simply has accents scattered about it. Veronica does the honors and zipping me up, while Polly and my mom place my veil on my head. The kids cheer and jump around excitedly.

"You look like a princess, Auntie Betty!" Juniper exclaims, twirling about in her little pastel purple gown. I look around the room at the beautiful women and adorable children I have by my side and it calms me slightly. Everyone looks like royalty in the varying shades of purple chosen for this day. Polly, Veronica, and Jellybean wear matching floor-length purple gowns with one shoulder strap and lace bodices. The skirts are a simple chiffon with a slit up one side, ending right above the knee. Polly's is a shade darker than the others, to show that she's my maid of honor. Mom and Gladys choose to wear the same dress as well, but mom's is lilac while Gladys chose a medium blue. They have full-length lace sleeves to match my own and skirts similar to the bridal party but without the slits. We pose for some pictures and continue on our way to the rose garden where I'll become Mrs. Jones. Panic starts to rear its ugly head and I fight to keep it contained as everyone else takes their turn down the aisle to an instrumental version of Taylor Swift's "You Are in Love". The music begins to shift into Demi Lovato's "Nightingale" and I take my cue to step out onto the aisle. I feel myself begin to breathe again the second I lay eyes on Jughead. He looks amazing in a tux with his hair styled and unhidden by his usual beanie. I know his dad, Archie, and Toni are standing beside him and my girls on the other side, but all I can see is him. Most of Riverdale stands watching me, but I don't see them. I smile softly when I see Juggie's lips turn up into an actual beaming grin at the sight of me. I have to count to myself to keep the right pace and not just run into his arms. Once I reach the end of the aisle and grip his hand in my own, my heart bursts with emotion.

Most of what the officiator says falls on deaf ears as I study my soon to be husband face. I only hear when he tells the guests that we've written our own vows and I turn to fully face my love. His hands squeeze mine gently.

"Betty Cooper, you have changed my life so much in the time I've known you. From the time we were just kids, you showed me how to have hope and believe in myself. In the past five years that I have been blessed enough to call you my girlfriend, you've shown me what it means to love someone more than I ever thought was possible. But most of all, you have shown me that I deserve to be loved and taught me how to let myself be loved and I am so grateful for everything you've done for me. As we step into this next chapter of our lives together, I want you to know that I will always strive to give you everything you deserve and more. I love you, Betts, and I will continue loving you for the rest of eternity." I feel tears start to gather in my eyes and take a deep breath.

"Jughead Jones, I have loved you since the day I first met you, fighting fake dragons in your treehouse. Even though there were some times throughout my life that I lost sight of that, I know in my soul that it has always been you. You were the first boy I ever dreamed about. The first name I ever doodled on my notebooks. The first person that made me feel like I'm the only person in the world and to this day the only person that makes me feel this way. You were my first a lot of things, Juggie, and now I get to say that you're my first and last husband because I know in my heart that you and I were meant for this. We were meant to withstand any storm and continue to love each other and strive for greatness together, for the rest of our lives. I love you."

"Jughead Jones the third, you may now kiss your bride," the officiator finishes the ceremony and Jughead pulls my gently to him, locking his lips against mine in a searing first kiss as husband and wife. I hear cheers erupt around us as I take my husband's hand to walk back down the aisle, together this time as "This Town" by Niall Horan plays softly in the background. I smile happily at Jughead and whisper quietly to him,

"Thank you for helping me breathe again." He wraps his arm around my waist and kisses my forehead.

What'd ya think?