"Jughead…"
Jughead and Dakota's heads popped up in unison as they heard the doctor's gruff voice. Jughead's eyes lifted up to the ceiling as if he was sending one plea to God. He looked back to the doctor and stood up to face him. "What's the news doc?"
"Well, Betty seemed to have contracted the flu. Her fever recently spiked to 104." Jughead heart dropped. He know a fever that high was dangerous for anyone but especially for a pregnant woman carrying her first child. The doctor continued, "A fever can be extremely dangerous for a pregnant woman considering her immune system is compromised. In some cases it can lead to miscarriages or in later months the baby can contract an infection themselves causing birth defects." Jughead took a deep breath holding onto his beanie in pure worry. The doctor smiled at him, "However, her fever has reduced back to 102 and she is continuing to show signs of recovery. She hasn't gotten sick since I've arrived and she is regaining her orientation."
Jughead sighed relieved of the good news. "Will she be okay? What about the baby?"
"As long as Betty's condition continues to improve, they will both be just fine." Jughead smiled, "oh thank you." Jughead said to the doctor then looking up, he murmured another thank you.
"I'm going to take my leave now but I need you to keep up her care." The doctor urged Jughead.
Jughead nodded, "Of course, anything."
"I need you to monitor her fever. If it rises above 102 again. Call me!" He paused for emphasis. "She's dehydrated, so keep plenty of fluids in her. Water mainly, ginger ale or tea if she can't keep the water down. When she's up to eating again, start with soup or bread. Something light. If her condition worsens or changes at all, call me. We need to keep that baby safe." Jughead nodded curtly at the doctor as if taking in an order from a commander.
The doctor nodded at him starting down the steps. "I'll see myself out." He clarified as he continued down the steps. Dakota followed as if she needed to ensure his safe departure.
Jughead took a deep breath of relief and walked into the room where Betty laid. Betty was positioned in a slight sitting position. She was conscious but clearly still weak, her face sickly pale. Her eyes lit up as she noticed Jughead walking into the room. "Hey." She said weakly the happiness seeping through her voice.
Betty had spent the last few hours in pain, her mental abilities dull. Every time she awakened from sleep hoping for a bright horizon she was faced with a stranger. But now she could see the relief and light through the green eyes peering into hers. She reached out beckoning him to walk towards her.
Jughead obliged with a smile and walked towards her sitting on the bed next to her. She quickly let her body collapse into him, his arms instantly safeguarding around her.
She was still warm to the touch despite her declining fever and her skimpy outfit of a sweat drenched sports bra and her underwear. Jughead allowed her hand to run gently up and down her arm. Betty shivered under the interaction making Jughead unsure if it spawned from the fever or from his touch. Betty's eyes glanced up at him through batted eyes. He smiled gently at her, his thumb gently stroking her face. "How are you feeling?" He asked searching her face for answers. She shrugged off the question with a sigh, her head falling back onto his chest.
"I will get you some ginger ale and crackers." Jughead began to move underneath Betty to leave the bed. Betty held onto him tightly, a whine spewing from her mouth. Jughead looked down at her in confusion. "Will you let me go?"
Betty whined again keeping her hold on him. "No." She groaned against his shirt.
Jughead shook his head. "Betty let me go so you can eat and get your hydration back." He said with a authoritative look that made her coil inside and obey. She let go of his waist and sat back against the bed frame. "I'll be right back don't you worry." He said kissing her forehead and standing up beside the bed. He couldn't imagine leaving her again but just for a few minutes. He almost lost her and he wouldn't take that chance again.
Jughead returned quickly with the crackers and ginger ale. To which Betty smiled, "You came back!" She cheered at the sight of him. Jughead chuckled at her setting the ginger ale on the bedstand and the crackers in her hand. "Eat slow. We don't want to upset your stomach." After a few bites of the crackers Betty fell into a silent sleep. Jughead smiled and pulled the covers up over her. He pulled a book from the shelf and sat beside her to read it.
After ten minutes or so of blissful sleep she woke up to Jughead's quiet reading. She smiled up at him as she sat up carefully. "Are you reading the mystery book again?" Betty said peering over his shoulder, her head resting softly there.
Jughead smiled at her voice and gentle touch."Yeah,it's called "Blossoms in the River" he said with smile setting the book down. "It's about a young man named Jason Blossom who is found dead in the river." Betty nodded taking in the summary.
"I feel icky." Betty stated, rubbing her leg as if the filth would rub off. Jughead quickly felt her head, but no warmth radiated from it. "No fever." He informed. Betty shook her head. "No, I mean I feel icky and need a shower but I'm too weak."
Jughead nodded, "Come on, I'll get you in the bath." He stood up to help her off the bed. Once he got her off of the bed, he reached down and picked her up in his arms. She smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you Juggie."
Jughead carried her into the bathroom and gently sat her on the toilet as he started filling the tub with water. He set the water to lukewarm and let it fill up about half way. "Alright Betty." He said turning around to a now naked Betty. Jughead gulped at the sight, his insides already stirring. "Let's get you in." He said walking to her and letting her takes his hands to stand. In a moment of weakness, he let himself scan the length of her body. He really couldn't believe how lucky he had gotten. He quickly looked up and started to guide her to the tub. "It's okay Jug. You're my husband." She paused briefly, "You're allowed to look." She said a faint blush creeping onto her face.
Jughead began to blush at her response and tried to keep his masculinity in check. "Okay." He whispered as if he was scared they were dreaming and they would wake up if he was too loud. Jughead helped her climb into the tub and sit carefully.
Once she was settled inside the tub Jughead stood to leave. "No, Jughead, wait. I'm so weak can you stay and help me?" Betty asked with pleading eyes.
Jughead smiled at her and nodded. He dropped onto his knees and picked up a loofah that was nearby. Gently he picked up water with the loofah and let it run over her body.
Betty shivered the first few times, the warm water causing a sensation to run through her body. The droplets of water slowly slid down her arms. Jughead followed the movement of the drops with his eyes, feeling warm. He knew she was still tired from the sickness. He might be her husband, but he still felt a bit guilty about the stirring feelings in the pit of his stomach. Especially when she was in such a vulnerable state. He must have stopped washing her skin as he was deep in thought, because when his eyes returned to her face, he found her smiling with an amused expression. He blushed and continued squeezing the warm water over her shoulders and arms.
Betty leaned back and enjoyed the feeling of the water, cleansing her of the fever-induced sweat clinging to her skin. She watched Jughead as he concentrated on his task. He seemed determined not to look at her, rather looking at the loofah and everywhere else but her exposed body. Betty couldn't believe the gentleness and the goodness of the man she had married. So respectful of her, always. However, in this moment she wanted him to test the boundaries they had put in place. She reached out and placed her hand over his as he was rubbing the loofah over her neck. Their eyes locked and Betty could see Jughead's eyes becoming dark, his pupils dilated, an intensity boring into her eyes. Her own breath was becoming labored, and not because of any distress from the flu. Her flushed state was purely brought on by her husband. She ached to feel his fingertips brush against her skin, but she knew that he wouldn't proceed unless she told him it was okay. With an alluring smile, she gently took the loofah from his hand and placed it down into the tub of water
"Betts? I need to keep the water on you or you might get a chill." He said, his eyes not leaving hers, worry slowing taking over the need in his eyes.
Betty shook her head gently. "I know you'll keep me warm, Juggie." She thought of added a 'touch me' but there was a need as Jughead's hand relaxed against her shoulder. Betty leaned forward and rested her head against the side of the tub, dragging his hand down to rest on her collarbone.
Jughead swallowed but didn't make any attempt to move his hand away. He began tracing light circles against her skin, dangerously close to the tops of her breasts.
A small smile crept onto Betty's face as she could feel him relaxing and growing bolder. He got up on his knees and moved his hands to massage her shoulders. She turned so her back was to him, giving him a better angle as he rubbed gently across her shoulder blades and neck
Jughead couldn't help but notice how her breathing had become heavier and her chest began to heave as he dragged his calloused fingers across her damp skin. When he hit a particular spot near her clavicle, he swore he heard a low moan. He wondered what else he could do to illicit another divine sound. Before he had time to second guess himself, he dipped his head to kiss her neck lightly. Betty exhaled and leaned her head back further, settling it on his lowered shoulder.
"Jug…" She breathed out in pleasure.
Jughead's eyes snapped open. "Are you okay? Should I not… It's probably not a good idea for you to get too cold. Let's get you back to bed." He stood quickly grabbing a nearby towel.
Betty sighed but agreed. It was probably for the best for her to get back to bed while she still had the strength to. If only, she could have stayed there a little longer. Lost in his gentle caresses.
With Jughead's help she stood out up and climbed out of the tub. He handed her the towel from the counter.
Betty wrapped the towel around her in a modest fashion. "Would you help me dry off?" She asked hoping he wouldn't retreat back to his shell.
Jughead hesitated only for a moment, before nodding his head. He began to dry off her torso gently. He was trying hard to help her remain standing while drying her off. A quick moment of fumbling fell over them causing the towel to drop. Jughead's hand quickly grabbed Betty's hip to steady her and she stilled under his touch. Her right hand steadied herself against his shoulder. The other moved to rest against his hand positioned on her hip. Her eyes settled on his, before dropping down to gaze at his lips. She had already kissed him and yet every time she looked to his lips she yearned to feel them on her.
Jughead dropped his head to look down at her body. He struggled to controlled himself since they set foot in the bathroom, and now he wasn't fighting anymore. He took in the curves of her body and every detail he could see. Her chest was flushed from their recent interaction. Her soft pink nipples were standing erect towards him. Her bellybutton formed a perfect smooth circle, one deep enough to run your tongue over and send shivers down any girl's back. Her belly was protruding towards him reminding him of the reason she was here. He was suddenly so grateful for her strict mother. Her legs were two breaktaking pillars weak under his touch. He couldn't believe this was his beautiful wife. Mother of the child that would be his, blood or not.
Betty's breath became heavy as Jughead's eyes scanned her body. She couldn't take the heat pitting in his stomach anymore, she grabbed Jughead's face and pulled it to hers. Her lips eagerly attacked his as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Jughead groaned at his naked wife pressed against him, suddenly wishing he was naked too.
Betty was quickly becoming needed as she used all her might to try and climb up his body. Jughead gently pushed her away and broke their kiss.
"No baby we gotta stop. You're sick, you have a fever. You are in no condition to…" He trailed off as if he was scared to say it, scared she wasn't hoping for the same thing.
"You're right." Betty said biting her lip, "Sorry I got carried away."
"Don't apologize. I like it." Jughead grinned pulling her close and gently kissing her lips before leading her back to the bedroom.