The next morning after a long sleep for mommy and baby, Betty grabbed her camera to take some newborn pictures. She laid Evy down in her bassinet which sat next to her and Jughead's bed. Evy wiggled in the bassinet not wanting to be put down. Betty has dressed her up in the mets T-shirt that she wore the day before during the delivery. You couldn't even see Evelyn's arms, Betty laughed and fixed the shirt so that her hands were exposed. She snapped a few pictures until Evelyn started to fuss. "Okay okay." Betty sighed picking Evelyn's up and sliding off the T-shirt. "Is that better?" Evelyn yawned in response, Betty smiled and sat her back in the bassinet, folding the recently washed T-shirt up and setting it in a wooden box by the window. Some would call the box a hope chest, but Betty would call it a memory box. Some things that Evelyn could have later to look back on her childhood.
Jughead walked into the room with two coffees in his hand. He smiled taking in the sight of his wife, hair a mess with a camera in her hand. She had found a passion that she enjoyed and he loved that. "Good Morning you."
Betty smiled at his voice and turned to face him. She smirked at the sight of him shirtless. "Ooooo coffee!" She beamed taking it from his hand. She took a sip and made a face. "Decaf?"
"You're still breastfeeding." He said simply.
Betty groaned, "I hate you."
Jughead chuckled taking a sip of his coffee before setting it down on the dresser. He walked behind her to peer over her shoulder to she the camera. "Get any good shots?"
"Yeah check out these pictures of Evy." She said scrolling through the gallery to find them. When she settled on them Jughead melted. "They're great babe. I don't know how you do it." Betty beamed and uttered a thank you before scrolling through the rest of the photos.
Jughead picked his coffee back up and laid on the bed drinking it slowly. He scrolled through his phone to catch up on the latest news.
Betty grinned as she walked towards the bed. Jughead looked up when he felt her stare. "Hi." He said with a smug grin as he sat his coffee down. Betty climbed onto the bed with her camera and straddled him. "Say cheese lover boy." She teased as she began to snap pictures of him.
"I don't know if you want to sit there. I might get some ideas." Jughead teased with a smile leaning up to kiss her.
She kissed him back before pulling away. "Oooo sorry lover boy. Gotta wait awhile till I'm all healed. Doctor's orders." She explained pecking his lips.
Jughead groaned, "You're kidding me right?" Betty gave him a half smile and shook her head softly. "Damn it. This better be a quick healing process." He teased with a smile, kissing her again. "Hey, are you cool with my family coming over to meet Evy today?"
"Of course." She said laying down against his chest. Betty loved Jughead's family and was excited for them to meet Evelyn but she couldn't help but feel a pang in her stomach. Her family wouldn't be coming, they wouldn't nothing to do with her and her child. Betty took a deep breath trying to keep the tears away.
A few hours later, Jellybean and her family had arrived. Archie and Veronica arriving shortly after them. The first person in line to hold the baby was Anna. Jellybean agreed to go last since she had already held her the day before when she was born.
"Oh Betty! She's beautiful!" Veronica squealed looking down at the small baby in Anna's arms. "What's her name?"
Betty smiled at Jughead who had his arm wrapped around her. "Evelyn Storm Jones."
"Wow, how Hollywood of you!" Veronica gushed making Betty laugh. "Oh! Have you picked a godmother?" Veronica asked sitting next to Betty on the bed opposite of Jughead.
"Well to be honest, I'm not sure if we were going to have godparents. Neither of us are very religious." Betty explained honestly.
"Come on, B! Don't be so theological! Who will take care of poor little Evelyn if you two kick the bucket?"
"Veronica!" Jughead interjected, "This is a Kodak moment here. Don't be so morbid."
Veronica rolled her eyes, "Anyway."
Betty chuckled and looked to Veronica. "V, would you like to be Evelyn's godmother?"
Veronica squealed, "Really? I mean if you don't want to…"
"V!" Betty glared at Veronica.
"Okay okay. I accept!" Veronica cheered hugging Betty then moving to stand next to Archie.
"Hey Arch." Jughead called getting Archie's attention who nodded in acknowledgement. "Will you…"
Archie raised his hand to stop Jughead from talking. "No sweat Jug. I got it. I'll take care of Evelyn like she's my own."
Jughead smiled at him, "Thanks man."
Betty looked between the two men that smiled at eachother. She didn't know exactly what their friendship entailed but she knew they had a bond like brothers. She would often catch Jughead talking to Archie on the phone and she couldn't help but wonder if they ever discuss her. Did Jughead get his advice before he decided to marry Betty? Did Jughead call Archie when they kissed? Betty mentally laughed at herself as she pictured Jughead alone in their room, talking on the phone, twirling his hair, and swinging his legs.
Later that evening, the family left and retreated back to their homes. Betty had just fed Evelyn and put her to bed in her crib. She took her seat in the rocking chair, letting her gaze fall on Evy sleeping. It had been a great day, however, she couldn't help but feel bittersweet about it. When she used to think about growing up and having a family, she never imagined that a man and woman she had just met five months prior would be the baby's godparents. No, she always knew who would be the godmother would be but that seemed impossible now.
Betty picked up her phone and scrolled through the scads of pictures that filled her phone. Every other picture was of her and Polly. She sighed and threw her head back on the chair, looking up at the ceiling.
Without another moment of hesitation, she picked up her phone and dials Polly's number. Her heartbeat raced as the phone rang in her ear. She took a deep breath as the answering machine turned on."Hi it's Polly. I can't answer right now. I'm probably convincing my daughter that her lizard isn't going to turn into Godzilla. Leave a message. Bye."
Betty looked at the clock noticing it was eight o'clock meaning it was six in Berkeley. Polly and her family were probably eating dinner. The machine beeped in her ear and she gulped.
"Polls. It's Betty." She stood up and walked to window. "I just wanted to tell you that um your niece is here and she's beautiful." Betty sighed. "Look, I know your last visit wasn't very successful but I miss you. I think we should give it another try." Betty paused squeezing the bridge of her nose. "I love you. Bye." She said hanging up the phone.
"Hey there." Jughead called softly from the doorframe. Betty turned to face him and smiled softly, her phone still in her hand. "Hey."
Jughead nodded to Evelyn, "Is she asleep?"
Betty nodded, "Yeah, she's out cold." She answered wrapping her arms around her body, hugging herself.
Jughead noticed her anxiety claiming stance. "Hey." He walked towards her and and place his hands on his arms. "What's wrong?" He asked rubbing her arms softly.
Betty took a deep breath looking up to stop her tears from flowing. "I miss Polly. I-I well I miss everyone. Having your family here today," She paused and shook her head. "Don't get me wrong, I love your family and I was so happy they visited today."
"But it's not the same. They're not your family." Jughead smiled faintly. "I understand Betty. All I could think about today was how my parents weren't there to see my daughter. How they weren't there to see Noah born either."
Betty knew he was trying to make her feel better, but somehow he wasn't helping. "But my family's not dead."
Jughead nodded, "I know, Betts." He pulled her into a tight hug. "They'll come around. I promise. They'd be stupid not to." Betty sniffed against his shirt and held on tight to his shirt, thankful he was there, and that he loved her.
The next few days flew by in a haze of dirty diapers and cat naps. Jughead didn't spend as much time in the fields. Since it was cold he didn't really have to and he enjoyed helping Betty with the baby. Betty of course busied herself with the baby. She had lost count of how many pictures she had taken of Evy. She was clearly enjoying herself but her stomach was still aching. Polly hadn't returned her call and it made her sick to think that Polly didn't want to see her or even contact her again. She sighed just as Evy started to cry. She picked her up gently, "Good morning, Darling." She smiled down at her rocking her back and forth.
"Good morning." Jughead said wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "You look just ravenous today." He said kissing her neck.
Betty laughed, "Really? While I'm holding my daughter, you're thinking about sex? You're pitiful."
"Hey! Our daughter." He corrected playfully slapping her butt.
Betty giggled, the sound of her laugh mixing with the rumbling she heard outside. She looked out the window and saw a taxi.
"Who is it Betts?" Jughead asked taking Evy from her arms.
"I'm not sure," She answering peering around the car to get a better look. As she did the taxi door opened and a slender framed blonde stepped out of the car. Betty screamed, "IT'S POLLY!" She ran out the room and down the steps.
Jughead groaned, "Ready to meet your aunt?" He asked Evelyn who sat in his arms. "She's just lovely." He sarcastically remarked before walking down the steps carefully with Evelyn.
Betty flew out the door and to the taxi that sat in the driveway. "POLLY!" She yelled running towards her.
Polly looked at Betty, dropping her bags on the ground and running to meet her. The pair met in a tight embrace. "Betty, I got your message and I came right away."
"Polls, I am so sorry I shut you out." Betty lamented pulling slight away.
"No it was my fault I was so rude to you and to Jughead." Polly paused. "Please forgive me."
"Of course I do!" Betty said wiping her tears away. "Where's Megan?" She asked looking around.
"I left her with Jason. I figured we needed some alone time to fix this mess." Polly explained.
Betty smiled at her older sister, "Sounds like a good plan. Next time you'll bring her right?"
"Next time?"
"Well yeah you're not going to never visit again are you?"
Polly chuckled, "Well of course not. I just didn't know if I'd be wanted or not."
It hurt to think Polly thought of Betty like that. Betty was never one to hold grudge. "You're wanted." Betty reassured as she guided Polly to the steps after grabbing the bags she dropped. They walked up the wooden steps and met Jughead who was holding Evelyn. "Polly." He gritted out.
"Hello, Jug-Head." She greeted with a faux smile. "May I see my niece?"
Jughead nodded and handed to baby to her carefully. "Let's go inside." Jughead suggested, Betty and Polly following suit.
"What's her name?" Polly asked as she smiled down at her niece.
"Evelyn Storm Jones." Betty answered with a smile looking at Jughead who smiled back.
"No, Cooper?" Polly asked looking at Betty with slight shock playing on her face. Betty faltered a moment at her question. "I mean Betty she's not even his."
Betty raised her hand in protest, "Stop right there! I don't want to hear any of it. You came back here to reconnect right?" Polly nodded. "Good let's reconnect."
Betty and Polly got lost in conversation and were soon laughing and carrying on like sisters who had never fought before. However, Jughead wasn't so convinced. He inwardly groaned every time he heard Polly's voice. He hated having to play nice through gritted teeth. It was about eight o'clock when Jughead took Evelyn to bed so they could continued to talk.
"So I didn't give you a chance to tell about Jughead last time." Polly started making Betty sigh. "I mean it tell me."
"Open mind, okay?" Betty said setting up a disclaimer. Polly nodded in agreement, ushering Betty to continue. Betty started to retell the story as she had with Veronica and Jellybean. She recounted the storm, the kiss, and the I love yous.
"He really sounds great, Betty." Polly admitted grabbing Betty's hand with reassurance.
Betty smiled at her, "He really is. I mean we've only had Evy for a few days and I can already tell he's gonna be the most amazing dad. He already loves her so much."
Polly grinned at her, "Hey, why don't you go up to bed? Take a shower or something to relax. I'll set up my air mattress in the baby's room and I'll do baby duty. That way you two can have some time to yourselves and a good night sleep."
"Oh Polly, that's alright."
"No, no. It's final." Polly said standing up. "Go on. Off to bed you go." She urged pushing Betty gently to the stairs. When they got to the top of the steps Polly said goodnight and when into Evelyn's room.
Betty walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind her. "Hey." She mumbled as she pulled her shirt off to change her clothes. "Polly said she'll take care of the baby so we can sleep."
Jughead snorted, "What does she get out of it?" He asked his eyes glued to his book.
Betty sighed and turned to face him half dressed her hands on her hips. "Why can't you be nice jug?"
Jughead looked at her setting his book down. "Why should I when she broke your heart?"
"She did not! What makes you say that?"
Jughead rolled his eyes. "Betty, I've held you while you cried twice now because of her."
Betty shook her head. "I know, but she's here she wants to fix things."
"Yeah without warning might I add." Jughead sat sitting up becoming defensive.
"She's my family she should be welcome anytime!" Betty noted as she turned around to unhook her bra and put one of Jughead's shirts on. "Your family sure is." She mumbled.
"Geez Betty you know, I wouldn't care but she had you thinking that she hated you for three days! You were crushed. The least she could have done was call." Jughead lamented throwing his hands up.
Betty took a deep breath realizing what all of this was about. "Jughead." She called walking towards the bed. "I know that you aren't a fan of her. I can understand why, she did upset me." She continued sitting next to him and taking his hand. "But I'm ready to forgive her and have a relationship with her. Just do me a favor and give her a chance. Okay?"
Jughead nodded and squeezed her hand gently. "I will."
Betty smiled and leaned in to press a kiss to his lips. "I love you."
"I love you too." Jughead countered as he deepened their kiss guiding her back against the bed. "You know."
"Mmmm?"
"I can't wait til he doctor clears you."
Betty giggled and pecked his lips again before reaching up to turn off the bedside lamp. Jughead pulled her close, kissing her head. "Mmm you're so close to me without that belly." He teased and he kissed her lips softly while softly rubbing her arm. "You're so soft."
Betty chuckled, "I've been using Evy's baby lotion."
Jughead smiled at her. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me." He said allowing his hand to trail down her leg, a mock surprise showing on his face. "Oooo and your legs are shaved? How did I get so lucky?"
Betty laughed covering her face briefly before looking back to Jughead. "I can reach now! Trust me I didn't like it either!" She confessed cuddling up to him.
"Goodnight Betty."
"Goodnight."