Chapter 2

I just wanted to remind you to review and suggest future situations – thank you so much for all the support. This is my first fic so I am so grateful.

From C.

Betty and Jughead had been through an emotional morning. After breakfast they sat on their sofa cradled, inclosed in each others arms. They didn't mind the silence. Betty took Jughead's hand and intertwined it with hers. Betty sniffled and murmured just loud enough for Jughead to hear, "I love you Jughead Jones."

Jughead thought about how Penny had called Betty. Why Betty? Why not him? Just when things were going so well, both of them having jobs and a home. He also admired Betty's honesty with him, she had told him about Penny contacting her within 30min of the call.

Betty was thinking about Penny, how had Penny known that she was Jughead's underbelly. Also how had Penny known her number?

A little while later it was time to head out to Archie and Veronica's. They lived in a high-end apartment similar to the Pembrooke.

"Alright Jug, I'm just going to quickly get changed before we go!" Betty said from the bedroom, she was excited as she had not seen Archie and Veronica in quite a while.

"Ok. I need to change too, because last time I checked turning up for lunch in your boxers was a no go!" Jughead laughed as he walked into the bedroom where Betty already was. "You look great, Betts" he said, he admired her figure while she did up the back of her pastel blue dress. She paired the dress with her Serpent jacket and glanced at the mirror before she said, "Jug, stop staring!"

"I can't," he said, "you look absolutely stunning,"

Betty blushed and gazed at Jughead's adoring expression. "What are you going to wear?" She asked looking through some of his clothes that were hanging in the wardrobe.

"I was thinking a black jumper paired with black trousers with my serpent jacket." He hoped this was the right answer because otherwise Betty would have to take charge.

"Perfect, I don't know why this has to be so formal, anyway it was V's idea!" there was a twinkle in her eye which he had not seen since the mornings dramatic turn. Betty was finally more relaxed.

After they had both finished getting ready, they linked arms and wondered out of the apartment together.

"Juggie," Betty said, "I know that now Penny is back things will be different but, I just want you to know that I won't stop loving you." There was a reassuring smile on her face.

"Betts, of course! Shall we pick up some flowers on the way to Archie and Veronica's?" Jughead suggested, squeezing her hand just to tell her it would be ok.

A little while later after stopping at the shop to pick up some flowers, Jughead and Betty arrived at Archie and Veronica's. The pair had moved in together about one year ago after both had felt they didn't fit in at home very well. Archie although he still had a close relationship with his dad, wanted freedom, and Veronica wanted to get away from her criminal parents.

Jughead leant over to ring the doorbell. The door made a few chimes before it was opened by a beaming Veronica. "Oh my goodness! B, Jughead, I haven't seen you guys in such a long time." Veronica exclaimed, probably over exaggerating a bit, she looked at the pair with sheer delight.

"Thanks V, for inviting us for lunch." Betty replied obviously pleased at her friends enthusiastic greeting. Veronica welcomed them into the apartment, taking the flowers in her right hand. Veronica and Archie's apartment had been decorated more to Veronica's style than Archie's, however an acoustic guitar lay to the side of the hallway – evidence that Archie hadn't been swallowed by a large eagle.

"Archiekins, come join us in the lounge." Veronica called towards the kitchen.

"Coming!" Archie replied. He walked into the lounge holding drinks and snacks, "Jug, I've got your favourite!" Archie was referencing the crisps in his left hand.

"Thanks pal," Jughead smiled and grinned a little. Betty noticed how happy he looked to be with his best friend.

"So, what has been going on in your lives?" Betty exclaimed hoping they had some interesting stories to tell. Jughead nodded also encouraging them to tell.

"We went to New York for two weeks!" Veronica told the group, "We went to get cupcakes, and saw the Statue of Liberty, visited my friends and generally went sight-seeing," Veronica bubbled as she listed what they had done while visiting the city.

"Wow! That sounds like so much fun!" Betty glanced at Jughead who prompted her to speak, "We are decorating our apartment and Jug and I were…"

Before she had finished she was interrupted by a high pitched beeping, which everyone knew was the smoke alarm.

"SHIT!" Archie cursed and ran back to the kitchen. Veronica however looked amused and grinned a little. This assured Betty and Jughead who were momentarily worried.

"Poor Archiekins, he tried to make some fancy food for lunch." Veronica sighed and headed into the kitchen to help.

"Well lunch is ruined!" Archie addressed the group after he had come back into the lounge. Veronica looked at her beau and thought of a great idea.

"This is just a suggestion but how about we go to Pops?" As Veronica said her proposition she saw Betty's eyes light up.

"That's an absolutely great idea! No hard feelings Arch.." Betty said in a soft, excited tone. Jughead nodded in agreement.

"Great! Veronica and I will just get our coats and then we can go." Archie smirked and remembered he hadn't been to Pops in a while.

After arriving at Pops the group were greeted by a very jolly Pop who asked, "The usuals?" He went on to list the groups preferred orders which they all returned with a smile.

"Yes Pop!" They chorused.

They sat down in the booth, the same booth they had sat in so many times before. It felt just the same as every time before, special and comforting.

"I can't believe we haven't been to Pops together for over a month," Betty exclaimed. Since it was normally a weekly necessity for them all to go to Pops on a Sunday together, not going for over a month seemed alien. Veronica also chimed, "We have all been so busy! Though hopefully this will become a regular again."

"I sure hope it does! You are some of my favourite customers." Pop had arrived with the drinks.

"Thanks Pop!" They all said in turn.

"Betts, you were about to tell us something before we were interrupted rudely by the alarm?" Archie prompted for her to continue where she had left off.

"It's quite amazing, honestly.." Betty paused to take a sip of her milkshake, "we wondered if you knew that a publisher has decided to print Jug's book!" Betty smiled looking directly at Jughead, her eyes were twinkling. Jughead looked back also, he was slightly embarrassed.

"Riverdale's own 'In Cold Blood,'" he said, then quickly added, "it is about Jason and the mystery of the Blossom family." There was silence from Archie and Veronica.

Pop appeared again this time with the food. He smiled before asking, "Anything else I can help you guys with? Pop had first met the adults sitting before him when they were still kids and teenagers, he grew sentimental sometimes.

"That's all Pop, Thanks!" Jughead answered.

Jughead's hand speedily reached out for a chip. Although eating a scrumptious, large breakfast Jughead was never full. He loved food nearly as much as he loved Betty.

"What have you got coming up in the calendar?" Veronica asked. Jughead peered at Betty knowing that she was the one for the question.

"Not much, we are seeing Kevin this evening and have serpent business to deal with next week." Betty replied. This reminded her of how Penny could strike at any time, she tensed up and clenched her fists. Jughead took her hand, relaxing her.

"We also have to go look at artwork for the apartment." Jughead glanced at Betty as he spoke and gave her hand a quick squeeze.

"Is everything alright B, you looked slightly anxious?" Veronica knew after many years of friendship, when Betty was worried and stressed. She had phrased her question wisely not wanting to offend her friend.

"We had a little setback this morning, that all!" Jughead replied for Betty. Not telling Archie and Veronica the whole truth was a good plan. He did not want to worry them.

The couples said their farewells, paid the bill and left the diner when Archie said, "If you need help with anything, just contact us?" He had implied that if their was trouble that Arch and V would be there to help.

Betty and Jughead walked back to the apartment lovingly close. Their day was far from over….