One year later, Jay and Moose found themselves in the cozy living room of their Riverdale home. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow through the large windows. They sat together on the couch, enjoying the rare quiet moment.

"Can you believe it's been a year since Kit and Sweetie went off to college?" Jay mused, his fingers intertwined with Moose's.

Moose smiled, leaning into Jay. "It feels like just yesterday we were sending them off. I miss them, but I'm proud of how well they're doing."

Just as they were about to settle into the evening, Jay's phone buzzed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and his expression changed to one of concern.

"It's from Veronica. She says Betty's been in a car accident," Jay said, his voice filled with worry.

Moose's eyes widened. "Is she okay? What happened?"

Jay read the message aloud. "She's at Riverdale General Hospital. It was a bad accident, but she's stable now. Veronica and the others are there with her."

Moose stood up immediately, grabbing his jacket. "We need to go. Betty's always been there for us. It's our turn to be there for her."

Jay nodded, and they quickly made their way to the car. The drive to the hospital felt like an eternity, each moment filled with anxious silence. When they arrived, they hurried to the reception desk, where a nurse directed them to Betty's room.

As they walked into the room, they were greeted by the sight of their friends gathered around Betty's bed. Veronica, Archie, Jughead, Cheryl, and the others looked up as Jay and Moose entered.

"Hey," Veronica said softly, her eyes red from crying. "Thanks for coming."

Jay and Moose approached Betty's bedside, taking in the sight of their friend, who was covered in bruises and bandages. Betty managed a weak smile. "Hey, guys."

"Betty, we're so sorry," Jay said, his voice thick with emotion. "How are you feeling?"

Betty sighed, wincing slightly. "I've been better. But the doctors say I'll be okay. It's just going to take some time."

Moose took Betty's hand gently. "We're here for you, Betty. Whatever you need."

Veronica nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you, both of you. It means a lot."

Over the next few hours, the room was filled with comforting conversations and reassurances. Jay and Moose stayed by Betty's side, offering their support and love. As the night wore on, the group decided to take shifts, ensuring that Betty was never alone.

Later that evening, Jay and Moose stepped out into the hospital corridor to get some fresh air. They leaned against the wall, the weight of the day's events heavy on their shoulders.

"Seeing Betty like that... it's hard," Moose said quietly. "She's always been the strong one."

Jay nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "She still is. And we'll be here to help her through this. Just like she's always been there for us."

Moose smiled, leaning in to kiss Jay gently. "I love you, Jay. Thank you for being my rock."

"I love you too, Moose," Jay replied, wrapping his arms around his husband. "We'll get through this together."

In the days that followed, Jay and Moose balanced their time between work and visiting Betty at the hospital. Their love and commitment to each other, and to their friends, only grew stronger.

One evening, after another visit to the hospital, they sat together on their front porch, watching the stars. Jay rested his head on Moose's shoulder, sighing contentedly.

"You know, through all of this, I've realized how lucky we are," Jay said softly. "To have each other, to have such amazing friends. It's a gift."

Moose nodded, kissing the top of Jay's head. "It really is. And no matter what happens, we'll always have each other. That's the most important thing."

As they sat there, wrapped in each other's embrace, they knew that their love was unbreakable. They had faced challenges before, and they would face many more. But with every obstacle, their love only grew stronger, a testament to the unspoken promises they had made to each other long ago.

Several months later, Betty made a full recovery and was back on her feet, thanks to the unwavering support of her friends. Jay and Moose continued to thrive, their love shining brighter than ever. And as Kit and Sweetie flourished in their college endeavors, Jay and Moose found joy in every moment, knowing that their love and the love of their friends could conquer anything.

In early September, Jay and Moose were sitting in their living room when the phone rang. Jay answered, his face falling as he heard the news. Moose immediately noticed the change in Jay's expression.

"What is it?" Moose asked, his voice filled with concern.

Jay's voice was shaky as he replied, "It's Betty. Alice passed away. She lost her battle with prostate cancer."

Moose felt a lump in his throat, tears welling up in his eyes. "Oh no... poor Betty."

They both sat in silence for a moment, absorbing the news. Then, they broke down together, holding each other tightly as they mourned the loss of Alice Cooper, a woman who had been like a second mother to them.

The church was filled with the scent of lilies and the soft murmur of grieving friends and family. The pews were packed, with Jay and Moose sitting near the front, close to their friends. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow as everyone gathered to pay their respects to Alice Cooper.

Betty Cooper stood at the podium, her hands shaking as she held onto the edge for support. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, but she managed to speak through her tears.

"My mom was the strongest person I knew. She faced so many challenges in her life, but she never let them break her. She taught me to be resilient, to be kind, and to never give up. I hope I can live up to her legacy." Betty paused, wiping her tears with a tissue that Jay had handed her earlier. Veronica stood up, gently hugging Betty and whispering comforting words.

Archie Andrews then approached the podium. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Alice was like a second mother to me. She was always there with a smile, a kind word, or a piece of advice. Her strength and compassion were unmatched, and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled." Archie's voice cracked, and he couldn't hold back the tears. He stepped down, hugging Betty tightly.

Veronica Lodge was next. She walked to the podium with grace, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Alice Cooper was a remarkable woman. She was fierce, loving, and always stood up for what she believed in. She welcomed me into her home and her heart, and I will always be grateful for the love and guidance she gave me. We will miss her dearly." Veronica wiped away a tear, looking at Betty with empathy and love.

Moose Mason took a deep breath and stepped up to the podium. "Alice was an incredible woman. She was always there to offer advice and support, especially when Jay and I were going through tough times. Her strength and wisdom helped us find our way back to each other and made our bond even stronger. We'll never forget her."

Jay Halstead was the last to speak. He stood at the podium, his voice filled with emotion. "Alice was more than just a friend. She was a guiding light for many of us. When Moose and I faced challenges in our relationship, she was there to help us understand each other and rebuild what we thought was lost. Her compassion and kindness will always be remembered, and we owe so much to her." Jay's voice trembled as he finished, and he stepped down, tears streaming down his face.

The somber procession moved from the church to the cemetery, where Alice would be laid to rest. The group gathered around the gravesite, holding hands and offering final prayers.

As Alice's casket was lowered into the ground, Jay and Moose approached Betty, their hearts aching for their friend. "Betty, we're so sorry for your loss," Jay said softly, his voice filled with empathy.

Betty nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Alice meant everything to me. It's so hard to believe she's gone."

Moose wrapped his arms around Betty, and Jay joined in the hug. "We're here for you, Betty. Always," Moose whispered.

Veronica joined the hug, tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Betty. Your mom was an incredible woman."

Suddenly, a familiar figure approached the group. It was Natalie Manning, looking somber and sympathetic. "Betty, I'm so sorry for your loss. I just wanted to—"

Betty's eyes hardened, her grief momentarily replaced by anger. "Natalie, now is not the time. I can't forgive what you did to me and my friends, including Cheryl, Jay, and Moose."

Jughead stepped in, his voice firm. "Natalie, you need to leave. You can't just barge in here while we're grieving."

Natalie raised her hands defensively. "I didn't mean to intrude. I just wanted to pay my respects."

Jay stepped forward, his expression stern. "Natalie, please leave. This isn't the place or the time."

Natalie looked around at the grieving faces, realizing her presence was unwelcome. She nodded reluctantly and walked away, leaving the group to their mourning.

As they watched her leave, Jay and Moose turned back to Betty, offering her their unwavering support. They knew that with the strength of their friendship and love, they would help each other through this difficult time, just as Alice had taught them.