Veronica Lodge and Reggie Mantle sat at their small kitchen table, the warm morning sun streaming through the windows as they enjoyed their breakfast of coffee, croissants, and scrambled eggs. For the first time since they moved into their apartment in Columbus, Indiana, there was an unfamiliar sense of calm—peace even. No strange noises, no ghostly apparitions, no lingering sense of dread. They both sat quietly, almost in disbelief at the serenity surrounding them.
Veronica looked up from her coffee cup, her face softened by the relaxed atmosphere. "Last night... I can't believe we finally did it. We're free. No more Marcello, no more Diana. Just us... and peace." She smiled.
Reggie nodded, though his usual playful grin was tinged with lingering disbelief. "It still feels strange, doesn't it? After all that chaos, it's like... we don't know what to do with ourselves now that the apartment's finally normal."
Veronica chuckled softly. "Well, I think we're long overdue for a celebration. We need to thank everyone for helping us get through this nightmare." Her eyes brightened as an idea formed in her mind. "How about we throw a party? Something small, intimate. Spirits-free celebration. We can even invite Oliver—he deserves to celebrate too after everything he's been through."
Reggie agreed with a nod, taking a sip of his coffee. "Good idea. We owe him, especially after the way Marcello haunted him and his family. Plus, it'll be nice to have everyone back here under much... better circumstances."
Just as Veronica was about to respond, her phone rang on the table, vibrating slightly against the wood. She glanced at the screen and saw Oliver's name flashing.
"Speak of the devil," she muttered with a grin, answering the call. "Oliver, hey! We were just talking about you."
On the other end of the line, Oliver's voice sounded relieved, though there was a hint of sadness too. "Veronica, Reggie—I just wanted to thank you. For everything. I feel like I can finally move on now that Diana's spirit has been laid to rest. I just... I never thought I'd have closure like this."
Veronica smiled softly, her heart warmed by Oliver's gratitude. "You don't need to thank us, Oliver. It's what needed to be done, for Diana and for you. You're always welcome here."
Reggie chimed in from across the table, "We're actually throwing a little celebration tonight. You should come over. It'll be fun—just friends, good food, no ghosts."
Oliver hesitated for a moment, but then his voice brightened. "That sounds... great, actually. I could use a reason to celebrate."
As soon as the call ended, Veronica and Reggie exchanged excited glances. The day passed quickly as they busied themselves with preparing for the party, reaching out to their closest friends—Betty, Jughead, Archie, Cheryl, Toni, Kevin, Tabitha, Fangs, Moose, and, of course, Oliver.
That evening, their apartment was buzzing with the familiar sounds of laughter, conversation, and clinking glasses as their friends arrived. Reggie had put together a spread of Italian dishes—pasta, meatballs, and bruschetta—while Veronica mixed drinks and brought out her signature milkshakes.
As they mingled with their guests, the warmth of the evening settled into a comforting rhythm. Oliver, looking much lighter than the last time they had seen him, struck up a conversation with Kevin. Kevin could sense something deeper in Oliver's gaze, a vulnerability that he hadn't noticed before. They stepped away from the crowd, finding a quieter corner near Veronica's office.
Oliver took a deep breath. "Kevin, I... I haven't been completely honest about something. It's something I never told my mother, and it's something I've been carrying around for years." His voice shook slightly, but Kevin's calm presence reassured him.
"What is it, Oliver?" Kevin asked gently, sensing the weight of what Oliver was about to say.
"I... I'm gay. And I never came out to Diana. I was too afraid of what it might mean for her, for our relationship. I never got the chance to be honest with her before she was killed. And... now I just feel like I'll never have that closure with her."
Kevin's expression softened, understanding the deep pain Oliver carried. "You did the best you could, Oliver. And I'm sure Diana loved you no matter what. You know, honesty isn't just about who we come out to. It's about being true to yourself, and from what I've seen tonight—you're brave. And I love that truth about you."
Oliver blinked in surprise at Kevin's words, and without thinking, he leaned forward and kissed him. It was a gentle, tentative kiss, but one that felt right. When they pulled away, both men smiled, knowing that they'd see each other again. There was something undeniable there, a spark that couldn't be ignored.
Meanwhile, Veronica and Reggie were at the center of the party, catching up with Betty, Jughead, and Archie. The conversation shifted to Veronica's new plans for a business venture.
"So, Ronnie," Archie said with a grin. "What's this I hear about a speakeasy?"
Veronica's eyes lit up as she leaned in. "It's going to be underneath The Commons. A hidden gem. Exclusive, but once I find the right location and the right team, it's going to be the place to be in Columbus."
Betty chuckled. "Classic Veronica Lodge. Always thinking ten steps ahead."
Veronica shrugged playfully. "Hey, what can I say? I'm always ready for the next challenge."
As the night wore on, the group toasted with wine and milkshakes, laughing and savoring the moment. It was a far cry from the haunted, eerie nights they had endured before, and it was exactly what they all needed. For once, the apartment felt alive—not with spirits, but with joy, laughter, and friendship.
As the party began to wind down, Veronica's phone buzzed with a text message. It was from the medium who had helped cleanse the apartment the night before. Veronica opened the text and saw a link to an article from The Republic, a local newspaper.
The headline read: "Marcello's Tragic Reign of Terror Ends with His Death One Day After Diana's Murder."
The medium had attached a simple note: "Don't worry, Veronica. The spirits are at peace now. You won't be seeing any more of them."
Veronica breathed a sigh of relief and smiled to herself. She looked across the room at Reggie, who was talking with Jughead and Archie, and then at Kevin and Oliver, who were now sitting close together, holding hands. Everything was finally falling into place.
They had been through a nightmare, but they had come out stronger—together. And now, with the apartment free of its dark past, they could focus on the future.
Veronica raised her glass, a smile tugging at her lips. "To freedom. To new beginnings. And to friends who stick by your side through everything."
Her friends echoed her toast, raising their glasses high. The apartment was filled with the sound of celebration, of hope, and of new possibilities.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Veronica and Reggie could truly breathe easy, knowing that their home was finally—and permanently—at peace.