Veronica Lodge and Reggie Mantle sat in the living room of their now peaceful apartment, basking in the tranquility that had eluded them for so long. The sunlight streaming through the windows felt warmer, the air lighter, as if the lingering weight of the spirits had finally been lifted. The chaos of the previous days felt like a distant memory now, though the vivid details were still fresh in their minds.
Veronica scrolled through her phone, her finger lightly tapping on the group chat with their friends. The night before had been a memorable one. They had finally celebrated their spirits-free apartment with the people who mattered most to them, and everything seemed to have fallen back into place. She smiled, reading the thank you messages from Betty, Jughead, Archie, and the others as they made their way back to Riverdale.
"Betty says thanks for last night," Veronica said, glancing over at Reggie, who was leaning back on the couch. "They all had a great time, and they're heading back to Riverdale now."
Reggie grinned, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "Good to hear. Last night felt... normal. Like we're finally back to our lives, no more ghosts haunting us."
Veronica chuckled softly, but before she could reply, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen, seeing Oliver's name. She immediately picked up the call, sensing the seriousness in the conversation yet to unfold.
"Oliver? Is everything okay?" Veronica asked, her voice laced with concern.
On the other end, Oliver's voice was steady but soft. "Yeah, I'm okay. I just... wanted to call and let you know that if you want to pay respects to my mom, her urn is at the chapel mausoleum at Garland Brook Cemetery. That's where Marcello is buried too."
Veronica's face tightened, remembering the malevolent presence of Marcello that had haunted them. She exchanged a look with Reggie, who sat up straighter when he heard Marcello's name.
"And if you're interested in visiting Isabella's grave, she's buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, in the Community Mausoleum," Oliver added. "I know it's been a lot to deal with, but... if you feel like visiting, I think it would mean a lot."
Veronica's eyes softened as she took in his words. "Of course, Oliver. We'd love to pay our respects."
"Thank you," Oliver said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I think it'll bring you a sense of closure too. To know that everything is where it should be now."
They said their goodbyes, and when the call ended, Veronica set the phone down with a sigh, her eyes meeting Reggie's.
"I think it's time, Reg," Veronica said quietly. "We should visit Diana's grave, pay our respects."
Reggie nodded, understanding the importance of this final step. "Yeah, I think so too. Let's get ready and go."
The drive to Garland Brook Cemetery was quiet, the roads lined with golden autumn leaves swirling in the wind. The cemetery itself was serene, its vast grounds dotted with solemn gravestones and ancient trees casting long shadows. Veronica and Reggie parked the car near the chapel mausoleum, a beautiful old structure with stone walls covered in ivy.
They walked in silence toward the mausoleum, hand in hand. Inside, the air was cooler, echoing with the faint sound of their footsteps as they approached the D'Ambrosio family graves. The names etched into the cold stone sent a shiver through Veronica's spine, but not from fear. It was a reminder of all they had been through, the darkness they had faced, and the strength they found within themselves.
Reaching Diana's urn, Veronica knelt down, placing the flowers they had brought in front of the plaque. She let her fingers trace over the name engraved into the stone: Diana D'Ambrosio.
"Thank you," Veronica whispered softly, her voice reverberating in the stillness of the mausoleum. "For helping us find peace. I hope you've found yours too."
Reggie stood behind her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. He closed his eyes for a moment, offering his own silent gratitude to Diana for guiding them through the turmoil.
They stood there for a while, lost in their thoughts, before Reggie finally broke the silence.
"Marcello's buried here too, huh?" His voice was low, a hint of unease in it. "Feels weird being this close to him, knowing what he did."
Veronica glanced over at the section where Marcello's grave was, set apart from Diana's, and a bitter feeling surged within her. She wasn't ready to forgive, but perhaps this was about acknowledging his role in everything that had happened.
"Yeah," she murmured. "But this isn't about him. It's about Diana. She's the one we're here for."
They said their final goodbyes, placing the flowers neatly at the foot of Diana's grave before exiting the mausoleum, the cool air greeting them as they stepped back outside.
The sun had begun to set as they left Garland Brook Cemetery, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. A sense of calm settled over them as they walked back to the car.
"We did it," Reggie said softly, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's really over, isn't it?"
Veronica smiled back, nodding. "Yeah, Reg. It's over. We can finally move on."
As they drove away, a peaceful silence hung between them. It felt like a fresh start, a new chapter in their lives after the darkness they had confronted together.
Later that evening, they returned to their apartment. The air felt lighter, and the walls that had once seemed oppressive now felt like home. They were no longer haunted by the ghosts of the past—literal or otherwise. Everything felt settled, the energy in the space relaxed and calm.
Reggie sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone while Veronica tidied up the kitchen, putting away the last remnants of their dinner. As she washed the dishes, she caught a glimpse of the silver locket on the counter—the same locket that had been part of their paranormal ordeal. It still held a certain mystique, but now it felt more like a memento than a source of fear.
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. It was a text from Oliver, thanking them once again for helping his mother find peace. Veronica smiled as she typed back a response, knowing that Oliver, too, could finally move on from the past.
They spent the rest of the night relaxing, knowing that for the first time in weeks, they had nothing to fear. No strange apparitions, no ominous whispers, no unexplained phenomena.
As they settled into bed, Veronica curled up next to Reggie, feeling the warmth of his arm around her. She closed her eyes, a deep sense of relief washing over her.
"We've come a long way, haven't we?" she whispered.
Reggie kissed the top of her head, his voice soft. "Yeah. But we're stronger for it. Together."
Veronica smiled into the darkness, feeling safe in his arms, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it together. They had survived the darkness, and now, they were ready for the light.
And as sleep overtook them, the apartment remained quiet—no longer haunted, but finally, at peace.