I hope everyone had a good holiday.
-d-d-d-
Betty poked her head into Fred's room and smiled. The older man was sleeping peacefully, but there were plenty of signs that people had been in and out of his room all day.
She came further in and settled into a chair with her notebook. She needed to work on her history report and it was quiet enough to do that here while she waited for him to wake up.
Nurses came in and out while she worked, checking his vitals and other things. One nurse in particular kept checking on Fred and asked Betty if she needed anything. The nurse gave the sleeping man a fond smile, and Betty wondered if Fred was working his charms on her as the nurse had on a bit more makeup than the other nurses.
Betty hid a grin as said nurse made sure Fred was sufficiently covered up before she left. Shaking her head she went back to read over what she'd just written and nodded as she got her train of thought back on track.
"Writing an article?" Fred's voice got her attention and she looked up.
"No, history paper," Betty smiled, "Our teacher wanted us to do something about a small tragedy that affected people that we don't really think about."
"So, what'd you choose?"
"The Great Flood of 1913 in Dayton, Ohio. It didn't just affect the town, it also affected the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus," Betty explained.
"I didn't realize you were a carni," Fred grinned.
"You've got a nurse that's sweet on you," Betty teased him.
"Brown hair and green eyes?"
"That's the one," Betty nodded, "I think she said her name was Bonnie?"
"She was a year behind me in school," Fred chuckled, "If I'd had any notion she was interested, I'd have asked her out back then."
"Are you going to ask her out now?" Betty leaned forward.
"I think I've got more important things to focus on right now then having a social life," Fred winced as he tried to shift a bit in the bed.
"Okay, so wait until you're ambulatory again," Betty got up to give him a hand, "Then ask her out."
"I didn't realize you were so invested in my social life," Fred chuckled.
"What social life?" Betty challenged him.
"You sound like your Aunt Lucy," Fred shook his head, "I ran into her a few weeks ago. We were visiting relatives at the same time."
"Purposely changing the subject," Betty snickered, "How are you feeling?"
"I've been better," Fred admitted.
"Has Mr. Keller been by to get your statement?" Betty asked.
"He has, and your mom called to see if I'd give an interview," Fred nodded.
"I'm sorry," Betty sighed.
"It's her job, Betty."
"She could wait until you can sit up by yourself before she starts to circle."
"It's who she is," Fred replied, "I didn't take offense, but I did tell her that I didn't see anything that would help with the investigation. She didn't like that response."
"Of course not," Betty shook her head, "No blood in the water."
"I was surprised she did the interview instead of your father," Fred admitted, "It's no secret that your mother isn't my biggest fan."
"Mom's a better writer," Betty shrugged, "Dad's got no way with words."
"That is true," Fred grinned.
"How are things with you and Mrs. Andrews?" Betty asked.
"Icy," Fred admitted, "She wants to take Archie back to Chicago because Riverdale is no longer a safe space for our son."
"Because Chicago is so much safer. Doesn't she watch the news? Arch isn't going to go, is he?" Betty's voice waffled nervously.
"No," Fred replied, "I reminded her that Chicago isn't exactly the Garden of Eden. Archie is old enough to make his own choice where he wants to live, and he's been very clear in wanting to stay here, even with what happened."
"Good," Betty smiled.
"You really think after finally getting up the nerve to ask you out, he's going to throw it away and run off to Chicago?" Fred smiled kindly, "No way."
Betty blushed a little and looked down at her notebook.
"Betty, I hope you know how much you mean to both my boy and to me," Fred told her.
"You mean the world to this town," Betty motioned towards the plethora of gifts and flowers that adorned his room, "I'm glad you're on the mend. You had us worried."
"I had me worried, too," Fred admitted, "How's Archie been? Is he sleeping?"
"I think so, but honestly I'm not sure. If we're not at school, he's here or Mrs. Andrews is dragging him home to do his homework."
"I figured you'd found a way to sneak your way into the house at night already," Fred chuckled slightly.
"I wouldn't disrespect you like that," Betty said, "If I'm going to sleep near Archie, it'll be in the treehouse."
"I'd better get some motion sensors on that tree to keep you two apart at night," Fred chuckled.
"We're not there yet," Betty promised him.
"Which I am most grateful for," he smiled, "But I'm also not naive enough to believe that's going to last forever."
"Well, when it does happen, it won't happen under your roof," Betty said.
"I'd appreciate it if you just keep me completely in the dark," Fred replied, "And if you do so safely."
"Deal," Betty said, "Can I bring you anything? A book? A magazine?"
"I'd love a cheeseburger and fries from Pop's," Fred replied.
"And a strawberry shake?" she grinned.
"Yes, please," Fred nodded.
"Now, the big question: Are you allowed to have any of that?"
"I'm a grown man," Fred reminded her, "I think I can determine for myself what I'm allowed to eat."
"Put it another way," Betty said, "If I were to ask your doctor, what would he say?"
"Nothing I want to hear," Fred replied.
"How about we start with the strawberry shake," Betty offered.
"Deal," Fred nodded.
"Okay," Betty smiled, "I'll bring one tomorrow, but I should get home."
"Thanks for hanging out," Fred replied.
"Thanks for hanging on," Betty kissed his cheek, "I promise I'm keeping an eye on Arch."
"I know you are, Sweetheart," Fred smiled, "Thanks."
"Bye," Betty slipped out the door.
-d-d-d-d-
"Cher? It's me," Betty said from the confines of her room, "My parents are home and on hyper alert tonight. I'm not getting out."
"I'll get Nana to cover the monitors for me," Cheryl replied, "What's got Mama and Papa Cooper all twisted into knots?"
"Who knows?" Betty rolled her eyes, "It could be Fred's shooting, the stress of not knowing where the hell Polly is, or, in Mom's case, it could be because Mary Andrews is visiting."
"And is Mama Andrews behaving herself?" Cheryl asked.
"For the most part," Betty looked out her window and spotted the aforementioned redhead in the backyard, "But I did overhear her on the phone when I was about to knock on the door before."
"And?"
"I think she was talking to a relative or a friend in Chicago. She mentioned how marrying up can't save you from becoming a young grandma."
"That's so inappropriate," Cheryl scoffed, "She hasn't been here enough to know where you and Archie are in your relationship."
"She's talking about Polly," Betty said, "Apparently, she asked around when she noticed my sister wasn't around. It's not as big a secret as my parents would like to think."
"I'm sorry," Cheryl replied.
"Don't worry about it," Betty said, "What Mary Andrews thinks of my family doesn't matter to me. It never has, but if she starts spouting off to my mother about family values, she's going to end up with a black eye."
"Probably not the best way to get on your future mother-in-law's good side," Cheryl teased.
"We are so far from that walk down the aisle," Betty scoffed.
"Whatever you say," Cheryl snorted in amusement, "I should let my grandmother know that Mary's around and that she knows about Polly."
"Speaking of Polly, I know you and Toni have been hanging out. Has she heard from Polly?"
"Not in a few days," Cheryl admitted, "But she's going to call her. I'll let you know."
"Thanks," Betty said, "I better go. Be careful tonight, okay?"
"I always am," Cheryl replied, "Tootles."
"Bye," Betty shook her head in amusement at Cheryl's customary sign off.
After they'd hung up, Betty sat in her window seat and gazed out at the night. The sky was clear and she could see the stars shining up above her.
She was pulled from her thoughts when she saw the light go on in Archie's bedroom. He was standing at the window, pointing to the treehouse. With a quick nod they made plans to sneak out for some time together.
Now to get past her parents. She crept to the top of the stairs and listened. She could hear a low hum she assumed was the TV in the basement, so that's where her father must be. Now where was her mother?
There was some pacing in the master bedroom and a low murmur of voices. Betty used every trick in her book to avoid every creak of the floor as she worked her way down the back stairs to the kitchen.
She managed to get the back door open and herself out without alerting anyone. Then she darted across the yard to the treehouse and climbed up the ladder.
"Hey," Archie greeted her as she climbed up.
"Hey, how was dinner with your mom?" Betty asked.
"Uncomfortable," Archie admitted, "She wants me to move back to Chicago, and I told her no."
"Yeah, I heard," Betty said, "I visited your dad after school, and he told me. I can't imagine your mom's too happy about you turning her down."
"She's not," Archie confirmed, "But she's also not going to push the issue. She's not all too thrilled to find out we're dating either."
"I didn't think she would be," Betty said, "She and Mom never got along very well. Now that Polly's a teen mom, and Alice is about to be a young grandma, she probably thinks even less of us."
"Yeah, she brought it up several times at dinner," Archie felt his cheeks flame crimson, "She left a box of condoms on my nightstand."
Betty burst out laughing. "Does she think we're a couple of humping monkeys?"
"I told her we haven't gone that far yet," Archie replied, "She doesn't believe me."
Betty rolled her eyes and lay back against the wall, "I wonder if she knows Mom's big secret."
"Which is?"
"Can you keep a secret?" Betty asked.
"You know I can," Archie gave her a look.
Betty inhaled deeply. She knew she could trust Archie with her life, but this was kind of huge, "My mom had a baby in high school with FP."
"What!" Archie gasped.
"Yeah, I figured it out right before Christmas, and I asked Uncle Mike about it. He confirmed it," Betty said, "FP doesn't know. I don't think anyone besides my mom and Mike do."
"That's what was bothering you," Archie concluded, "I knew it was something, but I thought it was about Polly."
"I'm sorry I didn't say anything," Betty said, "I just didn't want you to have to lie for me. Jug's your friend, and I know FP's been here more and more."
"Your secret is safe with me," he kissed her temple.
"Thanks," Betty smiled at him, "But now I'm wondering how much your mom knows."
"How would she know if even FP didn't?"
"I don't know," Betty shook her head, "Uncle Mike said my grandfather didn't even notice Mom was gone when, and I am quoting, 'Old Lady Cooper' sent my mom to the Sisters."
"I suppose it wouldn't be coincidental that Alice just went away for a time," Archie conceded.
"Arch, your mom was a deb, right?"
"A deb?"
"A debutante," Betty clarified, "That picture of her in the white dress with your Grandpa Maiden that used to be in the living room next to the picture of your dad and his dad."
"Yeah, so?"
"So debutantes have to do some kind of charity work. I remember Cheryl complaining about it last year. What if your mom volunteered at the Sisters?"
"I guess it's possible," Archie shrugged. "She's never mentioned anything about it."
"She might've volunteered at the same time my mom was there as a pregnant teen," Betty elaborated.
"Yeah, maybe," Archie replied.
"So, if she does know, she could just be waiting for the right time to blow the lid off of Mom's secret," Betty shook her head.
"I don't think Mom is that kind of person," Archie replied, "At least I'd like to think she's not."
"Here's hoping," Betty said, "How are you? We haven't talked a lot lately."
"I'm okay," Archie sighed, "Just glad Dad is on the mend, and then Mom can go back to Chicago."
Betty shifted so that her legs were across Archie's lap, "And no thoughts of doing anything like going out to find the guy who did this?"
"I've thought about it," he admitted, "But I don't have anything to go on."
"FP has the Serpents keeping their ears to the ground for any kind of clue," Betty told him, "They get anything, and I have FP's word he'll bring it to Tom Keller."
Archie bobbed his head.
"Promise me you'll let the sheriff handle things," Betty demanded.
"I promise," Archie nodded, "You know something?"
"Hmm?"
"I kinda miss you," Archie grinned.
"I'm right here," she tangled her fingers with his.
"I miss being alone with you," he clarified, "Like when we run to school together."
"I've missed that too," Betty smiled, "And when your dad is out of the hospital we can spend more time together."
"Deal," Archie nodded, "But tomorrow? Let's have lunch alone, okay?"
"Are you sure your mother will let you out of her sight?" Betty asked.
"We'll be at school," Archie reminded her, "She's not going to follow me there."
Betty giggled, "Okay. We'll ditch our friends and have lunch alone."
"Good," he smiled, "I've missed you."
"You said that already," Betty giggled.
"It bears repeating," Archie smiled.
"And I don't mind hearing it," Betty smiled before she sighed, "I'd love to stay here all night, but I should get back in before my mother notices I'm gone."
"Same," Archie sighed heavily.
Betty kissed him, "Until we meet again?"
"Can't come soon enough," he kissed her again.
"Sap," she teased.
"See you in the morning," Archie nodded before they climbed down.
