The next morning...
Jughead POV:
I looked at the sleeping beauty beside me, placing a small kiss onto her cheek before slipping out of her grasp.
"Jug, where do you think you're going?", she grumbled, her face turning into her pillow before she let out a low groan.
"Love, it's Monday.", I replied softly. "The kids have school. I'll take them today. You just get some rest, okay? I'll be back shortly.".
"Mmm. You better be. I demand that we follow our usual morning routine.".
I couldn't help but smirk, though she didn't see it. "Only because the kids aren't going to be home.".
"Alright, good. Now leave. You know Lola will probably have a fit if she's late.".
"Damn. Yeah, you get some extra sleep, 'miss demanding'.".
She replied with a quiet snore, causing me to chuckle before I went to get ready. The kids were already downstairs, all relaxing once they saw me arrive.
"If we leave now, Daddy, we won't be late.", Lola reminded me.
"Yes, honey, I can see that. That's the plan, so why don't you all pile into the car so that we can go.".
~~
"Daddy, the Father-Daughter Dance is this Saturday.", Lola chirped in the back seat, peeking at me through the rear view mirror.
"Mhm, that's very cool.".
"Uh... D-Do you think you can take me, Daddy?".
"Oh. You said the Father-Daughter Dance?", I asked, still somewhat distracted with my eyes glued to the road ahead.
"Yeah."
"Oh... Sweetie, you know that I work this weekend. I already bailed on them a few days last month.".
She remained quiet, and I could see her staring at her empty hands that laid in her lap. Trinity, who sat in the passenger seat, looked over to me with wide eyes and a furrowed brows.
"Please.", she mouthed to me.
I bit my lip, contemplating how I might make this possible for her. I knew she wanted this. Hell, I wanted to spend this time with her. I knew it would mean a lot to her if I could attend.
"Lola?". She looked up, hopeful.
"I can see if I can get someone to cover my shift. I would love to go with you, and I'll try my best to make that happen, okay?".
"Really!?", she gasped. "Thank you so much, Daddy. You won't regret it!".
"I could never regret time spent with you, baby.".
Trinity allowed herself a small smile, staring ahead, but she acknowledged her satisfaction with her sister's happiness with a subtle nod.
~~
"So... I'm going to see if I can get someone to cover my shift at the register this weekend.", I whispered as I slipped beside Betty in bed, pulling my shirt off over my head.
"Why's that?".
"The Father-Daughter Dance is on Saturday, and she really wants to go. I couldn't bear to say no to her. She'll be pretty devastated if it doesn't work out.".
"Don't stress, Juggie. I'm sure someone will be willing to cover for you. A lot of your colleagues have kids of their own.". She took a deep breath, looking away and up at the ceiling for a moment before she turned back to me.
"I could cover for you... I haven't been at work in a while. I sorta miss it.".
"Betty, no.", I stated, my tone demanding. "We discussed this. You need a break, especially now. We both know why.".
"Jug, I'm fine, really. At least let me cover for you this weekend. Just this once?", she pleaded, pouting her bottom lip, knowing it would push me over.
"Fine, but just this once, and don't get yourself hurt, please.".
"I could never, don't worry. I'll be perfectly fine. Our boss will be sure of that. Besides, he'll probably just have me write articles, which I'm more than capable of doing safely.".
"Well, we can't have you getting carpal tunnel.", I teased.
"Shut the fuck up, Jones. I'll be fine. Carpal tunnel never killed anyone, but you know has?".
"What?".
"Lack of sex.". She giggled a little, ruffling my hair before letting her face settle again.
"Betty, we had sex yesterday morning.".
"Exactly. Far too long. Besides, you promised you would follow our morning routine.".
"I thought you would be too tired to remember that. Plus, I don't think it's possible to die from lack of sexual intercourse.".
"So you don't want to have intercourse?", she inquired. "Hmm. Interesting.".
"Don't put words in my mouth, Jones.", I murmured as I leaned in.
