Jughead POV:
I rushed down the stairs, checking my pockets for my phone and car keys.
"Betty, I'm gonna go pick up the kids from school. You wanna provide me with some company?".
She looked up from her book as she sat on the
couch. "Sure. If you want, I could maybe call Archie. I'm sure he'd love to come with you.", she said, smiling sweetly before she scrunched her face, snorting as she struggled to retain her laughter.
"Come, Betty. You know exactly what I meant.".
"You should be more specific then, honey.".
"You're such a tease sometimes. Maybe I should punish you.".
"You love me, Jug, but yeah, you probably should.".
"I'm glad you agree.". I smirked. "Now, we should really go. We're gonna be late, my love.".
~~
"It feels like I haven't seen them in forever, Jughead.", Betty said. Her eyes darted around the road, her thumbs twiddling with each other. I watched her tilt her head up while she repeatedly blinked, a small sniffle making itself apparent when she looked back down into her lap.
I quickly became concerned, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder and began to massage it gently while keeping my focus ahead of us.
"Betty, honey, we saw them just a few hours ago. They only went to school.".
"But it doesn't feel like they only went to school, and my stupid ass couldn't even get out of bed to say goodbye to them. I'm a horrible mother, Jug! I have no right to be upset over this since it's practically my fault.".
"Hey! No, don't do that, Betty.", I said, shaking her lightly. I took her hand from her lap and brought it up to my lips, placing a soothing kiss to it. "You were tired and needed rest after the late night last night. This wasn't your fault. And I know it seems like it's been a long time, but we're almost there. Your babies will be in yours arms any minute now, okay? Wipe those tears off of that precious face of yours so the kids don't get worried. You know how Ash will get.".
She sighed, aggressively wiping at her eyes and giggling tearfully.
"You're right. I'm sorry, I overreacted. I didn't mean to, I swear. I can't help it.".
"Betty, what did we talk about a few days ago?".
"The fact that I need to stop apologizing for things that are outside of my control.".
"Mhm. That's right, so please don't apologize, alright? It's okay. You're allowed to cry.", I assured her, my hand now on her thigh. She breathed deeply and steadily, her smile soon returning.
"This is only going to get harder, isn't it?", she asked quietly, now gripping my hand tightly.
"Which part?", I asked rhetorically. "Baby, it'll all get harder, but you'll have me right by your side the entire time. You're going to be okay, I promise you, so try not to stress.".
She smiled again and leaned over, her head laying on my shoulder while I pulled into the school parking lot.
"What would I do without you, Jug?".
"Well, for one, you'd have to have boring sex instead of what I have to offer.", I joked. "But, on a real note, that question should've been asked by me. You're my life, Betty Jones, and the least I can do is do all I can to return the favor.".
"Stop it, Forsythe. I just finished crying and the kids are coming.", she stated. "But yeah, I wouldn't want to have boring sex when I could have sex with the sex god.".
"Sex god, you say?".
"Yes, and I get you all to myself. Now shut up, they're coming.".
~~
"Hey Dad?", Ashton whispered from the backseat, his feet swinging.
"Yes, bud?".
"I got a 94 on my math test.", he murmured quietly, and I could see him biting his lip in the rear view mirror.
"That's great, Buddy! Why do you look to glum?".
"Well, I didn't get an 100. I feel stupid. Trinity and Lola always come home with good grades.".
"That's not true, Ash.", Lola noted.
"Ashton Cooper Jones, you are not at all stupid.", Betty said, turning in her seat to face him. "You are such a smart little boy. There is nothing wrong with a 94% on your test. Math isn't your best subject, but you're pretty darn good at it. I don't think I was ever as good at math at your age as you are.".
"Really?".
"Yes, really. I think you're super duper smart.".
"Smartest Jones boy to walk the earth.", I cut in.
"Wow. Smarter than you, Daddy?".
"Quite possibly, yes.", I responded, beaming. "Your mom and I have raised a very smart little bunch. Wouldn't you agree, Betts?".
"I would.", she returned. "You all are so smart. Don't ever doubt that, okay Ash?".
I could hear him inhale sharply, and Trinity and Lola both rubbed his back before he broke into a grin.
"O-Okay, I won't. T-Thank you.".
"Anytime, sport. Have a little faith in yourself. You're doing great.", Betty told him, reaching out to hold his hand while I reached backwards to do the same. His little hand fiddled around before he finally grasped onto my fingers, squeezing them tightly.
"Daddy, that black car behind us has been behind us the entire way home so far.", Lola interrupted, her face panicked and confused.
"I'm sure they're just going home, too, hun.", I told her. "Don't worry about it, alright? We're all safe. Look, we're home now. Nothing can get you in there, okay? Mommy and Daddy will protect you.".
