Bughead: AU

36

Seven years later...

Third Person POV

Anna is 15 years old now and Forsythe is 9. He started going by James at about 8 years old because he doesn't want people to know his real name. Betty and Jughead explained to Anna that she was a Southside Serpent by blood and could choose to be a part of it if she wanted to. They explained to her that Betty was the Serpent queen when they had been in their early twenties. They told Anna how they met and what had happened to her grandpa FP because of her grandma and grandpa Cooper.

Anna POV

"So you're saying you kept this from me my entire life?" I asked them.

"Your mother and I retired from the Serpents before you were born to protect you and take care of you. The world of the Serpents can be dangerous. That's why we didn't tell you until now. We wanted you to grow up with a normal childhood." My dad explained to me.

"Really?" I asked in a deadpan tone.

"Anna, honey, we're telling you the truth. Right now my best friends Cheryl and Toni's daughter is the reigning Serpent Queen but we can take that privilege away from her because you are the serpent princess by blood. But only if you decide that you want to be part of it. You don't have to be a serpent if you don't want to." My mom said, putting her hand on my knee.

"Can I take some time to think about it?" I asked them.

"Of course sweetheart. Take all the time you need." My dad told me.

"Stop calling me sweetheart dad. I'm not a kid anymore. I'm 15 years old." I told my dad.

"Okay, kiddo." He said jokingly.

"Ugh. Dad. That's even worse than sweetheart." I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"Then what would you have me call you, princess?" He asked me.

"Dad." I chuckled and rolled my eyes.

"Okay, Anna. It's getting late, get some sleep. You have school in the morning." My mom said.

"Okay. Goodnight mom." I said sleepily.

"Goodnight Anna." She said.

"Goodnight Anna." My dad said.

"Night dad." I said as they went out of the room and closed my door.

I laid there on my bed, awake, thinking about how I was a Serpent by blood and how my parents hadn't told me about it. I get that they're retired, wanted to protect me, and wanted me to have a normal childhood so I'm grateful to them for that. I just couldn't believe what they had told me. My grandma and grandpa Cooper had killed my grandpa Jones. Grandma Jones died when dad was little. Dad had told me that when I was 12. I was sad, but not as sad as dad looked when he told me. I had asked why I had never met her and he explained it to me with tears in his eyes. But now, if I were to accept being a Serpent, I would be taking on a huge responsibility. I would be the queen at 15. Am I ready for this? Can I do this? I mean, my parents wouldn't tell me this if they didn't think I could handle it. There is the school factor too. I would have to be able to maintain my straight A's while being a Serpent. I thought about this as I fell asleep. Serpent Queen Anna Jones. Now that had a nice ring to it. With that thought, I fell fast asleep.

Jughead POV

Betty had talked me into telling Anna that she was a serpent by blood. I was hesitant to tell her because of how dangerous Betty had told me that it could be. I didn't want that life for her at first. But I also knew that she could take care of herself. So I reluctantly gave in on telling her. Betty had also talked me into telling her what had happened to my dad because of Betty's parents. I know I cried while telling the story to Anna, but I didn't care because she was my daughter and I was okay with looking vulnerable in front of her.

"Betty, do you really think she's ready for this?" I asked Betty while getting ready for bed that night.

"Of course I do Jug. Is something bothering you?" She asked me.

"What if she gets hurt, Betty? I can't protect her if she's part of the Serpents like I can if she's not." I explained.

"Oh Jug. You know she can take care of herself. She didn't take those self-defense classes when she was a kid for nothing Jug." Betty explained to me.

"I guess you're right Betts. Maybe I was just being paranoid." I said, quietly laughing to myself.

"When will you learn that I'm always right?" Betty laughed.

I laughed too. Betty let her hair down and I knew what I was in for. She tried to get on top of me but I flipped her so that I would be on top of her. We laughed and groaned and moaned until I couldn't contain myself. I didn't know if Betty would end up pregnant from this or not but right now we were happy. We had a beautiful family and that's what mattered to me right now.