𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙗𝙗𝙮 𝙥𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚

chapter 12: family dinner

Betty went home from the office, exhausted.

She was greeted by a very happy looking Alice.

"Mom, hey," Betty smiled as she put her coat on the rack.

"Betty, you're just in time for dinner! Cheryl brought the twins over - and Toni brought her baby!"

"Oh, that's great," Betty smiled, walking into the crowded dining room.

Alice brought the last of the food in, sitting it on the table.

"Hi Aunt Betty," Dagwood smiled.

"Hi, kids. How are you?"

"We're good, we just miss you guys! No offense, Aunt Cheryl," Juniper pitched in.

"Awe, I miss you guys too," Betty smiled.

"Cousin, how's the investigation going?" Cheryl asked.

Betty's eyes widened as she knew her mom had heard it.

"Investigation on what?" Alice asked.

"Oh, just a recent murder.." Betty mumbled to her mother softly, trying to prevent the twins from hearing.

"Murder?" Juniper asked.

"Like what happened to Mommy and Daddy?" Dagwood pitched in.

There was silence.

Alice looked down at the ground, as did Toni.

"Where did you hear of that?" Cheryl asked the two.

"We heard you talking about it with the police.. About how Daddy was killed by Grandpa, and Mommy was killed by.. what was it? Mothmen?" Dagwood said.

"Oh my god.." Alice sighed, head on her temple.

"Kids, how about you go wash your hands?" Betty asked.

The twins got up from the table, walking to the bathroom to wash their hands.

"I didn't mean for them to hear," Cheryl told the group.

"It's not your fault, Cheryl. They had to find out eventually," Toni backed her up, rocking Anthony.

"They didn't need to know that their mother was murdered by those- those people!" Alice burst out.

"Mom-" Betty started.

"Well, they didn't need to know that my brother was murdered by my father but they know that now too! Just like they know how messed up you Cooper's are! First Hal, then Charles and Chic-" Cheryl was interrupted.

"Cheryl!" Toni called out.

Cheryl stopped talking.

"Look, there's nothing any of us can do about Polly or Jason, it's too late. But it's not too late to be here for those kids and take care of them, for Polly and for your brother, Cheryl. Don't you think that's what he would want?" Betty asked.

"Of course it is.." She sighed.

"Thank you, Cheryl. Thank you, Toni," Alice smiled.

It was hours later, now 10 pm.

Betty laid in bed, scrolling on her phone when she got a message.

Jughead : Hey, how was work?

She smiled sadly, replying back.

Betty: It was work.. but anyhow, I'm sorry I blew you off.

He typed back very quickly.

Jughead: It's fine. I understand, you're busy working and that's okay. As long as you're making time for yourself, that's cool! This is your dream job.