𝐌𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 | 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚

Chapter 06.

The pair felt the icy chill throughout the building as soon as they entered. Nothing but darkness waiting ahead, Betty gulped imagining savage killers in their cells not far from where they were standing. Smithers had came in as their chauffeur although he remained in the reception, allowing the girls to go ahead with one of the guards. The lanky, short haired woman directed the two into the visiting room, tables scattered around the room, some people sitting on one side of them, awaiting their loved one to appear through the barred gates. The state of the place made Veronica's stomach feel like it had dropped.

Out of instinct she grasped a hold of Betty's hand, the blonde seemingly needing the contact as much as Veronica did. Betty had never been to a prison in her life, she mentally noted never to be one of those people in the chains. The guard gestured them towards a remote table, instructing them to sit on the side facing the dreadful, pale gates where a line of prisoners in orange jumpsuits stood. Veronica couldn't describe how she felt about seeing her father, she knew she'd missed him but she'd buried down the anger she'd felt at him for what he'd done.

But the second she saw him come out of the gate, they locked eyes, half in disbelief. Betty released her hand from Veronica's allowing the girl to greet her father, thankfully in this prison contact was granted. Veronica had never moved so fast, she was on her feet and in her fathers arm before the clock could tick another second. Betty had never seen Veronica cry, she'd barely even seen the girl flinch in fear but the minute father held her back she saw Veronica crumble. Tears streamed down her face, trailing mascara down her once immaculate cheeks. Betty found her heart breaking for the pair. Hiram seemed to hold Veronica as tight as she held him, kissing the top of his daughters head. A charming grin dancing across his face as he held Veronica before him to get a look good lokk at her face.

"Mija, I've missed you more than you know." Her father beamed at his child, pulling her back in for one more hug before allowing her to take a seat beside Betty, who now felt awkward. "And you've brought a friend. May I ask your name?"

"Betty Cooper. It's nice to finally meet you." Betty smiled innocently, extending a hand but the man shooed it away and got to his feet to hug her in greeting.

"We usually greet with hugs in our family," Mr Lodge informed her, hugging the girl before she timidly returning to her seat.

Betty's hand subconciously resting over Veronica's that rested beside her on the bench. The brunette glanced down at their hands, her face still tear stained, make-up that had been so perfect moments ago now smudged but Betty still thought she looked beautiful. She closed her fingers around Veronica's causing the girl to blush but returning her attention to her father who spoke.

"You're mother's told me about Betty, I was surprised to hear we'd be friends with a Cooper, your mother couldn't stand Alice when she was young."

"Betty's nothing like her mother." Ronnie assured him, tossing Betty a half smile. "I've been wanting to visit for a long ass time. Mom had told me its best to wait until you were out," Veronica cringed at the outfit. "Orange was never your colour."

Hiram chuckled finding his daughters words amusing. His laugh was almost as contagious as Veronica's because Betty had a smile dancing across her lips as she watched the man laugh with joy. Betty side glanced Veronica, noticing her face had softened, she wore a smile that looked like it only held love for her father. Betty had never really understood how close Veronica was with her father, she gathered she'd always been a mommys girl but looking at her now, she knew the girl adored her father. He had been her role model, mentor and he gave the Lodge's everything they had ever asked for. Once Mr Lodge's laughed stifled, he smiled lovingly at his daughter.

"I know mija, I'm the one that told your mother to convince you not to come here. Don't be too harsh on her. She does everything she can to please us both." He spoke, Veronica bowed her head and nodded, then glanced back up.

"Dad, I want to visit more...I don't want to have to wait until you're released, thats way too long," Veronica told him, her eyes flickering between the table and her father. She searched his face knowing he was preparing to argue against it. "Please...I don't care what people have said, I'm over it. I stick by you. I don't even care about the disastrous jumpsuits."

"We'll see mija, we're going to have to discuss it with your mother." He hesitated, Betty startled seeing a guards hand drop onto Mr Lodge's shoulder, glancing between the three of them. Betty slipped her hand out of Veronica's, feeling nervous at the presence of the guard.

"Lodge, say your goodbyes, visiting hours are almost at an end." The guard ordered, Veronica's dad let out a sigh and nodded, brushing the guards hand off his shoulder and rising to his feet. Veronica already dreaded saying goodbye again but she forced her tears not to spill this time; wrapping her arms around him holding him tight.

"Goodbye dad. I love you." Veronica croaked, battling her tears as her father  kissed her forehead and smiled proudly down at her.

"I love you too, mija. Give your mum my best would you." He told her, managing a half-smile although Betty could see it was shielding his real emotions. She knew he wanted to hold Veronica and not let her go but he wasn't able to do that. Her dad turned to Betty next, bobbing his head, getting a nod in return. "Look after my little girl, I see you're already doing a great job at it so...keep it up, kid."

Betty nodded, glancing at Veronica as she spoke. "I will," Betty then looked back at Mr Lodge. "It was good to see you, Mr Lodge."

With that, the blonde and brunette were escorted out of the crumbling, grey, bland and old building back to Smithers who sat in the drivers seat browsing a newspaper. Veronica had linked her arm with Betty's, tossing her a sad, but grateful smile. Thankful she'd met someone as kind and sweet at Betty.