Riverdale: Betty X Jughead

Chapter 9: Family

Betty's POV:
 
  After we eat, we all head back to our apartment to make plans for the night.  It is decided that F.P. will sleep in our bed and Archie and Veronica will sleep in the guest room, while Juggie and I sleep in the living room.  We both call out of work for tomorrow so that we can spend time with everyone... I don't want them to leave.
  I didn't realize how much I missed everyone until they were here...
  "Hey, what's wrong, kid?" Mr. Jones asks, coming over to where I'm standing in the kitchen.  That's when I realize I've been crying.
  I wipe my eyes quickly.  "Nothing, Mr. Jones..." I look down.  "I'm okay."
  "You don't look okay."  He comes closer and hesitantly puts a hand on my arm.  "Anything I can help with?"
  I take a deep breath then run my fingers through my hair.  "It's really nothing... I just... Seeing you here with Jughead makes me sad.  I never had what you two have with either of my parents.  I know it took you guys a long time, but you have it... And the worst part is that I miss my family, so so much... But not the way they actually are." I laugh humorlessly.  "I miss something I never even had." I shake my head.  "Mostly I just want someone to call and tell that I'm pregnant... Someone who would be happy for me and support me.  That is clearly neither one of my own parents."  I clench my fists for the first time since Juggie and I left and I let myself cry quietly.
  "Hey hey hey..." Mr. Jones whispers.  I can tell he's not the most comfortable with emotions or crying, but he's persevering.  He places his hands on both my shoulders and makes me look at him.  "Look, Kid... You may not have gotten the family you wanted.  People rarely do... You know what you do have? You've got your friends... You've got Jughead... You've got me.  We'll be your family.  So will that little miracle growing inside you...  I may not have known you your whole life, but I damn sure am proud of you.  I know how hard it is to escape your demons... To escape the lot you were given.  But you've done it beautifully, and I'm really proud of you.  You also gave my son a new life and I am eternally grateful for that.  You're a hell of a girl, Betty.  I'm glad to call you family..."
  That causes me to completely break down.  I put my face in his chest and cry harder than I have in a long time.

F.P.'s POV:

I hold onto her tight while she cries, only feeling a little uncomfortable. I like her a lot, and it kills me that she is sad... I want the world for her and her new little family. If that means me manning up and being a real father for once, then so be it.
Jughead walks in and raises his eyebrows at me.
I shake my head a bit then rub her back. I wave him over silently and he quickly takes her from my arms and holds her in his.
"Hey Baby... What's wrong?" He takes her hands, only to see that they are dripping in blood.
"What the hell happened?" I ask. I didn't see her get cut...
"This happens sometimes when she gets stressed..." He says quietly. He picks her up and puts her on the counter while beginning to bandage her hands expertly.
  She closes her eyes and whispers, "I'm sorry, Jug...."
  "Don't be sorry... I just want to know what the hell made you this upset."
  "It's nothing, really... I'm okay now..." She looks up at me and smiles a tiny bit.  Jughead raises an eyebrow but says no more.
  Veronica waltzes into the kitchen as Jughead helps Betty off the counter.
  "People of the kitchen, we have decided that we should play a game.  More specifically, truth or dare."
  I shake my head.  "As a grown man and the father of one of you, I'm out.  That would turn weird real fast.  But I'll watch."
  Veronica turns to Betty and Jughead.  "You in?"
Betty looks hesitant but Jughead answers for her.  "Sure, we're in."

A/N: sorry this chapter is crap but I needed some sort of transition 💕