Bad boys bring heaven to you

[Eight]

I got the job of inviting the guests in. I stood by the door and told them all 'welcome'. It wasn't even my house but I accepted it. With all the fighting that had gone down before the party I just wanted the actual party to be good. Lilac is my daughter and I love her more than anything in this world and she deserved the world. So this party was going to be the best birthday party that any four year old had ever had. When all the guests had arrived I went to the backyard glazing. Pretty much everyone was there. Kids were playing and parents and grown ups were talking. I walked over to Betty and Jughead who were talking to Cheryl and Toni "hey Arch, I can't belive Lilac is already four" Toni said as I approached them "no I can't believe it either it feels like she-" I stopped talking when I saw them. Veronica and Travis were standing next to the bar kissing. It felt like someone grabbed my heart and ripped it out of my body "I'm sorry, I gotta go" I hurried back inside. I didn't want to watch them kiss for one more second. When I got inside I ran into the bathroom. I closed the door and did something I didn't think I would, I cried. I didn't think that Veronica dating someone else would affect me so much but here I was, crying at my daughters birthday party. I splashed some cold water in my face to calm myself down. I then walked out again just to find Veronica and Travis still getting cosy. I started walking over to them but an arm pulled me back. I turned around and Betty stood there "Archie, you don't want to ruin Lilac's party so leave them alone"
"But they are ruining the party"
"According to who?"
"Me!"
"You have to let it go. Don't you want her to be happy?"
"Yes, but I want her to be happy with me!" I screamed it out so loud that everyone looked at me, including Travis and Veronica. I saw Veronica's disappointed look, she thought I had ruined the party. And all I could think about was that it was their fault. I looked at them "what are you two staring at huh? You two were all cuddly, of course I would lash out at that" Veronica walked over to me "Archie don't do this!"
"Don't do what? Get mad because you two are making out at my daughters birthday party?! This is all your fault!"
"It's not our fault and you know it. You promised to behave!"
"Well I'm sorry, I didn't realize that it was okay for you two to make out infront of me. Maybe we should've set some rules!"
"Well it's a little bit to late now, you've already ruined the party!" she screamed so loud that it caused me to take a step back. I saw Lilac standing behind Betty's legs hiding. I saw her sad look. I also saw all the guests looking at us like we were idiots, which we were.
"Ehm maybe everyone should leave. We appreciated that you all came and celebrated Lilac. I'm sure she'll love every gift she has gotten, bye" Betty said and everyone started to leave. They gathered all of their things and then left. No one said goodbye to us they just hugged Lilac or smiled at her. When everyone had left Betty and Jughead took Lilac inside and me, Veronica and Travis were left alone outside "is he seriously going to be here"
"Yeah he's my boyfriend so he is a part of this argument"
"I know Veronica but this is our argument and I don't really feel comfortable with him here"
"You must be kidding with me, it's not like he's going to kill you or something" I looked at her with an annoying look "I know, I'm not stupid"
"Maybe I should leave"
"No Travis-"
"Really Veronica, it's fine" he kissed her forehead and then went inside too.
"Well now when he has left, what did you want to say?"
"I'm sorry"
"You seriously think that an 'I'm sorry' is going to help?"
"No of course not but it's a start"
"Okay no Archie, you have to accept the fact that I moved on. I love Travis"
"But are you in love with him?" she looked up at me like I had said something scary.
"Yes, ehm, of course I am"
"Really?"
"Really, why?"
"Cause you hesitated before you answered and your answer wasn't convincible"
"But I am in love with him"
"I don't believe you" I stepped a few steps closer to her. So close that I could feel her breath.
"Then what do you believe..."
"I believe that you're in love with me and you're lying to yourself cause you're scared of the truth"
"Well then you're wrong"
"Really..." I kissed her. At first she kissed me back but then she pulled away "Archie, I can't do this. I'm sorry" she ran inside and I just stood there alone. After awhile I walked inside and saw Veronica and Travis say goodbye. When Veronica saw me she smiled a little smile at me and then turned around and left. They left and Betty looked at me "what happened when we went inside?"
"Jughead can you take Lilac and get her dressed into her pajama and then her winter gear? Me and her are leaving"
"Sure" he walked up the stairs to their bedroom "so what did she say?"
"I told her that I didn't believe that she was in love with Travis and then I kissed her"
"But?"
"But she pulled away and told me she couldn't do it. Then she left"
"I'm so sorry Archie"
"Don't be. Now I atleast now how she feels. She doesn't love me anymore"
"Don't say that, of course she loves you"
"Really? Then why did she leave in the first place, huh, and why did she move on so quickly?"
"I don't know Archie"
"Exactly, so don't tell me she doesn't love me unless you have a better answer to my questions"
"Daddy, I'm tired" Lilac said as she walked down the stairs "well then it's a good thing that we're going home to sleep"
"Will mommy join us?"
"Not tonight sweetie, I'm sorry"
"It's okay, I just miss her when she's not around"
"I miss her too. Betty, Jughead, thank you so much for doing this"
"You are welcome. And you Lilac are the cutest four year old out there, or what do you say Juggie?"
"Oh I agree, a cuter kid you would have to look for"
"Bye guys"
I put Lilac in her car seat and then started driving. When I got home Lilac was asleep in her seat so I carefully picked her up and carried her into her room. I put her down on the bed and tucked her in "Goodnight beautiful flower, I love you very much" I walked out to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of whiskey. I heard a knock on the door and went to open. Outside stood Veronica "Ronnie?"
"We need to talk!"