One less kiss

Home for the holidays.

Betty:

I decided I would go home for the holidays, a week earlier than usual. It was safe to say my mother was thrilled, "I'm so glad you're here Elizabeth!" She yelled from the front door as I lugged my suitcase up the steps. "It's nice to see you too mum," I said when I reached her. "Why didn't you bring Veronica?" She asked looking over my shoulder, "she's spending the holidays with her new man," I replied and my mum smirked, "oh I'll have to ring her later so she can tell me all about it!" She said and I laughed. "Dad," I smiled as I walked into the kitchen. "Pumpkin," he replied as he wrapped his arms around me. I had always had a close bond with my father, he taught me the basics of being a mechanic - something I had always enjoyed doing. "So, where's Archie run off to now?" He asked with a glare. "Hal, I told you not to bring him up!" My mother said as she swatted his arm. "I'm not sure, probably touring as usual," I replied. "Well you know honey, if you need me to make sure he can never plays that guitar again, all you have to do is ask." He smiled and I let out a little laugh. "Love you," I told him, "I love you too sweetheart." He said.

"So when's Chic coming?" I asked as we sat down at the table to eat dinner. "He's not coming this year," Alice said with a disappointed look, "He wants to spend his Christmas with just the wife and the kids," she added tearfully. "You're kidding," I scoffed before standing up from the table and going through my bag.

"Seriously Chic?" I yelled down the phone as soon as he picked up. "Come on Betty, it's not going to be the last Christmas, this is just our first one together as our own little family." She replied. "Mums upset." I told him in a quieter tone. "Really?" he questioned. "Of course she is Chic." I snapped. "Okay - well maybe we can come down next week?" He stated and I sighed. "Yeah, that would be nice." I told him.
"Chic is coming down next week," I told my parents as I sat back down. "Really?" My mum said in an excited tone and I nodded. "Thank you Elizabeth," my mum smiled as she placed her hand in mine.

* * *

Two days before Chic was expected to arrive my mum had gone out to get the last bits and pieces for Christmas. I was upstairs when I heard a crash and the sound of something smashing. I ran down the stairs and went into the kitchen where I saw my father lay on the floor. "Dad? Oh my god! Dad!" I screamed as I bent down to shake him. He wasn't breathing. I ran to the table where my phone was sat and called for an ambulance. I was instructed to give CPR and I followed every instruction. An ambulance arrived and paramedics took over. I watched as one paramedic shook his head at the other. "No... no! Dad!" I yelled as I fell to my knees and held onto him. I heard footsteps running over and heard my mum let out a heart-wrenching screech. "Hal... that's my husband... why aren't you doing anything?" She screamed and a paramedic tried to get her to calm down.

* * *

The only person I had spoken to since my dad had died was Veronica. She was going to drop everything and come to be with me but I refused although I told her it would be nice if she could attend the funeral. The funeral would have to be weeks later, as the rush of Christmas meant things were busy and places were closed.

One night I was lay in bed crying when I had an urge to speak to someone. I reached for my phone and rang the number but it rang through to voicemail. "Hey jughead... it's Betty."

Jughead:

I was lay in bed with my girlfriend when my phone began to ring. I reached over and grabbed it and saw the name "Betts" displayed across the screen. I watched it ring until it ended and then placed my phone back down. A few minutes later my phone went off again and I grabbed it. "One new voicemail" - I untangled myself from my girlfriend and went into the bathroom.

I opened the voicemail and listened.
"Hey Jughead... it's Betty." I heard her sniffle.
"I know you probably don't want to hear from me and want nothing to do with me but I just hoped that I could hear your voice... something's happened." She said and I felt panic rise in me. "My dad died a few days ago... I tried... I tried to save him." She cried out and I felt my heart sink. "Everything is too much... Archie is gone - which you probably know... he cheated on me, so I guess you were right." She said with laugh. "God I'm so stupid." She said scolding herself. "I'm lonely Jug... I thought I could do everything on my own but I can't do it..." she whispered. "I'm just going to shutup now because you might not even listen this, I mean who the fuck leaves voicemails anymore. If you could, it would really help if you came to the funeral," she said before leaving the address and date which I had ran out of the bathroom to quickly scribble down on some paper. "I love you Juggie, I'm sorry..." she said softly at the end.