We'll make it together

8. I Can't Live Without You

Time skip 2 months

Betty's POV
The doctor walked in with a somber expression. "We regret to inform you that mr. Jones will need to be moved to palliative care. He is not expected to live to the end of the month." At that moment, I froze. It's like the world around me stopped spinning. I felt dizzy and everything went blurry. Before I knew it, darkness had enveloped me.

I woke up in a hospital bed. "W-what happened?" I stuttered. "You fainted, Miss Cooper. You should be fine, this was just an extra precaution. Memories of what had just happened came flooding back. I had always hung on to the hope that he would live, but that last little flame had just been extinguished. I was able to put my regular clothing on and go back to see Jughead pretty much right away.

I entered his room and saw his frail figure being hooked up to portable machines in order to bring him to another room. I choked out a strangled sob seeing him so helpless and fragile. He's been through so much, he doesn't deserve any of this.

They say hope is stronger than fear. It's true, I guess. I've always been scared, scared that Jughead wouldn't make it. But there was hope. However small, it was there. Hope that he would make it through this whole ordeal. Hope that he would be ok and help me raise our children. But what happens when you lose hope? When that last spark, the one small flame, is extinguished? By then, there is only fear. Without hope, it is practically impossible to function. It is human nature. In the darkest of times, one must always remember that there is a small shred of hope to hold on to. That hope kept me going, but now, I'm not sure I want to anymore. I've lost hope, and now there is only fear. Fear of how my children will feel growing up without their father. Fear of how I'll cope once he's finally gone.

I sat next to Jughead, listening to the steady beeping of the monitor. I saw him open his eyes. He looked confused as to where he was. "You're in palliative care, Juggie." I explained gently. He looked at me with a pained expression on his face. "Betts," he said softly. "I love you. Just don't forget about me, please. Everything hurts, and I just need my suffering to be over. I'm completely deteriorating and we both know that this would happen sooner or later. I can barely stay awake long enough to have a proper conversation. Just tell Luke and Skylar how much I love them, how much I would've loved them, and how great a dad I could've been." "I promise," I whispered.

Time skip, 2 weeks

Jughead has been slipping in and out of consciousness for 2 weeks. I'm due soon, the doctor estimated about one week. That's also about how much time Jughead has. I've been crying every night, not wanting our time together to end. There was one thing I hadn't thought of before, but realized I should do. I picked up the phone and dialled a number.

Jughead's POV
I'm going to die in a matter of days, I know it. I feel strangely at peace with my death being in a few days. I just want my pain and suffering to end. I'm trying to make the most of my time with Betty, but it's really hard. I know she's giving birth in a few days but I doubt I'll ever meet them. I know how hard it must be for Betty to see me like this. I'm thin and look like I could break at any moment. I have no more hair and I'm sure my eyes are sunken. Betty didn't deserve me, yet she still stuck with me. The reason why will always be a mystery. I felt tiredness hit me once again and let my eyes fall shut.

Betty's POV
"Hello?" A voice on the other line said. "Hi, is this mrs. Jones?" I asked. "This is she," came the reply, sounding confused. "I'm calling on behalf of your son, Jughead. He's very sick and has until the end of the week at most. Whatever you decide to do with this information is none of my business but I thought you ought to know," I stated. The line was silent. "Who are you exactly?" She finally said. "I'm Betty Cooper, his girlfriend." I didn't add the fact that I'm also pregnant with his children. "Umm ok I'll be on my way. Thanks for calling," she said quickly and hung up. Well that was easier than I thought it would be.

Later that night, I got a call. "Hello?" I said curiously. "Hi is this Betty? It's Gladys, Jughead's mother. I've reached Riverdale. Where can I meet you?" She asked. "Have you ever heard of a place called Pop's?"

I heard the bell jungle and turned around only to see a woman with dark hair and brown eyes. "Are you Mrs. Jones? I'm Betty. Betty Cooper." I stood up. Her eyes widened upon spotting my stomach. "Is it his?" She asked. "Yeah, they are." I replied. We sat back down and got down to business. She asked me questions about his life since she left and I told her all about what Mr. Jones did to Jughead and spoke to her about his sickness. She looked genuinely sorry for leaving him all those years ago. "Would you like to see him tomorrow? Visiting hours are currently over, but you can join me as soon as the doors open. She nodded and we chatted a little longer. Soon, we said our goodbyes and parted ways.

I met with mrs. Jones at the hospital. We walked to where Jughead was and I slowly opened the door. He was already awake. "Hey Jug," I said softly. "Look who I brought." I opened the door a little more to reveal mrs. Jones.

A/n
Hello!! Next chapter will be full of drama so get ready. Thanks for voting and commenting!