Alice sat on the stool next to Betty's vanity, camcorder in hand as she asked her daughter a series of questions for her documentary on the mysterious murder of Jughead Jones.
When the topic shifted to her affair with Archie in the bunker, each response came with a long pause. Alice assumed it was because she felt guilty about moving on from Jughead so quickly and betraying her best friend, she looked at her daughter softly.
"Elizabeth, I promise you'll feel better once you tell the truth", urging Betty to continue.
"In that case", Betty started, Alice sitting more attentively, waiting for more. "Before you hear it from someone else, mom, I need to tell you something off the record."
Alice was a little taken aback, not quite sure what her daughter had to tell her. Was she going to confess to the murder?
She nodded, "Okay honey", turning off the camcorder and setting it down on Betty's vanity.
Betty took a deep breath and then looked at her mother, "Jughead isn't really dead, this has all been a ploy to finally beat the Stonies at their own game."
Alice stared at her for a moment before rubbing her temple, trying to process what her daughter had just confessed to her. "Elizabeth Cooper, you're telling me I organized an entire funeral, comforted a devastated FP and Jellybean, and your beanie wearing sadist of a boyfriend is completely fine??"
"He's been hiding in the bunker for a few days, Jellybean and FP were also in on it", Betty could tell her mom was ready to let her have it. "I'm sorry mom, we had to be strategic about who we told and when, I made Mr. Jones promise not to tell you."
Alice stood up and scoffed, crossing her arms, "So none of you thought I could keep a secret? Is that it? You all just let me cry over Jughead's death while he's having a grand ol' time in that disgusting sex bunker?"
"Mom please don't be upset with FP, it was really hard for him to keep it from you", Betty sighed, she had a gut feeling her mother would react this way.
She sighed, "I'm going to bed, don't expect a grand breakfast spread in the morning, you guys don't deserve it", she closed Betty's door and walked into her own bedroom.
She wasn't fuming, but she was upset that everyone in the house had kept this secret from her. She especially was hurt about her own boyfriend not letting her in on the plan. Alice walked straight to her vanity, taking off her earrings and other accessories. FP was already in bed, his glasses on as he read something off of his phone.
"I thought you were interviewing Betty?", FP looked up from his phone and watched her set her earrings on a little tray.
"We cut it short, I was tired", Alice was trying to figure out if she should just confront him head on or mess with him about it. She decided on the latter.
Alice sighed, "I know this might be too soon to talk about but", she started changing into tan colored negligee, sitting on the edge of her side of the bed. "Since we don't have to worry about our kids getting married anymore, maybe you and I can finally you know.."
FP quickly looked over at her, taking his glasses off as if that would help him understand what Alice just said. "Alice, my son just died, why would y-".
"But, maybe this happened for a reason, we can finally be together without Betty and Jughead making it weird", Alice smiled and leaned in to touch his hand softly.
"What the hell are you talking about? Are you happy Jughead is gone?"
"He's always been a thorn in my side, ever since he started dating Betty", she rolled her eyes.
"I can't believe you'd say that", FP was floored at her words, how could she say these things about his own son?
"Yeah? Really? Well I can't believe you'd lie to me about Jughead being dead", Alice raised an eyebrow and let go of his hand, storming into the bathroom to wash her face.
It hit FP like a brick. She knew. He groaned, "Al, don't be mad at me, I wanted to tell you." He followed her into the bathroom.
"Oh no, don't you Al me, FP Jones", she grabbed her toothbrush and furiously started brushing.
"Babe, I understand you're upset, but just listen.."
Alice rinsed and put her toothbrush back in the holder, turning around to face him with her arms crossed. "I'm listening, liar."
"I didn't know until after the interrogation, while you were out interviewing the town, Betty came clean to me about the whole plan", FP sighed. "So the only time I was faking was at the funeral."
"Jellybean didn't even know until after the funeral", he continued. "I'm sorry I hid that from you, I know we promised each other no more secrets."
"I just don't understand why I couldn't be in on the plan sooner, I'm great at keeping secrets! You didn't even know you knocked me up in high school until two years ago...", Alice stopped herself. "But let's not get into that again."
He raised an eyebrow and put his hands on her waist, "Maybe this makes us even now?"
She loosened her crossed arms, "I'm still mad, but...I know those preppy assholes deserve whatever is coming to them, nobody messes with our kids."
"Damn straight", he pulled her into a hug and she reciprocated. Alice felt a sense of relief that they were no longer in mourning and everything was okay after all. She pulled away after a few seconds and headed towards their bed, climbing into her side.
"But don't think for a second that I'm letting you guys off that easy, the Cooper/Jones house will feel my wrath", FP followed her and got into bed beside her, leaning in to kiss her lips softly.
Alice pulled away, "And that's not going to work either, and whenever Jughead comes out of that death bunker he's getting a piece of my mind too I-"
FP pulled her in for another kiss, Alice not resisting this time. "You make it so fucking hard to stay mad at you", she mumbled into the kiss as he rolled on top of her, their kiss intensifying.
~~
Their pajamas laid discarded on the floor as they were wrapped in each other's arms. Both still trying to catch their breaths from their recent activities.
They laid there silently, only hearing each other's hearts beating, fast but steady.
FP looked up at the ceiling, "You know, our kids being together isn't going to stop me from marrying you Alice."
Alice turned her head to look at him directly, her arms still wrapped around him. "What?"
"What you were saying earlier, I know you were joking but, I want to make it clear", he turned his head to look at her in the eyes. "I'm gonna marry you Alice Smith."
She smiled and cupped his face, pulling his face to hers for a kiss. "I'm gonna marry you too FP Jones."
