In Your Arms

In Your Arms Chapter Six: Denial & Visions

Jughead's POV...

     I sit in a chair outside of Betty's room holding Juliet, not feeling any emotions whatsoever.  It's like I'm numb.  Archie steps out of the elevator and asks for direction to Betty's room, eyeing me outside of it holding Juliet.  He walks up to us.  Veronica went into labor last night and had Aiden Andrews early this morning, when I found...when I saw Betty's heart monitor...flat, with no signs of a beating heart.
     "Jug," Archie begins, placing his hand on my shoulder as he looks down at me with his tear-stained face, "How're you holding up, bro?"
     I look up at him, "What do you mean?" I question.  She's not dead.  I refuse to believe it.  She's still here with us.
     "Jughead.." Archie kneels down next to me, "Come on, man, you know what I'm talking about."
     "No I don't," Yes I do.  I know exactly what he's talking about, but I'm not going to admit it.  She can't be gone.  Two weeks ago she was fine, it's impossible for her to be...dead.
     He sighs, "Jug, I know it's hard but you have to accept it.  I have, and so has Ronnie.  She's gone, dude, and she's not coming back."
     I shake my head, "She's not gone.  She's still alive, Archie.  There's nothing to accept."
     Archie swallows, choking back tears, "Jug you- you should go home and wash up.  Take some time to just relax."
     Juliet starts crying, like she has every half and hour.  She knows something's incredibly amiss.
     "And because Jules probably doesn't like these unfamiliar surroundings.  She hasn't been home in over a week, man," he adds.
     "I'm not leaving Betty," I snap, rocking Juliet in my arms, "I'm not leaving her alone."
     "They're leaving her here until the end of the day so everyone can come and get a chance to say goodbye, so just go home for a few hours, alright? Think about Juliet," he says, signaling to the baby in my arms.
     I nod, and stand up, walking outside to my car—that I haven't used since we arrived here about a week ago.  I strap Juliet securely in her car seat, kissing her forehead and calming her down for now.  I step in the front seat and drive back home, not feeling any emotion whatsoever. 
     I arrive home and take Juliet out of her car seat.  I carry her inside and place her in her crib, the familiar scenery making it easier for her to fall asleep.  I get in the shower and when I'm finished I step out, waiting to see Betty sitting on the bed and reading my newest piece of writing.  Waiting for her to smile at me and tell me how good it is, and how once my novel is finished and published that it'll be a bestseller. When I walk out of the bathroom and don't see her, that's when I realize she's gone.  Betty's gone, and she's never coming back.
     I break down, letting the tears finally escape my blue eyes.  After I force myself to get dressed I collapse on the bed, holding my face in my hands as I lean against the backboard of the bed.  She's gone.  Why? Why'd she leave us? Why, after everything we've been through is she taken away from Juliet and me? I don't understand.  She didn't deserve this, she deserved to grow old, with me, and live a full life.
     I open my eyes and for a second I swear I see Betty sitting down next to me, her hand on my shoulder and her eyes full of tears.  I rub my eyes and to my disappointment, she's gone. 
     "Come back..." I whisper under my breath, my voice cracking with sobs, "Please don't leave me, Baby."
     I eventually cry myself to sleep since I didn't get much sleep during the time Betty was at the hospital. 

     I stare down at a gravestone that reads Elizabeth Cooper as I sob, taking my tear-stained face in my hands.  When I open my eyes again I see Betty standing next to her grave, and I let more tears fall.  She walks up to me and caresses my cheek, tears brimming her beautiful green eyes, the same ones that our daughter has.
     "Why'd you go?" I ask her, my voice breaking, "I need you, Betts."
     "I'm sorry," she says, letting tears fall, "I didn't want to go, Juggie, but I didn't have a choice," she sobs.
     "Please come back," I beg, taking her in my arms and hugging her.
     "I can't, Baby," she weeps, "I wish I could, but I can't.  I'm sorry."
     "No, it's not your fault, Betts," I assure her, "Don't be sorry.  Please."
     She nods against my chest, her arms wrapping around my torso, "Please don't give up on Juliet.  I know you said you wouldn't, but now that I'm actually gone, promise me again."
     "Of course I won't give up on her.  She's all of you that I have left,"  I promise her.
     "She won't be when you open up my drawer in our bedroom on our anniversary.  Just wait until then to open it, okay?" She informs me.
     "I will, I'll wait," I tell her.
     "Thank you."
     "Of course, Baby.  Just, please tell me you're not in pain anymore," I ask, my voice cracking.
     "I'm not, Juggie, I swear," she tells me, pulling back and looking me in the eyes.
     I nod my head, "I'm so glad you're not anymore, Love."
     "I know.  Juggie, I need to go now," she cries, pressing her lips against mine.
     I kiss her back, suppressing sobs.  We share a long, passionate kiss before she pulls back, looking me in my eyes.
     "Please don't leave again," I plea, staring back at her while tears stream down both of our faces.
     "I need to, Baby.  I don't want to, but I don't have any other options.  I love you so much, never forget that.  I'll never stop loving you," we both let out sobs.
     "I love you too, Baby, I'll never stop loving you, either.  Like you once told me, 'I'm not sure I can'," I say, holding her in my arms one last time and kissing her forehead.
     "I'll always be with you, and even when you don't know it, I'll be right beside you, kissing your cheek and playing with you beanie.  I love you, Juggie," she gives me one last kiss, before she vanishes.