Don't Let Go

Part 26

~Meanwhile~

Caleb had stormed out of the room with tears streaming down his face. And as soon as the door shut behind him, he punched the wall, creating a dent in the drywall and injuring his hand slightly. After seeing him punch the wall, a few nurses walked over to him and tried to escort him out.

Nurse- Sir, you cannot do that shit here. We have people who are injured, recovering, even working...you can't just-

Ben- Excuse me, I'm sorry, that's my brother. I'll take him out.

Nurse- Thank you.

Ben grabbed onto his brother and walked down the hallway with him. When they finally got to a hallway with no one around, the two of them stopped walking and Ben looked down at Caleb.

Ben- What was about?

Caleb- N-Nothing. (tears)

Ben- Caleb...

He looked up at his brother and more tears began to roll down his cheeks, causing Ben to wrap his arms around him.

Ben- Caleb, what's going on?

Caleb- She's just a kid, Ben! She shouldn't be in this hospital with a newborn in her arms! (cries)

Ben- I know but-

Caleb- But we couldn't fucking stop it! We couldn't protect her! (cries)

Ben- Caleb, we tried, but there's nothing more we could've done. He was a terrible person, it was him, not us. Don't blame yourself...Betty doesn't blame us for anything, the only people we can blame are mom and dad, okay?

He nodded and wiped his tears while he continued to lean on his brother.

Ben- And you know what? Betty's happy, for the first time in a while, so let's keep it that way.

He nodded again before pulling away from Ben.

Ben- Good, now let's go back and officially meet our niece.

Caleb smiled and the two of them walked back to the hospital room. And as soon as they walked in they saw Betty leaning against Jughead while she continued to snuggle her daughter...but when she heard the door open she looked up at them.

Betty- Is everything okay?

Ben- Yeah, we're good.

Caleb- (nods) I'm sorry I ran out.

Betty- It's okay, come sit.

The two of them walked back over to her and sat on the foot of her bed, then she asked...

Betty- Do you guys want to hold her?

Caleb- Yes!

Ben- Obviously. Caleb can go first.

Betty smiled and carefully handed her daughter to her brother.... He held the little girl close to his chest and kissed her head softly before looking back up at his sister.

Caleb- She's so beautiful, Betty.

Betty- Thank you.

Betty shifted further into her boyfriend's arms, allowing him to rub her thigh. Caleb continued to hold his niece for a few minutes, but then he passed her over to his brother...and his heart instantly melted.

Ben- She's literally a carbon copy of you.

Betty smiled.

Caleb- Have you decided on a name yet.

Betty- I've thought of a few...I'm not exactly sure though. One that I really like is Serena, but I don't know-

Then suddenly the baby began to cry.

Betty- Okay, definitely not Serena then.

Betty took her daughter back from her brother and tried to calm her down, but she continued to cry. Then the nurse walked in.

Nurse- Okay, she's probably getting hungry, do you know if you want to breastfeed or bottle feed?

Betty- U-Um...I haven't really thought about it. (softly)

Nurse- That's okay. Do you want me to go grab a bottle for her then and we can start with that?

Betty- (shakes head) I think I'll try breastfeeding.

Nurse- Okay, let me help you.

The nurse helped Betty get situated before she pulled the top of her hospital gown down and brought her babygirl up to her nipple. Everyone in the room, other than the nurse, looked away while Betty began to breastfeed her daughter.

Nurse- How does it feel?

Betty- Weird. (laughs softly)

Nurse- You'll get used to it soon. Now, can I get you anything else?

Betty- No, I think I'm okay. Thank you so much.

Then the nurse walked out, and Betty looked around at everyone, realizing they were all looking away from her.

Betty- You know you guys can look at me, right? (giggles)

Caleb- We just want to be respectful.

Betty- I'm telling you, it's fine. (giggles)

They all awkwardly looked back at her, but made sure their eyes were on her face.

Betty- You all are going to have to get used to this you know.

Jughead- Oh don't worry, I can't wait to see your boobs all the time. (whispers)

Betty- Jug... (blushes)

Ben- I don't want to know what you just said about my sister, but whatever it is, don't say it again.

Jughead- No promises. (chuckles)

Betty laughed softly as Jughead wrapped his arm around her, placing his hand gently on the baby's cheek, caressing it softly. They all sat quietly for a moment, but suddenly, while Betty was staring down at her daughter she said it.

Betty- Riley... (softly)

Jughead- What?

Betty- Riley! That's her name!

Caleb- That's perfect.

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