Forever And Always

Chapter 14

Callie was in her room doing her biology homework, she was trying to block the noise from the video games down the hall in Archie's room. She was happy that Jughead agreed to stay with them. The door opened she looked up to see her dad, Vegas trotted into the room and jumped on to her bed.

"Your room smells a lot better than those two delinquents," her dad joked.

"I would hope so," Callie laughed. 

" They referred to me as their third roommate," her dad laughed. Callie smiled more. " You should get some sleep, it is late."

"I will after a couple of more problems," Callie said. " Good luck tomorrow."

"Thanks, sweetheart, " her dad said before leaving the room and closing the door. 

*********

The next day, Callie sat in the student lounge with the group, including Cheryl.

" Polly's convinced herself that no one wants her baby," Betty stated.

" Besides, of course, the child-snatching Blossom monsters," Kevin pointed out.

"No offense Cheryl, " Callie said.

" None taken," Cheryl replied. 

" So your mom and dad want Polly but not the baby," Jughead started off, referring to Betty. " And the Blossoms want the baby and not Polly. That's a true Gordian knot."

" It's an impossible situation," Betty admitted. 

" Betty, come on," Veronica started. " An impossible situation is being invited to both Vanity Fair Oscar party and Elton John's Oscar party on the same night." Kevin put a hand on Veronica's shoulder, she looked at him. " Which happened to me one year, I know." She then looked back at Betty. " This is merely an annoying situation. But luckily, I've been percolating on an idea, hellishly simple in its conception. What if my mom and I were to host a baby shower?"

"Count me in," Cheryl and Callie said at the same time before smiling at each other. " You want Polly to feel loved and supported, right?"

"Yeah, but ideally by her own parents," Betty responded.

"Baby steps," Callie said. " Get Polly and your parents in the same room in a public setting where they can't fight and, voila, let the healing begin."  Veronica turned and looked at Callie.

"You read my mind," Veronica pointed out.

" She does that a lot," Cheryl and Archie stated together.

"Am I supposed to come to this thing?" Jughead asked.

"Of course!" Veronica responded. " You're Betty's boyfriend..so..." Betty and Jughead both looked at each other.

"Oh, my God, you guys, relax," Callie laughed. " It's just a word that starts with the letter B." Betty blushed while looking at Jughead.

"Betty, what do you say?" Veronica asked. At that moment Mrs. Cooper marched into the room.

" Elizabeth Cooper," Mrs. Cooper stated.

"Mom?" Betty asked, looking confused. 

" I need you and you," Mrs. Coope demanded, pointing at her daughter and Veronica. " Right now."

*****

Callie was now at home, she sat on the last step of the stairs, listening to her dad as he talked on the phone.

"Don, I just need a few guys from your crew," her dad pleaded. " A couple to get started." At the moment Archie came in, he made eye contact with Callie. " I did check." Callie got up and followed her brother to the kitchen. Their dad looked at the two of them. "  I'll get back to you, Don." He hung up the phone and scribbled on his notepad.