Jughead Pov:
I reluctantly allowed myself a beer (can't forget about my pesky past as an alcoholic), handing one to Archie as well before we flopped down onto the couch. Lola skittered over, hopping onto my lap, shuffling around until she settled against my chest. Archie grinned at her. She grinned back. Looks like she had made a new friend.
"So, Bro, how's Betty? Is she good?". I almost choked on my swing of beer, coughing slightly. "I-Um...".
Archie's eyes widened in surprise before he burst into a fit of laughter, throwing his head back against the arm of the couch. "DUDE! I didn't mean like that. Damn though, already??".
Lola tilted her head up. "What did you do, Daddy? Is Mommy okay?", she asked, worry crawling it's way through her words. My face went completely red. "Darn it, Archie! She's fine, Honey. Don't worry about it.".
Lola clearly was unsatisfied with my answer, but she knew well enough to let it go. Relief. I chuckled, the shock and panic still wavering around me. "But seriously, how are you guys? She seems really happy. I haven't seen her in a few years, but she genuinely seems better.".
"Not to mention, you seem better. It's been about a month and a half since I last saw you, and I think the only time your smile left your face this afternoon so far was when I just made that comment.", he noted, still trying to poke fun of my awkward, uncomfortable expression that I exhibited.
I hugged Lola's stomach, pulling her closer to my chest as I rested my head on top of hers. "Yeah. I'm doing much better. We've really been there for each other. I haven't been this happy since we were last together. And, of course, this one has also helped a lot.", I responded, a small giggle escaping from the little girl tangled in my arms.
"Really? I helped?", she asked, her eyes displaying revelation and softening as she began to tear up. I kissed her cheek affectionately. "Of course you have, Baby. You're my world.".
A heart-warning smile crossed her face as she wrapped me in as tight a hug as she possessed the strength for, nestling her head into my chest before she suddenly sprung up. "I'm gonna go tell Mommy what you said!! I can do that, right?". Archie looked at me funny, confused as to why she asked permission to say something as simple as that. I l
shook my head subtly before turning it back to Lola. "Of course, Lola. You don't have to ask, you know that. But it's okay, don't apologize.". I added the last part to prevent another breakdown, her quickly getting up and skipping up the stairs.
"She came from an abusive family, didn't she?", Archie guessed. "So basically, she- wait. How did you know?!", I asked, stunned at how on-point he was. He sighed sorrowfully. "Jug, you used to be the same way; always asking for permission for the littlest things. She seems to be doing well, though.", he observed.
I felt guilty for a second, then upset as I recalled my past, but then touched at this attentiveness from him that I hadn't realized he possessed. "She's been doing great.", I said. "I love them both so much.".
"But there is something else...", I said hesitantly. Archie raised an eyebrow, signaling my continuance. "So... This is going to sound crazy, but I feel... I think Betty has been concealing something from me. I felt like this when she broke up with me, and though we're together again, I feel like there's still something she isn't telling me.", I explained. Archie's face remained unchanged.
"So talk to her. I promise you, it's not as hard as it seems, and I'm sure she'd be willing to explain whatever it is you think she's hiding, if anything. She loves you a lot, Jug. I can see it in her eyes. I can see it in her smile. It practically radiated off of her during lunch. So, my point is, just ask her about it.".
It was the simple answer, and I knew it was the correct one, but I couldn't build up the courage to do so. I'd been trying since we'd gotten back together, only 2 weeks ago, but I was scared of hurting her. Or myself, for that matter.
Just then, as I was drifting further and further into my distressing thoughts, Lola came stumbling down the stairs, discomfort and conflict reflecting in her beautiful blue eyes. "What's the matter, Lola?", Archie asked. She didn't respond, turning to look me dead in the eyes.
"I heard Autie Cheryl talking to Mommy about a baby that Mommy had.".
😎 Drama time?
