Chapter Text
THE FIRST TIME Archie witnessed Betty become a mother was during their freshman year. Well, not literally obviously. Their child development class had assigned the infamous 'baby project' where the class was forced to take home freakishly realistic robotic babies. The purpose of this project was to teach the kids the responsibilities that came with having a baby and quite frankly, to scare them into abstinence and/or using contraceptives.
Archie paired up with Betty and he distinctly remembered how flippant she had pretended to be about the whole thing. While most girls bought their fake babies cute clothes and strollers, Betty had begrudgingly carried the thing around.
They both had agreed to take turns taking the baby home with them so that at least one of them could get an uninterrupted night of sleep. Unfortunately the night of Archie's turn, their baby wouldn't stop crying and Archie couldn't find it's damn bottle.
When he called Betty panicking, she appeared by her window, holding up the bottle with her eyes half open and her blanket still wrapped around her body. She came over with the bottle and stayed with him until it stoped crying.
Afterwards they laid in the grass in his backyard, their baby in-between them. "Do you want kids Arch?" She asked, her voice quiet.
He yawned, turning on his side so he faced her. "I think so but I'm too young to think about that right now." He mumbled, his voice groggy with sleep. He paused for a second, silence lapsing between them. "Do you?" He finally asked.
Betty turned her head so she was looking at him, even in the darkness Archie could see sadness in her eyes. "I don't think I'd be a good mother." She whispered. "I mean, I don't exactly have a great example. Ever since my mom sent Polly away, she's been so controlling and I know she loves me but I feel like I'm suffocating."
Archie laced their hands together and they both stared down at them. "You aren't your mom Betty." He reassured her softly.
Betty sighed. "How do you know?"
"Because you've taken care of me since the day we met." He stated simply. "One day, if you choose, you'll be a great mother."
Archie had felt the extent of Betty's love, whether it was her giving him half of her sandwich when he forgot his lunch or letting him hang out at her house while his parents fought, she was the most selfless and caring person he'd ever met. Betty couldn't be a bad mother, not when she had such big heart.
Betty shifted closer, resting her head on his chest. "Thanks Arch." She whispered.
They'd laid in silence and when Archie finally glanced down Betty was asleep. He felt fondness surge his chest and for a moment he let himself imagine what it'd be like to have a family with her. He pictured coming home after a long day at work to Betty, who'd be older but still so beautiful. She'd greet him with a quick kiss before their kids would rush to the front door, jumping into his arms for a hug, all while Betty watched with a smile.
Betty stirred in her sleep and Archie quickly pushed those thoughts out of his mind. He reminded himself that Betty was his best friend and he should not be fantasizing about starting a family with her.
That was the first and last time Archie let himself think about having kids with Betty.
______
Present day
Archie sat in the teacher lounge, dazed and fucking exhausted. He'd barely gotten any sleep after Betty's news. Beside him, Veronica ranted about the florist for the wedding. He'd zoned out five minutes into her peony or roses debate, too focused on his own thoughts to truly listen. He needed to talk to Betty again. He was going crazy.
"Archiekins?" He slid his eyes from the door and back to Veronica. He'd been staring at it in hopes that Betty would walk through it. "Are you listening to me?"
He scrubbed a hand across his face. "Sorry Ronnie." He sheepishly apologized, offering a half-hearted smile.
She scrutinized him, the worry in her eyes apparent. "Are you okay? I noticed you tossing and turning all night and you look awful."
Archie smiled at her bluntness. "Gee thanks babe." He said sarcastically.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. What's on your mind?" She asked.
The words built up in his throat, 'Betty's pregnant', but they inevitably died on his tongue. How could he tell her that? What would she say? She'd have questions that not even he had the answers to. "Nothing." He finally reassured, quite unconvincingly.
She looked at him skeptically but didn't push, shrugging it off. "So anyways, yes the florist is a hot mess but compared to the caterers she's an angel-"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of blonde hair pass the teachers lounge and Archie found himself springing up. The motion had been so abrupt that it startled Veronica. "Sorry Veronica. I'll just be a second." He said apologetically, excusing himself.
Veronica looked puzzled as he gave her a chaste kiss and rushed out, practically tripping over his own two feet.
He caught up with Betty in mere seconds, jogging after her in the hallways. "Betty! Hang on a second."
She turned around and she looked just as tired as he did. "What's up?" She asked casually.
Archie frowned. How could she act so nonchalant after what she'd told him last night? "Are you doing alright?" He asked softly.
Betty shrugged. "I've been better. I'm guessing you didn't sleep well either?"
Archie smiled wryly. "What gave it away?" He asked sarcastically.
Betty absentmindedly reached her hand out to trace the dark circles under his eyes. She gently placed her fingers on them and Archie's eyes immediately fluttered shut. "I'd say the bags under your eyes are evidence enough." She mumbled. Her fingers unconsciously slid across them again and he breathed a sigh of relief, shuddering at her touch.
"That feels nice." Archie whispered without thinking.
Hearing this must've made Betty realize how intimate this was because she immediately dropped her hand and put an appropriate amount of space between them. "Anyways, I should get to class." She muttered.
She tried to side-step around him but Archie quickly blocked her, stopping her in her tracks. "We should talk." He said.
She met his eyes and there was warning in them. "About what?" She asked innocently.
Archie gave her knowing look. "You know what." He said quietly and Betty tensed.
"We did talk. Yesterday, remember?" She clarified.
Archie shook his head. "Did we? Cause it doesn't feel that way."
She glanced around nervously. "This isn't the time or place for this Archie." She warned.
Archie rolled his eyes. "If we had it your way we would've never talked about it in the first place. You would've continued to keep it a secret from me."
His voice sounded bitter even to his ears and Archie immediately regretted it. He couldn’t really fault Betty for not telling him, especially with his engagement to Veronica, but it still stung to know that she hadn’t trusted him enough to come to him with this.
Betty sighed. "I've said everything I needed to say."
"But I haven't and I don't want you to make this decision without discussing everything first." Archie must’ve replayed their conversation a thousand times last night. He kept focusing on one thing: she said ‘that it would blow up his world’. "I want you to know that no matter what you decide, you won't be alone. I'll support either decision wholeheartedly. Just please, please don't make this decision for my sake or for Veronica's, okay?"
Betty tightly shut her eyes, as if his words pained her. "I appreciate it Archie but this is what I want. Now if you excuse me, my class is waiting on me"
Before he could reply, she pushed past him and rushed off.
______
Betty brushed past Archie, praying he wouldn’t follow her. She knew telling him was a mistake. He’d never leave this alone now, not if his hero complex had anything to do with it.
“Watch out!”
Betty’s head turned in the direction of the voice right before she felt her body slam into something hard. A door. The impact was so hard that she fell back, her butt landing on the floor with a thump. “Ouch.” She grumbled.
“Jesus! Betty, are you okay?” Jughead rushed towards her, his eyes wide with surprise.
He extended his hand and Betty took it. “I’m fine, just mortified.” She joked, her tone flat.
He pulled her up, grinning. “What’s got you so distracted?”
She sighed, brushing her jeans off with her hands. “Nothing. Just things with my mom.” She lied, not very convincingly based on Jughead’s expression.
She squirmed under Jughead’s careful gaze. “Really? What’s up with Alice?” He asked.
Shit. She should’ve known he’d pry. “Oh you know…” Betty trailed off, trying to think of an excuse.
Jughead gave her a knowing look. “Come on Betty. You think I haven’t noticed how off you’ve been? Running into a door was just the final nail in the coffin.”
It was stupid of Betty to think he wouldn’t notice. Jughead had been her boyfriend once. They were together for almost three years which was just long enough for him to learn how to tell when she was hiding something.
Her eyes involuntarily filled with tears and Jughead’s eyes widened. “Hey, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”
He pulled her aside into an empty stairwell. “It’s just you and me now. Tell me what’s going on.”
Betty wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s Archie.” She choked out.
Saying his name made her cry harder and Jughead awkwardly patted her back in response. “What about him?” He gently asked when her cries were reduced to hiccups.
“I love him Jug. I love him and he’s engaged to Veronica.” She sniffled, wiping her eyes with her sleeves. “I feel like I’m in sophmore year all over again except I’m older so it’s more pathetic.”
“So, tell him that. This whole fucking town knows that you and Archie belong together. Hell, the only people who don’t know it are you two but if your ex-boyfriend can see it than so can you guys.”
Betty didn’t know what to say. Their issue wasn’t obliviousness or a lack of communication. It was that she loved him and he didn’t. Not to mention her pregnancy and his engagement.
“It’s more complicated than that.” She said quietly. “The last time I told him how I felt it didn’t exactly work out.”
“You guys aren’t teenagers anymore Betty. Why are you holding back? Is it Veronica?”
God, she’d been so selfish that she hadn’t even thought of Veronica. All the more reason not to confess. It would only hurt her too. “She’s part of it yeah.”
Jughead pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “I’m surprised you haven’t thrown up yet. You know, with all the circles you've been going in for the past twenty two years.”
Betty suddenly felt nauseated at the mention of throw up. She put a hand on her stomach. “You might just eat your words Jones. I’m gonna be sick.”
Jughead’s eyes widened. “Right now?”
She nodded, pushing past him and heading towards the nearest trash can.
“Geez Betty. Don’t tell me you’re pregnant.” Jughead joked.
Betty’s heaving came to sudden stop and her head snapped in his direction, her eyes no doubt guilty. “What! Of course not! Why would you even joke about that?”
His eyes widened in realization. “Oh shit. Are you really?”
Betty sighed, weighing her options. She might as well come clean right? It would feel good to be able to talk about it with someone. “I am.” She confirmed, nodding reluctantly.
“I’m pretty sure I already know the answer to this but whose the dad?” He asked.
Betty blinked back more tears. Jesus, she really was emotional. Was it cause she was pregnant? “Please don’t make me say it out loud Jug.”
Jughead held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay! You don’t have to say it. Just please stop crying.”
They sat in silence for a moment. “So, what are you gonna do? Does he know?”
Betty nodded. “He knows, yeah. That doesn't change much though. I’m going back to Quantico for bit, maybe permanently. I booked my ticket last night.”
Jughead’s face paled. “Betty, don’t you think you’re being a little rash. Think this through.”
Betty firmly shook her head. “I’ve made my decision Jughead. I’m only asking that you keep it to yourself until I’m gone. I leave today.”
“Betty...” Jughead trailed off, struggling internally
“Please! I just need to get away from all this for a while. It’s too confusing, too painful.”
He sighed in defeat. “Okay. I won’t tell.”
She grabbed his hand, a grateful smile on her face. “Thank you.” She whispered, her voice raw with emotion.
He just nodded, squeezing her hand back tightly. They lingered in the stairwell for a few more minutes, oblivious that Veronica Lodge was lingering on the stairs above them, unaware that she'd heard everything.
______
Archie threw his house keys into the bowl sitting on the table by the front door and instantly headed towards the kitchen for a beer. He'd been a mess at school today: fumbling over lesson plans and spilling coffee on his pants. He knew why: Betty.
"Welcome home Archie."
He jumped, startled. "Veronica. You scared me." She was leaning against the counter, her arms crossed.
She didn't say anything. She just continued to stare at him in silence and it made Archie uneasy. "I thought you had to stay after school for tutoring?"
"I canceled. There are more important things we have to discuss." She gave him a knowing look and he felt his heart drop. There was no way she knew. Right?
"Wedding stuff?" He asked, feigning innocence.
"Betty stuff." She said bluntly, her voice hard.
Shit. She knew. "Ronnie..."
Her calm demeanor instantly fell apart, her face contorting with anger. "How could you keep this a secret from me!" She yelled and Archie flinched.
He sighed. "How'd you find out."
"The how doesn't matter. What matters is that I didn't hear it from you." The look she gave him could only be described as hurt and it was like a punch to the gut.
"I just found out last night. I was going to tell you." He weakly offered.
Veronica rubbed her temples, stress radiating off of her. "Archie, we're getting married. You can't keep secrets like this, especially when they affect our future."
"I'm sorry." He reached out to grab her hand but she recoiled. "I was still processing it myself."
"Do you want it?" She asked, point blank.
He sucked in a breath and that was the only answer Veronica needed. Her eyes filled with tears. "Better question. Do you love Betty?"
"It's complicated." He said and Veronica scoffed.
"God. Jughead was right, you two are made for each other." Archie frowned, confused. "She said the same exact thing." She explained bitterly.
When Archie didn't say anything, she continued. "It's not complicated Archie. Do you love Betty?"
He knew the answer but saying it out loud would change everything. "I love you Veronica." He said earnestly.
"That's not what I asked." She choked out through tears.
"I think we need time apart. You need to figure out what you want-" She gave him a meaningful look. "Who you want." She said.
Archie nodded solemnly. She was right. They couldn't get married like this and they couldn't pretend that Betty being pregnant didn't change everything. "I'm sorry." He repeated. It was all he could think to say.
She walked to the front door and Archie trailed behind her. Her hand paused as it reached the handle. "Betty's going back to Quantico today."
The air left his lungs. "What-"
"Don't let her leave without settling things." Veronica said quietly.
"Ronnie..." He trailed off, unsure of what to say.
"Goodbye Archie." She threw the door open, rushing out, and this time he didn't follow.
His mind was racing. There was a million things running through his head but only one thing was all-consuming: Betty was leaving. He threw the door back open, not even bothering to close it as he rushed to the Cooper's house. He pounded his fists on the door, willing the door to open, for Betty to still be here.
"Archie." The door opened and revealed Alice and Archie smothered his disappointment.
"Alice. Is Betty home?"
She shook her head apologetically. "She left for the airport about thirty minutes ago."
"Damn it!" He cursed. His eyes widened when he remembered that Alice still stood there. "Sorry." He sheepishly apologized but Alice just looked at him with sympathy.
"Sorry again." He numbly repeated before defeatedly turning away.
What was left to do? He could call her but he doubted that she'd answer. Book a flight to Quantico? He'd have no idea where to look for her.
He was halfway down the stairs of their porch when Alice called out to him. "Her flight leaves in an hour. You can still catch her."
Archie's eyes widened. He could still catch her. He still had a chance. "Her gate is G1." She shouted as he jogged towards his car, fishing the keys from his front pocket.
He could still salvage this.
______
Luckily, Archie had a friend from high school who worked at the airport and could get him in. They'd been on the same football team. "Thanks for doing this." He told him.
"No problem. My wife loves romance movies. She's gonna flip when I tell her I helped with an airport love confession." He boasted.
Archie grinned at this, his nerves buzzing like crazy. He'd left his car in the drop off area for arrivals. He could only hope that it'd still be there when he got back.
Once they passed through security, he slapped Archie's back. "Go get her dude."
Archie nodded, thanking him once more before he took off running to Betty's gate. Her flight started boarding thirty minutes ago and he prayed she was in boarding group four.
Archie arrived at the gate and was surprised to find it mostly empty. Only a few random people sat there, waiting for their next flight. Shit. They'd boarded. He glanced out the glass windows and sighed in relief when he saw the plane was still there.
He rushed towards the person working the front desk. "Excuse me. Is there anyway I could get on that plane? I really need to see someone on there."
The lady frowned at him. "I'm sorry sir but without a ticket you cannot board this plane."
Archie felt panic rising in his stomach. "Please. The girl I'm in love with is on that plane and I can't let her leave without telling her."
She smiled sympathetically at him. "While romantic, that is not enough reason for me to risk my job. I'm sorry."
Archie sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Yeah, I get it. Thanks anyways."
He sulked back towards a chair and sunk down in it, burying his face in his hands. He was too late.
"Archie?"
And now he was hearing things cause that sounded exactly like Betty's voice. His head snapped up. "Betty." He breathed out.
There she was. She wasn't imaginary. She was real and she was standing in front of him. Archie had to resist the urge to pull her into his arms and hug her.
She glanced around nervously. "What are you doing here? Did Jughead tell you?"
His eyes widened. "Jughead knew?" She shot him an annoyed look. "Sorry. No, he didn't tell me."
"Then, how'd you know I was here?" She asked.
He stood up and walked towards her, a little unsteady on his feet. "Veronica and your mom." Betty's eyes widened, the confusion clear on her face. "Doesn't matter. Why aren't you on that plane Betty?"
She sighed. "I couldn't get on it. Jughead was right. I was being rash. I mean, I can't leave my family. Especially with Polly still off the grid. Even though she called and explained that she's just traveling with her trucker friends, it's partially my fault that she ran off. I made her feel like a bad mom for running with the Ghoulies."
"It's not your fault Betty." He told her but she just shrugged him off.
"You didn't answer my question." She said quietly.
His heart was practically pounding out of chest. "I just couldn't let you leave Betty. Not without telling you how I feel."
"Archie-"
He held his hands up to stop her. "Please hear me out."
She gave a shaky nod of her head. Her hands were trembling and it comforted Archie to know that he wasn't the only one who was nervous.
"I love you Betty. So damn much that it hurts." His voice was hoarse with emotion and he had to take a few deep breaths before continuing. "And when I found out you were leaving, I realized that I'd never forgive myself if I didn't tell you. If I didn't fight for us."
Betty looked devastated. "What about Veronica?"
"How can I marry her when you're all I fucking think about. Even at my own engagement party all I wanted to do was pull you close and hold you. How fucked up is that?"
She fixed her gaze on the floor, her eyes wet with tears. "If you're saying all this because of the baby then-"
Archie firmly shook his head. "I've loved you long before that Betty. If you decided today that you didn't want this baby, I'd still want to be with you tomorrow."
Betty shook her head. "Things are so complicated Archie..."
"It's not complicated. We're the only reason we aren't together but we can change that right now. All you have to do is say you love me."
She let out a breath of air and her eyes finally met his. "I- I do love you Archie. So much."
That was all he needed. Archie closed the distance between them in an instant, ducking his head down to cover her mouth with his. She responded instantly, kissing him back with just as much fever and desperation. His hands went to cup her cheeks and she gripped his wrists, her legs trembling a little from the intensity.
"I'm sorry. I love you" She whispered between kisses.
Tears streamed down her face and he pulled back to kiss them away. "I am too."
She buried her face in his neck and hugged him tightly. "Can we go home now?"
And right there, in Betty's arms, Archie felt like he already was.