././𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓞𝓾𝓽𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼/./.

The Coopers: the Stepfords of Riverdale. High School sweethearts who got married and had two beautiful daughters Polly and Betty. Even Adelaide was a part of the family's perfect image. Until Jason Blossom happened. And now we would hear from the person who was closest to him those days leading up to his disappearance: Polly Cooper. How a casual conversation turned into an epic forbidden romance. How, for reasons still murky, their respective parents tried to tear them apart. How their break up was short lived because Polly soon learned she was pregnant with Jason's baby. How they became secretly engaged with his grandmother's blessing and her heirloom ring and made plans to run away together. To start a new life. And how their dreams of escape went up in flames.

Sheriff Keller wasted no time in interrogating Polly. He was at the Pembrooke minutes after we had gotten there and demanded to see Polly for questioning.

I could tell how painful this was on Polly to discuss the future she dreamed of having with my brother. Although I was never comfortable with the relationship, I loved both of my siblings and wished them nothing but happiness.

"What was the last day you saw him?" Sheriff Keller asked her for what felt like the tenth time.

"At Pop's, when he told me the plan, that he was gonna fake his own death, and then we would meet up, but before that could happen, my mom and dad sent me away," Polly sadly rubbed her belly.

"One of Jason's teammates said that before he ran away, Jason was dealing drugs," Betty told him, which I felt was a bit of an accusation.

"Making a one-time delivery," Polly confirmed, "He needed...We needed money. To get away and to start over."

Sheriff Keller nodded his head, flipping his notebook, "So Riverdale's star football player becomes a drug mule?"

Polly continued, "He went to a bar on the other side of the tracks and made a deal with some biker gang."

"The Serpents?" Sheriff Keller asked, earning a small nod from Polly, "The drugs your sister and her friends found in Jason's car... that went up in flames."

Polly's voice cracked as she added, "Along with everything I had left of Jason, including the ring his Nana gave me, which he was keeping until..."

"Okay, Sheriff, I think that's enough for tonight." Hermione stood up, kindly pointed to the door, "Polly needs to rest."

"I'll be in touch, ladies."

Hermione walked with him, "I'll show you out."

~❃~

"Polly's convinced herself that no one wants her baby," I announce as we all sit in the rec room.

"Besides, of course, the child-snatching Blossom monsters," Kevin says, before turning to Cheryl and I. "No offense, Adelaide, Cheryl."

"None taken." Cheryl says fakely while I shrug, "I am also part, Cooper."

Jughead sighs, "So your mom and dad want Polly but not the baby and the Blossoms want the baby and not Polly. It's a true Gordian knot."

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

"Betty, come on. An impossible situation is being invited to the Vanity Flair Oscar party and Elton John's Oscar party on the same night, which happened to me one year. I know." Veronica adds while Kevin and I look at her awestruck.

"This is merely an annoying situation. But luckily, I have been percolating on an idea, hellishly simple in its conception. What if my mom and I were to host a baby shower?" Veronica smiles proudly.

"Count me in." Cheryl smiles.

"Me too," I pipe up.

"You want Polly to feel loved and supported, right?" Veronica asked her knowingly.

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

"Okay, so baby steps, girl." Veronica looked at me, seeing as she wasn't convincing Betty. I turn to my blond sister, "Get Polly and your parents in the same room, in a public setting where they can't fight and voila, let the healing begin."

"Am I expected to come to this thing?" Jughead asked uninterested in the event. He was looking at me for an answer, but Veronica answered, "Of course. You're Adelaide's boyfriend, so..."

The entire group fell silent watching to see Jughead's reaction, but all that happened was Jughead sit closer to me, proudly planting a kiss on my head. Everyone looked at him shocked, knowing how against labels he was. Veronica looked around the room, not knowing about Jughead's previous stance on the whole label thing, "Oh, my god, you guys, relax. It's just a word that starts with the letter B."

"Hold on, did I hear that right, is my sweet sister dating a Jones?" I can see the disgust on Cheryl's face. Jughead rolled his eyes, ignoring my sister.

Veronica continued on, "So, Betty, what do you say?"

"Elizabeth and Adelaide Cooper." I hear my mom's voice scold and turn to see her furiously storming up to Betty and me.

"Mom?" Betty asks appalled.

"I need you, you and you. Right now." She points to Betty, me, and then Veronica. I point to myself, horrified before my mom takes the hand that I had raised and yanks me out the room.

She looked like she was ready to kill as she said, "Sheriff Keller told us everything. How you're hiding Polly at the Pembrooke?"

"Better than in an insane asylum," Betty quipped.

Veronica walked up behind Betty, "Actually, Mrs. Cooper, that's on me. I was the one who suggested that Polly stay with us."

I walked up next, looking at mom pointedly, "They're trying to help. Unlike you and Dad, who want Polly to give the baby up for adoption."

"Betty, Adelaide," Mrs. Cooper breathed, "It's what's best for Polly and the baby."

Betty wasn't going to just cede to our mother this time, "Mom, that's not your choice. Your choice is whether or not you want to be a part of Polly's life."

We watched mom pace in front of us. I knew that this meant she was really trying to keep her cool.

"Veronica and her mom have offered to host a baby shower," I tried hoping that maybe she would agree with the idea.

Mom didn't seem to agree, "Well, that is hardly appropriate!"

"Really?" Betty scoffed, "Because I think it's an amazing idea. You want to be loving and supportive like a normal grandmother? Then, great. Otherwise, stay away."

~❃~

After spending the entire day with Veronica and Betty planning a last-minute shower, I got a text from Jughead who told me that he was helping Mr. Andrews at the construction site with a few other guys. I decided to grab a box full of Pop's takeout and bring it to the guys, knowing they were starved. I especially felt guilty because Cheryl told me that daddy is the reason Mr. Andrews lost his crew.

"Hey, are you done for the day?" I call out to the group of dirty boys who were walking towards Mr. Andrews office with their hard hats in their hands.

They all turned to me while I just lifted the box of food, "I thought you might want some food."

I was shocked by the stampede of boys that quickly ran towards me, giving out praise. Archie took the box from me, immediately, "Thanks. Let me carry that for you."

"You are amazing," Kevin tells me as we walk into the small office.

"Isn't she?" I feel two strong arms snake themselves around my waist. I turn to look at a very sweaty Jughead. I hmm in response, raising up on my toes to give him a small peck on the lips.

"Hey, guys. Real lifesaver today. I appreciate it. Hard hats go in the bin, and there are waters in the fridge." Mr. Andrews says before looking up at me.

"Hey, Mr. Andrews, I thought I would bring some food. It was the least I could do, especially with my dad," I tell him feeling guilty about the entire thing.

"Adelaide, you didn't have to do anything. I know you are not like them," Mr. Andrews tells me before giving me a small hug. I look as all the boys grab food before quickly stuffing it in their mouths starved.

"Crap. Hey, guys. I forgot my phone," Moose says before running out the office to go grab it.

I watched Jughead successfully shove more than half the burger in his mouth. I moved to sit on the desk next to him while he ate. The lights began flickering in the office, and I was suddenly overtaken with immense pain in my stomach. I tried not to groan, but eventually, it became too much, and I emitted a small wince. Jughead turned to me swallowing the handful of fries he had just been eating, "Is everything okay?"

I nod before another blow hit me in the stomach, causing me to hunch over in pain, the other boys were now watching me concerned as well. There was shouting outside that drew the boy's attention from me to what was happening outside.

Jughead grabbed my arm as everyone looked out the windows, 'What is wrong?"

I smile, ignoring the pain, "I'm fine," I lie, not wanting to worry Jggie with my paranoia, "Just cramps."

We all ran outside to see what was going on. Kevin was the first to fall in front of Moose while I watched as a car pulled away from the site. I drew my attention back to Moose, who was laying down on the ground in a fetal position bloodied and in pain.

"Stay down. We'll get you some help," Mr. Andrews affirms him, pulling out his cell phone.

"Who did this to you, Moose?"

Jughead asked, looking at the faraway lights of the car, driving away from the scene. Moose looked at Juggie before painfully uttering, "No clue. But they said as long as we keep working they're gonna keep coming back."

"What the hell happened?" Sheriff Keller asked a few minutes later after Mr. Andres called him along with an ambulance.

"Moose over here he caught a couple of guys working over my equipment with a crowbar. They got the drop on him." Mr. Andrews says, looking at Moose with a sorrowful expression. I was blotting the cut on his chin while he held an ice pack to his head.

"Who were they, vandals?"

"Cliff Blossom had made it clear he would love nothing more than to see this go belly-up." I brought my hand down from Moose's face feeling guilty about the entire thing. If my dad hadn't started, this Moose wouldn't be hurt.

Sheriff Keller looked at Mr. Andrews unconvinced, "I doubt that Blossom is gonna hire some thugs to bust up your site and beat up some teenagers, not with his own daughter being here."

"Maybe it wasn't him. I mean, this is Serpent territory, right? Maybe it was them, pissed that they had to leave because of this project," Archie said.

"Serpents?" Kevin asked, trying to stop his dad from investigating further. I knew he was dating a Serpent he met at the Drive-in.

"Yeah."

"When I worked at the Drive-in, the Serpents never bugged me," Jughead defended.

"Did you see any snake tattoos? Anything on their jackets?" Sheriff Keller looked at Moose.

Moose groaned, moving his eyes to look at Keller, "It happened pretty fast." I frown bringing my towel back up to continue blotting the cut that was still bleeding.

Sheriff Keller shut his notebook before looking at Mr. Andrews, "I'll talk to Blossom, but I don't think we're gonna get anywhere unless we can ID these guys."

"That is such bull. If this were Clifford Blossom asking for help, you'd say yes." Archie argues.

"Archie," Mr. Andrews scolds looking at me.

I look at Mr. Andrews shamefully, "It's true."

"And it's also not helping." Mr. Andrews frowns, glaring at Keller.

~❃~

Polly was nervously pacing, worried about the baby shower tonight, "Have you heard from Mom? Is she coming?"

"She's... invited," Veronica carefully said, trying not to disappoint Polly.

Polly looked down, knowing that meant mom was not happy with the baby still. I knew how much mom being there meant to her, even if she did lock her up in a mental hospital. I stood up grabbing her hand with a smile, "You have us, Pol," it was my turn to be there for her like she was for Betty and me when I was younger.

"Yeah, it doesn't matter." Betty stood up grabbing Polly and my other hand, "If Mom doesn't want to come, that's on her. It's her loss."

Polly turned Betty with a small smile before looking at me, "Adelaide, I've decided...I want you to be the baby's godmother. I think Jason would have agreed that there is no one better to raise this baby."

I feel tears line my eyes as I look at Polly. I touch her stomach, thinking about the small baby that was the child of my half-brother and half-sister. I knew that I would love them as my own, "I would love that."

Polly looked at Betty who looked at bit hurt before she covered it with a smile, "Betty, I was hoping you would-"

Betty smiled at me, "Please, Polly. No hard feelings."

Polly smiled at Betty, "Thank you for understanding, but I wanted to know if you would like to be their godmother also. Since I don't have any close male-"

Before Polly could finish, Betty had tackled her in her arms.

~❃~

"Poor Moose. Is he okay?" Betty asked Jughead and I after we told her what happened last night.

Jughead said uninterested as he scooped a spoonful of his milkshake in his mouth, "His name is Moose. He's fine."

"Dude, what the hell? I've been texting you," Archie plopped down in the booth next to Veronica.

"Archie, Jughead and Adelaide have just been telling us about what happened yesterday," Betty sadly tells Archie.

"Though I checked out at the words' construction' and 'site,'" Veronica jokes causing me to let out a small giggle.

"Moose and I are going to the Southside to find those Serpents. You in?" Archie looked at Jughead.

"You didn't say it was the Serpents who beat Moose up," Betty interjects looking at Jughead.

Jug glares at Archie, "Because we don't know that for a fact."

"Well, it's still worth a shot if it might help my dad. Kevin's boyfriend can get us in." Archie reasons.

"Get you in where?" I ask him suspiciously.

"To some bar where the Serpents hang out. If Moose spots them, we call Sheriff Keller and get these goons arrested."

"Archie, Serpents are dangerous. They're drug dealers," I warn him, not wanting to see my friend get hurt or involved in a fight.

"What? Says who?" Jughead defensively asks before turning to me.

"Polly. Remember?" Betty looks at Jughead, "Trev told us that Jason was dealing drugs? It was for the Serpents."

Jughead turns his head away from the table, obviously upset. Betty looks at me confused while I shrug my shoulders.

"You heard my dad, Jughead. Clifford Blossom is trying to torpedo him. Sheriff Keller basically blew him off right in front of us. Somebody needs to do something."

"Archie, going into that bar is a bad idea," Jughead advises.

"Jughead, are you coming with me or not?" Jughead turns back to his milkshake, not saying a word. Archie scoffs, getting up from the booth, "Thanks for having my back."

~❃~

Veronica and I have been setting up the party ever since we got back to the Pembrooke. Betty was going to help, but Veronica and I loved decorating so much that we told her she didn't need to.

Veronica left to began greeting guests while I began putting out the food from the kitchen. I was tying a ribbon on one of the tables when I saw Juggie carry the dessert stand, away from his body almost hesitantly, as if it were a bomb. He stops in front of me, plopping it down on my table. I smile lovingly holding his arm. Jughead smiles at me, leaning down and placing his lips on mine. I kiss him back, and we stay like that for a few seconds before pulling away and looking into each other's eyes.

"You're sweet to be here. I know this isn't exactly your scene." I tell him noticing the maroon sweater and corduroy pants he had on, which I knew he probably hated.

"What? Organizing a baby shower? It's totally on my bucket list," he sarcastically scoffs, offended. I chuckle raising up higher to rub my nose against his before I turn hearing the door open.

I see mom stand in front of me, "Mom?" I feel Jughead tense, and I grab his hand and give it a tight squeeze before walking up to meet my family.

Betty walks up behind me before looking at Polly, "Look, Polly. Mom's here."

Polly looked at mom scared to see mom's reaction while Betty took mom's gift for mom and placed it on the table with the others. Mom was staring at Polly's belly like she thought the baby might jump out and attack her.

Mom took a deep breath before looking at Polly, "I'm so glad you're here, and you're safe," mom's eyes went down to Polly's stomach, "You and the baby."

I knew how much that meant to Polly, as she went to give mom a hug. The heartwarming moment was ruined when my rouge haired sister opened the door loudly announcing her presence and rolling a baby stroller towards Polly. I had to do a double take as I looked at her dress, it was almost identical to my own.

Cheryl stood next to me, putting her hands on her waist, "I hope you don't mind sister. I thought we could match."

I raise my eyebrows as I try to put on a fake smile, not wanting to cause a scene on Polly's special day.

Cheryl noticed Polly looking at the stroller, shocked, "No big deal. It's only the best stroller money can buy."

"So expensive." Polly tries to compliment.

I watch as Mrs. Blossom walks in, rolling in Nana Rose. I had been making a point to avoid Nana Rose since she has been harassing me about this made up voodoo wicca nonsense.

I turn to Jughead who shrugs at me before turning to look at Nana Rose, who is already whispering to Cheryl that she needs to speak to me. I turn my attention to Polly.

Cheryl was still speaking with her, "All I ask in return is that you make me your baby's godmother." Polly looks at her awkwardly before her eyes flicker to me, I shake my head, not wanting to deal with Cheryl. Cheryl waves her hands before laughing with a fake smile, "Kidding," the smile falls off Cheryl's face, "So not kidding. Come on, Nana Rose, let's get you a good spot by the food."

Cheryl wheels Nana Rose away while Mrs. Blossom walks up to Polly, "Polly, let me begin with an apology. When I first heard about the baby, my initial instinct to embrace the baby, but not you, was wrong. I hope you can forgive me." I almost believed her, almost, but I knew how ruthless Mrs. Blossom was. I saw Betty stop mom from walking up to her, while I just smiled at Mrs. Blossom.

I had immediately run to Jughead's side once Mrs. Blossom left to get some food, but Nana Rose called me to her seconds later. I was going to object but, Cheryl called everyone in the room with us, making it a huge scene.

I sigh, before allowing Cheryl to pull me away from Jughead once again. Everyone huddled around us while we watched Nana Rose pull out a purple crystal necklace. She grabbed Polly's hand and began waving it in the air.

"Come, dear," Nana Rose grabbed my hand and pulled me to sit between her and Polly. She began speaking to me as if I was a student, "This necklace reads the baby's aura. Predicts the sex."

I look pleadingly at Jughead who has been standing in the same corner of the room since the party has begun. I can tell he fights against his instinct as he moves from the wall to sit by my side. I smile and grab his hand in my own.

"Nana has dementia and Gypsy blood," Cheryl says proudly.

"Oh!" Nana Rose gasps.

"What? Is my baby okay?" Polly panics.

"Babies. It's twins, one of each." Nana Rose smiles at Polly, we all smile in relief.

"She isn't serious?" Jughead whispers, letting his lips brush against my ear.

"She is," I try to hide my blush but feel the heat rush to my cheeks anyway.

Jughead laughs, and I begin to laugh with him before Nana Rose roughly grabs my hand and places it on Polly's stomach. I lurch forward while Jughead's seems to tense looking at Nana Rose defensively. "Now, dear, tell us about the baby's health. Will it live a long healthy life?"

I look at Nana Rose, finally realizing how crazy she is, I try to come up with something to tell her for her sake," I mean it isn't kicking?"

Nana Rose furiously shakes her head before pointing to me, "What do you feel? Tap into your powers, Adelaide."

"She isn't serious right?" Jughead whispers at me while I notice Veronica looking at me, confused.

I sigh before closing my eyes and trying to tap into my 'powers' knowing Nana Rose wouldn't leave me alone until I did. I heard Nana Rose guide me as if this was freaking Hogwarts.

"Listen to your instincts. What are you hearing or seeing, Adelaide?" <Nana Rose asks me, "You need to truly try."

I give up and decide to believe in Nana Rose's mumbo jumbo to see if I would really see anything. I try to imagine Polly's babies living a long and healthy life and dying happily of old age. I wasn't feeling anything until suddenly, all I saw was black.

An image of Polly's twins floating over flames flashed before my eyes before everything was black again.

I gasp opening my eyes trying to catch my breath, I look at Nana Rose terrified. Jughead's arms wrap around my shoulder as he tries to calm my breathing. I also see mom, Betty, Cheryl, and Veronica hunched over me.

Nana Rose smiles at me, "What did you see, dear?" She acts as if I didn't see the most horrifying sight. I open my mouth, but no words come out as I feel my heart begin to settle down in my chest.

"I think that is enough of your occult bullshit for today," Mom glares at Nana Rose before pulling me up into her arms and walked me over to the couch, "Why don't we open gifts with Polly."

I nod before pushing the terrible image out of my head and smiling at Polly as we all begin to open the gifts on the table. I grab mom's gift and give it to her first. She takes the object out of the bag and reveals it to be her old nightlight.

"It's my nightlight from when I was a little kid," Polly looks at the nightlight beaming, all sadness that was once present was gone, "How did you? Where did you even?"

"I saved it. I know how much you loved it and how it made you feel safe. And I wanted you to be able to pass it down to your baby one day." Mom said, smiling at Polly. I knew that she didn't plan on giving it to her for a long time after this, but I thought it was nice to see her try.

"Alice, that's lovely." Hermione smiles, watching Polly grab mom's hands in hers. Mrs. Blossom gives Polly her gift, breaking their hands, "Open our one next dear." Cheryl excitedly bounces on the couch as Polly opens the gift to reveal a rocking horse with chipped paint.

I knew it was a family heirloom and thought it was sweet of Mrs. Blossom to give it to her. I began to regret my original ideas about her intentions. I watched an angry Archie open the door and walk up to Jughead.

I walk up to the boys with Betty and Veronica behind me, standing between them, "Archie?"

"Did you know Jughead's father is a Serpent?" Archie looks at me. Jughead grabs my hands, tightly squeezing them.

I look at Jughead hurt, taking my hand out of his, and moving back next to Betty. I can't believe he didn't trust me enough to tell me.

Jughead seems bothered by my action, and his eyes move to the floor.

Archie continued, glaring at Jughead, "That's why he tried to stop me from going to the bar, so I wouldn't find out. After everything, my dad has done for you..."

Jughead breathed out, "Archie, I can explain, okay?"

"Not right now," Veronica said, putting her hand on Archie to hold him back, "This is Polly's day, so you two need to check yourselves. I mean it."

I give Jughead one more look before walking away, going back to Polly. I sat down and turned to Polly with a smile.

"Cheryl's invitation is genuine. Thornhill's gates will always be open to you. The child would want for nothing. You would want for nothing," Mrs. Blossom leans down towards Polly. I look at Cheryl confused on what I missed, but she just smiles at me.

"Do you think that you can just waltz in here with a bedbug-infested Trojan horse wave a blank check around and steal my daughter?" Mom looks at Mrs. Blossom in disgust as she slowly stands up to walk in front of her.

"I didn't think you wanted her. Else why would she have been exiled like some pariah?" Mrs. Blossom stands up and crosses her hands in front of her chest.

"To keep her away from your family." Mom adds.

"Oh. And not because you're ashamed," Mrs. Blossom smiles evilly watching Polly's face contort into that of pain. "Why is your own daughter not living with you?"

"She's not gonna step foot in that twisted poisonous house of yours."

"She should be so lucky," Cheryl interjects, standing up to my mom.

"Cheryl, that's not helping!" I get up next.

"She'd be a lot better there than with you."

"How dare you."

"Enough, both of you," Polly cries up, holding her hand to her stomach. Looking at both mothers in disgust.

"If you believe one lie this woman is saying...," Mom begins.

"This is why Jason is dead. Because of this hate. This pointless, stupid fighting." Polly says, her voice breaking at the end.

Mom walks over to Polly, trying to calm her down, "Honey, honey."

"No, don't touch me," Polly flinches away, "We were supposed to be together. And you didn't let us have that. Neither of you. And you know what? It cost Jason his life." I watch as she storms out, nobody moving to follow her.

Hermione quickly stood up before declaring that the shower was over and asking everyone to leave. Everyone left the room, murmuring about what had just happened.

I turned to Betty, who was looking at mom as she began cleaning up, "Come on."

We both walked up to mom, standing on both sides of her, "You need to talk to her," we say in unison.

She sighs before walking towards Polly, who hasn't spoken since we got here. She sat on the couch while Betty and I stood behind the couch, trying to give them some space.

"Polly, I'm sorry. It's just that woman –"

"Didn't send me away." Polly quipped, still mad at mom, "You did. And if you hadn't, I would've met up with Jason, and he still might be alive."

Mom put her hand on Polly's knee, "Or you might've gotten hurt or worse."

"I was alone there. In that place."

"I never wanted you to feel alone, or unwanted, or unloved." Mom said before moving her hand to hold Polly's, "Honey, come home. I promise you will never feel that way again."

"You want me to come home?" Polly asked touched, finally hearing the words she had been dreaming of.

"More than anything, honey."

Polly wiped her tears away, "Yeah, but what about dad?"

Mom looked a bit confused before resolving, "Your father..."

"Dad's just gonna have to get over it." Betty walked over to sit by mom, and I followed her.

"Are you sure he's not gonna try and make another appointment for me?" Polly asked mom.

I turned to mom beyond shocked that she would force Polly into this, "What are you talking about? What appointment?"

"Before you sent me away, Dad made an appointment for me to see a doctor, "Polly explained expecting mom to already know, "Said that he would be more than happy to pay for it. That I shouldn't have to live with my mistake."

"Oh my god..." I whisper.

Polly began stuttering as she rubbed her belly, "He didn't even ask me what I wanted."

Mom is speechless as she watches Polly, obviously having no idea about this altercation. Betty and I look at each other shocked as well while Polly just seems to be replaying the moment in her head.

Betty stands up before looking at me, "Polly, let me bring you to your room? You have had a long day, and I am sure you could use the rest."

I nod and help Polly up before passing her over to Betty.

Mom is still frozen in her spot while my eyes wander to the door that I know Juggie went into after Archie left. I was waiting for him to come out, but he still hasn't.

I looked at mom one more time before walking over to open the door. I lightly knock on the door before turning the handle and walking in, "Hey."

I look at Jughead's hunched over body, sitting in one of the Lodge's armchairs. He doesn't look up at me, so I walk over to him, and kneel on the floor. I slowly bring my hand up to reach for his face.

When Jughead finally looked up, I could tell from the redness around his eyes that he had been crying. I gently rub my thumb across his cheek, giving him a small smile, feeling horrible for overreacting at the party.

"I should have told you about my dad when I had the chance," Jughead muttered, guiltily looking in my eyes. He sat in front of me, his jaw tense as if waiting for me to do something.

"Then, why didn't you?" I ask him, trying to understand why he didn't feel like he could tell me about FP.

"I was ashamed," his eyes travel back to the floor.

I take a deep breath, "Juggie," I start, "We have been best friends for years. You should know by now that I don't care about who your family is or what they do," I tell him wrapping my arms around his neck. Juggie nods his head, still looking at the ground. I use my hands to bring his head up, "I want to know who you are. All of it."

Jughead looks up at me with a smile, "Okay."

"Okay. But we should probably talk to your dad," I say before adding, "He might know something about Jason."

"Alright." Jughead nods before placing his hand behind my back and leading me out of the Pembrooke to his house.

Thankfully, Cheryl let me use her car this week, so I could pick up the decorations for the party. It was really our car, but Cheryl used it way more than I did. I noticed that we began to enter the Southside but didn't say anything.

I could tell Jughead was still worried that I would judge him because every minute or so, he would nervously look from the window to look at me as if waiting for me to say something. And anytime we passed a sign bringing us into the more dangerous parts of the Southside, he would bring our intertwined fingers to his lips to give my hand a kiss.

We finally stopped at Sunnyside Trailer Parks, and I pulled over the car where Jughead pointed at. Once we got out, I could see that he was nervously watching my reaction, waiting for me to run back to the car.

I always wondered when we were younger why Jughead never wanted to meet at his house, but I figured it was just because his dad told him he couldn't have any friends over. It wasn't like Archie and him were angels so I wouldn't be surprised.

I smile, grabbing his hand in mine and pulling him towards the trailer, "Come on, you slowpoke."

My smile only widened as I noticed a small grin flicker on Jughead's face before changing back to apprehensive once he unlocked the door.

"Jughead," FP looked up from the baseball game, setting down a bottle of beer on a table cluttered with other bottles with different names. I smiled at him, nervous to formally speak to him. We had always seen each other in passing but never truly talked to each other.

"Dad, this is Adelaide Cooper-Blossom, my girlfriend," Jughead smiled, making sure that my body was slightly behind mine as he eyed the many different alcohol bottles on the table.

I smile, moving around Jughead, and bringing my hand out for FP to shake, "Hello, Mr. Jones. Nice to officially meet you."

FP smiled at me, shaking my hand while sending Juggie a wink. He turned to the couch and began cleaning the room a bit, "Take a seat, wherever."

Jughead looked at the couch in disgust, "This isn't really a social call. We know the Serpents had some kind of drug thing going on with Jason Blossom," Jughead deadpanned. I awkwardly stood at Jughead's side, not knowing my place in the conversation.

"Where did you hear that?"

"My brother, Jason's girlfriend, Polly who happens to be my sister..." I tell him. Fp stared at me, amused, at how effortlessly I said the sentence.

Most people were shocked by how I managed to communicate with both sides of my family since they were so different.

"The kid needed some money to get away. A clean-cut kid like that, no one's gonna suspect him of running, so we helped him, he helped us," FP sighed. I kept my composure as I listened while FP's dad ruined the perfect image of Jason that I had always had. It was still hard to believe that my brother was doing all of this behind Cheryl and my back.

"Jeez, Dad. Did you tell the cops that?"

"What do you think?"

"Well, they know now," Jughead said, annoyed by the news, "Polly told them. So if they haven't been by yet, they will be...Did you ever talk to Jason? Personally?"

FP shook his head 'no,' "My guys gave him some product. When it wasn't delivered, we figured he'd took off with our stash, until-"

"Until Jason's body was found at Sweetwater River," I finish, grimly remembering the image.

"Anything else you wanna ask?" He looked at Jughead who was turned away from us, looking around the trailer. I knew he was upset to see his dad still drinking. Jughead looked at his dad with a stoic expression, "Dad, you kill Jason Blossom?"

"You really think I could do that?"

"It's the Dark Ages, dad. I don't really know what to think anymore," Jughead looked at his father with a hardened expression.

"I'm not a perfect father, Jughead. No getting around that. But I'm no killer."

Jughead seemed to be satisfied with his answer because he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the trailer without another word. I quickly turned to look at FP before saying a quick goodbye.

He quickly walked over to the car before looking at me, "Do you think he did it?" He was looking at me just like Nana Rose did, trusting me to know the truth.

I respond without hesitation, "No." I don't believe that Fp killed my brother, but I have a feeling that whoever did was someone he trusted.

Jughead shook his head, "I believe you."

I bite my red-stained lips, holding back my grin, "Thanks, Romeo."

Jughead brings my head up towards him before we both kiss. The kiss is slow and passionate, trusting. Jughead pulls away way too soon for my liking before opening the door for me, "Romeo?" He tests the name out before shrugging, wrapping his arm around me, "I like it."

I nod rising on my toes to give his nose a small peck, "Me too."

~❃~

I silently walked into the house, hoping that I didn't get caught by Mom for staying out past my bedtime. I was about to walk up the stairs but, I paused, hearing Hal's voice from the basement.

"Alice."

I hear him grunt and I assume mom pushes him, I continue walking up the stairs, "Bastard! So you did to Polly exactly what you did to me? To Adelaide?"

I pause hearing my name, Hal's voice grows louder and I can clearly hear the disgust in his voice, "See, this is why I didn't involve you, for this very reason. I knew that you would overreact."

"Honey, you weren't ready, okay? And we just had Betty. Polly isn't ready right now."

"We were sending her to the Sisters. Why wasn't that enough?"

"Because of exactly what is happening right now," I hear Hal shout, "Our little girl's life is being ruined by that mistake. By that family," I hear the disgust in his voice, "Polly is moving home, into this house, where she belongs."

"The hell she is, Alice! 'Cause I will not be party to raising a child that has, Blossom blood," I hear the malice in his voice as he spits, "I barely managed, Adelaide, who we both know was a mistake."

Tears begin to cloud my vision. All I can hear is my heartbeat while I listen to my mom shout at Hal.

I carefully push myself off the wall, I didn't realize I had been leaning on, grabbing my phone. I rush out of the house before, mom or Hal can catch me. Not wanting to be in a house where I am unwanted.

I go to the only place I know I have never been unwanted. I lightly knock on the door, knowing that they are still up.

I watch as the door creaks open, I look up at Mr. Andrews tired expression, which immediately dissolves as he looks at my tear-stained face.

"I-I," I try to explain what happens, but I can't speak as my words become blubbered by my tears. Mr. Andrews doesn't question me, just pulling me into his arms and giving me a hug, "It's okay."

I clutch onto his plaid shirt as I let out all the pain that I was feeling. Mr. Andrews had always been the closest thing that I have had to a father. He was always nearby, and since Archie and I have been friends before birth, he has known me since I was an infant. Whenever I needed a shoulder to cry on, he was always there, and I knew he watched out for me.

"AJ?" I heard Archie's voice and pulled away from Mr. Andrews to see him looking at me, confused before noticing the tears that had just stopped running down my face.

Jughead clambered down the stairs behind him, "Dude, ready to kill some zombies?" Jughead looked at Archie before his eyes fell on me, "Oh my god. Juliette," Jughead quickly walked down the stairs before immediately pulling me into a hug, "Is everything okay?" he whispered.

I shake my head, burying myself in his chest and allowing myself to relax as I breathe in his scent. I pull away turning to look back at Mr. Andrews, Jughead's arms still wrapped around my waist, "Can I stay here tonight? I promise that I will be heading to the Blossom's as soon as the sun rises tomorrow."

Mr. Anrew holds up his hand, stopping me from continuing, "Adelaide, you know that you are like a daughter to me. You can stay as soon as you like. Take the guest bedroom upstairs." I notice Mr. Andrews giving Jughead a look that screams 'you touch her you die.' I think Juggie got the message as well because he moved his hands from my waist and simply grabbed my hand in his rubbing it gently. I knew he was concerned.

I smile gratefully before retiring to the bedroom, exhausted by the turn of events. But just as I promised, the next day, I left the Andrews house after speaking to Mr. Andrews and telling him what happened. He understood and didn't stop me as I drove over to the Blossom's house.