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“Betty?!”
She freezes, her son in her arms.
She knows that voice.
It’s a voice that has haunted her memories, her dreams, her nightmares for three years.
A voice she’s heard happy, excited, angry, sad, grumpy, pained.
A voice she’s watched change throughout childhood.
She’s loved it, and she’s hated it by turns.
When she whirls around, she sees them, together.
Archie and Veronica, wearing matching wedding bands and matching expressions of pure shock.
They not only stare at her, but at the blonde child she cradles.
“Betty.” Veronica splutters, moving forward. “Is this – is this your kid?”
Betty swallows, nodding, as Archie and Veronica exchange stunned looks.
She’s been preparing for this moment longer than one should, but it still catches her off-guard.
“Axel, go find your sister on the playground.” She says quietly, gently lowering her son down and letting him waddle off.
“Sister??” Veronica splutters again.
“They’re twins.” Betty offers, glancing at her former friends, who appear frozen. “Um, I guess we have, uh, a lot of catching up to do.”
Veronica scoffs.
“Betty.” Archie scolds, shaking his head. “Seriously, what are you doing here? Why are you back, now?”
The simple question stabs at her heart.
When she abandoned Riverdale three years ago, she knew what she was doing. She knew the pain she was inflicting on the people she loved the most, as well as herself.
Somehow, seeing the betrayal on their faces now, it stings twice as much.
“Look, I know have a lot to explain to you and a lot to apologise for.” Betty exhales. “Just give me some time to take care of the twins and I promise we can sit down and talk everything out.”
“Or…” Veronica suggests, crossing her arms. “We could just do it now. That way we know you won’t run away again.”
Archie raises an eyebrow, challenging her.
“Okay.” Betty gulps, quickly scurrying over to the nearby park bench. They trail after her, and in the few moments of stony silence that follow, she watches her babies play innocently. Her daughter is just out of Archie and Veronica’s view, and she secretly prays it stays that way.
“So…” Veronica tries to say casually, melting her previously hard exterior. “Your son’s name is Axel?”
Betty watches the confusion spread across Archie’s face.
“Wait, Axel like the guitar?” He questions, and Betty can’t look him in the eyes.
“Yes, he’s named after it. My daughter Adrienne is named after the writer, but we call her Addie.”
“That’s a pretty name. They both start with A.” Veronica muses, before sharpening her attention. “We?”
They look at her expectantly, and Betty’s heart sinks.
“My mom and I.” She confirms, looking away.
“So… there’s no dad in the picture?” Veronica presses unashamedly, and Archie stares intently.
Betty’s mouth opens to answer, but nothing comes out. The longer she stays silent, the more Archie and Veronica search her face in confusion.
“Hello, Betty?” Veronica laughs awkwardly.
“I’m sorry I just – ” Betty trails off as Addie wobbles over to the slide right in front of them, her flaming red hair blowing in the wind.
Veronica gasps, and Archie does a double take.
“Shit.” Betty breathes. Veronica stands abruptly.
“Okay, call me crazy, but your daughter either has very strong Blossom genes or… well, no, that can’t be right!” Veronica laughs, shaking her head and sitting back down. “That’s impossible.”
Betty watches Archie’s shocked face. He pushes himself up, squinting at Addie, and one look at her caramel eyes has him turning red. Betty gulps as he sits back down, shaking.
“You know somehow, I don’t think that’s impossible actually.” He says angrily, crossing his arms and glaring at Betty.
Veronica widens her eyes.
“Okay, you know what?” She giggles nervously, standing back up again. “I think I’m going to go on a walk. I think that’s a really good idea for everyone.”
Betty and Archie’s eyes remained locked as she strides away.
“Betty.” He says. “Just tell me now. Please. I have to know.”
Betty swallows, looking at her feet. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You know what I mean!” He explodes, agitatedly running his hand through his hair. He takes a few deep breaths.
“Please, Betts.” He breathes, using her nickname, and Betty snaps up, meeting his eyes.
“Is that – is that my child? Is that my daughter?” He stutters emotionally. “Are those my kids?”
“Yes.” Betty answers, voice breaking.
He nods, blinking back tears.
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”