Chapter Text
EVERY LITTLE GIRL dreams of her wedding day. Betty Cooper was no exception to this. She'd been planning hers since she was nine.
She had everything down to a T: vanilla for the cake flavor, hydrangeas for the floral arrangements, and Archie Andrews as the groom, though she'd never admit that aloud.
Now, thirteen years later, things couldn't be further from her plans. There were no hydrangeas, the cake was red velvet, and Betty was not the bride.
Betty felt a dull ache in her chest as she watched Archie nervously fidget with his tie. This wedding had proved to be more draining then she'd expected and being apart of the wedding party certainly didn't help.
She'd helped Veronica pick out her dress, attended her bachelorette party, and she'd done it all with a smile on her face.
However, being a bridesmaid wasn't the only reason she'd been playing such an active role in the wedding.
Something tugged at her dress. "Mama?" A voice cried out from behind her.
She glanced down and her eyes widened. "Freddie! What's wrong?"
He bursted into tears. "I'm scared! What if I ruin papa's wedding?"
Betty scooped him up into her arms and hugged him tightly. "Don't even worry about that! You're gonna do great." She reassured.
He shook his head, lip quivering. "No! I can't do it." He wailed, grabbing the attention of a couple guests. They shot her dirty looks.
"You've practiced so many times! You can practically do it in your sleep." Betty pretended to drift into a deep sleep, letting out a loud snore. This got a laugh out of him.
"Hey. What's going on?" Behind her stood a worried Archie Andrews.
"Freddie's getting cold feet about his role in the wedding." She explained. They exchanged knowing looks. Freddie was notorious for backing out of things at the last minute.
"Ah, I see." He took him from Betty's arms and into his own. "Buddy, you're gonna be the best ring bearer ever! Even if you mess up I'm still gonna be so proud of you."
Betty smiled at this. The pain in her chest was always most noticeable when she watched Archie with Freddie.
Archie glanced at his watch, his eyes widening. "Okay it's time!" He placed Freddie back on the ground and smiled. "You're gonna do great!"
Freddie nodded reluctantly before slinking away to take his place in the wedding.
"Good luck sweetie." Betty called out, giving him a thumbs up.
Archie ran his palms over his suit, clearly nervous. "How do I look?" He asked.
She straightened his crooked bow tie. "Very handsome." She teased and he grinned at her.
"I guess I better get up there." He glanced at the altar but stayed put. "I just wanted to say thank you for all your help."
Another pang in her chest. "It's no problem Archie. I'm happy to help." More Lies.
His watch began beeping. "Okay then! Here goes nothing." He gave her a swift kiss on the cheek before heading to the front.
Betty entered with the wedding party, standing alongside the other bridesmaids. A big smile spread across her face as Freddie walked down the isle with the rings. Contrary to his beliefs, he did great.
Then Veronica entered and the smile quickly wiped off her face. She was a stunning bride and based on the look on Archie's face, he agreed.
"Dearly beloved. We are gathered her today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony."
Archie was getting married. Betty had to do something, anything: object or tell him how she felt but she couldn't. He was happy.
She would get through the ceremony with a smile on her face and a broken heart.
______
Three years earlier
She needed to say it. She had to tell him. "I'm pregnant Archie." She blurted out.
Betty slapped a hand across her forehead. She couldn't tell him like that! She had to ease him into it. She took note of this for her next attempt.
Betty had been practicing how she'd deliver the news for over an hour but every attempt fell flat. There really wasn't a good way to tell your former hookup that he knocked you up.
She hadn't originally planned on telling him. She was going to handle it discreetly and get an abortion. He'd never be the wiser.
However, she couldn't do that. She already had enough to feel guilty about. She also had an abundance of problems and she didn't need to add lying on top of that.
Before she lost her nerve, she headed straight to Archie's house. She needed to rip off the bandaid. She sent him a quick text, giving him a heads up that she was coming over.
"Hey. What's up?" Archie was waiting for her on his porch and Betty felt her confidence diminish. What was she doing? She couldn't tell him yet! She needed to practice more.
He waved a hand in front of her face playfully when she remained silent. "Betty? You there?"
"I- I have to tell you something." She gasped out and Archie's eyes widened.
He must of heard the trembling in her voice because he closed the distance between them to put a comforting hand on her arm. "Hey, what is it? You're worrying me."
She shook her head, unable to find the words. This was a mistake. Her false bravado had failed her; she was freaking out.
"Betty? Talk to me. What's wrong?" He questioned. Betty knew she was worrying him but she didn't know what to say.
"I- I don't know how to tell you this." Her voice was choked back, tears springing to her eyes.
"Hey, hey! It's alright." He led her to the stairs of his porch and they sat down. "Breathe Betty." He demonstrated, taking a deep breath in and out and she did the same.
He let out a nervous laugh. "You're kinda freaking me out here. Did someone die?" She shook her head and he relaxed a little.
"No, nothing like that." She met his eyes and she felt her throat close up again, the words sitting on the tip of her tongue.
"You can talk to me. Whatever it is we'll get through it together." He comforted. "Okay?"
She nodded. "Okay." Archie gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze as she took a few more deep breaths.
"Do you remember when we were-" Betty felt heat rush to her cheeks. "When we were hooking up." She concluded.
Archie's eyes widened, a blush of his own appearing. "Yes, that's kinda hard to forget. Why?" He asked.
"Um, well, I guess we didn't take the right precautions or something wasn't entirely effective because..." She trailed off.
"Because?" Archie repeated, still clueless. Betty wanted to slap him across the head. Did he not have any inference skills?
She was sick of beating around the bush. "I'm pregnant Archie." She confessed.
Betty quickly buried her face in her hands so she wouldn't see his reaction. Things were so quiet that she thought he might've fainted. She snuck a look at him through her hands. He was rigid.
"Say something." She pleaded.
"You're pregnant." He repeated, his voice full of disbelief. She simply nodded.
"Shit." He breathed out.
Betty nodded in agreement. That seemed like an appropriate reaction. "Yeah, shit."
He abruptly stood up and began pacing. "Betty, I proposed to Veronica last night." He confessed and Betty felt her heart sink.
She hadn't practiced a response for that.
______
The last person Betty expected to be at her ultrasound was Veronica. She shot Archie an annoyed look but he simply smiled apologetically.
She hadn't thought about Veronica's role in this whole fiasco. It was naive to think she wouldn't play a role in the baby's life but Betty's pregnancy too?
"Veronica! Archie!" She put on her best smile despite the awkwardness of the whole situation. Archie's baby mama in one corner and his fiancé in another. What a mess.
Veronica wrapped her into a tight hug. "Betty! I want you to know I'm totally on board with this pregnancy. I'll support you in any way I can.”
"Thanks V, that means a lot." Before an awkward silence could ensue her name was called. Thank god.
"Betty Cooper." A voice called out, letting her know it was time for her appointment.
"Ronnie, maybe you should stay here. I don't want Betty to feel overwhelmed." He explained. This earned him a withering glare from Veronica.
"It's okay V. You'll barely miss anything. It's just standard stuff today." Betty chimed in and Veronica nodded reluctantly.
As soon as they got into the room Betty settled comfortably on the examination table. Archie stood next to her. The look on his face could only be described as nervous.
"You okay?" She asked.
His eyes widened as if he hadn't been expecting that question. "Yeah, I'm good. This is all still so crazy to me." He explained.
"Trust me, I get it. Although it can't be crazier than the cults, bears, and serial killers we've dealt with. In fact, this might be the most normal thing that's happened to us." She joked and Archie laughed, his shoulders finally relaxing.
"Yeah. I guess you're right about that." He said, grinning.
The nurse finally entered the room and they both quieted down. "Okay! Hi, I'm Jessica. I'll be doing your first ultrasound."
"I'm gonna have you bring your shirt up." Betty obliged, lifting her shirt above her stomach. "I'm gonna put some warm gel on your stomach okay? It's gonna help us get a clear picture of the baby." Jessica motioned towards the monitor.
Betty nodded. "Okay."
Betty tensed as the nurse rubbed the gel on her stomach. She then picked up the probe and began rubbing it in circles on her stomach.
"And there's your baby!" She exclaimed pointing at a blob on the monitor.
Betty stared at it in awe, her eyes welling up with tears. Seeing it on the monitor had made it suddenly feel a lot more real. "Wow." She breathed out, practically speechless.
She glanced at Archie who like herself, stared at the monitor in complete fascination. Despite the craziness of it all, Betty found herself smiling.
"If I zoom in I can get a heart tracing." On the monitor something bounced up and down. "That's the heart!"
Betty swiped at her watery eyes. "That's so crazy." She whispered.
"Yeah, it really is." Archie muttered, his eyes glued to the monitor.
She wasn't sure when it had happened, she'd been so distracted by the ultrasound, but Archie's hand was now intertwined in hers. He squeezed it tightly and she squeezed back.
The nurse continued to point things out and explain them but Betty only heard parts of it. Before she knew it the ultrasound was over and her and Archie were escorted out.
"I can't believe it. It hadn't really hit me that we’re having a baby until now." He confessed and she nodded in agreement.
She let out a breath of air, she hadn't realized she'd been holding in. "Holy shit."
He laughed incredulously and Betty found herself laughing with him. “Arch, thanks for coming with me. I don't think I could've handled this alone." She admitted.
Archie smiled softly at her, grabbing her hand once again and squeezing it. "Of course Betty."
"Archie! Betty!" Veronica strode towards them and Archie quickly dropped Betty's hand. "How did the ultrasound go?"
"It was fine. We got some pictures." Veronica squealed with excitement as Betty handed them to her.
As she gushed over the photos, Betty wondered what the hell she had gotten herself into.
_____
Betty cradled the plastic baby in her arms as the instructor scrutinized her. "Am I doing it right?" Betty asked her.
"Make sure you hold the head up." Archie interjected from behind her and the instructor smiled in approval.
"Suck up." Betty elbowed him and he grinned. "Where did you learn that anyways?"
"Parenting books. I've read like twenty of them." He boasted. He was clearly proud of himself and it made Betty laugh.
"Well color me impressed. I never thought I'd see the day Archie Andrews willingly studied." She teased and he rolled his eyes.
He shrugged. "Hey, this isn't Algebra or Physics. It's a baby. I gotta learn everything about parenting so I don't end up scarring the poor thing."
Betty cradled the head of the plastic baby, adjusting her arms as the instructor passed by again. "And how exactly would you do that?" She asked, genuinely curious.
"Lots of ways: not enough tummy time, failing to pre-burp, mixing up formula. What if I get a bad stroller and it rolls into the street and our poor baby gets ran over?"
Betty bit back a smile. She was about to tease him until she saw how worried he looked. "Hey, are you actually nervous about that stuff?"
He nodded. "I'm terrified Betty." He confessed.
She hadn't expected that. Archie had handled the news about her pregnancy like a pro. He'd always seemed so sure of himself.
She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, the plastic baby now being held with only one arm. "I'm scared too you know but we're in this together."
He squeezed her hand back, nodding. "Yeah, we are, aren't we. Thanks Betty."
_____
"Oh god. I can't do this." She shook her head vehemently. "I can't."
Alice brushed her hair back. "You don't have a choice Betty. That baby can't stay in there forever." She joked. She was trying to lighten the mood but Betty didn’t feel like laughing.
"Where's Archie? I called him over an hour ago." She huddled in pain as another contraction passed over her. "And where the hell is the nurse? I need that epidural."
The door flew open revealing a very panicked Archie Andrews. "Betty! Are you okay? Is the baby okay?" He continued to fire one question after another and Betty wanted to hurl a pillow at him.
"Where the hell have you been!?" She screamed at him and his eyes widened.
"I'm so sorry. Veronica and I had reservations at a restaurant that was like an hour away. I came as fast as I could." He rapidly explained but Betty tuned him out. It had been more a rhetorical question; she didn't actually care.
Betty took a deep breath. "Okay well-" She doubled down in pain. "Ow! Son of a bitch."
Archie ran to her side. "Does it hurt?"
"I'm giving birth Arch, you tell me." She said sarcastically.
He nodded frantically. "That was a dumb question. Sorry." His voice was an octave higher and if Betty weren't in so much pain she would've found it funny.
After another twenty minutes, the nurse finally came in and Betty practically jumped for joy. The epidural had made things way easier.
Now that Betty was settled, Alice let herself venture to get some much needed coffee. It was just her and Archie now and they still had a little more time before she had to deliver.
"We should probably talk baby names now?" She said. They hadn't officially decided on what the baby's name would be though they both had their preferences.
"Good idea. What did you have in mind?" He asked, sinking into the chair next to her.
"Well, if it's a girl I like the names Cassie and Paige." She suggested and he nodded.
"Those are good names. I was thinking Emma." Betty scrunched up her nose. "What you don't like it?"
"I love Emma but it's already such a common name. Our kid would have be called Emma A in class by her teachers to avoid confusion." She explained.
"It's popular for a reason. It's a pretty name." He defended. Well, he had a point there.
"Ok, let's put a pin in that. What about boy names?" She only had one in mind for that one. "If it's a boy, I like Fred or Freddie." She said softly, unsure of how he'd react.
His eyes widened. "You want to name our baby after my father?" He asked in disbelief.
"Well, it feels right. Your dad was not only important to you but to me as well. I really couldn't imagine naming him anything else."
His eyes were wet with tears. "It's perfect. Thank you Betty." He grabbed her hand and held it tight.
"Well, god help us if we have a girl. We can't name her Fred too can we?" They both laughed at that idea.
Their moment of peace was over quickly. "Okay! It's time to start pushing." A nurse exclaimed and Betty's eyes widened.
"Already?" She cast a panicked look at Archie and he squeezed her hand even tighter.
"Yup! Get ready. One two three, push!"
Betty pushed for a grueling three hours before she finally held her baby in her arms. He was so tiny and she never wanted to let him go.
"He's perfect." Betty said, getting a little welled up from her emotions.
Archie hovered beside her, looking at Freddie in absolute awe. "He really is." He whispered.
______
"Come on Freddie. Please stop crying." Betty pleaded. She'd rocked him, fed him, changed his diaper, and nothing. He wouldn't stop crying and quite frankly Betty was on the verge of breaking down too.
"What's wrong baby? Aren't you tired?" Freddie's only response was a loud, ear splitting, wail.
"Betty!" A voice called from downstairs. It was Archie. She'd called him here after they'd reached hour two of non-stop crying.
"In the nursery!" She yelled which clearly upset Freddie even more.
"Hey. What's wrong?" He asked. She simply motioned towards the crying baby.
"He won't stop crying. I've tried everything." Her eyes filled with tears and Archie patted her on the back. Freddie had been difficult with both of them recently so she knew he understood her pain.
He extended his arms. "Here, give him to me." Betty happily passed him over.
"What's wrong Freddie?" He cooed in the baby’s ear, stroking his head softy.
Betty slumped down in the rocking chair, happy to get a break. Archie began humming softly and despite the loud cries, she found herself dozing off to his tunes.
Her sleep hadn't lasted long though. She suddenly felt someone shaking her shoulders. "Hm?" She mumbled, half awake.
"Betty." Archie whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open. "How long was I out for." She asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Twenty minutes. Notice anything different?" He asked.
Betty looked around the room then it hit her. "No more crying!" She exclaimed. They high-fived, the triumph deserved to be celebrated.
She gently shoved his shoulder. "Nice job dad." She complimented and he grinned.
"It was a team effort. I think all that crying tuckered him out. He'll sleep good tonight."
"Yeah, let's hope so. Sorry for bringing you over so late. I just didn't know what to do." She explained, a little embarrassed at her failure.
Archie dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "No problem. I'm happy to help."
She nodded her head towards the door. "Let's get out of here. We don't want to wake him." She whispered and he nodded, obliging.
"Your new place is nice Betty. Although it's weird not being neighbors anymore." He admitted, flopping down on her couch.
"Yeah, well, my mom and Polly didn't love being woken up at two am by Freddie." She explained and he nodded in understanding.
She sat down next to him, laying her head on the cushion. She felt her eyelids getting heavy. "Thanks for coming on such short notice. I don't know how you did it."
He shrugged. "I think Freddie just likes music. A lullaby puts him right to sleep."
"Just like his dad." Betty pointed out and Archie smiled.
She sighed. "You're such a pro at this parenting stuff. I'm so jealous. Its been a month and I still don't know what I'm doing." She confessed.
Archie shook his head. "You've been great Betty. You're an amazing mother." He said. He was being sincere and it warmed Betty's heart.
She smiled at him. "Thanks Arch. Freddie makes it easy. I love him so much."
The look on Archie's face could only be described as fondness but Betty was sure that the intimacy of it was in her head.
"I never thought this is how my life would be. Twenty five, buried in diapers, coparenting with you." She admitted, letting her head drop on his shoulder. She was too exhausted to care.
A serious look crossed his face."It's not exactly where I saw myself either but I wouldn't change it for the world. Would you?" His eyes were so intense and Betty suddenly felt very awake.
She sat up. "I wouldn't." She firmly stated.
Archie held her gaze. "Being here with you, with Freddie, it feels right doesn't it?"
When had his face gotten so close? Had she leaned in or had he? "It does." She whispered.
Archie put a hand on her cheek and she found herself leaning into it. "Betty..." His voice was husky and a shiver racked down her spine.
She wanted him to kiss her but then she thought of Freddie and Veronica. It would only complicate things. "We shouldn't."
Archie's hand dropped and Betty almost wished she hadn't said anything. " I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." He apologized.
She smiled sadly at him. "It's okay Arch. You were just caught up in the moment."
He nodded though he looked unconvinced. "Alright. You get some sleep. I'll take the next shift." He told her and she didn't protest.
She drifted into a peaceful sleep, dreaming about Archie and Freddie. They were all together, a family. She almost didn't want to wake up.
_____
The night before Archie's wedding
"Archie! What are you doing here?" She asked.
It was the middle of the night. Archie slumped on the frame of the door and Betty's eyes widened. "Are you drunk?"
"Yes, a little. We went overboard with the bachelor party." He admitted. His eyes flew open and he gave his best puppy eyes. "Please don't tell Veronica!"
She laughed. "Don't worry about that. Just come inside so we can sober you up."
He fell face first on her couch. "Thanks Betty. You're the best." He said, his voice muffled from the cushions.
"Can I ask why you didn't go home to Veronica?" She raised a brow at him.
"It's bad luck to sleep with the bride the night before the wedding." He explained. "I personally don't believe in those omens but Ronnie does so here I am."
"Ah, I see." She fished for a blanket in her closet. "Well, why don't you go take a cold shower and change into some more comfortable clothes."
He let out a groan. "I'm too tired Betty. Please let me sleep." He pleaded.
"Fine." She rolled her eyes. "I swear sometimes you act more childish than Freddie."
A silly grin took over his face. "That kid's the best. We really got a good one didn't we?" He said, his voice softer now.
Betty smiled. "Yeah, we really did."
Found it! She took a blanket out of the closet and gently placed it on Archie. "You should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow." She reminded.
She turned to go but Archie held her sleeve. "Arch, I have to get some rest. You aren't the only one in the wedding." She scolded, using her mom voice.
He sat up letting the blanket fall off him. "I just have to say it. Just once Betty."
Her heart pounded in her chest. "Say what?"
"I want you." Betty's eyes widened. "When I'm with Veronica, I find myself wanting to be here with you and with Freddie."
She let out a sigh. "That's normal Arch. This joint custody thing is hard. Trust me, I know. I miss him everyday when he's with you." She explained, rationalizing his words.
He shook his head. "No, you aren't getting it. I want us to be a family. I want us all to be together. I love you and I love Freddie."
Three years ago, these words had been all she wanted to hear but now things were more complicated. He was engaged and they had a kid together.
"Arch, you're drunk." She mumbled, her face heating up from the confession.
"I am." He nodded. "But you know what they say a sober man's words are a drunk man's thoughts." He paused for a second, frowning. "Wait, I said that wrong."
She bit back a smile despite the seriousness of the situation. "The appeal of family can be very influential. I don't think you know what you're saying." She told him.
Archie shook his head. "It's not just Freddie though. I miss you too. Everything that kid does reminds me of you. From his eyes to the way he wrinkles his nose."
She shook her head, her patience wearing thin. "So you don't love Veronica anymore? Are you still marrying her tomorrow?"
He was quiet and Betty nodded. "That's what I thought." She whispered, holding back tears.
"Wait Betty." He got up, wobbling a little. "What does this mean for us?"
"I can't be with you. Not only will it make things complicated with Freddie but it's clear that you still love Veronica."
He swayed on his feet a bit. "I do but that doesn't mean I don't love you-"
"That doesn't matter. It's not enough." She stated firmly.
He shook his head, still determined. "What could be better for Freddie then having two parent who are together. We could be a family."
She wanted to believe him. All she wanted was to be with him, to be a family, but he was drunk. He was slurring his words and stumbling and she couldn't take him seriously.
"Goodnight Archie." She said, a note of finality in her tone. She rushed upstairs, ignoring his pleas as she resisted the urge to cry.
The next morning, everything was normal. Betty figured he remembered nothing. He'd been pretty drunk. Last night may have been just a fuzzy memory to him but it was engraved in Betty's brain. As she watched them exchange their vows, Betty replayed their conversation from last night over and over again.
"Are there any objections?" The officiator asked, glancing around the room.
Betty felt the words building up, 'I object'. She had to say them, maybe she still had a chance, but then she saw the smile on Archie's face. She couldn't do it. She couldn't ruin their happiness.
"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
She'd done the right thing. That's what she kept telling herself but that didn't stop her from feeling like crap.