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Rebound Love	By : sandyl666 Category: Comics > Archie & Co. Views: 13319 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The comics Archie and Co, with its plot, characters, setting, etc does not belong to me. I guess they belong to John L. Goldwater, and a few others but I'm unsure. I make nothing by writing this fiction, and I don't plan to.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
Chapter 21

“The foetus looks healthy,” Dr Philipson commented, pointing to the screen. “Very healthy. Nothing you need to worry about, Miss Cooper,”
“Oh good,” Betty smiled. “I'm glad,”
Dr Philipson continued to talk as Betty stared at the ultrasound screen at her child. Her child... nothing gave her greater joy than tracking the growth of her baby.
It didn't matter if she had to do it alone. Sure, it got lonely, but her child was always there to comfort her. As long as her baby was around, she was never truly alone.
“And shall we schedule another appointment for... two weeks from now?”
“That sounds good,” Betty smiled.
She exited the OBGYN clinic and her smile faded. It was the end of winter now. A long, dreary winter. She stared up at the overcast sky, thinking of the day she left Riverdale. Betty had been terrified of someone coming after her. Namely someone who wanted her to have an abortion. She didn't even bother waiting for a flight. She'd rented a car, and driven all the way back to Los Angeles.
It had been one of the worst times of her life. She'd cried and cried during the trip. Sometimes to the point that she would have to stop by the roadside because her vision was so obscured. But no matter what she was going to have the baby – that's what she'd decided.
When she'd gotten back to her apartment, she'd given Trevor express instructions not to give her address out. Also to give her a break from her career, which he'd resented but when he'd found out the reason why, he'd managed to get her out of one season of filming. Yet still managed to keep her contract with the studio.
Trevor was a lifesaver, she knew.
Betty picked up a few groceries from the store before heading home. As she entered her lobby, she heard someone arguing with the security.
“Do you know who I am?” A familiar voice said, and she froze up. “How dare you deny me entry!”
Betty sighed as she spotted a brunette. No way out.
“I'll get you fired, you-”
“Hi Grant,” Betty interrupted, causing Veronica Lodge to wheel around and her wrathful expression to melt away. “Sorry about her,”
“No problem at all, ma'am,” Grant answered with a lopsided grin – he was the somewhat obese security guard that manned the reception of their lobby. His job mainly revolved around entertaining guests and watching the screens of the apartment hallways in case he catches any emergency. He usually just watched football though.
Betty smiled at Grant, before diverting her attention the to the brunette with a clearly pregnant belly, and her redheaded husband, who looked embarrassed at the scene his wife had been making.
“Betty!” Ron rushed forward and hugged her best friend, which was difficult to manage when they were both showing. She pulled back and appraised Betty. Namely her clearly pregnant status. “So the rumors are true,”
“Yeah,” Betty sighed, not wanting to go into it further, particularly when Grant was listening in. Though he was very politely pretending he wasn't. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Well, you wouldn't respond to any of my calls, or texts, or postcards, or e-mails, and I got annoyed so we came to visit!” Ron informed her.
“I tried to stop her,” Archie volunteered, at which Ron gave him a look that made him shrink back. Betty laughed. Though Ron was clearly the dominant figure, they looked really and truly happy. That made Betty smile. She had made the right choice. They all had.
“Aren't you guys supposed to be on your honeymoon?” She asked.
“We are,” Archie said.
Betty blinked. “It's been three months since your wedding... isn't it?” Had her memory failed her?
“So?” Ron asked, with a toss of her glossy hair. Betty rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
“Would you like to come up?” She asked the couple.

“Oh! I love your apartment!” Ron strolled in like she owned the place, which would have aggravated anyone else. Not Betty though – she knew Ron through and through and the fact that she always walked into places like that. It's what made her seem so powerful and intimidating in the business she was in.
“Sorry about the mess,” Betty said. “Been trying to baby-proof the place,”
“Not at all. I expect the mansion daddy built us beside his would be about the same,” Ron said in an off-handed manner.
“The... what?”
Ron looked up at Betty from the magazine about baby clothing that she had picked up from the coffee table. “The Lodge II mansion. You didn't think we'd live with daddy, did you?” Ron giggled. “He'd murder Archie before long!”
“Thanks a lot,” Archie made a face. “I happen to know that father thinks of me as his own son,”
“Yes. Which is why he'll show you even less mercy than before,” Ron quipped.
Betty listened to the banter with a smile. “Sit. I'll make some tea,” She gestured to the couches in her leaving room, arranged around a coffee table.
“I'll do it. You two should sit,” Archie volunteered.
“But you don't know where everything is,” The blonde argued.
“I'll figure it out,” Archie said, and promptly headed to where the bathroom was.
“It's the other way,” Betty called, and Archie, beet-red, backtracked and corrected his path. Betty sat and looked at Ron, who was smiling happily at her. “So was the honeymoon everything you dreamed of?”
“And more,” Ron sighed blissfully. “We visited so many places. We went across Europe, then to Asia and we even made a short trip to the Antarctic! The penguins were soooo cute,” She clasped her hands together in her joy. “And then there was our trip to Africa, we saw the lions up close! And I got to touch one! And...” Ron trailed off suddenly, her smile fading. “I'm sorry, Betty. I didn't come here to reminisce and brag about my honeymoon,”
Betty blinked. “You came just to visit, then?”
Ron nodded. “That and...” She leaned forward and placed her hand on Betty's. “I came to check up on you. When you left like that at the wedding... I worried non-stop about you, you know? And then I find out that you changed your cell number,”
Betty didn't say anything. She had to change her number, because she kept getting calls from Reggie. The phone was spending more time off than on as a result. She wished he would just leave her alone. It wasn't like she was going to ask him for payment for the child, he should know her better than that. She wished he would just let her keep the baby and leave them in peace.
“Then a week or so ago, I saw the pictures of you in the tabloids. And you're pregnant, it seems,” Ron went on. Betty looked steadily at the floor, not knowing what to say. She couldn't very well deny it. Ron was silent for a while, and they could both hear the whistling of a kettle from the kitchen. At least Archie had found the kettle. “Is it Reggie's?” Ron asked after a moment's hesitation.
Betty looked up and met her best friend's gaze. “What do you think?”
Ron sighed. “Then why did you leave like that at the wedding?”
“Because he didn't want the baby. He wants me to get an abortion, Ronnie. I can't do that,” The last statement came out as a whisper.
Ron frowned. “How do you know he doesn't want the baby?”
“Because he told me. Oh Ronnie. There's so much I want to tell you, but I can't,” Betty said.
“Tea's ready! I only found green tea. That's alright, right?” Archie appeared almost out of nowhere, somehow managing to hold three mugs. Betty immediately stood to help him – she didn't want him to mess up her carpet and with his track record, she knew he would.
They sipped their tea in silence for a moment, and Betty felt obligated to speak, if only to change the subject. “So, how's the baby? Have you found out the gender?”
Archie and Ron exchanged a grin. “Better,” Archie said, his smile so wide and proud Betty almost hurt for a second. But not because she still held feelings for him. Because she knew her own child wouldn't have that kind of proud father figure.
“What?” Betty asked.
Ron held out what Betty thought was a victory sign at first. Then she realized what it meant, and gasped.
“Twins?!” Betty exclaimed excitedly.
“That's right!” Ron said. Betty couldn't help herself. She stood abruptly, causing some of the tea to slosh in her cup and thankfully land on her coffee table. She set the cup down and tackled Ron, hugging her happily.
“That's so great!” Betty all but yelled.
“I know!” Ron giggled. When Betty pulled back, Ron went on. “And the best thing of all – they're both boys! Daddy's so happy. He won't shut up about how we'll now have two male heirs to the Lodge corporation. As if gender mattered in running the company,” Ron rolled her eyes, but there was unmistakable pride in her eyes as well. She jumped suddenly. “Ooh, they're kicking,” Archie immediately bent over and started rubbing her stomach.
“There there, boys. Come on, don't bother your mom,” He murmured, and Ron smiled at him as he massaged her large bulge. Then she caught Betty's look. Betty wasn't too sure what kind of look she had on. She hoped it wasn't one of resentment, cause that's not how she felt. Maybe it was envy. She wished she had what they did.
“Archie, dear, didn't you have a lunch appointment to get to?” Ron asked. Archie blinked.
“Oh, right, I did,” He glanced at his Rolex wrist watch. “I'm a little early, though,”
“Go and get a present for your friend,” Ron suggested. “We girls need to talk,”
Archie looked from Ron to Betty, then back to Ron. “Uh... Okay. Sure,” Archie pecked Ron on the lips. “I'll come pick you up later, sweetheart,”
“You be careful,” Ron said, kissing his cheek in reply. They were so lovey dovey Betty looked away, smiling. She saw Archie out, who waved goodbye enthusiastically – whether to her or his wife, Betty didn't know.
When she got back, Ron had a serious look on her face. An expression that told Betty that she meant business. “So talk, bestie,”
Betty hesitated. Some things were so private, she didn't know if she should tell Ron. “I don't know, Ron...”
“You're my best friend, Betty. And best friends tell each other everything.”
Betty looked at her for a second, then nodded. She was sick of holding it all in and no matter what, no matter what kind of horrible things Ron may have done to her once, Betty didn't trust anyone as much as she did Ron. “But you have to promise not to be shocked and to regret anything. You're not at fault at all, okay?”
Ron lifted her nose in the air, in an almost exaggerated manner. “Why would I be at fault?” She sniffed the air for dramatic effect.
Betty laughed, before launching into her story. “Ron, Reggie was in love with you. And I was in love with Archie,” All humor vanished from Veronica's face. Whether because of shock or because of the significance of that statement, Betty wasn't sure. She began telling her about their high school plans, recalling how each one was thwarted and how they had to rely on each other for that tough period of time.
“So that's why you two were so close...” Ron murmured. Betty nodded.
She continued, telling her about how they had met again right before the reunion, then made more plans on the plane. Ron actually rolled her eyes and smiled when Betty told her how Reggie had suggested drugging Ron. Ron went silent when Betty told her about the wedding announcement at the reunion.
“And then we got really drunk and it happened,”
“You guys had sex,” Ron said, phrased in a way that told her it wasn't really a question.
Betty nodded. “We weren't going to continue, but somehow, it helped with the heartbreak,” She went on to tell Ron about all their exploits. How they were screwing non-stop. She hesitated to tell Ron about Archie's hesitation with the ticket, but in the end decided that their marriage seemed strong enough. After all, Archie had gone through with it.
Ron nodded. “I know about the ticket. Archie told me,” Betty smiled. Their marriage was definitely strong enough. It didn't even have any secrets.
She then went on to tell her about what happened in the dressing room. How Reggie had a meltdown and sort of forced her. “He did what?!” Ron yelled, getting to her feet.
“Relax, Ron!” Betty said, and it took her a few minutes to cow her friend, who started pacing angrily, wearing a hole in the carpet.
“I'm going to kill him,” Ron murmured.
But when Betty told her about how Reggie broke down and cried at the end, her face softened. Betty then told her about the subsequent days, the sex at the beach, staying at his house, the pregnancy tests and then – the fateful conversation at the wedding.
When Betty was done, the tea was gone. Her throat felt parched, but not because she had spoke so much. Because her whole body hated the words she was speaking, they hurt her too much.
“You know what the worst thing was, Ronnie?” Betty asked after an extended silence, during which they both tried to digest the whole story. Ron didn't answer, but Betty didn't expect her to. “I think... I think I was starting to fall for Reggie as well. I may have...” This part was the most embarrassing, but Betty knew keeping it in would make it worse. “I may have fantasized about us being together. About raising the child together, and being as happy as well... As happy as you and Archie are now,”
“Oh Betty,” Ron's voice broke a little, and Betty saw the glistening tears in her eyes. Ron shifted with some difficulty, until she was hugging Betty. The act broke Betty and she started crying into Ron's shoulder. She drenched Ron's clothes, her beautiful fur jacket from Milan. “Just cry, Betty. Just cry,”
Betty didn't need any encouragement. It took her a long time to finally calm till hiccups.
“I had no idea about all of that...” Ron said quietly when Betty's tears had stopped. “You know what? When our kids are old enough... we need to set them up on a blind date,”
Betty burst out laughing, despite herself. “You're pregnant with twins, Ron. And we don't even know the gender of mine,”
Ron shrugged. “All the better. Your girl, or boy, can take her or his pick,”
“...my boy? Ron, you're pregnant with two boys,” Betty didn't think it necessary to remind her, but Ronnie was talking crazy.
Ron gave her a look. “So? Who knows which way they're going to swing? I don't mind either way and hey, if they do end up going that way, I'd rather it be with the child of someone I know and love,”
Betty shook her head, smiling despite herself. Somehow Ron had managed to dry up her tears. “I love you too, Ronnie. I really do,”
The rest of the day went by in a blink. Ron filled Betty in on what happened during the feast, and Betty told her of her plans for the future, what with the baby on the way.
“I see... It's not safe for you to just live here alone, though,” Ron said.
“Why not?”
“Pregnancy changes a person's body in difficult ways. It's better to have an errand boy around,” Ron paused. “You know what? You can use mine,”
Betty burst out laughing. “What?”
“Yeah, I'm serious. Archie's fantastic you know? He bought me like ten popsicles the other day because I was craving one,” Ron smiled. “Come with us to Lake Mahoe. That's out next destination. I've got a holiday home there. It's going to be spring and it'll be absolutely beautiful,”
“I don't know, Ron...”
“Do you still have feelings for Archie?”
“Not at all!” Betty said, horrified that Ron could even think that.
“Do you have feelings for me then?”
Betty rolled her eyes. “Don't flatter yourself,”
“Then come with us. You'll get your own room and I promise we won't be doing any hanky panky or anything that'll make you uncomfortable,” Ron winked.
Betty considered this. “You're sure I won't be a bother?”
Ron shook her head. “I really want to spend some time with you, Betty. And I think you need it too,”
A smile crept over Betty's face. “Okay,”
“Yes!” Ron squealed. They planned to meet the next Tuesday, when they would set off for the short drive to the lake in first class limousine style. “I better go see Archie,” Ron said then, and Betty looked at the clock.
“Oh. It's so late already. Wow,”
“Yeah,” Ron hugged Betty. “I missed talking to you like this,”
“Me too,” Betty hugged Ron back. “You better go, Archie will worry,”
“See you!” And Ron skipped off, leaving a Betty who was in a significantly better mood in her apartment.

Ron dialed her husband's number as soon as she was out of the lobby of Betty's apartment.
“Hi Archiekins. Yes, it's me. I've left Betty's. No hurry, I can wait. Are you still with your friend?”
“I am. Do you want to talk to him?”
“I do indeed, babe. If you don't mind,” Ron stood by the building. She heard some rustling as Archie passed the phone over.
“So?” came the masculine voice over the phone.
“Reggie? Yeah, I talked to her. And yes, everything is going according to schedule.”
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Rebound Love