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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
- 27
- 28
- 29
Chapter 28

“Betty!” Ron waddled over to Betty as Archie trailed after her, lugging her many bags. The brunette enfolded the blonde in a hug. Another awkward one. Ron was getting huge.
By Betty's calculations, Ron had to be close. Maybe eight months.
She looked down at Ron's expanded waist. “You look good. How are the twins?”
“Fantastic. The doctor says everything is going swell. Not even a sign of them being premature, which is great!” Ron said as they walked hand-in-hand to the car. Reggie greeted Archie and helped him carry the many bags as they walked the short trip from the airport to Reggie's car. “How about you? Is little Graham okay?”
“Yeah. We just got back from a check-up, actually,” Betty said. “Apparently my baby's perfectly fine,”
“Good, good,” Ron said. “I can't believe you two are getting married in this little town though. It's not too late for us to get back to the Lodge Hotel and I could throw a real wedding ceremony for you two,”
“No thanks, Ron. Also, it's a city, not a town,” Which was true. The city was near Maroon Dells, the villa they had been staying at. They'd visited it a few times, for groceries and for her check-ups. There was a large church hall there, and a hotel nearby. “It was all I could do to persuade Reg not to drive us to Vegas to get married there,” Betty rolled her eyes, recalling Reggie's groans.

“Do we have to?” He had asked when she'd asked to rent the church hall plus a few rooms to house their close friends and family.
“Yes, we do,”
“But Vegas would be less hassle!”
“...Do you want to get married or not?”
He sighed, and resigned himself to his fate. “Fine,” He had said aloud. “Not sure why I'm getting married to a tyrant,” He had muttered under his breath, then shot her an innocent look when she glared at him.
Reggie had to be expecting it when she tackled him.

“Vegas?” Ron exclaimed in horror.
“Stop telling on me,” Reggie frowned as the men caught up to them. Ron slapped him across the chest anyway.
“You better treat this girl right, or else,” She told him, the warning tone in her voice making Betty's eyebrows rise. All semblance of teasing left Reggie's face.
“I will,” he said. Ron held his gaze for a moment, then nodded.
“Will you get the door for me, Archiekins?” She smiled sweetly at her husband, who was laden with bags. Distressed, but unable to deny his wife's request, Archie tried to juggle all the bags as well as open the door for Ron, who really only had one purse.
Reggie and Betty had to stifle their laughter as Ron yelled at Archie for dropping her limited edition Prada suitcase.
“Some things never change,” Reggie commented. Betty giggled, and grasped his hand, which he promptly held to his mouth and kissed gently.
“No, I guess not,” She commented.

By that night, everyone had arrived at the hotel and were at the restaurant, chattering excitedly for the wedding the next day.
Among them was the Riverdale gang of course, who had dropped everything to be there. Dilton and his wife, Midge, Moose, Nancy, Chuck, Ethel, Jughead. Then there were Reggie's parents.
“Betty!” Vicky had hugged Betty the moment she saw her, dabbing at her eyes. “Oh, I'm so happy. The moment I saw you, I knew I wanted you as a daughter in law, but I thought you deserved better,”
“Mom,” Reggie groaned.
Vicky ignored him. “But I'm so happy now. Too happy,”
Betty's mom had a similar reaction. “We heard all that news about you two. They were all just rumors, right?” Alice asked after all the hugs were given.
“Pretty much,” Reggie lied, placing a hand on his fiancee's waist, more for him than her. All of the Coopers were glaring at him.
“This isn't just a farce, is it? Some formality you're forcing on my sister?” Polly growled.
“Polly!” Alice gasped.
“No, I want to know this too,” Chic said, one of his hands on his son's head. His wife looked between him and her sister-in-law, seeming torn. “This is what you want, right, Bets? You don't have to do anything you don't want to, you know,”
“I know,” Betty said with a nod. “But I want this, guys,” She gripped the hand at her waist tightly. “More than you'll ever know,”
After a pregnant, thoughtful pause, Hal spoke. “I don't know about you guys, but that's good enough for me,”
Reggie breathed a soft sigh of relief as all the glares vanished. Chic even held out a hand to him.
“Welcome to the family, bro,” He'd said, and Reggie had taken it, trying not to wince at the firm grasp of Chic's handshake.
“Thanks,” Reggie said.
Both Trent and Chris showed up as well. Partly as friends, and partly to control the media getting hold of information of the wedding. There were some other relatives who Betty and Reggie had felt obligated to invite, plus a couple of close colleagues.
And of course...
“Jason?” Betty blinked, sure she was seeing wrong. “What are you...”
“I invited him,” Reggie informed her. She glanced at Reggie, her mouth dropped open in shock. Reggie released her for a second to stroll forward, then held a hand out to Jason.
Jason stared at it for a second, and Betty held her breath, sure that the redhead would spit on Reggie's hand. But ultimately, Jason shook it.
“Congratulations,” Jason told him without a smile. Reggie just nodded. Once released, Jason made his way to Betty. This time he actually was smiling. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “You look good,”
“Jason... You didn't have to come,” She whispered, guilt taking hold of her heart and squeezing it.
“I know,” Jason nodded tersely. “But I wanted to. I wouldn't have missed out on your wearing a wedding dress for the world, Betty,”
“Oh, Jason,” She said. She wanted more than anything to hug him, but she didn't think that was right. For him, for her and for the man she was about to marry.
He seemed to sense it too, and merely took her hand so he could press his lips to her knuckles. “Now, time for me to mix with some Townies,” He winked at Betty, then made his way to the Riverdale gang. Betty watched him go, her guilt alleviating somewhat.
She did sigh, though, a mourning sigh that Reggie caught. He enfolded her in a hug from behind and kissed her forehead. She nuzzled him back. She was sad for Jason... but she wasn't about to let his efforts go to waste by being miserable about her choice.
The couple looked on at all their loved ones.
“I think tomorrow's going to be great,” Betty stated as she watched them all laugh. All past hostility had disappeared – the gang had even welcomes Jason heartily.
“Me too,” Reggie said. “Think you'll get cold feet?”
“Surprisingly, not at all,” she said. “I want to marry you, Reggie Mantle,” She paused. “Why, you getting cold feet? You were a pretty infamous player. Scared to be tied down to one woman?” she teased.
He laughed and kissed the top of her head. “Not at all. Because after all, I'm marrying the right one,”

Betty had to spend the night sharing a room with her sister. Her parents had not been comfortable with the thought of them staying in the same room the night before the wedding – even though she was already pregnant – and had insisted on her rooming with Polly instead.
When morning came, all the women flocked to her room. She didn't have any bridesmaids. Not that it was anything personal. It was just that the wedding was so small, if she asked them all to be her bridesmaids, there would be no one sitting in the pews.
Ron did get the Maid of Honor position, though, as would be expected. Ron donned the title with joy.
“Nervous, Betty?” Ethel asked as she worked on Betty's hair. There had been a salon on in town, but Betty had hesitated. She didn't know about the quality of their work, but she did know the quality of her friends' work.
She trusted them to do a good job. Nancy was collaborating with Ethel on her hair, while Midge was going to do the make-up. Ron was watching over them, making comments when she felt like it. She wanted to help, but couldn't due to her pregnancy. Polly had left them to get some privacy, though they had asked her to stay. She'd wanted to play with her nephew more as she rarely got to see Chic's son.
“Not really,” Betty confessed. “It feels kind of like it's just a formality. I feel like I'm already married to Reggie,”
“God, I can't believe you ever denied being in a relationship with Reggie,” Nancy muttered.
Betty didn't say anything to do that. She pondered telling them about the one thing that concerned her a little in regards to her relationship with Reggie. “...He hasn't said I love you to me yet,” Betty confessed.
All the women gasped. “No!” Midge actually exclaimed.
“Yeah,” Betty said with a small smile. “But it doesn't matter. I know he loves me. I don't need words,”
“Liar,” Ron said. “Every girl likes to be reassured verbally,”
“What Ron said,” Nancy seconded. “He needs to say it,”
“He will,” Betty argued. “I'm sure he will. Some time. But this is Reggie we're talking about. The fact that he's actually settling down is incredible,”
“I agree,” Ethel said. “You're right, Betty. I'm sure it's just a matter of time,”
Ron stood to her feet, a look of displeasure on her face. “Well, I for one think that's not good enough,” And true to her nature, she marched out the room, her nose in the air. It was a little marred by the fact that she had to waddle, though.
Betty watched her leave, amused.
“Okay, girls, we've got an hour to get this bride ready! Let's do this!” Midge pep-talked the other girls. Betty laughed at them, but they were dead serious about the matter.

Betty felt her breath catch as she walked down the aisle. She was so nervous her heart was thumping. They hadn't been able to do any rehearsals, of course, since everyone had arrived only yesterday. And they'd figured they wouldn't need one, since it was such a small wedding. Betty was beginning to regret that.
They hadn't had time to let her see her reflection in the mirror either, so she had no idea how she looked. Everyone was staring at her. Their small wedding was really tiny, though. Only half the pews in the small church was filled up. That helped calm her down a little.
From the way Reggie beamed when he saw her, though, she assumed her friends had done a good job with her hair and make-up. And getting her into the dress Ron had bought once Betty had told her that she would be marrying Reggie. Another Giotto original which Betty adored. A strapless, sweeping creation of ruffles and white fabric roses that accentuated her pregnancy rather than concealing it.
“Everything's okay, sweetie,” Hal whispered to her as he patted the gloved hand in the crook of his elbow, seeming to sense her tension. Behind them, Charlie, Chic's son grasped the little pillow that held their wedding rings, seeming nervous as he walked down the carpet.
Betty knew how he felt.
“But everyone's staring at me,” She whispered back. Hal gave her an odd look.
“You're the bride, sweetheart. Of course everyone is staring at you,”
The logic of his statement didn't even reach her, and she was relieved beyond words when she finally got to the front. She all but rushed to Reggie, but controlled herself, not wanting to offend her father. She kissed Hal on the cheek, before making her way to her fiance. She looked back at the audience as she did so, noting where each of her friends and family sat. She noticed Jason sitting next to Polly, and smiled to herself. She hoped something would happen there. She couldn't think of a better match for either of them.
“Dearly beloved-” The priest began, and she took a deep breath to calm herself. She didn't feel like running away or anything, but her knees felt wobbly. Reggie's grip on her was comforting though, and she concentrated on that.
“Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church,” She only partially heard the priest saying.
And then Reggie was talking.
“Elizabeth Cooper, I know things haven't always gone well between us, but I want you to know that no matter what I love you,” Her breath caught in her throat, and she could barely conceal her gasp. She heard a sob from the pews, but couldn't look away from Reggie to see who it came from. “I love you, Blondie. I love everything about you. I love how you're strong. I love how you cook like a dream, how you love animals and how you always give a hundred percent to any task you undertake. I love you, Bets, and that why I, Reginald Mantle, take you, Elizabeth Cooper, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.”
She could scarcely breathe as the priest cleared his throat, signaling her to say her part. “Oh, Reggie, I love you too,” She couldn't help her breathless swoon. He grinned and she swallowed to prevent her girly chattering to come flowing out of her. “I have nothing more to say beyond the fact that I love everything about you, including how much you love your own reflection and how much you love praising yourself. I love how much pride you have and honestly – I think that's the best thing about you. I, Elizabeth Cooper, take you, Reginald Mantle, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
The applause was deafening, quite a feat considering how few attendees there were. They were so excited they pretty much ignored the fact that the priest was still speaking. Charlie came up to the couple, blinking shyly at them, and then Reggie slipped her ring on her.
And Betty did the same to him.
Then he was kissing her, and she felt herself sinking into his strong arms, happier than she had ever been in her entire life.
When they were done, they walked down the aisle, only to be told by the wedding photographer to arrange themselves before the church so he could take a wedding photograph of everyone present.
There were a lot of: “Oh, here!”s and “Ow, be careful!”s as well as “Get in front there, shorty!”s.
Eventually, they were arranged into relatively neat rows.
“Say cheese!” The photographer said, and Betty was sure she wouldn't need to. She was so ecstatic she couldn't wipe the smile off her face. “Okay, now a goofy one,”
“I never look goofy,” Reggie professed. But still, he flexed his arms, doing an imitation of a bodybuilder. Unfortunately, Betty was laughing so hard she couldn't pull herself together, and instead that became her hilarious pose.
After the photograph, the recently married couple approached the decorated Land Rover, decked out in ribbons and roses, with a 'Just Married' sign hanging from the back number plate. Reggie opened the door for her and made a sweeping gesture for her to enter before him. Before she did, she made an almighty toss with her bouquet, towards the crowd of squealing women – there were always squealing women when it came to the bouquet toss. To her surprise, it had been her older sister who had gotten the bouquet.
She blushed, and caught Jason's eyes. He went red too, and they both looked away.
Betty giggled, then got into the car. Reggie followed after her and slammed the door. A chauffeur, hired by Ron, started driving them to a restaurant they had booked for the evening as their after-wedding banquet.
“Huh. I guess that means I can call myself the Great Mantle too now,” Betty said, admiring her wedding ring. Reggie snorted.
“Yeah. The lesser, not as good version. No way you can surpass the original, Blondie,” He sneered. But at the same time, he reached out and grabbed her hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb.
“I'm the new and improved. Your model has become outdated, my love,” She told him, making her tone as sweet as possible. His eyes narrowed at her. She laughed, kissing him on the cheek as an – insincere – apology.
“I love you,” He said, touching his forehead to hers.
“I love you too,” was her reply.
At the moment, it didn't seem to matter where they were or who was in the car with them. She leaned forward and kissed him. He was her whole world at that moment, and she knew the feeling was mutual.
After that they cuddled together, content with just that for the moment.

A/N: Just thought I'd notify you guys that we have two chapters left. Going to wrap up things in the last two chapters. Let me know if there was any loose ends that I haven't tied up.
- 27
- 28
- 29
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Rebound Love