Warning: this chapter isn't edited, please tell me if you find any errors, I'm super tired and I can't edit it right now.
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Valentina

The Coopers. The Stepfords of Riverdale. High school sweethearts who got married and had two beautiful daughters, Polly and Betty. 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.

ΨΨΨ

"A baby shower?" I ask, my phone glued to my ear as I pace around my bedroom. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Veronica sighs on the other side of the phone, and I can just feel her rolling her eyes at my words. She is the only one- besides my now restricted group of friends- that understands what I'm feeling. It's not like she's going to ditch Betty for me, but at least she isn't influenced by the blonde and her words against me. One of the things that make me like Veronica more and more every day is the fact she likes to judge people by herself, not needing anyone else's opinion. And she decided I'm a good friend.

For that, I'm happy.

"It is." Veronica says and I sit on my bed. "Think about it, we can make Polly feel happy again and reunite those two families. They have something in common, and that something is growing inside Polly."

"Does she want her parents to come?" I ask, feeling anxious once again. "What about Cheryl and I?"

"I'm not sure about her dad, but she wants her mom there." Veronica sighs again. "Polly actually misses you, Valentina. She told me stories about your past, how you stood up for her when the Vixens starts bullying her for being Jason's girl."

"I did what every normal human being would do."

"But you're more than just a normal human being, sweetie." Veronica adds, a tint of amusement in her voice. "You're king, selfless and funny. I wouldn't have guessed you were one of the richest kids in Riverdale, you're too normal to be one of them."

"Thank you?" I giggle and let her speak, as she has a lot of things to tell me regarding the baby shower tomorrow.

"But but she doesn't want to fight with her mother."

"Understandable."

"She explicitly said she wants the Blossoms there as well." I hear her lay down on her bed. "Cheryl. And Mrs. Blossom."

"Didn't Penelope try to declare her an unfit mother?" I ask, confused.

"Well, she thinks this shower is the perfect opportunity to prove to her that she's capable of raising that child."

"The Coopers are one heck of a complicated family." I run my fingers through my hair and stare at me ceiling. "I have to go, Veronica. There are some things I need to work on before I completely forget about them."

"Good luck, girl." She giggles and ends the call after we say our goodbyes.

I'm finally blessed with silence, my dark room ignited by the moon's soft glow. I sigh, laying my back on the pillows. I'm so tired.

An enormous shadow near my window catches my attention as my eyes slowly survey the room, and I'm on my feet faster than a lighting bolt. My hands fly to the bedside table, but I only find a small notebook to protect myself.

I'm going to die and no one will come to save me. With shaky hands, I slowly walk towards the shadow.

"Who's there?"

"A thief." A voice I would recognize everywhere says with a hint of amusement, and I release the notebook.

"Viktor." I whisper, earning a chuckle from my older brother. "You scared the crap out of me."

"Who else would it be, sis? The boogeyman?"

"These days, even my best friends resemble the boogeyman." Viktor takes a seat beside my head, his hands playing with my blonde hair.

He doesn't question my words, aware of the darkness that is slowly possessing my heart. It's a consequence of the numerous tragedies that have been occurring in my life.

"When are you going to tell mom and dad you're alive?" I ask him, forgetting about my own problems for a while. "Don't you think they'd like to know?

"Father wouldn't care." He says the word 'father' like it burns his tongue. "Mother, on the other hand, would faint with relief."

"Tell her." I look at him from the corner of my eye as I feel the blissful darkness take over my vision.

Before I fall asleep, I feel my brother's soft hand on my hair, caressing it as slowly and carefully as a feather.

"If only you knew." He whispers near my ear, kissing my forehead before his warmth disappears and I'm taken to the blissful land of dreams and happiness.

ΨΨΨ

I'm so tired of school and everyone involved in this useless learning system. We barely learn anything in class, both students and teachers are always more interested in the latest gossips.

Sitting by Reggie's side during the small break after our first class of the morning, I examine our group. Cheryl has her arms around Ginger as they whisper things to each other. I believe I haven't talked to Cheryl in a while, at least without fighting. We've been drifting apart for the past couple of weeks. Reggie and I occupy the largest couch of the small students' room, his arms safely wrapped around my shoulders.

Before I know it, it's time to go back to class and Cheryl is by my side in seconds.

"You're coming to my house after school, we are going to get ready for the baby shower together."

"Oh boy." Reggie sighs and guides me towards the room's doors, as I dread the next couple of hours.

Classes go by faster than I expected. Jughead and Betty ignore me, just like the other Vixens. Anyway, I have all I need right here, with Reggie and my old friends who didn't abandon me when feelings started clouding their thoughts.

Cheryl takes me by the arm once school ends, not giving me a chance to say goodbye to Reggie. He manages to yell over he noise, telling me to give him a call once I'm done.

I'm dragged around the Blossom's palace, being pampered by Cheryl's mother as her daughter makes sure I look absolutely stunning.

After getting dressed with Cheryl and her mom, the three of us leave the Blossom's residence and enter their expensive car, extremely similar to my parents' one, along with grandma Blossom. They are best friends, after all. My mom and Penelope used to go shopping together every Friday, but they stopped their weekly gatherings after Jason's death. Now, they're more into gossiping by the windows and badmouthing the rest of the city's poor souls.

"All right. Here we go." I whisper, grabbing Cheryl hand in mine and sending her a reassuring smile.

"Valentina, do you mind if we send you in first? We still have to get Polly's present from the shop." Penelope taps my shoulder and the next thing I know, the car stops in front of the tall building.

"Oh, sure." I'm positive they want to talk about their little performance at the baby shower. I don't believe their sweet facade for once second, not even Penelope's kind words towards Polly's child. "See you there."

The entrance of the hall is decorated with the most expensive furniture pieces I have ever seen, and it means a lot considering my family's wealth. Detailed painting hang from the walls and rich carpets muffle the sound of the heels against the floor.

Reaching for my phone inside my small clutch, I text Reggie, letting him know I'm already at the Lodge's residence. He's always so worried about me, I feel like a crappy girlfriend every time I look at his adorable face.

I don't need help with finding Veronica's floor and door, and when I ring the bell, a charming Hermione Lodge opens the door and lets me in.

"Valentina." She leans forward to kiss my cheeks and I do the same. "It's so nice to see you again."

"Likewise, Mrs. Lodge."

"Please, call me Hermione." Her hand finds mine and she guides me inside after closing the door. 

Polly is already sitting on the sofa by the fireplace, with her sister and Jughead placing some decorations on the tables and walls. 

"Hi, guys. Good to see you." I greet when Polly's wide eyes find mine. "Hey, Polly."

She doesn't say a word as she jumps from the couch and wraps her arms around my shoulders, her bump tightly pressed against my stomach. It has been a while since someone hugged me this tightly. And Polly doesn't have a tint of malice in her. She's an amazingly sweet girl.

"Valentina!" She says near my ear, my arms finding their way to her torso. "Oh, I'm so glad you're here, I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, girlie." Polly giggles at the name I used to call her.

"How are you doing? The last time I saw you was when-"

"I know, I'm good. How are you?" I grab her arms after we step aside, taking her back to the couch. "You look absolutely beautiful, Polly."

"You know what they say, it's the pregnancy's glow."

We share a smile and I'm ready to ask her about the baby and the gender, all those cute questions people normally ask a pregnant woman, when I'm interrupted by Betty's surprised yelp.

"Mom!" She rushes to the door. "Polly, look, Mom's here!"

Polly looks at me with a grimace and I shoo her away to meet her mother. I know how complicated things are between Polly and her mother.

"I'm so glad you're here, and you're safe." Mrs. Cooper whispers, caressing her daughter's hair. "You and the baby."

"Oh, Mom."

They're having a sweet mother daughter moment, when the door suddenly slams open, and the Blossom ladies invade the peace of this place.

"We're here! No big deal, it's only the best stroller money can buy." Cheryl cheers as she enters the Lodge's residence, followed by her mother and grandma.

The youngest Blossom holds a stroller, and it's a very beautiful stroller. Expensive, yes, but that's nothing compared to the Blossom's wealth.

"Wow. So expensive." I snort, hearing a small chuckle from my right.

"All I ask in return is that you make me your baby's godmother." Cheryl smiles and I hide my mouth behind my hands as I giggle softly.

Betty clears her throat and I step forward, placing my arms around Polly's shoulders and looking at my best friend with a threatening glare. She better not ruin this for Polly.

"I think Betty is perfect for that rule, don't you think?" I look at her with a smile, and she smiles back for the first time in days. "She's Polly's sister, it makes sense."

"Kidding!" Cheryl chuckles along with us, but I can see it's fake. "So not kidding. Come on, Nana Rose, let's get you a good spot by the food."

Cheryl reaches for her grandma's wheelchair and positions her near the couches where she can see and hear everything.

Betty and Polly's mother steps forward to have a word with her pregnant daughter, and we all step aside to give them some time. Betty ends up helping Veronica with some last minute decorations and Jughead and I are left alone, by the door.

"How have you been?" He asks, taking me by surprise.

"Good, how have you been?" I clear my throat and avoid eye contact. "This place looks nice."

"Don't change the subject, Valentina." He grabs my arm and steadies me by his side, as if he's afraid I'll run away. "I know what you've done to protect me, and I wanted to apologize for being an idiot."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I've been treating you like a disposable material when you're more than that..." Jughead reaches for my hair and it's like I'm stitched to the ground. I can't move. "You're so much more than that. I can't even express how I feel because I don't know myself. But I promise I'll fix this."

"Jughead-"

"Time to open the presents!" Veronica interrupts our conversation, and for once I'm glad someone stepped in before I made a fool of myself in front of Jughead.

"Let's go." Jughead releases my arm and I follow Veronica to one of her couches.

We sit side by side as Polly's old friends hand her their gifts, and I patiently wait for my moment to give her my present. I know she'll love it, I've kept this for so long... It's time to give it to her, she's carrying Jason's unborn child after all. She deserves this more than me.

"This necklace reads the baby's aura. Predicts the sex." Nana Rose- or grandma Blossom- hands Polly an old necklace, keeping their hands intertwined, the jewel in between their grasp.

"Nana has dementia and gypsy blood." Cheryl explains from her seat next to me.

I have my present safely hidden inside my purse, as the package isn't as big as the other ones I see around Polly.

"Oh!" Nana releases Polly's hands and holds her face with her bony fingers.

"What? Is my baby okay?" Polly looks down at her full belly and I smile, her motherly senses kicking in. It's adorable.

"Babies. It's twins. One of each!" Nana claps her hands and I send Polly a smile, excited for her.

Laughter and cheers erupt from the people around us, everyone trying to congratulate Polly with a hug and kind words. Her mother, on the other hand, doesn't move a muscle, as she can't reach her own daughter with the amount of people surrounding her.

"Mommy's turn!" I say once everyone has calmed down, noticing Mrs. Cooper's sad expression.

She looks at me from the corner of her eyes and manages a soft smile, as she hands her daughter a small bag.

Polly carefully unwraps her present and her eyes shine with unshed tears and happiness.

"It's my nightlight. When I was a little kid." I swoon in silence, smiling sweetly at the heartwarming moment. "How did you- where did you even I saved it?"

"I know how much you loved it and how it made you feel safe." Her mother starts, and I'm afraid I'll start tearing up. "And I wanted you to be able to pass it down to your own baby one day."

"Alice, it's lovely." Hermione

There are still a few presents left, and I grab the small package from my purse, ready to give it to Polly. When her mother sits on the couch once again, I raise my hand in the air and wave the blue box in my hand.

"My turn?"

"Oh, Valentina!" Polly pulls me by the hands and hugs me tightly against her chest. "You didn't have to."

"But I wanted to, and I know how much this will mean to you..."

"What do you mean?"

I don't want to make a big speech about how sad we both feel due to Jason's death, so I just clear my throat for what seems like the tenth time this evening, and stick my hands out for her to grab the box.

"I've kept this under my pillow for a long time now." I start, feeling the weird sensation someone is staring at me. Everyone is, in fact, but there's someone else looking at my face with curiosity. "I know he would have wanted you to have this."

People start whispering behind us and I ignore them. Betty and Jughead look at with fierce eyes and Hermione smiles softly at my actions.

I don't have to explain who 'he' is. Polly's eyes lower to the box and she rips the paper apart, looking slightly out of breath after the box is open and it's content out in the open.

The bracelet Jason gave to me a few days before he was killed, before he ran away to start a new life with Polly, is not laying on the soft material of Polly's dress.

"Valentina..." Polly reaches for my hand once again and I kneel by her chair. "I can't take this. Jason offered you this bracelet, I can't-"

"Yes you can." I smile at her, tilting my head to the side as I examine her beautiful face. "Jason gave me specific instructions. I was to give this to the person he loved the most if something happened to him. I didn't understand what he meant at the time, but now I do. He was afraid he wasn't going to make it, with all the consequences his actions could trigger. I'm only fulfilling a promise I made."

"Thank you." She embraces me, and I let soft tears run down my face.

"No problem, girlie."

Standing again, I don't sit by Veronica's side anymore. I choose to lean against the wall benign the couch as other people continue to give Polly their presents. I can feel her eyes on my the entire time, a grateful smile playing on her lips.

I receive a text from my brother as Polly opens the other gifts, the bracelet safely tucked inside her pocket.

"Who's Viktor?" Jughead whispers near my ear and I gasp, hiding my phone from his curious eyes.

"None of your business, Jughead."

"I have a theory-"

"Save it for your friends, I don't want to hear it."

I lean forward, tapping Veronica's shoulder and whispering in her ear that I have to leave.

"Hey, guys." She says, gathering everyone's attention. "Valentina has to leave, something came up and she can't stay here for the rest of the night."

I wave goodbye as I walk towards Polly, kissing her forehead and hugging her. Betty and her mother follow Polly's steps, thanking me for coming and wishing me a nice trip back home.

"I'm sorry you have to leave so early." Veronica sighs and guides me to the other side of the room, her hand on my back.

"It's alright, my family needs me." I comment, walking towards the door with her by my side.

"It was so nice of you to come and make this a better experience for Polly." Veronica hugs me goodbye and I look at the couple behind her with sadness.

"It was nothing, Polly deserves it." I pat her arm and grab my coat. "I better get going, it's getting late."

She smiles and my hand finds the door knob. Then, as I'm ready to leave and erase the fake smile from my face, someone closes the door before I can leave and I sigh.

"May I talk to you for a minute?" Jughead whispers, asking Veronica to leave for a while.  "We haven't had a lot of time to converse but I believe this is the best moment for that."

"No, sorry." I walk backwards until I find the elevator, clicking the button and waiting for the doors to open. "I have to go."

"Valentina!"

The doors close, and so does my heart, once again. I promised myself I would let Jughead hurt me again. Yet, all of my mental preparation goes down the drain when he opens his mouth to speak or reaches for my hand.

This has to stop.

ΨΨΨ

Looking out the window after tonight's stressing events, I reach for my neck where the pressure is building, and massage it with my fingers.

My eyes land on something unexpected. There's a blonde head in between red-headed people. Mr. and Mrs. Blossom welcome Polly into their home with open arms,

I gasp, searching for my phone in the dark. I know what I have to do, Polly's family needs to know she isn't in danger. I bet they're worried sick.

"Betty?" I ask as soon as she answers the call. "Betty, I'm so sorry."

"What do you mean? Valentina, what's wrong?"

"Polly-"

"Where's Polly?"

"With the Blossoms. I saw her right through my window. She came to them, her bags are still waiting outside the door..." There's silence on the other side of the call, and I start regretting my decision to tell Betty. "I shouldn't have said anything-"

"Thank you, Valentina." Betty whispers, and I can hear her sadness. "And I'm sorry for being so mean to you."

I open my mouth to reply but the line dies, signaling Betty ended the call. I slowly make my way back to the window and curse under my breath. Polly's bags are being taken inside the Penelope herself, as she chats happily with Polly.

"Why are you doing this to your family, Polly?" I whisper, my hands creating lines on the cold glass.

I just hope this ends well, I wouldn't want to see Jason's babies in danger.

ΨΨΨ

Hey guys! I'm back. Sorry for the long wait, I wanted to make this new chapter extra special but I don't think it's that perfect. Please let me know if you find any errors, I wrote this as fast as I could, I wanted to publish a new chapter sooo bad! Ahah. So, don't forget to vote and comment to show your support!
Byee.