𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖

9: Punch In Results

Chapter 9: Punch In Results

Alice couldn't sleep at all last night as her phone kept going straight to voicemail each time she called FP. She spent the night tossing and turning in their bed, worried about her husband. She groaned frustratedly as the voicemail voice chimed in and threw her arms up. Where could he be? He said he was going for a walk but that was hours ago. She groaned again as the voicemail message finally ended and she began to leave a message.

"FP, call me! I'm worried about you. I've called you many times and each time your phone goes right to voicemail. Are you okay?" She sighed, looking down at the time on her screen." I'm starting to worry. Don't make me start a search party, 'cause you know I will get everyone in this town involved to find you. Please call me once you get this." She pressed the end call button, paced the kitchen floor.

The sun was just peeking up from over the horizon around five O'clock through the kitchen shutters. She raised her hand to her eyelid, began rubbing the sandman dust away and let a small yawn escape her mouth quietly. She rested her hands on the cool countertop, taking in the lack of warmth. She heard the doorbell ring while she padded across the kitchen floor with her fuzzy slippers strapped to her ankles. She opened the door to find FP and Hogeye standing on the Jones front porch steps. Her hands found a place to rest on her hips.

"I found him sitting outside the bar. He's pretty much been like this since I picked him up." Hogeye informed Alice gingerly while she checked him over for any sight of possible injuries.

"Thanks, Hogeye. Thank you for bringing him home." She thanked the bartender, closing the door.

Alice's arms guided down to FP's back, steadying him as she helped her husband upstairs into their bedroom. She flicked on the light switch causing FP to groan at the sudden movement. She went over to the dresser, pulling out a tank top and some boxers. She stripped his body from the soaking wet shirt and tossed it onto the bedroom floor. His eyes wouldn't meet hers, afraid of judgement but there was no anger in her eyes as she helped him out of the cold jeans clanging onto his thighs. FP's head fell onto the pillow next to hers. She got up from the bed, picking the wet clothes off the floor and tossed them into the hamper by the master bathroom sidewall.

"I'm sorry." FP mumbled as Alice pulled the tank top over his head. She could hear the sincerity in his voice as he looked away from her.

She cupped his cheeks, forcing him to look in her direction. She searched his eyes, seeing the pain and fear of disappointment inside. The guilt was radiating off his body as he numbly slipped on his boxers with his body turned. "I'm sorry." He repeated. Whatever anger in her body had left when FP's eyes filled with tears. He raised his hand to rub them away, but she stopped him.

He looked up at her, confused."I'm not mad, FP." He wondered why. He couldn't understand why she isn't yelling off his ears about how he had her worried sick. He knew she had been worrying herself. He could see the worry lines in her forehead. "Why?"

Her fingers stroked under his chin." Because I know you are already kicking yourself. I don't need to yell my head off about how worried you had me. You already know that. That's the reason you can't wipe that guilty puppy eyed look off your face."

"Thank you." He muttered quietly back as pain laced his voice.

As her heart ached for him. She pulled him into her arms, stroking his head as they laid on their bed. Her calm shushes made the barrier break and FP's last final resolve fell. After his breakdown he shut his eyes and Alice continued brushing her fingers through his hair as he slept.

By morning Jughead was in the kitchen. He heard Alice's voice coming down the hallway. He shifted in his seat. He saw FP walk out of those doors last night and still wonder what happened. It wasn't his business or anything but did they have a fight? His suspicions were confirmed when FP came into the kitchen, going straight for the fridge and pulled out an orange juice carton from the door.