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FP was normally out of town driving for Toni's trucking business. He volunteered himself to take the longer driving jobs so that the younger crew, like Fangs and Sweet Pea, could be closer to home. He did his best to be at home as much as he could though. Fortunately, he thought, he was able to be home when Alice got an unexpected, more so unsettling, call.
She was walking around the living room picking up some of the twins' toys while FP was in the kitchen making sandwiches for the hungry munchkins. It was quite silent for a full house. That included Betty, who was staying with them while she's in town.
Betty came down to see the adults deep in grandparent mode. FP was walking over to the dining table with plates in his hands. He set them down in front of the twins. Alice was all over the place until FP managed to snatch her into his arms, keeping her in place. He whispered something into her ear. Betty watched as a sweet giggle came from her mother. It was like she relaxed all at once in his arms. That made her happy for her mother.
"Hey, Betty. Are you hungry? I can fix you up something to eat." FP offered once he saw her across the room.
"Thanks, but it's alright." Betty smiled. She appreciated the gesture. "You finally managed to get my mom to stay put."
FP laughed at that. He's also noticed how busy Alice kept herself these days. She needed to take a moment to unwind.
"Elizabeth," Alice said.
"Al, you know she's right. It's okay to stop and breathe for a couple of minutes here and then."
Betty walked over to the twins to see what they were up to when the couple was back in their little bubble. She took the empty seat next to her niece. "Whatcha drawing there?"
"It's my mommy." She slid the paper over to her to see. "She says she used to be a cheerleader like aunt Cheryl."
"Yeah," Dagwood chimed in. "And that dad was a Bulldog. They would cheer for him at his games."
"I remember," Betty nodded. She was also at those games, but she was there to report for the school's newspaper. Not quite a River Vixen herself, yet. She looked over at FP and Alice. She didn't think any of them would be ready to tell them about what went down with their father when the time came to it.
Dagwood looked back at Alice. "Grandma, was our dad good at football like aunt Cheryl says?" Cheryl always praised Jason around the twins. It was nonstop with her.
"He was one of the best I'm certain."
"Better than me?" FP had to ask.
"Is the BMOC threatened by that?" She teased.
"Me? No," He shook his head. "Hard to believe that when I single handedly won the school's biggest game."
"Off topic, dear."
Before he could say something again the phone on the wall rang. "I'll get it," He walked into the kitchen to pick up the receiver. "Hello?" He answered. "Yes, hold on." He lower the phone to his shoulder. "Al, it's for you."
"Who is it?" She asked as she made her way over to him.
"Didn't say. They just asked to speak to you." He passed the phone to her.
"Hello?" Alice spoke into the phone. "This is she." FP watched as the look on her face changed in a matter of seconds. "Wh-what?" She shakily let out. FP frowned. This was concerning. "Are you sure?"
"What's going on?" FP mouthed to her.
"Polly. It's the hospital."
FP's eyes widened. He knew he had to get the kids out of here so they could talk. He knows she wouldn't want them to worry. He poked his head out to talk to Betty. "Betty, how about you take the twins out for ice cream?"
"Why?"
"I think they would like some dessert. Right, kiddos?"
"Yeah!" They agreed to the idea instantly.
"Great, your aunt Betty will drive you."
"If I'm babysitting so you two can-" Betty thought it was strange to kick them out so unexpectedly. She then caught on to the anxious look in his eyes. Something was definitely wrong. "...is everything okay?"
The look on his face begged her to not question it any further for the sake of the kids. Betty gave him a nod and helped the twins put on their jackets at the door. She peeked over at her mother who was trying her best to not panic. FP was at her side trying to keep her calm. "Breathe, baby, breathe." He embraced her tightly. Betty walked the twins out before they could see any more.
"Why's grandma scared?" Juniper asked what she and her brother were thinking.
"Is grandma okay?" Dagwood also asked.
"I don't know, but it's going to be fine, okay? The grown ups just need to talk." Betty ushered them to the car.
"They said that...that she was ran over. She's being monitored right now." She croaked out, afraid for her daughter's wellbeing. "Looks like it was one of those big trucks."
"A truck? There must have been an accident we don't know about."
"The doctor passed me to Tom. He doesn't think he can rule it an accident just yet."
"You think someone purposely tried to hurt her?"
"I don't know. Who could have done this? When she didn't come home last night I didn't know if to worry. She leaves without saying a word sometimes, but she always comes back."
"I don't know, but we will figure this out together. I'll get Toni to get me a list of our drivers on duty last night. If it was one of our own I promise you I'll make this asshole pay. If it's not then hell we're not stopping there."
"What are we going to do? I don't want to worry the kids. I want Polly to be okay."
"We can go check on her. I'm sure she will make a great recovery. They said she was in recovery, right?"
"Who would hurt one of my babies?" Alice had lost the strength in her legs.
FP caught her before she could go down. "Hey, hey, hey." He straightened her up. "Everything is going to be okay, alright? I'm going to be here every step of the way to help. Do you remember, Alice? You were my rock when I was in this situation twice with Jug. Polly will be okay. The doctors will make sure of it."
