It's Nice To Have A Friend

29) Inevitable

Gladys opened the door for an enthusiastic FP at the other side, a giddy smile on his face that would betray his happy mood immediately. She caught onto it too, but then she remembered that he had called her, telling her that they needed to talk.

Whatever he was so happy about needed to wait, because first she wanted to know what was going on. Little did she know that those two things were entwined.

"You sounded serious on the phone, Jones. Everything okay?" She walked into her apartment with FP followed closely behind.

"Yeah, I'm good. I'm really good, actually." He smiled softly, still walking on cloud nine after the news he had gotten.

"You do seem cheery. Why's that?" She arched a suspicious eyebrow, and FP knew that this was his window to tell her what was going on in his life, what would affect her too.

"Okay, sit down please." He gestured for the couch, and she followed his lead.

"What I am about to tell you is a lot, but please remember that I'm really happy about this." He began carefully, before it would end up in a screaming match. Gladys nodded, but it was half heartedly.

"You know that night that I spent with Alice when we were broken up, huh?" FP said, making her remember that he had told her about that.

"Turns out, she's pregnant. I'm becoming a father." He finally said, not being able to hide his wide grin.

"Wait, she's pregnant and you're keeping this baby?" Gladys asked, totally confused and insulted.

"Yeah, we talked about it and we both want this." FP smiled a little. He hoped she would understand, but it didn't seem like it.

"So, that's why you're happy? Because you can dump me now?" Gladys scoffed. He was so transparent, that it made her wonder why he didn't just break up with her immediately.

"No, I'm not dumping you. I know this is a lot to process for you too, but I hope you'll be on board." He said, his voice soft.

"You still want to be with me? Not with Alice?" She asked, suddenly more insecure than he had ever seen her. However, it was coated with a hint of anger.

"Yeah." FP wasn't even sure that was true, but it was hard for him to see he was running away from the real thing.

"Alright... I think we can see it day by day." Gladys shrugged. She wasn't sure what she needed to do with news like this.

"Are you sure this is what you want? You barely have your own life together, how are you supposed to take care of a baby with your ex-girlfriend? That's asking for trouble." She dangerously pointed out, playing right into his insecurities.

"I-I don't know yet, but we're going to try our hardest." FP stuttered a little, caught of guard by her criticism of his future as a dad.

"Doing your best is not always enough, FP. You know that. Please, think this through." She said, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"Don't you think I'll be a good father?" He asked quietly, mostly confused.

"You can be, I'm just saying that you have to be aware of the weak sides of this plan." She told him, as if this was only about being rational and not her rivalry with Alice.

"But you do support me?" He wondered, which was all he needed to know.

"Do I have a choice?" Gladys asked in return, knowing that she was driven into a corner. FP stayed silent. She did not.

**

Alice had been slumbering on the couch, when she heard the door of the apartment open. FP came in, and she instantly smiled.