It's Nice To Have A Friend

46) Nathalie

Alice had been awake ever since the sun had come up that morning. She had always been an early bird, but today even more so.

FP was awake too, and stretched just slightly. Usually he was a heavy sleeper, but with the warm body of Alice next to him he wanted to be awake and savor every second. She turned around in his arms as she felt that he began to move.

"How did you sleep?" She asked him quietly.

"Quite okay. You?" FP hummed as she closed her eyes again.

"I always sleep good with you next to me." Alice said, without a second thought.

"Sorry, maybe I shouldn't say that." Her face fell as she realized what she'd said.

"No... you should. It's nice to know." FP gave her a small smile, as his hand stroke over her cheek.

"Sleeping next to you has always been the best sleep I ever got too." He told her, feeling that she should knew that he felt the same.

"You ready to go out there?" He wondered, knowing it was going to be rough for them.

"I think so, yeah." She nodded, but it was halfheartedly.

He took her hand as they got out of his bed, which gave her the confidence that she could do this. But before they left out of the door, she tugged him back by the hand.

"FP... I'm getting there. I hope you know that." She said softly. He did in fact feel that, so he gave her a small nod.

"I know that, Alice. I'll be here." He walked her way and wrapped his arms around her middle, before leaning down to give her a kiss.

She held onto his arms a little tighter, while desperately not wanting to let go any more. And still, he had to pull back.

He took her hand again and squeezed it comfortingly, before getting into the living room. Fred and Poppy were already eating breakfast, but it barely took a second before Fred's eyes filled with guilt when he saw Alice.

"Morning..." FP mumbled, still holding onto her hand. Fred got off his chair, worry written all over his face.

"Alice... God I feel so guilty, I am so sorry this pregnancy happened at the same time, I don't know what to—" He started to ramble, but Alice interrupted him.

"Fred, it's okay. I promise." She said sweetly.

"I am so incredibly happy for you. You are going to be the best dad." Alice hugged him closer, making Fred breathe out in relief.

"How are you holding up, FP?" Poppy asked her brother, knowing he was having a hard time too.

"My best friends are getting a baby together, which is pretty awesome. I just wish we could have gone through this together, like it was supposed to be." He gave Fred a sad smile.

"I know, brother. Me too." Fred said, pulling him into a hug too.

"Let one thing be clear... I never want any of you to feel you can't talk about your baby around us, okay? This isn't about us, you should be able to celebrate your happiness." FP pulled back and made sure Fred looked right at him. He meant it and he needed for Fred to realize that.

"I think so too." Alice said softly.

"Thanks, guys. You are the best." Fred dared to smile again.

"Yeah, yeah... we know." FP joked.

"I do have something to cheer you up, FP." Poppy's eyes twinkled.

"When we were young that meant we had to do the dishes together, I am not falling for that again." FP huffed.