It's Nice To Have A Friend

49) The Next Big Step

Alice and FP were snuggled up together on the couch of the Andrews-Jones apartment, just enjoying the silence around them for the time being. His hand was tangled in her long hair, and the soft motion of his fingers on her scalp could lull her to sleep easily. He smiled to himself, and counted himself lucky that after all they obstacles they had, he was there with her now.

He pecked a soft kiss on her hairline and hummed to get her attention. Alice lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him curiously, asking him with her eyes what he wanted to say.

"I've got a you a little something." He said softly.

FP got off the couch and grabbed something out of the kitchen drawer, before sitting down next to her and handing it over. It was badly wrapped, but it was the thought that counted.

Alice smiled and quickly unwrapped the gift, and then saw a picture of the very first sonogram of their child in a frame.

"It has been six months." He said quietly. FP would never forget the day he felt the world had stopped for a bit.

"I hope I am not overstepping, I just didn't want to let this day go by without giving you anything." He added, when she remained silent. Her eyes were simply glued to the picture.

"Our little dragon." She whispered, a soft smile curling onto her lips. Her eyes filled with little pools of tears, and before she knew it she was crying.

"I'm sorry baby, I didn't want to upset you." FP frowned and pulled her closer.

"No, it's beautiful. Thank you." She told him, a loving smile on her lips. It was sweet and thoughtful, and he made her feel so seen.

"I still think about it, y'know. We could have be here with this one right now." FP said sadly, as he made sure Alice was safely snuggled in his arms again.

"It deserves a nice place, don't you think?" Alice said, as they gazed at the sonogram picture.

"Yeah, it does. Do you have a place in mind?" He wondered, believing it was up to her where she wanted it to be.

"On our mantel?" Alice said carefully, feeling her heart beat faster.

"We don't have a mantel." FP frowned confused.

"We could have one, together." She smiled a little insecurely.

"What do you mean?" FP wondered sweetly.

"We could live together." Alice pushed himself from his chest a little, to better face him.

"You wanna move in with me?" FP's eyes twinkled happily. Alice nodded. She wanted nothing more.

"Al, I'd love that. Waking up next to you every day and coming home to you is all I need." He cupped her cheek and looked at her with so much love, that Alice couldn't help it but smile brightly.

But still, his face fell a little and she sensed immediately that there was something on his mind.

"What is it?" She asked softly.

"I don't know, I could have never imagined someone wanting to live with me. Hell, it was a miracle Fred took me in, and the man loves me." FP chuckled a little, but she could see that his eyes had glossed over.

"We're not the same teenagers anymore, FP. We're not even the people we were a year ago." She told him assuringly. She had been scared of making the same mistakes for a long time, but they had matured. They knew better now.

"So, you do have faith in us?" FP asked, a tad insecure.

"More than anything." Alice said without missing a beat.