You Can't Hurry Love

15| Sick & Lovesick

When Fred mentioned at breakfast that FP wouldn't be coming in for work today because he was sick, Alice wanted to make him a soup before heading to work herself.

Charles on the other hand wanted to make him a get well card before getting dropped off at school. She assured him that she would give it to his father when she saw him.

"Is there a particular reason you're making him a soup?" Hermione sips on her coffee.

"He's sick."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Can't I make him soup without it being anything more than soup?"

"All I'm saying is it could be more than that. It's nothing bad, but if you're acknowledging it, then you're prepared to face feelings."

Alice frowns. "Do you think this is a bad idea?"

"I'm not saying that."

"A good idea?"

"I'm not saying that either."

"Then what are you saying?"

"Just be careful."

Alice sighs and safely seals the soup into tupperware. She grabs her purse and heads back to her car.

+++

Alice knocks gently on FP's door. She knocks a little harder her next knock to get him to hear her. She steps back when the door pulls open.

He only opens because he saw that it was her from the peephole. "Alice?" He coughs. "What are you doing here?"

"I brought you warm soup," She offers him. "And Charlie made you a little something to make you feel better."

"It does make me feel a little better," He takes the card to read.

GET WELL DADDY

He also takes the soup. "You didn't have to go through the trouble for me."

"I wanted to. I know being sick is the worst." Alice looks at the sweat cooling him down. "You don't look so great."

"You have such a way with words," FP leans against the doorframe.

"Oh, I...I don't mean it like that."

"I'm just messing with you," He chuckles. "Laughter is the best medicine there is."

"How sick are you?"

"I have a burning fever. Almost didn't even want to get up to answer the door."

Alice places her hand over his forehead. "You're hot."

"Why, thank you," He smirks.

Alice swats his shoulder. "You know what I meant."

"You know what you said." He teases.

"Don't ruin it," She fondly rolls her eyes.

The door next door opens, but they are too busy talking to notice anything out of their bubble. Gladys halts with her trash bag when she sees the blonde with her neighbor.

"Anyway, thanks for the soup. I really do think it will help. Extra nutrition if it's made with love."

"I can't spill the secret ingredient. But with that being said, I really should get going before I'm late."

FP nods. "I'll call you later to thank Charles. That's if my voice isn't completely gone by then. It's getting a bit scratchy."

"Sounds good. Bye, FP."

"Bye, Al."

Gladys steps back into her apartment as Alice turns to leave. Alice departs and FP goes back inside.

+++

FP wakes up after a long nap on the couch. He walks into the kitchen and splashes water over his face. Rest has helped, but not entirely.

He checks the clock on the wall. Alice should be home from work. He looks for his phone and lays back down on the couch.

He looks for Alice's number and lets it ring.

"Hello?"

"He-" FP clears his throat. "Hey. Is Charlie around?"

"Let me get him," Alice lowers the phone. "Charles! It's your dad! He wants to talk to you!"

Charles drops what he's doing and runs over to his mother. He takes the phone. "Hi, daddy! Mommy, told me you were sick. I don't like being sick."

"Me either but I really liked your card, and your mommy's soup."

"Mommy makes the bestest chicken noodle soup."

"I bet she does."

"Are you still sick?"

"Yeah, it might be a few days, but it's getting better."

"If I'm sick, I don't go to school."

"I don't go to work."

"Yeah, uncle Freddie said you couldn't go with him today."

"I don't want to get you all sick."

"That's good. Being sick makes me throw up. Did you throw up?"

FP lets out a laugh. "Fortunately, no. I hope I don't jinx it now."

"Can I come see you when you're not sick?"

"I'd love that. I'll let your mom know when I'm in the clear."

Alice watches Charles's face light up as he talks to FP. It makes her heart whole.

"What's got you all smiley?" Fred startles her on accident.

"You're just like your wife, you know that?" Alice turns around.

"I can't wait to start calling her my wife."

"Look at him, I'm so glad FP gets to be in his life. He's much happier these days."

"I don't think he's the only one happy having him around. I know someone who grew to love the idea."

"She never said she hated it, she just wasn't ready." Alice shrugs.

"Which is understandable. A lot has happened in what now is like seven years."

"Do you think he thinks the same?"

"Being around? Yeah, he loves it. He's made it pretty clear."

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Shoot."

"There's a part of me that wishes he would kiss me."

"Oh."

"Is that so wrong?"

"Well, no. I'm sure there's still some feelings that never went away."

"I'm pretty sure he wanted to kiss me a while ago, but he didn't. I recognized the look in his eyes. He used to look at me like that when we were younger."

"Maybe he doesn't know you want him to kiss you."

"He was never afraid to take a risk before."

"Yes, but that was before. He knew somewhat how things were between the two of you. Time has passed since you've last seen each other. I don't think he knows that things can still be the same. There's someone else he has to think about now." Fred glances over at Charles. "Just like you, he wants to put him first. He doesn't want to lose him by screwing things up. All he needs to know is that he's not going to ruin things by acting on his feelings. You know there's a lot he put into working on himself. That's what has finally made him proud of himself. He doesn't easily recognize how well he's doing. Maybe telling him will help."

"So what are you saying? Do you think I should tell him?"

"Do what you please. I trust you know how to handle this."

Alice looks over at her son. What is she supposed to do?