When The Lights Go Down

If You Wanna Be Happy

"Do you think she's going to be okay with this? I mean have you talked to her about us at all?" Alice rambles for what feels like the hundredth time.

Much to FP's delight, Gladys had agreed to let June come stay with him on tour for a while. After all, there aren't many shows left and the little girl genuinely loves to soak up the music.

"It's kind of a tough thing to bring up on the phone, she's always too excited to tell me about what she's been doing during the day, about a new toy she has or the newest number she can count to." FP chuckles. "But come on, Al, you know how much she adores you. Or have you forgotten how she would wake up early just to sit and hangout with you?"

"That was before you and I started dating," Alice points out.

"I can just about guarantee you she'll be fine with it. I have it on good authority she likes you." FP tells her, remembering a conversation with June where she had said exactly that.

"I assume Gladys knows?"

He purses his lips. "It's... come up. Then again I think she's known this was coming for a while." He can sense the next question on her mind and immediately calms her, stepping in front of her and smoothing his hands down her arms. "She wouldn't be letting June come out here if she wasn't okay with us being together."

"I just don't want to cause any trouble, I've put you through enough stress lately."

"You haven't put me through anything." FP insists. "I would-"

"Daddy!" A high-pitched voice calls and he turns to see a car approaching, a small, curly-haired head sticking out of the window with a grin.

"There's my girl!" He beams, scurrying over to the car before it's slowed. If it weren't for the seatbelt (and Gladys) June would have climbed right out the window and into FP's arms. Instead, he safely opens the door and scoops her up once she's unbuckled, squeezing her tight. "I've missed you kid."

"I missed you too," June agrees, and she holds up a bag that's held tight in her fist. "We stopped at a candy store on the way!"

"Ah, so that's why your tongue is blue," He chuckles. "Better keep that hidden from Uncle Fred."

"He can have the tootsie rolls, those are yucky." The girl turns and lights up like a Christmas tree when she lays eyes on Alice. She squirms in FP's arms until he sets her down and then she's bolting for the blonde, who in turn kneels down to her level, opening her arms wide to catch her in a hug.

FP watches fondly as they interact, only turning when he hears the trunk of the car pop open. "Oh, hey, let me get that." He insists, nudging Gladys' hands away and reaching for June's suitcase himself.

"She's really excited," Gladys tells him genuinely. "She's told all of her friends she's spending her birthday at a concert, it's a miracle you don't have fifteen more kids tagging along."

"Hey, the more the merrier, I'd stick them with Fred." The two share a genuine, sweet laugh. "You look good."

"So do you. Clearly blonde is your colour," She gestures towards Alice who seems positively enthralled by whatever the nearly 6-year-old is telling her. "Things are going well I take it?"

"Yeah, things are going... well."

"You don't have to play coy, FP."

"Sorry, I just, I don't know where you and I stand these days. I didn't think you'd want to hear about it."

"I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't being genuine," Gladys tells him. "Besides, I've met someone too."

His eyebrow perks up at that. "Yeah? What's he like?"

"He's sweet, funny, and best of all he isn't a musician." He laughs at that. "He's an insurance broker from Hoboken, we met while he was in Toledo for a business trip."

"Sounds like a pretty stable guy, that's good for you."

Gladys smirks at him. "Now what's that supposed to mean?"

"Just that you could use someone calm to balance you out, you're rowdy enough for two."

Gladys elbows him softly for the jest. "Well anyway, I'm heading to Hoboken to be with him while you have June."

"Has she met him yet?" FP asks curiously.

"Not yet, no. I want to make sure that this is something real, that he's a good guy before she meets him. I think it'll be a while." Gladys tells him. "If things go well, you can meet him first. I assume that's why you're asking."

"I trust you, G. If you think he's a good guy, and feel comfortable introducing him to June, then I trust you. I know you wouldn't put her in harm's way."

"Look at us being grown-ups, who would've thought?"

FP smiles at her, opening the car door for her to slip back inside. "It's nice, isn't it? Should've tried this maturity thing a while ago, huh?" He places a hand on her shoulder, stroking his thumb over the fabric of her shirt. "Take care of yourself."

"I will. Have fun with our girl, I'll call tomorrow to wish her a happy birthday if that's alright?"

"Yeah, of course. I'll take lots of pictures for you."

He shuts the door of the car once Gladys is safely inside and watches as it drives off. He turns around, locking eyes on Alice and June who are still deep in conversation. "Alright, what do you two say to burgers and ice cream?"

Alice raises an eyebrow at him and smiles as June climbs onto her back for a piggyback. "Do you even have to ask?"