You Can't Hurry Love

20| Father & Son

FP pulls back from Gladys's lips and opens the front door. She pouts, "I want to say here with you."

"Alice is dropping off Charles for the weekend any minute now. I miss my little man."

"When he falls asleep, you think we can play?" She winks, tugging on his belt.

"I'm all Charlie's this weekend."

"I'll see you in two days then."

"I'll see you then."

A few minutes later he gets called back to the door when he hears Charles on the other side. "Daddy!"

FP's face lights up when he opens the door. "There's my boy!" He hugs him. "We're going to have so much fun together."

"I'm all about you two having fun, but there's some homework that needs to be done by Monday morning." Alice hands FP his backpack.

"I'll make sure he does it. I've told him many times school is important, even when he tries to be extra adorable to make me let him stay home with me." He looks over at Charles who shamelessly giggles.

"He's a smart boy."

"Definitely gets all the brains from you." FP smiles. "Alright, boy, give your mom a kiss goodbye before she goes."

"Bye, mommy." He does as told. "I'll see you Monday. Right now it's us boys only."

She shakes her head lovingly. "I'll let you two be after I talk to your dad for a second."

"Here, can you take your bag to the room?" FP sends Charles off so they can talk. "What's up?"

"There's no other way to ask besides just asking so here I go, are you seeing anyone right now?"

"Oh..." FP wasn't expecting that. It catches him off guard. He doesn't know what to say.

Alice points to the Serpent jacket on the couch. FP follows her finger. He forgot that was there. Gladys must have forgotten it.

"That's Gladys's. I guess I should have told you sooner, huh?" FP awkwardly scratches the back of his neck. "I wanted to see where things went before I introduced her to everyone."

"Is it getting serious with you two?"

"I don't know. I don't know how to really describe it. It's complicated, but I guess that's all I really know."

"Why didn't you tell me?" She's a bit hurt with the fact that he thinks he couldn't tell her. "You know you could have."

"I didn't know how to. I'm not sure where we stand," FP gestures between them. "Can we talk about that kind of stuff? I didn't want to make it weird between us. We're doing so well co parenting. Besides, I'm embarrassed by my arrest. I've pretty much have been avoiding talking to you, so I wouldn't know how disappointed in me you are."

"Fred told me what happened," Alice explains. "I know Hal provoked you. I don't approve of what happened, but I understand why it did."

"So what do you think about me seeing someone?"

"If she makes you happy, then go for it." She forces on a smile. "I trust your judgment."

FP nods. "I'll catch you later."

"I'll see you boys first thing Monday."

He waves her goodbye and shuts the door. A part of him wishes that conversation were different.

+++

Charles snuggles up close to FP on the couch as they watch a movie together. He rests his head against his dad's shoulder. He yawns and rubs a fist against his sleepy eyes.