You Can't Hurry Love

21 | Exclusive

Alice catches up with Fred at the door as he's about to enter the house. He lets the dogs go in after their walk around the neighborhood.

"Fred, can I talk to you?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Maybe this is a weird thing to ask you, but do you know anything about FP's new relationship?"

"He told you about it?" Fred's a bit surprised he's changed his mind on telling her.

"Technically I asked him. I saw a Serpent jacket at his place. Wouldn't have thought it was his, you know."

"She's a Serpent? Sounds like he has a type."

"So you knew about it?" Alice questions. "Has he said anything to you about her?"

"Alice, I can't dish out everything he tells me. It will break his trust in me, but I'll tell you what; if you ask me, I don't think he's happy. And I think that's what you really want to know."

"He's not happy?"

"I shouldn't assume too much on his new relationship. That's not fair of us. All I'm saying is that I've seen him happier."

"What are you trying to say? That he doesn't like her?"

"I'm not saying anything," Fred shrugs. "He's a grown man now. He can figure it out himself."

"What if he ends up falling hard for her? Where would that leave Charles?"

Fred knows what she really wants to ask. He grabs a hold of her shoulders and looks her straight in the eyes. "No woman is ever going to replace the relationship you two have."

+++

Alice walks out to the backyard where Hermione is sitting reading a book. Hermione looks up at her.

"Do you have time for a quick girl talk?"

Hermione smiles. "Always. What's up?"

Alice takes a seat beside her. "I need your advice. I don't really know how I feel about FP dating."

"Is this because you have feelings for him?" That she already has figured out. "Or is this because you're not a fan of Gladys?"

"You know about her?"

"I got it out of Fred."

Alice sighs. "I don't know."

"Alice," Hermione gives her a look.

"Fine. I can't control the fact that I'll always have a soft spot for him. I just want him to be happy. Is he happy? Do you think so?"

"It's hard to read FP."

"It's selfish for me to talk to him, isn't it? I don't want to interfere with his relationship if he sees it going somewhere."

"Do you think it's fair he doesn't know how you feel after telling you how he feels?"

"No," Alice says softly. "So what are you trying to say?"

"Do what you think is right. I know you'll do the right thing."

"I don't know what the right thing to do is."

"You do. The question now is, will you?"

+++

FP carries an exhausted Charles down the hall to his apartment. After a long day running around the park, the boy fell asleep in the car as FP drove them home. Slung on his other shoulder is the duffel bag full of sports equipment FP bought for them to play with. Playing catch with his son made FP feel emotional. He feels like he's giving his son the childhood he wishes he had for himself.

"FP?" A voice calls from behind him.

FP turns around. "Yeah? Hold on, let me take him inside. He tired himself out."

FP unlocks his door, tosses the bag to the side, then carries Charles to bed. He sets him down gently and returns to the woman at his door. "You know I have Charlie all weekend. This is our father-son time. You understand, don't you?"

"I understand, but-"

"Gladys, please. We talked about it beforehand. We can't do anything right now. He deserves my full undivided attention."

"He's asleep," Gladys points out. "I'll be quick. I just needed to talk to you."

FP listens.

"When it comes to your kid, does that involve his mother too?"

"What?"

"Sure, we've had some fun, but you haven't really brought up what we are."

"Like a label for us? We haven't talked about any of that. We haven't really done much talking, so there wasn't really a chance to bring it up."

"Did we need to? I mean we're already sleeping together. Isn't that enough?"

"Okay, so what do you want? You're not exactly a great listener. Do you want a label or not? Because it sounds like you haven't made up your mind."

"I want you to myself, so yeah, I guess a label on this arrangement."

"Fine," FP shrugs. "Officially stating it as exclusive."

"How about we celebrate?" Gladys wraps her arms around his waist. "I've got a fun suggestion."

"Monday night." FP doesn't want to plan anything right now. Charles comes first.

"Seal it with a kiss then," Gladys puckers up. FP leans down and plants a kiss to her lips. "Monday it is. Come over to my place."

"While I've got you here," FP shimmies out of her hold and walks into his apartment. "You left this here. Here you go." FP gives her back her Serpent jacket.

Gladys takes it. "Thanks."

"Monday," FP mentally jots it down.

"I'll see you then."

FP shuts the door. Gladys walks back to her own place. That's when she sees Alice at the end of the hall. She witnessed enough of their conversation.

Alice doesn't think she can tell FP now. It's too late.

Gladys smirks at the other woman and enters her apartment. She's more satisfied with everything now.