And They Were Neighbors (Reghead)

Chapter 1

Reggie was honestly amazed when he saw the house across the street had finally sold. He saw the man get out of a car, with a toddler, and a son that looked nearly his daughter's age. Despite the fact that it was a relatively warm June afternoon, the man was wearing jeans, a flannel, and a beanie.

Reggie couldn't help but think it was weird, considering both his kids were dressed for the weather. Reggie was out on his front porch with a glass of lemonade and watched his seven-year-old little girl who was playing in the yard. He sat his lemonade down and took his daughter's hand. "Sophie, kiddo let's go meet the new neighbors." His daughter nodded and followed at his side across the street.

Jughead really should have taken his ex-wife up on her offer to watch the kids while he was in the process of getting moved into his new place. He was trying to juggle unpacking boxes and two kids. He had Lily in one arm, and a box in the other, with Forsythe clinging to his leg. He was trying to get the door unlocked, despite having his hands full, when he heard the footsteps behind him. "Need some help there, buddy?" The stranger offered, before picking up the keys that Jughead had dropped, and getting the door unlocked and opened for him.

Jughead smiled, and sat the box down, before sitting his daughter down, to follow her brother into the house. He offered his hand to the man that had opened the front door for him. "Thanks, I'm Jughead."

Reggie smiled and shook his hand. "That's an..odd name. I'm Reggie, my daughter Sophie and I live across the street. You seemed to be having some trouble. Figured I'd come help out."

Jughead smiled, and ran his hand through his hair. "It's just a nickname. My parents didn't actually name me that. It was just easier, since me, my dad, my grandfather, and my son all have the same name."

 Reggie's eyebrows raised. "Family name I guess?"

Jughead nodded. "Forsythe Pendleton Jones."

Reggie nodded, he would have to keep that in mind. His daughter had gone off to play with Jughead's son somewhere in the house. He figured that he could keep being nice since Sophie was off having fun. "You want some help unloading the rest of those boxes, Jughead?"

Jughead looked at him gratefully. He took a moment to put his beanie and leather jacket on the hooks by the door. "That sounds great Reggie."

It didn't take long for the two of them to get the boxes unloaded. They even started unpacking the living room boxes. Reggie was putting books on a shelf. "So Jughead, what brings you and your little ones to the neighborhood, if you don't mind me asking?"

Jughead shrugged a little. "Finally figured the apartment was a little small for the three of us, and the books been selling good, so we moved out here."

 He said with a shrug, unpacking the things that went on his desk. Reggie's eyebrows raised when he remembered the man's full name. "Wait, you're F.P Jones III? As in, wrote the best parenting book on being a single dad?" He asked.

 Jughead nodded. "Guessing you've read it?" Reggie nodded. "It helped a lot in the first year since Sophie's mom passed." He admitted softly.

Jughead bit his lip. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Reggie bit his lip, shaking his head. "I'm alright, don't worry about me." He assured, not wanting to bring down the mood too much. "So, do you have any hobbies besides writing?"

 Jughead smiled a little. "Cooking, and Photography." He said, holding up the camera from the box.

Reggie smiled. "Well, if you like food. There's this little bakery on Main Street that you'd probably like. Stop by when the owner's there and he'll give you a free cookie."

Jughead's eyebrows raised. "I mean, I'm not one to turn down a free cookie, but how can you be so sure of that?"

 Reggie smiled and sat down the empty box. "Cause you're looking at him." He said with a grin. Jughead smiled softly and looked at the clock. "Well, this has been great. Thanks for all the help, but I think it's about Lily's bedtime." He said with a soft smile.

 Reggie nodded. "Yeah, I should probably be getting Sophie home." He said happily. He followed Jughead to go get his daughter. All three of the kids were playing nicely in the den.

Reggie smiled and scooped up his daughter. "Sophie kiddo it's time to head home."

Once Reggie closed the door behind him, Jughead couldn't help his smile. He was starting to think that moving here was a great decision.