And They Were Neighbors (Reghead)

Chapter 5

For the first time since his divorce, Jughead's life was going right. He was a successful writer. He was in a happy relationship. He'd even remembered to invite his dad to come to see his new place now that everything was unpacked, and he and the kids were settled in. It was peaceful. It was nice.

He'd invited Reggie and Sophie to come over for dinner tonight. He'd decided to make an old Jones family recipe. Usually, one of the people in the house had to be sick for Jughead to make chicken soup. But today was special. He and Reggie had officially been dating for a month. He was having to periodically glance at the note card he was working from. His main goal aside from cooking was to keep Reggie from seeing it.

"C'mon Beanie Boy. How am I supposed to help if you won't let me see the recipe?" Reggie asked, with a bit of a whine in his voice.

"No. You're not seeing it." Jughead told him sternly.

Reggie couldn't help his small pout, as he leaned against the counter. "And why not?"

Jughead let out a small chuckle and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Because your last name isn't Jones, sweetheart."

Reggie couldn't help his small laugh, as he chopped up some carrots like Jughead had asked him to. The two of them heard a knock at the door. He sat his knife down. "How about so you don't have to worry about me looking at your precious notecard, I go get the door?" He offered.

Jughead smiled, and glanced up from the spice rack he was scouring for rosemary, "Of course, Reg."

FP had double-checked the address before he knocked at the door. He was happy to see that his son had finally gotten his shit together after the divorce. However, he was less sure when he saw a man who was definitely not his son open the door. He was about to start apologizing for knocking at the wrong house, and ask if he was even on the right street when Forsythe came running up to him from behind Reggie, with a happy exclamation of "Papa!"

FP happily took his grandson in his arms. "Aw, hey kiddo. Guessing Daddy left you and your sister with a sitter?"

Forsythe shook his head. "This is Daddy's boyfriend. He's Sophie's Daddy."

Reggie offered his hand for the man to shake. "Nice to meet you, Sir, I'm Reggie Mantle."

FP hesitantly shook his hand. "Nice to meet you too young man. Is Jughead here?"

Reggie nodded. "We were in the kitchen making dinner." He answered as he led the man to the kitchen, while the kids got back to watching Finding Nemo.

FP saw his son standing in front of the stove. He didn't know what to say, so he just asked the first question that popped into his mind. "So have you told Betty that you're dating again after the divorce?"

Jughead bit his lip. Of course, his dad had to bring that up. "I thought you weren't coming until the 12th."

FP nodded. "Yeah, and today is the 12th, now answer the question."

Jughead looked down at his feet. "No. I haven't yet. And I don't want her to hear it from you. Honestly, I'm lucky Lily and Forsythe haven't said anything during one of her weekends."

Reggie bit his lip. "Guessing since it ended with cheating, she wouldn't be too thrilled about you already moving on?" He questioned.

Jughead nodded but kept silent since his focus was on the soup.

FP truly did want to sympathize with his son. He did his best to smile. "You're doing better than I did after your mom left me. I'm proud of you for doing your best to keep it together for Lily and For's sake."

Jughead smiled. "Thanks, Dad."

FP smiled and turned his attention to the other young man standing in the kitchen with them. "Guessing you're divorced too?"

Reggie bit his lip. "My wife passed away in a car accident, actually."

It slowly dawned on FP that he'd put his foot in his mouth. "I..Shit, I'm sorry to hear that." He admitted.

Reggie could merely give a shrug. "It's been rough. But Sophie and I are adjusting. Now that I've met Beanie Boy, I guess you could say that things are starting to look up." He admitted with a smile.

FP breathed a small sigh of relief that he hadn't ruined the mood entirely. He decided to change the subject. "He's had that hat since he was a kid."

Reggie couldn't help his chuckle. He glanced at Jughead. "That true, beanie boy?"

Jughead's face was practically consumed with his flush. "I...Well not this exact hat. But different sizes of this same hat." He admitted, as a correction to what his dad had said. He started to put soup in bowls with a smile. "Reg, babe will you get the kids?" He asked as he started to set the table.

Reggie nodded and went to get the three of them from the living room. He returned with all 3 of them following behind. Sophie stayed practically glued to his side. His little girl was always a bit hesitant around strangers. She had just now started to warm up to Jughead.

Dinner was actually peaceful, all things considered. His dad and boyfriend seemed to get along. The kids were all on their best behavior. It was a dream come true for Jughead.

So yes, for him it truly was a dream, and he never wanted it to end.