A Falice Story

12. A Surprise Arrival

Three weeks later...

Betty made a full recovery and was feeling like her old self again. FP was true to his word and had a security system installed immediately. Jughead started working with his dad and Fred for the summer, while Betty was interning for me at the Register. I was 11 weeks pregnant, my morning sickness was starting to get much better and my tiny baby bump had become a little more noticeable. Everything seemed completely normal for once, until our doorbell rings.

FP and Jughead came home, both of them looking completely worn out. "I don't know why I agreed to work for you and Fred this summer--that heat is no joke!" he says pulling off his soaked t-shirt. "You could have worked at the Register..." I mutter sarcastically. 

"Boy, don't be such a wimp!" FP scolds, jokingly. Jughead sits down on the stairs, "Okay mister, 'I can't be up on this roof any longer or I'm going to die...'" he imitates his father. FP scoffs, pulling off his own t-shirt, "I didn't say that!" I laugh, "He got you, honey. If I know you at all--I know how much you despise working in this kind of heat," I pause, biting my lip, "But, I can't say I'm complaining..." I move closer to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, forgetting Jughead is right there. FP smirks, "I'll trade being miserable in the heat for this any day," he says, attacking my lips. 

"Oh dear God! Do you not realize I'm right here?!?" Jughead shouts. FP breaks our kiss momentarily, "Shut your eyes!" Jughead groans and mutters something under his breath, grabbing his t-shirt and heading upstairs. FP and I stop and laugh at how dramatic he always is. "I missed you so much," he says kissing me between each word. I nuzzle my head into his neck, "I missed you more!" 

"I hate ending this--but I have to go shower. I'm surprised you can even stand to be near me," he laughs. "It would take a lot more than a little sweat to keep me away..." I smirk. He picks up his shirt off the ground, "Hmmm... maybe someone wants to join me?" he teases. I groan, "I would, but I have to start dinner." He pouts and kisses my cheek, "Oh, alright. I guess I can go ten minutes without you--barely, but I'll make it." 

He kisses me one more time before heading upstairs to shower. Betty comes down shortly after, sitting on a stool at the kitchen island. "Hi, sweetie. I'm making your favorite--spaghetti and meatballs." She takes a carrot from the bowl of vegetables that I was chopping and smiles, "Thanks." 

It's been a challenge for Betty to trust food ever since the cupcake incident. The first week was really tough, she rejected almost everything we offered her. She still won't eat anything from a restaurant or from anyone else, but the doctor told us that's a normal reaction for someone who had experienced that type of traumatic event. 

Jughead comes downstairs fresh out of the shower, "Now you won't be repulsed by me," he says to Betty, kissing her cheek as he walks to the fridge. "Good. You smelled awful," she quips. He opens the fridge pulling out yesterday's leftover grilled chicken. "What are you doing?" I ask, confused as to why he'd want leftovers before dinner. 

"I'm just having my pre-dinner," he smiles, biting into the chicken. I look to Betty, "He's a growing boy I guess," she says sarcastically. Jughead sits down next to her, not phased by her comment, "You bet." 

FP enters the kitchen, hair still wet from his shower. I can't help but stare, damn he's attractive. Betty catches on, "Put your eyes back in your head mom!" I quickly turn to her and rest a hand on my hip, "Put your eyes back in your head mom!" I sarcastically mock her. She crosses her arms and smirks, knowing her comment got to me. "Sorry, sweetie. These hormones are no joke. If I even catch the scent of FP--oh God, I just can't control myself..." FP bursts out laughing. I know this is going to make both kids freak and it does--and frankly they deserved it. "Please stop talking!!!" Betty says, shoving her fingers into her ears.