A Falice Story

14. The Sweetest Sight

The whole family has been on edge since Gladys announced she was coming to Riverdale. It's been especially hard for Jughead, considering he hasn't seen his mother in three years. FP has been pacing around the house all day, every so often checking to see if her car is in the driveway. Jellybean has been following Betty around like her shadow. I've been feeling nauseous from all this tension and could really use some air.

"What do you say we go on a walk guys? Get some fresh air--get out of the house for a while?" Betty and Jughead look at me, clearly not excited about this idea. Jellybean on the other hand is thrilled over this idea, bobbing her little head up and down quickly. FP scratches his head and lets out a sigh, "Are you sure you're up for that, Al? I don't want to put any extra stress on you." He's careful to choose his words, considering we still haven't told Jellybean about the baby yet. 

"Why would a walk put stress on Alice?" Jellybean questions, genuinely concerned. I bite my lip and look to FP, shooting him a look that says, 'can we tell her?'" A smile creeps across his face and he nods slowly, stooping down to his daughter's level. "What's going on?" she questions, wanting to know what we're keeping from her. "Alright, Jellybean. I'm not entirely sure how you're going to react to this, but Alice and I have something important to tell you." She looks between us, "You're--you're not making me go back to Toledo, are you?!" her face crumples a little, on the verge of tears.

"No! No, sweetheart. Of course we're not going to make you go back to Toledo," FP reassures his youngest child. She smiles in relief, "Okay, well what's so important?" We look at each other and he grabs my hand, "You're going to be a big sister, Jellybean!" She looks like she doesn't believe us, her jaw dropping slightly. "I'm pregnant." I tell her, hoping it will fully sink in for her. 

"For real?!" She squeals. I can't fight the wide smile on my face, "For real!" Jellybean runs over and wraps her arms around me and then around FP. "I'm so excited! Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?!" She's practically bouncing off the walls at this point. "We still have a few more weeks to go until we can find out," I rest my hands on my baby bump, gently rubbing it. 

"Please make me a sister!" she begs, clasping her hands together. FP, Betty, Jughead and I all laugh, "I'll try my hardest," I say sarcastically. "That's not exactly how it works, kid. If it did, you'd be a boy," Jughead teases her. She crosses her arms, pouting, and retaliates by shoving him in the chest. "Hey--hey easy! I think it's time for that walk..." Jughead says, groaning.

Betty nods, "Alright. Fine, I'll go." We all look to FP, "What? I never said I wouldn't go!" I wrap my arms around his neck, "Yes, but you tried to play it off like you were concerned about me  instead of just admitting that you hate going on walks," I smirk. FP scoffs, "But I am concerned about you! I don't want you to get too tired out," he defends. I press my nose against his cheek, "Exercise is good for me--now lace up those tennis shoes sweetie pie," I whisper in his ear and slap his butt.

He can't help but laugh and shakes his head, "You're lucky you're so cute--and pregnant. I would never agree to this otherwise!" he yells after me as I head upstairs to change clothes. Betty laughs, "Oh, God, FP! You succumbed to anything she wanted long before she got pregnant." FP crosses his arms, "Did not!" Jughead shakes his head, "You think you're so tough, but Alice has you wrapped around her finger." FP groans, "Have kids they said--it'll be fun they said..." Betty and Jughead look at each other and laugh, before going upstairs to put on suitable clothes for going on a walk. 

*

FP periodically grabs my butt while we're on our way to Sweetwater River. I keep swatting his hand away, but he thinks it's hilarious and won't knock it off. Jughead catches him doing this and gives him a grossed out look. FP just smirks at him and turns his attention back to me. Jughead whispers, "Two can play at this game. Come over here," he tells Betty. She furrows her brow, "Why?" He signals over to us, "Just do it." She shrugs wrapping her arm around him. Jughead walks with her directly in front of us.