A Falice Story

20. Fourth of July

It was a crazy few weeks in the Smith-Cooper-Jones household. After staying with us for a few days, Gladys was finally healed up enough to drive back to Toledo. She promised to come back for Thanksgiving and Christmas so Jughead and Jellybean could spend it with both of their parents. Polly had settled back in nicely, but she wants to get her own place, so she can have more room for the kids. It's been nice having Juniper and Dagwood around--exhausting, but it has definitely given FP and I a lot of practice for when December rolls around. Polly has yet to tell me much about the farm, she diverts the conversation every single time. I don't want to push her, but at the same time, I want her to be able to talk to me about it. Jellybean has been enjoying Riverdale. She already made a best friend in Toni's little cousin, Tiffany. The two of them have been inseparable after they met at the pool a couple weeks ago. Betty and Jughead started to get into photography. They're out almost every evening shooting pictures of various things. They sure do have a knack for it. FP and I went to the doctor for my 16 week appointment and our baby is healthy and growing bigger everyday. The week leading up to my appointment, all we did was argue over finding out the gender of the baby. I wanted to be surprised, and he said it was enough of a surprise just finding out I was pregnant, and that we should know. As far back as I can remember, he has always hated being surprised. Although it took a lot of convincing, he finally agreed to let the baby's gender be a surprise. That only leaves Hotdog, who doesn't leave my side all day. At first I found it incredibly annoying, but I'll admit, the dog has grown on me.

*

"Come on sweetie, just one more bite?" I try to coax the one year old into eating the rest of her food. Juniper turns her head away, refusing to take another bite. Hotdog sat at my feet, below the highchair, hoping something will be dropped down to him. FP walks through the front door. "Hi, honey," he says, coming over to kiss me. "Hi--come on Juni, it's so yummy!" I try again. 

"Can't get her to eat, huh?" FP crosses his arms and leans against the counter with a smirk. I roll my eyes, "Ugh, don't give me that look--like you could do better?" He takes the challenge and reaches out to take the spoon from me, "Watch and learn baby." FP squats down next to the highchair, "Okay, kid--here comes the airplane," his voice changes pitch and he makes airplane noises, which makes Juniper giggle. She opens her mouth, taking a bite and FP turns to look at me with a huge grin across his face. 

"What was that? About me not being able to do better? Huh?" he nuzzles his head into my neck, leaving kisses behind. "FP! Stop it!" I laugh, "Okay, okay--you win!" He kisses the top of my head, "If you need anymore professional help, I'll be in the shower," FP comments as he walks up the stairs. I just shake my head and turn my attention back to Juniper. 

"Thanks a lot. Now he's going to get a big head!" I say as I pick her up in my arms. She just giggles and nuzzles her head against my chest. I smile and press a kiss on the top of her head, going upstairs to hand her off to Polly. 

*

"Kids?! Are you ready to go?" I shout upstairs. We are on our way to celebrate the Fourth of July at Fred's parents' cabin. The older couple no longer goes out there like they used to, so they were happy to hear that Fred and his old pals were going to spend the holiday there. 

"I'm ready!" Jellybean announces coming down the stairs. "The good child," she says, placing her hand under her chin and batting her eyelashes. I shake my head and chuckle, sending her out to the car. "Hellooooo, gorgeous!" FP says as he comes back into the house to grab a cooler. I roll my eyes, "I look huge." He kisses me, "You do not! You're cute and pregnant," he rubs my belly a couple times.

He looks upstairs, "Jeez! They need to hurry up!" I nod, "I know. Come on guys! We don't have all day!" Finally, I hear footsteps. "Sorry mom, but someone couldn't decide what swimming trunks he wanted to wear..." Betty gives Jughead an annoyed look. "In my defense, choosing the right holiday trunk is important." She groans, "No, it really isn't." Jughead shrugs, "I look great and you know it," he gestures to his red, white, and blue penguin swim trunks with a smile.