A Falice Story

24. Let's Talk

"Are you all ready, Al?" FP asks as he walks into my hospital room after returning from putting my things in the car. I nod, my shoulder still bandaged up, but feeling better. 

We walk out to the car, FP's arm wrapped around my waist the whole way. He helps me into the passenger seat, kissing my cheek before walking around to the other side to get behind the wheel. 

As I settle into the seat, my mind wanders back to what I've been thinking about since the hospital. I don't want to go back to the house. Everything that has happened in it has been so awful. Of course there has been a lot of good times too, but I don't want to live there anymore. I thought that by redecorating, it would help erase the years with Hal--which it sort of did. But now, I can't get the images of that night out of my head. I can't do it. I don't want to raise a new baby in that house. 

FP notices I'm lost in thought, so he takes my hand in his, giving it a light squeeze, "What are you thinking about, Alice?" I snap out of it and turn to him, staring into his blue eyes, "I--" The phone rings and I'm interrupted. FP answers it, and I can tell by his expression that it's not a good call.

"Jug--what?! No--no, you stay there. Okay, are you sure?" he pauses, a frustrated expression on his face. "Okay. You kids stay in the house--ignore them. We'll find somewhere else to go. Love you." 

"What's going on, FP?" I ask, feeling uneasy after that phone exchange. FP shakes his head, running a hand through his hair, "I guess you're a bit of a media frenzy--Jug said the lawn is full of damn reporters and news outlets."

I let out an exasperated sigh, "Are you kidding me? That's just great. I'm sure they would just love to have another interview with the former wife of the Black Hood..." 

FP rubs my arm, "It's okay, Al. You don't have to talk to them--you're not going to talk to them. I'm taking us to Pop's. We'll hide out in the Speakeasy for awhile. Veronica won't mind." I nod and sniffle, "Can I get a milkshake while we're there?" 

He smiles, "Yes, baby. You can get a milkshake." I lean into him, closing my eyes. I must have fallen asleep, because when I open my eyes, we're in the parking lot of Pop's, FP gently kissing me. 

"Wake up Sleeping Beauty," FP says softly chuckling. I groan, my shoulder hurting again. He helps me out of the car and we walk into Pop's. "Pop, I need one vanilla milkshake," FP says with a smile. Pop Tate nods behind the counter, smiling, seeing us together.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Alice," Pop Tate says, "This one is on the house." I smile, "Thanks, Pop." We wait by the counter, checking over my shoulder every few seconds--paranoid that someone is going to start asking me questions about what happened. Pop slides the milkshake over to me and FP and I start for the basement.

"Wait--why do you have keys for the Speakeasy?" I question. FP smirks, "Veronica asked me to help her with the set up. I really shouldn't be showing you--I told her I'd keep it under wraps until the grand opening--but I guess I can make an exception," he kisses my cheek. We walk down the stairs and he flips the light switch on, revealing the most elegant room.

"Wow, FP--this is beautiful!" He smiles, "The decorating was all Veronica. Fred and I just helped with the construction." I look around the entire room, "Well, you did a wonderful job." He wraps his arms around me, "I guess there's no better time to ask you this than right now...be my date for opening night?" 

I look up at him and smile, "Of course I will. Only if you promise to take me back here when I'm not pregnant and can have a little fun..." I smirk, grazing my hand across the bar. He places his hands on the sides of my face, kissing me passionately, "Absolutely."