A Falice Story

29. Empty Threat

Alice's POV

"Wait--what?!" Betty responds, looking to both FP and I, "You can't be serious..." 

"Dad--Alice, are you guys sure?" Jughead questions, eyebrow arched in suspicion. 

"Guys, I know this sounds crazy, but it's really him," FP explains. I nod, gripping his hand tighter, "You'll love him, he's so kind--"

"Mom, just, hold on here. Do you not remember what we went through with Chic? How can you just trust someone after that--" Betty interjects. 

I sigh, "I know, Elizabeth--I know. But you're just going to have to trust us on this one. It's really him. A mother knows her own son--"

"Oh really? Because that's exactly what you said last time and look at the mess you got us in--" Betty pauses after that, sucking in her breath, realizing that she has gone too far. 

"Hey--" FP starts, but I don't need him to tell her that she put her foot in her mouth. "That's a pretty interesting statement Elizabeth, considering you were the one who decided to find him in the first place," I bite back. 

Her eyes widen and she pulls back, "Sorry--sorry. I didn't mean to say that, it just slipped out. I just don't want you to get hurt again, Mom. I don't want our family to get hurt again," she says tearfully. 

"We are the parents here, okay? Don't you think we took all that into consideration?! It was fate that he came here today. It's him--and once you meet him I guarantee you'll know immediately," I continue, meeting my daughter's skeptical gaze. 

It's dead silent until JB speaks up, "So, where is he? Can we meet him now?" 

"He's working--" FP begins. 

"Have him meet us at Pop's tonight," Jughead says very directly. Betty snaps her head in his direction, "Jug?!" He shrugs, "What? I want to meet him." Jellybean nods, "Me too. I've always wanted a cool older brother," she smirks. Jughead just rolls his eyes and ignores the comment. 

FP and I look at each other, happy that at least two out of the three kids were willing to meet their brother. 

"I can text and ask him," FP offers and I nod.

Betty opens her mouth to say something, but she changes her mind. "You don't have to come if you don't want to," I bluntly tell her. I'm not about to let her attitude ruin the night. She looks at the ground and doesn't respond, so I sigh and go upstairs to get ready.

***

FP comes up a few minutes later, "He's coming!" he smiles, which makes me smile in return. 

"Good. I'm glad your kids are at least wanting to meet him..." 

He sits on the bed, watching me get ready. "She'll come around to it. You gotta remember that she went through a lot with Chic--" I'm about to interrupt him, but he already knows what I'm about to say, "I'm not saying that you didn't babe, but it really got to her."

I nod, "I know. I wish she'd talk about with me," I wrap another piece of hair around my curling iron, "She just holds onto so much, you know? I don't understand why she never wants to talk--Polly's the same way..." 

He comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and gently rubbing my belly.

"They'll talk when they're ready, Al. You can't force them to open up. But trust me, they'll come around." 

I rest my head back against his chest and he kisses the top of my head. 

"Do you think they'll like him?" FP smiles, "They'd be crazy not to. He's a good guy. I think they'll love him."