The Forgotten Blossom | A Riverdale Story

Chapter 22: Visitor

Claire sat at her dressing table taking her makeup off, staring at herself in the mirror.  She turned around and picked out her favourite pair of pyjamas and changed in to them before putting on her robe and going downstairs. Hermione, Fred, Alice and Fp were all sat around the table.

"Claire!" Hermione exclaimed. "I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks" she hugged the girl.

"Hermione, I saw you this morning" Claire replied slightly confused. Hermione laughed

"I know, but it feels like forever!" She said as she went to sit back down beside Fred.

"We've made a decision about the wedding" Fred said, grabbing everyone's attention. "We are going to wait until the baby is born and then get married. I don't want Hermione going through too much stress while she's pregnant" he explained.

"Makes sense" Fp replied. "We actually made some plans as well, we booked a church for April"

"We know it's a bit quick but I just really want to be married" Alice laughed, holding Fp's arm.

"I think that's great guys!" Claire chimed in. "But I've got to go to bed, goodnight" she added walking over to the stairs. Just then they all heard a bang on the front door. Another. Another. Claire stood frozen on the first step, breathing heavily. "Alice" She whispered. Alice motioned for Claire to quietly go to her and the rest at the table. Claire tiptoed past the door, joining the rest.

"Stay here" Fp whispered, walking over to the door and looking through the peephole. "It's Hiram" he said mouthed before slightly opening the door. "What do you want Hiram?"

"I'm here to get my wife" Hiram drunkenly slurred.

"You're not getting in" Fp said, in a panic. Hiram laughed.

"Yes I am" he pushed the door open with surprising force "mi amor!" he stumbled towards his ex wife. Fred stood in front of her protectively, Alice and Claire also behind him. "Move out of my way, she'll never love you as much as she loves me"
Fred couldn't do it anymore, it was like his heart took control as he swung his fist into the man's face. Hiram fell to the ground as a result of the impact.

"Fred..." Hermione said quietly as Fp practically carried a drunken Hiram outside and called him a taxi.

"Hermione.." Fred turned to his fiancée, completely in shock. She walked towards him slowly and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the hug, his hands around her shoulders. Alice turned to Claire and put her arm around the girl who was clearly shaken up.

"It's okay babe" she whispered, kissing the top of her head. They all stayed there until Fp returned into the house.

"He's on his way back to The Pembrooke, I told the driver to make sure there was someone to take him upstairs." He explained.

"Thank you Fp" Hermione said, breaking the hug.

"It's no problem" he replied, making his way over to his own fiancée who was still hiding behind a table. Fp offered Alice his hand and then Claire.

"I think it's bedtime now" Alice said.

"Yes, we better get going" Fred suggested, picking up his and Hermione's coats, taking her hand and waving to the three remaining in the house. They walked down the path.

"Why did you punch him Fred?" Hermione asked.

"I was trying to protect you love" Fred explained to the woman as they neared their front door.

"Thank you but, next time be more patient. Please" Hermione begged as the pair stood on their doorstep.

"Of course, I don't know what happened in there but it wasn't me and it won't happen again. I promise" Fred stuck out his pinky. "Pinky promise" Hermione giggled but wrapped her own pinky around the man's.

"Pinky promise"

Back next door, Claire was eventually going to bed for real this time. She climbed under her soft cover, revelling in the warmth and comfort that she so desperately needed after the crazy day. She fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Alice sat in her pyjamas at her dressing table.
"Why did you let him in Fp?" She asked.

"I didn't Alice, he pushed the door open himself!" Fp shouted back from their en suite where he was brushing his teeth.

"So a little drunk man is stronger than you?" She replied, taking off her makeup.

"Don't you remember, he was the captain of the wrestling team in high school?" Fp got into bed, desperately wanting this argument to end.

"He was drunk Fp, did you see Hermione? She was traumatised! She doesn't need anymore stress than she already has" Alice shouted at him also getting into bed.

"Ali, come o-" Alice cut Fp off.

"Don't Ali me! Goodnight Forsythe" she turned over and faced the other way.

"Good night Miss Smith" Fp muttered under his breath, sniggering as he turned his own lamp off and fell asleep.

Hermione and Fred were having a little more trouble than their neighbours. Fred returned to their bedroom from the kitchen with a glass of water for Hermione.

"Here you go" he said handing her the glass over her book.

"Thank you honey" Hermione said, taking a sip as Fred got into bed beside her.

"Come here" Fred asked rolling over and out stretching his arms. Hermione smiled, putting her glass and book on the cabinet and turning to face her fiancé, relaxing in his embrace.

"I love you Fred" she whispered into his shoulder, grazing her nose over where he was shot.

"I love you too Hermione" Fred replied, kissing her head. "Good night" he added.

"Good night handsome" Hermione uttered before falling asleep.

A/N

This part is so long 🤣 sorry if you got bored.