A Falice Story

33. Taking Care of You

[Time Jump]

Alice's POV

"Happy 34 weeks baby!" FP says with a big smile as he comes into the bedroom after his shower that morning.

I smile from the bed, still curled up in the covers. "Thanks, honey." 

Each day that the baby stays put is another day that FP and I can breathe a sigh of relief. I feel like a ticking time bomb that everyone's afraid is going to implode at any given time. FP and the kids have been watching me like a hawk. Any unusual sound or movement I make sends them into frenzy. It's sweet that they're so concerned, but it's also annoying as hell.  

He crawls into bed next to me planting a kiss on my belly as he does. I take in the smell of his cologne and kiss his neck, "Mhmmm you smell sexy." He chuckles, kissing me, "Oh, do I? Well you look sexy."

"Ugh, I do not! I've been living in your sweatpants and my old sports bras the last month..."

FP smiles, "And you still look very sexy in them."

I peck kisses against his lips, giggling at his attempts to break away so he can get ready for work. He kisses me one last time before rolling out of bed, "I hate leaving you all day."

"It's okay--I need some time away from you." 

"Al!" he whines.

"Babe, you know I love you--but you've been my shadow ever since I got home from the hospital!" 

He huffs, "Have not!"

I raise my eyebrow and he sighs, "Oh, alright! Maybe I've smothered you a little..."

"A little? Last week you wouldn't let me walk around the house! You insisted on carrying me anywhere I needed to go..."

"That's not smothering! That's helping..."

I laugh, "Okay, baby--sure it is." 

He changes into his work clothes and I sit up slowly, my back resting against the pillows, "What are we going to do about Thanksgiving next week? You know I'm going to have to cook."

FP turns back around to face me, "No, no, no--I can do it."

"Honey--are you kidding me?" I chuckle, "Jughead said Thanksgiving won't be Thanksgiving without my famous pumpkin pie."

He crosses his arms, "That was before you got put on bed rest. He'll have to be satisfied with one from the store."

"FP, please. I can do it, okay? I'll have Betty and Polly helping me. It'll be fine." 

He studies me for a while, trying to make his decision, "Promise me you'll take breaks every five minutes?"

"Every five minutes?!?" 

"Ten."

"Fine," I sigh, rubbing my belly absentmindedly, "I can't wait until you come out so daddy will stop being so crazy."

FP smirks, "Daddy's gonna be even crazier after that..."

I roll my eyes and he comes over to give me a goodbye kiss, "I love you, Ali. Call me if you need anything and don't overdo it."

"I know, I know--I love you too," I kiss him again before he leaves.

"I'm serious, Al. You know I have a watchful eye informing me of everything you do all day," he whistles and Hotdog comes trotting into the room. 

I laugh and then sigh in disbelief as Hotdog assumes his position on the bed, laying his head in my lap, "You are such a good boy keeping an eye on Mama for me, aren't you?" FP says in his baby voice and I run my hand through the dog's soft fur.