A Falice Story

41. Adult Advice

Alice's POV

I wake up to the sound of the baby's cries, and slide out of FP's embrace so I can tend to Isla. He  shifts in his sleep, waking up as I get out of bed. 

"Is the little nugget awake already?" he asks with a sleepy smile. 

I pick her up, kissing her head, "Every two hours, just like clockwork." 

I sit on the bed next to him and he yawns, wrapping an arm around me, "How are you doing, mama?" 

"Surviving," I say with a smirk, pressing a kiss against his cheek and getting situated so I can feed the baby. 

I can't say it's been completely smooth sailing getting back into the swing of having a newborn around. I love her, but jeez, I'm already exhausted and it's only been a couple days. Plus, with Christmas being a few days away, it's been a bit--well, hectic. 

"You're doing so great, Al. I'm so proud of you."

I smile, "Thanks, babe. I don't feel like I am--but thanks."

He scoffs, "Honey, that's just the hormones talking. You are doing a wonderful job. You're the best mom ever."

"And you are the best dad ever. I love you baby."

FP shifts, pressing kisses against my neck, "I love both of you so much."

*

"What do you want for breakfast, babe?"

I finish pouring cream into my coffee and take a sip, "Hmm, I don't know--we could do pancakes? Make a nice big breakfast for the kids when they finally get out of bed..."

It was Saturday, so Betty, Jughead and JB were all sleeping in. Who knows where Gladys was, probably still in bed too.

"I know Jughead will be happy about that," FP says with a laugh, "And his sister can put away quite a few pancakes herself..."

I smile, and start to get the ingredients for the batter. FP gets out the eggs, sausage, bacon and hash browns. 

The sound of footsteps echo up from the basement. Gladys walks into the kitchen wearing an oversized flannel and her glasses, hair up in a messy bun.

"Well, good morning sunshine," I comment sarcastically, as she slumps into a chair. "Rough night?"

She looks up at me and nods, "I mean, sure, I made a wad in tips, but at what cost? Cleaning up some drunk guy's puke?" she lets out a frustrated sigh, and taking off her glasses to clean them. 

Gladys had picked up a job bartending at La Bonne Nuit, which came in handy for Veronica's sake, as no minor could be behind the counter serving alcoholic beverages. 

She puts her glasses back on and wanders to the counter to get a cup of coffee, cooing at the baby in my arms as she does, "Alice, I can take her for a while, if you want. That way you can finish breakfast with both hands."

FP looks over at me with a small smirk, as he knows I've been incredibly protective over my new child. I put down the wooden spoon I was stirring the batter with and turn towards her, contemplating my next move, "She's my baby, you can't play with her," I say with a sassy glare, turning back around to finish the task at hand. 

Gladys groans, "Oh, come on! Alice, that's so immature!"

I look over at FP with a pout, wondering if he's going to let her get away with saying that to me, "Hey, Al--Gladys is just trying to help you out...I think you should let her."

I glare at him and let out a huffy breath, "Fine. You can hold her--just until I'm done with breakfast." I pass Isla over to her and she smiles, taking the newborn in her arms and sitting at the kitchen counter, "You wanted to hang out with your cool Auntie GiGi didn't you Isla?" she says, pressing a kiss to the baby's forehead. 

My eyes roll back in my head and I look to FP, who just shrugs, laughing softly. "Just be careful with her, Auntie GiGi," I demand, turning around to check on how FP's doing with the sausage and bacon. 

Gladys scoffs, "What do you think I'm going to do--drop her? I learned my lesson about that with Jug."

I whip back around staring at her with a concerned expression and she groans, "Oh, I was kidding for God sakes!" 

FP wraps his arms around me pressing a kiss against my head, "Babe--it's okay. We know you're just being a protective mama bear and we love you for that."

I smile, turning around to properly kiss him, giggling as he presses kisses against my neck. 

"Um, okay, hi--" Gladys says, trying to get us to break it up. "I do have something to talk to you guys about. I need adult advice."

FP pulls his face away from my neck, "You need adult advice?"

"Yeah, yeah--shut up. Anyway, I'm seriously considering going back to school--getting an actual degree. I could do it online too, just a two year program."

"What do you want to do?"

She sighs, shifting the baby to one arm so she could sip her coffee, "Well, see, that's the thing--I don't quite know. I just know I want a real job like you guys have."

"I think you should do it," I say confidently, "I think it would be really good for you."

"Really? Yeah, I mean, I really want to do it."

FP nods, "I agree. It would be good for you."

Betty and JB come downstairs, still in their pajamas too. "Morning," they echo, sleepily.

"Morning girls," I chirp, "Where's Jug?"

"Where do you think? Still asleep!" JB rants, getting a mug for coffee.

"Hey kid--are you sure you want to drink that? Won't it stunt your growth?" FP jokes, ruffling her hair. 

She rolls her eyes, "Ha ha, very funny."

"Don't worry, Jug will be down the minute he starts smelling bacon. I can guarantee it," I say, pouring the batter onto the griddle. 

Just like I predicted, a few minutes after the bacon hit the pan, Jughead's bedroom door opens and he is downstairs in a flash. 

"And there he is...the man himself," Gladys smirks.

"Ahhhh, nothing like waking up to the smell of bacon," he says with a wide smile.  

I finish breakfast and demand my baby back from Gladys, who obliges. We are just about to sit down to eat when the doorbell rings, "Hmm, that's weird, I wonder who that could be?" FP mutters as he stands up to get the door.

He opens it, but doesn't say anything, he just turns back toward the dining room.

"Um, Al? Can you come here...?"