A Falice Story

46. Peachy

[ Alice's POV ]

I reach our bedroom and pick up my daughter, cradling her against my chest, "Are you hungry, baby girl?"

I sit down on the bed, pulling off the top I was wearing as FP enters, closing the door behind him. 

"You okay, honey?"

"No, I'm not okay! My mother is sitting in our living room, Al--pretending that everything is just...peachy! Well, it's not peachy! She acts like she never walked out on me, Al. Like she didn't up and leave us without explanation with my dad--the man who enjoyed slapping the shit out of us for no reason."

"Baby, ssshhh--calm down," I try to soothe him.

FP sits down next to me sighing loudly. With my free hand I rub his back and I can hear him sniff back tears. 

"She just--she doesn't get it," he pauses, "She doesn't get how it affected me."

I kiss his cheek softly, "Talk to her. She obviously wants to make a reconciliation with you."

He turns his head to look at me and smiles softly. He presses a kiss against my lips and strokes my cheek, "I'm sorry, babe. I didn't mean to blow up at you."

"It's okay, FP. I understand your frustration, believe me. But she seems a hell of a lot better than my mother if it makes you feel any better."

FP rolls his eyes, but chuckles softly, "That's because she's spent all morning complementing you."

I smirk, "Maybe so, but still. She seems sweet."

"She's--she is," he sighs, "She just didn't think being a mother was very important."

I wrap my arm around him, resting my head against his shoulder. He kisses the side of my head and looks down at the baby in my arms, "I could never leave this perfect, little girl."

I run my index finger along her cheek, "I know, FP. I love her so much."

"She really looks like you, Al. It's crazy."

I smile, "I see you in her though, too."

He rubs my lower back gently, "Nah, that's all you baby. I'm so glad--wouldn't have it any other way."

"I love you," I purr, kissing just below his jaw.

"I'll always love you."

I finish nursing Isla and FP and I head back downstairs. I snugly hold the newborn in my arms as we enter the living room.

"When your dad was thirteen I caught him making out with his Cindy Crawford poster," I overhear Kathleen tell the kids, who erupt with laughter. 

FP sighs loudly, and I slap his shoulder, "Cindy Crawford? Really?"

"You can quit telling them fun little stories about me," he announces upon entering the room. 

Jughead groans, "Dad, come on--this is awesome! We're learning so many new things about you," he chuckles.

"I bet you are..." he says through an irritated smile and I join his mother on the couch.

"Kathleen, meet your newest granddaughter, Isla Addison Jones," I beam, incredibly proud of the beautiful baby girl FP and I created.

"Oh my--she's an angel!" Kathleen coos, "Can I hold her?"

I nod, "Absolutely." I gently pass the baby over to her and she smiles happily. 

"So was this planned, or a happy little accident?"

"Mom--"

"--a very happy little accident," I finish for FP who rolls his eyes.

"--Mom you can't just ask that."

She moves her attention off Isla and onto FP, "What? It's not like I asked about your sex life--which I'm assuming is still...thriving."

"Oh my God, Grandma!" Jughead moans and Betty makes gagging noises.

"I'm about two seconds away from shoving marshmallows into my ears..." Gladys states in disgust.

I roll my eyes and Kathleen tries to hold back laughter, "Sorry, kids. I just can't believe my son not only knocked you up once, but twice."

"Okay, okay--thank you for bringing that up again," FP says in annoyance. 

"Can we please stop talking about Alice and Dad's personal lives?" Jughead pleads for the entire group.

"Yes--yes, I'll stop," Kathleen says, surrendering, "Bottom line, is that my newest grandchild is absolutely perfect."

"Thank you, we like to think so," I say with a smirk.

JB comes over and sits next to her grandma, "Was I this adorable when I was a baby?"

"Not at all," Jughead says with a taunting grin. 

JB sticks her tongue out at him and Kathleen laughs, "You were perfect too, honey."

FP nervously bounces his leg and I can tell he's anxious about finally confronting his mother. We make eye contact and I give him a soft smile and he sighs. 

"Mom? I think we should go talk."