Notorious Hope

41. the beginning of something new

AN-Riley went to school physically until Alex was 3 months old then switched to online school. This is the final chapter. The sequel will be up within a week or two.

*6 months later*

The past 6 months are a massive blur in Riley's mind. But she's in utter bliss whenever she spends to time with her precious baby boy, Alexander. But she knew that doing online school for her final 3 months of Junior Year was going to be tough. On the upside, she's bonded with her son, in ways she can't even fathom. 

But now it's time to face the music. Face the judgement and the criticism. She worked hard to lose the baby weight. Riley didn't want another piece of the judgement puzzle to be added. Looking at herself now, she's pretty positive she's back to her pre-Alex body.

''I can't believe it's been 6 months. Holy Shit''

Lucas gives her a glare. This reminds her that Alex is in his car seat behind her.

''Sorry...''

She's learnt the hard way to compact her cussing habit. Lucas is helping her with that, glaring her down every time she cusses. But she'll get there, with time.

''We're here...''

Riley's heart rate increases rapidly at the thought of school. Lucas note of this, kissing her on the cheek to bring her back to earth.

''I'll get Alex, just go get your stuff and I'll take care of him for you''

She feels so blessed to have Lucas in her life. She thinks she wouldn't have gotten through the past 6 months without him.

''Let's go''

Riley's unfazed when Missy and Maya both race towards her. Both of them are head over heels in love with Alex. Especially Missy, considering she is his godmother. Maya still is close to Alex, treating him like he's her own child.

''Are you being a good boy for Momma and Lucas? Because Momma can get cranky when she doesn't have her beauty sleep.''

Riley jokingly glares at Maya regarding her comment. Lucas and herself have come to the mutual agreement that Alex would be the one to decide what Lucas is to him as he grows up. He's starting to say words more coherently nowadays. Sometimes he'll say 'dada' or 'daddy', so both Riley and Lucas have got used to it.

''He's been a good little boy for me so far. Y'know, despite waking me up every 3 hours to make sure he's still breathing. I mean, when you have an 11-month-old son who is almost proficient in walking, you can see how that can be a struggle.''

Her son's well behaved but is quickly becoming quite the charmer. Lunging himself towards others whenever a new face is around. 

''Dada''

Riley's quite certain that Alex will be a Daddy's boy growing up. However, Lucas would contradict this theory by saying he'll be a Momma's boy. But, only time will tell.

''See what I mean? He's gonna be a daddy's boy''

Lucas blows raspberries into the toddler's necks, causing a huge grin to spread across his lips.

''Okay, so maybe he will be. But I'd rather be loved by Alex than have him resent me.''

Riley kisses both boys on the cheek before proceeding to open her locker. When Lacey speeds towards the pair, embracing all of them excitedly.

''There's my beautiful, nephew. Hey Alex, hey buddy...''

Lacey is the most involved family members. She spends the majority of her time either at the Friar house with the 3 of them. Or babysitting Alex to give the couple time alone.

''La,La...''

  Alex can't pronounce some letters very proficiently yet so he nicknamed Lacey 'La La' for short. 

''How're you guys handling this little guy?''

Both teens kiss the toddler's reddened cheeks as he giggles profoundly. Despite not being his biological father, Lucas treats Alex as if he's his biological son. He'd do anything for the little boy.

''Not so well. Although we are having a little trouble getting him to get to sleep through the night. He'll either wake up crying or want to sleep with us because he's had a bad dream.''

Alex has recently been spending lots of quality time with FP and Alice as well as Pappy Joe and Riley's grandparents Alan and Amy. Lucas and Riley came to the mutual agreement that family's important so their little boy's spent as much time with his elders as possible.

''I'm sure he's just going through a phase. But you guys are strong, I know you can handle this''

Everybody adores her son and she's glad that Riverdale is more accepting towards their little family.

''Let's hope. I know I'd do anything for Riley and Alex. There's my whole world''

The brunette blushes at his comment causing a question to waver through his head.

What did I ever do to deserve them?

''You're gonna be great parents to Alex. I've seen the way you take care of Lucas's siblings and Auggie. I know Alex is in good hands with the two of you.''

The aunt kisses her nephews cheeks, affectionately. As the toddler starts to become fussy, Lucas, who's sitting on a bench, retrieves the boy, bouncing him on his knee. 

''C'mon Alex, be good for Daddy. Then Mommy might give you a treat.''

Kissing her son's cheek as the three enter their first period with Gladys.

''Hey Mama''

The grandmother scoops her grandson into her arms, kissing his cheeks profusely.

''How my favourite little boy doing, huh? You being a good boy for Momma and Daddy?''

Gladys reminisces her own children's childhood's as she lovingly glances at her grandson. The perfect reincarnation of her sweet little Joshua Gabriel. Her little girl is now a mother and she couldn't have asked for a better father figure for Alex than Lucas.

Despite being in his grandmother's arms, Alex's eyes are set on his parents. He loves Riley and Lucas and vice versa.

''He sure does love you, guys. I'm tryna get his attention but he won't seem to take his eyes off of you guys.''

The toddler reaches for both his mother and father, in a simultaneous motion.

''Dada, Momma''

The brunette holds her son, smothering his full cheeks with smooches.

''Momma loves you, buddy. Yes, I do.''

The brunette places her son on her lap as she sits at her desk, allowing him to play with her keys.

Northside High Cafeteria-12: 45 pm

As lunchtime rolls around, the toddler is already drifting off to sleep on Lucas's shoulder.

''Well, somebody's worn out, isn't he?''

Riley kisses her son's forehead, brushing his hair out of his face. Lucas rubs the little boys' back as he snores quietly. Snuggling his face deeply into the emerald-eyed teen's shoulder.

''I don't mind. As long as he's happy''

Riley sweetly admires her boyfriend as he interacts with her son. She'd never of thought that being taken advantage of would result into something so beautiful. Reaching into her backpack and covering her son with a blanket and his beloved soft toy. 

''I love you, Lucas, you know that, right?''

He looks into the brunette's eyes and sees his whole world. He looks into Alex's eyes and he sees his whole life ahead of him.

''I love you too, both of you''

Caressing the brunette's locks delicately. Kissing both of their forehead's.

''Forever and Always''

The End! I'm currently working on the sequel which should be up in a few days to a weeks' time. So be on the lookout for that! Until then, keep reading because I will be publishing one shots in this book until I publish the sequel.