She couldn't believe it...he was gone and she wasn't home. She's not there for FP, Betty, Mary, everyone. The newspaper Alice held in her hand was drooping from the tears that ran down her face.
One of the first things she does when she gets home is going to visit Fred.
~~
"How are you?" Alice smiled weakly at FP. She had finally stopped the farm and was home with her family. "I'm living one day at a time." FP sighed. He hated the word living at the moment.
"I um...I saw the announcement in the paper. He died a hero." She softly smiled wiping a tear from her cheek.
"The funeral was beautiful. Joise came home and sang, Archie made a great speech."
"I wish I could have been there. I may not have always treated Fred the best, but I loved him." She chuckled remembering the way she acted when Hal was around.
"Like a brother." FP smiled nodding his head. "No, like a friend. I can't think of him like a brother." Alice shivered. FP gave her an odd look.
"I kissed him in high school. We were both going through some things and...well I love him like a friend, a close friend." She laughed, for the first time in months.
"You kissed him? When we were together?" FP raised his eyebrow at the new information. "While you were fooling around with the cheer team." Alice side eyed him shutting his jealousy down quick.
"Fred was always a ladies man." FP shrugged. "You couldn't believe the amount of girls he turned down. He always felt horrible, but he couldn't get over Hermione. She was a..."
"Stop while your ahead. She may seem horrible, but she kept my secret." Alice cut him off.
"Then Mary came along. They were good, no great for each other." FP smiled. He could replay their wedding day like it was yesterday.
"He looked so handsome. Fred talked to Hal and I for hours it seemed. Well he kinda saved me. I was so irritated until Fred came."
"Fred did put a smile on everyone's face." The pair nodded and cuddled into each other. Then it hit them, Fred was really gone.
"Do you think he left yet?" Alice asked looking up at FP. "What do you mean?"
"Like, did Artie take him or is he hanging around?"
"I think he's dealing with some unfinished business." FP smirked. "Like what?" She sat up grabbing the blanket behind them.
"Like...messing with you. You didn't say goodbye. He'll come to you." FP tried to hold back the laugh in his throat. "Well I haven't felt him yet." She sighed not believing the crap coming out of his mouth.
"Let's get some rest before he gets you." FP smiled and led Alice up the stairs.
~~
The next morning she stood at the kitchen counter making her morning coffee. It felt nice to be back in the routine. It was a bit cloudy with a high chance of rain any moment now.
It was pretty nostalgic feeling really. Fred always turned the rain into a wonderful day. Weather it was letting the kids play in huge puddles or building a fort for them to drink coco and hear the soothing sound.
After the storm the kids piled into the back of his old truck with blankets and drove all over town to find the rainbow.
She stood at the window watching the memory of the kids and Fred. It was like yesterday they were in high school ditching class and having fun.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when FP's arms wrapped around her waist. "Good morning." He mumbled into her neck. Placing soft loving kisses. "Morning, morning to you to Fred." She whispered and as if Fred was listening a lighting strike with a loud roar of thunder sounded. "He's home." Alice whispered and let her final tear fall. She had finally said goodbye to Fred.
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The episode was beautifully written. The writers did an amazing job honoring Luke/Fred and he will always be remembered❤️
