Night Fall | Sweet Pea (completed)

Chapter Fifty-Seven.

The soft vibration of my phone alarm woke me up earlier than usual as I rushed to turn it off. The time read 7am as I snuck out of bed making sure not to wake Sweet Pea or Charlie, quickly getting dressed into a simple white t-shirt dress and Serpents jacket and rushing downstairs.

"Morning FP." I smiled as I made my way into the kitchen to cook Jellybean's favourite breakfast, pancakes with bacon and maple syrup.

"Morning kid." FP smiled as he sat there sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper. "Thank you for offering to cook for Jellybean this morning. I know she hates my cooking and will love nothing more on her birthday." 

"It's not a problem FP. You know I love cooking, plus she's become a little sister to myself and a wonderful aunt to Charlie so it's only fitting I treat her to her favourite breakfast." The same smile hadn't left my lips as I thought about the plans we had all made for Jellybean for her 13th birthday.

"Are you and Jughead still taking JB to the movies this morning whilst we set up the park?" I asked over my shoulder as I began cooking the pancakes and bacon ensuring I didn't burn anything. 

"Already bought the tickets and pre-bought the popcorn for the three of us." The smile on FP's face grew wider as he thought about his little girl becoming a teenager.

"Feeling old there FP?" Sweet Pea laughed as he walked into the kitchen and patted FP on the back before placing a soft kiss on my lips. 

"Is Charlie still sleeping?" I smiled up at him as his arms rested around my waist.

"Like a log." Sweet Pea laughed softly before kissing me on the cheek and taking a seat next to FP at the breakfast bar. 

"You two are disgusting." Jellybean spoke making us aware she was awake.

"Happy birthday!" The three of us cheered as Jellybean rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. 

"I made your favourite, take a seat." I walked over and placed Jellybean's breakfast on the table before giving her a tight side hug. "Happy birthday you big teenager." 

"You're so grown up it's crazy." Sweet Pea smiled before hugging Jellybean and stealing a piece of bacon off of her plate, this caused JB to hit him playfully in the arm whilst laughing.

"Shut up Sweet Pea compared to me you're ancient." JB sassed back before the two of them poked their tongues out at each other.

"That's my birthday girl." FP laughed as him and Jellybean high-fived across the table. 

I served up breakfast for everyone before heading upstairs to pick up a waking Charlie.

"Good morning angel." I smiled down at her as she cooed at my presence. She was growing so much on a daily basis it made me emotional. 

"Mama loves you baby." She smiled up at me and continued staring whilst I kissed her on the head and carried her downstairs so everyone could join in the early morning celebrations.

---

"Sweet Pea move it a little bit to the right, okay maybe a little to the left." I ordered as Sweet Pea attempted to hang up the final birthday banner from the shelter in the park.

"It's in the same place it was five minutes ago." He huffed at me before getting off the ladder and standing back beside me.

"No it's crooked now." I sighed before finishing the banner myself and hopping off the ladder. "Now it's better."

Sweet Pea shook his head at me before leaning down and kissing me on the lips softly.

"Don't mummy and daddy argue like an old married couple?" Cheryl cooed at Charlie as she carried her towards us.

"Not married for a couple of months yet thank you Cher." I sassed at one of my best friends before my phone went off letting me know FP, Jughead and Jellybean were here.

"Places everyone!" Fangs yelled out as we all hid behind the nearest trees or bushes ready to surprise them. A couple of minutes passed by before the three voices came closer causing us all to jump out and yell happy birthday.

The smile on Jellybean's face made the entire morning of preparations worth it. 

"Did you think I'd let those two just take you to the cinemas on your birthday? Never." I hugged Jellybean tightly as tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Thank you so much Dani, this means everything to me. I always wanted an older sister and now it feels like our little family is complete." Now it was my turn to tear up as I pulled her in for another close hug.

"You're the little sister I never had JB and I truly hope your teenage years are filled with fun and a little bit of chaos." I whispered the last part to her as we both laughed towards FP's direction in order to ruffle him up a little.

"Oi what are you two talking about?" FP asked as he wrapped an arm around both Jellybean and myself.

"Just girl talk FP, nothing for you to worry about." I teased as he shook his head towards our antics and resumed his conversation with Fangs and Sweet Pea as the three of them entertained Charlie.

---

Hours filled with laughter, games, fun and plenty of photos had occurred until the sun began to set and everyone slowly trickled home. The only people left were FP, Jughead, Betty, Fangs, Jellybean, Sweet Pea, Charlie and I. We lay spread out on the picnic rug just enjoying the modern family we had managed to create. 

Charlie was bouncing on Sweet Pea's lap as everyone made small talk and used up the last of the film we had bought Jellybean for her birthday. With all of the years FP and Jughead had missed of Jellybeans life we thought it would be the perfect idea to create a scrapbook filled with photos on every occasion, whether that be a Sunday roast or a birthday event. We wanted to be able to look back at them all 10 years from now and remember every detail. The idea went down perfectly with everyone but FP, he was reluctant at first as he wasn't a big fan of having his photo taken however he quickly changed his mind when he thought of the memories it would create. 

"It's starting to get a little cold, we better pack up and head home."  Jughead spoke as he started packing up the empty food containers on the rug.

"Smart thinking kiddo." FP spoke as he began packing the presents into larger bags to fit in the truck. 

Everything had been packed away quickly due to the fact there was six people helping. I stood up to grab the final banner off of the shelter before I heard a quiet noise behind me.

"Dani!" Sweet Pea called out in excitement, I spun around quickly not knowing what was happening before I saw the amazed look on his face.

"What's happening?" Fangs asked as everyone gathered around Charlie and Sweet Pea.

"Mama" Charlie extended her small arm out towards me as she mumbled her first words.

"W-what?" I asked in disbelief as I knelt down in front of the two of them. "What was that darling?" 

"Mama." She spoke again as she extended her arms towards me again. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I took her softly into my arms and spun her around before hugging her tightly.

"She said her first words! Charlie said her first words!" Sweet Pea cheered as Fangs patted him on the back. 

I looked around at everyone in shock as Charlie continued to mumble 'mama'. Everyone had tears in their eyes and continued encouraging Charlie to speak as she soon gained confidence and spoke louder and louder.

Sweet Pea walked over to the both of us and pulled us close, kissing Charlie on the head and myself on the lips before holding us both close to him. 

"I love you both." He whispered to me managing to make a blush appear on my cheeks as I looked towards the man who had made my entire life complete.

"I love you too."

Charlie had not only spoken her first words but she spoke them in front of our entire abnormal family to witness together. It's as if any worry or doubt in my mind had been pushed completely aside as I stared down at Charlie with such love and adoration. How someone so small can create such joy is beyond me.