Two Pink Lines

21

"So how are the kids handling everything?" Fred asks FP as he pours another glass of orange juice.

"Jellybean has taken a bit of adjusting. She's had a hard time with Gladys going to jail and learning about what she was up to, but she seems to be doing well." He answers. "And Jughead, well, he's living with his girlfriend so he's not complaining one bit."

Mary laughs. "I can imagine they would both be pretty excited about it."

"Definitely. Minus the fact that we won't let them share a room."

"Well that's probably for the best," Fred says. "You've already got one surprise baby on the way, probably don't want another one."

"Don't even speak that into existence, Alice will have your head."

"She doesn't scare me that much anymore. She's grown soft over the years." Fred teases. "How are you two doing anyway?"

"Amazing. I can't even describe how good it feels waking up and seeing her everyday, knowing that we have a little one on the way. It's surreal, in the best possibly way."

"She said you got to hear the heartbeat. Must of been pretty exciting." Mary gushes.

FP can't hide his smile as he recalls the moment. "Exciting doesn't even cover it. It was like something I've never experienced. That sounds awful because I mean I heard Jellybean and Jughead when Gladys was pregnant, but there was just something different this time. Magical almost."

Fred cracks a smile. "She's your first love. Not many people get to experience something like this with their first love, you two are the lucky ones."

"Well it's about time we get some luck."

The sound of a door opening catches their attention and a few moments later Alice walks into view. "I thought I heard voices."

"Fred and Mary asked if we wanted to grab breakfast at Pop's but I already made some here so I invited them over." FP explains, standing up to greet her. "Did we wake you?"

Alice shakes her head as she steps into his arms, letting him hug her close to his body. "No, I was dead asleep. I'm exhausted."

"I know, that's why I let you sleep." He presses a kiss to her forehead. "I left you some on the counter so you could have it when you woke up."

Her eyes drift into the kitchen, spotting a plate of food on the counter. She smiles and lifts up on her tip-toes to brush a kiss against his lips and then she's off. He chuckles and takes his seat again.

"It's weird seeing you like this." Fred says after a moment.

FP's eyebrows wrinkle in confusion. "Like what?"

"So lovey dovey, so outwardly affectionate. I mean don't get me wrong, it's nice to see you two like that, it's just... different."

The tips of FP's ears turn pink as his whole body heats up in almost embarrassment-like feeling. "I love her, man. Like you said, she's the love of my life."

"Who's the love of your life?" Alice questions as she walks into the room again, claiming the seat next to FP.

"Jennifer Aniston." Fred answers jokingly, earning an elbow in the side from Mary.

FP laughs at the two of them and curls his arm around Alice's shoulders. "You of course."

"You're cheesy." Alice replies, scooping some scrambled eggs onto her fork. "But you're cute."

"Well I try my best."

"So how's Fred Jr. doing?"

Alice narrows her eyes at him across the table. "Fred Jr.?"

Fred shrugs. "That's his name right? Named after your favourite person?"

Alice rolls her eyes fondly. "Oh yes of course. But what if it's a girl, what will we do then?"

"Freida." Alice shakes her head with a laugh. "Seriously though, how is everything?"

"Good. Minus the fact that I'm going to gain a ton of weight because he or she has their fathers appetite and makes me want to eat something every twenty minutes." She shoots daggers with her eyes at FP, who looks at her innocently. "But yeah, everything's good. Doctor said the baby is perfectly healthy."

"Any cravings yet?" Mary asks.

"No, but I have a feeling it's not far off." She picks up a piece of bacon from her plate and bites into it, instantly regretting the choice as the taste makes her feel queasy.

FP notices her go pale and grows concerned. "Al? Babe, are you alright?"

She doesn't answer, just stands up from her chair and makes a beeline for the kitchen. FP is up in a flash to chase after her, making it just in time to gather her hair as she throws up in the sink.

She straightens up after a minute, rinsing her mouth out with water and finding that not only did FP follow, but so did Mary and Fred. "Well this is a fun addition to breakfast."

"Are you alright?" Fred asks.

"I'm fine, the bacon just didn't agree with my tastebuds I guess."

"Guess our little peanut doesn't like bacon." FP says, resting a hand on her bump.

Fred reaches out to touch her stomach as well, heightening his voice into a babyish tone. "That's 'cause your daddy can't cook that well, don't worry, uncle Freddie will make you some good bacon when you're older."