Two Pink Lines

49 {Epilogue}

As soon as the car is in park, FP is up and out, rushing over to the passenger side to give Alice a hand out. "FP I can walk just fine." Alice teases, taking his hand nonetheless.

"I know, but you said you're still sore."

"I think that's to be expected honey." She pecks a kiss to his lips once she's standing. "You're very sweet though."

He smiles at her and steals another kiss. "I try my best. You want to grab her and I'll get the bags?"

She nods and opens the back door, peering in at the sleeping baby bundled in her car seat. "Hi baby girl. We're home." She coos, carefully unbuckling her and pulling her into her arms. The baby stirs a little and Alice cuddles her closer, keeping her nice and cozy. "You're gonna get to see your brother and sisters again, they've been waiting for you to get home. Especially Jellybean."

FP chuckles. "Yeah I don't think Bean will be leaving your side or hers for a little while."

Alice shrugs. "I don't mind. I think it's cute how excited she is, plus she's so helpful. She's a good big sister, you really lucked out Buttercup."

The nickname had stuck ever since FP gave it to her, even after announcing the name to the family Buttercup had become her moniker, just like Jellybean and Jughead.

"I think she just gets cuter and cuter every day." FP comments, stepping behind Alice to peer down at the baby.

"We did a pretty good job, huh?" Alice smiles.

"We absolutely did." He pecks a kiss to her cheek and leans down to kiss Freddie's head. "Let's head inside and see the other rugrats."

"We're home!" FP announces as he holds the door open for Alice to walk inside. The house is completely quiet and FP and Alice share a confused look.

They round the corner only to find all four kids gathered together in the living room. "Welcome home!" They shout in unison. Alice and FP share a wide grin, eyes bright. "We tried to make a banner but it uh... it didn't really work out that well." Jughead says, pointing to said banner, clearly having fell down from from where they had pinned it up.

"Oh don't worry about it, we're just happy to see you guys." Alice assures him, chuckling when Freddie lets loose a big yawn. "I promise she's a lot more excited than she looks."

"How are you feeling mom?" Betty asks.

"I'm good, a little sore and tired but so incredibly happy."

"And Buttercup?"

"A Jones through and through," Alice smiles. "She's a good little eater."

"We made cupcakes!" Jellybean excitedly tells them.

"You did?" FP smiles. "Save about eight of them for me."

"We're gonna go stop into the nursery, and then we'll be right back." Alice tells them, giving the kids a smile before heading upstairs, FP following close behind. "You ready to see your bedroom, Freddie? Your daddy worked really hard on it."

"So did your mommy." He adds, following her into the room. "What do you think, baby doll?"

"I don't think she quite knows what she's looking at just yet, honey." Alice says, laughing a little as she looks down at Freddie in her arms, her little eyes blinking up at her. "I think she just sees the lights."

"She's so alert." FP evaluates, setting Alice's hospital bag on the floor in favour of wrapping his arms around her waist. "I think she's gonna be a little genius."

"I think so too." Alice smiles, leaning her head back to rest on his shoulder. "This feels so right. You, me, her? It's like a perfect fairytale."

"I'm so grateful for you, and for her. I can't even remember what my life was like before the both of you, it sure as hell wasn't as amazing as it is now."

"We love you so much, honey. Don't we Buttercup?" She coos, situating the baby girl better in her arms. "Yeah daddy's the best, isn't he?"

"What are you thinking about, pretty girl?" FP wonders out loud.

"Probably milk." Alice chuckles. "I think that's always on her mind."

"She's a Jones, babe. We like to eat."

He stands there behind the two of them for a moment, just staring at Alice and the perfect bundle of joy they created, cradled in her arms. And it suddenly hits him like a ton of bricks, he wants the rest of his life to be like the last year has. A life filled with so many smiles, so many perfect moments and unconditional love, with the love of his life. He's always known she was it for him, since he was 17 years old, he knew that no one would ever compare.

"Marry me." He whispers to her.

Her head turns immediately. "What?"

"Marry me." He repeats, more confident than the first time. "I know this sounds so out of the blue, like I haven't thought this through, but Al, you're the love of my life, you have been since I was seventeen years old. I want to be your husband, and I want to be able to call you my wife. I want to spend every single day for the rest of my life, waking up next to you, and falling asleep next to you. So, will you make me the happiest man on the planet and marry me? Will you be my wife?"

She blinks, her eyes glossed over with what he hopes are happy tears. "FP... Of course I will." She tilts her head back to kiss him softly. "In my mind I already am your wife though, just saying."

He chuckles and presses a kiss to her neck. "Is that so?"

"Mhm, Alice Jones has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"It absolutely does." He pauses, realization hitting him. "Oh crap, a ring! I don't have a ring. I need to buy you a ring."

"You don't have to buy me a ring." Alice assures him.

"But-"

"No buts, I'm yours, your mine. I don't need a ring to know that or prove it."

He smiles at her. "Well as sweet as that is, I'm still going to buy you a ring."

"Well if you insist, I won't object." She leans in again, kissing him and melting into it. Freddie gurgles in her arms, catching their attention. They share a soft laugh and peer down at the baby girl. "Hey pumpkin, you hear that? Daddy and I are going to get married!"

"Is that alright with you missy?" FP coos, taking the baby from Alice and lifting her up, pressing kisses to her chubby cheeks. "You okay if I marry mommy?"

Freddie gurgles again and Alice laughs. "I think that's a yes."

"It's official then, you're gonna officially be Alice Jones." FP tells her, pulling her in close with his free arm, and pressing a kiss to her head.

"I can't wait." She lifts up on her tip-toes to press a kiss to his lips. "Though I do think we did things a little backwards. I think baby comes after the wedding." She teases.

"Well we never have been one's to follow tradition." He tells her, smirking. "Besides, without her, who knows where we'd be."

"That's very true. She's a little baby Cupid."

"That she is." He situated Freddie better in his arm and takes Alice's hand. "Come on Mrs Jones, let's go tell the kids the big news."

•

And this is the end of Two Pink Lines!
I've had so much fun writing this and seeing all of your reactions and praise. I hope you've all enjoyed reading as much as I've enjoyed writing. And stay tuned for a new Falice fic coming very soon!