A/N: Happy Holidays everyone!

Alice held her breath as she watched both FP and Jughead bound to the front door. Betty appeared and joined her behind the stove. Alice's heart was beating wildly but she tried to ground herself in the moment by grabbing Betty's hand. Her daughter eyed her warily- an expression she couldn't quite read. Perhaps she was just as nervous…

"They're so excited," Alice whispered to her, grinning, trying to fane excitement. Betty didn't match her enthusiasm and simply nodded solemnly. Alice didn't have time to address her daughter's odd behavior because a small, waif-like girl with long, dark brown hair wearing knee high rainbow socks, a black jean jacket, an oversized band t-shirt and Doc Martins was now standing alone in the doorway. Her huge brown eyes were filling with tears; she shoved her hands deep in her pockets, staring hesitantly at the two men in front of her. Alice and Betty watched as FP and Jughead paused only a moment before taking turns enveloping in huge bear hugs.

"Jellybean, we've missed you so much," Jughead told his sister.

"Where are your grandparents? I thought they would be dropping you off," FP asked before she could respond.

They all peered out the open doorway at the car that was driving off down the road.

"They didn't want to come in," she said simply, "too hard with mom gone."

FP nodded and pulled her into another hug, "Well I'm glad they let you come back, here, Jellybean, I wasn't sure they ever would," FP admitted. That statement broke Alice's heart. She knew FP for the kind-hearted man he was at his core. She knew he wanted nothing more than to be a good father to his kids…

"I go by JB now," the girl said, shoving her hands in her pockets again. The harshness to the girl's voice jarred Alice and FP looked slightly wounded but attempted to recover.

"Of course!" FP replied a little more eagerly than necessary.

The girl smiled awkwardly and rocked back on her heels. The dark haired trio lingered in silence a moment before finally turning their attention to the blond pair in the kitchen.

"Who are the Malibu Barbie's?" JB deadpanned. The statement caught them both off-guard but Betty stepped forward and gave a slight wave and a self-conscious laugh. Alice suddenly wished she were anywhere else. Why was she here again? This was so clearly a family affair and she was so clearly…not family. She was sure her face was fifty shades of red. She let Betty step in front her.

"Oh! JB, sorry, this is my girlfriend, Betty!" Jughead said, trying to salvage the situation.

"Okay," JB said slowly, hardly offering Betty a greeting, "So is that dad's girlfriend then?" she asked, pointing a long finger toward Alice.

"No!" All four of them shouted together.

Alice stepped forward smiling weakly, "No, honey. I'm Alice Cooper, Betty's mom. We met when you were tiny but you wouldn't remember..."

"She made pancakes!" FP offered fervently, holding up the plate of steaming hot, sweet smelling rounds.

The girl frowned at Alice quite specifically, ignoring her father. "I have a gluten intolerance," she mumbled.

Alice's face fell, "I could make eggs," she proposed quickly, "I'm sorry, sweetie, I should have made more options…"

A dark look washed over JB's face and she knit her eyebrows together standoffishly, "I don't need you to cook me anything Mrs. Cooper," she said, clipping her words.

Alice glanced to FP, his wide eyes matched hers but all he could give her was a shrug.

Alice wiped her hands on her apron and pasted on a grin, "You're right," she said quietly, "I don't know what I'm doing here, I should probably be going any way…" She said more to herself than anyone, she flushed and blinked back a few tears. Betty couldn't remember a time she had ever seen her mother look more uncomfortable. Alice normally had a way of fitting into (or forcing herself into) every possible situation. She felt a pang of sympathy for her mother.
"Mom-" Betty started.

Alice held up a hand, "No, no, Betty, it's fine. I think Jughead could probably drop you off later," she suggested with a lighthearted tone. She began to scurry around the room packing up her belongings. FP was still standing speechless in the corner.
"Yeah, that's no problem at all, Mrs. Cooper," Jughead assured trying to ease the awkwardness of the situation.

JB crossed her arms over her chest and everyone stared at Alice unnervingly as she made her way to the door. FP suddenly lunged, grabbing ahold of the doorknob. He made meaningful eye contact with the stunned blonde.

"Let me walk you out, Alice," he said. She nodded quickly.

"Welcome home, JB," Alice murmured as she slipped out the door, FP following closely behind.

When they were finally alone on the front porch, Alice let out a tense whimper.

"Oh god, that was horrible," she cried, covering her face with her hands, "So stupid, why did I think I should come?" She chided herself.

"Ali," was all he could say, shaking his head in disbelief. Their eyes met and she bowed her head. His hand came up to tuck her fallen hair behind her ear. She flinched, grabbing onto the railing of the trailer. She held on for support as his warm hand cupped his cheek.

"Things are so complicated," he sighed, "Those kids are so clearly broken; they've lost their mother, and I…I feel better when you're by my side," he admitted sheepishly.

"Our children clearly don't…and why would they? We are strangers to each other for all they know," she reminded him, her voice breaking with emotion, "I just wanted…to be there for you because I know I wasn't before…"

Before she could finish, FP's strong arm was enveloping her waist and he was pulling her into his side and Alice couldn't breathe and her hand was grabbing the back of his head through no power of her own. She nestled into his neck and FP breathed deeply into her hair. It was the most intimate they had been in twenty years. They parted, slightly breathless.

"I want you around, Alice," FP said shrugging, as if it was that simple.

"FP-"

"I want you around," he said again to make sure she understood, "even if I can't touch you... I'll explain to the kids that we were friends…are friends," he continued.

"I don't know if that will work, FP. I've got my family and you've got yours…two different worlds…"

There was a moment of silence between the couple. Alice wanted to run – she wanted to flee from the tension but FP's vulnerable face was holding her in place.

"Please, Alice. I need you," he said finally.

And just like that, Alice Cooper was pulled back in by FP Jones.