Chapter 23: Breakfast Discussions

Today Alice woke up early still trying to comprehend what had happened yesterday. Also today was the day she and FP would be seeing their baby at her appointment. But first Alice was meeting Hermione and Mary for breakfast at Hermione's request. She showed up at Hermione's door with a simple gift in her hand. The door opened and she was met by Mary and Hermione who had smirks on their faces. She led by Moni to the foyer as Mary took the gift from her.

"So... you two fell asleep?" Hermione's grin marks her face as Alice shoots her a glare.

"Yes." She groaned," I woke up on his chest. My head was on his chest!" She exclaimed, throwing her face into her palms.

"Hey, hey, calm down, Al. You were both exhausted and just fell asleep. It's okay." Mary said knowing the distressed look. After many years of being a lawyer she picked up on the warning signs to stress. "But we haven't spoke about it since... he woke up. He and I aren't together. I shouldn't be falling asleep in his arms."

"I guess you are right." She sighs after sipping at her non-alcoholic drink.

It was twelve when Alice heard a knock at her door, she sighed happily before opening the door to see FP standing there. She and FP walk to his truck. She was taken by surprise that he took his truck instead of the bike.

"We're taking the truck. It's not good for you or the baby." He stayed as he opened the door for her. "Thank you." Alice said as she hoped into his truck with his help.

They drove off to the hospital. Polly took it well that FP was going to her appointment instead of her. She actually seemed relieved. It didn't take long before they pulled into the hospital parking lot. He got out the truck and opened the door for her. She slipped out, taking his hand so he could help her out of large vehicle. She found his gesture kind, almost wished he wasn't just trying to be nice. She wished he didn't hate her.

Alice showed him where her doctor's waiting room was for them to sit while they waited. She was nervous and also elated. She was going to be seeing her baby now. And this time her baby daddy would be there too. Fifteen minutes had passed and she and FP walked into the exam room. FP looked around the room, floor and finally the walls. He spotted a doctorate degree plastered onto the far wall behind where the bed was.

A gentle knock at the door disturbed his stare-off with the wall and took his eyes toward the doctor that stood in the doorway. His hair was well kept, blueish eyes and a genuine smile. FP thought the doctor seemed like a charming kind of guy. Alice smiled at the man and sat down where she usually was told.

"I'm Dr. Shan. I'm Alice's obstetrician." The doctor introduced himself. "And who are you?" FP reaches out to shake his hand. "I'm the father of her baby. FP is my name." He shook his hand firmly with a kind smile.

Dr. Shan smiled and returned the smile." It's nice to meet you, FP." He looked over at Alice and she smiled." Hi, Dr. Shan."

Alice lies down on the bed as Dr. Shan prepared the equipment. FP's eyes wander and ponder the room for a second before returning to Alice. Alice lifted her shirt up a little, just enough for her swell to show. She felt nervous about the check up. She knew FP was still mad at her and was only being nice just because he had to. She wished he actually wanted to be nice other than feel the obligated to do so. Dr. Shan walked over to Alice, FP watched with caution in his eyes.

"Ready to see your baby?" The both nodded at the doctor. He sighed as he grabbed a tube and squirted some jelly substance on her swell. Alice watched the screen as a tiny shadowy glob came upon the black television. Without thinking, FP's hand collapses over hers. She felt the tingle in her body. A jolt of warm bursted through her bloodstream. She didn't think FP actually realized what he was doing because his eyes were glued to the image on the screen.

While her thoughts were glued to FP. She had him in her head involuntarily. It wasn't his fault he was on her mind. She did this to herself. She should've just told him.

FP felt drawn to the shadow figure on the screen. His heart swelled ten times bigger than it was before it appeared. "Everything looks good. I would say your baby is the size of a plum." But he wasn't focusing on the doctor's words. He looked mesmerized by the baby on the screen. Well it didn't look one yet, more like an alien than a baby.

His thoughts weren't about Alice for once. No, it was all about his baby that was growing stronger day-by-day and week-by-week. That's all he cared about as of this moment. He was grateful for the joyous experience. Even if it was a few months too late. He still got more milestones to overcome.

"He looks so tiny still." Alice whispered in awe as her eyes never felt the screen.

After her belly was wiped clean, she started to sit up and turned to the doctor." Can I have three sets this time?" She asked as she gestured to Dr. Shan. He nodded, getting the hint and walked out the door. FP had long since let got of her hand and she missed the warm between the webs of her fingers. A few minutes later, Dr. Shan reappeared with three ultrasounds in his hands. He walked over to Alice giving a kind smile as he handed her the two copies and made his way to the baby daddy. FP smiled and gave a silent thank you.

"I'll see you in another six weeks for your next check up, Alice. Feel free to take a cookie on your way out at the check-in desk." Alice nodded as Dr. Shan slipped out of the room, leaving her to collect her thoughts.

But before that happened, a grumble from her stomach earned her a chuckle from FP. He could tell that his kid was just as an eater as Jughead had been when Gladys was expecting. Alice scooted off the bed, grabbing her purse and sent a smile to him.

"You are hungry. Let's get a bite to eat at Pop's." Alice shook her head." No, that's okay. I'm sure I can wait a li--" She was cut off by another loud rumble and her cheeks blushed.

"I'd say that's complete none sense." FP said as he and Alice head back to his truck. Not before Alice snagged herself a cookie which FP rolled his eyes playfully at her." The baby has spoken, Al. You got feed it." He says with a smile.

Alice rolled her eyes." Fine. I'll eat." She groaned as FP helped her into the truck again. "I already ate breakfast. How can you be still hungry?" She grumbled at the swell.

"Come on, let's go." FP interrupted as he put the keys into the ignition. "Off to Pop's we go!" He sang as he turned the keys, earning him a warning stare from Alice.

Alice and FP sat in the booth, companied by Pop Tate and Veronica, who had the lunch shift since it was exam week. Alice ordered a cheese burger even though she was lactose intolerant. She couldn't help it. The baby wanted cheese burgers and she would have to suffer with that. FP ordered his usual and Veronica took their orders back to the kitchen. FP had to give the Lodge girl credit. She really pulled off taking care of two extremely well established business, while jogging school and her normal activities.

Alice took off work today and all she wanted to do was take a nap. A long nap. She laughed loudly and gasped when FP told her what he had come home to last night. She couldn't believe Jughead and JB did that. FP ate his food as he laughed as well. Now after the fact it was funny. He thought about all the pranks he and Alice pulled during detentions together. Oh those days were fun to look back on, but now the pit of anger filled that thought. He tried to ignore it but it was hard.

"I came home to paint splattered all over the trailer porch, the kids. It was bad, Alice." Alice gaped at the imagery playing in her head.

"Wow... I can't believe they did that." FP couldn't believe either. His son and daughter were grounded until he knew they learned their lessons.

"Me either." He laughed as he drank from his cup and then sighed." Thank you."

Alice looked at him with confusion in her eyes." Thank you? For what?" She raised her eyebrow slightly.

"For telling the doctor to save me a copy."

"Oh, no problem. it's the least I can do for..." She trailed off as she caught his eyes on her.