Chapter 31: Birthday Planning
"Ms. Smith." Alice sat down with her hands folded over her baby bump. "Where's FP today?"
"He's at his son's pre-college interview. He's not coming today." Dr. Shan gave a comforting smile.
"Oh, that's too bad, shall we see how baby girl Jones is doing." She nodded her head, lying back against the exam bed.
Her doctor grabbed a tube of jelly and the Doppler before walking over to his patient. Alice lifted up her top, revealing her growing bump which had been more prominent than her last six week visit. As of now she was eight months along and FP has been such sweetheart. He helps with laundry, sometimes dishes and even made dinner once.
When Alice walked through the door, Juniper raced toward her Grammy. Alice let out a gasp of shock before wrapping her arms around the small child. Juniper's birthday was only a few days away and she knew Polly hadn't been ready. Polly told her that the guilt was eating up her stomach. She was aware that Dagwood still wasn't brought up. Juniper didn't ask for her twin which both Alice and Polly appreciated.
Ever since she dropped her son over that fire... Polly couldn't stop thinking about it. At that time she was under the influence of Edgar Evernever. Losing a child hurt like hell. But she was the reason why Dagwood isn't alive. She's the one who purposely dropped him into roaring flames, watching it consume the burning flesh. That kind of pain or guilt never goes. It stays and manifests into something much bigger. She wasn't sure what she'd tell Juniper when she got older. Sorry, baby I threw your brother into a fire — no. She shook her head, stopping the thought before she could finish.
"Grammy!"
Alice tried her best to pick Juni up, but her doctor said lifting above 50 pounds could cause some issues. Polly saw her daughter and decided to pick her off the ground.
"Juni, Grammy Alice can't pick you up, remember?" Polly gently reminded the toddler.
"Why?" Juni shook her head," Why, mama?" The little angel's eyes sparkled with questions. Polly held back the sigh from escaping her mouth and looked her in the eyes.
"Grammy's doctor said it's not good for the baby, okay?" She watched as Juni's head moved up and down into a nod.
"Okay..." Juniper hugged her mom and Polly set her back on the ground.
Juniper runs over to her grandma and pulls at Alice's skirt. Alice's eyes peered down. "Yes, June?"
"Can I have a jelly sandwich?"
"What is the magic word?"
Juniper pulled at the skirt one more time before adding the word," Pleaseee?"
Alice giggled, taking the little one's hand." Sure. Follow me." Pollyanna chuckles at the cute sight. She remembered when her and Betty were that age. More Betty than her though. Betty had her mother around her pinkie and it seemed like Juniper had the same keen idea as Betty once did.
Once she was in the kitchen, Juniper sat at the island with her elbows propped onto the marble top and her hands resting by her chin. Alice was heading over to the fridge, pulling out two containers of Jelly and grabbed the jar of peanut better from the panty.
She holds open two jars." Grape or Strawberry?" Juniper points at the jar on the right.
"STRAWBERRY!" Screeched Juniper excitedly, causing Alice to wince.
She chuckles at the little girl's enthusiasm and popped open the jar and unscrewed the lid. "Strawberry is my favorite too, Juni!" She used the butter knife in her left hand, dipped into the jar and started spreading the red goopy jelly onto one side of the white bread.
"Don't forget the crusts!"
A look of horror showed up on Alice's cheeks." Oh, never!" Juniper giggled as Alice raised a hand over her lips and faked a gasp. "No crusts it is!" She announced before spreading all the jelly onto the bread.
She next placed the lid back on, screwing it back into place. She went to the silverware drawer, grabbing a new knife and opened the brand new bar of peanut butter.
"Mom! Can you watch Juni, I have to run to the bank real quick!" She heard Polly rush out before poking her head in.
Alice's eyes looked forward, smiling at her eldest and gave a treasuring nod." Of course, Polls! Take your time and could you do me a --"
Polly smiled back. "One jar of pickles coming right up!"
Alice looked at her daughter with a shocked face." H-how..."
"I noticed that the jar in the fridge is half-empty. And I'll buy some rocky road ice cream. Anything else?" Alice shook her head and then turned to her grandchild. "Juniper, say goodbye to your mom."
Juniper leaped off the stool and latched her arms around her mom's waist. Polly squeezed her into a tight hug before releasing. She got down to her toddler's level, almost into a squat and said gingerly." You be good for Grammy, Juniper. I'll be back soon."
"Okay, Mama." She mumbled, pulling away and headed back to the stool.
It wasn't long before Alice placed a neatly arranged plate in front of the hungry child. She had cut the sandwich into fours and poured some orange juice into a sippy cup.
—xxxx—
Three Days Later...
"Thank you for helping set up. JB and Jughead have been such helpful hands, FP. It has been quite hectic with throwing a four-year-old birthday bash with unicorns. Who knew that all the party supplies would be almost sold out." Alice rambled on as she grabbed a medium bowl from the top shelf.
FP nodded, helping balance Alice on the stepping ladder. "Jughead told me that you were planning Juniper's birthday party and I remembered what it was like with my kids' parties." He sighed," Jug wasn't really into parties, but JB on the other hand, she's huge into parities. She made this year do a Minecraft themed party! It took me hours to find all those damn plates." He let out a short laugh.
His hands hovered by her sides as she stepped backwards and he helped to the last step. His eyes followed her pursed red lips as she spoke. He wanted to kiss her. It took everything in him not to just kiss right now. She handed him the bowl, without looking away from her -- he set it on the counter. She turned to look at him, catching his eyes staring at her lips. But then a second passed and FP blinked, returning his eyes back to the floor.
"Erm.. I'm going to check if Jug needs any help with the lights." He dismissed himself.
Walking out of the room, leaving Alice in wonder what just happened. This was the second time that they almost kiss. Once was at Pop's diner. They were just inches away from each other. She could still recall the heat that fell onto her lips as his hovered over hers. "Damn it!" She cursed out loud.
Shaking her thoughts away, she opened the fridge, grabbed two liter bottles of sprite and one gallon of fruit punch. She plopped them onto the table, flicking on the light switch.
She heard a knock, causing her to turn around. She saw Hermione smiling at her. "What?" She asked as Hermione kept staring.
Hermione cleared her throat." I saw what happened in here. I can smell the sexual tension between you buffoons." Alice shook her head, pouring the sprite into the punch bowl.
"Nothing happened, Mione." She scoffed.
"Nothing happened? You are shitting me, Al! You two clearly looked smitten with your lips puckered like that." She pointed at the color on Alice's lips. "You are wearing his favorite color on you. Come on, who are you trying to fool."
Alice rolled her eyes. "I didn't wear it for him. I wanted to look nice. It draws attention away from my bloated pouch here." She muttered, pointing at her baby bump.
Hermione approaches her, taking her hands into hers." Listen, Al, don't bothering hiding that lovely bump. It is precious, don't hide it. And second of all, it doesn't draw attention away. We all know that you wanted him to notice you."
Alice stopped pouring, closed the bottle up with a cap and turned her body with one hand on her waist and the other lying on her protruding lump. "All right you are right! Happy?" She saw the smirk forming on her friend's lips.
"Yes." She chuckled," Very, actually."
"Can you help me with the sherbet?" She looked at Hermione who was already grabbing the frozen tub from her hands.
"Oh, my!" She heard Hermione gasp," Who makes this shit!" She turned her body to see what Hermione was yammering about. Hermione was trying to pry the lid off with a butter knife.
"How is that supposed to help, Mione?!" She said through bursting into laughter at her friend's struggle.
After struggling with the sherbet they were finally able to open it. She grabbed the ice scooper, the scoops splashed into the punch, making it fizz up. "I forgive you, Al." She almost thought she didn't hear right. She was taken aback by the words but smiled.
"Thanks, Mione." She said as Hermione pulled her into an embrace. "I'm sorry for not telling you... I--"
"Don't mention it. It's all in the past." Hermione waved off.
If only it was that easy, she thought. Even though FP and Hermione forgave her... she still felt like she didn't deserve it. Maybe it was just the guilt eating her alive. Who knows, now she just needed a break.
Meanwhile in the backyard FP's head was in his hands. He almost kissed her, again! Why can't he stop getting so wrapped up in his emotions? He honestly didn't know the answer. The slow burning in his heart only became to heat up. He wasn't sure what to do anymore. All he knew was the longer he kept this in the worse the feeling will get.
"F." Someone tapped on his left shoulder.
"Freddie... what are you doing here?" Fred didn't answer right away, instead sat down next to FP on the bench seat.
"What's bugging you?" FP sighed as he ragged his hands over his face and throughout his hair. "Oh, I know what it is."
He stood up from the bench and started pacing. "No."
"You and Alice had another moment?" The silence confirmed his answer. Fred sighed," F, why don't you just tell her how you feel, man. It's keeping you from being happy. Right now you're at her granddaughter's birthday party just dying to be around her. So what's wrong with just telling her you love her."
Fred noticed the annoyed look on his face and didn't back off." Look, I know that I wasn't keen on the idea when you told me. But FP, I've seen how miserable you are without her... it's not healthy. I took a leap with Hermione... sure I was scared out of my mind but knowing I didn't would have just hurt me and her in the end." Before walking away he added one more thing," Just think about it."
Once FP was alone again, he leaned his head forward, burying his face into his hands and groaned loudly. "Damn you, Fred!" Why did Fred always have the best advice.
He decided. It was time and if he never said how he feels... he'd lose his nerves. He made up his mind. He was going to tell her the truth no matter if she doesn't feel the same way.
He got off the bench, took a deep breath and walked back inside. "Here goes nothing." He muttered to himself as he made his way back to the kitchen.