Chapter 40: Overcome

X - Three Weeks Later - X

The news hit their family hard. Betty went to start into researching. She wanted to make sure everything her sister's doctor said was accurate. Why did she question the doctor's professional knowledge. It wasn't like she had any medical school background in her. She was afraid for herself and her mother. She knew deep down her mother was broken about what happened. Even though she didn't show it. Betty knew it was the truth.

"Polls?" Betty whispered softly as Baby Roselyn slept on her shoulder.

The girls decided to give FP and Alice time to themselves for a few hours. The new baby was officially three weeks old and responding really well to her formula.

Polly looked away from the tv screen and over to her younger sister. Three weeks had gone by so fast. But at the same time as slow.

"Yeah?"

Betty sighed sadly." Do you think Mom and FP ever get passed this?"

—xxx—

Two night ago, Betty and Polly were awoken at three in the morning to a screaming match. FP had been staying to help with Roselyn's unpredictable sleeping arrangements. And when FP got off from work... Alice yelled at him for being late.

"Where have you been?"

FP drew back a stifled sigh. "Can I just get my work clothes off before you start barking at me? Thanks." He added exhaustedly.

Fred had been on his case about messing up a huge truck load that never made it to Canada in time. He had been so preoccupied with worry about their new baby he completely missed the deadline. After being scolded at by a furious Fred... FP headed home and was met by this nonsense.

Alice didn't want to hear it. She been busy taking care of the baby all while during her regular house duties.

"No. I want to know why you are coming in at 3 am? You better have a good reason, Forsythe."

FP threw his jacket onto the table in frustration. "I had a bad day at work. I just need to drive around for awhile to figure out what to do before I lose my job, Alice!"

"And I didn't have a bad day?! Taking care of a newborn isn't easy, FP! The kids were at school and I was busy all damn day."

"I get that, I do."

"Then what, FP? I didn't choose to have a baby on my own!"

Then FP's face went red. Did she just imply that this was all his fault. She's the one who hid that she was pregnant for three months before he found out on his own!

"Did-- that was all your choice, Alice. You lied to me for months before I found out myself due to Cheryl and Toni!"

Alice blinked back the angry tears forming in her eyes. "H-how dare you bring that up? I thought we were passed all of that?"

FP's jaw clenched." I guess, I'm not."

Alice felt heart slow down. They were doing so good. They went months without that topic being picked up that was until now.

"I-I said I was sorry!" She cried.

"And what about Charles?"

The room went silent. The bomb dropped and he couldn't take it back. He realized his mistake and blinked on what was said. Alice stopped right in front of him and slapped across the face.

"Why?" Is all she asked when FP stared shocked at her.

FP's hand reached his cheek were the burning still seared. She just hit him? He knew what he said was wrong but he was angry. She poked the bear with the stick and unfortunately it provoked an attack as protection. Alice's eyes watered as the shock smacked her in the face. She could see the surprise and hurt in FP's features.

"F--"

He raised his hand up and said coldly." Don't."

Before the next word could register in her brain... he was gone and the sound of a slammed door shook through her core. Little did she knew that Polly and Betty were standing at the top of the staircase had heard everything that was said.

Alice's head jolted up when the baby's cries rattled her attention from the slammed down and over to the nursery.

—xxxx—

Polly sighed as a sting of hope falls upon her face. They both knew FP and Alice's fight was long time coming. Even though one party forgave the other didn't mean he'd forget what she had done. You never forget betrayal. You may forgive but you never forget what had in the past.

"I don't know, Betty."

Polly looked down at the baby in Betty's arms and a soft ghost smile marked her lips. This Angel had many challenges but she'll never go through it alone.

Roselyn awoke crying which caused Betty to quickly rush into the kitchen and make her a bottle. Betty read the back of the canister and sighed. Phenex - 1. It's the type of formula that she's allowed to give to Rose. Once it is made. She shakes it up and placed into the microwave for 10 seconds. When the microwave oven beeped to life, she took it out and tested it on her wrist to make it wasn't too hot for her little sister.

Polly picked up the screaming baby and began rocking her. "It's okay, sissy's gotcha." She whispered softly to the little one's ears.

Betty came back and gave Polly the bottle. Polly held the bottle to Rose's teeny mouth and chuckled quietly at the appetite of the three week old. She sure had her dad's bottomless pit for an appetite.

—xxx—

FP went to work at nine in the morning and right away he was met by the concerned couple standing by his desk, blocking his way.

"What is this? Some kinda intervention?" FP joked sarcastically.

Fred just patted on the chair. "Just sit." Ignoring the rolling eyes his good friend gave him. "We need to talk."

FP's heart fell to his stomach. Here it comes... he knew this day was coming. Fred's firing him again. He really screwed up this time and now he's going to lose his job, along with all the shit he's been going through lately.

"Damn, I knew this day would come. You're firing me, aren't you?"

Fred shot a weird glance in his direction, shaking his head. "No, I'm not, FP. It was a simple mistake. It could happen to anybody."

Hermione nudged his arm." Fred."

"Oh, right." Fred said as FP tapped his toes on the flooring." We need to talk about what's been going on with you lately. Ever since your baby's been born you have been short with everyone, even Pop Tate which is unlike you."

Hermione walked up to FP and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "What's going on, amigo?"

Taking a deep breath, FP finally told them everything that's been going on for the last three weeks and the diagnosis. Hermione's eyes were misty by time he finished. She couldn't imagine what they were going through. She pulled him into a big embrace and FP's resolve fell from his carefully built barrier.

"Oh, Amigo..." She rubbed his back with her hands smoothly," Let it out, it's okay."

Once lunch came by FP's phone rang. FP put down his sandwich and picked up the ringing device. "Hello?"

"Hi, FP. Can you meet me at Pops?"

—xxx—

"Thank you for meeting me here."

FP nodded as he began to sit down in the booth. They hadn't spoken since their fight a couple nights ago. He missed her so much. Staying at the trailer made FP sad. He didn't like when they fought like that.

"Always, Al."

Alice decided to go for it and said." I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten so mad. You don't even live with us. You have Jug and JB at home."

"I know you are and I'm sorry, too." FP leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

Over next couple years Roselyn begins to grow to be a healthy kid. The Jones baby was now two years old. Alice and FP were also celebrating their two year anniversary. Betty and Jughead graduated and since moved away.

"Juni, help me in here." The younger woman cradling a new baby.

"Yes, Mom." Juniper sighed, holding the door open.

In view displayed Polly along with Alice behind her. "Careful, honey. Support her head."

Grudged Polly." I know what I'm doing I had two babies before. This time I'm not alone."

"Okay, fine. I was just trying to help that's all."

Polly turned, looking at Alice and sighed softly." I know, Mom. I just want to prove I'm not some knocked-up teenager anymore. Juni is seven and I'm happy for the first in years."

Alice smiled." That's all that matters, hun."

—-xxxx—-

"FP?" Alice whispered." What is all this?"

The room was covered in rose petals, candles lit up and Alice's favorite next to the nightstand. She saw FP kneel down, gasping breathily. He smiled up at her shocked expression, tears starting to make their way down Alice's cheeks.

"I know we've had many up-downs but we also always came back to one another. I've know since I was 16 that you were the one. I was just too blind to put it all together." He opened the box." Alice, will you marry me?"

"Yes!" She squealed excitedly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'll marry the hell out of you."

He slid the ring on, pulling her into a kiss. Her arms slowly wrapped around his neck, deepening the kiss. They pulled away, breaking for air.

On the phone across town heard a squeal. Hermione and Fred turned to one another as their phones both went off at the same time.

"Guess what?!"

Hermione smiled. "What?"

She had know that FP was going to propose for sometime now. He even asked for her permission since neither of Alice's parents were alive anymore.

"He proposed! Mione, I said yes."

—-THE END—-

—-xxxx—-

I'm sorry for the abrupt ending. I fell out of the Riverdale fandom. Hopefully sometime in the future I'll be back. I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated. I've been working at a new job and new interests. Maybe someday I'll make a sequel but for now this is the end.