Chapter 37: Honesty Works Like Magic

After school, Veronica's car door flipped open, revealing her studded shoes and planted to the earth ground. She was exhausted. School was kicking her ass. Also running Pop's was a pain in her ass. But she was making it.

She doesn't care what they say. Oh, a girl can't run a business. Bullshit. She's doing it and making bucks and dollars. Archie was her main supporter.

"Aye, Boss." She looks behind her as she unlocks the door. There she found Fp walking towards her.

He looked exhausted too. His eyes just looked dead to the world. It wasn't like he was hungover; no it was worse.

"Yes?"

Fp's eyes flicker as he hears the jingles and looks over at his boss. That felt strange falling off his tongue. She was a great boss and he made much more than he ever made with running Andrews construction.

"I have your approval from the town. The speakeasy will be up and running as soon as we open the secret door." Veronica's eyes lit up and her smile made him even smile.

"That's amazing, Fp!" She squealed like a teenage fangirl.

"I'm happy too, Veronica." She could hear the doubt in his voice and her heart sank.

"Sit." He looked at her with a cocked eyebrow. "Sit." She added with authority in her voice.

Fp sighs as he takes a seat in the closest booth to the front entrance. He can see the irritation in her eyes. It was like she was ready for a fight and it wasn't close to the fighting season.

"What did you do?" He bites at his lower lip and sighs. He knows that he was in the wrong. "My mom told me. You fucked up." He eyes her with a look.

She bushes the look off and rolls her eyes, "I'm almost eighteen and I'm running a fucking business all by myself. If you have a problem with my language? You can find a new job, Mr. Jones." The threat made his skin crawl with fear.

He shakes his head and lowers his tone, "No, No. it's just that— I've never liked it when my kids swear."

"Understandable. My father's last words to me were a whore and slut. So I guess I agree…" He heard the sadness in her voice. He knew that she was still affected by it.

Veronica can feel the tension arise in the diner after she said that. She didn't like the pity. Fp didn't want to seem like he was pitying her by any means. He knows that she's a strong, driven woman and can take care of herself. But that doesn't mean she didn't need love.

He sighs," That's not right, kid." His tone was soft and caring. He used the same tone as his daughter. His relationship with his kids was still frayed but getting better each day.

"I know…"

"You need love, Veronica. This world is toxic without love and wars burn rage through our bodies." She felt light wetness touch her waterline.

The word "Toxic" kept running through her mind. His words hit triggers in her. She hasn't been able to relax since Jughead's attack. She still felt guilty for what has happened. It seemed like it was getting worse each time. Her lungs craved for a break.

"I know…" she mentioned again as she started filling orders for her stock.

Pop Tate has shown her how to make the shakes and conduct a smooth running business. She was grateful for his guidance.

"Hang in there, kid," Fp said as he hugged her and made his way to the parking lot.

He hoped when he was home that Alice would be there waiting for him. Being away from her was unbearable to watch. Even the kids couldn't watch

Jughead gathers Betty's books off the couch. He heard light chatter coming from the kitchen. As the curiosity searched for answers, Jughead peeked around the corner. He saw his dad sitting at the table staring at an object. What he feared was the item his father was looking at.

"Who is Abby?" His dad's head shot up and he saw the tears in his father's eyes.

FP shook the voice off his back and looked in his son's direction. What is his son talking about? How did his son find out? He had many questions and he feared that his son would look deeper and deeper.

"What are you talking about, Jug?" He slides the question away.

Jughead softly rolls his eyes, "The name you rolled off your tongue at the Wyrm."

By this point, FP's heart was pushing in the high numbers. His son was catching on. He was afraid this day would come someday. He just didn't know it would be so soon.

"Jug… please…" He pleads as he attempts to keep his eyes from the burning inflammation.

His son shook his head and hissed," No. I'm not going to 'please' you. I deserve the truth! You caused Alice to run off. The least you could do is tell me the truth!"

FP's eyes wander around the room trying to avoid the poison called anger in his son's eyes. He didn't want to talk about her. He didn't need to talk about her. It all started back up when he had the nightmares. His son doesn't know how abusive his father was. He chose not to leak those details to him. He only told him about getting kicked out. That was true. But it wasn't his dad who kicked him out. It was his uncle.

After he and Alice broke up, His uncle and Aunt got a divorce. His aunt left the state and he had the choice to go with. At times he wished he had. And others he's glad he didn't. His uncle developed a drug addiction and he passed away four years after. By that time, FP was in the army and on his first tour. His army buddy, Adam Prescott helped him. His aunt comes to visit every few years and left again.

"Dad?" His son asks again," Who's Abby? When you mentioned her a few nights ago, you were very emotional about it. So, Dad, please answer me this. Who was she?"

"Aunt."

Jughead looks over at his father. He didn't have an aunt. He never had one."I don't have an Aunt, Dad."

FP slams his palm on the table and his son's head jerks away." Yes, you do! "Jughead's eyes widened. " Abby w-was my little si-sister." He finally breathes out as his breathing hitched.

Jughead's head was swirling with confusion. His father had a little sister; just like him. He had some many questions rushing through his body. What was she like? What happened to her? Did she leave or did their bond break? FP could tell his son was cooking up questions in that brain of his. He didn't want to talk about her. It's too hard. Talking about Abby was not allowed. He wished he never opened his mouth. He also wished that Alice could speak for him.

"Dad… I… have an… aunt." Jughead's voice trails off as his dad's eyes brimmed with a clear substance.

He nodded, "What was she like?" The questions started pouring off his lips like a ticking time bomb.

Fp started smiling, "She was funny, always laughing and kind, Jug." Maybe talking about her was a good thing. It helped a lot.

"I would've loved her."

"I bet you would've, even Cheryl might've too." He joked as he wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

"What happened to her? Did you fight?" His stomach starts to knot into one great knot.

This was the part he wasn't looking forward to. The part about his sister dying. That it was his father who was responsible.

"What happened to who?" The father and son duo heard from the other side of the house.

FP and Jughead's eyes flicked over to the front door and sighed. It was only Cheryl and Betty. When Betty and Cheryl came into the kitchen, it was silent, almost dead quiet. They wondered what happened.

"My aunt." Jughead answered for his father. He could feel like it was very hard for him to speak about.

Cheryl didn't even try to hide her surprise. She thought her dad was an only child. He never spoke about his life. Part of her didn't blame him. He told her about his father kicking him out at age sixteen and he joined the Serpents for a family. Maybe somethings have to stay private.

"Oh wow…" She said as she sat in a chair. She could sense there was more to the story.

Betty was speechless he never mentioned a thing about a sister," Whoa that's some news."

"Let's just say we have something in common." FP blurted out as he walked to the fridge.

Cheryl noticed something huge. She hoped she was wrong. She didn't like being right. Jughead and Betty were both bemused on what just happened. FP stood by the stove, his fingers clenching onto the rails. His breathing started sounding like waves crashing on rocks. His ears roared with pressure. He felt like he was losing her all over again. It has been twenty-six years since she died and he still feels like it's happening all over again.

When he found Jason, it reminded him too much of his little sister. It was like it was ripping into his heart and snatching it away. His sister was only eight-years-old when their father shot her dead. He'll never forget her ghostly white skin as she led in his arms after his father fled the scene. His sister's cries as her last words were spoken. He can still remember them and it haunts him.

"You were the b-best brother a little si-ster could've asked for." He still feels like he can actually hear her right now.

Jughead noticed the tears harboring in his eyes. He wondered what happened. Did he say something wrong? Betty wants to give him a hug. She can just tell that something was terribly wrong and knew he really needed her mother.

She spent an hour puking her guts out in Hermione's bathroom. She felt like shit and wanted to just relax. For the rest of the day, She and Moni spent all day watching movies. She drank that weird concoction she was given to stop her nasty hangover.

Alice walked across her room and grabbed her purse that was on Hermione's makeup desk. She stuck her hand through her bag and grabbed her phone. She quickly realized that she had turned it off and clicked the on button. Her heart was pounding anxiously in her chest as she saw the number that popped up on her screen.

Fourteen voicemails, forty-five text messages and thirty-five missed calls all from one person. She looked at the name on the contact and rolled her eyes at the name. She can't believe that he thought he could win her back with little to no effort. She shuts the phone screen and then it buzzes. She growls and turns the screen back on and gasps.

She got eighteen voicemails from her daughter, Eleven from Cheryl and also Eighteen from Jughead. The mother in her went into her voice mailbox and listened to all the messages. Her heart panged with guilt when she heard the cries from Cheryl. She hadn't forgotten how attached Cheryl had gotten to her.

"Ms. Smith… hello? Okay, I guess you have your phone off. My dad is freaking out. Please call us back. Love Jughead." She couldn't stop the tears from sliding down her cheeks. She was so unfair to them and she felt awful about it.

She wanted to scream at herself. She was so selfish. She should've given him some time to explain for himself. She immediately grabbed her phone again and listened to FP's message.

Cyan tears rolled down her cheeks as she listened carefully to his voice. "Al, please return my phone call. I'm worried sick. I'm sorry, Baby. I should've told you the truth. I was just trying to protect you. I recruited the Serpents to help us find Koel. I know, I know, I should've just opened my mouth and told you. Damn't! I'm sorry, Al. Please call me back." He sounded so worried and panicked.

"I'm an idiot!" She wailed as she tossed her phone across the room. "God, I didn't let him explain." She cried as she grabbed a pillow off Hermione's bed and smothered her head into it.

She also allowed him an apology for leaving like that. She was just so upset with him and the fact Koel was still missing only made it a thousand times worse for her. She looked at the clock and sighed loudly.

It was six-thirty-four in the evening. She knew what she needed to do. Before she knew it, She was up on her feet and in the hall of Hermione's huge penthouse.

"You need a ride?" Her head whirls around and she meets the eyes of Hermione.

Hermione jiggles the keys to Alice's car in her right hand and smirks at her best friend. Alice rolled her eyes and they got into her car. As she got settled in the passenger seat with her feet kicked up on the dashboard like she was a careless teen again. She hadn't done that in quite some time. She almost felt like she was a teenager again. Besides her attitude, she was the same old Alice Smith. She got her king back and much more.

"You drive now? What happened to your personal driver service?" Alice commented as she placed her arms behind her head and looked at Hermione.

The Latina was quite offended by this statement. Just because she had one in the past, doesn't mean she can't drive herself places.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She scoffed lightly and focused on the road ahead of her.

The former Serpent queen rolled her eyes and laughed out." Moni, sweetheart, you've had a driver since the day we met." She added before earning a light pinch to her left thigh.

"I take offense to that, Al." She replied back and added another pinch.

Alice had to hold back her laughter,"Okay! Okay!, I'm sorry, Moni, that wasn't cool."

"Dad?" A voice comes to him. All he can hear is his sister's words to him. He felt as if she was dying in his arms again. His stomach plummeted at that thought. He didn't want to have to relive that horrifying moment in his life. His head hurt and he felt as if he could have a spasm attack.

Cheryl saw that he was going into shock. She quickly got by his side and started coaching him back to them. She tried soothing words but nothing was working. Jughead and Betty were about to dial 911 when the door swung open.

"Oh my god!" They heard Alice's panicked tone in her voice as her heels trampled toward them.

Cheryl didn't have time to greet her adoptive mother in a normal fashion. Alice immediately dropped her purse and raced over to her lover's side. She could tell he was going shock. She didn't know what caused it nor did it matter at that very second. Betty went into the kitchen as she instructed by her mother and came back with a glass of water. Jughead grabbed a inhaler from Betty's backpack. Cheryl helped Alice take off his jacket and calmly utter words.

It seemed be working as they notice FP was reacting well to their words. After a little while, FP was breathing regularly again and Alice broke. She hated being mad at him. She now knew that he was only trying to protect her from getting her hopes up. She only wished that he would've been honest with her and told her what he had planned.

"FP, Jonesey? It's okay, it's just me and the kids." Alice calmly tried to break him from having a full on panic attack.

FP slowly regains his ability to breathe normally and blinks his eyelashes. He's confused. He was just about to tell them about what happened to Abby and then he blanked out. He has no clue what just happened and all he knows that he hears a voice. A voice he's been begging for since the day she left.

"Al.." Her name slips off his tongue and he blinks his eyes again. She's really there. He can't believe it. She was okay and breathing. He pulled into his arms and starts bawling. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry, Al. I was wrong and I can't live without you." He starts blurting out as he feels her hands on his back.

Alice's heart shudders and she starts moving her hand on his back soothingly. She hated when he was upset. It only broke her heart even more than it was before.

"Shh… it's okay, Baby." She shushes him with her voice and tiny circles into his lower back. "I forgive you. All that matters is that we find Koel and if you trust the Serpents more than Tom, that's fine with me."

The kids watch them gingerly, looking around to make sure nothing was out of place. "You do?" His voice cracks in the middle and he senses her plush touch.

"Yes, I do, Jonesey." His nickname rolls off his tongue like a tingly feeling; the good feeling of hope.

For the first time in weeks, She actually felt like hope was back in her corner. It was like she could trust people who she cares about. For example, Her trust in FP was very important to her. Now, FP could finally release from himself. The fact that Alice was back home and he knew she was safe; meant the world to him.

"Abby… I felt like she was dying on me again." Betty, Jughead and Cheryl all gasped as they covered their mouths with their hands.

"Shh… it's okay. He can't hurt her again or you." Her voice was calm and reassuring. FP smiled back at Alice and sighed in relief.

"Okay…" He sounded like he was unsure." My Dad can't hurt Abby again." He repeated over to himself.

Cheryl felt sick to her stomach. Her and FP were really alike with one another. Her father killed her brother and FP's Dad killed his little sister. She didn't realize how alike they were until today. They both want families that care and love them. They both lost a sibling and still cry for their loss.

Betty and Jughead watched as FP and Alice hugged one another. Their stomachs felt uneasy and a little queasy after hearing that news. Jughead now knew what his father meant by his grandfather. He only wished he got to meet his aunt. From what his dad told him, She seemed like someone he could bond with. He wanted to hear more about her. Like what were her hobbies or what jokes she had. He missed the chance to have a Aunt-nephew bonding time. He knew that his father's family was complicated but this topped the sundae. It for sure did.

As they slept, Midnight, their dog wiggled her tail and circled around until she found her nest. The nest was by FP and Alice's feet. Alice wasn't very much pleased by the welcoming. She never has been a dog fan and nothing would change her opinion on that. No matter how much that dog would try to force her to like her; it won't happen.

The dog barked," Midnight Shh!" Alice hissed through a sleepy threat. Midnight begins to whimper and nuzzle her nose against Alice's bare feet.

Fp could hear whimpering and Alice's threats. He felt bad for the dog. Midnight only wanted her love and attention. Alice didn't like dogs and only let the kids and FP keep her to make them happy.

"Mid, come by Papa." FP calls the dog over by him and Midnight lays right next to him.

Alice rolled her eyes and groaned as she turned toward the bed table. Damn that dog was getting his attention and it was starting to irk her.