I woke up the next morning to Caddy screaming. I loved that girl to the death, but I swear, waking me up at 5am would make me angry at anyone. I rolled out of the bed Dad had let me sleep in, grumpy from my lack of sleep in the past few days.
"It's alright Caddy girl", I shushed the baby, walking over to the fold up crib we hastily set up last night. Lifting Caddy and gently rocking her, I saw Jughead pop his head in the doorway to the bedroom.
"Can you make her be quiet, please?" He asked, obviously as grumpy by being awoken by our sister's outburst as I was.
"Yeah, sure. I'll just snap my fingers and she go back to sleep", I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes as I continued to rock Caddy in my arms.
"Really? Then do it." Jughead clearly didn't catch my sarcastic tone.
I rolled my eyes again. "Of course not, you dumb head!" I exclaimed. I'm trying the best I can, and you shouting isn't helping!"
"I'm not the one shouting!" Jughead argued, ironically raising his own voice.
Caddy screamed even louder at the rise in volume around her. It was then that Dad walked in the room from the lounge room where he and Jughead slept on the couch, telling us to quiet down.
"We are all crabby at being woken up multiple times in the night, as well early this morning, but can you both please be quiet." He advised us, having two past experiences in the baby department. He motioned to all of us to come to the kitchen for breakfast, the fact obvious that they weren't going back to sleep that morning. Dad offered to make pancakes while I feed Caddy, which sounded good to me. I dug through one of the bags Amanda had packed full of baby stuff, trying to find a bottle and formula for Caddy's milk. As I heated up the bottle, and tested the temperature of it, making sure the liquid wouldn't burn precious Caddy, I chatted to Jug and Dad. It was nice, being able to talk to them after such a long time.
Once we were all feed, I strapped Caddy into the car, and we all headed to Alice Cooper's place, hoping against hope that she would agree to look after Caddy. It would be so frustrating if she said no. I would've happily taken care of my sister myself, but school started next week when spring break ended, and I didn't think that Dad would let me miss out on my schooling.
As we pulled up to what I assumed was the Cooper's home, I gazed up at it in admiration. All my life I had lived in trailers or cheap apartments, so the idea of someone living in such luxury…
Dad led the way to the door step, Jug and I following, me holding Caddy once again. Dad knocked on the door, it opening a few moments later by a pretty middle-aged woman who looked much like Betty.
"FP," she acknowledged, the two adults sharing a sly romantic smile that I didn't miss.
"Alice" he replied, smiling gooferly as well.
The lady finally broke eye-contact with my father and saw Jughead and I, transferring her smile to us. "Hello Jughead; and you must be JB."
Betty appeared beside her mother at the door. "I told her, I hope that's alright", She explained, looking shamefaced.
"Of course, that's fine" I assured her.
Alice motioned to us to come in, Jughead giving Betty a quick kiss as he walked in. I smiled at the two couples, feeling lonely inside though. That just made me think of Ryder and when I would get to see him again. Hopefully today; I really enjoyed his company. I wondered what school he went to. I wished it was Riverdale High.
Betty came up to me and asked to hold Caddy. I gave her the baby staying close to her in case Betty dropped her accidently, but Betty seemed very capable of holding a child.
"What can I help you with?" Asked Alice sweetly once they were all seated in the lounge room, Betty holding Caddy.
"We were wondering – hoping- that… that you would look after Caddy for a while?" Dad asked hesitantly. "Just until I get a new place and learn how to take care of her, so I can do it myself."
Jug and I looked at each other. We had both not heard this part of his plan. It made me smile at how much Dad had changed since mum and I left.
"Yes, of course I can!" Alice exclaimed, apparently excited about this opportunity. "I have so much spare time on my hands after taking a part time position at the Register, and I was looking for something to keep my busy. So, yes, I would love to take care of the baby."
We Jones's all sighed with relief. Thank heavens she had said yes.
"Her name is Caddy by the way, short for Cadance Grace", I told the kind woman, smiling.
"Cadance… what a sweet name for such a sweet baby", Alice commented, looking fondly towards the child in her daughter's arms.
Jughead had explained to me earlier that Betty and Alice had some bad blood between them a while ago, but they managed to get through it, now the typical mother and daughter duo. Jug had also told me that Alice hah recently went through a divorce, to her ex-husband and Betty's father, Hal Cooper.
"I can stay for the next few nights, to show you what she needs and other stuff", I offered, wanting to be with my little sister for as long as I could. "I would also come over after school to see her, if that's alright."
"Certainly! Our home is your home", offered Alice, very hospitable.
"Thank you", I replied.
"Have you all had breakfast yet?" Questioned Alice.
"Yes, we have. We all were woken up very early by a certain little cutie-pie this morning", Jughead motioned to Caddy, still nestled in Betty's lap. Caddy let out a little giggle at that moment, causing everyone to laugh.
"Oh, a cutie-pie that has its sense of humour", Dad laughed.
A/N: Please let me know what you think!