What If?

Chapter 3

" What really? Why?"

" Uh..." FP paused, not really wanting to have to spill the truth. But the waiting looks from Fred and Mary made him carry on.  " Alice is pregnant."

Mary's mouth dropped open and her hand flew to cover it.

" Shit." Fred said, no emotion on his face.

" Is it yours?" Mary asked, her voice a small squeak. 

FP nodded and Mary let out a little gasp. 

" Oh FP! What the hell are you going to do?"

" I told Alice I'd be there for her, which of course, I am going to be."

Mary gave a sad smile.

"Are you really ready to be a father?"

FP shrugged.

" I don't know."

Fred put a hand on his best friend's shoulder.

" Whatever you and Alice need, we'll be there to help you."

Mary nodded and pulled FP into a hug, FP giving Fred his thanks. Fred signaled over FP's shoulder and FP turned to see what was going on. A teacher had asked them to set up for the Prom King and Queen announcement. With one last quick hug from Mary, FP and Fred went across the stage to where the band was set up, while Mary got everyone's attention with her perfect people's skills.

" Thank you everyone," Mary said, a large smile upon her face, " Now is the time you've all been waiting for! To find out this year's Prom King and Queen!"

There were a few cheers from the audience, as a girl ran up onto the stage to give Mary an envelope.

" Thank you," Mary took the envelope and began to open it.

" I am delighted to announce that the Prom King and Queen are..." When Mary saw what was written on the card her face dropped. 

" Hal Cooper and Alice Smith."

FP heard the disappointment and maybe even disgust in Mary's voice as Hal and Alice, from opposite sides of the room, made their way to the stage, Alice on the verge of tears and Hal's face red with anger. As Alice walked passed FP, she gave him a look of upset and headed over to Mary. When both Alice and Hal were beside the redhead, Mary motioned for two students to come over with the crowns. Mary gave Alice a sympathetic smile when placing the tiara upon her head, but when she turned to Hal, her face dropped and she practically threw the crown at him. Hal, teeth clenched, eyes flaming, took one look at the fake crown and chucked it on the floor. He bent in close to Mary.

" I am done with you and your friends and your shitty grudge against me."

And with that he stormed off the stage, leaving Mary and a horrified Alice alone.

FP saw the humiliation upon Alice's face and knew he had to do something about it. He saw Tom at the front of the crowd and beckoned for him.

" Can you play True by Spandau Ballet on bass?"

Tom looked confused.

" I'm a bit rusty but yeah, I think so. Why?"

" Because I need to do something."

FP passed his guitar over to him and told him and Fred to start playing. Fred gave him a weird look but did so anyway.

Taking a deep breath, FP walked over to Alice and held his hand out.

" May I have this dance?"

Alice wiped a tear from her cheek.

" What?"

FP smiled encouragingly at her.

" If a Queen is abandoned by her King, she needs a Knight in Shining Armour to save her."

Alice didn't meet his eyes.

" And is this Knight in Shining Armour you by any chance?"

FP laughed.

" Of course."

Finally Alice looked up at him. FP held her gaze for a moment before she took his hand. They were about to head off the stage onto the floor but FP stopped.

 " What's wrong?" Alice asked.

Reaching for her hair, he took off the tiara and gave it to Mary.

" You don't need that to be a Queen."

Smiling, FP took her into the middle of the floor as Fred began singing the first lines of the song. He pulled her close as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They swayed to the music and eventually everyone began to join in. Alice and FP didn't notice anyone else; they were so engrossed in each other that everything around them seemed to fade away.

Mary watched them from the stage and smiled. They were going to be fine.