TC Stark: So, it hasn't been that long since the end of The Dog Days Are Over, but from the love I have received I could not help it. I just simply loved writing Forrest/Frankie and I had to keep doing so. I also loved writing the conflict of sexuality in the 1930s and I think you all liked seeing that as well. I wanted to write this romance/drama and I promise to keep Forrest in character as much as possible. I have ideas, but please feel free to tell me what you'd like to see. Marulk – I do have an obsession with Tom Hardy lol And Warrior was fantastic. His character was just raw and powerful. I just wouldn't know what to write, but thank you for putting that in my head! And the compliment! Enjoy everyone!

Disclaimer: I only own Frankie, her parents, and my ideas. Alas, I own nothing else. Ha-ha, believe me what I would do to Tom Hardy would not be pretty...

Chapter One

It was a beautiful day in the summer of 1932, in Franklin County, Virginia. The sun was shining brightly in the sky. It was in the beginning of August and even though it was hot, the humidity was low. The wettest county in the world seemed just as calm as it always was. It was a simple town and everyone went on with their lives as they always did.

It was on that specific day that a good looking pair stepped into Franklin's very own Blackwater Station. They were a couple in their late thirties to early forties. A very good looking married couple. They were obviously not from town, made obvious by their attire. The woman was a gal of average height, with a lovely figure that she covered with a dress that was modern for that time. Her very curly blonde hair cascaded down until it rested against the middle of her back. She had bright Hazel eyes that needed very little makeup in order to make it shine.

Her husband was quite the looker as well. Quite handsome in fact. At least six feet in height with perfectly styled light brown hair. His jaw was nicely chiseled and his broad shoulders were clad in a well tailored three piece black and white pin striped suit. They definitely weren't from town; most likely hailing from some big city.

As they stepped into the crowded bar, they caught the attention of a certain beautiful redhead. Maggie Beauford turned around and gave a lovely smile, "Hello, sit wherever you'd like. I'll be with you in a minute."

Clutching onto her purse, the married woman stepped forward while introducing, "Hello, my name is Yvonne and this is my husband Harvey. We're looking for someone."

"Nice to meet both of you, my name is Maggie," She smiled and gave a small nod, "Who are you looking for?"

"Francesca?" The man named Harvey asked. His voice was crisp with an New York accent; not necessarily high class, but not entirely someone from a poor region. Perhaps a working man.

Raising an eyebrow, Maggie asked, "Francesca? I'm not sure I know anyone by that name."

"There's no Francesca Giller here?"

It was then her face picked up and she happily corrected, "You mean Frankie?"

But, that clearly didn't seem to please the older blonde woman who groaned and looked towards Harvey, "She's still using that hideous nickname."

Sighing, he shrugged with his hands still in his pockets, "Did you really think that was going to change? It is her decision."

"Yes, but I gave her such a beautiful name," Sighing, Yvonne turned back around and confirmed, "Yes, we are looking for Frankie. We are her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Giller."

After pouring coffee into a customer's cup, Maggie walked back up to the out of townees, "Yes, Frankie lives her. Right upstairs. The both of us do."

At that statement, Yvonne began to look at the other woman curiously. Her Hazel eyes slowly looked her up and down, as if trying to assess her. Trying to figure her out. Tilting an eyebrow up, she carefully asked, "How close are you to my daughter?"

Maggie knew instantly what the older woman was implying. She frowned, remembering why Frankie ran away from home in the first place. It seemed that her mother would be suspicious of any woman that had contact with her daughter. Clearing her throat, the redhead explained, "Very close, but not the way you are thinking. We're family. She's like a sister to me. Her and I live here with the Bondurants."

"The Bondurants?" Harvey rolled the name off his tongue curiously, while thinking out loud, "I have heard of them. Their name is often spoken in the city. They're moonshiners?"

Giving a cautious glance behind her, Maggie turned back around and confirmed, "That would be correct."

"Why would my daughter be living with bootleggers?"

The husband took out a metal cigarette case and after popping one in between his lips, he gave a wry grin, "Hey, c'mon my brother Leroy makes that crap bathtub gin."

Before Yvonne was able to say anything, the front door gently swung open. They turned around to see Jack Bondurant walk into the bar. He was happily speaking to a woman behind him, who had a large grin on her face. Not much had changed at all about Frankie Giller, since she had gotten engaged. She was still shaving the sides of her head, especially due to the hotter weather. With her undercut hairstyle, the top part hung curled to the side, hanging down just below her left cheekbone.

Whatever they were chatting about, they were certainly having a good laugh about it. Frankie was wearing a gray button up collared shirt, the top two buttons undone; which she rolled the sleeves up to her elbows. And as usual, she was wearing a pair of black trousers to go along with the boots she had purchased not too long ago.

Fully entering the bar, Frankie then stopped laughing as she noticed the two foreigners standing next to Maggie. Wide eyed, she slowly took a few steps forward, "Mom? Dad?"

They were here. Her parents were in Blackwater Station. It had been a good few months since she had written the letter. She never would have thought they would travel out to see her. In all honesty, she wasn't sure if either of them had ever left the city before. Besides, she assumed that they were mad at her and wouldn't want to see her, after she ran away.

Breath hitched, Yvonne turned around and fought to hold back the tears forming in her eyes. Breaking down, she flung her arms around her daughter and sobbed, "Francesca! I-I can't believe it's you! I thought I'd never see you again. Why? Why did you just leave? I thought something happened to you!"

It was odd to feel her mother's body against hers. To smell her mother's light scent; she always had wonderful tastes in perfume. Letting out a small sigh, Frankie finally wrapped her arms around Yvonne. It felt wonderful. In a matter of seconds she felt herself falling deep within the love that radiated off of her mom's soul.

"I'm so sorry, mom," Frankie gently murmured, while running her fingers through her mom's blonde hair, "I just didn't want you to be disappointed in me again."

"Honey," Her father began to speak, placing his hands atop her shoulders, "We would have gotten past it. You're our daughter. Did you think we wanted you to leave? For a year we had no idea what happened to you. That's no way for us to live."

Pulling away, Yvonne clenched onto the sides of Frankie's arms, "Alana and Kerry have been asking for you none stop."

Heart breaking, the daughter gasped, "Where are they?"

"Aunt Sherry is watching them, we didn't want to take them with us. The heat would have only made Kerry cranky." Yvonne snorted.

Wiping away under her eyes, Frankie attempted to pull the conversation away from the subject of her running away, while turning towards her friend, "Mom, dad, I want you to meet my best friend Jack Bondurant."

Jack quickly took his hat off while sticking her hand out in front of him, "Nice to meet both of y'all, Mr. and Mrs. Giller. You got a great gal here; she's my best friend."

Eying the hand for a moment, Harvey extended his own hand and caught the younger man's, "Harvey. Thank you for taking care of our daughter."

"Been real fun." He gave a wry grin, before composing himself.

Frankie smiled at the way his cheeks were blushing, becoming flustered at meeting someone's parents. He never had to do that before and the one parents he did meet, Bertha's; didn't like him up until a few months ago. Giving him a wink, she then turned towards her female friend, "And I see that you're already met my good friend Maggie."

"Yep, that we did," The redhead placed her hand on her hip while winking, "Sweety, I gotta get back to the grill. Maybe tonight we can all get together?"

The two girls nodded to each other, before the older woman walked over to the grill. When Frankie turned around, she saw her mother eying her warily, "Frankie-"

Picking her hand up, she stopped her mother, "Mom, don't. It's not like that. I-I made a female friend."

"Is it true? Are you really getting married?" Her mom then asked.

Frankie supposed the question was inevitable. She did mention it in the letter. But, at the time she had just been proposed to and was clouded by blissful feelings. She wasn't exactly sure how it was going to work out in the end. How her parents would react, considering they hadn't seen their daughter in a year and had never met the man.

Chewing on her bottom lip, the New Yorker bowed her head down and admitted, "Y-Yes...I am getting married to a wonderful man."

"Oh, how wonderful! My daughter is cured."

Looking at her mother, Frankie frowned, "Mom, there was nothing to cure. There's nothing wrong with me. Gender doesn't matter, I fell in love with the person."

Harvey and Yvonne glanced over at each other. Frankie understood that they would never understand, but she was happy that they decided to drop it. Looking over, the father referred to Jack, "Is this the boy?"

Both Jack and Frankie looked at each other and after a few blinks, they let out a fit of laughter, "Me and Jack? Oh, no, no. We're just friends. Besides, he has a lady friend." She giggled, while winking over towards her male friend. The mention of Bertha always made him blush; she wondered if they had finally decided to take the next step in their relationship.

"Hmm," Harvey took a look at Jack before turning back to his daughter, "Who is he then?"

Frankie understood why her father was confused. Jack and her were around the same age and it most likely would have made sense that the two of them would be the ones to be together. Thankfully, he felt the awkward tension between them and excused himself to help fill the salt and pepper shakers. Nodding, she looked back at her parents and led them out of the bar. She didn't need everyone paying attention to what they were talking about.

Stepping out onto the porch, Frankie pulled out a cigarette of her own and placed it in between her lips. While striking a match, she placed the flame against the tip of her smoke and inhaled. Harvey did the same thing, while asking, "Why here? How did you even get down here?"

Letting out a sigh, the daughter explained, "I had a little bit of money...used whatever I had for train tickets and just...went. I finally got off here because I thought it was as far away as I could get to New York City. We don't know anyone in Virginia...I figured you guys would never come looking for me...I was living in a motel for a little while, but I became friends with the Bondurants and they asked me to live here. I feel like...we're a family."

"And who is that Maggie woman? Why does she live here?" Yvonne asked.

"She escaped from Chicago just like I escaped New York. Blood doesn't make up family, which is what we all are."

Her mother gave a deep frown, while placing her hand over her chest, "Frances- Frankie...we are your parents."

Giving her a weak smile, Frankie reached over and took her mother's hand within her own and gave it a squeeze, "I know...I love you. I feel very blessed to have my family extended. I hope that...we can all be together."

There was a hesitation in Yvonne's eyes. She wasn't exactly sure what to say or how to feel. It was obvious that she wanted to be wary. Wanted to still hold onto the past and be worried. What if she was lying and the whole thing was a hoax? What if her daughter wasn't better and still fooling around with women? But, all that would be addressed at a different time. For the moment, they needed to concentrate on the reunion.

That was when Frankie heard the light hum of a automobile approaching. Turning around, she saw that it was the older Bondurants. She smiled as both Howard and Forrest slid out of the vehicle, presumably from making another sale. Business had been booming ever since the death of Charlie Rakes. She was pretty the law in Franklin County knew it was best just to let their citizens do what they wanted; as long as it wasn't hurting anyone.

Howard was in the middle of gulping down some moonshine, as he walked up the steps. Eying the married couple oddly, he asked, "Frankie, who are these two?"

"Howard, like you to meet my parents: Yvonne and Harvey Giller," Then turning towards her parents, she referred over to the taller man, "This is Howard Bondurant. Oldest of the clan."

Cracking a lopsided grin, he gave a wave before shaking each of their hands, "Ain't that old. Nice to meet the parents finally."

"Thank you for taking care of our daughter." Harvey gave a firm nod.

Howard returned the nod, before looking over at his brother and excusing himself into the bar. It was then Forrest stepped forward, pulling his hat off from the top of his head and holding it against his chest. It was hot out and Frankie was happy to see him only wearing a pair of black slacks, a collarless button up shirt, and a black vest over that. His hair was combed over to one side and his stubble was very light; she thought he looked very handsome.

With a proud smile, Frankie finally introduced, "Mom, dad, please meet Forrest Bondurant. My fiance."

Harvey eyes ran over the large Bondurant, just the way Forrest was with him. Both sizing the other up. His hat still pressed against his chest, respectful. Quiet. He was also older than Frankie, her father saw that. He had heard of them boys before, especially him. The legend of the Immortal man from Franklin County had reached up to New York. Word was that he was trouble.

Finally taking in a deep breath, the father extended his hand, "Harvey Giller. This here my wife Yvonne."

Forrest's head slowly bowed down, while grasping firmly onto the other man's hand. Their grip was strong; the way a father would hold onto the hand of his daughter's fiance. Eventually, Harvey let go so the Bondurant could greet Yvonne. With a warm smile, she happily expressed, "I'm so happy that Frankie is finally settling down with a man."

"Honey." Harvey quickly turned around; thinking that perhaps the comment was a little too bold and too soon. Or maybe the country boy didn't know.

"Sorry," She quickly quipped, before turning back to Forrest, "All I'm saying is that I'm happy that Frankie is safe and in good hands."

"Ain't nothing bad gonna happen long as I'm around." His rocky voice rumbled from deep within his chest, making both of them shudder on the inside. It was the first time he had spoken.

Yvonne then quickly agreed, "Thank you."

Then placing his hat back atop his head, Forrest offered, "Perhaps you two can go on inside? Sure it's been a long trip and Maggie be more than happy to make you both something to eat. Be there in a minute."

While looking at each other, the husband and wife agreed and went inside. Once it was just Forrest and Frankie, he turned around and looked at the blonde woman. She was leaning her back against the wooden railing, while lighting up against cigarette, "I didn't know they were coming...walked in to see them standing there," Letting out a small and short laugh, she shook her head, "I wasn't sure if I should have ran or...hugged them."

Giving an unreadable expression, he asked, "You uncomfortable?"

Frankie let out a sigh as she felt Forrest's warmth closing in on her. He would never be the kind of person to show affection in public and she was perfectly fine with that. That behavior was a part of him and she loved every aspect of him. But, just having him near her was all the comfort she needed. She didn't need a kiss or a touch, to know how much he cared for her.

"We can send 'em home." Forrest quietly added.

Frankie smiled. It was sweet that he would offer to do the awkward duty of kicking her parents out, if she wanted it that way. He was her fiance and they were on his property, he would have the right. He was a gentleman and it would be bad form, but his number one concern was her well being and happiness. He would rid all negativity from her life, even if that did mean her mother and father.

But, she simply shook her head, "No, thank you. It's okay. I love my parents...its just rocky right now, but...it'll get better." She reassured, while placing her hand against his chest.

Picking up her hand gently, he lifted it up and held it up against his hard chest. His back was faced towards the windows of the bar; no one could see what they were doing. Frankie smiled, knowing that the gesture was just for them. With his large hand covering hers, he bowed his head down and softly murmured, "Well, let's go on then."