Title: Love Story
Author: Fab_fan
Fandom: All My Children
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Frankie/Bianca
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I don't own much of anything, really.
Summary: AU Early 1900s. Young Bianca Montgomery dreams of living the adventures she reads about in her books. When her family goes to live with her uncle after the death of her father, Bianca discovers herself a part of the greatest adventure of all. Love.
The carriage shook gently as one of the wheels hit a dip in the road. Bianca stared out the window, taking in the bright green scenery. Her mother, Erica, sat beside her, hands folded in her lap and head held high. She gave off a regal air, even when no one was looking. The carriage shook again as the horses drove over another hole in the dirt road, and Bianca could hear her mother grumble.
"Is it impossible to not hit every hole?" a flick of the hair followed this declaration.
Bianca barely glanced at her, not wanting to take her attention away from the window. It had been a long journey from Chicago, and her mother had not enjoyed any part of it. If there was something wrong, the woman was quick to point it out. A tiny sigh escaped the ten year old's lips, and she huddled closer to the window. They had arrived earlier on the one o'clock train, and the carriage had been sent to pick them up.
The landscape looked so different from what she was used to. There was so much wide-open space! No people walking about in a sea of hats and coats. No brick and mortar buildings crushed together along busy roadways. She had yet to even see one of those new automobiles by Mr. Ford.
The carriage cut to the left, and Bianca could hear her mother mutter a "finally." Staring, she saw a giant house come into view, the white paint gleaming in the sun like a shiny penny. Seeing their destination, the girl could not feel any form of happiness. It was real. They would be living here from now on. She would not wake up back in Chicago with all of this a bad dream.
They rumbled to a stop, and she could hear the driver jump down from his seat. The dirt and gravel crackled under his boots as he hustled around to the side and opened the door. Erica grasped his hand, and he helped her out, the train of her dress nearly catching on the corner of the door and almost causing her to tumble out. With one last sigh, Bianca followed slowly. The young man offered her a quick smile as she gracefully climbed out.
"Erica! It's so good to see you, old girl."
Bianca looked up to see her Uncle Jack hurrying down the polished steps of the house. He approached them with a welcoming smile, his eyes solely on her mother.
"Oh, Jack." Erica spoke as he stopped in front of her. He gently grasped her arms, tears coming to the woman's eyes.
"How are you, darling? How was the trip in?"
"Fine, fine."
Bianca could hear the driver struggle with their heavy luggage, the trunks and cases squeaking and groaning as he attempted to maneuver them off the carriage. She returned her attention to the adults just as her mother threw herself at her uncle.
"Oh Jack, it's so terrible."
"There, there. It'll be all right." He softly patted her on the back as she sobbed into his shoulder. He glanced up from the upset woman, his eyes landing on Bianca, the girl standing awkwardly off to the side. He carefully worked out of Erica's tight hold and stepped over to the child.
"Hello, Bianca. I'm your Uncle Jack. We met a few years ago, when I visited your father in Chicago."
Bianca nodded, a lump forming in her throat. Her hand flew to the gold locket around her throat, and she tenderly rubbed the smooth surface, drawing comfort from the reminder.
Jack knelt before her, "I was so very sorry to hear about Travis. I wish I could have gotten out to Chicago for the funeral, but I was tied up with business. I am happy that you will be staying with me, though. I'm sure you'll make lots of friends."
Bianca bowed her head and pushed a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. She blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay. Her father, Travis, had died the month before from illness. With him gone, it was decided the little girl and her mother would live with Travis's brother for a while. The very thought of her father being gone caused sadness to overtake her. He had been her best friend, her hero. Now, he was gone.
"Bianca, say something, for heaven's sake." Erica ordered, flustered at how quiet her daughter still tended to be, "And please dear, don't slouch, you'll wrinkle your dress."
She straightened up, having to swallow a few times to get the words passed the lump, "Thank you, Uncle Jack. I'm sure I'll have a wonderful time here."
Jack smiled kindly at her and stood up, placing a warm hand on her shoulder, "How about we go inside? It's lunchtime." He gently steered the young girl up the stairs and through the front door, Erica right beside them.
"Oh my, this is a handsome home, Jack." Erica said.
Bianca glanced around the foyer, Jack's hand still on her shoulder. It was large. The wooden floor sparkled beneath their feet. The open space featured a giant staircase at the end, the white marble leading up to the second story. Jack pointed out to the left the drawing room and to the right the dining room. He herded them into the dining room, revealing an expansive mahogany table covered with shining silver candlesticks and plates made of blue china. A woman bustled in through a side door, an excited look on her face at the new visitors. Bianca couldn't help but smile at her. The woman gave off a friendly air, and she was dressed in the most peculiar dress. It was poofy and orange with purple lining the bottom! She could hear her mother's disgusted gasp at such a display. Bianca could only wonder where she found such a fun looking dress.
"Are these here the two we've been waiting for, Jackson?"
Jack laughed, "Yes Opal, this is Mrs. Erica Kane-Montgomery and her daughter Ms. Bianca Montgomery."
Opal clapped her hands together gleefully, "Well, if that ain't just the cat's meow. We've all been so excited for you two to arrive."
Erica gave her a fake smile, "Thank you, Ms. Opal."
"Is lunch ready, Opal?" Jack asked.
"Yes, it is. I'll bring it right out." Opal disappeared back into the kitchen.
"Well, she's…interesting." Erica waited for Jack to pull out her chair.
Bianca sat down across from her mother, smoothing out her robin egg blue dress. She adjusted the hat on her head, the material scratching at her scalp. Jack took the chair at the head of the table.
"After lunch, you'll be shown to your rooms. After such a long journey, you must want to rest."
"Of course." Erica sat straight in her chair, removing the large hat from her head and setting it to the side.
Opal and another woman returned carrying trays of salad and cold cuts. Bianca smiled and politely thanked them, receiving a grin from Opal in return. Lunch was a rather tiresome affair. Erica monopolized Jack's attention, talking about Chicago and how their lives would change now that they were in Pine Valley. Bianca sat quietly, chewing daintily on her food. Whenever Erica glanced over, she made sure to mimic her posture, lest she receive another glare.
After the meal was finished, a maid named Krystal showed them to their rooms. Their luggage had already been deposited and the staff had dutifully put away their belongings. Bianca thanked the maid, but the woman had already left by the time the shy girl had voiced her words. Her mouth set into a grim line, and she studied the room. It was different from her room back in Chicago. There were no books scattered around. No noise coming in through the window from the streets below. No father.
Sniffling, Bianca crawled up onto the fluffy white bed, not caring how wrinkled her dress got. She fell onto her side, her head landing on the feather pillow. She clutched it with both hands, tears beginning to roll down her face. With a silent cry, she buried her head into the pillow. Her muffled sobs echoed throughout the room.
Bianca twitched, her hand coming up to absently rub at her eyes. Blinking them open, she noticed that the room was dark. Night had fallen. Her ears picked up the sound of whispered voices outside her room. That must have been what woke her up. Holding her breath, she listened.
She could make out her mother and Uncle Jack's voices. They were bickering. Bianca frowned.
"Jack, a young lady should not miss dinner."
"Leave her be, Erica. She just lost her father."
The door creaked open, and Bianca slammed her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. After a few moments, the door closed and footsteps could be heard moving away. She inhaled roughly, opening her eyes. She grabbed at the locket and lifted the heart shaped trinket. She lowered her eyes and opened it, gazing at the black and white smiling faces.
She didn't fight as the tears traveled well-worn trails down her face.