Chapter 2

In the morning Frankie woke up and could smell food in her room and noticed the duvet had been placed on her. Momma had been up Mom would have let her starve! She was starving now and she had soccer in a couple of hours and she was in so much trouble and she needed a lift to the game. Shit who would she ask to do that? She got up and went downstairs. Good no one was around she got some juice from the fridge and put some bread in the toaster. Then she prepared some cereal. Then she heard someone coming down the stairs it was Arizona.

"Morning Mom"

"Morning darling how are you this morning?"

Well at least Mom was talking to her. "I'm OK I suppose"

"Hmm did you forget to come down and apologise to Momma last night?"

" I fell asleep"

"And are you going to today"

" You said when I felt I could"

" Don't you then?"

"Mom can we not have this conversation now. I don't know how I feel. I need to get ready for the game. Can you take me" she knew she was pushing her luck Arizona was still mad with her but she really didn't feel like apologising to anyone. No one understood.

Arizona raised her eyebrows to the heavens "You've got the cheek of the devil but yes I'll take you"

"Thanks Mom you're the best" Frankie cheekily replied with a grin on her face. The first smile Arizona had seen for a while.

30 mins later Arizona was in the car with Frankie taking the 15 min drive to the soccer pitch. Relations were still tense despite the breakfast exchange.

"So" Arizona ventured. "What is your problem with Tony?"

"I've told you before Mom but you said I had to learn to live with it but I can't I hate him he's an arrogant pri... Person" she quickly corrected herself not wanting to be in any more trouble.

Arizona sighed she knew her daughter had tried to speak to her but she wasn't sure if she'd really listened and probably just brushed it off. She had been so busy of late and now Frankie was unhappy and she felt it was her fault. Frankie and her had always been close. Oh dear parenting was never easy. She'd talk to Callie later.

"OK We'll speak about this later. Don't want you to be mouthing off at your Momma again do we?"

She had the good grace to look embarrassed and hang her head and mumbled "Sorry Mom"

Arizona looked at her and said "It's not really me you need to apologise to is it"

"No"

"OK enough said you can sort that out when we get home"

"Is Momma really mad with me? Does she hate me now?" Frankie worriedly questioned Arizona.

"Darling she could never hate you she loves you and always will no matter what you do or say. But she is upset at you telling her that you hate her and cross about the language you used"

"I've really messed up haven't I? I wouldn't blame her for hating me." Frankie said dejectedly

"Look don't worry about it she'll be fine with you. We're nearly here now just go out and be your usual awesome self"

At that they arrived at the pitch. Sensing that Frankie probably needed some extra reassurance, on the spur of the moment Arizona said "Would you like me to stay and watch"

"Would you Mom?" Frankie was surprised but pleased, neither of her parents watched her very much these days.

"Yes of course if you want me to"

"I'd love you too. If you're sure you have enough time."

Arizona once again felt guilty at seeing the joy in Frankie's eyes and realised how little they now came to watch her play. When she was little they were there all the time and it grew less and less as she and their family grew until now when they hardly ever came. She nodded an affirmation to Frankie who then went off happily to join her team. She quickly text Callie she wasn't sure what they needed to do today but she knew that her staying here would leave Callie to deal with their 4 and 8 year old. She hoped she would understand.

"Hi just staying to watch Frankie. I know she's not in our best books but I felt like maybe she needs more of our time and she was so pleased when I asked her if she wanted me to stay. Hope that's OK with you I'll make it up tonight. Love you xxx"

"Sounds good to me. It's ok the weathers nice we'll go by the pool, the little ones Will enjoy that. Love you more. Looking forward to tonight! Xxx"

Whilst they were all warming up Arizona went to find herself a coffee and then came back to sit on the bleachers. Soon after their coach Chris came over to join her. Once they had exchanged the usual pleasantries. Chris asked her "How has Frankie been lately? Is anything bothering her? It's just that she's been a little over aggressive at times not only during training but in last weeks match I had to pull her off for 10 minutes to calm her down"

Arizona sighed and explained about Tony staying and how she didn't feel that Frankie was happy about this and a brief resume of last nights behaviour.

" Well that would probably explain her attitude all round she's been a bit surly too which is so unusual for her"

"I've had a bit of a chat with her and she was pleased when I said I would stay today but I've obviously got more work to do" Arizona sighed.

"Well hopefully with you here it will help keep her calm"

"Don't bet on it, but I'll speak to her before the game. Can you send her over"

"OK thanks" and with that the coach jogged back to the team. This exchange had not been missed by Frankie. Who was then not surprised when the coach asked her to go speak to her Mom.

"Mom coach said you wanted me"

"Yes she's just spoken to me about the fact that she had to bench you for 10 mins last Sat. Would you like to explain what that was about?"

Frankie looked down and started to kick the ground with her foot. She didn't know how to answer that. Well she did she'd just got really wound up during the game, then started shouting at everyone and the final straw before the coach took her off to calm down was when she did a fairly dangerous and stupid tackle. She went with " I don't know".

Oh God how Arizona needed Callie here now she would know how to sort this. She felt herself getting angry it was obvious Frankie was lying. But she didn't want a big blow up now especially as she was about to play. So she went with "OK"

Frankie looked up with surprised eyes and saw the look Arizona was giving her. Frankie knew she didn't believe her. She loved her so much, they had always had a special bond and she wanted to tell her but she didn't want to disappoint her again.

"Well just say you were mad about things going on at home and through all that frustration you took it out on other players on the pitch it might be a good idea to think carefully before you did or said anything and put all that frustration into your play."

Frankie looked at Arizona and said "I know you know what happened last week"

"I do but that was last week and this is this week so go sock it to them tiger"

Still not really happy with everything and especially this new development Frankie said " OK Mom. Do you think I could have one of your pre game hugs"

That made Arizona smile, she hadn't given her one of those for a few seasons. Frankie usually considering herself too old now. But today what with everything going on she knew she needed some extra re-assurance. Arizona grabbed hold of her and hugged her tight. She whispered in her ear "I love you now go score a hat trick" And planted a big kiss on her head.

"I love you too Mom" and with that Arizona's middle daughter jogged back to her team mates. Appearing at least for now to be a little happier.

The game started and Frankie was her usual mercurial self. A couple of times she nearly lost it particularly after she was rather synically tackled outside the box when she got up and squared up to her opponent but she heard her Moms voice shouting" Frankie calm down you've got the free kick" which had the desired affect and calmed her down, and the second time when she was free on goal for a pass and instead of her teammate passing she tried to wriggle past a couple of players and lost the ball. Frankie threw her arms up in disbelief and was about to say something when she saw her mother looking at her. But other than that her mother was very impressed with her play, some of her skills were exceptional. Arizona couldn't be more proud she 'd forgotten how much she loved watching her. They won 5-2 and Frankie scored a hat trick. She ran straight over to her Mom at the end and said "The magic of the pre game hug!"

Arizona laughed it was good to see Frankie happy. In fact she hadn't realised how unhappy she had been for a while. Not wanting to give up the moment she said "How bout you and I going for a victory lunch somewhere. Your choice" She knew they would end up in The Ribshack.

"Really" Frankie was surprised she knew her mother still wasn't happy with her not only with the incident last night but also with her not being truthful about why she had been benched last week but hey don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Yes really now go shower and I'll meet you in the car"

That's how 30 minutes later they found themselves in The Ribshack. They had a lovely meal laughing and chatting about all sorts of things and both really enjoyed it. Arizona was really feeling quite guilty now she realised how little time either she or Callie had spent with Frankie of late. She would have to talk to Callie about that they really needed to rectify it. It's just that work was so busy, the 2 little ones took up so much time and Frankie was so independent but she still needed her Moms.

As soon as they got in the car to go home the mood for Frankie became subdued she was deep in thought and as they got nearer to home she seemed to get worse.

" Hey kiddo why so quiet?"

"I didn't know I was"

" Well you've said nothing"

"Sorry"

"That's OK but what are you thinking?"

"I don't want to go home. I want us to stay out all afternoon just you and me"

Arizona sighed. How was she going to fix this? They'd had a lovely day together and now the child didn't want to go home.

"OK well that's not really an option I have to get back for the others. But maybe we could have a movie night tonight." Frankie shrugged her shoulders. She normally loved those nights. But now looked really sad. Arizona hated seeing her like that but wasn't sure what to do.

As they arrived at the house Frankie jumped out of the car, picked up her kit bag from the back seat, thanked her Mom for watching her and taking her to lunch. Then rushed into the house, dropped her kit bag in the laundry room, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and went straight to her room. Fortunately everyone was in the garden, she couldn't face them especially Izzy who she knew would be pissed with her and her Momma whom she had upset so badly yesterday. Arizona watched all this and her eyes watered she thought she'd done such a good job today and she'd really enjoyed it now it seemed all the work was undone. She sorted out Frankie's kit and started a load of washing no point in letting that fester in there. Normally she would have got Frankie back down to sort it but that was one battle she would save for the time being. Besides she knew why she had dumped and run.

She went into the garden to find Lucy and Toby happily playing in the pool and Callie on a lounger watching over them. As soon as she saw Arizona a wide smile crossed her face and the two younger children ran towards her shrieking. She wrapped both of them in her arms then sent them back to the pool. She walked over to Callie gave her a kiss then plonked herself between Callie's legs. Callie started massaging her very tense shoulders.

"How did it go?"

"It was brilliant, she played extremely well and although I maybe a little bias she is easily the best player in the team, she scored a hat trick and was so happy at the end I didn't want to spoil the moment so took her for lunch. We chatted for ages she was very animated back to her old self then when we got in the car to come home a kind of fog came over her she was very subdued. When I asked her what she was thinking she said she wanted to stay out all afternoon with me!"

"Oh my she's really suffering at the moment"

"I know. Then when we got back here she couldn't have got out of the car quicker rushed into the house dumped her bag then went straight to her room" Arizona sighed, she hated seeing Frankie like this she was always the upbeat one.

"And she hasn't apologised to you yet. She thinks she's really upset and hurt you and I think she thinks you might reject her so she's delaying the moment. But I'm sure it's all to do with Tony. I didn't really listen to her properly when she came to me and now it's come to this. But if we ask him to leave we'll upset Izzy. Oh Callie what can we do?"

"Well I think maybe we should have a word with Tony to see what he says. And I think now I'll go and speak to Frankie give her a chance to apologise and find out exactly what's been going on. If push comes to shove we'll have to ask him to leave and if Izzy decides to go with him we'll have to live with it. She's nearly 20 after all"

"Oh God Izzy moving out I don't want that either" Arizona whined. The thought of any of their children leaving always upset Arizona, Callie was a bit more pragmatic about it realising that everyone grew up eventually.

"I know but they will all go one day even Toby! I don't think she will, apart from anything her and Frankie are very close" she gave Arizona a kiss on the head.

"I think it's a good idea you talk to Frankie. I'm sure I'm right about why she's not apologising. She's fragile at the moment and doesn't want to be rejected. And you know she keeps it all bottled up."

"Hmm wonder where she gets that from?" Frankie and Arizona we're so alike not only in looks but personality.

"Ha, I'm sure I don't know what you mean" Arizona replied.

With that Callie kissed her wife and went upstairs to see mini me. She knocked on Frankie's door and was told to come in. Frankie looked up with a look of dread in her eyes she wasn't sure who she thought it would be but she wasn't expecting her Momma.

"Hi sweetie I hear you had a great game today. Mom was really proud of you and I am too perhaps next week we should all come. Would you like that?"

"I'd love it" she smiled but still looked uncomfortable. She swallowed hard and said "Momma I'm really sorry about my swearing yesterday and saying I hate you" she managed to get out. But was not looking at Callie at all instead she was looking at her feet which had suddenly become extremely interesting!

Callie could see how much she was struggling and her heart went out to her she loved her so much and especially because she just reminded her so much of her darling Arizona.

"Come here pumpkin" She stood with her arms wide open and Frankie just threw herself into those strong, loving and protective arms and received a comforting hug. And then she did something she rarely did in front of anyone these days she cried not just crying but sobbing. Callie just held onto her and stroked her hair and told her that she loved her and no matter what she did or said she would always love her.

"I love you too Momma. I'm so sorry" she sobbed.

After about 5 minutes Frankie moved away but still couldn't look at Callie.

"Sit on the bed. I want you to tell me what's been going on with you and Tony. You can say anything it's fine"

With that the floodgates opened and Frankie told Callie everything that she felt about Tony and how he had been to her. She said he was always having a go at her about something, he made digs at her, he told her she was a spoiled lazy brat who always got other people to do stuff for her, if she ever asked him for a lift anywhere he always refused unless Callie or Arizona were about and told her to get a bus or walk, Izzy's attitude had changed to her and she didn't get any time to spend with her sister. At the end of the tirade Callie said "OK I hear you. I'm sorry I just haven't noticed any of that"

"That's because he never says stuff when you or Mom are around he's sneaky. He also bigs himself up about things. I don't like him. He's a pratt "

"Language. Now that's what got you into trouble in the first place"

"Sorry"

Having unburdened herself to Callie, Frankie felt happier but really tired and she snuggled up to her Momma who put her arm around her and stroked her head until she could hear heavy breathing indicating that she was asleep. She gently laid her on her bed and covered her and crept out. She then went back to the garden to relay the events to Arizona. At the end they both resolved to speak with Tony and spend more time with Frankie.

2 hours later at 6pm Frankie still had not come down so Arizona went to wake her. She knocked on the door and when there was no reply she walked in to find Frankie still asleep. She went and sat on her bed and gently stroked her face calling her name softly. Frankie woke up and saw her Mom looking at her smiling and responded with an even bigger smile and reached up to hug her, Arizona gladly pulled her in kissed her and gave her a huge hug.

"It's 6 o clock we thought we better wake you, else you won't sleep tonight and dinners nearly ready"

"I think I could sleep forever. I feel really tired"

"Well have some dinner then see how you feel"

"OK" she said reluctantly.

Arizona sensing that all was not right said "What's up?"

Frankie was always amazed at how Arizona always seemed to know what was happening with her.

"Is Momma really OK with me?"

"Darling she's fine with you. You've apologised. Now don't worry" Arizona said and kissed her on the head.

Her middle daughter still seemed reluctant to move. So Arizona gave her a quizzical look. Then she guessed what was bothering her.

"Tony and Izzy are here for dinner then they're going out." She knowingly said.

"Can I have my dinner up here then?"

"No you can't we need to work this out and you avoiding them isn't the answer"

"Please Mom" Frankie pleaded

"No and that's my final word on it" Arizona was beginning to get a bit annoyed and Frankie knew this but didn't want to see either her sister or Tony.

"I don't want any dinner then"

This child at the moment was enough to try the patience of a saint and Arizona was definitely not that. She wished Callie had come up now.

"Right I'm not arguing, you will come downstairs now and sit at the table with everyone. If you don't want to eat then fine but you're not staying up here. Is that understood?"

"Yes m'am" Frankie still didn't want to but she knew that tone and voice it brooked no messing with. So she reluctantly got out of bed and followed her Mom downstairs.

On seeing her Izzy said "Oh the golden child has arrived"

Arizona raised her eyebrows at Callie. "Izzy that's quite enough of that"

"Well she swears at my boyfriend last night and then you go and watch her play soccer and take her out for lunch" Izzy replied knowing she was pushing her luck with Arizona.

"Come outside now young lady" Arizona was furious but decided not to let rip at Izzy in front of everyone.

Izzy knew she was in trouble and reluctantly followed Arizona. Callie knew she was as well and hoped Arizona didn't go off on one. A vain hope as it turned out.

Once in the garden and far enough away from the house. Arizona said " You are walking on thin ice. Most of Frankie's upset has been around your boyfriend and his treatment of her of which you must have been fully aware. And that comment you just made was bitchy and unnecessary and also unlike you. You will go and apologise to Frankie now and you will think very carefully before you say something like that to her again. Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'm"

"And furthermore as regards Tony as far as we are concerned if there is any more upset we may be asking him to leave"

Izzy couldn't believe it her and Tony were so happy together,she loved him living with her and also loved living at home but if he left she'd probably leave to be with him.

"But Mom he has no where to live"

"Well he's got a job now, he's talked about getting an apartment so he'll have to find one"

Then she said the words that both Callie and her were dreading "Well if he goes then I go"

"I don't think so young lady you're only 19 and still at college and we pay the fees. As far as we're concerned you're staying here." Arizona said forcefully.

"Well you can't stop me" Izzy said rather petulantly.

"Right that's enough we're not discussing it now. I've had quite enough of this already and the others are waiting dinner on us" and with that Arizona turned and headed for the house. Izzy could do no more than follow her.

When they both returned to the dinning room. Izzy looked daggers at Frankie which didn't go unnoticed by Callie and Arizona wouldn't look at Callie so she knew that conversation hadn't gone too well.

The dinner passed without incident although it was a little frosty in places. And not long after Tony and Izzy went out. Frankie was glad but wondered what her Mom had said to Izzy who had completely ignored her at dinner. All Arizona wanted to do was avoid a conversation with Callie she knew her handling of the situation could have been better. Callie on the other hand was dying to speak to her.

They then proceeded to have a movie night with Frankie as promised. They made popcorn Frankie chose the movie then sat between her 2 moms on the sofa, snuggling up to Arizona as usual. She was probably the only one to really enjoy it as Callie was well aware that Arizona was trying to avoid her as much as possible and Arizona herself was definitely not wanting to talk to her. She knew she would be furious at her for her handling of the Izzy situation especially as they had agreed to speak to them together about the situation.

"You said what"

"I know but what else could I do?" Arizona asked sheepishly.

"Well you could have waited till we'd discussed it properly and then spoken to him rationally without shooting off at the hip like you always do! You backed Izzy into a corner. Now if he moves out she's going to"

"Not all the time we pay for her college fees she's not moving out"

"Well don't you go threatening her with that. You know how hot headed she can be. She'll drop college. What a mess you've got us into now. "

"Oh right so it's my fault. You're always quite happy for me to discipline the kids. But now precious Izzy might be moving out its a different story" Arizona was really pissed now and shouting.

"Don't be so ridiculous Izzy is no more precious than any of them" Arizona felt a little guilty at this point as she knew Callie loved them all the same and they were all treated equally "And I don't want you to discipline the kids that's a role you picked all for yourself" Callie retaliated.

"Oh so I'm some kind of tyrant now" she screamed.

Callie hated it when they fought. It had already been a tough enough couple of days without this on top. "OK it's late we're both tired lets go to bed and sleep on it" she reasoned.

"You go to bed I'm too wound up to sleep now"

"I can help relax you"

"I'm not in the mood"

"OK fine you stay down here and sulk like a 12 year old." And with that Callie turned and went to bed.

Arizona was now really wound up and upset she hated fighting with Callie she knew she hadn't handled Izzy well. Callie would have been so much better. And now she was alone downstairs. She poured herself a drink, found her cigarettes and went out to the back garden.

Having sat outside for 30 minutes Arizona felt calmer and was now cold. She decided to bite the bullet and go to bed. She went upstairs crept into the bedroom did her ablutions in the bathroom and then slid in beside Callie she put her arm around her and snuggled into her "Sorry" she mumbled.

Callie turned round and kissed her passionately. "I hate it when we fight"

"Me too"

"So didn't you promise me something as I looked after the little ones all day"

Arizona smiled and with that she gave Callie a night to remember.