Another Part Of Me

Rachel slipped into her daughter's room to make sure she was alright. The little girl slept just like her father, all his mannerism nailed to a T. She had his blue eyes, his ears, the nose, everything. The only thing she got from Rachel was her skin and smile. Even though she and Frank were no longer together she would always see him through their two children. And seeing Frank today might have opened up a new can of emotions. She stroked her daughters hair before exiting out of her room before she would wake. Rachel headed downstairs to the kitchen to check with the chef about the birthday cake.

"How is everything coming along in here Giada?" Rachel asked strolling in

"It's wonderful Ms. Marron" the Italian woman said

"Call me Rachel, I don't mind"

"Alright the cake is magnificent Ms. Rachel"

"Alright I'll settle for the Ms" Rachel smiled

"Will you let me know when they kids are ready for the cake"

"Yeah of course" Rachel told her

Giada went about what she was doing and Rachel went to the sink to rinse a few things. She looked out the window and seen Frank and Grant standing next to the barbecue grill talking and Grant flipping over steaks. She wondered what they might be talking about. She was sure going to find out soon.

Back outside Frank and Grant were talking about Propane vs. Charcoal

"I like propane because I can heat the grill up fast, it's cheap, the food taste great and it's cleaner"

"I'm more of a Charcoal guy! It adds flavor to the meat and I like the smell it gives off" Frank told him

"I might have to try charcoal some time. My dad was a propane lover so that's why I love it so much."

"My dad likes both"

"Which one does Rachel prefer" Grant asked

"I don't know you tell me"

"I thought this might be awkward for the three of us but you and I are getting along pretty well"

"Yeah and we have to for the kids"

"They adore you Frank, they really think the world of you"

"I know and I miss them so much"

"They like me, but I think that's all I will ever get right now. I hope they don't think I am trying to take your spot. I would never do that"

"That's good to know Grant. So really though which one does Rachel prefer?"

"Charcoal"

Frank got a little excited "Rachel still prefers me, I mean Charcoal" he said in his mind

The guys talk more and Rachel still watched them even after she went back outside.

It was an hour later when Grant started asking him the real questions.

"So How did you two meet" Frank went on to ask as Grant turned the meat over

"We met at a charity event. She was a guest there and so was I. We hit it off immediately. I asked her out and that was it. Eight months later here we are engaged to get married" Grant said smiling

"Any date set for the ceremony?"

"July, the day we met"

"That's nice" Frank drunk the rest of his soda, he thought he might need something harder

"You mind me asking the reason why you guys divorced? So I won't make the same mistake!" Grant said trying to make a joke and Frank laughed in a sarcastic way too, Grant didn't pick up on it.

"It's complicated"

"Oh okay too personal"

"Ask Rachel she might be willing to tell you" just then Rachel came out from nowhere

"What are you two talking about?"

"Were having man talk honey, were starting a men's club" Grant kissed her again

"Yeah it's the Men Who Have Dated Rachel Club, you can't join!" Frank joked

"Very funny you two, seriously though are you talking about me?" she just had to ask

"Of course we are baby" Grant said and pulled her in for a more passionate kiss this time. Frank felt himself sweating

"I'm going to leave you two love birds alone right now, I have to use the restroom anyway"

"Well hurry back because I want to ask you about baseball" Grant said as Frank walked away

"You two have gotten close this past hour"

"Frank is a cool dude, I feel like we can talk about anything"

"Yeah he is"

Frank came out of the rest room and then he went to his daughter's room to check on her. She was still sleeping like his little baby and snoring just a little like her mother would. He remembered a lot of things about Rachel, how could he not they were married for five years. He remembered the way she would sleep, the way she would glance at him so lovingly when she thought he wasn't looking. The way she would hold him tight at night, all those things he still wish he had. Had he not let her walk out of his life.

Frank closed the door and headed back downstairs to the party. He stopped by the kitchen first and that is when he met Giada.

"Oh hello" she said

"Hi"

"Can I help you with something?" she asked

"No I'm just grabbing a bottle of water" he said going into the fridge "Is that the cake there?" he asked her

"Yeah you like it?"

"It looks great! I love the design and it looks like it took hours to bake"

"It didn't trust me"

"It would probably take me a few hours to make trust me" the two of them kept talking until Frank invited her outside with him

"Are you able to come outside for a little while or do you have something else to do?"

"No actually I have a free moment right now"

"Good" he said and he lead her outside

Frank's only purpose for being at the party was for his son, and to spend time with his children, maybe this party had another purpose too.

"What's wrong with me?" Rachel said to herself, she was watching Frank and Giada talk for what seemed like forever now, even though they have been talking for the past hour. She wasn't stalking, ok maybe she was but it was from afar. She expected Frank to find someone one day but she didn't think it would be this day at her house. Grant noticed Rachel watching them

"Looks like they have hit it off" he said putting his arm around her

"It sure does"

"So why are you watching them?"

"I'm not"

"Yes you are"

"Ok I'm glancing a few times I wanna see him happy"

"I know you do but stop staring at them before they notice"

"Alright, they do look cute together you have to admit"

"You're the perfect woman you know that right" he said now facing her and putting his arms around her waist

"How come?"

"You should already know, you care about everyone's happiness not just your own"

"I'm happy if everyone is happy"

"I love you so much" he said and he kissed her and then they hugged. Rachel couldn't help it that her eyes wondered over to Frank. She embraced her fiancé tighter as if in fear of letting him go.

"Are you doing anything after this?" Frank asked

"After this well no not tonight"

"Would you join me to drink coffee or whatever us LA folks to now days?"

"Yeah sure I would love to. Plus I really haven't seen the city much"

'Great then it's a date, although we don't have to call it a date"

"How about two people just meeting and getting to know each other"

"Alright that sounds cool too" Frank smiled and she smiled back. He would love to get to know her more.

Fletcher came over to them to announce that it was time to sing happy birthday

'Mom is waiting for you in the kitchen" Fletcher told Giada

"Alright, I'll see you later Frank"

"Okay" he said with a big grin as she walked away

"Well looks like someone has the hots for the chef"

"I asked her out for coffee"

"So your going on a date?"

"Well sort of"

"I hope this one works out"

"Why?"

"Because Frank all he women that you have "dated" ended up being another notch on your belt"

"It wasn't like that"

"Then what was it?" Fletcher questioned

"They didn't work out because we ended up not having much in common."

"Well this time don't compare her to mom please"

"I don't ever compare them to your mom"

"Yes you do"

"I do?"

"Yeah Frank you do"

Frank never noticed it before but leave it to Fletcher to bring it out to the light

In the house Giada met up with Rachel as she was getting the party plates and utensils together for the kids.

"Alright were ready to get started" Giada asked Rachel

"Yeah everything is ready to be brought out. I just have to go and get my other sleeping child up"

"Alright well I will be here waiting"

"You and Frank seemed to have hit it off"

"The guy I was talking to? Yeah we are"

"He is a charmer isn't he? He knows how to sweep girls off their feet"

"Yes he certainly does"

"You like him?" Rachel was trying to grill her for information

"Yeah he is cool, I can't wait for tonight"

"What's going on tonight?"

"He invited me to go on a date, well it's not actually an official date were just going out for coffee. Were going to get to know each other better"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing it's great but I can tell you all about him"

"Nothing bad I hope, oh is he married? Aw man"

"No he is not married, we divorced two years ago"

"He is your ex husband"

"Yep"

"Oh" Giada said a little disappointed

Later everyone was singing happy birthday to Riley who was anxious to get into his cake. He kept his finger very close to the side to get a lick of the icing, but Rachel pulled his hand back everytime. After the cake was cut and the kids were eating Rachel and Grant started preparing the presents.

Frank was busying feeding his baby girl when he seen Giada getting a piece for herself. He ushered her to come over and sit with them.

"Care to sit with us?" he asked

"Sure"

"The cake taste great by the way"

"Thank you"

"Hey honey this is Giada, she made Riley's cake"

"Hi" Giada told the little girl

"Hey" she said a mouth full of cake

"Honey wait until you finish chewing before you speak" Frank told his daughter

"Sorry daddy"

"I can't wait for tonight" Frank said to Giada

"About that, Frank I don't know if that is a good idea"

"Why?" he asked but he should have known

Rachel and Grant were watching the kids eat and they were eating cake too when Frank approached them

"Rachel can I have a word with you please" He said a little angry

"Um sure Frank" she said and put her cake down

Frank followed her into the house so they could have some privacy

"What's wrong Frank?" she asked and she could tell he was fuming

"What did you say to Giada?" he almost yelled

"What are you talking about?" she asked calmly and innocent

"Please don't try and play stupid with me, it might work for that dud you have out there but I know you better than that. What was it that you told Giada to break her date off with me?"

"I really didn't tell her anything"

Frank rolled his eyes