Disclaimer: I don't own Band of Brothers and this is based on the miniseries. I mean no disrespect to anyone whatsoever.
Chapter Six
Her smoking had greatly decreased since leaving Europe, indeed she had barely been smoking a pack a month, but since Ron's "intrusion" into her life Eve had noticed that she now smoking a pack week. Combined with the wedding and the increasing tension between herself and Babe, Eve was beginning to feel overwhelmed.
"Son of a bitch." She growled, squashing the cigarette angrily out in the ashtray next to her. She glanced at the clock. Frannie had gone into the doctor's office nearly a half hour ago, but since she had absolutely no experience in the matter, Eve had no way of knowing if that was too long or not. Sighing, she stood up to stretch, her eyes taking in the gaudy decor of the office. As her eyes roamed over the various pictures of babies and infants plastered on the wall, Eve subconsciously laid her hands on her abdomen. She couldn't imagine herself as being pregnant and there was a fairly large part of her which didn't think she was up to the task if did become pregnant. Whenever she was around children-which admittedly was rare-she only felt awkward. Babe had made it clear that he wanted children and it left Eve with a knot in her stomach because she was pretty sure that she would make a horrible mother.
"Sorry Eve." Eve turned around and saw a glowing Frannie slipping into her coat. "Doctor Stone and I got caught up in my hospital plans."
"It's fine." Eve gathered her own coat as she watched Frannie laughing with the lady at the counter over something more than likely baby-related. Now Frannie, she would make an excellent mother. And one could tell just how excited she was about being pregnant. Bill was just as excited and had already begun getting the baby room ready. He had even enlisted Babe's help which had increased Babe's talk of babies.
Eve reached into her pocket for another cigarette.
"Ready to go?" Frannie asked, beaming grin still in place. Eve nodded and followed her friend out the door. "Do you have to rush back to the flower shop right away? Or do we have time for lunch?"
"I closed the flower shop for the day." Eve replied after taking a long drag of her cigarette. "Edith called in sick." Frannie wrinkled her nose.
"I don't like that girl and I sure as hell don't trust her."
"I don't either." Eve admitted grimly.
"What are you going to do?" Frannie asked as they climbed into Eve's car. Eve shrugged.
"Honestly? I don't know. Until I find someone to replace her I can't fire Edith. As much as I may want to." Eve added in a grumble. She revved the engine before pulling into traffic. "So," Eve made her voice overly cheery, wanting to change the direction of the conversation, "Where are we going for lunch?"
"Bode's?" Frannie suggested. Bode's was a diner just off the main drag of downtown Philly and, while it was a bit of a dive, it was known for having the best Philly cheese steaks in town. It was Eve's secret guilty pleasure and Frannie was the only one aware of this. Eve sent her a grin.
"You know me so well Frannie." Frannie giggled.
"That's why I'm your best friend."
*** *** *** ***
Babe wasn't entirely sure why he had asked Edith to meet him for lunch, but he knew that at least some of it was because he wanted to strike back somehow at Eve for her continued visits with Speirs. Babe's jaw clenched at the thought. Feeling his hand being stroked, he shifted his eyes downward to find that Edith was running her thumb over the top of his hand. He knew that he should pull his hand away, but for whatever reason, he didn't.
"You look tense." Edith commented, her voice sympathetic. "Do you want to talk about it?" Her thumb continued its ministrations over his hand and Babe felt his guilt level rise. "I don't mind listening." Now she intertwined her hand with his. "Babe?"
"Let's just figure out what we're going to order, alright?" Babe pulled his hand out of hers, placing it on the menu instead. Edith was undeterred by the action, but pulled her own hand back slowly.
"I've never eaten at Bode's before." Edith said airily moments later. "Do you take Eve here?" Edith knew it was a risk bringing up Eve, but it was a necessary risk. For Babe, the mention of his fiancée called up yet more feelings of guilt.
"Uh no," Babe cleared his throat, keeping his eyes on the menu, "This isn't exactly Eve's type of restaurant. I come here with Bill." Edith fought the urge to roll her eyes. She wasn't fond of the Guarnere's mostly because she knew that they weren't fond of her. Their influence on Babe was going to need decreasing if she wanted Babe to be her husband.
"Are you ready to order?" Babe cast a guilty glance up at the waitress. He felt like he had a huge sign flashing over his head saying: CHEATER! CHEATER! Even though nothing had happened between himself and Edith.
"I'll have the cheese steak." Babe replied, handing the waitress the menu.
"Oooo, that sounds good." Edith smiled, also handing her menu off. "I'll have that, too."
"Alright. Two cheese steaks comin' right up." Giving them a smile the waitress walked away, leaving them alone once again.
"I'm really glad you asked me here." Edith's hand had found Babe's again.
"I shouldn't have." Babe muttered, taking his hand away from hers again, this time placing them on his lap. "I'm engaged."
"Eve is a lovely woman," Edith wanted to choke on the words but she pressed on, "But she's conflicted. I can tell by the way she looks at that Ron fellow that she loves him." Babe looked like he'd just been punched in the gut. "I'm sorry." Edith glanced down at her hands resting on the table, looking properly ashamed of herself. Then slowly she raised her eyes so that when they locked with Babe's she had an innocently inferior look. "I just...." She sighed dramatically. "I just want you to be happy."
*** *** *** ***
"So you'll be staying with us for another week Mr. Speirs?" Ron gave the clerk behind the desk an absentminded nod, his attention more focused on the light rain that was beginning to fall outside.
"My business isn't concluded yet." He said lightly.
"Is your current room still satisfactory?" An idea bouncing around in his head, Ron turned himself around to face the clerk.
"Completely. What's the best jewelry store in town?"
"That would be Jack Kellmer's."
"Is it far from here?"
"It's located on Market Street, which is several blocks from here. Would you like me to call a car for you sir?"
"Yes actually," Ron grinned, placing his hat on his head, "I would."
*** *** *** ***
Frannie couldn't believe her eyes. Sitting at a booth near the back of Bode's were Babe and Edith. Anger filled her and she was very glad that Eve had dropped her off before going to find a parking spot. Clenching her gloved hands into fists, Frannie stalked towards the table.
"Fancy seeing you here Edward." Babe scrambled to his feet, his face guilt ridden. Edith remained seated, a smug look on her face.
"Frannie! What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question. I'm here to have lunch with your fiancée." Babe's face blanched and his eyes darted around the diner, looking for Eve. "She's parking the car."
"This isn't what it looks like." Babe informed Frannie, who continued glaring between the two. "It's just two friends having lunch."
"Then why do you look so guilty?" Frannie inquired, eyebrow raised. "Is there something going on between you two?"
"Frannie," Babe began seriously, "There's nothing going on between Edith and me, I swear." His eyes implored Frannie to believe him and after a moment she sighed.
"Fine, I won't tell Eve, but she--" Frannie glared at Edith venomously, "--needs to go. Now."
"Edith, leave." Edith pouted.
"But Babe--"
"Go Edith!" Babe ordered sternly.
"Fine," Edith sniffed, getting to her feet and gathering her things, "Have a nice lunch." Frannie glared at Edith's back until she left the diner then turned her glare on Babe. She jammed her finger into his chest.
"If I ever see you spending time with that....that...bitch again," She warned, "I will tell Eve." Babe nodded, his face ashen.
"It won't happen again, I swear."
"Eddy?" Both Frannie and Babe turned as Eve approached them. She gave Babe a quick kiss before smiling at him questioningly. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh," Babe replied, eyes darting nervously towards a still fuming Frannie, "Just gettin' a quick bite to eat."
*** *** *** ***
For the rest of the day Frannie had a bitter taste in her mouth, and by the time she was slipping into bed she knew that she had to tell someone.
"Bill?" Bill glanced up from the newspaper he was reading in bed.
"Yeah?"
"I caught Babe having lunch with Edith today." Bill frowned and sat up against the headboard, putting the newspaper on the bedside table.
"What? Where?"
"Bode's."
"Bode's?" Bill repeated with a frown. "What the hell were you doing at Bode's?"
"Eve loves Bode's, but that's not the point. Babe was having lunch alone with Edith. And he looked very guilty when I caught him. He said nothing was going on, but something felt off."
"He has been acting off lately." Bill agreed.
"I don't trust that Edith girl. I think she's up to something."
"I don't trust her all that much either, but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. Babe's crazy about Eve."
"I don't know Bill...."
"Tell you what, I'll talk to Babe tomorrow, try to knock some sense into him, alright?" Frannie smiled in relief.
"Good." She leaned over and kissed him. "Good night." Bill smiled, placing a kiss to her belly. Frannie giggled as she heard him whisper good night to the baby before sitting back up to kiss her again.
"Good night."
A/N: Bode's not a real place as far as I know. Jack Kellmer's real jewelry store in Philadelphia that recently closed. And wasn't Frannie all bad ass in that chapter? Lol, I don't know if that's true or not, but she totally was ready to kick Edith's ass. Sorry it's taking me so long to update, but as I mentioned in the final part of Return I am havingn issues, lol. I only glanced over this chapter so I hope there aren't too many mistakes. Can't wait to read your reviews!!!!