Kutee: I think saying you're happy is enough for now. But, if you'd like to embellish on that, you're more than welcome to. :)
Note: Everyone still liking this story?
Bianca stirred, slowly waking up from blissful sleep. Her dreams drifted away, dissipating into a blur of color. She stretched her back, senses steadily coming to. It was early, that much she knew. Her body felt exhausted, like she could sleep forever. Like she never wanted to leave where she was. The pillow was soft beneath her head and solid warmth pressed fully against her front.
Becoming more and more aware, she sleepily tugged the warmth closer. Rustling and quiet mumbling accompanied the movement. Eyes closed, she burrowed further against it. Her nose nuzzled silky hair and smooth skin.
Bianca's lips curled up. Her eyes blinked open. Her smile grew. Frankie was curled up in her arms fast asleep.
The night before had been intense, to say the least. Erica had been on a rampage. When she became free from that episode, Frankie had shown up confused and on edge. That had erupted into words and actions that finally led to where they were now. What Frankie had said worried Bianca, more than she could describe. There was so much self-doubt in the agent, so much that Bianca knew wasn't true.
They had made love till their eyes slipped closed with sleep. They spoke silently to each other, touches working to show who they were. To show Frankie that she was trustworthy and worth it. Their tears mixed and their bodies met as their love enveloped them, souls blending together and becoming stronger.
Bianca brushed her lips gently to the back of a toned shoulder. She tightened her arms around the slumbering form, a hand flattening on a lean belly. Her thumb stroked tiny circles on the skin.
The body shifted, and Bianca felt Frankie carefully wake up. Her mouth slid up to press a kiss to the side of her neck, "Good morning."
"Mornin'." mumbled Frankie tiredly, unconsciously tilting her head. Half-awake, a hand dropped down to cover Bianca's, their fingers tangling together on her stomach.
"Sleep well?" Bianca's fingers trickled downward.
"I" Frankie's breath hitched as questing fingers tickled her inner thigh "always sleep well with you."
Bianca sighed, charmed at the admission. Hands joined, they both quietly gasped as they came into contact with liquid heat. Frankie bit her lip and groaned at the sensation.
"Not get enough last night?" Frankie's hips pushed down.
"I can never get enough of you."
"Good…good to know." Frankie muttered as a finger dipped inside. "Jeez, babe."
"Ok?" Bianca added a second finger.
A moan was her response. Frankie shuddered and breathed harder with each thrust. Bianca peppered kisses along her neck and upper back.
"I love you. I love you so much." Bianca repeated in her ear.
"I…I…" Frankie panted, pressure building.
"What, baby?" Bianca slid over her side.
Frankie dropped her shoulder, slipping underneath the younger woman. Bianca hovered over her, love-filled eyes gazing down at her. Frankie grasped the back of her head and pulled her down for a deep kiss.
"I need you. I need you so much." Frankie fought to keep her eyes open, brown orbs locked on each other.
"I need you, too." Bianca murmured, cupping her lover's cheek.
"I love you." clear open eyes revealing everything. "You…know that…right?"
"I know, honey. I've always known." Bianca curled her fingers inside.
Frankie's eyes slammed shut, colors and sounds swirling together as waves of pure pleasure poured through her. Bianca kissed her face, whispering her love for the woman. Frankie clung to her, an island in the abyss of flashing images and noise.
As the last wave rolled through her, Frankie pulled Bianca into another kiss. Bianca returned it with equal fervor. Breaking apart for air, they rested their foreheads together. They breathed each other in, calming down. Bianca trailed a finger across a damp cheek, down a tan neck and over a heaving chest. The tip traced the raised scar near Frankie's heart.
"You have such beautiful eyes." Bianca spoke as Frankie glimpsed up at her.
"Thought I was supposed to be the sweet talker." she joked lightly.
Bianca smiled, "Are you ok?"
Frankie's eyes dimmed, "I should ask you that."
Bianca's lips turned down as her girlfriend turned her face away. "Hey." she nudged Frankie.
Frankie grit her teeth, "I never should have…"
"Stop, talk to me. Remember, we're talking with each other now. No more secrets."
Frankie inhaled deeply and looked at her, "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be."
"I was so stupid. I didn't know what to do…I don't know what to do. I-I don't know what I'm doing."
Bianca kissed her chin, knowing that had been difficult to admit. "What do you want?"
"You happy."
Bianca's face softened, "I am happy. You make me so happy, Frankie."
Frankie shook her head, "I hurt you. I made you cry, made the kids cry."
"That wasn't you. The woman I love, the person you really are, doesn't hurt me. She can be stubborn and sarcastic, but she never hurts me."
"But I could…"
"Could what?"
Frankie raised a hand and rubbed at her eyes.
"Could what, Frankie? Could turn into your dad?" Bianca captured the hand in her own, using them both to caress Frankie's cheek. "You are nothing like your parents. Nothing. You would never hurt Miranda or Gabrielle. You love them so much; I can see it. You can barely raise your voice to them. Baby, I am so sorry he was so horrible to you, but…god…you could never do that. You are so much better than he ever was."
She rested her other hand over Frankie's heart. "You think you're not trustworthy? A bad person? Everyone trusts you. I trust you. The kids trust you. Michaels and Jones trust you. They believe in you, believe you are a great person."
"I'm gonna lose my job."
"Did Michaels tell you that?' Bianca demanded. Frankie's look told her no. "Did he tell you your job is gone? Until he tells you, you still have a job. And even if you do lose it, there is so much you can do, Frankie."
"My temper…"
"Yeah, you have a temper. So what? You can control it. You do control it."
"When you're with me…"
"My dreams come true. You're all I've ever wanted, sweetheart. Being with you is the best thing in the world."
"It's not that easy." She wanted to believe it was so badly.
"Yes, it is. I love you and you love me. That's all that matters." Bianca lowered her lips to Frankie's. She kissed her long and slow, putting all her love into it. Frankie responded, giving and taking equally. Bianca gently broke the kiss, her voice a ghost on her lover's skin, "Do you feel that? That's us. That's why we're together."
God, she could feel it. She could always feel it. Frankie chewed on her lip, unable to argue. She had acted so stupidly, but Bianca kept chipping away. "Why do you put up with me?"
Bianca smirked, "The sex is amazing."
Frankie burst out laughing, half choked with tears.
Bianca joined in, their laughter echoing in the room. Frankie fought for air, "Did you…seriously just…say that?" Man, she loved this woman.
Bianca shrugged. "Guess I've been spending too much time with someone." It felt so amazing to hear that laugh.
"Yeah, too much tv is harmful. You should really spend more time with me."
"Oh? What would we do?"
"Make cookies?"
Bianca lightly smacked Frankie's shoulder. "Not in my kitchen.
Chuckling, Frankie grabbed her hand and brought it to her lips. Seriousness entered her gaze, "I love you. Don't forget that."
"Never." Bianca promised.
The sharp creak of a door had them both pausing. They craned their necks to look at the door. A small shadow peeked in through the crack.
Acting quickly, Bianca sprung off Frankie and rolled to the other side. Frankie reached over the side of the bed, searching for her clothes. As the door squeaked open further, she subtly pulled on her shirt, rapidly buttoning it up.
"Here." was harshly whispered as her pants smacked into her face.
"Thanks, dear." Frankie deadpanned, pulling them on.
The door swung open, revealing Miranda. She was dressed in her yellow spongebob pajamas, feet bare. She stared at the bed, seeing her mommy on her side, back to the door. Creeping toward the bed, she held her breath. She had heard voices. She knew she had.
Her mouth dropped open and she excitedly jumped in place as her eyes landed on a second lump on the bed. She bolted over to the bed with a delighted squeal. "FRANKIE!"
Miranda launched onto the bed, crawling as fast as she could toward the lump. "Frankie! You're here!"
Inches from the body, two arms snaked out and snatched her. Miranda yelped as she was pulled into Frankie's side. Mirthful eyes peeked down at her, "Hey, kid."
"Frankie!" Miranda laughed and squirmed as hands tickled her. "You came."
"Course I did, you called."
Miranda batted at her hands, "Tickles, stop."
"Nu-uh, I like tickling you."
"No." Miranda wiggled. She broke free from the hands and clambered on top of the short brunette.
Frankie's breath caught in her throat as Miranda laid her head on her shoulder and wrapped her arms around her neck. The little girl maneuvered Frankie's arms around her in a hug.
Frankie blinked, the fact hitting her. She was going to leave this. This was what she would have given up.
Bianca watched them, eyes shimmering.
"Frankie, we gotsta talk." Miranda stage whispered.
"Yeah? Seems to be a pattern." Frankie swallowed against the lump forming in her throat.
Miranda poked her chest, "You was gone and Mommy was sad. No more, ok? 'member, Mommy can't be sad. It's a rule."
"Right." Frankie nodded, swiping at her eye.
Miranda dug her hands into Frankie's chest and pushed up so she loomed over the woman, "Are you gonna go?"
Frankie squinted, "Go?"
Miranda nodded sadly, "Like Maggie and Reese and Zoe. 'Cause I don't want ya to. Don't go, please. I promise to be good."
A tear leaked from the corner of her eye at what the little girl was saying, "No, I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?"
"Yeah, kiddo. I promise."
Miranda sniffled and tucked her head under Frankie's chin. The agent glanced over to see Bianca watching them, tears on her face. Frankie wrapped an arm fully around Miranda, hugging her near. The other reached out to Bianca, who wrapped her hand in Frankie's. She slid over and snuggled against Frankie, an arm joining the agent's around Miranda.
"Love you, Frankie." Miranda said.
"I love you, too" Frankie breathed out.
Frankie walked out of the bedroom, a grinning Gabrielle in her arms. Miranda was on the sofa. She had found a map someone left in one of the dresser drawers and was scoping out the best way to get to DC.
As she turned to glance at Bianca entering the hotel suite, Frankie swiftly turned the map right side up.
"We're all checked out, and the car will be ready in a few minutes." Bianca announced, stepping up to Frankie. She pecked the woman on the lips and took Gabrielle from her.
"Mommy." Gabby wrapped around her mother.
"Aww, I thought we could stick around…see how long this suit lasts." Frankie mock pouted.
"As good as you look in it, two days is enough."
"I thought the scruffy rumpled look was in." Frankie plopped down next to Miranda.
"I thought…damn it." she forgot to call the Miranda Center.
"Mommy swore." Miranda didn't look up from the map.
"Such bad language. You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Frankie tsked with a smirk.
Bianca stepped up to her and bent down whispering, "I'll kiss you with that mouth."
"I love when you talk dirty to me." Frankie winked.
Bianca pressed a kiss to her cheek, "We still have to talk about stuff. About Maggie and everything." About when you saw us and left for eight years. About how there's still that shimmer of uncertainty in your gaze.
Frankie nodded reluctantly, "I know."
"When we get back?"
"Gonna be the best date ever."
"What are you guys whisperin' about?" Miranda looked up from her map.
"Ice cream." Frankie replied.
"Ooh, can we get some?"
"It's still morning, honey." Bianca shot Frankie a glare. Now Miranda would be asking for ice cream all day.
"So?"
"So, we have to have Cap'n Crunch." Frankie looped an arm over the child's shoulders.
"Yes!" Miranda yelped.
"They probably have some downstairs. I'll grab one of those small boxes." Frankie stood up. "You know; if I can find my wallet."
"You lost your wallet?" Bianca asked concerned.
"Someone threw my clothes around last night and it fell out."
Bianca rolled her eyes as the agent walked into the bedroom. She opened her mouth to tell Miranda to put the map away, they were leaving, but a knock sounded at the door. Expecting Joan to be there, ready to go, Bianca swung the door open without looking.
"Mom is furious." Kendall walked past her into the room.
"Kendall?" Bianca's eyes widened.
"She's downstairs with Jack and Opal. She wants to know everything with Maggie and Reese. They're trying to hold her back, but those two want to know just as much." The curly-haired woman crossed her arms, "Thought I should give you a warning before she barges in here ready for war."
"Reese and Maggie?" Bianca shut the door, her eyes ticking toward the bedroom. "I told you all last night. Reese is gone, and Maggie is visiting with Miranda."
"She thinks you're with Maggie again."
"I'm not."
Kendall shook her head, "Maybe not, but she believes you are."
Frankie walked out of the bedroom, wallet in hand. She stopped at the sight of Kendall.
Kendall chuckled bitterly, "Thought you weren't with Maggie."
"I'm not."
"You have to stop lying sometime, Binky. Last year wasn't enough for you?" she had actually believed her.
"Whoa, hold up." Frankie raised her hands.
"Shut up, Maggie." She faced Bianca, "What's happened to you? Do you lie about everything now? Keep everything a secret? Looks like you two had a good time last night."
"Hey, back off." Frankie pointed at Kendall. She kept her eyes on her as she stepped over to Bianca. "You ok?"
"Is she ok? Are you joking?" Kendall rolled her eyes. "What, you haven't cheated on her again, yet?"
"Hey! I suggest you watch your mouth."
Kendall raised her eyebrows, "Grow a backbone, Maggie?"
"This isn't Maggie, Kendall." Bianca waved her hand.
"Sure it's not. Let me guess, it's her evil twin. Right?"
"Something like that." Frankie sized up the new woman. They had never met, but Frankie was well aware of who this was.
"Kendall, this is Frankie." Bianca touched Frankie's elbow.
"Frankie?"
"Maggie's twin sister." Bianca nodded.
Kendall narrowed her eyes in thought. Frankie? Who was…wait. "Frankie's dead."
"Funny that." said Frankie.
"Frankie didn't die. We thought she did, but it was a set-up." Bianca explained.
"A set-up?"
"Yeah, don't you guys like those things in this town?" some files for the residents read like fiction novels.
"She works for the FBI." Bianca continued.
Kendall held up a hand, stopping her. "Whatever, Bianca."
Exhaling, Frankie reached into her suit. The flap opened to show the gun holster. Kendall's gaze zeroed in on it. "She has a gun."
"Yeah, it kinda comes with the job." Frankie pulled out her badge and id. She tossed it to Kendall, who awkwardly caught it. She read the id, "Mary-Francis Stone. Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation."
"I'm not Maggie." Frankie tapped her foot. A smirk crossed her lips, "I'm a hell of a lot cooler than she is."
"Frankie." admonished Bianca.
Frankie shrugged.
"You're Maggie's sister? The girl Bianca dated a longtime ago?"
"Looks like it."
Kendall scanned the badge, "You aren't dead."
"In a manner of speaking."
"What are you doing here?" Kendall looked up at Stone.
"Meeting my girlfriend's sister and proving to her I'm not dead."
"You're a smartass, aren't you?"
Frankie smirked, "One of my many charms."
Kendall pursed her lips, "Mom's going to go crazy."
"That's why she doesn't know." Bianca ran a hand through her locks.
"Good luck getting past her downstairs."
"Your mom's downstairs?" Frankie blinked.
"Maybe you can shoot her with that gun." Kendall threw the badge and id back at Frankie.
"Don't even think about it." Bianca slapped Frankie's arm.
"Me? Never." Frankie put the id and badge away. "And that hurt, by the way."
"No it didn't."
"Well, aren't you going to introduce us?" Kendall glanced at Bianca, interrupting the forming banter.
"Kendall, this is Frankie, my girlfriend. Frankie, my sister Kendall."
"Nice to meet you." They shook hands, still eyeing each other.
There was a knock on the door.
"Oh no." Bianca stared at the barrier.
"Hey kid, let's go make sure everything is packed." Frankie took Gabrielle from Bianca. Miranda looked at everyone before getting to her feet and following Frankie into the bedroom. With luck, they could hide out and wait for the storm to blow over.
Slowly, Bianca approached the door. She put her hand on the knob and turned it. The door to the bedroom began to close.
Erica stormed into the room, "Bianca, there you are."
"Mom, what are you doing here?"
Erica glanced at Kendall, "You left in such a hurry last night, and I was worried."
Opal and Jack sauntered in behind her. Jack offered his niece an apologetic look while Opal went over to Erica.
"There is nothing to worry about, Mom."
"Of course there is. My daughter is getting divorced and she's with the woman who broke her heart."
"I'm not with Maggie."
Kendall snickered. Bianca shot her a look.
"Honey, it's ok. You can tell me. I can help you. We can find you a nice girl."
Bianca glanced at the bedroom again. Erica caught her.
"Is she here?"
Bianca whipped her head around, "What? No."
Erica lifted her brows, "She's in that room, isn't she?"
"Mother, stop." Bianca moved to block the small woman.
"Is Maggie here? Are you hiding her? Why doesn't she come out and talk to us? Is she afraid to be seen with you?"
"Erica, maybe we should let them be." Jack spoke up.
"Jack, do you really want Bianca with that tramp? She can't even show her to us."
"Now, Erica…" began Opal, but was cut off by a flip of the hair.
"If she doesn't come out, I'll go to her." Erica spoke clearly, "Do you hear that, Maggie?"
There was a tense pause.
The door opened and Frankie slipped out, closing it behind her. Erica would barge in, and that was not something the kids should witness. She strictly told Miranda to stay in there with Gabby no matter what.
"It is true. You are back with that cheat." Erica glared. "Come back for round two, Maggie? Breaking my daughter's heart once wasn't enough?"
Frankie clenched her jaw shut.
"Well? Aren't you going to say anything? Or can't you defend yourself because it's true. You just want to hurt my daughter again."
"Mother, stop it." Bianca ordered.
"No, can't you see? She is trouble for you, Bianca. You walked in on her with another woman."
"Mom, maybe we should do this somewhere else." Kendall tried to help.
"Are you sticking up for her? This slut cheated on your sister."
Frankie bit her tongue, an ironic smile on her face.
"You think this is funny?" Erica barked. "I should have you thrown in jail for what you did to Bianca. I don't want you anywhere near her. Stay away from her."
"No!" Miranda slammed open the bedroom door and raced out. She jumped in front of Frankie, the adults' startled attention drawn to her.
"Kid, get back in the room." Frankie said.
"No, leave Frankie alone!" Miranda stood tall and jutted a hip out, all business.
A collective gasp filled the room.
"What did you call her?" Erica's mouth dropped open.
The room was quiet. Frankie placed her hands on Miranda's shoulders, "Go back to Gabby. It's ok."
"Frankie," Miranda shook her head.
"Miranda, do as she says." Bianca ordered. This was going to be bad.
"Fine, but stop being mean to her." Miranda stomped her foot and went back into the bedroom. Kendall absently closed the door.
"Frankie?" Erica choked out. "She called her Frankie."
Bianca rubbed her face, "I know."
"What is going on here? Why would she do that?"
"This is Frankie, Mom."
All eyes focused on the twin. Frankie tapped her fingers against her thighs, "Hey."
"Frankie is dead, Bianca." Erica spoke firmly.
"No, she's not." Bianca moved toward her lover. "She…there was a set-up. It was all faked to help catch Vanessa. She works for the FBI." She latched onto Frankie's hand. "We're together."
Everyone was stunned into silence.
"Oh my lord." breathed Opal, taking in the woman. If this was Frankie…this was the girl who had been her employee, who had lived in her home. Who, against her better judgment, she had learned to care for.
"My god." Jack whispered. He barely knew Frankie, but he remembered clear as day the aftermath of her death. The way his niece had sunk into grief.
Silently, Erica approached the duo. She stared at Frankie, studying her. Those defiant eyes. The troublesome smirk. That preposterous slouch.
SMACK!
Frankie's head whipped to the side as Erica slapped her.
"You bitch!" Erica shouted.
"Mom! Erica!" everyone yelled.
Frankie moved her jaw, pain ricocheting through her face and head. That woman could hit.
"You did that to my daughter? Do you even know what you did to her, to us?" Erica raised her hand again, but Jack caught it.
"Calm down, Erica."
"No, do you remember? She nearly broke my family apart. She shattered Bianca, and it was all fake." She spat at Frankie, "Did you enjoy it? Knowing you were hurting Bianca? Is this a joke?"
Frankie kept quiet, fighting to keep her composure.
"You con artist. You liar. Get the hell away from my child. I knew you were bad. I knew it. I should have put you in jail where you belong."
"Mom, stop." Bianca begged.
"Bianca, don't you see? She's doing it again. She is going to break your heart. She is the worst thing that ever happened to us. She's a lying con artist. She admitted to it."
"Will you let it go?" Frankie blurted out.
"What did you say to me?"
"You heard me. Let it go. This has nothing to do with you." Frankie spoke evenly.
"Oh, this has everything to do with me. This is my child."
"She's a grown woman, Erica. She can make her own decisions, just like before."
"Not when she makes such obvious bad ones."
Frankie clenched and unclenched her fist, "Back off, Erica. I mean, heaven forbid you are even remotely happy that I'm not actually dead."
"That was the best thing you ever did." Erica shot back.
"What is your problem? Huh?" Frankie let go off Bianca's hand, "What did I ever do to you?"
"You hurt my daughter and made our lives a living hell."
"No, you did that." Frankie shook a hand at her.
"I did that? I'm not the one who lied to Bianca. I'm not the one who seduced her for money. Why are you even back here?"
"Because I had to protect Bianca and her kids' lives."
"Protect them? From what?" Erica threw her arms up.
"From your damn daughter-in-law that you let Bianca marry."
"Frankie." Bianca touched her shoulder.
Frankie ran a hand over her face, body tense. She shouldn't do this. She was not going to let Erica Kane get to her.
"From Reese? What did she do?"
"Mom, stop." Bianca pleaded.
"No, tell me what she did."
Frankie shook her head, "It doesn't matter."
"What? Did she steal your stash of drugs?"
"I'm not like that." Frankie pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You're an addict, Mary-Francis."
"I'm clean, and I have been for a very long time."
"Sure." Erica glanced at Bianca, "You let Miranda near this type of person?"
"You don't know me, Erica! You never did." Frankie blinked rapidly. Her chest was feeling heavy and her heart was beating faster and faster. "I'm a good person. I'm good to them."
"You cheated on Bianca and faked your death so you wouldn't have to pay."
"I never cheated on her." Frankie shook her head, feeling dizzy.
"You were never good enough for her. You lying cheat."
"I know that. You think I don't know that? I do, but she wants me anyway. She loves me, Erica, and I love her."
"You don't even know what love is, you soulless con."
Frankie stumbled back a step, putting a hand on the couch for support. She gasped for air, her heart pounding against her chest. "I love them. I would never hurt them."
"Frankie?" Bianca noticed the flushed face. Something was very wrong.
Frankie scarcely heard her. Her heart was pounding so hard. She felt like she couldn't breathe. Everything was crashing down. Her brain was going haywire, thoughts racing around with no meaning. She could feel disappointed angry eyes on her, hating her. Erica kept yelling.
"Get out." Bianca ordered.
"What?" Erica glanced at her.
"Get out, now." Bianca moved toward Frankie.
"Let's go, mom." Kendall saw the worry on Bianca's face. One look at Frankie showed the agent was breathing rapid shallow breaths, sweat was forming on her brow.
"No, I am not leaving Bianca with this person."
"Erica, let's go." Jack grabbed her arm. "That's enough for now."
Bianca ignored them, focused on Frankie. She didn't notice as the three herded out the door, Erica protesting the entire way. She grasped Frankie's arms, "What's wrong?'
Frankie wobbled on her feet, head bent down. Scared, Bianca guided her to sit on the sofa. Frankie clawed at her chest, at her heart.
"Baby?" Bianca touched her paling face.
"Can't…breathe." Frankie choked out, coughing roughly. The world was spinning so fast, she slammed her eyes shut against the blur. Her heart was beating faster than ever, pounding in strange intervals. Her chest burned like someone was holding a fire against it, inside it.
"Frankie, breathe with me." Bianca took in deep slow breaths.
"Fuck." Frankie ground out, the pain so intense she couldn't think.
"Frankie, baby, look at me. Just breathe, ok. Just breathe." Bianca felt panic set in. "Miranda!"
"Mommy?" Miranda peeked out the bedroom door.
"Get my cell phone." Bianca soothingly rubbed the back of Frankie's neck while the other slipped her suit jacket off.
Frankie swayed, eyes opening a fraction. All she could feel was pain.
"Frankie? Frankie!" Bianca cried out.
Brown eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she pitched forward. Bianca caught the collapsing body. She shook her helplessly, "Frankie, wake up. Frankie!"
Frankie didn't move.
"Mommy?" Miranda's frightened voice joined.
Bianca quickly took the cell phone from the child and dialed 911. She cradled Frankie close.
"Frankie?" Miranda was frozen in place, terrified.
"It's ok. It's going to be ok." Bianca murmured to herself as she waited for someone to answer. "God damn you Frankie, don't you do this to me."
Frankie did not move.