A/N: thanks for the welcome back guys! I appreciate all the views and I'm so glad you are all still interested in following the story!
Meangirl8: Fast enough? Im curious, are you Team Frames or Team Frendall?
DeniseDEMD: It was a very emotional chapter for Kendall, Marley is everything to him! You are just waiting for the blow-up aren't you?! LOL You crack me up! Tell the truth...you don't really want Kendall and Tiff to work things out, do you? I didn't think so! LMAO
RockChickWrites: I knew you'd love the Kames bit...and you should take the responsibility for it, it's your damn fault! :-) Can't wait to see what I have in store? Whatever do you mean? *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*
Ok, read, enjoy, and please review. I'd love to hear from you!
The glow of the moon illuminated the couple, both deep in slumber. James' arms were wrapped around Francie holding her tightly to his chest but the man in Francie's dream wasn't the handsome brunet; her Halloween vision was of Kendall.
Kendall held the door open for Francie. "After you, Kitty," he spoke through his mask.
Francie rolled her eyes, smiling. "Not you, too?"
Kendall reached out and stroked the fur on Francie's collar, just where it ended and the plunge of the neckline began. She looked up at him, knowing he was smiling behind his mask.
With a small grin tugging at the corner of her mouth, Francie asked, "What are you doing?"
Kendall licked his lips, "Wondering if you'll purr for me."
Francie felt her womb tighten. "Any lower, and I will."
Kendall was thankful for the cover of his mask as his eyes widened. He was speechless.
Francie recovered her wits first and laughed, trying to play the whole awkward moment off. "Let's go, Spidey." She grabbed his arm and pulled him out the door. The door slammed shut, and locked behind them.
Francie's eyes quickly opened, scanning the moonlit room. She could feel James' arms around her and hear his soft, shallow breathing, but the dream was still fresh in her mind. The more she replayed it, the more it felt real. Then, like Mack truck, it hit her...it was real!
Francie remembered the playful flirtiness. She remembered jogging to catch up with Logan, Nikki, and the girls. She remembered the Halloween party at the clubhouse. Then the memories stopped.
Francie was so excited and relieved that she didn't dwell on the way Kendall had flirted with her, or she with him, at least not immediately. Only after she was sure that no more memories were to be recalled, did she let her mind wander over the comfortable, familiar way she behaved with Kendall, and him with her.
Kendall was flirting with me. Shit, I was flirting with Kendall! That was a rocky time for me and James, it was filled with uncertainty, but I never would have acted on the flirtation, neither would Kendall...no way. No...
Closing her eyes, Francie forced the memory, out of her mind and allowed sleep to overcome her in the comfort of James' arms.
The sound of music, accompanied by giggles, woke Francie. She turned her head to the right to face the side of the bed where James slept and found it empty. In the empty bed, her mind wandered over the previous night. Kendall's meltdown and accusation, the talk they had at his house, the recollection of a small part of her Halloween. It all began to overwhelm her on the last day of the year.
The activity downstairs sounded like a welcomed distraction. Kicking off the covers and pulling on a pair of sweatpants Francie padded down the steps, stopping in the middle of her descent to peek into the living room.
James and Marley sat at the piano with their backs toward the stairs, unaware that Francie was watching them with a sleepy smile on her face.
"Okay, Blondie, here we go," James' fingers began dancing over the keys playing one of Marley's, and Francie's, favorite songs.
"I promise I would be there, I swear I'm on my way," Marley's soft voice was clear and in perfect pitch. "I know you may not hear me, but that's the price I'll pay."
To Francie's delight, the song became a duet with James. His silky voice sang, "For taking you for granted, you're the air I breathe. I gave you everything but it was everything but me."
Francie could see James smile, in profile, down at her daughter. "I don't know how I would ever go all alone, walking on my own," their voices blended and it made Francie's smile grow wider. "Like angels you were floating to me and that's how it should be."
"'Cause I don't wanna waste another moment, I don't wanna pay for things unspoken. I just wanna race with arms wide open, take a shot in the dark to be where you are."
Francie began whispering the song to herself as James and Marley's performance continued. "I don't wanna watch the world keep changing, when I'm not with you my heart keeps shaking. Cover up my eyes and just stop pacing, take a shot in the dark to be where you are. Take a shot in the dark."
Francie quietly descended the rest of the stairs, careful to not disrupt the magical moment she was witnessing. James and Marley had quite a bond and Francie couldn't be happier that they had taken to each other so effortlessly.
I though that Kendall was happy about it, too, but after last night I'm afraid it might have bothered him, deep down. I hope his fears have been put to rest, I think I made clear to Kendall that he has nothing to worry about. James would never take Marley from him, and I would never let him. Francie smiled watching James and Marley as they finished their performance. James is going to make a fabulous step-father, Francie grinned to herself, and husband.
When the song was finished, Francie applauded loudly. Startled by the clapping, James and Marley turned around on the piano bench, smiling. Marley stood up and curtsied, James rose from the piano bench and bowed.
"That was fabulous! I want to wake up to that every morning!"
Marley ran into her mother's arms. "You really liked it?"
"Are you kidding?! I loved it, Princess." Marliey hugged her mom tightly. "You sounded beautiful, Baby."
"Uncle James said he'd make a video of us singing and put it on YouTube if it's okay with you and Daddy." Marley's green eyes sparkled as she folded her hands in prayer, "Please, Mommy, can he?"
Sliding her eyes from Marley to James, Francie had no choice but to give into her daughter's wish and her fiancé's smile.
"Who am I to deny the world that precious voice?"
Marley scrunched up her angelic face in confusion, "Is that a yes?"
Laughing, Francie nodded, "Yes, as long as your father agrees, that's a yes."
Marley squealed and threw her arms around her mother's waist. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm gonna go change!"
As Marley raced upstairs to get her diva on, Francie sat on the bench next to James.
"She definitely has her father's talent," Francie smiled.
James wrapped his arms around her and kissed Francie's temple. "That, combined with her mother's beauty, is the makeings of a star."
Caressing James' stubbled cheek, Francie gazed into the eyes of the man she loved with all her heart. "You love her so much."
"I love you both, you two are my world. You're what my heart needs." His lips met Francie's. "I don't know what I'd do without you two ladies."
"Lucky for you, you'll never have to find out."
The excitement over Kendall's New Year's Eve party grew with every passing minute. This year had been blessed with new bonds, friendships, and old relationships - newly found - that the promise of the new year had the Mancini sisters and their friends looking forward to what was to come.
Sophia and Dom picked up their granddaughters after lunch and would keep them overnight as the others rang in the new year together, celebrating with adult beverages and good times.
Nikki and Logan stopped by Masion 3M before heading to Kendall's party. Nikki sat on the vanity in Francie's master bathroom while Francie finished her make up and told her sister about the small recollection she had of Halloween night, leaving the awkward and flirtatious details out.
"That's great, Fay! Before you know it all of your memories will return."
"I hope so," Francie pulled the mascara wand away from her lashes, screwed the top on it, and faced her older sister. "It's really irritating not knowing what happened for those few days. I feel like...like there's something I need to remember. I just want my memory back and be able to move on, ya know?"
"I know," Nikki reached out and rested her hand on Francie's arm. "It'll all come back to you, I'm sure."
Francie smiled a sad smile at Nikki. It killed the elder Mancini to see her sister with such a lost, helpless look in her eyes. She decided that now was the perfect time to share her good news, maybe it would cheer Francie up.
"So, Logan and I are going to look at a house on Monday."
Surprise and excitement replaced the doubt on Francie's face, "Oh yeah? Where at?"
Nikki cocked her head to the side and, with a grin, answered Francie's inquiry. "Two streets over."
"Really?! Here?! In THIS development?!"
Grinning from ear to ear, Nikki nodded. "Uh-huh, HERE!"
"That's great, Nik!" Francie hugged her sister.
"I'm so excited!" Nikki bubbled.
"If you get the house Marley will be as thrilled as I will be to have you guys nearby."
"Logan likes the idea of being close to James and Kendall, too. Now we need to convince Carlos to invest in some real estate in this community...keep the gang together."
A tap on the bathroom door ended the sisters' conversation.
"Sweetness? You about ready?"
As Francie dropped her mascara in the drawer, Nikki slid off the counter and opened the door for James.
"Yep," Francie gave herself a final once over in the mirror.
Stepping up behind Francie, James wrapped his arms around his fiancée and rested his chin on her head, meeting her dark eyes in the mirror. "Stunning as always."
The compliment garnered a smile from the petite brunette. "Thank you," Francie whispered.
"Oh brother," Nikki rolled her eyes at the couple. "You're grossing me out."
Nikki left the bathroom followed by the giggling pair.
"Chicago?" Ry's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"Shhhhh!" Tiff shushed her friend. Glances big around making sure no one heard Ry. "Keep it down, will ya."
Realization hit Ry, "Oh my God, you haven't told Kendall yet."
"I haven't made a decision yet," Tiff shoved her hands in her pockets and stared at the floor. "It's a lot to think about. Assistant principal in one of Chicago's most exclusive private schools is an incredible opportunity."
Ry nodded, "It is. How did you find out about it?"
"Emily Burgess recommended me for the position, the board values her opinion, and I gather that my teaching record impressed them."
"Emily Burgess?"
"Yeah, she was principal at our school before she left last summer to take the principal position at St. Michael's in Chicago."
"Wow, Tiff, that's amazing. She must think highly of you."
Tiff shrugged, "I guess so." The two fell quiet for a moment both unsure of what to say. Shaking away the daze, Tiff offered Ry a small smile. "Anyway, like I said I haven't made a decision yet and no one knows. Got it?"
A sharp nod from Ry assured Tiff that Ry understood the need for secrecy.
"Ladies, what's all the hush-hush about?" Carlos draped his arm over Ry's shoulders.
"Just some girl talk, Papi." Ry placed a quick peck on Carlos' cheek.
"I'm going to run up and check on Kendall, see what's taking him so long."
"He's a primper, Tiff, you know that," Carlos winked at the blonde.
Tiff turned, smiling over her shoulder at the happy couple, "Well he'd better get his ass moving, people will be here soon."
I have to watch you from a distance as you pass on by, leaving me behind.
Close enough to touch you, but still miles away. I'm the last thing on your mind.
You've manage to keep your memories of us tucked neatly in your past.
But I look at mine every day just to make them last.
They're all I'll ever have of us, they're all I'll have of you.
My dreams of us together gone, you've found somebody new.
I wonder if he knows how lucky he is and realizes what he's got.
That he's the man who holds your dreams 'cause, baby, I know I'm not.
I ask myself all the time why him, why not me?
If you let me try, I'll show you I can be all he can be.
One more chance is all I ask to prove that I'm the one.
I'll make you believe our time's not over, but only just begun.
Tomorrow I know the sun will still rise as surely as it sets
Even though my love for you is too strong to ever forget.
Kendall chewed on his lower lip, pondering the words on the page and he wished he could run these lyrics by Francie. She had been a great sounding board while James was in L.A., but this was too personal for Kendall to share with her...to share with anyone. Besides, any fool could tell that these lyrics were about him and his feelings for Francie. The last thing he needs is for this to be known.
Sitting in the chair for some time, Kendall had to move and stretch his long legs. He stood just as Tiff softly knocked on the bedroom door.
"Ken?"
Kendall quickly placed a nearby book on top of the paper he was studying seconds ago. "Yeah?"
"Can I come in?"
With a small chuckle, Kendall responded, "Of course."
Tiff entered and seeing Kendall standing there in his dark jeans and no shirt, her heart hurt. She was so conflicted between staying here with the man she loved and leaving to take the wonderful opportunity that awaited her in Chicago. What am I going to do?!
"Why do you still knock before coming in here?" Kendall stepped towards Tiff, thankful that this time she did knock.
"I dunno," Tiff shrugged. "I just do."
But deep down Tiff knew the answer. As good as things were with Kendall, there was still a barrier...something stood between them. Maybe it was Kendall, maybe it was her.
The letter offering the vice principal position came in the mail a couple of weeks after she and Kendall rekindled their relationship. The fact that Tiff even considered taking the job in Chicago would be a pretty good reason for her to keep a small amount of distance from Kendall.
"What are you doing in here? People are going to be arriving soon."
"I'm just finishing up," Kendall lied, and he hated himself for it, but he had no choice. He grabbed a shirt from the closet.
She's been acting weird, I wonder if she's suspicious...wait, there's nothing to be suspicious about. I'm working through this. Once I get my feelings out and on paper, I'm sure this will be out of my system.
Kendall had always found writing to be a perfect form of therapy for him. Got a problem? Write it down. Need to make a decision? Write it down. Something on your mind? Write it down. His therapy sessions wouldn't necessarily become new songs, but getting the feelings and thoughts down on paper has helped Kendall immensely in the past and if something works, roll with it.
While Kendall put on his shirt, Tiff walked to the chair Kendall had vacated. She lazily ran her finger over the Stephen King book Kendall had placed over his latest 'therapy session'.
"How is it?"
Kendall turned around and, to his horror, saw Tiff reaching for the book. With three long strides, he was at the side table picking up the book and the pile of paper that lay underneath it. Whew, that was close!
The suddenness of his actions took Tiff by surprise and she looked up at him with slightly parted lips and questions in her eyes. Oh shit! Way to go Kendall! He had to think of something fast.
"Careful, I don't want to lose my place, I'm at a good part." Kendall grinned at his girlfriend, hoping to ease her suspicions.
"Sorry," Tiff grinned. "Can I read it when you're done?"
The book? Sure. The song? Hell, no! "Sure, as soon as I'm finished, it's all yours." Kendall held his hand out to Tiff, helping her out of the chair and placed the papers, and the book, back on the table. "Come on, we have a party to host."