Chapter Two

Frank's mouth hung open as he stared at Nancy. He didn't know what to say even though he was just thinking about her moments before. Instead, Frank took in how she looked. She was breathtaking to him even though she wore a double-breasted peacoat, leggings, and flat booties. Her strawberry hair fell around her face in a cascade, gently touching her shoulders while her makeup was minimalistic. Frank just couldn't believe she was standing before him after months of not seeing her. His heart was telling him to take her in his arms and sweep her off her feet yet he stood stock still.

"Nancy," he finally croaked. "Wh…what are you doing here?"

"That's a fine way to say 'hello,'" she laughed nervously then her delicate features turned serious. "I guess I deserve that though. You look good."

"Thanks," Frank replied. "I don't feel good though." He paused biting his lower lip as if in consternation of what to say. "Why? Why didn't you stay?"

Nancy looked down at the ground, her hand tapping the cane she held on to. She knew she needed to say something but she knew it also wasn't the best time for them to be having a long conversation. Frank scoffed, stalking away to grab the basketball that was nearby. It gave him time to think of the right words to say to her.

"I wanted you to stay here," he blurted out before she could say anything. "I wanted to help you…be there for you but you pushed me away. Every single time I wanted to come visit you told me no. Why? Do you blame me for what happened?"

"No," Nancy shook her head, the tears dangerously close to escaping from her eyes. "I…it…it's not you, Frank. Or Joe. Or your parents. It was me. I was afraid of what might happen if I stayed. I was afraid that Davenport would do something while we were all together and I…I couldn't live with it if anything happened to you or your family."

"But, Nancy," Frank cried, his own voice betraying him, "this was our choice to have you here. My choice. Who gives a rat's ass about what Davenport would have or could have done? We would have dealt with it together." He scoffed again and shook his head. "Nancy, I wanted to be with you. That was my choice and you took that away from me."

"I'm sorry, Frank," she sniffled. Nancy bit her lip as she struggled to keep her composure. "I…I wanted to tell you everything but I kept it in. There was a reason why Davenport did what he did and it terrifies me."

Frank's face softened. She was truly upset with herself and it pained him to see her like that. Slowly, Frank walked over to her then wrapped his arms around her body and brought her close to him. He felt her body relax and the pain explode from her. Nancy sobbed into his chest, her body shuddering. Frank held her close, not wanting to let go. He listened to her sobs and wanted to wipe away all the tears she shed. The pain of the last few months seemed to drain Nancy and when she was done, Frank could feel her body relax for the first time in a while.

"It's okay, Nan," he whispered into her hair. "As long as we're together, we will get through this."

"You're…you're not mad at me?" she stammered pushing away from him to look up.

Frank smiled and shook his head. "I can't stay mad at you forever," he replied then quirked his eyebrow. "But you will have to make it up to me sometime."

Nancy smirked. "I'll see what I can do."

He gazed into her eyes, the blue hue vibrant and bright. A man could get lost in confines of a woman's eyes but Frank never did. All he saw was how deep Nancy's heart was, her eyes showing everything that he needed to know. She was beautiful, her hair falling around her face just perfectly. Without another hesitation, Frank leaned in and kissed her on the lips in which she returned the kiss. The memory of the past few months seemed to melt away and all that was left was the love and tenderness they felt for one another.

"Ugh, man, did I really need to see that?" muttered a voice they knew too well. Frank and Nancy laughed as they turned to see Joe standing on the deck. "It's bad enough with Mom and Dad, I don't need to see you too."

"Don't you and Vanessa…" Frank replied.

"Yeah, but we don't do PDA," he interrupted. "Besides, you're my brother and oh man…" Joe made a gagging noise. "I just got a nasty vision in my head. Ugh, I may have to walk away before I puke. Oh, and please, please, please, don't do that while you're here, Nancy. A guy can only take so much."

"Is there a reason why you came out here?" the older Hardy glanced at him annoyed.

"Oh, yeah," Joe pointed a finger. "Mom says to get your butt in here if you want to eat. Her words, not mine."

"Sure, Joe," Frank chuckled. "Let her know we'll be in a minute."

The moment Joe was gone, Frank sighed and shook his head. "Oh, to be an only child," he huffed.

"It's very boring," Nancy piped in. "Believe me. Shall we?"

Frank smirked, offering his elbow to her which she gladly took. It was only a few seconds before he realized she wasn't on crutches and he stopped. "How long have you been off the crutches?"

"About a week," she said sadly. "Dad sort of lit a fire under my ass a few weeks ago. He's the main reason why I'm here. I wasn't right in the head for a few weeks and it took a toll on my recovery."

"Well, I'm glad you're here," he stated though he wanted to know if there was anything else going on with her. He just didn't have it in him to ask at that moment. Frank brought Nancy's hand to his lips and kissed it, her face blushing deeply. "Now, let's go in before Joe eats all the food."

"How's everything been, Carson?" Fenton asked handing his old friend a glass of wine. "Anything new in your world?"

"Nah, not really," Carson shrugged nonchalantly. "I've been busy the past few months with new cases popping up. Winston is lucky that I was able to have a free weekend in order to come here."

"Why's that?"

"Oh, he asked me to come for some reason. I'm not sure why but he did. He's been busy too with the election coming up next year. He really has a good chance of winning in the primaries though I think he's nervous about it all. It's a big step for him."

"I'm sure it is," Fenton chuckled. "Laura and I were pretty surprised when we heard he was running. I thought he was going to retire."

"Well, he did say that if he loses he will," Carson commented. "He's not seeking another term as senator. Winston asked Parker if he would run for his seat and he turned him down. He likes where he's at and from what I've heard, Milford Point has really turned around since Parker has been on the council. With a baby on the way, he just didn't think it would be good to go on a campaign trail for a senate race."

"I don't blame him or Candace," his friend replied. "Laura's really excited for this weekend. She's been looking forward to the baby shower for weeks."

"Hannah's been the same way, getting all googly-eyed for baby stuff every single time she goes shopping." He looked over at Hannah who was talking to Laura, Andrea, and Gertrude in the corner. "God knows what she would do if and when Nancy ever has kids."

"Let's not go there at the moment," Fenton laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Right," Carson cleared his throat. "Let's not."

"So, um, how has Nancy been doing?" he asked. "If she's been anything like Frank has, I'm sure it was a miserable time at home."

"You have no idea," the old lawyer mumbled rolling his eyes. "You know, I had to practically strap her to the airplane to get her here? That girl has driven me nuts for weeks moping around the house."

"Frank has been the same way!" Fenton muttered under his breath looking around for his sons. The backdoor suddenly opened and Joe strolled in, his face ashen like he felt sick. He went over to Laura to say something then left the room to join Bess, George, and Vanessa in the other room. "It doesn't help that Joe hounds on him too. I'll be thankful once Frank is out of the house for good and then it will be much quieter…I hope."

"How much more does he have to do?"

"He's pretty much moved out but he has no furniture yet," he explained. "Laura's been trying to get him to find furniture but he's been working hard lately. I think he's been trying to get his mind off of Nancy. What's been going on with her anyway?"

"I had a conversation with her a few weeks ago," Carson sighed. "She's terrified of Davenport and what he might do. It's why she's been keeping her distance from Frank and your family. Too bad she didn't relay the message or I think our lives would have been much easier. She was still in crutches too. The whole ordeal with being asleep for a month really scared her so it reflected on her recovery. I'm glad she finally got her head on straight and got out of those things. You should have heard her complaining. The words that came out of her mouth when she stumbled, even Hannah covered her ears."

"Dad!" cried Nancy from the doorway, her eyes fiery and her arms folded in front of her. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, nothing," he said innocently. "Just talking about your choice of words when you finally moved your ass into gear to get out of those crutches. There were words that I wouldn't even say."

"Dad!"

"Okay," Carson conceded raising his hands in defeat. He pulled her into a half-hug and kissed her on the temple. "You did good and I'm proud that you finally got out of them."

"Thanks, Dad," Nancy said softly, a shy smile etched on her face.

"It's good to see you smile again, sweetheart," he replied, his voice low. "You know you needed this."

"I know, Dad," she nodded.

"So, where are you all staying?" Laura asked coming over. Even Joe and the girls in the other room came over to listen in.

"We have a suite at the Millard," Carson answered. "I'm here until Sunday while Bess, George, and Hannah leave Monday morning. Then Nancy can come here."

"Sounds good," Fenton smiled. "We're happy to have her. We have plenty of room."

"We will once Frank finally moves out," Joe retorted. "But I call dibs on his room!"

Frank swatted at him though the younger Hardy ducked, laughing maniacally. "I'm not out of here yet, Joe! Can you at least wait until I'm finished moving?"

"I thought you were already moved?" Nancy replied confused.

"I'm getting there," Frank explained. "Since I don't have any furniture yet I can't exactly move in. Obviously I won't be missed."

Joe laughed again though Frank was able to get him by knocking him on the back of the head.

"Ow! Touchy!"

"Oh, to have a quiet house after 22 years," Laura sighed rolling her eyes. She watched as her two sons continued to banter back and forth, shaking her head as the insults flew between the brothers.

"Thank goodness I only have one," Carson chuckled.

Fenton laughed. "You do realize that it won't be quiet for you after a while," he nudged his head towards Nancy who was refereeing the two brothers along with Vanessa.

Carson watched as Nancy was able to calm Frank down and Vanessa pulled away Joe. The two brothers glared at each which each girl spoke softly to their respective boyfriends. After a while, Frank's face softened and he weaved his arm behind Nancy's tiny waist and walked away. A lump grew in Carson's throat at the thought of his only child leaving home and starting a family of her own. He knew she was an adult but he still considered her his baby girl. The day was definitely coming when he'd have to let Nancy go.

After Kate died, Nancy was all he had left and Carson was damn sure he going to let her be with just anybody. But he liked Frank. He was a good kid from a good family. Carson just wasn't sure he was ready to let her go.

"Earth to Carson," Fenton nudged him. Carson blinked several times before turning to his friend.

"Huh? What?"

Fenton laughed clapping a hand on his back. "You must be thinking about letting Nancy go." Carson was taken aback by Fenton's remark for he stumbled a little. The old detective leaned toward him, speaking in a low voice. "To be honest, I feel the same way about the boys. I just don't want to admit it that they're growing up. It feels like yesterday that they were in diapers together.

"I know what you mean," Carson laughed. "I was just hoping that Nancy wouldn't grow up. I don't want to lose her."

"Oh, you're not going to lose her, Carson," Laura said softly, overhearing their conversation. "She may be getting older and more mature but she will always be your daughter. No matter how many times he drives me nuts, Joe will always be my baby boy."

"And he knows it, Laura," Fenton chuckled. Laura lightly punched him in the arm. "You know he milks it from you when you fawn over him."

"Oh, he does not!" she cried.

"Sad to say, Laura," Carson said cautiously, "but it is the truth. I've seen it too."

"I think you know it, Laura," her husband pointed out, "and you continue to fawn over him because you enjoy it."

"What?" Laura looked from her husband to her friend then waved dismissively. "No, I don't do that. That's not me."

"Mm hmm," the two men said together.

Laura scoffed then walked away annoyed. The two old friends laughed then continued to watch the others in the room as dinner went under way. Carson smiled thinking about his late wife. She would have loved to see how their daughter grew up but someone he felt she already did and was proud.

After several hours of time with friends and family, Nancy, her father, and friends returned to the hotel where they were staying. Hannah and Carson had their own rooms while Nancy, Bess, and George shared one. The three girls were tired as they got dressed for bed though Nancy seemed to be a little too wired.

"What's wrong?" Bess asked sitting cross-legged on the end of the bed. "I thought you'd be happy to see Frank for the first time in months."

"I am," Nancy sighed getting under the covers.

"You don't seem like it," George piped in poking her head around the corner where the bathroom was. She started brushing her teeth, waiting to hear what her friend had to say.

"I…I am happy," she stammered. "I…I just have a feeling. You know, like something is going to happen."

"Oh, please," George muttered the toothbrush still in her mouth. She rushed back into the bathroom and spat out the toothpaste before coming back. "I highly doubt that Davenport is going to try anything this weekend or any weekend for that matter. He hasn't done shit since July and we've all know he's out there. Besides, we're going to be at the Hawkley's tomorrow and the Secret Service is swarming the place. Davenport would be stupid to try something there."

"Yeah, but what about afterward? We're all here together again and it would be easy for him to pick us off one by one."

"Nancy, what's gotten into you?" Bess asked concerned. "That doesn't sound like you at all."

"I'm terrified, Bess," Nancy admitted surprising her friends. "You didn't see what he did while I was with him years ago. You didn't see the rage he had. He was really going to kill me and…and I'm afraid he's going to go after Dad and Frank. I…I can't lose either of them."

"Well, we're here with you now," George sat down next to her, pulling her close, "and there's nothing that bastard can do to break our spirit, Nan. He messes with you, he messes with all of us. Besides, I think the Hardys have a pretty good security system in their house and Mr. Hardy did say tonight that no one is to be alone anymore until Davenport is caught. I don't think we have to worry about anything."

"I don't know, George," she said skeptically, shaking her head. "We shouldn't underestimate Davenport nor should we lower our guard. Even Frank said he was concerned. It's part of the reason he's leery about moving out completely…other than the fact that he has no furniture."

Bess looked confused. "Then why is he moving out if he's so leery about it?"

Nancy sighed in thought. "I…I think he's just ready to leave home, that's all. Joe has been driving him nuts lately and he's had enough. Frank also said that his new apartment was in walking distance of the office so it's not like he's going to be far from anyone."

"Didn't I hear him say that it was a two bedroom apartment, Bess?" George raised an eyebrow slyly.

Her cousin piped up, her face glowing. "Why, yes, I think he did, George."

"What are you two getting at?" Nancy looked at her two friends then realization hit her and her face turned red.

"There she's got it!" laughed Bess, clapping her hands.

"Oh, you two are horrible!" she cried, throwing a pillow at them.

"No, we're not," George giggled hitting her with a pillow. "We just see what you still have yet to see!"

The three girls giggled loudly, each one of them hitting the others with their pillows. The pillow fight ensued for several minutes until Nancy was in a fit of laughter on her bed and Bess and George pummeled her with their pillows.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Nancy cried trying to speak in between giggles.

She held her empty hands up towards her friends in defeat and the two lowered their pillows. Bess and George laid down on either side of Nancy, laughter still echoing through the room. When the laughing fits stopped, it was Bess who finally spoke.

"You know, Nan," she pointed out, "Frank is not that bad of a guy."

"I know that, Bess," Nancy retorted. "What are you trying to get at?"

"She's trying to find out if you would move in with him if he asked," George blurted out. "Bess is just too chicken shit to say anything outright."

"George!" cried Bess, throwing another pillow at her cousin.

"It's the truth, Bess!"

"Okay, okay, enough," Nancy replied. She got up and fixed the bed a little so she could get settled. "Frank hasn't asked me that and to be honest, I'm not sure what I would say if he did. I thought that he would be sharing an apartment with Joe but then again I think the two would kill each other before long."

"You got that right," snickered Bess. "I thought we were going to need a referee earlier tonight." She rolled over onto her belly, flipped her hair over her shoulder then stared at Nancy intently. "So, do you think he will?"

"So, now you finally say it!" George shook her head.

"Only because you blurted it out!"

"I think I'm going to bed," Nancy muttered getting under the covers and snuggling in.

"Oh, come on, Nancy!" Bess pouted. "You need to tell me more!"

"Good night, Bess," she called out, her voice muffled by the covers.

"Leave her alone, Bess," George urged, rising from the bed and turning off the light. "When Nancy's ready to say something, she will."

A half hour later, Bess' light snores echoed in the room while George slumbered peacefully. Nancy was the only one awake, her blue eyes staring at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep though she knew she was tired. Thoughts paraded through her mind, keeping her awake. It didn't help that her leg was acting up, ripping dull aches up and down her muscles. It was another hour before she finally succumbed to sleep but her thoughts were still troubled.

A face loomed in her mind, terrifying her with ever fiber of her being. Martin Davenport smirked down at her, his eyes soulless. As the dream shifted, Nancy saw Frank and reached out to him though he ignored her. The dream kept getting stranger and stranger for her before she finally went into a deep sleep and all the worries she had slipped away.

Author's Note:

Many blessings to you all during Holy Week. We recently had yet another wrench thrown into our lives. My poor daughter has been on quarantine for almost a month because my husband, myself, and my little one all got COVID. Don't worry, we're all good and had no serious symptoms. I thought my allergies were giving me problems if that gives you any indication. Anyway, I went to get my oldest daughter tested over the weekend and wouldn't you know it, she tested positive. Another ten days for her and miss going to church on Easter Sunday which we all have been looking forward to for weeks. At least there's a rainbow on the horizon. She finally gets to go back to school next week. Yay! By the way, she's fine. Has little to no symptoms and I don't think she's going to get any worse than she already is. Anyway, I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter holiday. Thank you to everyone who read the first chapter and a special thanks to those who left a review. I love what you had to say! Don't worry about our favorite couple. They will get better at this! We will also get to Davenport again soon. I ran out of room on this chapter so I'm hoping he will be in the next one. I hope that you enjoyed the chapter and if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think! Again, have a wonderful Easter holiday and God bless! He is Risen!