"Franky? Auntie Bridge?" Emily was standing outside their bedroom door.
The brunette lifted her head so she could see the clock sitting on Bridget's bedside table. It was about a half hour before they would normally get up for work. She was just about to tell the young girl to come in when she heard Shayne in the hallway as well.
"Hey, Em, what's going on?" Shayne was awake, and had heard her call out to them. He knew that the two women didn't get up this early even on a weekday, so he thought maybe he could look after Emily, and they could sleep a bit more.
"I woke up, and can't get back to sleep," the young girl sighed.
"Ah, I hate when that happens. Let's let them sleep a bit more though, yeah? It's pretty early." He had a bit of an ulterior motive. He knew Franky had been more tired than usual lately, and her mood had suffered a bit because of it.
"I want cuddles." Emily looked up at him as if this was obvious, and he should have known.
"Well," The young man thought for a minute. "I'll make you a different offer; we go to the living room and watch a cartoon. They should be awake by then and we can make them some breakfast."
She looked at him carefully for a moment. "I get to pick the cartoon."
"Sure," he said with a small laugh.
Franky listened to the exchange, then closed her eyes again. "Definite brownie points there," she mumbled softly to herself.
"He's good with her," Bridget said, quietly.
"He is." The brunette gave her a kiss on the forehead. "We've still got a half hour."
"Mm." The older woman nuzzled in against Franky's neck.
"That smells good," the brunette said as she entered the kitchen.
Shayne was standing at the stove making French Toast, while Emily was preparing dishes of yogurt and fruit for everyone.
"Thanks. We couldn't sleep so I thought we could make breakfast," he said as he flipped the slice of toast in the pan.
"I couldn't sleep. You just got home." Emily corrected him as she placed strawberries in each dish.
Franky caught the look that Shayne shot at Emily even though the young girl had her back to him. She wouldn't have thought much of him not being home if it hadn't been for that. She'd told him the deal was he could stay as long as he didn't get into trouble again, but the look told her that his not sleeping there was something he'd been hoping to hide from her, and that was cause for concern.
"Oh?" The brunette raised her eyebrow as she caught the young man's eye.
"I was just at a mate's. It got late and I fell asleep." Shayne gave her a half smile as he shrugged. "Come on, I didn't come home smelling like a bar or anything."
"No." Franky leaned in closer to him and sniffed the air. "Actually, you smell like you showered."
He simply gave her another small smile, and went back to cooking.
"Good morning, love." Bridget gave her niece a kiss on the cheek.
Shayne turned his head so that his cheek was facing towards the blonde as she walked by.
"Still no?" he joked as she passed, giving him nothing more than a small smile.
Bridget knocked lightly on the door of Vera's office, and heard a 'come in' from the other side.
"Morning, Vera," the blonde said as she took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the governor's large desk. "How was your weekend?"
"It was good, yeah." She gave her friend a quick smile.
"Thanks again for looking after Em on Saturday." Bridget crossed her legs and leaned back in the chair.
"Oh, it was no problem." Vera brushed a piece of lint from the sleeve of her jacket.
"I do have something I've come here to talk about." The blonde would normally have taken her time, and had a bit of a conversation with her friend before she got to any business talk, but she didn't have a lot of time this morning.
"Oh, okay. Sure." The governor pulled gently on her earring. It was a nervous twitch she'd had since she was a young child.
"Lana has asked for another session today, and it would have to be this morning, in an hour. It's the only open space I have. Last time I saw her in the slot, and I know she's still in there, but I'd like to have our session in my office today." Bridget knew she was asking a lot.
"Bridget." Vera sighed. "That's against protocol. The whole point of being in the slot is that you don't get to leave."
"I know." The blonde sat forward in the chair, ready to make her point. "I just think she's more willing to talk in that environment. I was making some progress with her before this happened, and I'd hate to see her have a setback."
The governor studied the papers on her desk while she thought. "Fine, she's getting out tomorrow anyway. She'll be escorted to your office, then straight back to the slot after the session is over. I'll have Will do it. And he'll wait outside while she's in with you."
"Vera." Bridget thought that her friend's concern was a bit over the top. "He doesn't need to wait while she's in there. I'll call if she wants to leave early."
"It's just a safety measure. The inmate she assaulted is still in the hospital." Vera added when she saw the questioning look on the blonde's face.
"All the more reason why it's important that I get her to open up more." The blonde wasn't surprised that the attack had been brutal given what Lana had already told her about needing to protect herself. If she was right that this attack had been in self-defense as well, then it made sense that the young woman would have had a strong reaction. Bridget was just about to stand when she remembered the other reason she'd come to see her friend that morning. "One more thing, on a more personal topic."
"Oh, uh, sure." She pulled at her earring again.
"Franky and I are looking at taking our honeymoon soon, in maybe three weeks. It would just be for a few days, but I would need some time off. We were hoping to start on a Wednesday and stay through the weekend until Sunday afternoon some time." Bridget was really hoping that Vera would agree, and everything would work out. Now that they'd started the inseminations, they were on a bit of a tighter schedule. In three weeks, they would know if the first attempt had worked. If it had, Franky would be pregnant, but not far enough along to have morning sickness, or some of the other unpleasant symptoms yet, so she could still enjoy the trip. "Liz has agreed to look after Em."
"Uh, I'll have a look at the schedule, but I don't think it'll be a problem. I'll just put the external psych on notice that he may be needed if there's an emergency." Vera liked to give her staff as much flexibility as possible with their schedules, and she knew that Bridget would somehow get everything done that was needed, even with the extra time off. "I don't mind taking Em for a couple nights either if Liz wants to split it up. The weekend works better for me because of work though."
"Thanks," The blonde gave her a smile. "You can let me know about the time off, and if it's okay, then I'll let Liz know you can help out if she wants."
"Uh, where are you guys planning to go?" Vera had just realized that Bridget had never really mentioned the honeymoon before this.
"Just a fancy hotel somewhere in the city. You know, room service and all that. Nothing too crazy." She smiled thinking of the night in the hotel after Franky had won.
"That sounds fun." The governor gave her friend a small smile.
"It should be, yes." With that, Bridget left and headed back to her office to prepare for her sessions that day.
"Lana, come in." The blonde greeted the young inmate with a smile.
Will, who was still standing in the doorway, caught Bridget's eye as she made her way to sit in one of the green chairs. He pointed to himself, then a spot on the floor in the hallway just outside the door, indicating that he'd be there while the session was happening. The blonde still didn't think it was necessary, but she gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"How are you feeling today?" Bridget asked as she settled into her chair.
"A bit better now that I'm out of that place for a while." Lana picked up the cup of tea that the blonde had made for her, and took a sip.
"Good." She gave the inmate a small smile.
"You had something to do with that didn't you?" She looked at the psychiatrist over the edge of her cup.
"You mentioned last time that you didn't want to talk in front of the cameras. I thought you might be more comfortable here, so I spoke with the governor." Bridget saw the corner of Lana's mouth twitch. "Do you want to talk about what happened that day in the yard?"
"Self defense like you said." The inmate shrugged.
"Come on, there must be more to it than that." The blonde had pulled a favor to get her here for this session; she didn't want to waste it. "You know, if that was indeed the case, and you explain what happened, the governor will listen, and take what you say into account. She's not unreasonable."
"Who's side are you on?" Lana glared at her.
"I'm just offering advice. You don't have to talk to Ms. Bennett if you don't want to, but I'd like you to at least talk to me." Bridget took a drink from her own cup of tea.
The inmate studied her for a moment before she spoke. "This is all confidential?"
"Of course," the blonde replied as she sat her cup down.
"She wanted me to bring in drugs for her." Lana paused for a moment to see if she would get a reaction out of the other woman. When she got none, she continued. "She said I had to become one of her mules. I refused. I thought about what you'd said about parole." She wiped at her eyes with her sleeve. "I want to get out of here someday, ya know?"
"I know," Bridget said softly, and handed her the box of tissues that she kept on the coffee table.
"She and one of her gang cornered me in the yard while the others caused a scene and distracted the guards. She said she was going to teach me a lesson if I didn't do what she wanted." The inmate took a deep breath to compose herself. "I don't know what happened. I just snapped. In my mind I saw those guys who'd said that same thing to me out on the streets, and I just started beating her. I must have looked insane or wild or something because her friend never stepped in to stop me. When the guards finally pulled me off her, the other one looked scared shitless. I don't even remember the actual beating."
"It's possible that your mind has blocked out that part due to your past trauma." The blonde shifted her weight in her chair. This might be the start of the breakthrough she was hoping for.
"Is that normal?" Lana asked softly.
"It's not uncommon for people who've been through certain situations. It's called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, and it's something that can be treated." Bridget thought she saw a look of relief on the young woman's face.
"I don't want to hurt people, like, it's not something I fantasize about like some sicko. When she had me in that corner though…" Lana shook her head.
"It's normal to want to protect yourself, and your loved ones, too." The blonde knew that even the most sane and level person had their breaking points.
"Do you?" The inmate watched her carefully. "Do you have someone you'd kill for if you had to?"
"Lana…" Bridget stopped herself. She wanted to say that yes, of course she did, she'd protect her family with everything she had, but as a therapist she kept quiet.
"I know, we don't talk about you, right?" Lana leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest.
"It's just…" The blonde sighed. "No, we don't. It's not how this works."
There was a soft knock on the door before it opened slowly.
"Time's up." Will gave Bridget an apologetic look.
"I'm done anyway." Lana got up and walked quickly out of the room, barely giving him time to move out of her way.
The blonde let out a long breath as Will closed the door behind him.
It had been a long week, and Bridget was ready for a quiet weekend at home with Franky and Emily. She'd tried to schedule sessions twice with Lana, and each time the inmate had not shown. If she couldn't get her to show up sometime during the coming week, she'd have to talk to Vera about it again.
The blonde was stirring a pot of soup on the stove when she heard Franky come through the door, and sit something on the kitchen island behind her.
"Hey, babe." The brunette walked up behind the older woman, put her arms around her waist, and placed a kiss on the side of her neck. "That smells delicious."
"Thanks, I followed your recipe." Bridget let herself relax in Franky's arms. "And by that I mean this is what you made and put in the freezer. I reheated it."
"I know." The brunette let out a small chuckle. "It still smells good though."
The blonde turned in Franky's arms, and gave her a quick kiss on the lips before she began to take the dishes they'd need out of the cupboard.
"What's that, baby?" Bridget asked as she reached for a stack of bowls. She'd spotted a small box on the island that must have been what she'd heard the brunette sit down when she came in.
"This…" Franky glanced down the hallway towards Emily's room, and saw that the door was closed. "Is something I got for us for movie night tonight." She opened it to show the blonde what was inside.
"Franky…" Bridget quickly looked through the contents. "Where did you get these? I've never even seen half of them before."
The box was filled with all different kinds of Wonka candy and chocolate bars. She and Emily had finished reading the book, and Franky had promised her that they'd watch the movie together tonight. She thought having some of the candy they talked about in the film would be a nice touch.
"From the candy shop down the road. I sweet-talked the owner, and she did a special order for me." The brunette gave her a wink. "Get it? Sweet-talked...for sweets?"
"I get it." Bridget gave a small laugh and shook her head. "Em's going to love it."
"I hope so." Franky closed up the box, and placed it on top of the fridge until later.
"Franky!" Emily emerged from her room, and ran to greet the brunette.
"Hey, bub! Oh, hey, easy, slow down." The brunette turned slightly to the side, and put her arm down to cushion the impact of the young girl running into her. She glanced over at Bridget. This was something they may have to talk to Emily about soon. There were still a few days before she could take a pregnancy test though.
"It's movie night!" Emily said excitedly.
"I know." Franky gave her a big smile. "Why don't you help Auntie, and set the table for us?"
Bridget passed her a stack of glasses and a handful of spoons, and the young girl headed towards the table.
"Hey, hey." Shayne announced his arrival as he came through the front door. "It smells good in here."
"Gidge made supper." The brunette turned just as he came into the kitchen. "And you got a haircut." Franky had let him leave a couple of hours before she did, and apparently this was what he did in that time.
"Yeah." He gave a shy smile. "Needed one."
"It's very trendy." The brunette reached out and touched the newly barbered hair. "Since when are you trying to be all hip and cool." She teased him playfully. "Trying to impress the ladies?"
"I'm not, I just...I told him to do whatever he wanted and this was it." Shayne ducked out of the way, dodging Franky's touch.
"Aw, Franky, leave him alone. He looks very handsome." Bridget gave him a quick kiss on the cheek on her way past.
"So that was what it took. A new haircut." He flashed a cheeky smile at the blonde.
"It was a pity kiss, don't fool yourself." Franky gave him a playful shove. "You hanging around for movie night?"
"Ah, actually I have plans with a couple mates. Some footie thing or something on TV tonight. I'm bringing the snacks." He held up the shopping bag he'd been carrying. "They're bringing Chinese food." He caught the look of disappointment on Emily's face. "Sorry, kid. I'll stay for the next one. Promise." He watched as the young girl nodded, and headed back to her room until it was time to eat. "I need to shower before I go."
The brunette waited until she heard the water running in the shower, then she walked over to the bag he had left sitting on one of the stools. She opened it, and flicked through the contents.
"Franky!" Bridget said in a whisper-yell. "What are you doing?"
"Just seeing if he has any good snacks." Franky didn't really know what she was looking for, but something seemed off. She saw bags of crisps, a box of microwave popcorn, a box of some kind of chocolate candy, and another box that she had to dig to the bottom, and pull out so she could see it properly. "Look!" She held up the box so that the blonde could see it.
"Condoms. So?" Bridget shrugged.
"So? He said he was watching footie with his mates. What does he need these for? And the haircut? He's got a girlfriend, and he's lying about where he's been going." Franky folded her arms and waited for the blonde's reply.
"Settle down, Columbo." Bridget stifled a laugh. "First off, he never said his mates were guys, and second, so what if he does? It's not our concern."
"But-" The brunette knew that the older woman was right.
"But nothing. Come on, let's eat." The blonde started dipping the soup into their bowls. "Em, supper's ready!" she called down the hallway.
Franky yawned as she placed the last of the dishes into the dishwasher. They were almost done cleaning up, and had sent Emily to have her shower and get ready for the movie.
"How are you feeling, baby?" Bridget asked as she placed her arms around the younger woman's neck.
"Good, just tired." Franky gave her a soft kiss. "Do you think it's too early to take a test?"
"Yes." The blonde smiled. She knew her wife would be impatient when it came to finding out if the procedure had worked. "She said we had to wait a minimum of ten days. It's only been seven."
"I just really want to know." The brunette gave her another kiss.
"I know, baby. All in good time." Bridget caressed the nape of Franky's neck, and watched as the brunette closed her eyes. "I love you."
"I love you, too." She rested her head against the blonde's forehead.
"I got us something special for tonight." Franky reached up for the box on top of the fridge. The other two had already settled in on the couch.
"What is it?" Emily stretched her neck to try and see what was in the box.
"Well, since we're watching Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, I thought it would be fun to have some of the candy that goes with it." The brunette laid out the contents of the box on the coffee table.
"These are from his factory?" The young girl's eyes went wide as she looked at everything in front of her.
"Uh." Franky looked at the blonde, hoping she'd somehow help her out, but the older woman just shrugged. "Yeah, I had to order them special." Not a total lie, she reasoned, but not the truth that Emily thought it was either. "What do you want to try first?"
"Gobstoppers!" They young girl held up the box, and shook it, making it rattle.
"Okay." The brunette reached out and took the box from her. "Sit back, and we'll start the movie." She dropped one of the candies into Emily's hand once she'd calmed down, and cuddled in between them. "Now, you have to just suck on these, don't try to bite them. And no jumping around while you have them in your mouth."
"Why not?" She asked Franky.
"Because it's not safe." The brunette didn't want to go into the details of what could happen, so she hoped this was enough of an explanation.
"Okay." Emily put it in her mouth, and curled up against her aunt's side.
They hadn't gotten very far into the movie, and Bridget could already see that her niece was paying close attention.
"Is that the kind of shop where you got the candy?" The young girl asked Franky.
"Yeah, it was kind of like that." The brunette smiled, seeing Emily's excitement.
"Can we go someday?" She looked at Franky with hope.
"Yeah, sure." She gave a small laugh.
They continued watching the movie, with Emily getting excited to see the parts she recognized from the book.
Bridget smiled to herself. During a couple of the songs, she could hear the brunette humming along softly. Franky really was like a big kid, and she couldn't wait until they added to their family.