6 weeks later
Bridget and Franky are back at the clinic for egg retrieval. Franky appears to be fearless and confident most of the time, but this time, she's feeling terrified. But even though she's terrified, she didn't want Bridget to see it. Franky knows Bridget would be even more terrified than she is.
"Change into this, and lie down there, the doctor will give you a jab of anaesthesia." The nurse handed Franky a patient gown. The nurse left the room so that Franky could change into the gown.
"I know you're terrified, baby. But you're gonna do great." Bridget hugs Franky so tightly they could feel each other's heartbeats.
"I know, Gidget. Because you're here."
After Franky is done changing her gown, the doctor came in and instructed Franky to lie on the bed while he prepares the dose of anaesthesia. Bridget sits right next to Franky and hold her hands. She gives Franky a comforting smile and few minutes later, Franky was injected with anaesthesia. It took effect fairly quickly, and Franky was deep sleep.
About 15 minutes later when the egg retrieval is done, Franky is transferred to a recovery area where she sleeps until the anesthesia wears off. Bridget was with her throughout the whole process and kept on holding her hand tight.
When the anesthesia in Franky's body is finally wearing off, the younger woman open her eyes to find her lover dozing off next to her by the bed. She smiles, and then softly caress her cheeks.
As much as Franky loves to watch Bridget sleep, she's excited about the egg retrieval process she did 15 minutes ago. Franky softly tap Bridget on her shoulder, "Gidget?"
"Baby? How do you feel?" Bridget jerks awake, and immediately inspects Franky.
"I'm fine, babes. How did it go?"
"I don't know, the doctor said she'll talk to us when you wake up. I'll go get her." Bridget left to get the doctor, but not forgetting a forehead kiss.
The doctor sits next to Franky with papers on her hand, "the egg retrieval process went great. We retrieved about 16 eggs. We'll send them to the lab and have them fertilized with a donor sperm. The embryos will be cultured in the lab in about two to six days. We'll inform you when the embryos are ready for transfer. Meanwhile, you'll experience nausea and you will most probably feel bloated. If they don't go away in a week's time, come back here so we can prescribe you medications. I'll see you soon." The doctor gave them handshakes and Bridget helped Franky up from the bed slowly.
The older woman helped Franky change back into her clothes and they head home together.
x
"Are you feeling okay?" Bridget asked for the nth time while driving home.
"Just a little tired, focus on the road Gidge. I'm okay." Franky reassures Bridget as she adjusts the seat so that she could lie down fully.
As they reached home, Bridget nudged Franky softly, and the younger woman woke up. Bridget helped Franky into the house slowly as she is still feeling giddiness from the process earlier on.
"Baby, are you hungry?" Bridget lay Franky onto the bed gently.
"Nuh. I wanna rest." Franky pulls the blanket up to her chin.
"Alright, you rest. I'll go finish up my work and I'll make you something to eat. I don't know how, but I'll find a way." Bridget placed a kiss on Franky's forehead.
Bridget has never cooked porridge for anyone in her life.
Franky had told her before that if too much water is added into the pot, the porridge will become soupy. If too little water is added, the porridge will become rice. Bridget once tried to cook an egg but ended up burning it.
Just as Bridget was about to go online for cooking videos, a text came in. What a great timing! Bridget smiled to herself and proceed to call the person who sent her the text.
Franky woke up to the aroma of what seem like fish porridge. She gets up slowly, and walk towards the kitchen. She sees a familiar figure, but not quite sure if it would be okay to walk up to her and have her know that she's living with Bridget.
The pale looking woman stand in the hallway, not quite sure on what to do.
"Doyle?" A familiar voice reached Franky's ears. Her train of thought was broken as she look at the little woman in front of her.
"Hey, Miss B." Franky managed to paint a weak smile on her face.
"I called Vera and asked if she could help me cook some porridge. Since she took care of her mother last time, I figured she might know how." Bridget went over and helped Franky to the table.
"Smells good." Franky said awkwardly as she sat on the
chair at the dining table.
Vera smiles, she had to admit, she quite miss Franky. Though Franky gave her nothing but trouble, she also helped Vera a lot when she went back to Wentworth the second time.
"You don't have to be so awkward. It's fine. Your parole period is over, you're officially a free woman. So you can do whatever you want except for breaking the law." Vera said seriously, and then after looking at Franky's stunned face, she broke into laughter.
"Haven't lost your sense of humor, Miss Bennett." Franky laughed, finally relaxing.
The women sit at the dining table with the porridge that Vera cooked. Franky cannot be more grateful, she knows the governor probably had a long day yet she still is willing to help Bridget out.
"Thanks, Miss B."
"You're welcome. Happy to help." Vera's turn to be awkward. She's not used to Franky being so polite, but can't deny that Franky has changed a lot since being released, of course, for the better. Apart from the time where Vera agreed to drop the charge against Franky, she has never thanked Vera again.
After a few minutes of silence, Vera decided to break it, "Bridget, have you considered coming back to Wentworth? I mean, after you give birth, of course."
Franky stopped whatever she was doing, put down her drink, dropped her spoon, "Nuh uh, no fucking way."
"Franky." Bridget eyed Franky, and shook her head.
"Since Bridget left we don't have a psychologist. I'm worried for the women's mental health. So far she's the only psychologist that the women trust and open up to." Vera tried using the most convincing tone she could use, but Franky won't budge.
"No fucking way. Not happening. Gidget is not going back to that shithole."
Bridget holds Franky's hand. "I'll think about it, Vera."
"Thank you."
Franky removes her hand from Bridget's and ate her dinner in silence. Though they were not comfortable with it, they decided not to say anything to trigger the already angry and weak Franky.
After Vera left, Franky look at Bridget with wide eyes. "You're seriously not going back to that fucked up place, Gidge."
"I said I'll think about it."
"Don't even think about it. You know how messed up that place is. Don't you remember how you always came home with those tired eyes and drank two to three full glasses of wine, telling me how tiring it was?"
Bridget sighs, and settle herself down on the couch with her head resting on the removable head rest. "The women needs me, Franky. It's not just about me."
"It is about ya. Wentworth is fucking far, what if our kid needs you or I need you? How long are you fucking gonna take to come back? No way Bridget. You're not going back. Tell Vera." Franky takes Bridget's phone and wave it in front of her.
The older woman dare not not call Vera. Because Franky had just called her by her name. And this means Franky is not joking.
What Franky said was true, Bridget has never put herself before others. She help the women, listen to them but when it comes to herself, Bridget never talk to anyone about her problems, not even Franky. Maybe sometimes she did, but she doesn't tell Franky everything. Bridget probably put the world before herself and Franky hated that. Her lovely Gidget deserves all the attention in the world and if Franky had that, she'd give it to Bridget.
After making sure Bridget had turned down Vera's offer, Franky returns to the bedroom to rest as she was getting tired. Bridget knew that Franky is probably gonna be right about all those things she said, so she didn't try to fight back.