"C'mon, Franky… When are you going to hold Daniel?" Bridget was breastfeeding Daniel while Franky just sat next to Bridget and looking at Daniel.
"You're feeding him, I can't hold him." Franky shrugged.
"We brought Daniel home three days ago. And whenever I tell you to hold him, you keep giving me excuses. I'm not his only mother, Franky…" Daniel was off the incubator a week after he was born premature. And another two weeks later they were told they can bring Daniel home as he is totally healthy and is growing up well.
Even though Franky didn't say it in words why she wouldn't hold Daniel, Bridget figured. Franky was still feeling guilty and terrible that she almost killed Daniel. She felt that she didn't deserve to hold Daniel.
"He seems to like you more." Franky touched Daniel's soft baby cheeks.
"You haven't even hold him! He's been looking at you since the day we brought him home. He seems to want you to carry him." Bridget put Daniel aside while she put on her baggy t-shirt.
Bridget looked at Franky firmly, determined to make Franky hold Daniel today. While Franky was the reason why Daniel was born premature, she was also the reason why Daniel is in Bridget's arms today. If it wasn't for Franky, Daniel wouldn't exist. "Look, are you going to hold him or not, Francesca Doyle?" Bridget used her last resort, calling Franky by her real full name.
"Woah, don't call me that, Gidget. It scares me." Franky's eyes widened, but soften almost immediately.
Bridget cocked an eyebrow and Franky gave in. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in and nodded her head, "Just teach me how to carry him." Bridget instructed Franky to stand up and mirror her position.
"Make sure you hold and support his neck; your other hand should support his bottom." After Bridget made sure that Franky is holding Daniel properly and stably, she slowly slipped her arms away from under and let Franky fully support their little baby. Franky first broke out into a wide smile, and then tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"Hey… Baby, you okay?" Bridget wiped away Franky's tears with her thumb and then looked at little Daniel who was all smiles. Bridget started to realise just how perfect and beautiful Daniel was.
Daniel was born with a head full of blonde hair, which they think he got from Bridget, Franky's emerald eyes and olive skin complexion. He's gonna be a heart breaker!
"Yeah, I'm alright… Just emotional. He's really perfect, Gidget." Franky laughed and decided it's time for her to cook dinner as they're going to take a stroll at the park later. They put Daniel back into the baby cot and quickly prepared the ingredients.
The weather was just right, not too hot but it's not too cold either. Bridget's body was still adjusting after giving birth, so Franky got Bridget her favourite jacket and Franky love the weather so she was out in a tank top and denim shorts. Franky was pushing the baby pram while Bridget sipped on a cup of hot chocolate.
The park was full of people. Kids, old people, bunch of youngsters scattered around and families but thankfully they found an empty bench and sat there with the baby pram in front of them.
"Want some hot chocolate?" Bridget asked, stretching the cup towards Franky.
"Nuh. You drink." Franky pushed Bridget's hand back.
Franky looked at the sky, and then at Bridget. It was as if the older woman could see through Franky's mind. Bridget put down her cup of hot chocolate and wrapped Franky around her shoulders. "It's overwhelming, I know. But you can talk to me."
Franky let out a laugh, she looked at Daniel again, he was looking back at Franky. "When I finally got out of the house, I always told myself I wouldn't want to have kids of my own. I'm afraid I would mistreat 'em like how my mom did with me. But then here I am... Sitting here with the love of my life and my own boy."
"That's the power of love."
"I'm gonna miss one thing about little Daniel when he's all grown up." Franky said while picking up Daniel from the pram. "Looking at him through the rearview mirror while I'm driving and seeing his head slumped forward uncomfortably while he is sleeping."
The both of them threw their heads back and laughed so loudly several heads turned to look at them. They looked at Daniel, who was looking back at them peacefully. Bridget and Franky were told that it's a good sign if he looks peaceful. Because he's still too young to display any positive emotions.
"Is that your baby?" A mother with a pram asked as she saw Daniel.
"Yeah. His name is Daniel." Bridget answered, just happy to talk to mothers as she could relate to them now. However Franky looked at her with warily.
"He's really beautiful! My daughter's Lola. She's two months old. How about Daniel?" Bridget gave her some space and could tell that Franky didn't like it.
"He's a month old. Lola's very pretty too." Bridget smiled and offered a handshake, "I'm Bridget. This is my partner, Franky."
"I'm Carol. It's nice meeting you." Carol read the time on her watch, "I got to go, left Lola's milk bottle at home and she's getting grumpy. I'll see you both around?"
"Yeah, of course. Nice meeting you." Bridget gave Carol a hug while Franky only smiled.
After Carol left, Bridget looked at Franky with knowing eyes. It's been a long time since Franky got out of prison and officially off the parole but she still couldn't trust people. She'd always look at people as a potential threat, as if they were gonna hurt her or they're someone sent by her enemy to kill her. Even though sometimes it could be frustrating, Bridget understood Franky and often tried to talk her out of it. Franky just have to get out of her own shell and let her guards down.
As the sun set, it was getting chilly. Franky suggested to head home so that they lessen the chance of Bridget and Daniel catching a cold.
"Was he difficult to put to sleep?" Bridget asked while Franky got into bed. The younger woman got into her big spoon position and embraced Bridget from the back.
"Yeah, he won't sleep. I sang him a lullaby." Franky pressed a kiss onto Bridget's neck.
After a few moments of silence, Bridget spoke, "I love you, Franky."
"I love you too, Gidge. Goodnight."
The next day, Franky and Bridget visited Alan and Tess. They promised little Tess that they would visit someday next week but she was whining and wanted them to visit as soon as they can so she wouldn't have to wait until next week. Since Franky and Bridget have nothing on their list the next day, they figured they might as well visit them.
"Hey, ya little cutie!" Franky said as she picked up her little sister Tess and into her arms.
"Franky! I missed you." Tess placed a kiss on Franky's cheeks and the older sister couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. It's been ages since they met each other and they missed each other dearly.
"Dad," Franky hugged Alan after she put Tess down.
"Someone's not missing me..." Bridget squat down next to Tess who was still holding on to Franky's hand. Little Tess finally turned to look at Bridget and let go of Franky's hand.
"I missed you too, Gidget, so much!" Tess jumped into Bridget's embrace, causing the both of them to fall onto the floor. They sat on the ground for a little while, tickling each other before Franky finally stopped them and helped them up.
Alan continued to cook what he was cooking before Bridget, Franky and Daniel arrived. Franky, Bridget and Tess played with Daniel in Tess' playroom. "Can I give Daniel this to play?" Tess held a little bounce ball up.
"Oh no... Daniel's too little to play with this. Why don't you give him that?" Bridget pointed at the elephant plush sitting at the corner of Tess' room.
Tess nodded and ran to get the elephant plush before she ran back to Daniel. "Here, little Daniel..."
Tess insisted that Franky and Bridget read her and Daniel stories, Tess on Bridget's laps while Franky held Daniel. They were halfway through the storybook when Alan called for them from the dining area.
"Aww... We're only halfway through, dad!" Tess whined and they could hear footsteps approaching.
"C'mon Tess, I have your favourite chicken pot pie." Tess grabbed Bridget's hands and pulled her to the dining area upon hearing there's chicken pot pie. "Quick, Gidget!"
They finished lunch within half an hour and Bridget had to breastfeed Daniel. Franky let Bridget feed Daniel quietly while she played with Tess in her playroom again, continuing the half read story before lunch.
Another fifteen minutes, Bridget was done feeding Daniel. They had to leave earlier than expected because Franky planned to go to Wentworth to visit Boomer. She had to go grab some stuff for her Boomer so that she wouldn't complain Franky didn't bring her anything good.
"Tess, I promise, we'll visit you soon. Real soon." Tess was holding on to the hem of Franky's sweater.
"You promise?"
"Yes. When did I ever lie to you?" Franky placed a kiss on Tess' forehead and the little girl finally let go.
"Take care, dad. I'll come by soon." Franky hugged her dad.
"Take care Alan. I'll see you soon, buttercup." Bridget tapped the tip of Tess' nose and placed a kiss on her soft cheeks.
"Bye Gidget! Bye Franky! Bye Daniel!" Tess waved at them until they got out of her sight.
Franky pulled up at the parking lot of Wentworth. She took a deep breath before gathering the stuff that she brought.
"You sure you can go in alone? Do you want me to go with you?" Bridget brushed Franky's hair as she said.
"Gidge, there's something I wanna talk to you about." Franky took another deep breath, "I want Booms to be Daniel's godmother."
"Why the sudden decision?" Bridget was definitely caught off guards. She hadn't thought about having a godmother for Daniel.
"I've been thinking about it for awhile. I just don't know how to tell you. Look, Gidge, Booms loved me. She always put me before her and she'd do anything for me. She gave me so much yet I gave her nothing. I really want her to be Daniel's godmother. Booms would love him as much as we love him. She loves kids and she wants to be a mother. She'd shower him with love when she gets out."
Bridget thought for awhile, and if that is what Franky really wants, then Bridget would agree to it. Besides, she saw how much Boomer means to Franky and vice versa. "Okay." Bridget smiled, and Franky placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Once Franky got her visitor's pass, she searched for her doofus. Just one glance, and Franky spot her. She walked up to her and did a headlock to her, catching her in surprise. "What the fuck?!"
"Oi, Jenkins." Will called out, and Boomer cursed under her breath.
"Fuck! Franks!" Boomer gave Franky a bone crashing hug as she lifted her up.
"How are ya?" Franky asked as they both sat down.
"Well, bad?"
"I should've known. Hey, did you get the letters that I sent you?" Franky had been sending Boomer pictures of Daniel from the picture of Bridget's ultrasound to his recent pictures. Franky made sure Boomer get to see Daniel's growth.
"I did. Daniel's really good looking, Franks! How good will it be if I could be his godmother, eh?"
"Well, you guessed it." Franky tapped Boomer on her arm.
"What? You're letting me be Daniel's godmother? Are you serious?"
"Yeah, doofus!"
"That's freaking awesome!" Boomer stood up and looked around before shouting, "I'M A GODMOTHER, BITCHES!"
"Jenkins, keep it down!" Will shouted again and Boomer sat back down.
"When he's older and more mature, I'll bring him in, eh?" Franky ruffled Boomer's hair, "I brought you your favourite biscuits. They're being processed. Let me know when you run out, I'll get you more. Do your time here and don't get into any fights, yeah?"
"Yeah, yeah. Prison's boring without you anyway." They threw their heads back and laughed. They continued to talk until visitation hours are over and Will was kind enough to give them a few more minutes.
