Family Matters
By Jaye Reid
Written: 11 – 13/12/1999
Disclaimer: Oh Hal. I hate to tell you, but Frank and Rachel seem to be having a good time with me… At least I got them together in *my* series… More than you ever did for them… Look how you treated them. I don't think they want to go home. Even if you do still own them!
Authors notes
This story is a gentle meander through another part of Frank and Rachel's life.
Thank you again to Esme for her beta reading and discussions at 2am… and to Sonia for being a wonderful sounding board.
~*~*~*~
The late afternoon breeze danced with the hem of her dress around her ankles. The sand still warm from the day long sun under her barefeet.
Not a sensible shoe in sight.
Her tailored suits had long since been packed away. Maybe one day… she had thought, but not for awhile. And now, her standard jeans and T-shirt had been replaced by a long, sleeveless dress that Rachel wondered whether she would ever wear again.
Helen convinced her to buy it.
Helen.
Yes Helen was also the reason she was carrying a damn bunch of flowers too. No, not a bunch.. what did they call it… yes, a *posy*. She didn't want flowers. She didn't want fuss. But Helen said that every bride should have flowers… so needless to say she had flowers!
She wandered along the short piece of sand from the office to where everyone was gathered. Rachel looked at her first born and smiled. He was proudly holding her hand.
"So, David," she whispered, "do I look okay or what? I don't look stupid in this damn dress do I?"
'Nah… you look good Mum," he replied. "Don't really remember you wearin' dresses much though."
"Probably because I don't," she smiled.
"So this is pretty important to you then isn't it," he asked. "I mean you don't wear dresses for just anyone. And you are for Frank?"
"You don't miss much do you," she grinned. "Yep, well I love him I guess."
It sounded strange saying it out loud.
"Yeah… I know you do," he replied. "You have for a long time… But he better look after you and the kids or he will have me to answer to."
Rachel laughed softly at the seriousness of his words, and squeezed his hand.
"We'll be fine, don't you worry."
So it was a simple civil ceremony on the sand. Well they were Water Police so on the beach seemed a natural choice. It also meant that anyone who was technically on duty could wander down and still be in shouting distance if any emergency cropped up.
And as they promised to be there for one another for the rest of their lives, Rachel pondered if forever really was going to be forever this time.
She hoped it would be.
David kept an eye on his young siblings. They played happily in the sand. Rachel had convinced Frank that they should wait until the kids were just a little older before doing this.
She wasn't in a hurry.
Rachel glanced across at her babies playing in the sand. They were eighteen months and six months respectively. The elder toddling around, the younger sitting up and happily pushing damp sand between their fingers.
God how did this happen, she thought.
Not much more than two years before… hell, her and Frank Holloway?
She would have hit the first person to suggest it. And now… now they had kids and she was marrying him.
~*~*~*~
The party back at their new house was one that would be remembered for awhile. By the neighbours anyway.
They had to move. Rachel's place was barely big enough for them after Sam was born. So they took the plunge and bought a house together. It needed some work, but they figured 'what the hell', plenty of time to work on it. They'd be there for the rest of their lives. It would take them that long to pay for it!
The party spilt into the backyard and the music was turned up another decibel.
"The neighbours are gonna call the Cops about the noise for sure," Rachel said to Frank with a grin. They hadn't really spoken since arriving back at the house and now only seemed to be passing between the noisy crowd and the kitchen.
"Yeah, that'll be interesting. Shit, it isn't as if we didn't warn them," he replied.
"But Frank, that was the *immediate* neighbours. I'm talkin' 'bout the ones down the street," she laughed.
"Oh well… you get that. Hey, havin' a good time?" he asked cheerily.
Rachel wondered just how much he'd had to drink.
"Oh yeah, but remember Francis, I'm not giving you *any* sympathy in the morning for your sore head."
"What me? I've barely had anythin' to drink. I'm rather disappointed in myself actually," he replied.
Rachel gave him a disbelieving look.
"Nah honest," he said seeing her expression.
He grabbled her around the waist, pulled her close and kissed her madly.
"I've got plans for later you see and I am just drunk on love," he grinned.
"Ah shit Frank, now I think I'm gonna throw up!" she laughed.
"Hell don't do that," he laughed back, "people will think that you are pregnant again!"
"Oh God, DON'T even go there," she replied. "No… not doin' that ever again. Not after the last time."
"So," he said as they walked to the doorway, his arm still around her waist, "we got any gate crashers?"
Rachel looked around at all the people in the backyard. "Nah I think we're right. God who would be stupid enough to crash a party of Coppers? Although it is interesting to see who seems to be socialising with whom."
Frank followed her gaze.
"Yeah, well I don't think Gav. and Tayler will be far from taking the plunge themselves by the look of them," offered Frank. "Things have obviously got serious since she went to Pol-air. Don't know what dear Aunty Helen thinks of that one?"
"Nah, she's okay with it now," replied Rachel. "But umm, good ol' Jack seems to be pretty friendly with Alex. over there. Are they…?"
"Dunno," replied Frank. "She's an okay sort, good Detective. Not as good as *you* of course."
"Glad you clarified that," Rachel chipped in with a grin.
"Yeah, but I dunno, I think Jack is dreamin' a bit. But ya never know, look where dreamin' got me," replied Frank.
Rachel rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"You're hopeless Holloway," she laughed.
"So are you Holloway!" he replied.
"Oh… hmm… two Holloway's? I think I will stick to Goldstein… for the job anyway." she replied.
"Why?" he asked sounding almost offended.
"Shit Frank, don't you think *one* Holloway in the force is enough for them if I go back? My rep. is as 'Goldstein' and it's a good one. Go changin' it to Holloway and hell, they'd take on look at your runsheet and think I was you. No thanks!"
Frank broke into a grin. "Hmm, you could be right there. But when you go back… not if."
"Yeah, but Alex has fitted into my job really well hasn't she? I mean, I really like her. I don't want to go displacing her. Anyway it's a couple of years before my extended leave comes up for discussion. See what happens."
"Yeah, well," said Frank, "maybe Jack might leave and then Mick and I can work with you and Alex…"
"Oh you'd love that wouldn't you," she laughed. "But Jeff wouldn't be too keen on us working together. I'd probably end up with Mick."
"Speaking of Mick," said Frank, "I saw him earlier…"
Rachel looked around.
"Ah, there he is. Hmm, looks like he's getting friendly with young Constable Janevski," she grinned.
"What Donna? Where?" he asked looking around the backyard.
"See, down the back near the Camellia tree?" she replied.
"The what tree?"
"Gees Frank… umm the big green one with all the pink flowers on it!"
"Ah… that one… Yeah what's Mick think he's up to? Donna's way to young for him. She's a good kid, she's done a great job on the desk for the past twelve months or so since Tayler left. I think I might have to go and rescue her," said Frank heading out the doorway.
Rachel grabbed him and pulled him back.
"You'll do nothing of the sort Francis James Holloway," she said scolding him like a child, "You just leave them alone. She doesn't look like she *wants* rescuing."
"But she's a uniform and he's a 'D'. It won't work," he complained.
"Hey, no one thought that *we* would either, so give 'em a break. Go do something useful and bring the kids inside. They should be in bed."
"Yes madam," he said saluting and then had to dodge a playful swing from her.
~*~*~*~
The kids were with Gavin and Tayler in the backyard.
"Getting' in some early practice?" asked Frank as he approached them.
Gavin gave him a Cheshire cat-like grin and Tayler went a shade of crimson. She glanced over at Helen, and judging by the grin of her Aunt's face, Helen had heard the comment too."
"Umm… ah… they're great kids," offered Tayler.
"Yeah, we wouldn't mind babysitting if you guys ever want the night off. Would we Tayler?" replied Gavin.
"Yeah, anytime," she smiled.
"Well their Mother has spoken, she wants Daniel and Gabrielle in bed," said Frank.
"I'm just glad they aren't identical," said Gavin, "Because I'm bloody hopeless, I wouldn't know which was which."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Frank replied.
"Yeah well Frank," said Tayler putting a friendly arm around his shoulder, "one's a boy and one's a girl. And I don't even think *you* could mess that up!"
"Smart arse now are we?" Frank grinned at Tayler. "Look at the bad manners they've taught you over at Pol-air."
"You're not telling me anything I don't already know," Gavin chipped in.
"Well come on, hand 'em over mate," said Frank to Gavin. The twins had been balanced on a knee each. "Sam too actually if I can find him. He's a quick little bugger."
Frank looked around and spotted David playing with Sam.
"Hey David mate, wanta bring Sam inside for me? Bedtime."
"Yeah sure," he called back, taking the toddler by the hand and leading him inside.
If the shock of finding out that Rachel was pregnant again wasn't enough, the day at the Ultrasound with their old buddy 'Peta' to find they were expecting twins nearly killed him. What was it that Rachel had said about them breedin' like rabbits?
Frank had made it inside and his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. He was surprised he had heard it above the noise. No-one else had.
"I'll get it," he called to no-one in particular.
Juggling two squirming babies he managed to get the door open.
He was not surprised to find two uniformed Officers on the other side. It *was* a Coppers party, but he doubted they were there to celebrate with them.
"Good evening," said one. "Are you the owner of the residence?"
Frank looked at their name badges.
"Constables Macpherson and Croft, please… come in," said Frank in a nice and friendly tone."
They stepped inside cautiously.
Constable Croft spoke.
"I assume you know why we are here?" he asked.
"Ah… the noise level perhaps," offered Frank innocently.
"Having a bit of a party are we?" Stated the other one.
Frank gave him a stupid look.
"Mind if we have a wander around?" the Officer continued. "I am hoping we don't find anything that we shouldn't."
"Hell like what?" Frank asked, almost dumbfounded.
Frank followed them into the backyard.
The whole party had moved out there and everyone stopped what they were doing when they saw the Uniforms.
"Hey this was meant to be casual," said Rachel walking up to Frank and taking Daniel from Frank's arms.
"Nah Rachel, they're here about the noise," said Frank. "And they are worried that we might have *illegal* substances at this little shin-dig of ours."
Rachel laughed. "Yeah? Really?"
"And you are?" asked the Constable Croft.
"Ah," said Rachel with a smile. "You want some ID? Frank, he wants ID."
"Yeah, I suppose we could do that," he replied. "I'm supposin' you want to know who all our guests are too?"
"Yeah, that would be nice," the same Constable replied.
"Hey everyone," Rachel called with a grin, "these guys want ID. You got any on you?"
The young Constables were wondering why everyone thought their request was so funny. That was until they were virtually blinded by the reflection of so many Police badges as they hit the lights strung up around the garden.
The Constables looked at each other and then back to a grinning Frank.
"Oh, I'd get mine too but I've got my hands full as you can see… Detective Senior Constable Frank Holloway though.. and my *wife* Rachel… she's a 'D' too."
"Ah… but on leave at the moment," she replied in her sweetest tone. It was the one she saved for situations when she felt like being sarcastic but wanted to leave the recipient not really sure if she was being genuine or not. She actually felt sorry for these two young Constables now. Rachel could see that they just really wanted to get out of there. But it wasn't over.
"Do we have a problem here?" asked Jeff walking up to them.
"Ah you're a Detective too?" asked Constable Macpherson.
"No, I'm not," replied Jeff.
The Constables relief at this information was short-lived. Jeff pulled out *his* ID.
"Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker, Sydney Water Police."
The Constables nearly fainted.
"Ah sorry Sir, just… just…"
"Doing your job?" queried Frank.
"Ah yeah," said the other one.
"Fine well off you go then," said Jeff.
"Yeah, we'll turn it down a bit," said Rachel. "The kids are going to bed now anyway."
"Ah yes, that would be… ah fine," said Croft.
"Thank you for your cooperation," said Macpherson. And they quickly made their exit.
Rachel looked at Frank and burst out laughing after they left.
"Shit, I'd love to see a copy of the report they do on *this* call out," she laughed.
"Yeah, hell we've only been here a couple of weeks and we're already gonna have a reputation with the local blokes," said Frank.
"Hey Mum, that was classic," said David wandering up to Rachel with Sam in tow.
"Yeah, just don't tell your Father," said Rachel.
"Gees Mum, as if I would," David replied.
"Hey mate, do you want to give me a hand gettin' these young ones to bed?" said Frank, taking Daniel back from Rachel.
"Yeah sure. You couldn't manage by yourself anyway," David grinned.
"Hey… not nice mate!" protested Frank.
"Yeah," laughed Rachel, "true… but not nice."
She planted a kiss on her eldest forehead.
"Thanks Davy."
"Nah, that's cool Mum. They're great fun. Come on Sam. Let's go inside with your Daddy."
Rachel smiled as she stood there with Jeff, watching them go inside.
"Things are pretty good then Rachel?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah they are," she replied, "They couldn't *be* better."
~*~*~*~
"Ah Frank, these kids are putrid," said David.
"Bath?"
"Yeah I reckon," laughed David. "Mum would go spare if we put 'em to bed like this."
Frank laughed back as he sat the twins on the floor of their room and ruffled his hands through his daughters curls; sending sand all over the floor.
"Shit I reckon they must have collected half of the sand from that bit of the beach!"
"I'll run the bath," offered David, leaving the kids with Frank in the twins room.
"We'll dump all the little buggers in together," called Frank as he started to strip their clothes off. Dumping more sand on the floor with each child and each layer.
"Good idea," David called back.
Frank smiled. David was turning out to be a responsible young bloke. He was so much like his Mother. Living with his Father hadn't spoilt him. He had a sneaking suspicion however, that the grubby trio in front of him were going to be real Holloway's. And he knew that his and Rachel's lives certainly weren't going to be boring. Sam was already a mischievous little bugger and he was sure to teach his sister and brother all his tricks and then some.
"Bath ready for my three Musketeers," said David appearing in the doorway. "Hell, you've got enough sand to start a sandpit there Frank."
"Yeah, do you think they are giving me the hint they want one?" asked Frank picking the twins up from the floor.
"Looks like it," replied David. "Come on Sam., bathtime."
~*~*~
They put them in the bath and sat back to let them play for a few minutes before the serious task of getting them clean.
"So, you like being a big brother?" Frank asked. They hadn't really talked, man to man, about how he felt about the kids. David had gone from having all his Mothers attention to having to share it with three more kids plus Frank.
"Yeah, I love it," he grinned. "I hated being alone, you and Mum took your time about it though. You could have done this years ago."
"Years ago?" queried Frank. "We weren't together years ago?"
"But I don't remember a time when you *weren't* there with Mum. I remember dinners, Birthday parties. You were there. There was a time when I thought you guys would never get it together. I used to wonder what the problem was with you and Mum. I knew she wasn't seeing anyone else and hell, you spent too much time with us for you to have anyone else."
"You were always an observant little bugger weren't you," said Frank. "Why didn't we have this chat years ago then?"
"Ah I guess you and Mum were too busy trying to figure out what it was you two were doing," he replied.
"Well, I'm glad you like spending time with us," said Frank. "I know your Mum likes having you around so much these days."
"Dad doesn't seem to care as much these days, so that makes it easier. I wish I could spend more time here actually," David replied.
"Yeah, well you can come and visit anytime you want. The door is always open for you David, you know that."
"It's a pity the house isn't a room bigger," said David as he tipped water over his siblings heads to wash the sand out of their hair.
"Why?" asked Frank reaching for the baby shampoo.
"Well… if it was… there would be room for me to come and live with you guys. I mean the spare room is great for me visiting but there is no way all my stuff would fit in."
Frank sat back for a minute and looked at David, surprised by his comments.
"Hey, hang on a minute Davy," said Frank, "Look your Mum loves ya. Shit… so do I. You couldn't know how many times I've wished that you coulda been mine and not his… but hell, the lifestyle you'd have here wouldn't be what you're used to. Your Father's got the cash to get you everything you want."
"I don't care about that," replied David.
His tone was serious and determined, hell he was like Rachel thought Frank.
"I'm sick of being by myself," David continued, "when I could be with you guys and part of a family. I want to be part of this family."
"But you are," said Frank.
"Full time though," he replied.
"You've really thought about this haven't you?" asked Frank. "Have you said anything to the old man?"
"I've hinted a couple of times. He either doesn't care anymore or doesn't think I'm serious. But I'm old enough to decide for myself. He can't stop me anymore. But I wanted to talk to you first. I reckoned Mum would be cool about it… but I wasn't sure how you would be. I figured that maybe Sam., Daniel and Gabby here were a big enough shock to your system without a noisy teenager too."
"David, mate," Frank replied with a grin, "I told ya, I love you like one of my own. You've always been a great kid. If you want to come and live with us, hell we can make room."
"For my drumkit too?" David laughed.
"Shit… drumkit… god we'll have the uniforms around every second day! Hey, I've got an idea. Might not be a good one. But it is worth the thought. I know it isn't much… but what about the garage? We could fix it up, line the walls, put somethin' down on the floor. There would be heaps of room for you and your mates and your drumkit."
"Gee Frank, you're the greatest Dad," beamed David.
"Nah, hang on… Step – Dad," Frank corrected. "Look you know how I feel about your Father, but that's what he is. And as much I wish you were mine, he's *your* Dad. You have to keep in touch with him if you move in with us."
"Yeah… okay," replied David. "I suppose."
"Nah honest Davy, family are important no matter what they are like. Take my word for it, I'm speaking from experience here," offered Frank.
"Yep, okay. Well come on let's get these guys clean and in bed so I can go and tell Mum."
"Oh yeah, I want to see the look on her face too," laughed Frank.
~*~*~*~
David and Frank headed outside to find Rachel.
"You guys look pretty pleased with yourselves," said Rachel when they found her. She was talking to Helen.
"The Musketeers are all pink and smelling good…."
"And in bed," added Frank.
Helen laughed. "Musketeers? Gee Rachel you should have called them Porthos, Athos and Arimus. And David, I suppose you fancy yourself as D'Artagan?"
Rachel laughed too. "Yeah they're David's Musketeers."
"And I reckon they will probably get themselves into almost as many scrapes too," added Frank.
"So, what are you looking so pleased about Davy?" Rachel asked.
"Well… I've got a wedding present for ya," he grinned mischievously.
"David. Come on, I thought we agreed about this. We told everyone, no presents. That *did* include you."
"Too late. I'm not taking it back," he grinned.
Frank was grinning too. He couldn't help himself and Rachel noticed.
"You know about this?" she asked him.
"Yep, I do now. And you won't want to take it back. I'm sure of that."
"Okay, come on then," she smiled. She could see that she had been defeated on this one.
David walked up and gave her the biggest hug he could manage.
Rachel hugged him tightly too.
"So, you wanted to give me a hug?" she asked smiling as he pulled away.
"Nah… me!"
"Huh… you what?" she asked confused.
Frank walked over and put his arm around Rachel's shoulder. "He wants to come and live with us."
Rachel looked from Frank to David who was nodding and grinning madly.
She could see that they were both serious.
"Oh hell, I think I'm gonna cry," she said.
"Hey don't cry Mum, you never cry," said David giving her another hug.
"Oh once in awhile it happens Davy, but ya know it's important when it happens," said Frank.
~*~*~*~
It was nearly two am when the last of the revellers headed home and Rachel and Frank finally collapsed into bed.
"So… Mrs. Holloway… how was your day?" asked Frank as Rachel leaned her body into his.
"Oh, a bit scary actually," she replied.
"Scary? Why?"
"I'm too bloody happy Frank. I don't think I have *ever* been so damn happy.
I mean I've got four… oh hell that sounds like *so* many…. but yeah *four* fantastic kids, I can't imagine my life before without them."
"You got me now too don't forget," he added.
"Oh yeah… how could I forget you," she laughed playfully. "But according to Davy, I've *always* had you!"
"Yeah, well we had a similar talk tonight too," Frank replied putting his arm around Rachel. "How the hell is it that a kid could see what we couldn't?"
"Ah I don't know Frank… maybe we *did* see it but didn't know what the hell to do about it," she replied.
"Yeah well David's words were something to that effect too," Frank chuckled. "Do you think he will cope? With us lot? Do you think *you* will cope?"
"Me cope, why?" she asked looking up at him.
"Ah you know… his drumkit…"
"Oh yeah… the drumkit…"
"And the mates…"
"Oh well his mates would be good kids…"
"And the girlfriends….."
"WHAT!… girlfriends?" said Rachel sitting up. "What are you talking about? He's too young to have a girlfriend."
"Hey calm down… shit I didn't say he would be bringing one back here already… Just something we will have to deal with one day I guess," laughed Frank.
Rachel put her head back on his shoulder.
"Hell Frank, I'm not old enough to worry about my boy having a girlfriend… Shit I'm not that old am I?"
"Nah… you're not. Hell there are three little monsters sound asleep that should remind you that you have a long way to go before you are old," he replied trying to reassure her.
"You've got far too much energy to be old," he added.
"Have I now?" she replied with a smile. "What about you then?"
"Oh yeah… I've got plenty of energy," he grinned back. "Want me to show you how much?"
"Gees your hopeless Holloway," she said kissing him.
"So are you Holloway."
The End