Writer's note: When my own muse fails me, I just borrow someone else's. g Actually, this is being posted with the gracious permission and encouragement of Missy (luv2write), originator of the saga of Frank and Eva. As you should have guessed, "Frank's Desire" and "Frank's Desire, Part Two" are required reading for this story to make any sense. It takes place after the events of "Frank's Desire, Part Two".
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Finally, there was solid proof the long, dismal Denton winter was at an end. After a couple of weeks during which Mother Nature teased the winter-weary Dentonites with tantalizing hints of spring…weak sunshine, vaguely tolerable temperatures…the sky burst forth with blazing sun, warm breezes wafted throughout the town, and spring emerged in all its magnificence.
Eva knew she should be working on her book – her editor and publisher regularly reminded her of her rapidly looming deadline – but the day was simply too glorious to be spent indoors. Taking full advantage of the flexibility her writing career gave her, she put on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a light sweater, dressed Faye in her most adorable romper outfit, and set out for the nearby park.
As she wheeled Faye down the sidewalk, drinking in the sights and scents of the season, she heard an all-too-familiar voice greet her.
"Eva! Is that you?"
Eva stopped dead. My god, that voice…it just couldn't be who she thought it was. Unfortunately, it could indeed.
She turned around, and found herself face to face with him. John.
Yes, that John. The John she'd fallen for like a ton of bricks at the end of her senior year of college. The John she'd dated for two years, and lived with for another three. The John who had finally, after all that time, asked her to be his wife.
The John who'd slept with her sister at a very fateful costume party.
Although it hadn't seemed possible at the moment she'd looked into the dimly lit bedroom and found the two of them, it turned out he had done her the biggest favor of her life. If he hadn't done something so horrific, she never would have met Frank…her child's father, her ultimate sexual partner, the love of her life.
However, that didn't mean she wanted to talk to the man. She'd never even bothered to confront him about what she'd seen. After leaving Frank, she'd gone straight to her mother's house. The next morning, after she was sure John would be at work, she returned to the apartment, packed her things, and left, leaving behind her engagement ring and a note that said only, "I hope you and my sister will be very happy together." Thus ended five years of her life.
But now he was standing before her. He looked down at Faye, and for a brief moment a flicker of surprise crossed his face. However, his expression quickly changed to a rather forced smile.
"Is that your daughter? She's gorgeous."
Eva forced a smile in return. "Yes, she's mine. Thank you."
John's eyes went down to her left hand and widened slightly. After Eva's recovery from a near-fatal shooting, Frank had gone out and bought her an absolutely gorgeous diamond solitaire engagement ring, and upgraded their cheap wedding rings to beautiful matching diamond cut gold bands. Her engagement and wedding rings made a stunning combination.
"I didn't realize you'd gotten married, Eva. I suppose congratulations are in order."
Her smile took on a slightly smug overtone. "Yes, they certainly are. I met the perfect man…and I owe it all to you."
He looked confused. "You owe it to me? What do you mean?"
She raised an eyebrow. "You hadn't heard? After I found you with Sarah, I was in one of the empty bedrooms, sobbing. Frank heard me, and came in. Let's just say he made me forget all about you."
His expression went from confusion to shock. "You mean you slept with him? Just like that?"
She looked at him sarcastically. "I'm certainly sorry you disapprove. Unfortunately your brother lives in Chicago, so I couldn't sleep with him."
He winced. "I guess I deserved that. But hey, it was just a one night thing. You didn't even give me a chance to explain."
She stared at him in utter disbelief. "What was there to explain? You, my fiancé, were having sex with my sister – and apparently enjoying it a lot more than you ever seemed to enjoy having sex with me. My sister had always had a crush on you, and she was drunk that night. However, Mr. Designated Driver, you hadn't touched a drop of liquor. What was your excuse?"
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. As he desperately searched for something to say, Eva's cell phone rang. She drew it out of her purse and answered it. A broad smile crossed her face.
"I'm so glad you called. That outdoor café by the river? Perfect. Faye and I will see you in about a half hour."
She hung up the phone and put it back in her purse. "It's been just delightful seeing you, John, but I'm afraid I have to get going. I'm meeting my husband for lunch."
He looked at her unhappily. "Listen, I don't blame you for being angry about what happened, but for what it's worth, I am sorry."
Eva sighed. "I don't quite know how to say this without sounding gratuitously nasty, but I don't care enough to be angry about it. None of it mattered anymore once I met Frank. I can't imagine a better life than the one I have now, and I definitely can't imagine having a happier marriage. If anything, I should thank you." She shrugged. "If it makes you feel any better, I accept your apology."
He nodded slowly. "Thank you." He paused. "I was a damn fool, Eva. I know that now. I didn't realize what I had…what we had."
She got ready to leave. "Well, all I can say is that I hope you learned from what happened." She looked him straight in the eyes. "Good luck, John. I mean that."
He smiled sadly. "Thanks." He watched longingly as Eva departed, wheeling her beautiful daughter in front of her.