Slipping into the house quietly, a few minutes shy of midnight, he made his way through the house in darkness. He had managed to catch an earlier flight instead of waiting until his original landed the next afternoon. The meetings were drudgery and he wanted nothing more than to sleep in his own bed, once again falling asleep with his wife comfortably wrapped in his arms. He made two quick stops at the babies' rooms to check on them and marveled at his precious children. And, to think, there was another on the way to soon join them.
Moving on to the master bedroom he shed his clothes quickly, uncaring of where they landed, he wanted only to be in the haven of his wife's all encompassing love. He slid easily between the sheets without disturbing her and a grin touched his lips when he thought of what a sound sleeper she became when she was pregnant. It had been the same with Ariel. A little devilish and perhaps selfish, he couldn't help but dive under the covers to kiss and caress her swollen belly through her nightgown. He let out a quiet chuckle when baby boy Donovan rewarded him with a firm kick to his nose. Yes, they had found out the gender of the baby. Shay had been determined from the moment she realized she was pregnant that she was carrying his son and she would not be dissuaded. The doctors had merely confirmed what she already knew as gospel.
"Frank," he heard her whisper as she lifted the covers slightly.
"I hope so. Makes me wonder how many men crawl into your bed and kiss your belly," he joked and popped out from under the blanket to lay his head next to hers on her pillow, facing her.
His eyes were adjusted to the darkness and he could see how puffy her eyes were, puffiness from crying. "What's the matter, Ash? What's got you upset?"
"Tell me about Daphne Charles," she whispered, her eyes locked onto his, searching them for any clue as to what that woman had meant to him.
Frank searched his memory. The name was familiar and he sifted through the data bank of his brain until recollection dawned. "She's a CIA operative, love, why do you ask?"
"Is that all she is to you? Nothing more?" she asked, pushing harder for information.
He nodded and wondered why she was asking about a woman long forgotten from his past. "Why do you ask?"
"She's here...came to the nest...Deirdre brought her."
Frank heard the hiccup in her voice and tenderly folded her hand into his. "What did she do, mon cadeau? Why has she got you so upset?"
"She sa-said..." she began as a fresh round of sobs bobbed to the surface and Frank took her tenderly into his arms, rubbing her back for comfort.
"What did she say?"
"That...that you and she are married...and...and...our marriage...." she trailed off, crying unchecked in his arms.
"Married? Wha...I...oh dear God..."
"Is it true?" Shay demanded, lifting her head to watch him closely.
"Not the way you think, baby. I promise, we'll get this all cleared up in the morning." He was thankful she quieted and he spent the remainder of the night holding her, rocking her, and comforting her even while she slept. In her state, to get this worked up, it couldn't be good for either her or the baby. And he had no idea how long she had been worrying about this. He had one big bone to pick with Deirdre...that she would drop this kind of news in Shay's lap while he was not around to take care of her!
*****
Frank entered the nest early the next morning with Shay at his side. The entire team was gathered in the briefing room and they could hear Jake suggesting that Cody do his damnedest to prove those marriage documents were forged. Meanwhile, Alex was to shadow the porcelain goddess and find out just what kind of game she was running. The woman had to be after something and more than just to snag herself a husband.
Frank had to admire Jake's take-charge attitude; he really was coming along as a phenomenal agent. One day Jake would step into the role of SOG command and Frank was sure he would be more than ready. It was, after all, his main goal to mold Jake into an SOG leader.
Frankie was the first to spot the Donovans enter the briefing area. She had tried repeatedly to call Shay the previous night, but she wasn't taking any calls. It had been her intention to go to the house and check on her, but after talking to Cody she had decided it was better to let Shay rest as best she could for the night and bring up the subject of Frank's "other wife" the next day.
"Hey girlfriend," Frankie greeting as she moved from her seat at the table to Shay's side. "How ya holdin' up?"
Shay shrugged and smiled tiredly. "Pretty good. Had an unexpected visitor last night," she joked, squeezing Frank's hand softly, "and he managed to make things better."
"Funny how those husband-type visitors can do just that," Frankie joked and winked at Frank. "Kinda surprised to see you here, BigGuy."
Frank raised a brow. "Why's that?"
"Didn't Shay tell ya, boss?" Cody asked, looking up from his computer.
Shay gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. "Sweet Jesus! I can't believe I forgot...I mean...I..."
Frank put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a gentle hug. "I think you had a little too much on your mind last night, Ash. Don't beat yourself up. Fill me in," he demanded, glancing around the room at his co-workers and friends.
"Deirdre dropped one helluva bomb yesterday," Jake began.
"No shit," Frank commented. "And don't think I won't express my feelings on that matter with her."
"It's worse than you think, Frank," Shay whispered as he ushered her toward a chair to get her off her feet. "They've put you on suspension." She turned to face him, her eyes locking onto his expressing her grief. "I'm sorry...last night...all I could think of was her."
He leaned toward her while easing her down into the chair, his lips next to her ear and whispered softly so that only she could hear, "Whatever happens, whatever the outcome, trust in me. We'll get this worked out and do what we have to. You are my lady..."
Shay nodded slightly and turned her head enough to whisper in return, "You are my man."
"Forever and always." His whisper was barely audible, but she heard it clearly. "No one can change that."
***
to be continued