She opened the door and was greeted by her mother. "Hi, Mom." Said Bianca walking in to the house and putting her coat in the closet.
"Bianca, honey, there's something we need to talk about, something I found out about Frankie."
"Mom, I don't want to hear about it, why don't we go to BJ's and get something to eat, I'm starving."
"Bianca, I didn't want to be the one to tell you this but Frankie is a drug user."
Bianca turned around and faced her mother, if this didn't stop soon it would develop into a full-fledged war and then they would both say things that might not be able to be taken back...ever.
"Well, you're not the one to tell me, Frankie told me a couple of months ago, and she's in recovery, she hasn't used for a long time. I thought you would be one to appreciate that. I'm going to go in the kitchen and make myself a sandwich."
"Her Aunt is Vanessa Cortlandt, can't you see Vanessa and Frankie are just using you to get to me?"
"Mom, no I don't see it. You're just seeing what you want to, not what's really there. I know Frankie and I love her and she wouldn't do anything to hurt me, I know that and that's all that matters. So do you want to go out to dinner or not?"
"Chris should be here any minute, why don't we all three go out and have dinner together?"
"I think I'll stay home tonight. Goodnight, Mom," said Bianca going up to her room. She sat on her bed, Frankie would never hurt her. Ever.
Laura sat her backpack down and fell back on her and Leo's bed, he would be back soon, after she discredited Bianca with the nest egg of pictures she was gathering, Bianca needed to learn when to keep her mouth shut and she had to pay, end of story. Her watch started beeping and Laura sighed. Brooke had insisted on programming the times Laura needed to take her meds into this digital watch so she wouldn't forget. She wasn't seven years old, after all, she was a married woman with a husband who loved her more than anything and that's how it would be....well until either her or Leo died and that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Laura obediently downed the pills and smiled. Yes...life was good.
It's Christmas Eve and my last one here in Pine Valley, I'm leaving, for good. I just hope I'll have the guts to face Bianca tonight, she's going to hate me, I know she will, but it's better this way, I can't ruin her, maybe it's for selfish reasons, I wouldn't be able to live with the kind of hate this tabloid story would make her feel for me so I choose option number two. I used my minimum lock-picking skills to break into Donald Steel's office and I stole every picture, video and trace that he was ever doing a story on us and I burned it, maybe he'll count his losses and leave Bianca alone, forever. My bags are packed and hidden under my bed. I'm leaving as soon as Bianca leaves tonight and I'll never see her again. I'm not sure I can do it, I'm not sure I can leave the only person I've ever loved, whose ever loved me.
Bianca leaned in and melted into Frankie's embrace. No matter how many times they kissed or touched it still sent shivers through her body. She wove her hand through Frankie's hair pulling her closer, it was amazing how close she could feel to this one person.
After they kissed Frankie led Bianca into her room and they sat down on the bed together.
"I have a present for you," said Frankie pulling out a wrapped box. "I want you to wait and open it tomorrow."
"You didn't have to get me anything. Just having you here is enough, knowing how much you love me, that's the only thing I could ever ask for, that's the greatest gift of all," said Bianca kissing Frankie's hand.
"Remember that I love more than anything, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I want you to know that you have changed my life and my soul and I will always love you."
"Is everything okay? You're talking to me like your going somewhere, you're not are you?"
"How could I leave the best thing that has ever happened to me?"
Laura plastered on a fake smile as Jamie opened another present. This was so stupid, what did she care what new video game he got? She should be home planing Bianca and Greenlee's ruins. She had a few ideas at how to get back at that seductress who kept manipulating Leo into staying away from his wife.
"Laura, aren't you going to open your present?" asked Jamie handing it to her.
Laura smiled and took the gift, unwrapping it. She opened it up to see a floral print scarf. "Thanks, Jamie," she said barely holding back her impatience, she needed to be home.
Bianca and Frankie layed side by side on her bed, and Frankie realized she would never hold Bianca in her arms, she would never kiss her, never love her, she'd be alone....again. Bianca had given her a promise ring for Christmas and Frankie could feel it burning on her finger, as if it was calling her a liar, a deceiver, a fake, but one thing that wasn't fake was her love for this amazing brown-eyed beauty laying next to her.
Bianca looked at her watch and sat up. "I have to go, Mom wants me to go to dinner with her and Chris. Are you sure you don't want to come?"
"Positive, go spend Christmas Eve with your Mother, I'll see you later."
Bianca kissed her on her lips, grabbed her present and went towards the door.
"Bianca?"
"Yes?" asked Bianca turning around.
"I love you."
Bianca smiled and her face light up like it did every time she heard those words. "I love you too," said Bianca and with that she was out the door.
Frankie buried her head in the pillow and cried with an anguish she didn't know she was capable of. After a while she reminded herself that there were other things to do. She wiped her eyes and her runny nose and leaving a quick thank you note to Opal, she grabbed her ragged backpack and left without looking back.