I left everyone hanging at the end of the last chapter, so I decided to post the finale. Remember, you asked for it:)
Chapter 12
The next morning, Nancy lay in her bed, trying to will her body to get up and face the day. She had slept fitfully, dreaming of fires, Frank, and Mick. "I've put this off long enough," she said, rolling out of bed.
Nancy pulled her hair back out of her face. Looking in the mirror, she wasn't surprised to see dark circles under her eyes. She yawned, knowing she'd have to take a nap later on.
She walked silently down the hallway, past the closed door to the guest room, down the stairs, and went straight into the kitchen, where Bess had just started breakfast.
Bess looked up from the bowl of grapes she was washing, and smiled when she saw Nancy walk in. "Good morning, Nan. How are you feeling?"
Nancy yawned again. "I'm still tired and a little stiff." She stretched her arms, making her back pop.
Bess laughed and tossed her an apron. "Here, help me fix breakfast. No one in this household has eaten properly since you went missing, especially since Hannah's been away for a few days. I'm going to fix that." She opened the refrigerator and pulled out bacon, eggs, and milk. "Luckily, Hannah keeps a well-stocked kitchen."
Nancy grinned. "That she does. So where is everyone?" she asked as she heated a skillet for the bacon.
"Still asleep, probably. Joe and Frank are in the guest room. George is on the floor in the family room, and Mick is on the floor in the dining room." Bess began cracking eggs into a bowl. "Everyone crashed shortly after we got back."
Nancy pulled some bread out of the pantry, preparing to make toast. "I really need to talk to Frank. I hope Joe gets up soon." No matter how calm and gracious Frank had been last night, she knew that every moment they went without talking was probably only hurting him further.
At that moment, Joe walked through the door, dramatically sniffing the air. "Wow!" He stood directly behind Bess and watched her beat the eggs. "Something smells wonderful!" He reached around her towards the bowl with grapes.
Bess slapped his hand playfully. "You have to wait for everyone else!" She laughed as Joe gave her puppy dog eyes.
"You are so bad." She held up a large red grape. "First, tell me how much you love my cooking."
Joe grinned, snatched the grape out of her hand, and popped it into his mouth. "I don't know about your cooking, but that grape was really good."
Bess gave him a mock glare, grabbed a damp dishcloth from the counter and tried to swat him with it. SNAP! She succeeded as it popped him on the bare part of his arm.
"Yeow!" He looked at his arm where a red mark was forming. He grinned evilly and wiggled his fingers at her. "This means war!"
Nancy rolled her eyes and slipped out of the kitchen, chuckling at Bess's giggling and gasping from being tickled. Some things never changed, and for that, she was very glad. She was also happy to escape from a lecture from Joe. She knew he was protective of his brother, and Bess had warned her just before they got home, that Joe was a bit angry at her for not being completely honest with Frank about Mick. Which is why she wanted to talk to Frank first.
But before she could make her way upstairs, Mick caught her. "Can we talk for a minute?"
Nancy nodded and escorted him into her father's study.
Mick didn't even wait for them to sit. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm headed back to Australia this afternoon. And I wanted to apologize for interfering." He rushed on before she could speak. "I can see that you and Frank really are meant to be together, and I don't want my presence here to cause any more awkwardness that I already have."
"Oh, Mick. I'm really sorry for not telling you about our engagement." Nancy started to explain, but Mick waved her off.
"It's not your fault. Our paths have met a few times, but that's all it is. I shouldn't expect you to have to keep me informed of every detail. I admit, I am pretty envious of Frank. He better take extremely good care of you." He flashed her that same smile that she had found attractive so long ago. "But if you ever need anything, or he does anything to you, you come tell me and I'll be there in an instant." He winked. "Maybe whisk you away to Europe."
Nancy laughed and nodded. "I appreciate that, Mick. I wish you the best on everything." Nancy really didn't know what else to say, and she really wanted to go talk to Frank, but she didn't want to alienate Mick.
Mick stood up and glanced at his watch. "I should probably get my stuff and go. I have to be at the airport a little after noon."
Nancy shook her head. "Stay and eat breakfast with us. Bess is in the kitchen working hard. She'd be pretty mad if you just left without eating."
He grinned. "I can swing that." He gestured to the door. "Go talk to Frank. I know that's what you were about to do."
Nancy smiled her thanks and went back to the stairway. She crept quietly back up the stairs to the door of the guest room. She slowly opened the door, careful to not make a sound.
The sun cast beams of light into the room through the partially closed blinds. Frank was still asleep; the covers had slid down to his waist, revealing his bare shoulders and back. Nancy smiled softly, watching her fiancé.
She tiptoed over to the bed and knelt down next to it, looking at his peaceful face. As she watched, one of his eyes cracked open ever so slightly, and the corners of his mouth turned up.
"Hi, handsome," she cooed softly as she touched his warm cheek.
His smile widened as he rolled over on his side to get a better look at her. The smile on her face was mirrored in her eyes. Suddenly, all doubts and worries lifted off his mind and heart. Frank instantly knew her decision. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close enough that he could almost reach to kiss her. "I love you, Nan."
Nancy closed the remaining distance and kissed him gently. She pulled back after a moment and looked into his dark, intelligent eyes. "I love you, too, Frank Hardy."
Frank sat up, throwing the covers off, and swung his legs off the side of the bed. His pajama pants had crept up to his knees, so he straightened them, then pulled Nancy into his lap and hugged her close. "So, are we okay?"
Nancy nodded. "If you're asking if I still want to spend the rest of my life with you, then the answer's yes." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm so sorry for not telling you about Mick. It was wrong of me to not be completely upfront and honest with you. I know I hurt you, but that was never intentional. And I'm so sorry you had to find out about it this way."
Frank was quiet for what seemed like an eternity. The past few days had been really hard on him, but he could tell Nancy was sincere in her apology. As much as he wanted her to know how hurt he was, he loved her, and knew she already felt bad enough. She was punishing herself more than he could. "I'm just so glad you are safe," he finally said, softly.
Nancy cupped his chin in her hand and looked him straight in the eyes. "How do you really feel? I know you must be hurt, at the very least."
He nodded slowly. "When Mick showed up right after you'd been kidnapped, I was shocked. When I realized why he was in town, I was really mad, and really hurt. Then when I found out about your past history together, well, let's just say I probably made Joe look like a saint."
Nancy nodded, saddened that she had hurt him so deeply. "I don't really have a good reason for not telling you about any of it. And I really am sorry for what happened because of it."
"It's over now. Let's just move on and promise to be honest from now on." Frank wrapped his arms around her tighter.
Nancy nodded. "Thank you for letting me make my own decision. I really appreciate you respecting me and my feelings like that. I know it wasn't easy for you." Laughter flicked in her eyes briefly, as she thought about Frank being the jealous, act first, think later brother.
Frank eyed her warily. "What are you thinking? And don't tell me it was nothing. We're being honest here."
Nancy grinned. "Did you punch Mick?"
"Hey! Does it even matter?" he asked defensively.
"Honesty," was the only reply.
Frank sighed, knowing he wasn't going to live this one down. "I missed," he muttered.
Nancy cupped her hand to her ear and stood up. "What did you say? I couldn't quite hear you."
"I missed," he said, a bit louder.
"What?"
"I MISSED!" he roared and dove at Nancy.
Downstairs, Bess and Joe in the kitchen, and Mick and George in the family room, could hear screams from Nancy and laughter from Frank, as footsteps thundered down the stairs
Mick smiled to himself, happy that Nancy and Frank were able to get past whatever problems he had caused. Seeing them together helped him to realize that Nancy made the right choice, and in turn helped him to accept it.
As the six sat down a little for the huge breakfast that had been prepared, Mick glanced around the table. He was glad to be a part of Nancy's life, even if it wasn't in the capacity he had originally hoped. But he had to admit, there was something special about the other five people who were laughing and teasing and passing around food.
"Americans," he joked, as a random grape flew from Joe's area of the table towards Bess. A second grape was launched at Mick. A flurry of activity caused all to cease eating and defend themselves against a barrage of grapes.
Joe caught a grape in his mouth and laughed. "Who needs a mystery when we have, the Grapes of Wrath!"
Bess put her hands on her hip as she stood up. "Joe Hardy! You cut that out! I went through all this trouble to make everyone a good breakfast and you're throwing food!"
Joe tried not to smile but couldn't help it. "I'm sorry, Bess. To make up for it, I'll even help you clean dishes."
Nancy grinned from her seat next to Frank. "Good try, Joe. You know we have a dishwasher!"
"Give it up, bro. You're in trouble now," Frank teased.
The door bell rang, saving Joe from any remark that might get him further into trouble. He jumped up. "Saved by the bell!" he declared. He went to answer the door, leaving the others to pick up the grapes before they continued the meal.
George dumped the grapes into the trash can. "Frank, you really need to get your brother a hobby or something."
Frank just shrugged his shoulders. "Wouldn't help. Besides, his humor will probably come in handy when he starts dealing with high school kids on a daily basis. Hopefully he'll stay out of trouble."
"Speaking of trouble," Joe announced as he walked back into the kitchen, followed by Ron Williams.
"I apologize for interrupting your breakfast," Ron said.
"Nonsense." Nancy gestured to one of the two empty chairs. "Have a seat and join us. There's plenty of food. That is, if it hasn't all wound up on the floor." She glared at Joe.
Ron nodded and sat down, and poured himself a glass of orange juice. "Maybe a just a little. I came to bring good news. Thanks to last night's drama, David has confessed to helping his father embezzle the money, completely clearing Ann of everything. He's cooperating in favor of a lighter sentence, although how much lighter, we're not sure yet."
George frowned at Frank and Joe. "I told you two that David was the key. You should listen to me more often."
Mick grinned and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. I think these two have learned their lesson." Everyone laughed as Bess pulled the bowl of grapes away from Joe just as he reached for them yet again.
"And Buck?" Frank asked. "How did he get mixed up with David?"
Ron nodded. "Buck apparently has known David for quite some time. They were buddies back in high school. After Buck managed to elude the police on some previous cases, including the one we've already heard about, he hooked back up with David, who gave him a place to hide out until things calmed down."
"And Buck, in return, provided them with a 'witness' and get Ann convicted, so David wouldn't be suspected," Nancy finished.
"Right. Buck got a pretty nice chunk of the money that David split with Roger, his father." Ron shook his head. "It's sad, really. I talked to Mr. Drew and Ann is heartbroken that her son tried to send her to jail to cover up his own tracks. Apparently, Roger had a gambling problem and he took the money so supplement his gambling. David didn't gamble, but the lure of free money definitely got to him."
Bess's eyes twinkled. "Well, maybe that could lead to another romance. With Roger going to jail, and Mr. Drew just happening to be there to comfort her..." she laughed and ducked as Nancy threw a wadded-up napkin at her. "Just kidding, don't worry!"
Ron glanced around the table. "You guys sure do play dirty around here. Glad I don't have to deal with all of you on a regular basis. Nancy keeps me in enough work to last me the rest of my life."
Nancy saluted. "All in a day's work, sir!" she joked.
Mick groaned. "Now Nancy's picked up Joe's humor."
Frank raised his glass of orange juice. "I propose a toast. Here's to yet another mystery, solved by the best, most famous-"
"Wise-cracking," George added.
"-wise-cracking team the world has ever known!"
Glasses raised and clinked together. "Hear hear!"
Ron finished his orange juice and stood up. "The next time you world famous detectives want to get together, go to Bayport. River Heights can't take much more!"
Frank caught Nancy's eye and smiled. "That can definitely be arranged. How does three months away sound?" he asked, referring to the upcoming wedding.
Nancy smiled back. In the back of her mind, she knew that she had hurt Frank. But in her heart, she knew that all would be fine. She had her two best friends with her, her fiancé, and her soon-to-be brother-in-law. She couldn't ask for anything better. And in the end, she was glad that she and Mick would be able to stay friends.
She didn't know what the future held for each of them, but she knew that it was an adventure just waiting to be had. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Hardy!"
NDHB "The End" NDHB
heaves a huge sigh There you go! In the end, everything worked out. There have been talks of sequels and side stories. I'm not sure what the future holds for the "Nancy's Heart" universe, but I have ideas. Thanks so much to everyone who has read through to the end, and for the great comments and support and suggestions. You have made my first POSTED Drew/Hardy fanfic experience wonderful! THANK YOU! bows and walks off stage
