"Ok what's going on" Allie asked seriously as Bea finally arrived back at the unit in a good mood, struggling to control her laughter but refusing to say what was so funny.
"I told you, nothing" Bea stated for the sixth time, frustrating herself at being so obvious.
"Share the joke Bea" Allie poked her bottom lip out and frowned sadly.
"There is no joke"
"Then why cant you stop smirking? What's gotten into you? And for that matter, what's with all of these secret meeting with Frankie? Trish said that she overhead Miss Westfall telling Officer Miles that the Governor needed to speak to Frankie Doyle regarding a case, and you were sat in the visitor room signing paperwork with Frankie... so spill, what are you hiding from me?" Allie said, finally getting annoyed, the playful tone now gone.
Bea sighed, she didn't want to tell Allie and get her hopes up before she knew something definite, but as usual, you couldn't fart in Wentworth without everybody finding out about it. Bea rose from the bed and closed the cell door to give them some privacy, her time was up and she had to fess up to the blonde woman that filled all of her senses.
"Ok... now don't get mad... I didn't tell you this because I was waiting to surprise you with good news, not have you waiting with anticipation like I am... ok?" Bea dropped back onto the bed, this time sitting directly opposite Allie, taking the younger hands in her own and stroking them with the pad of her thumb.
"Ok... spill, what's going on Bea?" Allie frowned, unsure of what Bea could actually be talking about but the nerves that were consuming her felt her feel a little nauseous of how serious Bea was being.
"Ok so when I visited Deb... I had done a lot of thinking on the drive there, and before that actually. It has been playing on my mind a lot that... well one day, you will be getting out of this place, and I wont" Bea had to stop Allie from interrupting her.
"Stop, listen. So when Frankie got there with the flowers, I made a decision that has been running through my head for a few days. I err... well... I asked her to look into my sentence, to see how iron clad the life without parole is. She is looking into everything now, we are trying to get my sentence reduced so that one day I can get out of this place, so that I can be with you. There is no guarantee it will happen, and even if it does, I could still be facing another twenty or so years in here. But I have to try. I have to Allie, I cant stand the thought of you being out there, and me being in here... and us only seeing each other once a week for an hour, I cant stand the thought of that... so I'm trying to do something to secure our future" Bea smiled shyly.
"Bea, that's... wow. I am so glad that you started the ball rolling with this. I have to admit that the thought of getting out of here and leaving you behind has crossed my mind, I cant really think about it for too long because it just hurts so bad... so this is perfect... god I'm so excited, I want to know everything, start from the beginning and tell me everything you know so far" Allie practically bounced around the bed like a child causing Bea to grin, a wave of relief washed over her as she realised that Allie held no hurt or annoyance at not being consulted or a part of this so far, she was just happy for her partner to be given a hope.
It was a few hours after dinner, and all the prisoners had done their final count, and had been locked into their units. H1 was relatively quiet as the women sat watching some quiz show on the communal TV.
"This is shit" Boomer finally announced after looking at her friends and seeing the same bored look on their faces that she felt.
"Shall we see what else is on?" Liz asked.
"Nah it will all be the same boring shite" Boomer glared with frustration.
"Wanna play cards?" Maxi asked, and grinned as Booms, Liz and Doreen nodded enthusiastically.
"Allie? Bea?" Maxi asked.
"Err sure, why note" Bea agreed hoping to take Allies, and her, mind off the case and their earlier disagreement.
"Are you two ok? You've been quiet all evening" Liz asked, glancing between the pair and seeing their guilty looks. Liz watched in amusement as Allie raised her eyebrow pointedly at Bea.
"Fine!" Bea almost growled "if I tell them, will you leave me alone?" Bea shook her head in frustration as her partner nodded excitedly. They had argued earlier over telling their friends about what was going on. Allie wanted to involve them, but Bea was paranoid that it was going to get out.
"What's happening love?" Liz gently probed, hoping to ease Bea's tension. All of the inhabitants of H1 were watching intently.
"I have been talking to Frankie. She's looking into my case to try and get my sentence changed… but it's a secret" Bea announced quietly. Everyone looked pointedly at Boomer
"Nah I won't tell anyone Bea, I swear!" Boomer promised much to the amusement of the other women. "What I can keep a secret you know" Boomer frowned.
"This is a really important secret Booms, if the wrong person finds out they could kill it before it even starts" Maxi softly chastised, rubbing Boomers arm softly.
"I know that! I promise I won't tell no one. You can trust me Bea" Boomer begged. Bea nodded in approval, knowing she could trust to lovable larrikin of the group.
"So tell us everything love" Liz asked, excited for her friend.
"If anyone can do it Franks can" Boomer announced proudly after Bea finished catching them up on the case so far.
"I mean she got me a few years knocked off and I was caught red handed with drugs" Boomer nodded proudly.
"that's why I asked her Booms I trust her with my life" Bea admitted and smiled at the love and pride shining through on Boomers face.
"What can we do to help bea?" Doreen asked. "I can write a statement about how you saved Joshies life" Doreen offered.
"that's a fantastic idea love" Liz beamed, and the rest of the group nodded excitedly.
"that would be awesome Doreen. I guess you could all start thinking about character statements. You guys all know me… better than I know myself… so I would like for you all to be my character witnesses" Bea asked shyly, but her nerves disappeared instantly when all the women surrounding her nodded excitedly.
"are you going to write one too Allie?" Maxi asked.
"Try and stop me… I have many, many wonderful things to say about Bea" Allie grinned.
Bea grinned lovingly at her partner who was now sat on the floor, her back between Bea's legs and relaxing as Bea played with her hair.
"hey Bea… reckon you could get Frankie to visit me, I want to ask her a few questions about my statement" Boomer asked nervously.
"You know you can just ask her to visit you, you don't need to pretend to need help" Bea grinned as Boomer reddened.
"I'll ring her tomorrow and ask her to set a visit up ok?" Bea asked and Boomer grinned widely, nodding her head in excitement.
"hey Booms" Frankie grinned a few days later as she entered the visitors room and was pulled into a tight hug.
"Frankie!" Boomer almost bounced in excitement.
"Bea said you wanted me to visit" Frankie grinned widely, happy to be around her oldest friend again.
"Yeah.. I just wanted to say hi. And tell you how proud I am of you for that thing your doing" Boomer grinned then winked as if she was proud to be let in on the secret.
"Thanks Booms. I'm trying really hard out there. I booked my bars in this morning. Think time next week I should be a qualified lawyer" Frankie grinned proudly.
"Aww that's amazing Franks. You really have got your shit together!" Boomer grinned.
"so did you just want to see me to tell me how amazing I am?" Frankie grinned.
"nah… I mean I wanted to check in with you and make sure that you were happy and healthy… I just needed to see for myself ya know?" Boomer grinned happily.
"I'm fantastic Booms. I'm healthy. I'm happy. I live in this amazing house. With this incredible kitchen that I can cook in till my heart is content. I sleep in a huge bed every night cuddled up to a hot woman who I'm truly in love with" Frankie grinned as she trailed off not wanted to make her friend too jealous.
"Aww that's great Frankie.. you know she comes to work everyday with this huge smile, practically skipping around the place" Boomer grinned knowingly, Frankie couldn't help but smirk in return.
"So Booms, tell me... what's this really about?" Frankie grinned.
"So err... I wanted to talk to you about something, but first I need to confess something, but you have to promise you can't tell anyone, not even Miss West... you know who" Boomer whispered.
"Jesus booms, she's not lord Voldemort!" Frankie laughed.
"Who?"
"Never mind, what do you need to tell me. I promise its between just us" Frankie grinned, she really had missed Boomer. She watched in amusement as her friend scanned around them, checking that no one was watching or listening before leaning forward and motioning for Frankie to come closer, she obliged.
"I'm pregnant" Boomer whispered, her face breaking into a huge grin.
"Your what?" Frankie practically shouted, before lowering her voice and getting closer to Boomer again so their conversation couldn't be heard. "How?"
"Maxi and I... she had some of her spunk frozen, she had a friend sneak it in, and we put it in me... and now I'm pregnant!" Boomer grinned happily, almost bouncing on the chair in excitement.
"Wow... I err... congrats Booms, I'm really happy for you, have you thought about how this is going to work when you get out, I mean are you and Maxi together now?" Frankie asked in confusion.
"What? No, I aint no Lezzo!" Boomer almost shouted, before her smile apologized to Frankie incase she caused any offence. Frankie shook her head and motioned for Boomer to continue.
"That's why I wanted to speak to you, I was wondering if you could write up some sort of contract for Maxi and I to sign, you know, make sure neither of us can screw each other over and make sure this bub will have someone to look after it if anything happens to Maxi or me" Boomer smiled shyly.
"Booms, that's great, I will happily do that for you, I just need you to tell me exactly what you want the contract to say, then I can write it up and go over it with you both, then get you to sign it, then I can get it filed. Reckon you could do that? Have you thought about what you want it to say?" Frankie asked, pulling a notebook and pencil from her briefcase, being allowed entrance on a professional basis certainly had its perks.
She began scribbling down suggestions that Boomer was throwing at her, a few times having to warn her to slow down as boomer raced on ahead excitedly. When they had finished Frankie looked up to Booms.
"Family law isn't something I'm that brushed up on, so I will have to look into all of this, make sure what your asking is legal, then I will get it typed up into a contract, then come visit you in a couple of weeks to go over it with you, sound ok?" Frankie asked, watching the nervous nod of her friend. She raised her eyebrow questioningly.
"There's just one more thing I want you to add to it... just incase something happens to both Maxi and me, I want to designate an alternative carer." Boomer announced, her nerves clear as she glanced around the room.
"That is very sensible Booms, who would you like me to put down, I would have to get them to sign the agreement in consent, so if you give me a full name, I'll track them down and get them to sign it too" Frankie glanced to her pad, her pencil hovering as she waited for the name.
"Yeah... no worries... it's Francesca Doyle" Boomer said quietly, watching Frankie's face for any sign of annoyance, instead she just saw a look of shock before a smile broke out on her friends face.
"You would want me to raise your rug rat?" Frankie grinned, unable to keep her voice neutral, she felt extremely honored, and like this was the best question she had ever been asked in her life.
"Yeah you know... me and Maxi talked about it last night... and you're the best person we could think of... I mean you've got your shit together, you've got a good job now... you have...' You know who'… rug rat would be raised in a loving home, with two people who have good jobs, and I mean... you would make an amazing mum, after the way you grew up you would do anything for a kid to make sure they never had to experience what you did... oh... say you'll do it Frankie... please!" Boomer begged.
"Yeah. Of course I will Booms, I mean, I hope I will never have to... but if I had to, I promise you I would love the rug rat like my own, and raise her healthy and happy and to have everything they want, I promise you" Frankie grinned.
"I know you would Franks... that's why it has to be you... and Miss... 'you know who' wont mind?" Boomer checked.
"Booms, she's in love with me, she would do anything for me, even this... I don't doubt it for a second, don't worry about that ok. You never know, rug rat could end up with little cousins to play with one day anyways" Frankie winked at Boomer before holding her finger to her lips to let Boomer know that was just between them. Boomer widened her eyes in shock.
"Is... is 'you know who'…"
"god no. Not yet anyway. We have talked about it and agreed it is something we will look into one day. I just need to get myself on track first. Get this job sorted, make a name for myself before I start going on mat leave" Frankie stated matter of factly.
"So you would be the one to..." Booms trailed off, not wanting to say the words and have anyone over hear them and make assumptions.
"Not too sure yet Booms, I mean Gidg...' You know who' would look incredible if she did it, but we aren't sure whether she would be able to, she's a fair chunk older than me, but ideally, she would carry the first, then I would carry the second" Frankie shook her head at herself as she took on Boomers pet name for Gidge.
"Two hey?" Boomer smiled happily, never thinking she would be holding this conversation with Frankie.
"Yep two... a boy then a girl hopefully... that way her big brother will always be able to look out for her. And once your out of this shithole, Aunty Booms and rug rat can visit all the time, that way the kiddo's will be able to play with and grow up with their cousin" Frankie grinned as Boomer wiped a tear from her eye.
"I bloody love you, you know" Boomer announced so loudly that half the people in the visitors room looked over to them, but Boomer couldn't have cared less as she bounced over the table and wrapped her best friend in a tight hug.
"Boom's your gonna break my neck if you don't let go" Frankie laughed.
"Visitor for you Miss Westfall" Bridget's personal assistant announced as she ushered a woman she recognized into the psychologists office.
"Frankie, what are you doing here" Bridget grinned as she nodded at her PA, who exited the room and closed the door behind her. Bridget was glad that she had closed the blinds earlier, meaning now they had the room to themselves and she could welcome her partner with a much needed kiss.
"I was visiting Booms, she needs me to sort some legal stuff out for her... and I just thought whilst I was here I would pop in and say g'day" Frankie grinned as she mimicked Bridget's legendary greeting.
"That's good baby, I missed you, you left early this morning" Bridget pouted as she ran her fingers tenderly through Frankie's soft brown hair.
"Yeah I got a voicemail last night asking me to arrange a visit with Booms, so I started work early knowing I would have to visit during my lunch" Frankie smiled apologetically. "Do you know how hard it was leaving you in bed though, even when your asleep and snoring your irresistible" Frankie grinned.
"I don't snore" Bridget rolled her eyes.
"anyway... I just wanted to run something by you, say I was asked to be a listed emergency carer for someone's kid should the parents both die... would you have any issues with me saying yes to that?" Frankie asked nervously.
"What, of course not... but who asked you, all your friends are in here aren't they?" Bridget asked, smiled proudly at her partner.
"Err... look Gidge, I don't want to lie to you, I don't ever want to lie to you, but If I tell you, I'm going to be putting you in a really bad position because of your position in this prison, so can we just agree that if you don't ask, I won't tell, and that way neither of us is compromised?" Frankie couldn't look her partner in the eyes.
"Oh god... someone inside is pregnant, Jesus how did that happen! Wait, don't tell me, I don't want to know and you have said too much. Your right, of course. I'm really proud that you told me though, it would have been so much easier for you to just hide this from me then act shocked when I announce someone in here is pregnant" Bridget kissed Frankie softly as she tried to push all thoughts of finding out who could be pregnant from her mind.
"Thanks, I just... look I don't want to mess us up. I love you, you know, and if I want to be able to trust you and expect you to be honest with me about everything... then I have to trust you and be honest with you about everything... I don't want secrets and lies between us, I don't want anything between us" Frankie admitted as she rested her forehead against her girlfriends.
"Frankie Doyle, smooth talker... who would have guessed" Bridget grinned.
"Well... you always told me in this room you wanted me to talk about me... here I am... talking about me... are you happy now?" Frankie grinned cheekily.
"You know, I always wondered about what it would be like to just sweep everything off my desk, lay you down on top of it, and ravish you" Bridget whispered into Frankie's ear, her hands resting on Frankie's hips as she pulled the shorter woman against her. She grinned when she heard Frankie gasp and moan at the same time.
"You know I have to get back to work... that's really not fair" Frankie complained. "Did you really?"
"A lot... I still do actually... you know when I'm sat here all alone, and I'm bored, and my mind wanders... and I can't help but just imagine you there, my tongue..." Bridget was cut off as Frankie jumped away from her, shaking her head and breathing deeply.
"Gidge... you can't do this, I have a meeting I have to be at in an hour... and now you've got me all wound up" Frankie complained as she kept her distance from Bridget, not allowing her close to her.
"You asked" Bridget grinned.
"your such a naughty minx" Frankie smirked, shaking her head at her girlfriend. How she wished she didn't have a meeting to go to. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Miss Westfall, Allie Novak to see you, do you want me to tell her to wait outside?" officer Miles asked, grinning when she noticed Frankie Doyle stood in the room with the psychologist.
"that's ok… let her through, Frankie was just leaving for a meeting anyway" Bridget grinned at Frankie's obvious discomfort.
The tall blonde entered the room and grinned warmly when she noticed Frankie stood there. Miss Miles left, leaving the office door open for Frankie to leave.
Frankie hugged Allie on her way past, throwing her a wink before saying bye to Bridget. As she clutched the door handle to pull it closed behind her Allie called out.
"hey Frankie… how's your crush going?" Frankie grimaced as she heard Gidge's snort… 'great' she thought, 'now Allie is part of the joke'
She turned to throw a glare at the two women sat in hysterics, leant forward slightly so that the PA wouldn't witness her next action, and threw the birdie at Allie, causing another round of laughter as she shut the door. She smiled sweetly at the PA, then made her way to her meeting, shaking her head at how annoying her friends were.