Dinah woke up to the smell of coffee being brewed in the kitchen. She sat up slowly still in shock about what had taken place in the last few months.
First she had accepted a date with none other than Frank Castle, the man who had caused a lot of the stress in her life and now they were going steady.
He moved in a week after their first date and she's never really regretted it. She always had fresh coffee and he was a really good cook.
She didn't know what he did all day but she didn't pry. She knew for a fact that the punisher hadn't retired because they still got reports about him taking down drug lords and the such. She always found a way to sweep those under the mat quickly though.
She was shaken back into the Now with the sound of Frank humming a kids song to himself. She frowned slightly. Ever since she has gotten to know him on a personal level, she has been able to fully see what makes him tick.
The memory of his kids and wife are what drives him to continue his crusade. He never had once made her feel like she was just a replacement for his old family, but a continuation of it.
One night, laying in bed she traced one of the smaller scars on his forearm. He told her the story of how he took his kids skiing and his son thought he was some sort of daredevil and he tried a slope that was to big for him. Frank had to grab him and they both tumbled into a tree. His son came out fine but Frank got pthe memento on his arm.
He even introduced her to them. Taking her to their graves and introducing her one by one to them as well. They had spent the day cleaning their graves up and planting some fresh flowers. Dinah had brought a train for Frank Jr's grave and a dinosaur for Lisa's. She also laid a fresh bouquet of Maria's favorite flowers on her grave. It was one of the most painful yet most joyous moments they had made together.
She then heard the other bedroom door shut causing her to smile. They had brought Amy back from Florida and they legally adopted her, well she did but if and that was a big if, Frank ever asked her to marry him and she said yes he would be added to the adoption papers as well.
Dinah was about to get out of bed when frank appeared in the doorway with a cup of fresh coffee and breakfast for two in bed.
"Good morning sleepy head" Frank said with a laugh. "It can't be that late" Dinah said but gasped when she looked at the clock and it was 10:30. "Why in the blazes did you let me sleep so long Frank, I have work" Dinah said starting to get up but was gently pushed back on the bed by Frank who never once lost control of their breakfast.
"No you don't Dani, I called them and told them you were taking a sick day" Frank said kissing her temple and placing the breakfast between them. "Now eat up, I want to take you somewhere" Frank said looking uneasy.
Dinah kisses his cheek. "What's wrong darling?" She asked not really expecting an answer so she wasn't upset when he just said "nothing" and started setting up their breakfast trays.
They ate quietly. She kept looking at his face for any sort of signal or sign but like always he was unreadable.
When they both finished, Frank kisses her on the forehead and proceeded to take the dishes to the kitchen. Dinah heard the water start and dishes being done. She started to get a little worried because he hates doing the dishes and whenever he did them he had some sort of news to drop.
When the water stopped running, Frank reappeared and started rummaging thru his clothes. "Shall I be getting dressed as well" Dinah said trying to lighten the mood. "Ah sorry baby, I don't mean to be rushing anyone but if I don't do this now I won't ever and it needs done" Frank said with a stiff tone.
Dinah shook inside. "Oh god, he's breaking up with me" she thought and trying to keep calm on the outside slipped on a light sweater and some jeans.
Frank put on a black T-shirt and a pair of jeans. She watched as his hands slightly shook as he pulled his jeans up and wondered what was making a man like Frank so on edge.
Hearing Amy's door open Dinah said "is Amy coming?" Frank nodded and continued getting dressed. The man was shaken and wasn't opening up to her at all.
About an hour later, the three of them were in the car heading somewhere. Frank still wouldn't tell them where and Dinah wasn't going to force him.
She heard Amy sigh in the backseat and then saw her put her headphones on through the rear view mirror. Dinah leaned her head back against the headrest and waited.
The care quietly pulled onto a gravel road and Dinah knew exactly where they were headed. They were going to his wife and kids graves. "Ah lord he's breaking up with me here" she thought to herself wanting to scream.
As they pulled up she saw Curtis and David standing there. Dinah still hasn't registered the fact that Curtis got with that political monster. Curtis keeps saying it was all his parents but Dinah just couldn't shake it yet,
As the car stopped Frank's shaking hands got worse and her stomach felt like it was going to release everything from it.
Amy got out first and headed over to Curtis and David and turning to face the car when she got there. Dinah was now wondering if he was breaking up with her or if they were all there to witness frank killing her. That thought didn't help her uneasy stomach.
Frank got out next and went to her side of the car. "Oh wow he's even being gentlemanly about this" she thought to herself as he opened her door. He put his hand out and she took it and he gently helped her out.
Letting Frank guide her, they headed to a spot that was right in the middle of the three graves. The sight of the child angels on top always made Dinah's chest tighten.
Frank pulled out his gun and pointed it at her. She closed her eyes. She wouldn't show fear. If this is how she was going to go, she accepted it.
"Don't open your eyes Dani, don't even blink" Frank said. Dinah just stood where she was, frozen in place and did as she was told.
"One Batch, Two Batch" she heard Frank say and then she heard the gun go off and a thud. He had shot someone or something that was for sure.
"You can open your eyes now Dani" Frank said softly as he wrapped his arms around her. As she did she saw the body of a man lying behind him.
"He was gonna kill you Dani, he had been watching the apartment since this morning. I asked Curtis to be here Incase he wasn't alone. I didn't want you to witness the devil in me come out again that's why I had you close your eyes" Frank said his voice cracking through tears.
Dinah pulled back, cupped Frank's face in her hands and said softly "let me see that devil Frankie because he is a part of the man I love".
Frank looked at her and the tears flowed. "Dinah Madani, I didn't think anyone could love all sides of me like Maria but then I found you. I know this isn't a normal place to ask a question like this but we aren't normal people so here I go" Frank said and got down to one knee.
Dinah started to cry. She never thought this day would come but here it was. "Agent Dinah Madani, will you do me the honours of being Mrs. Dinah Castle" Frank said and brandished a gold ring.
Dinah tried to talk but the words wouldn't come. She took a deep breath and said "yes". Frank slipped the ring on her finger and the two embraced in a deep, passionate kiss.
Later that day, with Amy, Curtis and David, the couple celebrated with a true Italian dinner and a giant chocolate cake.
That night the moonlight beamed through the window highlighting the engaged couple in bed. "This is all happening so fast" Dinah said snuggling her head against Frank's bare chest. "That's how we like it baby. Curtis has said many times that I don't know how to stay still" Frank said with a laugh. "He's right about that" Dinah said closing her eyes. Frank rubbed her back for awhile and they both drifted off into a peaceful slumber.