I can't believe how fast the weeks and months have flown by, we are headed to a birthing class that we have attended for the past two weeks, I will admit it is very informative, however the video we watched at last week's class has made me very adamant I will be staying up at Bridget's face the entire time – beautiful experience my arse! Dr Cooper has said to me about cutting the cord once the baby has been delivered, and I'm totally up for doing that – I just don't particularly want to see an 'action shot' so to speak. At 34 weeks Bridget has started to slow down a bit, she's still working, but in two weeks' time that'll be her full term, but much to her dismay at our last appointment the Doc seems to think she'll go closer to 40 weeks, lucky her! We are currently walking hand in hand, in the slightly warmer October air, we decided to walk to our class since it's only 20 minutes away from home and Bridget insists she gets as much exercise as possible.
"Franky! Hey, Franky Doyle, is that you?" I hear a woman's voice call my name, somewhere to the left of where we are walking, the street is busy so I can't see anyone, I stand slightly in front of Bridget – protectively, you never know who might recognise you from the past.
"It is you! Long-time no see, what's it been, like four years?" Oh my god, this can't be happening – why of all people did I need to run into her, I haven't even thought about her in so long, and seeing her now – wow, well there's no denying she still looks fantastic, she's not changed at all. A small smile plays on my lips as she reaches my side, Bridget still hidden behind my body.
"Wow, Erica, what a surprise!"
"Franky, well I never thought I'd see you again! Nice to see you on the outside I must say." Erica says with a smile and tries to pull me into a hug, that's when she realises my hand is firmly clasped in someone else's. The hug then ends abruptly, and I step aside slightly bringing Bridget partially into view. Erica's eyes go wide at that point, but I can tell she will be even more shocked when I introduce them.
"Ah, that's right you two never did meet, missed each other by a few weeks I think. Erica Davidson, this is my wife Bridget, and Bridget this is Erica, she was Governor at Wentworth for a while before you arrived." Yup, Erica is shocked I have a wife, can't say her reaction is a surprise, most people do find it hard to believe.
"Hi Bridget, it's lovely to meet you – wow so you both met in prison then?"
"No, well technically yes, but Bridget here was the Psychologist at Wentworth after you left, which if I remember correctly was rather abruptly." I stare at Erica, she really hurt me back then by leaving without saying a word.
"Oh, that's nice that you two met then. Yes I know I left rather suddenly, I was reassigned and ordered off campus immediately, they didn't even let me clear my office, I had no choice but to leave without saying goodbye Franky! I never wanted to hurt you – believe me – that's the last thing I ever wanted."
"No sweat Erica, it's all in the past now, there's no hard feelings on my part." I move my hand that's not holding Bridget's so that it is placed over her belly, I rub my palm in little circles, feeling the baby starting to kick – this helps to calm me down a bit and not get angry.
"Oh – I never noticed before, umm I guess congratulations to the two of you as well then." Erica says, her eyes practically bulging out of her head as she looks where my hand is rested.
"Thanks, only a few more weeks to go until Peanut will be with us." I smile proudly down at Bridget's stomach as she talks to Erica.
"What about you Erica, how's the fiancé? Or is it husband now, any kids?" She just looks at me with an unreadable expression before dropping her head and shaking it slightly.
"I see you never did get the letters I sent you then? Mark left me after I told him we kissed in my office – and no, nothing serious since, definitely no children." I can feel Bridget looking at me from the corner of my eye, I had told her about an old Governor I had really liked but she was getting married and not a lesbian so didn't take things further than a kiss.
"He left you after that one, stupid kiss I gave you in your office? Shit, but you don't even like chicks." I look at her in disbelief – I wouldn't have expected that to happen.
"That's the problem, I never had – not until you I guess, if you got my letters you would know I left him and was wanting to meet up with you once you got out, but obviously that never happened."
"Umm, wow I'm sorry Erica, I never meant to break up your engagement – but you really broke off a five-year relationship after one kiss?" I'm starting to feel a bit guilty, had I ruined her life? If I'd known that would happen I would never have done it in the first place.
"No Franky, that just gave me the final push to end things, I hadn't been happy in a while, you just helped open my eyes. Standing here right now though, you actually have no idea how glad I am you never got my letters – I really am so very happy for you two, and Franky Doyle a mother, well I never! You will be a wonderful mother though, the way you took care of the younger girls at Wentworth, I have no doubt." I literally have tears in my eyes now and so does Erica, I'm surprised how well this first encounter on the outside has gone.
"You have no idea how much those words mean to me Erica, I can honestly say I am the happiest I have ever been, and it's all thanks to my beautiful wife." I turn my head to the side and give Bridget a quick peck on the cheek as she smiles.
"No problem Franky, you deserve happiness – it would be lovely to keep in contact, maybe meet you both for coffee after the baby gets here or something."
"I think that would be a great idea Erica, this is our home number, give us a call and Franky and I can arrange to meet you or something then." This is why I love my wife, even after she knows I've had my tongue down this woman's throat, she knows the love I have for her and our child surpasses anything else and I wouldn't look twice at Erica now.
"Thank you Bridget, I'll look forward to seeing you both again soon, well I better let you go, and if I don't talk to you before-hand, best of luck with the baby, I hope everything goes smoothly for you both."
"Thanks Erica, much appreciated. We'll see you around." I say as Bridget and I start to walk away. Well I wasn't expecting that when I left the house today.
"You okay Gidge? That must have been a bit weird."
"Of course I'm fine – I mean come on Franky the two of you kissed over four years ago, before you even knew who I was, I can hardly be mad at you."
"That's good to know, baby. She did actually help me with a lot back then, it would be kinda nice to see her as a friend every now and then."
"Anything you want to do it fine with me Franky, we can at least meet for coffee with her once the baby arrives and see how it goes."
"I like the idea of that, anyway let's get to our class, we're running late now!"