Thanks to everyone reading this hope you're still liking it, I really don't know how much longer the story will be. might consider a time jump in a few chapters - will wait and see what ideas come to me.
Two weeks old today, I can't believe how fast the days have gone in, it's less than one month until Christmas and we are very excited for it this year. To think that last Christmas we hadn't even discussed having a baby together and now we actually have one – it's crazy. We have just left Olivia's doctor's check-up, she seems to be doing great, she's almost at 9lbs now which is on target for where she should be. We are planning on doing some Christmas shopping before meeting up with Erica and Maura for a coffee.
"Gidge, what stores do you want to go to then?" Franky asks as she takes the car seat from the Mercedes and attaches it to the stroller, this will be the first time we've used the stroller, as neither of us fancy carrying Olivia in her car seat all around the city centre while shopping.
"Well, we need to get gifts for my parents, all of our friends, then of course Olivia – and I need to get yours as well but I guess there's no way of me doing that today since you're here." We start walking down the busy street, Franky is pushing Olivia but I also have a hand loosely on the stroller, just wanting to feel connected to my daughter.
"Let's go look for your parents first then, we've got about two hours before coffee so hopefully we find some nice things before then."
"Okay sounds like a plan." I smile at Franky as we enter the first store.
Two hours later, we are both laden down with bags, some we have attached to Olivia's stroller to save us carrying them.
"That was reasonably successful – that's your parents, Amelia and Greg, Benjamin and Vera and Will sorted."
"Well for only having two hours I think we did good; I definitely need that coffee now though!"
Arriving at the coffee shop, we spot Erica and Maura already sat next to one another in a quiet area at the back. We manage to manoeuvre the stroller past tables and chairs and greet both of them.
"Hi you two, how have you been?" I ask as I sit down, Franky positions Olivia so she is facing the table.
"We're great thanks, we were just doing a bit of Christmas shopping, how are the three of you doing?" Maura asks.
"The three of us are really good thanks, we were doing some Christmas shopping as well, think we got most things we were looking for, it's just each other's gifts we need to try and get the time to look for now." Olivia starts to cry so Franky takes her in her arms, just as a waitress comes and takes our order – we ask her to heat a bottle for Olivia as well.
"Do you want one of us to feed her while you both eat your sandwiches, we already ate so we're only having drinks?" Erica asks as the waitress returns with our order.
"Are you sure you wouldn't mind Erica? I don't want her to ruin your clothes if she's sick on you." Franky says as we both take in Erica's rather expensive looking cashmere jumper.
"It's no problem, honestly I don't mind." She smiles at us warmly.
"Okay, well if you're sure – that would be a big help." Franky stands up with Olivia and steps around to the opposite side of the table, where she places our daughter in Erica's arms.
"You got her okay? She's quite squirmy, it might take her a few minutes to latch on to the bottle, I've already put her bib on so you're all set really…"
"Franky, would you relax? I've got her, don't look so worried I'm sure I can handle it." Franky sits back down next to me as Erica picks up the bottle and guides it into Olivia's waiting mouth. She fusses slightly but then seems to settle down and happily drinks the milk.
"Thanks for doing that Erica, this is the first time we've eaten together at the same time since she was born!" I state, we all start laughing at this, the conversation flows easily between us all, we hear that Erica and Maura are enjoying spending time and getting to know each other. Eventually the bottle Olivia has been drinking is empty and Erica pulls it away from her mouth.
"I think she's falling asleep, should I burp her beforehand? Do I just put her on my shoulder and tap her back yeah?"
"Yeah do it now before she falls asleep, here put this towel over your jumper just in case, it's almost a guarantee she will spit-up on you – apologise in advance."
"Hey – I volunteered remember? It's all good." Erica doesn't seem to think twice, she just does it and soon enough she's finished burping her and has Olivia in both her arms again, rocking her to sleep.
"God, you really are good at that! Can we hire you?" Franky jokes.
"Ha, I think this has just been a fluke, no way I'd be able to do every day!" Erica puts a now sleeping Olivia back in her stroller.
"Bridget, I was thinking, do you fancy coming with me for an hour or so and looking for Franky's gift? You two could do the same if you wanted." Maura says, smiling at us all.
"What do you think Franky? Would that plan be okay with you?" It's quite a good idea I guess; Olivia is fast asleep now anyway so it is an ideal time.
"Sure, I'm fine with that, why don't we meet back at the car about 4.30pm, that gives us an hour and a half."
"Okay, let's do that, oh – who's going to take Olivia, neither of us have left her for more than a few minutes before."
"How about Erica and I take her, you get a bit of rest from baby duty – we can handle it, right Erica?"
"Sure, no problem – she's just been fed so I'm sure she'll just sleep now."
"Right, okay that's settled then, I won't miss much if she's sleeping anyway." I say and Franky puts her arm around my shoulder and brings me in for a hug.
"Well, you'll find it easier to navigate the crowds without the stroller, why don't you and Maura head out, I'll take care of the check and then we'll do the same."
"Okay, I'll see you at 4.30pm then." I lean in and give Franky a quick kiss, then move over to a sleeping Olivia, where I gently stroke her cheek so I don't wake her up.
FRANKY POV
I never really thought how weird this situation would be when I agreed to it back at the coffee shop, it's literally like something out of the twilight zone. Instead of my wife, Bridget, pushing Olivia in her stroller, I'm currently walking through a busy department store with my former nearly-lover from a past lifetime. I have my hands full with various gifts, hence why Erica is currently the one pushing my daughter, I'm wondering if she finds this just as odd as I do, or whether I'm overthinking the entire situation.
"What else do you need to get then Franky? You seem to have picked up quite a lot so far."
"I'm wanting to get Bridget an eternity ring, it's traditional to receive after the birth of your first child."
"That sounds like a lovely idea, I'm sure Bridget would be thrilled to get one."
"I think so too, are you okay to stay here with Olivia? I'm just going to go over there and queue to pay but it looks really busy."
"No it's fine, you go pay, we'll be fine waiting here for ten minutes or so." I smile at Erica then have a peek in the stroller to see a still sleeping Olivia.
"Okay I'll be back soon, thanks!"
Twenty minutes later I return to find Olivia being rocked in Erica's arms as she fusses and makes little whimpering noises.
"Oh, I am so sorry Erica! Typical she's fine for almost an hour and when I leave she gets restless."
"It's okay, no worries, I think she just wanted a cuddle anyway." Olivia does appear to be settling down now, thankfully.
"Okay, thanks, you can just keep rocking her like that then if you don't mind and we can go over to the jewellery section so I can look at the rings."
"Sure no problem, I'll keep a hold of her, can you push the stroller?" I take hold of the stroller and guide it over to the counter filled with rings, Erica and Olivia are a few feet behind me at a quieter bit of the store.
"Oh what a beautiful daughter you have! She is so tiny, how old is she?" I hear an older woman ask Erica as the man behind the counter starts showing me a few selections.
"Actually she's not mine, I'm just watching her for a friend, but she's just turned two weeks old today." I turn around to face Erica and she gives me a small, almost apologetic smile.
"Well she is gorgeous, such a cute little face." The woman says to Erica.
"She definitely takes after her mother – that's for sure." Erica replies while looking down at Olivia.
The woman finally walks away and Erica comes to stand next to me at the counter.
"Franky she's getting really fussy again, I'm not sure what to do." I look down at Olivia and see her waving around her little arms and legs as her lips are pursed together in concentration.
"Oh, I think she needs to be changed Erica, the salesman is just away to package up the ring I've decided on, here, give her to me and as soon as I have it I'll go and get her sorted out." I hold out my arms, expecting Olivia to be quickly thrusted at me after what I've just said.
"I really don't mind changing her Franky, I mean I've never done it before, but it's not too hard, right?" I look at Erica in shock, there's no way this is the same woman I used to know!
"I couldn't let you do that, trust me when I say it's not pleasant and she's my daughter so my responsibility Erica."
"I insist on helping you out, I'll grab her bag and I'll be back before you know it, don't worry everything will be just fine." She smiles brightly at me, that expression is sure to change when she sees the nappy.
"Well if you're sure you don't mind; it would be a big help."
"I don't, I'll be right back okay? I'll just leave the stroller." And then she's off in the direction of the baby changing.
Ten minutes later, the ring is all packaged in a lovely gift box, ready for Christmas morning. I see Erica walking towards me, Olivia clutched in her arms and nappy bag flung over her shoulder.
"Okay, I concede, you were right that was not pleasant, but I can now say I've changed my first nappy! Thankfully your daughter was fully co-operable so it made it easier than it could have been." Erica says, passing Olivia to me.
"I told you, but thanks so much – oh well good, you'll be able to babysit in the future then." I say joking, and yep Erica looks terrified at the prospect.
"Maybe not by myself, if Maura was there then possibly."
"So…you and Maura, how is that going? Things seem to be moving quite fast." I say putting Olivia in her stroller, as we make our way out the store.
"Honestly? I really like her Franky, I know it's not even been two full weeks but she's great and fun to be around, I find myself wanting to be with her all the time! The bonus is she is incredibly hot!"
"That is true! Well, do you see yourself getting into a relationship with her? Or is that still too soon?" I look to Erica, who is now biting her bottom lip in concentration.
"I want us to be official, completely exclusive, that sort of thing, but I don't know if she feels the same way or if she's just looking for a bit of fun."
"Can I ask you a question Erica?"
"Sure" I ponder how to ask this, as it is very personal.
"Have you been intimate with her yet?" Now it's me biting my lip, hoping I haven't overstepped.
"God this is so embarrassing! No, we haven't been so far, kissing is as far as it's went." I smile when I hear this.
"Well then, I think Maura is in this for more than just a bit of fun, she really likes you too, otherwise you would probably already have slept together. Go for it Erica, there's nothing stopping you."
"Okay, I will – thanks Franky. We're going for dinner tomorrow night so I'll talk to her about it then."
We walk in relative silence, and before we know it we are approaching the Mercedes, I spot Bridget right away and Maura is by her side.
"Hi darling, I missed you both." Bridget says as she wraps her arms around me, then peeks her head down to check on Olivia.
"We missed you too mummy – are you ready to head home then?"
"Yes I am, thanks Maura for suggesting we do that, I think I have most things now, and thank you too Erica, for looking after Franky and Olivia" Bridget says with a chuckle and I nudge her shoulder
"Hey! I'm not that bad – Erica was great with Olivia though; we can definitely add her to our list of babysitters." I say with a smirk.
"It was a pleasure Bridget, well we better let you set off home then, and hopefully we see the three of you again soon."
We all exchange goodbyes then climb into our respective cars and head home.