A/N Hey, I had this chapter typed up and ready to go so thought I would post it. Will probably be the weekend before I post again so hope you like. Thanks for the follows and reviews, much appreciated!
Two weeks have passed since Bridget and I met with Bea at Wentworth, and I gave her the not so subtle warning about messing up Boomer's parole. I'm pleased to see she listened to what I had to say, because right now I'm standing next to our car, waiting on Boomer coming out the gate. I really am happy for her, she deserves to be out of that place more than anyone else I know. I have Olivia with me, cradled in my arms trying to get her to sleep, she was doing great in her car seat for a while but I think she just wanted her mummy, and I know I'm the one who said to Bridget about self-soothing – but I don't think I'd be able to leave her without picking her up and comforting her – she's my little girl after all. I can see some people are starting to leave the prison, but I think they're probably just visitors. Then I see her.
"Booms! Boomer, over here." I try not to yell to loudly, I don't want to startle Olivia and scare her.
"Franky! You're here!" she makes quick work of closing the distance between us, she's about to engulf me in a massive, bone-crushing hug when she notices a little hand escape from the blanket I'm holding.
"Ooh! You brought the baby! Let me see Franky! Please!" I can only laugh at her level of enthusiasm as I carefully peel back some more of the blanket, to give her a better view of Olivia.
"Booms meet my daughter – Olivia, and Olivia look, it's your auntie Boomer." I say, holding her up so Boomer can have a good look at her.
"Oh god Franky – she looks just like you! She's gorgeous, so perfect." Boomer holds out a tentative hand, slowly approaching the baby, and running a gentle finger down her cheek. That's when Olivia decides to grab Boomers finger with her tiny hand.
"That means she likes you Booms." I say, Boomer doesn't even acknowledge what I've said, she's completely entranced by the baby.
"She has a strong grip Franky." She says with a puzzled look.
"Yeah, everyone says she must take after me, she sees something she likes and won't let go." I laugh.
"Boomer! What you still doing he-oh." I hear the voice of Kim Chang from the other side of the carpark – Boomer must have been blocking Olivia and I from sight.
"Hey Kim, yeah we're just about to leave. Franky is just getting Olivia settled for the car ride." Boomer replies, very matter of fact, much to my amusement.
"Oh, I see. Hi Franky." Kim says, approaching where we are standing next to the Mercedes. As if on cue, Olivia starts to whimper and let out small cries.
"Hey Kim. Shh, Olivia settle down – we'll be home to mummy soon baby." I say, rocking her back and forth.
"Cute kid." Is all Kim says next.
"Thanks. Oh crap, umm I'm going to need to change her, the drives almost an hour and I don't want her sitting with a dirty nappy for all that time."
"Umm, where Franky? We're in a carpark…at a prison." Boomer says, looking around us.
"Ha, trust me Booms, once you have a baby – you learn to be prepared for every scenario – in this case, the boot of the car will have to do. Can you take her for a minute? I just need to grab her bag and put a towel down."
"Sure! Yeah no probs Franky." I hand the baby over to Boomer, who seems very content holding her. For some reason, Kim is still standing next to us – really not sure why. I set up everything I need in the boot – and Boomer puts Olivia down on the towel.
"Okay Olivia, nappy change time – no squirming okay, let's not show your mummy up." She lets out a little laugh as I tickle her belly.
"Wow Franky, you're good at that." Boomer says as she watches intently – I'm just fastening back up Olivia's onesie.
"Months of practice Booms, could probably do it blindfolded now. Here we go, all clean now baby girl. Booms, take her again while I clean this stuff up will you?" she instantly takes the baby from me again while I finish tidying.
"Right – we better get a move on then, Bridget said lunch would be ready by 2pm, she would have come but thought it better just me for when you got out." I take Olivia and strap her in her car seat.
"That was thoughtful of her – I'm looking forward to meeting her properly." I smile at this.
"She is too Booms, right hop in then. Umm Kim? Is there a reason you're still standing next to us?" she's fidgeting with her hands, while looking at the ground.
"Umm not really – I was just wondering how Booms was getting out of here, but clearly you have that taken care of."
"Right – but why are you still standing next to my car?" I ask, just wanting to get home.
"Oh. Well, it's just that my ride never showed and I have no money to get into the city, before I saw you, I thought I could get a ride from Booms, that's all."
"Get in the car Kim." I say, hopping in the driver's seat.
"Oh Booms, you mind sitting in the back and watching Olivia please? Sometimes she gets a bit sick in the car. "she nods and gets in the backseat. Kim is still just standing looking at the car.
"Kim, just get in the bloody car!" this does the trick and she hops in the front passenger seat.
"Thanks – really, I appreciate this." She says, looking over to me as I start to drive.
"Well we couldn't just leave you stranded. Put the address in the GPS, would you?"
"Yeah sure thing."
Half an hour later we arrive at the address Kim input to the Sat Nav.
"Okay, well this is me. Umm I guess this is goodbye then, maybe see you around Booms, Franky – thanks for the ride, I really do mean that. Also, sorry, I was such a bitch to you and Bridget – I'm glad you're happy – and that kid of yours is far too cute." Kim says, opening the door to get out. Boomer gets out to hug her goodbye, I lean over slightly, trying to think what to say.
"Thank Kim, and for whatever it's worth, I really never meant to hurt you back then – take care of yourself, and don't end up back inside."
"Yeah Franky – nah I won't, I'm done with that shit now." And with that, she leaves.
"Okay Booms – only 15-20 minutes and we'll be at my place." I smile into the rear-view mirror; she's taking her job of watching Olivia very seriously – she's hardly looked away from her.
"Okay cool, that's good." Is the murmured reply I receive.
Bridget POV
I must say, I'm unusually nervous about this afternoon – I mean, the only interaction I've ever had with 'Boomer' was during group session, when she was explaining to me she punched her last councillor in the face and ended up in Wentworth, it was Franky that intervened back then and basically told her to shut up and watch her mouth. My hero – even back then. It'll be different this time though – I'm sure of it, they'll be back in a few minutes – lunch is more or less ready, I just need to plate it up when they get here. Just then, the front door opens and I'm immediately greeted by Olivia's wailing – which is very unlike her. I move fast to the hall, where I see 'Boomer' walking towards me with my daughter – eyes wide, looking slightly worried.
"Hi, Bridget – umm Franky had to get her stuff from the car so asked me to bring her in, I hope you don't mind – but now she won't stop crying – I'm sorry." She says, thrusting the baby out towards me, clearly panicked she's done something wrong.
"Hey, don't worry – she's just hungry, she hasn't been fed in a few hours, she'll settle down after that. It's so nice to see you again, Sue." I say, taking Olivia from her and moving to heat up a pre-made bottle that we have stored.
"Ha, it's weird hearing my actual name, please just call me Boomer, if you call me Sue I probably won't answer you half the time because I'll think you're talking to someone else." I laugh at this as she says it, and get Olivia to start feeding from the bottle, just then Franky comes into the kitchen to join us.
"Hi honey." She greets, giving me a quick kiss on the lips.
"Hey – lunch is ready; can you serve it up while I finish with Olivia please?"
"Sure, no problem."
"Do you need a hand with anything Franky?" Boomer asks.
"No, you're the guest Booms, just go have a seat at the table – we'll only be a minute – you want some wine?"
"Thanks, umm yes please, it's been a while though so just a small glass."
I put Olivia in her bouncer chair next to the dining table so we can keep an eye on her while we eat.
"This is a really lovely home you have here, been in it long?" Boomer asks as Franky returns to the table, puts the dishes down in front of us then takes a seat herself.
"Well, I've lived here for seven years now, I was in Sydney before then so I bought this place when I moved to Melbourne – it was far too big for me back then – but it's turned out to be a great family home." I reply as we begin to tuck into the food.
"So when did you move in here Franky?" Boomer asks, looking at Franky this time. I can see my wife trying to hide the smile playing on her lips before she answers.
"Well – Bridget and I didn't start out very traditional, on the day of my release, she picked me up and we came back here, she's not managed to get rid of me since." Franky and I share a chuckle, but Boomer just looks at us as if we're crazy.
"Oh – wow, aren't there rules though? I thought you'd need to stay elsewhere, especially while on parole."
"Well, technically yes – we were just very careful with our relationship for the first year or so, but to be honest, we were together two years when we got married and no one batted an eyelid – I think there were bigger things to worry about, than two people in love." I say to Boomer, as Franky reaches for my hand to give it a squeeze.
"Yeah Booms, she's right – we were a bit worried at first, but my parole only lasted six months, and once Bridget left Wentworth the year after, she became a full time lecturer, so no patients meant she wouldn't get struck off for our relationship – now though since it's been more than two years everything is fine, she can go back to having patients with no worries." Franky says and I nod my head in agreement with her, this seems to satisfy Boomer.
"That's good then – because I've never seen you so happy before Franky – the whole wife and kid thing looks good on you."
"Yeah Booms thanks, honestly never been happier – I finally have a great life – the past is now well and truly in the past, and for that I'm thankful."
The rest of lunch passes by quickly, Frank and I clear the table while Boomer plays with Olivia in the Livingroom.
"She's so good with her Franky." I say, observing the scene in the other room while drying the dishes.
"Yeah she really is, Olivia seems to have taken to her as well, which is nice."
"Mhmm it is, when does she need to be at the bedsit?" I ask Franky, knowing myself it won't be the nicest place to stay but for now it's necessary.
"Well the curfew isn't until 10pm, but I'll drop her off a bit earlier and make sure she gets settled in okay."
"You're such a good friend darling, what's she got lined up for work, anything yet?" I ask, but my attention is once again drawn to my daughter and our guest.
"Nothing as of yet – let's just say she wasn't very committed when it came to the study programmes."
"Huh, interesting." I say absentmindedly out loud.
"Why's that babe?" Franky asks, eyebrows knitted together in confusion at my words.
"Okay – well it's just an idea – but what would you think about asking Boomer to look after Olivia, once I start the sessions with Bea I mean, and Vera has sort of asked me to help out with some other women as well, but I didn't want to say yes because of Olivia – but now, this might work, any thoughts?" Franky has now turned to give me her full attention.
"Oh. You'd be okay with that?" she says, quite shocked.
"Of course, she's your friend, just like Amelia, Maura, Erica and everyone else – I think, given we're married establishes I have no issues with reformed prisoners in my life." Franky takes me by surprise, as she is suddenly on me, lifting me up so I need to wrap my legs around her waist for balance, as she claims my lips with her own.
"You – are the most amazing woman on this planet Bridget Westfall-Doyle, I freakin' love you!"
"I'm assuming, judging by your reaction – that you're on board with the idea?" I ask knowingly, still hoisted up in Franky's arms.
"Yes babe, I think it's a brilliant idea! Thank you. I guess we should go and ask her though – just in case." With one last kiss, Franky slowly lowers me to the ground again.
"Hey Booms! Bridget and I have a proposition for you." Franky says as we walk hand-in-hand into the Livingroom.
"A proposition?" her eyes narrow at us suspiciously.
"Franky, I've told you before – I only did that the one time, and I'm sorry Bridget – but you're not a guy and I'm not into doing it with two other women." Boomer looks at Franky and I apologetically – I'm very confused by her response, until it suddenly clicks with me – Franky is already doubled over laughing.
"Oh god! No! No – that's not what Franky was getting at – nope, nothing like that, we are definitely not propositioning you for a threesome!" I'm also now trying not to burst out laughing.
"Oh – okay, yeah of course not, sorry my bad – what were you going to ask me Franky?" Franky gives me a look; one I understand as 'are you sure you want to go through with this?' I give her a nod as she now has the composure to start again.
"Right Booms – like Bridget said, no threesome, don't panic, what we were going to ask is if you would become Olivia's babysitter? Bridget will be consulting at Wentworth again soon, so a few times a week probably – we'll come up with a salary and everything if you accept."
"You trust me to look after Olivia? Wow! Thank you both so much, I was worrying about getting a job but this would be great – ahh thank you!" Boomer gives us both a hug.
"Well you seem to be good with her – you can just come here and watch her if that's okay, saves moving her stuff." I say as I pick Olivia up.
"Sounds perfect! Oh I can't wait to start – you just let me know when and I'll be here!" she says, full of enthusiasm.
"Fantastic! Oh, excuse me, I think someone needs changed, I'll be right back." I say, going to move with Olivia to the nursery.
"Wait! Here, let me – I'll need to get used to it, I don't mind honest." Boomer says, holding her arms out expectantly.
"Umm okay, if you're sure." I say handing my daughter over.
"Nursery's down there on the left Booms, call if you need help." Franky says as Boomer starts to walk away.
"I'm not gonna lie Gidge, I could get used to someone else taking care of that end of things." Franky laughs and I couldn't agree more.