"Well babe, I hope for your sake it's not really ugly, have you seen some of the bridesmaid dresses out there? And no offence to Vera, but she's hardly fashionable. Thank god I get to wear a tux – imagine if I had to wear a dress? Hell would have to freeze over before they'd get me in one!" I say to Bridget as we are leaving the house, she is meeting with Vera, Maura and Erica to look at dresses, basically a girls shopping day, and I'm going to the pub with Will and the guys, then going to get fitted for my tuxedo – and probably if I'm being honest we'll go back to the pub. It's now only six weeks until the big day. Olivia is going with Bridget as well, and they'll try and find her an outfit.
"Well hopefully that's why she's taking us – so we can give our opinion, let's hope she'll listen. I can't wait to get Olivia her dress, I'm so excited!" Bridget says while picking up Olivia and holding her above her head, spinning around as our daughter squeals in delight.
"Babe, watch she's not sick on you – I just fed her." I laugh as Bridget immediately stops and lowers her.
"Oops – sorry baby girl." She says, kissing Olivia's head.
"I can't believe how big she's getting Gidge, six months old, where has the time gone? She's even been trying to crawl recently." I say, looking at my daughter – thinking back to when she was just born and how small she was.
"I know Franky, but just think of all the milestones we get to look forward to." I wrap my arms around my wife, Olivia sandwiched in the middle of us.
"I love you both so much – now let's get a move on, I hear a beer calling my name!" I wink as Bridget just rolls her eyes at me.
Two hours later, I'm perched on a barstool – beer and whisky chaser in front of me, we're on our third round and if we don't make a move soon there's no way we will be sober enough for our fittings.
"Right guys, we need to head out after this round, those tuxedos won't buy themselves, also I think I'm no longer very sober." I look to Will as I say this.
"Yeah she's right – let's down these and go." We chug down the remaining pints and take our shot of whisky – probably should have just left them behind, but too late now.
"Franky – I'm not gonna lie, you will look sooo hot in a tux!" A rugby friend of Will's says to me, I think his name is Alex, as we walk along the street to the rental store.
"Yeah Franky! You are gonna look smokin', you'll be fighting people off you!" Will says, flashing me a massive grin and a wink.
"Hmm I hope so, might help me get lucky on the day then!" I laugh, thinking how much Bridget loves me in tuxedos, but Alex just steps closer to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
"Well…if you're needing someone for the job – I'm your man!" He slurs, pulling me even closer, of course the guys think this is absolutely hilarious.
"Umm mate?" Will says, doing his best to keep a straight face.
"What Will? We're havin' a moment here!"
"Really? Well if that's the case, I think Franky's wife would have something to say." Alex let's go of me so fast at Will's words.
"Damn! Seriously? All the hot girls I meet are lesbians!" he cries out, in such an overly dramatic way.
"Sorry mate – but hey, the wedding will be full of chicks!" I say to him.
"Yeah! I'll find a girl there, you're right."
We arrive at the Tux rental store, only to be handed yet more alcohol – this time in the form of champagne.
"Bridget is gonna kill me when I get home smelling like a distillery – but you know what? I don't even care. I'm allowed to have fun!" I say, mixing drinks has never been a good idea for me.
"Amelia will kill me too – but we hardly do this frequently! I really like these tux's guys, we going with these ones?"
"Yeah I think we all look good, what do you think Franky?"
"They look good – but if you're looking for the in-depth analysis a woman would normally provide, you should have brought my wife." I say laughing, as the others join in too. We have drunk far too much champagne and already have plans to head to another pub when we're finished here.
"I wonder how the women are getting on anyway, I mean it hasn't taken us long to decide but you know what they're like." Greg says and we all more than agree.
"Don't forget, they're getting Olivia a dress – and those four deciding what one looks cutest on her is going to be a nightmare."
Bridget POV
"Well I think we should get her this one she's wearing, it's slightly big right now but six weeks is a long time at her age – she'll have gotten longer and put on weight." I say, observing my daughter in a pale pink dress.
"I agree – and she looks so cute in that one." Maura says, moving to pick up Olivia.
"Yeah, I think this one too, it's by far the nicest you've tried on her." Erica says, moving to stand next to her girlfriend.
"That's settled then, so are we happy with all the dresses?" Vera asks as she sips on champagne.
"Yes, you two look lovely in the bridesmaid dresses – I think you're making the right choice." Erica replies.
"Alright, great, well let's open that second bottle of champagne to celebrate getting your dresses!" Vera says, clearly a little bit tipsy. Maura hands the baby to Erica so she can pop open the cork and fills the flutes.
"Just a half for me please, the fact Franky is at the pub with the boys – Olivia needs at least one sober parent tonight." I say, covering the champagne flute with my hand to signal enough has been poured.
"That's a good point – you know what they're like when they get together." Vera says, knowingly.
"Mhmm, oh we should talk about your bachelorette party! We need to get it all planned out!" Maura says, getting excited at the prospect.
"Do I need to have one?" Vera groans.
"Of course you do! You can't get married and not!" Erica replies.
"Yup, Erica is right – don't worry, I'll plan a night you'll never forget!" I say, looking to Vera who just groans even louder.
"Okay, okay – but nothing too crazy!"
"I make no promises. On that note, I better be heading home, it's getting late and I need to get Olivia bathed and ready for bed." I say standing, as Erica straps Olivia into her car seat.
"Thanks Erica, okay well ladies – if you head to that cocktail bar, don't get too drunk! Have a nice night, we'll see you again soon." We exchange goodbyes as I exit to get a taxi home.
Once back at the house, I can't say I'm shocked to find no trace of my wife, it's only just gone 8pm after all – so she'll probably be out for hours yet. I get Olivia ready for bedtime and she's in her crib for the night by 9pm.
I'm surprised, when I hear the door unlocking not even an hour later – however, not so surprised when I hear a slight stumble, followed then by a thud coming from the hallway. I stand quickly and go and check on my drunk wife.
"Gidget! You came to rescue me!" Franky shouts, from her position on the floor as she struggles to get up.
"Shh, you'll wake Olivia if you yell like that." I say, getting her to her feet. She immediately throws her arms around my neck and places a sloppy kiss on my lips, I can taste the alcohol instantly. I push her back so I can properly look at her.
"Hi, how much did you have to drink love?" I say, looking at her eyes, which are bloodshot.
"Dunno – shots, lot's." is the only answer I get from her, we start moving towards the bedroom so I can put her to bed, when she abruptly stops, I turn to face her, just in time to witness her throwing up all over the carpet and herself. She then continues to walk to the bedroom, and before I can get to her, flings herself on the bed – with her sick covered clothes on.
"Franky!" I shout as she closes her eyes.
"Come on, get up you need to get cleaned, the bed is covered now and so is the carpet in the hall!"
"No, me sleepy." She says as I stare at her, seriously not impressed at all right now.
"Franky, get off that bed and into the bathroom right now, or so help me!" she opens her eyes and looks up at me, then that's when the waterworks start.
"Why are you sooo mean Gidget – I'm not well, I've been sick. Be nice." She says, tears rolling down her face. I just stare at her, eyebrows raised at her little performance.
"You're only sick because you drank too much, please Franky you need to get in the shower, then I can change the bed so we can go to sleep. Shower – now." My voice remains calm, but I am starting to lose my patience, it's been a while since she's behaved like this – and I definitely haven't missed it.
"Alright – jeez, take a fucking chill pill! Just fuck off!" she retorts, getting up from the bed on shaky legs and pushing me away from her.
"Watch your mouth Franky – I will not have you swearing at me like that." I say to her, as I help her into the bathroom, just in time for her to throw up again, luckily in the toilet this time.
"Fucking hell" I murmur under my breath. I switch on the shower and don't even bother to undress her – I just push her underneath the stream of water so she can clean up, she starts removing her clothes while I go and get her pyjamas – consisting of boy shorts and an old band tee. I walk back in, seeing she's now completely stripped, I help her wash the vomit off of herself, get her out and dried off and put the pyjamas on her.
"I'm so sorry baby." She says to me as I lead her to the guest bedroom, unable to put her in our bed because I still need to change the sheets.
"I know, let's just get you in bed Franky, I'll get you some water okay. Lie down." She does as I go and get water and paracetamol to leave for the morning. When I return she is already fast asleep. I tuck her in, stroke the hair away from her face and kiss her forehead.
"I love you Franky, even if you do drive me crazy sometimes." I whisper and switch off the light, making my way back to our bedroom to clean up, then moving to the hall to clean the carpet, knowing if I leave it overnight, the smell will be unbearable.
I finally crawl in to bed next to Franky in the guest room at 12.30am, thankful to finally get some sleep.
I am woken by the sound of Olivia crying in the baby monitor, checking the time, it is 8am. Franky is still sound asleep next to me as I make my way down the corridor to the crying baby. I bring her back to the guest room with me to feed her in bed, as I walk in Franky is now sitting up against the headboard, drinking the water I left and popping a few paracetamols.
"Good morning." I say, moving to get back in bed with Olivia, settling her against my chest to feed.
"Bridget." She says softly, 'there's my full name again' I think.
"Yes?" I turn my head towards her.
"I'm so sorry for coming home in that state. I'm so sorry for being sick everywhere and being an asshole – but mostly, I'm ashamed of how I spoke to you last night when you were only trying to help, you were being incredible and I just reverted back to my old ways, which is unforgivable." She says, looking me right in the eye.
"I accept your apologise Franky, but the way you spoke to me really hurt – if it happens again I don't think I can be so forgiving." I say, being completely honest with her. She moves closer to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
"I absolutely hate that side of me baby – I hate hurting you in any way and you have my word I'll never get like that again, I promise. I won't jeopardise losing you two over being an idiot." She kisses me on the cheek, and I turn my head to our lips connect.
"I know, it was just a bad night – let's just move on okay, I think we've said everything we need to about it. You get some more sleep, then you'll feel better darling." I kiss her one more time, before she rolls over to her side of the bed again and falls back to sleep almost instantly.