Chapter two
Francine woke up the next morning to breakfast in bed. Arthur had her favourite dish on a tray with a cup of hot coffee and orange juice.
"Oh thankyou" she smiled with a grateful look on her face.
Arthur gave his wife a warm kiss and propped the tray up beside her.
"This is to thank you" "for doing everything that you do fo me and our children."
"You're so good to me" she gushed.
"Well you're worth it." He smiled and sat beside her.
In came Naomi and Jacob who sat on the bed.
"Is it Mother's day already?" Jacob asked. He crawled in between his parents.
"No but I want us all to sit and thank God for your Mother." He said.
Francine felt overwhelmed. "You don't have to do that."
"No but we want to, because you've given up a lot for this family" "you sacrificed your dreams to stay at home and raise the kids, do the chores and are involved in the outreach" "to the point where you hardly get anytime for yourself at all."
Francine felt weepy. "Arthur, I do those things because I love you" she replied. "I enjoy staying at home and using my talents to help others."
She missed out on college as Francine fell pregnant not long after the two married. She wasn't fussed and her calling was different and ingrained within her jeart and soul. She didn't desire fame for music or sports. She enjoyed dancing as a hobby with Arthur on tuesday evenings and George had taught his wife Fern how to twirl around on the dance floor. That was their special time together and they often went out for dessert afterwards with George and Fern. So even with their time together, Arthur and Francine seldom had a day to themselves, if ever.
Life was good.
Granted Francine did a lot for her family it was because she loved them and God in her life.
"Your mother was pregnant with you two when I started studying at College" Arthur propped Naomi on his knee. "She put her dreams of her education on hold but is still a smart beautiful Mommy isnt she?"
Jacob and Naomi agreed. "Yes" Jacob replied, having a tiny wee mouthful of his Mothers scrambled eggs that their Dad had made. He had inherited some good cooking skills from his Father and their kidsvGrandpa David.
"College, shmollege" she shrugged. "As long as I have my lovely family and my dancing ", she grinned. " God has different plans for us both work wise Arthur honey" "she wiped her mouth and pressed her lips against her husband's.
"Hee hee" Naomi giggled. "College shmollege" then Jacob giggled.
Arthur laughed when he thought back to those days of study while his wife looked after the babies.
He always helped out but Francine did the lions share and wheñ it came to birth control, that was a choice made and discussed between them. After their wedding which I'll go into in the next chapter, they didn't use protection. They had only ever lay with each other, once on their engagement night as a slip up but used a condom and then during their honeymoon they just enjpyed the moment since sex was more pleasurable after Francine lost her virginity, it didn't hurt during their time away.
By the time Summer ended and Freshman fall at Elwood City University began, Francine had been given her answer when they graduated high school and she saught the Lord for her future plans. Her talents were vast and she was a naturally gifted singer who had drum and dance lessons, played soccer and baseball. Those talents would not go unrecognised. Francine wouldn't let that happen as it would pain her too much but the Lord intervened for the time being when she became pregnant at 18 and a half. Her pregnancy was a smooth one and she was fortunate enough to remsin healthy and continue her singing and enjoyed running up until she had to stop in the last trimester due to the twins being so heavy against her pelvis and back.
Today was her day and her Husband would make sure his wife enjoyed her day, not because it was their seventh yr anniversary that was coming up im the summer, nor her birthday, a special holiday or any other type of day such as valentine's of which they didn't see the need in celebrating. It was a bit of a commercial rip off.
This was to thank his wife for the school visits and PTA meetings. The outreaches she organized with George and Arthur despite her exhaustion at the end of the week, the clean house and coomed meals every night. The way she thanked Arthur every time he washed up afterva hard day at work, or coo!ed with her on weekends. The fact Arthur never had to fear for his childrens safety, learning or spiritual food as Him and Francine poured alot of values into them together. Today was to thank her for helping the kids with their homework after a busy day of grocery shopping, taking the car to and from different places and inviting George and some other fellow church members to their bible study group on every second Wednesday evening after ensuring the kids were fed and bathed with her Husband who she made sure was looked after.
He always had breakfast, lunch and dinner from his Wife, a nice warm clean bed to slide into at the end of the night and someone to listen to his day at work after a long hard slog teaching students aged 10-11" English language. To thank her for kneeling to pray with him as the children lay their jeads down.
To thank her for waiting until he'd bathed, changed and read the kids their bed time stories so she could jump into bed with him and snuggle while they watched one of their favourite shows together drinking hot cocoa she had prepared. To thank her for those intimate moments they got to spend together with their hot drinks, while she massaged his back before they lay together in bed. To thank her for the showers they shared in the mornimgs before the children woke up and how they'd wash each other. The hot baths she would run for them on the weekends to share while she rested against him and closed her eyes thankful for her best friend and lover in one. Lastly to thank her for all the unknown jobs around the house she did including administering band aids and wiping tears from weepy kids when they fell or played a bit too hard. To give kissess and cuddles inbetween teaching Naomi and Jake to fold and put away thir clothing and brush their teeth, learn to help out with chores and be there when they did not quite do something right or flunked a test at school.
Lastly, Arthur thanked the Lord for his Wife who had chosen of her own FREE will to accept Jesus as her saviour and put her aspirations deep in her heart of singing on hold to tend to her Husband and two children...
They prayed together and thanked God for all of the above.
For all the unseen hugs and kissess, play dates and drop offs to and from various games after school and dance classess.
One thing Francine Alice Read would make sure of though for her children:
"Oh by the way" she said on the car ride to school, " both of you are going to College" "or some form of study after you graduate." She informed them!
The kids cringed. Arthur laughed. "Weve got another twelve years to plan sweetheart" he said.
Out for lunch.
After they had taken the kids to school, Arthur took his wife out to lunch after having a nice warm bath with her that morning that he had ran for her with bubbles.
"A glass of champagne for my good lady?" He smiled, pouring her some wine.
"Thankyou kind sir" she replied and they clunked their glasses together across the table while the sun shone in through the doors to the secluded dining place.
The restaurant overlooked the harbour, one of Francines favourite places. The smell of the ocean captivated her and she felt Gods presence surround her.
After enjoying a seafood platter and chocolate cheesecake together, the couple went for a walk on the beach. The autumn air was unusually warm so the wind was not that powerful against the waves which foamed beside their feet.
Francines dress got a bit sandy but she didnt care. Her long silky hair tossed in the breeze and Arthurs hands kept her face warm. "I like those earrings you're wearing" he said with a wink.
She played with one of them and looked to the sky.
"Id hope so" she smiled. "I remember when you gave them to me...among other things"
He held her hand and gave her ring finger a kiss while the two of them thought back to Francines 16th birthday
Flash back.
Sweet Sixteen...
Francine celebrated her sixteenth birthday at Arthurs house although not everyone was happy about it. Since she frequently visited her boyfriends home to discuss biblical principles and ask questions about things with David and Jane.
This annoyed DW greatly. The twelve year old was already annoyed that Buster visited as much as he did, eating everything offered by her parents but now the annoying school friend of Arthurs turned Christian girlfriend was not only there most afternoons after soccer practice or her music lessons, her parents and Arthurs had agreed to let Francine have a party at their house.
While the guests arrived including Muffy dressed up in her fancy designer c!othing and hair up with her latest boyfriend Alex, Sue Ellen showed up with her, dressed similar, wearing her hair nicely styled. Since breakimg up with George, the cat had since lost interest in him and her ex best friend Fern Walters who was sitting beside the birthday girl who wore a white winter dress as her birthday was in February with a velvet trim, hair down and a small amount of make up.
She opened Arthurs present first. It was indeee a pair of silver hoop earrings.
"Thank you" she said giving him a thank you kiss
The parent's knew Feancine would act responsibly after the fiasco at Arthurs so they left her alone while the teens ate pizza, thai food and watched movies. Binky was dating Molly at the time and they got her a set of wrestlimg DVDs.
"Uh um thanks" she mumbled.
Next was Muffy. "Open mine" she eagerly anticipated Francines look of shock.
"Its a gift voucher at D and M clothing" ",You can buy any dress you want... with my help off course" the red head skited.
"Oh my gosh thankyou" Francine gave her friend a large hug.
Sue Ellen had brought her a set of anklets and a toe ring and Buster brought her a new soccer ball.
"Thank you everyone for your gifts" she smiled. "I love the anklet and the new soccer ball."
Sye Ellen nudged her boyfriend, "told ya she would" she said with a wink.
"Yeah yeah." Buster sighed, planting a small kiss on the female cats cheek.
Fern and George clubbed together and got her two of her favourite CDs and a new set of drum sticks"
She was overwhelmed.
"Youre not sixteen everyday" George grinned."We thought you'd appreciate them."
" Uh yes George" she grinned. "Just a little bit." She winked. "Thank you both."
Once everyone had eaten and left, Francine stayed with Buster who wanted Sue Ellen to stay but Arthurs parets wouldnt allow it. Arthur sat beside his girlfriend while she opened David and Janes gift. It was a Messianic version of the new testament bible.
"This is..." She was speechless.
Arthur wrapped his arms around her. "I hope you enjoyed your night, and enjoy reading this."
"Off course I will" she replied, opening the book of Matthew.
"I have one more gift for you" he smiled and Buster took it as his cue to head upstairs.
"Uh I'll just be asleep in Arthurs bed" he yawned.
"Um okay then" Francine gave her friend a quizzical look.
"Yeah dont ask" Arthur sighed. "Anyway come with me" he led her outside and told her to put on her winter coat.
She stood outside as the snow fell against the trees and onto the ground like a winter wonderland.
"So uh Ive been thinking" Arthur scratched the back of his head. She held his arms which were covered in a navy woollen coat. "No dont do that." she joked. "It will hurt your brain."
He stroked her hair. "Im serious" he smiled apprehensively.
"Ahem sorry." She replied.
"Well the thing is, I've been waiting a long time and praying for you Francine Frensky" he said.
The sky was navy and the stars shone bright. "Yeah" she said a little weepy. "Arthur are you...?"
"Okay just bare with me" he replied, pulling his grandmothers golden ring with diamond encrusted jewel inside.
Francine gasped.
"I know we're only sixteen and we neee to wait until graduation." Arthur informed her, lowering himself onto one knee.
The snow must have made his jeans soak through to his skin but he didn't care.
"I know you mean it" he smiled nervously."You want the same things I do."
She nodded her head and gushed. "I do, I really do."
"Dad gave me this ring to give to the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with." "A good friend, loyal and kind" he said. "Christian..." He looked up at her.
She had tears in her eyes.
"So you know what Im going to ask you right?"
She nodded and wiped her eyes. "Uh huh"
"Will you um Francine Frensky, will you marry me?"
He lifted himself up and she wrapped her arms around him. "Yes yes yes" she wept.
"Let me put the ring on" he chuckled.
"Oh right" she held out her hand as he slipped it on.
Grandpa Dave had really ourdone himself with the 24 carot gold band with diamond fixture. Francine had never seen anything so beautiful shimmering in the light outside the neighbourhood houses.
"Its gorgeous" she gasped. "This is the best birthday...I think I'll ever have"
Arthur picked her up and spun her around. "I agree".
She kissed him passionately and they headed inside.
Buster came down and asked if Francine said yes.
He nodded. Holding her hand.
"Way to go" He high fived his best friend and looked at the ring.
"Wowza" he remarked. "No wonder you said yes" he joked.
"Shut up doofus" Francine nudged him.
"Nah Im joking" Buster laughed giving Francine a small hug.
That night her parents came round and found out Francine was engaged. Oliver was over the moo as Arthur was a nice decent boy vut Laverne thought they were too young. Oliver tried to explain that they weren't getting Married yet and that Arthur had actually asked his fiancés dad for her hand in marriage, making Laverne very angry at her husband. The anger wore off eventually but Francine was just thrilled her Father was so happy for his daughter.
David and Jane embraced her and welcomed her to the family while Oliver sat and spoke with them.
Francine slept on the couch in Arthurs living room while Arthur was asleep on the floor and Buster in his bed for some reason.
At the breakfast table.
Jane was getting some coffee while Francine spoke with Buster about the upcoming Junior soccer game in the new year...
DW came down stairs and hissed at Arthurs girlfriend.
"Francine dont you have your own home to go too?" DW spat. She pointed to the door. ,"Stop visiting us and piss off"
"Dora Winifred" her Mother scolded her. "Bite your tongue young lady"
"Francine has every right to be here."
DW was scowling hatefull remarks about Arthur and his annoying friends so naturally, Francine and her elder brothers dating was another annoyance to the bratty little girl.
"I was invited" Francine retorted. "Dont tell me to piss off." "You knew it was my birthday last night"
"Yeah?" DW growled. "Well its over now, so get out."
"Hey, how would you like it DW?" Buster questioned. "If your friends sister told you to get out?"
He was munching on some toast while Francine did her best to ignore DW.
The pre teen went red with anger at Buster and his stupid comment. She picked up his plate and threw it across the room. The toast landed all over the kitchen floor while the plate hit Arthur in the face as he headed into the kitchen to greet his Fiancé and best friend.
"Ahh" he yelled as his glasses fell to the floor.
"Dora Winifred" Jane growled. "Upstairs now" "dont come out for the rest of the day"
DW stomped her feet and screamed. "Im not sorry"
Francine went to help Arthur when DW noticed Thoras ring on her finger.
"WHAT THE HELL?" She pointed directly at them both.
"You're getting freaking married?"
Francine wanted to kick that brat into next week but Jane grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her upstairs.
"Just you wait until your Father hears about this." She scowled
DW pleaded Jane say nothing to David but she would tell her husband what their daughter said and did. She would be disciplined too.
Buster had his jaw wide open.
"Buster get a cloth and some ointment would ya?" Francine yelled.
She wiped the blood from his face and put his glassess back on.
"That little..."
"I know" Arthur winced.
Buster came back with an ice pack and some ointment for Arthurs head. Francine took him upstairs and he lay down in bed.
"Did you want me to stay or should I get going?"
He clutched her hand.
"Stay" he winced. "I want my Fiancé here with me"
She smiled. "When I'm your wife you'll have no choice" she joked giving him a small kiss
"I know" he replied holding her hand. "Good huh?"...
Present day.
The day had ended as quickly as it began and the sun set over the hills of Elwood City.
Naomi and Jacob were with David and Janes for dinner, giving Arthur and Francine some alone time to lay together as man and wife.
He held her close and grasped her hips.
"Thank you for today" she moaned in pleasure.
"Anything to show you I care for you" he replied sweating...
They intertwined and became one before snuggling against each other.
"Oh time for a shower together before the kids come home" he winked
"I'll turn the water on" Francine leapt out if bed and went into the bathroom
"Well" he said following her "You already turn me on" he replied...
TBC
Chapter three
Wedded bliss and a sweet Christmas!
Francine tells the kids about her first Christmas with Arthur then their wedding day...!