A couple of weeks had passed since that lovely day Arthur and his family had given Francine.
She had written a thank you card and cooked him one of his favourite meals with Jacob and Naomi. He was not expecting this when he arrived home from work one Friday so it came as pleasant surprise, especially when he took his wife upstairs to thank her properly.
Autumn passed and December was upon the family and that meant Christmas.
The snow was starting to fall outside and the feeling of goodwill was in the air.
"Mommy its snowing outside" Naomi gasped, pointing outside.
"It certianly is." She replied. "Do you know the first time I celebrated Christmas with your Daddy?"
Naomi shook her hair, her pig tails swayed back and forth. Arthur was getting ready for work while Jacob followed him downstairs.
"Please just give me one tiny clue" he pleaded. "What have you got me?" "Just one present please?"
"No" he sternly shook his head. "You'll find out Christmas morning"
Francine sighed. Naomi was excited about the Christmas eve service because she was playing Mary this year at the Nativity.
"I wanna be in it but nooo" Jake stomped his feet.
"Hey its okay" Francine knelt down beside him. "You can sing with me at our Christmas party"
"Yay" Jake grinned. He had inherited his Mothers vocal talent.
Naomi sat on her fathers knee at the breakfast table. "Daddy, Mommy was telling me about her first Christmas with you"
"Ah yes, I remember that" "It feels like years ago" he sighed
Francine sat at the breakfast table and clasped her cup of coffee.
"Seven years to be exact darling".. She replied. " After you spent Hanukkah with me" Since the festival if lights takes place before the 25th.
"It was a fun December" he smiled, reminiscing of that year when they were sixteen, not long before his Fiancé Francine Frenskys seventeenth in February.
Seven years prior.
Since the couple were heading into senior year, it was their decision and choice how they spent the holidays but it sure was nice to enjoy both holudays even if Francine was now a follower of Christ.
She warmly embraced her Mother who realised, that her daughters "conversion" as it was known was for real.
While the lights were lit and the family gathered, Arthur held his Francines hand. They closed their eyes and thanked god for this moment. Laverne was very hospitable and offered lots of different types of food which Arthur had to eventually decline because he was so full.
Catherine and Chip were there. Chip was speaking with his sister in law but Catherine remained stoic. Her arms were folded and her designer clothing couldn't mask her bitterness toward Arthur no more than DWs could toward Francine.
Sadly this separation was to continue and Catherine wanted nothing to do with Francine or her new family. She'd never enjoyed having a little sister anyway and in her mind Francine's actions were just another hindrance. This did not stop the ache in Francines heart on Christmas eve when she wept into Janes arms.
"Ill never be good enough for her" she sobbed.
"Shh honey, come with me" Jane led her into thre living room where they turned on the tree lights and Arthur started plsying piano.
Grandpa Dave was there and David led Francine beside Arthur, asking her to sing Silent night while he played.
"Youve got beautiful voice" he said, "why dont you sing some carols for us?"
"Okay" she gushed.
Arthur started playing the keys while she sang clearly and very well pitched.
"Silent night, holy night. All is calm all is bright" "round yon virgin Mother and child..." *holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace" "sleep in heavenly peace"
She felt a warm presence in the room. Her favourite winter dress and little velvet choker was very pretty and she felt it, sitting beside her Fiancé with her hand on his knee.
"You know one of my favourite's?" Arthur said. "Hark the hersld angels sing"
"Oh?" She bit her lip. "I dont know alot of the words" she replied
Jane wrote them down and she sang intune with the piano.
"Hark the herald angels sing" "Glory to the new born king" "peace on earth and mercy mild" "God and sinners recinciled" "joyful al yee nations rise, join the triumph of the skies" "with angelic hosts proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem" "Hark the herald angels sing...glory to the new born king"
"Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,"
"Glory to the newborn King!"
There was applause and sweet kisses under the mistletoe while DW who wanted desperately to sour the mood refrained because she wanted to receive her presents the next day. Instead she stood, in a pink velvet dress with her arms folded and a jealous glare in her eyes.
Why couldn't it be HER that could sing? Or entertain the family with her piano skills? Alas there was little to nothing she could do when the short bread and Christmas cake was handed around but eat it beside her grandpa who praised his grandson and lobely fiancé of his for their songs.
"You must sing in the Christmas pageant at our church next year" Kate suggested.
"Really?" Francine asked. "That would be awesome."
Arthur clutched her arm. "Yeah you'll enjoy having an entire congregation starring at you while you sing" he winked
"Well thats true" she smiled. She rested against his arm as the clock struck midnight and the two of them lay on the couch cuddled together for warmth.
"Merry Christmas" he said. "Merry Christmas" she replied, kissing him...
On new years eve, Fern and George came to visit. They were holding hands and wearing matching scarves.
"Are you two..?" Arthur asked but was cut off by Fern who nodded. "Yes we are together"
Francine wrapped her arms around Fern. " It was only a matter of time" she giggled
George kissed his girlfriends hand. "Well once I finaly plucked up the courage to ask her out officially" George stated proudly. "We kissed under the mistletoe"
"Her idea by the way" he quickly added. He didn't want to appear overly romantic.
"Aww thats so sweet" Francine replied.
George renoved Ferns coat and his own while for of them sat down in Arthurs bedroom discussing Senior year and friends, relationships and religion.
DW was groaning because Tommy and Timmy had sent her a gift and she attempted to sneak out to see them but was grounded for doing so.
"So you don't see much of Sue Ellen anymore?" Francine asked. Fern shook her head. "Not since her and Muffy started hanging out" she sadly replied.
Yeah, Muffy has kept her distance sunce my birthday last year" Francine replied. "They have their own personal relationships and we have ours"
"Its for the best" Arrhur added. "You don't want to hang around a gossiping boy crazy little.."
*woah Arthur " George gasped. "I never knew you hated her so much"
"I dont hate her and I have tried to be nice but she doesn't like who I am" He explained. Francine agreed. "She thinks I've changed and we're too Churchy for her" Francine sighed
Fern rolled her eyes. "Oh for the love of..." "Seriously?"
George shrugged. "Meh who cares?"
They laughed. "Well if you need a girlfriend to hang out witb...Im always around" Francine smiled.
"Id like that" Fern replied with a smile. "I like the new you"
"I do too" Arthur added, stroking her hair. Francine blushed. "I haven't chanfed that much have I?"
She was met with a resounding "YES" by her friends.
Later on Arthur hopped on the piano while Francine sat beside him and sang "Auld kang syne"
"Should old aquatints be forgot and never brought to mind..." "Well take a cup of kindness yet for Old lang syne" She sang.
The four of them clunked their glassess and welcomed the new year with song and a glass if sweet red wine each.
"For auld lang syne my dear" "for Auld lang syne...'"
Francime added her own ending.
"To new friends and a brand new year for Auld lang syne"..
Arthur whispered in her ear. "We shall be wed not far from here ...in summer time"
She giggled and kissed him.
"Good ending" she cooed, kissing him again.
It wasn't long after that holiday that Fern sat with Arthur and asked questions about Jesus and the bible. George had accepted the Lord a long time ago but renewed his faith and was baptised when Fern became a believer...
It wouldn't be long before Francine would be baptised at age 18 after their wedding.
"I wish we were there for that" Naomi said.
Arthur gave her a kiss. "Well we have had many great Christmases and many more ahead."
Jacob was impatient for school to end so he could play with the neighbourhood kids ds at The Christmas party. Jane, David, Oliver and Laverne would be there but old great grandpa Dave was in a retirement home and not very lucid anymore.
Friends
Molly and her son would be coming over. They had been involved in her life since the pretty rabbit became a solo Mother after Slink took off somewhere, leaving Mollys dreams of guitar and rockstar fame behind her. Her son Lincoln 'Link' MacDonald was a tall seven year old Bunny who often asked where his Father was. That cut through Molly like a knife.
Jacob loved following Link around, his nickname he used and Naomi played with Donna while Ladonna ranted on about her family and life in Louisiana which she still missed.
Francime understood sacrifice with her children taking first place. Buster had alot of issues going back to his Father leaving. He drank heavily and often spent time with Molly but only as a friend because he had LaDonna in his life yet he felt angry and upset alot of the time.
Ladonna would be none the wiser if Buster slept with Molly anyway. He had a daughter named Donna Morgan Baxter. She was three and a lirttle tear away like her dad with a wicked sense of humor and the apple of Bitzis eye. She adored her.
Buster told Ladonna he would be late home from work an excuse to spend time with Molly. They ended up giving in to temptation not long after that Christmas party. and slept together behind his fiances back. It was to become a regular thing which Arthur knew of...
One day he'd need to confront his best friend about it. He would... In another chapter titled Friends in need.
So Francine and Arthur would forever be the glue holding the group together. Molly was a kind girl and life had kicked her hard, which is why Francine wanted to help her.
As for Sue Ellen? She dated a few guys as did Muffy but their friendship waned after Catheine came into Muffys life as her sister in-law. Sue Ellen was angry with Francine and let her know at Busters seventeenth birthday .
She accused her of being a fake and a phony to land Arthur. She threw something at her but Francine dodged it. Arthur yelled at Sue Ellen.
"Im not here to start trouble with you" Francine spat. "Just leave me alone okay?"
Sue Ellen wanted to kick her with her martial art training but she knew it was only to be used in zelf defense.
Fern intervened and told her to stop.
"Shut up, you boyfriend stealing bitch."
"Arthur, George" she ranted. "You two are a pair of nasty mean..."
"That's enough" Buster yelled. "Get out"
Fern was horrified. George firmly remimded Sue Ellen that she dumped HIM.
"Fine" she stormed out. That was the end of that... Sue Ellen traveled throughout senior year and often visited Binky and Rattles but that was about it.
Fern and George would be there at the christmas party this year too. In the next chapter Fern has some happy news.
They wed not long after Arthur married Francine in their Church. It was a beautiful ceremony.
The Wedding...
As Francine kissed Arthur and the kids goodbye she tnought back to their wedding day..
Francine wore a white corset with long satin dress over a pair of white heels. Her hair was up and Fern had arranged little daisys in it.
She walked down the aisle with Oliver smiling while Kate threw rose petals in front of them. Fern and DW were bridesmaids, mainly because DW wanted to wear a red dress and look pretty. Muffy came along and pleaded to be a part of the wedding since Catherine refused. So Muffy Crosswire was a bridesmaid while Buster stood as best man alongside George in their tuxedos.
"Wow" Buster gasped. "She scrubs up pretty well" he whispered.
Arthur nudged him. "Shut up, off course she does"...
Muffy was giving Buster the eye the entire time and he was lapping it up. Between winks and flirtatious grins between the two, The celebrant precided over the wedding.
" We are gathered here to witness the holy matrimony between Arthur Read and Francine Frensky " he announced. "When God made Adam, he knew he could not live alone hence forth Eve a woman, was created to be as a helper, a companion and an eternal partner on earth".
"Francine Frensky do you take Arthur as your lawfully wedded Husband?"
"I do" she smiled clutching his hands.
"Do you promise to love, honour and obey him, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"
She nodded. "I do"
Arthur smiled.
"Arthur Read, do you take Francine Frensky as your lawfully wedded wife?" "To have and to hold?"
"Yes I do" he warmly replied.
"Do you promise to live, honour and cherish her as your bride for as long as you both shall live?"
"I certianly do" he replied.
"Awww" Muffy cooed loudly.
Francine narrowed her eyes at her while DW snorted. Buster laughed.
They exchanged gold rings and recited their vows to each other.
"Arthur, we have know each other a long time" "I admit I wasn't alwats the kindest or the most supportive of friends" she had a few tears in her eyes. "But when you asked me on a date that day after school, I knew Id love you and I had met my future husband, the man who led me to Christ and softened my heart"
A few tears in the crowd were shed between Jane and Laverne, George started weeping too.
Arthur leaned in and whispered. "Thats the sweetest thing Ive ever heard" making her blush.
"Francine" he began, "Its been a long road, we have had our fair share of life experiences through childhood and our adolescence" "I knew you were the girl Id have as my wife after our first kiss"
DW rolled her eyes. "Gag me" she scoffed. "Shhh" Fern nudged her.
"You're my best friend and despite what some may think," "the sweetest woman I know and strong Christian who will be by my side until we go to live in eternity together" "I love you my Francine"
A few of the nay sayers noses were put out of joint such as those who didn't like the idea of the two of them being together.
Sue Ellen sat beside Binky and snarled. "That was a total dig at me"
Molly warned her to shut her mouth or she'd shut it for her.
As the cat folded her arms in a defeated huff, The celebrant pronounced the two newlyweds. Man and Wife.
Arthur held her in for a kiss and it was a long one.
"Okay you two" Fern laughed. "Save the kisses for later on."
Laverne and Jane clapped their hands happily.
As they ran down the aisle Oliver shed a few tears.
"Shes a special girl" David said, standing beside him.
"That she is" Mr Frensky replied.
Later after work. Present day
"I was thinking about our wedding" Francine said looking at their large photo in their bedroom.
"Muffy certianly got what she wanted" he laughed. "Oh yeah, Buster" she added.
"One night only if I recall what he told me."
Francine snuggled into him. "Well I got what I wanted"
Arthur stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.
"So did I MY Francine" he replied.
"You always call me that" she giggled.
"Thats because you are."
She closed her eyes and yawned. "I guess I am."
Arthur sighed happily. "Its gonna be a good Christmas this year"
"Mm hmm" she replied half asleep...
TBC
Yes I added the anti Sue Ellen bit because there are plenty of stories where Francine is jealous, sour and grumpy that she didn't marry Arthur OR she drives him away. Well not in this story
I write pro Francine stories because noone else really does. A couple of people on here.
Next chapter up soon!
Bye xxxx