kutee: It was a lot, wasn't it? Felix? He may be Miranda's boyfriend. He may be something else. Who knows? You're not sure Frankie should go back? Why not?

DEEG1291: Is this a slow kill? That's the only way a writer knows how to. I didn't go anywhere. It's not my fault those guys keep popping up. ;)

gycah18: Thanks!


Zooming in and out, the camera bounced along as its holder moved. The screen filled with a large pool of water, ducks floating lazily on top of the crystal clear liquid as tiny model sailboats weaved around them. The camera followed one, its white sails slicing through the breeze. It swooped around a duck and headed for the white stone border wrapped around the basin.

"And here we have the Jardin de Luxembourg." Miranda's voice spoke up, "I'm pretty sure we've sailed tiny boats like this before. I'm also pretty sure my Aunt Maggie fell in once trying to catch one. She's shorter than she thinks." A slight snicker, "Ally had to rescue her."

The camera panned up and over, sweeping across small children and their parents relaxing along the water's edge and landing on Gabrielle. She was dressed warmly, her grey wool coat buttoned up to her chin and pressed black trouser creases neatly aligned with the tips of her polished shoes. The wind tickled the ends of her long hair, but a cute little barrette held the light brown locks back from her heart shaped face. Curious brown eyes observed the tiny boats.

"Here we have Gabby contemplating the universe and how she's going to one day rule it as Emperor Gabster." Miranda chuckled. She zoomed in tightly on her sister's face, revealing the forming irritation on her cheeks, "I, of course, will be her second in command who has her own palace on two different continents and advises her when she's being too much of a dork."

"You're the dork." Gabby held up a hand to block her face, "You're the one who told the tour guide at the art museum in New York that he was wrong when we went there over Christmas."

"It's MoMa." Miranda corrected. "And he was wrong. Picasso wasn't even thinking about cubism with that one painting."

Gabby shot her a look, "I don't need to say anything else."

"Whatever," the camera zoomed back out, "are you going to Cambias later?"

Gabby nodded and turned to the side, slowly beginning to walk, "Mom said I can sit in on a meeting with the marketing vice president. Mr. Bellanger is presenting the new campaign for the summer."

Miranda playfully began to snore.

Gabby shook her head, "It's actually really interesting."

"And that's why you're taking over after Mom and not me." The camera bounced harder as Miranda moved to step in time with her sister. The gravel pathway and edge of the pool danced on screen, "I might tag along. I still need to get an interview with Frankie."

In the corner of the screen, the side of Gabby's face fell.

"What?" Miranda asked.

Gabby shook her head, but her frown remained.

"Seriously, Gabs. What is it? You look like someone told you the Cambias projections are coming in low or something."

With a sigh, Gabby stopped walking. The camera dipped as Miranda did too. Gabby glanced down at the gravel, teeth worrying her bottom lip as her hands delved into the pockets of her coat.

The camera lowered, "Hey, what's going on? Did someone do something to you?" Her voice gentle and compassionate, "Talk to me, Gabby. Please."

A sad sniff as her shoulders rolled forward, "It's Mom and Maman."

A slight pause, "What about them?"

Gabby bit her lip harder, "I heard them yelling yesterday. I…I came home early from my study group. You were still out with Felix. I don't think they knew I was back."

"Gabs…" Miranda breathed out.

"I didn't know what they were saying, but they were talking really loudly. I've never heard them like that. Mom sounded angry and sad. Maman was…" her voice trailed off.

"Gabby," Miranda tried again.

Gabby looked up, "They've been acting weird lately. And so have you."

"I'm not acting weird."

"Yes, you are. All of you are. Mom and Maman are yelling at each other. They barely even talk during breakfast or dinner. They pretend like everything's fine, but I'm not oblivious. I can tell something's wrong. They aren't acting like our parents. They don't do the things our parents do."

"I'm sure it's nothing."

"It's not nothing, Miranda!" Gabby's eyes turned sharp. "I heard Mom on the phone with Auntie Kendall. I think she was crying. Why would Mom be crying?"

"Allergies?"

"This isn't a joke."

"I didn't say it was, Gabby." Miranda soothed.

"Maman has been spending more time at her office. She doesn't tease Mom about her coffee being too sweet or try to makeout with her instead of washing the dishes." Gabby's throat bobbed, "Mom didn't even hold her hand when I saw them leave Cambias together the other day. They always hold hands. They didn't even look at each other. Maman was on her mobile and Mom walked fast enough that Maman was a few steps behind her."

"Maybe it was a private call. Or Mom was in a hurry."

"Do you think it has to do with Frankie being sick again?" the words trembled.

The camera pointed at the gravel, "No, Frankie's fine. Come on, they would tell us if something were wrong with her."

"She is taking more medication."

"That doesn't mean anything. Frankie is ok." Miranda assured her. "I promise."

"Then…what is it?" Her voice grew small, "Are they…are they getting a….divorce?"

"What? No!" Miranda nearly shouted. "You can't think…they would never…it's Mom and Frankie. They don't get divorces."

"They don't yell at each other either, but they were."

"Mom and Maman have fought before. They're both stubborn and disagree about stuff."

"This is different, Miranda."

No one spoke for over a minute.

Miranda finally broke the silence, "I promise, they aren't breaking up. They would never break up. They can't. It's impossible. They love each other so much, and they love us. We're a family, remember?"

A sniffle, "Do you know why they're fighting?"

Another pause. "No, but whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing. Frankie probably bought too many boxes of chocolate croissants and got caught or something."

"I…"

"Mom and Maman are fine. I promise. Trust me." The camera rose and centered on Gabby's face. Tiny tears glistened in her eyes, "Now, what should I get Felix for our anniversary?"

Gabby wiped at her cheeks, "You could get him dinner with Mom and Maman."

"That sounds like the worse present ever. I can't even wrap that up in shiny paper. And who wants to spend the evening with their parents when we could be doing…other things?"

Gabby's eyebrow rose, "What other things?"

"Things my little sister is much too young to know about." They began to walk again.

"Miranda! Have you two…"

"What? No!" the camera juggled, "We haven't…we've justed…it's gotten heated but not full out explosions."

"Maman is going to kill him."

"No, she's not. Mom will hold her back."

"Mom is going to kill him."

"You'll protect me. We can build a fort in your room."

"You really need to tell them about him. When are you going to? When you're about to walk down the aisle?"

"No…"

"Miranda, tell them. They'll be cool with it. They've met Felix, and they liked him. Him being your boyfriend won't change that."

"Have you met our parents?"

"They will give him the benefit of the doubt. It doesn't help your case to keep hiding your relationship. The longer you hide it, the more reason they have to be suspicious about it."

"I resent your use of logic."

"Because you know I'm right."

"It's not that easy." Miranda huffed, "I want to tell them. But, then they're right there in front of me looking at me, and I can't."

"Why not?"

"It's scary."

"As scary as when you told them you kissed a boy? Or that you were going on a date with your first boyfriend? Because I don't remember you being scared then."

"That was different. I was, like, twelve."

"You lived through them catching you sneaking out at three in the morning, I think you can survive telling them you have a boyfriend."

"Maybe."

"Is there a reason you don't want them to meet Felix?"

"Yeah, they might freak out."

"Why, though? Felix is nice. He brings us coffee for the walk to school. He doesn't have any tattoos or a crazy hairdo. His parents are in banking. He's actually nothing like the type I always picture you with."

"And what type is that?"

"Bad boy."

"Bad boy?"

"Lots of tattoos. Mohawk. Rings in his eyebrow. That sort of stuff."

"Whatever."

"Gabrielle? Oh, hey, it is you." An unfamiliar voice called out.

The camera swerved to the side, the frame filling with Gabby's outline. It zoomed back, revealing a smiling girl with cropped blonde hair and bright blue eyes strolling toward the duo, a sketchbook in hand.

Gabby stared at the approaching girl, her lips pressing together and her brown eyes darting down.

"Bonjour," the girl greeted as she stopped in front of Gabby. Her smile was bright and cheerful, "Imagine seeing you here."

Gabby's curled fists were visible in the bulges of her coat pockets. Her shoulders hunched forward slightly, and her eyes stayed glued to the ground.

"How are you?"

Gabby's voice came out squeaky, and she cleared it with a blush, "G-Good. You?"

"I'm great." She waved her sketchbook, "Doing some doodling. It's such a nice day, I couldn't stay cooped up inside." She rolled her eyes, "I tried doing the reading for Ms. Pitchard's class, but I never liked James Joyce. Why we couldn't keep with the Shakespeare unit, I shall never know."

"Y-Yeah." Gabby shifted awkwardly on her feet, "Joyce is…"

"Longwinded and boring? I know." She chuckled, "Shakespeare is so much more fun. I mean, Caesar? There's murder and betrayal. Midsummer Night? Hilarious and romantic."

Gabby's mouth quirked up with a bashful grin.

"I bet you'll ace Joyce, though. If anyone can understand him, you can." She beamed, "You're really smart like that."

"You're smart, too."

"Not like you." She gestured, "You put the rest of us to shame, Gabrielle. I'd be jealous if you weren't so adorable about it."

The camera dipped as a full-blown shade of red covered Gabby's face and neck. She ducked her head and rocked from the balls of her feet to her heels.

"What are you up to right now?"

Gabby tilted her head toward the camera, not opening her mouth at all.

"Oh, I see. Hi, I'm Jessie." She waved at the camera.

"Miranda, Gabby's older and wiser sister."

A chuckle, "It's nice to meet you, Miranda."

"You, too."

Jessie looked back at Gabrielle, "It looks like you're really busy, but do you like football?"

Gabby shrugged.

"I'm on the school team. We have a match next week. You want to come? I play keeper. You can watch me fly through the air like a crazy person while balls are kicked at me. It's a lot of fun. We're pretty good. After, maybe we can do something. Get a crepe or coffee? The team might have a party that night we could hit, too, if you wanted."

Gabby's mouth opened and closed. Her cheeks were burning. She shakily pushed her hair behind her ears.

"Think about it, and let me know in class. Or, you could call me." She swiftly opened the book and tore out a sheet. Lean strong fingers snatched the pencil balanced on her ear and brought it down, quickly scribbling a line of numbers on the sheet before handing it over, "Here. Call anytime. You'll probably save me from having to torture myself with Joyce."

Gabby carefully took the paper.

"I'll see you later, Gabrielle." She began to walk away, "It was nice meeting you, Miranda!"

"You, too!" Miranda called out as the girl slipped between a group of people and strolled off toward a row of chairs. The camera jerked back to Gabrielle, "Jessie?"

Gabby held the paper like it was gold, "She's in my literature class."

"Uh huh."

Gabby swallowed and gently folded the paper before putting it in her pocket.

"She seems nice." Miranda ventured.

"She is."

"Cute, too."

Gabby shrugged, but the blush spread to her ears.

"Cute enough for you to forget you hate sports."

"I don't hate sports."

"Not when Jessie plays." Miranda teased.

"I don't."

"You are as bad as Mom at hating sports. Do you even know the difference between our football and American football?"

"…yes."

"You totally don't." Miranda chuckled. "Are you going to call her?"

Gabby shrugged again.

"You should. I think it'd be fun."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I don't know. Perhaps." She bit her lip.

The camera bobbled, "Gabby," her voice turned soft, "You're my little sister. It's my job to look out for you. And…I've never seen you interested in anybody. Ever."

Gabby seemed to almost curl into herself.

"You're beautiful. Smart. Funny. Sweet. But, you're so shy, Gabs. Not a lot of people get to see how awesome you are." The camera swung and dipped, the angle showing Miranda's arm looping over her sister's shoulders. "You're great, Gabs. And, if this Jessie sees that, I think you should get out there and let her know just how badass you are."

"Whatever." Gabby mumbled, leaning into her.

"Besides, if you go on a date, maybe our parents will stop focusing on me and Felix."

"It's not a date."

"It totally is."

"It's a football match."

"It's you watching your girl play and then getting coffee. You should make a big sparkly sign. A chant. We need to think of chants."

"Shut up." Gabby poked her side.

Her tone turned tender, "And Gabs, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? Anything at all. Or, you can talk to Mom or Maman."

"I know." She nodded.

"Cool." She lifted up the camera, "We should head over to Cambias so you don't miss your meeting of the boring. Maybe you could call Jessie then. I'm sure she'll keep you entertained."

"Miranda!"

The screen went black.


The fuzzy blackness instantly dropped away and the screen filled with a cluttered office. The desk was covered with papers and what looked to be a blueprint. The computer hummed to one side, keyboard tangled in front of it. Pencils and paperclips littered the tops of the scattered stacks of paper. There wasn't an inch of the actual desk visible beneath it all. Behind it, in a worn leather chair, sat Frankie. Her jacket was off and her shirt sleeves rolled up to her elbows. A pen twirled between her fingers as she sat back, feet kicked out beneath the desk. A napkin with a chocolate croissant sat half eaten near the edge of the desk along with a paper traveling coffee cup.

"Bribing me with coffee and croissants. You know my weaknesses too well, kid." Frankie picked up the cup and took a sip. "And unlike your mother, you don't put a bunch of flavorings and stuff in it." Her voice was rough and scratchy.

"Mom does that because she knows you'll give the coffee back to her to drink."

"You Montgomery women are devious." Frankie smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes, which had dark circles under them. She took another sip, "So, what's the plan?"

"I ask you a few questions. There's a list we're supposed to ask."

"Alright." She set the cup down, "Let's get you passing high school."

"What was your childhood like?"

Frankie blinked, her jaw ticking before she spoke, "It wasn't the best." Her fingertips drummed next to the napkin, "I didn't get along well with my folks, and they didn't get along well with me. My sister and I weren't close then." She shrugged, "I met your mom when I was nineteen, and life changed."

"How did it change?"

Frankie exhaled, "I never met anyone like your mom before. I haven't since. She's one of a kind." The corner of her mouth twitched as her eyebrows scrunched together, "She made me want to be a better person. Made me happy."

"Does she still do that?"

"Everyday." Frankie picked the cup up and took a hearty swig.

"Did you always want a family? Kids? A wife?"

Frankie put the cup down and rubbed at the side of her neck, "It didn't matter what I wanted, because I didn't think I'd ever get it."

"Because of your job."

Her gaze turned pensive, "Because of many things." Her hand rested on the back of her neck, "A lot of things happened when I was younger. I was a different person back then. Your mom, your sister, and you are more than I ever hoped to have. I don't…I don't know what my life would be like without you guys in it."

"You never have to find out, right?"

Frankie blinked, "Yeah."

"Do you like being married?"

"I can think of worse people to be stuck with than your mom. And, I got a gold ring out of the deal." She flashed her left hand.

"Would you ever not want to be married?"

Frankie's brows furrowed, and she leaned forward in her chair. Tired eyes flecked with deep-seated contemplation and scrutiny stared at Miranda, "No."

"Because you asked Mom to marry you."

"Because I love her." Her voice grew even rougher, "I always have. Your mom is…I've never loved anyone else in my entire life."

"And you would never leave her."

Frankie studied Miranda. The pen stopped twirling in her hand.

"And, you would never leave us. Because, you love us. Me, and Gabby, and Mom. You love us, and you promised to always be here for us. You told Mom when you got married you were going to stay. I watched that stupid wedding video again, and you said so. And…and you said you loved us. We're your family." Miranda's voice became louder and sharper, "We're happy. You and Mom are still in love. You guys are so good together. Yeah, me and Gabby act like it's annoying, but our parents are amazing because they still want each other after being together so long. No one else's parents are like that. Our teachers all know you as my mom. As Gabby's mom." The words began to wobble, "Damn it, you can't make Mom cry, and you have. I know you have, and you're not supposed to. Mom's not supposed to cry!"

The pen hit the desk as Frankie pushed back the chair. She was out of her seat in a second, moving around the desk, "Kid…"

"No! Don't…don't do that. Don't act like my mom when you're leaving."

"I'm not leaving." Frankie was halfway around the desk.

"Don't lie to me!" Miranda screamed. A sob burst out.

Frankie froze.

"I'm not letting you leave. I'm not. You have to stay because you promised." Miranda cried. "So…so you call Mr. Jones and Mr. Luke and you tell them you're staying with us."

Frankie's jaw clenched, "You heard us."

"Heard you? Everyone's heard you!" Miranda wept. "You want to leave us because of that stupid job you used to have. I'm not letting you leave my mom and sister."

Frankie curled her hands into fists and slowly unfurled her fingers. Her eyes glimmered with pain, "I would never leave you. Any of you."

A harsh laugh barked out.

"Our family is the most important thing in the world to me, Miranda."

"So important Gabby hears you and mom yelling?"

Frankie breathed out heavily, "Fuck."

"You're not going to fight with mom anymore. Got it? You're going to tell them no, and you are going to go back to normal."

Sad eyes peered out, "It's not that simple, kid."

"Yes it is!"

Frankie rubbed the side of her face before letting her hand fall to her side.

"Please, don't leave us." Miranda stepped into frame. She threw herself into Frankie, body crumpling as Frankie wrapped her arms around her, "Please."

"Hey, come on. It's ok." Frankie soothed. "I would never leave you guys."

"Don't go." Miranda wept into the curve of her neck. "Please, Maman, don't go."

Frankie cradled the back of her head, "I have never ever wanted to leave you."

Miranda curled into her, crying harder.

Frankie choked out, "Hey, can I tell you something?"

Miranda clung to her.

"You and your sister are my two favorite kids in the whole world."

A wrenching sob, "We're your only kids."

"Yeah, I guess you are."

"I love you."

"I love you, too, kid."