Chapter Four
"I'm sorry about Nancy, Frank," Hannah said sadly. She gathered their cups and took them to the sink to wash. "It's been a rough few years for her and seeing you again might have made it worse, not that it's your fault."
"It's all right," Frank bowed his head. "I know I deserved it."
"That's what you think, Frank, but I don't." She stopped as she washed the dishes before putting them in the drying rack. Grabbing a dish towel, Hannah went back to the table and sat down. She took his hand and squeezed it, her hand warm from the water. "You're a good man, Frank. I'm not sure if it was the smartest thing to do in leaving your family behind but you did what you felt was right. When Nancy came home from your mother's funeral, she was upset because she didn't get the chance to talk to you. And when Joe told her you didn't come home, she was even more upset. But…oh, I…I need to stop. It's not my place."
"What is it?" he looked at her with concern. "Did something happen?"
Hannah bit her lip, rising from her chair. She went over to the oven where dinner was cooking, the aromas permeating the air. As she inspected the meal, Frank got up and followed her.
"Hannah?"
"Nancy should be telling you this, Frank," she said, her voice trembling. "She lived here for years and only moved away two years ago to go work for the Tribune. Nancy needed to get away. She watched Bess and George move away, have families and she regretted not having a family of her own."
"I don't get it," Frank replied, confused. "I thought she married Ned. At least that was her plan when I left."
"Yes, they were married," Hannah sighed, "for four years. They didn't have children during that time because Ned wasn't home and Nancy wanted to start a career instead. Neither one of them wanted Nancy to raise children without Ned being around so she worked for the River Heights Standard for a few years before moving to Chicago."
"But if she's marrying Owen next month, where's Ned?"
"Frank, Ned was killed in action in Korea three years ago."
"Dad!" Nancy cried, storming into his office. "Why are men such idiots?"
"Well, hello to you too, sweetheart," Carson said calmly. He closed the file open in front of him, giving his daughter his undivided attention. "Now, what's this about?"
"Why can't things be less complicated?"
"What are we talking about here? I thought you asked why men were such idiots."
"I did because they are but things are getting too complicated now."
"Who exactly are we discussing?" Carson studied his daughter. He could see that she was visibly upset about something.
"Oh, let me think," Nancy tapped her finger on her chin in thought. "There's Owen, who is literally driving me crazy. There's Robert, who needs to take a long walk off a short bridge. And now there's Frank, whom I have no idea why he's here!"
"I hired him, Nancy," he replied politely. "When Nathaniel Gibson was visiting a few weeks ago, he pointed out Frank from one of your old photos of him. Nathaniel was one of his professors at law school. I found out Frank was graduating so I offered him a job. Well, that is, I offered him an opportunity as a possible candidate for the opening we have."
"Dad, you know how I feel about him!" she cried. Nancy took off her hat and flopped into one of the empty chairs. "He just…what he did…argh!"
Carson chuckled, piling folders onto his desk. "Is that what this is about?"
"Dad!"
"Okay. I'm sorry but I made the decision to hire him because I knew what kind of asset he would be to this firm. Is that wrong?"
"No, but what he did to Joe and Mr. Hardy…"
"Has nothing to do with the job or with you, sweetheart," Carson politely said. "If I went by my feelings instead of facts, I wouldn't make a very good lawyer, now would I? Are you mad because he left his family or because he didn't say anything to you about leaving?"
Nancy's mouth moved though nothing came out. She was made because Frank left but she was more hurt than anything. If he had spoken to her at Mrs. Hardy's funeral, she might have been able to stop him from leaving. Nancy sighed and slouched in the chair, her knees knocking together. She was frustrated that he father defused the situation in a matter of seconds putting her completely off guard. Even now, she wasn't sure why she was still angry with Frank.
"Honey," Carson said with a knowing smile. She looked over at him with a pout. "Let's back up and find out what else is going on here. Let's start with the less complicated one. What did Robert do?"
"He won't give me anything challenging," she pouted, folding her arms across her chest. "I get an idea and he shoots me down then gives the same idea to either Justin or Carter! It's infuriating!"
"I understand. Do you like your job?"
"Well, yeah, I guess," Nancy shrugged. "I've been there for almost two years now though. I thought that I would be a real reporter by now."
"Aren't you one already? I mean, you had it good at River Heights' paper."
"I know but there wasn't anything to really 'investigate.' River Heights is a small town and they know who I am. I wanted to branch out and do something different. Go where no one really knows who I am and I earn my way on merit."
"How's the column going?"
"It's an advice column, Dad," Nancy said sarcastically. "It's not rocket science but how can I give love advice to others if my own life is in shambles?"
"I wouldn't say that, honey," Carson smiled. "You have Owen."
"Ugh," she scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Something I said?"
"No," Nancy said harshly then apologized. "He…he just…he asked me to get married."
"We already know that. The wedding is next month."
"He wants to change it."
"To when?"
"Now, I guess. He wants to go with a judge instead of a church wedding. He said he can't be without me anymore. It's rather creepy if you ask me. Owen was so adamant about it."
"And you don't want that?"
"No!"
"Are you sure you want to marry him?"
"I do…at least, I think I do…oh, I don't know!" Nancy bowed her head, thumping it on the edge of the desk and sighed. "This wouldn't be happening if Ned were here. And now Frank is here…"
"I know, honey."
"I slapped him, Dad," she said sadly, looking up at him, her eyes watery.
"Who? Frank?" Nancy nodded. Carson scoffed. "I taught you better than that, Nancy."
"I know but he makes me so angry! Ugh, and then there's Owen. Why did I agree to marry him? Between the two of them, I don't know who is more frustrating!"
"We already went over this," Carson sighed, rubbing his temples. He rose from his chair and walked around his desk, studying her. He saw the pain in her eyes and his heart broke. "You've been so sad since Ned's been gone but when you started dating Owen, you were a little bit happier. What happened?"
"Owen made me happy…for a time," Nancy answered softly. "He was so charming. I wanted the pain of losing Ned to go away so I went with the first man who gave me attention. Did I make the right decision?"
"That is for you to decide, sweetheart," Carson smiled, taking her hands in his own. "I just want you to be happy…and safe."
"By bringing Frank here?"
"No, that's not why I hired him, Nancy," he noted. "It seemed like he was leading a lonely life and I think he needed to be here more than you or I will ever know. Plus it will be good for him to be around people who know him and it will be good for you to be around a friend."
"But, Owen…"
"Is going to have to deal with it. I'm not trying to change your mind about him either. Just giving a little advice. It's up to you to make your own decision as to how you want to proceed with your relationship with Owen…and with Frank."
Nancy bit her lip in thought. Frank's reappearance complicated everything and her heart fluttered at the mere thought of him. Did she actually have feelings for him? It would explain a lot with her emotions at the moment. And Owen seemed different that week whenever she saw him. Nancy blinked as a thought suddenly dawned on her. She looked at her father. "Does Owen know Frank is here?"
"I would think so," her father replied. "I took Frank around the office and introduced him to everyone on his first day. Owen was one of the last people he met."
"That…argh!" Nancy growled, her face turning red. "I told him all about Frank and Joe and what we did as teenagers but he didn't tell me that Frank was here!" She turned to Carson, narrowing her blue eyes. "Why didn't you say anything about Frank to me?"
"Because I know you're busy and have a life," he explained. "I was going to tell you this weekend but you just beat me to it before I could say something. I thought I would see you before now anyway."
"But why wouldn't Owen tell me either? I talk to him every other day." Nancy noticed that Owen was a little apprehensive which started earlier in the week. She didn't think anything about it until that moment. It was because of Frank which would explain Owen's sudden reasoning behind wanting to get married so quickly. Owen was afraid Frank might interfere. But why?
"When are you going to be with Owen again?"
"Dinner tonight," Nancy replied distractedly.
"Okay, then come have dinner with us at home instead."
"What about Owen?"
"He could come to dinner too, if you'd like."
Nancy shook her head vehemently. "No, that would be a bad idea. If my suspicions are correct about Owen, he and Frank probably will not get along very well."
"Okay," Carson shrugged. "It was just a thought. You're probably right about that. Why don't you just come to dinner then?"
"I'm sure Hannah has already told Frank my entire life's story by now which will make it even more awkward. I'm not ready for the looks Frank's going to give me or even the expectation of talking to him. Plus what about Owen?"
"Well, he could wait at the restaurant for an hour…or two."
Nancy giggled, her face lightening. "You know me, Dad. I won't stand Owen up, no matter how many times he makes me mad."
"I know. I thought I'd try." Carson gave his daughter a warm hug then kissed her forehead. "As I said before, I only want you to be happy, Nancy. I'm not sure if Owen will do that for you though. It's your decision and whatever you decide, I'll support you no matter what."
"Thanks, Dad," she smiled. "You're right about Frank. I was so frustrated with Owen that I took it out on Frank. But he did deserve it."
"Just think about where he's coming from, honey," he remarked. "Frank may not have been there for you when Ned died but he's here now. I'm sure if you talk to him, it'll clear up the whole mess. You might even change your mind about him too."
She nodded, her mind reeling again. Frank was the only man besides Ned who could make her heart go haywire. They were both supportive of her in everything she did and were sweet, kind…intelligent…handsome…
"Frank will be staying with me for the time being," Carson replied, interrupting her thoughts, "so he's not going anywhere. Give it some time then go talk to him. And if you're still going to marry Owen, talk to him about your feelings and what's going on. If he truly loves you, he'll respect your wishes. As for Robert, keep doing what you're doing. You're bound to get somewhere soon."
"I just wish Robert would let me write something other than an advice column," she replied grumpily. Nancy folded her arms across her chest and shook her head. "He said that it's not a woman's place to be an investigative reporter. And now he wants me to take on another column which is worse than the first! It's a gossip column for the rich!"
"Well, at least he's giving you more work to do, right?" her father pointed out. "You know that Lois Lane probably started out the same way before she became a reporter."
"Dad, Lois Lane is a fictional character."
"I know that. I'm only trying to make you see that you have a chance here to do more at the Tribune. All you have to do is find the right story and write it before you pitch it to Robert. Maybe he'll finally give you the opportunity you're looking for. Just give it a chance before you make a change."
"I will."
"Good." Carson guided his daughter to the door. "Can you do me one more favor though?"
"Sure," she shrugged. "What is it?"
"Don't tell Joe just yet about Frank," he stated softly. Nancy looked at him in surprise.
"Why not?"
"Because Frank needs to do it himself, Nancy. It's his business and he needs to own up to it. Just promise me, okay?"
Nancy chewed on her lower lip, contemplating what her father was asking of her. Joe should know that Frank was there but she wasn't even sure how he would handle the information. She tried not to bring Frank up anymore since Joe would go on a rant about his older brother. Nancy looked back at her father and gave a curt nod. "But only for so long, Dad. Joe and Mr. Hardy need to know he's here."
"I'll respect that, honey," Carson smiled. He kissed his daughter's cheek. "You're a good friend to Joe and I understand why. Just give it a few days. Frank might surprise you."
"Ok, Dad. I'll give him a chance."
Frank stared at the darkened ceiling, reviewing everything Hannah told him (and didn't tell him) earlier. Ned's death definitely was not what he expected. Nancy had gone through a lot over the years and Frank wasn't there for her when she needed him most. No wonder she was mad at him! Although Hannah did say a lot about what happened with Ned, she still held a few things back, saying that it was up to Nancy to tell him. It was the same thing Carson told him the week before. Frank just hoped that Nancy will talk to him eventually.
His thoughts soon turned to his father and brother. He had to call them now that Nancy knew he was there. It would only be a matter of time before she spoke with Joe but Frank knew it would be better if he were the one to call. He just needed to drum up the courage to do it. Frank thought about when he would call his father and the ensuing reaction that followed. Although both Hannah and Carson have said that Fenton would be welcoming, Frank was still unsure about Joe and his reaction.
Soon he was thinking of Nancy. Her impending nuptials to Owen put a damper on his own hopes with her, not that there were any hopes to begin with. At least, he thought there was nothing between them. Frank just didn't want to get in the way of what she had with Owen. That was not his place even though there was something about Owen Frank didn't like. When he first met him earlier in the week, it felt like Owen was staring him down, almost in a challenging way. Frank wasn't sure if it was what he saw but he was sure his intuition about the man was spot on. Was it just his imagination or was it something else?
As Frank fell into a restless sleep, he wished Nancy happiness. It was the only thing he could think of but what he wouldn't do to see her smile once again…
Author's Note:
Thank you so much for continuing to read the story! I appreciate the support and all the reviews that have been received so far. MargaretA66, sorry it didn't sound like Nancy and Frank were close. Their relationship is the same as it is in canon whenever they met. Candylou, hopefully the coming chapters will explain a little more when it comes to Nancy and Joe. And you are right, Laura would be upset with her youngest but also with Frank for leaving, in my opinion. Elizabeth, just wait and see what else Frank gets himself into! Max2013, thank you! I'm hoping that as the story builds, the characters develop more. Drumboy, that is a good thought about Fenton not looking up Frank if there was internet. I'm sure Nancy would have though. Or even Joe, for that matter, just to yell at him. But I think it would be hard for Frank to be in a support group with Ned considering. Caseykam, you're on the right track with Joe and Owen. We'll find out what happened to Callie later. To the guest, I'm not sure Joe would continue to abuse Frank for long if he had stayed but you are right. He does need to seek some help but then again, all of them do. As for everyone, I hope this chapter changed your viewpoint on Nancy. I was actually surprised that some of you were a little perturbed about what she did to Frank. She was hurting but we needed a little more information to know for sure what was going on with her and now you know! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. I hope that you enjoyed it and, if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think! Have a great weekend and until next time, God bless!