Frank was surprised to Find Nicky and Jamie at the door. He waited for one of them to say something. When Jamie looked at Nicky, she mumbled "Excuse me" and went up the stairs.
"What's going on?"
"I think the situation is primed for ice cream sundaes to work their magic."
"Me or Pop?"
"I think it will be best if it's you but the warm bear version of you. Remember her punishment is over." Frank nodded.
"Good night Jamie. And, thank you."
"Thank you, Dad, for everything."
"I'm going to need that to remember that these days come no matter how many times your kid pushes you away."
When it looked like Jmaie was about to apologize, Frank just saud, "Go get some rest, son."
Jamie nodded and walked away.
Frank grabbed the ice creams and knocked on Nicky's door. When he heard a 'come in', he opened the door softly and only held the ice creams through the door. Finally Nicky giggled and took the ice creams and kept them on her bed. When Frank didn't move, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the room. Frank sat on the bed by the headboard and Nicky quickly crawled into his lap. He enveloped her into a hug and they stayed like that for a while. Then he picked a spoon of ice cream and fed her. She started drawing circles on his knee and said, "I'm sad, grandpa." When she heard the expected 'hmm' she continued and poured her heart out, Frank filling the pauses with bites of ice cream. When she started sobbing, he held her tight again and let her get it all out. He hated seeing her so distraught but was just grateful that she was letting him be here to hold her through it.
He tried to say as little as possible, giving her the space to speak, to express and process the situation but when she did ask specific questions, he tried to give honest answers.
"Will you spank me again, grandpa?"
"Nicky, it is my job now to discipline you. I won't spank you for every mistake but there are some rules breaking which will get you a trip over me knee. But I promise you, I will never punish you in anger and I will always comfort you afterwards."
"With ice cream sundaes?"
"With ice cream sundaes and lots of hugs and cuddles and reassurances."
"Uncle Jamie was surprised that you gave me ice cream after I got in trouble."
"Yes, I'm expecting some ribbing about going easier on you."
"Thank you for that, I appreciate it grandpa."
Frank smiled and hugged her tighter.
"Grandpa, what are the situations when you will spank me?"
"I have something of a scripted conversation about rules and consequences. I did not realize that I should have had it with you sooner but did not feel the need to. Better late than never. It will help you feel safe knowing where the boundaries are and what the consequences are and what will happen if and when you push them. I don't expect you to be perfect, I expect you will mess up. But then you will be punished, you will learn your lesson and we will move on." He accepted the nod of her head. "But I think that conversation can wait till tomorrow morning. Want me to rub your back till you fall asleep?"
"Yes, please." Nicky crawled out of his lap and lied down.
Frank started rubbing circles on her back, sighing in relief that at least their relationship was salvaged. It would still be really hard to support her through the divorce and then after that growing up without a Dad but he knew that he would find the strength to see that responsibility through as well. Till then, he would enjoy these moments of peace and comfort.