A/N: enjoy!
"Oh Frankie…I'm so sorry about your parents, you're such a wonderful young missy, they don't know what they're missing." Connie said as the boys loaded the car up.
"Thank you." Frankie replied, hugging her. "You'll make an honest man out of my son." Connie added, walking to the car.
"Andrew don't you be eating too much I want you in a nice suit for your wedding!"
"Mammy!"'he hugged her.
"Sean?" Frankie asked and walked over to him, "yes missy?" He replied, "thinking of dumping this screw and coming with us?" Frankie laughed looking at Andrew then back. "No, I'm afraid I'm completely his." She smiled taking Sean's hand.
"She's gonna propose paddy!" Sean shouted making her laugh.
"Will ye just shut up and let her speak!" Andrew bellowed at him laughing.
"Sean will you do me the honour of walking me down the isle and giving me away?" She asked and for the first time he looked dumbfounded.
"Ye sure ya have the right brother?" He asked.
"I'm sure." She smiled. "Would be an honour missy." He hugged her briefly. "Now enough of the mushy shite let's get on the road!"
Frankie laughed and walked over to Andrew, taking his hand. They waved goodbye to his family, standing there till they were gone. "Wild sex all night long?" She asked.
"I'll get the dustpan you get the broom." He said she saluted him and they both walked up the steps to the cabin.
A few weeks later and Frankie slid on her bag across the shoulders and took the handle for her suitcase leading it out into the lounge. "My love have you seen my keys?" He held them on the end of his fingers as his glasses perched on the end of his nose, his papers spread out everywhere, books open and loitering the cabin. "Thank you." She said and walked over to him kissing him and taking the keys.
"You've got Donna's flat phone number right?"
"Yes."
"And you know I'll call you when I get there?"
"Yes."
And don't forget the guy is coming by with all the decorations to setup on Saturday."
"Yes."
"You sound like a stuck record player."
"Yes." He nodded. "Frankie will you go already you're driving me mad!"
"And clean up the place please!" She asked as she went to get her suitcase. She was on her way to pick up the dress, their wedding was this Saturday and it was Monday today. She was having her hen party in Pittsburgh with Donna and the gang Thursday evening.
Father Delmonico was due any day now, Connie was in town but staying with friends, Liam and Sean were coming on Thursday for Andrew's stag do.
"Don't you boys overdo it with the stag do, I know Sean and if a stripper is even present on the property I'll know about it."
"Frankie we will probably sit around reading quotes from the bible if Gianni has anything to do with it."
"And if Sean has anything to do with it, you'll be having a threesome ten minutes after he walks in the door."
"If only there were three of you." He smirked playfully. She walked over to him took his glasses off and tilted his head back gently, "I'll miss you." She kissed him, running her hands through his hair. He pulled her to his lap caressing her hips. "How about we send the boys to Donna and you stay here with me?"
"If you think Sean will look good in a dress then so be it."
"Sean isn't wearing a dress!" Sean said coming through the door carrying two crates of beer on his shoulders. "Liam! Sean!" Frankie jumped. "You weren't supposed to be here till Thursday?" She asked.
"You were supposed to be gone by now too!" Sean said walking over and kissing her cheek, shaking his brothers hand after he dumped the crates down. "I've got six more crates in the car."
"Six?" Andrew said as he pulled Frankie back to him cuddling her. "Liam you told him I'm not a big drinker?"
"Ye know he never listens to me!" Liam called going out for more beer.
"Sean tell me you've no stripper planned."
"Okay Frankie I've no stripper planned."she rolled her eyes and kissed Andrew again passionately. "Eh for gods sake will ye get a room!" He made a puking sound and walked out the front door.
"I think he's got relationship issues." Andrew said and turned back to Frankie, standing up and holding her hand he walked outside carrying her case in his other hand. "There's some dude waiting at the end of the drive for you Frankie, we passed him on the way up, said his names Daniel or something." Frankie and Andrew looked at each other, Frankie got nervous till she remembered her cab drivers name was Daniel Mathews.
"I'll walk with you." He said. She smiled, "it's okay you go enjoy your brothers time and make sure they don't trash the place."
He put his hand through her hair and softly placed it behind her ear on her head. "We've come a long way Frankie Paige."
"We certainly have Father Andrew Kiernan."
"Please ring me when you get there." He said and she nodded. "If you need me, call okay? Don't go through it alone."
"I promise." She smiled.
"And for gods sake don't get too drunk!"
"Absolutely not." She agreed.
"I don't like being away from you." He said kicking the stones. "Neither I you." She said and let go of his hand as she started to walk away.
"This is gonna be the best week of our lives." She said to him as she pulled her suitcase along. He agreed and watched her go and get in the taxi, enjoying every last second. Then she was gone.
He felt empty like something was missing, he missed her touch, her smell, the way she lit up the room when she walked in. They hadn't been apart since he went to Belo Quinto and it was awful enough then.
She wished she could go back, turn around and just not leave. But they both needed time apart before the wedding, he needed a rest from all her drama. She needed a night out with the girls. But he was always there on her mind, never far away.
Frankie had enjoyed the first few days of being away from Andrew, it was a nice change even if it was awful at the same time. She'd got her dress and Donna had been taking her shopping for her outfit for her hen party. Everyone was dressing up in 80s fluorescent colours. As the bride to be Frankie looked the best, she had on her typical bride to be sash, for the 80s themed party she had bare legs with pink leg warmers, white stilettos heels, a pink tutu, pink fishnet gloves, a pink wig, a necklace made from multicoloured beads, multicoloured bracelets and earrings. Most of the other girls looked the same but different colours and styles, a picture was emailed to Andrew who could only laugh at it.
Andrew had also enjoyed his time with his brothers, listening to them jabber on, just having men around the house, being guys and doing guys things was nice. But he missed Frankie terribly, he had a feeling something bad was going to happen and he wasn't very often wrong.
Thursday came and Andrew had moved all his research away from the lounge and safe. Gianni's flight was delayed so he wasn't due to arrive till the evening and he had to be leaving Saturday evening to be back in Rome for Sunday, there were absolutely no exceptions, he had a flight to catch at 20:15 and he had to be on it.
Liam had invited some of Andrew's old friends from his university days and from back home in Ireland. Unbeknownst to Andrew a flood of people he hadn't seen for years came flooding in and soon Sean put some music on and an official all out booze filled party was going on.
Andrew was shocked to see so many people he hadn't seen for so long, he was enjoying catching up on old memories that he hadn't heard from in a while. Secretly his mind was on Frankie, he missed her so much and wondered if she was ok. "Will you actually loosen up at some point tonight and let it go." Sean asked over the music.
"I'm fine." He said smiling.
"Sure she's fine, she's with her girls isn't she?"
"Yes." He nodded simply, Donna wouldn't let anything happen to her. "We haven't been apart for so long."
"Well why don't you come over here and sit down? Liam has a surprise for you!"
Andrew nodded and rolled his eyes, he had an idea what it was. They brought a chair out and sat it in the middle of the room, sitting Andrew in it. "They're all yours for one night buddy." A guy said tapping his shoulder.
Two women dressed up as nuns walked in and to the music started a seductive stripper dance routine. The men all cheered Andrew shook his head and went to get up, one of the women pulled off her outfit, she had glitter crosses covering her nipples, had a thong with crosses all over and high stilettos. She was blonde, with an absolutely stunning figure, her skin shimmered gold, the second girl matched her except she had brown hair. Together they came up on him, one girl straddled his lap and started seductively grinding against him.
Andrew held a bottle in one hand and tried his hardest to lean away from them as they came all over him.
"Sean I thought you said these girls were just strippers!" Liam said loudly over the music to his brother. "They look more like escorts."
One girl started to undo Andrew's trousers and reached inside, grabbing him. Andrew suddenly jerked and grabbed her hand thrusting it away. He did his trousers up and Sean quickly came over, luckily everyone was too drunk to notice the drama unfolding, Andrew stood and grabbed the wrist of one of the girls taking her outside. "I'm sorry ladies but I'm not that kind of man." He said as he let them go outside.
Andrew took out some money and paid them for the night and told them to go home. They were appreciative apologising. He smiled to them and thanked them turning to Sean on the porch.
"What the hell?!" He shouted.
"For fucks sake Andrew stop being a prude!" He said.
"I'm getting married Sean, you're walking my girl down the isle!" Liam went inside shutting the door so the row he knew that was about to erupt wasn't going to be heard by everyone.
"What's a bit of action on your night of a bachelor?" Sean laughed.
"I'm a one woman man!" He said angrily.
"I didn't know they were escorts!" Sean said, Andrew stood gobsmacked. "I thought they were strippers!" Andrew replied.
"Well at least they got their moneys worth, they copped a feel of a priests nob!"
"If Frankie knew I'd just paid two escorts for the night she'd leave me quicker than a flash of light!" He grabbed his brothers shirt.
"Frankie's great she wouldn't leave you!" Sean smirked. Andrew sighed and let him go shoving him away. "I bet some guy is thrusting…" he started going too far. Andrew grabbed him and shoved against the wall. "If you even finish that statement I will…"
"Okay okay I'm sorry!" Sean laughed.
"It's about time you grew up!" Andrew said shoving him into the wall and letting him go.
"What's this really about?" Sean asked. "You jealous?"
"Of what?" Andrew asked.
"Of me sleeping with loads of women whilst you studied in your room?"
"No!" He said angrily. "Here I am getting married to the woman of my dreams, I've seen the world and done things you wouldn't believe."
"All the while wishing you could be me, wishing you could let it all go, be the rebel!"
"No!" Andrew again said angrily. "This isn't about me, it's about you. You want what I've got, a beautiful woman and a life. Getting married and settling down." Sean chuffed and walked away.
"You could have it all if you just let go of this bad boy image you keep pushing on everyone!" Andrew called after him. "Everyone's worried about you, wondering where you're going in life, why don't you just admit it."
"Admit what dear brother who knows so much?" Sean said sarcastically.
"Admit that you need help. You've an alcohol addiction problem, a drug problem." Sean raged launching at Andrew, they fought, rolling in the mud, he punched Andrew and split his lip, Andrew punched him and gave him a black eye.
They jostled until Andrew was on top of him holding him down. "Just admit it Sean, let it go! Dads death fucked us all up but you the most, you didn't know how to handle it so you drank and drugged yourself into oblivion." He said struggling to hold him down, Sean raged and thrust Andrew off him, he grabbed a beer bottle in the grass and went to smash it over Andrew's face.
"Sean!" Andrew shielded his face. Sean stopped and stared at him, shoving him he chucked the bottle away and got off him, walking away to the pier and lighting a cigarette.
Andrew breathed hard for a minute and then got up walking over to Sean on the pier. "It doesn't have to define you, you have the chance to better yourself, to do the right thing. Get help, see a therapist and then when you're ready do something amazing to make you remember to never go back. Dad wouldn't want you to do this to yourself and we don't either."
"Thanks brother." Sean said giving him a hug. "Hey." He laughed. "It's snowing!" Sean said it was really coming down. They both walked back up to the cabin and rejoined the party…
Frankie had another drink thrust in her hand as she sat down, "thanks." She downed it and laughed with the girls around her.
"Here's to the last few hours of being single!" Donna said and they all clashed drinks.
Their usual club was packed out with people. Old and new faces filled the building and guys looking for a good time began asking the girls she was with for a dance.
"Hey." A guy said sitting down next to her.
"Hey." Frankie smiled swirling her drink around in her glass. Cher was belting out love on a rooftop on the dance floor. "You wanna dance?" He asked. She shook her head. "No thanks."
"Ahh I see bride to be… well this awkward." He noticed. She laughed a little crossing one leg over the other and swigging back her drink.
"When's the big day?" He asked, chugging on his own beer.
"Saturday." She said simply.
"You love him?"
"Of course, he's my best friend!" She said strongly.
"Cool." He coughed a little.
"Sorry, it's complicated."
"What? You're relationship?" He asked.
"We've been through a lot it's a long time coming." She smiled, thinking of Andrew gave her a warm feeling inside. She missed him terribly, she wondered how his night was going. He probably didn't even give her a second thought. She downed her drink.
"You want another drink?" He asked.
"No I'm pacing myself." She said, "come on, one drink won't hurt." He replied.
"Frankie! Come join us!" Donna shouted, the girls all beckoning her in. "Excuse me." She laughed and got up, joining them as Cher belted out "Believe!"
Frankie danced with them, they all sang along with the song, Frankie having another drink shoved in her hand. She looked to see who gave it her and saw the guy dancing next to her. She pushed it back at him but he wouldn't take it.
"Drink!" He said. "Why not?" He added. He started getting close to her and grinding his hips into hers from pulled away as she danced Donna could see her moving and saw the guy follow her.
"Donna don't!" Frankie shouted and stopped her best friend from interfering. "Just leave it." Frankie pulled her best friend to her and they danced. Suddenly Frankie felt someone grab her breasts from behind, she turned and slapped him across the face. "Leave me the fuck alone!"
"Aww c'mon, you've great tits, bet he doesn't play with them!"
"Is that all you've got little boy?" Frankie shoved him. He shoved her back and Donna knew shit was about to go down. "Frankie!" She shouted, trying to stop her.
"Fuck you!" Frankie said, curbing her temper.
"If you insist!" He grabbed her crotch and and that was it, Frankie swung her bottle and smashed it over his head. He fell to the floor dazed, bleeding. "Like I said. Fuck you!" She got down to him.
"You bitch!" He dived on her and started strangling her. Donna and Jenn dived on top, prying him away, she kicked him square in the nuts.
"Let's go…NOW!" Donna said to Frankie. Just as Donna helped her up he grabbed Frankie's leg and pulled out a knife jabbing it at her. Luckily he missed but she tripped and fell into a bloke he spilt his drink on someone else which started a chain reaction. Pretty soon the whole club was on fire. Not literally but everyone was fighting. Donna looked for Frankie but couldn't see her, Donna got dragged out by a bouncer followed by Jenn. Frankie pushed herself back up against the bar on the floor trying not to get trampled on.
She was scared and she wished Andrew was here to save her. When did she become so dependent on him? She felt so safe with him, for once in her life someone truly cared for her and she loved it.
Pushing her hands on the floor she pushed herself up and started fighting her way through the masses. Someone grabbed her wrist and she got knocked to the side, loosing her balance she fell again hitting her head along her eyebrow when she caught some broken glass. She cursed holding her head so the bleeding would stop. Pushing herself up and through the crowd she fought her way outside and finally into the snowy streets.
"Frankie!" Donna shouted running over to her. "Are you okay?" She panicked seeing all the blood. It looked worse than it was. "I'm fine stop fussing!" Frankie laughed, "that was fun!"
"Just like the old days huh?" Jenn said, the other girls had skipped out to avoid getting arrested. "Andrew is gonna have a fit!" Donna took a load of tissues from her bag and pressed them to her head, the blood covering her face.
"It's not that bad." Frankie said holding it.
"Let's go home before the cops come." Donna said.
"Say cheese!" Jenn said holding the camera up. The girls all grouped together and pulled faces as Jenn reeled off pictures. "We look like hell." Frankie said as they walked.
"Hey it's really snowing." Donna said. "Let's hope it's clear enough for Saturday."
"I hope so!" Frankie exclaimed, nothing in their life so far had been simple. "I've sent it to Andrew." Jenn laughed, Frankie stopped and looked at her.
"Jenn he will go mad!" She looked at her phone at the pictures she took.
"Let's see what he says!"
Liam walked into the kitchen to get some snacks as the party continued. He could hear a buzzing and saw Andrew's phone light up. Picking it up he checked the messages and his face went from laughing to worried. He text them back saying it was Liam and he was worried about Frankie. Jenn told him she was okay and laughing. That they'd got in a fight with a guy who was touching Frankie up.
Just as Liam was about to text back Andrew walked in. "Hey!" He said to Liam laughing. Liam hid the phone behind his back. "What's up?" Liam replied.
"What's going on?" Andrew saw him put the phone behind his back.
"Nothing!" Liam lied. "Liam! What's going on?" He paused coming over to him. "Give me the phone."
"Don't get mad!" Liam said. "I won't." Andrew replied holding his hand out.
Liam handed it him and Andrew looked at the pictures and read the texts. "She's fine!" Liam said as Andrew went out the back door with the phone. Liam sighed and threw his hands in the air.
Stepping outside he looked at the pictures again and sighed. He dialled in Jenn's number and rang it.
"Oh shit." Jenn said as they walked. "He's ringing." She showed Donna and Frankie. Frankie panicked, "don't answer it, he'll go mad at me!"
"Hey father sexy!" Jenn answered and Frankie sighed.
"Put her on please." He said. She looked at Frankie, covering the mic. He wants to talk to you, she handed her the phone.
"Hey, guess what." Frankie said.
"Frankie." He replied.
"It's snowing like crazy, cool huh?" She said.
"Frankie!" He said a bit more impatient. "Yes?" She answered ready for it.
"What happened? Are you okay? I'm worried about you."
"Andrew I'm fine, some guy got in my face and it erupted into a bar fight. I hit my head on some glass as I fell and I got out."
"Do you need me to come up?" He asked genuine, he would drive there right now if she did.
"Andrew I'm fine, it looks worse than what it is, I kicked the guy in the nuts he got it worse."
"That's my girl." He laughed a little. "I miss you." She said. "I'd rather be there with you right now."
"We can make it happen." He said.
"No you stay there, I'll come home." She said, they both laughed. "I catch the train tomorrow morning I should be home for six."
"I'll be waiting." He smiled. "And yes I've seen the snow, it's coming down here too."
"Let's hope it doesn't affect the wedding." She said, he agreed. "It won't, nothing will."
"I gotta go, we're walking home it's freezing and we're half naked."
"Are you trying to turn me on? It's working." He said. Frankie laughed and sighed, "we'll be together soon right?" She asked. "Yes Frankie, forever."
"I miss you too beautiful." He added. "I'll speak to you tomorrow."
"I'll call you from the train station my love." She replied.
"Bye." They both said and hung up…
The morning came and Frankie woke up early, she couldn't wait to get home. Just to see Andrew and have their wedding and spend some time alone with him.
Donna, Jenn and Frankie all had been out shopping for their bridesmaid dresses. They'd found beautiful soft lavender dresses to go with Frankie's white dress and lavender bouquet. "Guys we have a train to catch!" Jenn called up the steps to the flat. Frankie picked up the bag with her dress, her handbag and suitcase.
"Ready!" She walked down and out onto the sidewalk. "It's snowing again." Frankie sighed. Getting in a cab they all made it to the train station safely and the first thing Frankie did was call Andrew, the train had been delayed because of the weather.
"Hey." Andrew answered.
"It's me." Frankie said, Donna had put butterfly stitches on her wound to hold it together.
"Hey beautiful you on the way?"
"The trains been delayed." She said and he sat up in bed. "Why?" He asked. "Have you seen it outside?" He got up and pulled the curtain back. "Shit."
"Did Gianni get there?"
"Yes he's here, he got here before it got bad last night." He went into the bathroom to shower.
"Frankie!" Donna called. "I got to go." Frankie sighed. "I just want to get home."
"It'll be ok you'll be here soon." He said hopeful. "I love you." She said. "I love you too my love."
"Bye." She said and they hung up.
After showering, Andrew got dressed and went out into the state of his cabin. "Lord Jesus." He said.
"Praying again Andrew?" Gianni said as he walked past.
"I err..." Andrew rubbed the back of his neck. "I often take the Lords name in vain when I have to clean up too." He laughed.
Andrew laughed and began picking up bottles and pizza boxes. "Frankie would have a fit." He said opening a black bin liner. "I have to clear up." He wondered where his brothers were then it became all too clear as snowball smacked the glass.
He opened the back door and called them. "You two get your behinds in here and clean up." He shut the door as a snowball came his way, hitting the glass…
"Frankie look if we take the train to here, get off and run for the train here we'll have to catch a bus here. Then a cab and we're home free." She pointed at the map.
"Okay let's do it, I don't care how we get there so long as we get there." She sighed, the weather was getting worse, now they had to make it across the county, going out to come back in again.
12 hours later and they had absolutely no idea where they were. Frankie got off the bus and looked around. Jenn passed her dress out to Frankie and she took it. It looked like they were in the middle of a forest.
Andrew looked at the clock, he hadn't heard from the girls in a while. "Look it's only 10pm." Sean said. "They probably found a pub somewhere and are having a gas!"
"Frankie would have called me." He said worried. Everyone who needed to be here was here apart from the most important person. "Gianni would ye be after some tea?" Connie said.
Gianni looked at Andrew. "Tea?" Andrew translated.
"Ahh yes please." He nodded.
"Andrew she'll be here stop worrying." Connie said touching his arm. Andrew looked out the window up at the moon, wondering wherever she was if she saw it too.
Frankie stared at the moon only wishing she was home. A tear fell down her cheek and she sighed. Donna hugged her. "We will get there I promise you."
A few hours later they finally reached a train station and Frankie looked at the map. "We're so far away."
"There's one train leaving in five minutes!" Jenn said running up to them. "If we head there now, we'll just make it c'mon!" She said rushing them, it was a walk to the platform. They all grabbed their belongings and started running, Donna and Jenn got on the train and turned around, the doors closed just as Frankie came to them, Donna and Jenn looked mortified. "Shit! No! Frankie!" They shouted through the doors trying to open them.
"It's ok I'll find a way! Just get there!" Frankie shouted. Donna nodded. The train moved off and Frankie waved. It was only when the train was out of sight did she realise Donna and Jenn had her bags and her dress. "Shit." She said.
A train master walked past and Frankie stopped him. "Excuse me when's the next train?"
"Won't be one now missy till the morning, weathers too cold. Try again at 9am." The train track was deserted and lights only shone dimly. She only had a jumper, scarf and some jeans on, no money for a room for the night either.
She sat on a bench and brought her feet up, her boots were covered in snow. She rested her head against a notice board and sighed.
Unless a miracle happened she wouldn't make it home in time. She just wanted to be with Andrew, she wished she could just hear his voice. She eyed a pay phone in the corner, she considered ringing him but she didn't want to wake him. Luckily she had enough money on her for a ticket tomorrow but tonight this was a 5 star luxury cabin.
Andrew was dozing on the sofa it was 3am and he didn't want to sleep without her. Everyone slept all around him. Sean stirred and heard crunching boots in the snow outside. "Andrew I think they're here!" He said, Andrew jumped up, everyone was suddenly awake. Slowly a face appeared, Donna pushed open the door freezing cold.
"Oh thank god." Andrew said but Jenn closed the door behind her.
"Where's Frankie?" He said.
Donna sighed and looked at him. "We got separated on the last train. She didn't make it on." Donna started.
"We have all her things, her money, her phone, her suitcase." Jenn added, "the dress."
"We tried to get off but she told us she'd be ok and to come here." Andrew was more worried than ever. "Where did you leave her?" He walked over to his jacket, putting it on.
"You can't get out the trains have finished for the night, the roads are blocked with snow, everywhere is shut down, we had to walk here from where the train stopped." Donna said.
"I'll find her, even if I have to walk there, I'm not leaving her alone."
"She's in Mount Patchet station." Donna said.
"Andrew that's will take you all night to walk don't be stupid." Liam said, making him take off his jacket. He could see the logic but he hated it. He wanted his girl safe in his arms not stuck at a station freezing to death. He sighed and sat down, rubbing his face in his hands.
Frankie shivered trying to get warm, rubbing her arms. She kept looking at the clock, it was 3am and Donna and Jenn must have made it back by now.
She got up and walked to the phone, picking up the receiver she dialled his number in and let it ring. Andrew got up from his seat and went to the toilet. When he came back Donna smiled, "someone wants to talk to you." She handed him the phone.
"Frankie?" He asked.
"Hey." She said shaking. He went to their room for some privacy. "Frankie are you okay?"
"Cold." She whispered.
"I can't get to you it's all blocked off." He said, hearing her voice. His heart was breaking he knew she was cold and probably tired.
"I miss you." She said through tears.
"Hey, it'll be ok, can you get somewhere warm? Let me wire you some money for a hotel? Is there one near?" He asked and she said no.
He began to panic but he couldn't show it. "There's supposed to be trains from 9am, I might not make it." She said.
"You'll make it my love."
"I'm really tired." She said her voice sounding sleepy. She sat down on the floor the cable just long enough to reach her ear. "I don't think I'm going to make it."
"You will Frankie, just stay strong." He whispered sitting on the edge of their bed. "It's so cold." She whispered.
"My love…" he said, guilt painting his heart.
"Going sleep now… will see you tomorrow." She said dropping the phone.
"Frankie?" He asked again and again but eventually the call ran out of money and cut off. He put his head in his hands and sobbed.
Andrew woke pulling his head up off the floor where he'd fallen. "Frankie?" He shouted, running out into the room where everyone sat. It was morning now, 10am to be exact.
"Morning sleepyhead." Donna said.
"Is Frankie here?" He asked and she shook her head. "But she will be, if anyone knows how to get home it's Frankie, if she wants something bad enough she'll get it."
There was nowhere for everyone to sleep so Gianni and Connie shared and the girls took the spare, the boys had the sofa. Liam's family couldn't make it because of the weather in Ireland and here.
They sat around until 2pm rolled around. "I can't wait any longer I need to know." Andrew got up. "I'll come with you, Sean come on." Liam said, the ladies and Gianni all followed out to the porch, the snow was deep but enough to walk on top of now it had compacted and thawed a little. The sun was shining and it was a clear crisp day.
Andrew pulled his jacket on and so did the boys. Andrew looked at Donna as she screamed. "Frankie!"
Andrew's head whipped around and Frankie came to a stop at the end of the driveway stopping short of the path up to their cabin. She waved with the most beautiful smile Andrew had ever seen. He walked slowly at first then a full pelt run.
Reaching her he grabbed her in his arms and swung her around. Putting her down he kissed her passionately more than he ever had before. He touched her and felt her all over, she was frozen solid but she was here. "Oh Frankie." He whispered "my love."
"I missed you." She whispered. He kissed her hard again and again, his heart relaxed, he felt at peace. "God I love you."
"I love you too."she shuddered and he took off his jacket wrapping it around her shoulders.
"Fucking train." She said to Donna as they walked up on the porch. "Next time we go on a train I'm pre booking seats." Donna laughed and cuddled her.
Frankie walked inside and went straight to her bedroom, Andrew followed and the group gave them some privacy. She went straight to the bathroom and she could barely take his jacket off her shoulders, her body ached from being in the cold all night.
He shut the door and sat her on a chair in there. She dropped her head and cried as he gently pulled her top over her head. She had frostbite on her stomach. Not bad but it hurt a lot.
He leaned in and kissed her lips. "How did you get home?" He asked undoing her bra.
"I walked. The train service isn't running." He felt a pang of guilt, he touched her arms gently. "Look at you." He leant in and kissed her chest up to her neck. His warm kisses felt so good.
He undid her jeans, took her boots off and saw the marks of frostbite scattered about her, it would fade but she had one hell of night she wouldn't forget. He undressed her and helped her get in the shower, taking off his clothes he joined her, not to make love but to just be with her. She sat on the floor and crossed her arms and legs shivering, he turned the hot water down to cool.
"I know my love." He sat with her and held her hands. "You have to warm up gradually or you'll go into shock." Every ten minutes he warmed the water a little until she'd come back to normal temperature, she got up and he showered with her, they both threw on dressing gowns and she looked at him kissing him.
"My love." He whispered. They walked out to the lounge and Donna had everyone rallying around moving things and changing the layout, setting up decorations balloons and the works.
"What's going on?" Frankie asked. "We're setting up for your wedding silly." Donna said. Looking at Andrew she said "your suits in Gianni's room, with the boys, go on!" She shoved him.
"Come on beautiful, let's get you ready for your big day."
An hour passed and everything was set up in the lounge, red rose petals line the isle from Frankie's and Andrew's room. Flowers were absolutely everywhere, guests that could make it in the snow had showed up. Even Beverly and the clan showed up, Liams wife made it in with the kids from Ireland, it was a little crowded but everything was set for the big moment. Gianni came out first. Dressed in his formal Priest suit and best shirt he smiled at everyone packed in and went to the head of the lounge.
Next Andrew came out, a black suit with a red tie and black waistcoat, white shirt and lavender flower in his top pocket. The boys matched.
Liam followed as best man, his kids waving at him. Andrew waited at the head of the isle as an instrumental "thousand years" began playing. The lace curtain covering the door was pulled back and Jenn stepped out first wearing a wonderful flowing dress that was a very soft lavender colour. Her hair and make up done to perfection.
She took Liam's arm and he led her up the isle, she stood next to Gianni's left. Photos were being snapped by everyone.
Donna came out next her beautiful black skin perfectly complementing her lavender dress a strapless number she held a bouquet of lavender petals she gently spread as she walked up the isle with Liam. Sean waited with one hand behind his back, he caught a glimpse of Frankie and even he welled up with tears, Frankie stepped out and Andrew about had heart failure, he absolutely couldn't believe it was the same woman, she was the most stunning thing he had ever seen. He was the absolute luckiest man to be alive.
"Shall we?" Sean asked, Frankie got her dress into position and began to walk, she was wearing her hair down with beautiful white pearl drop earrings and a tiara, beautiful gem stone white heels underneath a beautiful white dress. The dress was corset style that held her perfectly, A line it flowed outwards in but not too puffy, lace covered the corset half flowing down into the rest of her dress like a waterfall. Her nails were perfectly white her makeup hid her scars for the most part. A white pearl necklace around her neck dipping quite low into the dress, her hair flowed down her shoulders blonde and beautiful. She had a beautiful lavender bouquet, and everyone suitably gasped with how beautiful she looked.
No more so than Andrew he was welling up inside as Sean led her slowly up the isle towards him. Frankie couldn't believe it was finally happening, the moment she'd dreamed of last night, the one thing that had made her get up and start walking.
She had a vision. Jesus came to her and told her to get up, that he would keep her safe until she got home.
She didn't know if she was just hallucinating or if it happened but she knew she had to walk. So she did, every mile she saw Andrew waiting for her, every mile he drew a step closer. Like waiting a thousand years to get the one you love.
Arriving next to him she looked at him, smiling the most beautiful of smiles, he wanted to touch her but he knew he couldn't.
Gianni smiled happy that his friend had finally found the happiness he'd sought for so long.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today…" Gianni started but Andrew and Frankie's eyes were locked, he could only see her, hear her. Eventually they got to the vows.
"I Andrew Kiernan take you Frankie Paige to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health I promise to love you, promise to hold you, promise to dry your tears and be there when you laugh. To be there with you until the day I die and then forever in Jesus' good grace." He added Gianni was a bit taken aback but nodded to Frankie to slip the ring on his finger. She did.
"Frankie repeat after me…"
"I Frankie Paige take you Andrew Kiernan to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, I promise to love you and cherish you, when you make me laugh or make me mad, I promise to be there for you, to hold your hand and take you on a journey of love, our love everlasting." He slipped the ring on her finger and they both sighed laughing a little, they looked to Gianni.
"May I continue?" He asked. Andrew and Frankie laughed with the guests.
"Almighty God I pray for you to bless Frankie and Andrew with love and laughter and peace the rest of their lives, I pray that you both have long happy lives together, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live."
"If anyone knows why these two should not be wed then please come forth, or forever hold thy peace." Nobody spoke and Frankie silently thanked the Lord her parents weren't here.
He paused and they both looked at him as they held hands. "I now pronounce you man and wife..I suppose you may kiss the bride." He said and they laughed, she reached up to him and placed her hands on his face softly.
They paused looking into each others eyes for a long moment before kissing passionately.
There was an eruption of applause and cheers and Frankie and Andrew were covered in lavender petals and rice.
Caterers had managed to wade through the snow to get there and delivered food and drinks for the whole party to which Frankie gave them a big tip. Everything had fallen into place.
The first dance came and Frankie lined up with Andrew on the dance floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Their song came on "your song" by Elton John. She mouthed the words to him. And he did her as they danced. Softly swaying from side to side. He was so incredibly happy and she just couldn't believe it all, she was overwhelmed it just baffled her. They danced to a few more songs before Gianni got a dance in with Frankie and Donna got a dance in with Andrew.
They had food, cut the cake and took so many photos they didn't have time for each other, they'd barely spoke all day. Gianni had left to go back to Rome and some guests had gone so as to avoid the next heavy snowfall that was due in. Frankie saw Andrew head outside and she made her way through the crowd to the door sneaking outside. He was on the pier and she walked down to him holding her dress up as to not let it drag in the snow. It wasn't easy walking in heels either. Finally she made it over to him and he heard her coming turning around he picked her up under her legs into his arms over the top of the snow drift and set her down on the pier, where the snow had all melted.
It was late evening and a clear sky at the moment though clouds were rolling in.
"Thank you." She said straightening her dress. "Cigarette?" She offered and picked up the pack and a lighter from the deck chair, Sean had obviously left them there. "I'm trying to give them up." He joked taking a chug of his beer.
"You shouldn't be out here with nothing on Frankie, after last night." He said flatly. She felt like she'd done something wrong, she worried in case he was mad at her.
"Are you okay?" She asked gingerly. Reaching out to touch him.
"I'm fine." He said looking out over the water.
"Have I upset you?"
"No Frankie." He sat on the deck chair, moving away from her. Now she knew he was upset with her. "What have I done?" She walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. He got up and moved again. "Frankie will you just…stay there." He said.
"What's the matter?" She asked him. "Please don't ignore me?"
"I'm just frustrated." He said.
"With what?"
"With…a lot of things."
"Like what? Me? Today?"
"Frankie!" He sighed. She again walked over and grabbed his arm, this time she didn't let go. "Talk to me, you can always talk to me."
"Look. I'm just frustrated. It's just what you do to me."
"I'm sorry." She said feeling as if she were to blame for some invisible thing she'd done. He went to her and wrapped his arms around her, putting his head against hers she suddenly felt why he was so frustrated.
"Are you?" She asked.
"I can't help it." He paused looking to her. "I told you I struggled with it as a priest." She smiled. "Don't you dare." He said and she let out a small chuckle.
"I'm sorry." She said. "I've never been in this…situation before."
"Frankie…"
"Can I help you?" She asked, trying not to laugh. "This is really funny to you isn't it?" She burst out laughing and he rolled his eyes. "Am I that addictive to you?" She asked.
"You're the most amazingly beautiful woman I've ever seen."
"And I'm all yours." She added with a wink. "Frankie don't tease me." He almost begged.
"I'm sorry." She laughed. Walking over to him she wrapped her arms inside his jacket around his back. Laying her head against his chest she softly swayed. "Dance with me."
He put his arms around her and held her to him, slowly swaying with her. He kissed her head, stroking her hair. "What am I going to do with you." He said being rhetorical.
"I can't wait to find out." He pulled back laughing. "Frankie Kiernan."
"I like it." She said.
"You two have the rest of your life to be alone, bloody party is in here." Sean shouted from up on the porch.
"Let's get through tonight and I'll treat you later." She smiled and pulled his hand with her towards the cabin. "You know I'm one lucky man."
"I'm the lucky one." She said, tilting her head a little. The way her hair fell, the way she smelled and her dress… oh her dress just accentuated her curves. "I don't think you know how much you mean to me."
"And you to me. My handsome husband." He walked to her, scooped her up and walked her over the snow setting her down on the porch, returning inside to their waiting guests.
A few more hours passed and finally they were down to just the few of them. Donna and Jenn had crashed in the bedroom, Connie had long gone to sleep and the boys were passed out on the couch. "Look at this place." Frankie said grabbing a trash bag and starting to clean up.
"Hey." He said quietly not wanting to wake anyone. "Let's go to bed this can wait." She sighed and nodded. He took her hand and led her inside the bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.
"Will you help me out of this dress?" She asked it was corset at the back and she couldn't do it herself.
"With pleasure." He smiled seductively. "Andrew." She said and he took her hand. "Andrew…" she again said and he led her to the bathroom, going up behind her he started to undo her dress.
"Thank you." She said as she felt it release finally able to slip it down her body until she was stood only in her lace underwear. She picked the dress up and before she had a chance to do anything he pushed her back against the wall and started kissing her, grabbing at her.
"Andrew stop." She said and he realised what he was doing. "I'm sorry." He said backing off. "It's okay…" she took the rest of her clothes off, taking his off in the process until they were naked for each other.
"Let's go slow. I want this night to last as long as possible." She said taking his hands and leading him to the bedroom…
A few hours of love making passed and they both collapsed exhausted. Andrew was amazing, he didn't rush her into anything despite being frustrated he was gentle and got more than he bargained for a few times.
Wrapped up in sheets they were entwined in each other. "I'm sorry but I really missed you. I think it was the build up." He said, stroking her arm, staring into her eyes.
"Remind me never to go away again." She laughed, "or maybe I should, you were amazing." He blushed and hid his head in her shoulder.
"My handsome husband." She whispered running her fingers through his hair. He kissed her lovingly, running his hand across the back of her head. Holding her as close to him as he could.
"My beautiful wife. Finally." He stroked her thigh and brought it up over his…
It appeared the night wasn't over yet…
