Author's Note:

I have returned and I brought a gift! To be honest, this isn't the story I thought I would be publishing right away. I had actually started a completely different one with our three heroes meeting in a completely different way then this one came to mind. It started dominating everything so I chose to write this story first. Don't worry, I will get the other one and more out eventually. I took a lot of time in preparing this and have a good portion of the story written down with an ending that I know I like. I'm pretty proud of myself too considering I usually just jump into the stories I write and forget that there has to be a middle and an ending. I also didn't want a prologue but the story required it for this small part of the story happens years before the rest of it.

For those of you who are wondering, I had my surgery and it went really well. Very successful are the words from my doctor. I'm out of the God-awful boot that was hindering in everything that I did and I'm now in an ankle brace. Which is good because I almost fell down a some steps leading to my car last week. Good thing was I caught myself. Bad thing, I lost my bagel with cream cheese to fresh mulch. What a morning that was! Okay, back to the story. This is a period piece which is not something that I have done before so I hope that I can keep up with it. There is a reason behind it and I will explain it if need be. We start out in 1946 then fast forward to 1954 though I am planning on a few flashbacks (planning is the key word here). Anyway, I really hope that you enjoy this and please feel free to leave a review to let me know what you think! Have a great day and God bless!

Prologue – 1946, Bayport, New York

"This was really nice, Frank," Laura Hardy smiled at her oldest son. The two sat in a booth at small diner, the remains of their lunch spread out on the table between them. "I'm glad that we were able to do this without your father or brother."

"Well, you said you wanted to spend some time with me," Frank Hardy shrugged, "so I thought that since Joe was out with friends and Dad was busy with a case, this would be the perfect time to do have lunch together."

"Thank you, honey," she nodded. She sniffled just a bit as she looked at her empty plate. "I can't believe that you are graduating high school in a few days and then you'll be gone off to college. And next year, it will be Joe. You boys are growing up too quickly."

"You know that's not the case, Mom," he replied, popping a French fry into his mouth. "I won't be far from home and I'm still working with Dad and Joe on the weekends."

"Yes, I know," she sighed. "I guess it was inevitable. Imagine if you were across the country going to school. I don't know what I'd do with myself if that happened."

"You would be fine. Besides, that was your idea anyway."

"I'm surprised that I even thought of it when you were looking into schools."

"That's not me though," Frank shrugged. "I want to be working with Dad. You know that."

"Yes, but I think you would make an amazing lawyer. Between you and your brother, I thought that you would be the one to get out of the dangerous business of private investigating and into an office. I knew Joe never would. He was a hopeless cause from the time he was two when he jumped off the sofa and broke his arm."

"I know, Mom, but I know what I want. It's too bad that the war ended or I would be going into the military."

"Don't remind me of that, Frank!" Laura screeched, causing a few of the other patrons to briefly turn their way. "Several of my friends had boys who went to war, some of whom never returned or came home...different. I didn't want that for either of you."

"You know Joe is already planning on joining next year no matter what," Frank pointed out. "It was his idea anyway but I just want to go my own way. It was different when Hitler was still around. We wanted so badly to go off and kill Nazis but things changed when the war finally ended last year."

"And we're all glad for it. I would still be proud if you do decide to join though and I'm proud that Joe wants to. But I'm not saying I wouldn't worry. I am your mother after all. I'll worry no matter what you do."

"Right," he mumbled distracted. Frank stared at his empty plate, ideas and thoughts swirling within the confines of his mind. His future was just a few days away, a concept that was he was still trying to grasp. And even though he told his mother he wanted to work with his father and brother as a private investigator, Frank still had other thoughts of what he could do. Only thing was that being a lawyer was not one of them. Then there was what he bought the day before. Something that was really pressing on him at that moment.

"What's on your mind, Frank?" Laura asked, noticing her son's spaciness.

"Huh?"

"You're obviously no longer here," his mother smiled. "Is there something bothering you?"

"I don't know, Mom," Frank shook his head. "I…I just have a lot on my mind. That's all."

"I understand, honey. What kind of things?"

"Well, my future for one," he started. "It seems like its coming faster than I want it to. Going to school, working...Callie."

"Oh? Is something wrong between you two?"

"No, not really." Frank paused, looking around the diner. He was trying to find the right words as to the conversation he and Callie not long ago. "Callie and I have been getting closer since we started our senior year and um, we've been talking."

"About what?"

"Marriage."

"Already?"

"Well, yeah," he shrugged then looked away. "I know I want to be with her but is it too early to get married? Most of my friends have jobs ready to go after graduation but they want to make a way before settling down which is a smart idea in the long run. I feel like I'm getting pressure from both ends about it. Is it wrong to feel the way I do?"

"No, honey," Laura smiled, clasping his hand with her own and squeezing. "It's all right to have those feelings that you have but I'm surprised you are already thinking about it considering you're only just now graduating high school. You have your whole life ahead of you to make that kind of decision. I do understand why Callie is wanting to settle down so quickly. Her parents were married rather young but if you don't think you're ready ready, then tell her that. Going to school and holding a job while taking care of a family is a lot to process and to keep up with. Do you really want that right now?"

"I'm not sure."

"Whatever you decide, your father and I will be behind you no matter what."

"I know. Callie is already looking at apartments for us to move into once we're married. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

"It shows that she wants to be with you, Frank. What's wrong with that?" Laura sighed then continued. "But if you don't feel ready, then don't go through with it. Take your time. Enjoy life first."

"I...I already bought the ring, Mom. I bought it yesterday."

"Oh," she stated, leaning back in the booth. She brought her hands together, clasping them on the table. Laura studied her son, wondering why he would buy a ring if he wasn't sure if he was ready to get married. "You seem pretty about it if you bought a ring already."

"I know." Frank stopped, biting his lower lip. "It was impulsive and I regret it now but it was such a find and I couldn't pass it up before it was sold."

"And that's okay, honey," Laura smiled. "Sometimes being impulsive makes you think about the decisions you make."

"Right." Frank blew out in frustration. "But what if she doesn't agree with me if I do decide not to go through with marrying young?"

"I'm sure that if Callie truly loves you, she'll respect your decision and wait. Family will come when you're ready. The ring will be there when you are ready." She looked at him thoughtfully. "Listen, your father and I have been married since we were in our early twenties. We waited but eventually we didn't have a choice but to get married."

"Why's that?"

"Well, I was pregnant with you at the time," Laura smiled sheepishly. Frank blushed a little and quietly chuckled. "Your father and I took the time to get to really know one another before you came along and it benefitted us in the long run. And then Joe was born. Nothing could prepare us for that whirlwind of insanity. He's been a pain in the butt since day one. I just want you to think about the decision before you make the wrong choice." She paused briefly, thinking. "Are you sure Callie's not…"

"What? Oh, no, no. She's not. I mean, we haven't...why would you ask that?"

"Just a thought." His mother looked over at the phone booth in the corner of the diner then back at her son. She could see the wheels turning in his head as he thought about the conversation. Frank could easily make a phone call to Callie and make plans with her. Laura looked back at her son, noticing his anxiety. There was definitely something bothering him. "Is there something else, Frank?"

"Huh?" Frank looked up at his mother. "What was that?"

"I said 'is there something else?'"

He bit his lip and looked away. He wasn't sure if there was something else bothering him. Callie was a fantastic girl and he felt blessed to know her but for some reason, Frank was having different feelings now that he's talked to someone other than Callie. It seemed like there was more to life than just getting married.

And here was something else. Something that he hadn't told anyone, including Joe. His feelings for Callie were genuine though almost… superficial at times and he wasn't sure why. It felt like he was expected to marry her and settle down considering that the two had been dating since sophomore year. Plus, there was another girl who made Frank have a few flutters in his stomach when he was around her. The only thing was that she was with someone and she lived too far away for him to really know if she held the same feelings for him. Frank wasn't even sure if there was something between them. In fact, both he and the girl he was thinking of never acted on any feelings. He would just get a few flutters in his stomach when he was around her, even sometimes feeling a little bit of jealousy when she was with other guys.

"It's nothing, Mom," Frank finally said, turning back to her. "I'm just feeling overwhelmed."

"Uh, huh," Laura quirked an eyebrow, giving him a dubious look. "From the way you're acting, it seems like there's another girl out there who you're thinking about. I wouldn't be surprised if there was someone else who makes your heart go pitter-pat. Callie isn't the only fish in the pond, you know."

"I know," he nodded. The waitress came by and took their plates while leaving the bill behind. Frank quickly snatched it before Laura could. He went through his wallet, pulling out a few bills to pay. "I have had my feelings for Callie for a while and I know that I want to be with her. At least, I think I do."

"Do you think your father was the only guy I had my eye on when I was younger?" she smirked.

"Mom!"

"What? I was quite a looker in my day." Laura gave her son an encouraging look. "Follow you heart, honey. If you want to get married, follow that path. If you're having second thoughts about things, then follow that one. It's up to you to make that decision."

"Right," Frank nodded then sighed. "Ready to go?"

"Of course. Stern's is calling my name."

A few minutes later, the mother and son were walking down the sidewalk towards where Stern's was located. It was a beautiful, late Spring day, the warmer weather settling into the area. Big, puffy clouds gently moved across the sky, swirling into different patterns as the wind blew. Kids played in the park across the street, their mothers watching them as they chatted from park benches nearby. Laura smiled, watching the boys run around in the grass, reminiscing the days when her own boys played at the same park.

She couldn't believe how much Frank and Joe had grown. They were both well over her head in height though both boys still recoiled in response whenever Laura scolded them. And while Frank was lean and athletic, Joe favored a more muscular frame.

"Oh!" Laura cried, stopping on the sidewalk. "I almost forgot! I need to go to the bank! Your father asked me to go to the bank for him."

"Okay," Frank replied, surprised. "I thought he usually did that on his own, especially when it comes to business banking."

"Well, as far as I know, it's just a deposit."

"Frank!" called a female voice, interrupting their conversation. He looked up to see Callie waving to him from down the street as she headed toward them. Frank waved back then gave his mother a pleading look.

"Oh, go on," Laura waved him off. "We can meet at Stern's when you're done."

Frank leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek. "Thanks, Mom," he smiled before rushing down the sidewalk to where Callie was.

Laura sighed, smiling at the two and thinking about what her son had told her just moments before. She hoped that he followed his heart and wait just a little before getting married. Frank needed to find himself before he settled down. Laura quickly swiped a tear escaping down her cheek with her gloved hand before taking a step off the curb to cross the street. The bank loomed in front of her, it's high pillars dominating its front façade. As she continued crossing, she didn't see the car down the street that slowly pulled away from the curb. It was only a matter of seconds before she knew what was happening but by then it was too late. The car hit her head on before quickly driving away, leaving her in the middle of the street.

Frank saw the car as he came up to Callie though he didn't think anything of it. At least, not at first. He did think it was odd though that the passenger looked right at him and smirked.

"What's wrong?" Callie asked concerned when she saw his face.

"That guy in the car," he answered, shaking his head. "He smirked at me like he knew me."

"Do you know him?"

"I don't think so." Frank turned back to her and smiled. "I'm not worried though. A lot of people know who I am."

A screech of tires followed by a scream ripped through the town, bringing Frank's attention to the street. A crowd had gathered around something while he noticed the car from earlier quickly round a corner, almost hitting two pedestrians on the sidewalk. Something was not right and he rushed over to the crowd with Callie in tow. Frank pushed his way through the throng of people before stopping in the center. His eyes went wide in alarm when he saw his mother lying on the ground, not moving.

"Mom?" he called, rushing to her side. He looked up at the other people gathered around. "Someone call the police!" Frank looked back at Laura, his hand tightly grasping hers though he felt nothing from her in return. He called to her again, tears running down his face.

Her body was still, her eyes closed. Blood caked her hair, her hat skewed from the accident. Frank willed her eyes to open…to scold him for holding her hand too tight…to smile…anything to show that she was still alive but nothing happened. His mother was gone and a massive weight of guilt pressed upon him as he let out a cry of agony and grief.

Frank quickly sat up in bed, his breathing heavy and bare chest glistening with sweat. He had yet another dream about the day his mother died and every time it seemed to be more agonizing than the last. The man's face from the vehicle seemed to become more prominent every time, the scream and the screech of tires louder. Getting out of bed, Frank stumbled to the small bathroom just outside his bedroom. After washing his face with water, he stared at himself in the mirror. His eyes stared at his reflection, taking in the haggard look on his face. Finals were over and graduation was around the corner yet Frank still felt tired due to the dreams.

Ever since he left home eight years earlier, Frank wanted to change who he was. He decided to go to the school he originally thought of going to, one that his father and brother never knew about. Soon after, Frank turned to boxing to put himself through college, running and training in the evenings and on weekends. It helped Frank get through the frustrations of his past along with dealing with his mother's death. His face had seen better days though it now carried a rugged look to it. Although he stopped boxing months before, his six foot, one physique was still that of a boxer.

Frank made his choice in leaving his family behind, a choice that was rough to begin with. His father and brother made it clear at the funeral that they blamed him for what happened to Laura. And Frank, in turn, continued to not only blame himself but at times, Callie. Unlike his family though, he went to see her and told her he was leaving. There were tears exchanged between them but even Callie knew it was for the best. He needed the time grieve and time to grow. What he wanted for her more than anything is to move and he hoped that she did.

His eyes began to water as he thought about what had occurred. His life had changed in a matter of seconds and there was nothing he could have done to change it. Frank had his whole life planned with Callie...at least he thought he did. That one fateful day changed everything. Frank had no one to talk to, no one to turn to for comfort, not even his classmates. No one around him really knew about his past and he wanted to keep it that way no matter what. It was nobody's business anyway and he was determined to become what his mother wanted him to be...even if he still wasn't sure himself.