A/N: enjoy!
Andrew was rushed to the hospital barely clinging to life. He'd been stabbed in the chest and they weren't sure where it had gone, what it had pierced. Frankie had been ushered into a family room, unable to be with him.
She broke down and sobbed hard she couldn't do this without him. She had blood on her clothes from him, she looked to her bump and put her hand on it, holding her arms around it.
The doctors worked hard to fight for Andrew, they were rushing him to emergency surgery when the cops came into the family room and took Frankie's statement. They had already caught the youths responsible for the attack.
Once they left Frankie could do nothing but wait. She looked up and started speaking…
"I don't know if you can hear me, I don't know if you even care enough to listen to me…we haven't exactly been the best of friends…but…I…I can't do this without him….he's my best friend, my love, my soulmate…please, please don't take him yet…if you have to take someone take me! Please…." She lowered her head and sobbed. "He's all I have left…I know you hate me and I know I could do better but whatever it is you want from me just take it…please…don't take him from me."
Frankie fell to the side and curled up. She rested her head on the window ledge of the room her tear's flowing. She shut her eyes and called for him as she drifted off…. "Andrew…"
Quite a few hours passed and she awoke when someone gently shook her. "Mrs. Kiernan?"
She jumped and sat up. "Where's Andrew? Is he okay?"
"He came through the surgery well and we managed to stem the bleeding and repair the damage the knife had done. Unfortunately he bled out quite a bit and we're having to transfuse him some blood, his body is also not responding well to surgery. His heart is very weak from the blood loss and damage, we've put him into an induced coma to help him recover. I can take you to him if you'd like now?"
"Yes." She said sadly and followed her. The doctor led her into the room and she saw Andrew bandaged around the chest, hooked up to every machine possible, one machine breathing for him as he had been put into an induced coma.
"He can still hear you, talk to him." The doctor said and left the room closing the door. Frankie gingerly made her way over to him, sitting down in the chair next to the bed she sobbed and brought her face down to his hand. "Please don't go Andrew, fight it."
There was no response but the sounds of the machines bleeping. "I guess it's me and my stupid fault for going that way home and aggravating those people…I should have just stayed home, just lock me away so nobody gets hurt." She covered her face with her hands.
"Stupid. Such a selfish person with all these stupid ideas running around my brain. Thinking I'm actually good for something yet here I am, just a stupid silly little girl, wandering around looking for trouble, getting people hurt…"
She dazed away, lost in thought. "I'm sorry about all this, I'm sorry it's all my fault…" she got up and rested her head against his shoulder and sobbed. "If you pull through I promise you'll have every right to divorce me. Keep the baby and just pack me off to some mental ward, find someone without so much baggage. I'm so fucked up in the head Andrew you deserve better."
She sobbed hard and kissed his cheek softly stroking her hand through his hair. "You deserve better than this, just a normal life with a normal family, with people around you who don't hurt you all the time…maybe I'm not that person…I wish I was because that person deserves you, you're so incredible and kind and loving and this is what I give to you…laying here clinging to life because of me…I promise I'll let you go…just please don't give up…" she fell back into the chair sobbing harder than she knew how. She didn't notice but his finger twitched.
She sat forward and held his hand, slowly she fell into a soft sleep, her head swimming with emotion. She didn't know who she was anymore…
A week passed and Andrew was still on the machine but today they were going to try and take him off, to see if his body was strong enough to carry on, on its own now. Frankie had been home, showered, ate, changed and come back several times that week.
She stood back as they pulled out the tubes keeping him breathing. She watched as did everyone else, in silence as his breathing stopped for a second, it was the longest second in the world but suddenly he breathed air into his lungs all by himself, she choked back a sob.
After a few minutes he slowly started to come to.
"Andrew?" The doctors called him, shaking him very gently…
"Frankie…." He whispered, his voice raspy… picking his hand up, reaching out.
"She's right here Andrew…" the doctor signalled for her to come over. Shaking she gently came over and took his hand, he squeezed it and she leant over him looking down at him and kissing him softly, he kissed back softly and whispered. "I love you, don't leave me."
She cried tears onto his chest and knew he'd heard her as she had spoke to him. "You deserve better than this…"
"I only want you…" he tried, falling in and out of consciousness.
"Then that's what you'll have…" she said kissing him softly again. "Just get better, just promise me you'll be okay."
"I promise." He managed to get out before he succumbed to the sleep again.
He still held her hand and she his, she sat down next to him and kissed his hand holding it with both of hers as he slept. She wouldn't leave his side, she couldn't, they were lovers bound in eternity.
Later that evening Andrew slowly pushed his eyes open, he had an aching in his chest and he touched the bandages, his other hand still in Frankie's. He turned his head to look at her and lifted his hand out of hers to stroke her hair, she was asleep and he didn't want to wake her.
He tried to sit up but winced in pain, Frankie's eyes shot open and she was there instantly.
"What happened?" She checked him over. "Are you okay? What happened? Do you need me to get a doctor? Hold on I'll get one…." She said about to dash off, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back. "Frankie!"
She looked at him and he smiled a little, "come here…"
She moved slowly over to him and he pulled her collar down to him kissing her lips lovingly. "I could hear you…" he said and kissed her again more lovingly. "You are what I want, nobody else will do, so don't ever leave me okay?"
She cried and stroked his face with her hands as she kissed him passionately. He replied with as much passion, touching her shoulder, his hand running up to the back of her head holding his lips to hers.
"I need you so bad." He closed his eyes and they rested their foreheads against each other. "Get better first." She said. He stared at her face tracing her jaw line with his fingers. "You kept me alive, all I could see was your face, your beautiful body, our child…it was all I stayed for…god I love you." He said with passion and she choked back tears. "I'm sorry you got hurt because of me, I'm such a fuck up my dad was right, everyone hurts because of me."
"Don't ever say that Frankie, don't ever, ever think that. I'm here because of you, I would have died protecting you, I would do it all again if it meant having one more day with you. You're not a fuck up, I was fucking lost in my priesthood and you found me and gave me love and life and hope and dreams, a family." His hand rested on her bump. "You're the most amazing woman and I'm so in love with you."
She cried smiling and he dried her tears. "I'll always be with you. No matter what happens remember that. Nobody is more important to me than you."
"And you me." She kissed him lovingly. "My handsome, darling husband, my saviour, my life." They embraced and Frankie gently laid on his chest, he made room for her on the bed and she laid next to him curled into him lovingly.
Another week passed and Andrew had recovered remarkably well, the doctors were very impressed and he was well enough to finally come home. Frankie had put banners up, got some party food together and the workers had all turned up to welcome him back. She also had another surprise.
The cab pulled up the driveway and Andrew looked at Frankie rolling his eyes. "What have you done?"
"I haven't got the foggiest idea what you mean Mr. Kiernan." She paid the cab getting the bags out. Andrew gingerly got out the cab to a round of applause and cheers. Bruno came bounding over to him jumping up him.
"You can't touch this." Began playing on the sound system and Andrew laughed, he stroked Bruno and fussed him a little as he slowly made his way up the drive, a big comfy armchair waited for him outside under an umbrella. The weather was so hot it was comfy. He just about got to the chair after shaking hands with a load of the workers, they were all in normal clothes and some had brought their families.
The kids were all off playing in the lake. He sat down thanking everyone, a guy offered him a beer and he took it gratefully. Frankie went inside and nodded, she went back out to Andrew and took his hands… "got a surprise for you…" she smiled brightly and pointed.
The trailer door opened and his mother and brother walked out waving. He almost jumped up as he gingerly hugged his mother and brother. "What are you doing here?" He asked they pointed to Frankie who'd paid their air fare to get there.
Connie went mad crying and laughing, worrying about him. Liam shook his hand and was glad he was ok, although he said he was in the mood for pasting something. Andrew laughed and thanked him for the offer but he didn't want the trouble.
The party got into full swing and everyone was sat around laughing, Frankie finished running around giving everyone drinks and food. She was exhausted and sat down on the sofa, her ankle ached. The night drew in and the workers had a bunch of fireworks they were setting up to let off. "Frankie?" Connie said sticking her head around the door. "Coming!" She said and pulled her shoe back on, getting up slowly she came outside and Andrew waved her over.
She went to him and he pulled her down into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. She gently leant back against him as the workers started letting off fireworks. Bruno started barking and whining and Frankie picked him up, he soon settled and panted looking at the fireworks.
After the fireworks the party continued Andrew was in his element just loving being around his friends that he'd come to befriend in the workers. Frankie ran around refilling everyone's drinks and offering more food, she went inside and smiled at one of Andrew's friends as they left the toilet and went back outside, she stopped as she went in the bathroom and shut the door. She leant against the door and breathed heavy, she winced a little in pain around her baby bump, it came on suddenly and sharply and she fell to her knees in pain.
"Oh god." She held her bump and sobbed as the pain came on stronger. She was on her knees bent over with her head on the floor, holding her stomach and rubbing it. She stayed like that for a few minutes taking deep breaths and the pain eased sitting up she fell on her butt and leant back against the wall. Rubbing her bump she sat there and took deep breaths the pain came in waves, she couldn't be poorly Andrew needed her.
She tried to get up but the pain came again and she cried out in pain, falling back against the wall, rubbing her bump. Eventually she managed to get up but the pain was worse and she got out the bathroom. Picking up her phone she called Doctor Harrington, he told her to come see him so she agreed, now she had to talk to Andrew, it wasn't fair not to tell him. If she lost the baby and she didn't tell him he'd be devastated.
She winced as she made her way across the room. Liam came in the door, "ah was looking for yer." Liam said. Frankie leant against the counter.
"Are you okay?" He asked with a tinge of worry.
"I've got to go see the doctor I'm having some…pain." She winced leaning on the counter. "I'll get Andrew." He said.
"Liam! Don't worry him, or upset the party I'll be fine."
"I'll be back." He nodded. Andrew laughed out loud and looked at Liam's face when he came over, he knew instantly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He laughed, "can I borrow ye?"
Andrew got up slowly and went with him into the trailer. Andrew looked at Frankie and moved as quickly as he could to her. "What's the matter? What happened?" He asked rubbing the bottom of her back.
"I'm okay." She said tears in her eyes.
"No you're not what happened?"
"Pain…I've called the doctor he wants me to go see him."
"I'm coming too." He said for definite. "No! Andrew you're not well, you need to rest I'll be fine just let me go."
"If you think this is gonna stop me you're very much mistaken."
"Andrew, I mean it, you don't need the stress I'll be fine." She stood up and slowly made her way to the door. He followed her and out down the driveway to the cab. He turned her to him. "Let me come with you." He himself wincing a little she laughed a little. "Look at us, can't make a good one between us. Go rest I'll be right back."
He kissed her lovingly and bent down as best he could to kiss the baby bump. "Be good little one." He said smartly.
"Be right back." She said and got in the cab. It drove off and Liam helped Andrew back to the trailer. Arriving at the doctors surgery he flipped the lights on in the room and told her to undress from the waist down. She complied and he had her in stirrups, checking her out.
After a few minutes he came to feel her stomach bump and when he pressed a certain area she winced in pain. He nodded and told her to get dressed. She did so and when she was done he offered her a seat.
"Frankie there's nothing wrong, the pregnancy is coming along wonderfully, everything is in tact, you've got your scan coming up soon haven't you?"
"Yes."
"Good, make sure you go to it. The pain is coming from your pregnancy, as you get bigger your hips expand to make room for the baby's head to pass through when it's time, everything stretches and grows and in turn can cause pregnancy pains. It's just your body adjusting to being pregnant, it can be quite painful for some and for others they don't even notice it."
She breathed a sigh of relief, getting up. "Frankie you need to rest a bit more, your ankles are pretty swollen, I don't want you on your feet so much."
"I've got to look after Andrew…" she started.
"If you look after Andrew who's going to look after him when you loose the baby?" He interrupted. "Frankie I'm serious I'm worried about you, don't do too much this pregnancy is going to be very hard on you, I want you laying in bed for the next few days otherwise I can see you ending up in hospital and then it'll be a completely different conversation we will be having."
"Yes sir." She said and he nodded.
She left and got a cab back to the trailer, the party had finished and everyone had gone except Liam and Connie who were taking care of Andrew.
She walked in and they were all sat around the kitchen table, Andrew got up and came to her immediately. She smiled "it's okay everything's fine."
He sighed in relief and hugged her. "It was just pregnancy pain and my body adjusting to my belly growing, something about hips spreading and what not." She hugged him and he kissed her head lovingly.
Connie and Liam had a hotel in town so they left to get back and Frankie locked up behind them. She fed Bruno and came to the bedroom, he was struggling to get comfortable so she helped him swing his legs in and got his pillows fluffed. "Could you bring me a glass of water?" He asked.
"Sure." She smiled and went to get him one. Coming back she placed it next to him and covered him with the blanket. "Are you coming to bed?" He asked she shook her head. "I'm gonna go clean up some and I've got to sort out some clothes and I want to put the rest of the groceries away and of course if you need me I'll help you."
"Frankie…" he said sitting up. "You don't have to do all of that you've done enough please come lay with me."
"Just rest Andrew please I'm fine."
"Frankie." He said and she sighed getting into bed with him. She cuddled up to him and smiled, within minutes they were both asleep. As morning dawned Frankie woke and slipped out of bed, she showered and dressed and started cleaning up. She cleaned everything outside and put everything away, then came back inside and started clearing up. She got the washing on, put some groceries away and tidied up the leftover food.
Andrew woke and felt for Frankie, she wasn't there and he sighed rubbing his face. "Frankie?" He called out and she came through with his breakfast.
"Here you go my love." She placed his cereal and coffee down and went to leave, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back onto the bed. "Will you slow down a second." He laughed and she shook her head, "Andrew I've got to feed Bruno you get some rest my love." She kissed him and got up going to the kitchen, he ate his cereal and heard his phone calling. He picked it up to speak to Dr. Harrington….
After he finished he called Frankie. "Frankie Kiernan get your beautiful behind in here."
She came in and he looked at her seriously. "What?!" She asked.
"Why didn't you tell me what Doctor Harrington told you, last night?"
"I did…" she said.
"Why don't you try again." He laughed a little.
"Which bit?" She whispered.
"How about the bit where he said you need to rest, stay off your feet?"
"How do you know?"
"He just rang me and told me himself, he knew you wouldn't."
She sighed and shook her head. "I've not got time for that. Someone has to be on their feet and it isn't going to be you."
"Well it won't be you either!"
"So then what? Who's going to do all the cooking and cleaning and washing?"
"I will!" Connie said behind them.
"No Connie you can't you're our guest!"
"I'm his mother and your step mother darling I'm here ta work!"
Frankie threw her hands in the air, "is everyone in this family a martyr?"
"Yes." Andrew and Connie said in unison.
"So get them shoes off I'll be having ye in bed right now!" She pushed Frankie around the bed and helped her in next to Andrew who stuck his tongue out at her.
She was tucked in, she folded her arms over her chest. "Andrew put that tongue away, ye be catching flies?"
Frankie laughed out loud. "Now no funny business you two!" They looked at each other then her bump. "I think it's a bit late for that mammy." Andrew and Frankie laughed.
The next two weeks were like a blur, Andrew and Frankie were well and truly pampered, they didn't have to lift a finger. Connie smothered them in love and food, Frankie had never tasted such wonderful meals, it was like black magic she didn't know their cooker was capable of such things.
Today Connie and Liam had to go home and Frankie and Andrew were both sad, it had become so normal for them to be around, it was going to feel strange. But before they went Andrew and Frankie were going for their 21week scan, they were going to find out if it was going to be a boy or a girl. They went to the scan and everything was normal there was no signs of any defects or deformities or any syndromes.
They new the gender and they brought the correct colour party cannons, when they got out the car Connie and Liam were waiting, the workers all paused working…Frankie looked at Andrew and he nodded they let the cannons roar and a stream of pink smoke launched out.
Connie started crying, even Liam had a tear in his eyes. They all hugged and a round of applause rang out. Connie and Liam got in the cab and left. Andrew turned to Frankie and took her in his arms. "My girls."
Frankie nuzzled into his neck kissing him. "I love you." She looked up at him and spoke with love. "I love you more." He replied, brushing her hair back. "I can't believe I nearly lost you."
"Can't get rid of me that easily." He smirked, she stared into his eyes. "Hey it's okay…" he pulled her to his chest. "It's okay…" she cried silently so thankful to the Lord that she had this moment with him… "so what do you think about us going inside and having a cuddle see what happens?"
She laughed back tears and he wiped them away. "I'm sorry I'm so emotionally jarred right now I don't know why."
"Pregnancy." He replied, "plus we've had a rough couple of months. Maybe things will settle down now?"
He ran his hands down her arms to her hands. "How about you and me go and do some baby shopping?"
She smiled and he kissed her forehead, "come on let's go." He took her hand and they went to the car, leaving Bruno in the care of the workers.
They got into town and parked up outside a mother and baby store. Frankie went in first and she was now obviously pregnant, so she was surprised when a woman pushed past her as if she could move. Frankie shook her head and went back to looking around, they first went over to the cribs, there were so many different choices
"Which one do you like?" She asked Andrew.
"That one's nice." He said and she looked at him, "yeah if you live in the Adam's family…" she laughed, "it's bad luck to have a black crib."
"Ahh I'm old school." He laughed.
"How about that one?" She said walking over to it, she looked at it, pure wood, painted white with hand carved detailing, comes with mattress and guarantee. "It's got such cute pink butterflies." She cooed.
"Hey happy wife happy life." He smiled and nodded. They picked up the card that went to it and moved on.
"Do you think we need a Moses basket for when we want her in the same room but in a crib?"
"Yes cos if she cries it'll be a long way for you to walk back and forth." He said and she hit him on the arm. They picked out a nice Moses basket made of wood that self rocked when you turned it on, it came with a rattle nest over the head and a pink net that you could teepee over the top of it.
Andrew picked up some baby radios with cameras, a bear with 'I love mummy' written on it and they both found loads of cute girls clothes.
A pushchair was next and Frankie found the perfect one straight the way, it was like a Moses basket on wheels it was stunning a lot of money but stunning as well. Andrew bought it though he wanted his girls to have the best…they picked up paint and room decorations too as well as a border for the room and some shelves, also a rocking chair.
Next was bottles and things like that. She picked up a set and admired it, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her "you like it?" He asked.
"Yes it's lovely but it's a lot of money for…"
He took it off her and put it with their piles. "But Andrew…" she said "you can keep spoiling us I'm worried you're spending too much money…"
"Will you stop worrying about money." He smiled down at her. He wasn't a billionaire but he had enough to buy her dreams.
"I just…" she sighed and thanked him, kissing him softly. The cashier took their things and Andrew loaded it all into the car when it was paid for. The crib was flat packed and once everything was in they could barely move, the boot was being held half shut with rope and the crib and flat packed rocking chair were tied to the roof. He drove home carefully and pulled up.
"The house is coming along amazingly." She said the basement was in, the first floor was in they were now working on the second floor. Andrew got everything out the car carefully as he was still healing and he didn't want a rupture. It was getting dark and Frankie helped by getting all the light stuff out.
The trailer had bits of baby things stacked everywhere, you had to duck and dive like you were on a game show. Frankie went into the kitchen to heat up some of mammy's soup for them and feed Bruno who was exhausted from playing with the workers.
Andrew put some slow music on and came up behind Frankie and started to sway with her. She laughed and stirred the soup on the stove, swaying with him.
Bruno pawed at his leg and he stopped to bend down and play with him. Frankie reached over and picked up a colour chart. "What do you think about the colour choice for the baby's room, I like this pastel pink?"
"It's great." He smiled. And got back up turning her to him, "whatever my girls want."
"You have a choice too Andrew…don't think you have to please us."
"Hey I know, if I didn't like it I would say, promise." He kissed her softly.
"Soups ready." She said into his lips.
"I'll get the cutlery."
Neither of them moved. They continued to kiss.
"We're not moving." She said. He laughed and hugged her. "Ok, ok." He got the cutlery and took it over to the table, she poured him a bowl and took it over to him. Taking a bowl herself she sat down opposite him and started eating.
After dinner and they sat watching TV for a little while, Frankie fell asleep on Andrew's shoulder. He turned the TV off and kissed her head, she stirred and he smiled, "time for bed baby."
"Do we have to?"
"I think so."
"But I'm not tired." She said falling asleep again.
"Come on Mrs." He pulled her to her feet. She followed him into the bedroom, they got changed and climbed into bed, she yawned and cuddled up to him, he held her close and kissed her forehead before they both drifted off to sleep.
A few hours later Andrew woke to Frankie shaking him. "Andrew!"
"What?! What happened?! Are you okay?!"
"Do we have ice cream?"
He sat up bleary eyed and struggled to come to his senses. "What?! Why?!"
"I really want ice cream."
"I don't know." He said laughing, rubbing his eyes.
"Andrew… I want ice cream."
"It's 2:30 in the morning!"
"Andrew I need ice cream!"
"I need sleep!" He turned over away from her and she put her hand on his shoulder. "But I need it, now."
"Frankie…"
"Please…" she said in her sweetest voice.
He sighed and got up going to the freezer, finding the ice cream he grabbed it and a spoon, coming back into the room and gave it to her getting back into bed.
"Andrew…" she sighed. "Andrew…"
"No." He said.
"But I fancy butterscotch ice cream."
"And pickles."
He turned over and looked at her. "Are you having cravings?"
She nodded eating the ice cream. He sighed and got up, going to the freezer there was no butterscotch ice cream, or pickles in the cupboard.
He walked back in the room and got back in bed. "We're out I'll get you some tomorrow."
"Andrew…"
"No."
"But Andrew the baby's hungry."
"No."
"But I can't sleep till I get them."
"Try." He said and flicked the light off, she flicked it back on.
"Andrew…" she said and he ignored her. "You can't be asleep nobody falls asleep that fast."
He still ignored her.
"Fine I'll go myself." She said going to get up, he still didn't move so she whined. "Andrew…."
"Lord have mercy!" He said and got up. "Fine! What do you want?" He said pulling on his trousers.
"Butterscotch ice cream and pickles and Cheetos and chocolate."
"And that's it?" He laughed.
"Yes please, thank you."
He grabbed his car keys and went out the door locking it behind him. Getting in the car he drove down to the all night supermarket, he'd never seen a shop so empty. He grabbed what she wanted and paid for the bits. Getting in the car and driving home. He got in and she jumped excited as he handed her the bits. She started eating dipping the pickles in the ice cream as it melted. In the meantime she ate the chocolate and Cheetos together at the same time, he got changed and got back in bed shaking his head.
"Do we have ketchup?" She asked him. He threw open the bed covers and got up going to the kitchen and getting the ketchup and bringing it to her.
"Can I get some sleep now?"
"Yes thank you." She said happily surrounded by food. He got back in bed and slowly fell asleep.
Andrew opened his eyes to some sort of liquid on his leg, for a brief moment he thought he'd wet himself, he quickly sat up and realised he was covered in ice cream, he pulled back the blanket and there was food everywhere melted chocolate and ice cream mixed with Cheetos.
Frankie wasn't in bed and he looked around, getting up he went out into the lounge and looked at the kitchen table, she was sat with her head on the table an open jar of pickles, a pickle in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other, fast asleep.
He shook his head and laughed taking a photo of her for future reference. He put the camera away and went over to her and took the pickle out of her hand, throwing it away he did the jar up and put it away, taking the chocolate and throwing the melted mess away, she was covered in food. "Frankie." He said kneeling down to her and shaking her a little.
"Frankie…"
"Where's my pickle?" She asked as she woke up.
"I think you've had enough for now." He laughed. She sighed and sat up, "oh my god I look like crap!"
"You should see the state of the bed."
"Look at you." She said laughing.
"I think we need to clean up." He laughed too.
She got up and went to the bedroom gasping. She pulled off all the sheets and covers and took them to the washing machine throwing them in and putting it on. Andrew went and showered first and got out getting dressed. She followed and got dressed too.
"Sorry about last night." She said walking over to him and wrapping her arms around him. He kissed her lovingly and stroked her back. "It's okay my love."
The next few weeks flew by without much notice the house was built, Andrew had a team working on the outside and a team working on the inside, wiring and plumbing. He also had a team working on the grounds, cleaning up the mess from the diggers and such making everything look amazing.
Frankie was getting bigger, now she was 28weeks pregnant she felt like a whale, her breasts were swollen her ankles were swollen she felt like she'd put on a hundred pounds. Her back was aching and she generally felt like an eyesore.
Bruno was getting to be big too and she loved him. He was like her special friend and a part of the family. Tomorrow was her birthday and she looked at herself in the mirror. 26 years old. Or she would be. She wasn't really ready for it. She felt so old. And fat.
"Frankie?" Andrew called. She went out to the lounge and looked at him. "I hate you." She said.
"What have I done?!" He asked seriously.
"Have you seen the size of me? I'm like free willy!"
He laughed and came over to her kissing her. "I'm sorry."
"You better be!"
"Anyway I've got to nip to town did you need anything?"
"Watermelon." She said simply. He looked at her confused. "I'm craving again." She said laughing. He nodded and grabbed his jacket. "I'll be back soon." He kissed her again and left.
Frankie sighed and got up going outside with Bruno. Bruno ran off and she went over to the house.
"Hey Frankie!" People kept shouting as she approached. "I'm gonna have to start my monologue." She laughed and walked inside the house a little. "Wow." She said and looked around it was huge, bigger than she imagined.
"Like it?" One of the workers said.
"It's so big, you don't realise from way over there!"
"He's thought of everything, under floor heating, spotlights and even the bathroom has a jacuzzi!"
"Really? Oh my god." She said walking around. She walked around for half an hour talking to people and finally her legs were aching so she headed back towards the trailer.
She stopped and looked at the lake. She went over to the pier. Sitting on the deck chair, Bruno ran past her and dived in the water, swimming around. She laughed as he splashed her with his dive.
She sighed as the warm sun kissed her skin, her hands went to her bump and she rubbed it slowly. She had aches and pains from pregnancy that were normal. Closing her eyes she started to doze off, Bruno got out the water and sat beside her on the deck soon she fell asleep.
"Frankie?" Andrew called as he got to the trailer. She didn't respond and he looked around for her. He knew wherever she was Bruno was so he went outside and called for Bruno, he perked up and stood up running over to him.
He saw Frankie in the deck chair and went down the pier to her. Kneeling beside her he leant in and kissed her softly, she slowly opened her eyes. "Hey." She said smiling.
"Hello beautiful." He replied and kissed her again. Her hair shined in the sun light and she looked more and more glowing. "I missed you." She said and he stroked her face kissing her lovingly.
"Missed you too." He stood up and held out his hands for her, she grabbed them and he pulled her up. He took her hand and locked their fingers leading her up the path back to the trailer.
"I've brought dinner back with me. Pasta and pizza."
"You're a god." She said and he laughed. "Go on in and get the plates out I've just got to speak to the workers.
It was the end of the day and the workers were packing up to go. He thanked them all for their hard work and spoke to them about things to do with the house. Frankie went inside and setup for dinner, she put some pasta on the two plates and left the pizza box open between them. She sat down and waited for Andrew flicking through her phone.
He came in and they started to eat, pretty soon Andrew started ushering her to bed. "Come on you're tired." He said walking her into the room.
"Andrew I'm not tired!" She laughed and he sat her down on the bed. He started to undress her and she stopped him. "Andrew!"
"Sorry." He said sadly. She pulled him to her and kissed him softly. "I'll go to bed if you come too." He thought for a second then nodded.
"Deal." He went and fed Bruno, locked up and got in bed with her.
"Goodnight." He said turning off the light and laying down. She turned the light back on. "What are you up to?" She asked.
"Nothing I'm just tired." He yawned and stretched. "Hmm…" she rolled her eyes and turned to him.
"Kiss me when you lie to me." He kissed her passionately and she smirked when he pulled back. "You're a good liar."
"I can show you a better lie." He said pushing her hair back gently. She sighed and pushed him away. "I'm sorry."
"Hey it's okay." He smiled and kissed her. "I can imagine it doesn't feel as fantastic as it normally does."
"Oh yes absolutely rocking my world." She laughed. He cuddled up to her and she fell asleep against him. He held her tight and fell asleep too…
Frankie opened her eyes to a brilliant sunshine flowing through the window, she could smell something and it smelt fantastic. She turned her head and looked as Andrew came in the room with a breakfast tray. She sat up in bed and he put the tray over her legs.
"Good morning my beautiful wife, happy birthday!" He said smiling. He'd made pancakes with strawberries and liquid chocolate dip and cup of coffee. A single red rose lay across the top of the pancakes. And a card in an envelope to its side.
She was shocked and sat there a little bewildered. "Thank you." She smiled as he sat next to her. "Aww a rose." She smelled it, it was perfumed beautifully. She opened the card and read the card and beautiful words he'd written. She welled up and started crying, he dried her tears. "My forever." He kissed her softly.
She wrapped her arms round his neck and hugged him. "Thank you." She stood the card up next to her on the nightstand.
"This looks delicious." She said and cut up a bit of pancake giving it to him. "Oh wait." She dipped it in the chocolate. "There." She laughed as he took it from her and ate it, she ate some too.
After she couldn't possibly eat anymore he took the tray and told her to get up and get dressed. She wondered what he was up to and she rolled her eyes. "Andrew please don't do anything special I don't need or want anything but you."
"Just get ready." He said and walked away as she got into the shower. Once she was showered and dressed she did her hair and makeup and came out, there were birthday banners everywhere and balloons, Bruno bounded over to her and she laughed and fussed him. He had a bow tie collar on and she burst out laughing more.
"Aww so cute!" She smiled. "I took him and got him microchipped and collard."
"Brilliant thank you, saves me a job!"
There was a bunch of gifts on the table and he ushered her to sit down. "Open them!" He asked and sat next to her, handing her the first box, it was perfume, she sprayed it and smelt it, smelled lovely. He gave her the next box and she opened it, pulling out a beautiful flowery summer dress she held it to her and it came down to mid thigh. "I love it!" She thanked him.
Next he gave her a small box and she unwrapped it, it was an absolutely stunning white gold necklace and bracelet set. "Oh my god Andrew, you shouldn't have! This was probably incredibly expensive!"
"You're worth it." He kissed her softly.
"Andrew you don't need to buy my love, you have it." She said seriously, he nodded. "If I can't treat you, who can I treat?" She sighed and smiled, "thank you."
She put them on and snapped a picture on her phone. He laughed and handed her another box. She opened it and revealed a brand new clutch bag. "Wow…again it's beautiful Andrew! Thank you!"
He picked up another parcel and handed it to her. She opened it to a new pyjama set with the biggest block of chocolate she'd ever seen. "You know me so well." She laughed.
He gave her the last parcel and she opened it, it was small and she opened it slowly pulling open the box revealed a picture frame silver with beautiful designs around the outside, the picture in the middle was of her and Andrew in Rome, it was her favourite picture of them, outside the Vatican, they were kissing. "I love it." She held it to her chest and started to sob.
"Aww Frankie don't cry." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head.
"It makes me think of all the things that have happened, how I could have lost you." She cried more and he pulled back lifting her head and looking into her eyes. "I'm here, you're here… I love you, I'm not going anywhere without you. My forever."
"My soulmate." She whispered and they kissed lovingly. He brushed away her tears and she sighed, looking around. "You've spoilt me well and truly."
"You deserve it all and more."
"I dunno about that." She chuckled a little. He lifted her head. "You do, my precious beautiful lady."
"Thank you." She whispered, he kissed her again and stood her up. "Go put your new dress on and come meet me outside."
She nodded and went off to get changed, when she finished she admired herself, he'd chose well considering she had a big bump it fit her perfectly. It came quite high though so she had had to make sure she was lady like in it, it was strappy so she put a thin small shrug on to keep her shoulders warm.
She left the room and went outside he was waiting in the car and she locked up, Bruno was in the car with them, she got in and looked at him. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see." He said driving off.
First he took her to a nature reserve and they walked Bruno through the reserve, he'd brought a picnic for lunch and when they found a nice cozy spot they had lunch.
After going back to the car they went home to drop Bruno off and they went to a spa treatment centre. They both enjoyed a full spa treatment relaxing massages and the works. She was so relaxed and refreshed.
Then after that there was one more surprise. They arrived at a massive field and parked up. Frankie looked at him curiously and as they walked across the field she saw the big hot air balloons being filled. She went wide eyed and got excited.
They got in the balloon basket with some clambering for Frankie and when everyone was ready they lifted off. She held onto him tight as they reached their peak height, the view was absolutely stunning, she was so excited.
"Oh my god look." She pointed and he laughed. He put his arms around her and held her tight. The sun was starting to set and it was one of the most amazing experiences of her life, she felt like she was flying. She spread her arms like an eagle and closed her eyes. For a split moment she was as free as a bird.
He held onto her tightly and smiled lovingly. His heart was so full of love and happiness, he couldn't explain it.
Driving home Frankie fell asleep and he smiled lovingly as he took her hand. Stopping the car outside the trailer.
"Frankie?" He whispered. She woke up slowly and yawned, looking a bit bleary eyed at him.
"We're home." He smiled.
"Okay g'night." She said closing her eyes. He laughed and got out the car. Walking to her side he opened the door and pulled her to her feet, she fell against his chest her arms cuddling up to him.
Locking the door he took her inside and sat her on the bed. She could barely keep her eyes open. "Frankie?" He whispered, pulling the dress up over her head, taking her bra off and pulling on one of his T-shirts over her head. She scooted up the bed and he undressed and joined her, wrapping her in his arms they both fell into a blissful sleep.
A few more weeks passed and Frankie was officially 32 weeks pregnant. The house was almost finished and they only had to paint the rooms and finish off with furniture.
Today they were going to look at furniture, as well as go to a antenatal class Frankie thought that might benefit them. She's had a recent doctors appointment and everything was looking great, she would have a scan at 36 weeks so she was looking forward to that.
Frankie walked to the car slowly, her back was killing her and she felt like she'd swallowed a watermelon – whole!
"Are you sure you want to do this? I can go and we can skip class?" Andrew said from the other side of the car.
"I'm good." She smiled weakly. They got in the car and she tried to pull the seatbelt round but because of her belly she couldn't find the hole to stick it in. "Andrew…" she whined. He laughed and put it in for her. She sighed and flopped into the seat.
"It won't be long now." He said and stroked her stomach. They drove off for the first place, something Andrew was genuinely curious about – antenatal class.
"Hi, welcome!" A woman said as Frankie and Andrew came into the room full of pregnant women and bored husbands. "My names Clare and I'm the host for today! Let me write your names down…"
"Frankie."
"Andrew."
"That's great! Find a mat and settle down we will begin shortly."
After a little bit of chatting the class finally got started and the woman droned on about labour and labour pain.
"A common position some women like to give birth in is the kneeling position…" she said grabbing the giant rubber ball and demonstrating how they should all do it, all the women got into positions with their men behind them.
"This looks like a great position we should try." Andrew whispered with a chuckle.
"Andrew!" Frankie laughed.
"Now men you should be rubbing the lower back, stroking in circles can help increase blood flow." Andrew rubbed her back as she was draped over the giant rubber ball.
"In this position you should be baring down pushing the baby out."
Andrew rubbed her hips and stroked her thighs getting lost in the moment. "Andrew we're not having sex!" The woman called waking him up.
Frankie burst out laughing and Andrew hid his head in shame.
"Now let's try laying on our partners legs!" She demonstrated by laying her head on a man's legs. Frankie laid on her back her back supported into a sitting position by Andrew's legs. "Men you can be massaging the shoulders, rubbing the belly. Also some women enjoy their breasts being massaged. Remember sexual stimulation during birth can induce labour by opening up the cervix for an orgasm therefore men you should be open to stimulating your partner sexually during labour and women you should allow it!"
"I'm gonna be absolutely f…."
"Andrew!" She interrupted him before he finished.
"I was going to say flipping shattered!"
"Oh sorry!" She laughed.
An hour later and they were done just as they were leaving Clare came up to them and spoke to Andrew. "Andrew I noticed how attentive you are for your wife that's very good, I can also assume of course that you two still enjoy good sex?"
Frankie laughed out loud and Andrew coughed, not sure where to look. "Yes we do." Frankie finally said, "although lately I don't feel like his you know, gives me a lot of satisfaction I think…" Andrew couldn't stand it and pulled Frankie away.
"Thank you!" He said as he dragged her out of the class.
"Andrew!" She laughed, knowing full well she said it just to wind him up.
"I'll show you satisfaction later!" He roared in the car park. Frankie went silent as the people around them started laughing. She his her face in his shoulder laughing. "Not that she doesn't get satisfaction now…" he trailed to more laughter.
"Oh god Andrew quit whilst you're ahead!"
They got into the car and she hid her head in shame. "What?!" He asked laughing.
"Just get me the hell out of here!"
"Satisfaction…" he huffed.
After several trips to many different furniture stores Frankie and Andrew arrived back at the trailer. "Did they say Thursday for the bed?"
"Yeah and the kitchen table, dressers and…bookcase." She looked through the pile of paperwork.
Frankie got out and they walked into the trailer, Bruno started going mad like usual. "Hey baby boy!" Frankie said and bent down to him.
"You wanna go play?" She let him out to do his business, sitting in the armchair left outside from Andrew's party. Andrew went to his laptop and grabbed it, joining her outside. "I should get some work done." He said and sat down.
Bruno came bounding over and dropped the ball. "Well done!" She said and threw it for him again. An hour or so later Frankie got up to go make dinner.
Whilst she was in the kitchen Andrew came up behind her and started stroking her hips, gently rocking his hips against hers as he kissed her neck. "Andrew!" She shrugged him off.
"You've got me all worked up." He said and turned her to him. "You're body is driving me crazy…" he whispered, kissing her.
She looked at him and touched his shoulders. "I'm worried what if we hurt the baby…"
"We should be having lots of sex, it's good for stimulating things…"
"And you studied that a lot Mr. Scientist?"
"I had plenty of spare time." He carried in kissing her feeling her all over, truth was she craved his touch. "Just be careful, don't get too rough with me okay?"
He pulled off her dress and bra in passion, feeling her naked body against his. Her bump prevented close contact but they touched bodies as best they could.
Foreplay eventually turned into sex and mid way through Frankie was on her back and he was atop her going for it, she grabbed his shoulders and between breaths of them both she asked him. "Can you feel it?"
"Feel what?" He asked as he continued making love to her.
"The baby? Can you feel it?"
He paused looking at her with an expression on his face that read 'things not to say during sex.'
"I'm serious can you feel the baby with your penis? Does it feel like the baby is kind of like there watching it?"
"That's it!" He said rolling off and standing up completely flaccid.
"Hey wait!" She said sitting up. "What happened?" She asked.
"I can't do it Frankie with that mental image in my mind!" He started to put his clothes on and she pulled on her dressing gown as he stormed out the room. She followed him "Andrew wait!"
"I just wondered that was all!"
"I don't need that mental image in my head when I'm making love to you Frankie!"
"I'm sorry…I just…I'm worried about the baby!"
"Sex during pregnancy doesn't harm the baby! I may be well endowed but I'm not long enough to knock on her door!"
"Andrew why are you so angry I said sorry!"
"Because you keep doing this Frankie, every time we make love it never reached a climax! You've got me so sexually frustrated I need a relief!"
"Then let me…" she tried but he pushed her back into the counter. "No just stop I can't do it with you right now! I'm not in the mood!"
She stood shocked at how hard he pushed her away. "We've not made love or had any sort of sexual encounter together in weeks Frankie, you're too tired, the baby this or the baby that… and now this. I need to breathe!"
He went to leave and she stopped him, "get off me!" He said angrily and he turned, grabbed her hand in a moment of haste he thrust her back and she tripped over Bruno falling back, he grabbed her just before she fell and she fell towards him instead of back, he caught her in his arms and they stood like that for a moment, she laid against his chest feeling his heart pounding, she brought her hands up to his chest and slowly pushed herself up off him, when she was steady she looked up at him and leant in to kiss him but he stopped her and walked away, slamming the door behind him.
She sat down at the kitchen table catching her breath, her head swimming. Had she been that bad of a wife to him that she'd denied giving him sexual pleasure? Was that her duty to when she was pregnant? Let him have his way, roll over and go to sleep?
She felt bad for not giving in to him more, now he was angry and it was all her fault. She got up and went outside, he was in the pier staring out onto the lake.
She walked slowly down to him and stood there, she cried but she did it silently so she didn't upset him. "I'm sorry Andrew, I didn't realise how selfish I was being… I'm supposed to be the good wife and let you have me and I'm not, I'm just being stupid and only thinking of myself. I forget that you have needs and those needs are things a good wife should provide for her husband. You give me everything I want and I can't even satisfy your one request. I told you I was a fuck up and you deserve better… maybe I was right." She paused looking for the words…then walked towards him and rested her head on his back gripping the tops of his arms softly, "I don't know where I got the idea I deserved this or you but I was wrong, so wrong…don't hate me."
She cried and her tears spilled on his back, she let him go and ran back to the trailer. He stood there for a long moment tears in his eyes and an aching in his heart. He was angry but he still loved her. He walked back up to the trailer and sighed before he opened the door and stepped inside.
Frankie went to the bathroom, she was taking a shower and he came into the bedroom and sat on the bed, when she finished she wrapped a towel around her and got some clothes together. She took them out to the room and saw him, she felt so bad and just wanted to get away. She went out into the lounge and started to get dressed, pulling on the dress he'd bought her for her birthday. She grabbed her bag and bent down to Bruno, "stay with daddy, be a good boy okay?" She whispered as tears fell.
Walking out the trailer she started walking down the drive and eventually out onto the main road.
He sat there for a long few minutes when Bruno wandered in sadly and pawed his leg. "Go back to mommy…" he said and laid back on the bed. Bruno barked a little and pawed him.
He laid there a bit longer and got up going out into the lounge, "Frankie?" He called out but she wasn't here. He put his boots back on and went outside. Bruno came with him and he looked to Bruno as he looked around. "Find mummy, where did she go?" He asked.
Bruno sniffed the ground and ran down the driveway. Stopping at the end and sitting down. Andrew ran after him and looked up the road he thought he could see her in the distance so he ran, as fast as his feet could carry him.
He saw her and called out to her. "Frankie!" She stopped and didn't look back, her tears flowing.
"Frankie where are you going?"
"I told you, I can't be the wife you want me to be, I'm a fuck up, you deserve better."
"Frankie I'm sorry, I lost my temper and then regretted it as soon as it came out my mouth. You're not a fuck up, even if you think you are."
She shook her head and looked at him. "Until next time I won't make love to you or the time after that? Then I'm the fuck up." She turned and carried on walking, he stood there for a moment before running after her again.
This time he caught up with her and this time she wasn't going anywhere. He picked her up, she fought him and he carried her the whole way back inside the trailer a couple of times she got away but he picked her back up again and carried her back, they got inside the trailer and he took her to the bedroom dropping her down on the bed. She went to get up, crying she fought him but he held her down.
"Stop!" He said and she cried. "Let me go!" She wriggled under his grasp. He held her down and came up over the top of her. In her effort to get him off her she accidentally kneed him in the nuts. He suddenly let go and fell to the floor, "sorry." She said and got up, running and bursting out the trailer home, running towards the road, she took her shoes off so she could walk quicker. She adjusted herself and coughed….
Andrew held his nuts for a moment, getting up gradually he went after her. Frankie walked along side the road like some kind of waddling circus. She had to stop a minute, in that minute Andrew came running and grabbed her around the upper waist.
"Arghh!" She screamed. "Rape!"
"You wish!" He said picking her up again.
She fought with him and he dropped her as he got an elbow to the head.
"Sorry again." She said running up the road, he followed her and this time he stopped in front of her. "Get back! If I have to have sexual frustration you have to suffer as well!"
She laughed and tried to walk around him and he stepped in her way. She pushed him. "Fine I'll go this way!" She turned around and he followed her back to the driveway, she kept walking and he stopped in front of her.
"Get out my way!"
"No!"
Bruno started barking at them both. "Bruno kill!" She pointed at Andrew.
Bruno bit Andrew's leg, not hard enough to draw blood but enough to hurt. She smiled and walked around him, walking up the hill. He grabbed his ankle and jumped around. Bruno barked at him. "Good boy Bruno!" She shouted back and carried on walking. The hill was steep and being heavily pregnant with a bad back and swollen feet and no shoes Frankie slowed dramatically. He was about to run after her but he opted for a slow walk. He came up behind her and asked. "If this is supposed to be some dramatic exit, it's taking a long time."
"Screw you!" She said panting as she walked up the hill.
"I wish you would!" He laughed out loud.
"Need a hand?" He asked walking backwards in front of her. She stopped half way up and panted. "Oh I give up!"
"Already?" He asked. "I thought you were my little firecracker?!"
She took a moment and looked back then at him. "Bruno!" She shouted and he covered her mouth.
"That dog hates me!" She knocked his hand from her mouth and sucked in air.
"Typical of you to cut my only source of oxygen off!"
"Typical of you to go off in a huff!"
"Typical of you to follow me!"
"Typical of you to kick me in the balls!"
"Typical of you to pick on a pregnant woman!"
"How many pregnant women do I pick on?!"
"Me! That's enough!"
She stormed off around him getting three quarters of the way up. "If you want I'll bring the car?" He shouted.
She stopped and looked back at him. "Why don't you try an ambulance!"
He laughed and she dropped to her knees holding her stomach. "Frankie?!" He asked running over to her.
"I think the baby's coming."
"What?! But it's not time!"
"Get me to a hospital!" She said and he started running down the hill, he got to the drive and looked back and saw her waving as she disappeared into a corn field next to the road.
"Oh she's good…" he shook his head turning around running back up the hill. By the time he got to the top he was out of breath… "not so funny now is it?" She laughed at him from the edge of the corn field.
"That wasn't funny!" He growled grumpily.
She smirked at him and he saw the woman he married all over again… "come find me." She said and ran into the cornfield.
"Frankie!" He was still out of breath but he didn't want to loose her, there was a clear night sky with a full moon. He pushed his way into the corn field seeing her run ahead. He followed her, she ducked and dived and had lost sight of her as they ran. He almost caught her a couple of times, he could see her beautiful figure, her golden hair, her pregnant stomach, god she was amazing.
He dived behind a crop and when she ran past again he grabbed her and spun her around. They dropped down into a hay bale in the middle of the field and he landed on top of her, he managed to catch himself so they didn't hurt the baby.
She laughed and he laid over her, leaning in he kissed her passionately, desperately he wanted her and she him. She grabbed at his trousers and undid the buttons pulling him erect out, he pushed her into her back and pushed her dress up thrusting himself inside her.
They had hard passionate sex right there under the moonlight, he climaxed as did she, but he wasn't done with her, he pleasured her until waves of excitement came over and over again. He turned her around and took her from behind again they made love under the stars until he spent his last load.
He put himself away and she fixed her dress. He sat down and brought her to his lap, he ran his hands up and down her back, kissing her passionately, making out with her for a long time. "Oh my god I love you." He said.
"I love you more!" She said running her hands through his hair, down his back.
"You drive me fucking crazy!" He said with passion.
"Take me home!" She said making out with him more and more. He grabbed her hand and they ran/walked/waddled all the way back to the road. Bruno was sat waiting patiently and barked when he saw them. They made their way back as quickly as they could, as soon as they got in he fed Bruno quickly and they went to the bedroom unable to keep their hands off each other, she pulled his clothes off desperately wanting him again and again, he had recovered enough to where he was ready for another round but he didn't want to push Frankie into it, she was still pregnant after all.
"Slow down." He said taking her dress off. "I'm not going anywhere."
"I need you now!" She said desperately. If only she'd have been this excited earlier! He thought.
"Shhh…" he calmed her, sitting her on his lap on the edge of the bed, her naked chest breathing heavy. "Shhh.." he whispered trailing kisses up her neck along her jaw to her waiting lips. They made out, taking each other in, he calmed her down rubbing her back slowly.
He laid her down and came over her, bringing her to ecstasy with his hand and mouth over and over until she was begging for him. She had enough and sat up helping him out of his clothes, he stood before her as she drove him crazy again and again, almost making him burst.
When he got as crazy as her he laid down behind her in the bed, gently manipulating himself into her love. Holding her leg slightly forward and up so he could thrust.
He took it very slowly he didn't want this to be over any time soon. He made her go to the edge and slipped it out, teasing himself as well. She turned to him and she rested her leg on his as he repositioned himself for thrusting. She grabbed his neck and they held each others gaze through their shared ecstasy.
She collapsed against him and he held her she turned back over so their bodies could touch back to chest. He pulled her to him tightly, switching off the light they fell into a blissful sleep.
Week 38 rolled around pretty soon and Frankie was as big as she was going to get, she hoped.
The house was finally finished and they were ready to move in over the weekend and start flat pack building all their things from bed to the baby's cot.
The workers were all gathered around, every single one of them was like family to her now. Even the ladies! She was going to miss seeing them every day, she was way too emotionally attached. Even the trailer was being taken away on Saturday.
Andrew went outside and started talking to the workers. She sobbed as he spoke, then he ordered her to come out, she did slowly and sobbed into his arms as he came and brought her before them.
"When Frankie and I got home 8months ago we thought our world was over, we weren't ready for the destruction that had been caused by whoever it was. Frankie said we couldn't replace memories but I think over the past 8months we've done a pretty good job. You're all like family to us, every single one of you, we can't thank you enough for everything you've done, the hours you put in, the weekends you missed out on with your own families to help ours. I know it's not much but there's an extra $500 in everyone's final pay check, it's just our way of saying thank you, Frankie…"
She sobbed into his shoulder and he rubbed her back, after a few seconds she spoke. "You've seen the good, the bad and the ugly side of me, we've had some bloody good laughs and shared a few tears…. You're all welcome here anytime, bring your families and enjoy the lake, we are going to miss you all, just what can I say big thank you, for giving me back my dream."
She sobbed more and the workers all cheered happily. A young woman stepped forward and handed an envelope to Frankie. She looked at it then to the woman, "what's this?"
"Well we knew you didn't have a baby shower so we all pitched in and got you both a little something from us all. Frankie opened the envelope and pulled out the card. She read it with Andrew and opened it, inside was a signature from everybody with a little message. The message said to go inside.
Frankie looked at Andrew who shrugged and they went into the house. Opening the front door a spray of pink balloons lined the entrance with a sign that said Frankie's baby shower.
Looking around Frankie saw that all the flat pack furniture had been built, was in place and in the kitchen there was a bunch of flowers, the biggest bouquet you could imagine, with a bottle of champagne.
All the sofas and tables were in place, the TV was hooked up, the workers had done everything. One woman took Frankie's hand and led her up the stairs to their bedroom.
Hers and Andrew's bedroom was all set up, beds were made baby's moses basket was set up on her side of the bed.
She was pulled into the other rooms, everything was built and set up, they got to the baby room and they pushed open the door and the sweetest baby girls room opened up to her.
She broke down sobbing all the things they'd bought were up and set up, clothes in the drawers, changing station, pushchair, bottles cleaned and ready to go. The cot set up with musical mobile above turning, pictures of Frankie and Andrew lined the walls as well as sonogram pictures. Teagan was written on the wall in cursive. It was absolutely amazing.
Frankie was overwhelmed and though she hated to ruin the moment she could feel it coming on. She turned and ran… the workers all looked baffled to Andrew and he said she was just overwhelmed and to give them a moment.
She ran down the stairs and back to the trailer. She ran into the bathroom and threw up. She sat back against the wall and stared ahead her breathing slowing….
Andrew ran in the trailer looking around he found Frankie in the bathroom having thrown up she was now going into a panic attack. "Oh Frankie…" he said coming over to her he sat behind her and turned her in his arms so her ear was against his chest. He took slow deep breaths and stroked her back. "Breathe Frankie…" he whispered. "Breathe…"
"Come on baby…come on." He rubbed her back slowly over and over. "Listen to my breathing Frankie, hear it, hear my heart beating…it beats for you."
"Come on baby." He looked at her and she was blue. He laid her flat and was just about to start compressions when she inhaled sharply and started fighting him. He held her wrists as tightly as he could without hurting her. She eventually calmed and slowed into a sob. He put her back against his chest and breathed slow.
"It's okay baby, breathe with me."
"I'm sorry." She sobbed.
"Shhh…" he whispered and held her softly. "It's okay baby I'm here."
After a few minutes she just laid against his chest sobbing softly. He got up and pulled her up. "This isn't the end Frankie it's just the beginning… come on let's get back out there and live our dream."
She nodded still sobbing a little bit but feeling better. They rejoined the workers and thanked them repeatedly, talking to all of them they couldn't believe what they had done for them and to make it so beautiful… she had no words.
Slowly the gathering dwindled until they were the only two left. Frankie opened the fridge in the new kitchen to find it fully stocked. "Oh my god…" she said.
"What?!" He asked walking over and seeing the full fridge. "Oh my god."
"Is there anything they didn't do?"
"Yep." He said, putting his hands around her waist on her belly. She smiled and sighed, she'd miss having the baby inside her.
"I'm scared." She said softly.
"What for?" He asked turning her to him.
"I'm worried I'm gonna fuck it up like my parents did me."
"Hey you're going to do a wonderful job, you've got me, we'll make it work."
"I hope so." She said and held him tight. He kissed her lovingly and took her hand. "Well are we staying here tonight or the trailer?"
"Here." They both said in unison. She laughed and he did too, the shack was too cold. Bruno came wandering in and barked. "Hey buddy, how do you like it? There's a great big pillow upstairs for you to sleep on in the baby's room and in our room." Andrew said bending down and fussing him. Bruno barked and had a mad half hour where he just ran the full circle circuit of the house.
The house was warm and comfortable, there were fans for if it got too hot. Under the floor heating… they had it all.
"I just can't believe it's done." Frankie said opening a door she didn't know what was behind. A dark stairwell led to the basement, she stepped towards the ledge and Andrew shouted her. "Frankie stop!" He said and ran to her. She was about to walk in without looking and he grabbed her arm.
"Will you look where you're going! Give me a heart attack!"
"Oh god…" she backed off and shut the door.
"I suppose we should start getting our stuff together from the trailer." She waddled off towards the door when he pulled her back. "You see that sofa over there? Sit!"
"Andrew!"
"No buts my beautiful wife. Sit down, there's not a lot left to collect everything is here. Just our clothes, the rest is being donated to good will and whatever can't is being binned and it's all taken care of so just sit!"
She sighed as he pushed her down into the sofa and took off her boots. Frankie groaned and touched her bump. He was there instantly, "what's wrong?"
"Baby is kicking!" She laughed, pulling up her top up a little bulge could be seen.
"Aww." He touched her stomach and waited, one kick then another.
"Oww!" She laughed.
"Hey missy!" He said to the bump putting his head down on it so he could be close to her. "Be good for your mammy."
"I'll be back soon." He kissed her softly and Frankie grabbed his arm and pulled him back for another kiss. "I love you." She smiled, he brushed her hair back and kissed her again. "I love you more."
The next day Frankie woke to a beautiful home, she loved it, being warm and cosy. It was weird having an upstairs again. After getting up and getting showered and dressed she waddled her but down the stairs and walked into the kitchen.
"Hey." She said walking to the fridge and pouring herself a glass of orange juice.
"Hi beautiful." He smiled sitting at the breakfast bar working away on his laptop, his glasses perched on the end of his nose.
"Damn!" She said suddenly.
"What?" He asked and she leant over the counter looking at him.
"I forgot how god damn sexy you are!" She smirked. He laughed and carried on working.
"Yes Frankie my love, my world you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen…" she imitated him. He laughed again and looked at her, "you want my attention?"
"Don't forget we're going to the hospital in half an hour." He jumped up and looked at the clock, "shit!" She laughed, watching him run off.
A little while later they were in the hospital and having a scan. "Baby is fine." They smiled, "but you are breech." Andrew and Frankie looked at each other worried. "What does that mean?"
"The little girl in your tummy is feet first, she should be head first ready for delivery."
The nurse got up and a doctor came in a few moments later. "I'm going to try turning the baby, it might be a little painful but you shouldn't have too much pain." Frankie held Andrew's hand and breathed.
Andrew held her hand and stroked her hair back. The doctor began manipulating her stomach, Frankie about went through the roof. Andrew shushed her and held her hand tightly.
Eventually the doctor managed to shift the baby and turn her so she was head down. "There!" He smiled and apologised for any discomfort she felt, Frankie wanted to punch him but Andrew held her tightly smiling.
"So the baby should stay there now unless a miracle happens in the next two weeks." He smiled. "Have a beautiful birth." He said as he left, the nurse gave them the pictures and they left.
Eventually time rolled around and Frankie was full term 40 weeks gone. She wasn't showing any signs of giving birth and they were planning to induce in two weeks time.
Frankie was in the baby room, packing a baby bag. She held up the tiny outfit a snuggly little outfit to keep the baby warm. She packed it and a few clothes, she packed bottles and diapers, sitting down in the rocking chair she softly rocked back and forth her hand on her stomach.
"Oh baby girl…" she whispered. "You're so loved and wanted…I promise to love you no matter what you want to do in your life no matter who you love, I promise I'll try and be a good mom… but your daddy, wow, he is probably going to be the most amazing daddy in the world. He's so good to us, he did all this for us so we could be happy and safe and loved. God knows I don't deserve it but you do… you deserve all his love and energy…so innocent and beautiful…" she stroked her bump and sobbed back a couple of tears.
"I'm sorry you'll never get to meet you're grandparents - my mom and dad, had things been different I have no doubt they would have loved you more than anything… I don't know why they hate me so much, I can't blame them though… I'm pretty screwed up. I used to do drugs on the daily but not anymore, my god I used to wake up in a state… some days I wonder how I even survived…" Frankie choked back tears. "But I promise you'll never have to face those demons. Not if your daddy has anything to do with it."
"I promise…" she sat forward and held her bump lovingly. "He won't let you be a screwed up mistake like me."
Andrew had been listening the whole time and his heart broke for Frankie, a time when a girl needed her parents the most, and they weren't there all because of the bad choices she made along the way…he walked in and knelt in front of Frankie.
"Don't listen to your mammy Teagan, she's not a screw up, she's the most beautiful and loving woman in the world and she's not going to screw up, she's going to be amazing cos she's got me and I've got her and together we're pretty amazing."
He looked into Frankie's eyes and leant in to kiss her. She kissed him back through tears and he wiped them away with his thumbs.
"Come on it's late, time for bed." He offered her his hand and pulled her up. She walked with him and they got into bed. He spooned with her holding her close to him he kissed her neck softly stroking her side.
Eventually they fell into a deep sleep.
Around 2am Frankie felt a sudden sharp pain in her stomach that woke her. She sat up as Andrew turned over away from her.
She sat there for a moment rubbing her stomach and sighed getting up to go get a drink, she waddled down the hall and down the stairs into the kitchen. She leaned on the counter after taking a sip of water as the pain came on stronger. Something wasn't right she felt like she was having contractions and she knew she couldn't make it back to Andrew.
She started waddling and got to the stairs, she shouted his name repeatedly but he didn't respond. Suddenly a wave of pain came over her and it was incredibly strong, she screamed thankfully loud enough for Andrew to stir.
"Frankie?" He said groggily turning and not seeing her there. Suddenly he heard her scream and he threw himself out of bed running down the hall to the top of the stairs.
"Frankie?!"
Suddenly her waters broke and she started to panic. "Oh my god…" she started hyperventilating. He looked in shock.
He ran down the stairs knowing this was not the time for her to be slipping into a panic attack. He grabbed a chair and brought it to her so she could sit, he grabbed her hands and knelt in front of her. "Frankie listen to me it's going to be ok, you need to take slow deep breaths, look at me!" He demanded.
"You can't slip into a panic attack right now the baby needs you." She started to stare off and he shook her hard. "Frankie!"
She came back out of it and breathed nodding. The pain eased and slowed dramatically. Enough to the point she didn't have one again for a bit. Andrew cleaned up the mess and got dressed, getting everything together. The baby bag and a fresh pair or pyjamas for Frankie, she changed and pulled on her dressing gown as he grabbed the car keys.
Bruno whined and followed them. "Stay boy." Andrew said closing the door behind them. Once they arrived at the hospital, Frankie was given a room and hooked up to a load of machines. Her blood pressure was a little high and so was the baby's but they weren't concerned to a degree yet. The doctors checked her and she was 4cm dilated.
"You've got a little way to go before you can start pushing Frankie. You're only 4cm at the moment." He said checking her area.
"Relax for a while." He smiled and left, the nurses walked out too.
"I'd like to see him relax!" Frankie said as she lay there. She covered herself and stared at Andrew. "Sorry."
"Hey it's ok." He smiled and kissed her hand, interlocking their fingers.
She suddenly squeezed his hand tight as a contraction came on. "Owww!" He yelled.
A few hours passed and she was only 6cm dilated. Contractions were more frequent now and Andrew was sure his hand was broken.
"Well I'll never be able to mastu…"
"Andrew!" She interrupted laughing. He laughed and brushed her hair back. "You're doing amazing Frankie."
"Thank you." She whispered and stared at him, another contraction came on and he kissed her lovingly. "Deep breaths." He whispered through closed eyes and kissing lips.
Another few hours passed and the contractions were coming in thick and fast. "Okay you're just about ten centimetres Frankie… you need to start pushing."
"Deep breaths and push Frankie!"
Frankie pushed and held Andrew's hand, the pain was unreal but she had gas and air that she sucked on occasionally.
"You're doing really well take a breath and in the next contraction you need to push Frankie."
She screamed out and pushed as hard as she could, failing and falling back into the bed, Andrew came over her and stroked her hair. "Shhh, it's okay baby I'm here, I'm here…" he said lovingly whispering to her and kissing her softly.
"Push Frankie!" The doctor said. "I can see the head!"
At the next contraction she bared down hard she could feel her coming she didn't feel right, her heart was pounding. "I can't do it." She inhaled sharply.
"Yes you can Frankie, you're doing amazing."
"Doctor!" A nurse called and he looked at the machine then at Frankie then back at the baby. "We have to continue, it's too late to stop now." Andrew looked between them. "What do you mean?" He asked. The doctor looked to Frankie and ignored Andrew.
"Push Frankie! Quickly!"
Frankie screamed and cried as the baby made a little progress. "I need the forceps!" He said and Andrew stood up looking at him, then at Frankie. He had no other choice but to trust the doctor.
He grabbed Frankie's hand and held it tightly as she sobbed. "You got this Frankie… just breathe with me baby, it's okay… I promise it will be okay."
"I'm sorry." She sobbed and pushed again as the doctor helped her with the forceps, suddenly the head was out followed by the shoulders and the doctor pulled the rest of their baby from her.
They placed the baby down and she began to squeal, a beautiful little girl was here… Andrew stared at her, he couldn't love her anymore than he did right now.
"Do you want to cut the cord?" A nurse asked as the doctor kept working.
He nodded and took the scissors, cutting the cord that bound her to Frankie. They wrapped her up in a towel drying her off and clearing her airways. She cried until she was in Andrews arms then she started to settle.
He stared at her, green eyes and dark curly hair. He kissed her softly and turned to Frankie, Frankie reached out and touched her but collapsed before she could see her.
Andrew looked at the doctor as a crash team ran in. "We're loosing her!"
His heart stopped as he watched Frankie holding the baby in his arms. "She's gone into shock, I've got no pulse!" The nurses shouted.
"Get me a blood transfusion NOW!" He yelled, "10mils of adrenaline!"
He injected her and started chest compressions. Andrew just stared as he held the baby tears falling down.
"We need to take the baby to be weighed and measured." They took her from him and he moved closer to Frankie.
They got the paddles out and shocked her. "Give me another 10mils!" The doctor ordered. They injected her then put the pads on and shocked her. Another doctor worked on stitching her down there.
"Again!" He yelled but there was no heartbeat… Andrew walked slowly over and moved in front of the doctors and nurses, they were just about to call it.
"Don't leave Frankie, stay with me." He whispered and leaned over her, kissing her lips lovingly. "She's beautiful you did good."
"I love you baby, don't go." He tried but there was just a dull tone of a flatline…
"Frankie… please… stay with me." He sobbed.
A few seconds passed and the machine bleeped a couple of times before a steady heart rate was measuring. He smiled and kissed her again, tears streaming.
"She's back…" the doctors and nurses looked astonished. The doctors finished stitching her up and cleaned up the after birth.
A few minutes later Frankie slowly opened her eyes, she looked at Andrew as he held her hand to his lips, kissing her hand lovingly and staring at her, brushing her hair back.
"Welcome back." He said and stared into her eyes.
"They wanted me to go…but I wouldn't, I didn't want to leave you, you kept me safe."
"They can wait…" he said leaning over her he gently pressed his lips to hers. They kissed long and lovingly. "You've still got things to do here, you've got a beautiful daughter who needs you."
"Where is she?"
"They've took her off to be looked after, she's fine she'll be back soon… she's got green eyes and dark curly hair."
"She's here." A nurse said walking over. They raised Frankie's bed back up to sitting and she took her baby in her arms. They turned the lights to low and covered Frankie up.
Frankie held their daughter and touched her lips with her finger. She was the most beautiful baby in the world, their precious Teagan.
"She weighed in at 8lbs4oz" the nurse smiled as they both stared at her. "What's her official name, for the records?"
"Teagan Connie Kiernan." Frankie said and kissed her head.
"Welcome to the world Teagan." The nurse said smiling and walking away. Leaving Andrew and Frankie to stare at their newborn daughter with all the love and hopes and dreams of any new parents.
