A/N: Enjoy! Andrew and Frankie madness!
Frankie sat with Teagan on the floor and showed her. "Watch baby." She said to her and drew a circle.
"Me do it." She said and Frankie gave her the pencil. Teagan couldn't hold the pencil properly but she managed to do some sort of circle.
"Well done baby, that's amazing!"
"Yay!" She clapped just as the front door opened and a snow covered man walked in.
"Damn it's cold!" Andrew said and shuddered as he shut the door after shaking his jacket off. He kicked off his shoes and jacket and scarf and gloves and walked in.
"Daddy look!" Teagan said getting up and running over to him with the piece of paper. He looked at it and picked her up. "Wow this is amazing did you do this?"
"Yep!" She smiled proudly.
"Well how about we pin it to the notice board?"
"Yay!"
Andrew took her over to the notice board and he got the pin in place as she pushed it in. She clapped happily and Andrew kissed her and put her down. Frankie smiled as she walked over putting the spare crayons and paper away.
"Are you okay? How's your mom?" Frankie asked leaning a hand on the counter.
"All moved in finally!" He laughed and went to her. "Sorry I was gone so long."
"Not a problem we had fun here." She smiled crossing her arms.
"Hey are you ok?" He asked putting his arms around her.
"What's happening tomorrow?"
"Well everything is still on for tomorrow at Liam's house. Gifts, dinner and party, mammy's doing the turkey and Liam and Zara are doing the rest and why do I get a feeling something is wrong?"
"I'm not coming, I want you to take the kids and go have a good time I think it will be best that way, your family need you to spend time with them and enjoy you and the kids without the atmosphere of me being there."
"Absolutely not Frankie there isn't any way on this earth I'm leaving you here on Christmas Day alone."
She smiled and picked up her phone. "I've already told your mammy, she's fine with it and said it was a good idea, we don't want to ruin Christmas for the kids especially since Liam's kids are going to be there."
"What?!" He asked stepping back. "Frankie… this isn't on, I'm not having you alone on Christmas Day so just forget it, you're coming with me and if there's an atmosphere I will put an end to it straight the way."
"Andrew I'm not going and you're not disappointing the kids. So you're going and that's that. I will be fine I promise you, I'm not going to melt away just because I don't eat Christmas dinner or see the kids open their presents…Andrew I can't be around Zara right now, it's not going to be nice for either of us so let's just let you go then when you come back we can celebrate the rest of Christmas evening together."
Andrew sighed knowing he wasn't going to win this one. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in holding her. "I don't want to be without you on Christmas Day, I want you with me."
"I'll be here when you get back, and my love you go and have a wonderful time with your wonderful family and you can save me the last dance."
He looked up at her and kissed her softly nodding. Sighing he took her in his arms and kissed her neck, letting his lips stay there gently as he stroked her back.
"No doubt Teagan will be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow so we will have Christmas morning together." She smirked. "Which reminds me, don't forget to get that stencil out the basement for me."
"Oh the footprint and fake snow?"
"That's the one, it should be with the Christmas boxes."
"I'll do it now." He smiled and went downstairs to the basement.
"Mommy I'm hungry." Teagan said coming over.
"Okay baby dinner is almost ready."
"Me help?"
"No baby you go play with Oscar please."
"Okay mommy…" she ran to Oscar and started playing with him. Frankie went to the pot bubbling away on the stove. She stirred it and tasted it. "Mmm." She said and looked as Andrew came up.
"Find it?"
"Yeah, I really need to tidy up down there after Christmas." He said dusting off the cobwebs and shutting the door, he gave Frankie the bits and she nodded.
"Thank you!" She kissed him and went to the cupboard putting them away for now. "Dinner is ready baby." She said going to the cupboard and getting out the bowls and glasses and a plastic cup for Teagan. She poured a cup of milk for her and took it to the table.
"Do you want wine Frankie?" Andrew asked and she nodded. He poured the wine whilst she dished up rice and stew on top into three bowls full. She took them to the table and Andrew called Teagan to come eat her dinner. Teagan bounded over happily and Frankie picked up Oscar and grabbed a bottle warming it a little and taking him and the bottle over to the dinner table.
She put his bib round him and wiped his face. "He's so much better than he was." Frankie said and kissed him lovingly. Giving him his bottle she held it with one hand whilst she ate dinner with the other.
"Mommy Santa?" Teagan asked.
"Yes Santa comes tonight! Are you going to leave him some cookies and milk and a carrot for Rudolph?"
"Yep!" She said happily. "Mommy read story?" She asked.
"Daddy will read it you after dinner." She smiled Andrew looked to her curiously.
"I promised her we'd read her 'twas the night before Christmas'."
"Ahh." He smiled and finished up his dinner. He took Oscar from Frankie when he finished his bottle so Frankie could finish her dinner.
An hour later Frankie sat down next to Andrew on the sofa and sat Oscar in her lap, Teagan sat between them and Andrew opened the book.
"''Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…"
Andrew read the story beautifully and perfectly not missing a beat. Teagan was enthralled and watching as he turned the pages even Oscar was watching the book, Frankie smiled and kissed Teagan's head as she laughed happily.
Once the story was read Frankie looked at the time, it was gone 8pm and definitely time for bed for a young excited girl.
"Teagan let's get Santa's bits ready." She said giving Oscar to Andrew and getting up. Teagan sat on the kitchen counter with the Christmas plate and Frankie gave her the bits to put on it.
When it was done Frankie helped her carry it to the table by the Christmas tree and put it down without spilling the milk.
"Say merry Christmas Santa."
"Merry kissmas Santa." Teagan said and smiled happily jumping up and down.
"Time for bed little lady." Frankie said and Teagan ran over to Andrew, he gave her a kiss goodnight and she kissed Oscar. Frankie took Oscar and Teagan upstairs and an hour later when they were both asleep she came back down and started on the washing up.
Andrew came over to her and came up behind her wrapping his arms around her. "Baby?"
"Yes my love?" She smiled over her shoulder. "Please come tomorrow…it won't be the same without you there."
"Baby you'll be having so much fun you won't even notice." She smiled as she finished washing up and dried her hands. She turned and kissed him, he kissed her back and stroked her cheek.
"I'll notice, I really don't like you being here alone. My gorgeous baby."
"I'll be fine just go and enjoy spending time with your family, you deserve it." She kissed him softly and walked away, grabbing the pet bowls so she could feed them. Andrew went and brought the gifts down and ate the cookies, drinking the milk and leaving only a little bit of carrot after he cut it off to look like teeth marks.
Frankie dusted the floor with Santas footprints and made it look like he'd been.
"Bedtime beautiful Christmas wife." He said going to her and rubbing her back slowly. She nodded and sighed kissing him.
"Maybe I'll give you a special Christmas treat tomorrow." She winked and he smirked.
"I like the sound of that!" He laughed. She took his hand and he flipped off the lights as they went to bed.
Christmas morning came and Teagan woke up at 8am. She came running in and woke Andrew and Frankie, eventually they all got up and went downstairs with Oscar too, opening gifts.
Teagan was overjoyed at all the gifts Santa left her, that he'd been and his footprints were there to prove it! Frankie opened Oscar's gifts with him and then she gave Andrew his gifts and he gave her hers.
"Oh wow what a beautiful dress hunny thank you." She said and kissed him. He thanked her for the special gifts she'd brought him including a bunch of new clothes that he was desperate for.
"You can wear it when you go to Liam's, if you want." She smiled. He nodded and smiled sadly.
"I was hoping I'd get to see you out in that dress." He said taking her hand and kissing it. She smiled softly and stroked his cheek.
After a few hours playing Frankie had the kids ready to go and packed a baby bag for Andrew with everything he would need. Andrew had took it to the car along with the gifts Frankie and Andrew had brought for the family. Coming back in, all that was left to do was grab the kids and go. Frankie watched him put the kids in the car and he came back to her at the front door, taking her hands.
"Have a magical Christmas Andrew." She said smiling and he nodded.
"I don't want to leave you…"
"Go baby… they're waiting. Once your there you won't even notice you'll be so busy."
"It's not right baby, I shouldn't be without you. Let me stay."
"And disappoint the kids? Nah go on silly I will be fine."
He stared into her eyes and stroked her cheek. "I love you so much." He said and kissed her.
"I love you too." She smiled and felt the tears coming. "Merry Christmas Andrew."
"Merry Christmas Frankie." He kissed her softly and went to the car getting in and driving away. Frankie shut the door and fell back against it, sobbing her heart out. She brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, slowly rocking herself.
Bruno came up to her and softly nuzzled her arm, she stroked him and kissed his head. "At least we have each other right?"
He whined a little and she got up, locking the door and going back into the empty lounge. She walked around picking up pieces of wrapping paper and sat down on the sofa, scrunching them up into a ball she tossed it at the wall and laid down on the sofa, wrapping herself up in a blanket she laid there silent, remembering the Christmas times she had as a druggie, lonely on the streets, sleeping in some doorway in the bitter cold nights.
She was lonely, so terribly lonely but she had no right to deprive Andrew of his family, she didn't have any family, it was just her and that was the way it should be.
"Stop being jealous Frankie, you're being selfish and pathetic." She said out loud to herself. Slowly but surely Frankie cried herself to sleep, hating herself for every single tear.
Andrew arrived at Liams and offloaded the kids and the gifts.
"Hey bro." Liam smiled and hugged him, shaking his hand. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." Andrew replied and nodded to Zara, he was still angry with her. Everyone knew Frankie wasn't coming so nobody asked.
"Andrew my boy." Connie smiled and hugged him. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas mammy, good to see you, how was your first night?"
"Good I slept so well." Connie laughed and they all went inside.
Zara and Liam sat together and Connie and Andrew sat the opposite side gifts were exchanged and everyone was happy mostly Teagan who couldn't believe Santa left her more presents.
"Thanks for the gifts bro, love them." Liam said loving the personalised T-shirts and albums.
Zara loved the clothes and smiled. "Their beautiful thank you."
"Frankie picked them out." He said as if forgetting that name wasn't to be mentioned. He sighed and shook his head. Looking away he felt a lump sting his throat, he hated the fact she wasn't here.
"Oh I love the earrings." Connie said to break the silence. Andrew nodded and smiled. "You're welcome."
Half an hour later they were all sat at the dinner table and there was an empty space next to Andrew. Andrew dished up his dinner but he just pushed it around his plate, this was the first time in years they hadn't been together and he hated it, he was miserable.
Frankie woke up a couple of hours later and decided to get a glass of wine. She went and got something to eat and brought it to the table and ended up just pushing it around on her plate, she felt so lonely. In the end she just cried herself to sleep right there at the table.
After dinner and a couple of hours later, Liam and Zara put party music on and Andrew sat on the couch feeding Oscar and staring into space. Connie came over and sat down next to him.
"I've wrapped you and Frankie a full Christmas dinner each on a plate." She said smiling.
"Oh thanks."
"Andrew go to her, take the kids and go home. You've been there with her all day anyway."
"I'm sorry mammy, you know what it's like when you're alone at Christmas and with Frankie being so down lately… I just worry about her. I love her mammy so much."
"I know you do, she's a wonderful woman and you're right I do know what it's like. She needs you Andrew, go be with her, I'll sort these two idiots out." Connie chuckled.
"Thanks mammy, you always make everything right, I'm glad you're here now."
"That's ok that's what mammy's are for. Oh I've also put all the gifts from us all for you two in large bags so don't go without them."
"I won't, thank you." He smiled and finished feeding Oscar, once he'd packed the car up and got the kids in he quickly left and drove back home. It was getting dark outside and when he pulled up, the house was dark. He left the kids locked in the car and went inside, flicking the light on he saw Frankie at the dinner table, she was fast asleep her food untouched, her wine not drank. Piles of tissues around her.
Going over to her he brushed her hair from her eyes and bent down to her. "Frankie?" He whispered and caressed her cheek.
She woke up with heavy eyes and looked at him, he smiled and kissed her softly. "How long have I been asleep? Is it late already?"
"No baby it's still early, I've come home early with the kids, mammy sent me home."
"Where are the kids?"
"In the car, the house was dark so I figured I'd come check on you first, baby….have you been crying?"
"I guess I was more lonely than I thought." She said welling up and touching his face. "I missed you so much…"
"Oh baby….you should have called or text me, I missed you too, I was miserable without you there it felt like a funeral."
"I'm sorry, I ruin everything for you don't I?"
"Oh baby it wasn't your fault it was mine, I should never have gone and left you it was wrong of me please forgive me?"
"Only if you forgive me?"
"Absolutely my beautiful woman, now how about we eat Christmas dinner? I never ate mine so I'm starving."
"But we don't have any…"
"Mammy's packed us dinner and gifts to open."
She laughed a little and he stroked her face sitting her up off the table. "Come to me you silly woman."
She dived on him and he cuddled her tight, kissing her neck and shoulders, jaw and finally to her lips. She made out with him and he smiled as he pulled back.
"I suppose I should get the kids."
"Might be an idea." She laughed and started to clean up the dinner table. He went outside and brought them in, Teagan ran to show Frankie what Santa had brought her, even more presents.
"And my bracelet!" She said showing off her rainbow bracelet.
"Wow that's so beautiful Teagan you're such a lucky girl!"
Andrew handed Oscar to Frankie and she undressed him into his pjs. Teagan wanted to put her pjs on too so she helped her do it whilst Andrew brought the bits in. Once he was in he locked the door and went around shutting all the curtains and putting the lights on dimmed, the tree lights were on and Andrew put the fire on. Frankie got the dinners out from their wrappers and smiled at the massive plates full of Christmas dinner. A little note inside the bag said, "missed you Frankie, love mammy."
Frankie hugged it tight to her chest and started crying looking down.
"Baby what's the matter?" Andrew said walking over and taking her in his arms holding her to his chest, she sobbed for a few minutes and then finally showed him the note, he smiled lovingly and she sobbed more. He stroked her back and kissed her repeatedly on the neck. "Hey… shhh…" he whispered. "She loves you we all do."
"I felt so alone and I thought I was but you and mammy were right there with me."
"We were baby." He said and swayed gently with her to the Christmas music he'd put on.
"Save me the last dance?" She asked.
"The first, the last, all of them…. Except a few in the middle that Teagan has already claimed." He smirked.
"Come on let's get in our pyjamas too I want to cozy up with my Christmas wife." Andrew ran upstairs and got his pyjamas on then Frankie did too whilst he heated up the dinner. She came bounding back down and ran over to him diving on him happily.
"Best Christmas ever!" She laughed and kissed him lovingly.
"Well… near enough." He laughed and kissed her back softly gently lifting her up onto the counter he came between her legs and looked at her. "Frankie I knew you weren't happy with me going, why didn't you say baby? I would have stayed."
Frankie sighed and looked away, he turned her face back to him and kissed her softly. "Andrew I don't want to be a controlling, nagging, awful wife. I want you to go and have fun with your family without me being there to spoil it. I fuck everything up it's just who I am unfortunately and I figure Zara was right about it all, I could have told you not to come home for 7pm, I shouldn't have ever said anything…she's right, you would be better off without me, everyone would. I should have thrown myself off that cliff. Then at least you could marry someone who can give you a happy life without all the drama and everything else…" she said sadly and went to get down, he stopped her shaking his head and bringing her back to him.
"Don't you ever dare think that she was right, not for even one moment. Frankie I don't care what time I said I was going to be back if you asked me to be back for 10:40am then I should have been, that's not you being controlling or nagging that's you asking me and as your husband I should agree with you. As far as I'm concerned that bitch can go fuck herself as she's quite clearly got problems with her own self esteem if she's constantly trying to tear you down….and if you think for even one moment I would have let you jump you're wrong, do you know how much life you've given me? Frankie I was lost just like you I was searching for something I didn't know what. Then I met you and my whole world finally made sense. Baby you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, I love you and if you left me I wouldn't be able to carry on living, you're the reason I get up in the morning, just waking up and seeing you makes me so happy I can't even explain! I adore every inch, every hair, every piece of drama, every little thing you do that turns me on, every single tiny detail about you. Even when you're sad I look at you and I think, that's my girl, and all I want to do is wrap you in my loving arms and protect you and Frankie I promise till the day I die that's what I'll do, I love you my sweet angel and I'm so glad you're here."
She cried and wrapped her arms around him holding him tight. He held her and stroked her cheek, "my Christmas wish is to have you by my side, for the rest of my life Frankie and then to spend eternity with you in heaven, I love you Frankie and I always will."
"I love you Andrew and I'm sorry, my Christmas wish is the same, I got you in my arms, holding me tight forever and always. You will always have my heart and soul."
He picked her up smiling and spun her around, slowly dropping her down as they kissed passionately. She pushed him back against the worktop and he grabbed her butt, pulling her to him.
"Shall we have dinner or dessert first?" She asked him.
"I like my dessert before dinner…" he laughed. "But I'm starving."
"Same." She laughed and they got the heated dinners out the oven, going to the table and sitting down to eat.
"Mmm this turkey is delicious!"
"Mammy's special." He smiled as they started eating. She laughed and so did he as they talked during dinner. She gave him some of her carrots and he gave her some brussels.
Once they were both stuffed they sat back and Frankie sipped her wine bringing her knees up to her chest and smiling at him.
He turned and got up going to the gifts they'd been given and he brought the bags over giving a gift to her and him grabbing one. They opened all the gifts from hoodies to joke gifts like fart spray that was clearly from Liam.
"This ones from mammy it's for both of us." Andrew said giving it to her.
"It's your mammy you open it." She gave it him back.
"She's our mammy, you open that end and I'll open this end." She laughed and they each opened the end a long small envelope shaped box.
"I'll take the lid off you look inside." Frankie said laughing.
"Oh great if it's a bug I'll jump six foot in the air!"
"Your not afraid of anything!"
"Well no but if it jumps out at me then yeah…" he laughed lifting the lid to three tickets.
"What's this?" He said taking them out and looking at them.
"Well?" She asked.
"It's three tickets to the Bahamas. There's a note too…"
"Frankie, Andrew;
My darling son and his wonderful wife, from the sale of the house I had a little money left over and so rather than just give you money which you don't need, I decided to get you a gift that all four of you could enjoy. (Tickets can be set to any date you like.)
Love always, merry Christmas you lot.
Love Mammy. Xxxx"
Frankie was crying and Andrew had a lump in his throat. He grabbed his phone and got up, going to call his mammy. Frankie looked at the tickets and sighed. "Mammy, yeah we just opened it…"
Frankie got up and slipped on her shoes, slipping out the patio doors she closed them behind her and walked a little down the garden to the edge of the lake. She stood there for a few moments and crossed her arms over her chest shivering a little.
Looking at the stars shining bright in the sky she let a few tears slip. She rubbed her face and sniffed, feeling stupid. "Merry Christmas daddy, mommy wherever you are."
She felt a pair of arms encircle her and kiss her neck. She leaned back into him and he swayed with her slowly.
"Don't cry baby, their with you."
"I know I miss them so much, it's so hard."
"I know." He said sadly. She turned to him and wrapped her arms around him as they cuddled. Picking her up suddenly under her legs and back he smiled and spun her around. "Come on Mrs Kiernan, it's time for movies."
He carried her in the house and plonked her down on the sofa, Oscar was on his mat and Teagan was playing with her toys. Andrew made some popcorn and then Frankie remembered they hadn't given Bruno or snowy their Christmas presents. She went to the tree and to the back of the tree grabbing the two parcels. She took Snowy's over and unwrapped it for her dangling the toy mouse in front of her, she put it on the ground and it whizzed away, she chased after it and chewed it.
Sitting on the sofa Bruno came over and she let him sniff it, he barked excitedly and his tail wagged like crazy as she opened it for him. A giant rawhide bone. She gave it to him and he ran over next to the fire laying down and knawing on it.
Andrew sat down and offered her some popcorn, she munched it and looked at him laughing. He looked at her, "what?"
"You make me laugh." She smiled.
"Good. Now what diabolical Christmas film can we watch?"
"Passion of the Christ?" She asked laughing at his shocked face.
"You'll give that little girl nightmares!" He said.
"Are you sure that's not you?" She giggled.
"Well maybe. But her too!" He smirked.
"Okay what about the sound of music?!"
"God no, I loathe that film!"
"It's good! Georg and Maria fall in love through music!"
"I loathe, loathe, LOATHE, that film."
"But I want to sing I am sixteen with you!"
"I'd rather sew my eyes shut…"
She laughed and threw a piece of popcorn at him. He laughed and chewed it. Flicking through the films he stopped on one.
"Here's a good one, a documentary on the science of mollusks, now did you know…"
"Dear god I think I'd rather sew my ears shut!" She laughed and he smirked.
"To be fair I don't wanna watch it either I was just winding you up."
"You!" She laughed and hit him playfully.
"Okay seriously what do you wanna watch?"
"Muppets Christmas carol!" She said excitedly and pointed.
"It's a musical film!" He laughed and she nodded. "Oh alright I can't say no to this one!"
She jumped excitedly and snuggled into him laying her head on his shoulder as the film began.
A little while later she started singing along to the songs and he laughed at her actions. Half way through the film the films attempt at romance in Scrooges past started to play and Frankie knew it off by heart.
"And yes some dreams come true and yes some dreams fall through, and yes the time has come for us to say goodbyeeeeee…"
She looked at Andrew and he just stared with a disastrous look on his face. She laughed and hit him playfully.
After the film finished he looked at her and sighed happily. "The best part of the film!"
"Okay what's next?!" She asked and he started looking. It was gone 9pm and Teagan and Oscar were sleepy.
"Bedtime I think." He said pointing to Teagan falling asleep at her toys. Frankie got up and went to her picking her up onto her shoulder. Andrew grabbed a bottle warming it a little, grabbing Oscar and they both took the kids to bed. Once they were asleep Frankie stepped off the last step and started singing songs from the muppets.
"It feels like Christmas!" She sung but not too loudly. She spun around and smiled at Andrew. He watched from the bottom of the stairs and smiled going to her he picked her up into his arms and kissed her lovingly.
"It definitely feels like Christmas." He whispered as they pulled apart for air.
Going over to the sofa Andrew put her down gently and she pulled him down on top of her. He gently came down on top of her and rested his head down against her chest. She wrapped her arms around him and stroked his back.
"I love you so much my precious baby." She waited for a response but none came, she looked down at him and he was fast asleep. She laughed a little and kissed his head softly holding him, stroking her hand through his hair.
"Merry Christmas baby, you are my Christmas wish." She pulled a blanket over him and used the remote to dim the lights.
Christmas and new year passed even quicker than it came and Frankie had finished taking all the Christmas decorations down, a job she hated. But made a lot better by the fact she had some pop music on.
She sung to herself as she tossed out rubbish. Going back in she grabbed the Christmas tree and started dragging it, she dragged it to the door and tipped it over so it fell outside. Now it was half in and half out. Grabbing the bucket off the bottom of the tree she looked inside, it was dry as a bone.
She tossed it over the tree outside and lifted the tree stump pushing with all her weight against it. It was stuck.
"Andrew!" She shouted whining.
Andrew came out of the office and took his glasses off. "What the actual out of this world heck are you doing?"
"Trying to get it out the door but it won't budge!"
"Have you tried lifting it?"
She put her hands on her hips and stared at him. "I know I'm blonde but…."
"Hey anything's possible." He smirked and came over to her lifting the stump he tried to shove it and it wouldn't budge, he tried to pull it and it still wouldn't budge. "Okay where's it tied up to?" He looked around.
"Not so easy is it superman?" She laughed.
Going outside he went around to it from outside and grabbed his gloves not wanting to get pricked. Grabbing it he tried to pull it and it still wouldn't budge. Frankie looked down and noticed it was catching on the door, at the same time she freed it he pulled it and it released. He went flying backwards to his back and she landed in the pine needles.
Frankie pushed herself off and rolled to the floor. "Ow."
"Double ow." Andrew said rubbing his back as he sat up. Frankie sat up and stood up covered in pine needles. "Stupid pine tree!" She kicked it and sighed. Andrew came over and started brushing the pine needles off her with his gloves but he inadvertently pushed them in further.
"Baby you need to get them out they can cause infection."
"Okay, will you watch the kids whilst I go take a bath?"
"Sure, put some antiseptic in the water."
"Done and done!" She winked and he smacked her butt as she walked away. He laughed and shook his head dragging the tree out from the patio doors and down to the side of the barn.
Frankie went up to the bath and ran it, she slowly took off her clothes in the bedroom she picked up pine needles and chucked her clothes out on the balcony going into the bathroom Frankie took off her bra and panties and poured some antiseptic into the water and got in. She had pin needles in her stomach and arms, she started pulling them out and winced.
It wasn't long before she got them all out and tossed them in the trash can, laying back she rested her hands on her stomach and breathed slowly closing her eyes.
"Frankie…" Frankie opened her eyes and looked to the door as Andrew came in.
"Yeah?" She said as he came over.
"Mammy's here. She's watching the kids a minute so I thought I'd come see if you were ok?"
"I'm fine thank you." She smiled and he knelt down beside the bath running his hand over her stomach in the water.
"It's not fair." He said. "You being all naked in front of me like this." He bent down and kissed her lovingly
"Why don't you get in, big boy." She smirked.
"Well I was thinking of getting you out." He said running his hand down between her thighs. She moaned a little and he played with her teasing her and making her moan hard till she released.
"Oh that's it." She smirked and pushed him to his back getting out she came over him and their hot love making began.
A little while later they both orgasmed and she sat on his waist, breathing heavy. "That was sexy." She smirked. He stroked her hips and smirked back, sitting up he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her shoulders. "I'll join you for that bath now."
"Mmm we need more hot water and bubbles."
"On it." He smiled and she pulled off of him as he sorted the bath out for them both. Once they were in she leant back against his chest and he stroked her breasts teasing her. She stroked his thighs and closed her eyes as she let her head rest on his shoulder. He brought his hand up and stroked her hair back tilting her neck so he could kiss it.
After a while they washed each other and got out, Frankie dried him off and he dried her off. Frankie cleaned the bath up and hung the wet towels on the towel heater rail. Coming out into the room she got her bra and panties on and some joggers and a T-shirt, putting her hair up and slipping some socks on, Andrew did the same more or less and she followed him out and down the stairs.
"Connie!" Frankie said excited and running over giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you so much for the gift I can't believe it."
She hugged her back and smiled. "Sure that's alright, I'm glad you like it."
"I think, obviously if it's okay with Andrew, we'll go at the end of July as when we come back Teagan will be starting preschool."
"Already?" She shook her head. "My goodness you're growing up too quick missy." She said to Teagan. Frankie sat down on the sofa next to her and Andrew brought her a coffee over.
"Thank you baby." She smiled as he sat next to her putting his arm around her.
"Have you seen Liam and Zara?" Andrew asked he hadn't seen them since Christmas Day.
"Yes I saw them this morning. They seem okay… he said he would come see you soon."
Andrew nodded and rubbed Frankie's shoulder as she looked down. "Frankie, what's going to happen between you and Zara? I understand how you feel but…"
"I'm not being funny Connie and I'm really not because I adore you but honestly you have no idea. She made me question my own life, she told me I would be better off dead, that everyone would be better off without me, if it wasn't for Andrew I would have taken my life that day…." She paused swallowing hard.
Andrew rubbed her back slowly and saw she was struggling. "It was vile mammy and even I'm struggling whether to forgive her or not. I just don't think we can trust her again." Frankie took Andrew's hand and they locked fingers.
"I'm not just being awkward Connie really I'm not, I don't deserve to be pushed to my death almost by her hands. I had a bad life growing up and that's really none of her business."
"I understand Frankie I just worry that this is going to divide Liam and Andrew, they used to talk every day and now he hasn't seen him since Christmas."
"I have never and I will never stop Andrew from seeing you or Liam or even Zara. I just won't be a part of it, Andrew understands that."
"So why haven't you spoken to your brother or been to see him?" She asked Andrew.
"Because mammy I'm not happy with Zara for one, for two Liam also very much agreed with everything Zara said that day, meaning he wished my wife dead and also he's big enough and old enough to know how to apologise, they both are and I think Frankie deserves that at least."
"But your brothers Andrew…"
"And Frankie is my wife, she comes first and so do my kids. I love Liam and I always will but there's a line and he crossed it too many times now, it's not the first time he's hurt Frankie and like I said she comes first."
Connie nodded and Andrew squeezed Frankie's hand gently. "I wish you would all just make up, but that's me as the mammy."
"Maybe one day Connie but not right now, I'm still not in a good place, but thankfully you made Andrew to be such a wonderful son. You did an amazing job with him and I adore him so much." She smiled at him softly and he kissed her head gently.
"Well I try…" she laughed. Frankie and Andrew laughed. "Well dears I best be going I have shopping to do."
"Oh okay mammy do you need a lift?"
"Uber darling get with the times." She laughed. Frankie laughed and nudged him.
"Yeah everyone does Ubers these days."
"Cars here!" She said a few minutes later and kissed the kids goodbye before leaving with a peck and a hug from each of them.
"Still feels so weird your mom saying she's going home and meaning here in America." Frankie laughed and went to the kitchen.
A few weeks passed and before they knew it, it was the beginning of February. Frankie sat playing with Oscar on her knees and got up putting him in the high chair. She made Teagan some lunch and she came to sit and eat whilst Frankie got various jars out of baby food and put them down on the dinner table. She put Oscar's bib on and started feeding him from different jars.
"Okay this is mashed potatoes, ham and peas." She said gently spooning the mixture into his mouth. He munched it happily and opened his mouth for more. She smiled unable to believe he was six months old already.
Andrew came out of his office and went to the coffee pot. "What concoctions are we trying today?"
"Well so far it's a yes for mashed potatoes, ham and peas and it looks like a no for butternut squash…" she said as he spat it out. Andrew laughed.
"I don't blame him, I can't stand it either." Andrew said. Suddenly there was a knock at the front door, an all too familiar one. Frankie looked at Andrew and he looked to her, they had seen Liam on and off over the past month and Andrew had visited him and Zara a couple of times.
Going to the door he opened it to see Liam and Zara. "Hey bro, Zara what are you doing here?"
Frankie really didn't want to do this but she knew it would come eventually. "Just come to see what you are both up to."
"Well come in." Andrew said and they came in. Liam and Zara walked into the kitchen area, sitting at the breakfast bar.
"Hey Frankie." Liam said.
"Hey how are you?" She tried to be polite and smiled, it was always awkward.
"Good, you?"
"Yeah good thanks." She nodded and concentrated on feeding Oscar different things.
"So what have you two been up to? Coffee, tea? Alcohol?"
"I could screw a beer." Liam said laughing.
"I'll just have a bottle of water please." Zara said timidly.
"No problem." Andrew said getting a beer for himself and Liam and a water for Zara.
"We've been wedding shopping, I went with my bridesmaids for my dress and Liam went for his suit fitting."
"Awesome." Andrew nodded. "When is it again?"
"May 5th." Zara replied.
"Sounds good." Andrew nodded.
"Which brings us to our next topic." Liam said and looked at Frankie then at Andrew. "Nothing to do with you, or Frankie but we've decided we don't want any kids at our wedding, just because we don't want them running around everywhere in the posh restaurant etcetera… obviously I know that puts you both in a position."
"That's fine." Frankie said and nodded. "Not a problem I'll look after the kids."
Andrew wasn't happy about this, he felt like it was done deliberately to exclude Frankie. But he bit back his tongue, deciding to talk with Frankie about it first after they'd gone.
"Okay." Andrew said simply. "Well Frankie and I will talk about it later."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Liam asked.
"It means I'll talk about it with Frankie later." Andrew laughed. The laughing made Liam mad, getting up he pulled Zara up.
"So don't bother coming to the wedding either of you, you're not invited."
"Why?!" Andrew asked and Frankie looked up.
"What you think I don't know when you're being sarcastic saying you'll talk with Frankie, what the fucks she got to do with it?!"
"Can you stop swearing around the kids Liam please?" Frankie asked.
"Oh shut you're mouth bitch." Zara said. Frankie stood up and Andrew moved to the counter.
"Okay back off now I don't want you and your arguments and language around my kids."
"Oh get off your high horse you spoilt prick and you can have your money back I don't want your posh money, don't ever fucking talk to us or come near us again, especially you bitch." Zara said grabbing Liam's hand.
"I'm getting pretty tired of you calling me that…" Frankie said moving towards Zara. Zara hid behind Liam Andrew rounded the counter as Liam stepped up to her. He grabbed Frankie and pushed her back.
"Leave it baby." He said. "Not in front of the kids." She nodded and picked up Oscar taking Teagan's hand. She went to walk past them and Zara lashed out shoving Frankie so hard, Teagan went flying Oscar flew to the floor thankfully on the carpet and Frankie fell smacking her head on the cupboard.
"What the fuck!" Andrew went for Zara but Liam pulled her out the way.
"Back up bro!" Liam shouted.
"Fuck you, I'm gonna kill her!"
"You fucking what?!" Liam shoved him as Teagan and Oscar screamed.
"Your niece and nephew were in her arms and she just threw them on the floor and for what?! And you're marrying this psycho?! Get the fuck out and don't come back!" Andrew shoved him. Liam was about to say something when Teagan ran over and punched his leg.
"I hate you and you!" She said to Liam and Zara sobbing.
Liam looked at her and Zara grabbed his hand pulling him out of the house, getting in the car and driving off.
Andrew's immediate attention was Oscar, he ran to him and picked him up, he looked okay and thankfully he had landed on his side on the carpet.
He checked Teagan and she just sobbed. "I'm just going to check mommy, why don't you play with Bruno a second?" She nodded and went to Bruno Andrew ran to Frankie kneeling down.
"Baby?" He shook her a pool of blood formed under her head and he got up, going to the phone he dialled 911 and gave all the details.
After that he rang his mammy explaining as much as he could, she was on her way.
The Ambulance beat her there and the police arrived with them. Andrew comforted Oscar who was settling and went to Teagan taking her in his office with Bruno whilst they worked on Frankie.
"Andrew?" Connie shouted and he came out.
"Can you…"
"Just go!" Connie said and he ran over to Frankie.
"Frankie can you hear me?"
"She's vomiting." They quickly grabbed a disposable basin and turned her to her side so she could throw up.
"Sir, let's let the paramedics work, how about you tell me what happened?" The officer said to Andrew.
Andrew was panicked and couldn't get his words out.
"Calm down, take a breath." The officer said and Andrew eventually told them what happened.
"So she shoved her, are the kids okay?"
"I think so the baby landed on his side on the carpet and the little girl just fell forward."
"Both active and crying acting normally?"
"Yes." Andrew nodded.
"She's going again I'm going to intubate her." A paramedic said as he started to put a tube down her throat. Andrew wanted to go to her but the cops kept him away so the paramedics could work. He started to cry and was a mess he couldn't think straight he didn't know what to think or do.
"Can I go with her?!" He asked the paramedics.
"Not with us I'm afraid there's too much going on but you can meet us at the hospital."
"Okay is that Hope?"
"Yep that's the one." The paramedic said.
Andrew ran over to his office and calmed down as he opened the door mammy I'm going to Hope hospital I'll let you know as soon as we know anything.
"No problem Andrew, don't rush we're okay."
He nodded and shut the door, going back out he threw some shoes and a jacket on and waited as they got ready to move her.
The police took a few photos for evidence and they said they would send someone to the hospital once Frankie was well enough. Andrew nodded and grabbed his car keys leaving with everyone else.
Once Frankie had arrived at the hospital Andrew came in not far behind and was escorted to the waiting area whilst they worked on Frankie. He was never more angry than he was now with Liam and Zara was officially no longer allowed near the house let alone in it.
He couldn't believe his brother couldn't see how bad she was for him. How evil she truly was. It was no wonder her ex husband was so controlling of her, he had to be or she'd have killed him herself.
Sitting there Andrew closed his eyes and prayed to the heavens and everything that was holy, he begged for mercy, pleading them not to take her yet. It was an hour or so before a doctor finally came in.
"Steady Mr. Kiernan. She's fine." The doctor said smiling and Andrew breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"There is a deep wound on her head where she whatever it was she hit on the way down, we've stitched it up, she's had a scan and there's no problems on the brain, but she had concussion and she's very groggy from being intubated. We're just waking her up now, she may be quite sickly and vomit do you want to see her or wait for a bit?"
"No I want to see her I want to be with her please." He asked and she nodded. The doctor led him to her room and Andrew went in shutting the door behind him. He went over just as she was done throwing up, the nurse cleaned her up and got rid of it.
"Just call me if you need to be sick again okay?" She nodded and was laying on her side away from him. Andrew thanked the nurse as she left and ran over to her.
"Baby." He said softly.
"Andrew…" she murmured and reached her hand out to him. He took it and sat on the bed next to her leaning down and kissing her cheek softly. She gripped his hand and the other gripped the paper bowl. He pushed her hair back out of her face and stroked her hand in his.
"Oscar…" she said sleepily.
"He's fine baby he landed on the carpet."
"Teagan?"
"She's okay mammy's there looking after them." Frankie nodded and looked to him.
"Why? Zara why?"
"I don't know baby but he's a fucking fool for marrying her, if she ever comes near our house again I'll kill her."
"Not if I do first." She said and he laughed a little. "I've got a headache." She said and turned to her back. He leant over her looking down at her lovingly.
"I bet. Sweet angel." He kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek.
"I want to go home…"
"Baby I think it's best you stay here tonight in case anything happens."
"No I want to go home I want to be with you."
"I can stay here with you." He said and stroked her arm.
"No I want to go home." She said adamantly. He nodded and brushed her hair back out of her eyes.
"Let's see what the doctor says first."
She grabbed a wet wipe and cleaned her face of all the dry blood, she sat up and rinsed her mouth out and Andrew helped clean her up. She didn't feel sick anymore so she was happy about that, the medicine they gave her to stop it was working.
A few minutes later the police came in and Andrew had to leave whilst they got her side of the story. Once they were happy with it they took some photos and said a paramedic had been to examine the children and was happy they were both fine. They said they would be arresting Zara and charging her with battery. Frankie nodded unsure what to say, she couldn't keep getting away with it.
The police left and Andrew came back in sitting next to her and kissing her lovingly. "What did they say?" He asked.
"They're charging Zara with battery."
Andrew nodded and looked down playing with her hand. Frankie kissed his hand and sat up slowly. He looked to her and gently pushed her back down. "Rest baby."
"Kiss me then." She asked and he stared at her hands. She knew this was about her having told the police to go ahead and arrest her. "Andrew if you want me to drop the charges I will."
He looked to her and then to her bandage on her head. "No… it can't be unpunished. What she did was wrong…I just worry about Liam."
"Andrew I'm sorry to say it but I'm not. He's old enough to know what she's doing isn't right and that this behaviour she has towards me is unacceptable. I've done nothing to her and yet I'm targeted for what?! If he can't see that then that's his problem."
"He's not your brother though." Andrew said and shook his head.
"No you're right he's not…" she paused, "he's your brother Andrew and you've got to do what's right for you and him. Unfortunately I think he's so invested in her he doesn't want that bubble to burst."
"That's the problem, when that bubble bursts will he be strong enough to come through it?"
"He's got you baby, if anyone can save him it's you." She said and stroked his hand. The doctor knocked the door and came in.
"How you feeling Frankie?" She smiled.
"110% I want to go home!"
"Well let's not rush…"
"No I want to go home, I really want to go home." She said insistently.
"Ok, ok I get the message. Just check in with your private doctor over the next few days. I'll sign your release papers now, you can go as soon as you're ready."
"Thank you doc." She smiled and the doctor nodded.
"Take it easy for a few days ok?" She said and left. Frankie sat up and got her clothes back on, with Andrew's help. Once she was ready Andrew picked her up under her back and legs and carried her down and out the hospital to the car. Gently helping her into the car, he got in and drove them home.
The next day Frankie came down the stairs to a sweet smell. "What's cooking good looking?"
"What are you doing up? I told you to stay in bed, I got the kids."
"I know but I never listened to rules my whole life why start now?" She laughed rubbing her temple. "Damn headache."
"Take some painkillers baby." He said getting a glass of water and some pills from the cupboard. She took them and smiled.
"Where's my morning kiss?" She asked him and he smirked as he flipped the pancakes. Leaning across the counter he kissed her a few times and then kissed her nose.
"Got your breakfast right here." He smiled putting it on a tray he was going to use to bring it to her in bed. There was a red rose on top of the pancakes and she smiled. "Aww baby." She picked it up and smelt it.
"I love it thank you." She said, "and thank you for breakfast." She got up and came around the counter to him, she kissed him lovingly and wrapped her arms around his neck sliding her hands down his back she grabbed his butt and he laughed into the kiss.
"Eat sexy lady." He said and she put the rose in some water in a tiny vase. She went and sat back at the breakfast bar and started eating. Again there was a familiar knock on the door and Frankie immediately looked up at Andrew. He looked at her and went around the counter to her.
"Stay here please." He said kissing her softly. She nodded and Andrew went to the door opening it.
"Hey." Liam said and Zara appeared behind him.
"I don't want you in here." Andrew said. "If you want to come in Liam that's fine."
"Can we all just sit down and talk this through." Liam asked. Frankie sighed and got up. Going to Andrew she nodded and Andrew opened the door wider, pushing Frankie gently behind him.
Liam and Zara came in and went over to the sofa. Teagan started crying and ran to Frankie, Frankie picked her up and she wrapped herself up around Frankie's neck.
Andrew shut the door and took Frankie's hand leading her over to the couch.
"Let's sit at the table." Andrew said and went around the table. The four sat opposite each other.
"Teagan go and play sweetheart please." Frankie said putting her down.
"Mummy hurt."
"I know baby just sit and play and don't listen ok? We will talk about it later." Teagan nodded and ran around the table to her toys. Frankie crossed her leg over the other, Andrew took her hand and locked their fingers. Liam and Zara looked at each other before speaking.
"We'd like to both say sorry for how we've acted the last couple of times we've been here, starting with…" he paused to let Zara continue.
"Starting with what I said to you Frankie, I didn't mean to push you that far I didn't think you'd do it…or try…"
"Well I did try and thank god Andrew was there otherwise I would be dead right now…" Frankie replied.
"I know…and well I just want to say sorry for what was said, I just feel like Andrew can't ever be around his brother without your say so."
"I've never stopped Andrew from seeing his brother, he was always and has always been welcome here. What I did ask was one simple thing after being at your house for 9 hours could he come home a little early and see his daughter as she wanted him. And had you not decided to keep them waiting by going grocery shopping for two hours he might have made it home in time."
"Ok, ok, I get it I made a mistake and I'm sorry." Zara replied. "But he has every day with you he barely leaves your side he needs a break!"
"He's my husband I think I'm entitled to speak to him as much as I want, to be around him as much as I want."
"You're suffocating him, he told Liam that!"
"I beg your pardon?" Andrew asked. Liam sank in his chair. "I never said anything like that!"
"Well I'm sorry Frankie but you do suffocate him! We used to be so close, but as soon as he met you that all changed, he's distant and worried about you all the time. At Christmas for instance he couldn't even enjoy his dinner because he worried about you. You couldn't even let him be that day!"
Frankie shook her head and looked at Andrew. "Is it true? Am I suffocating you?"
"No! Well… it's normal isn't it? To be in a relationship and be thinking of the other all the time."
"So you were miserable at theirs on Christmas because of me?"
"Yes, I didn't like it that you wasn't there I'm not going to lie." Andrew said.
"See! Can't you see how controlling that is? I'm not being horrible Frankie honestly I'm not but I think you need professional mental help. You have a bad history and have done a lot of bad things and it's draining to be around you because you demand so much attention. It's like you think you deserve all the attention but nobody can get a word in edge ways."
"Andrew is my best little brother and I love him and I know he loves you but he really is too soft to say anything to you. He doesn't want to upset you but you really aren't capable of doing things on your own, that's why you wanted him home by seven. Because it's just another way to control the narrative, get him home and then the attention is back on Frankie."
Frankie couldn't believe what she was hearing and what was worse was Andrew wasn't denying any of it. He sat there quietly and Frankie's blood was boiling.
"Bro me and you are brothers and I don't want to see you in this situation, having to constantly be there for Frankie never having a life of your own…"
"Andrew?" Frankie asked. Andrew said nothing but looked down.
"Okay I'm done." Frankie stood up. I'm not getting myself involved in this anymore, you can't choose between me and your brother I'll make the choice you so obviously want.
"See Frankie? You're doing it again…making it all about you."
"Shut up!" She said to the pair of them. "Andrew I'm taking the kids and I'm going I can't do this anymore, every time their here you end up agreeing with them yet moments before you were all over me. I don't get it, what do you want? Because if I'm that controlling then why the hell did you marry me in the first place? I can't help if things happen to me, I don't ask for it and I certainly don't make it all about me."
"Bro don't fall for it, she's trying to reign you in again."
"Andrew either you speak up or we're done." She said, he looked up at her with tears in his eyes.
"Bro don't do it, remember we're blood." Liam said.
"Frankie… I…"
"Don't… just don't." She sobbed. "You heartless bastard." She was about to run off when he grabbed her hand and stopped her, she looked back at him and he smiled lovingly. Bringing his hand to her cheek.
"I choose you." He whispered. "I always choose you, every second of every day I will choose you forever. I love you Frankie Kiernan."
Frankie stared open mouthed at him and tears welled in her eyes. She went to him and kissed him passionately. He brought his arms around her and rested his head against hers turning to Liam. "Mammy?" He said out loud.
"Mammy…" Liam and Zara said in unison.
"It's about time we put an end to this shit once and for all." Connie said and went to Andrew.
"Mammy no!" Liam shouted.
"Frankie they want you to drop the charges and give them more money. They or should I say Zara used the $5000 you gave them already, she spent it on gambling and bailing herself out of jail this morning."
"And you Liam, you're being led on by this foolish bitch she's doing everything to turn you two against each other. To split us up and you know what it seems she's got a very good history of doing it, according to all the other men I've spoken to who have been duped by this evil witch. There was Greg who lost thousands and his whole family turned on him, then Peter who said this bitch pretended to be pregnant then ran off with his life savings and no friends to turn to, oh the list goes on! Andrew and I have been very busy digging up all the dirt on you, you disgusting bitch!"
Liam looked at her and slapped her across the face. Zara stuttered trying to form words.
"I…their lying Liam it's me and you baby…"
Liam shook his head and walked towards her, she stepped backwards slowly. "You think I didn't know bitch? I'm the one who started this whole process, I went to Andrew and asked him and mammy to look into it for me this has all been set up from the start, I don't suffer fools you ignorant bitch, you've hurt me and my family for the last time."
Police sirens could be heard in the distance and pretty soon they pulled up, Zara tried to run but Bruno snarled and Liam told her it was time. Frankie stood gobsmacked and looked to Andrew.
"Why wasn't I involved in all this?!"
"We needed you to believe it so she wouldn't catch on, sorry baby." Andrew said and took her hand leading her away from the police and sitting her down at the dinner table.
"Sorry baby I didn't intend for you to get hurt but as more information came to light it just made sense to leave you out of it. That way she would genuinely believe us. That we were really that stupid. Plus I wanted to protect you."
"Andrew you lied to me…"
"I know, I'm sorry."
"I'll forgive you." She said. "If you kiss me."
He leant in and kissed her lovingly, holding it for a long moment. Pulling back she looked at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you."
"I love you my sweet angel." He replied and held her tightly. Stroking her back he kissed her neck and closed his eyes, he loved her more than words could say.
Zara was taken away and Liam closed the door walking over and sitting down. Connie joined them and Frankie rested her head on Andrew's shoulder.
"I'm sorry Liam." Frankie said. He shrugged and sighed. "I knew it was too good to be true."
"She was evil though, you can see why her husband was evil to her."
"I think he must've found out and just lost it with her."
"Okay you're going to have to let me in on your guys secret now." Frankie said. They went on to tell her about how evil she was, how she'd possibly poisoned some of her ex's how she was trying to kill Liam off, the whole spiel. When they finished Frankie couldn't believe it.
"I knew you all couldn't hate me that much."
Andrew rubbed her shoulder and kissed her head smiling. "Sorry about the evil things I said but I had to stay in character so she wouldn't catch on."
"Next time invite me in to the scheme!" She said pretending to be offended. They all laughed and Liam sat back.
"What about the house?" Frankie asked him.
"I convinced her to let me sign it in just my name so she doesn't have any ties there. But I'm selling it anyway and I've got myself a smaller place near mammy. Which reminds me I need someone to help me move, her stuff is staying in that house, selling as is."
"Can I come this time?" Frankie asked.
"Absolutely." Liam smiled, "you'll have to get Teagan to stop hating me though."
"I'll explain it to her later." Andrew said.
"So I know this girl who's looking for a guy…" Frankie laughed as did they all.
A short while later they both left and Frankie sighed. Getting up she went to the kitchen and took some more painkillers. Leaning against the counter she gripped the side and Andrew came over, he rubbed her back and kissed her neck.
"Headache?" He asked.
"No this wound hurts."
"Why don't you go lay down baby?" He said and she nodded.
"You've got to work and I need to sort the kids out, I'll be fine."
"Baby I'll take the afternoon off and watch the kids. Please go and lay down, you shouldn't be up anyway the doctor told you to rest."
"I can't sleep without you to hold me." She said looking at him.
"Perfect solution." He said smiling and taking her hand, he led her to the sofa and laid down pulling her down next to him. She laid on his arm and he covered her with a blanket cuddling her from behind.
She held his hand and he gently stroked her face and neck kissing her head gently. She mumbled a little as she started to drift off and he gently shushed her. "Sleep angel." He whispered kissing her and holding her close to his chest. Frankie drifted off and he stayed there just holding her.
The afternoon became evening and he had fed the kids, let them be for a while and talked to Teagan about Liam before putting them to bed.
He came back down and went to Frankie uncovering her he picked her up and carried her upstairs to bed. He gently got her undressed and put one of his T-shirts on her. Getting himself stripped to his boxers and a T-shirt he got into bed next to her and pulled the covers over them, she stirred a little and looked at him.
"Shhh…" he whispered and kissed her softly. She wrapped her arms around him and he wrapped her up in his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder and he stroked her arm softly till she fell back to sleep and he dosed off soon after.
The next few months passed peacefully. Liam moved into his new home and Zara had been jailed for fraud, amongst other things. Connie was happily settled in her new home and Liam was working a well paid construction job.
Andrew was busy with work and Frankie was busy being a mom. Teagan was coming up to four years old and Oscar was now 9 months old and into everything.
Frankie was making lunch in the kitchen and Andrew came out holding Oscar. "I think he's lost."
"Oh shoot sorry did he disturb you?"
"No he's fine." Andrew smiled kissing him.
"Dada…" Oscar said out of nowhere laughing. Frankie suddenly looked to Andrew and he looked to her.
"Say that again Oscar?!" Frankie asked excitedly.
"Say dada…" Andrew asked.
"Dada, dada, dada…" Oscar said laughing more.
"Oh my god! You said you're first word!" Frankie jumped up and down and Andrew kissed him laughing.
"That's my good boy!" Andrew bounced him and he laughed.
"Teagan, Oscar just said his first word!" Frankie called to her across the room where she was playing.
"Yay!" She ran over and Andrew bent down so she could kiss him.
"Dadadadadada!" Oscar said excitedly waving his arms around.
"Mommy!" Teagan said holding her arms up. Frankie picked her up and Teagan laughed.
"Well that's it now, he won't shut up." Andrew laughed. Frankie put Teagan down and took him from Andrew and cuddled him lovingly. "My beautiful little boy, I'm so proud of you."
Andrew kissed Frankie and went back to work. Frankie put Oscar down in his walker and he zoomed around in it, Bruno chased him and once he did Oscar started chasing him.
Once lunch was ready Frankie went to Andrews door and knocked softly. He said she could come in so she opened the door. "Lunch is ready baby."
"Ok coming." As she came and brought lunch to the table Liam knocked the door and walked in. "Howdy." He said as he walked over to Frankie and kissed her cheek. Andrew furrowed his brow as he came out of his office.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at work?"
"Saturday bro." Liam laughed.
"Is it? Damn. Time flies these days." Frankie grabbed his lunch and brought it over to Liam.
"Thanks hunny bun." Liam said. Andrew sat down to his lunch.
"Teagan come eat your lunch please." Frankie said and Teagan got up running over.
"Sit nicely please." Andrew asked and she sat properly propped up on her cushions. They all started eating and Frankie smiled excitedly at Liam.
"What are you two up to?" Andrew asked noticing.
"Well… Liam is going to teach me how to drive!" Frankie said. Andrew laughed out loud and shook his head.
"No he's not." Andrew said matter of fact.
"Yeah he is!" Frankie said.
"No he's not you're not driving anywhere!" Andrew said looking at Frankie. Frankie looked at him incredulously.
"Andrew I want to learn to drive, Liam is going to teach me. What's so wrong with that?!"
"He's not because I'm going to teach you, he can't drive for nothing."
"Andrew you and me will end up getting in an argument! I'm not even in the car yet and we're arguing!"
"Frankie I will teach you, then if that doesn't work I will let Liam teach you but you start with me first." Andrew told her. She sighed and looked to Liam.
"Sorry Liam."
"No worries I'll see you tomorrow." He laughed.
"At least with me I know she'll be safe." Andrew laughed. Liam shook his head and finished up his lunch.
"Well I'm off if I'm not needed got loads of stuff I need to do. Peace out people! Thanks for lunch Frankie!"
"Bye Liam!" Frankie said and waved. "Well…" Frankie asked and looked at him.
"What?!" He asked.
"When?!"
"After lunch!" He laughed and she nodded. "How am I supposed to concentrate with the kids in the car?!"
"I'll get mammy over if she's not busy." He rang and arranged for her to come over and watch the kids whilst they went out. A couple of hours later the door knocked and Connie came in.
"Hi lovey." She said coming in smiling.
"Hey! Thank you for watching the kids." Frankie said going over to her and smiling.
"No problem anytime! Is Andrew ready?"
"I think he's just saying his prayers then he's coming."
"I heard that." Andrew laughed as he came out of his office. Frankie smirked at him and he winked, coming over to her he took her hand. "Come along butterfly time to spread your wings."
"Yay!" Frankie said excited and grabbed the keys.
"Have fun you two!" Connie said laughing.
Running out to the car Frankie got in the drivers seat and grabbed the wheel. Andrew got in the passenger seat and put his seatbelt on. "Heavenly Father I pray that you keep us safe…" Frankie whacked his arm and he laughed.
"Now first things first put your seatbelt on, you never get in a car without one on. You always make sure everyone in the car is safe and you never use your phone or anything whilst your driving. Got it?"
"Sir!" She saluted.
"Okay now you make sure it's not in gear before you do anything."
"How do I do that?"
"This here is your gear shift, this is your things like window wipers, indicators, radio etcetera… down there, is your break, accelerator, clutch."
"Okay…. Which button makes it go?" Frankie asked. Andrew rubbed his face and sighed, maybe he should have let Liam do it.
A few hours later Andrew pulled the car to a stop on the driveway and Frankie got out storming inside and slamming the door in his face.
"I hate your son!" She growled.
"Oh it went well then!" Connie laughed Andrew came in and went to her.
"Frankie is quite possibly the worst driver in this entire world! There are monks in Tibet who could drive semi automatics better than her!" Andrew shouted.
"Hold on let me get some popcorn." Connie laughed.
"He told me to turn right!"
"To the right was quite clearly a hedge!"
"It wasn't a hedge it was a bush!"
"It had leaves! She drove straight into it!"
"You didn't say stop!"
"I never got a chance you sped up!"
"I got the wrong leaver thing!"
"Well thank god that cow wasn't stood any closer or we'd be having beef for dinner!" He shouted back.
"Well if I'm that bad then maybe I'll never ever drive again!" She shouted back.
"Please for gods sake do the world a favour! Don't ever get behind the wheel again!"
"Well at least I know a stop sign when I see one!"
"Yes! That was the best bit! After hauling the car out of the field of death she decides to put the music on and quite clearly tried to distract me!"
"I wanted to lighten the mood!"
"I nearly ran over a fire hydrant! The music came on so loud my ear drums bled!"
"Well I'm sorry I'm not a perfect angel like you!" She said going to the stairs. "Next time maybe you'll get your head out of the way so everyone else can use the road!" She stormed upstairs.
"Do not take that tone with me young lady!" He shouted, "and there won't be a next time there's not a chance in hell I'm ever getting in the car with you ever again!" He said as she slammed the door to their room.
"Women!" He shouted as well, storming into his office and slamming the door. Connie laughed and Teagan came over upset. Connie picked her up, "oh don't cry Teagan they still love each other they argue sometimes just to show each other how much they love each other."
"They love each other a lot." Teagan said and Connie laughed. "Don't worry my princess they will be friends again soon."
A few hours later Andrew came out of his office and went to the kitchen sighing. "Well, have you calmed down?" Connie asked. Andrew nodded and sipped at his coffee. "Well don't stand there sulking you've got to go and apologise."
"I'm not apologising she should!" He said angrily.
"Andrew do you remember when your father taught you how to drive?" She asked him. "If I remember correctly you drove the car into a lamppost?"
"I swear the council put that up in the time I was out it was never there before!"
"Same must've happen with that bush then…" she trailed. Andrew sighed and nodded. Going upstairs he went to their door and came in, she was laying on the bed surrounded by tissues. He sighed and went across to her, laying down behind her he wrapped his arm over her and kissed her head and shoulder.
"Baby?" He whispered and she woke up, pulling away from him. He sighed and stroked her arm. "Baby please, I'm sorry."
"No you're not, you hate me." She cried.
"Of course I don't hate you." He kissed her shoulder.
"You called me the worst driver in the world!"
"I know but I didn't mean it, I was angry and I'm sorry I love you and I don't want to fight with you."
She turned to him and looked at him. "So I am better than a Tibetan monk?"
He laughed and kissed her softly. "Of course, you just need to practice and get a sense of awareness. Nobody is born knowing how to drive we all have to learn."
"I'm sorry too, I didn't mean to be so bad, I'm such a loser I suck at everything I try." She sniffed and wiped her eyes. He brushed her tears away and kissed her softly.
"My love you are brilliant, you'll probably be a better driver than me you just need to learn…so I'm going to organise you to go on a fast track learning course. Every day for two weeks you spend all day learning how to drive and everything there is to know about a car, with a qualified professional, then at the end you can do all your tests and hopefully if you pass you'll be fully qualified and I will buy you a nice car to drive me around in."
"Really?" She asked sitting up.
"Yes my love. I want you to have the best, you deserve it."
"Oh thank you, thank you." She said kissing him all over and cuddling him.
"You're welcome, anything for my girl."
She touched his cheek and kissed him lovingly. "But you won't mind?"
"No I'll be happy your with someone safe." He stroked her hair and nuzzled her nose with his. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him, he held her lovingly and sat up bringing her up to him. "I don't want you to ever think you're not good enough, you are the best at everything you do Frankie no matter if you fail or succeed you are my girl and I love you and I will support you in every way I can."
"I love you Andrew." She said softly, running her hand through his hair and down his cheek. He softly kissed her hand and smiled, she got up and pulled him to his feet. "We should go let mammy know." She said and pulled his hand along with her as she raced downstairs to tell Connie.
"Connie guess what?!" Frankie said as she ran across the room pulling Andrew with her.
"What's that lovely?"
"Andrew is going to get me fast pass driving lessons and then I'll be able to drive hopefully!"
"That's brilliant!" Connie said happily. "I take it you two aren't mad at each other anymore?"
"No…" Frankie said blushing and looking to Andrew. He held her and kissed her head. "We love each other very much."
"See I told you Teagan they love each other."
"Yay!" Teagan said running to them, hugging their legs. Frankie laughed and picked her up.
"Teagan we love each other very much, sometimes we argue but we never go to bed angry, we always say sorry and make up." Andrew kissed Teagan's head.
"Mommy and daddy love each other very much no matter what okay?" Teagan nodded to Andrew then Frankie.
"Well I'm going home…" Connie said. "I've got a stew on."
"Okay mammy thank you again…" Andrew walked her out. Frankie put Teagan down and went and sat outside on the porch. The sun was setting and she sat there for a little while watching the lake. Andrew came to her and stood beside her stroking her back. Teagan came outside and started running around with Bruno. Oscar followed and used Andrew's leg to stand himself up.
Andrew picked him up and Oscar laughed as he blew a raspberry on his neck. A little while later after they had dinner and the kids were in bed Frankie came up behind Andrew on the sofa and rubbed his shoulders. He was dozing and she kissed his head to bring him out of it.
"Sorry I'm sleepy." He said and looked up at her.
"Come on let's go to bed. Bruno has had a run and they've both been fed and are asleep. We can have an early night." She said and kissed him softly.
"Oh baby I think I'm too tired for that." He laughed taking her hand and getting up, following her around the sofa, once he came to her he cuddled her close. "Though I probably could go one round."
"Oh baby no, come on let's get you to sleep, that's all I want is to cuddle up to my man."
"Cuddling I can do." He laughed a little and wrapped an arm around her as they walked and he flipped off the lights. Getting to their room he sat down on the bed and was too tired to get undressed. She grabbed his trousers and undid them pulling them off with his socks. She undid his shirt and pushed it off him. He suddenly grabbed her and pulled her down on top of him.
She laughed and he smirked kissing her neck. "Andrew!" She laughed and sat up, standing. He sat up and pulled her between his legs grabbing her butt and caressing it. She grabbed his hands and brought them to her chest and kissed him passionately.
"Early night baby lay your head on that pillow and go to sleep." She said when she pulled up for air.
He wasn't going to argue. He laid down on his back and waited for Frankie, she got undressed and picked up his and her clothes tossing them in the laundry basket. She came round the bed and got in looking at him.
He was fast asleep and snoring softly. She laughed a little and snuggled up to him, wrapping her arm around his waist. She lifted his arm and put it around her back and pulled the covers up over them, turning off the lights and slowly falling asleep.
After sleeping for a couple of hours Frankie woke up and for some reason felt wide awake like she'd slept for hours and hours. She tried to go back to sleep but she couldn't. Andrew was well away and she kissed his chest softly, stroking it very slowly.
Getting up she sat up on the bed and straightened her twisted pjs. Standing she went out of the room, checked on the kids and then went downstairs. Grabbing a glass of milk and some Oreo's out the cupboard she grabbed a magazine and sat at the breakfast bar dipping her double stuffed Oreo's into the milk, flipping through the pages.
She sat there for a good half an hour and started to get sleepy again. She rubbed her face and sighed still flipping through the magazine. Suddenly there was a knocking sound coming from the basement door. Frankie looked up slowly and shook her head thinking she was dreaming, she carried on reading her magazine and then the sound came back. Getting up she went over to the basement door and slowly opened it, she leant inside and flicked the light on but couldn't see anything. Flicking the light off she shut the door and was walking back to the bar when the bang came again.
Frankie turned and looked at the door, she slowly went over and turned the knob opening the door. Flicking the light on she went inside and slowly went down the steps. She stopped at the last step looking around and she couldn't see anything. She sighed going back upstairs once again. On the way up she heard shuffling coming from Andrews office and she wondered if Andrew had gotten up.
She got to the top of the stairs and shut the basement door, going around to his office she slowly pushed open the door, the place was ransacked everything was everywhere, his papers were all over the place and two men in black ski masks looked up at her.
She was about to scream when one of them grabbed her and covered her mouth. She tried to fight him but she couldn't the other one made a nodding motion to the patio doors.
Dragging Frankie in just her pjs and no shoes or socks out into the cold night air they gently shut the patio door just in time as Bruno came down from Teagan's room. They dragged Frankie away with them into the night and into the woods, holding a knife to her throat.