Forever With You

Chapter Fifty

Boomer looks at the two in the kitchen and can't help but to start laughing. Franky and Bridget exchange looks before Franky replies. "Oi, what's so funny?" Boomer puts Sandy down; she can't help but to carry her up any steps. "You two look like you got caught raiding the cookie jar. Red as anything." They can only blush more as Franky thinks of something to say. "Um, we raced each other into the house for a drink is all. Heat flush, ya know?" Bridget fights a smile as they watch Boomer follow Sandy to the patio door. "Couldn't have gone on the way home eh?" She reaches for the door only to find that one locked as well. "Oi! How did you race inside if the door is locked?" She turns to find herself alone.

Bridget lets out a giggle as Franky leans her against the wall with one hand as she closes and locks the door with the other. "What's the matter baby?" She asks as Franky wraps her arms around her waist. Franky smiles as she feels the blonde's hands against the back of her neck. "Unless you want to explain how we had time to lock the door while racing inside..." She cuts herself off by placing her lips against Bridget's. Bridget hums in agreement as they break apart. "Good thinking." She manages to say before Franky's lips are on her again. As Franky moves across her check and down her neck, Bridget sighs with content. "You haven't had enough yet?" Franky stops her kisses and looks deep into the blue eyes before her. "Never...when it comes to you." Bridget smiles and moves a hand to caress Franky's face. "Then let me take the lead so I can wear you out." Franky stifles her laugh as Bridget begins moving them toward the bed. "I highly doubt that, but I'm up for the challenge." Bridget only smiles before pushing her gently onto the bed.

An hour later, Bridget sits up in bed reading from a Psychology magazine with Franky curled up and sound asleep beside her. She looks down and smiles as she feels Franky's arm around her midsection twitch as she dreams. 'Baby, you need to tell me what's bothering you.' She thinks to herself before gently moving a strand of brown hair off her lover's forehead and behind her ear. She turns back to her reading and just as she finds where she left off, feels Franky jerk herself awake. She looks over in concern and sees the wide eyes of her lover. Franky sits up, suddenly out of breath. Bridget drops the magazine onto the bed and reaches for one of Franky's hands. "Baby, what's wrong?" Franky looks at her and blinks a few times, not quite seeing her. "Franky wake up. You're okay. It was just a dream." Franky is suddenly fully awake and aware of her surroundings. She looks at Bridget, who gently caresses her hand, and begins to cry. Bridget reaches for her and wraps her in a tight hug. "It's okay baby. You're safe." Franky buries her face into the crook of her neck and tightens her hand around the fabric of Bridget's shirt. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you." Franky says between sobs.

Bridget holds her tighter, gently rubbing her back as she tries to help calm her down. After a few minutes, Franky sits up and wipes her nose on the back of her hand. "I'm sorry Gidge." Bridget just frowns and holds the sides of her face between her hands. "It's okay baby." Franky drops her eyes as she sniffles again. "How long has this been going on?" Franky glances up, then back down again in shame. Bridget gently lifts Franky's chin, urging her to look in her eyes. "It started that night, at the hospital, didn't it?" Tears begin to form in Franky's eyes as she slowly nods. "Oh baby." Bridget says before pulling Franky against her and wrapping her arms around her. "Why didn't you tell me? We could have talked this out to help you cope." Tears fall from Franky's eyes onto the soft fabric of Bridget's night gown. "I...I thought I could handle it. I thought I was past all this." Franky says between sniffles. "They've just gotten worse instead, haven't they?" Franky hesitates before nodding, then buries her head further into the crook of Bridget's neck. "You came close to losing something you never thought you'd find or deserved in life baby. It's understandable that you would relive it over and over, until you come to fully realize that everything is okay. That I am okay, and I will be even if you aren't there." Franky just pulls her closer. "Is that why you said you would never leave my side again?" Franky lets out a soft whimper at the thought of being separated again. Bridget attempts to back away, but Franky just holds her tighter. "Baby, look at me." Franky reluctantly backs away and looks into Bridget's eyes. She gently cups the side of Franky's face before continuing. "As much as I love having you here with me, we can't go through life stuck to one another. And you know yourself, the chances of something like Friday happening again are one in a million. Especially if you put Ferguson away." Bridget smiles slightly, hoping to see Franky smile too. Franky only shrugs, still sniffling. "We need to go out babe. Get out around other people. So, you can see that I'm okay. That we are okay apart." Franky tenses at the thought. "And if we can't deal with this by the end of the week, you're gonna have to see someone baby. I don't want you suffering from PTSD." Franky's shoulders sag at the thought of going to a therapist. Bridget caresses her cheek. "You're so strong baby. But I can't treat you myself. We've been through that already." Franky looks up and starts nodding her head. Bridget raises her eyebrows in question. "I'll try. For you." Bridget smiles and leans in, gently placing a kiss on her lips. "We'll start tonight, after dinner." She feels Franky tense again. "And if you do well, I'll let you do whatever you want to me when we get home." Bridget feels a warmth run through her body as she watches Franky's lips turn into a wide grin. "Anything?" She asks before sticking her tongue between her teeth. Bridget just nods as she smiles before feeling Franky's lips against hers.

Franky reaches for the hem of Bridget's night gown as she lowers her onto her back. She feels Bridget let out a soft moan against her lips as her hand brushes against the soft skin of her back. Suddenly, Franky sits up looking down into Bridget's eyes. "How did you manage to wear me out earlier?" Bridget blushes as she smiles and reaches for the brunette, pulling her down into another kiss. She holds her close as they break the kiss, feeling their breath against each other. "I knew you hadn't been sleeping well." She kisses her gently. "And it was only a matter of time before you crashed." Franky can't help but to smile, then leans in and kisses her passionately. Franky deepens the kiss as she feels soft hands run down her neck and against her back, pulling her against the warm body of her lover. Bridget lets out another moan against her lips as she feels a hand run lightly down the length of her body. They begin kissing open mouthed as Franky moves a hand up under the fabric of the blonde's night gown. Just as her hand runs over the heart tattoo, there is a knock at the door. Franky breaks the kiss and lets out a heavy sigh. "Are you kidding me?"

Franky pulls the singlet down before unlocking the door, opening it just enough to peek her head out. "What's up Booms?" Boomer blushes, sensing that she interrupted something once again. "I uh. I ordered dinner from your favorite Thai place. I just wanted you to know it was here if you two are hungry." Franky feels her face heat up with embarrassment. "Give me a few to see if Gidge is hungry and we'll be right out." Boomer nods before turning around and heading back to the kitchen. Franky turns around to see Bridget sitting up in bed with a smile on her face. "What?" Franky asks before looking down at herself, thinking she wasn't fully covered or something. Bridget just nods as Franky climbs back on the bed. She leans over and kisses the brunette's lips before answering. "She's making an effort to help. She even took in consideration one of your favorite places to order from." Franky blushes from not picking up on the obvious. "We should go join her. Maybe invite her with us tonight." Franky nods, then kisses her again.

Fifteen minutes later, Franky and Bridget walk into the kitchen to see Boomer closing a container of food. "Hmm, something smells delicious." Franky says as she approaches the table. "How did you know this was my favorite?" Boomer blushes as Franky smiles before taking a seat next to Bridget. "Gee Franky. You only talk about it all the time." Bridget chuckles as they help themselves to the take-away sitting on the table.

After dinner, Bridget and Franky are putting the dishes in the dishwasher as Boomer comes back in from taking Sandy out. Bridget gently nudges Franky as Boomer takes a seat at the counter. "Uh Booms. Gidge and I are thinking of going out tonight if you want to join us." Boomer looks at Bridget, seeing her nod, then back at Franky. "Aw, I don't want to interfere with date night." Franky looks at Bridget and shrugs. "I asked." She says before closing the dishwasher. Bridget looks back at Boomer. "Actually Boomer..." She glances back at Franky. "We are kind of nervous to go out alone, but really need to get out of the house. We thought if you went with us, it'll help us feel safe. Someplace not too crowded and where not many people will recognize us." Boomer face lights up. "Really? Like I'd be your bodyguard or something?" Franky can't help but to laugh. "Yeah Booms. And I know just the place." She adds while looking at Bridget.

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Ah, the truth comes out.  Can Bridget help Franky cope before the end of their recovery week?  Will it effect how Franky handles the case against the Freak?

As usual, comments and feedback are welcome and appreciated.  Sorry for the delay.

Stay safe and I hope to update again soon!