Forever With You

Chapter Fifty-Three

          "Jacob. Are you sure you want to do this?" Tony asks from behind the bar. Jacob let's out a loud laugh as Franky turns and walks to the bar. "Just as sure as I am that Franky Doyle is standing before me." Franky rests her palms on the bar and nods at Tony. He reaches below the counter and pulls out a beer, then pours a shot. As Franky downs the shot, she feels a warm hand cover hers. She looks over at Bridget and frowns. "I don't think I can do this. I'm not ready for this..." Bridget quickly turns and cups the sides of Franky's face. It doesn't go unnoticed by Franky that Bridget still has her wedding ring on, and she feels a pang of guilt run through her. Even after her warning, for her safety, Bridget still kept on her ring. Shame floods Franky's mind as Bridget begins caressing her cheeks. "Don't let him get to you baby. You had no control over what his sister did or how she decided to cope. Don't let all your progress go down the drain because someone brought up your past." Franky looks into her eyes, her own filling with tears. "But..." Bridget places a finger against her lips. "Yes, the past hurts and you can't change it, but you have grown so much and changed your life for the better. You grew to realize that your past ways weren't the best and learned better ways to cope and change those ways." Franky's eyes drop down to the floor; a single tear slides down her cheek. Bridget gently wipes the tear away and lifts her chin before placing a soft kiss on her lips. Franky, overcome with emotion, reaches her arms around her and deepens the kiss as she feels Bridget slide a hand down to her waist. Franky breaks the kiss and looks down as Bridget slides her fingers into her pocket and pulls out her wedding ring. Franky releases her as Bridget takes her hand and places the ring in her palm. Tears fill her eyes again as she looks from her palm back up into blue eyes. "But what if I..." Bridget smiles. "You think Tony and Boomer will let me out of here with him?" Franky can't help but to begin to smile. "I love you." She says before kissing Bridget deeply. When they part, Bridget caresses her cheek. "I love you too. Now go kick his ass." Franky takes her hand and kisses it before taking her beer and turning toward the pool table.

Jacob smirks as Franky sets her beer on a table nearby and begins to rack the balls. "You done with your little pep talk?" Jacob jeers at her as she places the rack on the table. He watches her pick something up off the table before facing him. As she slides her wedding ring back on her finger, Jacob's jaw drops slightly with shock. He looks to the blonde and back at Franky, who's demeanor has completely changed. "Just break." Boomer's face turns into a huge grin and she can't help but to nudge Bridget as they watch Jacob pale at her response.

Jacob just looks at Franky, dumbstruck at the transformation before him. She looks up and raises her hands in question. Jacob tries to shake the fog from his head and leans over to break. He takes a deep breath, but his nerves get the better of him and he completely misses the ball. He blushes as he looks up and notices a group of people entering the front of the building. He stands as they approach the table. "Damn Jacob. How many games have you played? Thought you said it'd be over by the time we got here." Franky narrows her eyes as she watches the conversation take place in front of her and Jacob straighten up before his boys. "She was in the loo when I got here. You know how women are in there." The guys just laugh and walk to the bar for drinks. "You just gonna stand there with your stick in your hand or you gonna actually play?" Boomer shouts across the room. Bridget nudges her before taking out her phone. Franky holds in a chuckle as she looks at Jacob expectantly. He nods silently and takes the break shot.

Ten minutes later, they are tied two-two as Franky lines up a shot. "Three, corner pocket." Just as she's about to take the shot, one of Jacob's boys bump into her, sending the cue into a couple balls on the table. "Aww. Tough break." He says with a smirk. Boomer jumps up from her seat but stops at Tony's booming voice. "Cut it out Jacob! Play fair or get the hell out of here! You're on thin ice as it is with the trouble you and your boys caused two weeks ago." Jacob quickly blushes and nods to his boys. "Go ahead. Take your shot." He says to Franky. "Fuck off." Franky replies and takes a swig of her beer while waiting for him to shoot.