Burning Love

Mother Knows Best

I've always been thankful for my parents. We are close and have a great relationship. They have been supportive of many of my choices, and stood by me when I got pregnant with Eli. They have been so helpful to me in raising and caring for him. When I had late nights in school, when I needed time to study, when I need someone to pick him up from school, and now when I have a date with Chris.

I'm getting all of Eli's things settled at my parent's while my nerves are running on high. I've gone on dates after having Eli, but it has been a very long time since that. It may also be the person I'm going on a date with. There's no denying Chris is an extremely attractive man and there's definitely a mutual attraction. But there's all the self doubts running in the back of my mind. I'm a 32 year old single mom of a 5 year old who doesn't always have any time in her hands, and then there's the fact that he has a dangerous job. My mother walks into the room and notices that my mind is miles away.

"Frankie, sweetheart, where's your mind?" She says.

I look at her a little startled, not having heard her come in. "Hey mom. What did you say?" I ask breathlessly.

My mom grabs my hand and walks me to the bed Eli uses in their house. We sit down and she looks at me as I sigh.

"What's wrong Frankie? What's going on in that head of yours?" She asks.

I sigh and look down at our hands. "This is the first real date I've been on in a while. What if it goes as bad or worse as the blind dates Jules set me up on?"

Julianna, or Jules, has been my friend since we started medical school. She was there when I started dating Michael, was there when I got pregnant and he left me, she was even the one holding my hand in the hospital room when Eli was born. She's my best friend, my shoulder to cry on and Eli's godmother. So she felt like it was her duty to help me move on from Michael by setting me up on a couple of blind dates. Those ended terribly both times. One was so hung up over his ex that she was all he talked about, the other one very selfishly talked about himself the entire time, made a rude comment when I said I had a son, and then expected me to put out after our date. After both failed attempts she stopped setting me up, after a lot of pleading by me. She was trying to be a good friend, but got so wrapped up in the idea of me moving on with someone else that she seemed to forget that dating wasn't the only way to move on. So after she stopped, she went back to being my supportive cheerleader of a best friend that I knew and loved.

"Honey, you can't start trying to compare those experiences to this one that hasn't even happened!" My mom says exhaling a laugh.

"I know, it's just, I really like him, but my life can be so complicated. I'm afraid that once he sees it for himself he won't stick around." I look up at her biting my bottom lip trying to hold back the tears threatening to escape.

She pushes a stray hair behind my ear understanding what I mean. Giving me a small smile she sighs a little trying to think of what to say.

"Not every man you meet is like Michael. Yes, your life is complicated, but give Chris a chance to show you that he's different. Because trust me, I can tell he likes you a lot."

My eyes widened at her statement while she just slyly smirked at me. She notices the confusion in my eyes, and decided to end it.

"I overheard him talking with his mom at the grocery store the other day. He's very excited for tonight."

I look down and smile as a blush spreads through my cheeks. She laughs and pats my thigh before standing up. I take her outstretched hand and start to up as well enveloping her in a hug.

"Thanks mom." I whisper in her ear then give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Anytime sweetheart. Now, you need to go home and get ready for your date."

I laugh while shaking my head at her. I follow her out to the front door where I thank her again before getting in my car. As I'm driving home to get ready thinking of my mother's words, I let out a breath and smile. My mom is right, Chris has shown a genuine interest in me and my life, and deserves a real chance for me to open up to him. I have a new sense of excitement and the butterflies don't seem to stop after that talk with my mom. After all, mother knows best.

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AN: thank you so much for all of you reading my story! I'm beyond excited I have readers! It has been a while since I have written fan fiction, so it really means a lot! I know this feels like a filler but I felt it was nice to see the relationship between Frankie and her mom! Hope you enjoy!

Extra AN: I'm not sure why, but I thought I published this on Friday, just realized it was still in my drafts! OOPS!! HAHAHA It was just one of those days I guess