Frankie Morales-Fire

Chapter 11

I can sense Frankie's restlessness. HE wants to-go. He says it'll pay good money and that we wouldn't have to work for several months.

I don't care. I'd rather work until the day I die then risk losing-Frankie.

"You TOLD ME all I had to do was SAY the words and YOU'D stop," I growl at Frankie. He looks away.

"You won't go, will you?" I put my arms around him, my chest pressed into his back. Frankie sighs.

"I won't go if you really don't want me to." I rest my cheek on the top of his head, closing my eyes.

"I'm just scared, Frankie. I don't wanna lose you." Frankie reaches over, pulling me around so we're facing.

"You aren't gonna lose me, Luna." Frankie presses his lips to mine.

"I-I just want Nova to grow up with a-father," I whisper. Surprise flickers in Frankie's dark eyes.

"Do you mean what I think you mean?"

"I want you to be Nova's-daddy." Frankie just stares at me, unmoving and unspeaking.

"Say something, dumbass," I say, smiling a little.

"I want to marry you, Luna. Please let me," Frankie says.

"If I agree to marry you, will you not go with your friends?" I ask. Frankie nods.

"I swear to you, I won't." I kiss him deeply.

"How soon?" I ask. Frankie puts his arms around me.

"As soon as possible."

"I need some time to process this, Morales," I say sternly. "You need to give me at least a month. Can you do that?"

"Yeah. I can."

"I also would like you to consider adopting-Nova." Frankie looks slightly surprised.

"You'd really want that?" he asks. I nod.

"I'd want her to have your name," I say. Frankie looks like he might-cry.

"Wow, Luna. I-I don't know what to say." He blinks several times, struggling to control his emotions.

"You don't have to," I say. "But I'd love it if you would."

"I'll need to think about that."

"You take as long as you need to, Frankie." He kisses me.

"Looks like we both have some soul searching to do."

"No shit."
***
"Do you want to?" I've told Kayla EVERYTHING that Frankie and I talked about.

"I think I might."

"You swore you'd NEVER get involved with another man. You said you'd rather shoot your own foot off then get close to some asshole."

"Frankie's different," I insist. But even as I'm saying the words, I'm wondering IF it's really the truth.

"And if he takes off on you?" I sigh.

"I care about him. A lot. And Nova is wild about him. I just-want somebody. Somebody to look after ME for a change." I pause.

"Is that so wrong?"

"No. But I don't want you to get hurt again," Kayla says softly.

"Oh, and I do?" I stare at a spot on the wall. "I hated how Nova's father treated me. But Frankie isn't like that."

"Not yet anyways," Kayla remarks.

"I think I'm gonna marry him. I guess if I end up screwed over, you can help me track his sorry ass down and we'll kill him and hide the body." Kayla grins.

"It's a deal."
***
"We're NOT getting married at the bar."

"Why not?" Frankie asks. "We met here. I think it's perfect." I roll my eyes.

"Yeah because there's access to a shit load of beer." Frankie winks at me.

"Shit. I can't pull anything over on YOU? Can I?"

"You're an idiot. Remind me again why I agreed to marry you?"

"Because I'm so smokin' hot." I roll my eyes again.

"And cocky and an asshole and enchanted my baby daughter into liking YOU." I pause. "And stole my heart completely. And proved to me that you loved me and my daughter."

Frankie leans down, gently kissing me.

"I sure did, Lu."

"How about that spot you took Nova and I to? I want to get married there." Frankie nods.

"Now that's perfect." I smile smugly.

"Damn right."