Frankie Morales-Fire

Chapter 12

T/W: Some minor violence
***

"You look amazing, Luna!" The girls and I went shopping for a wedding dress for me while Frankie agreed to watch Nova.

I had no qualms about allowing him to do so. I completely trust him to take of our girl. Yes, that's right. I said OUR girl. Frankie has decided that he'll legally adopt Nova. I'm so excited for that.

For my baby to have a daddy and to have his name. Nova Maria Morales. It has a nice ring to it. Then I'll be Luna Maria Morales.

For the first time since I've let Frankie into my life, I begin to feel hope. Hope that we can have a good life together. I twirl in the dress. It's not a long dress and it's not all frilly and lacey.

That's not the type of woman I am. This dress is pretty, but simple. It's an off white color with a long skirt and spaghetti straps with a semi low cut front.

"I think this is the one," I tell Kayla. She nods approvingly.

"Yes, Luna. It is."
***
"I'm home!" I burst through the front door and hurry to put my wedding dress away so hopefully Frankie won't find it.

Frankie and Nova are playing on the living room floor. Frankie is all stretched out on his side, propping himself up on his elbow, while Nova holds tightly to his clothes as she slowly inches her way along Frankie's body.

She squeals when she sees me. I rush over to her, lifting her up into my arms and cuddling her close.

"Hello, my love. Did you have fun with Daddy?" I ask, stroking her hair and kissing her chubby cheeks.

"She was good as gold and better," Frankie says, moving to stand. I crack up and Frankie frowns.

"What?"

"That's a line from A Christmas Carol, when Mrs. Cratich asks Mr. Cratich how Tiny Tim was in church one day," I explain.

"I wouldn't know that," Frankie says. "I've never read the book."

"There are a hundred versions of it in movies, you dumbass," I say. Frankie just shrugs.

"I don't watch movies. At least not those type."

"That's going to change once we're married, Morales. We're going to be watching a shit ton of movies." Frankie groans.

"Shit! Next thing you know, I'll have to take Nova bra shopping!" I laugh.

"Oh, please! You'd probably like THAT. Just so you could touch all the bras." Frankie grins.

"Nah. I'd just imagine you wearing them so I can rip them off." Nova gives Frankie a Look and I crack up.

"She's only a baby and already telling you that you're embarrassing her." Frankie cracks up,

"Yeah, I got that feeling, too."
***
I can hear Frankie talking in low tones on the phone. I inch closer to the doorway of the kitchen. I still can't quite make out just what he's saying.

His back is to me which is probably a good thing. If I could look him in the eyes, he'd hang that phone quickly.

"Yeah. We're gonna tie the knot." Frankie pauses. "Yeah. I can't believe it myself sometimes. But shit, they REALLY make me happy."

Frankie turns and sees me. I raise my eyebrows and flip him off. His entire face turns bright red. He's knows he's busted.

"I, uh, need to call you later. Yeah." He quickly replaces his phone in his back jeans pocket.

"Hey, Luna." Frankie reaches out to try and caress my cheek, but I angrily swipe his arm away.

"You promised me, Francisco Morales. You SAID you wouldn't GO with your dumbass friends! And yet, here you are, going behind my back! And only a few days before our wedding!" I'm so angry, all I want to do is beat the shit out of Frankie.

"It's not what you think, Lu. I was just catching up. I promise I won't go." Frankie is silently pleading with me. He opens his arms out, coming towards me.

I move closer to him and then I slug him right in the face. Frankie reels backwards, grabbing his nose. I can see some blood beginning to creep out between his fingers.

"What the hell, Luna?" Frankie snaps.

"NEVER LIE TO ME EVER AGAIN, Francisco Morales OR you'll get way worse than that," I growl. I turn and walk away before Frankie sees me crying.
**
Frankie apologizes that evening as we're lying in bed. He pleads with me to not be angry with him.

"Are you really telling me the truth?" I ask.

"Yes. Luna, I'd never lie to you."

"If it wasn't THAT, then why the hell were you being so damn sneaky about it?"

"Because. I figured if you knew who I was talking to, you'd act the way you are now,"

"WHY do you keep in contact with those douchebags? Huh? Would they actually give a shit IF something happened to you? I mean really give a shit? Or would they just say, 'well we're sorry he's dead, but shit, that's the way it goes in life'?"

Frankie pulls me to him and I cling to him.

"They would give a shit, believe me. But I'm not going anywhere. So just don't let it cloud our happiness for our wedding." Frankie kisses me and I comb my fingers over his facial hair slowly.

"I just want to have a life with you, Frankie. I want it more than I've wanted anything in a long, long time. So do not disappoint me."

"I won't, Luna. I won't."