Frankie Morales-Fire

Chapter 15

T/W: Violence and mistreatment of a woman.
***

The paperwork has been filled out and everything has been turned in. Frankie and I were told it'll only be a few more weeks and then...Nova will become Nova Maria Morales.

"We'll have to celebrate once it's official," Frankie tells me.

"Of course we'll celebrate," I retort. Frankie grabs me by the waist, holding me carefully. I roll my eyes.

"Is that the ONLY way you know how to celebrate?" I ask. Frankie just kisses me.

"No," he says. "But it's my favorite way to celebrate."
***
"Lu, someone's here to talk with you." Angel is standing there, in the doorway of the office. I look up.

"If it's Frankie, tell him to go screw himself." I grin, but Angel looks serious. I push the chair back and stand to my feet, hurrying out. I freeze the second I spot him.

What the hell?? I think. It's been over a year and now, he decides to show back up. He turns and sees me. He smiles that lazy smile of his.

"What the hell are YOU doing here?" I demand.

"I've been thinking about you, Luna. I've missed you." Craig reaches up to touch my cheek. I immediately lift up my hand, giving him the finger and giving him a chance to see my wedding ring.

Craig reels backwards, shock all over his face. It's like he's too much of a dumbass to comprehend what I did.

"I'm married now, asshole," I snap. "So get the hell out of my bar before I tell Hector to break your leg."

Frankie spots us and quickly joins me. Craig does a double take at Frankie.

"Is this the douchebag you married?" Craig growls.

"He's NOT as big of a douchebag as YOU were!" I snap. "At least he didn't screw me and then hit the road, never to return!"

"You were getting too clingy," Craig says defensively. "I can't stand clingy chicks."

"I think you should leave," Frankie says firmly. "Unless you're going to be a paying customer, get the hell out. You're upsetting my wife." I hear Nova crying in the back and rush off.

"Fine!" I hear Craig growl. "I'll have a couple of beers." I lift Nova up into my arms and her cries are reduced to whimpers. I don't go back out front.

I don't want Craig to put two and two together and realize that Nova is-his. IF he discovers THAT, he'll make my life a living hell.

Besides, Frankie is Nova's daddy, as far as I'm concerned. Not that douchebag sitting out front in the bar, drinking MY beer.
**
"Are you okay?" Frankie comes to me after Craig has finally left the bar. I nod.

"Yeah. Just pissed off." Nova reaches for Frankie, who takes her.

"He doesn't know about Nova, does he?" I shake my head.

"No. And I want to keep it that way."

"That's why when we started the adoption process, you said that Nova's biological father was dead." I nod.

"I know that wasn't honest, but it's for the best. IF he discovers Nova's his, he'll make our lives a living nightmare." I reach up, cupping one of Frankie's cheeks in my hand.

"I don't want you to be subjected to that shit. Or Nova." Frankie kisses the top of my head.

"Don't worry, Luna," Frankie says. "I won't let him hurt you OR Nova." I press close to him briefly.

"I know you won't."
**
Nova is slowly walking around the living room, while Frankie watches her. I'm catching up on some long overdue laundry. It's amazing how much laundry a little child can make.

It just piles up and up until you're facing an actual mountain of dirty clothing. I'm putting away Nova's clothes in her dresser when I hear a car pull up in front of the house. I hurry over to the window, pushing the cracked and falling apart mini blinds to the side, peeking out.

"Shit!" I exclaim loudly.

"What's wrong?" Frankie asks.

"Craig's out front!" I hiss angrily. "He can't come in or we'll be screwed!" Frankie gets to his feet.

"Let me handle this, Luna. I have a much better chance at getting rid of him then you do."

"And if he takes a shot at you?" I shake my head. "No. I'll handle it. Just keep Nova out of sight." I can tell by the look on Frankie's face that he doesn't agree with this. But he doesn't have a choice.

I open the front door, slipping outside, shutting the door behind me as Craig walks up to me.

"Hey, sugar," he drawls. "How about a drink for old times sake?"

"Craig, I'm married now. I can't be whooping it up with your sorry ass. So beat it." I turn to go back inside the house, but Craig grabs my arm, jerking me to a halt.

"Let go of me before I forget I'm a lady!" Craig just laughs.

"You've never been a lady, Luna. Which is what I always liked about you." The front door flies open and Frankie swiftly punches Craig in the face.

He stumbles backwards, blood pouring from his nose. He grabs his face.

"Touch my wife again, asshole, and I'll beat you within an inch of your sorry life." Frankie takes my hand, pulling me inside the house and shutting and locking the front door.

I find I'm shaking and I lean back against the wall. I feel sick.

"Are you okay?" Frankie asks softly. I nod.

"Just shaken up." I look up at Frankie.
"Frankie, I'm scared. What if he won't leave me alone?" Frankie pulls me into his arms and just holds me.

"Nothing will happen," Frankie says firmly. "Even IF I have take care of the asshole myself."
***
I just want to keep holding Nova. But she keeps squirming in my arms and protests because she wants to be put down. I hold her close to me, kissing her face and head.

"Ma-ma! No!" I sigh and reluctantly set her on the floor. She grins, making a beeline for Frankie. I frown.

"How come Daddy can hold you, but not me?" I demand. Nova just ignores me.

"Little bitch," I say. Frankie just cracks up.

"She's okay, Luna. She's trying to tell you that," he says.

"By being a little bitch and ignoring me?" I growl. Frankie comes to me and slips his arm around me.

"She's not going anywhere," Frankie says softly. "She's right here."

"I just want to hold her. Is that too much to ask?" I demand.

"You're smothering her and she doesn't like it," Frankie says.

"I have a good reason for THAT," I snap. "Her douchebag biological father is in town and I'm worried he'll find out and try and take her away from me." I crumple.

"Ma-ma?" Now Nova wants me. I eagerly reach out for her, cuddling her close.

"I'm sorry," I say to Frankie and Nova. Frankie puts his arms around both of us. Nova starts to protest again, but I'm not letting go just yet.