The Enemy's Daughter

Chapter 51 - Trying To Protect What's Lost

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♔FRANKIE'S POV♔

"Frankie?" Billie's voice snapped me out of my spiralling thoughts.

"Hm? Sorry," I replied as I looked up from the plate of food in front of me.

We were sitting at the kitchen table that she had decorated so beautifully for us. There was a red rose damask tablecloth with matching napkins. Taper candles and tealights flickered alongside fairy lights in glass jars giving a soothing glow. She had made a large lasagne in a rectangular dish that looked big enough to feed all the red tie men. Along with side dishes of different breads, dips and salad. When I got home, she told me it was one of her grandad's favourite meals. She explained how it made her happy she got to taste my mother's dishes at the restaurant so she wanted me to taste something from her family.

"Do you not like the food?" She asked with puppy dog eyes, making my heart sink.

"Of course I do angel," I reassured her as I reached for her hand. "I'm sorry." I looked down at her dainty hand and sighed. "You went through all this trouble and I think I left my head back at the office."

"It's okay." She squeezed my hand. "I know you have a lot going on right now, especially with Taylor's funeral tomorrow."

"That's no excuse." I shook my head, annoyed at myself. "You have my undivided full attention, as you always should have."

"Eat up." She narrowed her eyes at me with a smile. "I need to look after my man especially when he has the weight of the world on his shoulders."

I kissed the back of her hand and admired her for a moment, she looked stunningly beautiful. Her hair was in big curls and she had pulled half of it up, just a few curls framing her gorgeous face. She had on red silk pyjamas, the top was a button-up shirt with matching shorts. I loved seeing her this way, comfortable and relaxed at home.

Our home, the thought made me smile.

"Hey, I had a fancy dress on okay?" She laughed noticing me staring. "Then Val came bounding in and did that thing he does. You know where he stands up and puts his paws all over me? He got me covered in muddy paw prints."

"Ah, that explains why he's hiding by my feet." I chuckled.

"I didn't tell him off, I think he just missed you." She shrugged with a smile. "When he got my dress all dirty I laughed, it made me realise what was important. I realised you wouldn't care what I wore or how I did my hair. The only thing that matters is that we get to spend this time together. Finally, dinner like a normal couple."

Christ, why do I fuck everything up?

She never asked for much, I'd give her the world if I could. All she wanted was for us two to just have dinner together. That's all she wanted and I had almost ruined it. I was so lost in my thoughts with everything going on that I hadn't even complimented her or the food. I was failing my wife because of the darkness around me seeping in. I couldn't let it in, I needed to cherish her and that light she bestows me with.

"You look perfect angel," I told her as I reached for her hand again. "The food, this setting, it's all perfect. I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as I walked through the door. Today has just been...busy." I rolled my eyes before picking up my fork and tucking into the food. "Fuck that's good."

"I hoped you would like it." She smiled before grabbing her fork and eating her own. "I haven't made this since..." Her voice trailed off but she put on a brave face as she always did.