You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

Chapter 18

"Come on, Chris." Frank called from the bedroom door.

"I'm not going to be some submissive little housewife, Sinatra. I was on my own for years. I'm not about to let you run the show."

"Christ," he muttered. "Would you let me in so we can talk about this?"

She opened the door and he came inside.

"You listen to me. Jamie has been my whole world. I get he's growing up, but he's only ten. This is a lot for him. He's only ever had me and my Noni."

"And Dean." Frank muttered. He knew he was starting something, but his temper didn't care.

"What are you trying to get at, Frank?"

As he always did, Frank's insecurities were causing him to self-destruct. He has also had too much to drink on the plane. Flying made him nervous so he was trying to calm his nerves. "That you found the closest replacement for Dean to marry. Surprised you didn't go after Sammy or Lawford. Peter's better looking than me and..."

Chrissy was crying, "Stop. I don't like this side of you... you don't need to be like this."

"Just admit it, Chrissy. You love Dean and you always will. I'm just here to fill the void until it eventually ends between him and Jeanne."

"You drank too much on the plane. You don't mean what you're saying," she cried. "Frank, snap out of it! We're having a baby together for Christ sakes!"

His eyes glazed over before he turned and left the hotel suite.

Chrissy called Dean again, "Dean, it's terrible. I've never seen him like this... Jealous, angry..."

"Jealous about what?"

"Our relationship."

"Well, you're not having my baby, so I don't know where he gets off thinking our relationship has ever been physical. I'll talk to him."

"He left."

"Is he coming back?"

"How am I supposed to know?"

"Well, get off the phone with me because he's be even more pissed if he comes back and we're talking. But, call me if he doesn't come back within twelve hours."

Chrissy hung up the phone and sat on their bed. She placed her hands on her stomach where a small bump was just beginning to form. She began to cry. If this didn't work out, it would destroy her, Jamie, and this baby.

She cried until she could cry no more and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Frank was strolling the beach in the dark. There was a nagging thought in the back of his brain that he should end it all. It would leave his family with plenty of money to survive, and he wouldn't upset Chrissy again. He hadn't felt like this since Ava had used him as her plaything then disposed of him like a lion disposes of an unwanted carcass. That's all he was and would ever be... a pig of a man with too many emotions to be the player that he appeared to be...

Chrissy woke with a strange feeling in her gut and set out to look for Frank. She walked the beach near their hotel until she found a man sitting in the sand.

Frank finally sat down and was sobbing. He screwed every good thing up in his life. Chrissy loved him. Why did he have to attack her like that?

"Frank!" A sweet voice broke him from his thoughts.

He looked and saw Chrissy running toward him.

"Chrissy..."

"Let's not fight. I'm sorry. I guess I have some adjusting to do. I've always been on my own and I've gotten stubborn. I know you're looking out for Jamie. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry for everything I said. I'm a big dumb jerk. I never should've..."

"It's okay. I forgive you. Can you forgive me?"

"What's there to forgive you for? You're friends with Dean. I trust you and him... I know that you both would never do anything to hurt me."

"I would never, Frank... I promise. Dean and I have never..."

"Really? How are you two so close? You do share a very intimate relationship."

"Well, Dean saved me from an abusive relationship. Then I started babysitting his kids when Betty would disappear for days on end so he could go perform. We helped each other survive."

"You've had no luck with men."

"Until now..." Chrissy smiled. She gave Frank a kiss on the cheek and wrapped his arm around her, "I love you, Mr. Sinatra."

"I love you too, Mrs. Sinatra."

"Can we go back to the room and call Jamie? Together?"

Frank nodded. Then they walked back to their hotel suite together. Once they were inside, Chrissy dialed the phone and Frank stood next to her. "Hi, Jeanne. Is Jamie around?"

A few seconds later, Jamie was on the phone, "Hi, Momma."

"Hi, honey. You doing okay?"

"Yeah, I just miss you. It's weird being apart."

"I know. We'll be home before you know it. Here. Poppa wants to talk to you."

Frank took the receiver. "Hi, Jamie. Listen, I want you to take a good look at the Dodgers' schedule and figure out when we can get to some games this summer."

Chrissy smiled. She heard Frank say, "When we get back, we're all taking a trip together. I'll tell your Mom. We love you too. Bye, Jamie."

Chrissy began to cry again.

"What did I do?" Frank asked, wrapping his arms around her.

"No, I'm just emotional because of the baby. I'm just happy that Jamie has you. He adores you, Frank. Really, truly."

"I adore the both of you."

They laid down on their bed and Chrissy cuddled up close to Frank.

"Assuming the baby is healthy, would you want a boy or girl?" Chrissy asked Frank.

"I've thought about that a lot. I would love for you to have a little girl. Nancy and Tina have a beautiful relationship with their mother, and I want that for you. I've also thought about how Jamie would be such a good big brother to a baby boy. I think that would bring him and Frankie closer. Really, I don't know. I think either way we're blessed."

Chrissy rested her head on Frank's chest and breathed in the scent of his cologne, "I can't wait for our next adventure, Frank."

"Same here. It will be an adventure indeed. I can't wait to take you to my Vegas show. Sammy and Dean always introduce their wives at the end. I can't wait to show you off."