This Love: A Frank Adler Story

Twenty

Frank walked up to the door, but Mary wasn't inside. So I went up to their guest house and found Mary with Evelyn.

"Avery! You shouldn't be here!" Evelyn said.

"Mary honey. We're leaving. Let's go come on." I said. She slipped out of her chair and came over to me. I pulled her in. But as Evelyn was about to go for me, Frank came in.

"Sit down!"

She gasped and sat down. I led Mary out as she held me.

"Why are you here?" She asked.

"Frank has to say some things to grandma."

"I don't wanna see him."

"Baby."

"No. He made this decision."

"No he didn't."

She started crying. I continued to hold her close. I ended up sitting on the ground with her.

She pulled away, looking at me. I smiled.

"I've missed you." I said.

"I missed you too."

Frank walked out and looked at Mary. She immediately bolted.

"Mary no- wait! Hey." He said. He caught her. She started hitting him as he kneeled on the ground.

"Stop. Stop." Frank said. He pulled her in.

"You left me!" She cried.

"I'm sorry."

"Why did you leave??"

"Because I thought it was what's good for you." He said as he hugged her tight. He was starting to get choked up. He hasn't even said much over this whole situation.

"But then I thought, if Mary is this kind, sweet, funny little girl, maybe Avery and I did something right." He said. She pulled away.

"You're smiling." She said. She rubbed his cheeks. He smiled and nodded. He glanced over at me. I knew I was crying.

Mary came over and hugged me tight. I smiled.

"Oh I've missed you so much."

Frank moved to hug all of us. I sighed and closed my eyes.

"Oh my god. Mary we have big news." I said as I looked at her. Frank smiled.

"What?" She whispered. I wiped her tears.

"You're gonna be a big sister." I whispered.

She gasped and hugged me right. I laughed and held her close.

"Oh my god. Oh my goodness." She squealed.

I giggled. "Let's take you home."

"Oh but Avery. They took Fred."

"No. Fred's home. We got him." Frank said.

"Really!"

I nodded. She got up. I got up with her and got into the truck while Frank went to get her stuff.

She was home.

———

Frank, Mary, and I sat on our bed. Frank was already shirtless and asleep, but Mary laid on my lap while she read. Franks arm was around us as he slept.

I glanced over at my sleeping husband. He was not one to cry, but today he did. I moved his hair off of his face. He shifted from my touch, smiling.

Mary shut her book and moved to look at me. I smiled as she faced me on my lap.

"Can you tell Frank to use his chromosomes to make a baby sister for me?"

"Mary I can hear you." Frank said. She giggled.

Mary kissed her uncles head. "I want a sister frank."

"Yeah?" He asked as he pulled her onto his chest. She laid down and smiled. I moved my head onto franks shoulder. He rubbed my arm as he held Mary.

"Well we shall see. We get to find out soon enough." Frank said.

Mary nodded. I moved up to kiss franks cheek. He smiled and looked at me before looking at Mary.

"Hey. I want you both to know that I got a different job."

"What?"

"I'm working at the college that Mary will now be taking morning classes at."

Mary gasped. "Really? I get to go to a good school and first grade??"

"Mhm."

"Yay!" She said. I smiled. Frank hadn't told me about the job either. I was so happy for him.

"Proud of you Adler."

"Thanks." He said. I smirked.

"I love you both." I said.

"Love you too auntie." Mary said.

Frank kissed my head and smirked. I sighed.

This was my family. This is love.