Law Beyond Shadows

Did We Not Work Together

As the sweet aroma of baking filled Frank's modest kitchen, Isa noticed the addition of another chair to the table and the new kitchen supplies neatly arranged for two. It brought a smile to her face, a silent acknowledgement of the small but significant steps Frank was taking to make room for her in his life. Frank, focused on measuring ingredients for the cake, glanced at Isa with a subtle smirk. "Looks like we're making progress," he remarked, his tone a blend of humour and satisfaction.
Isa chuckled, helping him sift flour into a mixing bowl. "Definitely. I appreciate the extra chair. It's the little things that make a place feel like home."

The duo worked in comfortable synchrony, the clatter of utensils and the rhythmic whirr of the mixer creating a symphony of domesticity. Just as Isa's hands were covered in a light dusting of flour, her phone began to ring. Frank, recognizing the caller ID, grunted in acknowledgement.
"It's Matthew," he informed her, handing her the phone.

"Hey, Matt. Can you put it on my ear, Love? My hands are full of flour," she said with a playful tone, holding the phone against her ear with her shoulder, as Frank continued to mix the batter.

Matt's voice came through, a hint of hesitation evident. "Isa, I... I wanted to ask you something."
Isa, stirring the batter, replied casually, "Sure, Matt. What's on your mind?"
The questions that followed were unexpected, catching Isa off guard. Matt, with his trademark persistence, delved into the intricacies of their past, unravelling the threads that had kept them apart. "Did we not work together because you were in love with Castle?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
Isa, momentarily stunned, recovered quickly. "No, Matt, we didn't work together because I didn't share the feelings you had for me. It wasn't about anyone else; it was about us not being on the same page."
The conversation took an even more direct turn when Matt asked the question that lingered beneath the surface. "Were you in love with Frank when we went out?"
Isa hesitated, her mind racing to find the right words. "I... I was," she admitted, her voice softer now.
Matt's next question cut through the air, seeking understanding. "Then why could you go out with Shane and not with me?"
Isa sighed, placing the phone on speaker and placing it on the countertop. She met Frank's curious gaze and took a deep breath before responding, "The circumstances were different, Matt. What matters now is that I love Frank, and I couldn't be happier with him by my side."
A brief pause followed, and Matt, understanding the weight of her words, simply said, "Sorry to bother."

Isa set her phone down, her eyes meeting Frank's as she exhaled a sigh. "That was unexpected," she admitted, her hands now free from the cake-making duties.

Frank, his features etched with curiosity, turned off the mixer and faced her. "What did he want?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"He wanted to dive into the past, I guess," Isa replied, leaning against the kitchen counter. "He asked if we didn't work together because I was in love with you."
Frank studied her for a moment, a silent acknowledgement passing between them. "What did he say?" he inquired, a subtle intensity in his gaze.
"He asked why I could go out with someone else and not with him," Isa continued, her eyes never leaving Frank's. He reached for Isa, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "You did what you had to do, Isa. I appreciate your honesty."
Isa hugged him back, finding comfort in the strength of his arms. "I just didn't expect to revisit all that tonight."
Frank pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Life's full of surprises."

Once the cake was in the oven, they retreated to the living room, the aroma of baking lingering in the air. Wrapped in each other's arms, they watched a movie, savouring the quiet moments that followed the unexpected phone call.

As the movie played, casting a warm glow across the living room, Frank quietly disappeared into the kitchen. He returned with two slices of the freshly baked cake, placing one in front of Isa and keeping the other for himself. The sweetness of the cake mirrored the warmth between them, and they settled into the movie, savouring both the film and the shared treat. When the credits rolled, Frank turned to Isa with a thoughtful expression. "Do you regret not getting together with Matt?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. Isa, considering the question, took a moment before responding, "No, not really. But I do regret not telling you something back then."

Frank's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at her, prompting Isa to continue. "When you encouraged me to go out with Matthew and later with Shane, I had already fallen for you. It hurt a bit because, deep down, I wished it was you I was going out with. I regret not telling you about my feelings at that time."
Frank, visibly surprised, sighed. "I didn't know any of this would happen. I was so trapped in hate and loneliness that I never expected to feel anything like this again."
Frank looked at her, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "After my wife died, you were the best thing that happened to me. I can't put into words how much you mean to me."

Isa leaned in, kissing him gently. The room seemed to quiet down as they shared a moment that spoke volumes. As they held each other, the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future faded away, leaving only the warmth of their shared emotions in the quietude of Frank's modest home.