Stolen Angel

Chapter 14: Disappointment

If Gerard thought Frank was falling for the "going for a cigarette break" excuse so he could go call Maddy, he was mistaken. Frank wasn't stupid, he could go catch Gee right now but it would only cause an arguement. He'd just get Maddy to tell him later. When Gerard returned he had a smug look on his face that told Frank that he had accomplished whatever he was after. This worried him but he tried to shake it off, he wanted to concentrate so that they could get out of here as soon as possible. He wanted to get home to Maddy. He smiled to himself, he liked the thought of her being there waiting for him. He could protect her better. Even though Maddy was 18 now he had been looking for her too long to let her out of his sight.

"Maddy," he called when he entered the house. He got no answer. The light was on in the kitchen so he walked in there. He saw a full cup of coffee on the table and that the laptop was up. He walked around to get a better look. The minute he saw the draft of his letter on the screeb he knew where she would be. He ran up the stairs to find her curled up in a ball in the bed.

"Maddy?"

"Hmm," she answered.

"Did you stay in here all day?"

"Mmhmm."

He walked around to the side of the bed that she was facing and sat down. He looked at her stone emotionless face. "What's wrong," he asked gently. He couldn't help but to stoke her hair like he used to when she would get upset.

"I'm a disappointment to you aren't I?"

He took a deep brath. "Never."

She turned over to look at him. "You're lying. I read your news update. You said that you had been naive to think that things would go back to the way they were and now you have a whole new set of challenges to deal with. I don't want to be a challenge to you Frank."

"You aren't Maddy. I just expected things to be different, it's not your fault that you don't remember and I'm not angry that you don't; I just have to get used to it and that's something I don't mind doing. I'm just so glad that you're back and alive that nothing else matters."

She grinned. Frank was really incredibly sweet.

"Are you sure?"

"Without a doubt. Hey uh, did Gerard call you earlier," he asked trying to be a casual as possible but failing miserably.

"Yes he wants to take me out tomorrow. He's going to take me clubbing or something."

"Do you really want to go because you don't have to go just be nice, he'll understand if you don't."

"No it's fine I'd like to get out and have some fun...Would you like to come with us," she asked sensing something was wrong.

"No, no you two have fun. Have you eaten?" She shook her head. "Well then come on."

"Where are we going?"

"To lunch, and then we're going to the grocery store. I'm cooking you dinner."

She sat up. "Frank you don't have to do that. I don't want you going out of your way for me."

"I want to," he said genuinely, "Now let's eat I'm hungry."