Welcome to My World

Chapter 20

Frank found Dino drinking his sorrows away at a bar not far from the house. "Hey, you," Frank said climbing on the stool next to him.

"I don't want to hear it, Frank."

"Well, you're gonna. So shut up and listen."

"Go to hell, Frank."

"Yeah, that line may work to upset your wife, but it ain't gonna bother me so shut your God damned mouth and listen for once."

"Frank, I'm not in the mood. Check please," Dino said to the bartender.

"Fine, be this way. You're only hurting yourself. Cara's gonna be just fine. The kids are gonna be just fine. It's you that's gonna suffer from this." 

Dino left the bar and Frank left to go home. He found Caroline lying in her bed sobbing, "Hey," he said sitting on the edge of the bed and grabbing her hand. 

"He's not coming home, is he?"

Frank shook his head, "I'm afraid not, Kid."

"I have seven children. What the hell am I gonna do?"

"I'll be here. Just because I was Dino's friend first doesn't mean I'm going to stand by and watch him treat his wife and kids this way. I'm on your side here, Cara."

"Really?" she asked tearfully.

"Yes," he said quietly squeezing her hand. 

"Frank, I'm scared," she whispered crying. She sat up and wrapped her arms around Frank.

"I know," he said quietly, "It's gonna be okay."

Sofia came barging into the room, "Mom, what's going on?" she asked, "I thought I heard you crying."

Caroline tried to dry her tears, "Nothing. I'm fine, Sweetie."

"Mom, no you aren't. Uncle Frank, what's wrong? Where's Daddy?"

Frank thought quickly and said, "Daddy had to fly out to Vegas just to arrange some things for our next tour. Your mommy just misses him."

Sofia wasn't going to pry anymore, but she didn't seem sold on the answer, "Mind if I sleep in here with you, Mama?"

Frank smiled at Caroline as she said, "I'd love it."

"I'll see you girls in the morning," Frank said standing up and heading to his own bedroom where he had been staying with the family for years now. 

The next morning they all woke up and Dino still wasn't home which upset Caroline to no end. Frank took all of the older kids to the arcade to give Caroline a break. It was a terrible week for Caroline. All she could is think about Dino and wonder where he could possibly be. On Thursday night the kids insisted upon watching their father's show. During the part where he sang a ballad, he sang, "For the Good Times" and Caroline dashed to her bedroom sobbing so hard that she became sick. Frank followed her and by the time he got upstairs, she was retching into the toilet. 

"Cara," he knelt next to her and rubbed her back gently. 

"I love him more than anything. Why is this happening?"

Frank shook his head, "I know Dino and I know he loves you more than words can describe. It's just been a rough couple of years and I think he finally snapped."

Caroline got sick again and Frank gently rubbed her back.

"Go to sleep. I'll get the kids to bed."

"Frank-"

"You're a mess. Go to sleep."

Caroline slept on the bathroom floor and was sick most of the night and into the next morning. Frank had came into check on her and brought a pillow and blanket into the bathroom for her. After two weeks of Caroline being sick constantly, Frank had enough and insisted she go to the doctors. 

She squirmed nervously waiting for all of the test results to come back and the doctor entered the room, "Not to worry, Mrs. Martin. It seems you have very severe morning sickness, but we need to get your body weight and fluid levels back up."

"Excuse me, morning sickness?"

"Yes, Mrs. Martin. You're three months pregnant. You didn't know?"

She shook her head. As she thought back, she realized the last time Dean and her had made love was three months ago on their anniversary which would match the timing perfectly. The doctor gave her suggestions to regain her strength and prevent the sickness and then she numbly stumbled to the pharmacy for her prescriptions. When she arrived home, Frank was playing with the kids. He had stood by her through the past three weeks that Dino had been missing in action. They had been able to find out that he was safe and staying in a hotel by the studio where they taped his show. 

"Frank," she choked out the words, "I need to talk to you."

Frank followed her into the study and they closed the doors, "What's wrong?"

"I'm pregnant," she nearly whispered. 

Frank covered his face with his hands and then ran his hand through his hair, "Ah, Christ."

"I'm three months along."

"We gotta tell Dino."

"I know," she nodded. As she began to cry, she felt weak and fainted. 

"Sofia! Call 911 and tell them your mom has fainted!" Frank called. Frank held Caroline in his arms on the floor, "Come on, Cara."

The ambulance arrived and took her to the hospital leaving Frank with all seven children. He went to the phone and dialed the studio and got ahold of Dino's producer, Greg Garrison. 

"Greg, I need you to get Dino on the phone right now. It's Frank."

"Sorry, Frank. Dean said not to disturb him."

"Greg, this is actually an emergency. Please trust me."

Greg could hear the tension in Frank's voice and connected him to Dino. Dino slurred sounding genuinely drunk, "Oh this oughta be good. Lemme guess, the emergency is that you're sick of taking care of my wife and kids."

"Dino, listen to me very carefully. Sober your ass up and get Greg to drive you to the Los Angeles Hospital. Your pregnant wife just fainted and is being rushed there."

"My what?" Dino asked trying to snap out of the alcohol haze.

"Caroline is pregnant again and she's not doing so well at the moment. Get it together before you regret everything."

Dino hung up the phone and screamed for Greg to rush him to the emergency room, "I need to be with my wife!"

"Dino, calm down. We're going."

Tears finally broke after all the emotions he had been bottling for the past few years came to a head, "I need to be with her. I need to tell her I love her. I need her to know!"