Forever With You

Chapter Six

Monday morning, Franky walks into work in a slight daze.  All she can recall from this past weekend, besides a voicemail about Boomer's case and that she couldn't put her plan into motion, is that it was spent blissfully rediscovering each others' body with her lover.  Every time she tried to sneak out to gather items for her big meal, she was wrapped into a loving embrace and turned into a puddle of jelly.  She knew it had to be love, once something she never thought she would feel, because there wasn't a fiber in her body that wanted to turn it down.  And what scared her the most, more so at first, is that she wanted to return those feelings with every inch of her soul.

          Bridget walks into her office, in a daze of her own.  For once, in a long time, she was completely content.  Granted, there was a ton of stress relief this weekend, mainly her fault, but just being home with Franky lifted her to cloud nine.  It's not like they haven't been apart before.  When Franky was reincarcerated, time stood still.  Not even making regular visits was enough to keep her steady.  She lost weight, drank way too much, didn't eat...She shook her head at the thoughts.  But this time was different.  She knew she would see her again, and when.  And it wasn't just the sex she craved.  It was the warmth of her body, her laugh, her smile....it was Franky as a whole.  Through the past two years, and everything that happened with them, they had molded together like to perfect fitting puzzle pieces.  When they held each other, they fit perfectly against the other.  They brought out the best in each other and always knew what the other was thinking without saying it out loud. 

          Bridget it brought out of her daze by a knock on her office door.  "Ferguson for you."  The young receptionist says while holding the door open.  "Thanks Sam."  She watches Ferguson take a seat in front of her.  "Good day."  She says as she feels eyes look her up and down.  "How's Franky?"  Ferguson asks with a smirk.  "She hasn't left you for a younger model I see.  Her smell is still on you."  Bridget doesn't even flinch.  She's in too good of a mood to let "the Freak's" niece get to her today.  "I see the prosecution has discovered new evidence against you.  How does that make you feel Joanne?"  She asks with a hint of satisfaction.  

          Franky sees the memo on her desk and looks at the time.  Boomer is expected to call today, and she wants to make sure she's free during the hour allotted for phone calls.  She had come to a dead end looking for a way to lessen Boomers' sentence for killing Liz.  She knew it was a long shot but had to give it her all to help her best friend, even if she killed the only "mother" she knew.  Apparently, Liz started making a "memory box" before her dementia got too bad.  That was all the help Boomer needed.  They found at least three different "memories" of Liz asking Boomer to "not let her suffer."  All they needed now were a couple of good character witnesses.

          By four thirty, Franky was finishing the last of the day's paperwork.  She was looking over her list of ingredients for dinner when a text came in from Bridget.  'Slow day.  Caught up on paperwork.  Up for an early dinner?'  Franky smiles, knowing Bridget usually doesn't get out until six, and home by seven.  'Heading out early myself.  See you in an hour?'  She gathers her things and heads for the door.  'Can't wait baby.'  She mentally calculates the cooking time and prays the store isn't too crowded. 

          Franky makes one last stop at Bridget's favorite wine store.  She checks the time and heads over to the wall with Shiraz.  As she's reaching for a bottle, she feels warm hands wrap around her waist.  She smiles as she turns.  "Didn't think you'd get out that early..."  Her face drops as she realizes Erica is the one standing behind her.  She blushes as she gently pushes her hands off her waist.  "I didn't know you were expecting me."  Erica replies.  "But then again, you were never one to give up."  Erica smiles and leans closer to Franky. 

          Before she realizes it, Franky finds herself pushed against a shelf with Erica pressing her lips against hers.  Her mind flashes back to Erica's office in Wentworth when she had done the same thing.  She reaches for Erica's hands and pushes her away.  Erica looks into her eyes.  "I've waited so long to do that again.  You were right, I've always wanted you."  She leans in again before Franky stops her.  "Erica stop.  I can't do this."  She looks into the light blue eyes before her.  "It's too late.  I'm sorry."  Erica looks at her in confusion.  "What do you mean it's too late?  I divorced Mark for you."  Franky's eyes soften at the news.  "I'm with someone Erica.  Someone I really love."  Erica scoffs and takes a step back.  "Love?  Franky Doyle doesn't love anyone."  Franky narrows her eyes.  "I see I'm not the only one that has changed."  She grabs the bottle of wine off the rack.  "Take care Erica."  She turns and heads for the registers.  "Franky wait!  I'm sorry."  Franky ignores her and continues on her way.

          Franky had just gotten into her car when Erica knocks on the window.  "Franky.  Can we just talk?  This is not what I had planned if I had run into you again."  Franky lets out a sigh.  "I have plans for tonight."  She says as she rolls down her window.  She reaches into the center console.  "Give me a call and we'll figure something out."  She hands Erica her business card before rolling up the window.  She glances at the time as she turns the key.  She looks over and waves at Erica before pulling out and heading home. 

          Half an hour later, Franky has just barely finished making dinner when Bridget pulls in the driveway.  She wrings her hands as she debates, once again, on whether or not to grab the ring from her study.  'Erica really screwed this one up for me.  Of all the days to show up...'  "Baby, how was your day?"  Bridget shakes her from her thoughts as she walks into the kitchen and kisses her hello.  Franky smiles and kisses her again.  "Better now that you're home."  She says as she wraps her arms around her waist.  Bridget hums lightly as she embraces her lover.  They rock gently back and forth as they enjoy the feel of each other in their arms.  "Gidge?"  Bridget looks up into green eyes as Franky breaks the silence.  "We need to talk."