Forever With You

Chapter Thirty-Two

          Franky is giddy during the drive home. It isn't until Bridget finally says "zucchini" that she sits still with a pout on her face and her arms folded across her chest. "Baby, I don't want us to end up in the hospital cuz you can't keep your hands off of me while I'm driving." She can't help but smile and sees Franky fighting a smile of her own. "I know. No more hospitals unless someone is in labor." Franky adds. She watches as Bridget focuses on the road ahead, something obviously playing on her mind.

Franky waits until Bridget is up refilling her wine glass before she decides to ask what's going on. She walks up behind her and wraps her arms around her waist, pulling her close. She leans in and kisses her neck. "What's on your mind? You haven't been yourself since leaving the interrogation room." She kisses her neck again before Bridget sets down her wine glass and turns in her arms. She places a hand gently against the side of Franky's face. "I finally came to realize something I've been denying for a long time." Franky smiles. "That you've wanted me since you first saw me?" Bridget lets out a chuckle. "Your file." Franky raises an eyebrow. "Since I first saw your file." Franky blushes as Bridget grows serious. "I came so close to losing you. I didn't want to admit that to myself, saying it couldn't happen. You're a fighter. But the reality is there. Joanne reminded me of that tonight." Franky frowns and rubs her lower back with her hands. "I'm sorry for everything I've put you through Gidge." Bridget shakes her head. "It's not that Franky. I haven't shown you how much I love you. I should have been doing that all along." Franky looks deep into her eyes, then gently kisses her soft lips. "You have Gidge. From the day you showed up at my parole hearing." Bridget blushes. "The day you picked me up from Wentworth and brought me home, not to my bedsit." She gently kisses her. "I can see your love every time you look at me. I can feel it every time you touch me; from a reassuring squeeze to lovemaking." Bridget looks down between them. Franky lifts her chin with a finger. "But if you want to step out of your comfort zone and take me in the car, or anywhere else, I defs won't say no." They smile at each other before closing the distance between them. "I love you baby." Bridget says before kissing her. "My heart aches at the thought of losing you." She says before Franky kisses her more deeply. She presses her forehead to Bridget's when they break for air. "I love you too Bridget. And I could kill Joanne for upsetting my girl, let alone hitting on her." Bridget blushes. "You saw that?" Franky nods. "After Red and Maxine told me how you saved my life.... again." Franky feels the confidence return to Bridget's body. "The first time being when you got me out of Wentworth." Bridget feels a warmth of pride run through her body. "Come on baby." She says while breaking away still holding Franky's hand. "Let me show you how much I love you."

It's just after midnight when Bridget decides to tell Franky something about her past. Their legs are intertwined, arms wrapped around each other, holding the other close. Bridget looks up from Franky's chest. "Franky?" She whispers, not knowing if she is still awake. "Hmm?" Franky replies, tightening her arms around her. "I haven't let someone in like this in a long, long time." Franky opens her eyes and looks down confused. "Huh?" Bridget purses her lips, debating on how to continue. "I haven't loved someone like this since Uni. I never trusted anyone enough to let them in like I have you." Franky moves to sit up, Bridget doing the same. "I was with someone in Uni, after Nurse Kelly, and things were getting pretty serious. We had discussed getting married, after graduation." Bridget looks down at her hands, her face filling with sorrow. "But something happened one weekend when we were home, at her place, and things fell apart quickly." Franky see tears filling her eyes and gently wipes them away. "You don't have to talk about it Gidge. Only if you're ready." Bridget smiles at her, hearing her own words being said back to her. "Oh baby." She gently kisses Franky's lips. "You deserve to know. If anything, it will explain why I can be so reserved." Franky nods, then wraps her arms around her, for warmth and comfort, as Bridget nestles her head into the crook of her neck. She feels her take a deep breath before continuing.