Forever With You

Chapter Forty-Three

                   Franky sits down after putting the leftover pancakes in the oven to warm. As she picks up her coffee cup, she feels a warm hand run along her shoulders as Bridget turns the corner. "Good morning baby." Bridget says before kissing her lightly. Franky sets down her cup before reaching her arms around her wife. "Morning." Bridget kisses her again as she wraps her arms around Franky. "Thank you for taking care of me last night." Franky smiles before their lips meet again. "I wouldn't have been anywhere else." Bridget smiles as she pulls her closer, kissing her once more. Franky rests her forehead against Bridget's. "I'd like to repay you..." Franky hums as their lips graze again. "And if we didn't have company, I'd take you right here right now." Bridget leans against her as she kisses her long and slow. "Later then?" She asks as Franky cups her behind. She nods as she pulls her closer. "There are leftovers warming in the oven." Bridget smiles and kisses her again before turning and leaving her embrace. She turns and blushes as she notices Boomer watching in silence. "Sorry about last night Boomer. I know I wasn't very good company." She says before taking a plate over to the oven. "It's all good Bridget. Franky and I spoke about it this morning. It'll all be alright." Boomer turns and watches as Franky licks her lips, then gently bites her bottom lip as her eyes never leave her wife's behind. Boomer tosses a towel at her, hitting her chest and breaking her gaze. "I don't know Franky. You've got it really bad." She jokes as Franky blushes. "You're right Booms. And I'm completely okay with that." Bridget looks up and smiles as she notices Franky watching her every move.

They make small talk as Bridget eats, Boomer telling the story on the name of the puppy. "Thank you, Boomer. As amusing as that would be..." Boomer blushes. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Would be one hell of a first impression with the neighbors though eh?" The three can't help but to laugh, Boomer only growing serious when she hears the small whimper coming from the glass door leading to the backyard. "Oh, excuse me." She says while jumping up from her seat. Bridget smiles and reaches a hand toward Franky. "Is that our cue?" She asks while standing. Franky blushes as she takes her hand. "I couldn't think of a better one."

An hour later, Franky is sound asleep with her head against Bridget's bare chest. Bridget looks down and smiles as she moves a strand of hair behind Franky's ear. She knows that Franky hadn't slept all night. The slight bags under her eyes that morning, not to mention how careful she had been every time she tossed and turned, were enough to let Bridget know she was struggling with yesterdays' events. She knows her lover well enough by now that she knows she is struggling with the fact that she can no longer completely guarantee her safety. Being free, and limited while working on the inside, has her feeling helpless as to how to protect Bridget from what neither will know is coming. Bridget leans down and kisses the top of Franky's head before taking a deep breath. 'You want to play mind games Joan? Let's play.'

They have all just finished dessert when Bridget sits down and clears her throat. The light conversation throughout dinner was about to come to an end. "I um. I have something to ask the two of you. And if you need time to think it over, well, I'll have to accept that. But I cannot afford to take your answer lightly." The smile on Franky's face fades quickly as Boomer looks between the two of them wondering what's going on. "I need you two to promise me that you won't do anything stupid to land you back inside. That you won't go after Ferguson for approaching me yesterday." Franky rests her arms on the table. "Gidge, it's not that she approached you..." Bridget places her hand atop hers. "I know baby. But I can't afford to have you two locked up again. Especially because of me." Boomer looks at Franky and shrugs her shoulders. Franky makes eye contact with her and nods. "Yeah. Sure Bridget." Bridget smiles and nods. "I'll just wait..." Boomer stops short and leans down to rub her shin. "Franky. Baby?" Franky looks up into the sincere, blue eyes of her wife. She wipes away a stray tear and turns away. "Franky?" Boomer says quietly. Franky begins tapping her foot under the table, struggling to keep her tears at bay. Bridget takes her hand in hers and squeezes gently. "Baby please. Promise me you won't go after her." Franky jumps up from the seat, dropping Bridget's hand as she stands. She starts shaking her head back and forth while tears begin to stream down her cheeks. "Nah. I can't." Bridget stands and begins to approach her. "No Gidge. Just, just stay away." Bridget drops her hands to her sides. Boomer watches as tears begin to stream down her own cheeks. She has seen this side of Franky before. She knows the inner turmoil her best friend is fighting with and shares in her pain. "I need to go. I need some time to myself." Franky says while wiping at her eyes with the backs of her hands. "Franky..." Bridget trails off as she watches her wife grab her keys and jacket and walk out the door.