Three Cheers

I met with Frances the next day to go shopping. Whenever Fran is upset, she has to shop. She wanted to shop for her baby, being the fact that her mother was upset about her baby.

Thora say in her stroller, humming to herself with her stuffed rabbit, while Busy held Fran's hand; "How did everything go yesterday?" I asked Fran as we walked around the children's section of the clothing store.

"I disinvited my mother." she said shortly.

I raised a brow at her, "Yeah? Why?"

Fran exhaled, "She was giving me shit about Frank. They met and she just hates him."

"How can you hate Frankie?" Busy asked incredulously.

"That's exactly what I told her," Fran said with a smile, "Anyway, I told her to leave. I'm doing this with people who want to be here and support me."

I pat her back, "How do you feel about it?"

She shrugged, "I'm terrific actually. I got Frank and my baby; and you all, it's all I need."

"Speaking of baby, have you thought of any names yet?"

Fran smiled, "Frank is the one picking the names. He really likes Eddie for a boy."

"Frank is really excited, isn't he?"

Fran nodded, "Head over heels excited."

"He's gonna be a good dad."

"Yeah, I know." she shook her head happily, "That man is amazing to me."

I was happy to see Frances was happy, despite the foul mood her parents were in. I was glad she had Frank most of all.


Upon our return home, Frances had looked over at me while I drove her home, "How do you and Gerard keep that spark?"

I looked at her and laughed, "What do you mean?"

"You guys have been together for what seems like forever; how do you keep each other entertained?"

"I dunno... We go on dates on Friday's." I answered with a shrug.

"Dates? That's what you all do?"

I laughed, "Yeah, what did you think we do whenever my parents take the girls?"

She looked back and then at me, "Shagging."'

Again, I laughed, "Well, we do that, but we try stuff we don't usually do. We went to a dirty movie theatre last weekend."

"Oh my God! Yuck, you did?"

"Yeah, the tickets were expensive, but well with it. Anyway, that was my idea, Gerard likes to go to art galleries and concerts; we just try new things."

"That's how you all get it to work?"

I hummed, "Yes. Why do you ask?"

"I want to make this work with Frank," she exhaled, "I'm afraid that things will simmer out before I know it."

"I doubt that; besides, Frank is always full of surprises."

Fran laughed, "Yeah, I know."

The rest of the ride to her and Frank's went by quietly. I hugged Fran before she got out; "I'll see you."

She smiled, "See ya."

Fran grabbed her bag and waved to the girls; Busy was the only one asleep. I took off after seeing her go inside. 

Once we got home, Thora whined about her car seat; "Hold your horses."

"B sleep." she muttered.

"I know. Can you go get daddy?"

Thora nodded; I unbuckled her and let her climb out. She rushed off the door, as soon as it opened, she yelped, "Uncle Mikey! Uncle Mikey is here!"

I shook my head and unbuckled Busy's car seat; she slumped over, "Biz? Wake up, we're home."

She groaned, "Nuh-Uh." 

I heard Gerard and Mikey coming with Thora; "She's sleepin'?" Gerard asked.

"Yeah," I exasperated, "She's too heavy for me."

Gerard smiled at me, coursing his hair back, "I got her."

He leaned in and picked her up, "Hey Biz, wakey wakey."

"Daddy, I'm sleepy." she mumbled as she curled up against him.

"I know, you can nap when we get inside."

I grabbed my shopping bag and followed everyone in. 

"What'd you get?" Gerard asked.

"A few fabrics." I shut the door, "What did you guys do?"

"Played some video games." Gerard said with a shrug; he took Busy off to her room.

I plopped down on the couch as Mikey sat on the floor to play with Thora. Gerard strolled back, sitting beside me, "Did you have fun?"

I made a face, "Not really. Biz and Fran went a little crazy looking at the clothes."

"Frank's been prepping for their baby already," Gerard chuckled, "He's really excited."

"Yeah, Fran told me. They're so cute."

"I'm happy for them, I kinda feel bad for Fran, though."

"Me too, but she's lucky to have Frank."

"He's lucky to have her too; I never seen him so happy before."

"Yeah, me either, the both of them."


When Fran's wedding arrived, you could feel the nervousness throughout her dressing room in the church. The girls had their dresses on; Thora pouted while sitting. Fran was buzzing around, shooing her friends from touching her dress and face.

"October, how do I look?" she asked me while her friends stood back.

"You look great," I told her truthfully, "Why?"

"Nervous." she murmured quickly, "God, my stomach is flippin' around and the baby isn't making it better."

"Hey, everything is great." I pat her back, "You look great, and I bet Frank looks great."

She laughed softly, "Yeah, I peeked at his tux last night."

"Take a breath and put on your veil," I gave her a quick hug, "Just think happy thoughts."

Fran nodded, "Yeah, yeah." she spoke slowly.

I gave her another hug before she went to put her veil on. I checked on the girls and sat next to Thora, while Busy twirled in the mirror; "Still hate your dress?" I asked Thora playfully.

She nodded, "I hate it, mama."

"I'm sorry you hate it, baby."

"When I take it off?" she asked.

"After Frankie and Fran get married."

"Before cake?" she asked with a grin.

"Before cake." I kissed the top of her head, "Hang in there."

She exasperated, "Takes forever!"