The Hardest Part Is Letting Go Of Your Dreams

After I turn the oven off I take Ruby's hand and say "Ok Rubes it's bath time," leading her from the room and taking her into the bathroom. Once the bath is run she undresses herself and I help her climb in, handing her a wash cloth and making sure she cleans herself properly. After she's clean I let her play for a while and Frank comes in, grabbing my arm and saying "Come with me." "No, Ruby's not done yet" I tell him and he says "She'll be fine for a minute," pulling me off the floor and dragging me from the room. Once we get into the hallway I yank my arm from his hold and hiss out "What do you want?" "Babe, I'm sorry ok, what do I have to do to make this up to you?" I stare at him in disbelief. "Do you have any idea how fucking upset Ruby was when I told her her fish were dead? It was fucking heart breaking listening to her sob her eyes out and I had to be the one to tell her and deal with that when you're the fucking asshole who did that to her. And where were you when this was taking place? Sleeping off last nights bender which I begged you not to take part in. Not to mention you pushed me and took a swing at me last night. I don't know if there is making up for this." Frank takes a deep breath before taking a step towards me, backing me against the wall, his hands gripping at my hips as he leans in and kisses me, catching me off guard. I brace my hands against his chest and attempt to shove him off but he grabs my wrists and pins them down at my sides before leaning in and kissing me again. I turn my head and he attaches his lips to my jaw instead, laying soft kisses up and down my jawline. "Stop" I beg him and he ignores me, continuing to lay kisses down my neck. "Stop" I say again and Frank pulls away and stares into my eyes. "Babe I love you, come on. I'm sorry and I know I fucked up so badly but please, I feel so bad about what happened and I don't know what to do to make it up to you." "Don't worry about me, you owe Ruby." Frank swallows hard and nods before letting me go and we go back into the bathroom, Frank helping Ruby out of the bath.

That after Ruby goes to bed I climb into bed while Frank is in the living room, watching tv. I'm almost asleep when Frank comes in and climbs in next to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me back against his chest. He starts pressing soft kisses to the back of my neck and I go rigid before relaxing into it. After a few minutes I roll over and seal my lips to his, giving in and kissing back, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. We make out heatedly for a few minutes before we pull apart panting for breath. "I love you" he pants out and I reply "I love you too, even when you're being an asshole." Frank chuckles and smirks at me before leaning back in and kissing me again. When we pull apart again I say "She wants a bird." "What?" He asks, confused. "Ruby was playing with the birds at the pet store, she wants a bird." Frank smiles and nods, pecking my nose before I roll over and he cuddles me close, pressing against my back and we fall asleep. The next morning I wake up and Frank isn't in bed next to me. I get up and go into the kitchen to make some coffee when he comes in the front door carrying a small bird cage with two small birds that Ruby wanted in it. I smile over at him and he keeps walking, going into Ruby's room and leaving the cage on the floor, waiting for her when she wakes up. He comes back into the kitchen and wraps his arms around me, pressing a soft kiss to my lips before stealing my cup of coffee. "Hey" I protest, but I'm cut off by Ruby screaming "Birdies" before running into the kitchen with a huge smile on her face. "Birdies daddy" she chirps out before running back to her room. Frank and I follow her, standing in the doorway and watching her play with them, sticking her little fingers through the bars of the cage and letting the birds peck and nibble at them while she squeals and giggles.

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