The Hardest Part Is Letting Go Of Your Dreams

The next morning I wake up with a huge smile on my face, still wrapped in Franks arms. "Hey beautiful" he croons out, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead and I snuggle closer into his chest, chasing the warmth he's radiating. We lay in silence for a while, listening to the sounds in the apartment. We hear Ruby get up and use the bathroom before wandering through the apartment and into the living room, turning on the tv. I tilt my head to look up at Frank and say "I can't believe how much she's grown up." Frank smiles and nods, adding "Yeah she's like a teenager somedays. I think she's getting her sassiness from you just so you know." I chuckle and playfully push him before sitting up and saying "Come on, you're gonna make me breakfast." Frank chuckles and gets up saying "Yeah sure thing princess. What would you like?" I turn to look at him, sticking my tongue out at him before saying "Surprise me." We both pull on clothes and leave the room hand in hand, Frank going into the kitchen and me joining Ruby on the couch. "Hi daddy" she greets me, climbing across and curling up on my lap, snuggling into my chest for warmth. "Hey baby girl" I say back, wrapping my arms around her and kissing the top of her head. "Not a baby daddy" she frowns up at me and I chuckle before saying "I'm so sorry. My big grown lady." She frowns at me again and I poke my tongue out at her, making her giggle and do it back before turning her gaze towards the tv again. We watch tv for a while until Frank calls us to the table where french toast and crispy bacon is waiting for us. Ruby's eyes light up as she climbs into her seat next to me. "Wow daddy" she exclaims, not getting bacon very often. Frank smiles and leans in to kiss the top of her head as he passes to get us coffee. When he brings the cups back over I pout and he chuckles, leaning in to kiss the top of my head too. I smile up at him and he smiles back before rounding the table and getting Ruby some juice, joining us at the table. While we eat Ruby looks over at me drinking my coffee and says "Can I try daddy?" I look over at Frank smiling before turning to her and saying "You wanna try my coffee?" She nods and I shrug before holding the cup to her mouth, the coffee having cooled quite a bit. I tip it so she gets a small mouthful before pulling the cup away from her mouth and she makes a funny face as she swallows before saying "Eww yucky daddy" causing Frank and I to laugh. Ruby frowns at us laughing at her before turning back to her breakfast, making me laugh harder.

After breakfast I tell Ruby to go get dressed and Frank and I get ready to leave too, planning on spending the day as a family and taking Ruby to the movies again. The whole walk there Ruby asks where we're going and we refuse to tell her, making her sigh like a teenager and we try not to laugh at her. When we stop at the theatre her eyes light up and she looks up at me. "Are we going here daddy?" She asks and I smile down at her and nod, causing her to jump around and cheer, telling Frank about last time we came here. As we walk inside I point to the poster for the Lego Movie and Ruby's eyes light up saying "See that one daddy." I smile and nod, letting her know that's why we're here and she wraps her arms around my waist, trying to climb me so I bend down and help her up, settling her on my hip as Frank goes to buy tickets and we head to the candy bar. "What are we gonna have baby?" "Daddy" she says, warning me and I laugh along with the assistant behind the counter. "So sorry my big grown lady, what would you like?" She frowns at me again before pointing out what she wants and I buy a few different types of candy and some popcorn, getting Ruby a small bottle of juice and Frank and I some water. I put Ruby down so I can pay, handing her the packets of candy and tucking the drinks under my arm as I take the popcorn and we walk across the lobby towards Frank. "Look daddy" she chirps, showing Frank what we bought and he smiles at her before we walk through the doors to the theatre, handing our tickets to the attendant there. After the movie Ruby is hyped up on sugar and is jumping around as we walk through the lobby to leave. "Wow daddy did you see..." She babbles on, telling us all the bits she liked from the movie. We walk down the street hand in hand, Ruby still babbling excitedly when I spot a unfortunately familiar face in the crowd. I clear my throat, getting Franks attention and his head snaps up, looking over at me before following my gaze and seeing Ruby's mother just ahead of us, her having spotted us too. I stop walking, unsure of what to do, feeling fear spread through my body as Ruby stops talking
and whimpers next to me, her babbling ceasing immediately as her grip on my hand tightens, having spotted her too.

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