The Hardest Part Is Letting Go Of Your Dreams

The next three days pass quickly, Frank and I getting along a lot better than we have been recently. Ruby and I are out shopping and decide to stop in and visit him at work but when we walk in the door I freeze in my tracks. Frank is behind the counter, leaning forward with a huge smile on his face and a woman with long black hair is on this side of the counter, leaning in towards him and they both start laughing. The bell over the door alerts them to my presence and they both turn, Franks face paling immediately when he sees me, Lindsey looking surprised to see me. I grab Ruby swinging her up onto my hip as I turn and walk back out the door, rushing down the street. I hear Frank calling my name but I keep walking, almost running, desperate to get away from him. Once we're a few blocks from the store I slow down, tears pricking my eyes and Ruby says "Don't cry daddy." "I'm ok baby" I tell her and she pats my cheek. My cell starts ringing in my pocket and I stop and put her down, pulling it from my pocket, expecting it to be Frank but it's the real estate agent. "Hi Mr Way, I'm just calling to let you know your application for the apartment was successful." I sniffle a little, trying to collect myself as a huge smile spreads across my face. "Thank you so much." "You're free to come in whenever you can to sign the lease." "I'll be there this afternoon" I tell her and we hang up. "Guess what baby girl, we're moving into the apartment with the Princess room." "Yay" she screams, jumping up and down. I scoop her up again and we hail a cab, going to the real estate office. Once I've signed the paperwork and paid the first months rent the agent tells us we can pick the keys up from her in two days time, the apartment ready a little earlier than anticipated. We head home and I grab more boxes from the laundry, Ruby and I packing up her room. We are half done when Frank comes home, walking into her room and grabbing my arm, pulling me up off the floor. "Let go of me" I snap, pulling my arm from his hold. "Come with me, I'm not doing this infront of Ruby." I stand and follow, only for Ruby's sake. We go into the bedroom and close the door. "Babe" he starts and I shake my head, holding my hands up to stop him. "No, it's done. I fucking forgave you and I believed you when you told me you weren't talking to her anymore. How stupid of me right? You guys must be in fucking hysterics behind my back. But don't worry Frank, in two days I'll be out of here, forever and we won't have to play this fucked up game anymore. Then you can feel free to fuck whoever you want." Frank gasps before saying "What? You're not leaving Gerard." "Yeah I am, I signed the lease today, it's done. Ruby and I are leaving." Frank backs me against the wall, his hands gripping tight around my upper arms. "You can't take Ruby from me" he spits out and I shake my head. "She's coming with me Frank. You can still see her but I'm taking her with me." "No, she's not going and neither are you." "Let go of me right now Frank. You did this so fucking deal with it, I'm not doing this with you anymore." I try to shove him off me and he stumbles back before straightening up and back handing me across the face. "Daddy" Ruby screams, having come into the room without us knowing. Frank freezes and I rush over and pick her up. Ruby stares wide eyed at the red mark on my cheek and jaw and as Frank takes a step towards us she screams out "No, bad daddy." I turn and leave the room, going back to Ruby's room and sitting on the bed, cuddling her close while she whimpers. "It's ok baby, daddy's ok" I whisper to her as she continues to whimper. After a few minutes she pulls back and presses a soft kiss to my throbbing cheek. "Owie daddy" she says and I nod, kissing her forehead before saying "Let's keep packing ok?"

That night Ruby and I sleep together on the couch, Ruby not wanting to be left alone. By the time we wake up the next morning Frank is gone from the apartment. Ruby and I spend the day finishing packing and organising movers to come get our stuff the following day. Late in the afternoon Frank comes home and comes into the kitchen while I'm cooking dinner, grabbing my arm and turning me to face him. Before I can open my mouth to speak he drops to his knees and holds out his hand, my wedding band laying on his palm. "Please don't go" he pleads and I feel my eyes well with tears for the millionth time and I shake my head. "I'm sorry but it's too late. I can't do this anymore." Frank stands up, running from the room as tears stream down his face. I finish dinner in tears, struggling to pull myself together as I call Ruby to the table. The two of us eat together, Franks plate of food sitting untouched.

Notes

So this story is wrapping up and only has a few chapters left. Thanks so much to everyone who is reading this and commenting, your support means a lot : )