You Can Cry All You Want To, I Don't Care

I wake up still on the grass, Frank, Pete, Mikey and my dad all sitting around me and I blink a few times before my vision clears and becomes normal again. "Oh thank god" Frank says as he leans down and pulls me up into his arms, helping me slide over and into his lap. I curl up against his chest and I feel a warm hand against my back and when I turn my head it's my dad. "You alright Gee?" He asks and I nod before an odd look crosses his face and I follow his gaze down to the hand Frank has resting on my hip, moms ring shining in the sunlight. "Is that?" "Dad I was gonna talk to you later but, I asked Frank to marry me." Dad, Mikey and Pete all stare at me shocked and I start to panic again. "Gerard you're seventeen." "I know, we're not getting married right this second we're going to wait but, I love him dad and I wanna be with him forever." I feel Franks arms tighten around me and dad says "The ring...." "I didn't think you'd mind, I just...mom wasn't around for this and I wanted her to be a part of it so badly." Dad lets out a sigh before saying "You're too young Gerard," standing up and walking away. I feel my eyes well with tears again and Franks hand slides up to rub up and down my back as he whispers in my ear. "It's ok baby, I'll give the ring back and he'll come around eventually. There's a lot going on right now, just give it some time." "I don't wanna give it back, I want her to be part of this and she's fucking gone and she's not coming back and I..." I break off, sobbing hard and I pull myself out of Franks arms, standing up and running off. I run back across to the cemetery, collapsing to my knees on moms fresh grave, kneeling in the dirt as I stare at the small cross that bears her name until the head stone is layed tomorrow and I sob hysterically. "Mommy.....I need you so badly.....how could you leave me like this? Please......please he doesn't understand....I love him mommy he's everything to me...." I choke out before my sobs escalate and I scream out as pain courses through my body and I lay down in the dirt, curling up into a ball and clawing at the dirt with my hands as I cry. I don't know how long I lay there until warm hands wrap around me and I'm scooped up into Franks arms, being cradled to his chest as he carries me back towards the car. "No Frankie no she can't leave me" I scream out as I bury my face in his neck and sob, his hold on me tightening and I hear voices as we get closer to the hall again, the car parked out the front.

When we get home Frank helps me out of the car and dad tries to talk to me but I spin around and scream at him "No" before running and shoving past Pete and Mikey on my way into the house and I run for the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me and sliding down to sit against it, reaching up and locking the door. A few minutes later a soft knock sounds and I lift my head out of my hands as Franks voice sounds softly "Gee baby please open the door." "I..." I sob out and he says "Come on, let me in, it'll be ok." I slowly slide away from the door after unlocking it and a few seconds later it slowly opens revealing Frank and dad. Frank walks in and kneels beside me and I look over at him, my eyes cloudy with tears and dad walks in, closing the door behind him before sitting on my other side. "Gerard" he starts and I turn my head to look at him, my anger and pain all over my face. "Gerard I know what it's like, I know how it feels to be young and in love, your mother and I were the same. I'm sorry for how I reacted before, it was a huge shock to hear that and to see your moms ring on someone else." "Mr Way I can give it..." Frank starts as he slides the ring off his finger and dad says "No no I would never ask for it back Frank, I know I reacted badly but I understand and I know Donna would want to be a part of your
lives." "Dad I love him" I choke out and his attention turns back to me and he says "I know Gee and I can see he loves you too which is why I'm giving you guys my blessing, but I want you to wait until you guys are ready, don't rush into it." We both nod and dad leans over and pulls us into his arms, giving us a three way hug before pulling away again, reaching out a hand to stroke over both of our hair as he says "Welcome to the family Frank." After he leaves the room Frank helps me up and leads me into my room, helping me pick out some clean comfy pyjamas and grabbing his own before taking me back to the bathroom and starting to run a bath. Once it's done he helps me out of my suit and into the large tub and I lay back, Frank kneeling on the floor beside the tub and talking to me to calm me down again. "I love you so much baby and I'm so proud of how you handled everything today" he tells me and I nod but don't say anything back. We sit in silence for a few seconds before I say "Will you get in too?" Frank nods and stands, undressing himself and sliding in behind me, letting me lay back against his chest and I close my eyes, feeling relaxed now that Franks arms are around me and his heart beat is sounding in my ear.

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