Gerards POV

"So tell me, what did Mikey say about coming here?"Frank asked, his voice rumbling beneath my head. We were on my bed, Frank stretched out on one side and me lying the wrong way with my head on his chest. He was softly stroking my now, thankfully, clean hair. My roses were sitting in a big batman coffee mug on the windowsill of my room. I had dropped a few drops of water and now they dew drops were glistening in the sun, casting mottled spots onto the wall in some places.

"Oh yeah. I was cleaning the kitchen and he called, asked what we're doing over your birthday. I told him you wanted to go out to them and see them and he said thats what they wanted but because its your 18th they think you should be with LInda. You know, significant birthday and all. And I said you wanted to see them all and he said that he can solve that problem because Pete's parents are letting them come out here and Ray's Mum doesnt mind so long as he is safe and then, god knows how, Pete managed to convince his Mum to convince Bob's Mum to let him join us."

"Fuck thats awesome. That is probably the best present. Being able to see everyone on my actual birthday and not just through a fucking skype call at the library."
"Wait til you get my present. You'll be eating your words,"I dont know why I said it. I still didn't know what I was getting him yet.
"I better be,"Frank sighed happily. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of the sun on my stomach and legs.

"Oh fuck off,"I groaned as my phone started ringing Mikey's ringtone.
"Just leave it,"Frank stopped me from getting up. I looked up at him and sighed.
"I cant. Its Mikey. It could be important,"I sighed and moved Frank's hand away from my chest and stood up. I snatched my phone from my nightstand and opened the call.

"Hey Mikey. Whatsup?"I said and lay down next to Frank. He snuggled into me and put his head on my chest.
"Gerard? Is Frank with you?"Mikey said in a dead tone.
"Uh- yeah he is. Mikey is everything okay? You sound w-"
"Put it on speaker. Cole is here and would like to say something,"Mikey interrupted me.

I put it on speaker and held it out for us to listen.
"Gerard? Frank? I still hate you. All of you. But I'm sorry. I- got ahead of myself,"Cole sounded different. Weaker. Like he had aged a thousand years.
"Uh..."Frank uttered out and looked at me. I was just as shocked as he looked.
"So um. Yeah. I forgive you for- messing up my body Gerard. So we good?"There was that superior demanding tone.
"Uh- I- I guess so... I mean, I still hate you for everything you did you disgusting son of a bitch but- um... I dunno..."Frank scratched his head.

"I hope you're enjoying art school and work... Where ever you are anyway. You guys deserve at least that,"Cole sounded so vulnerable.
"Yeah uh- en-enjoy being out. Um. I guess,"I shrugged my shoulders at Frank's confused face.
Cole cleared his throat and said,"Yup um. Can you tell Lily that I'm sorry? I never meant to- to do that to her... I just lost control and went too far..."
"I'll do that for you Cole,"Frank said quietly.

"You guys okay?"Mikey returned to the phone.
"Yeah,"Frank grabbed the phone from me and stared at it angrily,"What the fuck?"
"Hello to you too Frank. Listen, Cole came back here a couple of days ago. Yesterday he came to me at work and apologised. He said sorry for everything he's ever done to us. Then he asked where you guys are and-"
"You didnt tell him did you?"I burst out. Fuck. I wouldnt put it past Cole to fake all this shit and try to get revenge or whatever. He was too good at holding grudges.

"No, jesus, I'm not that stupid. Give me some credit Gee. I just said that you'd moved for your art school. Dont worry. But anyway, he asked if I could call you but I was at work so I had to find him hust now. God the school's cafetaria stinks."Mikey's sigh rattled the speaker.
"Are you at school now?"Frank said incredulously.
"Yeah... Man, I almost feel bad for him. He's sitting by himself just staring at his food..."
"Jesus. Wonder what prison was like for him..."Frank looked odd,"He deserves everything thats coming to him,"He said, suddenly firm and certain.

"Mikey we gotta go,"I sighed, remembering the peace I had felt what seemed like forever ago. Frank was getting weird as well,"Frank and I have some stuff to do before we go to Linda's."
Alright well, once we sort out the dates and shit I'll- get fucked you dick,"Mikey snarled,"Fucking douche bag thinking I have something to do with shit."
"What? To do with what? What shit?"I sat up straight, ignoring the head rush.
"Nothing. So uh yeah I'll uh call you aha bye guys,"And then he was gone.

"The fuck?"I looked down at Frank. He looked just as confused as I was feeling,"I'm gonna call him back."
"No Gerard. You can ask him what he is on about when he calls. Lie back down with me,"Frank patted the bed behind me, a flash of lust flickering across his face. I smiled and slowly lay back down.

We were silent for a few minutes before Frank broke it,"Whats this stuff you and I have to do?"
"Well we have to finish putting the decorations up after our relaxation,"I murmered, feeling sleep start to wash over me.
"Do you think maybe we could fit in a ma- Gerard are falling asleep?"Frank sighed,"Damn. I was hoping for a make out but if you're that tired..."

My eyes flew open to see Frank grin widely down at me,"I'm awake. I'm awake. I'm... I will... I'm awake."I babbled.
Frank let out a giggle and kissed me on the nose,"Dont worry. That was just to wake you up. Cause you're right. Mum wants me home in an hour and we dont have time for anything like that. But if you stay the night... Well thats a different story,"Frank kissed me on the lips.
"You suck dude. I thought I was gonna get to make out."I grumbled and sat up.

"I know I do. Come on,"Frank slapped me on the shoulder and then the bed tilted as he got up. I rolled my shoulders backward and stood up.
"So tell me, why are you decorating? We'll be having the party at Mums. You know that right?"Frank said as he started stretching fake spider web everywhere.
"Which party though?"I raised an eyebrow at him as I somehow pulled two sets of lights away from each other.
"Um... My birthday slash halloween party?"Frank looked at me like an idiot.

"Frank you arent getting it. I wanna have another party. Once The guys get here. The best one will be your birthday at Linda's but I want one for just us and the guys and a few friends from school and work."I stared hard around the room,"Where should these go?"
"Oh. Well thats actually a pretty cool idea. Uh maybe around this table? I'm assuming this is where food will go?"Frank pointed to where he had finished with the web and was sprinkling plastic spiders everywhere.

"Guess so,"I dragged them over and started looping them around everything. I picked up the photo with me and Frank at Disneyland and took it into my bedroom. No way was I having this broken. We had just gotten off of Splash Mountain and we were both soaked to the bone. Franks long hair was plastered around his face and mine had been cut short just the day before so I was fine. But we were smiling and the sun was setting behind the ride and even though most of the shit on the mountain was fake, it was a beauitful sight. The fact that there was a grinning Frank with his hand in mine just made it so much better. This was only two months ago and already my hair was just starting to come down into my eyes.

"Gerard?"Frank came in and made me realise I had been staring at it for a while.
"I love you, Pumpkin. Dont ever forget that,"I turned and faced him, setting it down on the bed.
"I love you too. Now come on, I aint doing this myself,"Frank smiled and pulled me back into the lounge.

-time lapse-

"Frankie! Look what I can do!"Claire screamed at us when we walked in.
"Hey kiddo. You been practicing?"Frank swung her up onto his shoulders as I shut the front door.
"Yeah! Come see!"Claire clapped her hands as Frank pretended to wobble into the lounge.

"Hi boys,"Linda called from the kitchen. I could smell a roast chicken cooking and it made my mouth water. I followed Frank into the lounge where he was perched on the floor in front of the fireplace and Claire was getting her fingers in position for a chord.
"Thats so good Claire!"Frank stared in awe as she managed to change chords finally. For her birthday in march Frank had gotten her a small acoustic guitar and had started to teach her to play. She was an extremely fast learner and was already starting to learn her first song, American Idiot. The only trouble she had was changing chords smoothly and without stopping.

"Claire I'm so proud of you. Well done,"Frank hugged her as Linda walked in the room.
"She's been practicing those two chords for an hour, desperate for you to get hime,"She smiled and flung the tea towel in her hands over her shoulder,"Claire, go and wash up for dinner aye? And tell your sister to as well,"Linda called as Claire ran upstairs.

Frank moved from the floor and sat down next to me. I put my arm around him and closed my eyes. I was so fucking tired all of a sudden.
"Are you boys okay?"Linda sat down in front of us on the coffee table,"I heard about Cole."
"Yeah he uh he got Mikey and-"
"What?!"Linda cutover Frank.
"No, Mum, listen. He went to his work and said sorry yesterday. Then today Mikey called us and put Cole on the phone. He apologised and told me to tell... Lily... Spea of the devil,"Frank's eyes had narrowed and he was pushing himself up from the couch,"Speak of the devil..."

Lily slowly edged into the lounge looking nervous and scared. I didnt blame her. Frank looked fucking scary. He was staring at a boy behind her. He was slightly taller than Lily and he had mostly black hair just above his shoulders but the front of it was a bright burnt orange. He had a skull dangling from his right ear and his blue eyes were surrounded with thick eyeliner. The tension in the room was ridiculously high. I stood up and stood next to Frank. Jesus, I could feel his fear and anger coming off of him.

"Frank this is Sam,"Lily said nervously, tugging Sam further into the room. The poor guy looked terrified.
"Sam! The famous Sam! I've heard so much about you. Come. Come sit. Sit,"Frank grabbed him and dragged him into the armchair next to the fireplace.
"Frank what are you-"It was useless. Frank was completely focused on this guy. Lily took a step closer to them, uncertain of what was going to happen.

"So tell me about yourself. What music do you like? Are you a homophobe? You planning on kidnapping and raping Lily?"
"Frank! Frank stop. Just-"Lily grabbed him and pulled him round to face her,"Fucking stop it. I told you about him. He is fine. I'm fine. I trust him. Okay?"She gave him an equally scary look, meaning they had talked about this before. Lots.

Sam stood up and said quietly,"I uh I like lots of music. But I have two favourite bands, All Time Low and the other band I cant remember the name of. Something to do with chemistry. My best friend's brother is in All Time Low and knows the band. They came here for a visit and showed me these songs from this band. They're fucking genius. Apparently they were about to be signed and then two of the members just disappeared. I'm not a homophobe either. The singer and my best friends brother are together. And I think Jack said something about two of the guys from the other band being together or something. As for the kidnapping and raping? No. I would never do that to anyone. My sister was raped once and its- not nice. No. Linda, did Claire say dinner was ready?"Sam turned to her. His face was flushed and his eyes were shining but Lily was grinning at him and Frank was looking completely confused.

"Nice,"I nodded at Sam. He grinned and followed Lily into the dining room.
"How- how many times have you been here before?"Frank said slowly. He was still standing, staring at nothing.
"Come on, we'll talk at the dinner table,"I sighed and pulled him with me. We all sat down at the table and started to eat.

"Wait- where's Claire?"Frank dropped his knife and fork and stared round the table,"CLAIRE?!"He bellowed, giving us all a fright,"Shit. I'll go see where she is."
"I'll come with you,"I scraped back my chair and followed Frank out of the dining room in a rush.
"Claire? Hey kiddo where are you?"Frank thumped up the stairs and burst into her room.

She was sitting against her bed crying,"Go away Frankie,"She sniffed. I stopped and waited outside the door.
"Hey Claire, whats wrong?"Frank softly closed the door behind him.
"I cant play..."Claire's voice got quieter as I went back downstairs.
"She okay?"Linda looked up at my sad face.
"Yeah she is just a bit upset over not being able to play or something. Frank's dealing with her,"I sighed and sat back down.
"Oh my poor baby,"Linda sighed.

Frank and Claire walked in and sat down without a word.
"Sorry I'm late to dinner everyone..."Claire sniffed a few seconds later.
"Its alright sweetie,"Linda smiled. Frank looked interesting. He was hungry, angry, worried and, my god, horny. He had that look in his eyes and I knew one of us would be staying at the others tonight.

"So Sam. How's school going?"Linda broke the awjward silence that had settled.
"Hows school? Mum you should be finding out if he has serial killer tendancies,"Frank grumbled.
"Frank,"Lily stopped moving and stared at him,"Will you just stop? Has it not occurred to you that not every person I meet is a pyschopathic dick? That maybe there are awesome people in the world that actually want to be my friend?"Lily glared daggers at Frank.

"You'll have to excuse Frank. He can be a bit over protective of Lily sometimes,"Linda sighed.
"Over protective? Mum, he's acting like a fucking nut job,"Lily jabbed her knife in Frank's direction.
I could see Frank gearing himself up for a counter attack so I turned to Sam's flushed and awkward face,"Hey Sam. All Time Low. That name sounds familiar. Where are they from?"

Frank was rambling about his every right to protect Lily now. This was gonna take a turn for the worst.
"I uh-"Sam glanced at the quarreling Lily and Frank. Linda had her head in her hands and Claire was oblivious as she played with her food. Sam shrugged his shouldres and said,"They used to live in Jersey but when my best friend's dad got sick a few months ago they all moved over here for Jack."
"Wow thats pretty awesome of them!"I shouted over the top of Frank and Lily's shouting. I looked down to where Linda was watching them.

"Let them get it out,"Linda mouthed when she caught my eye. I nodded and sat back in my seat to watch the show.
"... dont need your protection! I'm a big girl Frank I think I can handle the big bad world without you!"Lily screeched.
"You got yourself kidnapped and raped! Dont you go telling me you handle the big bad fucking world without me because you fucking cant!"Frank glared back.

"Got myself? Yeah, thats right, I wanted Cole to come in and rape me and kidnap me while you were out doing god knows what with fucking Ryan,"Lily said sarcastically,"Just get fucked you stupid fucking faggot!"
I froze. As soon as she'd said it she regretted it. You could tell by the way her face fell, rapidly draining of colour. Frank slowly stood up next to me. I saw the hurt in his eyes for a second before they clouded over,"You bitch,"He whispered.

"Alright!"Linda stood up and thumped her fist on the table. We all jumped and looked at her,"I will not have you calling each other names like that. Both of you. Rooms. Now,"Linda glared at them both.
"I'm staying at Gerard's tonight,"Frank took a step away from the table.
"But Frankie you said you would sleep here,"Claire whined, suddenly tuned in to what was going on.
"I know kiddo. I'm sorry but I dont- I cant tonight. Hey. What if,"Frank glanced at me,"What if you stay the night with Gerard and I?"

"Yeah!"Claire squealed and clapped her hands.
"Frank its a school night,"Linda sighed,"Claire finish your dinner. Lily, I said go to your room. Now. Sam, I'm sorry about all this. Would you like me to give you a lift home or do you want to call your parents?"
"I'll call my Dad,"Sam smiled and stood up, pulling out his phone as he left the room.

"I promise I wont keep her up late like last time. And I dont start work til ten so I can take her to school no problem,"Frank waggled his eyebrows at her. He was putting up a front, hiding just how hurt he really was. Lily was still standing there, unsure if she should try talk to him. She caught my eye and I shook my head at her.
"I'll handle him,"I mouthed as Linda sighed and nodded and Frank.
"Go pack her stuff,"Linda fell back down into her seat with a huff as Lily rushed out and upstairs.

Sam came back into the room and said,"My Dad will be here in half an hour. Want some help cleaning up?"
Frank rolled his eyes as he grabbed me and dragged me out of the room. I could here Linda grumbling about him doing nothing around the house.
"Frankie-"I started to say.
"Later. When we get to yours. I dont wanna talk about it right now. Just wait til Claires in bed,"Frank said quietly.

I nodded even though he was in front of me. Frank had somehow gotten it into his head that it was his fault Cole was able to do that to Lily. He said that if he hadnt been walking the streets feeling sorry for himself he would have been there to take her place. No matter what I did or said, I couldnt change his mind and it sucked.
"Frank wait,"Lily said from her bedroom as we passed. Frank ignored her and shut Claire's bedroom door once we were inside.

"You know!"Lily yelled through the door,"You go on about protecting me but if you had actually done that in the first place, Cole wouldnt have been able to hurt me!"Lily thumped the door and stomped back to her room, slamming the door behind her.
I was so fucking angry all of a sudden,"That bitch!"I hissed.
"Gerard dont,"Frank sighed and sat down on Claire's bed.
"How fucking dare she!"I started pacing out my anger.
"Gerard!"Frank shouted, making me freeze in my tracks,"Cool it."

I took a deep breath and sat down next to him,"You know its not your fault right?"
Frank sighed heavily and looked at me through the side of his hair,"Is it though? If I had just gotten over myself then I would have been there. He wouldnt have even touched her..."

God, he sounded so dead and ashamed. I cupped his face in my hands and looked him in the eyes,"Frank. You have to believe me when I say this. It is not your fault. You couldnt have known that Cole was gonna go nuts. Okay? It was just bad luck that you werent there that night,"I kissed him,"There. I sealed it with a kiss. Its true."
"Frank giggled and fell on me,"Fuck. I ruined dinner didnt I?"
"That you did,"I sighed as I stroked his hair.

"I'll pack Claire's things then say sorry,"Frank groaned and stood up. Claire burst into the room, her face scrubbed clean of gravy and a grin on her face.
"Frankie are you taking me to school tomorrow?"
"That I am kiddo,"Frank chucked her school bag at me. He grabbed another bag and started sticking her clothes inside as I swung her bag onto my back.
"Do you have to go to work straight after?"Claire sat said as she climbed onto my lap.

"Not straight away. Why, you got a painting you wanna show me?"Frank nodded at me. I scooped Claire up and stood up.
"Yeah! Its one of you and Mummy and Lily and Gerard!"Claire giggled. I followed Frank into the dark hallway.
"Awesome. Hey Claire, you wanna grab your toothbrush and I'll meet you downstairs?"
"Okay!"Claire somhow jumped out of my arms and ran into the bathroom.

"Gerard what are you doing tomorrow?"Frank asked as we walked downstairs.
"I am..."What was I doing tomorrow? I had no idea,"I'm not sure. I think I'll call Mikey and settle the details. I dunno. Not much at all."
"Okay well do you wanna come by work at about uh... I start at ten... Get my break aaaattt... 3. Come by at 3 and we can grab a late lunch together,"Frank smiled.
"Deal. Do you want me to drive us?"
"Uh yeah... Hey Mum?"Frank rounded into the kitchen. Linda was next to Sam, elbow deep in hot soapy water and Sam was drying dishes, humming quietly.

"Mmm?"Linda glanced at Frank.
"I dont finish til 6 tomorrow so you'll have to pick Claire up after school,"Frank leant against the island bench top.
"I'll get her,"I said,"Cause her things will be at mine so I can take those, grab her from school and drop her home."
"What about our late lunch date?"Frank asked as Claire came running into the room.

"Oh um... What if she joins us? Then we can take her home afterwards."I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Sounds good. You ready to go kiddo?"Frank handed me the car keys.
"Yup."Claire smiled. She gave Frank her toothbrush and went to Linda.

"You be good okay sweetie? I'll see you tomorrow alright?"
"Love you Mummy,"Claire hugged her tight.
Linda kissed her on the cheek, putting lipstick on her face,"I love you too."

"Right come on. Lets get going. I'm exhausted,"Frank sighed.
"I'll see you tomorrow then Frank. I want you home tomorrow night okay?"Linda gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"Yeah okay. You better sort her out,"Frank glanced at the door as Lily slowly walked in.
"I'm leaving that for you, Frank. Go. Its getting late. Love you,"Linda pushed Frank away.
"Love you Mum,"Frank grabbed my hand and Claires hand and started walking out.

"Frank. Please. I'm sorry okay?"Lily said behind us. Frank continued ignoring her. As we went outside I heard her start crying. Frank wordlessly helped Claire into the backseat then climbed in the front. I looked at him from my seat and sighed. He was doing that whole 'depressed stare out the window' thing. The drive to mine was just as silent but once we were inside Claire started going on about the decorations and Frank was telling her about Mikey and the others coming over.

"Frank, its almost 8 o'clock. I think she needs to get to bed, dont you?"I sighed. Claire yawned just to emphasize this.
"Claire! Bed! Now! Go!"Frank stood up and towered over her on the couch.
Claire giggled and stood up straight. She saluted Frank and said,"Sir yes sir!"

Frank grinned as she ran into the spare bedroom, giggling the whole way,"I'll sort her out, do you wanna go get the bed ready?"
"Yeah sure,"I smiled and went into my bedroom. The first thing I noticed was the stench of alcohol mixed with- blood? I turned the light on and almost jumped out of my skin.
"Jim? What the hell are you doing in here?"I quickly closed the door before Claire heard he was here. She liked to play hide and seek with him sometimes.
"I'm sorry Gerard. I didn't know what to do though and- I wanted to talk to you about it but you weren't here so I- I waited,"Jim sniffed.

He was sitting on my bed with his back to me, staring out the window.
"Jim, whats happened? Are you- jesus,"I moved round to his side of the bed and gasped. He was soaked in blood. Absolutely covered,"Jim what the hell happened? Is that- your blood or- or someone elses?"

"I- I didnt mean to..."Jim whispered. He looked down at his bruised and bloody hands. I could barely breathe.
"Jim what did you do?"I sat down next to him. Fuck, the sheets were gonna be stained with blood.
"I got home and he- they were drinking beer in our bed and... She- I just got so mad you know? That horrible uncontrollable rage that just makes you shake and want to cry and rip someones head off all at the same time. I couldnt calm down. She said she- I was scaring her and- she moved away from me and knocked a beer bottle to the floor and I just snapped. Gerard I killed him. I took a mans life away..."Jim put his hands in his head and started sobbing.

"Jim I'll be back. Dont move okay?"I slowly stood. I put what I hoped was a reassuring hand on his shoulder before rushing out o the bedroom. Frank was just closing the door to Claire's room.
"She's finally falling asleep. I had to tell her a fucking story,"Franks eyes dropped from my stricken face to my hand,"Thats blood Gerard why is there blood on your hand?"
"We've got a problem."