"How do you know Cas?"Claire asked suddenly. I stared at her in shock. We had just been talking about Patrick and Lindsay's wedding.
"I-"
"I know, random change of subject but its been bothering me since I heard him say he'd see you at work. You don't work with him though."

"I- Claire it's a difficult question that I don't think I should answer,"I sighed, looking away from her sleepy face, covered in cuts. Lily was asleep in the chair next to her bed, resting her head on the side. Her hand loosely wrapped around Claire's.

"Why not?"
"Be- because it's adult stuff sweetie. Just leave it alone okay?"I said firmly.
"Fine I'll just ask Cas,"She muttered.
"No dont. Just do what I said and leave it alone alright?It's got nothing to do with you and its private. It's between me and Castiel."

"You can't have known him for very long if you're still calling him Castiel. He hates that,"She said matter of factly.
"Whatever Claire,"I slid further down into my seat,"You should get some sleep."
"Kay Frankie. It's good to have you back,"She yawned.

I watched as she closed her eyes and snuggled closer to Lily. Within a few minutes she was asleep, her soft breathing filling the room. I was just about to doze off when Lily lifted her head up.

"Frank how do you know Cas?"She asked me straight away. After we had gotten over the initial shock of seeing each other, we had caught up on everything the other had been doing. Lily was in a very good position in the real estate and was getting ready to have her first ad put on a bus stop seat. She owned all the furniture in her apartment and was earning enough for her and Claire to live but only just.

"I uh-"
"You did not sleep with him,"She looked at me incredulously,"He is married."
"Can we not do this in front of his daughters' best friend?"I glared at her as I stood up. She was silent as she got up and we both walked out of Claire's room.

"Frank what the hell?"
"Lily you have no idea so just shut up and let me explain. It was on my first night here, a week ago. I went to a bar to get dinner. He bought me a drink. We got drunk and went back to my hotel and had a threesome with-"I snapped my mouth shut, regretting saying it was a threesome.

"You had a threesome?!"She shouted. A nurse passing by gave us a dirty look,"Sorry."
"We were all drunk okay? I know this doesn't excuse it for Castiel or Max. I had no idea either of them were with someone okay? None of the repercussions are my fault. I am single and I was dr-"

"Wait you're single?"Lily cut over me.
"I- yes...?"I watched as a few emotions ran across her face before she settled on confusion.
"But I thought you and Gerard were-"
"No. No we're not. How did you not know that?"I asked bitterly.
"What the hell happened?"

-time lapse-

"Frank you are such a dweeb,"Lily sighed and pulled me in for a hug. I wrapped my arms around her and felt like it was 10 years ago when I had cried on her shoulder when Mrs Macy had called me a disgusting fag. I was only fourteen years old. Lily was only thirteen.
"It doesn't matter anymore though because I'm dealing with my problems,"I sniffed, struggling to hold in my real emotions.

If I told her I missed Gerard the tiniest bit then she would force me to contact him. I knew that no good would come of that. The last time I saw him was proof that we just couldn't be around each other anymore. But that didn't stop me missing the way he would always play with my hands or the way he would smoke, always from the right side of his mouth.

"Oh... another thing,"I sighed, knowing she would be pissed off,"I've started smoking again..."
"Oh Frank,"She grumbled.
"I haven't had them very often just once or twice a week."

Gerard and I had quit smoking together. Saying that we were doing it for Lily, Claire and ourselves. We had both done a really good job but once I went to prison I had started up again. I was used to only having one or two a week though so it was affordable for me right now.

"Well, you can stop that right now,"Lily stood up from the seat we were sitting on.
"Well it'll be easier once you move back in I guess,"I sighed and stood up as well.
"What do you mean?"Lily looked at me.
"Well the girls dont really give a damn about my smoking but once you and Claire have moved back I'll find it easier to give up."

"Frank we're not moving back to San Diego..."Lily said slowly.
I froze,"What?"
"We- we're not moving back to San Diego,"She repeated, starting to walk back to Claire's room.
"But I- why not?"I moved in front of her to stop her walking.

"We have a life here Frank. I've got a great job and Claire's doing great in school. We've both got friends we trust and love. What on earth made you think we would move back to San Diego?"She chuckled and sidestepped me.
"Don't laugh and walk away,"I grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face me again.

"Don't you want to come back to your home?"
"We have a home. It's the apartment I worked my butt off to get. Its filled with furniture I paid for with money that I earned. Frank, you cannot seriously think that we're just going to uproot our lives because you're back in the picture..."Lily looked at me seriously.

"I dont- I dont know I just miss you guys. I miss being in that house with you guys and Mum and... stuff..."I trailed off, looking down at my feet.
"I know Frank. We both miss it too. But that place just has bad memories for Claire. Nana Kat took us to get our stuff and Claire broke down. I had to grab everything for her while Nana kat stayed in the car and comforted her. I won't bring Claire back there. I won't."

I nodded,"I understand. I didn't know that. Maybe one day you guys could come for a visit though? See me, meet the girls and see my shop?"I asked hopefully.
"Definitely. Claire's got some holiday's coming up and I can book time off of work,"Lily smiled and put her arm around my shoulder.

"Cool..."I sighed as we started walking.
"You'll be okay Frank. You've been there by yourself for four years already,"She gave me a squeeze, making me feel better.
"Yeah, you're right. Thank you Lily."