Brother (Frerard)

A clean smell pervades the air, causing me to feel nauseous and death lingers in the white empty halls of the hospital. Frank sits next to me quiet, staring at his shuffling feet and his palm is sweaty against my own as his chipped black nails dig into my hand. With great regret I look over at Frank; bags lay beneath his eyes from last nights scrutiny at the police station each giving our statements; the repeat of the same questions is an absolute mind fuck and we are both exhausted. His face is wet from endless tears and his lip quivers beneath his teeth. I rise from seat and pull Frank up with me, wrapping him in my arms and am most delighted when he returns the hug.He's upset at the sight of his wounded wife bought on by the actions of my own wife, soon to be ex-wife.

"It's going to be okay," I breathe, my nose brushing against Frank's ear.
I hear footsteps approach and come to a halt before our own independent thoughts are pulled from us on the nurse's arrival; here to check Jamia's vitals no doubt.
"I'm sorry," she says, sympathetically. "Am I interrupting something? I can come back."

We break apart at the very sound of her voice, my hand dropping down to scoop in his and I wait a brief moment but as expected not a word leaves Frank's lips.
"No, not at all," I say freely, because admittedly it was just a hug and we weren't doing serious.

The nurse whose name badge reads "Sarah" offers a weak smile at Frank and I before continuing her job.
"Is she a friend of yours?" Sarah asks.
"Frank's wife," I reply awkwardly, pointing at the cute upset man next to me.
"Oh..."

She shoots an odd look at our hands tangled together, but says nothing.

"How is she doing?" I ask on behalf of Frank.
"She's critical still, but she will be okay. I'm sure she is a strong woman. Anyway I'll leave you two to it,"

She tops and flips the blinds down and closes the door behind her to give us the unneeded privacy of the small room.

"She's going to be fine,"
"You don't know that Gerard,"
"Frank, what kind of wife is she like?"
"She's incredible,"
"Mother?"
"I don't know how she does half the things she does. The girls are a handful but she's amazing. She was just born to be a mother, you know?"
"And she's strong?"
"Stronger than any woman I know,"
"Than if anyone can pull through this is Jam's. She'll be back home with the girls soon enough."
"About that Gee, can we talk about us?"
"Let's go grab some coffee?" I suggest. "We...can talk about it," I promise.

~xoxoxoxo~

Frank sits in the farthest corner of the mostly empty cafeteria, staring absentmindedly out the large window at the gloomy weather that has not managed to cease over the last couple of days. I take our coffees and place them on the table that is barely big enough for two and take the plastic seat across from him.
"Thanks. So..."
"What is it Frank?"

I'm cautious, nervous and Frankly, I'm a little scared at what Frank has to say. I take tiny sips of my coffee and close my eyes for a moment, hoping that when I open them I will disappear but this is reality and that isn't going to happen no matter how hard I wish.

"Do you remember everything Jam's said to you that day?"

I'm surprised by his question expecting that day to be the last thing he wants to talk about although it was only two days ago.

"I do,"
"You know it was true right? All of it?"
"You want to be with me and break apart your marriage to do so?"
"Well do you love me Gerard?"
"Everything that has happened over the last few days..." I begin. "You know I meant every word I said and I don't regret any of my actions, none of the things we did," I finish. I look at Frank who is staring straight back at me, waiting patiently for a straight answer to his simple question.
"Yes," I say. "I love you Frank,"
"I love you too Gerard and I want to be with you. But it isn't the question here. If you want me to go back to Jersey with Jams and go back to my life with the girls I can, but I thought you want to be with me, don't you?"
"I do,"
"Then please Gerard, be with me. Jam's practically gave us her blessing and your wife...well."

Frank didn't finish his sentence and I understood completely.

"Move in with me." My own words catch me off guard.
"Gee,"
"Frank, listen. You, Jam's and the girls. The house is roomy enough to fit everybody comforatly. It's much to big for just us. Cherry and Lily can share, and Jam's can have her own room, and us. Bandit of course already has her room. It would be perfect."
"I can't stay in that main bedroom with you Gee,"
"Don't have too. We'll take the room you had. Jam's can have the main with the ensuite. It'd be perfect for her,"
"Okay," Frank smiles. "I'll move in."

~xoxoxoxo~

Notes

sorry. been late. so i wrote this, lost it and re-wrote after reading the goodbye letter from Gee. Hope it's okay.

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