Frank stared at me, open-mouthed. “What? Why? I can't give birth on my own, I can't take care of a baby on my own, I-”
Angelo rubbed his shoulder. “Hey, hey. You won't be alone, no matter what. You can stay here with me.”
Frank's lip curled. “You can't leave me,” he snarled, glaring at me. I sighed.
“I really want a clean slate, baby. I want our kid to grow up in a good household, I want to give it what neither of us had.”
His shoulders dropped and he fell against my chest, clinging to my shirt. “I dunno if I can do this without you.”
I stroked his hair and kissed the side of his head. “I'm sure you won't be without me for long.”

---

The lawyer, Mr. Wentz, folded his hands on his desk. “Six months minimum.”
I blinked. “Okay. Why?”
He tapped his fingers on the wood. “They can't prove the drug dealing, that's gone. I believe they have cctv footage of the shooting, so they know that was self defense. You're left with an evading arrest charge. At that point, your sentence really depends on how much you pissed the police off. Considering you didn't assault anyone, I doubt they'll be too angry.”
I nodded and ran a hand through my hair. “Will mentioning the baby help the case?”
He shrugged. “Depends on the judge. But the fact you turned yourself in will definitely help. I would do it sooner rather than later.”
I got up. “Thanks.”

---

Frank was sobbing, clinging to my neck. I hugged him as tightly as I could and rained kisses down all over his face and neck. “I'll be back soon, I swear,” I promised, holding back tears myself. Angelo walked over and gently pulled Frank off me, holding him carefully. “Gee has to go now. The sooner he goes, the sooner he’ll be back. And you'll get to see him after the trial.”
I stroked Frank's cheek slowly and kissed him briefly. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” he whispered, trembling. I thanked Angelo quietly and walked to my car, waving as I pulled away from the house.

---

The sharp bang of the hammer made me jump.
“Eight months in minimum security.”
Wentz slapped me on the shoulder and I grinned, glancing behind me to see Frank in the rows with Angelo. He was grinning, waving at me. I made a heart with my hands and blew him a kiss before I had to get up and leave. I followed my lawyer out of the room and was met by two policemen. I was handcuffed again and one of them took my arm. I heard yelling and Frank skidded to a stop in front of me, pulling me into a deep kiss. I kissed back, laughing as he hugged me.
“You'll get to visit,” I murmured, smiling down at him. “I'll see you so soon you won't remember me being gone.”
The policeman tugged on my arm. “I love you.”
“I love you too!” Frank shouted as I was dragged away.
I was taken out of the building and shoved into a van with tiny, hard seats in the back. I sat down and the doors were slammed shut. I stared at the cold metal, already wishing for Frank to be by my side.

Notes