Sweet Nothing (Frank Adler AU)

12

"Here". Frank says as he brings me my pills and some water. "Or do you want juice?"

I shake my head. "Water's fine, thanks..." I trail off as I note him still standing there. "Could you, er...turn around? It puts me off taking pills in front of other people". Not that I like taking them anyway. For my sake and Dolly's I'll have to. I can move around, but need to rest for the most part.

"Oh, yeah...sorry". He says awkwardly and looks away as I manage to take the pills. I make a face and he grins as he turns back again. "Not nice?"

"You wanna try? I got lots of them". I splutter, taking another sip of water to get the taste away. "I'm done with this shit already, and we've not even got the third trimester".

He smiles lightly. "Still got a way to go...although it's not gonna be long enough with what we've gotta do".

And there is a lot to do. Literally everything. We've got to buy a pram, a cot, bottles, clothes, the car seat. We've decided to go halves and so Frank will get some of the stuff and I'll get the others. If we're gonna be pushed into this co-parent thing then we need to be prepared.

Fred jumps up onto the bed and settles down, looking at me with his one eye. Frank isn't really into cats or pets in any shape or form - but he allowed Mary to take him in apparently. She found him in a dumpster.

That kid is gonna make the best...cousin. Although to Dolly she'll be seen just like a big sister. I have to remember that Frank is actually Mary's uncle sometimes.

"Can I ask you something?" I now say as Frank is about to go downstairs and make some coffee. He pauses by the door, and then walks further back in.

"Everything alright?"

"What was Diane like? Does Mary take after her? Please don't be offended - I'd just like Dolly to know about her aunt - and who better to tell her than you, I mean - she'll have her middle name".

Frank chuckles softly but thankfully doesn't take offence. "She was great. I tell Mary stories about her. Always have. I've never wanted her to think that her mom left because she didn't love her". He pauses for a moment. "She'd have thought this whole situation was nuts? But she'd still have loved the idea. She'd have liked you too".

"You think?"

"Yeah. She was always on at me for dating too much. I'd say she never dated enough - then she had Mary and I couldn't exactly use that as a comeback anymore". He laughs a little. "Funny how when you meet someone and you marry them, you think that's it. You'll last forever...guess it'll be seen as another failure in my mother's eyes".

I disagree with this. "It's life, people get divorced all the time".

"Yeah but they don't decide it when their surrogate is pregnant with their kid".

I make a face. "Ok, you've got a point there", and now decide to change the subject. "I hope you're not just planning on nursing me for the whole week you now have off?"

"No, but I can keep an eye on you at least. Roberta told me what you told her". He comes and sits down on the bed.

Traitor.

"You're not a burden, Thea".

I want to cry, but at the same time I don't because then it makes me feel worse. My hormones are all over the place, and the last thing I want for Frank to be dealing with is me being a blubbering mess.

"Remember what we said yesterday? We make a good team. Other people probably wouldn't even take on what we're about to".

I nod at this. "I know. Sorry my hormones are everywhere at the moment".

He shrugs. "And I'm a grumpy asshole, so we're both screwed". Getting up, he grabs some magazines from where he'd put them on the side earlier. "Picked these up yesterday for you. Thought you might wanna read something".

"Thanks". I smile gratefully.

"I'm gonna make a coffee - do you need anything else?" He asks.

I shake my head and gaze out of the window. "Does it count as resting if I sit in the backyard?"

"I guess". He says thoughtfully. "And it's a nice day, I've got some more grading to finish up with if you wanted company?"

"I'd like that. Im gonna get dressed and I'll be down soon". I now tell him, going to get up, but instead he walks back over and helps me.

I look up at him as we then stand there, his hands in mine. I won't lie - it could be worse company. He's nice to look at too. "Thanks..." I say as he drops my hands, realising he's still holding them and clears his throat.

"I'll erm, let you shower - yell for me if you need me". He says and all but bolts from the room.

I stare after him and shake off whatever the hell just happened.

Nothing happened. He helped you. He is your kid's father after all.

It's all he can be, not that I'm even remotely considering wanting anything more from Frank than he's already given. It's more than enough for us.