Free All I'll Ever Ask (The Greatest Love Book 1) by Genevieve Woods

benefits was healthy. Frankie paid for the check and called Dawn to find out where they were with Nikki. He explained he and Shayla had words and told them he would drop by in a day or so to check on her. They were pleased with that and told him their mom just needed time.
    Meanwhile, Nikki was elated to now have every Shopkin from season one and two and all the accessories. Uncle Ben had bought her some, but her big sisters finished the entire set. She could not have been happier. She jumped in her Daddy’s arm and said, “I love you and my sisters and my mommy. I am so happy.” That brought tears to Frankie’s and his two grown daughters’ eyes. They walked to their cars, arms linked together. Frankie could not be a prouder dad.
    Frankie carried his sleeping baby girl up the stairs in one arm and her bags of toys in the other, while he climbed the stairs to Karen’s apartment. He was definitely winded, as he lifted the brass door knocker to alert Karen they were outside. Karen opened the door with a smile. Her beauty and smile took the rest of Frankie’s breath away.
    She told him to follow her to put Nikki into her bed. Frankie did as she instructed. He could not get his brain to function enough to tell his mouth to say something, so he just followed like a puppy with his tongue hanging out. Upon entering Nikki’s bedroom, he was overwhelmed with pride. Karen had given their little girl a room for a princess. Everywhere there, was sugar and spice and everything nice. Her room had a beautiful pink canopy twin bed with a rail. Her walls were painted as a mural with the sun and clouds in the sky. She had a dry erase board mounted on her wall, where you could see Nikki’s drawings and her practicing her name in manuscript. There was a little grocery store set up, a kitchen, and play area, where all things were Shopkin. Finally, he could speak,
    “Karen, you have our baby girl’s room so beautiful. Thank you for loving her, when I was not around.”

Karen blushed and waived him off, “Frankie would you stop bringing up that you haven’t been here, stuff. You are here now and that’s what matters.”  Come on, let’s take her shoes and socks off, so she can finish her nap.”
    Frankie did as he was instructed and after Nikki was tucked in, he kissed her forehead. He followed Karen out, after she turned on Nikki’s bed lamp and closed her door.
    Sitting on Karen’s sofa, Frankie and she shared a glass of sweet tea and began the much needed conversation. Frankie took the lead, “Karen, I want to apologize for Shayla’s behavior today. She was out of line and I told her as much.”
    Karen was happy he addressed Shayla but was hoping it was not in front of their daughters. “When did you address Shayla? I hope not in front of the twins and Nikki.”
    Frankie shook his head emphatically, “of course not, the twins had taken Nikki shopping and she should have all that Shopkins stuff now.” He and Karen both chuckled at that. “Anyhow, when they left, I asked Shayla what her problem was and can you believe she is jealous?” Karen looked at Frankie as if he had two heads. “Karen, why are you looking at me like that?”
    “Frankie, surely you are not this clueless. Shayla is still in love with you. It was all over her face.”
    “I was clueless until she started ranting about how she can’t believe I would move on.”
    Karen took Frankie’s hand and looked him directly in the eyes.
    “Frankie are you ready to move on, can you?” He gave her a look of love and admiration.
    “Karen I can move on, if you are ready to take this step with me.” He said that as he caressed her hands that were now in his and leaned in watching her, to see if she would draw back. He did not have to watch long as Karen closed in the gap and they enjoyed their first kiss of passion without alcohol or drugs and it was one full of emotions and hope for a new beginning. Frankie was the first to pull away, “Karen, I like the way