Free Night Fury: Second Act by Belle Aurora

long silence, then she adds wearily, “For me, it was always you.” There’s a pause. “But it never was me for you, was it?”
    Bob sighs, “I never wanted kids, Frankie. Not ever.”
    Frankie returns with, “But you took in Cat…”
    Bob spaces out the words, making his point, “I. Never . Wanted. Children.”
    And it cuts me deep ly. So deep that my chest feels slashed open. Gaping. Raw.
    He never wanted me.
    I love him but he never wanted me.
    My eyes fill with tears . Frankie exits the office, not even sparing me a glance. As Bob attempts to go after her, he comes to a screech in front of me.
    His eyes widen in shock. “Cat.” He takes one look at my face and I know he knows I heard him. “Sweetie…”
    Not waiting for an explanation, I turn and walk away from him. He calls out again, but I don’t stop. He taught me better than to let people see me cry.

Chapter Thirteen

    Bob tries to speak to me a second and third time today, but I flee both times, not letting him say a single word for fear of what he might say.
    I have my memories of my childhood. Good memories. I don’t want anything to taint that.
    My garden has been sorely neglected while Tomas and Xavier have been with us. Truth be told, I prefer spending time with them than being in my most favourite place in the world.
    I smile to myself as I lie back on my cot.
    My routine over the past week has changed dramatically. My mornings are spent mostly with Tomas , as we are early risers, while we wait for the others to wake. I’ll normally find him standing in the hall, rocking, while it’s still dark out. That’s when I’ll take him by the hand and lead him to the kitchen where we quietly share breakfast.
    I’ve learnt that fruity rings are his favourite cereal.
    He makes a mess of himself, but it’s fine because he has fun doing it. He’s even tried to feed me a couple of times, smiling all the while. How could I refuse a shaky spoonful of cereal when that face is so happy?
    I once aske d Xavier what he does about the morning wanderings at home, which was clearly a huge mistake. He shot me a hateful glance and spat, “Well, I’m not about to fuckin’ lock him up like some animal, Cat.”
    I quickly apologi sed. Then stuck my foot deeper into my mouth when I told him it was dangerous for Tomas to be wandering the house by himself in the dark.
    That’s when his face turned tortured. After a long while , he admitted on a whisper, “I know.” His voice thickened with shame. “That’s why I lock him in his room at night.”
    And my heart broke.
    As I lie here trying hard not to read too much into what Bob said this morning, my head clears for a single moment before I jump up off the bed with a gasp. It’s only just hit me.
    I run a hand through my hair and whisper, wide eyed, “Holy shit.” I blink in shock.
    Frankie’s pregnant.

    ***

    Running to Bob’s room, I’m almost stopped by Ari.
    Holding my hand out, I rush out, “Not right now. This is an emergency.”
    I continue to run and when I get to Bob’s bedroom, I swing open the door and come to an abrupt halt. A frown mars my brows.
    She’s not here.
    Mirage .
    Of course.
    On foot again, I pass Ari a second time but cut her off when she tries to speak. “Sorry, Ari. I’ll find you once I’ve found Frankie.”
    I hear Ari growl but I keep running. I run down the stairs. I run through the kitchen and right though the back door. I run over to the barn and key in my code.
    My heart races. I pant and sweat. But I don’t care.
    I need to see her.
    Finally, I reach her bedroom and knock. “Frankie? You in there?”
    There is no response but I can hear shuffling from the inside. Against my better judgement, I open the door and what I see makes my stomach roll.
    Bags.
    She’s packing bags.
    Not just a bag.
    Bags . Plural.
    She’s leaving.
    My voice sounds that of a scared little girl. “What are you doing?”
    Her lips quiver ; her cheeks are tear-stained. She doesn’t even look