Chapter Text
You were in your kitchen, finishing your dinner preparations when you heard the door unlock. The ring of your security system, and dialing on the keypad. You were uncorking a bottle of wine in preparation. You walked over to the kitchen island, and had a full view of the entryway.
With Mikaels passing, all his money had been transferred to you. You were also the beneficiary of his life insurance, those two combined you were set for life. Working had become an option. However a week into not working you were fidgety, needing something to do. So you went back to the diner and the shelter, being welcomed back with open arms.
When your tenants moved out, you converted the house back to its original state. Knocking down all the barriers, opening it up. You turned Marzia's place into your own, getting rid of all the skeletons in the closets. You changed out the countertops, the bathtubs, painted the walls and redid the flooring. Truly made it your own.
“Honey, I’m home.” Frank called out from the foyer, slipping off and hanging up his jacket.
Frank had helped you with the bulk of the renovations, calling up some old work mates for help. It had been odd, hearing him get called Pete, but when it was just the two of you in the house you'd taunt him. Calling him Pete to rile him up.
You watched as Frank took his boots off. Setting them against the hallway. You’d have to move them later, knowing he would trip over them or forget that he put them there. You rolled your eyes. Princess, your little black cat, greeted him. Curling around his legs as he walked. Vying for attention.
“Hey sweetheart, you been good?” He asked her, stopping in his tracks to crouch down and pet her. Sleek black tail bristling. She stared at him with big green eyes, meowing in response. Spoiled.
“Attagirl.” He praised, scratching her chin before standing back up. Knees popping, causing you to chuckle. He shot you a look, corners of his mouth pulling back.
“What about you?” He asked, walking through the house to join you in the kitchen. He was wearing a plain black Henley and jeans, clinging to his form.
“Good, visited Florence after going to the shelter.” You smiled, getting an eye full. You grabbed a wine glass from the cabinet, pouring some wine. He hummed in response.
“Also reminded of where your affection lies.” You teased, nodding toward where Princess had wandered off.
“C’mon baby.” He pleaded, lopsided grin on his face. He pulled you in, arm wrapping around your waist. You gave him a faux pout, looking through your lashes. He gave you an apologetic look, face tilting. With a contented sigh, you leaned forward to kiss him. You hummed into the kiss, relishing the feeling. Before it could get any deeper, you pulled back.
“How was it?” You asked, bringing your wine glass up to your lips. Trying to hide the blush rising to your cheeks. You always got flustered when he came home from long missions. This one had been nearly a month. A whole month of not seeing him, only hearing his voice for your nightly calls. You were close to getting him to cave on getting a smartphone. Video Chats seemed promising.
“Alright, nothing too hard.” He admitted, watching you with a soft expression. You gulped it down. Looking away, you set the glass on the counter. Back to Frank, you wrapped your arms around his neck, crowded against the counter.
“Any new wounds I should be aware of?” You asked, fingers trialing the back of his neck. The fuzzy feeling of shorn hair under your fingertips. He must've trimmed it before heading home.
“Nope.” He popped, “not this time.”
“Good.” You commended, proud of him. He was slowly being less reckless, taking care of himself now that he had someone to come home to. You rewarded him with another chaste kiss, worried that if you didn’t pull back you’d burn dinner.
“Go wash up, dinner is almost ready.” You smiled, pushing a hand against his chest. He grabbed it, kissing your knuckles before sauntering off to the bathroom. You smiled to yourself. Never thought you’d have this sort of life, that you could move on after Mikaels death.
You still thought about him, fleeting memories when you looked at pictures of him on your wall. When you would see a reminder, or a memory pop up on your social media. You made it a point to visit his grave every week, leaving him flowers. When Frank would talk to Maria, you would talk to Mikael. Telling him about your life, what you had been up to.
Despite the happiness, the domenscity you had with Frank, you both still had bad days. Days where Frank would look at you with hollow eyes, reaching for his gun the moment he woke up, squinting at you and shaking his head. Days you would wake crying, dreams having been filled with Mikael. Days you would move through in a haze, not quite knowing what was going on.
Nonetheless you were happy, the ghosts that had followed you for years vanished. The question of Nick's disappearance had been explained, you'd gotten closure for Mikael and Marzia. You had Frank there for you on your bad days. Princess to cuddle you when he wasn't home.
Things were good, you were happy.