Chapter Text
Franky checked her watch, 8.45am she sighed walking to the bedroom “Libby, come on move it. We're gonna be late. “
“Chill out, I'm already getting a rollicking I may as well make it a double whammy. What's the worst they can do? Send me for therapy again"
Franky leaned against the door frame, “I don't want my mistakes to impact on you. I don’t want you to go to a young offenders because you cant keep your mouth shut.”
“You fostered me knowing I was trouble so enjoy the ride" Libby smiled walking out the room.
“Your a smart kid, I believed I was a hopeless case until a person believed in me. They gave me hope and changed my life around, its not too late to work with the system than against it.” Franky spoke with a concerned look on her face.
Franky drove Libby to her first young offenders review. Franky glanced at Libby playing on her phone, head phones on with not a care in the world. Franky found herself thinking back to when she felt like a hopeless case. That’s until Bridget Westfall walked into her life and turned it around. Franky found herself often thinking of Bridget, truth is she never stopped loving her she was the one who got away.
Franky hadn’t seen Bridget since she went on the run, she promised Bridget she would be back but she never did. It took months for her to clear her name, once she did she felt too guilty to reach out to Bridget. Bridget had been banned from attending the prison. Bridget waited and prayed Franky would be in contact but she never did.
Franky chose to make a family of her own, after working on a case she wanted to help vulnerable kids. Eventually she agreed to help Libby a 16 year old female, who had the same up bringing as her. Her father abandoned her, mother abused her she has since been in 10 children’s homes, Franky was determined to not be another failure.
Franky pulled up and supported Libby into her appointment. Franky apologised for being late, used car issues as her excuse. Libby had spent a hour in her appointment when her young offenders officer approached Franky.
“Miss Doyle”
“Call me Franky" Franky smiled looking at Libby, who pulled a face.
“Libby is not taking her community service seriously. She has signed attending on four occasions then left the premises. She turns up late, gives attitude when she does make an appearance. We don’t believe locking teenagers up, however Libby is on the path to self sabotage. I have arranged for Libby to see a psychologist, I will support Libby to her first session today. This is really our last option.”
Libby smiled at Franky. Franky shook her head, “Do you find this funny? Everyone bending over backwards to try and help you for you to throw it in everyone's face? Prison isn’t glorious, it breaks you and haunts you every day of your life.”
Libby looked at her feet, “I'm sorry, I will take it serious"
Franky saw a mini version of her, “We are not gonna abandon you like everyone else, however continue how you are they will take you away from me from our home, I will have no control over that" Franky had tears appear in her eyes.
“I will take Libby to meet her psychologist, you can pick her up from here anytime after 4pm.” Franky nodded as she hugged Libby.
“I love you kiddo, my phone is on if you need me.” Franky spoke.
“Can I pick Tess up with you?” Libby asked.
“Sure" Franky smiled as she watched Libby walk away.
Franky had spent the afternoon grocery shopping, buying ingredients for lasagne. She felt like a failure, maybe taking on a problem child was a step too much. Franky wanted children of her own, she wanted mini Bridget’s but that ship had sailed. Franky hadn’t been in a relationship since Bridget, she had a benefit with friends who she hooked up with occasionally. However this was never at her home, her home was for Tess and Libby.
Libby entered a small building in the city, the place was very modern and had a good vibe when she entered. There was a long list of councillors, psychologist and psychiatrist named on the wall. Libby waited for 15 minutes which seemed like a lifetime. She watched several people enter and leave the building, some which caused her alarm.
“Libby Lewis” Libby looked up to see an older women, smartly dressed stood holding her file. She didn’t look like a psychologist she appeared too friendly, something Libby wasn’t expecting. Libby stood up as the older women smiled with her hand stretched out. “Hi, Libby my name is Bridget Westfall, would you like to follow me".
Libby followed Bridget to a room at the end of the corridor. Libby noticed the room was very neutral with certificates hanging on the wall. Libby took a seat near the window when Bridget sat in front of her.
“Who were the people in the waiting area?” Libby asked.
“Oh, they are clients they attend appointments just like you are today.” Bridget smiled.
“Are they from prison?” Libby asked playing with her hoodie zip.
Bridget nodded, “Some are ex prisoners on parole, people attending therapy and others trying to reform before falling into the system.”
Libby nodded and smiled, “That’s why I’m here, to listen to you convince me not to fall into the system. My foster mum has tried that and failed so what makes you think you'll do any better?”
Bridget raised her eyebrows and made several notes in her book. “I'm not here to convince you to reform. I’m here to talk to, no judgement and help you understand your thoughts, feelings and process your emotions positively. You said you have a foster mum, how is your relationship?”
Libby looked at Bridget, “She is a better mother than my parents will ever be. She is cool, funny and smart.”
“So why would you risk jeopardising your placement? If everything is good, she is nice why would you put that at risk. You’ve had 10 homes previously, that’s a lot of moving around, disruption to your life as a child.”
Libby shrugged her shoulders as Bridget tried to make eye contact. “I trust her, she is good too me, she cares I’ve not had that before. She went to prison and made a good life for herself. She not happy, I hear her at night having nightmares. I’m a burden to her.”
Bridget smiled, “I doubt your a burden to her.”
Libby played with her jacket, “You can see it in her eyes, she smiles but the spark is missing. I feel like I'm holding her back. She has a small circle of family and friends. She deserves to be loved, go out have a life but she doesn't”
“Have you spoke to her about how you feel?”
Libby shook her head, “No"
“Why is that?” Bridget asked.
“I cause her enough trouble, I don’t want her to think I don’t appreciate her because I do"
“Maybe that is something you can consider. Maybe have joint session with me?” Bridget questioned.
“I will ask her"
Bridget made a note in her book.
Franky was waiting outside when Libby climbed in to the car. “Hey, how did it go?”
Libby smiled, “Ok, can we talk later I'm sick of talking.”
Franky nodded and smiled, “Yeah, whenever your ready I'm here. Let's get Tess we have lasagne to make"
Franky had relaxed for the evening with Tess and Libby. She enjoyed girly nights in, cooking, playing games and most of all laughing. Tess felt like the little sister she never had, although she was 8 years younger than her she felt she needed to protect her.
Franky had put Tess to bed when she walked into the kitchen and saw Libby loading the dishwasher.
“Ok, what’s happened to Libby? Where has she gone?” Franky joked.
“I don't want to leave here, I like it here. My psychologist would like to do a joint session with us." Libby whispered.
Franky walked up to Libby, gave her a hug. “Listen, you are my family and if it will help you I will come to your session.”
“Good, she is cool. Our appointment is next Monday 4pm"
“I will be there” Franky smiled. “What’s on your mind? You can ask me anything, I will tell you the truth.”
“Do you regret fostering me? Wouldn’t you like your own kids?” Libby asked.
“No. You are my family and no matter what happens we deal with together as a family.”
A week had passed, Franky had noticed Libby already making small changes and complimented her, they had spent more time together than before. Franky was nervous attending therapy, she had several sleepless nights thinking of Bridget when she broke her. There was only one person who had the ability to open her up like a book and turn the page. Franky longed for the women that filled her dreams every night.
Franky and Libby were sat in the waiting area, Franky’s knee bounced nervously which didn’t go unnoticed by Libby. A women approached Libby and Franky.
“If you would like to follow me”
Franky and Libby sat in a room, different from the last session. “You can change your mind, she will understand”
Before Franky could speak, the door opened and that’s when she saw her Bridget Westfall the first time in 5 years. She didn’t look a year older. She looked as beautiful as the last time. Franky's heart beat at 100mph and suddenly she felt she couldn't breathe.
Bridget's face dropped, she wasn’t expecting Franky to be present in the room she had just entered. The women who owned her heart. Although Bridget had tried to get over Franky she had never succeeded, a ray of women had come and gone none that lived up to Franky.
Both Franky and Bridget made eye contact as Libby spoke, “This is my foster mum Franky"
Bridget sat in the chair opposite Libby and Franky. Bridget tried her best to . keep eye contact with Libby but found herself looking at Franky. She did not know whether to stop the session or continue, her head and heart in turmoil.
“Would you like to tell Franky how you feel, remember we don’t judge in this room.”
Libby looked to her hands then looked at Franky, “I'm sorry I have been difficult and stubborn. You always help me, support me no matter what. I feel that I am holding you back from living your life. You are young, pretty woman. I don't care you’re a lesbian. You make people's heads turn everywhere we go. You’re a babe magnet to women.”
Franky blushed as Libby spoke.
“I hear you crying in the night, you’ve done it a lot this week. I don’t want you to regret having me, I don’t want you to not have a relationship or your own family because of me. Your an amazing mum the best I could ever ask for. I push you away being naughty and you don’t deserve that. You deserve a good kid.”
Franky leaned forward and took hold of Libby's hand, she looked sad and smiled, “I don’t regret for one second having you in my life. You are the best thing that has happened to me in a very long time. You may not be my blood but you are my family.” Franky hand tears in her eyes.
“I've not always been a good person, I’m not proud I went to prison. I will do anything to stop you going down that path, you’re a good kid. Prison changed me. I found someone to believe in me who never gave up hope no matter how hard times got.” Franky glanced at Bridget, “I was lucky, I acknowledge my fear and got outta that hell hole. Some people never, they got sucked into the system. I got to live my life, I got a job and I got a girl. I fell in love with this amazing women, who I hurt and broke a promise too. I cant start a relationship when I’m ridiculously in love with someone. So I live in a prison in my heart, I have to accept the consequence of my actions. I don’t want that to happen to you.”
Libby asked, “Is that why you cry at night?”
Franky nodded, “I regret somethings in life but I will never regret you"
Libby smiled with tears in her eyes, “wow that was emotional, I'm sorry Franky"
The session continued, Bridget and Franky felt the energy constantly remain in the room for the duration.
Bridget spoke, “So that’s the end of the session. We will start working on you Libby, how to channel your frustrations into something positive. Like Franky said, I have worked in corrections for many years and some women never break free, only the ones who have hope give themselves a glimpse of a chance of freedom.”
Franky and Libby said their goodbyes and began walking out towards the car. Libby stopped to go into the toilet as Bridget came out of her office. Franky made eye contact with her, Bridget smiled as she handed her business card.
Bridget looked Franky in the eyes, “Can we talk?”
Franky shuffled nervously, “Gidge I”
Bridget interrupted her, “Please”
Franky nodded, “Ok”
Two weeks had passed, Franky hadn't called Bridget. Bridget had watched Libby come and go from appointments hoping to get a glance but to no avail. Bridget opened up Libby's file, looked at the next of kin details and saw a number for Franky. Bridget knew she shouldn’t access information this way, it breach data protection but Franky hadn’t reached out. Bridget made a note of her address and looked it up on google maps. Franky lived 10 minute drive away, she grabbed her bag and left for the evening.
Bridget stopped by a sushi bar, grabbed some food to take away as she continued across the city. Bridget noticed a car parked in the drive, as she walked up to the door as she knocked. She heard footsteps getting closer to the door, as her heart beat increased with every step.
Franky looked alarmed, automatically asked “What’s happened to Libby? Is she ok?”
Bridget nodded, “Libby is fine, she went to her after club. I shouldn’t have accessed your details, I’m sorry I just want to talk.”
Franky sighed, “Come in"
Bridget held up food, “I've grabbed some sushi, weren’t sure if you had eaten? Maybe we could have dinner?”
Franky smiled, “I will grab some plates. Libby staying out tonight, she having sleepover at her friends.”
Bridget nodded, “How are things since our session?”
“we talk more, its good. I don’t get challenged as much which is a big relief"
“She's a good kid.”
“Yeah, so what did you want to talk about?” Franky asked as she sat at the table with Bridget, who sat to her right.
“I didn’t expect you to walk in to my life. There's not been a day gone by when I've not thought of you.” Bridget smiled. “I've missed you Franky"
“Gidge don't, five years has passed”
“You got put on the spot at our session, I at least owe you answers. Do you still have nightmares?” Bridget asked.
“Every night, I didn't know she could hear. She never said anything. I try to keep them at bay but it just doesn't work. I see the freak every time I close my eyes, then I see you how you looked at me. I promised Id come back and I never.” Franky sighed.
“Franky, It was took risky for you I understand. Then I moved house I had too I was persecuted daily by the press didnt mean I stopped loving you.” Bridget smiled.
“I had no way of reaching you, Vera wouldn’t help me. Its like you disappeared.” Franky looked into Bridget’s eyes, “I tried to find you, tell you I was sorry.”
“I forgive you. I took risks because I loved you, that was a choice I made. The same choice I made coming here today, truth is I never got over you.” Bridget stroked Frankys hand.
“I’m nothing but a fucking curse to you. I cant hurt you again" Franky stood up and walked towards the window. Bridget followed her and placed her hand on her back.
“Franky look at me, I’ve not come here to continue how we left off. I’ve come here to tell you I’m still in love with you, I can sleep with 100 women and its still you I see. Can we be friends, hang out and see what happens.”
Franky sighed as she leaned her forehead against Bridget's, “All I have thought about these past two weeks is you. I’ve wanted to do is call, message I just didnt know how too.” Franky breathed.
“What do I tell Libby, I don’t want her to think I've gone behind her back" Franky spoke as she sat back down to eat.
“what do you think will be best? We can sit down tell her the truth, or see how it goes before having that conversation. I can arrange for a different therapist to see her"
Franky sighed, “I want the best for her, that’s you. The rest we will figure it out”.