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“Wow okay that was just messed up” Jessica said whispered off to the side to Ben,Tony and Lars as everyone was exiting the meditation area after the stuff with Mr Kendo. It ended up having to stopped early after Carmel almost destroyed the dummy and Masha and Delilah had to go take Carmel to calm her down.
“Yeah tell me about it..something about this place just feels wrong” Lars added as Tony nodded at what they were saying and then went around the building looking for Frances to see if she was okay after he just witnessed her before Carmel opening up about the Paul situation crying her eyes out before taking it out on the dummy herself. All he could think about was how terrified he was and how painful it was to see Frances in that state and just wanted to take her in his arms and hug her. He walked to the back of the meditation area where he heard Frances crying and turned to see her standing and sobbing in Zoe’s arms as Zoe beat him to her and was hugging her and comforting her.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you Frances you didn’t deserve that. It’s not your fault. Paul is an ass and didn’t realize how lucky he was to have such a beautiful lady” Zoe whispered to her crying with her understanding what it was like to feel heartbroken and lied to.
“Thank you honey I appreciate that so much you’re so sweet” Frances sniffled leaning against her
Zoe rested her chin on the top of Frances head rubbing her back she turned to see Tony and smiled at him to reassure the concern on Tony’s face
“Hey Tony!” Zoe said
“Hey”
Frances eyes opened as she heard his voice and Zoe saying his name feeling relieved to see him and I that he came after her aid too.
“Hey Frances just wanted to make sure you were okay” Tony said extending his hand out to her as she took it
“I’ll be fine this was just a bit overwhelming” Frances sniffed squeezing his hand
“Yeah it was wasn’t it? How are you Zoe you okay?” Tony said patting Zoe’s shoulder seeing she was crying too wanting to check in feeling his dad Instincts taking over as she reminded him in personality of his youngest daughter and began to see her as such.
“Yeah I’m okay” Zoe replied
“Zoe there you are come on let’s go..you know not to take off like that on me it scares me and father after what happened” Heather said running over as Zoe sighed a bit annoyed
“Mom it’s fine I just wanted to check on Frances after all this” Zoe said her arms still remaining around her rubbing her back
“Okay but tell me where you are going next time also Frances will be fine she’s grown she can handle this lets stay focused on our own wellness journey..we need to head back with your father now” Heather said firmly seemingly not giving a shit about Frances
“Alright one second” Zoe said then turned back to Frances and Tony “I’m so sorry I have to go..”
“It’s fine I’ll be okay sweetie” Frances said chucking a bit
“You got her?” Zoe asked Tony
“Yeah it’s okay Zoe I’ll stay with her” Tony assured her as he moved his arm around her after Zoe let go and then hugged Tony Thanking him and then she hugged Frances once more
“If you need anything you’re welcome to into my room to talk later” Zoe whispered
“Okay thanks honey! Love you!” Frances said
“I love you too” Zoe said smiling as it was the first time Frances said that to her and kissed her cheek and then caught up with her mom.
“Aw what a sweet girl makes me miss my Lexie she reminds me of her” Tony said getting now quite fond of and smitten with Zoe
“Uh huh she sure is I just wish her mom wasn’t so hard on her” Frances admitted
“Yeah anyways what you need Frances?” Tony asked turning her to look at him. Her lips just quivered seeing his slightly worried expression and just collapsed against him clinging onto his waist sobbing in his chest still filled with some cries as the first thing she did want to do the minute she was done with Mr Kendo was to be held by Tony while she cried she felt a sense of comfort from him that she never felt before in a man. She felt she could confide in her last boyfriends and ex husbands right away like she could with Tony. Tony clutched her as close to him as possible and put his hand on the back of her head as she buried her face in his chest.
“Shhh hey it’s okay I got ya I’m right here …it’s all over” Tony said as he gently just rocked her back and forth hoping it’d soothe and calm her down. “Cmon wanna go to the tree?” He added as she nodded still holding onto him as they made their way over to the tree and he sat in one of the swings on the branches getting her to get in and sit next to him. She got in and then let herself cradle into Tony’s side as he wrapped his arms back around her as she laid her head on his shoulder as Tony pressed his cheek against her hair holding her close using his one foot to get the swing to slowly rock.
Frances continued to sniffle and cry as Tony just rocked the swing back and forth and hugged Frances as tight as he could rubbing her back.
“H-How could I let this happen to me? Tony I was so stupid. How could I be such an idiot” Frances managed to blubber out
“Hey hey hey you are not an idiot Frances this could have happened to anyone. You are a woman who was in a vulnerable situation and was taken advantage of and heavily manipulated. Really advanced sick men like him know exactly what to do to get you to cave. No one thinks you’re stupid for this okay? Trust me I dealt with a lot of stupid in my life as a jock and you ain’t it okay?” Tony said as Frances just mumbled a little
“Look at me..” he said tilting her head up as she looked at him sniffling “You are a intelligent,nice and beautiful woman who’s a talented writer don’t let assholes like him tell ya otherwise”
“Thank you so much” Frances sobbed hugging him again not expecting to hear him call her beautiful.
“You’re welcome” Tony said continuing ti rock the swing as he felt her getting heavier against him clearly getting sleepy and tired from all that crying she did and just let her fall asleep against him. He stayed with her until he knew she was completely out and decided to try and shake off the uneasy feelings he had himself by going to the steam cave letting Frances sleep it off.