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Michaela can admit that she gave off skater girl a little too well. She's always been like that, too cool for school was what her mother called it. Michaela was all quick smiles and shrugs like nothing bothered her, which most people never really investigated.
It all looked effortless, but the truth was, Michaela cared a lot. She had big emotions that she had gotten good at not letting rule her decisions, and according to John, she was very exacting. When you made your living with your body, you had to be. Michaela knew that she had a limited amount of time to make the most money possible, so she could live the rest of her life as comfortably as possible. So she cared about what she ate, her workout routine, and how much she slept. She had a career plan while she was skating and after she retired. She had an investment portfolio and was funding businesses as a silent partner. She had her endorsement deals and sponsorships.
It wasn't all kickflips and grinds.
Michaela was smart and methodical about her future. She put a lot of effort into her life. No one saw it outside of the Stirlings but Fran.
No one really got her outside of her family but Fran. Michaela was very protective of their relationship because of that.
To the point of being locked out of her own social media by her team for a while, so she wouldn't argue with her "fans".
Not to say that Fran wasn't her love, because she got Michaela. She was so talented and so smart and a little hottie. The cutest little hottie who blushed when Michaela flirted with her, even though they had been together for a year and a half.
Fran was wonderful, and dating her was one of the best things that had happened in her life. She made a point to spend as much time with her as she could when she was in town, to go to all her shows, and as many family events as possible.
She listened when Fran mentioned anything of interest in her life and tried to make it happen. Like those weird French snacks she got from Colin that ended up taking up all the room in Michaela's carry-on went she brought more home or when she saw the latest Hunger Games movie on no sleep on opening night after speed reading the books because it was a Pen/Fran/El/Daph thing and Fran wanted her to participate too.
Or the latest addition to the flat, Crowdie, the Westie puppy that kept chewing on Michaela's boards, even after she bought him six different types of treats so they could become best friends. He also hogged Fran whenever they sat on the couch but she didn't blame him. Fran was the best.
So, constantly hearing about some woman that Fran was hanging out with was admittedly…annoying.
It started when Michaela got home from the States and came into their flat to see Fran and Eloise watching TV. Crowdie greeted her at the door with a bark and several licks on the hand before rolling over for belly scratches while Fran and El had their eyes glued to the screen.
"Hey."
Fran turned around and grinned. "Hi, sweetheart. How was the flight?"
"Long. What's this?"
Michaela looked at the screen to see Bake Off. They looked to be suffering through bread week.
"An old family friend is on this season," El replied.
"Oh, cool. Who?"
Fran pointed to a tall woman in the back with curls and brown skin. "Gwen."
Michaela nodded and watched Gwen move around the kitchen with ease. She looked confident. "Is she doing well?"
Fran nodded. "She got Star Baker last week."
"Good for her. I guess we're rooting for her then?"
"Yes. Go shower so you can sit with us."
Michaela saluted and left to shower, Crowdie on her heels. As she showered and changed, the name Gwen kept rolling around in her head.
She sounded familiar, like Fran had mentioned her before. Michaela shrugged and joined them on the couch.
They had moved onto a different reality show and Michaela allowed Fran to catch her up as she ate dinner and avoid Crowdie trying to eat the food off of her plate.
It didn't dawn on her until she and Fran had curled up to go to sleep, the quiet punctuated by the slow breathing from both her love and her love's dog, that Michaela finally figured out where she knew that name from.
Gwen was the first woman Fran slept with.
Michaela didn't get jealous as a rule. She was aware of how she looked and what she brought to the table. Women wanted her. There was no reason to be upset if a woman didn't want her…because other women did. That thought process had served her well in her years of dating.
She also wasn't upset that Fran had been with women before her. One, that would make her the biggest hypocrite.
Two, just because Gwen was her first doesn't mean that Fran still wants to be with her in that way. If Ami Jiya showed up right now, Michaela would say hi and introduce her to Fran.
They were solid, and Michaela was not worried that seeing Gwen unearthed some old feelings in Fran.
Based on how close Fran had cuddled up to her in her sleep, they were just fine.
Gwen didn't come up again for several months until Sunday dinner with some of the Bridgerton family.
"Guess who I ran into today?" Daphne asked and then kept going before anyone could guess. "Gwen Massey."
Michaela was shocked at the immediate excited murmuring from Colin, Pen, and Eloise.
"Whoa. Where?" Colin asked. "Is she writing a cookbook? Does she have a bakery-"
"Can I continue my story?" Daphne asked, and Colin shut his mouth.
"She does not have a bakery. She is writing a book. She's back at her grandparents' place. The family is thinking of selling it, so Gwen is staying while they renovate. "
"Oh, cool. We should invite her over." Eloise said, and Fran nodded.
"I think you'll like her," Fran said to her, and Michaela grinned.
"Can't wait to meet her."
"You haven't met her?" Daphne asked, and Michaela felt like she was missing something.
"No?"
"Oh. Okay."
Fran rolled her eyes. "She knows, Daph."
"Oh, good. It would have been so awkward if she didn't."
Michaela laughed. "It's fine. Nothing to be awkward about. Any friend of Fran's is a friend of mine."
Fran squeezed her hand and smiled.
Eloise looked up from her phone. "She's down to meet on Saturday."
"You kept in touch?" Daphne asked.
Eloise shrugged. "Social Media. But are you free?"
Michaela nodded. She was free.
She was also intrigued about meeting this Gwen Massey.
Gwen Massey was tall - like Kate tall and had long legs. She could have been a model. She was also very nice.
The whole family had pounced on her when she got there and then gave them some space since Michaela was the only person who had never seen her before.
"Eloise has said great things about you," Gwen said as they shook hands.
"And about you. Fran, though?"
"Fran never talks about anyone." Gwen joked, and Fran blushed a bit.
"Congrats on the win," Fran said.
"Thanks. It's been a bit of a whirlwind. I'm sure you understand that."
Michaela nodded. "It's a lot. You get used to it."
Gwen made herself comfortable in the patio chair and Michaela decided to sit back and listen as Gwen and Fran caught up while interjecting a bit. She watched Fran laugh with her old friend and couldn't help but smile.
"I feel like we're leaving you out?" Gwen said.
"Please continue to do so. I rarely get to be this quiet here."
Fran shook her head. "My family loves her an unhealthy amount."
Gwen looked surprised by that. "Really?"
"She never gets to just sit here and smile," Fran replied.
Gwen nodded. "I can see why Fran likes you. She gets to hide a bit."
"And she's gorgeous," Fran added.
"That doesn't hurt." Gwen joked and smiled at her.
Michaela laughed.
Maybe it was Michaela being a bit oversensitive, but it felt like Gwen was everywhere after that. She was in Fran's recaps of her day when Michaela was away at competitions. She was mentioned at family dinners, and she was in their flat when she got home from Berlin.
"Hi. How was it?" Gwen asked from the floor when Michaela came in the door. Crowdie was lying across Gwen's lap like the attention slut that he was and Fran was…
Michaela closed the door behind her. "It was good. Where's Fran?"
"Bathroom. We just got back from brunch. She was rushing me."
"I guess that would be my fault."
"Hi!" Fran chirped and hopped into Michaela's arms and kissed her. "Ms. Big Winner. Where is it?"
Michaela handed over her carry-on, and Fran dug in it to grab her 1st place medal.
"I was telling Gwen that these things weigh a ton." Fran handed it over and Gwen made a face at the weight of it.
"Wow. Is this more or less than an Olympic medal?"
"No clue. It's about the same as the X Games ones."
"Michaela is on the list of possibles for the Olympics next year. Fingers crossed." Fran explained before grabbing the medal and putting it over her head. "Congratulations, sweetheart."
"Thank you, love." She gave Fran a kiss that lingered until Gwen stood up, causing Crowdie to whine.
Michaela looked at him, and he ignored her. The traitor.
"I should head out. Let you two celebrate."
"Thanks for keeping me company," Fran said, and Gwen pulled her into a hug. Michaela watched it linger longer than she would have expected before Gwen reluctantly pulled back and smiled at her.
"Congrats again."
"Thanks."
Gwen gave Crowdie one last scratch before leaving. He sulked before coming over to lean against their calves.
"You hanging out with Gwen a lot?"
Fran nodded. "Yeah, it's nice. She doesn't have a traditional job, so she has free time. I miss you when you aren't here."
"I miss you, too. I think I'm done after the Olympics." Michaela had been thinking about it for a while, and she was ready to be here with Fran and their dog, who was currently sniffing the wheel of her bag.
"Are you sure?"
Michaela nodded and Fran let a tiny squeal. "Oh good. I didn't want to beg you but I want you here."
She pulled Michaela into a kiss.
"I want to be here."
"Good. Oh! Gwen invited us to her book launch."
"Yeah? When's that?"
"Next week."
"Can't wait."
The strange thing was that if you asked Michaela at any moment before or during most of the book launch, she would have told you that she was not jealous at all of the relationship that Fran had with Gwen.
She was happy that Fran had a new friend - well, a new relationship with an old friend.
Maybe it was the three glasses of champagne or that Sophie and Kate were freakishly observant, but Michaela didn't even know she was jealous.
She was staring at Fran, Gwen, and Colin on the other side of the room as they talked and laughed, when Kate and Sophie stood on either side of her.
"Hello?"
"Enjoying the party?" Kate asked.
Michaela nodded. "Yeah, it's nice."
It was swanky. The publishers clearly went all out and wanted to capitalize on Gwen's popularity by pushing the book out so quickly.
The food was also good and the sample desserts they got had a very nice balance of flavors. It made Michaela want to buy her cookbook, even though she couldn't bake.
"What's with the frown then?" Sophie asked.
"I'm frowning?"
Sophie nodded. "Is this about Gwen?"
"No?"
"So you're not jealous about how much time she spends with Fran?" Kate asked.
"No."
Kate and Sophie looked at each other and then at her. They pulled Michaela over to a darker corner.
"You cannot be serious right now," Kate whispered.
"I trust Fran."
"It's not about trusting Fran. Fran would never-" Kate started.
"She's always touching her," Sophie said and pointed to Gwen's hand on Fran's arm as she laughed.
“And she's like her new best friend," Kate added.
"I'm Fran's best friend." Michaela corrected.
"Are you?" Kate asked.
Michaela looked back over to see Fran looking for her. She waved, and Fran smiled before turning back to the group.
"Yes. I have no reason to be jealous. I think you are letting the Bridgerton jealousy rub off on you. People are allowed to be friends."
"There you are," Fran said and grabbed her hand. "Why are you back here? What are you three doing?"
Fran raised an eyebrow, and Michaela thought on her feet.
"Talking about you."
"Me? Why?"
"I'm getting advice for a surprise."
"What is it?" Fran asked as they left the corner.
"If I tell you, it won't be a surprise."
Fran pouted, and Michaela mimicked it before pouting seriously. Now she needed to think of a surprise.
She didn't know what Kate and Sophie did, but that conversation made Michaela notice things.
Like how Gwen was always over when she got back in town, regardless of the time.
If she returned early in the morning, Gwen had just stopped by with a new recipe for them to try. If it was late at night, she and Fran were finishing up a movie marathon.
Gwen started coming to family dinners - not all of them, but some and the Bridgertons were enjoying seeing her and chatting with her as they did with Michaela.
Michaela didn't mind that so much because she and Fran got to cuddle up in the corner of a couch and enjoy each other's company without running commentary from her siblings.
It was joining the family at Aubrey that did it.
Michaela didn't even know she was there until she came out of their room, dog leash in hand, to see Gwen in the bedroom across the hall.
Crowdie sped past her legs to tell Gwen good morning.
"Gwen?"
She looked up from her crouch with a grin. "Michaela! Hi. I didn't know we were neighbors."
Michaela nodded and yawned a bit. "You're here?"
"Daphne invited me. I wasn't going to come, but Eloise and Colin…"
Michaela nodded. "Yeah. No worries. Sorry, I'm like half awake. I'm excited you're here with us."
Michaela was excited. She didn't get to spend that much time with Gwen when it was all said and done so maybe the days here would stop the weird spinning in her head.
"I'm excited, too. We never get to hang out. Not that Fran isn't great, but all she talks about is you."
Michaela laughed. "I'm sure it's the piano and the dog before me."
"No, you are beating the piano."
Michaela smiled. "My family would say she's beating the skateboard so…"
"I'm so glad she has someone like you."
"I'm the lucky one."
Gwen gave Crowdie a scratch before going downstairs.
"See you at breakfast."
Michaela nodded before looking down at her whining puppy.
"You'll see her later. Let's go outside."
Crowdie barked.
"I know. Let's go."
Michaela was halfway through her warm up for practice around the grounds when the Bridgertons stepped out for Pall Mall with Gwen among them.
"You aren't playing?" Gwen asked, and Michaela popped her board up and shook her head.
"It's a bit too boring for me. Besides, I have been banned from playing."
"Mama uses her to entertain the kids now. She can't play." Fran explained.
"Wow, you're like a member of the family." Gwen pointed out, and Colin patted her shoulder as he passed.
"You are, too, Gwen!"
"Thanks."
Fran nodded in agreement. "You are." She stepped over to Michaela and adjusted her helmet before pressing a kiss on her lips.
"Be safe."
"I will."
"And don't let yourself overheat."
Michaela chuckled at Fran's sly grin before she stepped back. She winked at Fran and waved goodbye to her.
She knew what that meant.
Michaela's skateboarding practice had been very productive, even though she was interrupted to allow some young children to ride on her board until their Nan pulled them back inside.
Michaela finished up her probable final loop, shirt off and skin warm from the sun, when she saw the group of Bridgertons on their way back, Eloise bragging about how she won.
She internally thought it would be Hyacinth this year, but she did place her bet on Not Kathony, so she should get a return.
In the back, Fran was talking with Gwen. Their heads were close together, their arms were linked, and they were giggling. Fran wasn't a giggler for the most part. Michaela scowled a bit before pulling her shirt out of her belt loops and using it as a towel.
"Good practice?" Sophie asked, and Michaela nodded, smiling when Sophie looked to see if Fran was watching.
"You're good."
"Surprisingly." It was a bit surprising. Fran wasn't as vigilant as she was before they started dating, but she would still occasionally pout if one of her sisters-in-law was too close.
"Maybe she figured out she has nothing to worry about."
"Sure."
Sophie shook her head at her before going up the stairs. She smiled at Kate who was too busy comforting Anthony to stop but she did send her a very Kate look before gesturing to Fran and Gwen.
"Congrats on the win, El."
"Thank you!" Eloise yelled, slamming her hand on Michaela's raised one in a very violent-sounding high-five before going into the house.
Fran looked up at her and grinned. "Good skate?"
"Great skate. Did you play or stand around?"
"We played," Gwen answered.
"Oh?"
Fran nodded. "I would assist if Gwen got stuck."
"How gallant of you."
Fran stepped away from Gwen to wrap her in a hug.
"I'm sweaty."
"I don't care," Fran mumbled in her neck, and Michaela wrapped an arm around her. They were in their own little world for a moment.
"Michaela, I wanted to ask you a question."
Michaela looked over Fran's shoulder at Gwen and nodded. "Sure."
"What is your workout routine? Fran said she didn't know the specifics."
"Mostly skating. I do a bit of balance work. I hit the gym twice a week. Are you looking to work out? I know a good trainer."
Gwen shook her head. "No. I was just admiring your arms and thought I'd ask."
"Oh. Well, thanks."
"You're welcome." Gwen smiled.
Michaela nodded before looking at Fran who looked a bit heat drunk. "We need to get you inside."
"It is very hot." Fran tugged at her by her wrist. "Shirt."
"Yeah. Yeah." Michaela mumbled and put her shirt on.
The after dinner hangout started fine. Eloise was still bragging about her win until Benedict finally reached over to shut her up, and Pen, Sophie, and Colin had to pull him back.
Greg and Hy had decided to forgo sitting with the old folks and hang out with Daphne, Simon, and the kids in the den.
Hy did apologize for calling her old, which Michaela appreciated. Violet went up to "rest", which Michaela knew was code for calling her boyfriend.
They had settled on Pictionary as the game for the evening. Ben and Sophie were the moderators, so they wouldn't have an advantage, and Michaela was playing with Eloise, whose stick figures were atrocious after she complained that there should be no couple teams.
Fran had pouted, and Michaela returned it before being pulled away.
She wasn't a great partner to Eloise.
She was at first, somehow guessing Winnie the Pooh from the scribbles that she put on the board but Gwen and Fran's turn distracted her.
Fran was up there, drawing a scooter - a Vespa probably.
"A bike?"
Fran shook her head.
"A motorcycle, a scooter." Fran pointed and made some sort of weird hand gesture, and Gwen squinted.
"Babe, I don't know what you're doing."
When did she start calling Fran babe?
Fran sighed before drawing the lines again, like that would help.
"10 seconds," Ben called out.
"I don't know. A -"
"Time," Sophie yelled. "Anyone have an idea?"
"A Vespa?" Michaela asked.
"Yes. Thank you, sweetheart." Fran said.
"Sorry, babe. I didn't think it had to be an actual brand."
"We have strict rules here," Colin called out, and Kate nodded in agreement.
"It's okay." Fran sighed, and she looked sad. Gwen pulled her in a hug.
"Next time." She saw how Gwen's hands lingered on Fran's back and sides and frowned.
She was jealous.
Great.
So she was jealous. It was a normal emotion - perfectly fine. Michaela was a human being. Nothing to panic about.
She came back in from Crowdie's final walk of the night, her furry boy in her arms because he barely taller than the grass and he was a weenie about the dark.
"You are such a weenie."
Crowdie barked.
"Don't sass me."
She set him down, and he went to drink out of Newton's bowl. Oh, whoops. Michaela made a note to fill that back up before they left.
She reached into the pantry and pulled out a small bag of crisps to eat before bed as a way to soothe herself and turned around to see all of Fran's siblings and most of the in-laws staring at her.
"Can I help you?"
"So, What was that?" Pen asked.
Michaela looked at the bag in her hand. "These are Salt and Vinegar."
"Don't be deliberately obtuse. What was that?" Kate asked.
"Pictionary. Nothing to worry about." She felt her jaw clenching and took a breath. "Everything's fine."
"Why are you clenching your jaw?" Daphne asked.
"I'm not."
"Oh my God, are you jealous?" Eloise asked.
"You can get jealous?" Colin asked. "You?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Michaela frowned at him.
"It's just…you're you," Colin said.
"I'm actually shocked that Gwen isn't all over you." Eloise thought out loud. "Are you losing your mojo?"
"She's not," Sophie answered. Ben shook his head in agreement.
If Michaela weren't feeling like she was in the middle of a tornado right now, she'd enjoy the compliment.
"Okay, so. What are we going to do about that?" Daphne asked.
"You're doing nothing. I'm going to finish my snack, then take the baby boy up to bed." She looked down to see Crowdie's little head on her foot.
He looked as over this entire endeavor as she was.
"You're not going to talk to Fran?" Pen asked.
"I think she should confront Gwen about it," Hyacinth said. "At breakfast."
"We are not turning this into a soap opera." Daphne hissed, and Hyacinth shrugged.
"Alright, enough." Anthony hissed. " We don't need Fran or Gwen to come down here. Do you want me to talk to her?"
Michaela raised an eyebrow. " No?"
"I mean - Fran?" Eloise asked. "Gwen's going for Fran? Again?"
"I know. So weird." Greg whispered.
"You have a weird look on your face," Sophie said.
Michaela relaxed. "I'm fine. It's fine."
"Your voice sounds weird." Benedict pointed out.
"No, it doesn't."
"It does. Kind of whiny." Hyacinth added. "Gross."
"Nothing is going on. I appreciate your concern, but please leave me alone."
"I am losing all attraction for you right now," Kate whispered. "You get whiny when you're jealous?"
"I'm having some feelings of jealousy. I wouldn't say I'm jealous."
"You are. It's okay." Sophie whispered and patted her forearm.
Michaela growled.
Sophie moved her hand back. "Oh wow."
"And it's back," Kate whispered. Anthony huffed behind her. "Oh, don't start."
"Look, it's a normal emotion," Daphne said.
"I know that."
"You just need to talk to Fran."
"I know that. I'm not spiraling. It's fine. We'll talk. Not tonight, but I do plan on telling her my feelings."
Daphne looked at her, shocked. "Wait, we don't need to convince you to talk to Fran?"
"No. I was going to talk to her. Maybe I just didn't want to tell you guys that. Maybe everything doesn't have to be discussed by committee. Maybe I don't want to fly off the handle at her and instead have a grown up conversation, and I need a moment to get my emotions under control, and you are not helping by doing ..." Michaela gestured at them. "This."
Greg nodded. "I can see how this is not helpful."
She slammed the half-empty bag in Colin's hand and picked up Crowdie. He licked her chin in solidarity. "Good night."
She got murmurs of good night and one sleep well from Hyacinth while stomping up the stairs.
She opened their bedroom door, and Fran smiled at them from the bed. Michaela shut the door behind her and handed the dog over.
"There you are," Fran said and scratched Crowdie's head in greeting while Michaela kissed her. "Where have you two been?"
Michaela sighed. "Getting a snack."
She didn't get a chance to talk to Fran. She had some Olympic preliminary meetings, then a photo shoot with Adidas, and by the time she was ready to talk to her, Fran was deep in rehearsals for her show and Michaela didn't want to break her concentration.
So she silently fumed for the next three weeks over Gwen and how much she touched Fran and called her babe, and was just at their place all the time.
It was noticeable to Gareth and Lucy during practice, too.
"Dude, you are so off," Gareth grumbled as Michaela pulled him up.
"Sorry."
"You should just tell her," Lucy said.
"When?"
"As soon as you get home. Tonight."
"What if she is there?"
At that moment, Michaela could admit that she sounded whiny when jealous.
It wasn't attractive.
"After she leaves," Gareth said.
"Does she leave?"
"It doesn't feel like it," Michaela mumbled. "You're right."
"I usually am." Lucy smiled, and Michaela rolled her eyes.
She opened the door to see candles on the coffee table with two very delicious-looking plates of chicken and vegetables and Fran, holding Crowdie.
"Hey?"
"Hi." Fran kissed her. "Welcome home."
"What's all this?"
"Dinner."
"What did I do to deserve this?"
"Just you being you. You've looked a little down lately."
"You cheering me up?"
Fran nodded. "Now I will be putting him in our room while you wash your hands."
The dinner was fantastic, and they allowed their fur baby to return to the living room once the dishes were up and the TV was on. He curled up in Michaela's lap.
Fran gasped. "When did this start?"
Michaela shrugged. "This is the first time he's done this with me."
Fran snuggled into her side, and Michaela adjusted her arms so one could be around Fran and the other was free so she could scratch Crowdie's ears.
"I'm glad he figured out you're the best person to cuddle with."
"You're not so bad yourself."
Fran kissed her cheek.
She felt better after that. A little alone time with Fran (and Crowdie) went a long way, and Michaela realized that the jealousy was stemming from them just not having a lot of time together.
So she made it a point to have time with Fran (and Crowdie) since she was home for a while. All was well, and Michaela was back to her normal self when it all came out.
The Bridgerton kids were hanging out without Violet and their own children when Sophie answered the door, and Gwen walked in. She made the rounds, giving hugs and catching up when she got to Michaela and Fran.
"I feel like I haven't seen you in ages," Gwen said while hugging Fran. "And I never see you," she said while hugging Michaela. "What have you two been up to?"
"Oh, just spending time together," Michaela replied, and she felt Fran's arms circle her waist.
Fran nodded. "It's been nice. Just us."
"And Crowdie."
"And Crowdie," Fran added and sent her a smirk. Michaela shrugged. She had to include her little guy.
"That's good. Can't have you two breaking up." Gwen joked, and the air shifted.
"Why would they break up?" Hyacinth asked, and Michaela felt bad for Gwen at that moment. The Bridgertons all had that frown they got when someone said something against the family.
"I was kidding. I know they are like made for each other."
"Yeah. They are. So don't joke." Greg said.
"Guys. It's fine." Michaela said, and Eloise shook her head.
"It's not. We get that you have a crush on Fran, but you don't need to joke about her relationship ending."
"Wait, you think I have a crush on Fran?" Gwen asked and looked at them. "You two think that?"
"No." Fran scoffed.
Michaela was silent.
"Michaela?" Fran whispered.
"She's touchy."
Gwen looked at her in shock. "I've known Fran for 15 years. She's like family."
"You slept together." Ben gagged.
"Like is doing a lot of work there," Sophie whispered.
"I promise I don't have a crush on Fran," Gwen said, and the siblings relaxed.
"What about Michaela?" Simon asked, and everyone looked at him in shock. Simon asked a question.
Simon.
Michaela was sure that he wore earplugs during most family events. Since when did he start paying attention?
"Michaela is lovely," Gwen said.
"You didn't answer his question." Hyacinth pointed out and Gwen's face got a little red.
"Oh my God!" Ben yelled. "No way."
"You have a crush on Michaela?" Fran whispered.
"I'd never do anything about it. She's so into you, it's ridiculous." Gwen said. "I love it for you."
"How long have you thought about her in that way?"
"Aubrey? Her shirt was off."
"That will do it," Kate said, and Anthony squawked in disbelief by her side.
Fran nodded at her. Michaela knew that nod. It was Fran's I'm trying not to have a temper tantrum nod.
"We'll be back." Michaela pulled her outside and shut the door. She saw everyone not even attempting to give them privacy and pulled Fran to the side out of viewing range.
"So, Gwen has a crush on me?"
"You were jealous?" Fran whispered.
Michaela sighed and nodded. "Yes."
"Is that why you've been so clingy?"
"Clingy?" Michaela is not clingy.
"You are clutching me in your sleep. I've been enjoying it, but it was strange. That explains that." Fran furrowed her eyebrows. "And your voice."
"What about my voice?"
"You've had a whine for weeks."
Michaela grimaced. "It's not cute, I know."
"It's very cute. And now that I know why it's even cuter."
"It is?"
"So cute, sweetheart. You love me." Fran pulled her into a kiss.
"I love you very much."
"Good. I love you, too." Fran's thumb caressed the side of her neck. "You have nothing to worry about. No need to get jealous. I only want you."
"Ditto."
Fran huffed. "I can't believe it. I thought she was staring at you too much then. What's your workout routine?"
Michaela laughed at Fran's attempt to mimic Gwen's voice. "Okay. Relax."
"I'm calm."
"You are jealous. You went from 0 to 60 in a second. Which is wild."
"She shouldn't be staring at you like that."
"She just thinks I'm hot. So does Kate. It's not a big deal."
Fran sighed. "I know."
"I only want you."
"I know."
"Gwen is our friend."
"She is?"
"She is."
"Even though she has a crush on you?"
"I'd have like no friends if that were the rule."
"We would have never been friends," Fran whispered.
"And look at us now. I'm so lucky."
"I'm lucky."
They kissed until the door opened and Gwen stepped out. "Please tell me you are coming back."
"Are they giving you grief?" Fran asked.
"So much."
Fran rolled her eyes and marched back into the living room to a very fiery debate going on.
She stood in front of her siblings. "Okay."
The family shut up.
"I'm over it. Gwen has a crush on Michaela. So what. So does Kate."
Anthony huffed, and Kate rolled her eyes. "I love you."
He grinned.
"And she will get over it."
"I will," Gwen added.
"And Michaela is no longer jealous. We've talked. It's fine. Move on."
Everyone nodded.
"So your voice will stop doing that thing?" Sophie asked.
"I don't see why it wouldn't," Michaela said.
"Oh, it's gone," Kate whispered in relief. She looked at Anthony. "I love you."
Michaela kissed the Kate induced pout off of Fran's face. "And I love you."
Fran grinned.
"I can't believe that," Fran whispered as she crawled into bed. Michaela hummed from her spot by Crowdie's bed, where she petted his side as he burrowed down.
"Do you think he needs a blanket?"
"No. Come to bed."
Michaela sighed and scratched his ear before getting up. "You don't think he gets lonely?"
"No. We're right here. He's fine."
Michaela got in bed and pulled Fran into her arms. She was going to keep clinging to Fran at night. She had been sleeping a lot better lately.
"I don't know why I'm so shocked. Look at you." Fran whispered.
"I know I said he can't sleep in the bed with us, but he's our little guy. Our little cheese."
"You can't have your shirt off around anyone at this point."
"Maybe the foot of the bed."
"Sweetheart?"
"Hmm?" Michaela focused on Fran's face.
"Sex."
"Right, he can stay in his bed. Actually, maybe I should move him to the living room." Michaela sat up.
Fran pulled her back down. "Later. Go to sleep."
"So we're not having sex?"
Fran pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "In the morning."
"Sounds good."