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Fran is used to being…confused about social interactions. There were countless situations where she read everything wrong.
And yet.
She knew she fucked up the moment the words came out of her mouth. She had been trying to apologize for days.
Visiting Daphne for help was an act of desperation.
She should have called first.
She had interrupted Kate, Pen, and Daphne’s catch-up. Colin was on Bel duty as Augie was with Simon for a Boys’ Day.
Eloise drove her so she would “stop looking sad sacky on our couch.”
Now, Fran was getting the experience of Daphne’s attention on her.
“Explain again.” Daphne ordered. She looked weary.
Fran felt just as weary as she shifted under the harsh older sister glare. She was not normally in this position. This was a strictly an Eloise/Anthony/Hyacinth area. They were the ones to say something so outrageous that they would get hung up on and blocked.
She looked over to Eloise, who sat with Kate and Pen. She got an apologetic shrug.
Colin stood behind the settee that sat on, enjoying the bowl of ice cream he stole from Daphne’s fridge.
She really didn’t know how this happened. Fran usually thought before she spoke. Michaela Stirling somehow shut off the very large filter that Fran had from her brain to her mouth.
She was an enchantress.
“It came out wrong.” Fran said.
“No shit.” Colin muttered before whining at the double smacks he got.
“I didn’t mean that it meant nothing.” Fran continued. “I…the words got jumbled.”
Daphne nodded before adjusting Bel on her hip. “Right. And when you said that.”
“I didn’t get a chance. Michaela got up and left. Then ignored my calls.”
“I can applaud her boundaries.” Kate said. “None of you are worth the emotional jerking around.”
Every Bridgerton turned and looked at her in betrayal. “What? You aren’t. You’re emotionally stunted.”
“Me specifically?” Fran asked.
“You’re better than the rest but is that a challenge?”
“I thought we were helping?” Pen said.
“We aren’t?” Kate asked.
“Okay. How about we get someone to talk to Michaela for you?” Colin said. “Put in a good word.”
“John is staying out of it.” Fran said. Colin groaned.
“Elizabeth.” Eloise said. “I have her number.”
Fran swallowed. She reluctantly nodded.
Elizabeth Ashworth didn’t like Fran. Fran didn’t know what exactly why she was not on Elizabeth’s good side, but the animosity was justified now.
“I don’t want to help you.” Elizabeth said when she walked into her bar.
Fran nodded and turned around. Daphne and Eloise turned her back around.
“No, Frannie.” Daphne ordered.
Fran found some courage. “I just want to explain.”
“No. You meant what you said.”
“I didn’t.” Fran breathed out. “I really didn’t. I…I love her.”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes.
“I do. She makes me feel so much more. And that is terrifying. I wish- I don’t like being under a microscope, but it is okay with her. And Michaela is…so kind and so sweet, and she makes- I want- please, Elizabeth. Please.”
Elizabeth finally put down her pen. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you speak that much. Or that incoherently.”
Fran nodded.
“And you look pathetic.”
Fran nodded again. That was a valid critique: Fran was in her ratty leggings and busted New Balances. She was also wearing Anthony’s old uni sweatshirt. The most comfortable things that she could find that didn’t remind her of Michaela. “I am. I am ready to grovel.”
Elizabeth looked behind her. “And this won’t happen again?”
“Never. Unfortunately, I was not made aware that Fran was dating.” Daphne said.
“We’ve preemptively banned our brothers from ever giving advice.” Eloise added.
Elizabeth nodded. “Come to the party. I cannot guarantee that she will want to talk to you. But I can get you in a quiet room together.”
Fran sighed. “Thank you. Thank you.”
“Do not make me regret it.”
“I won’t.”
It was the 8th Annual Liz and Micki Pride Extravaganza. Ashworth Manor was full of people having a good time and enjoying their queerness. Fran stood in the foyer, with her older sisters blocking the exit, and scanned. She did not see Elizabeth or Michaela.
“What are you three doing here?” Ben hissed.
“What are you doing here?” Daphne replied.
“Enjoying Pride. I had to swear on the bible that I would not bring up Fran. And here she is.”
“The bible?” El asked.
“Michaela’s stack of Janelle Monáe records.”
Fran nodded. That was serious. “I can go.”
“No.” Daphne said. “You are apologizing to your girlfriend.”
“Ex girlfriend.” Ben said. “It’s going around that she is single.”
Fran felt her stomach drop. Fuck. She felt several pairs of eyes on her has people walked around the party. It was all she could do to not start whining at the accompanying whispers about Michaela being single.
“Frannie, are you serious about Michaela?” Ben asked. He stared into her eyes harder than he had ever made eye contact with her.
Fran nodded and gulped. Ben looked so serious, like he was ready to fight her to protect Michaela.
He gave her a nod. “She’s in the back, mixing drinks. I can get you in there. Does Liz know you’re here?”
“You have three minutes.” Elizabeth appeared out of nowhere, startling Daphne and Eloise. “She does not know you are here. She doesn’t know that I know you are here.”
“Got it.” Fran whispered.
“If she asks you to leave?”
“I leave.” Fran said.
“She’s in the cellar.” Elizabeth pointed down the hall. Fran’s sisters pulled her down the hall. Ben came up the rear and was joined by Sophie.
“I don’t need you guys to do this.”
“You do.” Daphne said.
“You’ll bitch out.” El added.
Ben and Sophie nodded.
They stopped Fran in front of the door. Daphne smoothed her hair. “Okay, you can do this.”
Fran nodded.
“Just…grovel. Just beg.” Eloise said. “Channel Anthony.”
Fran nodded again.
“And tell her you love her.” Ben added.
She was starting to feel overwhelmed. And touched out, Daphne had not stop smoothing her hair.
“Okay, why don’t we let her go in there and apologize?” Sophie asked.
Her siblings stepped back. They all looked as nervous as Fran felt.
She wiped her damp hands on her jeans as she opened the door and closed it behind her.
Michaela was standing next to a bar cart and reading labels.
“I’m avoiding the really expensive stuff. I think everyone is a bit too sober for us to cut the vodka-” She looked up and frowned.
“Hi.” Fran said. Michaela looked…sad. You couldn’t tell if you didn’t know her. She had a lesbian flag painted on her cheek and body glitter on and was as gorgeous as ever, but her eyes looked sad.
Michaela scowled. “Francesca.”
“I’m sorry. I want to explain.” Fran rushed out.
Michaela took a deep breath and rolled her eyes. “There is nothing to explain. I understood the first time.”
“You didn’t.”
“It didn’t mean anything. That’s pretty clear.”
“I didn’t mean that. It came out wrong. I just-” Fran rushed to block Michaela from leaving.
“Move.”
“Just listen.”
“Move.”
“Please. Please just listen.”
Michaela glared. “No. I’m not doing this with you. I was patient. I waited. You weren’t ready for labels. That’s fine. But you said you were and now…I don’t want to be an experiment or a scratching post or…how did you even find me?”
Fran froze. “Ummm….”
“I’m going to kill your brother.” Michaela jerked open the door, causing Eloise and Ben to stumble forward. Daphne looked hopeful behind them. Fran rapidly shook her head.
“You.” Michaela glared at Ben. “Out.”
“Noooo, come on.” Ben whined. “Don’t kick us out.”
“I’m not kicking Sophie out. Just you. In fact, all Bridgertons.” Michaela stared at her. “I don’t want to talk to you.”
Fran nodded. “Okay.”
“Don’t call me. Don’t text me.”
Fran nodded.
Michaela stormed off. Fran watched her leave. She ruined everything.
“Oh Frannie.” Daphne pulled her into a hug. She didn’t want to be touched at that moment, but Daphne’s shoulder was always a good place to cry.
“Okay, what do we do?” Ben said.
“You leave.” Sophie said.
“What?”
“We’re respecting Michaela’s wishes.” Sophie said, like Ben was three.
“Right. Come on, El.” Ben pulled Eloise away.
“I’m not a Bridgerton.” Daphne said.
“You aren’t.” Sophie agreed.
Fran sniffled. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m taking you to the backyard before I go.” Sophie said. “And Daphne is going to talk to Michaela for you.”
Fran nodded.
It took several minutes, but Daphne finally made her way through the absolute hoard of women that were around the bar. Daphne didn’t seem bothered by the glares or the scowl that Michaela gave her.
She even didn’t seem bothered by Chris standing guard as they talked.
Michaela’s eyes met hers through the window and Fran felt her soul about to leave her body.
“You’re still here?” Elizabeth said, scaring her.
“Yes.” Fran whispered.
“Why?”
“I know she doesn’t want to talk to me.”
Elizabeth gave her a no shit look.
“But I want her to understand.”
“So she’ll take you back?”
Fran shook her head. That ship had sunk. Michaela was not taking her back. She hated Fran, understandably so. “I want her to know that it wasn’t her. She’s amazing. I’m the idiot.”
Elizabeth hummed.
“I can’t let her go thinking that she was not the best thing that ever happened to me.” Fran whispered. She sat down on the concrete steps. “And I know you and Chris don’t really like me.”
Elizabeth gathered her dress and joined her. “You come across as arrogant.”
Fran blinked in shock. “I do?”
“When I first met you, you seemed above it all.”
“I assure you I’m not. I’m usually worrying about how awkward I’m being.”
“That’s what Micki said. She’s the same way.”
Fran’s eyebrows furrowed. “She is?”
“When she gives a shit. She didn’t want to fuck up your…thing. She was serious about you.”
Fran leaned on her knees. “I know.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Are you going to be good to my best friend?”
“Yes.”
Elizabeth stared at her before coming to a conclusion. “Your sister is not going to convince her to talk to you. She’s being stubborn now. Give me a minute.”
Fran watched Elizabeth stand up and stalk inside.
The door shut behind her and Fran sighed.
A moment later, the door opened and Michaela sat next to her.
“You have two minutes.”
“I am so sorry.” Fran rushed out.
“I know.”
“I am so so sorry.” Fran said again.
“Okay.”
“That meant something.”
Michaela nodded.
“Nothing before meant anything. That is what I was trying to say. Nothing before mattered. I think I am systematically changed.”
“One orgasm, and you’re a new person.” Michaela joked. She had a little laugh in her eyes that Fran was determined to keep.
“You’re that good.”
“Flattery will not work.” she smiled.
“I hurt you.”
Michaela nodded.
“I hate that. I’m sorry.”
Michaela squeezed Fran’s hand. “Apology accepted.”
Fran sighed. “I’m going to keep a little bit of my dignity and go. Thank you for listening.”
Fran stood up.
“You’re not going to beg?”
Fran looked down at Michaela’s raised eyebrow. “Would it…change things?”
“It could.”
Fran almost dropped to her knees but decided to sit down very ungracefully. She grabbed Michaela’s hands and froze. She didn’t know what to say.
How do you convince a woman way out of your league to give your emotionally stunted ass another chance? “Please.”
Michaela frowned. “That’s it?”
Fran nodded. “I’m an idiot and clearly shouldn’t speak after sex.”
Michaela laughed. “You’re not an idiot.”
“I am. Now that I think about it, it’s a thing. With my family.”
“You say stupid things to women you are dating?”
“We act like an asshole to the person we are in love with.”
“You’re in love with me?” Michaela asked.
Fran nodded. “I am. And if you’ll have me, I’ll prove it every day.”
“Every day?”
Fran nodded. “And I won’t say a word during sex.”
“Well, hold on. During is fine. It’s after that you have a problem with.” Michaela smirked.
Fran giggled. “I’ll be quiet after then.”
Michaela hummed. “Okay. You get a reprieve. This one time-”
Fran nodded, cutting her off. “I will be on my best behavior. I love you.”
Michaela laughed. “I love you too.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
Fran’s cheeks hurt due to how wide her smile was. “You do?”
“Yeah, that’s why I was so mad.” Michaela shook her head. “What did you think was going on?”
Fran shrugged. She didn’t know. “I’m an idiot. That’s also a thing. We get stupid.”
“I’m seeing that.” Michaela shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Let me stay?” Fran asked.
Michaela leaned in and kissed her. Fran felt the last bits of tension fade away.
“Come on. You are allowed back inside. You can help me make drinks.”
Fran stood up and pulled Michaela up. “I can do that.”
“You’re going to get glared at.”
“A small price to pay.”
Michaela dragged her inside.
Fran suffered through numerous glares, three snide comments from Chris, and the indignity of drinking a shot of whiskey so intense that her eyes watered.
Michaela had her cutting lemons and limes as well as putting ice in shakers or as Chris put it.
“The bitch work.” Chris smirked.
“Be nice.” Michaela warned.
“I don’t mind.” Fran said, sliding cut fruit over.
“You don’t? I didn’t know anyone in your family knew how to work.”
Michaela kicked Chris’s shin before kissing Fran. “Either help or leave.”
“She apologized?”
“Many times.”
“And I will continue to.” Fran added.
“That’s not necessary.” Michaela murmured.
“It is.” Fran insisted.
“It was an accident.”
Chris narrowed his eyes. “Got humbled, Bridgerton?”
Fran nodded. “I know what I’d be losing.”
“Fine. I’m off to find a boy toy.”
Fran watched him go. “Do I have that to look forward to for a while?”
“They’ll hold a grudge for a while. But we’ll be okay.”
Fran sighed. “Okay.”
“Now, come dance with me.”
“I don’t dance.”
Michaela put her hands on her hips. “I thought you were making it up to me.”
Fran fought a groan as she was led out to the dance floor. A part of her thinks she screwed up again here.
But as Michaela wrapped her arms around her neck, she couldn’t be too mad.
This mistake had a better ending.