Forgetful Mind
Title: Forgetful Mind
Author: Fabfan
Fandom: All My Children
Pairing: Bianca/Frankie
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters
Summary: Can love truly be forgotten? Takes place around 2003.
Bianca slowly sipped her cappuccino and peered out the window of the elegant restaurant. The day’s newspaper sat sentinel at the side of her saucer, and a small stack of papers rested at the edge of the table, waiting to be flipped and perused over. She took another sip and softly returned the cup to its place. Her business meeting was meant to start a few minutes ago, but the investor appeared to be running behind schedule. There was a voicemail about taxis and traffic, but Bianca hadn’t been able to make out much between the garbled voice, loud honks, and screeching tires. With a sigh, she smoothed down a tiny crinkle in the crisp white tablecloth and gave a quick shake of her head when the server moved to stop by. She was not ready to order lunch yet. She would wait until Mr. Gregoire Alaine arrived.
Her eyes scanned the interior of the restaurant they agreed to meet at. It was one of the new fusion establishments from a renowned chef who was now trying his hand at a television show. It was said to be one of the best this side of the city, and it held itself out to be as such. The diners were all dressed in pressed suits and spoke of stocks and trades over minuscule dishes of caviar and overpriced fish. The lunch crowd was a decidedly business oriented bunch, with briefcases littering the bases of chairs and boastful crowing mixed with secretive exchanges of paperwork.
Bianca never much cared for places like this. She would rather go to a comfy café where the menu spoke of French fries and hamburgers or stay home and feast on messy pasta or pancakes in Myrtle’s kitchen with the old woman and Boyd while listening to legendary carnie stories. But, she was an executive with her mother’s cosmetics company, and Enchantment did not conduct business meetings over spaghetti or grilled cheese. Her mother would throw a fit if she heard that the first time she sent her daughter out of town to meet with someone, Bianca took them to something cheaper and less prestigious than a four star restaurant. Bianca giggled as she imagined the look Erica’s assistant Val would get if he found out. He’d be more upset than Erica! That was not the way a world-renowned corporation worked.
She was almost tempted to call Mr. Alaine and ask him to meet her at McDonalds. Almost. But, her rebellious streak was over, and she knew her responsibilities. She agreed to help her mom out, and that was what she was going to do. Hopefully, this meeting wouldn’t take long and wouldn’t be too much. She still had a lot of reading left for her classes. Being a freshman at Pine Valley University was not as easy as one would think it would be. She wondered if Maggie had gotten her notes for her from her study partner in Statistics like she’d asked her to. Maggie was a good friend; she probably did…unless she got caught up with her pre-med study groups. Oh well, she’d find out when she got back.
With a sigh, her gaze drifted back to the window. Hordes of people walked past, not noticing their silent observer. People of every shape, size, color, and build strolled or stormed along. Short. Tall. Skinny. Robust. Blonde. Red. They all slipped by. They bumped into each other and darted around, none offering a smile to the other or a pleasant greeting. New York was a busy place. All those people had somewhere to be, and no time to think about anything other than putting one foot in front of the other and not dropping their cellphone or mp3 player lest they type their text message wrong or miss a beat of their song.
Bianca watched them all. She enjoyed New York. Had spent a lot of time there. There were good and bad memories there. She visited the city with her father when he was still alive and she was a little girl. He took her to the top of the Empire State Building and out to the Statue of Liberty. New York was also where she first had her heart truly broken by a girl. It was where Sarah, her first girlfriend, told her she was getting married. The city held differing memories. She liked the place well enough. But, she never felt completely comfortable there. Not with so much noise and so many people. She missed her quiet home, where it was just her and the other boarders. She missed being able to step out onto the street and not be met with careening taxicabs and endless honking. Pine Valley was a crazy little town at times, but it was home.
She missed home.
She couldn’t wait to get back there.
She wondered if Mr. Alaine had called her again. Reaching for the cellphone in her purse, a flicker of something on the other side of the window caught her attention. Frowning, she turned her face to fully look through the glass. What was it?
There it was again. A simple flash of something familiar. Pressing her face closer to the glass, Bianca searched the faces and frames of the mass. What was out there? What was she seeing?
There. Right there.
Her breath caught in her throat.
The hair was darker than normal, almost fully brunette than any sort of blonde. Short and pulled back into a miniature bun instead of shoulder length. The eyes were facing forward, chin held high. All she saw was a glimpse of a face, but she knew that face.
Maggie Stone.
Her eyes followed the striking cheekbones and strong jaw. Traced the contour of an eyebrow and sleekness of a neck. Her crush on Maggie was faded and nearly gone, but that didn’t mean she was blind to how beautiful the other girl was. It might have to do with the fact she looked so much like Frankie. Bianca inhaled sharply at the sharp stab the always struck her heart, even after more than a year, when she thought about her ex-girlfriend.
Her eyes widened as Maggie slid around a tall man with glasses fiddling with his camera and ducked into the restaurant.
Maggie was entering the same place as her.
Why was Maggie doing that?
And why did she look so different than she had when Bianca left Pine Valley earlier that morning?
Bianca continued to watch her. She looked different. Yes, the hair was different for sure. Bianca made a mental note to ask her about that. But, there were also other things that poked at Bianca’s conscious. The way she stood. It was Maggie, but how she stood seemed…off. Bianca couldn’t say what exactly was off, but it didn’t look right. It was how Maggie held herself. Maggie was always open and friendly. Once Bianca heard her described as the girl next door, and Bianca agreed with that assessment. This person, while seeming to be polite, wasn’t as open as Maggie held herself out to be.
Maggie spoke lightly with the maitre’d before being escorted in Bianca’s direction.
Time froze as the man and Maggie stopped at the side of Bianca’s table and hazel eyes connected with Bianca’s brown.
Bianca didn’t speak. She couldn’t if she tried. Her body numbed yet a blazing fire exploded in her belly and raced through her blood. Those eyes. She was bound to them, was unable to look away. The greens and browns mixed together with something that made Bianca feel. Feel in a way she hadn’t felt in so long. So long that she refused to say when because it’d only make her cry. Confidence and mystery imbued the darkening green pools. A hint of arrogance shone out. Yet, warmth swam in the brown drops. Charm. A hidden wink of care that Bianca knew with certainty in that moment she was the only one able to see.
A brief thought entered her mind.
Maggie’s eyes were never filled with so much complexity.
The stare broke as Maggie sat down and the man left. Bianca saw her mouth move, but didn’t hear what was said. Clearing her throat and mentally shaking her head, Bianca tilted her head, “What are you doing here?”
Maggie’s eyebrow rose, “I just said.”
Bianca blinked. There was a twinge of attitude behind that statement. “I’m sorry, Maggie, but why are you here? I thought you had class today, and when did you get to New York? Did you take the train or did Anna drive you?” She shook her head, “It doesn’t matter. We can talk later, but I have a meeting right now.”
The eyebrow lowered and the corner of her mouth flickered, “Ms. Montgomery, you didn’t hear anything I said, did you?”
Mr. Alaine would be there any minute, “Maggie, now is really not a good time. I would like to talk, but this is really important.” Maggie knew that. Bianca’d told her all about the meeting before she left.
“Why do you keep calling me that?”
“What?”
The woman exhaled, her fingertips unconsciously reaching for the water glass and fiddling with the base of it, “My name isn’t Maggie.”
“What?” No, this was Maggie Stone. It had been less than a day since they last saw each other. Bianca’s memory wasn’t non-existent. “Maggie, I don’t have time…”
“Lady,” a film of agitation coated the words, “my name isn’t Maggie. Alright?”
Bianca sat back in her chair. It was unexplainable, but that sentence hit her like a ton of bricks. The words. The voice. The tone. She couldn’t put her finger on it, though. Maggie didn’t speak like that. Someone else once had, but that someone wasn’t there.
The fingers slid away from the glass and rubbed at a cheek before settling in the crook of an elbow as she crossed her arms, “I told you, my name is Frankie Alaine. My uncle is stuck somewhere between New Jersey and Canada, so he asked me to come over and have this meeting with you in his place.”
Uncle?
Frankie Alaine?
Frankie?
Frankie.
Bianca felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her and the world twisted and tilted on its axis. She swayed in her seat.
Frankie.
This wasn’t Maggie. But Maggie had a twin sister. A sister Bianca once loved with all her heart.
A woman, if she allowed herself to remember, which happened more than anyone knew and which caused her heart to break each time, made her feel things no one else ever had since. Not even Lena. Feelings these eyes thrust upon her the second they connected with her own.
“Hey, are you ok?” Frankie held her hand out, making as if to steady her.
“I…I’m fine.” Bianca pulled away from her. She blinked, staring at the other woman. It couldn’t be. It wasn’t possible. Frankie was dead. Killed. Buried. She went to her memorial service. She visited her grave.
She’d cried herself to sleep for months.
She still cried.
But, she looked so much like her. Like Maggie. Like a Stone. The hair. The face. The eyes. Bianca’s gaze trailed downward. This…she couldn’t even think her name...Alaine person was dressed casually. Much more casually than Bianca and the rest of the restaurant’s attendees. Her shirt, while an expensive looking deep blue button up, had the top two buttons undone, offering a glimpse of tanned smooth flesh and a gold chain necklace. The shirt wasn’t starched, the collar relaxed and loose. There was no jacket but a sleek black vest, the buttons undone. The sleeves of the shirt were pulled back slightly to reveal a gold watch on her left wrist and a black leather strap bracelet on her right.
She looked incredible.
Bianca swallowed thickly. There were hints of Frankie. Her Frankie. The leather bracelet. The cavalier posture and care with which she was dressed. But, Frankie was never one for fancy or fashionable attire. Being the daughter of Erica Kane and enjoying the subject herself, Bianca was able to recognize labels. This Frankie was wearing designer duds. The watch on her wrist had to have been an Omega and cost thousands of dollars. Frankie would never wear something so costly. The vagabond was barely able to afford nachos at BJs when they were together.
Wait…uncle?
“Your uncle?”
“Yeah, Uncle Greg.” Frankie played with the band of her watch. “He’s sorry he couldn’t make it, but since I was in town, he asked if I could step in. So, here I am.”
Bianca watched the restless fingers. Frankie was always doing that. Fiddling. Playing. Bianca teased her more than once about it when they were together. God, it was all coming back to her. Memories she’d tried to lock away. She could remember the way Frankie’s hand felt in her own. The lopsidedness of her grin. How gentle she could be when they held each other in bed. The vulnerability that Frankie only shared with her. Little quirks Bianca found endearing - such as the restless fingers. The only way to stop them was…when Bianca would capture the hands within her own.
Suddenly, Bianca wanted to trap those hands within her palms and hold them.
Biting her lip, Bianca mentally berated herself. She was acting like a child. This was a fantasy. Frankie coming back was a dream she’d had more than once since that cold autumn day. But, Frankie was dead. Whoever this was…it couldn’t be her girl. Could it? She had to stop. Had to stop acting like her wishes were being granted. Only in her mind could something like this actually happen.
One look into those hazel eyes had her not caring, though.
Chewing on her lip, Bianca forced herself to speak solidly, “I apologize for my behavior, it is just you seem so much like someone I once knew.”
Frankie smirked, “Someone good, I hope.”
“My ex.”
“Ah,” the smirk was joined by an amused eyebrow, “looks like I’ve already lost whatever negotiations we were supposed to have, then. No way you’re going to listen to me now.” She winked, “Gotta say, though, you don’t have too bad a choice in women.”
Bianca found herself smiling. If she only knew.
“This may sound really forward, but since I look like your ex and you’ve already sort of stared at me like I’m evil and you’ve told me to leave, I think it’s not going to be that weird, but you have a really beautiful smile.” She unfolded her arms, “And if your ex already told you that, I’ll understand if you throw something at me. I’d appreciate it if it wasn’t something painful, though. Maybe a pen. With the cap on.”
Bianca laughed, “The cap on?”
“Yeah, don’t want to get ink all over me. I already got some, and my uncle was furious. He might not understand if I told him it was because I sounded like someone’s ex.”
“Ink? You have tattoos.”
“I do.”
Bianca found that sexy. When had Frankie gotten tattoos? “May I ask what it is of?”
“I’d show you, but that might be too forward again.”
“You like being forward, don’t you?” It felt so good flirting with her. It felt right.
“Depends on who I’m being forward with.”
The server stopped at the side of the table, interrupting them. “Are you ready to order?”
Bianca glanced at Frankie, who hadn’t even seen the menu “I’m not sure…”
“I’ll have the beef, please.” Frankie ordered without looking at the guy, “And can I get an old fashioned?”
The server turned to Bianca, “And you, miss?”
“The scallops.” Old fashioned? Frankie didn’t drink hard liquor. The only time Bianca knew of Frankie drinking was the night she’d had a few beers and called her to apologize for their fight. Frankie didn’t have to say it in so many words, but Bianca knew she didn’t like drinking too much, because she couldn’t afford to lose control. She refused to risk the chance of revealing herself to other people. The thought saddened Bianca, but she had to admit it also warmed her heart to know she was the one Frankie went to the one time she lost control. She was the one Frankie always went to.
Except at the end.
“Very good.” The server briskly walked away.
Bianca breathed in, the small respite helping to clear her head slightly. She touched the stack of papers, but couldn’t bring herself to change the topic to business. Not when Frankie Stone or Alaine or whoever was sitting across from her. Was this a joke? It couldn’t be. Maggie wouldn’t do that, would she? But if she didn’t, how was this happening?
“How…” she didn’t know what to even ask.
“Did I know what to order?” Frankie finished for her. She shrugged, “There’s always a beef dish on the menu.” She nodded as the server dropped off her drink and took a sip.
Bianca barely heard her, too busy trying to understand. This had to be Maggie. But, Maggie was not in New York, and if she was, she wouldn’t know about Mr. Alaine being late. Why would Maggie even play this sort of joke? Maggie missed Frankie, too. They’d shared so many stories about her. If it wasn’t Maggie, then who was it? A reporter trying to get a scoop? The Examiner? But, how did they get someone who looked so much like Frankie?
This person was charming and witty. They were grinning at Bianca in a way that made Bianca smile back and feel happy. Bianca found herself forgetting about how crazy this scenario was and simply wanting to go along with whatever was occurring. She missed Frankie so much. Missed being able to flirt and feel good.
But, something was not right.
This person said their name was Frankie. But not Frankie Stone.
“You…you said your uncle is Mr. Alaine?”
“Yeah.” She set her beverage down.
“And you work for him?”
“Sometimes.” Frankie turned the glass on the tabletop, “He wants me to follow in his footsteps, but I’m not the biggest business person around. I like other things.”
“Like what?”
A shrug, “Stuff.”
“Tell me.” Bianca coaxed. “Please.
Frankie looked at her, “I like Shakespeare. I’m actually going to college for literature, but it’s not exactly a thriving career degree.”
Bianca didn’t even hear the last part. Her mind clicked off when she heard Shakespeare. Frankie Stone liked Shakespeare. There was the book of poems. The book that led them to finding out Vanessa was behind Frankie’s murder.
A sudden panic filled Bianca. She didn’t know where the book was. Was it in Pine Valley? In her box of old things? Was it with Opal? Her mother? Someone else? When was the last time she saw it? On her dresser? In the drawer? She needed to know. She wanted to see it. It was her last link to Frankie.
She was ripped from her thoughts as a hand landed on her own. She glanced over to see Frankie’s knuckles covering hers.
“That ex must have been a real bitch with how you keep zoning out on me.”
“No…she...it’s not that.” Bianca pursed her lips, “You sound very close to your uncle.”
“He sort of helped me out a lot. He’s been there for me. Family and all that.”
Bianca nodded, “That sounds very kind of him.”
“It was.” Frankie hunched her shoulders. Bianca recognized the gesture and turned her hand beneath Frankie’s, connecting their palms and entwining their fingers, silently offering support. Frankie blinked at the move, and her face looked as if she wanted to pull away, but she didn’t. “He took me in when no one else would. I owe everything to him.”
Bianca knew she was pushing boundaries. If this was her Frankie, then the girl was known to clam up when things became too personal. But, if it wasn’t her Frankie, then she was asking a total stranger things one doesn’t ask when they first meet, “You care about him.”
“Yeah, of course. He’s my uncle.” Frankie’s eyes dropped to the table. Another gesture Bianca recognized.
“What is it?”
Frankie took a moment before replying, “Your ex.”
“Yes?” she felt her throat tighten.
“She looks like me?”
“She could be your twin.” The words trembled.
Frankie nodded.
“Why?”
“Nothing.”
There it was. God, she sounded so much like her old lover. “You can tell me.”
“I don’t even know you.”
Bianca took a chance, “I think you might.”
Frankie’s eyes narrowed in thought at that.
“Frankie?”
Frankie didn’t say anything. She appeared to be thinking hard about something.
Bianca squeezed her hand, “Franks?”
Frankie’s head jerked at that, “What did you call me?”
Bianca gulped. It’d been a name she called Frankie when they were alone together. When they were wrapped in each other’s arms and talking quietly. When they were intimately entwined beneath the blankets.
When they were most in love that was the name Bianca called her.
“Franks.”
Frankie swiftly pulled her hand away, crossing her arms protectively over her chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
She’d blown it. “Frankie, I’m sorry if I…”
“Why did you call me that?”
“I don’t know.” Yes she did, but she couldn’t tell her it was because she thought Frankie might be her ex girlfriend who was supposed to be dead.
Frankie opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it with a shake of her head.
“Frankie,” Bianca began, but wasn’t sure what to say, “I know this might sound weird, but you can trust me.”
Frankie seemed to fold in on herself. Then, as if realizing what she was doing, she straightened her spine and defiantly held out her chin. Bianca realized what she was doing. Frankie refused to show when she was vulnerable. She projected a tough image, especially when she was most affected.
Frankie was affected by the nickname.
But why?
“I think we should talk about Enchantment. That’s why we’re here.” Frankie pointed at the papers.
“I think we should finish this first.”
“Ms. Montgomery,”
“Bianca,” she corrected.
“Bianca,” Frankie’s jaw shook as she said the name, “I’m here because my uncle was unable to attend. That’s it. I’m here to talk in his place about Enchantment and Alaine Investments.”
Bianca leaned forward, daring Frankie to look into her eyes, praying she’d answer the challenge, “Franks, look at me.”
The woman flinched at the name, “I am.”
“You know me, don’t you?”
“We met a few minutes ago.” Frankie shrugged.
“No. Not now. Before.” This was her Frankie. She didn’t know how or why, but she knew without a doubt this was Frankie Stone. Her heart leapt and it took all of her will power to not embrace the woman and hold her until they were safely back in Pine Valley. It didn’t matter that Frankie was meant to be dead, that none of this made sense. All that mattered was that Frankie was alive.
“Sure. You’re the daughter of Erica Kane, head of Enchantment Cosmetics. I’ve heard your name. Business isn’t exactly a big circle of people.”
Frankie was purposefully being obtuse. Bianca could sense it in her posture, in her tone. It was scary how well she was remembering her old love.
How that old love was beginning to seem like it wasn’t old at all.
That all this time she’d been telling herself and everyone else she was getting over Frankie and her death was a lie.
“Franks.”
“Stop saying that.”
“Why?”
“I asked you to.”
“Why does it bother you?”
“It doesn’t. My name is Frankie, though.”
This wasn’t working. “Frankie,” an idea came to her, “you’re right. Let’s talk business.”
Frankie exhaled silently in relief, “Alright.”
Bianca reached for the paperwork, “Your uncle was interested in his investments concerning Enchantment, correct?”
“Yes, he was.” Frankie took a sip of her drink. It looked like she needed the alcohol at that moment. “We’ve been worried about the rumors of Enchantment going public along with a few other things.”
“I see.” Bianca griped the papers, flipping through them. “How long have you been working with your uncle, may I ask?”
“A year.” Frankie answered.
“That’s a little while.”
“I help out when I have time between classes.” She swished the liquid around in her glass, “Uncle Greg offered me the prospect of learning the trade, and it was a good offer.”
“Even though you like literature more than business?”
“It’s a family business. And it actually pays well.”
Bianca pretended to read the papers, “Family. He wants you to be his successor?”
“Maybe.”
“What about your parents?”
The tone changed on a dime, “Why do you want to know about them?”
Bianca bit back a gulp at how harsh Frankie sounded, “I’m sorry.” Frankie always had a bad relationship with her parents. She knew that. But, her Frankie didn’t have an Uncle Alaine.
Frankie paused, “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean?”
Frankie rubbed her eyes before settling her vision on the white linen tablecloth, “I…”
Bianca waited patiently.
“Never mind.”
“No Frankie,” her voice was gentle, “it’s ok.”
Frankie tapped her fingers against the edge of the table. Bianca watched the emotions war on her face. She recognized each look. She’d seen them before. Frankie wanted to talk to her but was holding herself back.
Whispering, Bianca sent her a soft smile, “You can tell me.”
Frankie didn’t utter a sound.
Loving, “Franks…”
“There was an accident, before I went to college.” Frankie breathed out. “I can’t…they told me I was walking home one night and was mugged. The guy shot me and ran away with all my stuff. I almost died.” She bit her lip and closed her eyes, “This is stupid. Why am I even talking about this?” She smacked the table’s edge with her palm, “What is wrong with me?”
Bianca soothed, “Because you need to.” Because I’m the only one you were ever able to be open with. “It’s alright.” She encouraged.
Frankie swallowed roughly, taking another moment before continuing, “They lost me once on the operating table. I…when I woke up, they didn’t know who I was. Being mugged and having my stuff stolen didn’t help. My…Uncle Greg…I shouldn’t…”
“It’s ok.” Bianca grasped her hand. “It’s ok, Frankie. Tell me.”
Frankie shakily breathed, “He and my Aunt Lucie were visiting a friend in the hospital. We somehow ended up talking, and they came back to visit me everyday. When they heard I had no money or anything, they…they offered to pay for my care.” Her eyes had a fine glisten to them that she fought to hide, “They stayed with me while I was there. Came everyday. Brought me treats and books to read. Really nice people. When I was released, I had nowhere to go. They offered me their home, and I’ve been with them ever since.”
Frankie looked at Bianca, forcing the wetness in her eyes to disappear, “I couldn’t remember anything from before the hospital. I still don’t. Docs say I never will. All I knew was my name - Frankie. That’s it. They took me in, and that’s all that matters now. They’re my family.”
Bianca held on tightly to Frankie’s hand. An accident. Shot. Hospital. Forgot.
Amnesia.
Frankie had amnesia
How? How was Frankie there? It…it fit. The gunshot. Frankie was shot. But how did she end up in New York or wherever the hospital was? How was she alive?
“I shouldn’t have said any of that.” Frankie tried to pull back, but Bianca wouldn’t let her. “I’m being that crazy stranger who spouts off on personal stuff no one cares about.” She subtly wiped at her eyes. “I know it’s sort of common knowledge I’m not totally a legit Alaine, but…”
It didn’t matter. At that moment, Bianca didn’t care that nothing made sense. That this was more a dream than reality. Frankie was there. Alive. Warm and breathing and so goddamn perfect it made her heart ache. “You’re not crazy. And…and you’re not a stranger.”
“What are you talking about?” Frankie rubbed her nose.
Bianca stared into her eyes, “I know you. We…we’ve met before.”
“What? When?”
“Two years ago.”
“I don’t…” she trailed off, realizing what Bianca was saying. Her face hardened, “What are you trying to pull?”
“What?” Bianca was shocked at the sudden change.
“You think this is funny? That because I can’t remember you can pretend like…I don’t know…we were friends or something? Let me guess, we went to high school together. It was like one of those tv shows, right? What, were you the cheerleader and I was the geek? Or did we grow up next door to each other?”
“I was in love with you.”
Frankie’s mouth snapped shut with an audible clap.
It all came pouring out. She shouldn’t have said any of this, not now, not this early, but she was holding hands with the girl who stole her heart and by god it felt like it was never given back. This girl, who was mocking whatever they had together because she didn’t remember any of it, had her heart.
“We didn’t go to school together. We didn’t live next door to each other. I was never a cheerleader, and you were only a geek when no one was watching. You…you came to town, and I loved you from the moment we met. I was drawn to you. You were cool and smart and beautiful. I called you Franks.”
Frankie breathed heavily, overwhelmed by the emotion radiating off Bianca.
“You loved me, too. Your name is Frankie Stone. Mary Francis Stone, but you hated that name. You liked Frankie. I did too. I liked everything about you. Even when you were frustrating or made me angry, I liked you. Loved you. I was seventeen, and you were nineteen. I’m so happy to hear you got into college, because you thought school was important. You wanted to go. We were planning on going together. I was being rebellious, but you pushed me into at least going to the local university with you.”
“No. No.” Frankie shook her head. “If…you would have…no one knew me. If people knew me they would have…you didn’t love me…”
Her voice broke, “You were shot. I thought you’d died. We all thought you’d died. We had a memorial service.” A sob built up at the memories, “I thought I lost you forever.”
“This doesn’t make any sense.”
“I know! I know it doesn’t!” Bianca caressed her hand and her other rose slowly toward Frankie’s face. The older woman eyed it warily but didn’t back away. It tenderly touched her cheek, cupping it softly, “But you’re you.”
“I…” her eyes fluttered at the touch.
“Oh god.” Bianca whispered. She stood quickly, knocking over her chair, but she didn’t care. She flung herself around to the other side of the table and enveloped Frankie in her arms. Her face buried into the side of Frankie’s neck, and a lone tear dribbled down her cheek, wetting the amber scented skin. She chuckled weepily, “You even smell the same. Feel the same.”
Frankie tensed at the hug, but something inside of her, an invisible tether that held her together, snapped, and she found her arms wrapped around the trembling body, holding her close. When she felt the hug returned, another tear fell down Bianca’s cheek.
After a minute, Bianca pulled her face back far enough to see Frankie’s features. She traced every inch with her eyes, smiling through the tears, “You’re here.”
Frankie returned the look, but there were shades of confusion darkening the corners of her eyes.
Bianca slowly lifted one hand and touched the edge of Frankie’s jaw.
Frankie spoke quietly, “I…I don’t remember.”
A tiny sob burst out, but Bianca quickly muffled it with the back of her hand. “It’s ok. That’s ok. I don’t care. You’re here and you’re ok. That’s all I care about.”
“Excuse me, is everything ok?” the server stepped up to them.
Frankie shot the man a look, “Yeah,” as he walked away, she lifted her chin, “let’s get out of here.” She stood up, helping Bianca as she did so. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a wallet, carelessly tossing a few bills on the table to cover the check.
Bianca stumbled over to her side of the table and shakily grabbed her purse, the strap nearly slipping from her hold twice. Frankie was there. She was alive. She had been in Bianca’s arms.
Frankie was alive.
She turned to see Frankie scoop up the paperwork and gesture for her to go ahead. They quickly walked out of the restaurant and onto the busy New York street. Without a word, Frankie grasped her elbow and began to lead her. Bianca didn’t notice where they were going. Her mind was whirling. The puzzle pieces were scattered and incomplete. Part of her needed to understand, another part just want to relish in the fact that Frankie was alive, and the feelings long buried had arisen much like the woman attached to them.
She didn’t notice her surroundings until Frankie released her elbow. They were in a small park, the sights and sounds of the city slightly blocked by the strong trees. Frankie guided her to a bench tucked away behind a sturdy maple and motioned for her to sit down. The second Bianca touched the cool chipped metal, Frankie set the papers down, turned, and stepped away from her.
“Frankie?” Bianca watched her. Frankie’s shoulders and back were rigid. Her arms were folded and her head bent over as if in thought. She looked like a rubber band stretched to its limits, ready to snap at a breath of wind. Wiping at her glimmering eyes, Bianca carefully stood up. Her legs wobbled a bit, the emotion and frantic pace from the restaurant rattling her balance. With a deep breath, she slowly paced the short distance to the clearly troubled girl. She needed to comfort her, hold her, touch her. Her heart screamed at her to take Frankie in her arms again. Allow herself to feel her lover back where she belonged. Her chest clenched painfully. Her Frankie was back. They were here, together again. It didn’t matter who or what or how. They would figure it out later. Bianca would figure it all out, but right now, she wanted to be with Frankie. Her breath caught in her throat as she settled behind her ex. Her eyes scanned the stiff shoulders and arms. Bianca’s heart jumped into her throat. Frankie looked so good. So…so amazing and real. She swallowed past the formed lump as she felt the awkwardness and confusion pouring from Frankie. Softly, she placed her hands on Frankie’s arms, “Frankie,”
Frankie froze at the touch, her body somehow becoming even tenser.
Bianca forced her hands to drop, “I’m sorry.” Why did she do that? Yes, she wanted to hold Frankie. But, she knew better. She knew how Frankie could get. How closed off she’d be. Bianca knew how to act when that happened. She didn’t care, though. Not after all this time. She just wanted to be with Frankie.
“It’s fine.” Frankie muttered, but she took a few steps forward. She slowly turned around, facing the taller girl.
It clearly wasn’t.
“Frankie,” Bianca started, but stopped. She watched helplessly as Frankie shifted on her feet, obviously uncomfortable. Inhaling, she willed herself to take it slow. She didn’t want to scare Frankie away. “where are we?”
“A park.” Frankie shrugged. “Didn’t seem like the restaurant was the best place to have this conversation.”
“Do…do you come here often?”
“Sometimes. When I’m in New York.”
“I see.”
Frankie carefully uncrossed her arms, “Do…would you like to sit down?” She nodded at the bench.
“If you’ll sit with me.”
Frankie eyed her for a moment, then nodded. They walked over to the bench and sat down. Frankie sat up straight, bringing one designer sneaker clad foot up to rest on her knee. Bianca followed her movements out of the corner of her eye. She’d never seen Frankie sit like that before. Usually she was slouched or carefree, except for the time they met her mother for dinner. That time Frankie did her best to sit up tall and have perfect posture. Of course, neither the posture nor the dinner lasted long.
“Frankie?”
“Hmmm?”
Bianca sighed, “I know this is a lot. I can’t even comprehend it all. But…”
“What?”
“There’s other people who would like to know you’re alive.” Maggie. David. Anna. Opal. The list went on.
“Oh.” Frankie clutched her hands around her shoe and ankle.
“Don’t…don’t you want to know? Know about before you lost your memories?”
Frankie shrugged.
“You don’t.” It was obvious, and it hurt.
“Why would I?” Frankie leaned forward slightly.
Why would she? She looked to be happy. She had a family. A future. This wasn’t the street con who slept on park benches and would go hungry because she couldn’t afford food. “Because you had a life before.”
“A life with you?”
Bianca nodded.
Frankie clenched and unclenched her fists around her ankle, “It was two years ago. You said that.”
“Not that long.”
Frankie snorted, “I’m sure you’ve moved on.”
“I thought you were dead.” No she hadn’t. Not really. Nowhere near completely.
“Maybe that Frankie is.”
“How can you say that?”
“How can you be so sure I’m even her?” Frankie tossed her hands up, “Huh? Just because the girl you were dating got shot and so did I don’t mean we’re the same person.”
“Because I know what my Frankie looked like, sounded like, felt like. You’re her.”
“Maybe you’re confused. It’s been a long time since you saw her. Besides, you said I was like someone else, too.”
“Maggie.”
“Yeah, her.”
“Maggie is Frankie’s twin sister.”
Frankie blinked. Then, she laughed. A cold disbelieving laugh, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m not.”
“You think I’m this dead chick you loved because I look like this chick’s twin sister? That’s nuts.”
“I’m not making this up!”
“You’re a nut! Is this some game? Are you doing this because you don’t want my uncle to find out about something Enchantment is doing? Is this you and your mom’s attempt at getting publicity? Or are you just insane?” She covered her eyes with her hand, “And I told you stuff about me. This is why I don’t say stuff like that to anyone.”
“I’m not crazy, and this isn’t a game!” Bianca grabbed Frankie’s arm and pressed into her, “If this was all a lie, something I made up, why does it bother you so much when I call you Franks?”
She flinched again at the name, “Because my name is Frankie.”
“Or is it because that’s what I called you when we made love?”
Frankie shoved her back and swiftly stood up, storming away, “You’re nuts. Stay away from me.”
Bianca stood up, “You have a birthmark on your lower back.”
Frankie stopped mid-step.
“You’re really ticklish by your ears. You love to be kissed on the neck. It relaxes you when someone rubs your belly. You…you don’t notice it, but you always put your right shoe on first. You love sleeping with the windows open because you’re used to being outside. It makes you feel cooped up if you can’t. You can be shy when making love, but that’s because you hide how romantic you are, and making love is a really big deal to you, even though you pretend like it isn’t. You have horrible handwriting. You sleep on the left side of the bed, even when you have the whole thing to yourself.”
“Stop,” Frankie held up a hand, “just stop.”
Bianca moved toward her, “I know you, Frankie.”
“So…so you know some stuff about me. So what? You probably got it from an ex-girlfriend.”
It shouldn’t have, but Bianca’s heart hurt at the knowledge that Frankie had been with others. It made sense. Why wouldn’t she be? It had been two years. Frankie couldn’t even remember her.
It still ached.
“I am an ex-girlfriend.”
“Who was madly in love with me?”
“Yes.”
“Especially after hearing that I’m the most likely successor to my uncle’s investment firm.”
Bianca shook her head, “No, that has nothing to do with it.”
“No? Bet it does. Unless you’re just some…”
With a growl, Bianca threw her hands in the air, “I forgot how stubborn you can be.”
The sound of a ringtone blasted out, interrupting them.
Frankie fished the piece of plastic out of her pocket and checked the number before answering, “Hey, I can’t talk now. I’ll call you later.” She hung up.
“Was that Mr. Alaine?”
Frankie shook her head, “My old doctor. He likes to check up on me from time to time. Make sure I’m not dead.”
“Oh. That’s very kind of him.”
“Dr. Hayward’s a good guy.”
Bianca’s jaw dropped, “Dr. Hayward?”
“Yeah.” Frankie shoved her phone back in a pocket.
Oh. My. Goodness. “David Hayward?”
“You know him, too?” a sarcastic question.
“He’s from my hometown.”
“Such a small world it’s turning out to be.”
David Hayward. David had been Frankie’s doctor.
David, who was Frankie’s cousin.
“Listen, Bianca, I get that I remind you of this chick, and that you miss her. But, my name is Frankie Alaine. I might not remember everything, but I know who I am. So, say whatever you want, but I’m not Frankie Stone or anybody else.”
David helped Frankie? But how? And he told her nothing about her life? He lied to her. Told her she was mugged and shot. She didn’t remember anything, so why wouldn’t she believe him? But, why would he do that? How was he even able to save her?
“Bianca?”
Frankie had a good life. The Alaines took her in. Gave her a family. She received an education. She was happy. Wealthy. She probably had a girlfriend.
“Bianca?”
But, one look from her and Bianca knew that there were still feelings brewing between them, whether Frankie acknowledged it or not. This was the woman she fell in love with. A love that never ended.
“What’s going on?”
Without a word, Bianca closed the distance between them. She cupped the back of Frankie’s neck.
Their lips met.
Bianca felt the world shift back into place.
Everything was finally perfectly right.
After a startled moment, Frankie kissed her back.
The world exploded.
Their mouths fused together, urgent and hungry. Frankie’s lips slanted over Bianca’s seeking more. Bianca’s hold tightened, and she wrapped her arm around Frankie’s shoulders. Hands tangled in Bianca’s hair, tugging her nearer. Slick and hot, their mouths moved together. Tasting. Yearning. Relearning what was forgotten. Desire fueled the embrace. Bianca shuddered with want as Frankie rubbed against her. Hard and sloppy, their mouths met again and again.
Then, with a shaky gasp, Frankie ripped herself away. She stumbled back, eyes wide and dilated pupils staring in aghast vulnerability at Bianca. “W-What…”
“Frankie,” Bianca automatically reached out for her, breaths heavy and mind whirling.
“What was that?” Frankie staggered back another step. She wiped the back of her hand across her slightly swollen mouth.
Bianca saw how her lips were wet and reddened. “We kissed.”
“I don’t…” Frankie rubbed her temples, “I didn’t bring you here to…”
This was too much. Too quick. Bianca wanted to grabbed Frankie and embrace her but stopped herself. Her touch wouldn’t help this moment, “I know you didn’t. I kissed you first. We kissed each other. It’s ok.”
Frankie stumbled another step, “How…”
Bianca studied Frankie’s face. The anxious crease between her eyebrows. The confused curve of her mouth. She’d seen this before. “You felt something.”
“What?”
“When we kissed, you felt something.” The giddiness was tempered by fear that Frankie would run or worse. “And that scares you.”
Frankie bent her head, hiding her face. She folded her arms and hunched over.
Somehow, it was like more pieces of the large puzzle that was Frankie and her life were falling into place. “You haven’t felt like that before, have you? Not that you can remember.”
Frankie shifted on her feet.
“But, you felt that kiss. With me. That tells you something, doesn’t it?”
“That you’re a good kisser.” Frankie shrugged.
“That you might know me. That you might still have feelings for me, even if you can’t remember them.”
“I’m suddenly in love with you because we kissed? That was lust.”
“It was love. You felt it. You had to. We’ve always been like this. You have to believe me.”
Frankie could only shake her head. “You need to stay away from me.”
“No!” Bianca moved toward her, “Listen to me. Please. Frankie, we know each other. You know me.” Desperation filled her. She was not going to lose Frankie. Not now. Not ever. “You know it! You know it’s true!”
“I don’t know you!” her fists clenched at her sides, “My name is Frankie Alaine. Not Stone or Franks or whatever. I met with you because my uncle asked me to. Otherwise, I don’t…” her words tripped, and she took a breath to calm herself, “I was trying to be polite. Take you someplace where other people and cameras wouldn’t see you go crazy crying. You took advantage of that.”
“You kissed me back.”
“I’ve been known to do that when an attractive woman kisses me. I stopped it, though. This is enough.”
“Don’t walk away from me.” Bianca slid over, putting herself between Frankie and the park exit.
“You are insane, aren’t you?”
“No, I want to talk to you.” Bianca felt the tears feather her lashes, “I thought you had died. You didn’t though.”
“I’m not who you think I am.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“How can you?”
“Because the only time I’ve ever felt this way was with Frankie, and I feel that way with you.” The first tear broke free, “You don’t remember me. You don’t remember us. That doesn’t mean I don’t love you or that you aren’t the woman I fell in love with. Just…let me get to know you. Give me that chance to show you I’m telling the truth.”
Before Frankie could answer, her ringtone filled the air. Bianca sniffled as the older girl answered it, “Hello.”
There was a short pause. Frankie blinked, her gaze softening imperceptibly, “Yes, Uncle Greg. We met.” Her features flashed with something that Bianca couldn’t make out, it was too quick, “Of course. Yes. You too. Goodbye.” She ended the call.
“Your uncle?”
Frankie held firmly onto her phone, “I have to go. I have errands.”
“No, please.”
“My uncle wishes to invite you to dine with us tonight. An apology for not being able to meet with you for lunch.”
Bianca’s breath caught, “Yes.”
Frankie nodded, “Ok. Tonight then. Seven o’clock. Jean Georges. Do you know where that is?”
Bianca nodded. She’d find out.
“Ok.”
“Ok.”
With one final look, Frankie briskly walked around her and out of the park. Bianca watched her go