#frank adler fan fic

[wiypt-writes]

Riding Free

One Shot: All Hands On Deck Kinktober Day 11: HANDS

co written with @spectre-posts

Summary: Fliss can’t get enough of her Sailor’s Hands…

Warnings; SMUT SMUT SMUT (yeah…no under 18s, NSFW)

Pairing: Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher 

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. Any likeness to real life people/scenarios is purely coincidental. I do not own any characters in this fiction bad Fliss Gallagher and any other original characters. I do not consent to have my work copied/translated onto any other site. If you are reading this story anywhere bar Tumblr, it has been taken without my consent. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

W/C: 2.3k

A/N: I would say I’m sorry about this…but I’m really NOT

Riding Free Masterlist // Main Master-list

September 2022

Frank turned off his truck engine and cracked his neck. That had been a bit of a longer errand than he’d expected thanks to a road closure due to a car accident on the highway.

“Fucking Sunday Florida drivers.”  He muttered, hopping down from his Mitsubishi. He headed up the path and through the side door, greeting Thor who had wandered into the mud room having heard his footsteps.

“Hey boy…” 

After giving him a fuss, he moved through to the kitchen-slash- family room and smiled as he saw Fliss and Mary on the sofa, bowl of popcorn between them.

“Hey…” Fliss looked over and he smiled.

“Hey, honey.” He crossed to give her a quick kiss, “sorry I’m so late back.”

“It’s okay. I saved your dinner when you called.”

“Thanks. You okay, Stack?”

“Yup.” She didn’t turn from the TV.

“Alex in bed?”

“Mmmhmmm.” Fliss nodded, “went down half an hour or so ago.”

Frank sighed, he hated missing bed time, especially seeing as he’d set off almost three hours ago for what should have been an hour round trip, tops. He should have been home, had dinner, and helped put his boy to bed in the time it had taken him to drive across town and back. His eyes then strayed to the TV as Mary laughed.

“What are you watching?”

“She Hulk.” Fliss replied, shoving a handful of popcorn in her mouth. 

“What?” Frank arched a brow.

“It’s a Marvel show.”

“A female hulk? How? I mean-“

“Look, stop asking as you hate Marvel, you won’t like it.” Mary stated, then she giggled, “look, Mom, she’s got Captain America’s butt as a screen saver!”

Fliss paused the screen and smirked as she tilted her head to one side. “Oh yeah…”

“That’s America’s ass.” Mary giggled, saluting as Fliss laughed.

Frank scoffed, “well, seeing as my boy is in bed and you two are somewhat preoccupied with a fictional soldier’s rear end…”

“Errr have some respect for Steve Rogers.” Fliss narrowed her eyes. Frank arched his brow in response before he snorted.

“I’m gonna have my dinner and nip out and do some more work on the Camper Van.”

“You know, you guys have had that thing like almost two years and you’re still doing it up, Dad!” Mary stated the obvious.

“Hey, it works, we’ve been out and used it.” Frank folded his arms, “this is its second do up…I’m merely updating the engine and some of the cosmetics and tu-“ he stopped and narrowed his eyes as Mary sniggered. “What is this? Pick on Frank day?”

“Oh hush.” Fliss smirked, “go and get your hands dirty, leave us to watch our show.”

“Ohhh after this can we start a rewatch of Falcon And The Winter Soldier?” Mary asked.

“Sure.” Fliss shrugged, “but only one episode tonight. You got school tomorrow. And it’s Alex’s first day back at Daycare so we need to be up and ready.”

"Fine... Fine..." Mary sighed, popping kernels in her mouth.

Frank dropped a kiss to Fliss’ head before he made his way back to his truck for the box of spare parts he had been to collect. He tucked them under one arm and headed into his garage and stepped through to the workshop.

“Hey, Wanda…” he patted the shiny blue camper van fondly on the bonnet. He chuckled to himself, he was well aware the name belonged to a Marvel character, and was also a play on the word “wander” which had been suggested by Mary.

He’d spent his time doing the vehicle up, just as he had with his boat and finished it mostly almost seven months to the date since they’d been given it as a gift. 

Since then, they’d had a few goes in it up and down the County. Camping trips , days out and it had worked well enough but as with his boat, Frank had identified further improvements to “pimp his ride” even more. These included a bigger engine, chrome plated fenders and wing mirrors, a state of the art entertainment system and new leather upholstery to replace the current cloth ones that Fliss and her mum had installed as a stop gap measure.

An hour and a half into said engine improvements, or his 'Frank time' as he'd taken to referring to it as,  Fliss came out, his dinner plate in hand.

"Hey Sailor, you forgot something..."

Frank looked round and gave a little chuckle, “shit. Sorry, Cowgirl.”

She popped a shoulder, “it’s okay. Mary’s headed to bed. She told me to tell you she’s calling child services to report you for neglecting your father-uncle duties, and will be referring to you as Frank for the next forty-eight hours as punishment.”

“Huh, could she not just talk to me at all?” His eyes twinkled with humour.

“Well, she pondered that but then decided you’d tell her that wasn’t a punishment, more like a very welcome break.”

Frank pointed at her with a smirk, "Yahtzee."

Fliss laughed, shaking her head. “How long you intending on staying out here? Not that it matters, just figuring out whether or not I can start my weekly lesson plans for the yard or wait until tomorrow morning.”

"You could sit out here and do them, I'll bring up that little table."

“Huh, not just a pretty face are you?”

"Meh, I've been known to have brighter days." He shrugged. "At least sit with me while I eat."

“Alright, you got any beer in that fridge?” She nodded to the back of the workshop and Frank scoffed.

“How long you known me? Course there’s beer in there.”

“Well then gimme one.”

“We are still talking about the beer, yeah?” Frank grinned.

“Pervert.”

Frank laughed as he moved to pull two cold Buds out of the fridge. He popped the caps and handed one to Fliss.

"Why thank you, Sailor."

She took it from him, her eyes straying to his hand and she frowned. “Hey, you’re bleeding.”

Frank looked down at his hand, noticing the knick on his knuckles. He wiped it on the rag, half out his pocket. "It's nothing, grazed it tightening up something."

“Did you seriously just wipe it with that filthy shit rag?” Fliss wrinkled her nose as Frank perched on a stool in front of his work bench. “You’re disgusting .”

He popped a shoulder and sipped his bottle. "Done worse."

Fliss shook her head, “let me see.”

He took a small bite of his meal and passed his hand over to her. "It's nothing."

She took a deep breath and gently took it, twisting her wrist so his fingers lay across her palm. She gently swiped her thumb over the back of his knuckles as she looked at his skin. 

He was currently grubby from the work he’d been doing. And the hand she held was sporting a few healing cuts and grazes, from various minor knocks he picked up at work or around their home and yard. They were dotted across his long fingers and the back of his hand. His blunt nails were dirty, but would be scrubbed clean that night before bed, just as they always were when he came home from work or finished whatever hobby project he was working on.

Maybe once, in a time before she’d met him, they’d been softer and neater, thanks to his previous career as a professor. But now, Frank Adler had well worn and weathered hands. 

And Fliss fucking adored them.

She loved the way those fingers would drum noisily on a surface, indicating he was bored, maybe restless or impatient. How they’d slap his thigh or hers when he had made a decision. Even the way he would crack his knuckles either absentmindedly when deep in thought, or on purpose with a smirk as he knew the noise made her shudder and grimace as she hated it. 

But what she loved the most was how those hands, so tough, rough and calloused from years of manual labor were also as soft and gentle as the man they belonged to.

Five years ago, on a boat out on the open water, they'd held her to him as he'd kissed her tenderly. Three years back, they’d delicately yet ever so safely held their baby boy for the first time in the hospital, and continued to be safe, careful and strong with both her and the kids. 

They could also be a little possessive. His fingers would slip through hers when in public, or grip her hip as his arm slid round her waist, always just tight enough to keep her close, squeezing when he knew she needed reassurance or comfort, or simply wanted to remind her, and anyone else for that matter, that he was there and she was his. 

They were delicate and loving when he trailed his fingers up and down her arm, her neck or her spine. They would dance across her shoulders or skin, heating her from the inside out. 

And of course, there were other things those hands could do, when they were alone…

"Frankie..."

“Yeah?"

Brown eyes met blue from beneath heavy lids and Frank arched his brow.

Fliss moved to stand between his legs, which were spread apart at the knees as his feet rest on the lower rung of his stool. “Put your hands on me, Sailor.”

Frank hopped down and grabbed her by the waist, turning turned their bodies so her back bumped the work bench. "But I'm filthy."

“And?”

A low chuckle bounced that Adam's apple in his throat. Frank cupped her face. He gazed at her and smirked before he dove right in to give her a harsh kiss, filled with tongue.

She kissed him back, her own hands tangling in his hair, nails taking over his scalp.

“Whaddya want, cowgirl?” His lips hovered over hers.

“Your hands…”

“Yes, ma'am." With a grin he kissed her again. “Turn around.”

Fliss smirked as her eyes glowed with mischief. She spun on the ball of her foot and leaned against the workbench. Craning her neck so she could peer over her shoulder, she smirked. "Well?"

“Sassy tonight, I like it.” He grinned as he pulled her back into him. His hands squeezed her hips, before he gripped the hem of her vest top and pulled it over her head.

Fingers glided up her sides and belly until Frank's hands covered her bra covered breasts and gave them a generously hard squeeze.

Fliss sighed, her head rolling back onto his shoulder.

"Again..." she said softly as her arm snaked up Frank's neck.

Frank chuckled, his lips fluttering against her neck as his hands pulled down the cups of her bra. “Like that?” His voice was a raspy whisper as his fingers and thumbs found her nipples.

A lustful moan came out her throat from the depths of her chest, the vibration beating against Frank's chest. "Yep."

“My hands feel good, huh, baby?” He hummed, tweaking a little harder.

"Always so good."

“Want then to make you cum?”

"Oh, yes...." Fliss whimpered.

Frank gave a low grunt as his teeth nipped her neck, his hands working a little harder. With each tweak, pull and squeeze, he could hear and feel Fliss reacting as she writhed and panted. Her head was completely laid back on his shoulder, eyes closed, mouth open.

"Thassit, Cowgirl. Get lost....." he was in her ear.

He could feel himself growing hard in his tasty jeans, his dick pressing uncomfortably against the crotch of the denim. With a nip to hee ear that made her squeal, his right hand traced its way down her sternum to her belly and slipped into the waistband of her lounge shorts.

Fliss gasped and moaned, the feel of his hands on her was one of her favorite things.

"Oh, Lissy," Frank crooned lowly in her ear, "so wet for me."

“Always…” she gasped, her hand tightening in his hair.

With a grunt of satisfaction at the feel of her fist, Frank began toying with her clit. Running circles around it with his middle finger.

Fliss gasped, her hips bucking at his touch.

“Thassit, baby…” his breath was warm on her face. As those nimble fingers toyed with his wife, coaxing her closer and closer, her pelvis started to move, grinding herself against his palm. "Chase it, baby," he dug his heel upward into her clit as he slipped two fingers inside her wet heat.

“Oh, fuck…” her knees buckled a little and Frank moved his left arm across her chest, holding her up as his fingers found her right nipple.

"Fahk, darlin'," he grunted. "I got you."

“You…you always…oh, god…” she groaned, her eyes flying open, “you always..always do…”

"You're there, cowgirl , c'mon."

Her breath was coming in quick, rapid pants, a staccato rhythm as the feel of his strong arms and those hands she loved so much completely overwhelmed her.

“Frankie…Frank…Frank…”

“I gotchu …” he repeated as he kissed her neck behind her ear. He then groaned when he felt Fliss buck violently in his arms. “Atta girl.”

Her walls clamped around his fingers as she cried out into the silence and dim light of his workshop.

"There you go...." Frank said softly as his lips press into her cheek.

Fliss gave a hum of satisfaction as she sagged backwards. Frank gently slid his hand up and out of her shorts, his fingers sticky with her slick as the rest on her belly.

“I can feel you,” Fliss spoke, her voice raspy as she gained her breath. “Poking me…”

“Well, I’m kinda turned on right now…” he replied , with a cheeky grins of his rock hard dick into the small of her back.

With a slow movement, Fliss turned in his arms and gripped at his shirt. She stepped back towards the work bench, a smirk on her face.

“Well, we best do something about it then, huh?”

#kinktober #kinktober 2022 #chris evans kinktober #frank adler fanfiction #Frank Adler x ofc #frank adler #gifted fan fic #gifted fanfic

[nadja-antipaxos]

DON’T LET ME DOWN

Title:  Don’t Let Me Down

Fandom:  GIfted (2017)

Pairing: Frank Adler x OFC

Summary: Mary befriends a literature professor at the university who catches Frank's eye, Samantha Harris. She teases him and Frank falls hard when he least expects it.

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: : Smoking, sex, oral sex, vaginal fingering, swearing, former cheating (not Frank), pregnancy scare

Word Count: 10,603

Author’s Note: Watching Gifted again, I wanted to give Frank some love. I think he and Brie should do a romance because they're both mega hot. This is for two special Desis who enjoy Frank as much as I do. Thank you for reading. Comments and kudos are encouraged, but only if it strikes you. Moodboard by me. Happy Holidays!

AO3 

Samantha has been squinting for five minutes and yet, there is still a small child reading a book in the shade on one of the planters.

“Who is that?”

“Oh, the prodigy.”

“Huh?”

Ella takes her confusion as a moment to steal Samantha’s cigarette.

“She’s like 6 and she’s a math genius.”

“Jesus. I wish I was a genius at 6.”

“Maybe then you wouldn’t be teaching English Lit in Florida.”

“Fuck you. Art History teacher.” Samantha gasps and steals her cigarette back then playfully tugs Ella’s auburn hair.

“Okay, but you dress like one.” She gestures to the blue scarf in her blonde hair.

Samantha flicks her cigarette on the ground and stomps it out with her shoe. She pulls the perfume out of her purse and sprays it before approaching the child.

“Hey.” She nods. She keeps a safe distance, not wanting to crowd her.

“Hey.” The child doesn’t look up.

“You cool? I mean. You okay over here?”  She rests her hands on her knees.

The little girl has very blue eyes and enviable dark lashes. The sour, annoyed expression on her face fades as she focuses in on Samantha’s dangling rose earrings.

“Those are cool.”

“Thanks.”

“Where’d you get ‘em?”

“Flea market.”

“I’m Mary.”

“I’m Samantha.” She throws up a peace sign because it’s too weird to shake a child’s hand.

Mary chuckles and does the peace sign back.

“I’m a teacher—professor here.” She tugs on the lanyard around her neck to prove it. “Can I walk you to your next class?”

“Nah. Frank is coming to pick me up. He’s just late.”

“Okay. Nice meeting you, Mary.”

“Bye.” Mary waves and looks back at her book.

Samantha scurries off but only so far until she sees a tall, dark-haired guy walk up to the bench. His loose white shirt is dirty as are his jeans. If she was a gambler, she’d bet mechanic. Maybe it’s an Atticus Finch thing and she calls her dad by his first name. She’s just glad the kid isn’t alone. Her office hours can wait if it means she prevented an Amber Alert.

The next time she sees Mary, she’s waiting outside White Hall on a different metal bench. She removes her earbuds.

“Hey, Mary.” Samantha waves.

“Hey.” Mary looks up briefly from her notepad before going back to it.

“He late again?” She can’t actually remember his name.

“Class got out early. He’s on his way.” Mary shrugs her tiny shoulders.

Samantha nods. She feels weird leaving her.

“Can I sit?” She points to the bench.

“Yeah.” Mary moves her backpack over even though there’s more than enough room already. “Whatcha listening to?”

Samantha looks down at her phone glad it’s simple electronic music and not something more adult. She hands one of the headphones to Mary who puts it in her ear immediately and hits play.  Mary bobs her head to the beat and Samantha smiles before doing the same. They sit in relative silence just listening to the music. She’s only with her for ten minutes before the guy whose name she still does not recall shows up. Mary hands her the earbud and they both stand up.

“This is Samantha. She teaches here.” Mary takes his hand automatically.

“Hi. I’m Frank Adler. Mary’s uncle.” Frank extends his free hand. They both have the same insanely dark and thick eyelashes. He’s very ruggedly handsome up close like if she 3-D printed the Brawny towel guy. Beard, biceps, all of it.

“Hi. I’m Samantha Harris.” Samantha gives him a peace sign and for some reason that makes Mary laugh. Frank raises his eyebrows before stuffing his hand in his jean pocket.

“That music was fun.” Mary beams.

“Age appropriate, don’t worry.” Samantha waves her hand.

“So, no N.W.A.?” The tiniest smirk lingers on his mouth.

“Maybe next week.” Samantha shrugs.

Frank chuckles.

“Well, say goodbye. We got Girl Scouts. You’ve got Girl Scouts.”

“You said we.”

Mary waves with enthusiasm before skipping off with Frank.

Samantha falls into a habit of spending time with Mary if she catches her sitting by herself. It’s not so often that it’s a concern. Most of the time, Samantha finds them leaving just as she’s walking toward the building. They’ll exchange a smile and wave, but not too much because after all, Girls Scouts are a priority. Samantha asks Frank if it’s okay to exchange numbers in case he is running late because she’s already on campus. She has nieces and nephews and she wouldn’t want them waiting alone on a college campus.  He’s surprised when she asks, but gives her the number all the same. It does give him peace of mind.

Mary seems quite taken with Samantha’s style like her jewelry, scarves, and even hairstyles. it makes Samantha wonder how much of a maternal presence she has. She mentions someone named Roberta a lot and a few of her teachers. After the nonstop praise for her French braid, Samantha brings tiny hair ties for their next visit. In a flash, Mary has two small braids that she can’t stop staring at in Samantha’s compact mirror. She hugs her and that makes Samantha laugh. She’s jumping up and down when Frank arrives.

“Look at my hair! Look! Loooook!”

“Wow. Impressive.”

“Sammy did it.”

“Sammy?”

“I’m Sammy now.”

“Yep. My hair is so cool. Much better than when you do it.”

“Ouch.”

Mary rolls her eyes and Samantha hides her smile behind her hand.

“See you later. Have fun, Mary.”

“Bye, Sammy.”

Frank leads Mary to the car. She clicks her seatbelt and looks at him.

“Sammy’s fun.”

“Yeah.”

“Can she come to dinner?”

“It doesn’t work like that.”

“Why not? What about making friends?”

“Friends your age.” Frank puts his hand on the head of Mary’s seat as he looks out the back window. He’d be lying if he hadn’t thought about using texting her for other reasons than keeping an eye on Mary, especially when he’s had a few beers. She’s beautiful with a slender, tall frame. Like really beautiful with a perfect smile that makes her soft honey eyes crinkle. Her dark blonde hair flows on her shoulders making her look like a movie star when she puts scarves in her hair. But it’s not just looks—she’s obviously smart—she’s a professor. And she’s kind enough to keep an eye on a little kid she has no obligation to. Still, he’s lucky things ended so well with Bonnie. He doesn’t need to hook up with someone else in Mary’s life and still have to see them.

This is what he tells himself, but then he sees her in a blue sundress with white flowers on it—he forgets. She’s making Mary laugh or Mary’s making her laugh—he forgets. Her head is thrown back as she claps—he forgets. Mary gathers up her backpack and he steps closer to Samantha. The wind ruffles the hem of her pink skirt.

“Hey, do you wanna go out sometime?”

She furrows her brow, confused.

“You seem really nice and you’re pretty. You…” The more he talks the more she tilts her head. “What?”

“You don’t date a lot, right?”

“Not really. No. Why?”

“Well, you kinda just blurted that out.”

“Out of practice, sorry.”

He’s used to making glances at Ferg’s that ends in his bedroom. He doesn’t exactly have to chat them up first. She takes a moment before speaking. He looks back at Mary who is fine but bound to interrupt this conversation at any time.

“Mary’s great. You’re clearly good with her, but uh, no, thanks.”

He stares at her for a moment. She’s a lot smarter (Bonnie aside) and more sober than his usual type. He should give up. He should grab Mary and take her to Girl Scouts.

“Fair. Only for academic purposes, can I ask why not?”

“Wow. Well, I’m not going to ruin your educational pursuits. ” She’s laughing with her hands on her hips. “Honestly, not really looking to relive college. I don’t need the…trouble. I hope that helps your study.”

“I’m trouble?” He places a hand on his chest.

“C’mon, dude. It’s written all over that handsome face.” Her index finger gestures broadly.

“Oh, so I’m handsome?” He smirks.

“Don’t. You know you’re hot. And that’s why you’re trouble.” She rolls her eyes.

“Thank you. You’ve been very helpful, Miss Harris.”

Samantha playfully shakes her head. Mary sprints over and the conversation promptly changes.

The first time he sees her outside of the college is like seeing a lion in the wild. Tight jean shorts showing off her perky ass. Tall thin heels. Cherry red lipstick. Gone is the sweet woman who listens to music with Mary and braids her hair. She doesn’t put up with any of the drunken advances as she orders whiskey, neat, at the bar. She doesn’t even talk to these guys. She just holds up a hand and waves them off.  Her indifference goes straight to his dick due to the beers he’s had. Throwing caution to the wind, he sidles over to her.

“Nice technique.”

“Ah. You like this?” She puts her hand in his face. She doesn’t look disappointed to see him like he thought she might.

“It’s effective. What brings you here?” He’s never seen her at Ferg’s before.

“Date. Guess she couldn’t make it.” She shrugs and downs her drink in one big gulp.

She? Did she say she?

“So, you’re a lesbian?” He nods. “That’s—”

Her hand covers his mouth with ease since those heels make her practically his height. Her skin is smooth on the scruff of his beard.

“No no. I’m gonna stop you before you say something stupid. I’m pansexual. And that’s not why I won’t go out with you.” She withdraws her hand.

“Got it.” He nurses his beer before looking at her with his best puppy dog look. “What about friends?”

She laughs again like she did when he asked her out. She doesn’t look annoyed. She looks amused. If she really wanted him to stop, he would. He’s not one of those people. But right now, he’s enjoying this and so is she.

“I don’t know if you can be friends with a woman you’re attracted to.” She arches an eyebrow doubtfully. The bartender looks at her as she steps back and she holds up a pack of cigarettes. He nods and she walks off down the stairs. She moves fast in those stilettos. Frank trails a healthy distance behind her.

“You could teach me, Doctor.” Yes, he looked her up on the college faculty page.

She lights up her cigarette and shakes her head before blowing smoke out the side of her mouth.

“Mary wanted me to tell you. She saw you smoking with another professor and it’s bad for you.” He wrinkles his nose.

“Well, tell Mary thank you, but I’m a lost cause. Smoking got me through my Ph.D. program.”

“Where you studied Women’s Literature with a focus on intersectional literature.” He stuffs his hands in his jean pockets.  Fucking hell her legs go on for miles. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate as one of her students.

“And you taught philosophy in Boston. Google is very useful.” She takes another drag, not impressed. But she did look him up.

“Listen though that braid you did for Mary.” He gestures to his non-existent long hair. “How’d you do it?”

Her eyebrows go up.

“You want me to teach you how to braid hair?”

“Maybe.”

She stubs out her cigarette underneath that thin black heel and pops a piece of gum in her mouth. Her brown eyes rake over him cautiously, but with interest. They linger on his broad chest and arms before going back up to his face. She blows a bubble and doesn’t even smear her lipstick.

“I gotta say I have a hard time believin’ you’re not the least bit attracted to me.” He smirks.

“I never said that I wasn’t attracted to you.” She takes one step closer. “You’re very fuckable.” Another step and his face burns. “But you know it.” They’re almost pressed together now. “And I don’t think anyone’s made you work for it…” She leans in and he inhales sharply. “for a very, very, long time.”

Before he can say anything, she dashes back up the stairs leaving him alone with a rock-solid hard-on in his jeans. Fuck.  He should just shake this off. He has never had a serious girlfriend with Mary around. It’s not worth the risk.

Eventually, Frank decides his best move is to give her some space. He’s not the kind of guy who does romantic gestures or romance at all, really. He’s stubborn and hates rejection, but he knows she can see right through him. He acts like the moment at Ferg’s never happened (and he definitely didn’t fuck his fist in the shower thinking about those legs of hers). The more he’s around her, the more he likes her. It’s going against every one of his rules about keeping things separate for Mary’s sake. He hates how coolly she rejected him and he’s stubborn as hell, but that won’t do him any favors with her. He flirts with her and she flirts back and it’s harmless. Sometimes, he sees her at the different bars in the area with her friend he recognizes from the university. She doesn’t always see him or so he thinks.

Ella’s green eyes narrow.

“That’s the guy with the smart kid?”

“Mhmm.”

“Sam, what the fuck is wrong with you? He’s hot!”

“I don’t want trouble,” she tells them. “He’d fuck me and be gone. Not worth it.”

“Um? You do that all the time.”

“Yeah, well…whatever.”

Ella shrugs knowing the conversation is over. Samantha catches a beautiful brown-skinned woman eyeing Ella and elbows her in the ribs.  The woman sends Ella a drink and Ella goes to talk to her. It doesn’t take long before they’re grinding on the dance floor. She whispers a hurried apology to Samantha before driving off with “Sonya”. Samantha has been there before, so she isn’t judging.  She can call a Lyft or something when she wants to go home.

Without her wing woman, Samantha tosses back quite a few shots in rapid succession. She slams cash down on the bar. Frank watches silently as she moves around like a woman possessed on the dance floor: throwing her hands in the air, shaking her ass, and stomping her feet. Her blonde curls whip back and forth and the way her cleavage bounces in her scoop-neck top doesn’t go unnoticed. There are quite a few eyes on her and none of them are good. Frank sees a guy stalk towards her and swoops in front of her. The guy curses and stomps off.

“Okay, I think you’re done.” He tugs her hand gently.

She just stares up at him with big glassy eyes trying to catch up on what he said.

“Hello, Fran.”

“Hi, Sam. Need some help getting home?”

“What’s your…” She blinks. “You have a twin?”

“Let’s go.” Frank nods. He’s still holding her hand and she hasn’t pulled away.

He pays his bill and walks her to his truck. She makes three failed attempts to get inside before he lifts her up. She whistles. Her spine turns into jelly as she slumps against the seat.

“What’s your address?” Frank leans over.

She points out the window and he sighs. Her eyes close, so he grabs her purse and checks her ID. It has a Florida address and he hopes it’s the right one. She’s asleep, snoring lightly when he parks in front of her apartment building. He shakes her slightly and she opens her eyes.

“Hey! Know that place.”

“Good. You live here?”

“Yeaah.”

Frank helps her out of the car and sees her name on the directory for 6D. She practically falls asleep on his shoulder in the elevator while he fishes through her purse for keys. Her perfume fills his lungs every time he inhales. He finds her keys amongst a pair of heart-shaped red sunglasses and three chapsticks. She flops face-first on the bed immediately once they get inside. He takes off her tall heels and tosses them on the floor. He’s never done this for someone, ever. Does he leave? What if something happens?  Would she find it weird? Roberta has Mary, so she’s okay. Suddenly, she stumbles to her feet and rushes to the bathroom. Yeah, he’s gonna stay. After a while, he knocks and only hears her snoring. He wedges the door open and sees her on the tile floor. It takes some convincing but she moves away from the door enough to let him inside.

“Like it here.” Her face smushes into the cold tile.

“Your bed is better.” Frank lifts her off the ground and places her on the bed. She’s out. Still breathing, but completely out.

He leaves the bedroom and stretches his legs on her sofa. It’s actually very comfortable.

The sun hits her right in the eyes and her head won’t stop pulsating. What the fuck? She feels like shit. She doesn’t have any idea how she got home. It takes five tries to get out of the bed without falling to the ground. On shaky legs, she makes it to her living room and sees a blue flannel on her sofa. What the fuck? Her brow furrows at the realization that she isn’t alone. A sizzling sound from the kitchen echoes in her ears. It’s painful. Her hands cover her ears as she stumbles along and sees the man at her stove. A muscular back wrapped in a white t-shirt. Dark brown hair. Flipping eggs with her favorite green spatula.

“Hey.” He turns before adjusting the burner flame.

“Shh. Inside voice,” Samantha whines and struggles to connect the thoughts in her brain. “Why you here?”

“Somebody had to make sure you lived through the night. You practically drained Ferg’s tequila supply.”

“Who says chivalry is dead?” She carefully lowers herself into a chair at her kitchen table.

“Here.” Frank hands her a glass with clear fizzing liquid.

“Poison?” She deadpans.

“Alka-Seltzer.”  There’s a tiny smirk on his lips.

She takes a few sips and sighs.

“Thanks.”

He sets a plate with a breakfast sandwich on it in front of her before taking a seat. Her stomach flips at the idea of food.

“It cooks!”

“It does. A little. Considering how organized this place is—it’s not hard.”

She shrugs her shoulders in defeat. She likes things the way she likes them.

She eyes the identical sandwich on his plate before looking at her own. There’s a fried egg with bacon in between two pieces of toast. It looks good but greasy. Very greasy.

“Best hangover cure I know.  Drink more of the Alka-Seltzer and you should be able to eat.” He nods.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Samantha grumbles.

“You really can’t help yourself, can you?” Frank chuckles.

“Sorry.” Samantha pouts making Frank laugh harder.  Her head is killing her and her defenses are down which means she’s willing to admit how cute he is. And apparently, sweet.“Thank you. For all this.”

Frank just lifts his eyebrows before biting into his sandwich. She gives in and takes a cautionary bite. The fact that she doesn’t throw it up immediately is a good sign. They eat in silence.

“I can pay you for the sitter.”

“Hm?”

“They had to stay overnight, right?”

“No. Roberta, our neighbor, and landlord watches her Friday nights until noon.”

Samantha rolls her eyes.

“I need to keep things separate."

“You get to go out and fuck around while someone watches her for free?”

Frank cards his hand through his hair. The only acknowledgment he gives her is a brief lift of his brow. She looks down at her plate.

“I’m not separate.”

“What was that?”

“I know Mary. I’m not separate.”

He nods for her to continue. Her eyebrows knit together.

“But you…”

Samantha looks down at her plate.

“Okay.” She takes a deep breath. ”I’ll go out with you.”

His ocean blue eyes shine as the smile grows across his face.

“Yeah?”

Samantha nods.

“Yes,” he whispers as his fist struggles not to punch the air.

“Okay, now I’m reconsidering.” She giggles.

Samantha spots Mary sitting on the bench and checks her watch. Frank should be there soon. She wasn’t sure about this date. What had she agreed to? And how would Mary feel? Where was this going to go?

“I like your nail polish, Sammy,” Mary scooches over to make room.

Samantha looks down at her pastel-colored nails.

“Thanks, Mary.”

Mary’s small hand takes hers as she touches each of the individual colors. Yellow. Pink. Green. Blue. Purple.

“So, um, Frank asked me on a date and I said I’d go. What do you think?”

“You’re gonna try to sneak out on Saturday before I get home?”

Samantha closes her eyes. She knew Frank fucked around. She just didn’t know how much Mary saw. Apparently, it was enough. Mary flops Samantha’s hand at the wrist making her bracelet jiggle.

“No, no. Probably like go to dinner? Maybe a movie?” Samantha shrugs.

“Are you sure you wanna go to dinner with Frank?” Mary grimaces.

“I’m willing to try it.”

“He talks with food in his mouth, sometimes. Make sure he doesn’t do that. It’s gross.”  Mary lets go of her hand.

“Thank you. I’ll keep an eye out for it.”

“It’s a lot more fun to see me and Roberta do karaoke. If he does something stupid, you can join us.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Samantha offers her pinky finger and they do a little shake.

“Oh no.” Frank saunters over in his dark shades and blue plaid. “What trouble’s happening here?”

“No trouble.” Samantha smiles.

“I told her she can hang out with me and Roberta cause it’s gonna be really boring to hang out with you.”

“Thanks for the support, Mary.”

“Just being honest.”

Samantha grins with a slight shrug at Frank.

“So, Sam, does Friday at 7 work?”

“Don’t call me Sam.”

“Why not?”

“We’re not there yet. Depends on how the date goes. Friday’s fine.”

“I’ll text you the address.”

“Cool. See ya later, Mary.”

Samantha walks across the wooden dock in her flats and blue sundress with white flowers. The boats in this marina cost as much as a house.  She checked Google three times before giving the Uber driver the address of a marina. Why the hell were they here? She sees him at the end of the dock.

“This your murder hideout, Dexter?”

“Clever.”

“I’m here all night.”

He has on jeans and the most ridiculous mustard yellow Hawaiian shirt.

“That’s a shirt and a half.” Her eyebrows wiggle.

“It’s Jimmy Buffett meets Tommy Bahama.”

“Jimmy Bahama.”

“Jimmy Bahama,” he repeats with a laugh. “Well, you look beautiful.”

She’s about to make fun of him when she sees the look on his face. He’s completely serious.  It makes the back of her neck heat up and the warmth spreads to her cheeks.

She follows him down the pier to where the even more expensive boats are stored.

“So, I’m currently working on this boat.” She was right. Mechanic.

“Okay…”

He steps onto the small yacht which bobs under his weight.  He extends his hand to her.

“Which means I can come see it whenever I want.”

She takes his hand. It’s bigger than hers and strong as he pulls her aboard. She doesn’t take her hand back and lets him lead her along the boat she will never be able to afford.

“Do your clients know that you take their boats out to romance poor, unsuspecting women?”

“I don’t take many people here. Just Mary and one ex.”

“Ex-girlfriend? Ex-wife?”

“Ex-almost-girlfriend? Who was Mary’s teacher.”

“Oof.”

Frank chuckles and helps her up to the top deck finally letting go of her hand. There’s a table with LED candles, beers, and two takeout containers. She takes a seat on one of the chairs and he does the same.

“Do you have any ex-wives?” He jokes.

“No.” She reaches forward and grabs a beer. “Just an ex-husband.”

Frank doesn’t hide the surprise on his face. She has a Ph.D. and has been divorced? She had to be in her early thirties, but he became a dad at thirty, so who is he to judge? And for people who actually had their lives together, it wasn’t that strange.

“College sweethearts. We got married too young.”

“You still keep in touch with him?”

“He cheated on me with my maid of honor, so no.”

Frank leans forward and clinks his beer bottle against hers.

“Good thing you got out of that one.”

She laughs loudly making him smile. She has a great, genuine laugh. He reveals the Italian food he ordered. He took a bit of a gamble, but her eyes grew hearts when she saw the chicken pasta primavera.

“This is really nice.” She swirls the pasta around her fork.  It’s not too humid out. The moon reflects brightly in the black water. She can hear all the crickets and critters talking back and forth to each other. She had thought he would want to go to a bar, so this is definitely a surprise. They talk about college and jobs then Frank brings up Mary’s mother, Diane. He sees the tears glisten in her soft brown eyes.

“She’d be really proud of you both. You’re really taking care of her baby.”

Frank doesn’t know what to say. Samantha blinks back the tears and squeezes his hand. He sighs and looks down at her long, slender fingers.

“So, now that you fix boats, do you daydream about Kant while you play with your socket wrenches?” She gives him a small smile.

A loud rumble of laughter erupts from his chest making her smile grow.

“Sometimes.”

“You know, you really surprised me.” She laces her fingers through his. “I really thought you just wanted to fuck me.”

“I did, honestly. I’m kinda used to women coming after me.”

“See! I knew it! You know you’re hot.”

“Some say fuckable.”

Samantha giggles.

“I said no and stood out.”

“You surprised me too.”

She looks up at the starry black sky.

“It sure is beautiful out here.”

Frank looks up and nods knowing it’s not the only thing. His eyes stay on her while she gazes at the stars. She’s special and he knows it.

He walks her up to her building when he takes her home. Their fingers are tangled together. Before he can ask how the date went, she presses a light kiss on his cheek.

“Does that mean I get a second date?”

“Maybe. You gonna work for it?” Her eyes light up as she tries to hold back a smile.

“I’ll even beg.” Frank laughs. He has a wonderful hearty laugh.

“Prove it.” Samantha arches an eyebrow.

“I’ll do anything.” Frank drops her hand and falls to his knees. It makes her giggle like a schoolgirl.

“Even kiss me?”

“Absolutely.”

Without another word, she cups his face in her hands and covers his mouth with hers. It’s sweet and chaste and doesn’t last long enough.

“Call me later.” She steps back.

Stunned, Frank looks up at her, still on his knees. She moves to her door and he can see the pink in her cheeks.

“You just look so pretty on your knees,  Frank.” She squeals and disappears inside before he can say anything.

Frank lets out a deep sigh and closes his eyes. He’s so screwed.

Samantha suggests their second date be at his place with Mary because it’s bull that Roberta has to watch her and doesn’t even get paid. Even though Roberta loved having Mary, she thought that answer was pretty great. Samantha parks her car and carries her supplies up to Frank’s tiny concrete porch. She knocks and Mary answers.

“Sammy!”

“Hey!”

Mary throws her arms around Samantha’s legs.

“Ahh, I’m gonna fall over.” Samantha laughs.

“Come in.” Mary jumps back to open the door.

Mary leads her through the apartment to the living room. There are Legos, lots of DVDs, and complicated textbooks strewn about the floor.

“Mary, I told you to clean up.” Frank rushes over to them in a grey t-shirt.

“It’s okay. We got this.” Samantha sets her tote bag down. “Then I can show you what I brought.”

Mary’s eyes light up as she eyes the mystery bag. Ignoring Frank’s protests, Samantha helps Mary put everything in its proper place. It doesn’t take long with the way Mary gets into it. Suddenly, she wants it done as soon as possible so they can have fun.

“Now, your reward.” Samantha smiles watching Mary dive into the bag. She pulls out the nail polish, remover, and cotton rounds. Her head snaps up.

“You’re gonna paint my nails?”

“Yep. I shouldn’t be the only one with cool nails.”

She keeps digging and pulls out a DVD with a young Chinese woman with a red dragon on it.

“Mulan?”

“Have you seen it?”

“No.”

“I didn’t think so, but it’s classic. Trust me.”

Mary’s blue eyes squint as she thinks it over, but then she nods.

Frank orders pizza while Samantha paints Mary’s nails. He tries his best to ignore the tugging in his stomach. Seeing her blow on Mary’s tiny nails makes something swell in his chest. When the pizza arrives, they eat at the small kitchen table. Mary has her hand stretched out to admire her nails. Samantha raises her eyebrows at Frank who smirks.

Mary gets sucked into the heartwarming world of Fa Mulan.

“He’s a lot scarier than I remember,” Samantha mumbles to Frank as Shan-Yu gives orders to his men.

“Listen to Mulan!” Mary yells at the television.

As Mulan saves all of China, Mary moves next to Samantha on the couch and holds her hand. Samantha squeezes it. Frank sees a kind of recognition in their gaze. Something he doesn’t know, but it makes his stomach jump.  Mary dozes off  Samantha’s shoulder before Mulan reunites with her family. Frank smirks when he catches Samantha’s gaze. He nods his head towards where her bed lies in the living room. He’s been talking to Roberta about getting a different apartment so she can have her own room.

“Do you need me to go?” Samantha whispers, finger tapping her chest.

Frank shakes his head.

“Where do I—”

“There’s a TV in my room.”

Her blonde eyebrows shoot up to her hairline and Frank immediately waves his hands.

“I didn’t mean it like that—”

“It’s okay. Put her to bed, Frank. I’ll be outside.” Samantha watches as he lifts Mary off of her. They disappear down the hallway to the bathroom and she can hear grumbles about brushing her teeth. Samantha spies the small bed in the corner under the shelf. Fred, the orange, one-eyed feline displays himself in a regal stance on top of the comforter. She gets up and offers her hand. He sniffs her before letting her scratch his ear. He purrs softly making her smile before she slips outside.

The door closes softly and she turns her head to see Frank. She smiles.

“I didn’t mean anything. My room is the only one in the apartment with a door.”

“Sure. No, it’s fine. Really.” Samantha smirks.  “I should get going.”

Her slender fingers brush the top of his hand. They move down his wrist, up his forearm, and settle at his bicep. Her touch starts a fire that spreads all the way to his chest.  His blue eyes are darker now as he locks eyes with her. His large hand cups her face and she sucks in a breath.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Yes.”

He gives her a bruising kiss that makes her stomach jump.   The softness of his lips paired with the pressure of his fingers on her waist makes her gasp. He takes the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. He tastes good almost spicy and a little sweet. The pads of her fingers comb through his beard as she presses her chest against his. Her shoulder pushes into his door. One hand in her hair now tugging ever so slightly causing her to moan into his mouth. There’s a throbbing between her legs and god, she wants him to scratch that itch. It’s like he can read her mind when his rough, calloused thumb brushes the skin peeking out from the end of her shirt.

“But…” Samantha forces her brain to work. “We’re outside…”

Even though she wants to know how his hands feel all over her body, she doesn’t need public indecency on her record.

“Then come back inside.”

“If I go inside, I’m gonna fuck you.” Her breathing hitches as his beard scratches her neck.

“You don’t wanna fuck me?” His mouth is hot on her delicate skin.

“Mmm…” She struggles to keep her eyes open. “I do. But not with Mary home.”

She takes him by the shoulders, but he moves off of her.

“Thank you.”

“At least now I know you wanna fuck me.”

“Was that ever in doubt?”

Frank chuckles, tucking his chin into his broad chest.

“No, but I like hearing you say it.”

She playfully rolls her brown eyes.

“I’ll text you, yeah?”

She gives him a quick kiss before dashing off his porch. Frank sighs and watches her go.

The following week, at the university, Samantha sees Mary sitting on the bench. Her nails are chipped now, but the color is still there.

“Hi, Mary. Can I sit with you?”

“Yeah, duh.”

Samantha sets her purse between them on the bench.

“Sorry I missed the end of Mulan.”

“It’s okay. We can watch it another time.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, duh.”

Mary giggles. A thought crosses her mind and she gets quiet for a few minutes. Samantha almost asks what’s wrong when she speaks:

“Do you like Frank? Cause I think he likes you and it’s so weird.”

“I do like Frank. He’s not what I thought he’d be.”

“He’s grumpy but he’s okay.”

“Yeah, he’s okay.” Samantha nods as he walks over to them.

Unfortunately, their schedules are too busy to meet up for another date. When work hits a groove for Frank, he can’t really take a break except for Mary. Samatha understands that. Once his schedule becomes more open, hers ramps up for mid-term exams. They see each other on campus when he picks up Mary and of course, they text when they can.

Samantha is surprised to find out her workday is lighter than she thought, so she goes to the marina. She knows he’s working because he sent her a text bitching about some part she doesn’t remember the name of. She spies him on the boat, grumbling under his breath. His t-shirt leaves nothing to the imagination over his defined back. His tan skin glistens under the sun.  She steps forward onto the dock as he turns his head. Before she can say anything, her sandals get caught and she stumbles forward into the water. With a loud splash, she disappears. Frank knows the water isn’t deep, but it doesn’t stop him from putting his tools down and leaning over the end of the boat. She surfaces and coughs. She feels Frank’s arms as he pulls her out of the water. She’s sopping wet. Her hair. Her dress. Everything.

“Surprise.” She blushes at how stupid that was.

“You okay?” Frank touches her shoulder.

“Very embarrassed.” Samantha covers her face with her hands.

“Nothing’s sprained or broken?”

“My pride?” She sighs.

Frank removes her hands and gives her a kiss. She shivers against him.

“We gotta get you some dry clothes.”

“Y-Yeah.” Her teeth chatter and she nods.

The sound of her shutting her front door echoed in his ears when he realizes how tight that dress clings to her curves. He watches as she undid the straps on her shoes and sets them down. He kicks off his own while his heart hammers in his chest. She smiles.

“All my dry clothes are in my bedroom.”

“I’ll help you find them.”

He practically chases her into the room and pulls her to him.

“Now your clothes are wet again.” She pouts and gives him a soft kiss.

In one swift motion, he lifts her dress over her head and tosses it into the bathroom. It splatters on the tile loudly and they laugh. He pulls his t-shirt over his head and she unbuckles his jeans. He captures her mouth in another kiss as he unhooks her bra with one hand.

“Fuck, look at you…” Her body is even better than he imagined.

She rolls her eyes playfully.

The last of their clothes find the floor and the back of his knees hit the edge of her bed. He sits up with his back against the pillows. She wastes no time getting on top of him. She runs her mouth down his neck and along his collarbone. He grips her hips as she kisses the dark hair on his chest. She licks his defined stomach making his hips stutter.

“C’mere.” He groans and she hovers her face over his.

Frank strokes her cheek with his thumb and kisses her. His tongue massages hers and she moans loudly. He cups her large breasts and her head falls back. She feels heat pool below her waist as his big, calloused hands move over her body. He’s everywhere. She bites her lip. He flips her onto her back with no warning knocking the breath out of her lungs.

“Tell me what you want,” he asks, mouth on her shoulder.

“Touch me.” She sighs.

His fingers trail past her stomach and she whines as he teases her.  Her hips jerk up seeking more. Her hands find his hair when he slips those thick fingers inside her. He loves the way his name tumbles off her lips when he stretches her out.

“Fuck, Frank I wanted this so bad.”

“How bad, baby?” His teeth graze her hip bone.

“I was touching myself after our date wishing it was you.” She bites her lip feeling him drive in and out of her.

“Dirty girl.” He chuckles before latching his mouth onto her bundle of nerves.

She clutches her sheets as he relentlessly makes her come with his mouth and fingers.

Her chest tightens again and she cries out. She has to push his hand away because he doesn’t stop. He kisses her shoulder again as her breathing returned to normal. She looks up at him like she wants to devour him. She kisses him greedily, sucking on his tongue. She needed more. She breaks the kiss to get something out of her nightstand. A condom.

“Are you sure?” he asks staring deep into her eyes.

“Yes.” Samantha breathes heavily looking down. No wonder he was so arrogant. He has every right to be with that between his legs.

Frank takes it from her and puts it on, but he lets her take the lead watching when she straddles him.  As Samantha sinks down onto him, she presses her forehead against his. They gasp at how good it feels. She’s so tight and warm. She feels so full. It’s delectable. She’s never felt like this.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.”

Samantha smiles at him. Her lips cover his in a gentle kiss.  One hand stays on her hip and the other got tangles in her hair as he deepens the kiss. Her eyes stay closed until he kisses her cheek. She rocks her hips slowly, but it’s not enough for him. He snaps his hips up and she lets out a wanton noise. He presses hot, open-mouthed kisses on the valley between her breasts. He thrusts up into her again and her hands desperately grab his shoulders to steady herself. Her body is on fire.

“Oh, Frank,” her nails raked through his dark hair when he bites her chest.

Their rhythm was perfect. Hearts racing, sheets of sweat glistening on their backs, it’s all too much and not enough. From how he grips her waist and the way her hips speed up, this isn’t gonna last much longer. Her brown eyes found his blue ones and he places a soft kiss on her throat before sliding a hand between them. Her head tips back as he touches her perfectly. It’s exactly what she needed. She feels that wonderful familiar feeling on the pads of her feet and the base of her spine. She keeps moaning his name and it’s the best thing he’d ever heard. Her nails dig into his back as her body shakes. He rolls them over chasing his own release. She locks her ankles over the small of his back and elicits a growl from low in his throat as he bottoms out.   His movements become more frantic and his hips began to stutter.

Yes!” She breathes.

“You feel so good, Sam.” He buries his face in the crook of her neck.

Her hands gripped onto his shoulders as he pounds in and out of her. He’s hitting that spot inside her that makes her scream.

“Harder.”

His thrusts are getting sloppier and she know he’s close. She starts to shake again and it sets him off. He isn’t making coherent words. He’s just grunting with every thrust as his body explodes with pleasure. His eyes jam shut as the sparks fly behind his eyes. He relaxes his grip and slumps forward, face in the pillows. Their heavy pants and sighs are the only sounds in the room.

“Wow.” Samantha couldn’t think.

“Fucking awesome.” Frank chuckles.

“Definitely.”

“When do we go get Mary?”

“We got an hour. So buckle up, baby.”

Just like that, Samantha becomes a part of their lives and they become a part of hers. She and Mary play around on her piano or her guitar. Mary loves both. Frank thinks it’s nice, but can’t help it when all of Samantha’s attention is on his niece. He’s there too. No surprise, he’s not the most romantic guy around. She starts to wonder if that first date was a fluke. He usually wants to go to a bar or restaurant, have a few drinks, and head back to his bedroom for some amazing sex. Sometimes, they visit one of the nicer boats he’s working on, but not often. The only time she can get him excited about going somewhere is if it’ll make Mary smile like the zoo or an aquarium. They get to pet snakes and Frank’s stunned at how fearlessly Samantha handles them.

Due to how her marriage ended, Samantha admits she’s a jealous person, so when she sees someone beautiful talking him up at Ferg’s, she turns a little green. He wants her to trust him. He’s not going to cheat on her, but he’s a flirt and that’s hard to turn off. Frank is smart, but his favorite answer is a grunt instead of using his words. He’s more willing to tell her what he likes in bed than how he really feels about her.  It’s fine for the first three months when she’s closed off too, but as they approach six months, it stings. She knows he has a hard time trusting people but hasn’t she proven herself? She’s even stopped smoking.

She has a bad habit of holding onto her resentments instead of talking about them, so it usually comes out in a big fight where Frank shows up with flowers at her home or office. They make sure not to fight around Mary because they don’t want to upset her and because sometimes, she’ll jump him mid-argument. She’ll call him an asshole as he bends her over her dresser. Instead of being put off by her years of casual sex, Frank is impressed. She knows what she likes and what she’s doing. And she knows what her touch does to him. It works wonders when he finds out about a kid bullying Mary and she comes up behind him, wrapping her slender fingers around his waist, and kisses the back of his neck. He’s an angry Boston boy and more than once she’s let him fuck his frustration out.

Samantha sees a black Mercedes Benz pull up and Mary practically jumps out of the car.

“Sammy! Sammy!!” She hugs her waist and nearly knocks Samantha off her feet. “We went to lunch and Evelyn has been to so many math conferences. All-day long. She just talks about my mom’s work. Isn’t that cool?”

“That is so cool!” Samantha grins and pulls Mary in for a tighter hug. It was only a two-day trip to Boston, but she missed her all the same.

“I gotta go the bathroom and see Fred!” Mary bounces back from their embrace.

“I think he missed you. My cheer didn’t get approved.” Samantha shrugs.

“You made a Fred cheer?” Mary’s eyes light up.

“I tried, but Research and Development didn’t like it.” Samantha scrunches her nose.

“I’ll talk to them after you show it to me.” Mary shakes her head and goes inside.

A tall woman with red hair and a blue cardigan draped over her shoulders eyes Samantha cautiously. She’s exactly how Frank described her like a museum piece—exquisite but cold.  Samantha steps off the small concrete porch and walks over in her wedge sandals. Evelyn takes a step forward, but her thin heel gets stuck in the grass.

“Yeah. Just rained. Not great for pumps and small heels. You must be Evelyn.” Samantha extends a hand. Evelyn accepts it gently as Samantha shakes only two of her fingers.

“And you must be Samantha. Frank’s girlfriend.” Evelyn’s deep sapphire eyes sparkle. They’re darker than Frank’s or Mary’s. What was with this family and looks?

“Mhmm.”

“You met at the university?”

“I’m an assistant professor there.”

“STEM?”

“English Literature.”

Evelyn hums her disapproval.

“Well, we do need humanities, I suppose.”

Samantha just tilts her head. Disappointment flickers across Evelyn’s face that her jab didn’t land.

“Where’s Frank?” She pretends to look around for him.

“Grocery store. We’ve spent the past two days living off beer, cigarettes, and sex,” Samantha deadpans.

“I see you and my son share the same sense of humor.” Evelyn purses her lips.

“Among other things. We both think Mary’s pretty awesome.” Samantha shrugs.

Evelyn takes a deep breath before stepping forward once more.

“Look, I can see you’re fairly astute or at least you read as such for a pretty face.”

“Mary’s probably going come out here in five minutes, so cut the bullshit and say what you wanna say.” Samantha doesn’t flinch, but neither does Evelyn.

“The women in this family continue to make advancements in mathematics even after death. Mary’s only 7 and she’s at university.”

“It’s an impressive gene pool.”

“My son tends to rotate through his conquests without involving Mary. I hope you understand the kind of person she should have as a role model. She’s fond of you. I pray that’s not misplaced.”

Samantha presses her lips together and looks down at her shoes. Before Evelyn can gloat, she looks up with a smile on her face.

“Listen, Evelyn, I know I’m not a mathematician, but I do have a doctorate. Frank and Mary don’t care about that. He knows I love that little girl. He allows you to visit because Mary loves you. I’d focus on that.”

“Or what? You’ll make it difficult for me to see my granddaughter?”

Samantha lets out a heavy sigh and shakes her head. This is an exhausting conversation.

“No. That little girl is special and not just cause she’s a genius. She’s the important part of all this. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Before Evelyn can answer, Frank’s blue truck pulls up and parks next to the Benz. He shuts off the engine and gets out with two paper bags in his hands. He has his black sunglasses on.

“I see you’ve met.”

Mary comes running out of the house and Samantha takes the bags before she knocks them out of his hands. They hug and she sees Frank’s broad shoulders relax. She can’t help but smile. Mary pulls back.

“Hey, kiddo, can you take this inside?” Samantha hands off the lightest bag.

Mary takes it from her and stops running before she’s told off. Samantha grabs the other paper bag. She gives one last glance over her shoulder before going in with the groceries.

When Frank comes back in fifteen minutes later, he’s fuming. He lets the front door slam shut. Mary looks up with her big worried eyes. Samantha nods that it’ll be okay. She gets Mary to help with cooking dinner (she allows her to put the green beans on the baking sheet with the other vegetables). They eat the roast chicken while Mary goes on about her trip and have the peach cobbler Samantha made that morning for dessert. The door slamming incident is forgotten. Mary watches the Scooby-Doo DVD Samantha got her for her birthday after she brushes her teeth. It’s classic Scooby-Doo Where Are You?! They watch two episodes before Mary falls asleep on Samantha’s lap.  Samantha puts her to bed before joining Frank’s sulking frame on the couch.

“How was catch up with Mommy Dearest?” Her fingertips trail his beard from his jaw to his neck.

“It’s not enough that she got what she wanted. She’s always gotta find something to disapprove of.”

“Lemme guess, it’s me?”

“I’m a goddamn adult. She has no right to say who I bring into Mary’s life and—”

Samantha brings a finger to his lips. He’s raising his voice.

“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

She dashes off, in those wedges no less. She returns with Roberta.

“Heard you can’t use your inside voice, huh?”

“He’s not a lost cause yet,” Samantha smirks.

“I don’t know where she gets the patience.” Roberta raises her eyebrows.

“We won’t be long. I just gotta take him somewhere he can yell.” Samantha pats him on the shoulder.

“Not a problem.” Roberta nods.

“Oh, I made peach cobbler if you want some. It’s in the fridge.”

“She’s too good for you, Frank.”

Samantha hops into the driver’s side of the truck, waiting. He hands over the keys and gets in the passenger’s side. She stops at a very empty park. The moonlight peeks through the trees through the windshield.

“Evelyn didn’t like you.”

“Uh-huh. The feeling was mutual.”

“She said you were mouthy and not the kind of woman that should be around Mary. Like you were a stripper—”

“Don’t slut-shame.”

“Sorry.”

Samantha unbuckles her seatbelt to slide over next to him. She puts her hand on his chest and looks into his eyes.

“Baby, your mom is the Queen of Bitch City.”

A low rumble vibrates through him as he laughs. He’s never heard it put so perfectly.

“I hate that she can get to me like this.”

Frank stops talking because Samantha’s delicate fingers are trailing down his grimy white shirt.  She really needs to have him do his laundry in her building. The washing machines are better. She gives him a soft kiss as her hands unbuckle his belt and shove his boxers down to his knees.

“W-What are you doing?”

“Can’t have you bitching all night. Gotta calm you down,” she says before taking him in her mouth to sluice him up. He lets out a choked gasp. She nibbles the shell of his ear while her hand pumps him into a stiff peak.

“F-Fuck, baby.” His eyes are closed.

The noises are wet and filthy once her mouth envelopes him again. His large hand spreads out through her hair. Her tongue is unreal. He grunts and bucks up into her mouth. She coughs and looks up at him with those brown eyes, annoyed. He grimaces.

“Sorry. You feel so good.” His hand cups her jaw and pulls her onto his mouth. He can taste himself as his tongue licks over her lips. She sucks on his tongue and her hand grips him again. He gasps and lets go of her.

Her head moves back to his lap and the hand not in her hair moves down her shirt to squeeze her breast. She moans and he nearly passes out from the sensation. His chest heaves up and down and he knows he’s gonna come soon.

“Sam, s-stop.” He stares at her with heavy-lidded eyes.

“What?” She just stares at him.

“C’mere.” He tugs her into his lap and she giggles. “Gotta have you.”

She pulls down her underwear and rucks her skirt up.

“Can I touch you, baby?” He kisses her neck.

“Fuck, yes. Please.” She rests her cheek on his broad shoulder.

His fingers find her glistening when they dip inside her. She lets out the most delicious whine of his name.

“Sucking me off got you all hot and bothered?” He teases before kissing her.

“Uh-huh.” She hisses feeling his fingers stretch her. She can feel his laughter vibrate against her chest. He knows exactly how to touch her. “Frank, I need you.” The way her soft voice begs him he can’t deny her. Not when he needs her just as badly. The sexiest woman alive wants him. He thrusts into her and her nails dig into his shoulders. Her muscles clench around him and his mouth goes slack. She rocks back and forth while his giant hands grip her slim hips.  His naughty angel rides him in the cab of his truck and he never wants her to stop.

“I’m so close.” A small whimper escapes her lips. “Frank, harder, please.”

A long moan and the sharp snap of his hips are exactly what she wants. She’s praising him over and over begging him for more.

“Frank, Frank, yes, yes, Frank, yes.”

His truck is filled with the harsh slaps of skin paired with their gasps and moans. It’s filthy and perfect. Her breasts bounce through the thin fabric of her top when she grinds faster. He can’t even remember feeling angry. All he knows is her. Their eyes lock for a moment and a small smile spreads across her face. Frank kisses her gently despite the relentless pace.  His thumb finds that sensitive flesh rubbing it until she yells his name. He follows soon after stroking her blonde hair. She sighs struggling to catch her breath. He kisses the underside of her jaw.

“You’re amazing, sweetheart.” He smiles.

“I know.” She chuckles.

“Shit, the seats,” Frank says once she gets back behind the steering wheel. It’s one of the reasons why he hasn’t fucked her in the truck before. He’s learned from experience and a judgmental look from Roberta. He went beet red from his ears to his neck and drove off. Roberta watched Mary no questions asked.

“Don’t worry.” Samantha pulls out of the parking lot.

To his surprise, she finds a gas station with vacuums, brushes, and shampoo and lets him clean the seats while she gets some ice cream for Roberta.

Things are busy again, but they are better at keeping in touch now. She has papers due, so she spends all of her time outside of class doing office hours. She doesn’t think much of it when her period doesn’t come because of how stressful things are. It’s happened to her before.  But then another week passes and nothing. Was she pregnant? Should she take a test?

They had gotten so caught up that they didn’t even think about protection. How could she be so stupid? She’s just paralyzed with fear and can’t answer Frank when he tries to get in touch with her. She buys a pregnancy test at the store, but can’t bring herself to use it. She just sat there—a body filling a room. What would Frank want to do? Would they keep it? Would they get married? Would he just abandon her? Frank leaves worried voicemails. She doesn’t know what to tell him. On the third day, she dials his number and he picks up immediately.

“Sam, what’s going on, baby?” He sounds distraught.

She bursts into tears.

“You’re scaring me.”

“I’m late.” She sobs.

The line goes quiet and she cries harder.

“Did you take a test?”

“What are we gonna do? You already have Mary and I’m—"

“Sam, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Did you take the test?”

“No.” She wipes her eyes. ” I’m so scared.”

“Okay. I’m coming over.”

Frank arrives thirty minutes later and wraps her up in a hug.

“I was so stupid—”

“Shh, shh, Sam, we’re gonna be okay. I promise.”

“But I—”

“C’mon, let’s take the test. I got a few more.” Frank leads her to the bathroom.

Time ticks by torturously slow as they wait sitting on her bed. Frank looks at her. She keeps clenching her fists.

“I love you. No matter what that test says.”

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“It’s true.”

“Frank, I’m not—this isn’t—I don’t wanna be an obligation. Not to you.”

Samantha goes into the bathroom to check, but can’t look at them. Frank squeezes her shoulders and looks.

“They’re negative.”

“What?”

“They’re negative. You’re not pregnant!”

Samantha throws her arms around him. He let out a slow breath and looks at her.

“I’ve never said this to anyone which is why… I shoulda told you, but I’m a fucking idiot. I love you. Today. Yesterday. Day before that. I’m sorry. I don’t know how to do this. But I know I love you.”

Samantha lets the tears fall. She nods. She’s scared too. It’s hard to let him in after what happened with James, her ex. But he’s not James.

“I love you too.” She laughs as the tears fall down her face.

Frank takes her face in his hands, brushing her cheek with his thumb. Their lips meet.

Samantha goes to her doctor later that week and finds out she’s anemic. Frank waits by the car and she gives him a double thumbs up. He flashes her a smile as she walks over.

“You really love me?” The wind blows her blonde hair across her face.

“Yeah, of course, I do. You love me?” He tucks her hair behind her ear.

“So much.” She sighs.

“It’s not gonna be easy, but I’m not going anywhere.”

“I believe you.” Samantha moves her arms around his waist and he pulls her into his chest.

The holiday season seems different this year. Frank and Mary always did something, but coming from Boston it always felt strange to be somewhere that didn’t snow.  He always put up a plastic snowman and their fake tree and called it a day. Samantha’s from Southern California, so she’s never really had snow on Christmas, but she’s much more into the season. He doesn’t see her for two weeks due to grading exams, but after that, he gets used to seeing her car waiting when he gets home. Mary gets tired of seeing her on the porch, so she badgers him into making her a copy of their keys. That’s how he comes home on Christmas Eve to find they’ve decorated everything for Christmas including Samantha herself. Gold tinsel sits on top of her yellow hair while a garland is wrapped around her neck like a scarf. She puts her hands up in defeat when Mary plugs in the lights. Frank can’t help but bowl over with laughter.  Mary tells him it’s part of the Christmas play that she and Fred wrote. She has one final touch and disappears. Frank leans down and kisses Samantha on the lips.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Mary comes back with a script and performs the play about a lonely Christmas tree saving Christmas. They have dinner and watch Home Alone. Samantha helps Mary get ready for bed while Frank puts their gifts under the fake tree. He becomes a little suspicious when he hears them whispering in the hallway.

“Is the ring under there?” Samantha giggles.

“Mary! You told?” Frank sighs.

“No, I swear. It’s not my fault she’s smart.” Mary puts her hands up.

“And that you’re stupid.” Samantha raises her eyebrows causing Frank’s brow to furrow. “I found the box in your sock drawer when I did your laundry.”

Frank groans and closes his eyes. He should’ve found a better hiding place.

“My answer is yes, by the way.”

His eyes snap open. He rushes over to her and lifts her off the ground. He’s about to kiss her when he pauses.

“Shit, I wanted to ask you.”

“Then let’s do it. This never happened. I wanna see.” Samantha smiles down at him.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“God, I love you, Sam.” Frank crashes his mouth onto hers.

“I love you too.” She giggles. “Now, put me down.”

He does as he’s told and goes back to the main room. Samantha follows with Mary and they sit on the couch. He places a bag covered in blue snowflakes on her lap. She smiles, blinking back the tears stinging in her honey brown eyes.

“It’s not Christmas yet.”

“I can’t wait. Open it.”

She pulls out a red velvet ring box and raises her eyebrows.

“Frank…” She sighs as she pops it open. When she found it before, she didn’t have the guts to actually open it, but she was 98% sure it was a ring.  It’s a gorgeous, modest round diamond ring. She wonders how long he had to save for this. She honestly would’ve accepted a crackerjack ring. She loves him so much and she loves Mary. She hadn’t expected them to change her life when she saw Mary on the bench, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Oh, Frank, it’s lovely. It’s too much.”

“No, it’s not enough.” He takes the box from her hands and gets down on his knee. “Samantha Harris, I don’t really do speeches, but you make my life better. You make Mary’s life better—“

“Yeah, you’re the best,” Mary adds. “Ask her already.”

Samantha chuckles at the interruption. He knows some people take proposals so seriously and would’ve snapped at Mary, but she doesn’t. And that’s why she’s the one. She would never ask Frank to choose. She always wants Mary to be first. She just completes them.

“You make Mary’s life better. You make my life better. There’s no one else. I love you. Please, marry me.” Frank swallows hard as his vision blurs. She slides off the couch and crawls over to him.

“Yes, I will marry you.” Samantha cups his face in her hands before kissing him. Her heart soars at how softly he kisses her back. He sighs and pulls her to her feet. He places the ring on her finger before kissing her again. Frank breaks their kiss at the sound of Mary’s voice. This is the most PDA they’ve ever done in front of her, so she’s probably annoyed. His arm stays secure around Samantha’s waist as they look at Mary.

“Fred thinks we should move to Sammy’s.”

“Oh, he does?”

“Yeah, it’s bigger with a piano.”

Samantha throws her head back against Frank’s shoulder as she laughs.

“I was thinking a house,” Frank smirks.

“And we’ll bring my piano.” Samantha smiles at Mary.

“Yay!” She hugs Samantha’s legs.

Samantha giggles at the fact that Mary is more excited about the piano. Frank gives her a wink. This is more than enough.

#gifted #frank adler #frank adler x ofc #frank adler x oc #fan fic

[sparkagrace]

Hello! I've read almost 100 fics so far this year, which is incredible. I read almost the same amount of fics as last month, but they were much shorter on average.

march

200,742 words read over 28 fics (average of 7,169 words per fic, not including wips) 📉 down 26.2% from February

current total for the year: 669,087 words

a handful of fic recs

better to speak or die by @between-a-ship-and-a-hard-place stucky | E | 69k

My Heart Skips A Beat When I'm With You by @mind-empty-heart-full stucky | E | 5.4k

by my own hand by @dontcallmebree stucky | M | 1.1k

soft landing by @plincess-cho stucky | G | 1.3k

Tastes Like Spring Break by @buckybarnesdeservestobehappy stucky | E | 2.8k

A Kiss Just Waiting to Happen by @voylitscope stucky | E | 4.6k

Arctic Fervor by @smutconnoisseur bucky barnes x johnny storm | E | 2k

a couple of author recs

@buckyismybicycle recs: if you got a hunger for what you see, you'll take it eventually [stucky | 1.2k], candy, sugar, sweets — tell me everything that you need [stucky | 2.2k]

@padfoot-and-the-marauders recs: Little Giant [stucky | 11.8k], I'll Cover You (with a thousand sweet kisses) [stucky | 3k]

currently streaming some wips started this month

New Hands on Deck by @duchessonfire stucky | E | 1 of 7

a league of our own by @burnin-brighter stucky | E | 2 of ?

Your BIGGEST fan... by @kahey2804 and @smutconnoisseur tj hammond x frank adler | E | ?

recently completed wips

motivation by @gfawkesphoenixchokingonashes stucky | E | 31.3k

be kind, rewind older fics or rereads

In which Bucky loses his careful poise, and lets the metal arm do what it will by aingeal stucky | E | 5.6k

All In White by reservoirgays stucky | E | 4.6k

the texting romcom of two very confused nonagenarians by StuckySituation stucky | T | 11.3k

That Same Slow Dance by @hollybennett123 stucky | E | 6k

#monthly fic recap #fic list #fic rec #author rec #steve x bucky #i didn't list wips from last month #but i am still reading and loving them

[sarahrogersevans]

Cute request where Mary and little three years old cousin molly (frank and reader's kid) puts makeup on frank while he is asleep. Reader was cooking up some dinner

Little Troublemakers- Frank Adler xreader fan fic request

Summary: Mary and her cousin draws on Frank’s face while he’s asleep on the couch and Y/N is busy in the kitchen cooking dinner

Warnings: fluff, angst, kids being silly

-Frank’s POV-

I just got back to the house from working on my boat and I felt really tired and I heard Y/N cooking in the kitchen and I saw her by the stove and I went over to say hi and I walked up behind her wrapping my arms around her and I kissed her cheek and her neck and said “mmm hi baby, watcha cooking babe? It smells good.” She smiled at me and said “meatloaf and Mac and cheese for the kids.” I dipped my finger in the sauce and said “yum, so good Y/N, I’m gonna go take a nap ok?” She hugged me and said “alright honey I’ll let you know when dinner’s ready.”

I went to go lay on the couch and a bit later while I was sleeping I thought I heard giggling and I thought I felt something on my face but I was probably just dreaming so I went back to sleep fully. Mary said “hehe here molly draw the mustache and I’ll get the rest.” Molly nodded her head and said “here this good?” Mary nodded and said “ha! That looks great! He’s gonna love it.”

-Y/N’s POV-

I had just finished cooking dinner and I set the table for us and put everything on the table and I went to find Frank to wake him and I giggled seeing he had a drawing on his face and I saw the girls come out and I said “girls you are trouble makers drawing on your uncles face though.. it does looks really funny..” I noticed Frank was waking up and they quickly sat at the table and I went to hug him and I said “babe.. dinner is ready.” Frank noticed I was trying not to laugh and said “what? What is it Y/N?..” I looked down and he grabbed a mirror and said “oh, well that’s peachy.. Mary? Did you draw on my face while I was sleeping?” Mary burst into laughter and said “it looks great doesn’t it?” He laughed a bit and said “yes it does you’re a natural artist you silly girl but how many times have I told you to not draw on my face?” Mary nodded and said “five times Frank.. I’m sorry, I’ll help you clean it.” Frank shook his head and went to go hug Mary and said “no it’s alright thank you for apologizing Mary no harm done it’ll come off and Molly you drew the other parts hmm?” She smiled shyly and said “yes uncle I did .. sorry.” Frank smiled and said “no it’s ok you did really good you should draw more.”

I love how Frank encouraged Molly he is so good with kids this is why I love Frank so much.

We ate dinner and then I had the girls help me clean up and then I got the girls to bed early so Frank and I could have some time alone for the evening and Frank came out from washing his face and he sat down by me kissing my cheek and said “are the girls asleep?” I nodded my head and laid on his chest hugging him and said “yep both are in bed for the night. He cuddled me close to him and said “those girls drive me nuts but I love how they try to make us laugh no matter how tough things have been lately, I’m doing my best for our family.”

I kissed him and caressed his cheek gently and I said “I know Frank they love you and I do too, I love you do much and we’re proud of you and the girls are doing well in school.” Frank smiles at me and plays with my hair and we napped together for a bit and then checked on the girls before going to bed for the night hoping they’d be alright until morning, Frank and I love our family so much they are both very energetic trouble makers but we love them regardless.

Hi darling! Sorry it’s kinda short 😅 but I hope you enjoy it xx🤍

Taglist:

@lokiandbuckysdoll

@jessybarnes

@sunshine-on-my-mind

@nana1000night

#frank adler x y/n #frank adler #frank adler x reader #gifted #chris evans #chris evans character #frank adler x you #fanfics #fluff #chrisevans #chris evans characters #frankadlerxreader

[andydrysdalerogers]

Sliding Into Home ~ When It All Falls Apart

Pairing: MLB!Frank Adler x Abigail Hernandez (OFC)

Synopsis:

After a trade from Boston to Los Angeles, first baseman Frank Adler would seem to have it all. Money, women, an amazing niece, yes Frank should have it all. Except for one thing. One thing that left after a mistake five years ago. Los Angeles should be the chance to start over. Except she is supposed to be in Boston. Not his new medical director.

* A Frank Adler AU x Major League Baseball Story**

Warning: ANGST (i can't stress this enough), second chances, cheating, S~M~U~T!!, slow burn, drug use, abandonment issues, betrayal, domestic violence (i may have missed some), flashbacks

Dividers by me

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: Maybe I Should Have Ducked?

Sliding Into Home Master List Main Masterlist

Twenty-two days after the hit to his head, Frank was cleared by his doctors to return to practice.  The final decision to play would be failing to Abby and she said she would watch practice before making a a decision.  

Frank whistled as he walked into the locker room.  Of course, Johnny is the first to see him. “Hey Adler, finally done being a bitch about one little baseball to the head?” 

Everyone in the room laughs as Frank flips him off. “Miss you too, slow shit. Torch my ass.”  He smiles as the guys bro hug and receives hugs and high fives from the rest of the team.  

“Glad to have you back buddy,” Johnny says.  “Seriously, how are you?” 

“I’m good.  Got cleared by the doctors but Dr. Hernandez says I have to practice for a few days before she will clear me for good.” He shrugs. “A couple of days and I’ll be back.”  

Will Smith, the catcher, comes by. “Good to hear. Gear up, we are supposed to work on base throwing.  Little Johnny here has to work on his curve.” He shoves Johnny a little.  

“Trouble with the curve, Torch?” Frank raises an eyebrow as he strips out of his shirt and pants into his practice uniform.  

“No more than you not ducking,” Johnny scoffing.  “Just had a couple of hits off of it is all. Smith is making a big deal out of nothing.”  

“Whatever you say,” Frank smirks. He finishes getting ready and heads out to the field. As he walks onto the grass, he takes a deep breath. The smell of fresh cut grass and sunshine hits his nostrils and he sighs.  The field has always been his place, his center, his home away from home.  There is absolutely nothing that is wrong when baseball is life.  

Practice goes great in his opinion.  His coaches review his throwing and set him up to hit.  He’ll admit, he flinched on the first pitch but the sensation of swinging his bat around lets him feel like he’s right back where he was, a two-time World Series champion.  

Abby watches from one of the sky boxes, the look of proud smugness.  Her man was back to where he was happiest, on the field.  She gave a happy sigh when a throat cleared behind him. She turned to see Todd behind her. “Hi Todd.”  

“Abby, did you have a nice vacation?” He quirked a smile.  She was supposed to be at work but had called out when Frank asked to go on a road trip. “Saw some pictures of you in Vegas.”  

Abby remembered some fans taking photos with Frank, but she didn’t think that they might have shot pictures of them together.  She began to panic. “Todd, I...” 

“Its ok Abby. I just need to know if there will be a conflict of interest. Are you going to be ok treating Adler while you navigate whatever is going on in your personal life?”  He sighed.  “I don’t want to lose you.  Your work and professionalism are top notch.”  

“No, I talked to Frank, and he is ok with me doing the assessments. I won’t be doing any of his physicals or paperwork. I’ve asked Alex to step in with that.”  

“A true professional,” Todd complimented.  “Come see me in a couple of days about the paperwork. Steve and Andy will be here then and we can all talk.”  

“Are you sure its ok Todd? I mean, we didn’t plan this at all. I still have, you know, other things to worry about.”  

Todd smiled.  “I’ve never seen two people more right for each other than you two.  You guys don’t hide it well.”  

“Thanks. I got to meet with the GM and then head to my house.”  

“Have a good afternoon.”  

Abby headed down to the locker room and went to the manager's office. “Knock, knock.”  

“Hey Doc, come on in,” Dave Roberts waved Abby in. “Just reviewing my notes.”  

“Good.  How’s Adler?” 

“He flinched at the first pitch but otherwise, he’s good.  Said pinkie wasn’t bothering him but otherwise, he looks good.”  

“That’s good to hear.  Dodgers still have a three practice waiting time so after the next two practices, and you are fine, I’ll clear him.”  

“Perfect.”  

“Any other injuries?”  

Abby and Dave discussed all of the players.  About 45 minutes later, Abby walked out with a smile to the locker room and found Frank waiting for her.  “Hi!” 

“Hey Cricket.” He pressed a small kiss to her lips. “Good meeting?” 

“Oh no, you are not getting your assessment out of me.” He pouted as she giggled.  “Stop that. Dave and Alex will determine when you get back out there. All I’ll do is sign off.”  She sighed.  “Todd saw the photos from Vegas.”  

“Shit.” Frank studied his girl. “What did he say? Did you tell him?” 

“I told him what we talked about, the assessments and stuff like that and he wants to meet with us and Andy and Steve to discuss how this will work.” Frank frowned. “I didn’t tell him everything, but I think we have to. Don’t worry baby, Todd seemed ok with us as a couple, so I don’t see a problem.”  

“If you’re sure, Cricket, then I can’t wait.” He kissed her again, softly and longer.  

“Hmm, as much as I would like to continue this, I should get to the house.  I need to finish grabbing my stuff.  He is supposed to be back tomorrow evening. I might stay there tonight.”  

Frank furrowed his brow. “I don’t like you staying there.  Just come home.”  

“I’m not worried, love. You need to tell Mary what’s going on.  We talked about this.”  

Frank pulled her into his chest and leaned his chin on the top of her head. “I’ll always worry about you.” He kissed the top of her head.  “I’ll ask Storm over for some beers. He’ll keep me distracted.”  

“Or Mary will keep Storm distracted which distracts you,” she says with a cheeky smile.  “Future son...” 

“Don’t finish that sentence, for the love of baseball,” Frank groans. “Don’t put that in the universe.”  

With perfect timing, Johnny strolls up to the couple. “Huh, well this is something.  Aren’t you supposed to be keeping this a secret? But I sure didn’t realize that you guys are a thing now.” He smirked as he crossed his arms.  

Frank pulled back, realizing his mistake. “Oh, well... fuck,” he mumbled.  

“Frank was just about to ask you over to have some beers,” Abby says, cheeks pink. “Umm, I have to head to my house to take care of some stuff so, yeah, bye.”  She reaches over and kisses Frank’s cheek before she walks, well, runs away.  

Johnny smirked.  “I guess we have some stuff to talk about.”  Frank groaned.  

Mike walked into the home he shared with Abby with a scowl.  He grabbed a tumbler of scotch and sat in his office, thinking back on all that he had done to ensure he got his girl.  He stared at the photos in his hands and launched the glass into the wall. 

Mike Weiss has always been a patient man.  When he wanted something, he took his time to make sure he got it.  Since the day he met Abigail Hernandez, he wanted her.  He wanted nothing more than to take the tiny Latina with the long curls and wreck her.  But his best friend wanted her. And he met her first.  The bro code (what a joke that is) told him that he had to step away until Frank took his shot.  He didn’t know it would take seven years for him to do it.  

When he and Abby were together, he didn’t know what to do. He hated seeing them together and when they were so happy to get custody of Mary, well, that sent him into a spin.  Diane was supposed to lose custody, he made sure of that with his testimony, but it wasn’t supposed to solidify their relationship.  

When Frank won the World Series and Bobby had suggested a celebratory guys weekend in Vegas, the wheels in Mike’s head turned.  Frank and Abby were solid. But what if he could just crack it enough to get into her head?  

It was easy really, slipping the drug into a drink for Frank.  It was a fatal flaw, how trusting Frank was. Frank trusted Mike wholeheartedly.  He made Mike his lawyer once Mike had graduated from Yale Law. He had no idea about his hidden drug habit or anything else really. Because Frank trusted Mike and Mike had never given him a reason not to.  

Flashback – Five year before – Vegas  Frank was unsteady on his feet 20 minutes after he finished the drink Mike poured him.  “I love Abby,” he slurred. “Gonna marry her one day. Have a ring and everything.”   “Sure, you are buddy.”  Mike put his arm around Frank and walked him into Mike’s hotel room.   “I’m fucked.”  Frank sat on the edge of the bed before slumping over.  Mike gave a maniacal laugh before stripping Frank down.  A knock on the door made him whirl around.  He opened slowly and saw Bobby holding a blonde in his arms.   “That was easier than I thought,” Bobby commented, seeing a naked Frank on the bed.   “Women are stupid sometimes,” Mike said.  “Strip her and let’s pose this shit.”  Bobby got the girl naked and laid her down with Frank.  Mike laughed.  “Why did you help me anyways?”  “Found out that Adler was the one who tipped the team off about the substance abuse.  Just returning the favor,” Bobby said with no emotion.   “Hmm.”  Mike whipped out the disposable phone and snapped photos.  He made sure there were no distinguishable items in the photo and sent them to some contacts in the media.  “Well, let’s just fuck up his life a little.”   In the morning, Mike made sure to send the photos to Abby from the anonymous phone and then waited to hear the inevitable yell from the room.  He sipped his coffee and smiled when he heard Frank yell.   While Frank delt with his issues, Mike was on the phone with a sobbing Abby.  “Why would he do this Mike?" “I don’t know, beautiful. He was talking nonsense and I just tried to take care of him before he disappeared.”   Abby had hung up the phone, but Mike knew he had said enough to keep her doubting their relationship. He would get to her in the morning, after the inevitable fight that they would have.  

Present... 

All the hard work to get them separated and for Frank to get fucked went up in smoke.  Frank had talked to management the next day after he got home and managed to convince them it was a set up.  Frank fired Mike and now Mike was excluded from the innerworkings of the Adler business.  But he still was able to get Abby on his side.  He gave her time to grieve, time to get school done and then he made his move in Los Angeles.  He showed her the best of everything and then he proposed.  He got the girl.  

He looked at the photos of the couple in Vegas, holding hands.  He was losing her again.  He heard the front door open and knew his beautiful Abby was home.  To do what, he wasn’t sure yet, but he was ready for the surprise of a lifetime.  He took  the bottle of scotch and moved to the living room.  Abby stood there, checking the mail, not aware of the danger she was in.  “Hello Beautiful.”  

Abby jumped at his voice.  “Mike! You’re back early.”  

“I am. Funny how you weren’t home.” 

“Yeah, I was at the stadium getting paperwork done from the road trip.  How was work?”  Abby tried to remain calm.  

“Informative.  Care to explain these?” He threw down photos in front of her.  

Abby picked them up and saw photos from Vegas, from the benefit and from LAX.  “Mike,” she whispered.   

“You’re mine, Abigal, he growled. MINE!”  He backed her up into a corner, crowding her.  “And if I can’t have you, then no one will.”  

“Goddamm Adler, the view from here is spec –tac-u-lar,” Johnny whistles from the backyard.  “I bet the stars are amazing at night.”  

“The main reason why I got it, Storm.” Frank uncapped a couple of beers. “Mary is into astronomy and shit, and she likes to look at the sky at night. Hence,” he pointed to the telescope in the corner.  

“Damm, my girl is a little genius,” he said with a cocky grin 

“Storm, I swear to god...” Frank growled as Johnny keeled over in laughter.  

“You’re too fucking easy Adler! Jesus,” as Johnny is wiping tears from her eyes.  As he calmed down, he looked around the living room.  “Where is my strawberry anyways?” 

Ignoring the nickname, Frank replied.  “Scott took her to a slumber party. He should be back soon.  Want another?” waiving the empty bottle.  Johnny nods as Frank heads in.  

“Are we going to talk about you and Doc?”  

Frank stills for a second before popping the beers and coming to Johnny. “What?” 

“You heard me?  You and Doc Hernandez.  When did that start?” Frank is silent, peeling off the label of his beer.  “Really, the silent treatment? Ok, let me ask this, did you ask my sister out?” Frank shook his head. “Then what happened?” 

“I kissed her.”  

“My sister?” 

“No you idiot. Abby.” Frank’s face turns up to the sky. “She was crying and I just... I couldn’t help it. I saw her beautiful eyes that were pink because she thought I had moved on and, he took a breath, I just wanted to make her feel better.”  

“You’re in love with her.” Johnny smiled. “I knew that. From the minute you started talking about Doc, you can tell, you love her.  Truly. Madly. Deeply.”  

“What the fuck are you now Torch, Savage Garden?” 

“Tell me I’m lying.” Johnny smirked as Frank remained silent.  He started to hum and then sang, “I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be...” 

“Finish that and I will hit you with my bat,” Frank growled.  “Yes, ok, yes, I am in love with Abby.  I’ve been in love with her and never stopped.  Happy?” 

“Thrilled.” Johnny patted Frank’s back.  “I’m happy for you, man.”  

“Thanks Johnny.”  

They sat around with Scott joining them, talking about how the Dodgers were doing against the league, how Mary was still working on getting Frank yes to a dog and how Susan had been acting strangely whenever her phone rang.  

“Did it ever occur to you that maybe she has a boyfriend and she’s scared to tell you?” Scott said.  

“No, she would tell me.  She tells me everything,” Johnny says. He looks at Frank who shares a look with Scott.  “No, no way. I mean, who would she date?  Some nerds from work?” 

“Better than her brother trying to set her up with one of his teammates,” Frank says, finishing his beer.  “I think we need something stronger for this conversation.”  

“Frank, seriously, do you know something?” Johnny chases after him as Scott huffs a laugh.  

Morning came with the brightness of the sun.  Frank woke with his head pounding and mouth dry. He checked his phone and saw it was 10 AM.  “What the fuck,” he mumbled.  Checking to make sure he didn’t miss a call from Abby or Mary, he then stumbled into the bathroom and took care of business before heading to the kitchen.  He found Scott there, nursing a coffee.  “Hey Scottie.”  

“Frankie. Jesus my head is killing me. Thankful for no Nugget this morning.” Scott lowered his head to the counter.  “How much did we drink last night?” 

“A lot. Johnny couldn’t face the fact that his sister is her own woman. Where is he?” 

“Couch.”  

Frank grabbed a bottle of water and headed to the living room.  He found Johnny sprawled out on the couch, arm over his head.  “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, time to wake up.” He kicked the couch and Johnny rolled over and onto the floor.  “Shit, are you alright?” 

“Stop yelling,” the muffled reply came. “I’m dying, can’t you see that?”  

Frank chuckled.  “There is water on the table for you.  I’ll make some more coffee and get something to eat for you.”  

“Thanks Dad.”  

Frank shook his head as he headed back into the kitchen.  “Bacon and eggs?” Scott nodded and reached to make more coffee.  The phone rang and Frank saw his cell phone sitting on the bar top.  He answered.  “Hello?” 

“Hello, is this Frank Adler?” 

“Speaking.”  

“Mr. Adler, this is Dr. Green from USC emergency room.  We have an Abigail Hernandez that has just been admitted and...” 

“Frank dropped the phone.”  

Next

Taglist

@patzammit @texmexdarling @slutforchrisjamalevans @firephotogrl74 @before-we-get-started @jennmurawski13-writes @tinkerbelle67 @bunnyforhim

#andy's hea #andy's shenanigans #chris evans fanfiction #frank adler #frank adler au #mlb au #dodger au #ofc abigail hernandez #sliding into home #chris evans #mike weiss #johnny storm #baseball au #frank adler smut #slow burn #chris evans au #cliffhanger queen

[chrisevansonly]

CHRISEVANSONLY FIC REQUEST LIST & INFO

REQUESTS: OPEN

Hi everyone, for those that don’t know me i’m robyn, or you can call me roro, ro or rue whatever you’re comfortable with! I’m not entirely new to writing, I used to have a wattpad, and used to write fan fiction here and there! So I figured why not start that up again!

Below I’ll list who I write for and any info you should need if you’re wanting to request a fic!

Characters/People I Write For:

Chris Evans

Andy Barber

Ransom Drysdale

Lloyd Hansen

Steve Rogers

Frank Adler

Ari Levinson

Johnny Storm

+the list might extend as time goes on!

*I will and CAN occasionally write for Sebastian Stan and a few of his characters too so don’t be afraid to ask anyway!!*

WHAT I WILL WRITE ABOUT:

Fluff

Angst

Light Smut (not 100% sure in my abilities with that yet it’s been a while)

I am kink friendly in my writing whether it is SFW or NSFW based so don’t be shy if you have an idea, there are some things I will not write about that you will find below!

WHAT I WILL NOT WRITE ABOUT:

Anything that is harmful or discriminatory to anyone

r@pe in detail or graphically, mentions of it will depend on the request, but I try to avoid so, as a person who has experienced this I do understand sometimes writing about it can help to heal and make someone feel more in control, but I do have to draw a line somewhere!

Underage/Minors (that’s a no no for me, unless we are talking about dad!chris or a fic involving siblings and children) Underage and Minor romantic relationships with any character or people on this blog is strictly PROHIBITED.

+ more to be added as we go!

Please feel free to request via ASKS or messages, I do prefer ASKS because then I can attach a fic straight to whoever requests!

IMPORTANT NOTE:

I am a full time Law Undergraduate student so If things take a little bit of time to upload please take that into consideration!

UPDATE SCHEDULE:

Monday-Saturday

Sunday’s will be Blog hang out days, and I’d like to introduce the concept of chatting with your favourite characters/people on here! So if you’ve got a question or just wanna chat to Andy or Steve etc hit up the ASKS and let’s make it a fun space!

-Ro🤍

#chrisevans #chrisevansxreader #chris evans x reader #chris evans #chris x reader #sebastian stan x reader #bucky x reader #andybarber #andybarberxreader #ransom x reader #chris evans imagine #chris evans fic #rueswrites #dodger #the gray man

[unchartedperils]

So I’ve begun ANOTHER WIP and it’s from COD, but not the one I’ve been ranting about for months I’d start (MW22 Fix It with Nadine Ross from Uncharted crossing over to Chimera and helping stop Viktor Zakhaev-Reboot Makarov-Reboot Al Asad-Hadir).

As I may’ve shared last week, I’m now suddenly wanting to “fix” Cold War’s campaign to both setup BO2 better and to put the spotlight on one of MP’s lesser loved operators: Jada Powers.

Hear me out: if you like Bell, more power to you. But they wasn’t for me unfortunately and again BOCW’s problem plot wise is it tried too much without doing what it was supposed to do in better bridging the almost 20 year gap between the end of BO1 and beginning of BO2. So what we’re doing is Miss Powers is replacing Treyarch’s OC in Adler’s unit.

In case you don’t realize or never paid attention to her backstory, Miss Powers was a 1st Marine Lieutenant but under unclear circumstances was somehow left behind in Eastern Europe to “betray” the US in what might be a frame up or operation gone bad. Hence why she is classed under the “Warsaw Pact” faction.

So we’re sorta revamping her character to better tie in with the story by having her be a close ally to Frank Woods, having rescued him from the Hilton in 1972 and he’s become her mentor and second father figure in recent years, also becoming close with his best friend and partner Alex Mason. And this will speed things up to January 1981 where on her promotion to the CIA Special Activities Unit, she, Woods, and Mason are assigned to veteran CIA Agent Russell Adler who needs their help to capture two Iranian men involved in the Tehran Hostage Crisis…

This fic as it develops will detail Jada’s wild ride with Woods and Mason under Adler and their superior handler Jason Hudson until it may reach a deadly boiling point by July 1986. First chapter is out and I really hope you COD fans enjoy it, especially with Black Ops Cold War coming to PS Plus on the 4th for July.

Chapter 1 in Call of Duty: Ending The Cold War contains strong language, violent action with blood and gore (including torturous aspects and dead bodies as featured in Black Ops II), and geopolitical sensitivities.

#cod black ops cold war #call of duty fanfic #jada powers #frank woods #alex mason #russell adler #black ops cold war fix it #jada powers replaces bell in black ops cold war #kidnap whump #manipulation #blood and gore #Pyrrhic victory black ops 2 #cod

[oh-my-damn]

You're not a fan of Frank adler?

oh i absolutely am bestie !

I just haven't really felt an inspiration towards him yet. For me, it usually starts with the character bc they can trigger something in me, but the plot needs to be there. The most random things in the world can trigger it and make me spiral and turn it into an entire AU lmao

He will be in my college!steve fic as a philosophy teacher tho!

#mandy answers #frank adler

[starryevermore]

the man you knew ✧ frank adler & andy barber

angst city™ library

pairing: frank adler x fem!reader; andy barber x fem!reader

summary: frank doesn’t realize he lost something good until it was too late, and andy isn’t the kind of man to give you up. 

word count: 3,496

warnings?: angst city™ bitch, frank’s a teensy bit of a jerk but he technically means well, mostly focused on frank and reader but andy's there too, the ending’s kind of bad but we’re going to pretend it’s not, not proofread

Dating you was like a breath of fresh air. While a lot of single women without kids of their own like to say that they would love a man with a kid, the truth of the matter was, not all of them were ready for that man to put his kid first. A lot of them expect Frank to hold them higher than Mary, but he was not that kind of man. Yes, he had his boundaries, and yes, he did make sure to take care of himself and his needs. But making sure that Mary grew up in a happy home and was able to live a normal life came before everything, and everyone, else. Nothing ever got in the way of that. And, an unfortunate side effect of that was his love life took a back burner. He’d tried a few times over the years to date someone, but it never worked out. 

So when he met you, he expected you to run the other way when you found out that Mary would always come first. But, surprisingly, you took it in stride. “I’d be fuckin’ pissed, Frank, if you didn’t put her first,” you snarked when he had to cancel a date because Mary needed him and, in the aftermath, he told you that she would always his number one girl. “You’re the only real family she’s got. She needs you more than I will. I’m a big girl—I can handle you putting your niece first.”

He fell for you even harder when you said that to him. He hadn’t done anything serious relationship-wise ever since he started taking care of Mary. But now, he was wanting you to become part of his life for real. To maybe introduce you to Mary when the relationship was serious enough. 

And he eventually did. 

Mary loved you to pieces. You’d stay over on the weekends, and he’d often wake up to Mary being back early from Roberta’s, baking cookies with you in the kitchen. You’d both be a mess, covered in flour, but dissolved into giggles, Mary looking happier than ever. And you’d both be pulling him over to decorate the cookies when they were out of the oven, acting like you were art critics as you both pretended to analyze whatever creation he came up with. 

He never wanted it to end. 

But, the longer you were together, the more he began to realize that he probably could never be all in with you. And the fact that he would always put Mary first suddenly weighed heavier than before. You deserved better. You deserved someone who put you first. Frank could never be that man. He swore he’d do things right by Mary. He...Fuck, he could just never be the kind of man that you deserved.

Which is what led him to where he was now, looking over at you as you were curled up in his bed, face nuzzled in the crook of his neck. His chest felt heavy as he looked at you, trying to figure out the best way to say what he wanted to say.

And yet, when it came down to it, he perhaps said it in the worst way possible—

“We need to break up.”

The second the words left his mouth, he knew he said the wrong thing. That this wasn’t what he wanted, not really. Seeing the way you lifted your head up to look at him, the way your face crumpled up, the tears welling up in your eyes, the shuddering breath you let out why you tried to figure out what to say—it hit Frank like a ton of bricks. This was not what he wanted at all.

“Why?” you whispered, as if you didn’t trust your voice to not go out if you screamed at him.

And Frank wished he could’ve backtracked. Wished he could’ve said he made a mistake in saying that damn sentence. But, his mouth worked faster than his brain. 

“You deserve someone better.”

“But you’re what I want,” you said. 

“I can never give you the love you deserve. I have Mary to think about. I need to be there for her, and I know that I can never give you the kind of attention you deserve to get.”

“I knew you would put Mary first when I started dating you, Frank...I don’t mind—”

“Don’t make this harder than it should be,” he said. “I just...There’s no place for you here.”

“There’s no...Oh.” Your brows furrowed together, Frank’s heart sinking as he realized he was hurting you far more than he was helping you. Slowly, you pulled away from him, swinging your legs over the side of the bed and beginning to rise to your feet. “I, um, I’ll get out of your hair then.”

“Wait, Y/N, that’s not what I—” he said, reaching out to grab at your arm. He felt cold now. He didn’t like feeling cold. 

You jerked away, crossing your arms over your chest. You turned away from him, starting to move towards the door. “I gotta go. If there’s anything of mine still here, just mail it back to me or something.”

“Y/N—”

“Take good care of Mary. If she...If she asks where I am, don’t...don’t say anything that’ll make her feel guilty. Can you promise me that?” you said. 

Of course you’d be concerned about Mary when he was breaking your heart. You were always so good to her. Frank was half-convinced that if he asked Mary what she thought of you, she’d say that you were one of her best friends. God, he was such a fucking idiot.

“I promise.”

He’d wanted to argue, to push back, but...The damage was done. There was nothing left to say that could make this better. He watched as you walked away, tears streaming down his face. God, he wanted to run after you so badly, but he couldn’t make himself do it. He broke your heart. There was no way to come back from that. 

In the morning, when Mary came back from Roberta’s, he struggled with how to break the news to her. How could he tell her that he forced you because of his own insecurities? That you would have rather been there with him, with them, but he acted like a fucking asshole and threw you out? 

“Did Y/N leave already?” Mary asked. “She said she’d take me to the zoo, and I was wondering if we could do that today.”

“No...No, she can’t,” he said. 

“Oh. Then tomorrow maybe?”

“No. You, uh...Y/N’s not gonna be around anymore.”

Her brows furrowed together. “What? Why? Did I do something wrong?”

Frank had Mary pulled into his arms in an instant. He already hurt you. He couldn’t hurt Mary. “No, kid, it’s not you. You were...Y/N loves you so much, but I...I had to let her go.”

“Why? Don’t you love her?”

“I do, and that’s why I had to let her go...She deserved to be with someone better.”

“But she loves you, too! Isn’t that enough?”

“It’s so much more complicated than that,” he said, his cheek resting on the top of Mary’s head. “I just...I didn’t want her to feel like I couldn’t put her first. ‘Cause I can’t. And she deserved someone who could.”

“What did she think?” Mary sniffled. 

“I...I didn’t ask.”

“Well you should’ve!” she said, starting to wiggle her way out of his arms, pushing against his chest, trying to get as far away as possible. “I like having her around! And she liked being around too!”

She finally wrenched herself out of Frank’s arms, storming off to her bed. She climbed under the covers, pulling her blanket over her head, pretending that she didn’t feel the bed dip when Frank sat on the edge, trying to apologize.

“Go away!” she said. “I don’t wanna see you.”

And, just like that, he’d done the one thing he never wanted to do. He’d hurt both of his girls. 

Moving on from Frank wasn’t easy. You once thought that he’d be the man you’d marry. Apparently, he didn’t see the same future. He didn't see any future with him. He was content with casting you aside, acting as if you meant nothing to him or to Mary. When you’d gotten back to your home that day, you wondered if he’d said anything to Mary, asked her how she felt. You’d wager “no”, if you had to. It seemed like he was looking out for himself first and foremost. 

Nevertheless, you tried. You put in a good faith effort. It’s just...living in the same town as your ex, passing by all of the places that used to belong to the two of you, was difficult. Everywhere you went, you saw Frank. In the figurative sense, of course. But, even when you did see him, catch his eye from across the grocery store, it still took everything in you to not fall apart. 

So when your job wanted to relocate you to Boston, you knew what you had to do. You had to go. Even though Boston was marked with Frank, too, at least you didn’t have any personal memories with him there. It would be easier to pretend that he hadn’t hurt you the way he did. 

Boston was better for you. Your heart didn’t feel as heavy. You didn’t feel like you were just going through the motions of it all. You carved out a little hole for yourself, found a nice apartment that you decorated just to your liking. (Though, if you were being honest with yourself, you did go a tad overboard but...home’s home, and you reasoned that it was the most important place you’d be so you deserved it.) 

You established a nice routine for yourself. Work through the day Monday through Friday. Most evenings, you’d retire to your apartment, find some cheesy show to watch, enjoy a nice glass of wine. Maybe a puzzle if you were feeling adventurous. Friday nights, though, you’d treat yourself to a night out. There was a bar across the street from where you worked, and your coworkers would go there as a celebration of making it through another week of being a cog in the capitalist machine. It was a nice stress relief. And it kept you from slipping into the sad, lonely thoughts that would plague your mind if you allowed yourself to be alone for too long. 

It was there that you met Andy.

Andy...He made you feel light. Like you didn’t have to shield parts of yourself a way, like you didn't have to put on an act and pretend that you were some happy, upbeat version of yourself. You could be vulnerable with him. 

He had broken, shattered, pieces too. For the first few weeks you were in Boston, you’d sit beside each other at the bar, trading snarky comments about some of the louder, more obnoxious patrons. Slowly, you started talking about work. Andy was a lawyer, worked at the DA’s office for a while up in Newton, but moved down to Boston a few years back. Started working in estate planning, trusts, wills—that sort of thing. It wasn’t his most favorite area, but he got tired of constantly being in a court room, of constantly being on his A game. It was a lucrative area, though, so he couldn’t complain about the paycheck. 

A few months into your weekly chats, you opened up enough to start seeing each other more regularly. You both were busy a lot of the time, sometimes having conflicting schedules, but you always made time for each other. Often, that meant spending time in your home or his, drinking wine, ranting about the stupidity of work. But, over time, it evolved into you curling into his side, pressing kisses along his jaw as he practically purred about how you were so good to him, that he’d never let you go.

By the time he asked you to be his, you knew there was only one answer: yes. You were still hurting over Frank, but Andy...He made you look forward to the future. And that was something you’d never want to let go. You never wanted it to be ruined. 

Life, though, seemed to have other plans. 

It took one year, two months, and fourteen days for Frank to crack. He’d heard from one of your friends that you’d moved to Boston, that you moved on from him. And he’d tried to be happy for you, tried to pretend that it didn’t feel like someone drove a dagger through his heart when he found out. But, he couldn’t stop himself from buying the next plane ticket to Boston, dropping of Mary at Roberta’s, ready to run right to you.

“You shouldn’t do this,” Roberta said as Mary flipped through her DVD collection, trying to find something to watch. “That girl’s moved on. She’s happy. Don’t ruin that.”

“I’m not going to...I just, I have to let her know I made a mistake.”

“She already knows you made a mistake.” She shook her head at him, her displeasure written clearly across her face. “You broke her heart. Probably made her feel like she was nothing to you. Imagine how she’s gonna feel when you waltz up to her and beg for forgiveness. If I was her, I’d squash you like the bug you are.”

“I love her.”

“But that wasn’t enough for you, was it?”

“I wanted her in my life. I still do. But I thought she deserved better—”

“And she’s found better. Leave her be.” Roberta stared at him, before letting out a sigh. “You’re still go down there, ain’t ya?”

“I just need to see her one last time.”

“Well, don’t be surprised when she slams the door in your face.”

You weren’t the one to slam the door in his face, though, when he got to your apartment. 

In fact, you weren’t even home. 

Your boyfriend was. 

The man that stood on the other side of the door way was just a few inches taller than Frank, and he used every inch to tower over him. But Frank wasn’t the kind of man to be easily intimidated. He came here on a mission, and he was going to see it through. 

“Is Y/N home?” Frank asked. 

“Depends. Who’re you?” the man asked. 

“I could ask you the same question.” Except, Frank knew that the man was Andy Barber, the lucky man who’d won your heart. And Frank was willing to bet that Andy knew who he was, too. Two could play this game. 

Andy looked Frank up and down, before finally saying, “Alright, I’ll cut to the chase. Why the hell are you here?”

“So you know who I am.”

“Yeah, I know you’re the idiot who took Y/N’s heart, crumpled it up, and threw it back in her face ‘cause you wanted an easy way of the relationship.”

“That’s not how it went.”

“Oh? So you didn’t break her heart? Is that what you’re saying?” Andy raised a brow. “Because she told me what happened. How you said there was no place for her in your life. That you couldn’t even look her in the fucking eye when you told her to go. That you had the fucking audacity to act like you were doing her a favor—”

“I was doing her a favor!” Frank snapped. “At least I thought I was. I could never put her first, and I knew she deserved better than that. She’s a fucking angel, and she deserved someone who’d treat her like the treasure she is—”

“So why didn’t you? Because it sounds to me like you just decided it was too hard. That you decided she wasn’t worth putting in the work. I’ve been there. I know how hard it is to raise a kid and have a healthy love life, but I worked every day to make sure that everyone was loved and that they knew it.”

“And how’d that work out for you?”

It was a low blow, and Frank knew it. But he couldn’t help himself. Looking at Andy, he saw everything he could’ve had if he wasn’t such a moron. Andy had everything Frank could’ve wanted. Andy had you. And Frank could never forgive himself for the mistakes that he made.

But before Andy could land a blow himself, Frank was stumbling, a force knocking against his shoulder, brushing past him like he wasn’t even there. For a moment, Frank was ready to shout, to fight back, but god...It felt like the wind had been knocked out of him when he saw you walking into your apartment.

“Y/N?” he breathed out, like he couldn’t believe you were in front of him.

You looked back, mock surprise washing over your face. “Oh. You’re here.”

“I’m so sorry—”

“Yeah, I’m sorry you’re here, too. Why are you even here? Didn’t you make it perfectly clear that you didn't want me in your life?”

If he didn’t know you so well, he’d think you were completely unaffected by his presence. But he could see the way your lip wobbled. He could see the tears you were trying to hold back. And it took everything in him to not surge forward, pull you into his arms, hold you as you cried. 

That wasn’t his job anymore, though. 

He’d given that up.

So, instead, he stood still, trying to wrack his brain for the right words to say. Everything that he’d rehearsed on the flight to Boston was erased from his mind. He couldn’t think of anything, except for how stupid he is. “I made a mistake,” he started.

“I did, too.”

“I—what?”

“I should’ve never let you take me out on a date, Frank Adler. I should’ve ran the other way the second you tried to butt your way into my life. I should’ve listened to my friends when they said they’d heard whispers about how you were a heartbreaker, how you couldn’t let any woman into your life. But instead, I was an idiot who thought I should give you a chance. That maybe there was more to you, maybe I could fix you. But there’s no fixing a man like you. Not when men like you decide that you’re happier being broken.”

“Y/N—”

“I’m speaking. And you’ll do well to listen,” you snapped. “I once thought that you could never hurt me. And you know, the Frank I knew probably never would. The Frank I knew was a good man, rough around the edges, sure. But he had a heart of gold. He loved his niece, wanted the best life possible for her. And I loved that about him. I loved how he put everything he had into making sure she knew she was loved. I loved how he put her first. And I still love that. Because I’ve been on the other side of that, I’ve been on Mary’s side. I know how much it hurts to feel like the person raising you couldn’t care less about you. And I saw you, being so good to her, and I thought you were a good man.” 

He reached out, stumbling forward, wanting to take you into his arms, to wipe away your tears. But you only took a step back. You weren’t his to comfort anymore. 

“The Frank I knew was a good man. The Frank I knew wouldn’t hurt me like you did. The Frank I knew wouldn’t come running back to shit on my happiness the second I’m doing better. The Frank I knew loved me, and I don’t have a fucking clue what you did with him.” You grabbed at Andy’s hand, tugging him further into the apartment. “And I don’t ever want to see you again. Because you’re not the Frank I knew, and I want absolutely nothing to do with you anymore. You said you had no place for me in your life. Fine. But you gotta live with that. You made your bed, now you gotta lie in it.”

And before Frank could say anything else, you slammed the door in his face, the lock clicking a moment later. 

This wasn’t what Frank wanted. 

But, this was what he deserved. 

So, he turned, slowly walking out of the apartment building, knowing now that he was, in fact, the biggest idiot the world had ever seen. He’d once had everything he could’ve ever wanted, but he had to be the idiot who screwed it up for himself. And now he had to live with the consequences.

He wanted you to find someone who deserved you, and you did. And that man was not, and never would be, Frank. 

#frank adler imagine #frank adler x reader #frank adler x fem!reader #frank adler x female reader #frank adler x you #frank adler x y/n #frank adler fic #frank adler fanfic #frank adler fan fic #frank adler fanfiction #frank adler fan fiction #andy barber imagine #andy barber x you #andy barber x reader #andy barber x female reader #andy barber x y/n #andy barber x fem!reader #andy barber fanfiction #andy barber fan fiction #andy barber fanfic #andy barber fan fic #andy barber fic #*written by: me #starryevermore

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Remember?

Summary- 1.9k Frank Adler x You. Frank wakes you up at the ungodly hour of 3:30 am and will not even tell you why. Written for @stargazingfangirl18​ 5k challenge

Warnings- like... barely there mention hint of smut? But just barely? I cant even count it as a warning to be honest. 

A/N- so yes this is written for a soft!dark challenge, but dark writing just isn't happening. I went with just soft and with the prompt of lazy make out session.I really wanted to make sure I was giving something to Siri’s challenge because she works so hard on providing us wonderful fics to enjoy, is incredibly supportive and honestly she deserves it. Much love always babes and thank you for all you do.  

A/N 2- Can be read as a one shot. It is in the same verse as Oppressive. Also trying out a new site to make moodboards. I kinda like it? what do you all think? And I know the Fort Myers pier is made from concrete, not wood, but I wanted wood. So I went with wood. I always appreciate your thoughts on a fic. Alright, Much Love, Happy Reading! 🌊

“Baby wake up.” You heard a husky whisper in your ear as well as a rough scrape against your shoulder from Franks cheek as he pressed in close to your back, the soft hairs of his chest pressed into your sleepy warm skin and you muttered a no into your pillow as you hid your face into the cotton covers. 

He must be out of his ever loving mind to think you were going to wake up at… a quick peek at the old 80’s looking radio clock Frank loved sitting on his night stand. The red numbers were unfocused at first, but blurry sharpened to three thirty am. Yes, your man was crazy to think you were up for anything at all, and the way he was pressed into your ass cheeks, you suspected he woke up early for sex. 

That was going to be a hell no. “Frank go back to sleep. I will fuck you later.” You promised as you shifted back into your warm safe hollow. He chuckled gruffly and his hands slid on your hips to twist you to fast him, causing you to sigh and blink up at him. In the dark of the room, his eyes were a dull blue shining down at you amused. You though were no in that same mood as you blinked up at him, pushing a hand against his chest. “Come on Frank, I'm not in the mood. I was sleeping so good.” 

“You would think I would wake you up just for sex.” Frank scoffed.

“It wouldn't be the first time.” 

“Probably won't be the last either, but that's not what this is about. Come on Sweetheart, get up. I have a surprise.” He tapped your ass and pulled away as you were groaning, knowing sleep simply wasn't going to happen. 

“Adler, I swear to all that is holy, this better be good.” You grumbled as you sat up and tried to wake up. Frank came back out with some clothing for you, a pair of capris, tee shirt and undergarments. You looked at the casual clothing and arched your brows. “Where are you dragging me?” 

“Its a surprise, trust me, those are appropriate.” He started as he dressed in some old faded blue jeans and grey tee. Wherever he was taking you wasn't going to require dressing up too much, so you just pulled your hair back into a tie, and didn't bother with makeup. He kept glancing at his watch, and by three fifty he had you out the door and to his pickup truck. He tossed a bag in the back and when you went to question it, he shook his head firmly in a no while ushering you into the passenger side. “Part of it, just trust me.” 

“I trust you to have something up your sleeve Adler, considering you know I love my sleep in on Saturday Morning.” You grumbled under your breath. Typically you and Frank slept late Saturdays. Mary would go to Roberta’s Friday night for her weekly sleepover that both woman and child insisted on, you and Frank would go to the local bar for a night of cold drinks, games of pool and the occasional dancing when you could get Frank drunk enough to go on the small dance floor. Simple, but you always had a good time. Saturday was recovery day. 

So why was he dragging you out of bed on recovery day? 

“So a hint?” You decide to pester a bit, sliding closer on the bench seat till you were against his side, his arm circling around your shoulder to tuck you in closer and press a kiss to your temple. You could feel his lips upturned to a smirk against the side of your head. 

“You want a hint… It has to be done early in the morning.” 

You rolled your eyes at him with a huff, dropping your hand to dance your fingers against a jean clad thigh, making his eyes dart down to your hand. “I want better then that.” 

“You are not gonna get it Baby, but you can try your best.” 

He really was being serious this time, because he caught your hand from wandering up to far and brought it to his mouth, pressing a gentle kiss to your knuckles. 

“Alright Adler, keep your secrets then.” You let your head rest on his shoulder and eyes close. Frank was stubborn, always had been. You knew when you just had to let it go. You drifted in and out as he sped along the interstate. Soon he was turning off, but you weren't quick enough to catch what the exit was, so still had no idea. 

“Are we there?” 

“Close, you don't know where we are?” He asked with a slight laugh in his voice. You shrug a bit as you two are driving down the main drag of the area, passing all night gas stations, fast food chain restaurants, outlet stores and parking lots. 

“No clue, every place in Florida has this Frank.” 

He hummed a bit, slowing to an intersection and flicking on his blinker. “True, but you will soon see.” He winked as he made the turn, pulling away from the city-like area and moving towards the beach strip. Where million dollar homes, hotels, and beach side tourist traps laid quiet in the barely morning hours. It was starting to lighten though, you could see the black blue of the night sky make way for lighter purples and pinks. 

So you remained patient, waiting for wherever Frank was taking you. The terrain started to get sandier, the crack of the window took on a breezy salty scent and you could taste the hint of surf and sand in the air. Your lips turned upwards, just that scent alone reminded you of a couple years ago, and it all clicked right where you were. 

Your first overnight away from home with Frank was to Fort Myers, a small rundown motel on the beach. The room was iffy, the Ac barely worked, neither of you dared to use the pool. At the time it was all you two could afford. And it was all perfect. 

Because that morning, before sunrise, you two escaped to the beach, arm in arm and sat in the dunes to watch the sunrise over the crashing ocean, and all was perfect in the world with each other. 

Frank glanced over to see the knowing look on your face, and his own softened in a smile, his hand coming to grasp the inside of your thigh gently, squeezing. “Now you know?” He pulled into an almost deserted parking lot. At the other end were a group of people, unstrapping their boards to get ready to go into the surf. 

“Of course Frankie.” You said with a touch of sentiment in your tone as you leaned over to peck his lips and nip at him playfully. “How can I forget?” You pull away suddenly and jump out of the car, yanking off your shoes to ditch in the truck. Frank followed, doing the same with his own boots. 

You had already taken off into the sand, making your way towards the surf to dig your feet into the wet sand happily. Now it was getting lighter, those dark purples and pinks made way for the reds and oranges as the barest hint of the sun kissed the horizon. 

Frank came up behind, having managed to yank his jeans up partially around his calves and pressed you two to walk out a bit further into the surf, the salt water spritzing you both in a fine cooling mist, clinging to your skin, in your hair, on your clothes. It all brought back the sensations of that first trip together. You fall back into his chest while he dips his head to mouth kisses into your neck, enjoying the quiet of the moment with you in a more physical way for a moment. Making you tilt your head to the side while the sun finally broke. 

From the nearby pier, heavy pelicans lined the side to swoop down, skimming over the water in lines, giving the two of you a show all for yourselves, among the surf the small sandpipers chased after the tiny ghost crabs trying to escape back into the surf, all of it made you smile. This felt like home to you, right here with Frank. 

“It feels like forever since we have visited.” You finally say as you turn to face Frank, the two of you stepping out of the surf, and hand in hand making your way along the beach's edge towards the pier, the sandpipers running away as fast as they could, a few taking to wing to fly several yards ahead of you to start there search in the surf retreating back from the edge once more. 

“Been a couple years at least. I was looking at the calendar and realized an anniversary of ours was coming up.” He mentioned while you two stepped under the pier. A small private world for you two at the moment as far above you people made their way towards the end stretching out over the water, ready to drip lines for fishing in the surf. Here though, underneath it all, was just for you and Frank. 

Nothing but water crashing to the shore, wood above your heads and the morning bringing back fond memories. Memories of shared kisses against one of the ageless logs helping to hold the deck yards above them steady, the way your legs wrapped around his hips as he pinned you in place and loved you so freely out in the open where they could be caught. How afterwards Frank said those words that he never uttered to anyone else in the way he said it to you. 

Fuck I think I love you. 

You thought then you loved him to. Now you knew you did. Your fingers looped in his belt loops and you walked backwards, till your back pressed once more against that sand and salt aged wood, looking up at him in the now very present dawn. 

“You know Frank, I think I love you.” 

“You know what Y/N, I think I love you too.” He winked, sliding in closer till he was pressed against you, his hands cupping the side of your face and tilting up to meet him, his tongue sliding past soft lips to the sweet heat of your mouth and tangling his tongue with yours. It elicited a soft moan from the back of your throat. 

Warming salty air really agreed with Frank, mixing the tastes on your tongue, you curled your arms around his body, clutching at his back as you now clung to him, thoroughly enjoying the way this kiss made you feel. 

The sensations of love and passion curling in your belly and your heart thud against your breast bone, absorbing into Frank as he pressed into your body, trying to daze you from rational thoughts, away from the everyday thoughts. 

Frank had a talent at making you appreciate the here and now. 

And right here, with sand covering your feet, your shirt and pants clinging to you from the ocean spray and your man completely pressing every ounce of his affection into you, you could do nothing but appreciate being in the moment. 

“Scratch that, I don't think, I know I love you Frank Adler.” You managed to break out of his kiss for half a second. 

“I know you do.” He assured you as he grasped the back of your thighs and lifted you enough to fold your legs around his waist. “I plan on showing you just how I feel.” He promised, the glint in his ocean blue eyes turning mischievously playful under that pier.

#siris5ksoftdarkchallenge #amber writes #sweater writes #frank adler x reader #frank adler x you #gifted au #frank adler fan fic #chris evans characters #remember? #i have a soft spot for this man #cant change wont change #i love just soft sweet moments for him #and making out under a pier is one of those moments #so lets all just give him love #shall we? #thanks for coming to my soft moment

[what-is-your-plan-today]

Riding On

Ch 16- A Whole Fucking Hand Of Aces

Part 1

Summary: It’s the run up to Christmas now for our favourite family, but it isn’t all happiness and smiles as Greg brings Fliss and Frank some worrying news about their adoption application. When Fliss enrols Bonnie’s help and the two women turn detective they uncover something that leaves Fliss both stunned and shocked. But, after a little contemplation, her and Frank realise that maybe, just maybe, they can work this to their advantage after all.

Warnings: Some VERY Bad Language words (Frank has a potty mouth…) Descriptions of panic attack-please avoid if this triggers.

Pairing: Frank Adler x Fliss Gallagher

A/N:  Some nitty, gritty action and angst over this chapter so I hope you’re ready… buckle up! Big thanks to @icanfeelastormbrewing​ for reading this (sorry Frank had to put a shirt on) and @southerngracela​ for helping me with a crucial bit here that I have very limited experience on. And to @sweater-daddiesdumbdork​ for her opinions and also being as in love with dirty boat daddy as I am...

Chapter Song: I’m Gonna Love You Through It by Martina McBride (Ok, so this song makes me damned cry due to the sentiment behind it, and fits Frank and Fliss here so much…)

Series Masterlist //  WIYPT Masterlist

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong. When you let go, I’ll hold on. When you need to cry, I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes. When you feel lost and scared to death, like you can’t take one more step, just take my hand, together we can do it. I’m gonna love you through it.

December 2019

Fliss set the mug down on the coffee table in front of where Greg sat in the arm chair. Their friend had called earlier that day to say he had finally had a response from an attorney representing Bradley Polland, Mary’s biological father regarding the Adoption.

And it hadn’t been good news. Frank’s worse fear had been realised, the man was contesting. Frank hadn’t received the news particularly well, storming out of work and straight home, blazing in a fit of anger that was very unlike him, and Fliss had taken charge and asked Greg to come over later that night once Mary was in bed so they could discuss it in a calm and hopefully logical manner. As always, he was happy to oblige.

Greg flashed Fliss a smile and thanked her before she sat next to Frank on the sofa, her hand reaching for his. Their fingers laced together and she gave a little squeeze and he looked at her, giving her a tight smile.

“Don’t get too despondent yet.” Greg sighed, “I know it’s shitty but like I said on the phone Frank, we have a damned good chance on winning this in court.”

“I just don’t fucking understand Greg.” Frank shook his head “Why? Why is he contesting? He doesn’t give a shit about her, we know that. He’s never even laid eyes on her in person. Fucking ass hole.” His tone we venomous, his face creased in anger and Fliss gently squeezed his fingers again. He took a deep breath and shook his head “Sorry, I’m just…” “Buddy, I can’t begin to imagine how you feel.” Greg sighed, “And I’m sorry I can’t answer your question because I don’t know what his reasoning is.” The man shrugged as he took a sip of his tea. “Maybe the fact that the adoption would completely remove any rights he has to her has sparked some deep buried paternal instinct...” “Bull shit.” Frank scoffed, leaning back in his chair. Greg looked at Fliss who took a deep breath.

“So, what happens now?” she asked, trying to keep calm. One of them had to have a level head after all.

“Well, there’ll be a little to-ing and fro-ing before court but my first action, which I did as soon as that letter landed this morning, was to get onto Child Welfare. They’ll prep a report on Mary, how settled she is, happy, basically in support of the adoption.” Greg licked his lips “But I want you both to know, that there is absolutely no way that Mary is gonna get taken away from you.” He looked at Frank straight in the eyes as Frank looked back. “Even if Polland petitions for custody, which he won’t…” he held his hand up, cutting Frank off before he could start again “No Court in their right mind is gonna rip her out of her home here and put her with him, not now. You have Legal Guardian Status Frank, that’s not gonna change. At most he will get visitation.”

“What if Mary doesn’t want to see him?” Fliss asked as Frank looked away, his eyes roving over the garden are which was light up by the various solar lights speckled around the decking and lawn, the pool lights turning the whole area to the left of the garden a vivid shade of aqua, desperately trying to keep his cool.

“Then the CWD will reflect that in their report.” Greg nodded. “But this is absolute worst case scenario. You both need to understand that there is a really, really high chance that the court will overrule his objection and allow the Adoption to go through anyway. She’s been with you all her life Frank, whilst he may have a biological link to her, he has nothing else. And the court won’t look favourably on his actions. We saw that in the case versus your mother.” “So this might actually not mean a thing?” Fliss looked at Greg.

“Exactly.” Greg smiled “You’re in a very good position. This…it’s just a little bump in the road.”

“Then why does it feel like a huge fucking road block?” Frank looked at Greg and his best friend sighed.

“Because you’re panicking.” Greg said simply “You’re over thinking it, like you always do. Trust me Frank, this is going to change nothing…” “How can you say that?” Frank looked at him. “Of course it’s gonna change something, that little girl up there thinks we’re gonna be adopting her and now I’m gonna haff to tell her that that might naht be the case…”

His accent grew thicker, the way it always did when he was emotional and Fliss squeezed his hand once more and turned to face him.

“Frank, nothing changes from our home front, that’s what Greg means.” She said, and Greg nodded in agreement. “And as for telling her, then we do what we always do. We be honest, we explain it simply and we reassure her if she gets anxious. That’s all we can do for now. And then, whatever happens we face it together as a family.” Frank sighed and looked down at his feet before he looked at Greg, shaking his head “Sorry man, I didn’t mean to snap.” “Don’t sweat it.” Greg shook his head “But I mean what I say pal, this isn’t like last time when, I’ll be honest, I didn’t think we had a cat in hells chance of keeping her from your mother, despite how much I was behind you, and you know that. This time, well, not only have your entire circumstances changed now in that she has a perfect home, a family, stability…” he took a deep breath, “And you are her legal guardian. No court will strip that from you unless there’s exceptional circumstances. And these are not. The only card Polland has to play is that he still has his Parental Rights, he’s got nothing else. He has never met her, never talked to her, never paid a dime towards her. In contrast, you on the other hand have a whole fucking hand of Aces to play back. There’s no way she’s going anywhere, adoption or not, which is the main thing here. That she stays with you. You two are her parents in everything but name and the court and CWD will see that.”

There was nothing much more that Greg could tell them at that point, other than to walk them through the next steps in a little more detail. He talked them through how the CWD would be in contact and that they’d want to speak to Mary alone, then they’d want to speak to both of them too, and that was as far as he was prepared to go, refusing to even think about anything beyond that. Which in itself was frustrating the hell out of Frank, but Fliss understood exactly why Greg was being so reserved. It was information overload, and Frank being the very analytical and cerebral person he was would end up even more frustrated as Greg would have no answer to the barrage of questions he was likely to have.

It was only when Alex made the familiar noises of hunger that the 3 of them called time on their discussion and Fliss stood up and headed to the bassinet to the side of the sofa. 

"He's getting so big." Greg beamed and Alex, momentarily forgetting his hunger, locked his eyes onto his godfather's and gave him a huge smile. "Hey fella!" Greg ran a finger down his cheek and Alex wiggled his arms in response. "He looks like you pal." Greg looked at Frank as he grinned. "Poor little bugger." 

“Fuck you.” Frank snorted, and Fliss pouted dramatically.

"I happen to think is daddy is very handsome." She looked at Frank whose lips curled into a smile at one side for what felt like the first time that day before he turned to Greg. 

"I'll see you out."

Greg looked at him and then nodded, and with a final goodbye to Fliss, he left the family room with Frank behind him

“Tell me honestly Greg, and no bullshit…” Frank looked ad his friend as they strode towards Greg’s silver benz which was parked behind Fliss’ Cherokee “Am I gonna lose her?”

“Have you just listened to a damned word I said Frank?” Greg looked at him. “Read my lips. Not a chance. Honestly Frank, you have the upper hand here. This is nothing like last time.”

Frank nodded and gave his friend a tight smile.

“Thanks for coming over.” he nodded and Greg smiled.

“Any time, I got your back. You know that.” he promised as he climbed into his car. Frank watched him leave, tossing a hand at the tailgate to the car before he turned and headed back inside, giving a whistle for Thor to follow him, the dog having wandered outside at the same time he had. But despite his friend’s assurances, he just couldn’t shake the worry from the back of his mind that this entire thing was going to rip their family apart.

He paused in the doorway and watched Fliss who was now feeding Alex his bottle, her eyes locked on that of their son and he felt a little lump in his throat. He swallowed and spoke, his voice sounding strangely far away to him.

“Want me to do that?” he asked. Fliss looked at him, immediately recognising his offer for what it actually was, a request. He wanted to do it. And she knew why. It was a way to keep himself grounded, away from the spiralling thoughts in his mind.

“Sure.” She nodded as Frank sat down. She handed Alex over and then kissed Frank’s cheek. “Try not to worry sweetheart, I know it’s a shitty set back but it’ll work out.”

“You’re optimistic.” Frank looked down at Alex as he took his milk before he glanced up at Fliss “I wish I was.”

“You heard Greg.” She gently lay her hand on his neck, her fingers softly stroking at his skin of the nape “This isn’t like last time.”

“I know.”  He nodded, before he fixed a smile on his face “Why don’t you go for that bath you were talking about before?”

“You gonna be ok?”

He nodded “Yeah, I’ll be up once he’s finished.”

“Ok.” Fliss nodded, kissing him again before she stood up and left Frank alone with his son.

**** Try as he might Frank couldn’t sleep that night, his mind was whirring at 100 miles an hour, and in the end he gave up before his tossing and turning disturbed either Fliss or Alex. He climbed out of bed, pulled on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt before he peered down at Alex who was asleep in his crib. As he headed to the door he reached down and gave Thor’s ears a scratch as the dog looked up from his spot in his basket before he padded silently into the hallway and softly pushed Mary’s bedroom door open. She too was fast asleep, Fred curled up next to her head on the pillow. She looked so peaceful, so content. And Frank knew that’s because she was. She was safe, she was loved, she was wanted- boy was she wanted- and the thought that her life, that their lives might be upturned by that shit head Polland made Frank’s stomach churn.

He knew he was over thinking things. He had always been the same. He retreated into his mind, and no matter how many times Fliss or Greg had told him not to worry that night he just couldn’t help it. He’d almost lost her once, and the thought that he might actually lose her for good this time was unbearable. His mouth suddenly became dry and he needed a drink, so closing the door behind him softly he headed down the stairs and pulled open the fridge, reaching for a bottle of water.

He the cool liquid in one but that did nothing to help the hot and clammy feeling that was now washing over him, causing a light beading of sweat to dust his brow. He wiped it away with the back of his hand and as he did so his belly dropped out from him and a sick feeling spread across his body, almost like he was going to puke. He gripped the edge of the counter, hovering over the sink, eyes closed as the room began to spin and his chest suddenly began to hurt. He found himself unable to catch his breath as his throat tightened and he scrunched his eyes shut as they were burning from the unshed, salty tears. Then, he could hold the feeling of desperation and panic no more and he turned, sliding to the floor in a dishevelled heap, his back banging painfully against the lower kitchen cabinets as he struggled to ground himself. When his chest finally released enough for him to take a huge, shaky, painful breath it was all too much and his anxiety poured out in a flood of uncontrollable tears, the deep emotions stirring with no other outlet but his silent crying.

How long he was there he had no idea, locked in his own mind and worries, but then a voice broke through the cloud in his mind and a familiar presence filled his senses.

“Frankie…” Fliss gently placed her hand on Frank’s shoulder as she knelt down next to him. “Oh Baby…”

He mumbled something incoherent, choking on his sobs, his face buried between his arms as they hugged his knees to his chest, and she moved to wrap her arms around him. His own arms moved and he wrapped them around her back, clinging to her with a desperation she’d never seen or felt from him before as he pressed his face into the crook of her shoulder.

“Shhhh, I got you…” she whispered to him, kissing his head. “I got you.”

The two of them sat on the kitchen floor, Fliss soothing him, pressing the odd kiss to his head, running her hand up his spine over his t-shirt with one hand, the fingers of the other fingers brushing the back of his neck, a movement she knew he found comforting. Knowing from her own experiences, there was nothing else to be done other than stay with him and let him cry it out she did just that. Eventually, she felt his broad shoulders begin to relax a little as his sobs turned into smaller cries, which then morphed into small hiccups, until eventually they subsided completely and there was no sound in the room bar his deep, ragged breathing. After a moment or so of relative quiet,  he pulled away and Fliss turned her head towards him, taking in his appearance and it broke her heart. His face was red and blotchy, those blue eyes she could drown in were bloodshot and looked at her sadly from beneath puffy eyelids. He moved his arm to wipe at his nose and then took a deep, stuttering breath.

“You with me?” Fliss asked gently and he nodded, taking another shaky breath.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to wake you.” He spoke, his throat felt raw and his voice was gruff and croaky, not sounding like his own. Fliss shook her head.

“Don’t you dare apologise Frank.” She said gently “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

“We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, and we should be looking forward to Alex’s first Christmas and now…” “Hey, hey…” Fliss cut him off, her hands taking his face gently, pads of her fingers threading into his beard. “Thanksgiving was wonderful, because we were all together. Christmas is gonna be wonderful because we will still all be together.”

“I can’t lose her Liss, I can’t lose any of you, I just…” “And you’re not gonna.” She said, her voice calm and quiet. “Greg told you this before. The worst that can happen is Polland is gonna get visitations.” “But what if she wants to live with him? What if she-“ “Oh Frank.” Fliss sighed “That’s not even a remote possibility. Mary worships the ground you walk on. She adores Alex. She loves her home, her life…if anything, I think she’s going to refuse to even see him. You saw how heartbroken she was that day we had to talk her out of the bathroom during the court-case. She won’t have forgotten that.”

Frank raised his eyes to Fliss’ and she smiled at him softly, her hands still on his face “Baby, she might only be 9 but she’s not stupid. She knows you gave everything you had to make sure she’s had a good life. You kept her safe, loved. I’ll say it over and over till I’m blue in the face Frank, you ARE her father. In everything but biology. And Bill and I are proof here that biology doesn’t mean a fucking thing.”

“She adores you too you know.” Frank said, and Fliss smiled softly pressing her forehead to his

“Good because I adore her right back. And her big, soft, lump of an uncle-slash-father who happens to be a wonderful man with a huge heart, who knows he isn’t perfect but doesn’t try to be.” Her hands slid down from his face, one resting on his shoulder, the other back to stroking the nape of his neck. Frank closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as her touch washed over him. “A man who strives every day to be the best version of himself, but doesn’t really need to because he’s already the best daddy and partner in the world.”

“Liss I’m not-“ “You’re not perfect, yes I know.” She smiled “But that makes you perfect to me.”

Frank took a deep breath and closed his eyes as her fingers continued to gently stroke at his neck, all the time her movements sending gently sparks of warmth down his back. His breathing had settled down now, his tears stopped. He felt calmer.

“I love you.” He said softly and Fliss smiled, pulling back a little

“I know.” She looked at him “I love you too.”

His hand reached up for the one that was resting on his shoulder and his fingers tangled with hers, and he squeezed gently, relishing the feel of her engagement ring as it pressed against his middle and ring finger. And then, almost by magic, a soft gurgle came from the baby monitor on the side in the kitchen.

“See, Bean loves his daddy too.” Fliss smiled and Frank gave a little chuckle. “Wanna come back to bed?”

He nodded.

Fliss stood up and offered Frank her hand, tugging him up beside her. Without a word she led him down the hall and up the stairs. Frank headed straight to Alex who was on his back, his eyes flickering as he was clearly still sleepy, his head turned gently to the right, little hand curling by his cheek. Frank softly ran a finger over his soft skin and the little boy reacted to the touch, his limbs stretching a little before he settled back down, his breathing even, his eyes closing.

“I still don’t know how we made something so special.” Fliss whispered, her arms curling round Frank’s waist from behind.

“He’s part you.” Franks replied softly, and Fliss gave a chuckle.

“Yeah, well, like I said, his daddy’s pretty awesome too.” Frank turned round to face her and dropped a gentle kiss to her mouth, his nose sliding against hers before he gave a little yawn. “Sorry…” he said as Fliss chuckled.

“Come on Sailor, let’s try and get some sleep before he wakes us up.”

Frank moved and slid into the covers, settling down as Fliss led besides him. He turned onto his side to look at her and she brushed her hand through his untidy, fluffy hair and then opened her arms. With the air of a small child he sank into them, his head resting against her chest, arms moving so that they wrapped around her, like a koala bear. Her hand once more resumed its gentle stroking on his neck and it wasn’t long before Fliss felt his tense shoulders relax, his breathing grew even and she glanced down to see those long eyelashes resting against his freckled cheeks as he slept. She pressed a kiss to his head and closed her eyes and finally let her own emotion crash over her as she let out a few silent tears of her own.

***** “I just don’t get it Bonnie.” Fliss said gently, as Bonnie took the coffee she was offering, the two women heading over to the breakfast bar. “Why now? Why after so fucking long is he suddenly interested?”

“I wish I could answer that for you.” Bonnie sighed, as Fliss’ eyes flicked over to Mary who was led on the play-mat by the TV with Alex. He was led on his back and Mary was playing peek-a-boo with him, hiding her face behind his large stuffed Elephant pillow which had been a present from Steve and Sian when they’d taken the kids to the zoo.  Alex showing his appreciation by smiling at her and giggling, his arms and leg waving as he shrieked with happiness.

“I just can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to it.” Fliss bit her lip and Bonnie looked at her.

“What do you mean?”

“Well…” Fliss shifted a little, dropping her voice even more. “When Polland turned up in the Custody case, Frank was always adamant that Evelyn had paid him, even though he denied it and she denied it and we had no evidence. Frank’s still to this day 100% convinced that’s why he came forward. He wasn’t interested in Mary…”

“Has he asked Evelyn since?”

“No.” Fliss shook her head. “They’re in a good place. It’s not perfect but its ok, and they have this unspoken agreement now that they don’t talk about it. They moved on so…”

“Maybe you should ask her.” Bonnie said.

Fliss shrugged “I don’t know if I want to drag it all back up.”

“Yeah, but if you think someone is putting him up to this…”

“I don’t, well, I do, maybe…”  Fliss hesitated as she tried to put what she was thinking into words “I don’t know, what I think to be honest, other than there must be something else in it for Pollland. Sorry, I’m not making much sense.” “No, I get it.” Bonnie assured him. The two women sat in silence before Bonnie clicked her fingers as she looked at Fliss “Facebook. Have you checked him out?”

“Already tried, he’s blocked me and Frank…same on Instagram. Not that I’m sure it would help but…”

“Well he won’t have blocked me…” Bonnie shrugged “Might be a dead end but you never know. Worth a good old social media stalk, don’t you think?”

Fliss looked at Mary, then to Bonnie again before she nodded “Ok…do it.”

Bonnie pulled her phone out and scrolled down, tapping open the App. “What’s his name?”

“Polland.” Fliss said gently “Brad…”

Bonnie tapped at the screen and then turned it to Fliss, “That him?”

Fliss nodded. “Yeah…”

“Damned it his profile is locked down…” Bonnie said, her eyes roving over the screen. “Let me try his insta…” She continued to tap at her phone and grinned “Well he hasn’t locked this down…”she started to scroll down the screen and then stopped, frowning a little “Hang on…why do I recognise this woman?”

“Let me see?”

She pushed the phone over the counter and Fliss stared at it for a moment. It was a picture of Polland in a suit, with a team of people she assumed must be work colleagues. “Which one?”

“The one 2 down from him to his right.”

Fliss looked closer and then she felt her heart skip a beat. “I don’t fucking believe it…”

“What?”

“That’s Anna.” She said gently “Richard’s wife.” “Richard as in…” Bonnie trailed off as Fliss swallowed and looked at her.

“My ex brother in law. We saw them in Miami…” The realisation crashed over Fliss in a huge wave as she stared at the photo, the ghosts once again of her past back to haunt her only this time in a way she could never have imagined. This was the link, the Stazikers. She’d bet her life on it.

“Why now?” Bonnie asked gently “I mean this photo is from a few years back, so…” “I wasn’t with Frank when the case went down, not fully anyway.” Fliss said, biting her lip “None of them would have made the connection back then, they didn’t even know where I was. This will be their way of punishing me. John died whilst in prison for an attack on me, Richard did a few months inside too for his part. They’ve always blamed me, even when John pleaded guilty.” She took a deep breath and looked at Bonnie “Ok, can you go through and screen shot ANYTHING you see that links him to the Stazikers, then send it to me.” “What you gonna do?” Bonnie asked “Tell Frank?”

“Not yet.” Fliss said, “I need to speak to Evelyn first.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m gonna ask her once and for all if she paid Polland.” Fliss looked at Bonnie, her eyes blazing “Because if she did, it makes it all the more likely he’s taking a back hander again.” *****

“Fliss?” Evelyn’s voice hit Fliss’ ears as she sat in the study, sitting at the desk.  

“HI Evelyn.” Fliss said, taking a deep breath “Have you got a minute?”

“Yes, of course…what’s the matter?”

“I need to ask you something. And I want an honest answer. Bradley Polland…” “What about him?” Evelyn’s voice took a gruff turn.

“Did you pay him?”

“What?”

“When he appeared at Mary’s case. Did you pay him?”

“Why are you asking me this?”

“Because yesterday we had notification he’s actively contesting the Adoption application.” Fliss said, keeping her voice calm “And I’m trying to understand why. I have a theory but…”

“It’s nothing to do with me if that’s what you think…” “No, I don’t.” Fliss appeased as Evelyn’s voice was harsh. “I’m just trying to gather the facts before I go back to Greg. But I need to know honestly Evelyn, did you pay him.”

She sighed “Not exactly, no.” “Well what exactly did you do?”

“Polland works for an accountancy company.” Evelyn hesitated slightly before she continued “He’s in charge of their New Business department. I had a word with my contacts at the University and it ended up in a very lucrative deal for his firm, meaning he got a promotion. I’m not proud of it…but…”

Fliss took a deep breath. There was some satisfaction that her suspicion had been correct but also an underlying sense of frustration at how Evelyn could have ever been so damned sneaky. But, she had to remind herself that this was all in the past now. They had all moved on, and made some pretty monumental steps in that department. But this was now threatening to blow all of this out of the water.

“Thank you for being honest with me.” She replied after a second or two.

“Fliss, you have to understand, I was desperate.” Evelyn said gently. “I’d do anything to take it all back.”

“Look, I’m not interested in dragging this up for an argument.” Fliss shook her head as she spoke “As we all keep saying, what’s done is done. I just needed to know if I was right.” “You think someone is paying him to do this?”

“Yes.” Fliss said bluntly “And I have a good idea who.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

“Not yet.” Fliss licked her lips. “I need to talk to Frank first.”

“Ok, well if there’s anything I can do please let me know.”

“Of course, I’ll let you know.”

After bidding her mother-in-law goodbye, Fliss hung up and dropped the phone onto the desk before she let out a little groan and stood up, heading back into the living room. Mary looked up at her where she was sat on the sofa, and Fliss smiled as she saw Alex was curled up on-top of his comforter on the play-mat, cuddling to his beloved elephant.

“He fell asleep” Mary said, “I was watching him but you said not to try and lift him without you here so…” “It’s fine babe, he looks comfy enough.” Fliss smiled, “Honestly, you did good. Top babysitter.” She leaned over and gave the girl a hi-five before she took a quick photo and sent it to Frank. Placing her phone on the coffee table she dropped down besides Mary. “What you looking at?” Fliss nodded at the laptop.

“I’m chatting to Rosie.” Mary said, turning the Macbook so Fliss could she see had the instant messenger service from the school network open “We were talking about Christmas and stuff. She asked if I can go and sleep over tomorrow night.”

“You wanna?”

“Yeah.” “Then fine by me.” Fliss said, giving a little yawn “I can’t see Frank having a problem with it. I’m teaching in the afternoon so I can drop you either before or after.”

“Ok, I’ll tell her you said yes.” Mary smiled, “See what time she says I can go over. I can ride Monty in the morning again like I did today.”

“Sounds like plan, kiddo.” Fliss nodded “We can do the trail if you want when I’ve done the classes for the morning.”

“Awesome!” Mary grinned.

“Oh, and I know I said I was gonna make chicken parm for dinner but I seriously cannot be bothered. I’m thinking I might throw some frozen pizzas in and do some dirty fries instead.”

Mary grinned “I love dirty fries.” “So does Frank.” Fliss smiled

“He needs cheering up.” Mary nodded “He looked sad this morning.”

“He just has some stuff going on at work.” Fliss said, batting the question away “He’ll be fine.”

At that point her phone went off, it was a message back from the man in question responding to her photo of Alex.

Lucky little bastard!  I’d kill for a nap right now, I’m exhausted. Finishing early so should be home in an hour or so. Love you all xxx

“See.” She showed it to Mary “Just tired.”

“Can we bake some brownies?” Mary asked, her face hopeful “They always cheer him up.”

“Sure.” Fliss smiled, standing up, completely not bothering to point out to Mary that was more hassle than the chicken parm, it was such a thoughtful thing to want to do that Fliss instantly felt her heart melt as she agreed. “Go get the bowls and stuff ready, I’ll put Bean in the crib.” To be fair it only took half an hour to mix the batter and get it in the oven. They then turned their attention to the fries and pizzas, shoving those in too before they returned back to the sofa, Fliss finding “Miracle on 34th Street” on one of the channels so they settled down to watch, the Christmas tree lights twinkling in the corner of the room. And that was how Frank found them when he came in from work about 20 minutes or so later. Both of them sat on the sofa, Mary snuggled into Fliss as they were giggling at the TV in the now dim-light of the room.

“Hey.” He smiled and Fliss looked up at him, taking the kiss he offered before he ruffled Mary’s head “Again?” he nodded to the TV and Mary glared at him.

“It happens to be one of my favourites.” “Don’t I know it.” He rolled his eyes. He then paused, the smell of baking hitting his nostrils, and looked around, before he glanced back at them, grinning “You made brownies?”

“Not just any brownies…” Mary grinned “Salted caramel ones.” Frank groaned “I love you both.”

Mary sniggered “Fliss said you would say that.”

Frank smiled “Imma take a shower ok? Be down in a second.”

“Actually, I need to talk to you.” Fliss said, looking at him significantly.

“Ok.” He frowned.

“You ok here Mary?” Fliss looked at her. “Keep an eye on Alex for me again?”

“What are you going to talk about?”

“Nonya.” Frank looked at her.

“Nonya?” Mary frowned. “Who’s Nonya.”

“Nonya-business.” Frank retorted, straightening up as Mary gave a groan.

“That’s so lame.” she sighed, rolling her eyes. Fliss and Frank headed upstairs into their bedroom, where Fliss took a deep breath. She didn’t even bother telling Frank to stay calm, because she knew it was futile. And, true to her prediction, when she explained what she’d found out he reacted exactly how she had predicted. Angry, upset, frustrated. He grit his teeth, swore and then started stomping around the room.

“I know, I know…” she soothed as he slammed a drawer shut, tossing a pair of joggers onto the bed. “But, this is good Frank.” “Good, how is any of this good Lissy?” he seethed “I…” “Because it gives us an angle.” She said gently “If we tell Greg about this…whilst we may not have any solid proof it provides him with a line of attack. Raises questions. And we have Evelyn too, I’m pretty sure she’ll go on record about what went down last time. It’s a total smear on his character.”

Frank took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair. “You know what, I can’t…I can’t process this now, I need to think.”

“Ok.” Fliss said, looking down at the carpet, swallowing a little as she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” Frank frowned “What are you sorry for?”

“Because this is my fault isn’t it?” she stated, more than asked, and Frank was horrified to see the tears in her eyes. “It’s all down to John, again.” “Stop.” Frank said firmly, shaking his head as he strode round the side of the bed to where she was stood. “Lissy, this isn’t your fault baby. Not at all. I’m not mad at you, I promise.”

“Maybe, but if I wasn’t involved, this wouldn’t be happening and…” she took a deep breath and Frank shook his head once more, wiping her tears away. “He’s fucking dead Frank and still…” “Look.” Frank sighed, “You don’t control what that shit head family do now any more than you did back then, ok? I’m sorry for snapping I just…” “I know.” She nodded, her hands wrapping around his wrists as his calloused fingers caressed her cheeks.

“But please don’t for one second think I blame you for any of this. This is down to him, and if the Stazikers are the only reason he’s doing this then he’s an even bigger shit head than we thought.”

“You know, Steeb says he can make him vanish.” Fliss shrugged “Concrete shoes, bottom of the ocean.”

Frank chuckled and his hands dropped to her hips “Don’t tempt me.”  

“So what do you want to do about it?” Fliss asked. Frank bit his lip for a moment as he considered his play and then he looked back at her, determination on his face.

“Once I’ve showered I’ll call Evelyn and check she’s ok, as no doubt she’s pacing the floor at home now, panicking.”

“You not mad at her?”

“Mad? I’m fucking raging but what’s the point of going over it all?” he sighed, “I always knew deep down she’d done something and we worked so hard to put it behind us…”

“And the rest of it?”

“Well after I speak to Mother, I’ll get onto Greg, tell him what we know.” He spoke determinedly “If the fucking cunts want a dirty fight, then they can have one.”

PART 2 

#riding on #frank adler #frank adler x ofc #gifted fan fic #gifted #frank adler fan fic

[mrs-captain-evans]

🎄🎅🏻 Christmas Cookies 🎅🏻🎄

Frank Adler (Gifted) x You

Imagine baking Christmas cookies with Frank and Mary. Jingle Bells by Michael Buble was playing from the speaker on the table. The ingredients were spread out along the kitchen side, with the oven on and prepped for baking. Mary was stood on a step to reach the counter top, making it easier for her to mix together the flour and sugar. Singing along with her, you shook your bum to the beat, laughing. With floury hands, Frank squeezed your ass leaving white hand prints on your black pants. You sent him a sly, cheeky smile, and bit your lip in anticipation for what was to come later.

Originally posted at @randomcevans for December to Imagine

#chris evans #frank adler #frank adler fanfiction #frank adler fan fiction #frank adler fanfic #frank adler fan fic #frank adler imagine #frank adler oneshot #frank adler drabble #christmas #randomcevans #december to imagine #mrs captain evans writes #18/12/2018

[nadja-antipaxos]

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**All my fics are listed on AO3 including fandoms not listed here such as Barry (HBO) and Veep. **

DEFENDING JACOB

Log kya kahenge (Andy Barber/Desi!OFC) - EXPLICIT

Summary: On the worst night of his life, Andy Barber meets Dr. Rashana Rao. A year later they meet again and he asks her out. The odds are against them with her parents' wish for an arranged marriage and his own feelings about his past. (Oneshot) [C] ❤️‍🔥 AO3 || TUMBLR

GIFTED

Don’t Let Me Down (Frank Adler/OFC) - EXPLICIT

Summary: Mary befriends a literature professor at the university who catches Frank's eye, Samantha Harris. She teases him and Frank falls hard when he least expects it. (Oneshot) [C] ❤️‍🔥 AO3 || TUMBLR

GHOSTBUSTERS

All My Pictures of You (Egon Spengler/OFC) - TEEN

Summary: After the destruction of Gozer, Callie Spengler decides to read her parents' journals to understand their doomed romance in their own words. (Oneshot) [C] AO3 || TUMBLR

MARVEL

AVENGERS

but it's golden, like daylight (Steve Rogers/OFC) - EXPLICIT

Summary: After protecting her from the Mandarin’s men, Steve Rogers becomes friends with benefits with Tony's little sister, Nicolette Stark. What was supposed to be a little fun becomes much more than what they originally bargained for. Post 2012 The Avengers through Endgame. (Multi-chapter)+ ❤️‍🔥 🩸 AO3 || TUMBLR

MOON KNIGHT

the eye of the moon (Moon Boys System x Layla x Desi!OFC)

Summary: Ash Rajul serves the goddess Sekhmet as her avatar working to keep the most vulnerable safe. 3 years ago, she had a falling out with Khonshu’s former avatar, Arthur Harrow, and seeks to keep the world safe from his vengeance. Marc Spector doesn’t trust her, Steven Grant is enamored with her, and Layla El-Faouly is her former lover who wants her help. They better figure it out because somebody’s gotta save the world.(Multi-chapter) [C] ❤️‍🔥 🩸 ❤️‍🩹 AO3 || TUMBLR

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Gold Eyes (Din Djarin/OFC) - EXPLICIT

Summary: Din’s ongoing rivalry with his least favorite bounty hunter becomes something else once the kid enters the picture.(Oneshot) [C] ❤️‍🔥 AO3 || TUMBLR

STRIPES

Rebel Rebel (Russell Ziskey/OFC) - EXPLICIT

Summary: Before he enlists, Russell Ziskey has an amazing one-night stand and wakes up alone. To his surprise, 18 months later, she interviews him and John about their rescue and doesn't seem to remember him at all. (Oneshot) [C] ❤️‍🔥 AO3 || TUMBLR

SUCCESSION

Can’t Make You Happier Now (Kendall Roy/Desi!OFC) - EXPLICIT

Summary: Nearly twenty years ago, Kendall Roy made Nisha Asuri a promise to rule the world with her. The son of a media mogul and the sister of two tech wunderkinds. The most formidable power couple New York has ever seen. That was the deal. So, she did her part. Built her reputation as a ruthless corporate lawyer. Had his children. Stayed with him through the highest highs and lowest lows. She deserves to win not realizing that nothing goes as planned when your partner is Kendall Roy. (Multi-chapter) [C] ❤️‍🔥  ❤️‍🩹 AO3 || TUMBLR

TED LASSO

under the mistletoe  (Ted Lasso/OFC) - MATURE

Summary: Ted develops a crush on one of Rebecca's famous friends, so Rebecca invites her to a Christmas party. (Oneshot) [C] AO3 || TUMBLR

mirrorball  (Ted Lasso/Desi!OFC) - EXPLICIT

Summary: Ted develops a budding friendship with a single mom who happens to be a popular romance author, Priyala Kumari.  Her eldest barely knows who he is while her youngest is a Richmond super fan and the most aggressive player on Phoebe's team.  Priyala knows even less than he does about football, loves tea (chai), and has the sweetest laugh he's ever heard. She likes Ted just as much but wants to support him as his friend. Until they get matched on bantr. (Multi-chapter) [C] ❤️‍🔥 AO3 || TUMBLR

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[andydrysdalerogers]

Sliding Into Home ~ Fastballs and Fiancés

Pairing: MLB!Frank Adler x Abigail Hernandez (OFC)

Synopsis:

After a trade from Boston to Los Angeles, first baseman Frank Adler would seem to have it all. Money, women, an amazing niece, yes Frank should have it all. Except for one thing. One thing that left after a mistake five years ago. Los Angeles should be the chance to start over. Except she is supposed to be in Boston. Not his new medical director.

* A Frank Adler AU x Major League Baseball Story**

Warning: ANGST (i can't stress this enough), second chances, cheating, eventual smut, slow burn, drug use, abandonment issues, betrayal, domestic violence (i may have missed some), flashbacks

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: You Were Enough; You Are Everything

Main Masterlist ~Sliding Into Home Masterlist

Arizona in the spring is amazing for baseball.  The air was dry, the crowd was loud.  Frank loved spring training.  Nothing counted but everything mattered.  He tapped his bat against his boot and took his stance.  The opposing pitcher from the Brewers took his stance as well.  Frank could see it, a twitch in his eye, a tell.  Frank anticipated the pitch to be low and away.  

Sure enough, Frank saw the pitch and his bat made it around, hitting the ball into deep center, just out of the reach of the other team.  He made it to first and rounded to second.  He stops and smiles as the crowd cheers. He stands on base as he pulls his batting glove off, stuffing it into his back pocket.  He chats with the second baseman, joking around.  He’s in his happy place, the game, where all the personal shit doesn’t touch him.  

In the quiet roar of the fans in the crowd, he can hear one distinct set of voices. “Go Adler Go!” 

He looks around and smiles.  Mary and Scott finally made it to Arizona for the weekend and are sitting right behind the dugout. He waves at his little girl, and she beams.  At least today she’s happy, he thought to himself.  He thought back to the shit show of a couple of days ago when he was getting ready to leave.  

Three days before – Dodger Stadium   “Mary, just give me a minute to grab my kit, ok? I know you are ready for me to leave you with Scott so he can spoil you but ya still have ta drop me at the airport.”   “Scott doesn’t spoil me,” she replied as she swung around on his arm.   “And I’m the queen of England,” he replied.    Mary frowned. “You’re not. That’s a lie.”   “So is the statement that Scott doesn’t spoil you,” he sassed back. “It's called sarcasm.”  He stopped because Mary stopped.  “Nugget?” He looked up to see Abby frozen in front of him.  “Abby.”   “Uh, hi.” She tucked her hair back that had escaped her bun. “Mary?” Frank nodded.  “She’s so big,” she whispered.    Mary tugged on Frank, and he kneeled down.  “I want to go,” she said with a tremble. “I don’t want to talk to her.”   “Mary...”  “NO!”  Frank scooped up Mary in his arms as she buried her face in his neck. “I’m sorry, I just needed something for the trip... yeah... see you later.”  He walked away as he felt the wetness on his shoulder. “Mary, c’mon take a breath.”   “Why is she here? I thought she left,” Mary sobbed.   “She works here, Nugget.” He sighed, “I didn’t want to tell you yet because... because I don’t know how to deal with it myself.” He continued to hold her as he walked into the locker room. “I’m sorry Nugget.”   “It’s ok,” she sniffled. “Do you still love her?”  Frank choked up but cleared his throat. He remained honest. “I never stopped.”   Abby had remained frozen in her spot as her heart split once again. But this time, it was her own fault.  

Mary was quiet for the ride to the airport and Scott had reported that she had been sullen the rest of the week.  They were only here for the weekend since Mary had school, but he was grateful to see her smile again.  

Frank took a lead off on second, watching to see if the pitcher would make a throw or give him the moment to steal.  Johnny was at bat. Pitcher looks but then sends it flying towards Johnny.  He’s good, recognizing it would be outside and takes the ball, but the catcher isn’t ready, and it goes flying back into the backstop.  Frank races over to third base, stopping just as the ball is thrown towards the third baseman and it goes sailing over.  The third base coach waves him over and Frank makes for home, sliding in and scoring.  He jumps up and high-fives Johnny as he makes it back to the dugout.  

The crowd is loud but all Frank can see is Mary cheering him on. He waves at her before taking a seat and some water.  

Yep, baseball in the spring was always amazing.  

After the game, Frank met with Mary and Scott. “Frank, you were awesome!” 

“Thanks Nug!” He high fives her.  He looked at Scott.  “Everything go ok?” 

“Yeah, flight was fine, and we checked into our room. Mary wanted to go swimming, but I said after dinner.  The pool is heated.”  

“Yeah, shouldn’t be a problem.  We were supposed to have a team dinner, but the restaurant had some issue, who knows.”  

“Yo, Adler!” 

Frank turned to see Johnny walking over, popping that damn gum again. “Sup, Storm. Whatcha need?” 

“I wanted to know who the sweet blonde you were talking to was.”  He flashed a smile towards Mary. “Hello there.” He kneeled in front of Mary.  “I’m Johnny.  The people call me the Human Torch.  The ladies, they call me Torch,” winking at Mary.  

Mary giggled, much to Frank’s chagrin. “Hi,” she said shyly. “I’m Mary.”  

“Mary. What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” Johnny smiled. “You look as sweet as strawberry pie. “ 

“Ok,” Frank interrupts. “Back up Storm.” Scott turns to hide his laughter as Johnny flashes his signature smile.  “My niece is nine not nineteen.  And even then...” 

“Just messing with you,” Johnny replies with a shrug. “I heard something about the pool, and I figured since you need to have some fun before you become a grumpy old man, I thought I would offer my services.”  

“Can we Frank? Please?” Mary rounds those blue eyes at him, and he sighs.  

“Fine. But stop flirting with my niece,” he warns Johnny, who raises his hands.  

The group orders food poolside along with some other players on the team.  Johnny is entertaining Mary when the discussion turns to the new team doctor.  “Have you guys seen Dr. Hernandez?” Will Smith, the catcher asks. “She is a dime.  Dark curly hair, that beautiful tan skin...” 

Frank grits his teeth, willing himself to hold his tongue. “If I wasn’t a happily married man,” Max Muncy starts, “I would totally try to hit that.” The men laugh.  

“Adler, you’ve had to do the medical stuff with her,” Will looks at him. “How is she?  Sweet as candy, feisty as a pepper?”  

“I don’t really want to talk about it,” Frank says, draining his beer.  

Scott walks over with a fresh set of beers. “What are we talking about?” 

“The new team doctor,” Will said  

“Oh,” Scott’s face fell as he looked at Frank.  

Max jumps on it. “Wait, you know something.”  

Scott shook his head. “No, I don’t.” 

“You gotta tell us.”  

“No guys, really, that’s a bad idea...” 

“She’s my ex,” Frank says. The table falls silent. The guys look at Frank before Will opens his mouth again.  

“You let that smoke show go?” Scott closes his eyes.  

“Well, when you get drugged, fall asleep in another woman’s bed and have photos taken of you, yeah, you could say I let her go.”  Frank stood up, “no one bothers Abby, you hear me?” 

“Yeah, we hear you,” Max replies.  “Sorry Frank, we had no idea.”  

“It’s ok, I just don’t like to talk about it.  Mary! Time to go.”  

“Aww Frank!” 

“Frank, I can stay and watch her,” Scott says.  

He nods.  “Mary, Scott’s gonna stay.  Please behave.”  He turned and walked away.  He made it back to his room and closed his eyes. Every day it seemed like a new memory was coming to the surface.  

Eight years earlier – draft day  “With the 10th pick, the Boston Red Sox select Frank Adler, first baseman, Boston University.”   Frank smiled and jumped up from his seat. The first thing he did was kiss Abby, cradling her face. “The next adventure,” he whispered to her.   She smiles. “The next adventure.”   Frank hugged his mother and sister before walking to the stage. He smiled as he held his jersey up with the commissioner as the flashes from the camera blinded him.  He was thrilled to be able to stay in Boston so Abby could finish her undergrad and then worry about medical school once his entry contract was over.  After the photos, he went backstage to talk with Boston’s management and then got a call from Mike. “Hey loser!” He greeted him with a smile.   “Congrats man! Can’t believe you made it to the Red Sox. What are they thinking?”  “I know, right.” Frank laughed.  “How’s law school?”  “One more year man, thank god for being in an accelarated program.” Mike hesitated. “I saw you kiss Abby. You finally shoot your shot?”  “Yeah, last night.  I asked her to go with me wherever I went, and she said yes.  This has been the best week of my life.”   “I’m happy for you man.  I gotta get back but I’ll be home next week.”   “Can’t wait to celebrate this with you man. Love you!”  Thinking back on it, Frank hadn’t noticed how weird Mike had sounded. It had been caught up in all the excitement and celebrations.  Abby was by his side the entire time and he was so happy. Especially that night.  That first night, Abby slept in his arms.  Heading back to their hotel room, Frank played with Abby’s fingers, occasionally bringing her hand up to his mouth and nipping at her fingers, making her giggle. As he walked her to her room, he got nervous. As she opened her door, he stopped her.  “Stay with me.”   “What?”  “Stay with me, Cricket.”   “Frankie, I’m...I’m not...”  Frank immediately understood. “Not that Cricket. Not yet. I just want to hold you and make sure I'm not dreaming. I'm gonna play for Boston and I get to kiss the most beautiful girl in the world. I don’t want to wake up if this is a dream.” He kissed her palm. “Stay with me, sweetheart.”   Abby stared into his beautiful ocean blue eyes. Eyes that for the last seven years had always been honest, kind and loving. Frank had never hurt her.   “Hold me Frankie because this isn’t just your dream. It’s mine too.”  It was the first night that Frank slept like a baby. Because his dream girl was in his arms and not just in his dreams.  

As morning broke, Frank watched over the sleeping girl in his arms. Mary came back to the room, asleep in Scott’s arms, from the pool.  He took in her blonde locks and the small smattering of freckles.  She looked just like his sister, it almost hurt.  An alarm went off and she started to stir.  “Hey Nugget.”  

“Hey Frank,” she yawned. “Are you leaving?” 

“Not without you.  Team breakfast and then warmups but you can be on the field with me.”  

Mary smiled. “Okay!” 

Today's warmups are fun with the guys taking to Mary.  She has always been chatting.  That and the fact that she had already memorized the stats for each player.  But she always grew shy around Johnny, which caused Frank to roll his eyes.  

“So little Strawberry, want me to show you how to strike out your Uncle?” Johnny offers.  Mary takes his hand, a little too enthusiastically.  Frank took his stance at the plate.  

“Show me what you got, Nug!” 

Upstairs, Abby watched over the field, gaze transfixed on the little blonde.  It hurt her so much when Mary refused to interact with her at the stadium the other day. But she couldn’t fault her.  She had promised Mary that she loved her and would always be there for her.  As she wiped an errant tear away, she felt presence behind her.  “Why are you crying, love?” 

“Nothing.”  

Mike grasped her chin softly and made Abby look at him. “Your eyes are red.”  

Abby sighed. “I saw Mary a couple of days ago and she hates me.  Just seeing how big she is now, nodding towards the field, I missed so much.  She’s not a baby anymore.”  

Mike furrowed his brow. “Why does it matter?” 

“I helped raise her. And I promised...” she tapered off. “It doesn’t matter.”  She continued to look on the field to see Frank being chased now by Johnny with Mary on his shoulders.  She smiled softly at the antics; Frank being pushed to the ground as Mary climbed all over him.  

“Why are you staring at him now?” Mike’s voice was deeper, angrier.  

“I’m not.”  

This time, Mike clutched her upper arm and spun her towards him.  “Don’t fucking lie to me.”  

“Ow, Mike, you’re hurting me.” She tried to get out of his grasp but that just seemed to spurn him on. 

“You are mine, Abigail.” When she tried to pull away again, he gripped her tighter around her arm and then pinched her chin to keep her face on his.  “I was there for you, I took care of you, so don’t look at another man again.  Do you hear me?”  She nodded, eyes wide with fear.  “Answer me!” 

“Yes, Mike,” she whispered.  

He relaxed his hold on her.  “Good girl. I’ll see you later.” He kissed her forehead roughly before heading out.  He turned back to see a stray tear. “I love you, beautiful.”  

After Mike left, Abby looked down at her arm.  His handprint was red on her skin. It was going to bruise, she thought. She pulled on her cardigan. Mike had never been aggressive with her before.  She hoped it was just a one-time thing.  She took one more look at the field.  

And saw a pair of ocean blues looking back at her.  Had he seen? Abby walked away from the window and went back to her hotel.  

And cried. Mourning her relationship with Frank, with Mary.  

She hated this new adventure.  

NEXT

Taglist:

@patzammit @slutforchrisjamalevans @firephotogrl74 @texmexdarling @jennmurawski13-writes @before-we-get-started @tinkerbelle67 @bunnyforhim

#andy's hea #andy's shenanigans #chris evans fanfiction #frank adler #frank adler au #mlb au #dodger au #ofc abigail hernandez #sliding into home #chris evans #mike weiss #johnny storm #baseball au #frank adler smut #slow burn #chris evans au #cliffhanger queen

[wiypt-writes]

Riding On

Ch 32: One Hell Of A Ride

Summary: Frank and Fliss take their second ‘honeymoon’, to a location Fliss knows very well. And then, as time seems to be flying by far too fast, one morning Frank reflects on his family life.

Warnings: Bad Language words, smut (nsfw, 18+) fluff and drunken shenanigans.

Pairing: Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. Any likeness to real life people/scenarios is purely coincidental. I do not own any characters in this fiction bad Fliss Gallagher and any other original characters. I do not consent to have my work copied/translated onto any other site. If you are reading this story anywhere bar Tumblr, it has been taken without my consent. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

W/C: 7k

A/N:  So here it is, the final chapter. I can’t believe their story has come to an end and I totally had tears in my eyes when I finished, and again as I lined this up to post. I started this story back in March 2020 just when the first lockdown hit the UK. It progressed and progressed and here we are, two series and fifty-seven chapters, plus a one shot later.

Behind Stark Spangled, this has been my longest series to write. I love Gifted, it’s my fave film that Evans has done outside the MCU and digging into Frank’s past, examining what I believe would make him tick, his mannerisms…it’s been fun. A hell of a lot of fun.

At the moment, I’ve no plans for an epilogue. I know I anticipated one, but I don’t think it needs it. The way it ends feels perfect for this little family, and I hope you all agree.  That said, never say never I guess. If the inspiration strikes me, be it from some random HC I get or an ask or message, I might churn out the odd one shot or a drabble. But, for the time being, Frank and Fliss’ happily ever after is just that. A happy ever after, and it’s left to your wonderful imaginations.

Thanks to Nixakimbo on Insta for her edit at the end…

Riding On Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 31

Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can’t help, falling in love with you.

******

“You gonna tell me where we’re going yet?” Fliss asked as Frank pulled their suitcases out of Bill’s Range Rover.

“Nope,”

“You know, I’m gonna find out when we get to the check in desk.”

Frank tossed the cases onto the luggage trolley that Bill had retrieved before he looked at her, his hands on his hips. “Maybe I’ll make you wait in the coffee shop.”

“Francis!”

“Felicity!”

She groaned as Bill let out a roar of laughter. “Titch, you’ve had no idea for the last two months since you found out you were going away, another five minutes isn’t going to kill you.” Fliss pouted and Bill shook his head. “Pack it in, you look just like your mum.”

“Okay, okay!” she held her hands up, “fine. No more questions.”

Frank and Bill exchanged a look and Bill snorted, “hey, I told you when you put that ring on her finger, she’s your problem now.”

“Rude.” Fliss sniffed as Frank chuckled, shaking his father-in-law’s hand.

“Have a good time,” Bill smiled, before he pulled Fliss in for a hug. “And don’t worry about the kids, they’ll be fine.”

“We’ll call you when we land.” Fliss stated as Bill nodded, stepping back.

“See you in a week.” Frank smiled, his hand wrapping around the handle of the trolley. “Ready, Cowgirl?”

She nodded and with a final, quick hug for her Dad, she followed Frank across and into the departure lounge. Frank’s eyes scanned the information screen, selecting the one he wanted before he gestured with his head. “This way, honey.”

Fliss followed him, frowning as she tried to piece together where they were going. All she knew was she’d been told to pack warm clothes. Initially, she’d suspected they were going back to Vermont, to enjoy some snow in the run up to Christmas, but she knew they were in the international part of the terminal, so she wasn’t merely going to another state. She walked behind him, momentarily distracted by his ass as it moved in the dark jeans he was wearing, the light blue jacket he had on framing his upper body perfectly. Then her attention flicked to the various palm trees decked out with baubles and lights, and the other festive decorations, which were dotted about the terminal. It always amused Fliss, how odd it had first seemed when she had celebrated her first Christmas in a tropical climate. No snow, how you could eat your Christmas Dinner outside in the sun if you wanted to. Now, well, it just felt normal.

Eventually, Frank stopped, and Fliss jerked herself back to reality and came to a halt behind him.

Frank watched her face as they joined the end of the line, her eyes flicking up to the screens announcing the destination and her mouth dropped open.

“Heathrow…we’re…we’re going to London?”

“Three days in London, four in Liverpool.”

“Oh…I…” she blinked up at him, her eyes filling with tears before her mouth curved into a huge grin and she threw herself at him. “Frankie!”

“I told you we’d do it one day.” He smiled, kissing her softly. “Merry Christmas, slash, belated honeymoon for just the two of us, baby.”

Fliss could hardly contain her excitement at the knowledge they were heading back to her home country, and more so, her home City. She kept hold of Frank’s hand, squeezing his arm every so often and Frank simply laughed at her. Eventually, they reached the front of the line and Frank handed over their passports.

“Ahh, I see this is your honeymoon?” The man behind the desk smiled, “Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Adler.”

“Thanks.” Frank smiled.

The man tapped at the computer, asking them the usual questions before he glanced around, and leaned forward. “You’re in luck, we have a few upgrades available so I’ve bagged you two seats in Club Class.”

Frank blinked and Fliss gave a little squeal as he slid their passports and boarding passes over to them. “If you go down the Priority Lane for Security, once through you can head to the executive lounge. You’ll also get priority boarding and bag collection one at Heathrow.”

“Thanks, man!” Frank grinned, nodding to him.

“No problem, have a wonderful trip, say hi to the Queen for me.”

Fliss laughed and then Frank took her hand. They cleared security in record time and then followed the signs to the lounge, where their passes were checked again and they were admitted. Frank gave a low whistle as he looked around at the selection of free food and drink.

“How much beer do you think we can consume in…” He checked his watch, “two hours and twenty minutes?”

Fliss laughed, already on her way towards the drink. “Fuck the beer, Sailor. I’m going straight for the fizz.” She pulled out a bottle of Moet from a huge ice container, which was perched on top of the counter.

Frank chuckled and followed her over, selecting a bottle of Peroni. Drinks in hand, they made their way to a free table and sank down into the comfy chairs.

“Cheers, Cowgirl.” Frank held his bottle up and Fliss clinked her glass delicately against it.

“Cheers, Sailor.”

***** Turns out, when it’s free, you can drink quite a considerable amount in the space of two hours. At just after four pm, their flight was called, announcing that priority boarding would commence shortly. Giggling, they grabbed their carry-ons and headed down to the relevant gate. Once their tickets and passports and been checked they headed through the tunnel where the Steward and Stewardesses greeted them, and directed them left into the club class section of the plane.

“Jesus…” Frank mumbled as he looked at their seats. They had a pod of two, lying next to each other so that they were facing one another, a small screen in between them, their own TVs embedded at the foot end of the pod.

Fliss grinned and selected her seat, stowing her bag before she watched Frank as he settled in the one facing her. With a smirk, she hit the button to raise the screen, blocking him from view, raising her middle finger as she did so. Frank laughed, before he pressed the button to lower the screen again, arching his brow as Fliss snorted.

A stewardess came round, handing out glasses of champagne and a little while later, the doors were closed and the Captain introduced himself. He informed them their flight time was approximately ten hours and they expected to touch down at six-fifteen AM local time the next morning.

Soon after, they were on their way.

Their flight was smooth. They spent their time watching films, chatting, drinking and managed a few hours sleep. When they touched down, thanks for their upgrade, they had priority baggage reclaim and less than forty minutes from wheels down they were climbing into one of London’s famous black hackney cabs.

Their hotel was nestled near Tower Bridge, aptly named The Tower Hotel. It was a luxurious four star and their room was nothing short of fantastic. After a quick freshen up they changed and headed out to explore before grabbing some sushi and a bottle of wine to take back to the hotel. After eating and drinking, they crashed out and woke the next morning refreshed.

Their few days in London were spent doing all the cliché tourist things. The London Eye, the tower, Regents Park, The Dungeons and then a trip to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard. Fliss squealed when they launched into a rendition of “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” by Wizard, Frank chuckling as she began to dance. She wasn’t the only one, the assembled crowd on Pall Mall all in the festive spirit. They visited the Christmas markets at Covent Garden, took a trip to So Ho, had a drink in the cocktail bar at the top of the Shard, and by their last night they were utterly walked out and beyond happy.

“You enjoyed it?” Frank asked as he slipped into the luxurious bed, laying on his side as Fliss beamed at him.

“The best,” she nodded, “but… well, I’m so excited to go home tomorrow. I can’t wait to show you round Liverpool.”

“Well, bar a meal on our last night there’s nothing booked or planned,” he reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, “I figured you’d have your own ideas so…”

“Oooh, where we going to eat?”

“Not telling.”

Fliss pouted and Frank chuckled, “stahp being a brat.”

At that she smirked, “I thought you liked my brat side.”

Frank snorted as he leaned over to give her a sultry kiss. “Sometimes she can amuse me a little.”

Fliss pulled back and bit her lip, before she kissed him again, her hand tangling in the back of his hair. Frank rolled her onto her back, his hands feeling her curves as his lips traced a path across her jaw to her neck.

Before long, she was begging for more and he happily obliged. The soft sheets of the bed rustled around them with every thrust Frank made, soft pants and whispered words flowed between the two of them as he loved on his wife. Eventually, Fliss head tipped back, her mouth slack as she groaned, her body shaking hard as she came beneath him. A few minutes later, Frank was there himself, his hips slowing before he stopped complete with a groan.

With a gentle kiss to her lips, he pulled out and rolled to his back, Fliss sliding over to him, her head resting on his chest.

“Love you,” Frank pressed a kiss to her hair and she gave a soft hum of satisfaction.

“Love you too.”

******

The next morning, they were up, breakfasted and checked out by nine am, ready for the 10:14 train to Birmingham New Street, where they’d then change for a transfer to Merseyside.

Overall, it took just under four hours, and they were walking out of Liverpool Lime Street at round about half past 2 in the afternoon. Fliss gave a happy sigh as immediately their ears caught the sound of a nearby band playing festive favourites.

“So, where are we staying?”

Frank looked at her, “The Hard Nights Hotel.”

Fliss blinked, “you managed to get in there?”

“Yup.”

“Oh my God, I love you.” She groaned.

Frank chuckled as he looked around, “Right, I know it’s in the Cavern Quarter,” Frank looked at her, “so…”

“Ten-minute walk.” Fliss shrugged, “the case has wheels. Or we can hail a cab but…”

“Walk it is, lead the way, Cowgirl.”

As they went, Fliss pointed out a few places of interest, recalling anecdotes about her childhood or early adult days. She then took a right down what Frank thought was some kind of back alley, but to his surprise merged into a narrow, pave stones street lined bars and boutique shops.

“Welcome to Matthew Street,” Fliss beamed at him, “Home of the Cavern Club, birthplace of the Fab Four. Well, somewhere they played like three hundred times anyway.”

Frank looked around, the place was already heaving, music could be heard from the many bars and pubs as they walked up to the top of the street where their hotel was. After checking in, they didn’t bother getting changed, Fliss assuring him that for an afternoon where they were, casual was totally the way to go.

“So, I wanna show you something.” Fliss smiled as she slipped her hand into his. She led him back down the street to the sports bar on the corner and smiled at the doorman who let them in. They walked over to the bar and Fliss stopped and nodded to the wall behind Frank. He turned and then blinked, his brows raising a little.

There, right in front of him, was a framed collage of four photos of his wife at the Olympics. They were sequential, the first three showing her clearing a huge purple and green over fence, the footage of which Frank had seen a few times, and then the last photo showed her punching the air and screaming as she realised, she had just won Olympic gold. On the frame was an engraved plaque containing her name and the date of the win, and it was signed by her in the bottom right-hand corner.

“Wow.” Was all he could say and Fliss grinned.

“Fred got ya tongue, Sailor?”

Frank turned and shot her a look, “sorry, I keep forgetting I’m married to a celebrity.”

At that she snorted, “hardly. Equestrians are only really recognised by fellow equestrians. That’s there because I’m from round here, same as everyone else on the walls.”

“I dare you to demand a free drink.” Frank smirked.

“Fuck off.”

“Don’t be a chicken.” He teased. “Go on, do the whole ‘don’t you know who I am?’ line.”

Fliss blinked before she shrugged, “fine. Go grab that table over there.”

Frank popped a shoulder and did as he was told, sitting down at the high table by the large window. He turned, watching Fliss at the bar as she spoke to the bartender. There was as brief exchange and Fliss removed her woollen hat and pointed to the photos of herself on the wall. At that point, Frank snorted and then watched as the man grinned, shook Fliss hand and nodded. Fliss turned and shot Frank a shit eating grin.

A minute or so later she walked over, two beers in her hand and placed one down in front of Frank.

“Easy.”

“You’re something else, you know that?” He chuckled, shaking his head. Fliss arched her brow on response and picked up her glass.

****

As with London, the next few days were spent exploring, drinking, eating and, well, fucking. The difference being, Fliss was on her ‘home turf’ so to speak, and knew the city like the back of her hand. She took Frank up to the Baltic Triangle, which was Frank’s favourite place in their whole visit. Once an industrial area of warehouses, it was now crammed full of independent bars, vintage markets, coffee shops, arcades, skate parks, pop up stalls and gin gardens. They spent a full day there, drinking and eating, watching the entertainment and perusing the Christmas Stalls before heading back. That was the night Fliss took Frank to the Cavern Club, another place he had been desperate to visit. As they descended the steps, Frank couldn’t help but look at all the photos of the singers and bands that had played at the venue. The actual bar itself was just as described, basically a cavern (or cellar, he suspected) with huge archways and curved roof. It was dark, but full of atmosphere as people were crammed together, waiting for the live music to start. They spent most of their night in there, Fliss chatting away to people she didn’t actually know, something Frank had noticed she was doing a lot of during their time in the city. He also noticed, with some amusement, that her Liverpudlian accent was growing a lot stronger and broader the more time they spent there.

She took him to see Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club, wrinkling her nose a little. She was much happier when they headed over to Everton’s stadium, Goodison Park, Frank knowing that her family were ‘Blues, not Reds.’ Fliss then headed into the club shop and purchased each of the kids a football shirt with their names on the back. It cost an absolute fortune, but as Frank handed over his credit card, he simply rolled his eyes.

He’d worry about paying that off in January.

On their last day, they headed down through the Liverpool One shopping area to the Quays. Fliss then took Frank on a walk and showed him where she’d seen them filming for some Marvel film. Frank pretended he cared when in truth the only thing he was interested in was the huge smile on his girl’s face, which simply hadn’t faded since they’d landed in Heathrow.

All too soon, they found themselves on their last night. Frank, following the directions he’d been given at the hotel reception, led Fliss round to Mowgli, an independent chain of Indian Street Food restaurants that were owned by a reasonably local chef. Steve had tipped him off about them, as both Fliss and Frank enjoyed Indian food but didn’t get the chance to eat much of it seeing as there weren’t a lot of places that offered it in South Pass. The food was absolutely stunning, the drinks were flowing and a few hours later they left with extremely full bellies.

And that was when Fliss gave Frank a surprise of her own.

“So, I booked us somewhere…for cocktails.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, it’s called Ex Directory, and it’s amazing, but we need to find it first.”

“Find it, what do you mean?”

“I’ve only been once, and I was kinda drunk. But it’s like this secret bar and it’s hidden…”

Frank looked at her, before he shrugged, his hand slipping into hers once she finished wrapping her scarf around her neck, “lead the way.”

Lead the way she did, down what felt like a hundred dark and dingy back streets and alleys near the waterfront area. Frank was starting to wonder if she was playing him, on a wind up, but then he saw her stop and look around, a frown on her face.

“I’m sure it’s round here somewhere…”

They carried on, and as they turned the corner at the end, Fliss gave a squeal and grabbed his arm.

“This is it!” She exclaimed as she stopped at a traditional red telephone box.

“Fliss…”

“Trust me!” She grinned, yanking open the door.

Frank watched, and then shrugged to himself as he followed her in. She picked up the black phone, and Frank looked around as she spoke.

“Hi, the number I’m trying to reach is Ex Directory.” There was a pause. “Yeah, the name is Adler.”

Then, Frank jumped as a buzzing was heard and Fliss put the phone down and looked at him with a grin. She then pushed on the back wall of the booth, which swung open to reveal a lot set of steps, which descended underground, the sounds of music and chattering hitting his ears.

“Okay, what the hell?”

“I told you!” She laughed, “come on!”

With a snort of laughter, Frank followed her down the steps and they emerged into the underground bar which was heaving. It was lined with large red sofas, tables, the glossy and busy bar to the left. A band was playing on a stage to the right and the whole place was dimly lot with atmospheric lights.

“Fahk me!” Frank shook his head as Fliss grinned.

“Cool, huh?”

A man dressed as an old-fashioned movie detective, in a pair of chord trousers, shirt and suspenders headed over and smiled as he led them to a booth at the back.

Frank picked up a menu, as did Fliss who slapped it down almost immediately. “I know what I want, I’m going for the Merseyside Mash. Liverpool gin, raspberry vodka, cranberry juice and fresh lime.”

“Fuck it, make it two. When in Rome… or Liverpool.” Frank grinned and Fliss laughed, attracting the attention of their server.

Their two-hour slot passed in a heap of ridiculously overpriced cocktails, the two having one way or another made their way through roughly half the menu. They were definitely a little wobbly on their feet as they were led to the exit, which was slightly less spectacular than the entrance. It was simply a flight of stairs which emerged out of what looked like two ancient fire doors onto a busy street which ran parallel to the alley. Fliss blinked as the doors shut, and they both stared hard at the now seemingly completely normal brick wall behind them.

“Okay, I’m officially done.” Frank shook his head as Fliss laughed, hiccupping a little. “Wanna go somewhere else or…”

“Nope, if I drink anymore, I’m gonna spew.”

“Nice.” Frank snorted as Fliss hiccuped again.

They made their way back to the hotel, it taking a little longer than it should in account of the fact they were both giggling and having to stop every so often for air. Plus, the fact Frank was taking every opportunity he could to kiss the life out of his wife didn’t help.

Fliss stumbled at the entrance and the doorman chuckled a little as he held the door open. Frank saluted him and Fliss slapped his arm as they walked, a little unsteadily, across the lobby to the elevator.

They waited for the lift like children, Fliss tapping her foot and Frank bouncing in his. Both teetering back and forth at one point as if they were about to fall over.

The chime of the lift sounded and in the stumbled, the space to themselves. Frank hit the call button for their floor and up they rose, but not before Fliss leaned in and gave Frank a tantalizing kiss and broad swipe of her palm over his clothed crotch.

He grunted a little against her mouth and snorted as she pulled away, her brow flicking up at him.

“Maybe Christmas has come early, Sailor, if the size of that package is anything to go by.”

At that Frank let out a huge bellow of laughter and looked down at Fliss. “Your jokes are absolutely, fahkin awful.”

All she could do was pop her shoulder and grin. She couldn't care less. She was happy, more than so. Fliss Adler had the life she deserved and the husband that she should have had in the beginning. And now they were childless and on a delayed honeymoon, in her old stomping grounds and she was going to dam well make the best of it.

The lift stopped on their floor and out they went, Fliss pulling her Sailor along by his hand as they stumbled down the hall, loudly giggling and causing a ruckus.

“You’re gonna get us thrown out,” Frank whispered loudly as he followed behind her, “or arrested. And I don’t fancy spending a night in a cell. Did it once, it’s not great.”

"No one's gonna do shit," she giggled attempting their door with her key. She failed three times before Frank took over and nailed the first try.

"Smart ass," she giggled.

“Well, I do have a masters in Philosophy.”

Fliss turned on her feet and plowed her lips right into Frank's as the door to their room shut, his back falling into it. The air blew from his lungs in a huff, his hands falling to Fliss’ hips, fingers clutching at the woollen fabric of her yellow pea coat

He backed her into the room, taking charge of the kiss and the space, her own back hitting the wall near the bed as they came in. Rather clumsily and ungracefully, Fliss kicked her boots off as Frank's hands slid up that coat in haste and peeled it from her body. It fell with a thud to the floor, joined by his own as he shrugged it down and off his arms, his hands now moving to the bottom of Fliss’ sweater dress.

Her chilled fingers found his shirt collar and started down the buttons, flicking one by one through its slit and opening the material to reveal his white undershirt. Then she gripped at the belt of his jeans. His lips smashed back to hers as he pressed her further into the wall, yanking the dress over her head as she made quick work of his belt buckle.

That tell-tale clink sounded beyond their breathy kiss and fight for dominance before Frank had decided that was enough and twirled Fliss to the bed, the two of them falling flat, Fliss led over Frank.

“You do know I’m about to fuck you into next week?” Frank reached up and brushed her long hair back off her face.

"Yep." Fliss popped her 'p'.

“Good, just wanted to be clear on the situation.”

"Very clear." Fliss leaned back and sat on her heels as she straddled Frank's hips, her breasts spilling out of her bra, her panties hugging her curvy hips, those lacy boot socks making Frank swallow.

“Fahk, you’re beautiful.” He looked up at her, his hands curling round those hips he loved so much, giving a slight squeeze as he tilted his hips up.

Fliss blushed and bent forward, kissing him deeply. Her tongue dipped inside his mouth, lolling over his tongue before beginning a trail over his beard and along the hard line of his jaw to where the joint fit. She nipped at his neck and carried on kissing down his clothed chest, staining his white shirt with her lipstick before sitting up and tugging at the white tee.

"Off." She grunted, swivelling her hips over his hard cock, confined by his denims.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Frank sat bolt upright, his arms above his head allowing Fliss to tank the tee off.

"Much better," she smirked with a playful giggle. She shoved him back down and carried on kissing over his chest, sometimes trading off with a hot tongue over his skin and nipping at the edge of his belly button.

“His left hand clutched at the bed spread, right tangling gently in her hair as she continued her path, mouth following that strip of hair that ran from his naval right into his boxers.

Her brown eyes looked up at him as she kept kissing his lower belly, her delicate and gently calloused hands gripping at the sides of his jeans and boxers, giving them a tug. Frank tilted his hips to assist as she pulled the material down to his mid-thigh, his cock springing free.

Without a word, she gripped her hair in her left hand, pulling it round and over her shoulder before she wrapped her right around the base of his shaft. Her plump lips closed around the head and Frank hissed. Her brown eyes flicked up and stayed on his blues as she sunk her mouth all the way down as far as she could go.

“Jesus,” his hand gripped the back of her head tighter as his hips tipped softly upwards, his gaze still locked on hers.

Fliss moved with the thrust of his hips, covering his cock with her spit and pressing her thick tongue against that vein on the underside of him. Each bob of her head, each lash of her tongue, Frank could feel everything. She always gave good head, he had absolutely no complaints there at all, but somehow, tonight, it felt better than ever. In a ridiculously short time, Frank was fighting the urge to spill himself down her throat.

"Fahk, Cowgirl," he moaned, his balls tightening as she went. "I gotta... I aint.... Fahk..."

She didn’t stop. Instead, her eyes flashed mischievously and she doubled down on her efforts. Her head moved faster; tongue lashed harder as she hollowed her cheeks.

With a harshness, Frank grabbed both sides of her head, his body curling upward, his hips stuttered as he blew hard right down her throat, that salty, sticky cum coating her tongue and Fliss swallowed it all down.

With a loud groan, he sagged back, Adam’s apple bobbing as he gulped in huge breaths of air, his eyes blinking as he glanced down.

Fliss was starting to lean up, licking at her lips, a painted nail wiping at the side of her mouth before she feverishly smirked at her husband.

“Oh, Cowgirl…” Frank shook his head as he sat up, and in a flash had her on her back, caged between his arms and legs.

"Sailor...." She practically purred.

“I believe I owe you something.”

"I'm waiting," she smirked.

Frank cocked a brow before he kissed her, his lips hard on hers but not for long. Just as she had with him, he kissed his way across her jaw to that spot behind her ear. She gave a whimper as his long finger slid underneath her bra strap and he whispered, “off.”

She obliged, unhooking the front clasp and freeing her fleshy mounds from their confines.

Frank’s hands smoothed up the side of her body, tracing her rib cage with skilled fingers. Calloused palms cupped her breasts, the pads of this thumbs brushing over her pebbled nipples.

Fliss' breathy gasp made Frank smirk. "Sensitive?"

She swatted softly at his head and he chuckled, his mouth now trailing down her sternum. Hot open-mouthed kisses moved along, circling the swell of her breast before he gave a soft nip to the underneath.

She bit her lip as he continued down, kissing and scratching at her belly with his beard, nipping at the end of her ribs. His hands tugged at the edge of her panties and she lifted her ass off the bed, allowing him to slide them down over her legs, taking her socks with them.

"Fahking beautiful, honey," Frank husked as he started kissing at the inside of her thigh, heading towards her glistening center.

“You have to… say that, fuck!” She swallowed as he nipped at her skin, “you’re married to me.”

"Nope. I.. Say... It... Because... I... Mean it." He kissed until his lips sat off to the side of her folds. His nose bumped at her sensitive skin, "I can fucking smell you, fahk, you smell so fucking good."

His dirty words made Fliss groan, but she positively cried out as soon as his mouth set to her. She was the ice cream he loved, the licks across her wetness, delving into her hole, nipping at her clit.

Fliss' hand curled into his soft hair and gave a tug as she mewed and moaned. At a certain long swipe of his tongue followed by a flick of it to her sensitive bud, Fliss shivered and shook in delight. Frank shook his head, causing his mouth and beard to scratch and brush across her clit even more. With a loud curse, her back arched off the bed, toes curling into the duvet where her feet rested either side of his shoulders.

His brows flicked upward at her reaction and a heavy arm slid up the middle of her tummy, his large hand grasping a breast, weighing her down. He wasn't finished with her and when he was, he was gonna truly fuck her stupid into next week.

A pinch to her nipple had her cursing, a string of expletives tumbling from her pretty mouth and Frank chuckled. The vibrations against her clit sent her into overdrive and she yanked on his hair, causing him to growl.

Fliss came with a force that made her skin tingle and her body quiver, a sobering effect that lust poured over her body. He carried on, his mouth fucking her and she pushed on his forehead, having become too sensitive, needing a moment. With a shit-eating smirk, Frank sat back on his heels as her legs fell flat against the bed.

“You okay?” He asked, his hands smoothing up the outside of her legs.

Chest heaving, Fliss could only nod. He was sporting a hard wood, solid dick again and he gently moved his fingers over her to wet his tips before fisting his cock.

"Good, cause I ain't done with you yet, Cowgirl."

She didn’t reply, merely gave a little whimper as he leaned over her, his lips brushing hers.

"I promised you into next week, sweetheart, and I'm gonna do it."

Frank lined himself up and slid right on in, whilst his lips crashed against her, swallowing her gasp at finally being stretched by her husband, a feeling she loved and craved.

Their mouths remained locked together with each thrust Frank made, his arms wrapping round Fliss sliding between her back and the bed, holding her close. Her legs curled around his hips, opening up more for him, sending him deeper. Her fingers trailed along those freckled speckled shoulders and down his back until Frank balanced himself in his elbows, reaching for her hands.

Entwining her fingers with his, Frank held Fliss' hands at each side of her head, rolling his hips into her. "I'm gonna fuck you good, baby, slow first then Imma make you scream."

“Fuck, yeah…” Fliss panted, her head falling back further into the pillow, “please, Frank…god, I love you,”

"I love you, baby, so fucking much." His hips kept rolling. Fliss was sensitive and she was close, her second orgasm no doubt on the cusp of emerging. And Frank could tell. From the tiny flutters around him to the way her mouth was open, eyelids flickering, nose scrunching, he knew it all.

"Let go, Lissy."

“I… fuck, Frank, I’m…” her voice cut off as she gave a loud moan, her body shaking as her second orgasm carried her away.

He thrusted her through it, rolling into her and giving a little swirl with each bottom out. And then, as she loudly came down from her crash, Frank slipped away, flipping her to her belly. "Hips up, sweetheart."

“What?” She mumbled, turning her head so her cheek was pressed to the pillow. She blinked and took a deep breath, “I can’t…”

"You can, baby, I know you can, just gimme one more."

With a soft whimper, Fliss raised her hips. The angle at which Frank slid inside her had her moaning as she was swollen from arousal and soaked from orgasm. Frank, too, groaned at the change in feel.

Fliss mumbled something completely and utterly incoherent in response and Frank chuckled a little. One hand curled round her hip, the other gripped at the back of her neck, keeping her face pressed to the pillow,

"Can I go harder, Fliss, please baby," Frank begged.

She nodded, “yeah,” her voice stuttered out and Frank gave a groan of delight.

"Oh, fahk, fucking love you, honey."

She didn’t reply, she couldn’t. No noises at all seemed to be finding their way out of her mouth. Her jaw was slack as her body jolted with each fast and hard rut Frank made into her.

He railed at her, sweat covering their bodies as she took it in blissful, over stimulated stride. His balls were tight and he could feel her walls pulsing around him.

"One more, Flissy, I promise, I'm ganna.... You gotta...."

“Oh…oh God…” Fliss hand reached up, slapping against the headboard of the bed, nails scratching at the velvet material, “Frank, I’m…. Oh fu-uuuck…”

This time, her scream was loud as her face contorted into a heady mix of ecstatic agony and with a tremble her body fell flat against the bed, hips held up by Frank who was now pounding into her with an avaricious pace, chasing his own end which wasn’t far behind.

"Jesus, FUCK," Frank roared like a feral animal at the end of long hunt. He came, with a force he wasn’t sure he’d felt before, his hips giving a final deep thrust before he stopped, buried balls deep in his wife.

He collapsed over her, chest pressed to her back, both over stimulated and breathless, drunkenly fucked out and exhausted. Frank stayed still as did Fliss until his body could function. He then began to slowly, ever so tenderly ply his lips over her bare back. Gingerly kissing each freckle or mole he could. His lips reached the crock of her shoulder, their caress gentle as he softly loved on her.

"That was..." He panted, "amazing."

“As good…” Fliss took a deep breath, her voice muffled slightly by the pillow, “as Vermont?”

"Honey, Vermont is a whole different level," he chuckled into her back.

Fliss lay still, allowing her body to even out as Frank persisted to map his lips over the canvas of her skin.

"I love you, baby."

At that she moved a little and Frank propped himself up, slowly pulling his hips back and sliding out of her. With a sigh, she shuffled round onto her back and looked up at him, those brown eyes shining with their usual warmth and her hand cupped his cheek.

“I love you, too.”

*****

Christmas passed in the usual whirlwind of food, alcohol, family and friends and, in what felt like the blink of an eye, Frank found himself at the end of January, pondering where the absolute living fuck the last month or so had gone.

Time seemed to be speeding up, the more he thought about it recently, and he’d suddenly realised on New Years’ eve that in just over six weeks or so he would be forty

Fucking forty.

Fliss had grinned when he’d made the mistake of voicing that to her, pointing out that it was Steve’s fortieth a few weeks after and then suggested they had a joint party, something that she and Sian were extremely in favour of. He and Steve, possibly less so. But, as Steve had pointed out, it would happen anyway so they might as well just get on board.

Right now, though, the only thing Frank was trying to get on board with was wrestling with an over opinionated eighteen-month-old who was refusing to get dressed.

“No!” Alex shook his head as he sat on his little bed, Frank holding out a blue t-shirt.

“Fine, what about this one?” He held up a yellow one.

“No.”

He tried again with a purple one.

“No.”

“Okay, we’re running out of options here Bean, gimme something to work with, huh?” Frank rolled his eyes and watched as Alex climbed down and toddled over to his wardrobe. His little hand then pointed to a little button-down plaid shirt, not unlike the one Frank himself had on.

“Mine.”

“You want that one?”

Alex nodded and pointed to Frank, his little face smiling. “Dadda!”

At that Frank grinned, “You wanna be like daddy? That it, pal?”

Alex blinked before he turned back to the shirt in his wardrobe, a coo of satisfaction escaping him as he reached for it. “Mine. Wear.”

“You got it, buddy.”

Ten minutes later, Frank carried a now fully dressed Alex downstairs where the fight then started over his footwear. It had rained overnight, but Alex was refusing to wear his Wellington boots, instead wanting his Converse.

“They’ll get trashed, no. Absolutely not.” Frank shook his head, and rolled his eyes as Alex flopped to the floor, sitting on his butt, arms folded.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Frank shook his head, as Alex pouted up at him, his eyes narrowed “you remind me of your sister.”

“No.”

“Listen. I’m the adult,” Frank arched his brow, “this ain’t a negotiation.”

But, despite his protests, it totally was and eventually, Alex agreed to wear his little brown cowboy boots. Together they slowly walked to the yard, Alex’s hand held in his dad’s as they crossed the lawn. Frank opened the gate, reaching out to scratch Fred behind the ear as he was perched on the fence, his tail swishing a little.

“Hi, Mama!” Alex beamed and Frank let go of him, allowing him to run towards Fliss, who smiled at him.

“Hi baby!” She swept him up, placing a kiss to his cheek and Frank smiled as he watched her for a moment before she set Alex down on the floor, her hands finding her hips as he toddled over to Mary. Thor looked up from the spot he was lazing in, before he lay his head back down, eyes closing.

“Hi!” Mary grinned at Alex as he held his hand out to her. “You wanna come see Monty?”

“Yip! See Mon-tee!” The toddler nodded, and Frank rolled his eyes. Mary was still the only one that Alex seemed to be completely and utterly happy to acquiesce to. His word of choice ‘yes’ for his sister, as opposed to the standard ‘no’ he gave everyone else.

“I saw that!” Mary shot and Frank scoffed.

“Want me to give you a quarter so you can call someone who cares?”

“What… I don’t know what that means.” Mary looked at him and Fliss laughed.

“He’s showing his age, sweetie.”

Mary merely shrugged as Frank turned to his wife, his brow arched as she grinned back cheekily.

His smart-ass quip back melted away and Frank found himself simply stood, admiring Fliss. Her long sleeved black and white plaid was open over a plain white tee, which was tucked into her light grey jeans, her own cowboy boots on her feet. Her long auburn hair was poking out from underneath her cowboy hat, illuminated by the early Saturday morning sun. He realised then, she was stood in the exact spot he had first seen her some four years ago, back when his life had been a mess, a mess that rapidly slipped into a cluster fuck. One that she pulled him through.

Both of them had been lost, burdened by the pain of their past and in one another they had both found everything they didn’t know they needed, and more.

It wasn’t without flaws, because they themselves weren’t without flaws, nobody was, no matter how much they tried to be. But it was perfect for them. Beautifully flawed, full of ups and downs, bumps in the road offset with the periods of smooth sailing.

Love, frustration, fun, seriousness, happy times, sadder times, it was exhilarating, passionate, full of excitement.  It was one hell of a ride, and Frank was firmly in the saddle, grasping the reins with both hands.

Because he wanted it all.

With large, purposeful strides, he walked over to his wife. Without a word, his arms wrapped around her waist and she chuckled when he kissed her. As his lips pressed to hers, he dipped her slightly causing her to squeak in her throat, her hand flying to her head to catch her hat as it started to slip off backwards.

“Hey, Sailor.” She grinned against his mouth and Frank pulled her back upright, his hands settling at her waist. Her own arms slid up round his neck as Frank smiled at her.

“Hey, Cowgirl.”

He dropped his face to hers, fully intending to take another kiss…

And then a loud yell rang out across the little courtyard.

“No, Frank!!”

To all of you who’ve been on this wild ride, to everyone who’s liked, commented, messaged and re-blogged along the way over the last twenty months, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This last chapter is dedicated to my Evangers. Your banter, messages, creativity and virtual movie days/nights have seen me through the last 20 months. And whilst oceans may separate us, I love you all.

#riding on #frank adler #frank adler x ofc #frank adler x original female character #frank adler x oc #gifted #gifted fan fic #chris evans characters

[our-marvel-universe]

Masterlist

Here’ are links to all my fircs. You can also find me on Ao3

Header made by @saradika-graphics

STEVE ROGERS

Ghosted

Breakfast in Bed...Almost  

Weekend Getaways 

Kissing In The Rain 

Do You Fondue? 

Paper Rings 

Ordinary People

Confessions -Drabble

FRANK ADLER

Sugar & Spice

Breaking Point - Drabble

Birthday Treat - Drabble

ANDY BARBER

Moving On and Moving Up

Late night Loving - Drabble

Easy On Me

Flowers -  Drabble

ARI LEVINSON 

Fitness 

COLIN SHEA

A Lovely Holiday 

JAKE JENSEN

IRL

June Drabble

Road Trip - Drabble

COLE TURNER

The Long Game - Drabble

BUCKY BARNES

2am drabble

Sleepless Nights - Drabble

Looking for more fics? search #fic recs for fics I love. Search #read later for one’s I plan to check out   

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers fic #steve x reader #steve rogers fluff #fluffy marvel fics #marvel fluff #marvel fics #my writing #fic recs #fic rec #andy barber #andy barber fluff #Frank adler fics #andy barber fic #chris evans characters #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fics #bucky barnes fan fiction #ari levinson x reader #cole turner #cole turner fic #ghosted cole turner