Chapter 8

Jon's cell phone was in his hand as he pressed the button for the elevator. It was waiting on her floor, so he stepped inside and keyed in Richie's number.

He held the phone to his ear and waited for it to connect but got the no service signal. "Fuck," he muttered in frustration as the doors slid open on the fifth floor. He quickly hid his eyes with his dark sunglasses.

An attractive woman in her thirties stepped in and eyed him curiously, recognition rapidly lighting her face.

"Hi," she said shyly.

He attempted a brief smile, but his temper was barely controlled and grief was strangling him.

The woman turned away to give him some privacy. Now was not the time to make herself known to him as a fan. She had seen footage of him in moods like this and it was never good. She hoped silently that she would get another opportunity and wondered what had brought him to her building in the first place.

Jon tapped his foot impatiently on the second floor when the elevator stopped again for another tenant to enter. This time he didn't even look up, instead pretending to busy himself with his phone. The second the doors slid open, Jon was out of the lift. He signaled the doorman to fetch his car and hit the call button on his phone.

It seemed to ring for an interminably long time before he heard Richie's cheery voice on the other end of the line. "Hey bro, how they hanging?"

A lump formed in Jon's throat, preventing him from speaking.

"Jon?" Richie asked.

"Jon, you there? What's happening?" A hint of concern tainted Richie's voice now; he could hear the noise of the city in the background but Jon still hadn't spoken.

"She's dead man." Jon managed to croak out.

Richie's gut clenched and he felt the bile rise in his throat as he considered the possibilities – Dorothea, Stephanie, Carol… each as sickeningly unbelievable as the next.

"Gina's dead."

It was a name Richie had barely heard over the last twenty years, and yet the news struck him with all the force of a Mack truck. He collapsed rather than sat, onto a kitchen stool – he had just been fixing himself lunch.

When Gina had dropped off the face of the earth, all those years before, he had found it too painful to think of her. It had felt like a piece of him had gone missing. She had been the closest thing to a sister he had and he couldn't believe that she would just disappear without a trace, without so much as a goodbye. He had silently blamed Jon for it at the time. Unbeknownst to anyone else, it was the main cause of friction between the two on the New Jersey Tour.

"Rich…did you hear me man? Gina is dead!"

Jon's urgent tone snapped Richie from his reverie.

"I'll be there as soon as I can get someone to fly me out." He said and snapped his phone shut, immediately flicking it back open and dialing the number for the charter company they frequently used. He made the necessary arrangements and ran upstairs to pack. All going well he would be on the east coast before midnight.

Jon was still trembling with anger ten minutes later as he stood on the sidewalk waiting for the doorman to fetch his car. He had considered walking the short distance home, but that would mean a return visit tomorrow to fetch the car and he had no intention of running into Frankie again anytime soon. The girl was impossible…totally unreasonable…and stubborn - she made a mule seem easy going.

When the doorman got out of Jon's BMW, Jon was already there at the door waiting to get in – another generous tip in his hand. He slid in behind the wheel and peeled off from the curb at alarming speed. He couldn't go home yet, at least not to the cold sterile apartment his family now called home. He drove for the sake of driving and found himself heading towards Red Bank…heading towards comfort, heading towards home, heading to High Point.

High Point was Jon's French Chateau-inspired mansion on the banks of the Navesink River. It was the place he and his wife had raised their children, the place where his recording studio was located. It held more happy memories for him than almost any other place in the world…unless the spotlight was included in that sentiment – the spotlight always won out…it was his favorite place to be.

Once in the driveway, Jon hit the remote and the large wrought iron gates swung open noiselessly. He drove down the long driveway and parked the car near the front door, but instead of going into the house he headed out to the Shoe Inn – the guest house that had been converted into an English style pub. He grabbed two bottles of red from the cellar, a bottle opener from the bar – didn't bother to get a glass – and strolled down to the river bank where he sat propped against one of the large trees that lined the shore.

From a hidden pocket in his wallet Jon pulled out a tattered old photo strip, smiling at him through the creases and stains was himself and Gina – so much younger and happier than now. It was taken just before Runaway hit big, down the shore. They were so happy then…so carefree. He wondered what had gone so tragically wrong with that picture. Looking at it now the adoration in her eyes was obvious, how had he been so blind back then?

Opening the first bottle of wine, Jon took a long swig and once again the tears came, silent now - no longer the harsh sobs that had consumed him at the cemetery – but persistent nonetheless. He stared out blindly over the river towards the city; at least some small part of Gina had survived. He wanted so badly to remain angry at Frankie for the stunt she had pulled but found that he couldn't – she was the only link to Gina he had now. He would have to find a way to make it work… somehow. He took another long draw on the bottle and considered just how much his daughter looked like her mother. His daughter…now that was going to take some getting used to.

Jon lost all track of time, his only indication the setting sun yet still he sat and drank. Sometime - he wasn't sure when – long after the sun had set, he stumbled up to the house and let himself in. Maggie, the housekeeper, it appeared had already retired for the night and the house was deadly still. Somewhere in his brain a coherent thought niggled at his conscious mind – he had to let Rich know where he was. He hit redial on the phone but it went straight to voicemail. He left a message to let him know to come to Jersey then took up residence on the couch, yet another bottle in his hand – Jack this time…the wine had barely taken the edge off.

When Richie arrived two hours later he found Jon passed out on the couch, the bottle of Jack more than half gone. He dropped his duffle behind the couch and knelt beside his brother – that's what they were in every sense but the biological.

Even in slumber Richie could see the deep lines of pain etched into Jon's face, and realized as bad as this was for him, it was far worse for Jon. He remembered what it had been like when Gina had failed to return from Europe. Jon had been devastated then, God only knew what this would do to him. He knew Jon had spent countless dollars searching Europe for her throughout the years, something must have finally showed up…perhaps her parents had finally contacted him.

Initially when Jon had managed to contact them, they wouldn't even discuss Gina. They had told him not to bother them anymore; that they had no interest in speaking to him about 'her' or anything else. Eventually he had to comply with their wishes, bothering them was doing no good for anyone.

Richie needed answers – he gave Jon a gentle shake…nothing. He shook a little harder and got some incoherent mumbling. He went to the kitchen, the coffee pot sat ready on the bench, God Bless Maggie he thought. He poured a large mug and headed back to Jon.

This time, Richie lifted Jon into a sitting position before shaking him awake.

"C'mon man, wake up!" He slapped Jon's cheek probably a little harder than required – it seemed a little of that old resentment was still hidden there somewhere.

Jon came around with a start. "Richie…man…good to see ya. What you doin' here?" he slurred.

Oh great! This is gonna be harder than I thought. "You called me Jon."

"I did?" Jon was weaving where he sat.

"Yes Jon, you did. Don't you remember?"

"Hmm… 'member." Richie's face blurred before Jon's eyes. He couldn't hold focus. "Ohh..."

"That's it… come on think." Richie coached.

"I have a daughter man."

"Yes you do bro, but Steph isn't why you called," Richie was getting frustrated now.

"NO!" Jon said shaking his head vehemently. "Not Steph…'s another one."

"What are you talking about? How much have you had to drink?" Richie picked up the bottle of jack to examine what was left. He must have had a good go at something before this, he thought.

"Name's Frankie" Jon slurred again.

"Drink this," Richie held the mug to Jon's lips and waited for him to drink. "I think this conversation will have to wait 'til the morning, you're not making any sense at all."

"I'm making plenty of sense." Jon said indignantly. At least his words were getting clearer. "I have a daughter man. Her name's Frankie. She's ours…mine and Gina's." That stopped him in his tracks. "Oh… Gina." And the tears were there again, weren't they wasted yet? He felt like he had cried a river. "She's… dead man…Gina's dead!"

"I know Jonny. That's why I'm here. What happened? Who told you?"

"Frankie told me. Frankie…happened."

"What? What are you saying?" Confusion clear on Richie's concerned face.

"Christ man… she died having our kid!"

Richie eyed Jon suspiciously, "When did you find out about Frankie?"

"She found me…at the benefit on Saturday."

"You mean yesterday?" It was five minutes before midnight.

"Umm...yeah… I guess…yesterday…"

"Gina found you yesterday…" Richie began.

Jon interrupted, "No man. For fucks sakes keep up. Frankie found me yesterday. She took me to see Gina today."

"She took you to see Gina today?"

"Uh-ha"

"And she's dead?"

"Yep" Jon nodded morosely. "She's dead." This started the tears again in earnest.

"Jon…bro…you're confused man. Go to bed. This will all look better in the morning."

"I…I can't believe she's gone man. It's my fault…if only…if…" Tears streamed down Jon's face. Richie placed a strong arm around his shoulders to comfort him and Jon soon buried his face in his brother's shoulder, his body shaking with grief.

Richie knew he would get no more sense from Jon in his present state. He feared he was suffering from some kind of breakdown. Maybe he was even suffering from hallucinations – he had been under a lot of pressure on the last tour. He should be in the Hamptons right now with his family…not here in Jersey alone. If things weren't clearer in the light of day, Richie decided, he would ring Dot and get the details from her. Now that was a conversation he wasn't looking forward to. But for now he would put his own grief for Gina aside until the story was straight.

Jon awoke the next morning disoriented and wincing at the bright light that was streaming through the large windows in the living room. He was stiff and sore from having spent the night on the couch. He sat up gingerly noting the thudding pain behind his eyes and the coating on his tongue. It had been a long time since he had drank like that – now he remembered why.

Heeding the persistent call of his overtaxed bladder Jon headed to the bathroom, cringing as every step he took vibrated in his head. When natures call had been answered he stood before the mirror and examined his reflection. He ran a hand through his short brown tousled hair, then across the day old stubble on his chin. Bloodshot eyes and the dark shadows beneath them were evidence of a rough night. He felt as though he had aged ten years overnight, he knew it wouldn't last but that made it no easier to deal with. He shook his head in disgust at the old man in the mirror before turning his back on him and heading to the kitchen for some strong black coffee.

Walking into the room, Jon was surprised to find Richie sitting at the kitchen bench already nursing a steaming cup of coffee.

"Hey" Richie nodded. "Coffee's just brewed."

Jon held a finger to his lips to indicate quiet. When he spoke it was barely above a whisper, "Hey man. Thanks. When did you get in?" Jon went straight to the pot and poured himself a cup.

"I guess that means you don't remember last night then." Richie said trying unsuccessfully to hide a smirk.

"Should I?" Jon asked as he sat on the next stool along the bench, propping his head up on one hand.

"After what you managed to drink I guess not." He laughed once. "What do you remember?"

"Don't know really… I guess arriving here and heading out to the pub." Then something occurred to him "Hey how did you know I was here? I was supposed to be in the city."

"You left a message on my cell while I was in the air."

"I did, huh?" Jon was impressed that, even in his state of inebriation, he had still had enough sense to let Richie know where he'd be.

"Yep you did. I got here just before midnight…you were pretty out of it." Richie shook his head at the memory. "It's been a long time since I've seen you that fucked up man. I think the last time would be ten years ago when Dot walked out…" No one usually mentioned that…it was a very touchy subject.

"Yeah I know." Jon said sheepishly. "Sorry man... Ah…what did I say?"

"You weren't making much sense bro. I was almost gonna call Dot."

"Fuck man…don't do that. I'm already in the shit with her." He replied in alarm.

"What's going on dude? You were a total mess last night. The only sensible thing I got out of you was that Gina was dead. Nothing else made sense."

"It still doesn't make much sense to me… but, ok this is the story. You know the Darfur benefit on Saturday, the one Dot and I went to." Jon started.

Richie nodded in assent – he had signed a guitar to donate.

"Well, I'm there with Dot and she notices this young girl eying me from across the room. She made some flip comment – you know how she is. Any way I look in this girl's direction and she strikes a familiar chord, just something about her, ya know?"

Again Richie nodded.

"So anyway I ditched Dot – she was in one of her moods – and moved a bit closer and watched her for a while, but still couldn't place it. The curiosity was killing me, so I decided to go talk to her to find out where I knew her from. Well you can imagine how that went down – 'Excuse me but do I know you?' – she thought it was a line but while I'm standing there staring at her, I realize who she reminds me of…Gina." Jon focused his attention on his coffee cup.

"Frankie…" Richie uttered softly.

"I told you this?" He looked up in surprise.

"No not really…go on."

"So that's when it got weird. She's standing there dumbstruck but when she speaks she tells me…how did she put it again…oh yeah she says that" He signed exclamation marks in the air with his fingers "I've been the object of her dreams and she's wondering if I'll live up to the fantasy.."

"Whoa"

"Exactly…so immediately I think…well you know what I think, so I tell her 'Sorry honey I don't do teens' and she says" Exclamation marks again, "that's ok I won't do my father.'"

"And is she?"

"Apparently so… mine and Gina's." It was still hard to say her name.

"And Gina…?" Or hear it.

"Died in childbirth." Jon's voice was very soft

Richie uttered one word "FUCK!"

Jon sat silent while his brother digested the information, he had loved Gina too.

"Are you sure man? What about the tests?"

"I don't need 'm Rich. I'm sure…she mine. Not a doubt in my mind."

"How!? I mean I thought it was only the once. Surely…"

"It was only once, but Frankie reminded me that all it takes. She's mine man. I can feel it. Besides it all fits…the dates, the story, all of it. She has my eyes man…and it would seem the Bongiovi temper." A small smile touched his lips at the thought but quickly disappeared. "She's all I have left of Gina, Rich and she hates me…I mean really hates me and I don't know how to fix this."

"What does Dot think about everything?" Richie always had to play the devil's advocate.

"She guessed about Frankie…but I denied it. She doesn't know about Gina though – being dead I mean."

"Where does she think you are now?"

"In the city. I told her I had some shit to take care of for the Soul. But I'm guessing she suspects I'm here for Gina."

"Something you said last night is still bothering me. You said Frankie took you to see Gina." Puzzlement was evident in Richie's voice.

"She did…we visited her grave. That's how she told…well, showed me really. I asked to see Gina, she told me she would take me to her, and that's where we ended up."

"That's harsh man."

"I thought so too at first, now I'm not so sure…after what I put her through, Gina I mean, I probably deserve that and a lot worse."

"Don't be so hard on yourself man."

"Why not? You were at the time, …and there wasn't even a kid involved then."

"You didn't know." Richie paused then, thoughtful. "Please Jon, tell me you didn't know."

"Of course I didn't." Jon said indignant. "What kind of asshole do you take me for?"

"A fuckin' big one but that's beside the point." Richie said smiling, and then sobered. "What are you gonna tell the kids?"

"To be honest man, I haven't given it a thought. I suppose they need to know. Especially if she's gonna be part of my life." He said contemplative. "I mean it's not like Frankie was the result of an affair – not that that would make a difference really – but we weren't married yet when…"He trailed off.

Richie was quiet for a long time while he mulled over everything he had been told.

"Jon?" he finally said.

"Yeah man?"

"She never went to Europe did she? That's why we never found her there."

Jon shook his head. "No." He said quietly, "No man, she didn't. It was just the story to get away from me. She never left you Rich – it was me she was running from. I'm… sorry."

A silent tear slipped down Richie's cheek, it was no different than if she had died the day before. "Take me to her?"

"Of course man…of course. But then I have to try to see Frankie…I need to fix what I've fucked up. I'll tell you about that on the way. Let me go clean up and we'll head out."

"K bro.. I'll be here."

Jon didn't need to be told that. He always was.

Chapter 7

Jon's shoulders shook with the violent but silent sobs that wracked his body, as he reconciled the extent of Gina's sacrifice. When he had mentioned it to Frankie he never dreamed that sacrifice would be her life. She had died giving birth to her child…his child.

When he spoke his voice was husky, cracking with emotion, "Oh God baby… Why?? Why didn't you come to me? You would have had the best of care…the best of everything…"

Frankie stood stoically at the edge of the grave, very carefully controlling the emotion that roiled within her. She had expected to feel…smug… pleasure even, at seeing this stranger's pain – for she had known what she was doing would cause him at least that. She had wanted to shock the arrogance out of him. But what she was feeling now was far from pleasureable. Guilt formed one part of the complicated cocktail of emotion, and there was pity and remorse and even a little surprise at the depth of his emotion – she hadn't expected that at all.

"…We could have been a family!" he finished.

Frankie raised an eyebrow at that, but the emotion was far too raw in her to risk speaking now. She fished a tissue out of her purse and handed it over his shoulder silently. He took it in a shaking hand without looking back. She turned away from him then, as her own emotions threatened to overcome her. Tears welled in her eyes and she'd be damned if she'd let him see her cry.

While making her way back now to her father's grave - allowing Jon some semblance of privacy in his grief - she tried to determine the cause of her tears. Surely they couldn't be for him…for the pain he was suffering - that terrible consuming pain, the intolerable empty pain of loss. That thought led her to thoughts of her father. That must be it!
This is dredging up the memories and emotion of that awful time. That's all it is! She tried to convince herself that was the whole truth of it.

When Jon approached quite some time later Frankie was sitting by her father's grave singing softly – it always calmed her - as she picked the spoilt flowers out of the arrangement she had placed there on her last visit just days before. She still 'visited' her daddy whenever she could…though it was getting less and less frequent now. It had been her intent to come here at least every other day but the pressures of the real world had gripped her when she re-opened the Gallery to the public. She still managed to come at least once a week, to talk to him and tell him her news and confide her problems, usually late on a Wednesday afternoon – once their usual date day. Feeling a presence behind her, Frankie stopped singing.

So she sings, not bad either. It was a fleeting thought in Jon's overtaxed mind in light of the emotional upheaval he had just suffered.

"How long have you been there?" She asked looking up startled. He noticed immediately her red rimmed eyes.

"Only a minute or so. You ready to leave?" Jon's voice was a flat monotone. His eyes too, were red rimmed and bloodshot, puffier than she imagined hers to be.

She eyed him warily. "I'm fine. I'll catch a cab back."

"Don't be an idiot. I bought you out here…I'll take you back. It's on the way."

"To the Hamptons?"

"No, I'm gave myself a couple of days in the city to…" See Gina. Spend time with both of you. "Sort a few things out."

"Oh. Well I'm not going back to Mom's, I'm going home." Frankie rose and followed as he led her to the car.

Once again he opened the door for her, "No problem." He gestured for her to climb in and made his way around to the driver's side.

Jon navigated the familiar streets mindlessly…his attention focused somewhere far away. Neither passenger uttered a word on the long journey home, except for the directions he required to get her there. Frankie sat pondering what exactly had pushed her to be so callous and cruel. Initially, Jon was lost in thoughts of Gina, the time they had spent together and what could have possibly led to the tragic events that were only now being revealed to him. But by the end of the journey he was wondering the same thing as Frankie. What exactly had he done to deserve that? He had just reconciled himself to asking that very question when she spoke.

"Just here on the left." She directed. He pulled smoothly into the curb.

"You're kidding?" His building was less than one hundred yards up the road.

"Nope"

"But I live…"

"I know." She interrupted, and then shrugged. "It's unfortunate, but I couldn't turn this place down based on who my neighbors were. It was too good a deal"

"Frankie, why?" He asked quietly.

"I just told you…" She wondered if he was really that dumb – he didn't seem that dumb. His stare was intense. She faltered "…it…it was too good a deal to pass up." It was almost a question.

"NO! Why do you hate me so much?"

"I don't!" And she realized then that it was true. She didn't hate him as she thought she would, but that didn't mean she wanted a relationship with him either. "I gotta go." She said as she got out of the car.

She leaned back down into the open door, "Thanks for the ride. See ya!" she said flippantly, then closed it and bounded off into the building behind her.

Jon sat in stunned silence. That was all the explanation he was going to get 'I don't!' "Oh no you don't little girl. No fucking way!" he muttered to himself - Frankie was long gone. He turned the car off and pulled the key from the ignition. He got out slamming the door behind him.

"Sir…you can't park there sir." A uniformed doorman was at his side.

"Take care if it!" Jon barked handing the doorman the keys and several folded hundred dollar bills as he hurried by.

"Yes sir!" The doorman smiled at his tip.

Frankie stepped into the elevator with Mrs. Parsons from the fourth floor. She often saw the elderly widow in the mornings coming home from her daily stroll as she was heading out to work.

"Afternoon dear," the old woman croaked.

"Afternoon Mrs. Parsons, lovely day out there!" Frankie said conversationally as the doors began to slide closed. She couldn't bring herself to be rude to the woman who always had a kind word for everyone, despite the pitiful mood she was in.

"It sure is dear." She responded a kindly smile lighting her time weathered face.

Just before the doors closed a hand shot into the gap causing them to open again.

Jon stepped into the small space, so angry that he wasn't even aware the two women inside both seemed to shrink back against the wall in the face of the wrath emanating from him. "Did you think that was just the end of it, Frankie? That you could pull that little stunt and then just run up here to safety? Well guess what...!"

The octogenarian standing next to Frankie grabbed her arm in alarm. "I'm sorry Mrs, Parsons...This is Jon. He is a ...a family friend." Frankie drew herself up to her full height in the face of his rage and reminded him of his manners. "Jon, this is Mrs. Parsons, my neighbor," she said through gritted teeth. "Don't you think it would be better if we discussed this privately?"

Jon finally noticed the look on the older woman's face and willed the tension in his shoulders to relax, easing the deep lines of anger and frustration in his expression. "I beg your pardon, Mrs. Parsons. It's a pleasure to meet you..."

The woman considered him warily. "Likewise son. It's always a pleasure to meet a friend of young Frankie's." She said looking at him sternly, her voice holding no warmth. It was clear in his case there was no pleasure at all.

The ding sounded that indicated they had reached the fourth floor but Mrs. Parsons was hesitant to leave the young woman alone with this man, she stayed in the lift holding her arm across the open door. "If you need anything dear…don't forget Steven is right out front." She shot Jon a look of warning that lingered a little longer than necessary as if she were trying to memorize his features.

"I'll be fine Mrs. Parsons… Really" Frankie assured her. "It's just a little disagreement, nothing at all to worry over."

"Well ok then." The woman said hesitantly, stepping out slowly and letting the doors glide shut.

Jon held his tongue. It wouldn't do to start shouting in the elevator and have his words echo down the shaft to Mrs. Parsons' curious ears.

The doors groaned open on Frankie's floor and she stepped out into the foyer searching the depths of her bag for her keys. Once retrieved, she slid the correct one into the lock, pushed the door open and stood back for him to enter. This was obviously unavoidable and she preferred the confrontation she knew was coming take place in the privacy of her apartment rather than in public.

He trudged past her into the bright expanse that was her apartment. The scene in the elevator had cooled his temper a little. "How long have you lived here?

"Oh, a few months." She replied a little guarded.

Jon let out a low whistle "Aren't kids your age supposed to live in dumpy little apartments or better still at home with your parents?"

"I'm not like most kids my age."

"That has yet to be determined. That little stunt you pulled was pretty childish, don't you think?"

"What stunt was that?" She asked feigning innocence.

His anger rose in the face of her cool response. "The fucking cemetery Frankie. What the fuck did I ever do to you to deserve that? You fucking set me up!"

"You asked to see Gina. I just obliged. I warned you couldn't go back but you just had to push. Stubborn sonofa…" She trailed of under her breath.

He ignored her insult. "C'mon now, you know you weren't exactly giving me all the information there. Put yourself in my shoes. If our roles were reversed, how would you feel if I did that to you?" He asked irritation evident in his voice.

"You'd never have to.....I could never have left like you did" Frankie replied defensively…she knew what she had done was wrong.

"Will you cut me some freaking slack??? I didn't even know she was pregnant! If I had known....Gina... awe fuck… Gina." The fact that she was really gone hit him full force and he sat heavily on the edge of one of Frankie's pristine white sofa's and rubbed his hands up and down his face as if trying to scrub away the memory "…if she had just…told me… it wouldn't have ended like this."

Frankie remained standing opposite him. She raised an eyebrow, "Oh, how would it have ended?...All happy families? I seriously doubt that!"

"Damn it, Frankie, would you at least give me a fucking little bit of credit for being a decent human being?"

"Sorry I haven't seen much yet to suggest you are!" She snapped bitterly.

He recoiled from the comment like she'd slapped him. "Do you really think that if I'd known Gina was pregnant I would have just turned my back on her?"

Frankie opened her mouth to speak but he silenced her with a raised finger and a frosty glare. "And NO! Before you even start - because I know where you're going with this - I can't tell you that we would have all ended up as one big happy family. Hell I was so fucked up in the head at that point in my life, she probably wouldn't have wanted to play happy families with me. But this I can assure you, she would never have wanted for anything and neither would you. Both of you would have had the best of everything. And even if we didn't end up married, I know…knew Gina and I know she would have wanted you and I to know each other, to have a relationship as father and daughter."

"Isn't that what you said at the cemetery? Even in death your lying to her....and you want me to give you credit for being a decent human being. Right!" she added sarcastically.

"What the fuck are you talking about now?"

"At the cemetery... 'We could have been a family!'" she mimicked him cruelly "Those words don't ring a bell? And just for your information, according to her, …no she didn't want us to know each other...not back then anyway. Not until I was ready to make the decision for myself."

Jon blinked, looked towards the floor and shook his head slowly, "I don't believe that Frankie. I won't believe that she never wanted us to know each other."

"Believe what you like!"

"Let me tell you something about your mother…" Frankie opened her mouth to protest the use of the word - in reference to someone other than Beth, it still shocked her – but again he silenced her before a sound could escape and continued "…and yes I know Beth is your mother but let me tell you something about Gina…she was one of the warmest, most giving people I have ever met in my life. We were friends for a very long time… I knew her better than almost anyone, and I don't believe that she would have been able to keep you from me for long."

"I don't need you to tell me anything about her. I don't want to learn about her like this. I don't want to see her through your eyes, especially since it seems you never saw her all that clearly yourself."

Jon was a little taken aback. "Well how else you gonna find out honey? It seems to me, I'm the only person that can give you any real information about her. About what she was really like…don't you want to know? Or do you just want to form your impressions based on some letter she supposedly left you."

"Oh there is more than a letter." She hinted mysteriously, peaking his interest.

He crooked an eyebrow and waited.

"I have her diaries as well...I'd say they would give me a pretty good insight...wouldn't you?"

Jon turned away, unwilling to let Frankie see the emotion on his face, thus giving her further ammunition to hurt him.

"Yeah, I thought so." She smirked.

"Are you trying to tell me she had nothing but bad things to say about me? That she hated my guts?"

"Worried about that are you?"

"No, actually I'm not." The tone was not quite as confident as the statement itself. "What I am afraid of, is what you may misinterpret from what is written. Hell, look at how good you are at twisting my own words… I can just imagine what you've come up with from the pages of a diary." He turned his back to her, his attention focused on the skyline and added so soft she wasn't sure that she'd heard it at all, "No wonder you hate me."

Everything was very quiet and still for a moment while Frankie tried to determine whether or not he had spoken when he spun back to her harshly causing her to startle and jump back.

His voice was menacing. "But let me tell you something honey, there is nothing you can say, nothing any freaking diaries can say, that will ever make me doubt how she and I felt about each other. So if that's your purpose here, you may as well stop now."

"Please Jon…enlighten me exactly how did you feel about her?"

"I loved her!" He said with no embellishments.

"HA! You sure have a strange way of showing love."

"What the fuck's that supposed to mean?" He snapped.

"Loving her but marrying someone else."

"I loved..." he paused to correct the sentiment "love my wife too. It was just…", his anger got the better of him then, "No… you know what… I don't have to explain this to you, you're nineteen fucking years old. You have no idea how complicated these things can be. But damn it Frankie, try to imagine what my life was like back then. I'm sure you must have read a bit, seen interviews or whatever. It was like…I had this life as Jon Bon Jovi, rock star, I could write mega-hits and we had more money than any twenty-something year old kid should ever have but…but my personal life was in shambles. I didn't even know who I was any more. I was finding it hard to distinguish between this persona that had been created for me, and who I really was. Back then there were three women in my life who could always bring me back, and two of them were Dot and Gina."

Frankie stared at him in disbelief. "You're fucking kidding me…another one."

Jon shook his head clearly exasperated "My mother was the third…shit, your grandmother. Oh hell that's gonna be one tough discussion"

"Oh" Frankie said chagrined. "Well that still doesn't excuse what you did."

"Please tell me again what crime I committed? What did I do that was so unforgivable?"

"You left her."

"Damn it Frankie. I didn't leave her! She ran off to Europe."

Frankie looked at him patronizingly.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet, contemplative. "Oh…I see...she never went to Europe. That was for my benefit."

"Regardless you left her first."

Jon shook his head. "Just when I think you are showing an amazing level of maturity you go and say something like that. This is not some school yard competition of who went first. We were on tour. She came and joined me when I needed her, we had an amazing time together, then I had to go back to work and she went home." He explained. "Back then it wasn't like it is now. We didn't have cell phones and email, it was harder to keep up with each other but it wasn't like I never intended to see her again when we said goodbye."

"I've done my research Jon. It was ten weeks…just ten short weeks from the time I was conceived until the time you got married...What the fuck was that? That's one quick turnabout for someone 'in love'."

He took a moment to gather his thoughts.

"It wasn't like Gina didn't know about Dot. Hell they knew each other." It sounded like a poor defense even to him.

"So I believe. But you knew she was in love with you Jon. And you took advantage of that…in so many ways. That's what's unforgivable. You knew she could never say no to you, how could you do that to her?" The anger and emotion were raw in her voice. "How could you lead her on, then walk away and go back to Dot like it never happened?"

"No," he said shaking his head in denial, "that's not what happened Frankie. I didn't know she was in love with me."

Frankie pounded her fist into the top of the sofa she stood behind, "LIAR… You did know. She told you herself."

She said it with such conviction he knew she knew the truth. His mind was a whirl.

He ran his hand through his hair, shaking his head. "Jesus Frankie… how much detail did she put in this diary?" He asked, concern evident in his voice. Gina had known more about him than even his wife. She had been one of the inner circle, so much more than Dot ever had. She had been his confidant. Hell, she had even seen what life on tour was like…she had never been protected from it as the wives and girlfriends were…for so long she had just been his best friend…until…

"Enough for me to know the truth, all of it!" In truth Frankie didn't know what the diaries contained, she had barely skimmed the surface. All of the information she had used against him so far had come from Gina's letter.

Jon became still and silent. When he spoke it was hardly a whisper. "I…I didn't believe her…when she told me…I never believed she could."

"How could you not? She was in love with you from the start…from the very first day." Frankie asked incredulous.

Jon jumped to his feet and Frankie reflexively took a step back. "Damn it! I didn't KNOW! When she told me I just…"

"You just what, thought it was a line to get in your pants? What exactly did she have to gain from lying to you Jon? Please enlighten me!"

"You know what… fuck it, there is no way that I can explain this to you that you won't twist around to suit yourself. You didn't fucking know her and you certainly don't know me…"

"No and I think I've made it clear I don't want to!" Frankie interrupted but he carried on as if she hadn't spoken.

"It…me leaving… it wasn't about her, t was never about her it was about me god damn it. I didn't believe I was good enough for her. I loved your mother. I don't care what you say, what you believe or what kind of letter or diary or fucking time capsule you pull out of your ass, there is nothing you can say that will taint the memories of what we had." He raged. "I'm outta here, but before I go I want you to know one thing. I think what you did today was just… well it was fucking cruel. I think your mother…take your pick which…would be ashamed to know that you could do that to another person let alone your father. You think about that for a while."

Jon stormed from the room and slamming the door behind him.

"Mr. Rock Star doesn't like being put on the spot me thinks." Frankie said quietly to the empty room but as her bravado crumbled she realized that – about one thing at least – he was absolutely correct.

Chapter 6

Beth cursed softly at the sound of the door bell. She was in the process of cleaning her small home studio and was elbow deep in grime. She wiped the back of her hand across her brow and down the side of her face to shift a stray wisp of hair that had escaped the Versace scarf she was wearing to protect it from getting mussed. As she did a streak of paint unknowingly transferred to her cheek. She rubbed her palms down over the slightly too small, white machine shrunk T and tatty paint stained denim cutoffs as she made her way to the door.

Jon heard movement behind the door and his nerves kicked up a notch....how was that even possible? The metallic crunch of locks alerted him to the imminent opening of the door but nothing could prepare him for what he found on the other side.

A woman stood before him, he couldn't quite place her age, early thirties maybe, and though she was not Gina, he could not find it in himself to be disappointed, for despite her state of disarray, she was one of the loveliest creatures he had ever seen.

Beth stood in the doorway - uncomfortable given the state she was in - under the visitor's intent stare. She recognised him immediately and had known this day would come, but she hadn't expected it so soon. She watched as his gaze quickly took in the lines of her slender curves, pausing as most did on the usual assets – her long toned legs, her tiny waist and her firm perky breasts. She had no doubt that, had she turned around, he would have, very much, admired her ass as well.

Jon gave the woman the cursory head to toe…Very nice indeed. Her lips were full; her tongue darted out to moisten them as he continued to appraise her. A slight blush colored her high cheekbones. When his eyes finally came to rest on hers they were warm, chocolate brown and expressive. He felt he would get lost in their depths.

He wondered who she was. If he hadn't been so distracted by his purpose in being there he may have realized that this woman was exactly his type. He may have even asked for a phone number. But at that moment only one woman clouded his thoughts.

"Hello, my name is Jon Bon Jovi. I was hoping to see Gina please." He asked politely.

"I am aware of who you are Mr. Bon Jovi. But I'm sorry there is no Gina here." Beth wondered if playing dumb would deter him. She wasn't ready for her life to be disrupted like this, not so soon after…

Jon wondered if he'd been given the wrong address... Was he in the right place? He pulled the address from his pocket and showed it to the woman. "I am in the right place aren't I?"

Beth hesitated. She hated to lie. But she wasn't...not really. "You are at that address, yes. But there is no Gina here. I'm sorry!" She spoke softly as she began to close the door.

The whole thing confused Beth a little; she had expected him to ask for Frankie. In fact, come to think of it, the fact that he was asking after Gina at all, was strange. Didn't he know her fate? Beth had always assumed that Jon would have received a letter from Gina similar to the one her daughter had...asking him to contact her so that she could reveal a long hidden secret to him, vague and cryptic yet with enough clues to solve the mystery. She had always thought of this first contact as being about him discovering the child he had never known. But if he didn't receive the letter….what had led him here?

Beth doubted that Frankie had contacted him. She knew that her daughter had worked out the mystery of the letter. They had discussed it briefly but Frankie was very resistant to contacting "the man who got my mother pregnant" as she put it, she never referred to him in any affectionate way…she couldn't bring herself to use the word father. She had said - in her mind - he was just so far removed from what that word meant.

Jon put his hand against the door to stop her. "Well, is there a Frankie McKenzie here?"

Beth sighed audibly. So maybe she had contacted him.

"She doesn't live here, no." Disappointment was immediately evident on his face. "But I am her mother." She continued reluctantly.

Jon's reaction was one of mixed emotion... at first illogical, irrational relief - in view of what he knew, if only subconsciously, to be true - she wasn't his after all. This was rapidly followed by disappointment, then anger and...loss. He realised he'd already formed an attachment to the young woman.

"But .... She told me her mother was a very good friend from my past." He swept his hand through his short brown hair; confusion was evident on his face now.

"When?"

"Last night, about the same time she dropped the bombshell that I was her father." He said, then added in a disgusted tone, "Hey…Is this some kind of sick joke? ...because I can tell you, I ain't finding it the least bit funny."

"I wasn't aware she was looking. I thought it was still too soon for her." Beth said absently, more to herself than this man on her doorstep. That bought her to her senses, "Oh...How rude of me. Please come in. Can I offer you a drink?"

Jon didn't move. "What's going on here? I think I'm missing something."

"I'm sorry. It seems my manners have completely eluded me in the face of your news. I am Elizabeth McKenzie, I am not Frankie's birth mother, but she is very much my daughter. My husband and I adopted her as an infant." Beth held out a hand and he shook it gently. A jolt of electricity passed through her hand at his touch.

"I am expecting a visit from her shortly." Beth gestured for him to enter again, this time he complied. "Can I get you that drink?"

Jon nodded, "Thank you. Coffee please if it's not too much trouble."

"Of course. How do you take it?" Jon had an irresistible urge to reach out and wipe the grime from her face. He shoved his hands deep in his pockets. It was way too familiar a gesture.

"Strong and black, thank you." He watched her as she began to move towards what he assumed was the kitchen.

"I won't be but a moment."

"I would really like to see Gina. Do you know where she is?"

Jon watched as Beth stiffened at the question, but continued to move. "I'm sorry; it is not my place to tell you that... perhaps Frankie will be able to help you." She shouted from the kitchen

While Jon waited for Elizabeth to return he studied the meticulous apartment. Several well known paintings adorned the walls and on almost every available surface a family photo... or ten... was displayed. He moved around the room following his daughter's - now that would take some getting used to, the thought echoed - his daughter's development though the many photographs. He observed that like most children her features had changed through the years and there were periods where she looked decidedly more like his daughter, more like him, than she did now.

In pride of place on the ornate granite mantle surrounding the fireplace were several photos of Frankie, at different ages, with a handsome distinguished looking gentleman he recognised as Branson from his previous business dealings. A stab of pain gripped him as he realised that it should have been him in those photos. It should have been him pushing her on the swing, her giggling in glee. It should have been him teaching her to ride her first bicycle and fixing her scrapes when she fell off. It should have been him engaging her in the first snowball fight of the season and it should have been him standing proudly beside her in her cap and gown as she graduated, with honours it would seem, from high school. It could have been him in those photos, would have been him if only he'd known.

Jon felt a small surge of anger towards Gina then. How could she have kept this from him? She had cheated him out of eighteen years of his daughter's life. Having four other children of his own, he knew just how precious that time was.

A key turning in the lock at the end of the hallway snapped him out of his reverie and he looked with interest in the direction of the noise.

"It's only me mom. You here?" It was a question rather than a statement. Frankie was occupied with arranging her belongings in her handbag as she entered the living room thus failing to notice the guest who stood quietly near the Fireplace, intently observing her.

Jon cleared his throat…he didn't want to startle her. His attempt at subtlety was in vain. Frankie did startle - almost violently. Her body becoming stone still the second her eyes met his. When she spoke her tone was harsh and cold "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see you. Did you really think I'd just forget our conversation last night?"

"How did you get in here? Where is my mom?"

Beth yelled from the kitchen. "I let him in honey. I'll be out in a moment." She wanted to observe her daughters initial reaction from the safety of the kitchen.

"Actually I'm glad you mentioned your mother. Don't you think you left out some important bits of information last night?

"Such as? I told you then it was need to know and you don't need to know anything."

"I came here expecting to find Gina"

"So you didn't come to see me after all...you're here for Gina."

Jon's jaw clenched. He could see this conversation would be an uphill battle. "I came here to see both of you."

"Well as you can see she isn't here, and I have no interest in seeing you...so if you don't mind." Frankie gestured towards the door. She saw her mother watching with interest framed by the kitchen door jamb.

"Right," The word was slow and drawn out "And you expect me to believe that? If you really had no interest in seeing me you never would have even spoken to me last night."

"I can see that is a mistake I will be paying for long into the future. I was taken of guard last night...it was never my intention to approach you. And believe me if I could take it back I would."

Jon glared at her in disbelief "Take it back? What exactly do you mean? Who your father is, is not something you can take back."

Frankie watched her mother's face crumble fleetingly and then smooth over, as she reacted to Jon's choice of words. She took a deep breath and clenched her jaw in an attempt to control her temper.

"You are not my father....just an unfortunate accident."

"Sorry but I just don't believe you honey" Jon replied, oblivious to the pain he had caused Beth. "You need a little more practice before you try to bullshit a bullshitter."

"At least your self-assessment is spot on." Frankie spat.

Jon smirked "Yeah, whatever, honey. Look, I came here to see Gina, yes, but I also wanted to talk to you. Last night I was in shock but the more I thought about it, the more I think you're right. I am your father. I only need to look at you to see that and the timing is certainly right." This next part had to be done just right. He couldn't have her thinking that she would be able to come in and disrupt his life. Their relationship had to be on his terms. "Now I'm sure you want to be part of my life now that you've found me, so I just wanted to let you know that I'm open to that. We'll have to figure out a way to make it work, of course, so it doesn't interfere with my kids, but I'm sure we can come up …"

Beth stood by, eyes wide in horror, as she braced herself for what she knew would come next.

Frankie's voice took on a steely edge "You really are something… you know that...did nothing I said to you last night sink in."

"I'm sorry. I don't know what you're talking about" This was hardly the reaction Jon was expecting. He wasn't expecting open arms by any means…he knew it would be difficult, but this…

"Let me spell it out for you. I don't want to look at you let alone spend time with you. I have no interest whatsoever in being a part of your life. In fact if I never see you again it will be much too soon. Did you understand me that time?"

Frankie watched as Jon's shoulder slumped slightly, his confidence wavering in the face of her vehement statement. "I don't think you mean that."

Frankie stared him down. "THINK AGAIN!! I have never meant anything more."

"You'll come around, I'm sure. But meanwhile, I need to talk to your mother." He shot a glance at Beth "I mean your real mother" The death stare on the faces of both women had him realizing his mistake very quickly.

"Shit… I keep fucking this up." He turned to Beth. "My apologies." Then back to Frankie. "Could you please take me to Gina?"

"I don't think that's possible."

"Why not? Isn't she still in the city?"

Frankie considered her answer carefully. "She's… close by."

"So what's the problem? She and I need to talk. I'm sure she probably wants to see me too."

"I doubt that."

Beth continued to watch the exchange with interest.

Jon shook his head in disbelief "You are unreal. Why on earth would she not want to see me? I fathered her child." He grinned wryly. "She might wanna kick my ass at first but I think we need to talk to each other."

"Don't you think the fact that she never contacted you speaks volumes?"

"I'm married. I'm sure she probably didn't want to disrupt my life."

"Yes that was it...she preferred to do all this alone to spare you the inconvenience." Frankie said, the sarcasm in her words not lost on him.

"That's why I'd like to see her again. To, you know, thank her…I guess."

"Thank her...that's laughable. Do you think she did this for you? HA!"

"You don't think she deserves to be thanked for what she gave up for you? Besides, what we had, well, we were…. good friends." He grinned at the memory, "I'm sure she'd like to catch up on old times."

"FOR ME???? What do you know about what she gave up?" Bitterness laced her words but a deep sadness was evident on her face.

"Well I can imagine."

Frankie mumbled, "I doubt that." But then she considered his request and a cruel little smile twisted her lips.

Immediately Beth interpreted Frankie's expression. "Can I see you in the kitchen honey?"

"Not now mama…I'm busy" She turned to Jon then. "Sooo," she stretched out the word, "you really want to see her that bad huh?"

Jon rolled his eyes "That's what I have been trying to tell you honey." He turned to Beth then, "She's a little hard headed, isn't she?" He recognized where that trait came from and grinned in amusement.

Beth just smiled quickly in response.

"You sure you want to do this?" Frankie asked a little impatiently. "Just remember, there's no going back…"

"Did I stutter? Look I am sure I deserve her worst...I'll just have to deal with that, but she had her fair share of blame here as well."

"Fine! Let's go then." Frankie was already heading to the door.

"Great!" Jon had his car keys out of his pocket and was following after Frankie.

"Frances Gina Carol, you get your butt back here immediately" Beth said sternly.

Jon stood by and watched as Frankie walked back to her mother, his brow quirking in amusement at the slight Southern accent he suddenly detected in Elizabeth's voice.

When Beth spoke it was barely audible to Jon despite his close proximity. It was something she didn't want him to hear…so of course, he listened closer.

"Honey, I really don't think this is a very good idea," Beth whispered.

Frankie's expression softened at her mother's worried tone. "Mom, it'll be fine", she said softly before turning back towards the door.

Beth grabbed her daughter's arm and spoke in urgent, hushed tones. "Have you really thought this through? I know you're upset right now, but I don't think he deserves..."

Frankie stopped her mother there. "He asked for it, Mama." There wasn't a trace of disrespectfulness in her voice, but nothing was going to deter her from the course she had set now.

"Ok, but it's on your head. Make sure you're not doing something you'll regret later."

"Stop worrying so much. I know what I'm doing," Frankie responded. Jon watched as she leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on Elizabeth's cheek, but her eyes were hard as she turned back to him. "You ready?"

Jon only nodded in response. He was still trying to determine the significance of what had just transpired. Had Beth just defended him? 'Defend' wasn't really the right word, he didn't think, but it seemed she was trying to protect him from something…but what?"

"Frankie…think about what you are doing." Beth sighed deeply, "Please honey."

Frankie waved at her mother and was out the door before Beth could say any more.

Jon turned towards her, extending his hand to shake. "Thank you, Elizabeth, for…ah…the coffee and everything It was lovely to meet you. I just wish it was under better circumstances."

Beth sighed again, "Me too!" There was a hint of sadness and apology in her voice.

Frankie yelled impatiently from the foyer, "Are you coming or not?"

Jon shrugged and followed his daughter out into the foyer and into the waiting elevator. "So where to?"

Frankie ignored his question. "Where is the car?"

Jon pressed the remote and indicated to the Green BMW parked at the curb. He'd been lucky with parking …at least something had gone right.

He opened the door for Frankie, waited for her to slide in, then closed it behind her.

When he was settled behind the wheel, he asked again. "Where to?"

"Just drive…I'll direct you," she said confidently.

The atmosphere on the drive was very tense. There was no small talk, no getting to know each other. Frankie directed…Jon drove, but he couldn't help wondering where her head was. She, on the other hand, had no interest in his thoughts at all.

He followed her directions out of New York and on to Jersey City. They followed the I-95 for about half an hour before turning on to the Garden State Parkway and following it for about the same length of time, passing the town of his birth, Perth Amboy.

Jon knew these streets like the back of his hand and found it impossible to believe that Gina had been so near all this time…but maybe she hadn't.

"How long has she been out here?" he asked softly.

"Since I was born." Frankie did not elaborate.

"Oh." His mouth silently formed the word.

It appeared they were heading to Asbury Park when Frankie directed him to make a left turn. Five minutes later, he was pulling up at the gates of Woodbine Cemetery.

"What are we doing here?" He asked as Frankie undid her belt and got out of the car. He followed.

Frankie rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I guess iIt's true what they say about the pretty ones," she said cuttingly.

Jon followed Frankie as she wove her way through the grounds of the cemetery. As cemeteries went, it was a nice one – lush green lawns, beautiful gardens, elegant shade trees. After walking for a few minutes, he spotted their destination, an ornately carved headstone in the name of McKenzie.

But Frankie barely paused there. Instead, she ran her fingers over the top of the grave stone as she passed, caressing the cold hard stone lovingly, "Hello Daddy."

She continued to walk...he continued to follow.

Jon was beginning to think she was a little unbalanced. "Where are we going? What is this, a lesson in genealogy?"

"Something like that," she answered and the stopped before a large stone angel.

"Gina..." she said formally, "I'm sure you remember Jon."

Frankie watched Jon's emotions change in the expressions on his face, first horror… then rapidly anger and disbelief.

"What is this?" He growled. "Is this some kind of sick fucking joke? Because this is not funny, DAMN IT."

"I wish it was." Frankie said sadly.

Jon moved closer to the headstone to better read it.

In loving memory

Gina Romeo

Born 10 july 1962

Died 14 november 1989

Now an angel watching over her daughter Frances.

He read the inscription, his eyes fixed on the date of death. He looked at Frankie, pleading.

"But that's…" he began, nearly stuttering in shock….

She nodded wondering why she wasn't feeling the vindictive pleasure she was expecting from his expression of tortured regret.

"Oh fuck!"

He felt, rather than saw, Frankie watching with interest as the blood drained from his face. He felt sick, bile rising in his throat as he collapsed to his knees on the soft blanket of green grass covering Gina's grave… his Gina. He fell forward, his hands rested on the cold ground, his head bowed.

Jon's eyes stung as he furiously tried to blink back the tears that threatened to fall. What right did he have to cry at her grave after what he had done to her? But he was fighting a losing battle. As the horror of the situation set in, the tears fell unchecked.

"Oh my god...Gina." His voice broke on her name.

Chapter 5

Jon stood at the door of the Park Avenue apartment, his right hand leaning on the door jamb, his fingers tapping an anxious rhythm against it. He had managed to bypass the doorman and was now standing in the foyer on her floor. He was a bundle of nerves. He couldn't remember the last time he had been so nervous. In fact in twenty five plus years of performing and public appearances nothing had ever affected him as much as this one moment.

It had taken him exactly twelve hours to reconcile himself to the fact that he needed to see her again and less than two to act on it. It had just gone midday and here he was at her door after just a few well placed phone calls to retrieve the information he required. The drive home from the Gala the evening before was uncomfortable to say the least.

Initially he thought it would be fine. The ride home spent in stony silence. Dot dealt with these matters in one of two ways, an immediate tirade of – usually well deserved – abuse, or she ignored it all together. It seemed she had chosen the later in this case. As a result Jon got all the way into their bedroom and was half undressed in his complacency when it started.

Dots voice had a hard edge when she spoke. "Well?? Are you going to say anything?

"What's there to say?" Fuck she's pissed. This is not going to be good. Jon rolled his eyes. Hell, it's gonna go there anyway. May as well get it over with!

"Just go right ahead and take it there Dot. I know you want to." How many times had they had this same conversation about his fidelity – ironically in the very early days, the focus of those conversations was usually Gina. But hey, it wasn't like she was some kind of saint either, Dot had had her dalliances over the years.

Dots voice was measured when she spoke. "It's more a case of have to than want to. She's yours isn't she?"

Jon's jaw snapped shut in an effort to quiet the misplaced rage that threatened to escape. It didn't work. "I fucking KNEW it." He exploded. "You always have to assume the worst don't you? What the fuck is with you Dorothea?"

"What the fuck is with you asshole?" She spat back "It was pretty fucking obvious to me!"

"Give me a fucking break would you? For ONCE?!?! Why does it always have to come back to this same old bullshit Dorothea? If you're so sure I fuck around on you why do you stay?" He knew what was coming in response to that and cursed himself for asking it.

Her answer came in a calm resigned voice. "You know very well I don't give a fuck what you do anymore... But those kids.... they mean more to me than my life. If suffering through this intolerable marriage with you keeps them happy and oblivious...well, I'll find a way to tolerate it. But do not for one second think that I am oblivious to anything. For once Jon, admit the truth. This time it can't be denied. What's that saying? ...The proof is in the pudding. Well let's say I got a good taste tonight."

Jon had no justified response. He just wanted her to shut up so he could think. "Just stop Dorothea, you're embarrassing yourself." As if he could be that lucky.

"I'm embarrassing myself am I? You are the one with the illegitimate child and you think I am embarrassing myself? I don't think so!"

"Don't you fucking dare say that shit to me. You don't know what the fuck you're talking about?" With Jon's raised voice and colourful language Dot was glad that the children were asleep in the other wing of the house.

"Oh come on Jon." Dot wasn't sure if her husband was being difficult just to irritate her or if he was truly in denial. "I am not blind. It's obvious. All you have to do is look at her. And I assume when you were upstairs you weren't discussing the weather."

"It's none of your fucking business what we were discussing. As far as she's concerned you're on a need to know basis. And right now I don't think you need to know shit." Jon heard the words come out of his mouth – need to know - and realized immediately that they were an echo of what the girl had said to him earlier. If he wasn't so irate he may have found it amusing. "You just do what you're best at baby. Keep your nose out of my business and everything'll be fine."

"Fine Jon,... have it your way. But know this one thing" Dot stood before him now only inches away, an icy stare frozen in place, her forefinger poking him in the chest. If this mess you've created in any way touches our kids... God fucking help you. Because I can promise you this, no soul here on earth will have a chance."

Jon fisted his hand at his sides to prevent himself from slapping her hand away. Instead he took several steps backwards, in the direction of the bathroom. "Don't even go there Dorothea. You don't have anything to be fucking threatening me for, so you know this one thing... nothing and I mean nothing will touch those children but if you want to start making idle threats in an attempt to take me down,...well, when I am through with you, you won't have so much as a pot to piss in."

Dot ignored his threat. She had heard it all before. It had been a long time since things were right in their marriage. "I know what I saw Jon. And when you are ready to be honest with yourself, you will know it too!"

"I don't give a fuck what you fucking think you saw. Like I said...need to know, baby. So just shut your mouth. It has nothing to do with you!"

Jon spun and took the two remaining steps that would find him in the sanctuary of the bathroom. He slammed and latched the door behind him, then stood in the middle of the room seething. He couldn't even close his eyes...every time he did he saw red. He now knew the meaning of the saying. He moved to the vanity and leaned on it with still fisted hands - the skin over his knuckles strained and white – looking down into the basin. He took several deep cleansing breaths in an attempt to abate his anger. Slowly he began to calm down.

It was several long minutes before Jon could look up into mirror in their bathroom. He feared what he might see there, afraid to see the monster he knew he became in a fit of rage, a monster that seemed to rear its ugly head more and more often lately in relation to his wife. He wondered when exactly things had gotten so bad.

When Jon finally did look into the mirror, the inconsequential thing he noticed first surprised him. His hand found the old faded tattoo on his left arm. Gina had always called him her Superman... the tattoo was kind of a tribute to her in an oblique kind of a way. Absently, the thoughts of Gina evolved into thoughts of Frankie.

Jon stared intently at the face before him in the mirror. The girls face flashed in his mind's eye as he studied his own features, so similar yet so very different from hers. There was no doubt in his mind that she was Gina's daughter. That was a given. But could she really be his? The image of her piercing blue eyes assailed him - his piercing blue eyes, only in a female face. He thought of his daughter...his other daughter Stephanie and then startled abruptly as he realised his thought pattern...other daughter...he had more than one. He knew then without a shadow of a doubt... Frankie was his!

Chapter 4

"Well that's ok 'honey'" she said emphasising the term of endearment he had used on her "I have no intention of 'doing' my father!"

Frankie spun on her heal the second the words were out of her mouth and strode away. She had taken all of five steps when a firm hand grasped the top of her arm and spun her one hundred and eighty degrees.

"Be very careful about making claims like that before you have all the facts honey."

"Oh I have all the facts I need...and plenty I never wanted to know thank you very much." Frankie muttered.

"Please keep your voice down" Jon spoke through clenched teeth as he began to lead Frankie through the house to find an empty room.

"Why? Are you really that ashamed of your past?" Frankie tried to pull away as he continued from room to room becoming more and more agitated when he found each of them occupied. He steered her towards the stairs.

"Look I don't know who the fuck you are, or what the fuck you're trying to accomplish here but you're barking up the wrong tree darlin'" he whispered menacingly in her ear.

"Really? Am I? Well if you can tell me telling me that you and your wife have always been totally monogamous...even before marriage I will drop this right now." Frankie squirmed in his steely grasp and winced "Ouch"

His reply came in a measured voice "Leave..my..wife..out of this"

"Look, you know what...it really doesn't matter either way." Frankie said. They were now in an upstairs hallway overlooking the living area below and he was leading her to the room at the far end. "I have no interest in pursuing a relationship with you anyway, so if you will kindly release my arm I will be on my way" Frankie struggled against him but he wouldn't have it. Why couldn't I just keep my stupid mouth shut? She thought.

"Oh I don't think so honey" He manoeuvred her into the room which was obviously the master bedroom. As distracted as he was, he didn't notice the set of eyes following him through the railing from the living room below. "Look, like I said I don't know what the fuck you're trying to do here but if you think you can make some kind of ridiculous claims on me you are VERY mistaken"

"I'm not making any claims at all...not on your time, or your money, or on anything else....I was just stating a very unfortunate fact." Frankie yanked her arm free of his hand and began to move for the door. She felt uncomfortable being alone with him. She had done lots of research since figuring out the truth and was of the impression that his temper was somewhat volatile, especially when something posed a risk to his family. And what constituted more of a risk than an undiscovered love child.

Jon moved to step between Frankie and the door and she took an automatic step back. Was that fear he saw in her eyes? Fuck could I handle this any worse? He worked to calm himself before speaking again. When he did, his voice was cool and controlled. "Ok, I'll bite. Who the fuck do you think you are?"

"Oh, I know who I am. Your daughter...Frankie McKenzie. I'd like to say pleased to meet you but...."She trailed off.

"Yeah, sorry hon, never had anyone with that last name." A wave of relief washed over him, it would prove to be short lived. "I mean, I'm flattered that, well, you know, but...sorry..."

"Actually I'm the one who's sorry. You would remember my mother as Gina Romeo"

The name hit him like a physical blow.

Frankie couldn't help but feel amused as she watched the bravado crumble and the colour drain from his cheeks.

"Gina?" The question in his tone was unmistakeable; it was all he could manage.

"Yes that's right"

"Gina....is your mother?"

"Yes...are you a little hard of hearing? All that rock music taking a toll is it?" She asked derisively. "Gina was my mother and you" she paused , searching for the right words "...you were, unfortunately my... sperm donor."

Jon walked over to the window and stared blindly out over the party that was taking place below. Frankie's use of past tense was lost on him as memories of the past assaulted him. His thumb and forefinger massaged his furrowed brow as he contemplated the possibility of her claims.

"No... that's not possible" he concluded aloud turning to face her.

"So then you and she never...." Frankie, for the briefest of seconds, considered that she may be wrong before he spoke again.

"We were only together the once." He said disbelievingly, shaking his head.

"You seem like a relatively intelligent person to me. I don't need to give you a biology lesson do I? That's all it takes. Just once. That's all it took. What rotten luck huh? One quick fuck and...congratulations you're a daddy"

Jon bit down hard on his lip to prevent some glib comment from spewing forth from his mouth. He turned away again, deep in thought.

"Where is she? Did she put you up to this?" He asked, looking through his tortured expression reflected in the glass. A torrent of emotion was washing through him. He had no interest in this girl and her lies yet he was fascinated and excited by the prospect of seeing Gina again. He had thought of her often through the years, and had even spent a small fortune in Europe trying to find her to no avail.

Frankie ignored the first question. This conversation was, henceforth, strictly need to know... and he didn't. "No she did not! Can we please just forget this little exchange? I never intended for this to happen. I just didn't want to give you the wrong idea. Though why I cared what you thought of me, I will never know."

Jon looked at this young woman a little more closely. There was a resemblance to Gina. Or was he just imagining it, wishing it to be true. She had been his best friend but it had been so very long. Had time slowly robbed him of his memories of her? Had it dulled the image of her that he kept safe in a corner of his brain? He thought not... but then it had been... how many years had it been?

"When is your birthday?"

"November 14" She answered quickly.

"What year?"

"1989" She answered just as quick. He was expecting the hesitation of uncertainty.

"Fuck!" He cursed softly, almost inaudibly, almost. The last time he had seen Gina was Valentine's Day 1989. It was the first and only time they had made love.

"Falling into place is it?" She said smugly.

"Ok look, I don't know what you want from me..." She interrupted him then

"I told you...Nothing!" She almost yelled it. "Not a god damn thing. Why would I want anything to do with the man that ruined my family...my life."

A look of confusion crossed his face as she continued to speak.

"As far as I am concerned I will be quite happy to walk from this room and never see you again. In fact at this point that is my sincerest hope. To me, you are just a reminder of everything bad in my life."

"I haven't ruined anything." He said the confusion he felt now evident in his voice.

"If only you knew." She whispered quietly as he talked over her.

"And if you feel you should walk away... please be my guest. I do not need your brand of melodrama in my life. If I want that I'll go back to acting. Besides, I am sure this won't be the last I'll see of you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"There is no way you being here tonight was just a fucking coincidence! Now let's get this clear I am not admitting anything here, but I'd like your mom to call me. I really do think that it's pretty pathetic that she sent a child here to do this."

"I told you she didn't send me. I am working! Though if I knew you would be here I would have made other arrangements."

"Right honey! And what exactly were you "working"? His expression hardened again. His jaw was clenched and she could see the muscles twitch slightly beneath the skin. Her lies just kept getting bigger and more fantastic the longer he listened.

"I run the McKenzie gallery. Think about it. I am sure you recognise the name. You were a client of my fathers"

"You... run... the McKenzie Gallery" He said incredulous. "Give me a break will ya kid. How fantastical is this story going to get? You're barely out of high school"

Frankie winced at his words. It was a thought that often plagued her own mind and it disconcerted her that he thought the same.

"Well that's something we agree on. Though unfortunately I am sure when my dad wrote his will he wasn't expecting to die so soon." Her voice cracked on the word "die". She still had trouble coping with the new reality of her life.

Jon blinked once very slowly "Your dad...is...dead?"

"You obviously don't read the society pages...yes nine months ago. Killed in a car accident."

"I'm ....sorry" He was quiet for a moment. His dipped his head closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Could I be any more of an ass?

"Is... Is Gina....ok?"

"Well she couldn't be worse off than she was when she was with you." Frankie snapped, the pain of her father's passing now raw in her chest.

Jon showed little reaction to her comment but she noticed his jaw tighten almost imperceptibly.

"I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish here but if you think you have some kind of claim on me you're gonna have to show me something more than just... well what you look like and an interesting coincidence as far as dates are concerned. I'd suggest that if you want to continue this discussion you call my attorney."

Jon pulled his wallet from his back pocket and handed her a business card. Frankie didn't even bother to look at it before she was tearing it into tiny shreds, the pieces falling to the floor like snow.

"You really haven't been listening have you?" She asked exasperated.

The audacity of her actions astonished him. A low chuckle, born of shock and admiration, escaped him. He stood there staring at her, studying her and waited for her to shy away from his intent gaze, but she held firm her eyes meeting his in a very familiar, very disconcerting gaze.

"Frankie.... That's not very feminine. I can't imagine Gina naming her daughter that. Is it short for something?"

"Frances"

He assumed as much but that did nothing to lessen the shock when it was confirmed.

Frankie, seeing his reaction thought she'd go one better. "Frances Gina Carol to be precise"

"Frances....Gina....Carol?" His mother's name. Now this was going too far.

"Yep that's what I said. I really do think you should have your hearing checked."

"And you've got proof that is your name?"

"What would I gain from lying about that?"

Jon shook his head in amazement...The lengths people went to.

"Tell your mother I said hello. I'm sure you...or she...can find me if you need me"

"Don't hold your breath" Frankie shot over her shoulder as headed for the door.

"Can I ask you one question before you go?"

"Why not..." she said exasperated, her hand on the door knob, her escape from this nightmare imminent.

"Why now? I mean, I haven't heard from Gina in ... in nearly 20 years. Is it because...her..."He had trouble with the word husband ... that's funny, he thought. "...your father is dead now?"

"How many different ways can I say this. I told you already....I didn't want this...I didn't plan it. It was just an unfortunate twist of fate."

"You're not answering my question. Did she plan it? I mean... it wouldn't be that hard to find out I was gonna be here tonight." He said probing.

"I told you no. I was working. That's all. There was no plan. No premeditation."

Jon was finding it very difficult to swallow that this girl claiming to be his daughter was here by coincidence. The doubt was plain on his face.

"If you don't want to believe me, that's fine. Talk to Cary, Jon...the donation was planned over a year ago with my father. I'm just following through." Cary Elwes had been pivotal in the planning of the Gala. Frankie had observed him talking to Jon earlier in the night.

"Yeah well, just tell your mom to call me... if she wants to... discuss things...or whatever" He looked down and played with his wedding ring as he spoke, was that a trace of vulnerability she detected in his voice.

"Like I said, don't hold your breath. I can guarantee she won't."

It was Frankie's parting comment. Jon looked up to see the door click closed behind her. He let out a deep breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

Dot watched the young girl emerge from the upstairs bedroom and rejoin the party as if nothing had happened. It would never cease to amaze her, the brazen nature of these young women that found her husband so very irresistible. So irresistible in fact, that they were willing to fuck him not fifty feet from his wife.

This girl was different somehow though. There was not the glow that she had witnessed countless times before on the faces of her husband conquests. This girl looked almost... disappointed...sad. Maybe he was losing his touch, she thought smugly. That would serve him right.

A few minutes later the door opened again and Jon emerged. Dot turned quickly away, she didn't want him to see her watching him. She moved to a secluded corner of the house where she could observe him unnoticed. He stood at the railing now, looking down upon the party, searching the crowd. She watched as his attention focused and followed his line of sight. It was her...again. That was unusual. Once he'd had his fun Jon usually lost focus very quickly, but he was staring at this one intently and it wasn't just the usual lust in his eyes. There was... confusion and... admiration.

Jon caught sight of her from upstairs. Frances.... his daughter...could it be true? He studied her closely. The way she moved. Graceful, fluid. The way she charmed every person she came into contact with. It was effortless, natural...so much like himself. And hadn't he approached her in the first place because she reminded him of Gina. The woman she claimed to be her mother. He shook his head in denial. That didn't mean a thing. So maybe Gina was her mother...that alone did not make him her father. But if everything else she had mentioned was true...well wasn't that just too many coincidences?

Making his way back downstairs he kept her in sight. She flittered from group to group. Laughing here, complimenting there as the company required. He couldn't be sure but she did seem to be working, just as she had informed him. He searched her features intently, looking for any small resemblance to himself, but she was her mother all over. It was a sham... he was almost sure of it. It had to be. And then her gaze caught his. Steely blue eyes stared at him with curiosity, eyes that perfectly mirrored his own.

"So... once wasn't enough then. It's not enough that humiliate me when you leave the party to screw a woman young enough to be your daughter. Oh no... you have to continue your fixation in front of all of our friends." Dot stood behind him and spoke through gritted teeth, just loud enough so that only he would hear, a fake smile plastered on her otherwise furious features.

"It's not like that"

"Really? So please...tell me what it is like? Tell me why she is different to the dozens of women you've fucked just like her. Jesus Jon...I know we have an arrangement but for fucks sake can't you at least be discrete." She nodded at an old acquaintance as they passed by...Jon managed a tight smile.

"This is not the place to discuss this Dorothea." He began to move away from the annoyance that was his wife, crossing the room. Frankie was still working the party and he had lost sight of her.

"I say it is. What makes her so special that you are willing to risk your reputation? Was she that good? Or is this revenge for my comment earlier?"

"I'm not that petty Dot and I really don't give a fuck what you think anymore. I am only with you now for the kids."

His comment hit hard. "Nice"

"True"

"So did she just suck you off? ... It was quick. Oh maybe your stamina isn't what it once was?" She asked hoping to get a rise out of him.

"I didn't fuck her."

"Just a blow job then...explains what you are still so interested. She must have a magic mouth."

"Her mouth never came near me. Neither did the rest of her body. The reason I am so interested is because she is..."he hesitated.... my daughter...no not yet, not without proof, "Gina's daughter."

"Gina who?"

"My Gina"

Dot stiffened visibly and winced at his phrasing...my Gina. That stung. She stood frozen for a moment then a silent 'Oh' formed on Dorothea's lips. She had only ever tolerated the woman who had clearly been in love with her man.

"Where is she? Gina, I mean. I assume she wants something. To be coming back into your life after all this time." Though she didn't know the whole truth - could it be called that – no, the whole story, Dots words reflected perfectly his thoughts... "Why now?"

"No idea...The girl said it was a coincidence." He motioned towards her as she stood before a painting, obviously discussing its finer points, a clipboard and pen in hand. "Apparently she is working."

"I suppose that's possible" Dot conceded. "Stranger things have happened."

She studied the woman from across the room but was unsatisfied with the view. She began to stroll in her direction.

"Dot... What are you doing?" Jon was immediately at her side when Dot began to move in the girls direction.

"Going to talk to her... What do you think? Gina was my friend too you know." The look on Jon's face told Dot that he very much disagreed with that recollection.

"Leave her be" he hissed.

Jon's thinly veiled threat was enough to spark her curiosity and propel her those last few steps to the girl. Dot tapped the young woman on the shoulder and waited for her to turn. When she did – a warm smile on her face - Dot recoiled in shock. It took her less than one second to assess this young woman and determine what Jon had been unable to believe. This was her husband's daughter.

It was unmistakeable. His eyes peered at her from this unfamiliar face. Perfectly straight white teeth flashed in a stunning smile. Her hair was the same colour as his and as she stood there pen in hand - poised over her clipboard in a pose reminiscent of a secretary - her pinkie finger protruded recognizably crooked from her hand.

Dot took a moment to reconcile her thoughts before she spoke. Still her voice was shaky when she did.

"Sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt your work. We're just on our way out, but when Jon told me you were Gina's daughter I just had to say hello. You are very much like your mother...just as beautiful" And too much like your father. It was like her past had come back to haunt her. There was no way that Dot could remain in the same place as this...this person. She needed to escape and it had to be now.

Frankie stood stunned unable to speak...What had he told her? What should she say? Sorry just didn't seem appropriate and she couldn't handle another confrontation tonight. Even now she was struggling to remain composed under Jon's distant – he was on the other side of the room hedging ever closer to the exit - but watchful gaze.

As if attune to Frankie's thoughts and feelings Dot continued quickly, her words rushed, her voice beginning to crack. "Any way like I said, we are just heading out but I wanted to tell you to give my regards to your mom...it's been way too long." And I'd like nothing better than to keep it that way.

Before Frankie could even utter a word the woman was gone. She watched as Dot crossed the room to her husband. She watched the tight set of Jon's jaw and the deep scowl as his wife approached. When she reached him she indicated, none too subtly, that it was time to go. Without as much as a backwards glance the pair headed out the door.

 

Chapter 3

"Hey Daddy" Frankie said quietly.

It had been a couple of days since she had spoken to her father and she missed him terribly.

She sat down on the cold icy grass, the waning autumn sun offering little warmth now. It was a month since that fateful night of which Frankie had very little memory. The night two police officers arrived on her doorstep to inform her and her mother that her father had been killed in a motor vehicle accident. That was the precise moment that her memory faltered. Fortunately for Frankie, her already over taxed brain had shut down on hearing that awful word, she was already under so much stress that apparently her mind had decided she was incapable of dealing with more.

Frankie had regained 'consciousness' a week later in the midst of her father's funeral. At the gravesite, just as the coffin was to be lowered into the earth, she shocked all present when she moved to its side, laid a kiss where her father's head would be and whispered "I'm sorry Daddy. I love you."

The weeks since had been agonizing. Frankie could not bear to look at her mother, how could she? She had killed her soul mate just as sure as if she had been driving the offending vehicle herself. Every time she looked into her mother's sorrowful eyes, she could see the hurt and the pain, and knew that she put it there.

Frankie learnt that in that first week she had been almost catatonic. She wouldn't accept food. She wouldn't talk. She wouldn't leave her room. Sophie came to the house and dressed her for her father's funeral, her uncle Peter had practically carried her to the mourning car, then into the church and later to the gravesite, supporting her with a strong arm around her waist. Beth was as strong as she could be for her daughter, but she was fighting her own demons, and didn't have the strength required to pull Frankie out of the depression she had fallen into.

"Sorry I didn't get here yesterday..I had to meet with the lawyers." She said almost inaudibly. "Why Daddy? Why would you leave the Gallery in my care? You know I'm not ready for that."

"Yes you are baby....do you think I made that decision lightly?" Came her father's response in her mind

"I just don't know what to do. Mom is a mess Daddy. She puts on a brave face for me during the day but every night I hear her cry herself to sleep. I don't know how to help her. I can't help feeling that she blames me for what happened...she insists she doesn't but....but how could she not..." Tears ran freely down her cheeks now.

"No one blames you baby...least of all Mom" his voice came again.

"But it was my fault daddy. If only I didn't ask you to come home....if only...." She trailed off lost in thought for a moment.

Frankie felt she was losing her grip on reality but she didn't care. Sitting here by his grave she felt closer to him than anywhere else, and as long as she could hear his voice, she would continue to visit as often as she could. She had been every day since the funeral and each of them was much the same. She would sit on the grass beside the fresh gravesite and pour her heart out to her father. He had always been the one to listen when he was alive....she felt a dull ache when she thought of him. It was like there was a hole where her heart had been.

"It was an accident baby...nobody's fault...it was just my time" the voice said gently.

"No Daddy NO" She said just a little too loudly...people visiting a grave a hundred or so yards away looked to her with concern.

She lowered her voice again. "It wasn't your time! Mom needs you....I need you. I don't think I can survive without you. We are lost without you. And the gallery Daddy...who's is going to take care of the Gallery. I know you think I'm ready Daddy...but I'm not...I don't want to be."

"If it wasn't for that stupid letter...." She started.

"I'm angry Daddy" She said through gritted teeth "If it wasn't for HIM you would still be here. I guess can't really blame the letter....or her. She was just reaching out. But I can blame him. If he hadn't left her...." She trailed off.

"Honey don't judge what you don't understand...I'm sure there were reasons...."

"What could make you abandon your child? I haven't looked at that box since that day Daddy... I can't. It hurts too much. Not because of what she said. I think I can understand why Gina did what she thought was best...but how could she defend him Daddy? What kind of man could do that? I just can't understand it. I can't believe that he didn't know of my existence...or at the very least, that he doesn't know now. He must...surely he found out when she died. Someone would have contacted him...wouldn't they?" Frankie brushed the tears from her cheeks. "I guess that means that he just never wanted me. I bet I was just an inconvenience to him...well he is nothing to me and he never will be"

"Besides all that if I hadn't opened the box then...I wouldn't be sitting here now...we'd be on our way to dinner as usual"

She sat silent for a long time as she composed her emotions.

"Uncle Peter came past today" She said, her voice still a little shaky. "He's been great. Did I tell you that he has been there every couple of days since you di.... left us. He brings food.... that Aunt Edie cooks of course...and he fixed that leaky tap. You know... the one Mom asked you to fix ages ago. The cable went out and he organised for that to be fixed too. He has been really wonderful!"

"I'll reopen the Gallery on the weekend. I promise. I know it's time. Sophie has been taking care of things...but it's been easy since it's been closed. Some charity called her today...said you pledged an item for an auction next year...she had no idea what they were talking about, and neither did I, but I guess that really wasn't an unusual thing for you to do. You were always working for one charity or another. I just hope there is still a Gallery next year to make good on the donation."

"I'm going to do my best to make you proud Daddy" the lump caught in her throat again "I'm going to do my best to be the person you always wanted me to be. I'm going to work really hard and make every day count...just like you told me at Graduation."

Frankie sat silent again for long moments while memories of her time with her father flooded back to her.

"Oh Daddy.... I know you always said 'Sometimes we don't understand why things happen the way they do, but there's always a reason. It just takes time to figure out what it is'. I know you always said that Daddy but it's just not true this time...nothing good can come of this" The tears that had settled flowed fast again, choking the words in her throat. "How are we supposed to go on without you? What do we do now?"

"Just live baby...Just live...One day at a time!"

Frankie rose from her father's grave side, kissing her fingertips and touching them to the cold hard stone that marked his resting place. But instead of returning to her car she walked a little further into the cemetery. She was in an older section now, it was a little care worn and neglected...the people resting here had largely been forgotten long ago. She placed a single yellow rose at the feet of the marble angel that watched over her mother. It had been a long time since she had been here, and she was worried that she may not find it again...but the beautiful stone angel showed her the way. It always had.

As a child she had visited this place often with Branson and Beth. They wanted to ensure that Frankie knew and understood her heritage, that she understood the sacrifice that had been made in order to give her life. By the time her teen years had hit, Frankie was less than enthusiastic about her weekend visits to Gina. It was hard enough coping with one mother let alone two and she had refused to come. Today was her first time back in over five years.

Frankie stood awkwardly by the grave, unsure how to behave. She really only had one thing to do here, and she knew it was silly...irrational even but she felt uncomfortable asking something of this woman she never really knew and had neglected for far too long...this woman who had given her life.

"Hi Gina. I know I don't come here near enough. And I don't know if it makes a difference if I do or don't. I'd like to think you can hear me though..." Frankie began. "I wanted to say thank you for the letter. I'm sorry we never got to meet. I really would have liked that...getting to know you at last." She paused "But I really came here today to ask a favour...can you please take care of Daddy for me. He shouldn't even be there yet...but then again neither should you. Life so unfair...."