Chapter 14
NOAH
Noah looked at the camera feed in front of him. Frankie was sitting in the kitchen, eating chicken nuggets and talking to Trent like nothing was wrong. What had happened to her? Something had changed, and Noah didn’t know what.
Could it possibly be because of Rainey and Echo visiting her?
“I was shocked when I saw it as well,” Marco said.
“She’s getting out more. There is nothing wrong with that,” Finn pointed out.
“I agree. Nothing wrong, but I don’t know what changed,” Noah whispered. “Several months ago, she didn’t want to consider stepping out, and now I’ve found her in front of the door twice with her shoes on. She wants to come to the club without a fight or worry.”
He was baffled by how much had changed, but also grateful. Never in his life did he think they would go outside again together. He had accepted the fact that she would never want to and was okay with it as much as he could.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy… really happy.
I’m over the moon that she is interacting with Trent and Dominic more and wanting to explore the club, even when she knows she could be spotted,” Noah went on.
“But I don’t know what happened that really helped her do that.
And maybe I don’t need to know, but I would like to know so we can replicate it. ”
“It could have been the girls coming to visit,” Marco answered. “Maybe they said something that helped her.”
He hadn’t really given it much thought, but now that he was thinking about it, Marco could be right. Maybe something had changed when the girls visited. Frankie was going to put a toe out when they came over, so they must have said something that changed her views.
“I wouldn’t think too much about it. Just be thankful that she is moving in the right direction,” Jaxson added.
“I would be prepared for her to crash a little and not want to go out, though,” Michael pointed out. “A lot has changed. Just be prepared for her to not want to go out for a week or more. Don’t force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do regarding going outside. Be patient with her.”
Noah took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He knew Michael wasn’t trying to tell him what to do. He already knew that, but it didn’t hurt to get a reminder.
“I will,” he finally said.
“I know Hedda has messaged her a couple of times to encourage her and let her know that none of them would do anything to betray her or make fun of her,” Oliver offered.
“The other girls have been doing that as well. Or that is what Hedda told us,” Leo added. “And Hedda said she has been pretty receptive of it all. Said they are even thinking of going to Rainey’s coffee shop to meet up.”
Noah looked at Leo in shock. Frankie hadn’t mentioned that to him yet. Was she ever going to? Yes, she would have to, and he knew she would eventually. Maybe she was just waiting for the courage to ask. Either way, he was going to say yes, even if they had to cancel something else for her to go.
“It looks like Frankie is going back to your office,” Marco said.
Noah looked at the camera feed, seeing her slowly walking up the stairs, one hand on the railing.
“Good girl,” he whispered under his breath before turning to Marco. “I’m going to go and see how she’s doing.”
Everyone said their goodbyes as he walked out of the office and toward his. It didn’t take him long, and by the time he got there, Frankie was sitting on the couch.
“Full?” Noah asked.
Her cheeks turned rosy red, and she bowed her head. “Yes, Daddy,” she whispered.
“I’m glad you went and got food. I was going to get you lunch soon, but you beat me to it.” He smiled and sat next to her. “How was it?”
“It was good. He just worked, and I ate,” she replied.
They sat in silence for several seconds as he held her close to him. He loved having her in his arms.
“The other girls were thinking about getting together at Rainey’s coffee shop,” she whispered so quietly that Noah almost missed it.
“Yes?” he replied.
“I was wondering if I felt up to it… if I could go.” She buried her face in his chest.
“Of course. And if you want me to still sit outside while you are in there, I can do that as well,” he offered once again.
“I would love that.” She sighed and held onto him tighter.