Chapter 32 - Francie and Nate

After Nicholas’s death, Francie felt so empty inside. In order to fill the void left by loss of her step-father, she turned with a vengeance to Nate Johnson, her boyfriend from high school. She had know him since they were children and had been dating all through her senior year.    

Francie invited him over one afternoon while her mom was at work and Aiden was in school. As soon as he arrived she ran into his arms and he kissed her sweetly. The sweet kisses soon became more urgent as she sought to fill the emptiness inside her and feel alive again. 

Seeing her step-father laying dead in the kitchen was just something she would never erase from her memory, but when she was with Nate, she could forget about that. 

Nate was all too willing to help her get over her step-fathers death and it didn’t take long for things to rapidly progress to Francie's bedroom. Francie had fallen asleep in Nate's arms sated from their lovemaking. This was about the time Delia came home and caught them.

“How dare you come to my home and take advantage of my daughter! What are you thinking? Get out - NOW!!!!!” screamed Delia to Nate. 

Francie woke up to the back and forth yelling as Nate was trying to explain to Delia that he truly loved Francie and would never do anything to hurt her.  She was his best friend and had been ever since they were young kids. He always knew he wanted to be with her.  

"Whatever Nate!" said Francie as she turned to her daughter still in bed, "Get up Francie - right now and get dressed," commanded Delia, "then get in here. We are going to discuss this now." 

They went into the living room where Nate once again professed his love directly to Francie and then surprised everyone when asked her to be his wife. A very unorthodox marriage proposal to say the least. Francie was thrilled and readily accepted his proposal. Delia was shocked as she watched the scene unfold. "Are you sure this is what you want Francie" asked Delia. Francie just continued to look dreamy-eyed at Nate and said yes - this is exactly what I want, what I need.

So it was settled. There would be a wedding.

Nicholas hadn’t been gone very long, so Nate and Francie decided on a quiet private ceremony at the park across the street from Delia’s home. And they would do it quickly. The faster they could be together out of this house, the sooner the memories of finding Nicholas's body would fade. 

The park had been the setting for many good things in their lives and felt if fitting. They stood on the wooden bridge that crossed the stream and exchanged their vows and rings. As she had done for her oldest son Daniel, Delia set them up in a small two bedroom bungalow in Hidden Springs to help them begin their new life. She had some money left from Nicholas insurance and had been saving up from her job.

Now it is just the two of them; Delia and Aiden – well - and Coal the cat, now Aiden's constant companion. But, at least she doesn’t have to run away this time, pregnant with the child of a ghost. She will be able to stay in Hidden Springs for awhile longer so she can learn all of the Fortune Teller’s secrets and maybe begin to uncover why she has this 'gift' to see ghosts and create powerful potions.


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