O.K., guys, here it is: The new Frank/Eva story co-written by yours truly (Missy) and Sharon (Josiecat).  Without Sharon's help, Frank's speech would be less…it would be…let's just say Sharon is my writer of "Frank-ese."  Some chapters were mine, some hers, and some collaborations…We make a wonderful team!

Sharon, thank you so much for helping me out on this one…I'm having a blast!  You've really helped to spice up this installment and I couldn't ask for a better co-author!

~Missy

Frank was a bit frazzled when he arrived home, but that faded when he walked through the door.  When he saw his daughter crawling about on the floor, he couldn't help but smile.

            "You O.K., Frankie?" Eva asked sweetly.

            Frank nodded.  "Much better now that I'm home."  He walked to his wife and hugged her, then lovingly kissed her.  He then turned his attentions to Faye.  He picked her up off of the floor, held her above his head, and smiled at her; Faye smiled back at him.  Never in his wildest dreams did Frank believe he could be a father at all, let alone a good one…he couldn't be happier to be wrong.  The thoughts of John's harsh words were fading from his mind.

            Eva disappeared into the kitchen to finish making dinner.  "Stuart and Amanda will be here in about a half hour," she called from around the corner.

            "Oh, that's tonight?" Frank asked, carrying Faye into the kitchen.

            Eva laughed.  "I think it slipped both of our minds this morning."

            Frank slipped his free arm around Eva's waist.  "You do occupy my mind quite well."  He kissed her cheek.  "Actually, I'm rather glad that's tonight, I need to discuss something with Stuart."

            "Something wrong?"

            "Not in the least, love."  A look crossed over Frank's face that never failed to amuse Eva.  He sniffed the air a bit.  "I think someone's in need of a change."  Frank left with Faye to take care of changing her while Eva continued to cook.

            "Thank you, baby," Eva called after him.  She heard Frank chuckle a bit.

            Not long after Frank and Eva set the table, Stuart and Amanda arrived, a bottle of wine in Stuart's hand.

            "Smells good in here," Stuart said, smiling.

            "Need any help, Eva?" Amanda asked.

            "Everything's done," Eva answered, hugging her friend.  "Hope you're both hungry."

            Frank put Faye into her playpen, then the foursome sat down at the table.  They ate and talked and had a genuinely wonderful time.  Eva was delighted that Stuart and Amanda had become such good friends to both she and Frank.  She had worried that after the whole mess with John, she would lose Stuart as a friend, but he had wound up becoming an even closer friend to her, and a wonderful friend for Frank.  Amanda came as a bonus for Eva.  She couldn't have been happier when Frank introduced her to Stuart.  Since she and Sarah were no longer close, Eva finally had someone, other than her mother, that she could relate to and spend time with.

            After they had finished dinner, Eva and Amanda started to clean up.  Frank stood up and "shooed" the young women away.

            "Darling, you and Amanda just relax, Stuart and I will clean up."  Frank and Stuart went into the kitchen; Eva and Amanda went to get Faye ready for bed.  Frank smiled widely at Stuart and asked, "So, how's it all going?"

            "Well, Frank, actually, I've got some news for you…"

            Frank interrupted, "Don't tell me that construction's stopped."

            "Construction?"  Stuart was a bit confused, then realized what Frank was talking about.  "Oh, the house," he said only loud enough for Frank to hear.  "No, Frank, that's going ahead of schedule."

            "That's a relief…so, um, what is it exactly that you were referring to?"

            "I had an unexpected visitor at the site today," Stuart started.

            "Seems to be a bit of that going around," Frank muttered. 

            "So I've heard."

            "Pardon me?"  Frank was puzzled.

            "John came to see me too.  Frank, he seems intent on breaking you and Eva up."

            Before he could stop it, a laugh escaped from Frank.  "Well, that's certainly not going to happen.  Having met him, I like him even less than I did before…if that's at all possible."

            Stuart's voice filled with concern.  "Frank, John's used to getting what he wants and he's known for playing dirty."

            "Well, he'll just have to, er," Frank chuckled a bit, "play with himself, because he's not getting Eva.  I'm not worried about it."

            "Frank, just don't put it totally out of your mind."

            "You seem awfully worried, Stuart."

            "I've known him a long time.  He's even made enemies at his firm due to his tactics in certain situations."

            "Stuart, I understand and appreciate your concern.  However, rest assured I am more than capable of dealing with the likes of John.  If he tries to harm my family, he will learn what 'ruthlessness' truly is.  Now, I'm a bit more interested in hearing about how the house is coming along."

            Stuart's face changed from a look of concern to one of satisfaction.  "Better than I could have hoped, Frank.  I still can't believe the design you came up with."

            "That wasn't mine, Stuart," Frank said, smiling.  "It was a sketch I saw in Eva's journal."

            "Frank, you're a great husband to her and all, but you went through her private things?"

            "With her permission, I assure you.  However, I never mentioned anything about it.  She'll have to like it though, won't she?"

            "She's gonna love it, Frank.  I just can't believe that you've been able to keep this big of a secret from her for so long…I mean, you paid me in cash.  How on earth did you keep that from her?"

            Frank paused before answering.  "It's sort of a late wedding gift from my mother."

            "Some mother-in-law for Eva," Stuart laughed.

            Frank smiled.  "You've no idea."  They finished up in the kitchen and joined Eva and Amanda in the living room.

            "Did you miss us, ladies?" Stuart asked.

            "I guess so," Amanda laughed.  She then sweetly kissed Stuart.

            Frank playfully pulled Eva onto his lap.  "Did Faye fuss tonight?"

            "No, you must've tired her out when you played with her.  She was asleep before she got to her crib."
            "Do you guys think you want any more children?" Amanda asked.

            "Of course I can't speak for Eva, she is the one who has to do most of the work, but, well," he smiled at his wife, "I think it'd be wonderful."

            Eva could feel her eyes get a little misty, but she blinked back the tears.  "I think that when the time's right, we'll have no problem having another baby."

            Stuart grinned.  "And just think, if it wasn't for me throwing that party…"

            Eva interrupted, "…and John being a total…"

            "…let me pretend it was all thanks to me, leave the jackass out of it," Stuart laughed.

            "I for one thank you, Stuart," Frank said, holding Eva close to him.  "I couldn't have imagined a better outcome for that evening."

            The two couples engaged in some more conversation and a little wine before calling it a night.  After Stuart and Amanda left, Frank looked lovingly into Eva's eyes. 

            "Darling, are you still feeling as frisky as this morning?"

            "Not so much, Frankie.  I'm more in the mood for…"

            "I know," Frank interrupted.  He graced her lips with a rather romantic kiss and lifted her into his arms.  Once in the bedroom, they carefully undressed each other and slipped under the covers.  After a few loving caresses, Frank held Eva close to him and they drifted to sleep.