Chapter Text
December 1, 2028
Frank wasn’t nervous. In fact, he’d never felt surer of anything in his life.
He’d known for a while now that he wanted forever with Mel, but forever had already begun without him even noticing it.
Forever hadn’t started when he’d told his children about asking Mel to marry him.
Tanner and Penny were super excited. They’d adjusted beautifully to having Mel in their lives, and loved her almost as fiercely as he did.
They’d promptly informed him, in their seven- and five-year old way, of what they wanted for the wedding. They’d attended Abby’s younger sister Caroline’s wedding last year, so they had some expectations.
Penny wanted to wear a poofy princess dress and tiara. Tanner wanted to help pick the cake. And most importantly, they wanted to throw confetti after the “you may kiss the bride” part. Heart overflowing, he’d hugged them tightly and told them he’d see what he could do.
Forever hadn’t started when he asked Becca for help choosing Mel’s ring.
Becca was the most enthusiastic of everyone about his and Mel’s relationship ever since her July 4th ER visit. Once she’d heard about his divorce, Becca promptly told Mel that Dr. Langdon would be a perfect boy to kiss!
Together, they’d chosen a beautiful ring for Mel: a diamond inlaid in gold, with a bezel setting, low enough that she could wear it under her gloves without issue.
Forever hadn’t started when she’d agreed to move in with him six months ago. She’d been understandably nervous about it (“it just seems so soon, Frank, we’ve only been dating for six months!”), but he’d managed to convince her.
He’d started with logical reasons: it seemed silly to wait another year, wasn’t she tired of driving back and forth, she’d save money, pay off her loans faster. Eventually though, he’d moved on to more intimate reasons, softly murmured into the delicate skin between her thighs. It only took her a week to say yes.
Forever hadn’t started on the day he’d asked her out as more-than-friends, on their first official date, or after their first kiss, sweetly shared on her front stoop after boba and hot chocolate.
Forever hadn’t started the day it hit him like a mac truck that he’d fallen for his best friend, the most important person in his life outside his children.
Forever hadn’t even started on July 4th, watching sparks light up the sky as he tried to calm his inexplicably shaking hands that had been calm just before, during his drug test.
No, forever had actually begun the day they met, though he hadn’t known it then. Looking back, he should have guessed when one glimpse of her wasn’t enough to satisfy his curiosity, so he went back for another. And then another. And another. Until all he wanted to do was make her smile and laugh and blush.
No, Frank wasn’t nervous, because forever was simple.
All she had to do was say yes.