Frankie Xiao

... THE NEW DAWN ...

"He hurt you?" My eyes prickle with painfully hot tears and I blink to keep them from falling.. I had thought all of River's scars had come from the mountain.. But now I know the truth, that so many of them came from his father..

River sits across from me, the soft morning sunlight bouncing off his messy reddish blonde mop, shiny flecks of golden blonde and ruby red blend together to make that sweet strawberry colour.. "His name is Ronan O'riley.. He was a Provo.. An Irish Republican Army commandant.. A terrorist.. And he hurt me bad, baby.. That's why I have to make him suffer."

I have read about the IRA in one of Rivers books about Ireland.. They used bombs and intimidation and entangled themselves in a confusing political system.. They killed women and children.. They were fighting for their god.. Against others who also believe in god.. To be perfectly honest, I don't quite understand it..

What I do understand is coming from a bad place.. I understand how it feels to fear a terrible man who does awful things.. "What did he do, River?"

"I was a scared scrawny kid, Lilly-- Not like I am now.. I had to make myself this way.." River winces.. "He'd beat me.. Cut me.. Choke me so I could'nae breathe.. Starve me.. Take me terrible places.. Show me things he shouldn't.. Make me do-- terrible things.. He told me I was a sinner-- no good.. Said I was goin' to hell and that he was preparin' me for where I was headed in the next life.."

"Oh.. Mercy no.." I reach across the table to clutch his hand in mine, Lovey fussess, her mood darkening along with her fathers.. As if she can sense he is upset and it upsets her..

It displeases me more..

"He-- fuck-- I really don't like talkin' about it.." River chokes up with a bitter laugh.. "It's hard to actually say the words--"

He clears his throat to try again.. "Ronan took my Ma' from me.. He always used to say she made me too soft.. That without her there'd be nobody to love me and that's how it was s'poze to be.. She was all I had and he snuffed her out like she was nothin' to him.. Then he took off and left me behind.. I've been alone ever since.. Until Lovey.. "

I rock Lovey in my arms to keep her happy, but I can't take my eyes off The Tiger.. "Your pain is so lonely.. But I will always keep you company.."

He smiles.. "I swear I was dead before I met you, Frankie.. I did'nae appreciate t'ings the way I should've.. I took all that time alone - - that freedom I was lucky to survive with- - for granted.."

"Will you show me?" I ask as Lovey yanks on my hair and demands more of my attention..

River frowns as I climb to my feet, walking the baby around the balcony which seems to appease her.. "Show you what, baby?"

"Ronan.." I explain, switching Lovely to my other hip to rest my arms, which are becoming increasingly stronger.. "I want to see him."

He shakes his head in refusal.. "There's no way.."

"No, you say you keep him like a prisoner as punishment, so there is very much a way.. It is where you come from.. You know about my father.. I want to see yours.. I want to see the bad things you say you do.. For myself.. I want to decide what I think. What I know."

He sighs.. "Alrite', but--"

"You will take me, Tiger." I say finally, not allowing another argument to leave his mouth..

I know what I want.. And I know he will give it to me. "Or I will be unhappy."

"Tiger?" He smirks.. "You're startin' to get bossy, you know that, Wallflower?" I bounce the baby as he rises to his feet and strides towards me.. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close to snuggle Lovey between us.. "Mmh, I like it.."

"You do?" I gape up at him.. I had a suspicion that he might, but it's still so surprising to me..

He nods.. "I like it when you tell me what to do.."

I blush as he leans down to kiss Lovey on top of her head, before he lifts his lips to mine.. Soft and lingering, my whole body warms with the heat of his tender touch.. A happy sigh fills my chest.. "Oh, River.."

He takes my tangled hair from Lovey's diabolical fist and brushes it back behind my ear, out of her reach.. "Are you mad at me, Lilly?"

I shake my head absolutely.. "No.."

"Scared of me?" He worries, the crinkles of his concern written around those bright jade crystals in his eyes..

"No." I smile..

"What are you?" He puzzles..

I leave his embrace to return inside where I place Lovey in her cot, offering her the little pink pacifier.. Her starry eyes track to the colourful cartoon pigs that play on the flatscreen, fascinating her.. "Something else."

"You want some breakfast?" He moves to make his way to the kitchen but I shake my head..

"Not breakfast.." I turn on my bare feet with an awkward shuffle and a shy smile pulling at my lips..

His green eyes sparkle with mischief and magic.. "Ahh.. You wanna go back to bed?"

I nod, my smile growing wider.. "Mmhmm.. And something else.. Something lovely.."

He groans, reaching out to grab my hand.. "O'Aye, somethin' lovely? Mmmhh.. Yeah--fuck--yes, let's go back to bed and ye' can tell me all about it, baby."