Chapter Text
Dr. Melissa King was rarely the villain in anyone’s story.
She was immediately loved by everyone she met. Maybe not understood, but loved nonetheless.
Melissa King was the protagonist. The underdog everyone wanted to see win. The adorable if awkward Disney princess made of sunshine that was followed by chipmunks and bluebirds.
Melissa King was rarely the villain.
Except to Abby Langdon.
She wasn’t always a villain in Abby Landon's story. For a long time, she was a no one. A minor character in the background, like an extra in a sitcom sipping coffee in a cafe. Nameless, faceless, shapeless.
Who was the villain, in the beginning? Abby liked to point to her husband because he was the obvious answer from the get go.
When she got pregnant he begged her to marry him to give their baby the family he didn’t have, even though she knew her life and career and dreams were now the ones taking a backseat. Villain.
When he wanted to work in emergency medicine even though she needed him to consider the stability and routine of family practice. Villain.
When he came home late from a shift that must have gone badly and she tried to get him to open up bit, but instead and locked his feelings up in the farthest reaches of his soul because she could never understand. Villain.
When he brought that fucking goldendoodle home with no consideration to who it would actually affect. Villain.
When he came home shaking after that day in September and had to confess everything to her…the addiction, stealing, Robby kicking him out of the ED, the months and months of lies. Villain.
Yes, it was easy to look back and pinpoint the moments that made Frank Langdon the villain in his wife’s story.
So when was it that Mel went from an extra moving in anonymity to a starring role in their lives?
Frank had gone to rehab. Twice. Mel hadn't visited him there (that Abby knew of). Frank hadn’t mentioned her in months and months of couples counseling. He hadn’t mentioned any woman, actually. Frank hadn’t talked to Abby about his first shift back at PTMC on the Fourth of July, but later she would learn that was the moment her husband knew another woman was “the one”. Something about a cervical whatever.
The first time Abby remembered Frank uttering the name Dr. King was in mid August. It was so innocuous. He had come home from a shift unusually chipper. He was working on a MVC patient with Dr King. They thought the patient just had a typical pneumothorax. They caught a major liver lac with internal bleeding and they were able to stop it before too much blood was lost and bile was leaked. They had a good catch, Robby said they were a good team.
No pronouns were used. No first names. Abby actually said “He sounds like a great doctor.”
Frank just smiled and agreed and went up to his room (because moving him into THEIR room still felt…wrong.)
Little anecdotes about Dr King peppered conversations here and there, but as far as Abby knew, Dr King was a male colleague. An increasingly familiar male colleague that honestly she was glad to have around. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone else to keep Frank on the straight and narrow.
It wasn’t until November that Abby discovered that he was a she.
The day before Thanksgiving, Frank brought home a white box of sugar cookies, skillfully decorated to look like cartoon turkeys and cornucopias. They looked like the designer cookies that bakeries sold for close to $50 a dozen.
“Oh wow, these are amazing, Frank!” Abby admired before taking a bite of a turkey’s head. “And they taste delicious, too! Sometimes these designer cookies are like cardboard. Where did you get these?”
“Aren’t they great? Dr King made them for everyone as a little thanksgiving gift.” Frank had already stuffed an entire cookie in his mouth, spraying crumbs as he spoke.”
“He MADE these?” Abby asked incredulously.
“Well, SHE made these. Dr King is actually a she. Mel and her sister, Becca, she’s on the spectrum, they love to bake together, and they took a decorating class a couple months ago. Mel was just kinda a natural at it, which makes sense since she’s so skilled at sutures of course she’d be good at those little details. It’s incredible. She has so much patience…”
Frank was still taking but Abby was no longer listening. All of these seemingly innocent details, hitting her like punches to the gut one after the other.
Dr King is a she. BAM.
Mel. BAM.
Her sister Becca on the spectrum. BAM.
She’s a natural, she’s so skilled, incredible. BAM. BAM. BAM.
Not only was this colleague, this friend, a woman, it was a woman he couldn’t seem to stop himself from gushing over. To his wife. Frank knew about her family, her hobbies, her talents, and he was describing them to Abby with more excitement and pride in his voice than she had heard in…not weeks, not months…years?
She studied Franks eyes. When was the last time they sparkled with that much clarity? When Tanner started reading? When Penny said “dada”? It had to be about the kids because his eyes rarely shone like that for her.
“What do you think, Abs?”
“Huh?” Abby had to shake herself awake.
“The cookies for Penny’s birthday. Mel said she would be happy to decorate some Bluey and Bingo cookies if that’s what Penny still wants by January or she can go any other theme too if Penny changes her mind. You should see the Minecraft cookies she did for Cassie’s son. I mean I don’t even know what Minecraft really is but they looked amazing. I swear, everything Mel touches turns to gold.”
The cookie still in Abby’s hand suddenly felt like it was on fire. She dropped it back in the box and made an excuse about getting up early to start the turkey tomorrow and needing a good nights sleep.
Sleep didn’t come for Abby, though. She replayed Franks words over and over and over. She stalked Facebook and Instagram for any clues, which there were maddeningly few of. She tried to talk sense into herself. It didnt work.
At 2:24 AM, Abby tiptoed down to their kitchen, picked up Mel’s box of perfectly decorated cookies, and dropped them into the trash can. She poured an old cup of coffee from the sink on top just for good measure.
The next morning, Frank wanted to show Tanner and Penny “the cool cookies my friend made.” Abby told him his stupid dog jumped on on the counter and got them. She tried to not notice how disappointed he looked and didn’t look up when he told the kids “not to worry, Dr. Mel will make more for you to try”
And that was how the villain was introduced to Abby’s story. Over cookies.
For the next few weeks, Abby looked at her husband suspiciously every time he smiled at his phone or came home in a surprisingly good mood. However, Mel didn’t make another true appearance until the week before Christmas. Dana was hosting a Christmas party for the day shift. Something casual, come and go, families invited.
Abby knew she would likely meet Mel that day, so she carefully curated the perfect look. Something that said “perfect wife, perfect mom”. Abby slipped on a short burgundy skirt and snug black sweater that hugged her body, seemingly untouched by childbirth and motherhood. She styled her dark brown hair into luscious, loose waves, applied the perfect smoky eye and pulled on the black leather Prada boots she guilted Frank into getting her for birthday last year.
The illusion of perfection didn’t stop with Abby, though. She wrangled Tanner into perfectly pressed khakis, a plaid button down and red cable knit sweater before gelling his hair perfectly. Penny had to be bribed out of her Elsa costume and into a green dress with a tulle skirt, black Mary Jane’s and French braided pigtails. Were the kids miserable? Maybe. But there was no denying, they were the perfect, beautiful family.
Abby marched the trio downstairs triumphantly, fully expecting Frank to ooh and ahh over their picture perfect children and look at her like a hungry animal, ready to devour her.
“Jesus, Abby, I told you casual…”
“I…I mean we aren’t too fancy…”
“For Christ’s sake, we’re going to Dana’s house for snacks and games, not midnight mass. Why’d you get so dressed up?”
“God, Frank, I just wanted us to look nice for your work friends, you know, after EVERYTHING. God forbid I try to show them that we’re still a respectable family.” Abby stuck her lip out and tried her best to make tears well up in her eyes. When she couldn’t make the tears come, she turned her head and covered her eyes.
Abby was alway a smart girl. She knew when she wasn’t getting her way what would work. She knew now, all she had to do was reference the pills.
“Dammit, Abby. You’re right. Look, I’m sorry. Come here.” Frank wrapped his arm around Abby’s shoulder and gave it a half hearted squeeze. “You look great. You all look great. Let’s head out before these heathens tear their clothes off.”
With that, Tanner and Penny tumbled out of the house, shrieking with joy, Frank and Abby behind them. The December air was cold, but it was nothing compared to the chill she felt sitting next to her husband on the drive to Dana’s.
Frank wasn’t mad, he wasn’t even really offended at the addiction reference Abby threw out. He wasn’t even just…there. He sang Christmas songs with the kids but didn’t think to glance in Abby’s direction. He held tight to Tanners hand and balanced Penny in his arms as they walked up the steps to Dana’s house, but didn’t wait for Abby to enter. He didn’t offer to take her coat or purse or get her a drink. They were just two people that happened to be existing in the same environment.
Dana’s brick colonial was filled with the sound of cozy conversation and Bing Crosby, but Abby had never felt less comfortable. She scanned the house for familiar faces…and perhaps more importantly, unfamiliar ones.
Yoyo, one of Franks good friends from med school and Penny’s godmother, was by the drinks with some younger woman with dark hat and a dorky looking guy.
Dana and her husband were laughing with Robby.
Cassie and her son were with Jessie and Donnie on the patio.
Who was Mel? Where was she?
Frank must have been wondering the same thing. He was busying himself with Tanner, showing him Dana’s Christmas village and pointing out the different buildings and shops, but it was clear that his attention was wandering. When the door opened, when a voice raised, Frank snapped to attention.
He almost destroyed the entire village when she finally arrived.
The woman with Yoyo shouted out “MEL-eKalikimaka!!!” and several people laughed at what must have been some sort of inside joke.
Mel had entered the living room.
She was unassuming, mousy maybe. She was wearing a gray crewneck sweatshirt, jeans, New Balance sneakers, her hair was in a claw clip and glasses. But there was something…undeniably attractive.
Maybe it was the way she beamed at Dana and thanked her so genuinely for having her. Maybe it was the way she bounced on her toes like she was too excited to sit still. Maybe it was the way the girl that was with her (was that her sister Becca?) clung to her arm like she was clearly the safest person in the world. Maybe it was all of that and more.
Whatever it was, Abby’s husband felt it immediately.
Before Abby could blink, Frank was at Mel’s side, taking the white cardboard box (for fucks sake were those cookies?) from her hands.
Abby tried to look focused on Penny, but her full attention was eavesdropping on Frank and his new companions.
“I’m so sorry I’m late! Traffic was so bad coming from Middle Brook!”
“Don’t be sorry, I’m so glad you’re here to meet the kids.”
“Hi Dr Langdon. Your hair looks nice.”
“Thank you Becca But I told you to call me Frank! Did you and Mel watch Elf last night?”
“Yes we did and you need to look at Mel’s socks! She picked them out just for you! They have Christmas tree cakes on them because you told her they were your favorites.”
Meet the kids. Call me Frank. Just for you. BAM. BAM. BAM.
Abby was no longer just eavesdropping. She was watching. Staring. Locked in. No one else seemed to notice that her husband was completely besotted with another woman while she was just…here. How normal was this for no one to bat an eye?
Frank had collected Penny and was calling Tanner over to where he was huddled with Mel and Becca like a cozy little family.
“Tanner, cm’ere! I want you to meet my friend Mel! And look at these cookies she made!”
Those. Fucking. Cookies.
The pain Abby had felt was replaced with white hot rage. She sauntered up to where Frank was crouched down, holding the box open for the kids to peer into with awe. He pointed out the elf on the shelf, the grinch, Rudolph, Santa, while Mel grinned like an idiot next to him.
“This must be the famous Dr King,” Abby finally spit out.
“Oh, hi! You must be Abby. Please call me Mel. It’s so nice to meet you finally meet you, this is my sister Becca”
Mel might not have realized that Abby’s voice was dripping with venom, but Frank did. He slowly stood up and let his eyes meet Abby’s. Frank didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to to get his message across: back the fuck off.
This just added fuel to Abby’s fire. Why was HER husband protecting this other woman? Who do he think he was?
“Frank was my doctor on the Fourth of July.” Becca explained to Abby. “He was so nice just like Mel said. And now sometimes he comes to my center to talk to us about important things like safe sex.”
“HA!” Abby exclaimed, causing Frank, Mel and Becca to all jump. “That’s rich.”
Abby and Frank stared each other down, and after a few uncomfortable seconds, Mel seemed to take a hint.
“Uhh Bec…why don’t we go make a round and say hello to everyone. We need to put these cookies down too…Abby, it was nice to…uh, yeah.”
Mel ushered her sisters away, leaving Frank and Abby in a tense standoff with their kids wondering where their cookies went.
“What the hell was that, Abby?”
“I don’t know what you mean, Frank.”
“Why were you so rude to Mel?”
“I was perfectly pleasant.”
“Give me a break, Abby. If looks could kill, Mel would have coded.”
“Maybe the real fucking question here is why are you two so fucking buddy buddy?you’re on a first name basis with her sister? You volunteer at her center? What the actual fuck, Frank? Clearly she’s not just a coworker!”
“No, she’s not.” Frank whispered through clenched teeth. “She’s my friend. Someone who’s been there for me, in my corner, encouraging me and making me feel like I’m not a total fuck up. Something you wouldn’t seem to know about.”
With that, Frank turned to the kitchen where Mel and Becca had settled and found his way next to Mel, who looked at him with concern and care. Frank gave Mel an attempt at a reassuring smile.
For the rest of the evening, Frank followed Mel around like a lost puppy. He refilled her hot cocoa without being asked. Every once in a while, Frank bent his head down to meet Mel’s eyes like he was checking in on her. Mel crouched down at the kids table between Penny and Tanner to color pictures of Santa and Frank watched on like she had hung the moon. He even seemed to know when Becca would need a break and let her to Benji’s office while Mel chatted with Samira.
It wasn’t one sided, either. At one point during the night, Frank tried to approach Robby, who dismissed him with nothing more than a scowl. Mel appeared at his side like a guardian angel before Abby could even try. She didn’t cross any lines. She didn’t even touch him. But it was clear from the way they were speaking in hushed voices, sitting on the steps next to each other, whatever she was saying was exactly what Frank needed. Their private conversation ended with a smile a mile wide on both of their faces and Frank playfully nudging Mel with his shoulder.
Abby wanted to throw up.
She should have recognized that there was truth in what her husband had said. Mel knew the man Frank had become. She knew his struggles, she knew how to pull him from the darkness. He trusted her. There was a warmth between them that Abby no longer recognized in their marriage.
The thing is, though, if Abby admitted that he was right, that another woman had been a better support for him than his own wife, then she would be admitting that she was also the villain in her own story.
She wasn’t ready to admit that yet.
Abby Langdon hated to lose.
She hated to lose when was 8 and playing Candy Land with her brother. He beat her for the first time and Abby chased him upstairs, screaming about how unfair it was and trying to kick his door down. She hated to lose when she played field hockey in middle school and broke her stick when someone tripped her and then scored the winning goal. She hated to lose in high school when Kendra Mullins beat her for prom queen so she spread a rumor that Kendra gave the entire baseball team head and now had herpes.
Abby Langdon hates to lose. And she wasn’t going to lose her husband.
If Abby wanted to be introspective about it, she would have to really think about why she didn’t want to lose her husband.
Was it because she loved him? Maybe. Probably not. That love had existed at one point or another, but it had tarnished into something unrecognizable. The love had become apathy. Even before the addiction and the rehab and the relapse and the second rehab.
It started when Frank was matched to Pittsburgh, a city that to Abby reeked of beer and blue collar sadness. Frank felt right at home. She felt like a spoiled asshole every time she complained about the weather or the accents or the grittiness she felt in the city.
Then she was an exhausted new mom and he was an overworked new resident during a global pandemic. They were too tired to talk about the stress and fear and the distance growing between them in bed.
Frank stopped going to Abby for comfort when he lost a patient when she told him she no longer had the emotional bandwidth for anything other than Tanner and Penny.
Abby stopped asking Frank to accompany them on family outings after being told one too many times that he couldn’t just switch shifts, his job was important.
When Frank relapsed, Abby felt mostly annoyed that she had to find someone to watch the kids so she could drive him back to rehab.
That was just how it had been. She didn’t have the time or the patience or the energy to dedicate to Frank Langdon. Until Abby realized it was a competition she could lose.
After the Christmas party, Abby set out to strategize. She tried to recall who she was in college, when she first caught Frank’s attention. She was at a frat party at Duke, dancing on a coffee table, when she quite literally fell into Frank’s arms.
Their days were filled with sleeping in, going out, and lots and lots of sex. They laughed until her sides hurt and spent hours talking about everything and nothing. During those first few months, Abby thought that she would actually die if she had to go more than an hour without touching him. There was one night in particular, laying on the floor of her off campus apartment while her roommate was away, drunk off cheap vodka and sex. Abby remembered getting lost in Franks blue eyes and thinking “This is it. This is what I want forever.”
Abby couldn’t remember what it felt like to be that carefree and enraptured by someone. The last time Frank touched her with any semblance of warmth must have been when she dropped him off at rehab (the first time). He reached down around Abby’s waist and clung to her so desperately, like he was out at sea and she was a piece of driftwood keeping him from drowning. Frank had softly sobbed into Abby’s hair, whispering “I’m so sorry, Abs, I’m so sorry”, over and over again.
Abby’s arms had stayed at her sides.
She didn’t comfort him. She didn’t say anything. Not a word. She turned and walked back to her Tahoe and drove 45 minutes to their house, feeling nothing but anger and disgust.
What would Mel have done? She wondered as she stood in the hot shower the day before Christmas Eve. She definitely would have hugged him back. She would have cried with him. Run her fingers through his hair and tell him she knew he was sorry and it would all be ok. She probably would have kissed him like he was going off to war and she wouldn’t have driven off until he was inside and checked in, and then maybe she would have sat in the parking lot and cried for him some more.
Abby turned the water off and with it her thoughts that maybe this other woman was a better woman.
She knew Frank was on the couch, watching some History Channel documentary she couldn’t give two shits about. He probably thought she would want to fight some more about the party. She did, a little, but that’s not how she was going to win.
Abby slipped on her silky black robe and gave a spritz of the Jo Malone perfume Frank had given her a few anniversaries ago. She tiptoed down the stairs and sure enough, there he was. Arm stretched out over the back of the couch, TV on, but his attention pointed down at his other hand. As she crept closer, she could see he was reading a text. Frank heard the floor creak
beneath her foot and tossed the phone aside, but Abby knew who he had been texting. She wasn’t stupid.
Abby swallowed every instinct she had to scream at him and instead let her hands fall to his sculpted shoulders. She had to admit, she loved his body. Abby ran her hands down his chest and rested her cheek atop his head. Frank twisted his Head up with a puzzled look.
“Um…hi?”
“Hey, babe.”
“Babe?”
“Frank, I was thinking…” Abby dragged her manicured fingers up and down her husband’s chest. “It’s been a while since you’ve stayed in our room, why don’t you come to bed with me tonight?”
Franks hands stopped hers mid stroke. He positioned his body to face her, searching her face for clues as to what the hell was going on. Abby stayed leaned over the couch, purposely pushing her cleavage forward and looking as sultry as possible. For everything in their lives that had changed, she knew her husband and she knew he would be carrying her up those stairs soon, had back be damned.
“Where is this coming from, Abby?”
“What do you mean? Don’t you think it’s time? I’ve missed you.” Abby bit her bottom lip and pouted.
“Yeah…I have an early shift tomorrow morning so…I think I should just hit the hay. In my room.” Frank stood up without so much a second glance at Abby’s attempt at seduction. “Good night, Abs. Give the kids a hug from me in the morning, I’ll call to say hi to them on my first break.”
Abby was speechless. She stood in the living room, black robe, boobs basically out, mouth agape. Frank clutched his phone tightly and shut the door to the guest room behind him.
Abby could do nothing but stare at the closed door and fight back tears. But those tears quickly dissolved into anger and resentment. Who the hell did he think he was? Here she was, throwing herself at him after months and nothing?! She marched to the guest room door and reached for the doorknob, but stopped as soon as she heard Frank’s hushed voice.
“The kids were so happy to meet you too, baby. When I was reading to them tonight at bedtime I mentioned the zoo…yeah I just have to figure out how to go without…I know. You’re not the bad guy baby, I promise. You could never be. I know, baby. Soon. I love you. Ok, goodnight sweetheart.”
Abby Langdon had already lost.