| “ | The cherry tree symbolizes birth, death, and new awakening. We planted it for you, Frankie. This tree, which blooms brilliantly, but briefly each year, will remind us that life is precious, and we need to live each day out loud. I'll never forget how lucky we are to have this family that you will always be a part of. Will you live in our hearts, forever. | ” |
— Jude at Frankie's tree planting
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Francesca "Frankie" Adams Foster was the unborn daughter of Stef and Lena Adams Foster. She was conceived using Timothy's sperm and Lena's egg, while Stef planned to adopt the child after the birth. She started to develop in "Adoption Day", but sadly died in "Mother" at twenty weeks gestation due to pregnancy complications.
Biography[]
Francesca was conceived in Adoption Day. Her biological creation was Lena's idea, who deeply wanted a biological child of her own. Stef and Lena used Timothy's semen to become pregnant. The pregnancy progressed and Lena started to show around "Truth Be Told".
The baby's health was questioned as Lena fainted and her blood pressure was notably high in "Mother", being prescribed blood pressure pills to try to bring it down. However, matters took a turn for the worst when Lena eventually ended up in the hospital to find out she has preeclampsia, a known complication in pregnancy caused by the placenta. Her doctor ordered to deliver the baby early as her current condition will prove to only worsen her health, and possibly even cost Lena her life.
Lena eventually, albeit reluctantly, followed through with the early delivery. Despite being aware of the baby's low chances of survival due to only being 20 weeks into development, Lena still had faith that the baby would pull through and be okay - even if it took a miracle. Unfortunately, Francesca did not survive and died shortly after the delivery, devastating the Adams Foster family. Lena gave her lost baby the name Francesca. She took inspiration from a little girl who unexpectedly wandered into her hospital room and gave her a stuffed unicorn toy named Frankie. Lena added that it was also to honor Stef's father. The Adams Foster family gave Frankie a private burial and funeral service with a cherry tree marked in her honor and memory, promising she will always be remembered.
Her death would continue to haunt the Adams Foster family, with her mothers Lena and Stef both significantly impacted by her death; having private moments where they each wept over the loss. When Mariana later wanted to adopt her unborn half sister, whom her birth mother Ana was pregnant with, the moms were both reluctant to accept the offer since they were still mourning the loss of Frankie. Lena confides in Monte about this issue, and this causes distress when Stef finds out how Lena feels about Monte.
Physical Appearance[]
Although she was never seen physically, she appeared in Lena's dream. Francesca was imagined as looking similar to Lena, with dark curly hair and brown eyes.