"Brandon please can you put your shoes on buddy," Stef yelled from the kitchen.

"Mommy I can't find my other shoe," Came the response a few seconds later,

Stef took a deep breath. She couldn't be late today, it was his first day at school. How did this happen? She thought. Her baby was heading off to school. She walked out of the kitchen of the apartment she had once shared with her husband and son. Smiling as her son sat in the middle of the hallway with one shoe on looking for the other

"When did you last see it B?" Stef said, looking around.

"I was wearing them when I came back yesterday," He said slowly thinking.

Stef smiled as she spotted it near the table near the door, she walked over picking it up she passed it to her son.

"B, you need to be more careful when you take them off, no more taking off and running okay."

"Okay Mommy,"

Stef looked at her boy. His dark hair, he was always quick to smile. He really didn't understand what was going on at the moment. her and Mike were taking a break, their marriage wasn't working. She should have known it was never going to work. She had only married to him because she had become pregnant with Brandon and she'd wanted to make sure her father didn't disown her, they'd had a shotgun wedding as it were.

"Get your backpack buddy, we're ready to go," Stef said she put her own shoes on and picked up her bag, that she'd never felt comfortable carrying.

"Do you stay with me at school Mommy?"

"No buddy, you'll have a teacher and you can make new friends."

"Okay, but you will pick me up right?"

"I sure will," Stef said reassuring her son. He was a sensitive boy and she knew that this was going to be hard for him. She picked up her keys as he ran out of the door. she closed it following her son down to the parking lot. They got into the car and she made sure he was safe. Before driving the few blocks to the school she had chosen. She wished she could say that she and Mike had chosen their son's school but that hadn't happened. she'd done it. Her husband had been too drunk to even think about getting up. she shook her head. She couldn't be having those thoughts today. She had to make sure that her son had a good day. She pulled into the parent's parking lot and smiled. There were a few parents looking as nervous as she felt.

"This is my school?" Brandon asked looking around at the beach.

"It sure is buddy, this is Anchor Beach."

"I love it already, it's got a beach Mommy,"

"I'm glad. Shall we go and meet your teacher."

"Erm."

"I'm staying for a few minutes don't worry buddy okay." She reassured her son.

"Is Daddy coming?"

The question she was hoping to avoid today. She had tried to call Mike but he hadn't picked up. hadn't even bothered to call her back. She didn't really want to lie to her son but she didn't have the heart to break his.

"I'm sorry buddy, daddy's is working,"

"Okay, but you're here." He smiled at his mother. It scared her that he sometimes acted more than his five years.

"Shall we do this buddy," She said.

Brandon nodded and Stef got out of the car, she helped him out of the car and helped him put his backpack on his back. Smiling. he didn't take her hand like he usually did but her independent little boy walked towards the kindergarten class. Stef walked behind him. She looked up.

There she was, Stef couldn't help but stare. A woman who was making her question everything. She'd awaken something inside her. Stef put her head down. ashamed of the feelings that were reawakening in her. she was lusting after a woman. It had happened a couple of times but not this bad. She looked at Vice Principle Lena Adams and it made her weak. she wanted to know if her lips were soft, what she smelt like, if her skin was as soft as it looked but she shook her head. she couldn't have those thoughts. Right now, it was about getting her son settled. She needed to leave as quickly as possible.

Stef had a quick chat with Brandon's new teacher and watched as he was shown were his bag and jacket went. He seemed okay. he walked over to were he was asked to be seated and waved at his Mom. Stef waved back blew him a kiss and walked back a little. Just watching him for a moment.

"Hi Mrs Foster," Lena's voice made Stef jump. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine, not a lot of people call me Mrs Foster." Stef said nervously. She pushed her hands in the pocket of jeans. She looked at the woman in front of her. she couldn't imagine that this woman was even single. She was hot. Stef swallowed hard. She had to stop having these thoughts and feelings about this woman. It wasn't right.

"Brandon looks like he is settled."

"He can be really shy, I'm scared he won't make friends."

"Every parent thinks that, don't' worry by the end of the day, he will be telling all about his new friend." Lena said positively.

"I hope so. Am I okay to leave him? I'd rather slip away while he is districted I don't' want to upset him."

"He will be find, don't worry Mrs Foster."

"Stef please." Stef said without thinking. Lena simply nodded. "They finish at three right?"

"They do, don't worry we will take care of him."

"Thank you," Stef smiled.

Lena smiled back and Stef's heart hit her chest harder than she thought possible. She had to get out of her.

"I better get to work then," she smiled before moving away.

Stef got into her car and just sat there for a moment. she wasn't even in work today. She'd took a personal day to make sure Brandon would be okay. she'd had to get out of the situation. She'd not had these strong feelings towards a woman since, well her best friend in high school Tess Brown. She took a deep breath remembering where that had got her. she shook her head. before starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot.

Lena watched Stef walk away. There was something about that woman that drew her too her. she couldn't explain it. she was attracted to her. she knew that. Stef wasn't her usual 'type' either. She walked into her office and opened Brandon's file. She saw Stef's messy handwriting. She saw that her and her husband had different addresses. They had the same profession. Stef was a cop. Lena thought she'd love to see Stef in her uniform. She took a deep breath. She couldn't have these thoughts and feelings towards a parent. She put Brandon's file to one side, rubbed her face with her hands. She was attracted to the woman. She wanted to know what she smelt like, what she would feel like in her arms.

Lena stopped herself. She had to be professional. She had to stop having these feelings. The woman was straight. Even if Lena did get the feeling that she wasn't. She was married, yet it looks like they are no longer together. Lena took a deep breath and decided to get on with the rest of work. She had to stop thinking about Stefanie Foster.

Stef couldn't believe how slowly 3pm came around. She arrived at the school a little earlier and saw that Lena was back with Brandon's class. She watched the thin woman. She was gentle and caring to each child. talking to them, taking the time to know them. Stef was drawn to her but she couldn't explain why. At home all she'd thought about was her.

The doors to the school opened and the kids came pouring out.

"Mommy, Mommy," Brandon's voice rang out and Stef smile. She hugged him as he ran into her arms

"Hey buddy, how was your day?"

"Really good, I coloured and we did reading and had story time." Brandon said.

"Wow, that's exciting." Stef said rubbing his head. Brandon looked so happy, he started talking about a friend he had made and Stef listen, all the time she was taking in the calm presents of Lena Adams. A woman who was taking her time to talk to different parents, making sure everyone was included.

"Did you speak to Daddy?"

"No buddy I'm sorry but we can try and call him later," Stef said, as Lena walked over catching the end of her conversation.

"Hello again, Mrs… sorry Stef." Lena said,

It made Stef blush hearing Lena say her name.

"Hi," Stef said.

"Hi Ms Adams,"

"Hey Brandon, Mrs Cartwright tells me you had a good day, well done buddy," Lena said, making Stef smile.

"Thank you, Mommy said I would have a good day and she was right," Brandon said matter-of-factly. Stef smiled at her son.

"Well I'm glad your Mom was right. see you tomorrow,"

"Yeah," Brandon said.

"Have a good evening," Stef said to Lena. she didn't know why she said it. she wanted to reach out and touch the woman's face. she wanted to kiss her and this was only the third time they had meet. Stef had to get away. She couldn't do this.

"You too," Lena said smiling. she could see an internal flight happening behind Stef's expressive hazel eyes. Something was wrong. Lena wanted to find out. she wanted to make it right. this was harder than she thought.

Stef walked away holding Brandon's hand as they made their way to the car. Her son talking about his first day at school, Stef's thoughts were a million miles away. She wanted to get to know Lena. she wanted to understand her and the feelings she had for her. In that moment she knew that her and Mike would never get back together. but she knew she wouldn't be able to face this. She sat in the car she took a deep breath, she couldn't have a panic attack not now.

"Are you okay Mommy?"

"I'm fine bud, shall we go home,"

"Yeah, what's for dinner?"

"Meatballs," Stef said, smiling trying to put on a brave front.

"Yay," Brandon said, throwing his hands up. he loved meatballs.

Stef smiled brightly before starting the engine and heading back to their apartment.