Chapter 1
"Excited about seeing my sister tomorrow, Foster? Ready for her to dig into your soul?" Patrolling around town during the early afternoon, Nate Adams couldn't resist teasing his partner a bit about seeing a therapist. They have been each other's partner since the beginning. So looking over to her uneasy expression he knew that she was feeling apprehensive about the entire ordeal. But once he heard about her relationship troubles he was more than willing to recommend his sister. After so long Stef was more than just a partner to him she was basically his younger sister.
Stef looked over to the green eyed brunet man, and tried to ignore his taunting look. She knew that it was just part of his charm to tease her and make her miserable whenever he sees fit. To be honest, she usually enjoyed it. But she was more nervous than she cared to admit. "You didn't tell her anything crazy did you? This is already weird enough. Especially if she tends to have the same sense of humor as you"
Nate let out his big goofy laughed that caused Stef to smile even if it was just for a second. "No you did not come up in our casual conversation. I'm sorry but you aren't that interesting. But you have nothing to worry about. She is one of the absolute best at what she does. She has about ten thousand degrees in God knows what. And she's patient, and caring, and everything that I don't have time to be" Nate joked.
They pulled up to a sub shop and Nate hopped out of the car. "Did you want me to grab anything else while I am in here your majesty?" Without missing a beat Stef replied with, "No no that would be all, jester." Laughing at each other's antics Stef watched as he walked inside. Anticipating the food being able to get rid of at least part of her headache.
Before Stef even had the opportunity to get trapped in her own thoughts her phone rang with an unfamiliar number. Sliding the answer button across the screen she raised it to her ear while needing her forehead for some relief. "Foster," she said in her serious yet almost concerned tone.
But the voice that rang through the phone was the most soothing voice she has ever heard as her head ache was almost instantly taken away. "Hello, this is Lena Adams…"
…..
Lena Adams was a very well known family and couple therapist across Los Angeles and San Diego. She had a large range of clientele and she was always determined to help turn their lives around. There was nothing that she loved to do more than to help and care about others.
She was starting the file on one of her newer couples that she was set to meet the next day. As always, Lena preferred to conduct a phone consultation before people's first session just to gain some information, get a feel for them, and to settle any of their woes.
After having to leave a message for the first contact she began dialing the next number. After only a few short rings she heard a woman's voice that held so much seriousness and authority, "Foster". Without being phased Lena spoke, "Hello, this is Lena Adams. I am looking for Stephanie Foster". Lena could hear the softer change in the woman's voice as she began to stutter to find her words, " oh, uhm, Dr. Adams. Hi".
Stef couldn't help but to mentally scold herself; hi? Really? That's all you can say"
Lena didn't even realize that she was smiling listening to the woman in the other end. "Please, call me Lena. I want this experience to be as comfortable as possible."
"Ok, Lena," Stef said trying the name out, " then call me Stef. No one really calls me Stephanie. But may I ask the reason for this call", Stef said as she began to slowly regain her bravado.
"Well Stef, I like to call and get a feel of the people that I will be working with. I left your partner, Tess Brown a message before calling you so hopefully I will hear back from her. But I do have a couple of short questions that I would like to ask you if that's alright".
Stef stared inside of the sub place to see Nate chatting with someone inside. "Yes, but it would have to be quick I can't stay on the phone too much longer, Miss Lena".
"Just Lena is perfectly fine Stef", Lena said trying to deflect any possible flirtatious advancements, something that was surprisingly common. "But yes of course, there's only 3. The first one is, do you think the troubles you are currently having may just be a phase?"
Stef took a deep breath not really up for this right now. "No uhm, this uh, pretty much is how we have been since the start for the most part. It's uh, just how we operate".
Wanting to ask more questions but knowing she should hold them off until tomorrow Lena moved onto the next question. "Are you seeing someone else, or suspect that Tess is"?
"No! Of course not. It's nothing like that"
Pleased with Stef's answer Lena smiled and moved on. "What are you hoping to get out of these session by the last one?"
Stef took a pause trying to really think, "I'm not sure anymore" she practically whispered. Her voice became so vulnerable that Lena was about to say something until she heard her brother get into the car and their radio blaring. The sirens suddenly sounded and Stef's voice returned to that confident authoritarian voice, " I'm sorry I have to go. See you tomorrow".
And just like that she left Lena's heart racing slightly. She couldn't think if it was because she knew her brother was about to race towards a dangerous situation or because of the voice she listened to for the past 10 minutes.
After putting down the phone Lena quickly shook any negative thoughts or ideas from her head. She finished up her paper work and logged everything that she needed to into the computer for Stef and Tess's file.
Seeing that she has reached the schedule gap in her school she phoned out to her receptionist for their daily lunch break together. After a few brief moments in walks her long time friend Kelly caring her lunch that she just order.
"You really have to start eating healthier," Lena said laughing at her friend while she pulled out her own homemade lunch before heading over to her couch. "Eh, I rather enjoy my food than cry while eating grass". Kelly said pointing to Lena's salad.
Shaking her head at her friend's antics she decided to get their conversation started and to catch up since they last saw each other before the weekend. "So what's new with your new fling, Austin?"
"Everything is going pretty swimmingly right now. And he is not a fling Lena. I really like this one. Plus he has been such a gentleman as of late".
"As of late?" Lena questioned.
"Yes you remember I told you of his past dating habits. I'm just surprised by the change is all". Kelly did confide in Lena in the beginning that Austin, a guy met through a mutual friend a couple months prior. But she also informed her that he wasn't single when she met him. Kelly did feel extremely bad but she tried to explain that there was such a strong mutual connection and admiration that things just happened. But though Lena loved her friend and could never judge her, she wasn't a fan of the situation.
"So what signs have come about that he isn't going to do the same to you?"
"Ok, ok," Kelly cut her off, "enough about me. We can continue when you aren't still in couple therapist mode", Kelly said on the verge of getting ticked off.
"Sorry," Lena said solemnly, "You know I just want the best for you".
"Yes, Lena I know," Kelly said placing her hand on Lena's, "But I'm not the fragile girl from college anymore. Don't worry about me. But, speaking of relationships. I got an email from a tall brunette".
Lena already knew of who she was talking about. Her long term now ex-girlfriend Gretchen. Though slightly thrown off, Lena tried to just continue to eat her food as if she didn't care. "Oh where are they now?"
"Barcelona. Her and Jenna". Jenna use to be their third amiga. They were all best friends since the beginning of undergrad. But Lena came home early one night to find Gretchen between the legs on none other than her best friend. Lena was crushed, and even to this day she does feel hurt and at times a bit lonely. But she has just been occupying herself with work. Especially after making the big move from Los Angeles to San Diego. She needed a new start in a way. She was so thankful that her other and now only best friend, Kelly has made the move with her and even temporarily put her actual job on hold and work close with Lena put help out and keep an eye on her. She was also thankful that a lot of her bigger clientele were willing to travel for her at their times of crisis.
"She did ask about you and for your new number". Lena gave her a knowing look. "Don't worry, I didn't give her anything. I just told her that she doesn't have the right to know those things anymore.
Lena made sure that she cleared her entire evening schedule for the night. Tonight was her and Gretchen's 6 year anniversary. To top it all off Gretchen has been home after having to travel out of the country for business over the past few months.
Lena had planned an amazing dinner and candle light. She spoke to Gretchen earlier and knew that she was supposed to be out running errands for a good portion of the day which would give Lena a good amount of time to prepare.
She walked into her LA loft with groceries and flowers, amongst other things. She wanted the night to be perfect. When she dropped everything off into the kitchen she knew she heard something strange in the distance. She brushed it off until she heard it again but louder this time.
Thinking that there was an intruder Lena grabbed a kitchen knife and her phone incase she needed to phone for help as she made her way to the back of the apartment. As she made her way further and further in she knew exactly what she was hearing. But still in disbelief she had to see for herself.
Pushing her way into her bedroom she peeked and saw Gretchen feasting between Jenna's legs and Jenna moaned out in pleasure all while in her bed. As sadness and rage crept over her as she slammed the door against the wall as both women jumped up. But the look on Jenna's face was one that Lena would never forget, so much regret, and guilt, and fear. Yet Gretchen was the one looking annoyed as she tried to calmly get redressed.
"Get out of my house!" Lena yelled, "Get out!" She pushed them out of the door throwing their things after them before slamming her apartment door. Crashing to the floor Lena sobbed as she could do nothing but call her best friend Kelly to come over.
"Lena I think you should get back into the dating habit, instead of burying yourself into this place all of the time. You are such a young and beautiful woman. I just want you to be happy."
"Kelly, I am happy. Seriously, I am. I love being here all of the time. Plus I am fine now. It has been over a year. Things happen for a reason, right?"
But Lena wasn't fooling anyone. It was so obvious that she was still a bit heart broken to the point where she didn't know if she could trust love again. She couldn't even imagine herself with a new person right now. But, in all reality deep down she did really want that to change.
