CHAPTER 7

Cococococococococo

Stef had waited up even though she was exhausted because she knew that Mike would be calling her for a ride once he was released. Sure enough, at almost 1 in the morning, she got the call.

She picked him up and immediately regretted it. She should've just called a cab for him. Just looking at him made the horror of why he was there real. He jumped in the car smiling. She frowned back at him. He tried to kiss her and she moved away.

"Do us both a favor Mike and just don't say anything," Stef knew that her warning would fall on deaf ears. But any amount of silence from him would be a godsend.

Sure enough Mike being Mike couldn't help starting in. "You know Stef, I've had nothing but time to think in there. I think we're going about this the wrong way. I mean, having you here for me in a time like this… is just… I mean it just means everything to me. I think we should talk about you and Brandon moving back in again. I think as a team, we're stronger together. And the way we get our family back together is for us being together. Not separate."

Stef who had spent the past few days stressed out about this situation couldn't believe what she was hearing from him. Thankfully they were waiting at a stop sign or she would've ended up having an accident. Was he really for real?

She clenched the wheel and closed her eyes. She counted to 20 before trusting herself to speak again. "Mike, I'm here because you're Brandon's Father and you will be for the rest of his life. But, what part of you just killed someone is not getting through to you?"

Mike looked at her appalled. "Stef, that was an accident!"

"And accidents have consequences too!" She yelled at him. "I saw that little girl and that woman that you hit." She looked over at him and he paled. "You were speeding and driving drunk and you crashed into their car. And those people's lives have been devastated. And you want us to get back together? Are you serious?"

Mike averted his face and stared out the window the rest of the ride home. She prayed it would stay that way. But, of course, Mike is Mike. He looked back in after climbing out of the car.

"I'm sorry about what happened Stef. I can't even explain to you how deep it runs in me. And it will be there for the rest of my life. But, I don't see any other way for us to get through this unless it's together. We are a family. You, me, and Brandon. I just… I need to know that you're going to be here for me."

Stef was torn. He was her husband. Her Father had taught her to stand by her word. And that she should never turn from her responsibilities. She had made vows before God that she intended to keep. But, when she closed her eyes, all that she saw was the devastation on those faces.

She knew Mike was looking for some comfort. So she took pity on him. She gave him a small nod. "These are the attorney's I called. I wrote their notes along with their information down for you." She handed him the piece of paper.

Mike smiled and took it letting his hand linger on hers. He nodded and straightened. He closed the door and Stef watched him walk back into the apartment she had once called home. She drove home with tears pouring down her face. What had she done?

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Lena woke up and this time was lucid. She immediately searched for her son and found him sleeping next to her mom in a crib. She tried getting up and found she could sit up if she took it slow. She was now clearheaded and that meant all the pain was coming back to her. She saw that she had a catheter which was great. She'd try and keep it in there as long as she could.

A nurse entering the room woke up her Mom. The nurse went through her charting and monitoring routine, asked if she needed anything, and told her she'd be back soon to help Lena out of bed. She told her she'd bring her a breast pump so that Lena could pump and dump. She gave her some more pain meds, showed Lena the call buttons and left the small family be.

Her Mom came over to her and dropped a kiss on her head. "How are you sweetheart?"

"I feel like I just got run over," Lena tried joking but as soon as she heard herself say the words, she immediately wanted to take them back. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I still have some pain but, I'm okay. How's my son?"

Dana smiled over at her newest grandchild over in his crib. "He's pretty amazing. Here, let me bring him closer." She pushed his crib over toward Lena's bed so that she could see him at all times. Lena picked up his hand and smiled as he latched onto her finger. "He's such a great baby. He barely cries."

"And Callie?" Lena asked not moving her gaze away from her son.

Dana stretched and popped her back. "She's with your sister Lisa. Your dad thought her being over there with them would help her. She's of course worried about you."

Lena nodded, "I'll call her in a minute." Lena finally looked over at her Mom. "Does she know about her Mom?" Lena asked quietly.

Dana shook her head. "We thought it would be best coming from her Mama." Lena's face clouded over but she willed the tears away.

Lena nodded. "How long have I been out? What day is it? Oh my god, I don't even know my own son's birthdate!"

"Calm down baby." Dana put her hands on Lena's shoulder trying to still her. It's Wednesday May 14th. You had your accident on Monday May 12th which is the baby's birthday. Now that you have that you might want to start working on a name for him. And here's his birth certificate application. You're going to need to fill that out too. But, not all right at this minute. Let's start slow." Dana smoothed back Lena's hair, "How are you?"

"Well, I hurt all over." Lena stared out the window next to her bed. She began to tear up, "I feel like this is all just a bad nightmare that I want to wake up from but can't. I loved her so much Mama," Lena choked out before she broke down in tears.

Dana put her arms around her daughter and rocked her. "I know baby. I know." Lena clutched at her Mother. Dana rocked and held her through the sobbing.

"I don't even know where to start to put my life together at." Lena finally got out once she had herself under control again.

Dana gave Lena some Kleenex. "You start right here. Just one thing at a time and then another. We're here and we're not going anywhere. You have your whole family behind you to help you. Now, I know you're worried about Callie. So let's start there. You call her while I order us up some lunch. Hmm." Dana held Lena's face and then kissed her. She handed Lena her cellphone while she picked up the landline in the room and called for some breakfast for them.