Stef felt at ease, possibly for the first time in her life. B was curled up on her left. Lena curled up on her right. She had never felt that way with Mike. She loved him, sure. He was her best friend for a long time. Unfortunately for them both she could never love him enough. She hadn't felt for him even one tenth of what she felt for Lena.

Stef was brought out of her reverie when both Brandon and Lena began to giggle. They were watching a recently released movie, Monster's Inc., and what ever was happening had the other two laughing. Stef focused in and saw the antics of the little girl as the monsters tried to conceal her identity. The movie was wonderful and Brandon loved it.

Lena was amazing. Tonight she had shown up with the movie despite the fact that Stef had had to cancel their date. Mike had flaked out on his night with Brandon at the last minute. He had called and said he was sick with the flu. Stef knew he was too hung over. And while she was glad Brandon wouldn't be there with him, she was still sad she had to cancel the date. Lena hadn't been phased with it though. She always seemed to understand when this happened.

Stef still felt rather guilty that he was having such a hard time. He had cleaned up his act there at the end until she had come out to him. Now, he was going downhill fast. It wouldn't matter so much if it didn't affect Brandon, but it did. Every time Mike canceled she knew it broke B's heart just a little bit more. Objectively, she knew it wasn't her fault; it was Mike's fault and his problem. However, she was a 'weight of the world' type and often felt responsible for things she wasn't at fault for.

Stef glanced at Brandon. He was still glued to the movie. She looked at Lena who was also enthralled, though she must have felt Stef's eyes on her because she glanced at Stef and winked with a grin.

Stef finally pulled herself out of her ruminations and focused on the movie. She wasn't worried about the parts she had missed. She had no doubt Brandon would make them watch the movie at least a hundred more times.

When the movie ended, Stef told Brandon it was time for bed. He frowned back at her. "Why Mommy? I want to be with you and Lena wants me to stay up too." He grinned at Lena.

"Don't get me involved B," Lena laughed.

"It is bed time for all the boys in this house," Stef said unequivocally. Brandon sighed dramatically and propelled himself off the couch and walked toward his bedroom.

"Fine, but I want Lena to tuck me in then." Stef knew Brandon was saying this because he didn't want to go to bed and he was mad. It gladdened Stef's heart that Brandon was so connected to Lena already.

Lena stood up, an eyebrow raised to Stef questioningly. Stef nodded. Lena followed the boy. She spent a few minutes in the bedroom and then came out with a smile.

"He still wants you to tuck him in too," Lena told Stef.

Stef rose and went to her son's room. "Sweet dreams babe, I love you very very much," she said as she hugged Brandon and gave him a kiss on his forehead.

"Night Mommy."

Stef closed the boy's door as she left the room. She walked back out to the living room to Lena. She sat down next to the love of her life and wrapped the other woman in her arms.

"Let's go to bed." Stef whispered after a few minutes of just holding Lena.

Lena pulled back from Stef and looked her in the eye, "Are you sure?"

"More sure than I have ever been ever in my life," Stef admitted.

They stood in unison. Stef linked her hand in Lena's and led the darker woman back to her bedroom. She closed the door behind them and turned. Her breath was catching in her chest. She could see the desire she felt reflected in Lena's eyes too. And though usually Stef initiated kisses, this time it was Lena who strode forward with purpose, put both hands on Stef's face and kissed her as though her life depended on it.

Clothes began to fly. They couldn't seem to get past the barriers fast enough. For too long clothes had kept them too far apart and finally that would not be the case. Stef walked Lena, step by step, to the bed. Slowly, she pushed Lena down. Her hands caressed Lena gently: feeling in awe of the woman before her. Stef had never allowed herself to act on these desires and for the first time in her life everything felt right. She may not know exactly what to do, but her natural instincts took over.

Stef already knew how different kissing a woman was from kissing a man, how much softer and gentler they were, how it felt so perfect and right every time she kissed Lena. She knew she should expect this to be just as different. She never truly enjoyed sleeping with Mike or any man, but she had done all she could to make them enjoy the experience. Stef knew this would have to be different. She was prepared for it to be different. She expected the way Lena's strong abs yielded to her lightest touch, the soft feeling of Lena's smooth legs between her own. What she didn't expect was how it would change her. Every touch sent shivers down her spine and caused goose bumps to form on every inch of her body. And when Lena whispered her name, Stef literally couldn't breathe. No, this wasn't the difference between the messy and lack luster attempts she had made at lovemaking with men, or even her honest attempts at pleasing Mike. This was different because this was Lena, her Lena. Lena, who opened the world to her and helped her finally see the light. And as the hours passed, Stef stopped trying to explain the differences or worry about if she was any good at this. She simply gloried in this perfect woman who was just as eager to please Stef, as Stef was to please her.

The two women were curled together afterward. Stef held Lena in her arms. Lena's head rested on Stef's shoulder.

"I love you, Babe," Stef whispered.

"I love you too."

"I've… I may not… I just…" Stef was having a difficult time figuring out how to say what it was she wanted to say. She took a deep breath and started again. "I am in love with you. I want to spend my life with you. I may not always be the fastest, and I may get scared, but don't every doubt my feelings for you. You are my forever."

During the speech, tears came to Lena's eyes. Stef could feel the wetness hit her shoulder. "You're crying," She stated.

"I never thought I would hear you say that," Lena explained.

"I never thought I would say it," she laughed.