ALTERNATE ENDING 1, CHAPTER 8
Sharon came over later in the afternoon again to make dinner. She chatted with Lena and Gretchen while Brandon and Callie played out back. She had noticed the looks between the two last night and again today they seemed to not want to be far apart from one another and kept touching each other throughout the conversation. She hoped that changed fast before Stef showed up.
Stef had gone home, showered and changed before going over to Lena's. Today had been really tough for her. Having to watch Mike's face as she laid down some hard truths for him was awful for her. But, it had to be done.
She knew that she wasn't responsible for Mike's predicament but that didn't mean she felt no guilt over it either. Lena had been hurt terribly and her pain was far from over. Stef didn't want to think about what would happen if the babies didn't make it or if they were born unhealthy in someway. All because of Mike's jealousy and temper.
She packed a bag for herself and Brandon. She felt it was about time they started spending time together as a family. She drove over to Lena's ready to hear what she had to say about yesterday. She really had hurt her feelings when she said no so quickly about her staying over. Stef felt maybe it was time to talk about moving in. Lena needed help and Stef wanted to be there for her. There were no more barriers between them and she knew Brandon would be thrilled. He loved Lena already. Callie was a different subject though. Stef made a mental note to spend more time with her.
Walking into the house felt different. For one, there were usually tons of people at Lena's house. Stef couldn't remember there ever being less than 12 at any time. Dinner last night had consisted of the nurse, the nanny, Lisa and her husband and family, Timothy, Gretchen, and Lena's parents along with Stef's Mom and Brandon. But, tonight, it was just Sharon, Brandon, Gretchen, Lena, Stef and Callie.
"It's quiet around here today," Stef commented as she kissed Lena hello.
"We needed some privacy today as a family, so I asked my family to stay away tonight. I'm going to reorganize that schedule anyway. It really is a little overwhelming."
"So, what's going on?"
"Hmm... Why don't you go out back and say hi to the kids. We can talk later."
Stef gave Lena a weird look and then walked out to see the kids. "Hi Mom." She said as she walked through the kitchen.
"Hi honey. Have you talked to Lena yet?"
"She sent me out to talk to the kids first. Is there anything that we should be talking about?"
"I'll leave that between you and Lena."
"So that's a yes. And you know what it is. But, you won't tell me. Your daughter, by the way."
"Stefanie, you are an adult woman and so is Lena. If you're going to be in an adult relationship then you need to act like an adult. Now go and say hi to the kids and then get washed up. Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes."
Stef made a face and said, "Well okay," in a cheeky tone. She walked out back to where the kids were playing , "Hi babies."
Brandon ran over to her with his arms outstretched. She scooped him up and hugged and kissed him swinging him slightly. "Hi Mommy. Callie and me, we were having fun, we're going to build us a playhouse."
Stef looked over at Callie walking their way slowly. "Hi Callie. Having fun?"
Callie nodded but didn't engage in any other way. "I'm going to see my Mommies."
"Well, actually I came out to get you two. It's almost dinnertime and we all need to wash up. Come on." She held her hand out to the little girl who almost looked like she didn't want to take it but then she did. Stef counted that a small victory to winning her over.
Dinner was quiet. Brandon, Sharon, and Stef carried the entire conversation. Stef kept trying to engage Callie and Lena but the two were unresponsive. Stef was starting to get a little worried. She hadn't spent much time around Callie but she when she did her impressions were, that she was a pretty exuberant child. Instead, she insisted on sitting next to her Mommies and eventually ended up in Gretchen's lap being fed by her.
Sharon and Stef took care of the cleaning up while Lena went back to the sofa and Brandon snuggled with her chatting away as Gretchen took Callie up for her bath.
Gretchen came down carrying a freshly washed Callie as Sharon and Stef brought some tea out to the living room. They sat on the other side of Lena with Callie holding on to both of her Mommies at the same time. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut through. Sharon excused herself and after kissing everyone goodbye she went home.
Stef turned to Brandon and said, "Guess who's having a sleepover with their best friend?"
Brandon's face lit up. He enjoyed the sleepovers with Callie. "I am. And you can sleepover with Lena."
"No B. My Mommy's going to sleep with my Mama so they can spend special time together. And we're going to sleep in the big bed together again." Callie spoke up for the first time that night.
Stef looked over at Lena whose brow was furrowed in thought. "Lena!"
"What?" Lena asked surprised at her raised voice.
"What's going on?"
Lena sighed. "Why don't you go get Brandon ready for bed?"
Stef looked back and forth between the three faces. She didn't want to make a scene but her patience with the situation was wearing out. She forced a smile and reached for Brandon's hand. "Come on B. Let's get a nice hot bath and your jammies on."
As they walked up the stairs they heard hushed voices then Callie screamed "Nooooo Mommy!" and she started to cry. Her wails could be heard over the running water.
She let Brandon stay in the bath longer than normal. Then, they went downstairs where Gretchen was carrying a limp Callie back upstairs. "Give Lena a kiss goodnight and then run up so Mommy can tuck you in."
Brandon eagerly kissed and hugged Lena and then followed Gretchen and Callie upstairs.
"What the hell's going on Lena?" Stef asked once they were alone.
Lena closed her eyes and sighed at her swear, "Gretchen's leaving."
Stef waited since there had to be more. As far as she was concerned that was good news.
Gretchen came back down. "Callie's out. I don't know for how long. And I locked everything up upstairs. I'm going to finish locking up down here." And she went off towards the kitchen.
"Gretchen's leaving, Callie's upset, and everything is changing." Lena started to cry. "I'm sorry. I thought that Brandon being here would help distract her. But, she's still upset."
Gretchen came back into the living room. She sat beside Lena and pulled her into her arms. Stef wasn't too happy about that. "Everything's locked up. You only need to turn on the alarm." She looked over at Stef, "Your car is blocking my rental. I need you to move it."
Stef huffed and shook her head. She stomped out to her car and moved it over behind Lena's. After a few minutes more, Gretchen came out, got into her car, and drove away.
Stef walked back inside and almost collided with Lena who was peering at the alarm box. Lena keyed in the alarm code and started making her way upstairs. Stef followed close behind waiting for more information about this sleepover they had all had and why Lena was acting like Gretchen leaving was like going to a funeral.
Lena stopped in the kids room and tucked Callie in tighter and then kissed Brandon on his head. "Sweet dreams." She told him then left Stef to finish putting him down.
When Stef went into the bedroom, Lena was already in bed. She grabbed her own things in a huff and went into the bathroom. When she came out, Lena had turned out the light and was lying on her side. Stef got into bed on the other side. At first she tried lying there but the more she stared off into the dark the angrier she became. Finally, she gave up the ghost.
She turned the light on and sat up and yelled, "Lena!"
Lena jumped, "What?!"
"What the hell is going on? And what the hell has been going on for the past few days here?"
Lena sat up. "I already told you, nothing." Lena turned fully so that she could face Stef. She rearranged her pillows so that she could sit up with them supporting her. "Gretchen's gone. And I don't know when she'll be coming back. It might not even be until the babies are born for all I know."
"And you're crying this hysterically has what to do with this sleepover in your bed?"
"What? What are you talking about?" Lena cried genuinely shocked and confused.
"Gretchen being gone sounds like good news to me. So, why the hysterics? And what were you two doing having a sleepover?"
"Oh my God!" Lena tossed her head back. "Will you get over yourself? This has nothing to do with you!"
"Fine." Stef stiffened her back, sat up straight, and put her hands around her knees. She gestured that Lena had the floor. "Please, do tell."
Lena took a deep breath and looked straight ahead. "Gretchen's gone. I know for you that sounds great but she is a really good Mom and Callie loves her. And I'm here trapped either in bed or on a sofa and I can't do anything for my own child." Tears were pouring down Lena's face by now. "She fell today and I couldn't even jump up and run to her. If Gretchen hadn't been here then, what? My 4 year old would've been on her own being cared for by strangers. At least with Gretchen here, it was her Mommy taking care of her. Now what are we supposed to do? I can't bathe her. I can't put her to bed. I can't even pick her up!"
Stef reached out but Lena pulled away. "Lena," she croaked out pained.
"And on top of all of this, that monster has been released on bail." Lena grabbed some tissues and wiped at her face. "My nurses aren't just nurses. They're bodyguards. My child has to have a bodyguard surrounding her because of some monster who's been set loose to do as he pleases while we're trapped here."
Stef felt sickened and saddened at the reference to Mike as a monster. Or that Lena had felt so afraid that she had hired actual bodyguards to protect her and Callie. He had really ruined a lot of things but, it was hard for her to see a man she had married and lived with for years as a monster. He was still Brandon's father.
"After my appointment tomorrow, we're going to go and stay with my parents."
"Lena you don't have to do that. You have me. And my Mom's been coming over here and cooking without me asking. I think it gives her something to do for the family and lets her get out of the house at the same time. Callie will be okay between the two of us. I've wanted to spend more time with her anyway."
"And I'm sorry about Mike. I didn't know that you were that scared of him. I can assure you that he's got enough to deal with without making things worse."
"What does that mean? Have you been seeing him?"
Stef sighed. "He called me over and said he wanted to speak to me about Brandon. But, he wanted to set me up with his lawyer."
"Set you up how? And why did you go over there? Did you have your gun with you?"
"I'm not afraid of him that's why. He's Brandon's Father. What he did was stupid and reckless and an accident. He never meant to put your babies in jeopardy." At the flash in Lena's eyes she put her hands up in surrender. "I'm just the messenger. I promise I'm not defending him. There is no defense for what he's done."
"They wanted me to play the good wife and hope by using provocation as a defense that it would help him get less time." Lena glared at her again. "I didn't of course. I told him that he deserves what he gets and that I can't help him anymore. I told his lawyer that what he did was dangerous and stupid and all out of jealousy because I loved someone who wasn't him. I wasn't his wife anymore and as soon as our divorce is finalized I'm going to marry you."
"What? You want to get married?" Lena asked incredulously.
"Well, yea. I mean, isn't that our point? We already have the kids, you have the house, isn't marriage our next step?"
Lena smiled. "Yes but, you don't think it's too early? I mean, it's only been 4 months since we met."
"We could live together for a while first or, rather I thought that's what we were doing first, but, isn't that where we're going to end up at?"
"So, you think it's possible for us to stay here? I mean at my parents' house, one of them are always home."
"The kids are in school Wednesday and Friday, on Thursday, maybe my Mom can do something with them during the day. And on the weekend I'll be home and we can go over and start packing up our stuff to move here. You won't have anything to worry about then. I'll get the kids up, dressed, fed, and drop them off myself in the morning, your nurse is here for you all day and my Mom can pick them up afterschool. I'll be home to put them in the bath and bedtime. And it'll give me more time to bond with Callie and you with Brandon. Next week they have the entire week off since school starts the following week but I can take them to the parent/teacher night. And next week I'm sure between all of us and the village we can work something out."
"The loop," Lena smiled.
"Huh?"
"We're the loop. I think the village has already been done enough times." Lena laid down and scooted closer to Stef and Stef did the same. Stef put her arms around her and pulled her even closer. They fell asleep in one another's arms.