Author's Note:
Instead of calling this a sequel, I've decided to continue right in the same fic. So, again, you should read the whole thing otherwise it won't make much sense. Also, I wish I had the information we have now about their beginnings. I might write that at some other point because Lena being a little player really intrigues me. So this is a continuation of my version of events which no longer matches canon. I am not sure where this will end. I haven't finished it and I can't promise weekly updates. I have a target for an ending, so fear not. I will finish this, one way or another. So here's a short update to get this started again! Next one will be longer.
Lena felt lightheaded, everything was going too quickly for her, "You wanna go on a date?"
Stef grabbed Lena close again, slipping her hands around her waist, "Yep."
"Really?" Lena raised her eyebrows.
"Yes, I do, I feel like I've been waiting forever, for this, for you. I want to start living." Stef Foster was determined. She'd lived her whole life without knowing what this could be like, to feel so much. She'd almost lost this and she was not willing to let it go.
"Ok, but um. I have to go back in and finish my paperwork." Lena felt so safe in Stef's arms and it was a very unusual feeling. She reluctantly pulled away. "I also don't want the students to see me like this."
"Like how?" Stef attempted to get closer again.
"Stef seriously…" Lena stepped back. "Professional, ok?" Lena's career meant everything to her, and she never wanted to seem casual at work. She demanded respect and couldn't be out here acting like a teenager feeling her first kiss, no matter how much she felt exactly like that.
Stef laughed and turned her hands up in defeat. "Fine. Fine. Can I come in with you?" She was not about to give in so easily. She craved Lena and was overwhelmed with the joy of knowing they'd have a shot at being together.
Lena was seriously tempted, it would be so easy to get caught up in Stef. She frowned, "You could, but then I don't think I'd get any work done. How about you pick me up at home? Tonight at 7 and we'll have that date." She said the words before realizing how fast they were moving.
Stef's eyes lit up, "Ok I can do that. But um… can I have one for the road?"
This time it was Lena that pulled Stef close, wrapping Stef in her arms and whispering, "Always," before tenderly placing her lips over Stef's and savoring what coming home felt like.
"Ok, now really go." Lena Adams found it hard to let go but it was important for both of them.
"But, I will see you later, yes?" Stef teased.
"I sure hope so." Lena sobered a bit, as if suddenly realizing what she was getting into.
Stef could feel the change in mood and nodded, "don't ever doubt it." Stef was a woman on a mission and she would step up to the plate. She'd already done enough damage.
Lena hoped that Stef was indeed up to it. She was establishing her life as a lesbian, she'd have to fight for her divorce and perhaps even custody of her child. Was what Lena had to offer enough to compensate for Stef's losses? "Ok, well, I will see you later." Lena was a grown woman and if she really wanted this to work, she'd have to show Stef some faith. Their parting had suddenly turned bittersweet.
Stef refused to end on that note. "Let me walk you back in, ok?"
With a raised eyebrow, Lena questioned Stef.
"I just want five more minutes with you." Stef expressed openly.
Lena looked into those hazel eyes and wondered if she could deny her anything, "Ok." She was just as reluctant to let go. She gestured ahead of her, inviting Stef to come with her. "We don't have to go on a date tonight, we could just have coffee or something." Lena wanted to make sure that Stef was wasn't getting in over her head.
Stef couldn't help but reach reassuringly, and place a gentle hand on the small of Lena's back, "I want a date, I want to do things right. I've given this a lot of thought and I am not going to let you get too far from me." She suddenly felt grateful, "I am really happy you're giving me another chance."
Lena smiled, feeling the warmth of Stef's hand, "Me too. I am happy you gave me good reasons to give us another shot." They had barely gotten the conversation started when they reached the front office. Neither wanted to go without a kiss, but now they were smack in the middle of everything.
"Thanks for letting me walk with you." She wondered if the day would ever come when she'd feel comfortable with kissing Lena in front of the world.
Lena was having similar thoughts, wishing things like this weren't a big deal to parents. "It was my pleasure." Both women felt the thrill of hearing the word pleasure in reference to their relationship.
Stef reached quickly for Lena's hand, gave it a quick squeeze and whispered, "I'll pick you up tonight." She walked away turning back several times until Lena made her way back in the office. Until that moment, Stef had never understood what walking on air felt like. Now, she hoped, she never landed back on solid earth again.
Once at home, Stef was a nervous mess. She really hadn't gotten past step one of her plan. There was no part two. She called Kelly.
"Kelly, hi."
"Oh god Stef, don't leave me hanging, did it work?"
Stef smiled into the phone, "It worked, she listened to me and I owe you big time."
"Just be happy, please, that will be my reward." The matchmaker in Kelly beamed, "You will have to probably make it up to Jenna though, she's not happy with me at all right now."
Stef frowned, "I am sorry, I know that I pushed hard. I promise that I will show her that Lena will be safe in my hands. I asked her to be my girlfriend and she agreed." Stef still couldn't quite believe the week she'd had.
"Make her happy, you both deserve it." Inwardly, Kelly feared they were moving fast and questioned her sanity for helping to make this happen.
"It will be my life's mission." Stef had seen enough of Lena's disappointment to last a life time. She hadn't known that hurting someone could hurt her so deeply. She didn't know how she'd manage, but this afternoon she'd made the commitment to bring Lena everything she'd ever wanted. "I am just, I don't know what to do on a date." She admitted shamefully.
"Stef, it's no different than a date with a man." Kelly chuckled.
Stef didn't want to admit her lack of experience in that department. She'd have to just go with her gut. "Ok, I'll keep that in mind. Ok, so I better go get that ready then." She hung up, thinking of ways of making it up to Kelly and Jenna, who had luckily not gotten in the way.
With a heavy sigh, she went to call her mom. "I need babysitting."
"Stefanie Marie Foster, something happen at the station?" Sharon wasn't used to last minute requests for babysitting.
Stef laughed and braced herself. Her mom knew, she was fine, it would be ok. "I am meeting Lena."
Sharon swallowed audibly. Ok, it was really real now. "Ah," was all she managed.
"For a date." Stef added. It seemed like nothing could stop her anymore.
"It's real then?" Sharon remarked aloud this time.
Stef couldn't help but feel impatience. "It is. So? You gonna help?"
Sharon would waste no time in helping her daughter be happy. This time, she'd do it right, "Coming right over."
Stef hadn't really dated, not really. Her dates had involved a lot of drunken parties with guys who had just one thing on their minds. Mike had been the nicest of them all and that's why she'd decided to go out with him. She hadn't ever been romanced and now she'd have to romance a woman. On the other hand, Lena had already professed her love, so it's not like she needed convincing. She did need reinforcement though, she needed to prove her convictions. A little romance couldn't hurt.
"You must be in a hurry, it's only Tuesday. Not exactly date night." Sharon commented as she made herself at home.
"I know mom, but I am really done postponing my life. I feel really impatient, like it's not real yet." Before Lena, Stef hadn't realized there was a place inside of her that was constantly longing. It had led to dissatisfaction in every facet of her life. She had only ever felt fulfilled as a mother.
"I am sorry Stef. I should have helped. I don't know." Sharon felt helpless. "Are you gay Stef?" They hadn't really talked specifics and now was as good a time as any.
Stef looked at her mom warily, but only saw curiosity, "I am. I know it seems fast, but I've always known, I just never accepted it."
"What if things don't work out with Lena?" Sharon was really ultimately just protective of her daughter.
Stef couldn't imagine such a thing, their connection seemed so strong and special but it was true, they'd only shared a few kisses. They hadn't spent that much time together and they hadn't been intimate. After a few thoughtful moments, she added, "it doesn't really matter. My truth is my attraction to women, it's always been there and it's so powerful and scary. It doesn't compare at all to the affection I've had for Mike or any other man. It's never felt right for me mom, and now it does."
Sharon nodded. She had so much to learn, but she wanted to and she would do her best to listen. "Well, don't make her wait." She couldn't help but notice that Stef wasn't wearing a dress like she normally would for a date. She wanted to say something but decided to bite her tongue back, for once.
Stef certainly didn't want to make Lena wait. She knew enough to know that this was a trial. She could feel Lena's uncertainty. Stef's actions would be more lasting than the words she had given. "I need to keep my word."