Chapter 6

"That bitch! She is about to ruin everything". Tess got out of the bed and proceeded to put on her shirt.

"So what happened again?" Dean said as he rolled out of bed himself not bothering to gather is clothes.

Tess rolled her eyes, as she checked her phone trying to think on her toes. "I saw them kissing. The best couples therapist in California fell for my fiancé. Then on top of that they were so obviously flirting and touching on each other. She is going to have Stef wrapped around her skinny little finger. I knew we should have went with a man. If this keeps going on Stef will leave me for her. I can't just cancel the appointments because Stef wanted them and I don't have a valid reason to".

Dean got up and wrapped his arms around her from the back and began kissing down her neck. "Why do you care anyway? You are with me most of the time anyway."

"How many times do I have to go over this? Her dad was loaded, had all of these investments. So when he died he left half to her and half to her mother. But Stef refuses to access it. I figured maybe once we were married then she would take it out and actually put it to use. I could go back to school and get my Masters or Doctorate or something. We could do so much with that money, travel, get a new house, anything. And it's all going to be thrown out the window because Stef is going to fall in love before her and I even have a chance to plan the wedding",

With that Tess suddenly had an idea.

"Well, what ever you would like to do I will find a way to take care of it".

…

"I honestly think that you should go for it," Kelly said taking a bite of her food. They were having Sunday brunch together Lena finally told her everything that has been going on with Stef.

"What? Kelly, seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. Look, she is not destined to be with that terrible woman. I don't have to be her therapist to know that. So destiny had to have brought her here for another reason. Besides she not married yet".

"Yes but she is engaged. So she made the effort to get married".

"Ok, but she isn't yet. And she came here because she clearly is having doubts. When she walks in here, the look she has on her face as she anticipates you coming out of your office is the most mesmerizing thing I have ever witnessed".

Lena just shook her head as she looked at her friend.

"I don't know what to do. I have never felt like this with anyone, ever. I never knew what love could feel like. Love without even having sex, just by being in her presence. I feel safe and like I am at home when I am with her. I feel like I have known her my whole life. Like I have known her in past lives and each time I see her we are reunited…But it's not professional. In my line of work it is practically taboo. So I know that either we cut it out or I have to stop being her therapist."

"So what are you going to do Lena?"

"I don't know. But Nate is having something at the house tonight for the football game. He invited a lot of his buddies by and I'm sure he invited her. So maybe I can figure it out by then".

…

The house that night was packed with people. Lena for the life of her couldn't figure out how someone who works all of the time could have so many friends. Her brother originally planned to watch the game outside but the rain drove everyone inside.

Lena was helping Vanessa with the food and getting everything out so that the guys could help themselves. Though Vanessa has grown accustomed to the excitement of football, Lena wasn't too much of a fan.

But the game already started and Lena was sitting back watching everyone and there was still no sign of Stef. She knew she had to think of a plan B incase she didn't show or if she showed up with Tess.

However, the came kept on further and further progressing and Lena was tired of waiting and pretending to know what was going on. She was able to slip away and make her way up the stairs. But instead of going to her room she headed towards the guest room, knowing the last person to be in there was Stef. The air itself somehow still smelled like her, it still even felt like part of her was still there.

She went over to the pile of her laundry that she tended to keep there and found one of her plaid shirts. She picked it up knowing that it would smell more like the clean linen than her but held it to her face to feel the softness against her skin.

"You can keep it if you like".

Lena turned around to the familiar voice, putting the shirt down, and looked into those hazel eyes.

"I didn't think you were coming" Lena said taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

Stef sat her bag down by the door and walked over to sit next to her. "Better late than never right?" Stef tried but Lena barely smiled as she looked away. "I really just wanted to come here to see you and to apologize for yesterday and last night. I'm not sorry that I did it. Not at all. I'm just sorry that I'm causing you so much confusion".

"I'm not sorry that it happened either" Lena said giving a sincere yet still pained smile.

Stef got up and grabbed the blanket off of the bed and guided Lena with her to the window seat. For she knew at this point if they were to cuddle in that bed they would be digging a bigger hole. With Lena between her legs and laying side ways against her chest, Stef wrapped the blanket around them as the rain hit against the window.

"For right now, it's just you and me" Stef said pulling her close.

"Yes. For right now" Lena repeated.

"Lena, if you want me to I will leave Tess right now. And it will always just be you and me. The way that you make me feel is indescribable. I don't understand how I went the last few decades without having you in my life".

Trying her best to shield her face and look out the window Lena replied, " It's not about what I want. It's about what is right. Us, this, isn't right. You are supposed to be getting married and I am supposed to be helping you accomplish that".

"No you are supposed to help me find happiness. And you are. But for some reason I feel as though even if I ended things with Tess you wouldn't be with me for some reason"

"It's just the circumstances. If we would've met here in this house before all of that even then maybe. But I keep crossing a line that is forbidden and I can't seem to find my way back over it. So maybe…"

Stef knew exactly what Lena was about to say and she didn't want to hear it or for it to happen.

"So maybe," she interrupted, " we can just live in the now. Please."

Lena nodded her head and before she knew it Stef's lips were on hers again. It was nothing intense. Just simple and sweet, exactly what she needed in that moment.

"So how has your day been?l" Stef began looking at Lena's reflections through the window.

"Productive, yet tiring…" They spent the rest of the night talking and getting to know the other on a deeper level until Lena fell asleep and Stef drove back home.

….

The next morning all Stef wanted to do was to stay in bed until she had to go to work. But Tess called her insistently almost 10 times.

"Aren't you supposed to be working…in a school…where cell phones aren't allowed", Stef said in a grump and half asleep.

"Relax, I have time right now. I wanted to ask you something about the wedding".

"Tess, really. You know I will agree with whatever you want to do. I don't care".

Tess smiled to herself knowing she would definitely get her way with a tired Stef. "Well it's about a huge detail and I think that your opinion would greatly matter".

"Tess, no it won't. Come on Honey. I really just want to sleep".

"Ok ok. The venue had a mix up with our date. It's only available about a month from now so I'm going to move up the wedding date to then" Tess said speedily.

"Yeah, yeah sounds fine. Now I'm going to sleep. Have a good day"

"Ok! Love you!"

Stef hung up the phone and rolled over. It took her about 15 seconds before she jumped up and realized what just happened. "Oh Fuck!" She yelled out.

….

That afternoon, Stef knew that she needed to talk to Lena. She couldn't believe that she still didn't have Lena's personal phone number so she had no choice but to go to her office.

Fully dressed in her uniform, Stef walked through the doors and was greeted by Kelly. "Well hello there officer", Kelly teased, "I almost forgot that you were a cop".

Stef just blushed as she walked up to the counter. "Is Lena free right now? I really need to talk to her about something".

"Yeah. She actually just finished up. I can page her".

But before Kelly could pick up the phone Lena emerged, sure she heard Kelly talking to a familiar voice. She almost had to catch herself. She never saw Stef in her uniform and it was caused her heart to beat out of control. The uniform fit her well in every aspect.

"Stef! Hi. What are you doing here?"

"Uh, I have to talk to you about something. Important." Stef trailed off not wanting to say too much with Kelly.

"Yeah, yeah I get the hint. I'll eat lunch outside today. Try not to make out on my desk please", Kelly said grabbing her stuff and Stef's face to turn bright red.

"Kelly!" Len scolded but that did nothing as the brunette walked out laughing.

"So you told her about us" Stef smiled.

But Lena just brushed it off, "what's wrong Stef?"

"Uhm, I…I don't want to do this here. Can I take you out to lunch and we can talk there?"

A little hesitant, Lena still agreed as she went to get her belongings from inside her office.

Making their way to the elevator, they tried to start small talk when the doors opened and Lena thought that she was going to faint.

"Oh is this a bad time? I need relationship advice", the tall, slim woman said smiling directly at Lena.

"Gretchen", she exhaled.

"Gretchen?" Stef said giving Lena's ex-girlfriend the once over.

She stepped off the elevator and went to hug Lena who stepped out of the way.

"Lena we need to talk" she said flatly.

Lena gave Stef a look.

"Whoa, wait you want me to leave?" Stef said almost in shock.

"Yes Stef, please. We can talk later I have to handle this".

Just nodding her head Stef walked onto the elevator without saying a word as she watched Lena guide Gretchen back inside.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Lena hissed.

Gretchen walked around the office looking at the various things Lena had displayed and hanging up. "I think that it's about time that we get back together. We had our little time apart and that was great. But you and I both know that we are going to end up together".

"What? Do you even hear yourself right now? You slept with one of my best friends"

"Oh gosh Lena when are you going to just let that go? I'm human. Damn shoot me why don't you".

"Weren't you two just on vacation?"

"Yes I've never realized the work her mouth could do outside the bedroom. It's like she never just shuts up. You should honestly pick some better friends".

"Gretchen, why won't you just leave me alone? I don't want you. I'm completely over you. I thought when I did finally see you again I would be hurt and crushed. But I'm not. I'm just annoyed that you won't just disappear".

"Hmm. Is it that cop? Let me guess she uses a strap or something? You never were into that but I guess anything could happen. But you already know that I clearly have more than her. How is she going to ever support you or do anything for you".

"Who I am or am not seeing will never be any of your business. And that's the problem with you right there. Love isn't about material things it's about the connection and compassion between two people. Something you will never understand. And the last time I checked I make my own money and can support myself. And you already know that I clearly make more than YOU".

Gretchen walked over and sat on the edge of Lena's desk. "Awe look at you being all defensive. So let's find out more about this cop. Does she know that you kicked her out so you can be alone with your ex?"

"She knows who you are because we are friends. Not because we are together".

"Sure. You for a couples therapist you should've known that this is definitely going to put a damper on your relationship. I mean look at me".

"Gretchen". Lena growled prepared to tell her off.

"So let me guess. You love all of that public cuteness. So why keep this one a secret? Is she taken? Oh! Is she one of your clients? Both?!"

Before Lena could say anything else Kelly came storming through the door. After finding out what happened from a pissed off Stef she ran back up the stairs.

"Ok party's over! Lena your next appointment will be here soon" Kelly lied with a bit of an attitude. She was disappointed in Lena for pushing Stef out over Gretchen and her face expression said it all.

…..

It was finally the day of their appointment and Lena was once again a mess. She debated about if it would be a good idea to look up Stef's number and call her but she didn't know what she would say or what if Tess answered or was with her. She was thankful when they didn't cancel and she got the call from Kelly saying that they were there and ready for her.

Lena looked herself over before heading to the door and welcoming them to come in and sit. She noticed the off and cold vibe Stef brought with her. Once they sat down and got comfortable Lena got right into it. She wanted to get it over with in hopes that Stef would find a way to sneak back up and talk to her.

"So how have you two been?" Lena began.

"We pushed the wedding up to a few weeks from today," Tess blurred out completely satisfied with the shocked and hurt look that flashed across Lena's face before she had time to control it.

"Uhm…" Lena desperately tried to regroup and get her thoughts together. But she just couldn't focus as she looked up to Stef who refused to look at her.