The next day, Stef dropped Brandon off at pre-school and headed to work. She checked her phone several times that day to see if Lena called. When Lena hadn't called by lunch, Stef had called her again and left yet another message. She couldn't understand why Lena wasn't returning her calls. Stef spent the next two days thinking about Lena and wondering why she hadn't called. Maybe Lena didn't want to be with her. Maybe Lena didn't want to be involved with someone with a child. Stef thought Lena liked kids, after all she worked a school, but maybe she didn't want kids of her own. That must be it. Well, Brandon was her world and if Lena didn't want to be with her because she had Brandon, well it was Lena's loss.
Lena spent the week helping get Anchor Beach ready for a new school year. It was her second year as Assistant Vice Principal and she was looking forward to the new year. She couldn't wait to see the kids again and was looking forward to meeting the kids starting kindergarten. She hadn't seen Stef since the morning she made her French toast. Stef had called her several times, but Lena couldn't bring herself to listen to the messages. She was afraid that if she heard Stef's voice again she would want to see her. She knew that she couldn't do that. She wanted to be with Stef more than anything, but came to the realization that Stef didn't feel the same way. She had spent two nights this past week with Jenna and Kelly, crying on their shoulders. They were so supportive and never said to her "we told you so". They supported her and told her she needed to get out there and met someone else. Jenna mentioned a new colleague at work and suggested they all have dinner the following weekend. Lena was hesitant but knew she needed to get her mind off Stef so she agreed.
Stef spent the week getting Brandon ready to start kindergarten. She couldn't believe that her son was growing up so fast. She was looking forward to seeing the new things her son would experience. Brandon bounded into Stef's room on Monday morning, already dressed for school. She laughed at his miss-matched outfit. She helped him change and then she drove him to school. When she walked into the classroom it was filled with excited kids and anxious parents. Brandon clung to her hand a little nervous about the new environment. She bent down and whispered in his ear that she loved him and that he was going to have a fabulous day. When another little boy walked over and handed him a truck, Brandon hugged his Mom and ran with the boy to join some other kids. Stef was so focused on Brandon, that she didn't even notice Lena watching her. As she stood up and turned to leave, she noticed Lucy and Colleen standing by the door. She walked over to them and they chatted for a few moments about their kids. When she saw Lena across the room talking to some of the other parents, her heart skipped a beat. When their eyes met and Lena smiled at her, Stef felt the wind go out of her. She knew she couldn't face Lena so she left.
When Lena saw Stef walk in the room with her son, she was shocked by her own reaction. Her knees went week and all she could do was watch this beautiful woman and her son. She was so envious of the obvious love they had for each other. For a moment she forgot of everything she had gone through the last week and wondered what kind of life they could have together. A little later, when her eyes met Stef's across the room, she couldn't help but smile. She was devastated when Stef just looked at her and left the room. That just reinforced that Stef didn't want her.
On the third day of school, Brandon took a tumble on the playground and scraped his leg. Lena happened to be out in the play yard and went to comfort Brandon. She knew that the nurses office had two sick kids in it waiting for their parents, so after picking up some antiseptic, gauze and band aids, she took Brandon back to her office. As she was cleaning his wound, Brandon asked Ms. Adams if she had any kids.
She responded, "No, but I'll tell you a secret, I hope someday to have a bunch of kids". He asked her how she knew how to clean scrapes and she said that she has had been working at the school for a while and had taken care of a lot of kids. She wiped away his tears and handed him a lollipop. She helped him down off her desk and walked him back to class. As he got to the door Brandon hugged Lena and said that someday she would be a good "Mama". Lena got tears in her eyes and she quickly returned to her office and buried herself in paperwork. She hadn't even heard the bell ring.
When Stef got to school to pick up Brandon, she noticed the big band aid on his knee. He told her that he had fallen and said, "Ms. Adams was really nice Mom. She took care of me and she told me a secret". Stef was a little surprised and asked Brandon if he would tell her what it is. He looked at his Mom and said, "Well I know we don't keep secrets so I guess I can tell you. Ms. Adams said that she hoped to have a bunch of kids someday". Stef stopped dead in her tracks. She was dumbfounded. Lena wanted kids after all. She was suddenly hopeful again, not even thinking that Lena didn't want her she told Brandon that they needed to go thank Ms. Adams for taking care of him.
Lena was surprised when Stef and Brandon walked into her office. She smiled at Brandon, avoiding eye contact with Stef, and asked him how his knee was doing. He said that it was fine, but that he had told his Mom her secret. For a moment, Lena wasn't sure what Brandon was talking about. Then she remembered the comment she made about wanting kids. She smiled and said, "That's ok Brandon". When she looked at Stef, she had to fight back tears. "You have a brave little boy there".
Stef's heart broke when she saw the tears in Lena's eyes. She turned to Brandon and said, "Hey B, why don't you go back out to the playground with the other kids and I'll come and get you. I need to talk to Ms. Adams".
Brandon asked, "Am I in trouble Mom".
"No honey, I just need to talk to Ms. Adams." Stef walked out of Lena's office and asked her secretary if she could take Brandon to the playground. When she said yes, she returned to Lena's office and shut the door.
Lena and Stef just stared at each other for a few moments, both willing the other to speak. Stef finally interrupted the silence, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I didn't call you back the day that Brandon got sick. I was just so wrapped up in him, that I didn't notice my phone died. I called you as soon as I got your messages. Why didn't you call me back"?
Lena got mad. "Stef, you didn't call me for two days. I was so worried about Brandon I thought he was seriously ill. I couldn't imagine what you were going through, but I thought that you would at least tried to call me."
Stef said, "I did".
Lena responded, "Not until Monday night. By then I had already driven to your house to make sure you were ok".
"You drove to my house? Why didn't you come to the door?"
"Well you were busy with someone else".
"What are you talking about? I was alone that night". Then Stef remembered that Mike had come over to check on Brandon and stayed for dinner.
"I saw you hugging a man and he kissed you".
"That was Mike. He had come by to check on Brandon and we talked. We were both scared about Brandon and I felt bad for him."
"You felt bad for him. It looked like more than that".
Stef couldn't take it anymore. She sat in the chair across from Lena's desk and took a deep breath. "Is that what this is all about? You saw me with Mike and you think I want to be with him".
Lena sat in her chair and softly said, "Yes".
"Lena, I don't want to be with Mike. I want to be with….You. I thought you didn't want to be with me because of Brandon".
"What are you talking about".
"I thought that you didn't want kids and realized that I can't be with someone who doesn't want to be with Brandon".
Lena was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe that Stef thought that about her. How well did they really know each other? She looked at Stef and said, "I love kids and I want a family someday.
Stef stood up and walked around Lena's desk just as Lena stood up. They stared into each other's eyes and then Stef reached for Lena and pulled her close. They clung to each other a few moments before Stef took Lena's hands and kissed her lightly on the lips. Lena pulled away and said, "I can't do this here, you need to leave". Stef looked into Lena's eyes and pleaded, "Please come over and have dinner with Brandon and me on Saturday".
A.N. - hope you are enjoying this. Only a few chapters left.