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When Stef awoke it was to total darkness. She had only meant to rest her eyes for a second. She hadn't known that she was that tired. She jumped up and nearly fell over herself again in her panic. She reached over and turned on her bedside lamp.

She read the note that her Mom had left. Then she reread it. She didn't know what to do. Helping Mike seemed like a betrayal to Lena. On the other hand, he was going to be Brandon's father forever and she did feel guilty about being the center of him having such a hard time letting go. But, she was also so angry at him. If Lena lost her babies, she knew there was no going back. She folded it up and placed it in her wallet. She just couldn't deal with it right now.

She texted Lena to check in.

Hey baby. I'm so sorry. I only meant to rest my eyes for a little while but I guess I was really tired. I fell asleep.

That's fine. Plenty of people have been in and out and Gretchen and Callie are still here so we're good. Visiting hours end at ten but Callie's bedtime is 8:30 so they'll be leaving soon.

And what did the doctor say?

She said that since my bleeding stopped that they'd only keep me in here another day just to be cautious. Then, I get to go home to full bed rest and steroids.

Well, I'll be over as soon as I can.

It's okay. You don't have to.

I want to. I thought I'd spend the night again and I could go to work from there.

As long as you make it by 10.

It'll be earlier than that. I'll have dinner and put Brandon to bed and then I'll be right over. I love you.

Love you too.

She was dressing when she heard her Mom and Brandon come back. She quickly finished and went out to greet them.

"Oh, I was confused seeing your car outside. I thought that you were going to be gone by now."

"Me too. But, I guess I was more tired than I thought." She scooped up Brandon. "Hey little man. Have fun?"

Brandon giggled "Yes. We made sand castles. And then we had a picnic. And then we played in the water. I'm hungry now."

"Oh, wow. Super cool!" She kissed him and then held him really close. "Why don't you go and wash up and then we'll see about dinner, hmm?"

He ran off and Stef started to check the fridge. "I was thinking I'd grill us up something for dinner."

"Sounds great," Sharon said. "Gives me a night off."

Stef looked over at her smiling, "You know I appreciate all that you've done right Mom?"

Her mother made a flapping gesture with her hands. "What else am I going to do? Sit around here crocheting? I'm not dead yet."

"I love you Mom."

"I love you too Stefanie."

Stef got the grill going and they decided to eat out on the patio since it was such a nice evening. Brandon kept them occupied with tales of beach exploits. Then, he brought up Callie's party. He looked around as if he was expecting to be in trouble.

"What's wrong bud?" Stef asked at his sudden shutdown.

"I don't think Daddy likes me talking about Lena and Callie." Brandon said quietly with his head down.

"Your Daddy is a grown man B. He can like or not like what he wants but so can you. You let me and him take care of you. How about that?"

Brandon gave a small smile and began eating again.

It was still early so Stef decided after Brandon's bath, a movie night could be arranged. She sent Brandon ahead of her to pick out a movie while she got the bathroom tidied up and started packing for her overnight.

"Mommy! Daddy's on TV!" Brandon yelled from the living room.

Stef dropped her things and ran to the front room. There on the TV was Mike's mug shot. With side captions saying that the charge was attempted manslaughter and assault and battery.

"…The officer's name is Michael Foster. He had been to the residence prior to the incident as a guest at the party. Witnesses say he then left but he came back charging through the house to confront a woman who he claimed was trying to steal his wife, an Officer Stefanie Foster. Witnesses also say that it took more than 4 different men to subdue the officer who had reentered the premises under the guise of doing police work until the police department could arrive on the scene. The woman is almost 6 months pregnant and her condition is said to be stable but still critical. If the baby doesn't survive, the charges could be upgraded to full manslaughter or even second degree murder. No one else, including the mayor who was also in attendance at the party was hurt. Back to you Chuck." The reporter said.

Stef threw a horrified look over to Sharon who had an identical expression on her face.

"Why don't you put the disk in and get it started, Bud." Stef told Brandon shakily.

Brandon proudly and gladly put the disk in with a smile on his face. Apparently he hadn't really understood what had just happened. Stef was grateful for that.

They sat and watched the movie for about an hour before Brandon fell asleep on his own. Stef took him to her room and laid him down in his bed, picked up her overnight bag and walked back into the front room. She had already explained to Brandon that she wouldn't be there when he awoke but that she'd see him after work tomorrow like always. She also assured him that she'd call in the morning.

"Mom, I'm going to take off." She said as she was sending a text to Lena letting her know that she was on the way.

"Take care, honey. By the way, what are you going to do about Mike's message?" Sharon asked before she could run out.

Stef sighed in exasperation. "Honestly, Mom. I just don't know. And right now I don't want to think about it. I'm going to go to Lena and maybe there'll be an answer in the morning."

Sharon just nodded and Stef made her getaway.