ALTERNATE ENDING 1, CHAPTER 2

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Lena, Gretchen, and Callie enjoyed the morning together. Then, it became obvious that Callie needed her afternoon nap. Callie didn't want to leave her Mama and Lena didn't want her to go either so it was decided that Callie would nap there while Gretchen went on errands.

After Gretchen left, Lisa, Lena's older sister came to visit. The entire family had all gotten together and put together a visitation schedule so that Lena didn't have to be alone.

'So, how's it going baby sis?" she asked after dropping a kiss on Lena's and Callie's heads.

Lena had gotten Callie to sleep fairly quickly and since Callie was such a heavy sleeper, they were free to speak openly.

"I can go home tomorrow. But, I'll be on bed rest. More than likely until the babies are able to be delivered. I'm also going to have to take steroids so that their lungs can begin developing in case they have to be delivered early."

"Well, as long as you get through the next 6 weeks, at least you know everything is going to be fine. What are you going to do about the logistics? Is Gretchen staying?"

"For a while but, I'm not sure how much longer she can. I'm surprised she's still here now. Stef and I were talking about moving in together, a couple of weeks ago. But, I'm not sure if it's too early for that or not."

"Moving in together?" Lisa was shocked. She hadn't known that they had been moving this fast. "When her husband is in jail for attempted murder and assault and battery? Lena, you have plenty of family to help you out during this. We've already coordinated a schedule to make sure that you're not spending time alone. You're going to have plenty of back up and help with Callie. Either Timothy or I will bring her to school in the mornings and Timothy will bring the kids home to you afterward. My nanny has already said sitting with all the kids when they're not in school so you don't have to search around for anyone. Mom and Dad are getting you a few nurses so that you're covered around the clock. You're going to be fine. Please don't feel like you have to rush into moving in with someone."

Lena looked over at her sister overwhelmed by the lengths her friends and family had gone to when she hadn't even asked them to. Tears came to her eyes for the outpouring of love from her friends and family. She considered herself a feminist and would never ask for help on her own. But, here she was terrified and in the most vulnerable of positions. She was in no position to turn it down.

"I'm grateful for all of that. Really. Thank you to all of you. But, like I said, we had already been talking about it. I do know what I'm getting myself into. I would never want to do anything that would upset Callie anymore than she already has been. It won't be tomorrow but, I don't see it too far off in the future either."

"As far as Mike is concerned, I don't know what to say. It's still not something I've processed through completely. I wish there was an easy answer and easy fix but…." Lena trailed off and took a deep breath before trying to organize her thoughts and convey them clearly. "I hate him for what he's done. I hate him more as the hours pass. But, I still can't hate her because of him. Then, he wins. And he ends up getting exactly what he wanted. When she's here, I feel nothing but safe and protected. It's not just her job, her nature is protection. It's what drove her into being a police officer. And with her arms around me, I feel like I'm in a warm cocoon. I feel like I could melt into her."

Lisa looked at her sadly before pulling her into her arms and kissing her, "I get it sissy. But, your world doesn't start or end in her arms. The reality is there's still a long way to go from here. And until the babies are here, and they're healthy, this isn't a good time to make any serious decisions. Just, please for me, give it some time before the whole move in thing. There really is no rush. You're going to be fine either way."

They chatted for a while more before Callie awoke from her nap. More friends and family kept dropping in so Lena had plenty to keep her occupied. They had an impromptu dinner party at the hospital with everyone keeping the conversation light and flowing. Then, Lisa took Callie to her place for the night so Lena could get some rest.

Lena laid in bed turning over their conversation. She thought of Stef and no matter how hard she tried, she could only ever see the love that she saw reflected in her gorgeous wide hazel eyes when she looked at her. She just couldn't associate being trapped in this bed with any ill will toward her. As for Mike, that was a thought that she couldn't deal with at all. Her mind completely shunned the thought of him. She started to make a list of the next steps she needed when she went home. She got a text from Stef letting her know that she was on her way. Lena sighed and waited.

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Stef drove to the hospital filled with trepidation. She had no idea what she was going to say or do if Lena asked her about Mike. She still hadn't decided what to do about his message but, she knew that the subject needed to be broached soon.

When she walked in, Lena was sitting up but looking like she was lost in space. It wasn't until she closed the door that Lena snapped out of it. She gave her a small smile and Stef walked forward smiling back.

"How was your day, love? I'm so sorry about earlier. I crashed hard when I got home." Stef hugged and kissed Lena in greeting then sat beside her in the bed and stroked her head.

"It was fine. My parents, Lisa and her family, and Timothy all came over. Timothy brought a few books for me to read. The rest of the time, we just enjoyed one another's company." Lena snuggled closer and rested her head on Stef's chest.

"And what have the doctors said? Any new news?"

"Nope. The bleeding has stopped and the placental absorption seems to be at about 15%. They're worried about it but, they also said it's not uncommon. I'll be going home tomorrow and bed rest until they get here. I'm not looking forward to bed rest or anything, but I'm glad it's almost over. Pretty soon I'll have my little men in my arms."

"Men? More boys?" Stef turned that over in her mind smiling.

Lena nodded her head while smiling. She had just found out the sex recently and was excited thinking about the men her sons would grow to become. She couldn't wait to meet them.

"So, have you thought about names at all?"

"I have a few in mind, but I want to meet them first and see if they match."

Stef laughed. "Well, alright then." She tried to figure out a safe way to approach the subject of Mike. "So, have you seen the news?"

"Nope. I've been too busy with everyone visiting. I really haven't had much time to myself at all. Why?" Lena pulled away from Stef and looked at her suspiciously.

Stef sighed. Tact had never been a strong suit with her. She usually blurted things out and even she was surprised by some of the things that flew out of her mouth. "They umm…. They ran a story… ya know.. about what happened."

Lena shot straight up. "They didn't have pictures of me or Callie did they?" she asked in horror.

"No, no. It was nothing like that. It was just a picture of Mike's mug shot and the charges. I think it only even made news because the Mayor was there that night."

Lena looked at her hard for a few beats longer then, she relaxed again. But, not against Stef, she had retreated to the other side of the bed.

Stef turned to look at her quizzically. "Honey?"

"I'm fine," Lena shrugged her off. "Can we talk about something else?"

Stef knew Lena was aware that at some point, they were going to have to confront things. Stef was the kind of person to never let things go. She preferred confronting things now as opposed to later.

"Baby, we have to." Stef shook her head sadly knowing there wasn't going to be any easy way around this. They had to walk through the fire and she preferred Lena at her side rather than against her.

"Why?"

"Because you're here," Stef gestured at the hospital room. She began crying softly. "And this isn't going to go away anytime soon. I can feel you pulling away from me. And because I can't take the thought of losing you." She managed to choke out before sobbing.

Lena didn't want to have this conversation. But Stef had her cornered.

"I don't know what to say," Lena finally managed to get out while wrapping her arms around herself.

"Just tell me how you feel." Stef pleaded.

"How I feel? How do you think I feel?" Lena could feel her temper rising and the emotions that she had been keeping at bay started to flood over. "I'm angry. I'm so mad I can barely even contain it. I hate him and everything he's done. And not just him." She looked directly at Stef with tears flooding her eyes. "I'm pissed at you too. Why did you bring him to my house? What the hell could've ever possessed you to ever think that was a good idea?"

Stef was hurt but she was also prepared for this. She put herself in Lena's shoes and it's exactly where she would've come out at the same point. She didn't even know if she could forgive this. She knew she deserved it. She would give anything to be able to do the entire night over.

"I don't know." She said trying to quiet her sobs. "He showed up just as we were leaving. Brandon was getting so upset. I thought that it was a ride. And, I could just avoid him at the party. I know you hate me for that. I hate myself too. I'm so sorry." She finished barely audibly.

She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. She stood and walked to the end of the bed and looked over at Lena. "I know I have no right to ask. And I have nothing to bargain with. If I could take it all back, I would. I should've stood up to him more. I just.. Mike's never been like this. It never occurred to me that he'd ever put his hands on a woman. Especially one that's pregnant. But, I am asking… no, I'm begging you to please forgive me. I… I don't know how to live without you in my life. I don't want to try either."

Lena wiped her tears from her own eyes. She was so weary. She was tired of being cooped up, tired of being angry, and tired of being at the mercy of other people. When she looked over at Stef, the only thing she wanted to do was curl up in her arms. She was still angry and knew it would take time to work through. But, try as she might, she just couldn't see herself without Stef in her life either.

This had not been her plan when she left Gretchen just a few short months ago. She thought that maybe, after some time, they'd be able to work things out for the kid's sake. But, she didn't want that. She wanted Stef.

She motioned her toward her and Stef flew into her arms. She burrowed as deep into her as she could.

"I'm still angry." Stef nodded against her to let her know that she understood. "I'm also tired of being angry. There is no timeline for getting over this. But, I don't hate you. I love you too much for that."

Stef looked up at her with gratitude.They were going to be okay.It wasn't over.But, it was a start to getting over it.

They spent a few minutes kissing and cuddling. Then, Stef went to get ready for bed. They talked, kissed, touched, and held one another until they fell asleep together.