ALTERNATE ENDING 1, CHAPTER 5

When Stef got back to work David commented on her shirt being wet.

"My girlfriend was upset," she explained before she even realized what had come out of her mouth. She hadn't really come out at work. But, David just smiled and nodded his head in understanding.

"Yeah, my boyfriend does that too. And they call me the girlie one."

They shared a laugh and Stef went to change her shirt. She and David had been riding together for the past 6 months and they had really exchanged very little personal information with one another. Of course, Stef was an expert at keeping people away by using her humor and her skills as an extrovert but, David was starting to grow on her and switch over to actual friend mode.

While she was changing she checked on Mike's bail. It had been set at $465,000. But, because he had been a police officer the judge decided to reduce it down to $232,500 since he wasn't deemed a flight risk due to his ties to family and community. She only needed to pay 10% and the bail bonds man would cover the rest.

Stef gulped. She had visited the website already and knew that this was coming but having it realized was a lot. Since living with her Mom, she insisted on paying half of the expenses so she had been accruing a lot in savings but this would totally devastate that.

She reminded herself that Mike would do the same for her and went out to speak with David. She reasoned that Lena wouldn't find out where the money had come from and since she wasn't technically posting the bail, then she wasn't really betraying her. Or so she hoped the story would hold up that way.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Gretchen arrived around 2:30 with a change of clothing for Lena. Lena was so happy to be able to get out of her hospital gown after a nice hot shower. She was already feeling a little weak from being cooped up in bed, but her doctor had given her some arm and leg exercises that she could do to help. She knew the next few weeks were going to be crucial. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that she wouldn't carry to term but they were going to try and hold off labor for as long as it took so that the babies would have time to mature as much as possible. That way they had a better fighting chance once they were delivered.

Her bed rest was deemed moderate. She would be able to shower daily, walk up and down the stairs to get to the living room, eat at the kitchen table and drive to her doctor's appointments. Other than that, she was to be on the sofa with her feet elevated.

The family had already rearranged her furniture so she had access to the tv, her phone, and computer at all times. They had even installed a small refrigerator for nearby snacks.

The nurses would do the majority of the household chores and caretaking. Her sister's nanny would bring the kids over to Lena's and watch them there after school. The first shift nurse was already there when they arrived at the house. She was a friendly, cheerful woman who had come highly recommended. Her name was Samantha and Lena liked her immediately.

Gretchen got Lena settled on the sofa and then showed Samantha around. Afterward, she went and sat with Lena. The two hadn't really spoken too much about anything serious besides the babies since she had returned.

She held Lena's hand and looked into her eyes. Lena knew instantly that bad news was coming.

"How are you?" Gretchen asked looking at her intensely.

"I'm fine. I'm glad to be home. It feels like I just got released from prison or something." She chuckled.

Gretchen nodded and laughed along with her. She turned to her seriously and began, "Lena –" She wasn't sure how to continue.

"I know it's something serious Gigi so just say it."

"I have to go." Lena nodded even as tears fell from her eyes. "I'm sorry but it's my job. And you know I wouldn't leave unless it wasn't 100% unavoidable."

Lena held up her hand to stop her. "I get it. It's okay. Callie and I are going to be okay. We have tons of help."

"And there's Stefanie."

"Yes, there's Stefanie." The two exchanged a long heavy look.

Gretchen started to cry silently while nodding. "I know you love her. I see the way you two look at one another. And I get it. I messed up." Lena looked away unable to maintain eye contact. They both understood that there was no going back to how things were. "I will be here for my children though." She put her hand on Lena's round belly. "All of them."

Lena put her hand on top of Gigi's. The two of them shared a kiss. Not a passionate kiss but, one that relayed comfort to them both. They parted and Lena leaned her head on Gigi's shoulder. They stayed that way for a while lost in thoughts, regrets, and goodbyes.

Cococococococococococococo

Stef allowed David to drive while she tried to come up with a way to ask for his help. As usual, her impatience and her foot in mouth disease caused her to just blurt it out.

"I need you to post Mike's bail for me." At David's surprised and slightly startled look, she continued, "Look, I don't know what all you've heard but-"

David was a pretty astute guy. His gaydar had already pinged on Stef as soon as he met her. He had been surprised when Mike came up to him one day and warned him that if his wife didn't come home safe every night that David would be dealing with him personally. Then, he found out that they had actually been separated for months. And recently Stef had been smiling, joking, laughing and happier than he'd ever seen her. He'd barely known she was even capable of those things before then. He also knew that it was definitely not Mike who had brought those things out of her.

"That your husband attacked your girlfriend and that instead of going to him that you went to her and was letting poor innocent behemoth Mike who attacked a pregnant woman rot in jail."

Stef looked horrified. "Is that what they're saying?"

"Yep. But, don't worry. They don't do it around me. I've already told them to back the hell off."

"That's not what happened. Or, not exactly anyway."

"Look, us girls need to stick together. You're my partner and I've got your back. Even in this. Though I do need to warn you, I'm not a fan of Mike's. But, you're not so bad. I don't mind. Your secrets are safe with me."

Stef smiled her thanks and handed over the box of cash and the rest of the money so that David could post Mike's bail. They didn't speak much the rest of the way but, they both understood their relationship had changed. For the first time, they were on equal footing.