ALTERNATE ENDING, CHAPTER 6

Sharon had gone shopping first then went to pick up the kids. When she got there, she learned that Callie and the others had already been taken home by the nanny.

She drove over to Lena's with Brandon and was let in by the nurse. She introduced herself and Brandon and was shown into the living room where Lena was.

"Sharon, hi. This is a surprise." Lena said while the two hugged.

"Well, it wasn't supposed to be but I see that daughter of mine forgot to tell you. I came over to make dinner since I'm sure you're sick of hospital food and take out. I figured you could also use the company."

"Well, that's sweet. Hi Brandon." Lena said turning her attention to him and giving him a hug.

"Hi Lena. Your stomach is really big." The adults laughed and Brandon looked a little surprised.

"Well, that's what happens when you have two babies growing inside of you. Callie, Jaleyn, and Ethan are all out back with the nanny. Why don't you head out there?"

Brandon eagerly ran off and Sharon told Lena she was going to start dinner.

Lena texted Stef and told her that her Mom and Brandon had arrived. Stef texted back that she was sorry she forgot to tell her when she went over for lunch but that she was going to be late getting off of work tonight.

Hurry home love.

Mmmm... I love the sound of that, was the reply she received back. Lena smiled. So did she.

Cocococococococococococococo

Stef finished her shift and then drove to the county jail. Mike was already waiting when she pulled up.

"Not one word Mike I swear." She gave him her don't you dare try me glare and drove to his house. They made it almost all the way there before Mike just had to ruin it.

"How's Brandon?"

"He's fine." They pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex. "This is it Mike."

"Stef, I'm so sorry."

Stef held up her hand and stopped him. "I know that Mike. But, it doesn't change what is. If those babies die-" she trailed off shaking her head. "There's nothing more that I can do for you Mike."

He nodded and got out. She drove off without looking back.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Since talking with Gretchen, Lena was feeling a little off. She couldn't explain it. It was just a really odd disconnected feeling like she was floating underwater.

Stef arrived and everyone crowded around the kitchen table to enjoy dinner. She and Gretchen sat on opposite ends but it was as if there was an invisible band connecting the two of them. They spent the night catching one another's gazes then looking away and looking back again.

Stef walked Lena back to the sofa after dinner and snuggled close. "How about I spend the night?" she asked playing with Lena's curls.

"No." Lena answered quickly. Stef looked over at her surprised and a little hurt. "I mean, you don't have to. I'm really tired. I think I'm just going to turn in as soon as Callie does." She smiled it off.

Gretchen had already taken Callie upstairs for her bath and everyone else had already cleared out for the night. It was just Stef, Brandon, and Sharon left and the two latter looked like they were ready to hit the road.

"Okay then." Stef started to get up to join them. She had noticed the looks passing between Gretchen and Lena but had let it pass. She trusted Lena. "Well, I guess we'll be going too. Goodnight." She kissed Lena and Brandon and Sharon said their goodbyes.

Lena knew that her behavior was worrying Stef but she couldn't explain them to herself at the moment. She just felt that on the last night before Gretchen left, that the three of them should be alone. She went up to her room and the three of them climbed in her bed. Callie laid between them while they Gretchen read her to sleep. Gretchen and Lena reached their hands out to one another over her and held on tight as they fell asleep with Callie snuggled in between them.

**A/N: CALM DOWN PEOPLE! You all know that Lena is faithful to Stef. Her bonding with Gretchen isn't out of passion or love. It's the fact that they were once in love and things are going to be forever different now. She's got huge amounts of pregnancy hormones flowing through her and she's feeling a little sad of letting go of yesterday. Don't worry. She knows who her Mama is and her heart beats for Stef.