ALTERNATE ENDING 1, CHAPTER 11

Stef was so cranky the next day, David finally broke down and had to ask, "What the hell is with you? The little woman not giving you any?"

"No, she's not." At his questioning face she explained, "She's on bedrest. No sexual activity of any kind."

"Well, that sucks for her. You can still handle your own business, you know." When she gave him a grossed out look he said, "Look, girlfriend, we've all been there. There's no shame in the playing alone game."

"That's not what's bothering me. It's mostly, well…. She's not talking to me. It's like she's got this barrier up and I have no idea why. I know she's worried about the babies and Callie and Mike but, those things she usually talks to me about. I have no idea what's going on with her right now. And we never have a minute alone. There's always the kids or someone else there all the time."

"I thought you said your Mom was taking the kids today. She can't keep them for a while so you two can get some grown up time together?"

That gave Stef an idea. She texted her Mom. Hi Mom, how're things with the kids?

They're fine. They're pretty easy kids.After their naps are over we're going to take a trip to the zoo.

And how's Callie? Is everything okay with her?

Callie's her usual self.She's quieter than usual but other than that she's fine.

Do you think you could do me a favor and keep them until close to bedtime? Lena and I really need to spend some time alone.

I'll do better than that.I'll grab some of Callie's things and I'll keep them both for the night.

Thanks Mom.I love you guys. Tell them that we'll call them later tonight okay?

Love you too. Talk to you later.

Now all she needed was a good plan for tonight.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Sharon had come over extra early to help with the kids. First, she made them a special picnic breakfast that they shared on the floor in the living room with Lena. Then, she took them to the park for a while so that they could get rid of some excess energy. Lena had insisted Angelique tag along which was fine with Sharon. She had let the younger woman do all the chasing them around so they were good and worn out by the time they went home for lunch.

They had only just went to bed and Sharon was chatting with Lena when Stef began texting her. She was more than happy to keep the kids overnight. She knew the two women needed time alone and she was looking forward to spending some time doting on her grandkids.

"So, I guess you two are going to keep the kids in the same room for now?" Sharon asked.

"Well, it seems to be working for them right now. They both ended up in my bed last night so I don't see them in separate bedrooms for a while."

"Sounds good. Stef and Brandon don't have much to move over here anyway. They've been sharing a bedroom between them and Brandon's been in his toddler bed which is way too small for him. Although, word to the wise, I wouldn't let them sleeping with you become a habit. You'll just end up regretting it."

"I guess it's one that I don't mind indulging right now. I feel safer having Callie with me. And she's had so many changes to deal with. It lets me check in with her. She shouldn't have to put up with so much right now. She's now basically lost both of her Moms. I just really wish Gretchen would hurry back," Lena sighed heavily.

"What am I, chopped liver?" Sharon asked in a mock offended voice. "She still has you, you know. And Stef, and me, and all the rest of her family around her. I know it's hard not being able to move around as you'd like but, just like you; she has a bigger support system than she knows. Being a mother is a hard enough job without adding guilt. Trust me, once you start going down that road you don't stop. And Callie's doing fine. She's got plenty of family and support around her. And she knows she's being loved. It's not like you've put her outside and making her fend for herself. So what if someone else cooks meals. You really do need to let up on yourself with the guilt. It'll do nothing but eat you alive and taint everything around you."

"I just hate sitting here having to watch my life play out around me. I've never felt this helpless and dependent in my life. I feel like a beached whale. Completely out of my element and not able to do anything about it."

Sharon moved over to the couch to sit beside Lena. She clasped her hand in hers tightly. "You are not dependent. You're simply allowing yourself to be supported by people around you who love you. You've been put in a horrible position but you're not helpless either. Helpless means that you're weak and right now you're in the highest power position. All you have to do is to speak and Stefanie will practically break her leg trying to get you whatever it is that you want. Stop looking at this as a punishment and remember that you're bringing two babies into the world. Now, you have time to conserve energy and get all the rest in that you can. With 4 kids between the two of you, you're definitely going to need it."

Lena laughed through her tears. "Sorry, pregnancy hormones," she said while fanning her face with her hands. "

She put her arm around Lena before continuing, "I'm so glad that Stef has found you. I watched my daughter change from this beautiful fearless little bundle of energy to just being a shell. I thought that I could change Frank but, instead he changed me. And I almost died under the weight of that guilt. It still haunts me. But, when I see you two together, I know I can forgive myself.

"I really do want to thank you so much for everything you've done. I'm so grateful for all of it. And Stef loves you and she's never blamed you. So take your own advice, woman. Let go of the guilt trip." The two women hugged one another and sat lost in their own thoughts before the thump of a child's feet hitting the floor shook them out of their reverie.

"Grandma's back on duty now. This is what I live for." Sharon dropped a kiss on Lena's head as she went upstairs to corral the kids.