ALTERNATE ENDING 1, CHAPTER 12
When Stef walked in Lena was looking anxiously out the picture window in the living room.
"I thought you were your Mom. She's been gone with the kids all day and I haven't heard from her. I need you to go and get them," Lena had sent herself into a panic. She had tears pouring down her eyes and she was shaking.
Stef came forward quickly and wrapped her arms around her. "Calm down babe. I'm sorry. I asked Mom to take the kids for the night. I wanted to do something special for just us. I wanted it to be a surprise."
"You what? Why would you do that and not tell me?!"
"Because it would've ruined the surprise part of surprise? I'm sorry. I didn't think that you'd get upset. I just… we really needed some alone time baby."
Lena still had tears streaming down her face but was at least attempting to calm down. She was still kneading her hands together, "I'm not sure about the whole night. Maybe for a couple of hours or so."
Stef took Lena's face in her hands and kissed her. "Baby, please, we need this," she pleaded staring into Lena's eyes. Stef's voice was normally husky and Lena loved hearing her talk. Especially when her head was resting on her chest. The rumble from within, she called it. But when she really wanted to convey how serious it was, she usually spoke in a whisper. It helped her keep her emotions reigned in. "Listen, I just left them, and they're fine. Callie's fine. Angelique did a sweep of the house and around it. They're going to be okay for one night. Just, please Lena."
Lena bit her lip and looked past Stef at the bags that she had brought in with her and left in the foyer. Reluctantly she nodded her consent. "What'd you bring me?"
Stef laughed her triumph and relief and kissed Lena again. "Oh no, it's not going to be that easy. You have to close your eyes and say pretty please first,"
Lena held out her hands, tilted her head back, looked up at Stef and closed her eyes, "Pretty please with ice cream and a cherry on top, may I have my surprise?"
Stef laughed and went and fetched the bags.
Lena felt something soft and fragrant traveling across her face and opened up her eyes. It was a bouquet of multicolored roses. Stef presented them with a flourish and a curtsey and Lena happily accepted them.
"So, I wasn't sure which color to get you so I asked the florist the meaning behind the colors. Red here," Stef pulled the roses out one at a time, "is for love. You are forever my love. Pink is for how graceful you are. Yellow is for joy because you make me so happy. And the green here, that's my favorite. It's the new life you're giving to me."
Lena lost it and started to tear up. She leaned over and kissed Stef deeply.
Stef pulled back and wagged her finger at her, "Wait. I'm not finished yet." She placed the pizza on the coffee table and grabbed a bottle and champagne flukes and presented it to Lena like a waiter in a restaurant. "Dinner, a movie, and the finest sparkling white grape juice in the world."
Lena cocked her head to the side, "Hmm.. I see it came from the orchards of Welch. You spared no expense huh?"
"Only the best for you, my love. Now, let's eat and watch the movie. Then we can call the kids before bedtime."
They watched the movie and ate snuggled up together. Afterward, they called the kids and made sure and checked in with them. Callie and Lena had a long conversation in rapid French. Stef kept an ear out trying to judge how the conversation was going by inflection since she couldn't understand the words. It eventually tapered off and Lena disconnected the call.
"Callie okay?"
Lena nodded vaguely. "Yeah, she's fine now. She thought she was being kidnapped. I assured her that she'd be home tomorrow. Your Mom promised to bring them by before going to school." Stef waited knowing by the distracted look on Lena's face and the way she was absently flicking her fingernails together that more was coming.
"We really need to figure out what to tell the kids about this situation before you and Brandon move in."
"Okay. And what do you think we should tell them since they're only four."
Lena was back to chewing her bottom lip again, "I don't lie to Callie. I don't want her lying to me and I think it sets a bad example. Eventually, Brandon's going to ask about his Father. How are you planning on handling that?" Lena turned back onto Stef.
"I guess I'll keep it the same as when I tell him about anyone else going to jail. Daddy did something bad and jail is his consequence."
"I don't want him here Stef. Under no circumstances or for any reason. I don't want him anywhere near me, my house, or my children. I can barely even tolerate hearing his name. If you want Brandon to spend time with him, the two of you are going to have to work it out at one of those visitation drop off centers. But, under no circumstances is he ever to come anywhere near us." Lena said vehemently.
"Fine." Stef said sharply. "Is that it?"
Lena gave Stef a look of consternation. "What Stefanie?"
Stef wriggled her nose and sighed heavily. "Sometimes it seems like you don't even want us here. You speak of you, Callie, and the babies and me and Brandon as if we're two separate entities. I thought that you wanted to make this a family."
"I do want to make this a family. But, I will admit it's a lot harder than I thought it would or should be."
"And why do you think that is?" Stef's voice had gone quiet again. When Lena remained quiet, she continued, "My thoughts or feelings haven't changed. Have yours?" She tried looking into Lena's eyes but Lena was looking down and it seemed to Stef purposely avoiding her. After the silence stretched into awkwardness Stef said, "Well, this night is turning out lovely."
"I do still love you," Lena spoke quietly as well, "But, I think my feelings have changed somewhat."
"What do you mean by that?" Stef's stomach was starting to churn and her palms were sweating.
Lena had her hands crossed over her belly. She leaned her head against the back of the sofa and stared at the ceiling. "I mean what I said. I still love you. But, I feel like we're on two different pages as far as this situation is concerned. My entire life has exploded, my daughter has lost both of her Mommies, I've been terrified since the second the doctor told me my babies lives could be in danger and you just seem to be going about your day as if nothing is really happening. It just makes me so angry."
Stef shook her head, "I know that everything has changed and I'm trying to be there but, you just keep pushing me away. I'm trying to be there for Callie too but she just stares through me. I don't know what else I can do. Please, tell me, Lena, what else can I do?" Stef was on the verge of tears
Lena finally turned and looked at Stef, "I love you," She pulled her into her arms and pressed her forehead against hers. "I do want this to work. I'm not worried about you and Callie. She'll come around eventually. This is just harder than I bargained for. I'm really sorry if you felt that I was taking it out on you."
Stef kissed Lena and let out a sigh of relief. She was just glad that they were okay. She vowed to make sure that it stayed that way. She wrapped her arms around her and pulled her as close as she could. "I love you too." Finally, out of breath, she pulled back, "Why don't you go upstairs and get ready for bed while I lock up and put the alarm on?"
"Hurry up," Lena told her while she walked toward the stairs.
Stef checked downstairs first, then ran upstairs and made sure all windows were closed and locked and all lights were off. Then, she ran and turned on the alarm before going up to bed. Once in the bedroom, Stef got ready for bed quickly and slipped in beside Lena.
Stef turned and cuddled close to Lena spooning her. The two slept with their fingers intertwined.