ALTERNATE ENDING 1, CHAPTER 16

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Stef was awakened by the feel of soft hands wandering her body. She opened her eyes and looked over into Lena's beautiful smiling face.

"You tease." She whispered playfully. She grabbed her hand and kissed it. "You're going to pay for that."

Lena laughed delightedly, "Promise?"

Stef jumped up and walked around the bed to Lena. She leaned down and kissed her long and slow and hard.

Lena pushed her away and managed to get out breathlessly, "Vixen. Off with you."

Stef smiled over at her family. Everything about this felt perfect. She got up and decided to get some more coffee. Before she went downstairs, she turned and snapped another pic of her family. She and Lena were going to have to start a family photo album.

Stef warmed up the pot again and got Lena's tea going. She brought the two steaming mugs upstairs and squeezed in next to Lena. She pulled her over until Lena was lying on her chest and wrapped her arms around her. Her hand rested on the babies that were jumping around inside.

"Strong boys. I'll bet they're going to be beautiful like their Mama."

"We specifically used the same donor as Callie. She's such a tomboy. I can't wait to watch them try and catch up to her." Lena stroked her babygirl's hair. "I'm a little worried about her. She hasn't been her usual self lately. She's been really quiet and withdrawn."

"She has a lot going on sweetie." Stef kissed the top of Lena's head. "We'll keep an eye on her and she'll be fine. You'll see. She'll be herself in no time."

Callie picked that moment to begin to flutter her eyes, yawn, and stretch. She looked over at Stef and her Mama.

"Speak of the devil." Lena kissed her and pulled her closer to her. "Good morning, babygirl."

Stef leaned over and tickled her belly. "Morning slug-a-bug."

Callie smiled slightly and curled into her Mama.

The three of them stayed that way for a while just lost in the comfort of one another. Brandon started to stir and Stef decided it was time to get on with the day.

"So, your parents are coming over and taking both of the kids?"

"Of course." Lena had a look of complete surprise on her face. "You and Brandon are family now."

"I just… Well, I wasn't sure how they'd receive us."

"My family knows I love you. And you and Brandon are a package deal. They'd never mistreat either one of you."

Stef nodded smiling. She couldn't remember the last time she had ever felt this fulfilled. Lena and her family were a dream come true. Why had she spent so long denying herself this bliss?

"OK pumpkin belly," Lena tickled Callie's tummy and made her giggle. "Mama needs to get up now." She reached her hand up to Stef to help her up and went into the bathroom to get her day started.

Brandon had awakened fully by this time and once more Stef wrapped herself around both kids. She cuddled with them until Lena came out of the bathroom and then it was her and Callie's turn.

She looked over at Callie, "Well lovebug, we can't put it off any longer. We need to get in the shower so we can make breakfast for Mama." She reached out her hand and gave a small sigh of relief when Callie gripped it and followed her without complaint.

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After showering she got herself and Callie dressed. She went in search of Lena and Brandon since they weren't anywhere to be found upstairs and saw that they had plenty of company arriving quickly.

Sharon greeted her at the stairs, "I came over to make breakfast and everyone was already here."

Stef hugged her Mom and again thanked her for all she'd done. They walked into the kitchen and joined Lena's parents and the rest of the family for breakfast.

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Stef had gotten her last few things loaded up and was doing a final check. With the help of Timothy, it had only taken their two cars one trip to get everything loaded up. There was a knock behind her and she jumped slightly.

"Oh, it's you. What are you doing here?"

"Sorry, the door was open. I didn't mean to scare you." Mike said as he walked in.

"I was distracted and wasn't expecting to see anyone. What is it Mike?"

Mike held up his hands palms out. "I come in peace. Look, I just brought a few of yours and Brandon's things by. Since you said you were moving this weekend, I figured it'd be a good time."

"Well, I'm done here. Let's go." She followed him out to his car and they transferred the boxes from his car to hers.

"Listen, Stef, I just want to say I'm sorry. For everything. I know I really messed up." Mike started to choke up.

Stef nodded stiffly and went to turn away. But, she stopped when Mike called out to her again.

"What?" Stef crossed her arms over herself and shifted impatiently from foot to foot.

"My lawyer, he's working on a deal. 18 months in rehab then I'll go to a minimum security facility for 20 years. With good behavior, it could be less than half that and then I'll finish the rest on parole." Mike's voice broke again. "Brandon will be a teen by then so…."

Stef nodded taking that in, "Have you thought about what you're going to say to him?"

The pain in Mike's eyes tore at Stef's heart. She did still care about him. He had been her best friend for so long before all of this. "I can't have my son see me like that. I was thinking maybe just tell him I had to go away somewhere."

Stef had her eyebrows up questioningly, "And what? You're away on business for like 10 years? You've also forgotten Lena's his mother now too. She's pretty big on not lying to the kids. She won't lie to Callie. And if Callie knows something, Brandon will soon too."

"And you can't talk to her?"

"Bringing up your name isn't really high on the to do lists. She still gets sickened at the sound of it."

"I never meant to hurt her Stefanie. You know I would never…," Mike pleaded.

"…Except you did." Stef finished in a whisper. "And here we are."

Mike looked away but not before Stef saw the shame in his eyes and took pity on him. "I will talk with her and see what she says. I can't make you any promises though." When Mike nodded, she continued, "I'll see you at the orientation on Tuesday. Take care of yourself, Mike." She jumped in her car and drove home to her family.