Stef was going to be a good wife. She called Mike as soon as she got home and waited for a return call so that she could tell him about the school and hopefully they would be able to take Brandon to his first day together on Monday. But, Mike never called back. Nor did he come by even though it was his weekend with Brandon. And though Stef tried to feel bad, honestly she just felt relief. She told herself it was because she had allowed herself to indulge in sinful thoughts since she couldn't get Lena out of her head no matter how hard she tried. And it was best that her husband not know this about her. Or her Dad for that matter. But, honestly, there was a part of her that acknowledged that she just didn't want to hear from either of them because they were the source of her pain.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

It was Monday morning and Lena's morning sickness just wasn't going away. Luckily she had a doctor's appointment later today. She knew there were new meds out there that helped with women who suffered from serious bouts of morning sickness but she really didn't want to on any type of medication. Lena tried to live a healthy lifestyle. She ate well, well, at least 80 percent of the time, she exercised, she did yoga and meditated. But the herbal cures she was trying just weren't working and the sickness would leave her feeling weak. Something had to change.

Her telecom buzzed, "Lena there's a Stef Foster to see you."

"Oh. Thanks. I'll be right there." Lena drank more water, and went out front.

"Hi, Stef. How may I help you?" Lena asked.

Stef's breath had caught at the sight of Lena. "I did the paperwork." She said in a weird squeaky voice as she awkwardly thrust them at Lena. O, god. What was she doing?! And where the hell did that Minnie Mouse voice come from?! Get yourself together Stef! This was just a woman. A very beautiful woman. And you are a straight married woman who loves her husband.

Lena smiled. She was glad that she had come back. Stef had played in Lena's mind repeatedly this weekend. Those beautiful wide hazel eyes and that quick wit and dazzling smile had kept Lena distracted the entire weekend. Even Callie had noticed and asked if she was okay.

"Oh, well, thanks. Those actually belong up here in the front to be processed. And, I guess this handsome young man must be Brandon. Hi. I'm Ms. Adams. It's nice to meet you." Lena held out her hand to the little boy who was half hidden behind his mother.

Brandon looked back and forth between the two of them and then walked up and shook her hand. "Hi. I'm Brandon. I'm 4 years old and this is my first time at school. Are you my teacher? Is this your classroom?"

Everyone around laughed. Brandon looked around a little confused.

"No sweetie. I'm the Vice Principal and this is the front office. Your class is going to be around the hall. And your Mommy sure brought you to the best school to be your first time at. How about we go over here and have a seat and you can tell me about that super cool backpack while Mommy finishes with the papers."

Brandon looked up at his Mom who nodded then reached for Lena's hand.

He was such a cute little boy. He had a headful of dark curly hair. His eyes were more green than his mothers but the expression in them and the little crinkle in his nose was definitely all Stef. Lena thought he was adorable.

Lena listened patiently to Brandon chatter about his blue Avengers backpack that he had picked out himself and his Spiderman blanket that he had brought with him because Mommy said there was nap time even though he never took naps because he was a big boy now while Stef finished the paperwork to get Brandon registered. When she was done she walked over to the two of them sitting with their heads conspiratorially close together.

"So, how about I walk you to your class with Mommy?" she asked.

Brandon thought seriously about the question for a moment then he nodded his head. "I think that might be a good idea because it's Mommy's first day too and I don't think she knows where she's going. But, since you work here you know where we're going right?"

"Yes I do. I also know your teacher. And a couple of your classmates. One is my little girl and the other is my nephew. How about I introduce you to them and that way you'll already have two new friends here?"

Brandon looked relieved. He had been feeling a little scared. But, if he already had friends, they would help him not be scared or miss his Mommy and Gram so much. That's what being a friend meant.

He took Lena's hand then also grabbed ahold of his Mother's hand. They walked down a hallway and around the corner. There he heard the laughter of kids and he got a little nervous again and clung to his mother's hand tighter.

When Lena opened the door and walked in, Stef saw a mopful of brown curly hair throw itself at Lena.

"O Mama. Is it time to go yet? It's been so long since I saw you. "

"Baby, we've only been here for an hour. School just started." Lena kissed her little girl and reached for the boy who had walked over at a slower pace and kissed him also. "Now, I want you to meet someone. He's a new friend and he's a little shy so I want you two to be really nice to him." She turned them to face the newcomers.

"Brandon, I want you to meet my daughter Callie. And her cousin Jaleyn. Callie and Jaleyn, this is Brandon and his Mommy Mrs Foster. Say hello please."

Both kids had Lena's long limbs and fingers. Callie was short and had a thick headful of brown cascading curls, fair skin and Lena's warm brown eyes where Jaleyn was actually kinda tall for his age with a darker complexion than Lena, beautiful green eyes, and straight light brown hair. She squatted down and put her hand out to the two cherubs.

"Hi. Nice to meet you two. This is my son Brandon." She said as she pulled him out from behind her again.

Callie was the first to step up. She shook Stef's hand and said," I'm Callie and this is my cousin Jaleyn. Ethan's a baby so he has to stay across the hallway in the baby room. My Mama has a baby in her tummy but she said we have to wait for it to grow and be ready to come out and meet us." She said in the most adorable way.

By this time, the teacher, Mrs. Celeste Anderson, had walked over and introductions were made all around again. The adults chatted for a minute and then the teacher turned to the kids again.

"How about you two be my helpers and show Brandon what we were doing," she says to callie and Jaleyn.

Callie took his hand and Jaleyn takes his other hand and pulls him toward a table with crayons and papers on it.

"He'll be fine," Mrs Anderson assured as Lena led Stef out into the hallway.

Stef was a little bleary eyed. "I know I'm being silly. It's just, he's my baby."

"He's in good hands," Lena put her hand on her arm to assure her. "Celeste has been doing this for years and she's an old pro."

Lena walked her out front and turned to say goodbye when her tummy got that old familiar warning. O God. She threw out a hurried goodbye and walked away quickly and left a confused Stef to look after her.