Mike not only never came and picked Brandon up on Friday, he also never called. On Saturday morning Stef thought, What the hell? What harm could it do?

So after Brandon had had his breakfast, she told her Mom that she was taking him out to the park. She then told Brandon that he needed to get ready to visit with his friends at the park.

Brandon raced around happily and was eager to comply. He was excited just like Stef knew he would be.

Now, for the past week Sharon had been hearing about the wonderful Ms. Adams, Callie, and Jaleyn his new best friends. She had even met Lena after Brandon had run up and attached himself to her leg. She had also noticed that her daughter had seemed to be in a better mood after she came home from her dinner out and Brandon had informed her that they had been with Ms. Adams and Callie and went on to tell her every last detail he could remember of his dinner date with them. So, she decided to invite herself along to see why her daughter had a smile on her face that hadn't washed off for days.

"That sounds like a great idea. I'll get my things and tag along with you. It's a beautiful day out and I want to enjoy every last drop of sunshine." She ran off to collect her things before Stef could say anything.

They arrived at the park and Brandon practically launched himself out. He looked around but didn't see any of his friends. He turned back to his Mom and Grandma with his head hanging down. "You said they were going to be here."

"Give them time, Bud. It's still 20 minutes before they said they'll be here." Stef tried to assure him.

Just then a Mercedes SUV pulled up. Stef saw Lena at the wheel. They smiled a greeting at one another and Sharon noted the excitement that came over Stef. Sharon didn't know who seemed more excited, Stef or Brandon.

"See bud, I told you."

Stef hadn't noticed a passenger until he got out and helped the kids out. Sharon watched as Stef's face fell with a raised eyebrow.

Callie and Jaleyn had raced ahead as soon as they saw their friend. The 3 met somewhere in the middle and after a quick wave immediately ran off to play.

Lena walked over carrying baby Ethan and the man ran a few steps ahead and laid a blanket out close to the bench that Sharon and Stef were sitting on. Lena placed the baby there and put some toys out around him. She and the man sat close to one another on the blanket. He placed his arm casually around Lena's neck while she leaned her back against him. Sharon watched out of the corner of her eye as her daughter's body went stiff.

Before anyone could say anything, another car pulled up and out jumped a small cute boy with a large set of glasses. He was followed by two women who were holding hands. Lena waved them over and the boy ran ahead over to the other playing children.

Lena stood up to make introductions. "OK well. This is Stef and her mother Sharon and over there is her son, Brandon. This is Jenna and Kelly and their son over there is Garrett. I think everyone else knows everyone."

The man stood and kissed Lena on the lips and smacked her bum. "You forgot about me babe."

"Oh, sorry. I thought you all knew one another already. Stef and Sharon, this is Timothy. He teaches English in the upper classes. He also does music classes with the younger kids during the summer program. He's a great teacher. All the kids really love him a lot."

Jenna and Kelly were used to the antics of Lena and her brother/best friend. They had all known one another for around ten years. But, Kelly saw how tense Stef was and wondered if something more was going on than Lena had admitted to. She looked over at her wife Jenna who seemed to be wondering the same thing.

Sharon had also noticed how tense Stef was. Apparently everyone except Lena and Timothy were in on it.

"So, Lena. When's the housewarming party going to be?" she asked.

Lena fished out a set of keys from her pocket and dangled them. "Callie and I will start moving in today. That's why I brought this lug with me. The furniture's already being delivered but he's still going to have to move the bigger boxes." Lena said triumphantly.

"Oh, so you've got yourself a new place huh?" Sharon asked. "That's pretty exciting."

"Well, it's been a few weeks in the works but finally. Yes. If all goes well, Callie and I will be sleeping in our own beds tonight. Actually, I thought if it was ok with everyone, we could head over there after lunch. The beds are already set up and Callie will definitely need a nap by about that time."

Everyone pretty much nodded their agreement to the plan.

"So Stef," Kelly asked, "what exactly do you do?"

"I'm a SDPD officer. To protect and serve and always at your service." Stef answered.

"Really?" Lena piped up. "Hmm. I never even knew that."

"Lena hates guns. Actually guns and violence." Timothy chimed in.

"Well, on the force we try to avoid both as much as possible. That's why we're always careful and we're always watching one another's backs."

"Callie's quite the tomboy I see. Reminds me of Stef when she was younger," Sharon said changing the subject.

"yea, the kids seem to be getting along great." Ethan had started fussing so Lena handed him a teething biscuit to gum on. "sorry, he's teething."

"A frozen washcloth dipped in chamomile tea works wonders. Frozen waffles do also." Sharon said.

"I'll have to try that. Thanks. But not with him. With this lil one here. My sister's a pediatrician so she has her own way of doing things. I'm just the babysitter." Lena said patting her belly.

"A doctor in the family? Your parents must be proud." Sharon said. Sharon seemed to have missed the pregnancy announcement.

"Well, we're all doctors really. I have my PH.D in child psychology, my mother has hers in Forensic Science and Timmy has his in English. But he's the black sheep of the family."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Sharon said. "I thought that you two were involved."

Lena, Timothy, Jenna, and Kelly all looked at one another and laughed.

"O God, no. Timothy's family's estate is on the backend of my parents. Both our Father's are in finance. We've basically shared everything over the past years. Both of our homes are home to one another. We're practically brother and sister. Also, I'm a lesbian."

"What?! A lesbi-.. what?" Stef stammered.

"Lesbian, Stef. It's not catching. You can say it out loud and not become one. Is that a problem?" Lena said staring her in the eyes. Stef's reaction troubled her. She hadn't thought about whether or not she was homophobic.

Stef on the other hand wasn't sure how she felt. She had been upset and even now that she'd analyzed it jealous at how comfortable Lena looked in someone else's arms. Stef had acknowledged that she was feeling something for Lena. She just didn't want to put a name to what it was. Lena blurting out that word without a care in the world made her feel… that was just it. It just made her feel. Stef realized that she hadn't really been feeling much of anything for a long time. She had been comfortably numb for a long time. Then Lena came and she got this feeling. She still didn't know what to call it. She just knew she didn't want it to go away.

Lena was trying to read Stef but really didn't know her well enough to get a good gauge on her. She realized that she really knew next to nothing about her. And it made her feel lonely for the first time in a long time.

Sharon, on the other hand could be counted on to do what Sharon did best. Blurt out whatever popped into her head. "Estates? Well that explains the Mercedes and the new house."

Stef gave her Mother the death stare as everyone kinda looked away in embarrassment. Luckily the kids had perfect timing.

They ran over and said they were hungry. The adults began gathering their belongings and debating where to go for lunch. They decided on the pizza place Lena and Stef had gone to a few days ago. That way the kids could also play a little longer before heading home to nap. They all went to their prospective cars and headed out.