After playing with the kids in the pool Stef laid out to dry off and get some sun. Everyone else was either in the pool or under the cabana in the shade. Then, Lena came over and sat with her. The two of them talked as if they were already old friends. Lena made her feel like she was the most special person in the world. And under Lena's attention, Stef preened and thrived. It was like this was what she had been needing her whole life and missing out on.

There had been music playing in the background the entire time. And by now the kids were sitting with them after needing a break from the pool. Then, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison began playing. Lena's faced turned impish as her and Callie looked at one another excitedly. Lena jumped up and pulled Callie into her arms and the two of them started to dance around. Then she grabbed Jaleyn, who in turn grabbed Garrett, who in turn grabbed Brandon. Then, Brandon came over to Stef and grabbed her up. They all danced around, or in the kids' case jumped, hopped, and skipped around, until the song ended. Then, they danced around through 3 more songs until everyone was good and exhausted.

They all ended up splayed out on the ground trying to catch their breaths. Lena and Stef were side by side while the kids were piled up on top of them. But, Stef didn't care. All she could see was Lena's wide brown eyes staring into hers with a huge smile that Stef was sure mirrored her own. And the warmth that radiated from their entertwined hands.

Someone yelled dinner and the kids jumped off and ran to eat. Stef stood first and pulled Lena up with her. But, they continued holding hands until they got settled to eat.

Even though the two of them felt like they were the only people In the world, they were actually in front of an entire crowd of people who had already been wondering about the two of them practically since meeting Stef. They had noticed how Stef couldn't keep her eyes away from Lena while Lena kept pretending not to notice. It was like watching two young kids trying to court one another and not knowing how to go about it. It was adorable to watch.

After dinner, everyone again started making movements to leave. This time, as Sharon, Brandon and Stef were leaving, Lena and Stef embraced one another for a bit longer than Lena had hugged everyone else. She kissed her on the cheek and said, "Goodbye." In that quiet, elegant way she had about her that made Stef's tummy flurry around. Stef spent the entire rest of the night on cloud 9! She went to bed that night with the hugest grin on her face.

Sharon had her own grin. Sharon was glad that her talk with Lena had helped smooth some rough spots for the two of them. She knew she had done the right thing and hopefully, kick started something between the two women who were like young girls again.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Lena's and her sister Lisa's families were staying at their parents for the night. Rich, Lisa's husband, who worked with their Dad, had come by just after dinner and now everyone was sitting around just enjoying the cool breeze and the sweet smell's wafting off from the garden.

Lisa cornered Lena and said," Spill!"

"Huh?" Lena had no idea what she was talking about. She was genuinely confused. She had no idea that everyone's eyes had been glued to her and Stef since yesterday.

"I'm your big sister, Lena. You're not allowed to keep secrets from me. I have to know everything so that I can look out for my baby sister." Lena still looked clueless so her sister sing-songed, "Lena and Stef sitting in a tree …."

Lena burst out laughing. She held up her finger, "Don't even go there. Stef and I are just friends."

"Friends with benefits?"

"Stef and I are just friends. There is honestly nothing else to say about it. I like her. She makes me laugh. And she makes me feel warm and tingly and .. ok maybe there is something but, there can't be. I mean…. There's still Gretchen. I mean, we have kids together. Callie does still ask for her Mommy. I keep having to tell her she's away on business. I hate having to lie to my own child. Plus, HEL-LO, Stef is still married."

Lisa made a face at the name of her sister's ex. It's not that she hated her. Gretchen was fun and funny and treated her sister and niece well. It was just, she had already cheated and broken her sister's heart. It was her having to talk her sister through late night cry fests over Gretchen's betrayal. In her opinion, there was no second chance for cheaters. If her husband ever tried that, she'd never speak to him again.

"I'm not going to lie. Callie and this baby makes things complicated but look how far you've come! You have a great job, that you get to take your kids to, you've created a great home, all of your friends are here, plus us. I've really missed you these past few years. We were always supposed to have our families next door to one another." Lisa began to tear up at this part and so did Lena.

"I know it's a hard leap but, you can't go backward. Isn't that why you didn't want to stay here with Mom and Dad for a while until you could get better situated? Going back isn't always a good thing. You always move forward. I can't live your life for you nor make your decisions and either way things are going to be hard. That doesn't make them wrong though."

"As for Stef, from what Sharon's said she's been separated for over a year. She's about as married as you are. Sometimes falling in love again helps with the moving on part." Lisa gave her sister a hug and kiss. Then, left her to her own thoughts.

Lena knew what her sister said sounded fair but, emotionally it was a different story. She wasn't sure she could be with Gretchen but, she had no idea what to do about the Callie and baby situation either. She could do nothing but wait until Gretchen got there to speak with her about it.