The alarm on Stef's phone that was preset for 7 on Mon thru Fri finally cut through her sleep. Stef did a double take. The alarm was just for getting her attention if she was in the middle daydreaming. She had never slept so long anytime in recent memory.

She awoke feeling warm and satiated. Lena was still wrapped in her arms. They were a little tied up in one another lying on the narrow sofa. Stef tried to extricate herself without waking Lena but as soon as she felt movement, Lena's eyes fluttered then opened. Stef couldn't help herself. She leaned over and dropped light feather kisses along Lena's soft lips.

"I could get too used to that you know." Lena said.

"Fine with me." Stef answered. "I have to go home and get to work." She rolled Lena over until she could stand.

"Noooo!" Lena grabbed for her and tried to pull her down as she dressed.

"I'm going to lose my job babe. I gotta go. I'll call you later." Stef dropped a kiss on her just as they heard the clomping of small feet moving toward the stairs and a "MAMA!" yelled throughout the house. Stef waved and ran out the door.

Callie made it to the stairway and was on her way down as Lena was trying to put her nightgown back on. She barely had time to pull it down as Callie walked into the living room. She looked so little and her face was scrunched up. Lena threw open her arms and she ran into them.

"Mama where were you? I was so scared!"

"Oh, I'm sorry baby. Mama just came down to watch a movie and fell asleep. I'm so sorry. I'm here now. How about we go and get some breakfast?"

Callie giggled as Lena carried her into the kitchen and tickling and kissing her on her neck and belly.

Cococococococococococo

Stef called in to Captain Roberts and asked for a few hours off due to a family emergency on the way back home. Stef was a good employee with no issues so her request was instantly granted.

Stef let herself into the house and her Mother came rushing over to her.

"Stefanie! Don't ever do that again! Brandon and I were so worried. Where were you?"

"I'm sorry Mom. I went to Lena's. I was so upset. I just wound up there before I knew what I was doing and we fell asleep before we realized."

Sharon had heard the 'we' part but let it go for the moment. "You should've at least sent a message Stefanie. When you left you were so upset. I had no idea what was going on or what you would do from here."

"Where's Brandon?" Stef asked pulling out of her mother's arms.

"He's still asleep. He kept saying he was so sorry over and over again. He ended up sleeping in my bed. What happened?!"

"Mike is what happened. That asshole." Sharon was used to Stef's potty mouth but she still didn't approve. "He sent me a picture of Brandon passed out and with a text saying that he thought he was dying. It was all just a joke because he wanted to know where I was and what I was doing. Apparently he got mad because I wasn't here when he picked Brandon up."

"I was so scared when I got to the batting cages. I don't think I've ever been that scared in my life. Then, when I realized it was all a ruse, I almost grabbed a bat and went to practice on him. He apparently had been interrogating Brandon about where I was, who I was with, what I was doing and he started demanding answers." She looked up at her Mom and made sure she got the next part, "I told him it was over. We were through."

When her mom remained silent she shook her head at her, "Nothing to say?"

"Stefanie, I've raised you and I live with you. I know more than you give me credit for. I saw the ring missing days ago. I'm only sorry it took so long for you to figure it out."

"And," Her mom continued, "where were you and who were you with if I may ask?"

Stef sighed, "I was having dinner with Callie and Lena."

"Oh?" Her mom raised an eyebrow questioningly.

They heard movement from the back of the house and Stef went to see about Brandon now that he was awake. Sharon started coffee and breakfast.

Stef walked into her Mom's room and her heart broke a little to see Brandon back away once he saw her. She could tell that he still thought he was in trouble for something so she rushed in to gather him in her arms and comfort him.

"Oh, Mommy's sweet boy. I told you. I'm not mad at you. You know you're not in trouble."

Brandon relaxed into his Mom's hold but still didn't return it. "You said you were coming back and you didn't all night."

Stef dropped kisses onto him, "I know baby and I'm so sorry about that. Let Mommy try and explain. Is that OK?" When he nodded she continued, "You know how sometimes you get really upset and you throw your stuff? Even your spiderman that you love so much but sometimes it's the feelings inside you that are so strong you just have to let them out?"

Again he nodded so she kept on, "That's how Mommy felt last night. First, I was so scared something was wrong with you. I couldn't live without my Baby B. I just wouldn't be able to stand it. Every Mommy needs her baby. Then, to find out it was just a joke, Mommy was really upset. But, not with you. So, when those feelings got too big for Mommy's body Mommy had to let them out. And, I knew you were upset and didn't want to upset you anymore. So, I let you with Grandma who took care of me when I was a little girl and helps me take care of you now so that I could let those feelings out."

She lifted his face to hers and kissed him again. "I'm sorry that I left and didn't come right back. I should've called. But, I did come back. I promise. I will always come back. Nothing on earth could ever keep me away from you."

Brandon smiled and finally returned her hug. "I love you Mommy."

"And I love you B." They sat that way for a while then, got up and went about their day. Brandon was glad things were back to normal. He hadn't known what he'd do without his Mommy. A baby needs their Mommy as much as a Mommy needs their baby.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Callie followed her Mama in the kitchen to help cook. Normally they got dressed before breakfast but it wasn't always important when there was no school and Callie loved these lazy days with nothing to do. That meant they could do anything.

Lena's eyes went to the calendar as they were sitting down to eat. "So Callie, do you know what next week is?"

Callie thought for a minute but came up blank. "Hmmm….."

Lena's eyes went to the calendar deliberately again. Callie followed her Mom's eyes.

Coming from a family where education was valued and having a Mother who was a Professor with 2 doctorates, Lena learned the value of education starts early. She raised Callie with baby sign language before she was talking. When she did start talking, Lena started her on reading simple words. At the age of 3, Callie could already read and was working on writing. She could make the alphabet but still was learning that the words she read were also the words she would write.

On the calendar, with a lot of hearts in the middle of it, was Callie's bday!

"My birthday!" she said breathlessly. "I've waited forever for this!"

Lena laughed. "You mean more like a year since your last one. So, Mama was thinking, how about we get out the invitations we bought and get them sent out?"

"Yeah!" Callie shouted excited now.

"Well, go and get them so we can get them sent out," Lena said taking their empty plates and starting on the dishes.

Callie ran off eagerly and Lena sent a text to Stef. Dinner tonight with the kids? We could go to that pizza place with the games to keep the kids busy.

Stef answered, Sure. We'll meet you two there at 6.