Part 3
Disclaimer: As usual the recognizable characters are not mine I am just taking them out to play for a bit.
AN: To answer a question Frank did not make an appearance as he was not home when Helen confronted Stephanie. He will show up soon ? Also apologies that this is not only short but may feel a bit forced.. I needed to pass time to get to the next plot point and had trouble with this chapter.
The next few years were idyllic and happier than Stephanie could imagine being no more screaming, shaming, or trying to force change just love and acceptance. She spent her time watching her son grow, walking the beach, and the never ending work of working the land for her little bed and breakfast. Astryd had taught her to cook and she found a love for baking of all things. She loved baking muffins and cinnamon rolls for her guests in the mornings having somehow become a morning person.
Her little family had grown as well. An American soldier who vacationed with them after his final tour of duty decided to stay. Ben now oversaw the handling of all of the animals on her property as well as the crops. He and Astryd had quickly become inseparable and married not long after little Carlos turned one. Her baby now lovingly called Alex toddled after Ben constantly.
She would never forget the instant panic when she saw her son sitting up on a horse with Ben as they headed out to the fields. Ben had convinced her to plant sugar cane and coffee, wheat and corn on her land not being used for the house garden and livestock. The things they bought were very few now that her land sustained nearly all of their needs and soon they would be installing solar panels to provide most if not all of their power needs.
It surprised her constantly that a city Jersey girl could be so happy in a farm setting, but it made her feel proud to bursting seeing it so prosper. The bed and breakfast stayed booked a year in advance with a waiting list as well as stellar reviews featured in major travel guides as the place to stay regularly. She sponsored charity events regularly at the bed and breakfast for vets in honor of Ben, her father, and all of the other men so overlooked by the people they served.
Marcus joined their little family from one of the events he attended falling in love with the bed and breakfast and her son; he now handled everything technology based and insisted upon security even though she saw no need for it. He taught Ben about his heritage being from a large Cuban family himself and taught both of them to speak Spanish.
It was 2 years later not long before her son was to turn 6 when her world fell around her with one letter or at least that's the way it felt…