family ties

dinner outdoors

Lena's: POV
I got home from before the sun went down
When I talked to Stef earlier she told me that I didn't have to cook dinner tonight.
Lena walked through the backyard and saw the table all set up, Stef even had the citronell candle lit up to keep the bugs away. Then I seen the swimming pool
We discussed getting one but I didn't expect it to be this soon, babe l what your thinking
The guy who came to install the pool gave me a great deal l couldn't pass up Stef said
Oh l love to hear this one so how much did this set us back Stef Lena asks. Including the installation and the taxes eighteen hundred dollars Stef says to me, okay l gotta hand it to honey you did good l know Grace and Hope are going to be super excited Lena States, baby how did everything go with the inspection for the new house
Stef questioned. Shannon blames me for what happened at new Haven children's home, and she doesn't feel it's wise to pick up and relocate to another location cause the kids are already settled. Basically in the nut shell, she's not on board with the house
Lena Stated. Love hear me out first before you say anything, how much does Shannon have a say so over the group home the reason why l'm asking is because you put up the majority of the money to fund the place and Shannon only invested twenty percent into the business. I feel she's trying to take over so she can run on her own as hers Stef says to me, Shannon can't cause everything's in my name including the deed to the house. When Shannon and I first went in business together l made her sign a contract l had my lawyer drew up
She was onboard cause Shannon couldn't get approved for the loan in time due to her credit being poor, but l need to inform her
She isn't allowed to make changes without my input. I think she got too comfortable
Without me there, l'm hiring a whole new staff. She just doesn't know it yet Sasha's coming with me cause she's been with me from day one. Shannon will have to find her own personal assistant to run the front office. Lena explained, yeah l think you should invite her over for dinner and let her know what your planning on doing
I don't get a good feeling about her just keep your eyes and ears open baby you've worked too hard to have her run your business into the ground Stef tells me
Where are the girls at Lena asked, their on the way here. Francesca's upstairs doing homework said Stef, anything you need me to do says Lena. Nope l got everything under control, Stef replies. As she sets the table. Well I'm gonna head up and get washed up and change into something comfortable, Lena gives Stef a kiss on the lips. Then goes on in the house and goes upstairs, Lena knocks on Francesca's room door. Come In Francesca said Lena entered inside, hi sweetheart how was your day at school. Lena inquires, it was good we had a test to do l feel confident about it did mama tell you about the new pool we got Francesca asked, yeah I saw it but we have to lay down some ground rules before you and your sisters use it first Lena Stated
Can I invite Kesha and Amber over Francesca asks me. Well let's see what mama says Lena replied, l think dinner is done. How go down and see mama needs any help Lena tells her daughter, okay mommy Francesca replies. Lena leaves the room and heads down the hall , Lena removes her dress and throws on a pair of shorts and one of Stef's shirts. Lena heard noises coming from the yard, she peeks out the window and saw Grace and Hope sitting down. With plates in front of them
Lena missed her girls, they were their grandparents all day long. Lena went to the bathroom to wash her face, she pulled her hair up. Lena exits the master suite
Lena knows she needs to eat cause she's feeling queasy, from not eating all day
Lena walks back down the steps then
Heads outside. Hi babies Lena greets her girls, mommy guess what we did with nana
We helped her bake a cake, she let us lick the bowl Hope said. No she didn't hope
Grace tells her sister, yes she did Grace
You were in the other room with grandpa
Hope stuck out her tongue out at Grace
Alright you too we're not doing this tonight
Lena sits between Grace and Hope. Stef sits Grace's down in front of her, they begin eating. I took a sip of wine placed in my hand, Francesca takes a bite of burger
I love it when we were all together