Home For the Holidays

She Heard Wrong

With each passing day Stef and Lena only grew closer and so did the love they shared for each other.  Spending time together along with Callie and Frankie only added to the enjoyment they were feeling for it really felt as if the four were a family and always had been. The older teen could really see how fun and kind Stef actually was as their relationship blossomed as well. She was not the bimbo or jerk Callie once thought she was for the teen could see the cop was much more than that. Much more for Stef was different than the other few women her mother had gone out with but she wasn't able to put her finger on why or how. Callie just knew she was special and enjoyed the blondes company and the teen even started to wander over to their home offering to help Stef fix up the barn with Frankie.  Maybe they would bicker but it was all in fun and Lena could see the stubbornness come out from each of them.

"I think you need a bigger nail. That one is too short Stef." Callie said trying to follow Stef's directions only to insist she was wrong.

"I know what I'm doing missy and this nail is all fine and good. Now pass it over. Come hand it over now." She said sticking her hand out as the teen shook her hand and Frankie could only giggle along with Lena. The two were working on replacing some of the walls in the barn that had since rotted and fallen apart.

"Ok but don't say I told you so."

"There will be no telling me you told me so because I'm right gal. You just watch and see now. I know what I'm doing."

"Ok." Handing the short screws over to the cop Callie could only watch her trying to drill and hammer them into the walls only to see they were falling out. Stef bit her bottom lip hating to admit she might have misjudged as Lena walked over.

"MM that maybe too short babe."

"It's fine. It will be all fine and dandy. You watch and see now." Drilling and hammering once again the screw would not take as Callie walked over with the larger nail.

"Problem Stef?" She grinned as the cop snatched the larger nail from her and all Callie could do was giggle.

"Wise guy." Stef joked as Lena softly kissed her cheek. "I have my hands full with you two."

Frankie was also enjoying getting to know Lena and found out the two had a bit in common. Both enjoyed baking as the slim woman showed her a few pieces that they cooked together such as pies, scones, breads and cakes. A few times Stef had caught them together seeing her little girl hug Lena and it melted her heart. Yes her little girl was very affectionate like her but she was also selective in whom she showed it to and it seemed Lena and Callie had stolen her heart.  A few times both women along with their kids had strolled around town together holding hands even if they heard the whispers and saw the stares.

"Yes they are together do you have a problem?" Callie would say as Frankie eyeballed them as well holding onto the teens hand.

"It's ok Cal let them stare. People are scared of what they don't understand." Frankie would say as the teen smiled at her as well as Stef and Lena.

"She's so wise for her age." Lena said holding the cops hand even tighter as Stef lifted it to her mouth softly kissing it.

"That she is baby." 

"Mama can I show Lena the toy in the store. Please?"

"Well if she wants my love."

"Can I show you Lena?"

"Of course honey. Lead the way princess."

"Ok!" Grabbing Lena's hand the two walked off and Lena turned back around. 

"Meet you at the other end of town baby."

"Sure my love." Stef said smiling at the two and turning her attention to Callie who seemed occupied at the jewelry in one of the store windows. Walking over to the girl whom she had gotten so close to in the past few days she wrapped her arm around her seeing she was looking at a pretty gold bracelet.

"Want to go look at it baby?"

"Oh no I was just window shopping." Callie shrugged as Stef could only let out a soft smile.

"Well, come help me see if there is anything for your mama in there mm?"

"Ok." She smiled as the two walked hand and hand into the small jewelry store. "So what did you want to get my mama?"

"MM well if I'm not mistaken I don't think her taste has changed much." She said walking over to the necklaces and rings as Callie followed.

"Probably not. She likes delicate things. She had this girlfriend once that gave her this really ugly ring. It was horrible."

"Yeah?" The cop laughed.

"Yup and so was she. Thank god you're not like that. You're not as bad as I thought.Just bossy." Callie joked as the cop could only shake her head poking the girl.

"Takes one bossy girl to know another baby." She winked as the teen let out a grin as Stef took notice of the bracelt Callie had her eye on.

With her decision to move back to Tennessee Stef had yet to tell Frankie because she knew the little girl would be excited and wanted it to be a bit of a surprise. The cop also needed to make sure she tied away a few loose ends concerning things in LA such as her job and her apartment that she would need to break the lease on. It could be done and she had a bit of money saved for a small home  that maybe her and Lena could share one day. Despite the unchanged relationship in terms of her father he still failed to say more than a sentence to her and they had gotten into a big fight when he saw Stef fixing up the barn ceiling and painting it.  Only Sharon could diffuse it barely as Frank stormed off once again leaving both the blonde and redhead frustrated.

"I told him sorry a million times ma. I mean am I supposed to beg or what."

"No baby he is a stubborn old fool and will have to get over it. Maybe with you moving back here it will help but I will tell him over and over to knock his foolishness off. I will." she said handing the blonde another potato to peel as Stef took a seat on the kitchen stool.

"It's whatever ma. I know I messed up."

"Listen you did what you needed then. You needed to get away and figure things out. Sometimes we can't do it when we are faced with it. And maybe you needed to leave to figure it all out and it seems you did."

"I know just leaving and moving their was the worst mistake ever. It really was and I should not have handled it that way. LA was a mistake mom." Shaking her head little did Stef realize that Frankie overheard her right at that moment as tears filled up  her eyes and she quietly went upstairs. In her mind she could only think her mother meant she was a mistake as well which of course she was not.

 "But I'm glad I did because my baby is the best thing that has ever, ever happened to me and I'd do it all over again ma. All over in a heartbeat but I'd just come home sooner."

"I know it sweetheart. What's done is done baby and the point is that you are both here now. You are here and you and Lena seem to be pretty cozy." She smiled as the cop could only blush.

"That we are. I love her so much ma. God do I love that woman."

"I know. Why don't you all move in here and your father and I can get a smaller place?"

"What? No this is your home mom. Frankie and I will find a place don't you worry."

"I don't sweetheart. I don't one bit." Kissing the side of the cops head Stef could only hug her mother as she went upstairs to check on Frankie. However all she found was a note from the little girl and it was then Stef felt her heart stop for her backpack and shoes were missing and so was she.

----

Frankie :(