A Life Completed (Hard Time Series Book 5)

A Party (Part 1)

LENA POV

The last few weeks had been practically trying but we were happy to finally celebrate Mama Roses' birthday and Olivia and Jude's baby shower. We never thought to combine it but since everyone was already going to be together, Roxy was making a ton of food, and we had spent far more then I wanted on decorations and everything we figured why not. Sure my father helped with some of the expenses and we all chipped in for the baby shower but Stef was so damm adamant about somethings that it was like talking to a cinder block wall. 

I knew this budget thing was hard for her, considering she liked to just spoil damm near everyone. When we first got out of Chowchilla she was the same way with all the kids, but now it was even worse since there were more babies to spoil and she just didn't know how to say no. I try not to worry but I have to remind her to be more conscious about it even if I feel it goes in one ear and out the other most of the time, and then she insists on going back to work full time.

I know she is very much still annoyed with the disability the stroke has caused on her and her blood pressure issues since I know she likes taking care of everyone, but sometimes I still need to remind her that she is human and that it's ok not to be perfect and some superhero. Just her being her is enough for all of us and that the more she takes care of herself the longer she will be around. 

"But why can't I Yaya. I'm almost 16. I'm practically an adult." I hear Baby Stef whine as her and Stef enter the kitchen as my wife looks at me rolling her eyes. "I'm like halfway to thirty Ya."

"Um you just turned 15 and because I said so, and halfway is still a long way off.  I told you no when you were twelve and you took it upon yourself to make a hole in your nose and this is the consequence."

"But Yaya! What can I do for you to say yes?" I look at Baby Stef as she is pleading and all I can do is shake my head for I knew this could go two different ways. It really could as I see Stef shaking her own head for Baby Stef was one to keep going on and on at times. "Yaya please!"

"How many different times and damm ways do you want to try my patience today Stefanie Marie? MM? How many?  You ask me, you beg me ONE MORE TIME, ONE MORE! I let you get your nails done, I let you get another two holes in your ears, I got you those damm ass jeans and whatever the hell ass you beg me for. YOUR NOSE, NO. Are you deaf?"

"But you have one." She pleads as Stef looks over at my like she's ready to kill this kid and I know I need to step in before she looses her mind.

"Baby Stef, go call Tasha and ask her to come over and help set up honey. We will talk about the nose ring later. Ok? Don't bug your Yaya today."

"Ok." She says looking rather defeated. "But I can do more chores. I can clean the entire house and do laundry all the time! I can vacuum like everyday! I can reorganize the pantry too!"

"Those are your chores regardless, Miss Thang. And you heard what the hell your Nana Lion said so unless you want to live in your room for the next damm decade and loose the ability to sit I suggest you go what the hell she told you to do before I skin your behind." 

"Yes, Yaya." She says sadly walking off as my wife shakes her head and rolls up the forks in the napkins. 

"She just wants to be like you honey. That's all that's about you know." I say as she looks at me wiggling her nose a bit.

"It's not our place Len. If Baby Stef was mine I'd probably let her get. But she's Callie's and...." she says as I the spoons down and grab her hand. 

"Honey, I know how you feel about it. About overstepping but we talked about this and we can't wait. We will be waiting forever and, well, technically we are Baby Stef's parents and have been for years babe. If we wait for Callie on everything, well, it's unfair to our granddaughter. It just is, so I think if you would let Frankie get it, and you feel Baby Stef is responsibility enough then you should let her." I say as she looks down and continues to wrap the plastic forks up. "The reality is Baby Stef sees you as her mother, Stef.  She always has."