Sweet Family Of War - Book 7

Hair

STEF POV

"Watch where you're going, sir!" I frown as Corey had just rammed into me while holding his plate of toast in one hand and his cup of orange juice in the other.

"We meet again, Mama Dukes!" He grins as I roll my eyes at his stupid humor that drove me up a wall sometimes.

"Yes, because you're not paying attention, and for the love of God, stop inhaling your food and move your damn skateboard out of here before one of us trips and kills ourselves! You weren't raised in a barn!" I snap as I pour my coffee and Callie walks up beside me and grabs a mug.

"Ahh Mama Dukes why are you such a grump this morning?" He groans taking a seat as I turn around and glare at him as he shrugs his shoulders.

"You're not too old." I warn for if I was grumpy it was from these kids making me nuts and Callie seemed no different this morning which was out of character in some sense.

"Coffee, Mom?" She pleads as I pour cream into my warm mug and sigh.

"No! The answer is always no, no and no. You can make some hot cocoa or tea. I think Mama bought some when she went grocery shopping the other day. I don't know what your obsession is with coffee."

"How is hot cocoa healthier than coffee?" Frankie spouts off which surprises me because she had been avoiding me at all costs lately.

"Come again?" I turn to look at her as she appears to be scouring the fridge for god knows what as breakfast was already made and on the counter.

"Hot cocoa equals TONS of sugar! And why don't we buy more fruit or something? I don't eat eggs and toast has way too many carbs. We need oatmeal and fruit!"

"You eat your baked goods, dummy!" Corey butts in as I sigh and my hand comes down on the counter.

"HEY! Both of you, STOP! It's way too early for this crap! And Francesca, it's a no for coffee and always has been or did you forget already? I mean do you need a reminder?" I glare at her feeling like I may ring her damn neck.

"Whatever," she mumbles as she goes to leave the room, and I go to say something and possibly whip her behind but stop as Lena walks in with her hair just about perfectly straightened  and slicked back which throws me for a giant loop. What in the hell?

"Frances...Lena?" I look at her, very much confused for I hadn't seen her hair this straight since New York City when Julius and Ryan had tricked us into that dinner. And never did I see it so slicked back like this.

"Hey, good morning, everyone. I hope you got enough food. I was up early," she smiles widely as she walks over to grab a mug and my heart is hammering. What is going on? Where the hell was my wife?

"Morning baby." She smiles wider at me and kisses my lips as I try not to show the surprise on my face as I see Frankie walk back in with Jude knowing full well I wasn't going to beat her ass when he was here. "Stef, is something wrong?"

"Oh no...baby...you um...just trying a new look?"

"Well, yes. And no. I mean I think my hair causes too much attention at work so I was just trying something different. You like it, right?"

"Oh, yeah. Of course, honey, whatever makes you happy." I try to force a smile as her eyes narrow for she must pick up on my confusion in terms of her look. "Um, Jude want some waffles baby?" I smile at him as he plays with his same little truck as I feel Lena grab my hand forcing me to look back at her.

"Did I do something? Do I look okay? Really?"

"You look fine, baby. Come, lets eat." I say as I get Jude's breakfast and I take a seat beside my wife. But I can't help but notice all the kids staring at her as Frankie rolls her eyes at Lena and shakes her head as her attitude toward Lena continues to annoy me. But this morning was not the right time to address, and I WOULD address it, as I turn to Jude and smile and cut more of his waffles.