Sweet Family Of War - Book 7

Unsure

TESS POV

"Why don't you just go over there Tess. I mean don't you feel this has gone on long enough. You and Stef and Lena are best friends. And you all care about each other. Unless you don't anymore." Jerry says to me as he is washing up dishes from dinner and I'm having a glass of wine for running into Lena at Walker Scott made me both confused and sad especially since she was still so very cold to me and Julius.

"Of course I care. Are you kidding me? And it's not that easy, Jerry. It's just not."

"Ok, and you think it's not affecting Stefanie? Keeping her from her godmother when they both worked very hard to get to this good place? I get words were said but you, all, are a family, and sometimes families have disagreements or arguments or whatever you call it." I take another sip of my wine as I clear my throat, not really wanting to hear this from my husband even if it is true.

"It was never my intention to keep her from Stef. Ever. It just, I guess it got out of hand and I...I went too far. I shouldn't have involved her because I feel her growing distant again. I...I didn't want to admit it."

"Really?" He looks at me as he continues scrubbing the roast pan from dinner.

"Yes. She barely talks to me again. Maybe she's just mad about the fight? I don't know. But it scares me, Jerry, and she's getting older and maybe next time she'll leave and never come back...like I did," I blink back tears as he looks at me with concern. "I'll tell her she can go over to her godmother's anytime she wants."

"I'm sure she will be happy to hear that. But she seems fine other wise, Tess. Maybe you are just worried because of what happened before. Besides, this year is a lot of changes for her as well, and honestly, you kinda kept her from her family these last few months."

"Yeah I guess. But Jerry, I worry about her so much." I take another sip of wine and let out a heavy sigh. "She grew up too fast."

"Of course you worry, I mean, you are her mother," he laughs as he turns off the water and dries his hands.

"I know, but I can't help it. I see so much of myself sometimes that is is scary. It really is especially the parts that are strong-willed, and..."

"Baby, it's okay. This is HER journey, not yours. You had no choice but to leave when you were 17. She has a choice. She's not running for her life, and she's not going to relapse. We have to have faith" He pulls me in for a hug, and I cry quietly on his shoulder as I hear Stefanie walk into the kitchen.

"Mama, why are there 6 new bottles of perfume in my closet?"

I pull back and laugh as I wipe my eyes and see Stefanie's confused look. "I didn't think you looked on your top shelf, but they're extras for when I run out," I laugh awkwardly as she looks even more confused.

"You have enough perfume to last for ten years, Mama! And why not use your walk in closet where you store other stuff?"

"It's a LOOONNNGGG story," Jerry laughs as Stefanie places her hands on her hips and laughs as well.

"Enlighten me, father!" She teases as our phone jingles in the background, and I excuse myself to answer it.

"Hello?" I quickly answer thinking that it was another newspaper solicitor but instead I hear a frantic Callie in the background as I hope to god it is nothing bad.

"Aunt Tess? Can you please come! It's a disaster and Frankie is off her hinges and I think Mocha might kill her this time! Hurry! Please!"

"I'll be right there baby!" I say quickly hanging up the phone and grabbing my purse as both Jerry and Stefanie look at me confused. "I need to run over to Stef and Lena's because there's an emergency."