An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Games and Baking Nights

STEF POV

"I think we need more cinnamon, Mama Dukes," Frankie says as we were making our giant cinnamon rolls for our game night along with other goodies.

Baking was still probably one of my favorite things to do with my children and during the visits with my kids I tried hard to do fun things especially on days that I didn't have work. Truthfully both Lena and found it very important to do these fun things for them for we both knew how hard the last few years had been. Between the tow of us we did everything we could individually to help them gain back some happiness, back. Even if just for a few hours. "And flour. Stefanie messed this dough up!!"

"I didn't, Franks. That's super rude of you to say. I do run an ice cream shop you know?" Stefanie sasses back as I smile at her and she places her hands on her hip. She had since put her long braids in which looked cute on her this time and she had been taking better care of herself. No, she never went back to wearing that god awful dark makeup, but she put on light mascara and blush only to bring out her pretty features. She surely was her own person and physically she looked so much like Tess that at times I would do a double take, plus she was equally sassy and very bright.

"Yeah I get that. It doesn't mean you know how to follow a recipe! It's super watery! How much milk did you useeeee???" Frankie scowls as the dough is sticking to her fingers like crazy. "LIKE what is this! HELLO!!! I thought you were so bright!"

"Ok, listen it's fixable. Things happen, yes, Francesca? AND we don't point fingers or insult your sister, my dear. Stefanie, go in the garage and get some more flour, sweets." I cut in as I see where this is headed, and I will not allow any arguments or fights if I can help it for these two had ALWAYS fought like true siblings as I am reminded of that summer in New York and it makes me laugh.

"Sure Godmom." She says putting the dish rag down and running off as I see Frankie roll her eyes and I glare at her.

"Ughh, you baby her Mama Dukes. You don't let us get by with anything, but her? She's okay to make mistakes and shit."

"Excuse me?" I say looking at Frankie like she's lost her mind for this girls mouth just continued to be atrocious.

"I get it, she has issues, but you do baby her. It's so clear, Mama Dukes, whether you wanna hear it or not," Frankie sasses even more, and I can't believe my ears as I frown at her.

"My dear, just measure this out okay? I do not think it is your place to go around correcting adults, let alone your mother. I do not baby anyone and WATCH YOUR MOUTH and YOUR TONE. Because you are not to old my love. You are child, remember? Or do I need to remind you?" I quickly correct her as she looks right at me and I raise my eyebrow.

"Yes Mama. I'm sorry. I forgot my place."

"Good. Now lets put some tunes on so we can finish this baking up." I wink at her as she grins wide at me and I head over to my record player and put one of my favorite albums on as Frankie quickly walks over and takes it off.

"Mama Dukes! Please no more sad love songs! Anything but that!! Like, I love hearing you sing! I do! I swear it, but something else. Please. I know you miss Mama." Frankie pleads as she changes the record out putting the Jackson Five on. "I'll even dance with you to this! But anything but more sadness."

"FINE. I get it, my love I've been over-doing it a bit with the love songs. I apologize. But I got a better one. My brother and I used to love this one. I think I was about 15 or 16 when it came out." I say putting the Beatles, Twist and Shout on which I had not played in ages for in some sense it had been rather painful. Any reminder of Frank Jr. had been and I had pretty much avoided anything associated with him which George told me wasn't really the best idea.