An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Baring Her Soul

STEF POV

"I just needed to think. I didn't mean to run off and hide. I just had to think, Godmom. I cried myself to sleep before I knew it. I feel so bad people were out looking for me!" Stefanie says as tears continue to roll down her face and Lena sits beside her on my couch as I kneel in front of Stefanie holding both her hands.

None of us were angry. We were just grateful my mother found her sleeping in the top bunk of her RV, and if I was honest it was the last place I thought to look.

"It's okay, baby. Listen, we will talk more in the morning because it's been a hell of a day. We are just grateful that you are okay, my love." I say gently wiping her eyes as we are finally back at my house, and the kids are getting ready for bed.

"We are honey. Godmom and I are just glad you are okay and found a safe place you could go to. I know that you're 18 now, but we were really really worried, baby girl. I'm so happy you're fine," Lena says as I glance at her and softly smile as she returns it.

"Sweets, why don't you go change and go in my room. You can sleep with me tonight. The kids are with Nana Dukes getting ready for bed, okay? I'll be there in a minute."

"I don't wanna take Frankie's spot, Godmom," she says as she stands to her feet and I shake my head.

"She can sleep in the bed too if she wants, but I want you nearby tonight, baby. I'm worried about this," I say as she nods her head and leans in kissing my cheek.

"Okay." She whispers as Lena holds her very close kissing her forehead as my mother enters the room now, and gently grabs her hand and they head into my room along with Callie, Frankie and Corey as I sit back on the couch and rub my forehead.

"You okay?" Lena asks.

"Yeah."

"Stef, I can stay over. I can take Frankie's bed. I don't want to leave unless I know everyone is okay. That includes you."

"I'm okay, Len."

"No, you're not, Stef. You're really not, and you can't hide that from me. Look, I get that you think I can turn off this switch in my brain and heart and that I can automatically stop caring. But that's just not so. It's not like that, Stef. I still very much care, and my heart still aches from...from it all," she says softly as I sigh and look at her, shaking my head.

"Can I ask something, Len?"

"Sure."

"Are you dating Denni?"

She looks at me now and leans forward, looking me in the eye. "I don't know if that's what it is. I've...I've gone on a couple of dates."

"Okay. Are you going to LA with her for this gallery artsy convention thingy you were talking to me about earlier?" I ask now as my heart is shattering, and once again, I have no clue as to why I'm asking these questions when I know they will kill me.

"She'll be in the group going," Lena answers now as she stands to her feet, looking uncomfortable as I sigh and stand to my feet as well.

"Well, be safe, Len. That's all I ask," I say as I squeeze her hand and head towards my bedroom, but she calls after me.

"Stef?! Wait!"

Turning around, I force myself to look at her as she nears me now and it's so damn hard for me to look at her much less keep my tears from springing out of my eyes. "Just say the word, and I'll call my boss and tell her I can't go. I don't have to go, Stef, I would never abandon our kids."

"No. Go, Len. Be thankful that you were asked to join them. This is what you always wanted and I get how much this sort of thing means to you," I say as I cry in my heart, and she nods.