An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

At Mama's

LENA POV

"What are you baking, baby?" I walk into the kitchen to see Frankie rolling out dough on my counter as we had just gotten back about an hour or so ago after the kids returned from getting ice cream with Sharon.

They were beyond happy to see me and kept hugging me, especially Frankie as we had driven home. It was still rather jarring in some sense but on a good note how close Frankie and I had gotten. At times she still ran her mouth of course, and was fresh as hell, but just a year ago maybe a bit more she wouldn't let me near her and was calling me Lena.

In not so many words she told me she forgave me for running off that time when I had my breakdown and gambling addiction, and for that I am happy and relieved. Frankie meant the world to me and I had tried my whole life to bond with her and it seemed we were a little more than we ever had in her whole life. Yes I knew she'd probably always be closer to Stef in some sense, but that was fine with me. Frankie deserved all the love and support from both of us even if I was fully aware how hard our breakup had been on her.

"I just wanted to make giant cinnamon rolls for breakfast, Mama," Frankie smiles as I nod and place my tea kettle on the stove and pull down my peppermint tea.

"We all love the rolls, baby. I'm glad to see you baking so much lately."

Stefanie on the other hand, I am anxious to lay eyes on her if I'm honest, and even though Sharon swore up and down that she seemed fine, I still wanted to see it for myself, making a mental note to pay Tess a personal visit within the next couple of days so that she can look me in the eyes herself for what she was doing to this child.

She didn't get off work until 9 and had been driving the car her father gave her for graduation occasionally stating that she was saving up to buy her own car and would return it to him as soon as she did. That pretty much sounded like her, for Stefanie was very adamant on not receiving anything from her parents, and well, Stef and I both knew that was true now more than ever.

Frankie turns to look at me as Callie walks into the kitchen in her pj shorts and tank top walking over to grab a glass of water. "Hey, Franks! Making us your famous rolls?"

"Of course! Mama Dukes helped me perfect it!" She smiles as I watch their little exchange smiling as Corey walks in the kitchen, his headphones on. "When did you get your Walkman back, dumbo?"

He looks at her and removes his headphones, leaving them around his neck. "What?"

"Oh you heard me!" Frankie says as she turns back around to mix the cinnamon and sugar for her rolls as Callie takes a seat at the kitchen table.

"Be nice, Franks," she softly scolds as I laugh and get up as my tea kettle whistles.

"Well, for your information, Mama Dukes said I could have it for now, you know, since she smashed my other one. Nana Dukes bought it for me yesterday. She said it's a trial run so to say," Corey rolls his eyes as he pulls out a bag of pretzels and an orange soda before also taking a seat at the table.

Sitting back at the table with my tea, I smile as Jude walks in the room with Mr. Elephant and pulls out the seat he loves to sit in when he's at my house as he looks right at me. "Honey bun, Mama L?"

I laugh softly now as I tousle his hair and get up to get him his nightly snack of honey bun and milk. "So, you guys are okay? I know I already asked you, but I was worried about you, kids, after you called me the other night. Nana Dukes said to stay in LA and that you were fine, but I wanted to check in," I say as I hand Jude his snack and Frankie turns around to look at me again.

"We're fine, Mama," she says as she grabs the milk out of the fridge. "That heifer on the other hand is so lucky to still have all her teeth because Mama Dukes beat her ass."