An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

The Bomb

STEF POV

Having just arrived at Lena's, she had called me earlier this afternoon when I had gotten home from work asking if I could pick the kids up at her place. Sure I had no issue with that but I could tell solely by the sound of her voice that something was off. What I wasn't sure and I had tried to grill her profusely over the phone only for her to tell me she'd rather speak in person, and that I should bring my mother to take the kids home while we spoke. This didn't sit well with me, as the last time we had this happen, Corey was acting like a fucking fool and I can only wonder which one of them was starting up now.

Parking my car my mother and I get out as we see the kids along with Lena exit her little home. Seeing the kids, my mother opens her arms wide for them as Frankie, Corey and Jude hug her warmly causing me to smile. "There they are, my wonderful grandchildren!" she says as Callie was having dinner with her father.

Smiling at their warm exchange, I walk up to Lena as I shove my hands in my short pockets for it was rather jarring just how beautiful she was becoming, "Hey, Len."

"Hey, Stef. The kids know to go with Sharon. I already hugged and kissed them goodbye," she says as I look behind me watching them all get in the car as I look back at her now confused.

"Okay? What gives? I thought Stefanie was off today? Did she get called in to work?"

"Come out back, baby," she says rather affectionately which throws me off and I'm confused now more than ever as I follow her through her living room, and kitchen for nothing looks out of place.

I can also see she has decorated more as it is really coming along. However, my stomach feels rather sick. Big time and I swallow hard, for this doesn't feel right at the moment, and I feel sick thinking something happened to Stefanie as Lena turns around to look at me. "Are you thirsty? Hungry? We already ate dinner, but I have a leftover plate if you want something."

"No, Len. Thanks. I ate earlier. Where's Stefanie? Is she hurt? Is she okay? Stop with this damn fucking build up. It doesn't feel too good, Len," I snap as she turns to look at me and frowns.

"Okay. Chill? She's out back. She wanted to talk to you, and I thought we should give her some privacy. I just didn't want you worrying yourself sick about it. So, I didn't tell you that over the phone because I know you, Stefanie Foster, and I know how protective you are of her."

"Fine. I'll take a glass of water," I say as I pull out my smokes and head out back only to almost faint, for my damn goddaughter looked like Smurfette's twin.

Why was her hair cerulean blue? What the fuck was going on around here? And her braids are gone, and her hair is short! I try to smile as she nervously stands to her feet and walks towards me.

"Godmom, hi," she says softly as I lick my lips trying so hard not to look at her hair but it was rather jarring.

"Hey, love. How are ya? Um, Aunt Lena said you wanted to talk to me. Are you okay?" I ask as I can feel my heart thudding in my chest, for I truly hated her damn hair right now, but she was 18 and most likely going through a crisis since her parents were all but MIA and I understood it. I did.

"I know. You can say it. You hate my hair," she says as we take a seat at Lena's nice little picnic set as she walks outside with a tray with glasses and a pitcher of water with lemons in it.

I clear my throat now as Lena pours us water and sits down not far from me, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and lights one as both me and Stefanie look at her like she's lost it.

"What?" she asks as she puffs her smoke as I try not to laugh as I look back at Stefanie.

"You barely ever smoke, Aunt Lena," Stefanie giggles now as I stare right at my goddaughter, for she was stalling over God knows what, and she forgot I could read her like a damn book. "It's just funny to see."