A Perfect Love Story - Book 9

Family Conversations

STEF POV

It had been a very nice Sunday as Lena and I had spent the entire afternoon together. We had taken a very lovely walk after we made love for hours on end, and we had talked pretty heavily about our relationship where we both agreed to take it very slow and refrain from telling the kids for now that we were getting back together.

As much as I wanted our children to be happy for us, I knew in my heart I can't risk everything falling apart if this doesn't pan out. Even if I know I will fight tooth and nail for it to grow stronger and not fail this time, I still felt that with everything Lena has been through emotionally as well as myself, we definitely needed to take things VERY slowly. But I will admit I can't help but need to feel her physically whenever I got the chance, and it seemed she felt exactly the same in regards to me.

As excited as I was that she asked me to be her girlfriend, I felt terrible that Lena had shown up in tears, crying and holding onto me for dear life. I never wanted her to feel so horrible, and even if I have my suspicions that that gallery women said something to her, I'd take Lena's word for it. Sure every part of me wanted to murder that cunt that made a pass at her in Chicago, and I would find out who the fuck she was sooner or later.

Was I happy that she and Denni didn't work out in the end? YES, I was! Because well, now that I was in recovery and seeing life more clearly, no matter how scared I was, I knew this time around I would be a better wife and friend to Lena, and I was grateful for this second chance. And well, part of me couldn't help but realize that I had won my wife over, but I'd never lose her again in life. EVER.

"Oh thank you for getting the eggs for me, Johnny. That's very kind of you." I hear Lena say to my brother who blushes bashfully, and I wink at him for I could tell he was very taken by Lena, and hell, I couldn't blame him.

She had such a sensitive nature about herself, and her kindness was always something that warmed my heart and something I needed. Lena was the most caring human I had ever met, and I think I realized that even more once we separated and once I saw what in the hell was out there in terms of dating. It was horrific, and I was grateful that I had not heard from RJ and she was really a distant thought.

"You're...you're welcome," he says as he walks over to the cabinet and pulls down the flour. "I'm making rolls to...to go with your ziti, Stef."

"Ahhh, thanks, babe, but you don't have to. I don't mind cooking it all for ya," I smile as he shakes his head, and I watch as Lena helps him pull down mixing bowls and other ingredients.

"Lena...you're...you're pretty," Johnny smiles as she pulls out his seat at the table and helps him organize the ingredients.

"Oh, well, thank you, Johnny, that is very kind of you sweetheart," Lena says as she bends down to kiss his cheek, and it melts my heart as I notice my brother seems flustered, his face beat red.

Walking over to them, Lena looks right at me and whispers in my ear. "I need to make a phone call. I'll be right back. Okay?"

I brush her cheek softly as I kiss it and whisper back, "Are you okay, baby? Everything alright?" I whisper back.

"Yes. Yes, I'm fine, I'll be right back to finish helping," she smiles before leaving the room, and I look back over at Johnny and move to rub his shoulders a bit.

"Lena is very beautiful, I agree, love," I smile as he measures out the baking powder.

"Yes. She loves you, Stef. Do you know that?" He observes as I pull a chair up beside him, and I watch him quickly measure out the rest of the ingredients, not missing a beat.

"I do know that, but ummm, can you keep a secret?" I ask softly as his eyes now meet mine and he smiles back at me.

"I believe I have kept many of yours, Sprout," he reminds me as I nod my head and laugh.