A Perfect Love Story - Book 9

New York City

STEF POV

"I have to say I love riding the train with you, Stef. It's been awhile," Lena says as I read one of my three newspapers, and I glance over at her and smile.

She was so beautiful, just like always with her gorgeous full curls pulled on top of her head, light blue tank top which lay against her soft, caramel skin and jean shorts that showed off her long, toned legs. I admire her for a brief moment as she smiles back at me and I can't help but notice she is still wearing that charm I had given her for her birthday. Right now I am rather excited to take this trip with her and Frankie who was sitting in the seat in front of us sketching and listening to music.

"It has been. And I love taking the train with you too, sweets. Quite frankly you know I love going places with you, and well, I hope we can travel more. Actually we will. And not just to New York and only places we know but all over if that is something you would like. I get three weeks of vacation next year."

"Oh really? You gained an extra week already?" She turns to look at me again for I know she loved to watch the passing scenery which is why I always gave her the window seat.

"Yup. Mike and I both. I would have had four if I stayed with the NYPD," I say rubbing her hand as she stares at me and nods. But I can see a sadness wash across her face realizing she might have taken what I said the wrong way. "What, baby? That wasn't a smack in the face, you know."

"I know. I was just thinking, Stef. Do you ever wish we had stayed in New York? I'm sure we would have managed to move out of that two bedroom by now in the Bronx," she laughs as I rub her hand a bit now and bring it to my mouth kissing it.

"It's hard to say, love. I think I still would have drank, I mean I was drinking, and it's possible it had been worse. Living that far away from Julius, Phil, Gary and Marty? They have been such a wonderful source of support for our family. So it's possible it would have been worse, or maybe I had gotten my shit together. Who knows."

"Maybe I had not gambled or...or fallen apart like I did," she says as I rub her fingers again.

"Or maybe you had. Atlantic City isn't that far away from the city. Len, you never know in life, ya know? What happened, happened and that's the way it went. The point now is that our life is better, we went through it, and came out on the other side. That's what matters, my love. Capeesh?" I wink as she turns to me and smiles.

"Yes, capeesh."

"Good, and no more nonesne about paying for the hotel either, my love. Frankie and I were gonna stay there anyway, and I had already reserved it."

"But you moved the day because of me and had to pay extra. I said I didn't mind. I can do it, Stef. I have money, you know," she frowns as I rub her hand softly again.

"And? It was fine, my love. Don't worry about all of that."

"Stef, I want to pay. Please. I already know what hotel it is. The Hotel Pennsylvania right across from Penn Station. I'm paying and insist."

I laugh now, for she is very stubborn and always has been."Ok and, love? What? You aren't paying, honey, so forget it because I am not budging. Now, what can I get you from the cafe car? Mm, my baby?" I nuzzle my nose against her face as she giggles, and we are once more in our own little world something I loved and wanted more of.

"Ohhhh, cafe car! Can I get a coffee, MOMS????? PLEASE????" Frankie says now turning around and leaning over the top of her seat as I shake my head and laugh.

"And how long have you been listening?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her as she shrugs.

"Mm, right around the time you started to debate who is paying for the hotel. That's when my batteries died. You think they have more in the cafe car? I'll die without my music, Mama Dukes."