A Perfect Love Story - Book 9

More News

LENA POV

"One more box, goofy butt!" I hear Frankie call over her shoulder to Corey who had closed the trunk of Callie's car that had been filled with more moving boxes from Stef's kitchen.

"Oh! My bad! DUH" he yells back opening the trunk up again and grabbing another box before closing it once more.

Today had been long, probably one of the longest days Stef and I had in quite some time. Not to mention stressful, emotional and downright exhausting. By this time I wasn't sure how much energy I had left to unpack, and I had barely had it for dinner which was why I had ordered a pizza, which the kids did not mind.

After Stef and I spoke at the pier about Stefanie, I promised her I'd go straight to Denni's which I did. However, when I got there, no one was home and I had called a few times as well getting her machine every single time.

Was I worried? Yes. Was Stef worried? Absolutely. Our entire family was and even Mike and Sharon's calming reassuring talks did nothing to ease our nerves. I knew she was in good hands with Denni because even if our relationship wasn't meant to be, I felt she was sincere. I really did, but as a mother it was hard to not know what was going on with Stefanie and hard not being the ones to help her.

I had left Denni at least two messages to please call us just so we knew what was going on, but that was two hours ago and my nerves were growing by the minute.

Stef was a mess about this, and when our talk had gone south at the pier I had gotten ahold of my own emotions and spit out our safe word. I could see she was in no way going to do it, nor remember it because she was just far too angry and upset. I understood it, but when she was in that type of state, Stef would become so narrow-minded, not to mention deaf and zeroed in on one thing like the detective she is. She couldn't help it, but I knew with both of our emotions being so high, I had to wave the flag this time.

Fortunately, I had gotten the both of us back to a neutral state, but I knew very well her mind was a mess, even if Mike assured me he'd keep an eye on her and attend a meeting with her after work. He was definitely a savior as was Sharon who had picked Jude up from school earlier and was helping us pack up the house.

"Guys, I'm not sure we need all of this. Actually, I think our best bet is to set it up along that wall right there, and whatever we don't need, we'll condense it and maybe Nana can use some of it," I direct as Frankie rolls her eyes.

"Then why did we even pack up Mama Dukes' kitchen if we're not gonna use it?"

"Francesca! Because! There are mugs and certain utensils your mom has that I don't! Especially all her things for baking. How many times do I have to hear you complain because she had a potato masher and I didn't? Or certain cookie cutters?"

"You know, Frankie, we are combining two houses. A little more patience is the key to a smooth transition," Jude says as he is arranging the silverware in my drawer and I turn to smile at him feeling like my head just may explode.

"Where's Mom? Did her and Dad have a late arrest?" Callie asks as she walks into the kitchen with an armful of dish towels and oven mitts as I grab some water from the fridge and pour myself a glass. I can't help but see Jude look over at me as if he knows something which would not surprise me.

"Most likely, but she is also going to a meeting after work as well," I answer quickly for I had left another message at her desk saying I still had not reached Denni not too long ago. I had tried Mike as well only getting his desk machine too.

"Oh good. I'm glad she's going to meetings and keeping that up," Callie says as I smile at her.

"It's crucial to her sobriety. Statistically speaking getting married is very high on the stress chart," Jude says sipping his water as Callie laughs.