Wild Horses

Because of Her

"I want you to know that you'll always have first place in my heart, baby girl," my hand slides into Callie's as we stand by the corral fence after working with our newest colt, Marley, after her schoolday. Callie had been quiet since walking in from the bus, and I know that I need to talk to her. For it was apparent that Lena and I were a couple, and I knew it would be unfair to keep it from my baby.

"I've known you liked her, Mom," my daughter deadpans even though she squeezes my hand.

I watch her profile for any indication of emotion, good or bad. "Are you ok with this? With her?"

She shrugs and adjusts her hat as she hops up on the top rail. "Mom, you've been so happy, but I'm not so sure Lena likes me."

"What do you mean? I have never seen her be anything but kind and nice to you, Cals!"

"I just don't think she's used to having a kid. Or being around kids...what if she tries to talk you into sending me away?"

"What are you talking about, love?" I move quickly to take her hands in mine as I look deep into her eyes. I want to know where this doubt is coming from, and why my baby feels this way.

"I guess I wasn't too nice to her when she first came here..." she looks down as she plays with the rip in her jeans. "And I'm not so sure she ever told you what happened the second day she was here..." her face flushes and my heart begins to thud.

"Callie? Look at me, please," I become firm as I wonder what she hasn't told me. "When? Here at the house? Or the first time she was here?"

She clears her throat as she tries to pull away, "Mom, I'm so sorry....I was really angry. It was right after she got hurt, and I invited her to stay....you were with Mike finalizing the sale of the cattle part of our ranch...I'm sorry, Mom..."

Her voice cracks and I practically bark at her, "You better start talking..."

*FLASHBACK*

After Stef left in her big green truck, Callie ran to see if Lena was still on the back porch with her coffee. She had been watching her all morning, and as she watched her mother talk softly to the woman, she became increasingly angry. Angry that she came back into their lives after breaking her mother's heart. Angry because it seemed that her mother had forgiven her so easily. Angry because she had put Pegasus' life in danger by going out on that trail without a guide. Angry at herself for inviting her to stay at the house while trying to "play nice" for her mom.

Bursting through the screen door, Callie spotted Lena on the far left on her laptop, leg propped up. "Last night I was just trying to play nice for Mom, but I was serious when I said you should leave!" She placed her hand on her hip as she stood in front of the woman.

Lena looked up a bit startled at the outburst. "I'm sorry you feel this way, Callie. I'm not so sure that your mother feels the same as you, though."

"She does but won't say it because she's too nice..."

"Wait a second," Lena cut off the girl, "How can you be so sure? This sounds like it's all coming from you, Cals..."

The girl's face turned red at the pet name used. "Don't call me Cals! Just stop!!!!" She sputtered before storming off towards the barn. Who did this woman think she was coming in here and interrupting their perfectly good life AFTER almost destroying her mother? She wouldn't allow this to keep destroying her mother. She would make sure she hated it here so much, she'd leave on her own accord.

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

Stef brushed Callie's face as she finished her rendition of what happened that morning. She had already known about it, but had heard only Lena's side which didn't sound as harsh as Callie was telling it. She knew Lena would never try to come between her and her daughter, and even expressed that evening that she would gladly leave straight away if that were the case.

*FLASHBACK*

She buried her face her hands as tears ran down her cheeks. "I could never ever come between you and your baby, Stef! Look at the mess I've created by my one moment of fear!"

Stef pulled her hands down. "Shhhhh, my love....Callie only knows me and her...and her grandfather when he was living. She'll come around, and it sounds like she's scared now. She saw me fall apart, and she's afraid I will again. But what is a relationship or love if two people don't try and conquer their fears together? We can do this....last night we promised to start over, yes?"

Lena looked into the blondes earnest eyes as she wiped her tears, and all she saw was the truest purest kind of love she'd ever seen in anyone towards her. "How can you forgive me so easily?" She whispered as her voice trembled. She couldn't get over it considering she hadn't really forgiven herself as of yet.

"I do. I did. Last night, I made the decision based on knowing I've made some foolhardy decisions of my own in the past...." she then wrapped her arm around the caramel skinned woman as she breathed her in and whispered only for her. "And I don't want to lose you again...I've dreamed of you several times, and each time I've woken up with this deep ache in my chest wondering what could have been..." The blonde moved to tilt Lena's chin. "And now, I get to know..."

The curly haired woman smiled softly as Stef rested her forehead on hers. "Callie will come around..."

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

"I'm glad you told me, love," I whisper to the girl. "Do you think you'd feel comfortable talking to her now? Maybe trying to clear the air and starting fresh and new? Hmmm?"

Callie finally looked at her mother for the first time since she started the story. "Yes," her whispered promise made Stef's heart almost burst, for she knew that now they could move forward in becoming a family.