Home For the Holidays

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STEF POV

"Wow mama it's like a castle it's so big! You lived here? Look there is a cow mama! Look!" Frankie said with nothing but childlike excitement as she pulled on her pink ugg boots wrapping her scarf around her neck.

"Yay baby I see it and I promise you I will show you around and introduce you to some of our dairy cows. Now put your hat over those cutiepie ears." Fixing her hat and making sure she bundled up well my stomach was anything but calm. In fact the damm thing was  doing somersaults almost burning as I zipped my own puffer coat. " Come sweets." 

"What about your hat mama?"

"I'm fine love."

As the two of us jumped out the truck and despite the heavy snow my eyes couldn't help but notice how different my home looked. Different in what way I wasn't sure but the once freshly painted and pristine barn seemed as if it had aged over 40 years. The roof looked as if it was about to cave, there were all but two cows roaming around and the fence that use to wrap around our entire area had gone to hell.

"What in the hell?" I whispered to myself as I felt my little girl grab my hand.

"Which window was yours mama? In the house?" She asked as my eyes were still busy unable to believe the condition of our farm.

"Mama did you hear me? I asked you a question?"

"What baby? What I'm sorry my love I didnt hear you."

"I asked which room was yours? In the house mama."

Looking down at my sweetheart she pointed to the large yellow home as I swallowed hard.  Every emotion seemed to be filling my body as she eagerly waited for me to answer.

"That one right on the left baby. It overlooked the barn and animals actually."

"Really?"

"Yup my baby. And over there was..

"Oh my goodness! Oh my sweet lord it's my baby!" Turning my head towards pur front porch  my mother came running down the front steps with the biggest smile on her face. Not seeing her in 15 years she did age a bit but still managed to look healthy and young. "Stefanie baby look at you! My god! Look at you!" Hugging me harder then ever and holding me so tight that I could barely breath she was still so warm and affectionate as her hug seemed to last almost an hour if she had let it. "My sweet baby look at you! Look at that beautiful face of yours and your hair. You went and chopped it all off! But you are still just as beautiful as the day I gave birth to you." Cupping my cheeks as her hazel eyes grew glassy and warm she affectionately stroked the side of my face as a small smile formed on mine.

"Hi ma. It's nice to see you too."

"Oh my sweetheart I missed you so much. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you. "

"I think I noticed." I laughed awkwardly as my mother's eyes fell on Frankie growing confused.

"And who do we have here?"

"Ma this is, this is my babygirl Francesca. Frankie we call her." Resting my hands on my little girl's shoulders my mother tried to hide the shock that appeared on her face. I knew I was blindsiding her but a warm smile grew on her face as she kneeled down to Frankie's level.

"Well aren't' you just the sweetest thing. Sweet as pie baby. It's nice to meet you Frankie."

"Hi it's nice to meet you too? What do I call you?"

"Well now how about Nana? Does that sound good babylove?" My mother asked gently stroking my little girls cheek as Frankie look up at me smiling and I winked at her.

"Ok Nana. Can I pet the cows? Mama said she use to milk them!"

"Ha well yes she did and you most certainly can. How about we get out of this cold. I just took some cookies out the oven. Hope you like chocolate chip."

"My favorite. Can I have some mama?" Frankie asked politely her eyes growing wide with innocence.

"Of course my love."

"Good. Lets come on inside now. Shall we." My mother said as her soft eyes were glazed over with tears and as she gently grabbed Frankies hand. "We can get your bags and things later Stefanie. Mike will be over soon."

"I'm not helpless mama I can grab the bags."

"Never said you were babygirl." She said as we entered the home and the pleasant smell of cookies permeated  my nose. Nothing had changed inside from what I could tell and we even had the same couch and coffee table from when I left. Being my mother was the cleaneat and neatest person around it was spotless just like it always had been.

"Mama calls me babygirl too Nana."

"Well of course she does because you are such a dollface." She winked as my little girl grinned from ear to ear.

"Let me go take the second batch out the oven."

As my mother walked off into the kitchen I helped my little girl take her boots and coat off anf I did the same as she slid her hand into mine.

"Are you ok mama?"

"Yes baby why wouldn't I be my sweetpea?" Taking a seat on the bench she stood between my legs affectionately brushing the snow out of my short hair. It was true that Frankie was exceptionally observant not to mention incredibly sweet.

"Just making sure. Are you nervous to see your daddy?"

"Nah mama is a big girl. Like you." I winked as she plasterd a kiss on my cheek and wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I love you mama."

"Aww mama loves you too. Always."

"Alright how about hot coca to go with these cookies. If thats ok with you Stefanie." My mother said standing in the hall and smiling at our interaction.

"Of course ma. It's fine."

"Good come help me Frankie."

"Ok!" Running off to help my mother I hung our coats and things up and couldn't help but notice all the photos over the fire place mantel. Some from ages ago when I was just Frankies age and some from when I was much older. Smiling at each one of them my eyes feel across a photo that hit a nerve in my heart. A giant one for it was one of me and Lena and I could only feel my eyes begin to water just by the site of her and how much I knew I hurt her.

"Decided to finally come home?" I suddenly heard recognizing the harsh voice instantly as I turned around seeing my father's intense stare look right into my eyes.

"Hi Daddy."