The Sweetest Devotion (The Affair Series Book 2)

Kindness and Love

"Ok, which shoes do you like, baby girl?" Aunt Fran asked her little niece as they had just gotten to Value Saver.

After spending two hours getting the lice out of little Stef's hair and cleaning her up, not to mention dealing with the nasty fight she had with Sharon, the two could finally start their afternoon.

"Um, the blue ones, mommy?"

"Ok, good choice. Real good choice. And why don't we get you some slippers and boots too?"

"Really all those?!"

"Of course! I got a few extra tips, and I planned on spending it on you anyway." Smiling at her, Stef could only hug her aunts slim waist tightly.

"I love you, Mommy."

"Aww, I love you too, sweetheart. Love you to the moon and back. But let's keep these things at my house, ok?"

"Ok."

As the little blonde tried on and picked out her new boots, slippers, and pajamas, Fran picked up some underwear, socks, and undershirts for her since the girls were so torn and old.

Many times, Fran wanted to just take her niece and run, but she knew Sharon would have the cops after her in a matter of minutes. Thoughts of co parenting with her or convincing her sister to let Stef stay over more to get her out of her hair often crossed her mind daily. However, the red head wouldn't have it being convinced that Fran wanted to steal her daughter.

"Mama, will we get burgers after?"

"Of course. I promised you that and some milkshakes." she said, paying for the items as Stef couldn't help but trace her finger over her aunts tattoo that she had on her hand.

"Then what?"

"Well, we can pick up some videos to watch back at my place and make some spaghetti for dinner."

"Can I sit on your lap then?"

"Of course, baby. Debbie is going to come over, too. Is that ok?"

"Debbie! Yay! She makes good cookies!" Jumping up and down at the mention of her aunts friend, it's was true that Stef adored her as well for Debbie would often do her hair and they would dance around to music her mother never played.

Infact it was music she would never let in the house period for she referred to it as coon music.

"Ha! She actually does so I can't argue with you on that one baby." Winking at her niece she picked up the skinny eight year old as Stef clung to her so tightly never wanting to let go.

Nuzzling her nose in her aunts long blonde hair that smelled like flowers it was ironic how much she looked like her compared to Sharon.

From the outside Stef actually looked nothing like her mother and it was another reason the red head was so angry about the relationship she had with Fran. Stef clung to her when they were together like a magnet and whenever Fran was around her personality was happier, lighter and freer.

She did not miss Sharon one bit on these days, and even if she loved her mother, little Stef wished she could live with her aunt all the time.

After letting her niece order as many burgers as she wanted with fries and a milkshake, Fran decided to take her to Debbie's instead just in case Sharon showed up unannounced.

That would never turn out well and result in another fight one she didn't want little Stef to hear, especially since her sister was racist and she had no clue about Debbie. None for the little girl knew to keep her a secret as well, even without Fran telling her so.

"I got her some new things that I'll keep at my place, Deb." Fran said as the two women were making some spaghetti with garlic bread in Deb's small little kitchen.

Her place was not large by any means, but it was still clean and decorated nicely. It was a far cry from where Stef was living with her mother.

"That's good. You can keep some of it over here, too, just in case. Have you given any more thought to trying to convince Sharon to let you raise her? I mean, it's not like she cares about her anyway."

"I have. I'm just not sure how to approach it. She's going to go off the rails if I make it too obvious. She already thinks I'm trying to steal baby girl."

"You aren't. You are just trying to give her a better life one Sharon can't give her because she can't be bothered."

"Baby, Stef had lice, and we don't know how long she has it for. Every time she comes over, we have to bathe her, clothe her, and make sure she eats. And those bruises? It breaks my heart. Sharon won't ever change. Remember the diaper rashes? How bad did they get when she was little?"

"I know, Deb, it breaks my heart too, and I'm 100 percent devoted to my niece. Believe me, but I can't spook Sharon."

"Well, take her to court. She neglects that little baby. She always has. Stef is dying for attention and love, which is why she is always on top of us when we are together. I don't mind it because she's so sweet but it's so sad. I just don't understand why she treats her so poorly. She's only eight years old."

"I know, babe. I'll fix this." Grabbing the woman's hand whom no one knew was also her girlfriend, she softly kissed her on the lips right as little Stef walked in, unsure of what she was seeing.

"Mama Fran?" The two women heard and pulled away rather quickly as the young girl stood in the doorway confused.

"Hey baby, ready for the movie? Me and Debbie, we're just getting the plates ready."

"Yes, but can you do my hair in a braid, Debbie?"

"Of course, honey. Go get my brush and stuff, ok?"

"Ok!"

Running to the other room to grab the bows and brush, the two women looked concerned at each other.

"I'll talk to her. I'm sure she didn't see us kiss."

"I don't know, babe. Stef is very observant. Just like you." Debbie said, smiling and stroking the woman's soft cheek as Fran headed off in the next room to talk to her little niece, hoping she didn't see anything.

If word got out that Debbie was her girlfriend, she didn't know what would happen and would most likely never see her niece again if Sharon had anything to do with it.