Home For the Holidays

Cookies with Nana

"Ok baby I think I need to make another batch." The older woman said to Frankie not being able to take her eyes off her little  granddaughter as they shared another fresh batch of cookies. Even if Sharon was happy to meet her granddaughter she was very upset that Stef kept this little girl a secret. She would have loved to have been there for her daughter during her pregnancy and when her little granddaughter was born. Was Stef that angry that she wouldn't tell them?  Was the life her and Frank tried to give Stef so bad? Yes it had been 15 years since they laid eyes on her and since she had stomred out that night but deep inside Sharon knew her daughter would return once she came to terms with who she was and what was wrong. Her leaving had torn her to pieces but it had really killed Frank. Killed his heart and many nights he cried in her arms for Stef was his little girl and he loved her more than life. She had been close to him as well from the time she was born and admitted many times she wanted to be just like her daddy; tending to a farm and working as a cop.  After many of his shifts the two sat in the barn together for hours listening to country records as he showed her how to tend to each farm chore. From what Sharon could see Stef loved it even wearing her dad's old plaid shirts most of the time while she ran through their field barefoot or as she got older in her cowboy boots she wore until the soles were worn through. She never gave them much of a problem even when she was a teeanger and stayed close to home. However both Sharon and Frank well were aware their was something different about Stef especially in her friendship with Lena. More than once Frank witnessed the two cuddling closely on the  couch and could see his daughter was extremely affectionate with Lena especially the older they got. Mike was well aware of it as well but the family never said a word about it. Maybe they should have.

FLASHBACK

"Frank what's wrong?" The redhead asked as he climbed into bed looking somewhat concerned.

"Nothing."

"Doesn't seem like nothing. Spill it."

"You think something is going on with Stef and Lena?"

"Like what? They are close friends honey."

"Yes I know but they are pretty comfortable down there in each other's arms."

"Well Stefanie is very affectionate you know that." Sharon said returning to her crossword puzzle.

"I do but she's rubbing Lena's arm up and down. It's more than just affection Sharon. Way more and you have seen it too."

"What are you implying Frank just say it."

"Well she never brings any boys around, never even talks about boys and I thought by now she would."

"Maybe she doesn't see any she likes. This town is only but so big and she didn't like the delivery boy I tried to set her up with at all. Maybe she is just picky or hasn't met the right one."

"Or maybe she likes Lena. Maybe she is, maybe she is gay."

"Oh Frank don't be ridiculous. She's not gay."

"I don't know Sharon. I think she likes Lena and I think Lena likes her. I saw them in the barn the other day and Stef had her hands wrapped around Lena from behind."

"Lena has boyfriend." She said shaking her head and brushing Frank off.

"And? What does that mean? She has a boyfriend maybe because that's what she thinks she needs to have."

"They have known each other since they were born. I think they are just close friends honey. Girls are silly that way with each other."

"Yeah well I think it's more then that. Much more Sharon."

FLASHBACK ENDS

Smiling at her granddaughter who reminded her so much of Stef when she was little the redhead bit into another cookie herself. Maybe Stef was not gay after all but she really wasn't sure and wasn't just going to come out and ask her. The last thing she wanted to do was scare her off and go another 15 years without seeing her.

"So baby let me guess how old you are. 20?"

"No way Nana!" Frankie laughed.

"MM no? Older or younger?"

"Super younger!" Giggling at the red head Sharon's smile remained on her face for she was already falling in love with this little girl.

"Alright I give up pretty girl. How old are you?"

"I'm eight!!" Frankie said holding up eight fingers while stuffing another cookie in her mouth.

"Eight wow! You are a big girl."

"I am. I'll be nine next year. Mama said I can have a party if I want but I don't know."

"Oh you don't want a party with all your friends?" Sharon asked sitting in the stool beside the little girl as she couldn't help but notice her pretty sandy colored hair and deep hazel eyes. Not that it mattered one bit to her but she could surely see Frankie's father was most likely black as she took another bite of her cookie.

"Mm nah. I don't like big parties really." 

"Well I'm sure a sweet girl like you has tons of friends. What's not to like about you?" Poking the little girl's nose she smiled wide at her.

"Well I have some I but I'd rather spend my birthday with mama. We go roller skating on the boardwalk and stuff and sometimes she lets me ride around with her in the patrol car. It's really cool!"

"Patrol car?"

"Yes. Mama is a police officer." Frankie admitted as Sharon could only let a soft smile escape her face knowing that Frank would be so proud even if his heart was broken.

"Well that's nice. Tell me do you like LA?"

"It's big and nosy sometimes. My aunt Jenna said it's like a jungle!"

"Ha yes I have heard that about LA. Never been out of this town myself Frankie."

"Really?"

"No I haven't baby I was born here and never left."

"Oh! You can visit us in LA but it doesn't snow. I like the snow it's really pretty." She said smiling and taking a sip of hot coco. "Mama said we can go sledding and stuff."

"I like the snow too actually and we sure can. I think you will love it. And I have to say you are cute as a button and look just like your mama when she was a little girl."

"I do?"

"Yes very much."

"I like you Nana."

"Aww I like you too sweetheart. Very much." Pulling the little girl in for hug the redhead couldn't help but hold her tight for she was just the sweetest thing. "Tell me would you like to see some pictures of your mama as a little girl?" She asked as the two pulled apart.

"Can we?"

"Of course  but let's finish this up and go find your mama. I also think I heard your papa come in and I'm sure he would love to meet you too."

"Ok!"