The Sweetest Devotion (The Affair Series Book 2)

Life With Her Aunt

It had been a month since Fran had taken in her little niece and all was going well. Still struggling with the occasional nightmares that will plague Stef in her adult life as well the young girl was progressing well. She was gaining some weight which she needed for she had been malnourished from living off salty TV dinners and soda. Her new teeth were growing in and her aunt had put her in a new school. Enrolling her in some afternoon activities had been a priority and Stef was good at making friends. She really was. Never being left alone either she was with her aunt or with Debbie if Fran had to work being she had odd hours as a cop.

What Stef witnessed over the next few months was a stark contrast from what she was use too living with her mother. For starters she had breakfast every morning with her aunt and dinner with both women each night at the table. They didn't allow her to watch TV until after all her work was done and even then it was only for an hour. Many nights they sat together reading or played a board game as  family. Each night Stef had to take a bath which she was not use too and learn basic hygiene which her mother had failed to teach her. Fran also had to reprimand her for her cursing something she picked up from Sharon at least five times a day and from hoarding food which was another issue.

"Babe I found a ton of food under her bed. Even melted ice cream." Debbie said to her girlfriend as she had just gotten home from work. "She got scared when I asked her about it."

"She's worried she won't have food. I'll talk to her." She said taking a sip of beer and placing it on the counter.

"Did Sharon really not feed her?"

"Not like we do. Every time I went over I stocked as much food as I could."

"That's sad how she treated her. Does Stef really have to see her?"

"Yeah she does. I met with the social worker today actually." Taking a seat at the clean table she pulled her hair out of her tight bun rubbing her forehead.

"And?"

"She gets supervised visits every other Saturday for now. Her progress will be monitored and she has to take parenting classes and go to therapy. Not that any of that will help. Believe me it won't my sister has been like this my entire life."

"Were your parents like this? I don't mean to pry."

"Nah you're not prying babe. But to answer your question yes. Sharon is just like my mother. The same to be exact minus the crazy religion part. She is her to a T."

"You turned out different."

"I didn't want to end up like that. And I left when I was 16 because I couldn't take it anymore or have another one of her boyfriends beat us up.  Sharon stayed even if I kept telling her to come with me. She wouldn't because she was just like our mother. Lying, manipulative and just damm mean. When she died sadly I didn't cry but she left behind a shit load of debts which Sharon ignored and I ended up paying."

"That's terrible baby. I'm sorry I am." Deb said taking a seat beside her and gently rubbing her hand.

"It's ok babe. I just know what my niece is going through. I really do and I didn't have anyone. But I just want to try to adopt  her and I just don't know if that will be possible because Sharon will fight me tooth and nail and it's going to get nasty. The last thing I want to do is put that baby in that mess."

"I don't get it. She doesn't even want her never did. Why doesn't she just let you raise her and we can have Stef visit  her with our supervision of course."

"She wants the money babe. Welfare, so that she doesn't have to work. Or if she does work she can get paid under the table at these cheap sleazy dives she works at and picks up her men."

"That's damm ridiculous and I don't get it and never will. I really don't. She didn't teach her anything. Nothing, not even basic hygiene. Won't the judge see she's lying and not capable?"

"Not if she's good at convincing him and shows improvement even if it's not genuine." Letting out a sigh Deb shook her head.

"I don't get it either but I will do the best I can and fight for her. I will fight my damm hardest one Sharon will never forget."

"Well you know I'm there too."

"I know you are and I know she will use this relationship against me. That I already know."

"Let her. We will do what we can. Even if we have to separate for a bit. We will do what is best for Stefanie. Always Francine you know that."

"Gosh you are the sweetest woman ever. Anyone ever tell you that. Come here."

 Smiling at her girlfriend Deb took a seat on her lap running her hands affectionately through Fran's hair.

"Stef asked if I was your girlfriend."

"Ha. Yeah she asked me the same. What did you tell her?"

"That we were close friends who care for each other."

"Yup I told her the same although I think she knows it's more then that."

"Well she is almost nine. Maybe we should talk to her. I mean she did tell me she kissed her friend on the lips."

"What?" Fran asked shocked.

"Yes the little girl Amanda. SHe told me they were playing and that she kissed her on the lips because she liked her. You sure she's not really your birth child." Deb joked as Fran laughed.

"Yeah you gotta wonder huh."

"Yes. And she um, she called me mommy today. Maybe it was an accident I don't know." 

"Aww babe. I don't think it was she adores you. Alot."

"Yeah I adore her too. I really do." Deb said as Fran could see the tears form in her eyes. It was true that they both loved the little girl more then life and equally wanted the best for her and were willing to risk their own relationship being put on hold.

Stef did know that Debbie was her aunt's girlfriend and she didn't mind and it didn't matter to her. What mattered was how much they took care of her and that they loved her like no one else. She loved helping them cook, learning good habits that no one ever showed her and just being allowed to be a kid for once. No longer did she have to worry about being left alone, about fending for herself and about being kicked around. She yes of course missed Sharon to some point but she wanted to remain with her aunt. Yes she felt bad but it didn't make the visits with the red head any easier. Infact before each visit she would get terrible stomach pains and nightmares the night before where Fran had to hold her the entire night. 

"You will be here?"

"Yes, right in the next room. I will be waiting and then we will go home, make pizza with Deb and watch a movie. Ok? It will be ok I promise sweet girl." She said stroking her sweet little face as Stef's warm hazel eyes looked fearful.

Nodding her head as Fran leaned down holding her hands she of course felt bad. She felt terrible but knew she had to follow the orders of the court and that the little girl had to see her mother.

"You are a big girl and it will be ok. I promise and I'm not leaving you here. I am not."

"Promise mama Fran?"

"I promise sweet girl. I promise with all my heart."

"Ok."

"Ok give me a hug babygirl." Seeing tears form in her little eyes Fran hugged her tightly and pulling apart she winked at her as Stef did the same. "Ha cute little wink you have there!"

"I'm just like you mama."

"That you are." Poking her little nose she stood back up as the social worker escorted Stef into the room with Sharon. It took everything in Fran to show her strength as she watched the little scared girl disappear into the room.