Home For the Holidays

A Talk

STEF POV

I already knew Callie was a tough nut to crack from the day I met her at the bazaar. She had every right to be and I understood more than she probably knew or realized.  Lena was her heart, her mother and she did not want anyone hurting her again. My track record had not been very impressive and this little girl needed to hear from my mouth that I loved her mama and always had. It was her in fact who had woken me up from the church by her honest words which I needed to hear.

Opening the door to head outside I was surprised to see her sitting on the front steps.  Knowing how teenagers could be from working with so many on the job I'd spare her some long ass story hoping not to bore for too long. Truth was I didn't know Callie at all but she was Lena's daughter and that's all I needed. That was all I thought as I took a seat beside her and feeling the night air on my face. Failing to look at me I grab a piece of hay that littered the steps and chewed it. An old habit I had forgotten about after spending to many years in LA.

"That could be really dirty." Callie said turning to face me and looking horrified as I let out a smile.

"Yeah. I chewed so many of these growing up and haven't died once." I smiled as her eyes remained on my face.

"You know Cal you were right with what you told me at the church."

"What?"

"Yeah you were right honey. You were right and I have no business being here if I plan on hurting your mama again. None.  And if I do plan on it I should pack up and leave because it would be the right thing to do." Seeing the confusion form on her face  another small smile formed on mine.

"But I can't leave and I never should have. Truth was I never set out to hurt her love. Ever. I left because I was scared. Scared to death."

"Of what?" She asked her voice softening.

"I was scared of my feelings.  I was in love with your mama.  Madly and deeply in love and I didn't know what in the hell to do with that.  At all. Life and times were different then babe and no one talked about being gay or what it even meant. Especially in this town.So I thought leaving would be the best thing but I know it wasn't. Your mama was the love of my life Callie she was and she was the last person I ever wanted to hurt in this life. Ever." Continuing to chew on my hay her eyes remained on my face looking intensely at me. "I know you don't trust me and believe that I may hurt her again but I promise you I will not. I've grown alot since then honey and...

"And does she know you loved her?"

"Yes she knows."

"Do you still love her?"

"Very much. If not more then I did back then." I said with so much honesty as she nodded her head at me.

"She loves you. I mean she didn't tell me but I know. I can tell and I know my mama."

"Well how do you feel about that? I know you don't know me honey and I don't want to barge into your life at all. But I would love to get to know you if that's ok with you."

"Depends. Are you staying here? I mean is my mom going to be your girlfriend? Because that's what she deserves. She doesn't deserve to just be someone's whatever." With that I couldn't help but bust out laughing for this kid was so much like me it was ridiculous.

"You know not for nothing Cal but you remind me of myself. You're a ball buster but that's not a bad thing. Not at all love. And to tell you the truth I 100 percent agree with you that your mama deserves the best from whomever she is with. And I would love for her to be my girlfriend but only if it was okay with you.  Neither of us would want to do anything that would make you or Frankie feel uncomfortable. That's never anything we would wanna do love. Sure maybe I have to really bust my ass and prove to you that I'm not going to hurt your mama ever in life again but I'd be willing to do that. Willing to show you how much I do love her."

"Really?"

"Yes. I messed this up once already and I'm not looking to mess it up again honey. Your mama is a beautiful and special person who has alway meant the world to me and life without her was no life at all."

"So why would you go back to LA if you feel that way? If you feel the way you feel about her, and she feels that way then just do it. I'm sure I will see what a good person you are and my mother is willing to give you a second chance I'm sure I can respect that. And Frankie wouldn't love you the way she does if you were really the jerk I thought you were." She admitted as I busted out laughing.

"Well I am glad you are honest."

"I try to be." She said smiling for the first time at me. "So are you going to take my mom out?"

"Well I think I owe her many dates. Now don't I?"

"Yes."

"Then I better get planning huh?"

"Probably and she's not some cheap date either."

"I never thought she was. And you know something you are a sweet kid love and Lena is very lucky to have you. Very."

"Thanks Stef. Frankie is lucky to have you."

" Thank you and you're welcome love. Want to go get that firewood before your mama sends out a search party for us?"

"Sure." She said as I couldn't help but smile and wink at her seeing a smile form on her face as well. One thing was for certain that Callie may be a tough nut to crack but it was worth it and I knew more than anything that Frankie and I needed to stay. We needed to stay to become the family Lena and I always wanted.  But could we?