Fighting For Us - Book 4

She's Coming

LENA POV

"Seriously!? She has to be here the entire break!?" Frankie rolls her eyes as Stef and I had just broke the news to the kids that Stefanie would be joining us over Christmas break. "Shouldn't she go to like counseling instead of here?"

"Franks." Callie admonishes as my daughter shakes her head.

"I'm just saying. She ruined our Thanksgiving, and she was rude to all of us. Okay, I get that she was traumatized or whatever over her boyfriend, but she's so rude to you, Moms."

It's just like my daughter to voice her opinion and she never held back as I watch Stef pour a cup of coffee and sit beside me. "She needs to apologize for how she was."

"That she does, sweetheart. You are very right about that." Stef smiles softly addressing Frankie.

"She doesn't even want you has her godmother, and she changed her name. Let her stay home." Frankie sighs, ignoring Callie's stare.

"Honey, we know you're upset about it, but Mom and I agree that she needs help. And that is what we are trying to do." I soothe seeing my daughter turn red as Callie and Corey are quiet.

"If she's rude to you again, Mom, I'm gonna knock her out. She called you a dyke and that's just wrong." She blurts out as I let out a sigh looking to Stef who looks inside her coffee mug. That wasn't something we thought the kids heard but sadly it seems they had.

"What? What's a dyke?" Corey asks confused as Callie now looks very upset glancing instantly to her mother.

"Wait? She called you that, Mama? When?" Callie frowns.

"Oh she did! The day after Thanksgiving, and I heard her ugly mug!" Frankie chimes in. "Why do you think I officially hate her?!"

"Mama! Why didn't you tell me?" Callie blurts out once again as I grab Stef's hand.

"Love, it's fine. Ok? Stefanie is..."

"No! Mama! It's not okay! That's so rude on so many levels and really upsetting!" I see tears form in Callie's eyes which breaks my heart.

"But what is it?" Corey asks once again. "What's a dyke?"

"It's a derogatory word for a gay person, honey." I explain to him as his entire facial expression changes to confusion.

"Oh!!! Well, why would she call you that? She loves you, Mom."

"Because she's a downright asshole!" Frankie yells as I quickly interrupt her.

"Francesca! Your language! We don't use that word!"

"But, Mama she..."

"Love," Stef chimes in as I look to her. "Frankie, I know you are upset about what she said. And you are right that it is not right for her to say that. But she is not in her right state of mind right now and wasn't then either. Everyone has moments in their lives that, well that are rough and sometimes cause us to behave in ways we normally would not. I know you love me, there is never any doubt in my mind. Okay? But watch your mouth? Ok, sweets?"

"Ok." Frankie says calming down as I look to Callie who is very angry. I understood why both Stef and I did and regardless of how angry we were with her actions from last night Stef still spoke to her in the calmest of ways for this was not about last night. This was about now and how her feelings were truly hurt.

"And Callie, there wasn't any reason for me to tell you that, baby. Okay? I'm ok, alright my love? MM?" She says as I can see the tears now rolling down Callie's face.

"But, but that's so hurtful. It hurts me."

"Don't cry, honey." Stef says pulling our daughter in for a hug.