Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

Jobs

LENA POV

"Ok babies, please finish up your breakfast and everything." I say to the kids as they were all headed out to work at the bakery including Corey who was now grounded for three weeks.

His attitude was making us all insane and I knew Stef was two seconds from whipping his tail even if he was now taller than me and her.

"Mama, do I have to go to the bakery?" Corey whispers to me as I frown at him. He really was testing me, and the fact that he's whispering as Stef is pouring herself more coffee wasn't a smart move on his part.

"Yes, you do. Wanna ask that again?" Stef turns around and glares at our teenage son who looks right at her.

"Do I have to go to the bakery?" He smartly asks as Stef walks towards him once more.

"That was a rhetorical question, and it seems as if you want to challenge me today already? MM? Cuz you will lose! That's what!" Stef's voice begins to raise as I reach out and place my hand on the small of her back. The last thing I wanted was for her to get all wound up so early, but I was not happy with Corey either.

"Can you tell me next time? I don't know when it's a rhetorical question. Maybe I need flashcards or something."

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Stef shouts now as Corey just looks at her before slowly standing.

"Again?"

"GET THE FUCK OUT! YOU BETTER START WALKING TO THAT DAMN BAKERY BECAUSE IF YOU'RE NOT THERE BY THE TIME WE GET THERE, I WILL WHIP YOUR ASS!" Stef screams as Corey realizes once more he shouldn't have said what he said. He reaches for another biscuit which she smacks out of his hand, and he runs out the back door and takes off towards the bakery.

"What's his deal?" Frankie rolls her eyes as Stefanie gives her a look to shut up, but Frankie ignores her. "He's a dumb ass!" Frankie continues as Stef whirls around to glare at her.

"You wanna be next?"

"No, ma'am! Sorry," Frankie shoves her biscuit in her mouth as I sigh. Today is not going as planned at all, and it was barely seven in the morning.

As I pour myself more coffee, I realize it had been a few weeks since I went on that interview at the high school and I had not heard anything back. Yes I knew they were looking at other applicants but that did nothing to soothe my nerves as I had also given a few more resumes to other schools hoping to hear something from at least someone. In the meantime I would help Julius at the bakery again which I didn't mind but I knew my wife was struggling more than anything.

Looking out the back screen door I see she had gone outside to smoke, something she was trying so hard to give up but had gone back and forth now for few weeks. She was upset, she was stressed and I knew it was hard for her not hearing back from the police department.

I myself didn't realize how much she loved being a cop and the fact that she had not worked in almost two months was making her insane. It was nice to see her baking again which she was doing for Julius and her baked goods were selling like crazy but it was only a part of who she was. We all knew that as I take a seat sipping on my coffee.

Stef didn't do well with not working. She said it reminded her too much of when she was with Mike, and she did not like that feeling. Plus, she was hell bent on being the sole provider and I didn't understand why she put that pressure on herself. But she did and she was frusted that the police department was not currently hiring any lateral transfers despite the fact they told her they were when she put in her application. The process was rather confusing to me and Mike wasn't having much luck either. I knew she did not want to work security but I could see she was starting to inch closer to it.

"Nice out there." She says coming back inside and pouring more coffee as she takes a seat the table with us.

"Yeah it is. We should go for a walk later. Or go down to the boardwalk."

"Umm sure I, need to make a stop first though. I put in application over where Mike works."

"Oh. I wasn't sure if you wanted to do that." I butter a bagel as I look at her.

"MM, they only have the night shift available where Mike works and he said he would trade shifts with me if I wanted."

"Mama, what happened to the police department? They never contacted you or dad?" Callie asks as all of the kids look at her. They knew she was disappointed, and all of them were sympathetic.

"MM, they hired someone else, babe and I have to wait until something opens up."

"That's stupid. Why would they hire someone else? Are they retarded?" Frankie chimes in growing defensive.

"Francesca!" I frown as she quickly adds.

"Sorry!"

"It's ok, sweetheart probably someone with more experience." Stef smiles softly as she grabs a bagel.

"What about another city?" Stefanie asks as Stef smiles.

"Yeah, babe. But um, I'm gonna go to the range later. I..I feel as if I'm out practice."

"Sure, honey. You ok? I know you're disappointed." I grab her hand as she smiles softly.

"Me? Yeah, I'm fine. Um...I'm gonna go shower." Feeling her kiss my forehead I knew she was very upset as I look back at the kids who seem worried.

"Is Mama Dukes, ok?" Frankie whispers as soon as Stef leaves the room, and I nod.

"She's ok. Don't you worry, okay?"

"I dont' know why Corey has to be such a butt, Mama!" Frankie says once more as I shake my head.

"You don't worry about that either, got it? We all go through phases, yes?"

"I guess so," Frankie shrugs as Stefanie gets up to gather the dirty dishes.

"I'll clean up, Aunt Lena. Finish your coffee and chill, okay?"

"Thank you, sweetheart," I smile at the older teen as Callie joins her. Deciding to head into the bedroom I close the door seeing my wife change out of her pajamas as she sits on the bed. Sitting beside her she turns to smile at me. "I know you are upset about the police department. I know it."

"I'm ok love."

"No you aren't. And you don't have to hide that from me. Being a cop is your life and you worked hard for it. I know it's not easy for you to sit around here all day."

"It's ok love. I know that is how you felt in New York as well." She says avoiding my eyes as I gently hold her hand.

"Stef, we aren't talking about me baby. We are talking about you. I know you are frustrated and I know you don't want to work security."

"But I will until something opens up."

"Why don't you come to the bakery with us. I know you have been baking alot here but why don't you come and bake there for a bit. Julius has alot of professional equipment there. Even Mike stopped by."

"What? Mike stopped by? No shit. Well, he always did have a sweet tooth. Hence why he was probably married to me so long." She jokes as I shake my head laughing. "Maybe I'll stop by after the range."

"Please. The kids would love you there. And so would I."

"Sure my love. But let me shower first and suit up like I'm a real cop." She jokes but I knew she was dying inside and it hurt more that I couldn't help her. Not like I wanted.