Chasing Pavements

Friends?

STEF POV

It had been a few weeks since I got the job at the hotel because of Lena and we had been hanging out ever since. Truth was I was really grateful for her and she had helped me out more with my kids and myself then anyone I had ever met. She also had such a good understanding about Jude and was able to get me to see some of the things he struggled with. Why I never saw it I don't know but she was damm sure opening to my eyes to many things. Now I was starting to wonder if she was a an angel or what for this woman made me laugh like no on else and I loved her company.

Mostly every night she came over with her kids and cooked. Even if I told her I would the damm woman was so stubborn that she insisted. I just gave me trying to convenience her that she didn't need to since she was so fiery. But it was funny and if I was honest she was probably the first real friend I had. Jude was often so excited when she came over as she let him do her nails and even her hair. She didn't seem to mind it, and the fact that she was so accepting of him and my messed up life made me feel not so terrible about myself. Sure we both had our fair share of issues and the more I spoke to her the more I realized she struggled just as much. But in different ways.

Most nights she came over with her kids for they all loved to play together with each other and we enjoyed seeing it. My son really loved her company as she continued to let him do her nails, and he even styled her hair. The thing about her was she was so kind, she really was and I didn't know anyone like her. Plus she seemed not to mind how complicated and messed up my life was.

"Sooo I'll make my biscuits if you like." She says walking into my kitchen as I mix a bottle for Marie. I can only shake my head at her for fuck was she stubborn.

"You are going to make me fat!!" I laugh as she busts out laughing getting out the ingredients out. Moving around my kitchen she knew were everything was by now as I grinned at her.

"Plzz beautiful. Even if you did gain a pound so what! You are a knock out."

"You are too kind." Shaking Marie's bottle I hand it to Mariana as she holds Marie in her lap. I had to admit it as nice to have the help form Lena and her kids even if it was just to keep Frankie and Jude entertained. "You can give her that babygirl." I wink at her as she smiles wide at me as Frankie does the same.

"Mama is dinner ready soon!?"

"In a bit sweets. Ok?"

"Ok. Are we all eating together again?"

"Yes my love."

"Yay!" Happily she smiles so wide at me as she begins to yap Mariana's head off again. Frankie was truly so happy to have Mariana around and I could tell that she loved having her as a friend. Baby girl didn't have many friends at school and it was something I always felt bad about. From the very beginning and Lena expressed to me Mariana rarely spoke and had just as much as a problem in school as Frankie did. Their friendship seemed to really open both of them up as I could only smile at the two of them. It had been only a few weeks ago where I had forbidden them to play and that had been a stupid choice of mine. Big time.

Heading back into the kitchen as Lena is blasting thw music I see her mixing the batter up as I light a smoke and lean against the counter.

"Lena, when will you let me cook for all of you again?MM? You are far too fucking nice ya know."

"I like doing it now hush baby love." She scolds me again as I laugh.

"Unless my cooking is thatttt bad!" I tease as she looks to me smiling and playfully rolls her eyes.

"No. Your cooking is very good. But hey you put up with us too! And I like doing it. Jesus yaps your ear off and almost broke your chair!"

"Ahh these chairs are shit and I love chatting with him. He's a cutie."