Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

Confused

STEF POV

"Wait? What do you mean he has a son? How old is he?" Tess asks me as I sigh into the phone. 

"No idea. We got this letter from Cinnamon. I don't trust this, Tess. Something doesn't sit well with me in my gut, ya know?"

"Well yeah, I mean, I'm sure you looked into it or these people that are saying this little boy is his son. I mean how do you even go about finding out if he is or isn't?"

"I don't know, love. It's...Lena is..."

"Beside herself. I can't even imagine." She says as I light a smoke and rest in the kitchen chair. My brain is completely fried as this has thrown a complete wrench in things. Not that I expected Will to tell me about his personal life back when we became close but if this was true I assumed he had no idea. "But Will never mentioned anything to you, right?" Tess breaks me out of my thoughts.

"No. Which if this is true, he had no idea. I know he left Lena with her kids but...he didn't leave her you know empty handed. He left her with everything and made sure she was financially taken care of.  But I have my doubts, Tess."

"Well, what if it's true?"

"I don't know, love."

"Goodness. I can't even imagine how Lena must feel. How you both must feel."

"She hasn't said much. Ya know? I mean the thing is we have proff so that makes it harder."

"Why would this woman thing Lena should pay back child support? That doesn't even make sense."

"Yeah I know it. None of it does but I'll get to the bottom of it."

"I know you will. But listen we can come down this weekend if you all are up for it? Plus Stefanie really, really, misses you."

"Yeah? Does she?" I smile taking another puff as I now glance at Stefanie's picture I had of the two of us up on the fridge.

"She does Stef. I mean she loves me and Jerry and I know that but you and her have always had something.  I know she still feels terrible about everything."

"She shouldn't. We've talked about it extensively but I'll remind her.  But, I miss my baby too. She's doing ok otherwise?"

"Yes. Very well. Listening, doing her work. She said it's too quiet. That she is use to being around Callie and Frankie and Corey. Them fighting, oh and that she has too much space."

"Ha! I guess being in that small apartment didn't help huh?" I laugh.

"No, she loved it."

"Well we loved having her and you know you are welcome anytime, Tess. And I'm sure Lena would be up for it too."

"That would be fun. And the other thing is I guess there's some kind of party before school starts down on the beach. Stefanie and Callie were going to go, but don't tell Stefanie I told you. She was gonna ask if Callie could go and try to talk you into it."

"Ha! That's hilarious. Cals never mentioned it to me. Sounds like they have a plan in place," I laugh to myself as I hear Tess laughing on the other end of the phone. It truly is good to be able to speak to her without worry now, for Lena had been the one to encourage me to call and talk to her. I tried hard not to be overly affectionate but sometimes I let it slip for it was just the person I was.

"Well, you know these kids. Always scheming and planning, but it sure is good that she actually came and asked me and Jerry. I have no issue with it. It sounds harmless enough."

"Maybe I'll let them sweat it out," I tease.

"Only you would do something that cruel!" Tess giggles.

"You know me well my dear!"

"Of course I do silly girl! But how are you? How is it being a cop again?"

"Oh goodness it's like a blessing Tess. I mean it's different then the NYPD but I missed it."  I say puffing on my smoke.

"I'm sure. Do you miss New York?"

"Me?"

"Yes you Stefanie Marie." I can only laugh as she calls me by my full name.

"Tess, I moved around so much as a kid that I'm so used to it."

"MM not what I asked." She pushes as I can't help but laugh again for sometimes Tess pushed me hard to talk.

"At times yeah. I miss the craziness of it. Taking the subway. It was actually the longest place I lived. I mean I left behind somethings I don't wish to think about but in the end I think it was a good choice moving here. We are all in one state again, finally. Only took how many years?"

"Almost 16."

"I know a long time. Regardless I wanted to do what was best for my family. For all of you including Stefanie. She mentioned to me that she had a hard time with me living so far. And then with Lena struggling and I knew Frankie and Corey missed California. And I missed all of us being able to just hang out. I mean I knew Callie would adjust because she's similar to me in that aspect but I think it was a good move."

"I'm glad. I got that sense but I wanted to check. I know how you are."

"What? How am I?"

"Ummm you bottle everything up and don't say anything and want to conquer the world. Julius still being weird to you?"

"UH! Yes. He won't speak to me or Lena and I'm just done right now. Worst part is he is communication with the kids but not us to work at the bakery. So of course Frankie is pissed at me that we won't let her work there right now until he speaks to us."

"No I get it. I mean he should at least communicate with you about her working there. But did he give any indication to why he's so freaking pissed still? This is not like him."

"I don't know love. I know I was angry and said some shitty things but I apologized. I mean this is how me and Julius have always been except this time he now wants nothing to do with me or Lena."

"I'll talk to his dramatic ass again."

"Be careful he may shut you out too."

"That's ok I'll hound his narrow ass!"

"Ha! Fine, fine. BUT how are you? MM? You and Jerry ok?"

"Yes. We um, we still attend therapy, and as a family we go and I go by myself. It's um been hard but it's also been good. I think we are all making alot of progress and I am individually making some too."

"I'm glad to hear that. But Tess, next time please, please tell me how you are feeling and what is going on with you. You scared me there for awhile."

"I know. And I'm sorry about the ..

"Ah! Look it's ok. Alright?"

"Yes."She laughs as I do the same since we were both known to over apologize. 

"But listen I'm sure it's fine to come down this weekend Lena and I would love it. And the kids."

"Ok, give everyone my love."

"You too and kiss my baby for me. Tell her I love her and I will see her in a few days."

"I will. Have a good day Stef."

"You too sweets."