Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

Thanksgiving Eve

STEF POV

As I sit at the kitchen table smoking my third cigarette in a row, I watch my wife as she scoops out the coffee  grounds for our morning brew. She is stunning to me with her wild hair and silky smooth skin, and I try my hardest to just focus on her at the moment instead of the other crap that is taking over my mind. Not that it is all crap but I know within a couple of hours, I most likely will be a mess, and filled with a shitload of anxiety as my parents are due to be here at the house sometime before noon.

My mind was also on my eldest who had shown up last night. Sure, I was happy to see her and happy to have her back home but it was evident we still needed to talk a great deal for we had spent most of the night avoiding each other as well as this morning. What could I do? I didn't even understand how we had gotten to such a place and being at odds with my baby girl made me feel sicker and sicker. Was I treating her like my mother treated me? Had I fucked our relationship up big time? I didn't know and I knew I was being cold to her simply by the fact that I didn't even hug her or show her any kind of affection when she returned home.

FLASHBACK

"Is it ok that I come back home?" Callie asks as we sit in the living room, Lena beside me. I had not even changed out my uniform yet or locked up my gun for I wanted to talk to her first and foremost. When Mike said she was coming home I didn't realize it was this soon, let alone, now.

"It's fine, Cals, but there will be some ground rules. It's not just free reign. You know this correct?" I fold my hands over my crossed legs as she sits in the rocking chair.

"Yes, I know." She says now looking down as I clear my throat but lean over to the side table to grab a smoke and light it. My daughter does look nervous, which I hated, and I wasn't sure how we were going to mend our relationship. Bu I knew we had too for I loved this little girl more than life and she just didn't seem to realize that anymore.

"But we are happy you are home honey. Really happy and I know your siblings are too." Lena says now looking to me. "Aren't we, baby? Aren't we happy she's home?"

"Yeah. Of course we are, Cals. But, we will discuss rules later, so go hang with Stefanie and Frankie. I know they are eager to see you. And your grandparents will be here tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know. Um...goodnight." She says carefully getting up as I puff my smoke not saying much more.

"Goodnight, honey." Lena  says."If you need anything, you know where it is."

"Sure. Night."

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Extra strong today, baby?" Lena asks looking over at me as I smile softly.

"Of course! Add that third scoop," I wink as my eyes can't help but roam up her backside. God she had a nice ass.

"Are you doing okay, love?" She pours the water in the percolator before setting it on the stove and turning around looking right at me.

"I'm okay," I smile softly as she walks over to me and runs her fingers through my short, blonde hair. I look up at her, and I can see that she's in no way fooled as she softly kisses me on the lips. I grab her hips as she straddles me and looks deeply into my eyes. "You're sexy, I was just admiring your ass."

She laughs as I put my smoke down, and she shakes her head. "You aren't so bad yourself. But, you ok about Callie? I know you two haven't talked much yet, baby."

"MM, I'm ok babe. We have a lot to talk about I guess, but probably after the holiday. I don't wanna ram into her or send her running again."

"Yes, but you two can't avoid each other forever. I mean she came home for a reason. She must miss you."