Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

A Talk With Mocha

LENA POV

As Callie and I get in the car to drive to her dads I can see how upset she is by everything, which I've known for some time as in some regards she is very much like Stef and in others, she is not. They could both be stubborn in their own way especially when they were hurt. That much I know. But I also know how beautiful their relationship was and how close they had always been. In all honesty Callie had seen Stef at her worst and at her best but it never broke either of them or the bond they had. Now I am hoping this little fight would not either.

"Sweetheart, I just want to start by saying that I've really missed you. And despite what you may think or feel, your mom misses you, too." I look over at her as she looks down at her hands and sniffles softly. I reach over and brush my fingers through her wavy hair as she looks at me tears forming in her big brown eyes that favored her father.

"I didn't mean the comment about not asking for two Moms. It just came out. I didn't mean it, Mama. I'm actually really embarrassed I stooped so low. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."

"I know, honey. I know you didn't mean it and it's ok. You are forgiven and my feelings weren't hurt. I know you didn't mean it babygirl."

" I didn't, I love having two Moms. Not many people do." She says softly as I reach over and grab her hand and she holds it back

"Your Mom misses you, honey. She does and I know you both said many things to each other that you didn't mean, right?"

"Some I meant, Mocha. I do miss home. I do miss New York. I haven't...been really honest about that part. I just...I love it here, too, though."

"I know you do, baby and I'm sorry you are so homesick. I think, your Mama and I just didn't realize it. Not that we did it on purpose but we should have talked to you more about how you were feeling about living here. That's on us, honey."

"I didn't start feeling it until recently. I mean, it felt like a giant vacation, kinda," she laughs softly. "But school started, and well, it kinda set in like a tidal wave."

"That's understandable. I was very homesick when I lived in New York for a bit. AND I was super homesick when I moved out here." She looks at me with a shocked look on her face.

"Yep. When I came out to visit Will and he asked me to marry him, I was all caught up in love. I said yes. Then you know...he left for Vietnam. At first I wasn't homesick because you can be excited but then it can wear off. But man, oh man, it hit me like a tidal wave, too. So boy do I get it."

"I didn't know you were homesick, Mama. Were you unhappy?"

"No I wasn't unhappy. But when I was in New York, I missed the ocean, I missed the beach. I wasn't used to the hecticness of NYC. Not like you and your Mama were and I can understand being away from what you know can be hard. It can be very hard."

She nods as I keep watching her reactions. "What about when you moved out here? You had the ocean and beach. What was different?"

"Well, I missed my Mama and Daddy. I missed the lobster boats and I missed my friends. I know you must miss Mariana, and I'm sorry that nether of us were there and that we didn't consider your feelings like we should have." I say squeezing her hand a little harder as she does the same. "But sweetheart it's not an excuse for some of your recent behavior. Getting drunk, and lying to meet a boy. Callie...."

"I know. I was stupid to get drunk but...AJ...I mean it's not his fault!" She quickly adds but stops as her cheeks turn pink.

"How long have you been seeing him? AJ?"

"You'll get mad if I tell you."

"I won't honey. I just want to know what's going on with you."

"About two months ago he asked me to be his girlfriend." She whispers as I finally start up the car and keep my eyes on the road.