Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

A Talk With My Wife

LENA POV

It had been a rather long and strange night for all of us to the point that I didn't really know what to think about it. The entire thing was boggling my mind and I really needed to talk to Stef because something definitely feels off, and I want to get to the bottom of it while the kids are out of the house which is why I called saying I wouldn't be in until eleven telling my boss we had a family emergency.

Helping Frankie clear the breakfast table, Corey finishes the dishes with her before they both head to get ready for school. Placing the kettle on the stove for some tea, which I need to calm my nerves a bit, I wasn't even sure how much Stef would say to me once I confronted her. She had been very quiet during breakfast which only proceeded to worry me even more because it only confirmed in my mind what I had been feeling about this case with the little boy from the beginning. From the moment she started this case I had noticed something different and unusual in the way she spoke about it. She had been vague and I would see her read this little boys file almost daily at night in our bedroom. It was obvious there was something she wasn't telling me, and there was something very different about it. Usually she never brought files to bed much less home, and if she did it never occupied her brain like this.

What made this different I wasn't sure since she had worked with many kids over her years of being a cop. Mostly she didn't mention anything and simply saying it was just too painful at times to even speak of, and I let her be. That was fine and I understood but at times I knew it got to her and it was another reason her temper could sometimes be rather short and she got frustrated far more easily.

Even if Stef was very off the one positive thing I was feeling was the fact that Frankie and Corey had softened towards my wife and she towards them as well. Even Stefanie had been starting to come over the house more than before and I can tell all of it was making my wife happier despite the ongoing issue with Callie. For the most part things were starting to fall back into a regular, comfortable routine and the kids seem to be more of themselves, even if Frankie is still a bit distant since the entire Renee incident. I really don't know to expect from her since we both spoke to her, but maybe our talk would have her feeling happier or somehow lighter.

With my mind jumping from Stef to the kids, then to Callie, and back to the present I hear the tea kettle whistles making me jump. "You okay over there, Mama?" Corey laughs a I had noticeably jumped, and I blush as I laugh not realizing both him and Frankie had come back into the kitchen and pouring themselves more OJ.

"Yes, I'm good, my boy!" I take down two mugs and two tea bags before pouring the hot water as I look over at Frankie's profile once again, wondering how much to push her again. Should we talk to her again? Or just let her be? It really was such a hard call right now trying to figure out the best approach.

"Hey, Franks, I'm gonna go out on the patio and talk to Mom, feel free to join us, if you want before you head to school." I say as she looks over at me and nods her head sadly. "I'm okay, Mama. Stefanie is supposed to come and help me with my hair before school."

I walk over to her and kiss the top of her head as she leans into me. "I love you, baby girl," I whisper as we hear footsteps, and I turn to see Stefanie with her backpack slung over her shoulder.

"Knock, knock! Am I too early?"

"Of course not, babe. Would you like something to eat or drink?" I smile at the girl who shakes her head as she sets down her book bag on the chair closest to her.

"Oh, no thank you, Aunt Lena. I just ate breakfast with Mom and Daddy."

"Did you have anything good?" Corey inquires as Frankie looks over and rolls her eyes.