Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

Callie's Back

LENA POV

"Baby, hi, honey! What are you doing here? I mean you can always come over whenever you want, you know that, but is everything ok, baby?" I ask Callie as I now notice her bags in the hallway wondering what is going on. Stef had not mentioned her stopping by but I was pretty sure she wasn't aware.

"Yeah, it's ok, Mama. I just, well, I wanted to come back home. Is that ok? I mean I can leave again." She looks at me wistfully as I reach out to run my hand over her soft brown hair just happy to see her home again. Goodness did I miss this little girl so much and home had not been the same without her. But I can see the worry and panic on her face as I gently cup her cheek.

"You never, ever have to ask that! Ever young lady. This will always be your home, honey no mater what. Come, bring your bags in and to your room. Are you hungry? Do you want anything? I can actually get Corey to help you with those," I find myself rambling as she giggles.

"It's okay, Mama. I got it. No, I'm not hungry. I ate before I came. Is um..Is Mama back? I..."

"CALLIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Julius hollers, cutting her off, as he barrels over to Callie, nearly knocking her over as I roll my eyes. "Honey bunny did we miss you!!! It hasn't been the same!!" He screeches hugging her as she giggles more.

"But you see me at the bakery Uncle."

"Oh yes but you know what I mean! You and your Mama Dukes make up?? MMM?" He pushes as Callie looks down at her feet.

"Julius." I warn as he waves his hand at me.

"Callie's here?" I hear Corey from behind me as I turn and see both him and Frankie walking out, confused. Of course, Frankie's appearance throws me for a giant loop again as I am in no way used to seeing her with makeup, let alone pink and with her hair straightened. I missed her old appearance which was very much her and right now she looked like a stranger.

"Hey, Cals!!" My little girl says walking over to Callie who doesn't miss a beat as she wraps her arms around her younger sister.

"Miss me?" She grins as she pulls back and Frankie smiles widely.

"No! Just kidding of course, silly," Frankie appears beside herself with excitement as Corey immediately grabs one of Callie's bags. I can really see how much they have missed her, we all did and I was wondering how Stef was going to feel.

"Taking these down for you, sis."

"Oh you don't need to Corey! I got em."

"Nope! I insist!"

"Yeah he's trying to get muscles for some ugly girl he likes!" Frankie teases as I glare at her.

"Francesca."

"Sorry. But!! Sissy, come with me! I have something to show you and TELL YOU. Oh we have our doors back too!" She yanks on our older daughter's arm as I step forward.

"Okay, okay, let Callie breathe," I slightly reprimand as I run my hand down the young girl's back.

"It's okay, Mama, " Callie beams as she quickly kisses my cheek and takes Frankie's hand to go with her.

"Mm-mmm," Julius shakes his head as I look at him folding his arms across his chest.

"What's wrong now?" Annoyed he looks at me as I glare back at him for I had had enough of him tonight. He had been making me insane and I was completely on edge because of him and wanted to smack him. Usually I enjoyed his company but he had been nothing but a yenta tonight and I wish Tess had come over instead.

"Mother Ice Queen know Callie was coming home?"

"Oh my god!" I walk away, my hand in the air as I head back to the kitchen to chop my onions for the stuffing.

"What! It's just a question babylove! You know Stef has not been in the best of mood for months. And I mean months! She's just as icy as she was when she was dating Miss Chiquita!"

"That is not true Julius. She has alot going on so leave her alone. And you are getting on my damm nerves tonight! I need to get this house ready, get my vegetables chopped and I can't have you bringing more drama."

"Lordy! Lord have mercy! I know when I'm not wanted! I will see you tomorrow Mocha! But you better have some bourbon for Stef tonight. She's gonna need it."

"OUT!" I yell as he waves his hand exiting our home. God he made me nuts and it was the last thing I needed.

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STEF POV

As I pull up into our driveway I was happy it wasn't one of my late nights  as, I am exhausted as all get out. All this overtime I was doing probably wasn't the best but I did it to keep my mind off things plus the holidays were coming. I have to admit that I am not looking forward to tomorrow  as much as I am excited to see my father, my mother is a different story. I just wasn't sure how it was going to go, even if I had some idea that my mother would be her normal passive aggressive self. But, I was almost wishing she chose not to come since I knew she was going to rag on my family and make me drink more then I should.

Part of me wanted to see her, but another part did not by any means. I was glad my father and I had a relationship and he really became more and more apart of my life since last year when we mended our strained relationship. What helped was he accepted me for who I was, he apologized, and he loved me. I never realized how much I needed that or how much I missed him until I had him back. But Sharon Cooper was another story all together.

As I get out of our burgundy Cutlass Supreme, I shove my keys in my pocket and grab my lunch box and thermos. God, all I wanted to do tonight was kiss my kids goodnight and make love to my wife.

"Hi, Godmommy!" I suddenly hear as I turn to see Stefanie walking up the driveway. Instantly I smile for this girl was a site for sore eyes as the older she gets the more she looks like Tess. Beautiful and intelligent.

"Heyyyyy, babe! What are you doing here?" I hold out my arm as she walks over to me allowing me to hug her. "You wanna stay over tonight too? I don't mind sweets." Kissing the side of her head she hugs me back warmly.

"Oh, Callie is here, and I came to give her my history book since she accidentally left hers in her locker." She giggles as my heart stops, for I realize Mike was serious. Callie was coming home, but my mind won't fully believe it.

"Oh? She's visiting?" We walk towards the house, my left arm around her shoulders.

"No? I don't think so. I'm almost sure she moved back. Wait, you didn't know?"

"Ahhhh, yes. I forgot," I quickly lie as Stefanie stops right before I open the door. I look over at her. "You okay baby?"

"Yes. I was wondering if you were, Godmom?" She asks softly as she grabs my free hand and I feel her squeeze it.

"I'm fine, babe. Just tired. This old, tired brain easily forgets things sometimes." I don't want to admit to her that I really was struggling with this whole Callie thing.

"Okay," she says softly, and I can tell by the way that she says it, she doesn't believe me.

"Hey, Mama," I soon hear breaking me out of my thoughts as the door has not only swung open, but Callie is standing on the other side.