Love Will Keep Us - Book 5

Aftermath

Callie was still shaking from the uproar that had occurred during dessert, and she was more confused than ever in terms of her grandmother. How could she be so cruel towards people who weren't white? Why did she hate gay people so much and what did she truly have against this family? She loved both her grandparents deeply, and it was so hard for her to see the hate coming from Sharon. It was for she had been so angry with her grandmother that she told her off BIG TIME, something she wished she had done the night before. Now her heart was hurting badly, and she didn't know what to think.

She was thankful her grandparents had left for the night, and she had so many mixed emotions swirling around inside of her as she folded and unfolded her hands while sitting on the edge of the couch. The older girl wanted to go comfort her little sister, Frankie, who had fled from the room crying as Corey had gone to comfort her as well as Stefanie, Tess and Lena.

"Hey kid. How ya doing?" She suddenly hears her father ask as he takes a seat in front of her tears now rolling down her face.

"I'm ok, I guess," she shrugs as she quickly wipes her face.

"Hey, I know that some upsetting stuff during dessert. I know it, kid, and I'm sorry about how your grandmother is. And you weren't wrong in anything you said." Mike soothes as he looks in her eyes.

"I should have defended Mama sooner. And my family. I should have, Daddy and..."

"Hey." He says while grabbing her hand. "I should have said something. I should never have taken you from your mom when you were a little girl. I was a massive jerk for that and for how bad I made her feel about herself. That wasn't right and I should have been a better person for her. I'll always be sorry for that, and your mom is a big person to forgive me."

"But you're great, Daddy. You are and you and Mom get along now, and you accept her. You changed. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful, but I've been awful to Mom, too."

"Sweetheart..." he says pulling the girl in for a hug as Stef has been at the doorway listening to the entire conversation.

She had to admit Mike had become such an important person to all of them and had really been a great influence for Corey. He had changed, he was always a good father, but he was now a good friend for Stef as well. He understood their life and that meant a lot to the family, especially the blonde.

"Hey, love, are you okay?" Stef asks softly as she walks into the room and takes a seat on the other side of her daughter. Running her fingers over her soft, brown waves as Callie had taken the time to curl her hair before dinner. Looking at her ex-husband, she can see Mike is rather upset too as she grabs Callie's hand, holding it.

"Not really, Mama. I'm sorry I was ever so cruel to you with my words. I'm so sorry," Callie now breaks down again as giant tears rush down her face and she covers it with her hands and it was breaking her heart along with Mike's.

Kneeling in front of her daughter, Stef wraps her arms around her, trying to console her. "Shhhh, love. It's okay. I forgave you a while ago, and Callie my love you didn't say anything cruel, you didn't. You were frustrated with how I was treating you, and I get that. And you didn't feel comfortable talking to me about a boy you liked, and I was too controlling. I made up with your siblings and your god-sister but not you, and I'm sorry for that, babe. I am."

"No, Mama!" Callie pulls back. "It's NOT okay! It's not okay at all! I see how strained your relationship is with Gran, and I don't want that for us! You were my best friend for years! You still are."

"My love! It's okay! Truly! I forgive you, baby, and I always will, okay?" She reaches over and tries to wipe the tears that are flowing steadily down her daughter's face.