The Fight for Faith (Hard Time Series Book 6)

Monthly Checkups

STEF POV

"Nice to see you both again." Irma says taking a seat on our couch as Lena is holding Baby Faith in her arms. I hated these damm visit. Every single one of them for it just brought me right back to when we were fighting to get our parental rights back when we all got out of Chow. Except this time we were fighting for full custody of Baby Stef, and Faith, which in my head is just so damm ass ironic for I had helped Callie get custody of her eldest many moons ago. That sometimes was a hard pill to swallow and  these visits made my stomach hurt. I often just wanted to faze out and not pay attention hoping it would go faster, but I knew I had to be fully present for it wasn't fair to Lena or my grandkids.

"Nice to see you again too." Lena says happily placing cup of water on the coffee table. 

"Nice seeing you Irma." I plaster a fake smile on my face as she returns it pulling her notepad out her bag which made me mental.

"You too Stef. I see that your eldest Stefanie is home today from school. Is she not feeling well." She asks as Lena looks at me smiling and I quickly jump in and answer.

"Honestly, today is a rather hard day for her. It's Callie's birthday."

"Of course. That is not easy at all."

"No it's not so, she has no tests today, um she never misses school, but um, she just wanted to stay close by today."

"I understand that. How is she doing? Nightmares still?"

"Um a few at times. Yes. They never seem to really subside."

"I understand, and she is in therapy correct?" She asks pushing her glasses back up on her nose as she continues to jot shit down.

"Oh yes. She is." Lena chimes in as she hands Faith to me and I gently rub her back up and down for she is the one person who does calm my nerves during this crap. I mean it was obvious to me we were good grandparents and parents as her constant note taking irks me for I always wonder what in the hell she is saying about us. I know the old me wasn't very well polished when it came to these meetings but I had changed alot in the last decade. Well for the most part.

"That's good. I will need to talk to her after we are finished. Standard procedure as you know just to see how she is doing."

"Of course." Lena says looking at me and knowing what I'm thinking. "And if there is anything else that you feel she needs you know we will get it."

"Of course. I will need to inspect the home which is you know part of procedure as well."

"Of course." I say feeling Faith wiggle a bit as I kiss the top of her head soothing her.

"And how is Faith doing? Her eating, sleeping?"

"She eats well, she has a checkup Monday, sleeping she still has a hard time. Still trying different techniques. on what can help with her crying."

"And bathing? How is she doing?" She questions once again ignoring my wife's response as Lena gently places her hand on my thigh to relax me a bit. 

"She's getting use to the water. We have to do it fairly quickly but much better than when we first brought her home."

"Yes, babies with NAS often struggle with things like that. With water, being touched. As you noticed their skin can get blotchy, and they can be very sensitive to light and noise, and well there are the long term affects. How are the classes going?"

"They are good. Helpful." Lena says as little Faith starts to scream and make a fuss. I excuse myself and gently rock her in my arms as she continues to scream like hell.  Hell, maybe she hated this damm check in as much as I did as Baby Stef came running out of her room. 

"She's ok babygirl.  But, the social worker is here to talk to you too ok?" I softy smile at her as an instant look of panic spreads across her face. "And I don't want you to worry. No one is taking you sweetheart. She just wants to see how you and Faith are doing."

"We are fine. You and Nana Lion take care of us." Her tone is defensive as I grab her hand gently squeezing it.

"Its ok love. This is something we all need to do ok?  Yes? And we will head to the beach later." She looks into my eyes taking it down a notch as I lean in and kiss her forehead reassuring her that everything would be ok.  "It will be ok my love. It will."

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LENA POV

"I just think the questions are dumb as shit. I mean I always did. Plus these visits make Baby Stef nervous as fuck. She always thinks they are going to take her and Faith." Stef says.

"I know, but they aren't and we can reassure her baby." I say to Stef as we all decide to head to the beach for a picnic. It was something we still loved to do as a family for the beach was just relaxing and calm for us.

"Not for nothing Len but is that something we can really promise her? I'm not tryin to be fucking pessimistic and I know I've told her no one is ever taking either of them from us but...

"But I know. It's in the back of your mind that they will give them both back to Callie if she somehow gets herself together. But with abandoning Faith at the hospital and the false allegations against Mike not to mention assaulting him. I don't know honey. I don't see it and like Wilson said she's in trouble which is why she's hiding."

"Oh she's not hiding. I don't believe it for one second. I jus think she's up to no good, probably worse then ever and there's not a fucking thing we can do. Honestly I hope they throw her ass back in Chow, Len. I really do. At least I'd know where the fuck she is." She whispers as I watch her kiss Faith on the top of her little head as she has fallen asleep in her little carrier that Stef is holding her in close to her chest. "I worry. Regardless I worry even if I shouldn't give a rats ass."

"Baby, it's normal to worry and it's hard not to worry or just shut your feelings off regardless of everything she has done to this family. She's still our daughter." I grab her hand and squeeze it as she looks at me softly smiling.

"I love you babe. Just incase I haven't told you in awhile. I know we haven't been intimate in some time and...

"We will be." I say. "I'm not worried. Are you?" 

"Well no I just don't want you to think I'm not in the mood or that you don't turn me on anymore. Because that is definitely not the case." She says as I gently cup her cheek. I can't help but stroke it as I look into her deep hazel eyes and I softly whisper.

"I do not think that at all my love. Not in the least and you and I will find time just like always. And when we do it will be that much more special. Besides I'll always be hot for you." I wink as she busts out laughing and I can't help but swap her ass.

"Sexy ass." She grins. "Lets make it a point to have at least a little time for each other ok?"

"I have no issue with that honey. None at all." I lean in and soflty kiss her lips feeling hers press on mine.

"Yaya!! I found a good spot!!! Hurry!" We hear Baby Stef screaming furthur down the beach as we head to join the rest of our beautiful family.