Finding Home (The Affair Series Book 3)

Sweet Girl

Sitting outside her aunt's home with Lena who she called and had shown up an hour later Stef was nervous. Nervous as all hell as the slim woman held her hand. It had been a big step for Stef to tell her and Lena was just happy she did. That she confided in her and told her where she was and what she planned on doing but that she needed her help which she gladly gave.

"Do you want me to go to the door with you? I can you don't have to knock on it alone."

"Um, no. Just um, ...

"I'll wait here. I'll be right here." She reassured squeezing the blondes hand as Stef sucked up all her fear. "You can do this and I'm right here baby. I'm right here all the way with you."

"Thank you." Smiling at her Stef felt she could do anything with Lena being there as she got out the car and slowly walked up the steps of the cute little craftsman home and knocked on the door. It was the scariest moment ever as she heard the door unlock and her face went blank.

"Oh hi officer is something wrong?" Deb asked as Stef could feel the lump in her throat as she recognized Debbie so very well. The woman hardly changed and she could see how similar she was to both Diane and Lena. Something she didn't realized as a kid or even until now.

"Oh no, I um, I must have the wrong house. I um. I'm sorry to bother you. Have a good day." Turning around and almost feeling like her heart would bust out of her chest the cop didn't know what to do. 

"Stef?" she soon heard the woman say as she froze in her tracks." You look just like her, like your aunt, and I would recognize you anywhere sweetheart."

Turning around the blonde could feel the tears in her eyes as Deb could feel them swell up in her eyes as well. The sight of Stef made her cry for she was the spitting image of Fran especially in her uniform. The blonde had grown into a beautiful woman as Deb remembered her at 10 years old running around and chasing after her aunt. Giggling and playing with her barbies with her squeaky voice. All she could do was let out a soft smile as Stef felt frozen but walking back up the steps.

"Babe who is at the door?" They soon heard as Fran appeared in the doorway and her eyes went right to Stef. Instantly she knew who it was as it was almost a younger version of herself and just like Stef her heart was racing fast. To the younger blonde her aunt looked the same but older. Her long blonde hair that she remembered was now shorter as she wore jeans and a plaid shirt. Neither could talk and Fran was lost for words. She was for her little girl was so beautiful, strong looking and not to mention a cop. Everything inside of her wanted to hug her. Hug her forever and just explain everything as her eyes started to tear and she walked to the younger woman who could not utter a word. Debbie was lost for words as well but the tears rolled down her cheeks as Fran gently grabbed Stef's hand.

"Hi babygirl." Fran said smiling warmly.

"Hi." The younger blonde whispered as tears rolled down her face and Fran gently wiped them cupping her cheek.

"You are so beautiful. You really are. May I hug you sweetheart?" All Stef could do was nod her head as her aunt pulled her in for a hug. "My baby. My baby I'm so sorry. I am so sorry." Fran cried as the younger blonde let her tears run down her face now remembering the smell of her aunt, her voice and everything. It came flooding back and she did not want to let go ever in life. Ever as Lena had gotten out of the car and walked quietly up the steps with tears falling from her eyes as well.

With their hug lasting for what seemed like hours Lena and both Deb wiped there own tears as they stood patiently watching and taking it all in.

"Look at you. You are, just amazing. You are babygirl." Pulling apart once again the older blonde could only continue to cup Stef's cheek as she looked deep into the eyes that looked so similar to hers. But she saw so much, she saw pain, she saw hurt, and confusion and she could only wonder what her life had been like with Sharon. Nothing good as she kissed her tear stained face and Stef glanced to Lena who smiled softly at her.

"This is..This is um..."Stef began but found it much too difficult to even talk as the slim woman stepped in and continued her sentence.

"Hi I'm Lena."

"Oh, hi Lena. I'm Fran and this is my wife Debbie." The older blonde said as both women shook her hand and smiled wide at her as Fran couldn't help but notice how much she looked like Debbie. Lena herself couldn't help but notice how much Stef looked like her aunt down to her smile, her laugh, just everything.

"I know. I've heard alot about you. It's so nice to meet you. The both of you."

"You too sweetheart." Fran said looking back to her niece whom she knew was overwhelmed. The last thing she wanted to do was overwhelm her even more. "Would you both like to come in? You will have to excuse the boxes we just moved in and my crap is all over." She laughed as Lena gently held Stef's hand waiting for her response. 

"I told you to pick it up for days. You don't listen to me Francine." Debbie said laughing as Fran rolled her eyes jokingly.

"Yes, yes, shoot me woman."

Both Stef and Lena could only laugh as the curly haired woman held her hand even tighter feeling the anxiety radiating from her body.

"Do you want to honey? You're choice love." Lena asked softly as the younger blonde looked deep into her brown eyes.

"Sure."

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I think Stef doesn't know what to do or how to feel.