Finding Home (The Affair Series Book 3)

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"Do you mind if sit out here with you?" Fran asked as she saw Stef take a seat on the back steps smoking. The younger blonde felt bad for she and Frankie had made a promise to each other to no longer smoke. Once again it was a habit that was killing her not to mention Frankie who was still sneaking them as well. She had come outside for she just wasn't sure how to feel about this and needed air. Alot of it as she thought back to her therapy sessions on how to handle shit like this that seemed to hit her as soon as she got out. Dealing with Sharon's death was one thing but this was an entire different thing. Way different and was a complete mind fuck.  The four woman had began their small talk in the kitchen over coffee as Fran noticed Stef grow more and more uncomfortable. There were issues they needed to address no matter how hard they were especially about the 30 year gap and her abusive sister.

"Of course." 

Taking a seat beside her niece Fran could only smile warmly at her as Stef returned it lost for words. Part of her felt like that ten year old that just wanted to talk her head off but she didn't know how to be that anymore. She didn't and her mind was filled with confusion, pain and heartache. The years lost between them, the fact that Sharon told her she was dead, everything. 

"I'm sorry it's a shitty habit.  One you warned me about." Stef joked taking a puff.

"It's a tough one to break. I quit ten years ago." Fran admitted for once she lost Stef she slowly began to smoke herself to death not to mention drink. But she had since gotten past that and was clean of everything realizing she couldn't do that to herself or her wife. It would do no one any good. Debs support had gotten her through the worst of times much like Lena's support for Stef.

"You?"

"Yes. Debbie said she couldn't take it anymore. Which I got. Our house smells alot better and so do I. I think part of it was the job."

"Yeah I could see that."

"It suits you very well sweetheart. I always wondered what you would end up being."

"Yeah?" Stef whispered looking back to her aunt who smiled. Putting her cigarette out  she felt her phone vibrate and pulling it out her pocket she saw Frankie's number come up. "Excuse me it's my daughter."

"Of course." Fran said smiling as she couldn't help but wonder how many kids Stef did have, if her and Lena were together and what her life was like. But she would not pry and try to take things slowly for even as a little girl Stef was very sensitive and overwhelmed easily.

"Hey sweetness what's up? Yeah, I think that sounds goods babygirl. You liked that class last semester right? Alright then you know what to do and do me a favor my love just pick Jude up for me. Lena and I will be a little late. Ok, thank you sweetness. Love you baby." She said hanging up as Fran couldn't help but smile at how affectionate she was. So much like her as she realized now Stef had at least one boy and one girl.

"Sorry about that."

"That's ok. How old is your little girl?"

"22 going on 50." The young cop laughed as Fran did as well.

"That's sweet. And is Jude your son?"

"Yeah. He's 10 going on 40 as well."

"Isn't that always the case."

"Yeah I guess." The younger blonde said with a sharp tone that Fran continued to pick up on. 

"You were 10 going on 40 as well."

"Well when you have a mother like Sharon you have no choice." Stef snapped back as the older blonde felt her heart break a bit.

 "You are angry with me."