Finding Home (The Affair Series Book 3)

Much Needed Time

That night after the family had a nice dinner at one of Fran and Debbie's favorite restaurants in Michigan the family sat around the fire of the
Airbnb  that Lena found and rented online for the trip. Despite going back to one of the childhood homes she shared with Sharon Stef wasn't feeling too bad for she enjoyed the company of her kids, Lena and her aunt along with Debbie. After finally forgiving the two women, especially Fran, she almost felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Almost like she could partially breathe and that her heart was feeling free. Was it really because she forgave them and accepted that her aunt did everything she could to try to find her. Was it that she finally believed her? Was it that she knew she was telling the truth and could see and remember how much she loved her? Of course Stef loved her, she adored her if not more then she did as a kid.  Lena could also tell that Stef felt a tad bit lighter as she sat snuggled next to her on the couch playing in her short hair. With their fingers laced together she periodically placed kisses on the blondes cheek as Stef could only turn to look at her and smile rather bashfully. They were always a sweet sigh as Fran and Debbie couldn't help but smile at their love and affection.

With Frankie and Jude sitting on the floor toasting marshmallows they were really enjoying the evening as well hearing old stories about their mother as a little girl and even stories about the two women's lives in Michigan. Fran was just as bashful as her niece as Debbie gloated and told everyone what an amazing cop she had been and wife. It wasn't hard to see as the younger blonde smiled at her aunt and Fran could only wink at her. Their similarities were definitely there as now more than ever they looked like mother and daughter.

"I mean what I can't get over is how much mama looks like you Aunt Fran. Not for nothing but from the pictures I saw she doesn't look like Sharon at all. Not to be nosy but did people make that mistake often?" Frankie asked wondering if that question was ok. "I didn't mean to ask and make you feel weird mama." She said looking to her mother who smiled warmly at her not being bothered at all by the question. 

"No love it's ok. Don't worry sweetness."

"To answer your question sweetheart many people thought your mama was my daughter and I would have been proud if she was. I was proud she was my niece.  Still am. But the truth is Sharon looks like my mother and I look like my mother's sister. Just how the genes worked you know that I came out looking like my aunt and so did your mama. Well came out resembling me. But I must say you look very much like her as well. You are very beautiful."

"Thanks and I consider that a major compliment. It also means I look like you too." Frankie grinned wide.

"That it does honey." Fran smiled as her eyes looked to Jude who was munching on his marshmallows. "Don't worry Jude you are beautiful too." She joked as everyone laughed. "You are very handsome."

"Thanks I try."

"Ha!" Stef said laughing at her son who grinned wide at her. "Um what was she like?" She asked her aunt.

"What was who like baby?"

"Your mother."

"Oh Louise. Well, she um, she was rather difficult. Not the kindest person. Infact she could be rather cruel." Feeling Debbie rub her back  up and down she could see the sadness in her niece's face take over for Stef really had no idea. None at all that her aunt might have gone through the same thing she did as a kid.

"So that's who Sharon took after?" The younger blonde asked.

"Yeah sweetheart. Our mother didn't have a nice bone in her body. Not one."

"But you turned out so nice." Frankie chimed in. "Like mama."

"Maybe it was just in me and your mama's nature to be nice people. I just knew I wanted to be a good person."