Finding Home (The Affair Series Book 3)

Turning 50

STEF POV

"What is on your mind baby?"  I heard Lena ask as she wrapped her arms around my waist and I held her hands back. Sure I heard her but my mind was elsewhere as I looked around the backyard seeing everyone that arrived at my party. It had been really nice and she was right I made and had more friends then I even realized. Glancing at my Aunt Fran and Debbie she caught my eyes and winked at me as I smiled wide at her loving the fact that she was in my life once again and never leaving. My anger had disappeared months ago as I realized the person I had really been angry with was my mother. Therapy made me realize that, along with the fact that I would never get the answers to the many questions I still had for Sharon. Maybe I just was never meant to know why she did some of the things she did or why she was so god awful to me. It was something I still tried to understand but couldn't. One thing was certain was that I had forgiven her and let go of my anger and hatred toward her.

Right now it was so hard to believe I was 50 years old. Where all the time I had gone I had no idea or maybe I pissed away half of it by acting crazy. The point was now I was living in the present and grateful I left my old ways far behind never to pick up those habits ever again in life.

Staring at both my kids as they danced with everyone it was so hard to believe how much I really loved them and how much they changed my life. Almost losing Jude as a baby because of my carelessness was unthinkable. I could never imagine not having him in my life for he had been my savior many times and made me a better person and allowed me to see life differently.  His heart, his natural ease also allowed me to loosen up a bit. Frankie was no different and thinking back that I never wanted her to know who I was was also unthinkable. To think Lena had found her only six years ago she had really been a miracle and one of the most important people in my life. My oldest had also taught me about forgiveness among many other things. 

Sure her and Jude were both adults now and sometimes that was a hard pill to swallow but they were still and always would be my little babies no matter what age. I was so proud of Frankie because she was really one kick ass K-9 cop and Jude was doing so well in school. I really couldn't ask for anything more. 

Nonetheless seeing Callie and knowing how she was would be the icing on the cake but after five years the odds were slim. Some days I still cried over it but tried my hardest not to focus too much on it for Diane said she was doing very well and that was all that mattered to me. 

"Stef you ok honey?" I heard Lena ask as I now turned my head a bit to look in her eyes.

"Yeah. Sorry love was just looking around at everyone."

"Yeah? What are you thinking?"

"Well just grateful. Grateful for everything. For my kids, friends, and you." Turning around now fully to face her she smiled warmly at me.

"We are grateful for you too honey. Did you think we weren't or that you weren't this loved?"

"Ha. Well I've had an interesting past babe."

"Well no one's past is squeaky clean baby. I was not a saint either. But look at you now."

"Yeah. Thank you for this party and I just want you to know how much I love you Lena Adams Foster."

"You are welcome and I love you too Stefanie Adams Foster." Smiling at me we leaned in kissing softly. "And you don't look a day over 25."

"Ha! Yeah tell that to the new wrinkles and grey hair I woke up to."

"I happen to love how it grows in by your ears." She said playing with my short hair and kissing me once again.

"You are so silly."

"No blinded by my love for you. You are forever beautiful."

"Same to you sweetness. Same to you." I said hearing the doorbell ring again.

"Let me get that. And it's almost time for you cake."

"Bummer I thought you were dessert." I teased.

"That's later." Winking at me she walked off as I could only grin and shake my head at her.

Turning back to look at the party and my kids nothing could prepare me for who I was about to see. Nothing.

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LENA POV

Running to get the door I was so happy Stef was having a good time for she had no idea how much she really deserved it. She really didn't as I opened our front door and froze.

"Hi Lena. I'm...

"Diane. Yes. Hi it's nice to meet you. So nice to meet you." I said smiling and extending my hand out as she happily shook it back. Yes I had invited her but she was unsure she could make it and truth be told it was nice to finally meet her. It was as the smile remained on my face as well as hers.

"It's so nice to meet you too Lena and thank you so much for inviting us. This is my wife Andrea and our son Corey. I'm sorry we are late."

"No you are fine. No worries at all and it's so nice to meet you Andrea."

"It' really nice to meet you too Lena." She said shaking my hand.

"And nice to meet you Corey."

"You too Lena."

"Well please come in. Everyone is in the back and there is plenty of food. Please help yourself."

"Thank you so much Lena.  Honey we are gonna go in the back. Join us in a bit."

"Sure." Diane said smiling and now looking to me. To be honest she seemed just as I thought. Soft spoken, kind and pleasant. She wasn't that far off from me and I could see why my wife was attracted to her and how she had remained such an important person in her life as well as Callie's.

"Lena I hope it's ok we are here. I know you invited us but I didn't want to step over any boundaries. I respect you and Stef so much and your marriage."

"Oh no. I invited you for a reason and it really is a pleasure to meet you.  Honestly, you are and were a big part of Stef's life and her kids. You are not crossing any boundaries. Please don't worry about that. I was thinking we could all meet and just have a good time."

"Thank you that's really nice and I'm grateful Lena."

"I'm happy you came. She's in back if you want to say hi."

"Yeah I do. But I think she might want to say to someone else first."

"Oh. Who?"

Not knowing what she was talking about I turned around to see Callie walk in and it was then even my heart stopped. It really had for not only was she here but she had changed so much in such a good way.

"Babylove do you really think we need the cake now? People are still eating." I suddenly heard Stef say as she walked into the room. Turning to look at her face was almost as white as a ghost as she looked to both Diane and Callie. I could only imagine how she was feeling or what she was thinking as well as Callie for it wasn't tension in the air. It was something else."Cal?"

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I wonder how this will go.