Stef walked to the end of the garden. She needed the air, to be away from everyone in the house. her house was buzzing with her police officers and her father’s friends from poker and church. Even his minster was there. Stef rubbed her arms. She needed to be along. Slow tears ran down her face as she stood in the shade of the trees just wanting to be alone. She heard the footsteps behind her but didn’t’ turn.

“Hey darlin’.” Her mother’s voice. Her mother was now stood beside her.

“Hey.” Stef whispered.

“You okay?”

“I hurt mom, the last thing I said to him was basic take the car and stick it where the sun don’t shine.” Stef said, Sharon put her arm around her daughter.

“He loved you darlin’ he just found your sexuality hard to deal with.”

“I know that mom.” Stef bit out as pushed the tears around from her eyes.

“I know it hurts darlin’. He was your father. You two were so close when you were a kid.”

“I remember spending time with him. I remember watching sports. Enjoying my time with him. just sitting with him. then he caught me with Tess and everything changed.”

“He never really spoke to me about that.”

“Well sending me to a minster didn’t help. It just made me hide. I got drunk, got pregnant and broke Mike’s heart because of his actions. If I’d been free to be gay this wouldn’t have happened.”

“And you wouldn’t have Brandon. or the twins or Callie or Jude or Lena. because everything happens for a reason. 10 years ago you’ve been out and happy. Lena was the woman for you it doesn’t matter how you finally got to her. you father was wrong to spend you to the minster.”

“I know.” Stef said. She looked at her mother. Before hugging her. “God mom I just wanted to talk to him.” Stef said as she started to cry. Sharon held onto her daughter as she finally broke down. Sharon had been waiting all day for this. she looked over her shoulder and saw Lena standing watching them she signal for her to come over. But she didn’t let go of Stef’s shaking body as Lena walked over. Sharon pulled away slowly and put her hands on Stef’s face.

“You’re wife is behind you darlin’” Sharon simply turned Stef and she almost fell into Lena’s open arms. Lena held onto her. holding her close. Her hand on the back of Stef’s neck, her other on her back. holding her close. Stef was now crying hard. Lena held onto her as Sharon left them to make sure that no one came out.

“I’m here for you babe.” Lena said softly as she kissed her check. Stef was holding onto her.

“I need you so bad.” Stef managed as she cried.

“Well I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love you,”

“I love you too.”

“I hurt.” Stef admitted. Lena just held her.

“I know babe, I know I’m right here. Your family is right here.” Stef pulled back looking into her wife’s eyes her arms around her. she reached up pushing Lena’s hair out of her face slowly and passionately she kissed Lena.

“I love you.” Stef said softly.

“I love you too. “ Lena replied as she watched Stef pulled herself together. Lena then took her hand and they slowly walked towards the house. where the minster stood.

“Hi, Stef. I just wanted to see you before I left.”  Stef didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t letting go of Lena’s hand, Lena stood close to her wife, knowing this was the man who had told her being gay was sin. “Your father was very important to me. I’m sorry for your loss. You have a lovely home and a lovely family.”

“Thank you.” Stef managed before he left. Lena pulled her close.

“Do you want a beer?” Lena asked.

“Yeh. For once I could really do with one.”

“Come on then lets get you one.”

“Thank you, I love you so much.”

“I love you too Stef. Come on babe.” Together they walked into the house.