LENA POV
It was early, the morning of my birthday, and I had not gotten much sleep last night at all. Not a wink if I'm honest, despite the fact that Denni had given me a massage, we had talked almost all night until the sun came up, and she made me a soothing cup of tea. Denni really had been extremely supportive even if it continued to feel difficult and embarrassing for me that she was seeing certain sides of me and the troubles in my life. But I knew the closer I got to her, the more she would see and know. And that alone scared me.
Sighing I realize the bed feels light as I turn over and see it empty but a note on Denni's pillow. Picking it up I see a heart and a birthday cake drawn on it as I smile and open it.
Be right back my darling. Went to get my beautiful birthday girl something special.
I smile at the note as I get up and throw a tank on glancing at the clock radio on the nightstand and see it is almost seven in the morning. I knew the kids were up and getting ready for their day, and I promised Frankie I would call. Of course I planned on calling anyway to check on them after last night's event and to see what was going on and if I needed to go home or not. Yes, Mike told me to stay put and finish out my week, but my kids meant the world to me. They just did as well as their safety, and well so did Stef despite how awkward our relationship was.
Taking a seat at the little table, I suck in my breath and gear up for this call because I had no idea how Stef was going to be, pleasant or a fucking nightmare, which I hope would not be the case considering I hung up on her the last time we spoke. But whether we liked it or not we had to work together for our kids especially when things like this happened.
Letting it ring a couple of times I finally hear someone pick up and the kids in the background.
"Hello!"
"Sharon, good morning it's Lena." I say thankful she answered as her voice is so happy and chipper, like always.
"Well, if it isn't the birthday girl herself! Happy Birthday, sweetheart!" Smiling into the phone I begin to doodle on the hotel notepad as I continue to hear the kids in the background, for I did miss them. I missed all of them.
"Thank you, Sharon. I appreciate that. Listen is Stef there?" I ask as I hear the kids begging to talk to me.
"Is that Mama, Nana Dukes??! Is that her?" I hear Frankie yelling as well as Corey.
"Ma!! Happy Birthday!! Happy Birthday Mama!!!"
"Oh you have a bunch of people over here that wanna wish you Happy Birthday. Come, honeys, gather around! Callie, Stefanie, Jude come say Happy Birthday to your Mama!" Sharon says as I am happy to hear their voices.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!!!" They all yell as I smile so wide and can feel tears fall down my cheeks. They run down my face as I wipe them and see Denni come inside as she places a bouquet of flowers on the table in front of me.
"Thank you, babies. Thank you so much. I love you all so much."
"We love you too, Mama!!!" They yell as Sharon gets back on the phone .
"Now, I hope you aren't calling to say you're coming back home because of the little spat made by that little hussy last night. It's completely unnecessary for you to do, sweetheart. I took care of her ass," Sharon says as I try not to laugh.
"Sharon, the kids sounded so scared. And Stef? Her job? And a fight with Jillian? What happened? I feel so far away, and..."
"Oh that," she cuts me off. "Well, baby you know my daughter is very passionate. And there is nothing to worry about. And there's no reason to rush home and be in a tizzy. Jude has his little day camp, Corey will be in school and the girls have the bakery. Stefanie will be with me all day doing my readings. So what would you come back for, honey? "
"Is Stef okay? Is Stefanie okay?" I dig more as I feel Denni rubbing my shoulders which helps relax me, for I don't even realize how tense I've become from this call alone.
"She is. She's getting ready for work. Michael came by last night and talked to her and it's fine. And um, Stefanie," she whispers, "We are keeping an eye on that little girl. BUT DO NOT COME BACK HERE. There's nothing to be done, baby. Finish off your trip, enjoy that art of yours and bring me back a souvenir." She says as I bursts out laughing shaking my head for sometimes it was very hard to believe that this was the same woman that wouldn't drink out of our mugs much less look my direction without a snarl on her face.
"Okay, I will call Stef later." I say as I hear her in the background now, and my mouth goes dry.
"No issue, sweetheart. Enjoy yourself! It's your day! You deserve it!" Sharon says as my heart beats wildly as I hear Stef's laugh with the kids, and I decide to get off the phone as fast as I can.
"Okay, Sharon. Thank you again," I say as I feel Denni's soft fingers run down my bare shoulders.
"Goodbye, hun. Talk later."
I quickly hang up now as I turn to look at Denni as she is smiling softly at me, her soft blue eyes dancing as I stand to my feet. "Thank you for the flowers," I say softly as I wrap my arms around her neck, and she leans in and kisses me gently.
"Are you okay, my darling girl?" She asks sweetly as I nod my head and blush as she caresses my cheek with the back of her hand.
"I'm okay," I answer softly as she smiles again, and pulls me towards her giant bed.
"And your children? They are okay?"
"They are. Sharon insisted I stay here, and that everyone will be busy anyway even if I come home. I don't know, Denni. I know my children are grown, well, to a point." I say, laughing as she smiles at me. "They were okay this morning, heading to the bakery and Jude goes to camp. Stefanie will be with Sharon."
"Tess is Stefanie's mother, correct?"
"Yes. She lives with me and Stef, and sometimes she stays in the RV with Sharon. She's a sweet girl."
"That's unfortunate her mother is causing so much chaos. Lena, I know I told you this last night, and I am going to say it again, we can go home now, birthday girl." She looks at me with concern as I sigh.
"I'm going to call them all when they get home later this afternoon, Denni. I am trying my best to push through and listen to Sharon. I actually trust her to be honest with me. She'd tell me if they were in duress and needed me."
"Okay, but if you change your mind we can leave. It's only two hours away, sweetheart, and you know for a fact, I'd never ever keep you from your children or what you want to do," she assures me again as I grab her hand.
"I know." I smile at her as she leans in and softly kisses my lips.
"You are a beautiful mother, Lena. I heard the way you speak to your children, and it's very heartwarming. You love them and they love you."
"I hope so. It's never easy to tell if you are doing a good job or not. I can only hope I am because God knows I've failed them quite a bit," I shrug as she gently holds my hand rubbing it.
"Motherhood is a journey with no directions, Lena Adams. And one way we get through it is by support which it seems you have plenty of that. So please stop being so hard on yourself, my sweetheart."
"I'm grateful Stef and I have the support. I am." I smile at her as she squeezes my hand again.
"Come here, darling," she now lowers her voice as I once more feel butterflies in my stomach. "You should lay back down and let me give you your gift, honey," she says softly as she climbs up on the bed, and I giggle as I slide under the soft sheets once more, and I watch as she removes her shirt slowly, never looking away from me. "And take your clothes off too. I want to see you."
I smile to myself as I toss my tank and panties to the side before laying back down as my heart is now thudding in my chest wildly.
"Close your eyes, Lena Adams," I hear her say as I do just that, and I feel her close to me now as she sets a single pink rose between my breasts which I see as I open them to feel her hand slide up my side as she looks at me. "God, you are so perfect," she says as I whimper, and she picks up the rose and slides it down my body, over my stomach and across my thigh before leaning in to kiss my lips gently as I grip on to her neck and kiss her back, whimpering as I do before she pulls back again.
She begins to run the rose between my breasts as her eyes never leave mine, and I gently place my hand on the back of her neck pushing her a tad closer to my face as the rose travels down my stomach once more, and I giggle from it tickling me as she smiles.
"What would you like to do today, my darling? Anything, you name it."
"Oh...I don't know. I don't believe anyone has asked me that in a while. I don't know LA very well. But I do want to pick up some souvenirs for my kids, I think. I think they'd love that," I smile at her as she smiles back.
"Sure, we can do that. Definitely. How about I order us some room service for breakfast and we can decide over coffee and whatever else you would like this morning. I do not want you to have to rush out on this day." She runs the rose over my thigh and places it beside me on the bed as she gently strokes my cheek. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
"It's nice being here with you. I know I pushed you away originally and said none of this was a date. You are too kind to me, Denni," I answer as she continues looking deeply in my eyes.
"Well, Ms. Lena Adams, I told you I am patient, understanding, and very, very drawn to you, and the offer still stands for us to be exclusive. If you want that...that is. I'd very much love to make you mine," she whispers as she caresses my cheek, smiling gently at me.
"I'm drawn to you too, and yes. I'd like that," I softly smile at her as I feel her body press into mine once again, our lips pecking each other's, and our kiss growing deeper. Just as deep as last night if not more as I run my hands over her backside and up her spine digging my fingers into her.
"Your moans over the last couple of days were beautiful. They turned me on so much, honey. God, I love hearing you cuss too." I moan simply from her words as her knee presses into my wet middle and I'd give anything for her to lick me like she did yesterday. God would I ever as we make eye contact once again, and I begin to squirm feeling her lips gently suck on my breasts as she moans softly.
"Denni...I..." I moan running my fingers in her hair as she kisses back up to my lips as we make eye contact with each other once again. But she surprises me as she reaches under the pillow and pulls out a nicely wrapped box as she moves next to me.
"For you."
"Denni, you really didn't need to get me anything. You have done so much already! I...I can't take anymore," I say as I sit up, pulling the sheet with me, feeling so guilty as she shakes her head.
"Nonsense. Please open it, darling. This is who I am, and you'll just have to get used to it," she smiles as she watches me.
Nodding my head I unwrap the beautiful box not really believing my eyes for Denni had gotten me a few things by now. She had and it was still throwing me off some as I open the box seeing a beautiful leather case, and as I open it I see a set of very expensive paint brushes for I recognized the name.
"Denni...I..."
"Lena, a wonderful and gifted artist only deserves the best things to work with. I know you will put them to good use. No exceptions."
I blink back tears now as I set them on the end table before moving to straddle her lap as I grab her face in mine as I look in her eyes. "I don't deserve all of this, Denni. I just...don't," I say softly as I feel her pulling me closer to her, removing the sheet so we can feel each other.
"Well, I don't mind telling you every single day that you do, honey. Plus, you already have given me so much...the way you look at me...and touched me yesterday," she whispers as she runs her fingers over my curls falling over my shoulder. "Happy Birthday, Lena Adams," she says smoothly now as I feel her lay me down as once more she begins to make love to me, pleasing me in so many ways, I can't help but feel so many emotions right now, one including feelings I didn't think I'd have for anyone ever again.