A/N: I don't own anything except for my idea for this.

The trumpets have played their last note. The fanfare is over. The dust has settled.

I breathe in the salty air that surrounds me. I look out at the water and the sky as the sun begins to set.

It's quiet here.

The past week has put me through a crazy whirlwind of emotions. Name it, and I can guarantee you I've experienced it.

I said good bye to a lot of things.

To my life of being stuck in limbo.

To sketchy group homes, switching schools, greeting the morning in one bed and falling asleep in another. Being screamed at, hit, ignored, starved, locked away.

To a love I thought I wanted at one point.

He wanted; I didn't.

I stopped it before it could start.

It broke us both.

It had to be done, because I wanted a family, his family. And not as his girlfriend.

I grew tired of maybes and possibilities. I needed definite. One-hundred percent guarantee. No take-backs.

Maybe we can be friends some day.

It feels strange. Not having to fight anymore. The battle is won.

For once in my life, I'm the victor.

But I'm not the only one.

We all won. Me, Jude, Stef, Lena, Mariana, Jesus, and even Brandon.

I now have two moms, officially, legally.

Along with three more siblings.

Forever.

A concept I'm still not familiar with. I'm used to temporary, interim, playing the waiting game until the other shoe drops.

It'll take some adjustment.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy.

I can't remember the last time I felt this good.

It's just a lot to take in.

I'm an Adams Foster.

2330 Villa Mariposa isn't just a house anymore. It's my home.

My home. Mine.

Such words feel foreign, practically brand-new, as if I'm just learning to talk.

I smile. I'll just have to expand my vocabulary.

Congratulations, Callie. You're officially a member of the Adams Foster family.

It's been two days since Judge Ringer played his part in changing my life.

Two days of intense, overwhelming love. So much laughing, many hugs, kisses, blink-and-you'll-miss-it glances in my direction, as if I'll disappear into thin air at any moment.

I'm not going anywhere. I'm legally bound to Moms forever.

I'm not a foster kid. I'm their kid.

My buzzing phone is heard among the crashing waves. I pick it up.

Just checking in. Love you.

I smirk a little. Stef can't help herself. She doesn't feel whole if any of her babies are missing.

I'm okay. Be home soon.

Apparently, I have lost track of time. Dinner must be over if I'm getting texts. I've been sitting out here all day. I left early this morning with a parting note on the kitchen table.

At the beach. Need some space. -Callie

They let me have the day to myself. No expectations, no pressure.

I sigh and stand up, preparing to leave my tranquil sanctuary.

I retrace my steps through the sand. My shoes scuff the concrete. I kick pebbles out of my way. Cars whiz by me on the street.

Eventually, I come to a stop. I see the warm glow of lights in the windows.

They're probably waiting by the door.

For once, I don't mind. I start up the walkway.

Ready to begin again.

A/N: That's as far as I'm willing to go with Brallie. Not a fan of the pairing. If I had my way, they would have never had sex. I would never write anything that involves them having done it.

If Callie's adoption went the way I wanted it to with different reasoning behind it (not doing it just to please Stef and Lena), it'd be a leap of faith. She's taking that chance by fully committing to this family, even if she has no idea how things will work out. It's scary, but she's not facing it alone. This is just my take on Callie processing all of that.

This idea came to me a couple of days ago. Lately, I've been writing a lot of Callie stuff in first person; I love diving in and getting inside her head. It's a lot of fun for me.

I hope you all enjoyed this.