Hello! I know there are plenty of stories about Callie entering the Fosters as a younger child, but I wanted to do my take on it. In this story she's 8 and both of her parents are still alive, so it is more of an AU universe! There is no Jude in this story but I may add him later. I hope you enjoy! Also because it has to be said, I don't own the Fosters no matter how much i wish i did.
Callie could smell the smoke from the burning curtains in the living room. Her eyes burned as she opened her eyes. She quickly got out of bed and into the hallway where she could see the fire getting bigger and bigger. Her parents both lay on the couch, slumped over each other. Empty beer cans littered the table, along with various needles.
"MOMMY! DADDY!" Callie screamed from the hallway.
Neither of them budged. Callie ran to the kitchen. She stood on her tiptoes as she reached for the phone on the wall. Her little hands shook as she quickly dialed 911.
"911 what's your emergency?"
"There's a fire in my house and mommy and daddy aren't moving!" Callie yelled into the phone, nearing hysterics.
"Okay honey what I need you to do is tell me your address and then get out of the house," said the operator on the other line.
"5776 Riverside Drive, San Diego California!" Callie responded quickly, spitting it off like she had practiced at school.
"Good job. Now, go outside away from the fire. We are sending people to help you and your mommy and daddy, okay?"
Callie agreed and quickly dropped the phone. She slipped out the back door and ran toward the front of the house. Several neighbors were outside standing on their front porches. When Callie could hear the sirens coming from the firetruck, she began jumping, waving her hands in the air as if the fire itself wouldn't catch their attention.
The rest happened so fast. A group of firefighters exited the truck, instructing her to stay near the sidewalk. Callie looked around in panic, screaming that her mom and dad were still inside. It wasn't long until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hi honey, my name is Stef. What's your name?"
"Callie. My mommy and daddy are still inside the house!" Callie exclaimed with wide eyes that filled with tears.
"I know. The nice firefighters are in there right now helping them. They will probably need to go to the hospital, and so will you to make sure you aren't hurt," The blonde explained.
The young girl looked at her with pleading eyes. Callie was afraid of hospitals.
"I don't want to go," Callie said, shaking her head.
"It'll be okay, sweetheart. I will even go with you and make sure nothing bad happens to you. That way I can talk to you too, about mommy and daddy," Stef replied in an attempt to calm the girl.
"I'm not supposed to talk to police officers about mommy and daddy," Callie said.
Stef looked puzzled. "Why not?" she asked.
"They said so," Callie said simply.
"Well Callie, how about me and you make our way to the hospital in that ambulance and maybe you can tell me more about why mommy and daddy don't want you to talk to me," Stef suggested, pointing at one of 3 ambulances lined up on the street.
Callie shook her head. "I don't want to go to the hospital."
Stef sighed. Her intention wasn't to make the already unstable girl upset. "I'm sorry honey, but we have to. I promise I won't leave your side though."
Callie looked down at her feet. She was afraid. Afraid of the hospital and afraid of and for her parents. Eventually, she stuck her little hand up, her pinky extended.
"Do you pinky promise?" She asked so quietly Stef almost missed it.
Stef crouched down to Callie's level and wrapped her pinky around the tiny one in front of her. "I pinky swear I will not leave your side tonight. You just have to trust me."
The two made their way to the ambulance, where they immediately gave Callie an oxygen mask. It wasn't until then that she felt the pain in her chest from the smoke. Callie sat on the gurney clutching on to Stef's hand on her lap.
The ride seemed relatively short. They arrived at the hospital and Callie sat and waited in the emergency room with Stef, who was trying to figure out the best way to approach the situation about the young girl's parents.
"So, Callie. Do you spend a lot of time with mommy and daddy?" Stef asked.
Callie shook her head. "No. They're usually with friends. Or I'm in my room. They tell me to stay in there a lot."
Stef furrowed her eyebrows, "why's that?" she asked.
"Mommy and daddy don't want me to see them when they do bad stuff. If I leave my room I get in trouble," Callie explained, avoiding eye contact with the older woman.
"What kind of bad stuff?" Stef continued, treading lightly.
Callie swallowed hard. Her mom and dad always told her to never tell anyone anything.
"Callie, honey, you can tell me. I promise I'm here to help," Stef tried.
"Mommy calls it their special medicine," Callie said after a long pause.
Stef nodded. "And what happens when they take their special medicine?"
Callie shrugged, but it wasn't very convincing to Stef.
"Do they ever say mean things or hurt you?" Stef asked, urging the girl to speak up.
"Sometimes they leave me all alone. Or they tell me that I'm stupid when I ask them to play with me. One time daddy put a cigarette out on my arm because I left my room when I wasn't supposed to. It hurt," Callie said, rubbing the raised scar on her arm.
Stef's heart broke as she thought of her own children at home that were so close to her age. She couldn't imagine anyone doing that to a child so small.
"How long do they leave you by yourself?" Stef questioned.
Callie shrugged. "I dunno. Sometimes it's a few hours. Sometimes it's a couple of days."
"Does that make you sad?" Stef asked.
Callie nodded. "I don't like to be all by myself. It's scary."
"I'm sure it is sweetheart," Stef said, placing her hand on the girl's shoulder. She noticed the brunette flinch at the touch.
"Did I hurt you?" Stef asked.
Callie shook her head, but her eyes told a different story.
"Do you mind if I look at your arm, honey?" Stef coaxed gently with pleading eyes.
Callie shook her head, giving Stef permission to life her pajama shirt up, exposing the growing purple bruise.
Stef had seen several cases of abuse, though it never got any easier. She again, found herself thinking of her own children at home. Her heart broke at the sight of such a large bruise on such a tiny person. She had to calm the rage that came with it, though.
"What happened to your arm, sweetie?" Stef asked gently, allowing her to say it was her parents that caused it on her own terms.
"Daddy told me not to tell," Callie explained with such intense fear in her voice.
"Remember what I said, Callie? That you can trust me?" Stef reminded, grabbing the young girl's hand in her own.
"Daddy got mad at me for crying. He grabbed me really hard and shook me, but it just made me cry harder. Then he got even madder so he threw me on the floor in my room and made me stay in there all night," Callie admitted, her big brown eyes looking up at the cop in front of her.
Callie didn't know what to feel. She felt like she was betraying her parents, and she didn't want to do that. She wanted them to love her.
"Callie, you know that's not okay, right? Mommy and daddy aren't supposed to do those things to you," Stef said, not breaking eye contact with the young girl.
Before Callie could reply, a doctor came through the curtain.
"Hello there, my name is Dr. Calvin. What's your name?" The short, dark skinned woman asked.
"Callie," Callie muttered softly.
"Alright, well Callie. We're just going to check and make sure everything is okay. Fire's can be scary and dangerous, but it looks like you made it out pretty well," Dr. Calvin smiled.
Callie nodded but didn't say anything. She was scared of doctors. Mommy and daddy always got mad at her after she had to go to one.
"Okay, I'm going to check your heartbeat and lungs, then take your blood pressure. I'm also going to need to take just a little bit of blood, okay?" Dr. Calvin explained, putting her gloves on.
Callie violently shook her head. "No I don't want you to take my blood!"
"Hey, honey it's okay. I'll be right here and you can squeeze my hand as hard as you want to, okay?" Stef said, jumping to help calm the girl.
Callie looked at Stef, her eyes spilling over with tears. "I don't like needles. Mommy and daddy get mean after they use needles. I don't want to get mean!"
"Oh, sweetie. That won't happen. When mommy and daddy use needles, they are putting something into their body. This is just taking out some blood to make sure you are okay," Stef explained. Her heart continued to break every time the girl spoke.
Callie sniffled, but ultimately agreed after the battle inside her head. Dr. Calvin proceeded, taking her vitals and checking her lungs. When Callie saw the needle, she grabbed Stef's hand and squeezed.
"All done. You did great, Callie! If everything checks out, you'll be able to get out of here," Dr. Calvin said warmly.
"Where are mommy and daddy?" Callie asked.
"They're getting looked at by the doctors. They'll be okay, though. They got a little burned by the fire, so they will be in the hospital for a little while," Dr. Calvin explained.
Callie didn't reply.
"Officer, could I talk to you really quickly?" Dr. Calvin asked, inching towards the outside of the curtain.
Stef nodded and stood up, but felt a tug on her pants.
"Don't leave me!" Callie begged.
"I'll be right out here. I won't even shut the curtain, that way you can still see me. I promised I wouldn't go anywhere so I'm not," Stef assured.
Callie nodded. She felt so scared. She wanted her mom and dad to be okay, but she knew they would be so angry at her for talking to the police. She was made to promise that she wouldn't tell them, but she did. All she wanted was Stef back in the room. She felt safer with her there.
After what felt like an eternity, Stef came back in and closed the curtain. She crouched down next to Callie.
"Okay Callie, someone is going to come talk to you about mommy and daddy, and they are going to find you somewhere to stay for the night and the next couple of days," Stef began.
Callie nodded, and the two waited until the CPS worker came. It wasn't long until a young man walked through the curtain.
"Hi Callie. My name is Andrew," He said, extending his hand out to Callie.
Callie grabbed it and gave him a light shake.
Andrew pulled up a chair and sat next to the foot of the bed where Callie remained.
"I know tonight must have been scary for you. Do your parents not wake up like that a lot?" He asked.
Callie shrugged. "No. Not all the time. But usually I'm in my room so I don't know."
Andrew nodded. He continued to ask Callie questions similar to the one's that Stef had asked earlier. Callie's nervousness was evident in her body language. Stef placed a supportive hand on Callie's knee.
"Okay, Callie. Do you have any other family members?" Andrew questioned.
Callie shook her head "no."
Andrew nodded back.
"Well, it looks like we're going to have to find you a foster family for a while-" Andrew began until he was cut off.
"No, no I don't want to! I don't want to go back again!" Callie screamed, her tears falling again.
Andrew looked confused as he flipped through some paperwork.
"Callie, have you been to a foster family before?" He asked.
"Yes. It was scary and they were mean. I don't want to go back," Callie cried, looking between Stef and Andrew.
Andrew sighed. This was always the most difficult part, and he was still confused as to why he didn't know Callie had previously been in a foster home.
"I know it's scary, but we will find someone really nice. You can't stay with your mom and dad. They're going to be in the hospital for a few days, and we need to talk to them about the way they treat you. We need you somewhere safe for the night," Andrew tried explaining.
Callie continued to shake her head and cry. "Please don't make me go back. I promise I'll be good!"
Before she could stop herself, Stef spoke up. "I can take her. My wife and I have a fostering license."
Andrew looked over at Stef. "I'd have to look into it, but I don't see a problem. Only if you're sure, though."
"I'm sure. As long as it's okay with Callie, it's not a problem at all," Stef assured. She would explain it to Lena later, and knowing her wife, she would understand. Hopefully.
"I want to go with Stef! I don't want to go anywhere else, please don't make me!" Callie begged, nearing hysterics.
"Let me just make a quick call," Andrew said, pulling his phone out and walking behind the curtain.
Stef went to the chair Andrew was sitting in and positioned herself in front of Callie.
"Love, I need you to try to calm down, okay? Take a few deep breaths for me." Stef instructed, grabbing the small hands in hers.
Callie nodded and took shaky breaths to relax herself. The thought of going to another foster home terrified her, and she didn't want to go anywhere but Stef's.
Andrew came back into the room after a few minutes.
"Alright Callie. You're gonna go with Stef. I'm going to go by your house tomorrow and get you some stuff, unless it can't wait?" Andrew said, looking at Stef at the last part.
"She can wear some of my daughter's stuff for the night," Stef assured.
"Okay. I will be in contact with you tomorrow morning. I'll also gather up some information for a file and bring over the paperwork in the morning with her things," Andrew confirmed.
Stef handed him her card and thanked him.
"You ready to go, kiddo? I bet you're tired," Stef said.
Callie nodded and hopped off the hospital bed. Stef grabbed her hand, and together the two of them walked out of the hospital.
Once Callie was situated in the back seat, Stef pulled her phone out and dialed Lena's number. It was late, but she always stayed up when Stef worked late shifts.
"Hey honey, how's it going?" Lena answered after 2 rings.
"Well there was a situation, a fire," Stef began before she was cut off.
"A fire?! Are you okay? Where are you?" Lena exclaimed, spitting question after question.
"Love I'm fine. There was a little girl, Callie. She had nowhere to go. I'll explain more later, but can you set up the couch tonight and grab a pair of Mariana's pajamas?" Stef asked.
She could hear Lena let out a breath she was holding on the other line.
"Um, yeah. When will you be here?"
"15 minutes. I'll see you then. I love you, thank you," Stef said, hanging up after she heard Lena's "love you."
Stef was grateful for her partner. She was so gracious both times she decided on a whim to bring home a child.
"You doing okay back there?" Stef called as she pulled out of the parking lot.
"Mhm," Callie muttered.
Callie stared out the window for the entire drive. She watched as the trees seemed to run past her, and she wished she could run that fast, too. She began tracing shapes on the window, her hands still shaking. Before she knew it, they were pulling up to a big house. It was the nicest house she had ever seen.
Stef got out of the car and opened Callie's door, helping her as she jumped out of the back seat. She bent down to Callie's level.
"So, we're setting up the couch downstairs for you, but don't worry, it's super comfy! My kids are asleep, but you can meet them and play with them tomorrow. Brandon is your age, and Mariana and Jesus are 7," Stef began explaining, preparing the young girl for what would await her inside.
Callie nodded, bringing her finger to the bridge of her nose.
"And you know how you have a mommy and a daddy? Well, my kids have two mommies. But don't worry, my partner Lena is the nicest person. You will love her," Stef continued.
Callie nodded again. Stef gave her a smile then grabbed the little hand in hers as they walked up to the door. Lena opened the door like clockwork.
"Lena, this is Callie. Callie, this is my partner Lena," Stef introduced.
Callie hid her little body behind Stef's leg. She didn't know why she was afraid. Stef said she was nice, and Stef was nice. Lena gave her a big smile anyways as she crouched down in front of her. Callie could smell vanilla coming from the woman.
"Hi, Callie. It's nice to meet you," Lena said putting her hand out towards Callie.
Callie reached her hand out and gripped onto Lena's hand. It was soft, like velvet. Callie let out a small smile. She couldn't be mean. They were nice. She wanted to be nice too.
"I'm going to change really fast then I'll be back down. Do you think you could stay with Lena while I run up there and do that?" Stef asked, allowing Callie to feel like she had control.
Callie nodded, still not saying anything.
Stef gave Lena a small peck on the cheek before going up the stairs.
"Well, Callie. Here's some pajamas you can wear and a toothbrush. The bathroom is this way," Lena said, grabbing the pajamas and guiding her to the bathroom.
"Thank you," Callie muttered as she grabbed the pajamas and toothbrush.
The pajamas had Ariel from The Little Mermaid on them. She switched out her clothes then began brushing her teeth slowly. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion.
When she was done, she grabbed her dirty, smoke smelling clothes and walked out of the bathroom.
"I can take those," Lena offered as Callie entered the living room.
Callie handed the clothes off to Lena, who gave her a warm smile.
The two stood in the silence for a moment until they heard Stef's footsteps coming down the stairs. Callie looked up at Stef, her long blonde hair was out of its tight bun and she had on a Padres shirt. It made her feel more at ease. The cop uniform was scary.
"Don't you look cozy!" Stef smiled as she saw Callie in her daughter's pajamas.
Callie offered a smile back to Stef. The smile quickly turned into a yawn. It was nearly 2 am by now.
"Here, let's get you into bed. I know you must be exhausted," Stef said, placing her hand on Callie's back as she guided her to the makeshift bed on the couch.
Stef looked back at Lena, telling her in their own language that she would be up there in a little while.
"I'll see you in the morning, Callie. Sleep well," Lena said sweetly before making her way upstairs.
"Are you going to go upstairs too?" Callie asked, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she placed her head on the pillow.
"Not if you don't want me to," Stef replied.
Callie was afraid. She didn't want to make Stef hate her by making her stay up with her. But, Stef could see the internal battle going on in the girls head.
"How about I sit here with you until you fall asleep, would that help you?" Stef proposed.
Callie shook her head, prompting Stef to sit down and place Callie's head in her lap. She began stroking the long, brown curls. It was only a few moments until she heard a small sniffle.
"Oh, honey. It's okay. You're okay here," Stef tried, wiping the tear off of the girl's cheek.
"I'm just sad," Callie simply stated.
Stef's heart broke even more. She had never heard an 8-year-old sound so defeated.
"You know, sometimes when my kids are sad, I sing them a song. They all have their own song, but I'm sure I could pull out another one for you," Stef suggested.
Callie nodded her head in Stef's lap.
"Baby mine, don't you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
Never to part, baby of mine.
Little one, when you play,
Pay no heed what they say.
Let your eyes sparkle and shine,
Never a tear, baby of mine.
If they knew all about you,
They'd end up loving you too.
All those same people who scold you,
What they'd give just for the right to hold you.
From your head down to your toes,
You're not much, goodness knows.
But, you're so precious to me,
Sweet as can be, baby of mine."
The song is from Dumbo, actually. So again, I don't own that either!
