"KID GET DOWN HERE NOW FOR DINNER!" Lena yelled.
Lena was setting the table leaving an extra plate knowing Bill was bringing a foster kid over for a while. Stef was setting glasses for everyone on the table. They had both decided to tell the kids about their foster sibling at dinner. One by of each kid came downstair.
"Whats for dinner mama? Im starving!" Jesus said sitting in his seat.
"Chicken, potatos, and salad" Lena answered as everyone took there seat.
"This smells really good mama" Jude spoke.
"Thank you bub. Now kids we need you all to listen mom and I have something we need to talk to you about!" Lena said as she made her plate and passed the food to her wife.
"Nobody is in trouble but this is important" Stef said before passing the food down the table.
"Please don't tell me you are making us all watch a movie tonight" Mariana whined as she took a bite of her salad.
"Actually that's not what we were going to say but that does seem like a wonderful idea, it'll give you a chance to bond with your new foster sister." Stef said taking a bite of her food waiting for everyone's response.
"Where getting a new foster sister?" Brandon asked trying to spark a conversation.
Lena and Stef both nodded there heads as they ate more of there food.
"WAIT! Where she going to sleep?" Mariana asked not wanting to know the answer.
"Mom and I are going to set up an air mattress in your room for her" Lena said preparing for hurricane Mariana.
"NO MAMA YOU CANT DO THIS. PLEASE DONT!" Mariana begged.
Callie was just starring at her food moving it around. She didn't want to engage in conversation.
The conversation was cut short with a knock on the door. Lena got up and head to the door. "That must be her" She said before opening the door.
Behind the door stood a short brunette with big brown eyes. Bill ushered her in as he introduced her.
"This is Ashley, she is 15 and I thought you guys would be a good fit for her." Bill said as Stef walked up.
"Its very nice to meet you Ashley" Stef said shaking the girls hand.
"It is our pleasure" Lena said also shaking her hand.
"Well I will let you guys get back to your evening you have my number." Bill said before heading out.
"Kids come meet Ashley, she will be staying with us for a while" Stef said as the kids walked in.
Mariana looked at the girl then at each other before whispering. "I don't like her already." Mariana whispered. "Me either" Callie said quietly.
"Hey I'm Brandon" He said shaking her hand.
"I'm Jesus" He said with a smile and a wave.
"My name is Jude" He said with a smile walking up shaking her hand.
After a moment of silence Lena gave both Callie and Mariana a look to be nice.
"I'm Callie" She said in her most cheerful voice.
"Mariana" She said with a glare.
Stef and Lena took the girls bag as the kids scattered. Jude and Jesus went to their room. Brandon went to practice piano, and Mariana and Callie walked to the couch while Stef and Lena showed the girl around.
"Why did this happen to us?" Mariana whispered quietly knowing her moms were in the other room.
"Apparently they don't have enough kids" Callie whispered back forcing a fake smile.
"And I will let Callie and Mariana show you your room." Stef said giving the girl a light nudge.
"Mariana and Callie after you show Ashley your room you guys need to come do dishes. I'm putting you on dish duty." Lena said before walking away.
Mariana reached and grabbed Callie's hand walking towards the stair giving Ashley the most unwelcome look. "Are you coming or are you just going to stand there? Mariana said with as much sass as possible.
Creeping into the room the three of them looked around before speaking a word. Callie walked over and grabbed her phone off the charger while Marian examined where everything was.
Finally Ashley broke the silence and the tension in the room. "I don't like you guys either by the way. Actually I hate you both." She said.
Callie gave the girl a look of death before exiting the room standing at the stop of the stairs to wait for Mariana.
"Well I hate you and just remember this is temporary" Mariana snarked before exiting the room hearing a faded voice as he walked down the stair. "For now..." She added.
Mariana and Callie walked into the kitchen cleaning without saying a word. They spent about 30 minutes cleaning the kitchen in pure silence. Stef and Lena stood at the door way observing hoping they wouldn't notice.
"Should we talk to them? Mariana is having quite an attitude and Callie is being quiet." Lena added.
"No love let it be for now. Mariana needs time to warm up to this idea and Callie is a very quiet person. Not to mention we have not taken in a foster kid with Callie here before. It'll be fine love." Stef said as she placed a kiss on Lena's head heading up the stairs to find Ashley sitting on Marianas bed reading a book.
"Good book?" They asked receiving a small smile before walking to the room and going over the rules with her.
Meanwhile down stairs Mariana began talking as they sat at the couch again. "We officially have no privacy because are room has been invaded by that... girl"
Callie was lost in her thoughts not hearing Mariana.
Why would they get another foster kid? Did they not love me enough so they needed another daughter.
Callie was pulled out of her thoughts by Mariana speaking.
"I am going to take a shower because I want this day over and done with" She then proceeded towards the stairs.
"Mariana wait!" Callie spoke up standing up off the couch.
"Yes?" she responded.
"You are really doing to leave me alone with that... that... girl" Callie said in a disgusted voice.
Walking over to Callie Mariana grabbed her hand. "I have an idea, lets but our swimsuits and we can shower together. We will make a pact not to leave each other alone." she said.
Callie nodded in agreement as they made there way up the stairs ignoring Ashley and there moms in the room as they grabbed there swimsuits.
"What are you guys doing?" Lena asked receiving no response not even an acknowledgment from either girl.
"Mariana and Cal..." Stef began before both girls walked out of the room in the bathroom. Feeling her anger building up she took a few deep breaths.
Lena and Stef stepped outside where they thought they were out of earshot of Ashley, so they could talk.
"Lena I have half a mind to walk into that bathroom and bust both their asses." Stef said in anger. "Mariana is acting like a brat and Callie I don't even know, but they need to be talked to and straightened out."
"Honey calm down" Lena said placing her hand on Stef's shoulder. "After they are done in there we will both talk to one of the girls but I think you should be the one to talk to Callie" she added.
Ashley began getting more interested in the conversation if she was going to make this couple adopt her she needed to know everything she could about the girls.
"Why? Maybe wee should wait till tomorrow, I think we all need time to calm down." Stef said.
"That's fine honey but you need to talk to Callie because you are the only person that can get through to her. You guys have a special bond." Lena said before heading to her bedroom to get ready for bed.
Callie and Mariana were in the bathroom both lost in thought. Callie couldn't help but feel a little neglected even though she knew she shouldn't.
Momma would usually have talked to me by now, she could normally tell that something was wrong even if I acted fine. She would always greet Mariana and I when we walked in a room regardless of who was in it.
After thinking Callie began to speak.
"Mariana is it just me or do think its a little weird Moms didn't greet us when we came in the room?"
"I guess its a little odd, but we should get to bed tomorrow will be long."
Both Mariana and Callie walked into the room only to see Ashley asleep on Marianas bed.
"What the hell does she think she's doing?" Mariana whispered.
"I have no idea but you can sleep in my bed with me" Callie said.
After getting cozy and comfortable they notice it was 5 minutes to 9. Every night at 9 Stef and Lena would make rounds to check on the kids, closing there eyes both Mariana and Callie closed there eyes and began to drift off to sleep. Neither one of them wanted to deal with there moms tonight.
As Stef made her rounds she walked into each of the boys room and smiled when she saw everyone laying down asleep. Next she made her way into the girls room quietly laughing to herself when she saw Mariana and Callie. She quietly pulled out her phone and took a picture before covering them with a blanket and kissing there heads. After covering Ashley with a blanket she went and laid down falling asleep quickly. She knew tomorrow would be a long day.
The next morning Stef and Lena woke up early to make breakfast.
"Morning my babies" Lena called as the boys came down stairs.
"Good morning my loves" Stef said kissing each of them on the head.
Next Ashley came down "Good morning sunshine!" Lena said followed by Stef's greeting.
"How did you sleep love? Please come sit" She said pointing to the seat next to her.
"Can i please talk to you later?" Ashley asked making her eyes as sad as she could looking into Stef's eyes.
"Of course bug, is everything alright?" She asked.
"Y-N" She began with tears in her eyes.
Callie and Mariana had just come down the stairs. Mariana rolled her eyes at he new foster sister and sat down receiving a glare from Lena. "Be nice" She whispered.
Callie overheard Stef calling Ashley bug and immediately felt her heart break. Stef never called anyone that but her either did Lena, when Callie walked towards her seat she notice Ashley sitting there.
"That's my seat." Callie said calmly giving this girl a look that says I hate you.
"I'm so sorry" She said getting up to move before Stef guided her back to the chair.
"Callie you can sit next to Ashley" Stef said.
At this moment Callie felt betrayed like this girl was stealing everything. The one thing Callie never thought she would love was her mama and she was slowly starting too.
"Whatever" Callie said with hurt and anger in her voice. Lena knew that something was up but decided to wait till later to bring it up.
After breakfast Callie was putting her plate in the sink when she saw Ashley curled up to Stef crying. Callie was the only one of the kids that confided in Stef it made Callie extra special to Stef. Callie couldn't help but let a tear fall wiping it before anyone noticed. She quickly grabbed her backpack and darted out the door, avoiding eye contact with Stef and she comforted the crying girl. Callie had no idea what to do. Normally she would talk to Stef but today was different. Once she overheard Stef tell the girl "Don't worry about Callie, or Mariana. I love you" Callie lost it.
Callie stomped up the stairs and sat on her bed silently crying as she rummaged through her drawer coming across a picture of her and Stef sitting on a bench outside. Stef had her arms wrapped around Callie kissing her head making Callie laugh. As the tears grew greater Callie ripped up the picture throwing in on the floor. Eventually Callie fell asleep before she was awoken but Mariana telling her dinner was done.
"Hey- Cal Dinner... what happened are you ok? Should I get moms?" She asked worried.
"No I'm ok lets go eat." Callie said forcing a smile making her way down stairs.
"Hey beautiful" Lena greeted as Stef was making small talk with Ashley.
Callie fumed with rage, she was, mad, disappointed, scared, and jealous. Ashley was in her chair that had been her spot since she got here because it was closest to Stef and helped comfort her after a long day.
"THATS MY SEAT, GET THE HELL OUT OF IT!" Callie screamed
"CALLIE!" Lena yelled.
"NO MAMA, SHE IS IN MY SPOT, THATS BEEN MY SPOT SINCE I GOT HERE. MOVE YOU DUMB BITCH" Callie screamed before Stef stepped in.
"CALLIE THAT IS ENOUGH YOU ARE BEING RUDE, APOLOGIZE THEN GO TO YOUR ROOM" Stef yelled so Callie would knew she wasn't playing.
"Fine... I'm sorry your a bitch Ashley" Callie said before making her way upstairs bawling as she laid in her bed starring at the picture of her and her moms at her adoption day.
The dinner table was quiet and Stef began tending to the newest member of the family. Lena put her plate aside and headed upstairs. "Callie baby what's wrong?" Lena asked as her picked up the torn photograph and noticing the on in her hand.
"Talk to me baby what's got you so upset?" Lena said knowing she most likely wouldn't get a response. Lena had planed to come up here to figure out a punishment for her actions until she noticed her behavior had more to do with her feeling.
"Mom..." Callie let out the one work answer.
"I think you need to talk to mom my dear." Lena said standing up.
"Why? She couldn't careless" Callie snarked frustrated.
"You know that's not true" Lena said before making her way down stairs.
"Brandon took the kids out so we can take care of this situation. We need to figure something out. Callie and Mariana have got to quite with the attitudes it not fair to Ashley" Stef began.
"Stef you need to go upstairs now." She said pointing to the stairs. "I just went to check on our daughter and I can tell you now it YOU she needs" Lena said.
As Stef went to stand up she felt her foster daughters hand pull her back. "I need you" she cried throwing herself into Ste'fs embrace.
"Listen love I will be back in like 5 minutes until then Lena is here" Stef said moving away from the girl.
Stef walked into her daughters room seeing the mess everywhere. There were torn photographs everywhere. Callie was laying on her bed facing the wall staring at a copy of her birth certificate they made after adopting her. Stef took a seat on Callie's bed and picked up some of the torn pictures. Stef felt tears well in her eyes before taking a deep breath. Her on floor laid the picture of them on the bench, a picture someone took of them together at the wedding and a picture of her and Lena hugging her after being adopted.
"Callie.." Stef said in a quiet voice placing a hand on her shoulder. "Talk to me" Stef said rubbing her hand on Callie's shoulder.
After a few minutes of no answer Stef's heart began to break even more as she looked at the floor. She sat for a second composing her thoughts. She had this gut feeling the acting out was because of jealousy but she needed to hear it from Callie.
"Baby look at me" She tried again only receiving a glare. Standing up off the bed she kneeled down on the ground started playing with Callie's hair.
Secretly Callie was glad Stef was with her despite how she was feeling but she didn't want to acknowledge her, she figured she could go to her foster daughter. The thought alone made her cringe.
"Love I need you to talk to me please." Stef said this time getting Callie to turn over so she was facing her. One look at her mom and Callie let a tear fall.
"There is your beautiful face" She said wiping the tear away the was coming down her face.
Callie knew she needed to talk but she didn't have the words, she sure as hell didn't want to talk in the house were she knew her foster sister could be listening.
"Will you please talk to me love?" Stef said kissing her forehead making Callie smile inside.
"No!" Callie said in a serious tone before pulling her blanket over face.
"Well you just did" Stef said with a smile.
"Mom.." Callie let out in a sad and defeated tone.
Stef gently pulled the blanket off Callie picking up a few of the torn pictures putting them in the pocket of her jeans.
"Would you rather go sit in our spot to talk?" Stef asked smiling softly at Callie.
Callie ran the words through her head "our spot" normally that would make Callie happy hearing those words but their spot wasn't just theirs anymore. Lena walked in the room closing the door over behind her.
"Are you girls ok in here?" Lena asked as she looked at Stef to find out if Callie had spoken. Stef shook her head no when they were interrupted by a very angry Mariana storming through the door.
"Moms I can't live with this girl she's rude and I can't stand her. Plus she took your phone mom. She didn't steal it but she was texting someone and I think it was Callie because she got an evil smirk." Mariana ranted.
"MARIANA please I am trying to talk to your sister. Figure it out and bring mama my phone." She said a little annoyed. She new that the newest member in the house would be getting a talk but right now she needed to care for her daughter.
"You wouldn't have to talk to her if you never brought that witch in this house" Mariana mumbled rolling her eyes as she wen to go get the phone.
"Callie. Love. Lets go sit outside away from all this noise and we can talk" Stef said standing up.
Callie sighed but stood up. She knew that sooner or later she would end up talking so she wanted to get it over with. Without saying a word Callie stomped down the stairs with both her moms right behind her. Ashley was standing in front of the door so Callie pushed her as hard as she could with her shoulder knocking the smaller girl into the door frame.
"CALLIE" Lena said sternly as she started helping the girl back to her feet.
Any other time Stef would have punished Callie right then but this time was different nothing mattered to her but finding out what was wrong with her daughter.
Stef sat in the swing pulling Callie into it keeping a good grip knowing Callie would fight it.
Callie burst into tears. "m-m-m-mom" Callie managed to spit out as she cuddled up to stef forgetting her anger in that moment.
Stef rubbed her back gently as she wrapped her arms around the very distraught little girl cuddled up to her.
"Talk to be love, it's ok" Stef said as Callie laid down with her head resting in her moms lap facing her stomach and her feet on the swing as she gripped part of her moms shirt for comfort.
"I don't want to share you." She whispered so quietly Stef didn't hear her.
"What was that baby?" Stef asked brushing Callie's hair of her face with her fingers.
"I don't want to share you" She said a little louder letting her tears fall.
"Cal..." She started to say before Callie began speaking. Callie shifted herself as she sat up resting her head into her moms chest.
"Mommy I can't share you" Callie corrected her voice filled with sadness.
"Baby nobody said you had to share me with anyone but your siblings and mama." She replied kissing Callie's head allowing her lips to linger there for a few seconds.
"Ever since that girl got here" Callie said her voice filled with hatred. "I have been invisible."
Seeing Stef about to speak Callie opened her mouth talking more as tears fell down her face. "Momma any other day you would noticed I was upset last night, I had a feeling about this girl. You ALWAYS greet me, Mariana and the other kids anytime we come into a room but you didn't last night." Callie paused allowing her mom to speak.
"Baby you weren't and are not invisible" She said pausing to collect her breath the fact her daughter felt that way killed something inside her. "Honestly love its not that I didn't notice I just got caught up showing her around. If at any time you need me no matter what I am doing you tell me and I will be there, I didn't greet you Cal because it was a new experience for Ashley she was shaken up and she needed me. She needed me that's why." Stef said in hopes Callie would understand. The look on her face indicated she didn't.
As tears ran down Callie's face she began to speak grabbing her moms hand. "What about me mom? You were so busy with her you weren't there for me, you even said you noticed but you didn't talk to me like you always do. I know your only talking to me now because mama told you too." Callie stopped to catch her breath and wipe her tears.
"Callie.." She started but was interrupted.
"No mom" She began a little frustrated at the situation. "Then you gave her MY spot, You talked to her at OUR SPOT, you called her bug that's MY nickname, you and mama have only ever called me that, then you yelled at me. You have never yelled at me like that" She rambled letting tears fall. "Then.. you replaced me with that girl. You don't want me anymore" Callie cried collapsing closer into Stef.
After a moment of silence just laying there rubbing Callie's back Stef spoke. "Love, I didn't know you felt like this. You are right I should have come talk to you last night, but that doesn't mean I was not here sweet girl, I would have been there if you pulled me aside and told me. Mama didn't make me come talk to you, she told me you needed me to talk to you and I was right there. Now can you tell me what upset you about your spot at the table?" Stef knew she needed to ask several questions but on this she has learned with Callie is you need to ask one question at a time.
"That's my spot mom. I always sit by you and I always have. I don't like sitting anywhere else, when I'm having a bad day and were at dinner or breakfast you rest you hand on my shoulder. If something happens that you know bothers be you reach under the table and grab my hand and hold it. Sometimes you just lean over and whisper you love me because. That's my spot mom. That's the spot I feel safest because if I need you you're right there." Callie said crying not realizing the words she just spoke.
Stef's heart sank as she held her crying daughter. "I had no idea you even noticed those things baby. If I knew that's how you felt I never would have taken that away from you." A tear began falling from her eye. On one hand she was devastated her daughter felt this way but on the other hand she was glad the little things meant so much to her daughter.
"I wasn't thinking it would upset you if I talked to her out here Cal. I wasn't thinking. Yes I called her your nickname and Im sorry love, but you know the one name me and mama would never call her." She asked kissing Callie's head waiting for a answer.
"What?" She asked quietly wiping her face on her moms shirt.
"Our daughter" She whispered in Callie's ear as a smile began to form. "Another thing love, I yelled at you because what you did wasn't how you handle your problems and it wasn't nice of you, but I still love you and your still my daughter" She said giving Callie a squeeze.
Callie sat up right and hugged her mom for a good 5 minutes before pulling back. "I love you momma" Callie said kissing her moms cheek.
"I love you too mini me" Stef said with a wink. "However I do have one more thing I need you to tell me"
"What is that?" Callie asked as she forgot about the mess in her room. Stef reached in her pocket pulling out the ripped pictures. "What is this about love?" She asked wrapping her arm around Callie.
"I was so upset, I saw how you were with that girl and I got jealous and angry. Momma I am the only kid that prefers going to you over mama and I wanted it to stay like that because I don't want to share you mama" Callie leaned against her mom. "I got so upset and I figured that you replaced me and I was just so angry." Callie said once again sobbing into her mom.
"It's alright baby I understand" Stef said hugging her daughter and wiping her tears before standing up and helping her daughter up.
"Hey mom, do you think we could print those pictures again?" Callie asked as they walked into the house holding hands.
"Of course" Stef said closing the door behind her.