Author's Note: I've been testing the waters with my writing lately, but Brallie will always be where my heart lays, and I'm anxious to write another story about them. For those of you who have been reading Mama Tiger, don't worry... I'll be updating it soon, but for now, I hope everyone enjoys this story!
Chapter 1.
"You know you have to go, right?" Stef tiredly asked, sitting down on the stairs next to Callie. "That it's out of our control?"
"Yeah," she nodded, looking down into her lap. "I know."
Stef laid her head on Callie's shoulder, her eyes stinging. "His heart's in the right place, honey. He thinks he's doing the right thing."
"What's going to happen to us?" Callie asked, shakily. "To our family, I mean. Me and Jude."
Raising her head, Stef pulled Callie closer. "Well, you're going to have to go live with the Quinns for now." It was better to be honest. There was no way to sugarcoat what was happening. "Robert has powerhouse attorneys, and he's within his rights. As for Jude, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's trying to find a way to take him from us, too. As for our family... no matter what happens, you will always be our baby, Callie. We will always love you, and think of you as our own. Our love goes with you." She leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her daughter's temple, dreading to think about what she'd do once her sweet little girl was gone.
"I'm gonna miss everyone so much," Callie sniffled, still not allowing herself the vulnerability of tears. "Especially you. Will I ever get to see you guys?"
"He can't stop you from seeing us," Stef promised. "Not while Jude is still living here. We'll miss you terribly, baby. But this is your home, and you're always welcome."
Callie nodded, still not feeling completely reassured. "I think I'm gonna go to bed now."
"Okay," said Stef. "Do you want me to tuck you in?"
"Nah, that's okay," she sighed. "I'm gonna go check on Jude. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, honey," Stef replied. "I love you."
"I love you too," said Callie, as she turned up the stairs to her brother's room. When she opened the door, Jude was standing there, holding his pillow.
"I was just..." he stammered. "Can I sleep in your bed tonight?"
She gave him a sad smile. "Sure, baby. I would love that."
Jude followed her to her room. It would be her last night in her room; it hurt just thinking about it, but she couldn't avoid it. Her meager belongings were already packed, in several boxes on the floor. She crawled in bed and covered herself up; Mariana was already asleep.
The covers rustled as Jude climbed into bed beside her, tucking himself in the crook of her arm. "Listen, Callie," he whispered. Don't be too mad at Sophia, okay?"
"She ruined our life," she reminded him. "I don't know if I can forgive her right now. If it wasn't for her, I'd be getting adopted."
"I kind of feel sorry for her, though," her brother went on. "I mean, she tried to kill herself. She had to go the hospital. She must have been really sad." When his sister didn't answer, he continued. "I just remember how lonely I was when you went to juvie. It's not fun being alone."
Callie stroked her brother's soft hair, thoughtfully. "You really are part unicorn, aren't you?"
"I always thought, if you and I had lots of money and a real house, we'd be happy," Jude mussed. "But I guess money really doesn't buy happiness."
"We had something better than money," Callie told him. "We had each other." She blinked back the tears that filled her eyes. She couldn't stop them anymore, and they flowed down her cheeks shamelessly.
"I love you, Callie," Jude said softly. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to miss you so much."
"I love you too, buddy," she whispered, looking up at the ceiling. Shadows cast by the tree branches outside the window swayed in the Spring breeze. Laying there, she tried to soak in every detail of her home, every sound; Mariana's snoring, Stef and Lena's muffled voices as they talked behind closed doors, and Brandon banging on his keyboard in the next room. Slowly, the comforting sounds of the house lulled her to sleep.
If Callie was going to the Quinns' the next morning, it was going to be on her terms; rather than letting Robert pick her up, she decided she wanted Stef, Lena, and Jude to take her there. She dawdled over her breakfast, eating one piece of cereal at a time while Stef and Lena shared worried looks, half wishing she would just hurry along instead of prolonging the inevitable. As much as they all wanted to soak in every last minute together, it was almost torturous.
Brandon and Jesus were taking Callie's things out to the car and loading them in the trunk. Once she was finally done eating, she rinsed her bowl and wandered outside. Brandon looked up when he saw her coming down the steps, his face shadowed by the morning sunlight. She approached him slowly and waved awkwardly. "Hey."
"Hey," he said softly, the shadows darkening the circles under his eyes; he looked like he hadn't slept in days. "So, you're really leaving?"
"I have to," she sighed. "I have no choice. Robert will have the police here if I don't go. It's not worth getting Stef and Lena in trouble."
"The cops arresting a cop," he smirked, amused by the irony.
"I'm glad you think this is funny," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Not funny like, you know... funny," he apologized. "It's just crazy." He sighed, defeated. "I'm sorry, Callie."
"It's okay," she sighed. Shyly, she reached out to hug him. "So, it's really over now, isn't it? I'm not getting adopted by your moms."
"Something could change," he offered. "You never know."
"Yeah," she sighed. "In a fairytale." She gave him an apologetic look, not meaning to sound so sarcastic. "It would be nice, but I don't think it's gonna happen. It's time to stop fooling myself."
Brandon's shoulders slumped, and he stepped forward, taking her into a hug. They didn't speak, didn't need words. At that moment, all they needed was each other, and the gentle understanding they shared.
"I put new strings in your guitar," Brandon finally told her, his voice startling her. "And I tuned it for you. It's in the car."
"Thank you," she nodded, biting her lip. "That means a lot to me."
"You mean a lot to me," Brandon smiled. He titled his head and gave her a shy peck on the lips before walking away.
Less than an hour later, they stood on the Quinns' doorstep. Stef placed her hands on Callie's shoulders protectively, gripping them tight. "Take good care of our baby, Robert. She's a special girl, and we love her very much."
Robert nodded, a hint of regret in his light colored eyes. "I will. You have my word."
Like we had your word when you promised to sign the papers, Callie bitterly thought to herself.
"We'll be happy to pick her up any time," Stef went on. She leaned in to Callie. "We're still on for the annual Adams-Foster camping trip, aren't we?"
"Of course," Callie nodded, glancing over at her father for a moment. "I wouldn't miss it for anything."
"We'll miss you, honey," Stef sighed. She took Callie's face between her hands, looking her in the eye. "I don't want you to close off that beautiful heart of yours again, okay? Remember... love is like jello. There's always room for more." She winked tearfully, then kissed her forehead. "I love you, mama loves you. We always will."
"I love you too," said Callie, throwing herself in Stef's, then Lena's arms. "You'll always be my real family. Nothing can change that."
"Good luck, sweetheart," Lena breathed. "We'll be thinking about you. Never forget that. And you can always call if you need us."
"I know," she nodded, as Lena pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I love you."
Lena smiled softly. "I love you too, baby."
Lastly, Callie turned to Jude, and pulled him into a hug. "I'll see you soon, buddy."
Jude was in tears, hardly able to speak. "You've been the best sister anyone can have."
She squeezed him harder as he collapsed against her. "I'll still be your sister, Jude. We've been apart before. Nothing can come between us." She kissed him over and over. "I love you, baby. I'll always be there for you."
"I love you, Callie," he whispered.
"I think it's time for us to go, sweets," Stef finally said, touching Jude's shoulder. Her mascara had washed away into black streaks on her face. She gave Callie a reassuring look. "Bye, angel. Good luck."
"Bye," said Callie softly. She watched her family get into the car, and listened to the engine start up. Then they were pulling down the long driveway. She and Jude waved to each other as the distance between them widened. Then in a moment of panic, she ran after their car.
"Wait! No, wait!" she called, shaking. But they were too far away to hear her now. She waved one last time, feebly, knowing they couldn't see her. Then, she turned back to the house. As she got closer, she saw, from the corner of her eyes, the flutter of a curtain. She looked up just in time to see Sophia's pale face, watching her from the window.
To Be Continued