AN- I wanted to do a two part missing scenes from the cancer scare, surgery story. I was kind of disappointed that they breezed over it the way they did it. I enjoyed the story. I just wish we could have gotten a little more. So here is part 1 of my two part.. In my missing scene story.. Thanks for reading!
Lena stuck little cheerful notes inside each lunch bag that had been prepared the night before, by Sharon. No doubt the lunches were full of treats, and non-healthy surprise items. However today she didn't mind. Her kids needed things to make them smile. It was going to be a very long day, leading into a very long few weeks.
"Let's get a move on" Stef called from the bottom of the stairs. "I need to see five butts down, here eating breakfast now! You're all going to be late." She then turned to Lena and stuck her tongue out playfully "Can't yell at someone for yelling in the house, on the day of their surgery. It's against the rules."
Despite all the feelings and thoughts rolling through her mind that morning. Lena found herself smiling at Stef's antics. "Cute."
"I don't see, why we have to go to school today" Mariana said coming down the stairs "It's pointless."
"Agreed" Callie put out there as she followed her sisters lead. The two girls going to their spots, while Sharon put big breakfasts in front of them.
"I am not hungry" Callie responded pushing the plate away, only to have Stef right next to her push it right back in front of her. "I can't eat, the smell is making my stomach go crazy. You have to eat it for me. Please?"
"Why is it that you can't eat before a surgery?" Jude asked as he came down taking a place at the table.
"So you don't puke while you're under, and get it stuck in your throat and die!" Mariana said simply
"Oh, Geeze. Mariana" Stef rolled her eyes "Not at the breakfast table!"
"What?" She asked flipping her hair. "Its true. He's not a baby. He doesn't need a baby coated answer."
"Now, I am really not hungry" Callie stated as she pushed her plate away again. While Brandon and Jesus came slowly down the stairs.
"Callie, you need to eat" Lena said in no nonsense voice. Yet Callie just kept her head down avoiding eye contact with her.
"Can't we go with you to the hospital?" Brandon asked "We were there, when you had your surgery!"
"Guys" Lena said calmly "We've talked about this, today you need to go to school. The surgery takes a few hours, then mom has to go recovery, before we can see her." She took a deep breath "So you guys go to school. Get your day done with. Then I'll personally pick you all up this afternoon and go to the hospital. By that point mom will be ready for visitors." She explained to them "Mom's going to be in the hospital for three days, tomorrow is Friday; you guys can have it off, and hang out here or at the hospital on and off all weekend. Okay?"
"No" Callie grumbled "It is not okay, but we don't really get a choice, do we?"
Lena shook her head "Sorry, Cal. As your mom, I think this is a better plan for you. I don't want you all waiting around a waiting room all morning. All of your teachers know what is going on. All of you have permission to have your cell phones on you. You can all text me anytime you want" She promised "And I will keep you updated. Okay?" She asked "Please guys."
"Okay, mama" Jude was the first to agree.
The others all nodded but remained quiet. "Alright, guys finish up. Grandma is going to take you to school and meet mom and me at the hospital, remember I'll pick you up."
"Babies, I am going to be fine" Stef promised the kids. "You'll see me in a few hours. Okay? Go shine like the stars I know you to be."
Mariana sighed "But, mom. We're scared" She whispered.
"Oh, my love" Stef turned on her stool and held her arms open. "Come here baby."
Mariana wasted no time hopping off her stool and rushing to Stef's arms. "I am so sorry, mommy"
"Mommy, huh?" Stef whispered into Mariana's ears. "You haven't called me mommy, in years."
Mariana's response was to just hold onto Stef tighter.
Stef held her close rocking her slightly in her arms. "I am not, sorry." Stef whispered into Mariana's ear. "I am happy to be doing this, so that means I stay healthy for you!" She said kissing Mariana's tear streaked cheeks.
Mariana nodded "I love you, mom."
"I love you, more" Stef said poking her in the ribs to get a little smile. "There's that smile, I adore."
"Alright, I've got hugs to dole out, who is next?" Stef asked after she kissed Mariana one more time.
The boys lined up, and one by one they stood in front of her, and hugged her tightly and whispered encouraging things into her ears.
Once they were done they grabbed their lunches, backpacks and bacon from their plates and went stood by the door.
Callie was last still sitting on her stool, starring at the plate Lena had shoved in front of her three times now.
"Cal?" Stef asked "Can I hug you?"
Callie slid off her stool and allowed Stef to pull her into a hug. She rested her chin on Stef's shoulder. While the blonde ran her fingers up and down her back. "I will see you this afternoon" Stef told her softly. "I am going to be okay."
"I know" Callie mumbled, even if she wasn't really feeling it.
Stef pushed her back and held on her arms, "Look at me, sweets." She waited until Callie's eyes met hers. "I know the last few weeks have been a little crazy. I know we've had our differences in opinions, but you know that I love you, yes?"
Callie nodded "I know. I love you too mom."
"I am not going to make you any promises, and I am not going to tell you to not be nervous, scared or worried. I just want you to go into your day with the reassurance that I love you. Mama loves you. You're not alone anymore. We're all in this together. Yes, my love?"
Callie nodded again as her lip quivered but she refused to cry. This day was not about her.
"I'll see you after school" Stef kissed her cheek.
"Bye, mom" Callie said as she slid out of Stef's embrace and grabbed her bag.
"Callie, you didn't eat dinner last night, because your stomach was bothering you, you haven't had breakfast this morning" Lena said blocking the girl from bolting out the door. "Please, eat half of your lunch at least. What you don't eat, bring home. I want to see what you've eaten today."
Callie rolled her eyes "I am not five, but fine" She told Lena knowing she'd be too tired to check late.
Lena frowned at Callie rolling her eyes at her, but decided to let it go. "Thank you honey. Grandma is waiting. Have a good day. Text me anytime. Okay?" She then leaned in and kissed Callie's forehead quickly. "Have a good day sweetheart, text me if you need to talk."
"Sure" Callie nodded as she made a quick retreat.
"Oh, that kid" Stef shook her head.
"Is a younger version of you, honey" Lena laughed. "I've never met two people, more alike."
"Yeah, I've noticed" Stef said with a smile as she began to pick up the breakfast dishes. "We may be doomed."
"What are you doing?" Lena asked "It's the day of your surgery!"
Stef gave her a raised eyebrow "Yes, but we don't leave for another half an hour."
"I know"
"So I am cleaning up the kitchen?"
Lena shook her head "Honey, today you should just take it easy."
"Lena, my love" Stef shook her head "I'll be taking it easy for days to follow. Let me clean the kitchen this morning. Feel normal?"
Lena nodded. "Of course, I am going to go brush my teeth, grab our overnight bags… Your mom is okay with staying with the kids tonight?"
Stef nodded "Of course."
"If it were my child, I'd want to stay with them. Maybe I should come home with the kids tonight."
"Lena" Stef shook her head "Please, no. I need you. I need my mom to be here for my kids. Please?" She rubbed her jaw "Besides, wasn't your plan to trade off nights? She's staying with me tomorrow night, so you can be with the kids, and get a good night of sleep. I like it better the way we have it planned. Don't change it up."
Lena nodded "We stick to the plan." She said with a small smile.
"Lena, honey" Stef said quietly "It's going to be okay."
"I know" Lena nodded "I do, I know."
Stef put the last dish in the dishwasher. "Go grab our bags, and while we wait for my mom to get back. We can just sit together on the porch swing. Please?"
Lena nodded "Okay. I'd like that."
"Was today, like the longest day ever?" Mariana asked as her siblings all gathered outside.
"Longest, ever" Jude agreed. "I kept checking my phone."
Jesus dropped his bag on the ground next to his sister as he began to run small circles around the group. "I just need to move" He shook his head. "All day it has been hard to sit."
"Did you take your medicine?" Mariana asked using her foot to drag his bag closer to her, so he didn't trip on it.
"Yes" Jesus nodded "Thanks, mom. But my real mom handed it to me this morning"
Mariana shrugged "I was just asking, don't shoot the messenger."
"Who else almost cheered when mama texted and said mom was out of surgery?" Jude asked. "Thankfully I didn't. I would have interrupted a pop quiz."
"Oh, sucks" Jesus shook his head "Pop quiz, on a already long day."
"How'd you do?" Callie asked finally speaking as she played with the adjustment straps on her bag.
"Fine" Jude nodded "Mama and I had gone over all of it, on Saturday when she helped me study. It was actually kind of nice. Something to focus on."
Brandon ruffled Jude's hair "and you just proved why, mama sent us to school today."
"Look, Grandma is here" Mariana pointed as Sharon drove in. "We finally get to see mom."
Sharon honked the horn for good measure as she pulled up along the group. "Come on guys, you're milk shakes are melting!"
"Yuuss" Jesus grabbed his bag and was the first to climb into the car. "Grandmas are the best!"
"How's mom?" Mariana asked as she climbed in after her brother who already had the milkshake carriers and was getting ready to help pass them out.
"Surgery went well" Sharon explained "She's tired and in pain."
"Like when she was shot?" Brandon asked
"More alert" Sharon assured him. "The next few days are going to be hard, but after she'll recover much faster than when she was shot."
"Oh, good" Jude sighed with relief as he took his milkshake. "Thanks Grandma"
"You're welcome big man" Sharon winked "Enjoy your treat, we'll order pizza for dinner before we head home tonight."
"Yusssss" Jesus cheered "Grandmas are the best" He repeated while Mariana wacked his head. "Stop thinking about your stomach! Mom just had major surgery today."
"Grandma just said she was fine" Jesus reminded her "And mom would want us to eat."
"Mama wouldn't want us to eat all this junk though" Jude countered "I mean we had cookies and chips in our lunches too."
"Doll face, your mama is fine. She was the one that suggested I pick you up treats on the way over. She knows it was a rough day for you guys too."
"Then maybe she could have let us decide for ourselves if we wanted to go to school, or sit around in the waiting room" Callie snapped passing her shake to Jesus. "It's all yours, dude."
"Ah" Sharon held up her hand "Pass it back to your sister" She told Jesus. "You've got to eat something Callie. You're not helping anyone by not eating."
Callie rolled her eyes at Sharon before leaning against the car window with her shake between her legs. "I am not starving myself. I am just not overly hungry. It is not a big deal. Can you give me some space about it? Please!"
Sharon held up her hands. "Doll face, that's between you and your mama. We just want you healthy."
"Grandma" Brandon gasped "Put your hands on the wheel. You're driving'
"Oh, don't be so such a noodge Brandon, it's a stoplight" Sharon shook her head. "Teenagers, geesh." She said in a serious tone but the smile tugging at her lips let the kids know she was just playing.
"How long do we get to visit with mom?" Mariana asked changing the subject.
"I don't know sugar" Sharon said honestly "We will see how tired she is. We don't want to overwhelm her."
"Right" Mariana nodded "But tomorrow, mama said we don't have to go to school tomorrow, so we can hang out with her more. If she's up to it?"
Sharon nodded "That's my understanding."
"Cool" Mariana nodded satisfied with the answer.
"There are my wonderful tribe" Lena greeted Sharon and the kids in the waiting room after they arrived. "How was your guy's days?" She asked. "Did you all have a good day? You doing okay?" She motioned for them to have a seat. "Let's sit and talk for a bit."
"Can we see mom?" Jude asked as he was the first to take a seat.
"In just a minute" Lena assured them "The doctors are checking on her, doing some tests. Once she's done, and decent she wants to see you guys. For a little bit. She's pretty tired. Okay guys?"
Brandon nodded "We understand. Can we all go in at once?"
"Tomorrow" Lena nodded 'When we are hanging out she's okay with all of us hanging out in her room. "Today she's overwhelmed and tired, so she did ask for just a couple at a time. We decided it's just easier to do the girls and boys in whatever order? Okay?" She asked "Just for today?'
She was met with three nods, one shrug and one who didn't indicate anything.
"So tell me how was school?" She asked again "Jude did you have a pop quiz?"
Jude nodded "Yeah, and I think I aced it."
"That's my boy" Lena leaned over and kissed his temple. "How about the rest of you? Anything go on?
She was met with a few shrugs and silence. "You guys are so talkative."
She stood up "I'll go see if mom is ready for a few of you. Why don't you all start working on some homework while we sit here."
Jesus groaned "But we have a three day weekend!"
"Exactly" Lena nodded "I don't want you cramming it all in Sunday night. Mom will be home that night. Maybe we can all watch movies with her on our bed, or play a game or two. You know how much she loves that."
Jesus heaved a huge sigh but pulled his backpack up to him.
She stood up "I'll be right back guys" She promised them before leaving the waiting room.
"Alright, you heard her. Homework. Homework" Sharon motioned to the kids.
"The kids here?" Stef asked very tiredly as Lena came in.
"Yes, anxious to see with their own eyes, that their mom is okay"
Stef nodded "The pain meds are wearing off" She admitted "It hurts."
"I am so sorry baby" Lena said grabbing her hand.
"I am feeling nauseous too, can we get the kids in quick" She asked as her eyes filled with tears. "I want to see them, but I don't want them to see me like this long."
Lena nodded "Still just a few at a time?"
"Please" Stef's voice sounded horse, tired and in pain. "Tell them I am sorry."
Lena shook her head "I won't, its okay to not feel good baby." She assured her. "As long as the kids see you, and can hold your hand and know you're right here. They'll be fine."
"Send them in" Stef requested.
"Alright, gang" Lena appeared back in the waiting room. "Mom's ready, she's really tired though. This won't be a super long visit today. We'll have more time tomorrow" She offered them a smile "Okay?"
Brandon stood "Can I go?"
Lena nodded "Sure baby, Jesus and Jude" She motioned with them. "Sharon will you take them back?"
Sharon nodded "Sure, of course. Come on men" She said with a smile "Follow me."
Lena sat down next Mariana. "You girls doing okay? Do you have any questions or concerns?"
"No" Mariana shook her head "Callie and I researched it all the other night. We know what happened today."
Lena smiled "I figured you'd do would research this. You are both okay though?" She asked "After reading what happened?"
Mariana chewed her lip "What is mom going to do? Is she going to get fake ones?"
"Mariana!" Callie poked her "I told you to not ask those questions! Its personal!"
"Callie" Lena placed her hand on Callie's knee. "Its okay" She assured her. "We want you to ask these questions. We want to be open with you kids, especially you girls. This is a reality, God forbid you two never have to face personally. Having facts. Asking questions it prepares you for life. ]" She then turned to Mariana. "Mom has not decided what she wants to do. For a while, she'll wear a prosthetic bra that fills out her chest, so her shirts normal. She'll decide once she's more healed."
Mariana nodded "Can we ask her about it, after she decides?"
"We want to be very honest with you girls during this journey." Lena told her. "We want you to be well prepared. This is a reality that women face. We want you two to learn during this time."
Mariana rubbed her forehead "Mom doesn't have cancer though, right?"
"This is a preventive to keep her from getting it." Lena nodded "She would have gotten breast cancer at some point, if we hadn't done this."
Mariana nodded "Mama, are you okay?"
Lena nodded "I am fine baby."
"Can we do anything?"
Lena wrapped her arm around Mariana's shoulder "Yes, be good for grandma, do your chores and come back with your smiling faces in the morning. That helps."
Mariana leaned into Lena and closed her eyes. "We can do that. I promise."
"Looks like its your turn" Lena patted both the girls legs. "Here come the boys."
Callie stood up "Can we go now?"
"I'll have grandma take you too, is your lunch in your bag?" Lena asked "I want to check what you ate."
Callie rolled her eyes "Suit yourself. I ate half of it, just like you told me to."
"I told you I was going to check" Lena reminded her as she grabbed Callie's bag."I just need to see you're okay, Cal" She said softly "I know stress does things to your stomach, but you still need to eat."
"I know, I know" Callie nodded as she moved over to Sharon. "but I ate."
"Alright girls" Sharon wrapped her arms around them as she began to guide them away from Lena. "She looks worse then she is. She's got tubes and wires everywhere."
""Well we've seen her after being shot" Mariana reminded Sharon. "We can handle this."
"You've seen her after being shot" Callie corrected "I didn't."
"Oh" Mariana paused "I guess you're right"
"She wasn't my mom then" Callie sighed "I wasn't family."
Mariana grabbed Callie's hand and held it tightly in her own as they stopped in front of Stef's room. "This time you're family. You're my sister and we're going to see our mom together. We are going to see for ourselves that she is just fine."
Callie looked to Mariana and gave a slight nod, but held tightly to Mariana's hand.
"Hey my babies" Stef greeted them as she tried to sit up better but gasped in pain. "Sorry, guys. I can't sit up"
"It's okay mom" Mariana said softy as she and Callie crept to the bed.
"I am okay" Stef said reaching for their hands "Girls, I am okay."
Callie's eyes filled with tears "You're in pain"
Stef gave her a weak smile "I am, and I will be for a few days, and weeks" She admitted honestly "But, I am going to be just fine." She looked at their faces. So filled with sadness and worry as they looked at their mom.
"Its hard seeing your mom in pain, I know" Stef said tiredly "I remember when my mom had her hysterectomy, how much pain she was in. It made me just want to cry. Tough reminder our moms are humans too, but in a few weeks she was doing better again and I saw my strong mom again." She promised Callie. "The one that drives me crazy, but I love to pieces. So my suggestion. Just come give me a kiss and know in a few days I'll be cramping your style again. Busting you for teenage things, driving you nuts."
"Glad I drive you crazy, Stefanie" Sharon rolled her eyes but laughed at Stef's example.
Mariana laughed as she wiped a tear away while she nodded. While Callie moved in and leaned down and kissed Stef's cheek very tenderly. "Love you mom, I hope you can sleep tonight"
Stef nodded "After seeing all your precious faces, I know I will. Mommy is pretty tired right now."
Mariana also leaned in and kissed Stef "We'll let you sleep, and we will back in the morning."
"I can't wait, babies."
Callie chewed her lip "Are you sure, you're okay?"
"I hurt, I am feeling sick to my stomach, and I want to sleep some of it off, but Callie I am doing alright. I promise." She grabbed her hand and and held it. "Its okay, I know you're worried, I know its stressing you out and making you not feel good. Go home, and have a good dinner, and then you and Miss Thing can sleep in my bed tonight. It will help. I promise. I slept in my moms bed when she had her surgery. Its comforting."
Callie nodded "Okay."
"I love you girls" Stef whispered "With my whole heart. Proud of you both."
"We love you too" Mariana smiled "And we'll be back in the morning"
"Goodnight my babies" She kissed their fingers "See you tomorrow."
"Go back out to your mama" Sharon told the girls. "I am going to go say goodnight to your mom" She paused "Callie, can you order some pizzas when you get the lobby. Make sure its your favorite pizza place. Okay doll face?"
Callie gave her first real smiles of the day. Clearly seeing Stef had lifted a weight off her shoulders. "Sure, Grandma" She agreed. "See you tomorrow, mom. Love you"