My days were crazy. Due to the decision that Stef and Lena made to fight for me, I had to spend time in their house too. It was a bit weird. Every time we were alone, they tried to get me to tell them what Robert promised me and why I picked them… In the beginning, they were patient and very nice, but later, Stef was starting to lose it. In order not to say anything wrong, she would go to the garden, take a walk or simply go to the shooting range. Lena kept it under control better than Stef. She made sure to always be polite and nice to me. Even Mariana and Jude started being more…normal towards me and I was glad. We went out, we went shopping spent time together at school, almost as it was before. But even with spending time in the house, I was under pressure of hiding my feelings for Brandon. We were hiding and it was killing us. We would sometimes after school go to the small town he took me after the court and there we had freedom of being together just for sake of enjoying the company of one another. But the night before the hearing, things went south. Sometimes, Brandon would come to my house and we would spend time working on our homework and sometimes, we could sneak some make out session. With Robert giving me nice pocket money and Brandon's savings, one day we managed to get a room in a small motel. We spent there entire afternoon and I was so happy to have uninterrupted time with him. When I got home, Robert was waiting for me.
''Hey…''
''Hey… I am not late…''
''No, no… It's just…I wanted to spend some time with you…''
''Oh… Ok… Let me change and I'll be down in a minute…''
''Ok…''
I changed and took a quick shower and god down. Robert and I watched some tv and talked about possible ideas for the weekend. He wanted us to take a boat and go for a ride. I liked the idea. I haven't been on a boat since Jude was a baby.
''I love it… We could do it…''
''So, do you want to take someone with us?''
''Like Jude?''
''Or someone you are dating?''
''No, just four of us is ok for the first time…''
''So, you are dating…''
''I might be…''
''Ok… I am pretty new at this…and I am not a girl… But, be safe and make sure he is good to you…''
''He is good to me and I promise I will make sure we are safe and ok…''
''That is all I can ask. I don't want to pressure you into telling me. I feel like it's too early for it. But I want you to know you can always come to me and Jill. I promise to be there for you…''
''Thank you…dad…''
I kissed him and went to bed.
Next following days were chaotic. We had a lot of school work and I was pretty much divided between Fosters and Quinns. Jude and Mariana took a lot of my time and I felt I was seeing Brandon just at school or when we were studying at home. We had no chance to be alone and we were not happy about it. I was under so much stress because our hearing was soon and I didn't want to go back to live with them. Being under Robert's care could give me and Brandon a chance to be together and I really wanted it. One day I came back home a bit early and found a scene I didn't want to see. Stef was in our home arguing with Robert. I was ready to get involved and then I heard and saw something that hurt me very much. Stef got a picture out of her pocket and placed on the table.
''If you don't give her up, I will tell your wife…''
''What?''
I took my phone and pressed the button to video record this. I had to be sure I heard and saw what I saw and heard.
''Either give up my daughter, or this picture goes to Jill…''
I was scared he will say yes and I would have to go back to the house. I couldn't live with Brandon as his sister.
''Are you crazy? You think that I will give her up just like that? What sort of father do you think I am? If I came with the same offer would have you given up Brandon out of fear? She is MY child… She comes before my marriage or anything else!''
''Your wife can take it all from you, or at least a half…''
''So what?! Even if that happens, Callie and I will have enough… There will be even for Sofia if she needs something… I am not scared of you! I will not give up mu child because I cheated on my wife… I love Callie and she comes before anything…''
''She is our daughter…''
''She picked to be mine!''
''What did you offer her? Money? Expensive car?''
''No, I offer her the only thing you can't!''
''What? A father, because you are a man?''
''I gave her a choice… She came to me… And I took her in because I love her and I want to be with her. But this time it was her… I had nothing to do with it… And if you want to know why she wants to live with me, look in the mirror… Is this the honorable behavior you want to teach your kids and her? Blackmail someone into something? Is that what you offer my daughter…. Until today, I believed you are much better person than I am…But today, you proved me wrong… And, now, leave my house and don't come back…''
I sneaked out and went to my car. I got in and drove away. I parked somewhere and called Brandon…
''We have to talk… it's urgent…''
''Come to house…''
''No, I can't…''
''I am alone… Moms are out, Mariana has practice and Jude is at Connors.''
''Ok. I'll be there…''
As I got there, as usual, entire family showed up. Even Steff's and Lena's parents. I didn't get the chance to talk to Brandon, because grandparents had million questions. Lena made dinner and we all sat at the table. Small talk started. Lena's mother was the first to speak.
''I heard what happened. I must say your moms are very hurt by what you did.''
''I know and I said I was sorry, but I think I should give dad a chance…''
''Why? He didn't do much for you…''
''He did after we found out about each other…''
''And your mothers spent all of their savings on these lawyers… And even now they are fighting…''
''I want to say with Robert. I really love living with him and Jill and Sofia. They are good family and they make me feel safe and accepted. Sofia and I went this weekend with Robert and Jill sailing and we took pictures, we rode horses. We have fun. I am really enjoying living with them.''
''These are just material things…But this is family…''
''And so are they…''
''I knew you would be trouble…''
Brandon jumped to defend me.
''Leave her alone! She has the right to deside where she wants to live. She has a chance to have normal life with a biological parent and many forser kids never get that chance. She and Jude have lived bad things in many foster homes, now he is a Foster. He is safe and he picked to be a Foster, a child of Stef and Lena, let her pick if she wants to be Foster, Quinn or who knows what else…. Leave her alone…''
Stef's mom took a sip of her wine and smiled.
''You seem to have an opinion about this…''
''No, I am just sick and tired of calling this some sort of conspiracy and blaming her. She wants to live with her dad… And if you continue like this, I will want the same thing too…''
Stef and Lena looked at Brandon surprised…
''What?''
''I will honestly ask dad to let me live with him… I can't listen to this anymore…''
''Oh, we are sorry of our fight for our daughter is bothering you that much… We would do anything to get her back…''
I didn't want to say anything about what I saw, but I also couldn't sit there… I left my napkin and got up.
''Excuse me please…''
I went outside and sat on the stairs. Stef and Lena tried to keep the dinner normal, but I knew all went to hell. Brandon got out after me and took a seat beside me…
''Hey, stranger…''
''Hey B…''
''I'm sorry for this…''
''No, I am…''
''You wanted to talk…
''I just can't now…''
He looked worried….
''Are we ok?''
''No, we are more than ok…''
''I am glad… For a moment…''
''No, maybe everything is bad and falling apart, but we are good… We are more than that… I promise…''
He put his hand on my knee.
''Babe, it will all be ok… I promise… Somehow we will make it work…''
''I wish I could believe as you do…''
He didn't get a chance to say anything because Jude got out. Brandon got up and started walking towards the door.
''B!''
He turned towards me… I smiled at him.
''Thank you…''
''You are welcome…''
He got in and Jude took his place…
''What is going on with you?''
''Nothing… It's just everything all together…''
''Callie, do you…? Are you ever coming home?''
''I have no idea what will happen now?''
''Do you want to?''
''Honestly?''
Jude nodded…
''No, I would love to stay with Robert…''
''Why?''
''Because I like living with him… I am happy Jude…''
Jude was silent…
''You were not happy here?''
''I was…but in a different way….''
My phone rung and it was Jill. She called to see if I am coming home.
''I will be there in thirty…''
I hung up and faced Jude…
''It doesn't matter where I live, you will always be my brother…''
''And they?''
''They will always be family too…''
I kissed Jude's cheek and got up to go.
''Call me when you want to hang out…''
''Ok…''
I got into the house… They were all in the living room having a chat about something..
''I am leaving… They are waiting for me… See you all…'
''See you Callie…''
Brandon walked me to the car, but we had to be careful.
''Call me when you get home…''
''I will…''
He opened the door of my car and I got in. I rolled the window down and put my hand on the door. He put his hand over mine and smiled.
''I love you…''
''Love you too…''
I smiled… I could listen to him say these words for hours…
''Drive safe babe…''
''Ok…''
I started the car and left. Ride home left me a feeling strange. Was I supposed to say something to Robert about what I heard today. Was it something I should share with Brandon? His mom was the one doing this… Was he supposed to know? I got into the house and found Robert standing in one corner, Jill sitting in the chair crying and Sofia crying too.
''What happened?''
''Robert just told me he is having an affair… And Stefanie wants to expose him, so he took this chance to tell me before she does…''
''I am sorry…''
''What are you sorry for? It started apparently before you showed up…''
''But it got out because of me…''
''Callie, it has nothing to do with you… I blame him, not you…never you… ok?''
I nodded… Jill went upstairs and so did Sofia. Robert and I stayed alone.
''You don't look surprised by the news…any of them…''
''I was there when she was in the house… I heard it all…''
Robert sat on the sofa and looked at me…
''Do you still want to stay here?''
''Yes, I still want to live with you regardless of what happened…''
Robert got up and hugged me. I hugged him too and it felt good to be held by him. He was my dad and now we were really a team… Next day at school, I spent the lunch with Brandon sitting in the yard.
''Jill left this morning…''
''Why?''
''Robert told her he is having an affair…''
''How is he?''
''Holding up… But I hope they will work it out…''
''So do I… And Sofia?''
''I have no idea.. She was to quiet…''
Mariana and Jude with Connor came to the table.
''What were you talking about?''
''Don't be nosy my sister…''
''Come on, tell us!''
''It's none of your business…''
Jude just gave us a look. He doubted that B and I are still having feelings for one another. Connor started paying more attention to us too. I felt my life was under a microscope. Everyone wanted to know all about me and who am I seeing, who will take me….but none of them wanted to know how I really feel…. None of them, but Brandon, who was powerless as I was…
''I hope that it's nothing that could put your adoption on the line….''
I looked at Jude a bit angry…
''Jill left Robert…And she took Sofia with him… That is what I told Brandon…''
I picked up my things and left. Brandon didn't follow me right away. He just gave Jude a bit angry look…
''I didn't know it's that… I…''
''Just, don't….ok?''
Brandon also left the table and went to wind me. He found me in the music room sitting behind a piano… At some point of us being ''friends'' He made sure that I get some piano lessons. And I was a quick learner… and he was a proud teacher. I never mentioned to him that I did play piano for few years, but I believe he always knew it was not my first time behind a piano…
''I missed seeing this…''
''So did I… Play with me Brandon…''
''Ok…''
He sat beside me and we played something he showed me how to play in four hands. It was fun and a bit liberating.
''What will happen now? Robert would be single parent…''
''And you are seventeen… So, you can manage by yourself… If you lived together all your life, this would never be the question…''
''I know, but will it ruin our chances?''
''No, it will be fine…''
I kissed him. It was the first time we kissed at school and at that moment Connor got in. We broke the kiss and we were in panic…
''Connor, please…''
''I will not tell anything…''
I was a bit relived…
''Is that why you want to live with your dad?''
''One of the reasons…''
''Please, tell Jude before he starts having very high hopes of you coming home…''
''Ok. I will… I promise…''
Brandon and I were left alone with a very strange feeling of guilt.
''He will hate me…''
''No, he will hate me…''
''Maybe…He will hate both of us…''
''He will understand…''
He got up and started packing his things…
''Lunch is over… let's go babe…''
We went to class and after school Brandon came with me home. House was so weird when it was empty. It was very quiet. I called dad to tell him Brandon and I will do our homework here and he told me that he will be home after ten. He had a patient he had to monitor so he would leave later. I hung up and called Jill.
''Hey Callie, is everything ok?''
''Yes, I just wanted to hear you and Sofia…''
''Oh, that's nice…How is everything?''
''Dad is at the hospital. He had that surgery on the boy he was telling us about… He will be home very late… I sort of miss you… it's quiet…''
''I'm sorry… I miss you too… But right now… I can't be there Callie…''
''I get it…''
''Sofia and I are living with Linda… You can always come and visit…''
''Ok… I will… Say hi to Sofia…''
''I will…''
'' Have a good day Callie…''
''You too…''
I hung up and looked at Brandon… I took his hand and led him to my room. I locked the door and started taking off his cloths…
''Callie…''
''I am home alone….''
''Oh…''
We got rid of our cloths very fast and spent most of the afternoon making love. It felt right, regardless of what others believed… It felt like we did right thing being together. I felt so loved and wanted.
''I love you Brandon…''
''I love you too...''
I fell asleep on his chest and he held me tight… It was like that night after his recital. Skin on skin with very few words…