Different Way of Finding You
Chapter 7
A/N I hope you enjoy this chapter! And Happy Fosters Day! I am super excited. Like always, suggestions/comments (both good and bad) are welcomed.
"Callie,Mariana,Jesus,Brandon time for lunch!" Lena called at the bottom of the steps.
Callie came rushing down the stairs almost running into Lena. It was a Thursday, but none of the kids had school because it was teacher appreciation day.
"Oh slow down Callie the food will still be here if you walk" Lena reminded
"I am sorry Lena, what is for lunch?"
"Chicken noodle soup!"
A grin appeared on Callie face. "With dumplings?"
"Of course bug" said Lena taking a seat at the breakfast bar. The other three filed downstairs also taking a seat with Lena and Callie.
"Your hair is very pretty Mari!" Callie pointed out
"Thanks Cals, it's called a Dutch braid do you want me to do it in your hair after lunch?"
"YES!" Callie cheered
Callie slurped up her soup, but waited patiently for Mariana to finish. Callie has almost been with the family for a week. She has definitely bonded with Mariana the most out of all the siblings. They bonded mostly because they share a room, and Mariana makes Callie laugh with her funny stories about Mari's daily life.
"Okay Callie let's go" Mariana said. putting her and Callie's bowl in the sink and going upstairs.
As Mariana sat down on her bed and Callie on the floor between her legs. Mari started to braid Callie's hair.
"Guess what Mari?"
"What Callie?"
"There is this boy in my class and he was chasing me on the playground and gave me this yellow flower he picked, but it is a secret don't tell Stef and Lena"
Mariana giggled at how cute boys and girls interact while in kindergarten.
"Your secret's safe with me" Mariana promised
The door opened twice while the girls were upstairs
"Who is home?" Callie asked
"Probably mom"
"Stef?"
Mariana nodded. Callie hair got finished and then was tied off with a hair tie and ribbon.
"I wanna go show Stef and Lena!"
"Okay let's go!"
The two girls ran downstairs, but Callie immediately noticed Bill, the social worker. Callie stopped dead in her steps.
"Umm maybe we should wait" Callie said
"If you wanna show them moms would not mind a small interruption" Mariana reminded
"No it is okay. I gotta do something anyways" She lied.
The older girl was confused, but agreed anyways. The younger of the two quickly ran to 'her' room. Callie began packing what she had when she came in her ratty old backpack. She forced herself down the stairs and into the kitchen. Stef noticed Callie right away.
"Why do you have your backpack and why are you in your old clothes" Stef asked
"I can't take what's not mine"
"Callie we aren't going anywhere and those clothes and everything we bought for you is yours"
"You aren't going anywhere, I am"
"Talk to me Callie" Stef insisted
"Well when uncle Bill shows up I leave. It means you don't want me anymore"
The adults exchanged a look.
"Come here Callie" Lena instructed. Callie slowly creeped onto the stool.
"You aren't going anywhere. Stef and I were just talking to Bill. We are thinking about making this situation a little more permanent." Lena explained
"Which means you'll be staying with us for a while longer" Stef added.
A large smile surfaced Callie's face. The moms noticed a sparkle in her dark eyes.
"This is gonna be awesome!" Callie applauded. The adults giggled.
"Okay Callie how about you unpack and go play."
"Okay Stef!"
"And Callie your hair looks very beautiful!" Lena pointed out, Stef agreed.
"I know isn't Mari the best!?"
"She sure is" Stef concluded
XXX
"You know we haven't even asked the other kids if it okay to adopt Callie, this affects them to" Stef said putting on her pajamas that night.
"The older ones are still up if you wanna go talk to them know" Lena responded
"Okay the only one I am truly worried about is Brandon which is rare"
"I know Stef, but it will work out" Lena said walking out of the master bedroom.
They all gathered up in the family room.
"So why are we all in here without Callie, is something wrong?" Jesus asked
"No, nothing is wrong. We just wanted to talk" Lena assured
"So as you all know Callie has fit well into our family and me and mama have been thinking about making this a more permanent situation" Stef made clear
"Like adoption?" Mariana questioned
"Eventually yes, are you all okay with that? Lena answered
Both Mariana and Jesus quickly answered yes. Mariana seemed over the moon about this news. Jesus seemed like his same self.
"Brandon?" Stef questioned
"Umm" Brandon hesitated "Yes, I guess there is enough to go around" he smiled
The moms brought all the kids into a hug. Realizing how lucky they are to have three almost four healthy and beautiful children.
"Well sweets it's time to go to bed" Stef directed
XXX
Mariana walked into her room, taking a look at her soon to be sister.
"Mariana?" A little voice escaped from the bed.
"Yes Callie"
"Why did Stef and Lena talk to all of you without me? I heard you guys talking."
"It was nothing, they just wanted to talk to us about your adoption"
"Wait is the adoption off? Are they sending me away? Do you guys hate me?" The girl anxiously asked
Mariana sat down at the edge of the bed.
"No, your adoption is not off and you aren't going anywhere and we surely don't hate you that would be impossible. You haven't been here long, but I glad you're here, and here to stay" Mariana comforted.
"I am really glad"
"Callie I have something for you" Mariana said
She grabbed her old blanket from underneath her bed. She decided not to get rid of the blanket after her mom got shot. Because she felt like it was important to keep.
"Here Callie, I know it is old, but it was my favorite thing when I was younger. It helped me when I was scared and all that, so I want you to have it"
"Thank you Mari!" Callie said grabbing the blanket and hugging the other girl.
"You're very welcome, now let's go to sleep moms will be upset if they find us awake" Mariana said, untangling herself from her sister and making her way to her own bed.
Minutes later, Callie was back asleep, her finger wrapped around the bridge of her nose and her sisters blanket tucked in her arm.
