There Is Enough To Go Around
Christmas Eve
"Jesus, seriously. Could you hold still for a couple of minutes?" Stef asked her son irritably. He had run of his pills the night before, and wouldn't be able to get his refill until the afternoon. The Foster family was trying to get some last preparations and cleaning done before Lena's parents were supposed to arrive for their Christmas together. However, someone was making it a little difficult.
"Sorry Ma...I am just trying to help." He mumbled, as he tried to clear leftover plate off the counter, before dropping on the floor. Stef clenched her fists together, as she tried to control her temper. It wasn't his fault. It wasn't his fault. Mila's eyes got wide as she witnessed the scene from her high chair, where she was finishing her breakfast.
"Okay Jesus, just...go outside and burn off some energy please. I will clean this up." Stef tried to say calmly, as she looked for the broom.
"I will help you clean up Mom...I am sorry…" He said, as he began to clean up the glass with his bare hand.
"Put that down right now...please. Take Mila with you outside if she is done."
Jesus rolled his eyes and groaned, but decided not to argue today. He seemed to ruin everything he touched. Stupid ADHD. He looked over at Mila, who already had pushed her plate away from her, and lifted her arms, indicating she was done and wanted out.
"Outside Jesus. Me." The little one commanded, as she continued to whimper slightly to get out of her chair. Jesus smiled, and carefully lifted her out and put on his jacket and hers, before leading her out in the backyard. It had rained the night before, causing there to be mud puddles everywhere. Mila eagerly jumped into one of them, since she was in her rubber boots. Jesus joined, making it splash over the pair. She giggled, as the mud smeared on her face.
"I am the mud monster! I am going to get you little girl!" Jesus roared, as Mila playfully screamed before running away from her older foster brother. He let her run in front of him, playing as if she was too fast for him, before he scooped her up and the pair fell over into another mud puddle.
Lena groaned as she finished cleaning both bathrooms of the house. Not that she didn't like her parents coming over, but it was always stressful, particularly her mother. Lena loved her mother dearly, but they didn't always see eye to eye, and she liked things to be...perfect. Once Lena made it down the stairs, she noticed how quiet the house was. Jesus had been bouncing around the house all morning, and she couldn't imagine him being cooped up in his room.
"Stef, where is everyone?"
"Brandon took the girls to the store to get some last minute things, and Jude is upstairs I think. Jesus is outside burning off some energy with Mila." Stef replied, as she sipped her coffee at the counter, proud of her plan and arranging skills. But Lena just looked horrified.
"Outside? The same outside where it was raining all night and now has flooded our yard?"
"Yeah?"
"And you let our fifteen year old ADHD son out there with a three-year old? And just before my parents are supposed to show up?" Stef's eyes lit up, instantly knowing her mistake. The mothers raced to the window in the kitchen that overlooked the backyard. And sure enough, there was Jesus and Mila, laying on the mud-stained lawn, every inch of their bodies covered in mud and dirt. Lena held her hand to her face, as Stef couldn't help but laugh. If Lena wasn't so stressed out, she would have thought their adventure and bonding moment was cute.
Lena went to the porch with a couple of towels.
"Hey! You two, in the house, right now!"
Mila looked at Jesus, suddenly frightened at Lena's raised tone. She had never heard her be that loud. Jesus smirked slightly, before picking Mila up. She clung to him as they neared Lena.
"Really? You had to get dirty before Grams and Gramps are supposed to show up? You know better than that." Lena scolded the two of them. Mila ducked her head into Jesus shoulder, while he rubbed her back reassuring her everything was okay.
"Mom told us to go in the backyard…" Jesus tried to defend.
"Hey Jesus, do not blame your Mom on this. You know better. Please take off your shoes and socks and go in the shower." Lena instructed, as she reached for Mila, who made no inclination she wanted to be taken by Lena. "C'mon Mila, you need a bath too." But Mila wasn't buying it. She didn't want to be in the arms of someone who was tense and angry. Stef noticed the interaction and decided to step in. She knew the little girl fared better when someone in the household was sad, but when someone was angry, she would grow scared.
"Come on Milly Billy, let's give you a shower while Lena takes a little break before Grams and Gramps come, huh? Let her cool down." Stef said, as she indicated the last sentence toward her wife. Mila went willingly to Stef, while Lena pouted slightly into the house. She was more upset with herself for making Mila scared of her.
As soon as Lena went inside, Stef took a picture of the pair, in their mud-stained clothes and wide smiles. Lena was going to love this picture once she calmed down.
"Where are my Grandbabies!?" Dana sing-songed loudly, as her and Stuart entered into the Adams-Foster household. The Foster grandkids raced to greet their Grandparents, and Dana took her daughter in her arms.
"Hi Lena. I've missed you baby."
"I have missed you too Mom. And you too Daddy." Lena said happily, as she switched to embrace her father.
"And I have missed all my Grandbabies! I have all your Christmas presents in my car. Why don't you kids help Gramps get them, while I talk to your Mama?" The kids happily complied , all racing outside. Lena raised her brow cautiously, wondering why her mother wanted to clear the room.
"So, where is my newest grandbaby? She is absolutely adorable in those pictures Callie took of her. Both girls have a future in modeling and photography, I can tell you that."
"Mom, I told you, Mila is not going to be our daughter. She has parents. And yes, she is. Stef is upstairs giving her a shower. Jesus and her thought it to be a good idea to play in the mud this morning. She should be done soon." Lena said irritably, but Dana just laughed, giving her daughter another hug.
"Well, kids will be kids." Lena chuckled a little, the tension subsiding. Maybe she could enjoy this holiday after all. Lena looked up the stairs, thinking Stef would bring Mila down soon, but little did she know about the battle upstairs.
"C'mon Mila, Grams and Gramps are waiting to meet you. They are really nice." Stef tried to reason with the toddler, who only shook her head, tears staining her cheeks. Stef knew the girl was still very wary around strangers, but she normally didn't cry unless she was being left with them.
"Why are you scared of them honey? I am going to be with you the whole time, I promise."
"Too loud." Mila answered as she covered her ears to also answer her foster mother.
"Oh honey…" Stef said, as gathered the girl in her arms, and sat on the floor with her. Still being a little kid, Mila associated loudness or yelling as anger, which she didn't tolerate well. Dana coming through the door and announcing she was there, put the toddler on edge, no matter the tone of the voice.
"She was just excited, she wasn't mad. I will be with you the whole time though, and so will Lena and the kids. But we can't stay in the bedroom forever can we?" Stef tried to get the girl to giggle, but Mila still seemed a bit nervous. Stef sighed, before digging the girl's pacifier out of the secret drawer right next to them. They were weaning her off of it slowly, but moments like these, Mila really needed it to calm down. Though Lena wouldn't like it, it was the only way to get Mila down there without a tantrum and a anxiety attack. Mila took the lime green binky readily, and Stef sighed nervously before walking her down the stairs.
"Oh, there they are...why does she have her binky?" Lena said, as her wife and foster daughter walked over to her and her mother.
"She was having a "Mila Moment", and I want to have a good first impression...hi Dana, it's nice to see you." Stef answered. Mila cowered her head in Stef's shoulder, as she fiercely sucked on her binky.
"Hi Stefanie. And hello Mila…" Dana said, as she crooked her neck to better follow Mila's eyes. Mila looked at Lena, then at Dana, and back at Lena. She noticed the resemblance, and felt a little more relaxed.
"You know, the rest of the kids are getting their presents...do you want to go with me to go get yours?" Dana asked.
Mila looked at Stef, who gave her an encouraging nod. Mila nodded back at Dana, who reached out to carry her. Mila's eyes grew wide, and she wrapped her arms around Stef's neck. She didn't want go with the woman alone.
"Your mommy can come with you. Lets go." Dana said softly, as she began her way to the front door. Mila looked at Stef with her brows furrowed in confusion. Sure, she had slipped on calling both her foster parents "mommy" or "mama" before, but just because she heard the other kids doing it. She had a mama already, and it was not Stef and Lena.
Stef managed to give the girl a shrug and a smile, though she hated seeing the confusion on the little girl's face. She wanted the toddler in her arms to be hers, and be normal about people saying she belonged to the Fosters. But she wasn't. This was only temporary. Stef had to keep nagging herself to remember that, but it was hard. The little one was so loveable, and molded in the family so easily.
Stef and Lena followed Dana outside to the car, where Stuart too met Mila. She was just as shy, but seemed to be getting used to the idea. Though she wouldn't let go of Stef, much to Stef's secret happiness. Normally, she was attached to Lena's hip in moments like this, but since she was still wary of Lena's outburst, she stuck to Stef.
The day went by fairly quickly, most of the day spend cooking for their Christmas Eve feast. As both mothers and grandmother cooked, Mila stayed close to her foster siblings, while Stuart hung out with the kids. Mila seemed to be warming up to both the grandparents as they continued interacting with her in small amounts and her siblings encouragement. By dinner time, things seemed to turn around.
"Alright, everyone get dressed in their Christmas dinner. And Mila, I have something special for you." Dana announced, as she tickled Mila's tummy.
Dana took out a bag behind the Christmas tree, and took out a red and green plaid dress, finished with a big bow tightened around the waist. She had gotten the boys the same colored Christmas sweaters, and the girls more appropriate aged Christmas dresses. She was determined to get a matching Christmas picture this year from her daughter' family, including their adorable guest.
"Let's go get you dressed, huh?" Dana asked, and Mila looked around for Stef. She had sat on Dana's lap once today, but she still didn't want to be alone with her yet.
"I will go with you babe." Lena said, as she picked the little one's hand. Mila retracted her hand back, still have not forgiven Lena for that morning. For a three year old, she didn't forget things easily.
Lena sighed. She didn't like Mila not trusting her. It was one time she snapped in front of her, and the toddler wouldn't forget it. "Mila, look at me." Lena said as she crouched down and grabbed the girl's hands. Mila wiggled, as she tried to get away from the curly-haired woman, but Lena wouldn't have it.
"Hey...I am sorry I yelled at you and Jesus this morning. I was just stressed out,and took it out on you two. It makes me sad when you are scared of me, and I don't want to make you feel that way again. Can you forgive me?" Lena almost begged, as she attempted to remain the parent in the situation. She needed to have some level of authority, but it was so hard with Mila. In one minute, all the trust she had in you, could be slipped away with one mistake. Mila nodded shyly, and leaned in Lena's embrace, wrapping her arms around the woman's neck. She held the little girl there for a minute, before picking her up and following her mother into her bedroom to dress Mila.
Christmas Morning
It was eight in the morning, every Adams-Foster member gathered in the living room, opening their presents while still decked in their pajamas. For a group of teenagers would were usually moody being woken up before ten, were bright-eyed and smiling, as they passed their gifts around, taking in the family joy and Christmas air.
"Hey Mila Pila, can you grab that small yellow box with the big red bow on top, and give it to Stef and Lena?" Callie asked aloud so everyone in the room could hear her. Mila nodded, and jumped off of Stuart's lap where she was snuggling, and did as Callie asked. She brought the small box to the obviously surprised mothers. Callie's secret santa was Mariana, they already saw her give her sister her gift.
"Callie baby, you didn't have to get us anything." Stef said, as Mila climbed in between the mothers, handing the box to Lena.
"I know...but...this one is important." Callie said seriously, but she ended it with a slight smile.
Lena opened the box carefully, Stef peeking over her shoulder. Inside, was a slip of paper, folded up neatly. Lena shot a curious glance at her oldest daughter, who nodded her head in encouragement to continue. Lena opened the folded paper, and carefully read the official looking paper. And at the bottom of the paper, a messy signature. Tears pooled in Lena's eyes.
"Robert signed the papers again?" Stef finally questioned, a slower reader than her wife.
"Yeah...he decided and told me a couple of weeks ago...it seems as all it took was a little girl to knock some sense into him. It is all settled, this is just a copy of the already sent paper." Callie answered, as she winked at the toddler, a grateful smile also directed her way.
"This is wonderful! I can't believe you kept this a secret so long!" Lena said, finally finding her voice. Both Stef and Lena jumped up, embracing their now official daughter in their famous Mama sandwich. Hugs and kisses were passed left and right, and a few tears shed from the whole family.
"So, I am guessing you liked the present then, huh?" Callie asked, again sandwiched between her moms again. They kissed her cheeks at the same time., while Stef wrapped her arm around her neck playfully.
"The best Christmas present ever."
As the family started to shuffle into the kitchen for breakfast, the mothers took the time to clean up some of the wrapping paper in the living room. Mila sit sat on the couch, looking and acting oddly distant since Callie's reveal. Lena worried she was sad and felt a little discluded from the family, Callie being now an official member of the family. The other odd thing was, they were far enough way to not hear her, but close enough to see her mouth moving, like she was talking to someone. But the spot she was staring, nobody was there.
Stef decided to intervene first, and gathered the girl in her arms and sat on the couch. Mila broke eye contact at whatever she was looking at, but was still quiet and had a glazed look in her eyes.
"Did you have a good Christmas Mila?" Stef asked, and Mila nodded.
"Did you get everything you wanted?" Stef asked again, whom Mila took a while to reply, but finally shrugged her shoulders. Lena quickly went to the couch and sat next to them.
"Was there something else you wanted baby?" Lena asked next, as she began to stroke the girl's hair. What had set off this mood in the little one?
Mila looked up at Lena now, a complete look of seriousness in her eyes. She looked so much older than she was when she did that.
"I want to visit Mama."