AN- I am still working on this! I try to update it twice in a 7 day period. This time it was harder getting what I wanted so it took longer. I wrote like six different version trying to get it where I wanted it. I am having such a great time writing this story. You guys are the best readers ever. Your reviews just keep me going. I love your feedback! Thank you again for your great support! ENJOY
After saying goodbye to Samantha Stef re-entered her house. Normally if the family was all home in the middle of the day it was noisy and very busy. Today her house was quiet. Eerily quiet. She glanced at her watch and sighed as she realized it now been officially been twenty four hours since her wife called her to ask her to come get the girls right before the living nightmare began.
Today needed to be a quiet day at home. Stef knew this. Her kids need the quiet and security of their house. Being with each other. It was needed. However it was only Tuesday and she quickly realized she couldn't let her family stayed walled up in the house for the next five days. She stood in the entrance way for another moment observing the silence and finding the strength she needed.
Making her way to the living room she found Jesus and Jude sitting on the end of the air mattress with video game controllers in their hands. Her eyes quickly darted to the screen she was about ready to order them to turn it off. They didn't need to be playing their normal high speed chase games with gun shots blaring. However when her eyes met the screen she saw that they were playing one of Jesus's old games from when he was younger, it was something Mario. Something about the cartoon graphics made the game seem innocent enough.
Mariana and Lena were resting further up on the bed. Mariana had her head propped up on three pillows and her night night in her hands. Lena lay close to their daughter on her side also propped on a few pillows. Her fingers stroking Mariana's forehead as they talked to each other in whispers.
"Hi mom" Brandon spotted her from the chair he was curled up on the couch above Lena and Mariana reading a book. "Hey B" She winked at him. "Everyone okay in here? Can I get you anything?"
Lena looked up from Mariana offering her wife a weak smile "We're fine. Mariana and I are a little tired so we figured we'd rest until lunch but could you?"
Stef nodded her head before Lena even finished her sentence "That's where I was going next. I think she's waiting for me honestly."
Lena nodded "I think so too. Maybe you can convince her to come join us? I saw her rubbing her nose a few times. I know she's tired."
"Dumb sedatives" Mariana added her two sense "They make you feel really tired."
Stef knew it was more than the sedatives. The girls were emotionally drained which causing them to be tired. The difference was Lena and Marina weren't being stubborn and trying to ignore the feeling.
"I'd love for her to join me" Lena said to Stef
"I'll see what I can do love. I think a rest before lunch sounds like a great idea. However today lunch needs to happen yes? Kids need to eat"
"Yes" Lena nodded "I was thinking grilled cheese and soup. It's a favorite."
"I'll help make it mom" Jesus offered "After lunch can Jude and I shoot hoops outside or ride skate boards?"
Stef nodded "Yes, Son that's a great idea. Fresh air will do both of you good. Maybe after lunch we'll all go outside for a while"
Mariana bit her lip "I.. um, do we have to mom?"
Lena looked down at Mariana "What's wrong with going outside sweetheart?"
"I think it's just better if we stay inside, the house you know the doors lock inside."
Lena closed her eyes and let out a sigh "Oh sweetheart"
Stef looked down at her bare feet for a moment to take captive her emotions. She hated what those kids robbed her kids of. She hated her children being afraid. "Love, let's look at the situation after lunch yes?"
Lena nodded "Mom's got a great idea."
Stef looked to Lena "I think you and I should talk in a little while"
"Yeah" Lena agreed as she looked down at Mariana "We'll see how that goes."
"Yeah" Stef sighed before dropping her hands to her side "I am going to go find Callie."
"She had been sitting on that bench watching you out the window, until right before you came in. I think she headed to the kitchen"
"Thanks love" Stef winked at her wife before heading to the kitchen.
"Hey Callie girl" She called out entering the kitchen to find Callie back at the kitchen counter. A drawing pad in front of her as well as a package of markers and sitting next to her left hand a fresh cup of coffee.
"What are you working on love?" Stef asked joining at the counter snatching the coffee away from her as she began to sip on it herself "You know mama doesn't want you drinking this stuff"
Callie shrugged "It's just one cup" she said as she put a red marker away and grabbed a purple one out. Stef eyed Callie's picture. It was a beautiful abstract picture. Lots of colors and design. She was in awe of her kids many talents. As she swallowed a sip of coffee she cleared her throat.
"Kind of disrespectful don't you think?"
Callie's head snapped up as she looked to Stef in shock and confusion "My drawing is disrespectful? How?!" She demanded with a bit of edge to her voice that Stef had never heard her use before.
"Whoa, attitude" Stef warned gently suddenly wondering if this was a little bit of what Lena had faced the day before. It had to be intense for Lena to call her to come pull a child from school. "Baby, I was talking about the cup of coffee. If you know mama doesn't want you drinking it, and has pretty much told you not to drink it. Having a cup right now is pretty disrespectful. Yes?"
"She. Said. I. Could." Callie snapped turning her face away from Stef. Her body language clearly stating Stef would now be receiving the cold shoulder.
"Let me get this straight" Stef said calmly "Your mama said it was okay for you to have a cup of coffee? When she really doesn't like coffee going into your bodies?"
Callie kept her eyes on her drawing and didn't say anything.
"Callie" Stef said calmly.
Callie started to hum to herself but kept her eyes on the drawing.
Stef felt herself clenching her jaw down. Reminding herself to stay calm. Lena always did better in these situations. She stayed calm. "Young, lady I am talking to you. You have one more chance to answer my question."
Callie stopped drawing her marker in mid swipe on the paper as she debated Stef's warning in her head. Her warning. Her humming grew quieter as her eyes stayed locked on paper before she finally spoke. "When you were still outside with Samantha, Lena said I could have one cup." She then started to hum again and went back to her drawing.
Stef frowned as she watched her daughter, while a cup of coffee really wasn't a big deal, it was still wasn't normal. Lena was pretty adamant about that rule though, she really didn't want her kids to depend on any kind of substance to get them through the day. She'd even been hesitant to the idea of Jesus being on medication to control is ADD. They really had researched it in and out before deciding to go that route.
"Alright love" Stef said taking another big sip of Callie's coffee before putting the now half full cup back in front of her cup. "Just this one"
"I know Stef" Callie muttered with an eye roll.
"Hey" Stef warned poking her side "Watch how you talk to me please, I am the mom here."
Callie turned her head for a moment looking at Stef before nodding and going back to her drawing.
"Mariana is napping" Lena announced as she made her way into the kitchen rubbing her face as Jude trailed behind her "Little man and I decided we were hungry"
"Jude you ate five pancakes" Callie crinkled her nose "How could you possibly be hungry. I think you're just bored."
"I am not" Jude shook his head "I am hungry" he climbed up next to Callie and looked over at her drawing "Cool Cal"
"Thank you"
Lena moved to the fridge and grabbed a thing of juice she poured herself and Jude a glass before setting it back in the fridge as she too went to look at Callie's drawing. "That's very pretty sweetheart" She smiled to her daughter who didn't even bother looking up "Thanks" She mumbled.
Lena shook her head but said nothing as she pulled out a loaf bread to prepare to make sandwiches.
"Lena" Stef motioned with her head to follow her.
"We'll be right back" Lena said to Jude as she put the bread down. "Then you can help me get all these sandwiches cranked out."
Jude nodded "Sure, Callie can I have a piece of paper?" He asked as Callie heaved a huge dramatic sigh and paused what she was doing to rip him off a piece of paper.
"Thanks" He smiled ignoring her attitude as he happily picked up a marker.
Stef patted Callie's back before leading Lena to the stairs taking her up to the hallway upstairs.
"What's up Stef?" Lena asked as she stifled a yawn.
"First I need to do this" Stef said pulling Lena into a hug and just holding her close to her. Resting her chin on Lena's shoulder.
Lena wrapped her arms around Stef tightly and held onto her as the two stood there for a few moments before Stef finally pulled away "I love you"
"And I you" Lena smiled at her wife as her hand reached out and brushed a blonde piece of hair off Stef's shoulder. "How are you doing?"
Stef tilted her head back and laughed "Lena, love don't worry about me. It's you.."
"Don't" Lena held up her hands "Don't say anything about me needing to take it easy, I am fine Stefanie."
Stef held up her hands at her full name. "I know love…"
She was cut off again as Lena held up a finger and pointed it to herself. "Yes, I have many emotions running through my body, yes I am tired, yes today feels like a day in the Twlight zone. However what I am first is a mother."
"And a great one baby" Stef assured her.
"So don't worry about me, or coddle me, or treat me any different."
"Lena, honey I wasn't" Stef said quietly looking away with a sigh "I just wanted to check in with you, and talk to you about Callie."
"I am sorry" Lena said pulling Stef in for another hug "I am sorry. I am okay, tired but okay."
"Will Mariana be okay?" Stef asked running her fingers through her hair trying to gain composure. She surly felt like crying after watching Lena's little snap. Clearly her family was far from fine.
"Jesus scooted back so his body is touching hers while he plays games. Every so often he stops and pats her back. She'll be okay with her twin right there with her. You know them. Cats and dogs until they need each other than inseparable."
"Yeah"
"And Callie?" Lena asked "What's going on there? I could cut the tension with a knife when I walked in"
Stef cleared her throat "She's not herself that's for sure. Did you say she could have a cup of coffee?"
Lena's eyes dropped to her feet and she began to study her slippers. "Yes" She said softly "Even though I wanted to say no. I don't know Stef it's a cup of coffee and I know I am probably the only mother in the world that actually cares if her teen drinks coffee or not."
"Love, I am not judging you. I've always supported you on things you want for our kids, just as you support me. It's why we are great a team. I was just confirming that you said yes"
Lena nodded "I did, I told her it was a onetime thing" She explained "When Mariana and I were settling in Callie she left the window seat where she'd been watching you and came and stood awkwardly in the entry way. I felt like she wanted to say something to me but couldn't do it. So I asked her if she was okay. She was rubbing the bridge of her nose and shifting back and forth and then finally in a little voice she whispered. Mama may I have a cup of coffee?"
Stef ear's perked up on the title mama. "Oh, I see"
Lena sighed "She called me mama and I just wanted to give her the world."
"I understand" Stef nodded "But you have to see how this can be a dangerous game yes?"
Lena blinked in confusion "What?"
"Lena, love as much as we want her to call us mom and mama she's been holding back. She needs to do it on her own time if she ever does. We've been fine with that. We will be fine with that. However what can't happen is us being Stef and Lena to her most of the time, then we become mom or mama when she wants something. That's straight out manipulation and I won't have it."
"Stef"
"No, Lena I won't say anything this time, as I don't know where her mind or thoughts were when she asked. It could have been a very real mama moment and she's slowly opening to the idea of calling us mom. It's just when she crosses that path there's no going back. We'll be mom and no other title"
"Agreed" Lena sighed "But Stef she referred to me as her mom yesterday with McKenzie."
"She did?"
Lena nodded "And then today, when she said it."
"I get it" Stef smiled "I do, I just want to make sure we're still on the same page, and still making our home life normal as possible, same rules same guidelines, structures and routines."
"Me too" Lena promised her "And we are."
"So think about tomorrow" Stef said cautiously "Think about a place we can travel together as family. We can't stay cooped up in this house for days on end. Let's use some of this time to do some family outings. To get some fresh air."
"I think that's a great…."
Lena was cut off by a loud bang and a screech.
"What?" Stef's eyes got as big as saucers before she ran down the stairs back into the kitchen to find juice dripping over the counter Callie's stool tipped over.
"I am sorry Callie" Jude help up his hands as her chewed his lip. "I am so sorry, it was just an accident."
Stef hurried to the two siblings and picked up the stool that had been knocked over which she was guessing made the loud bang sound. "What happened?"
"I knocked over my juice" Jude said quietly keeping his eye on his sister "And ruined her picture."
"Oh, love its okay" Stef tried to assure him "It was just an accident."
"Um mom" Jude said taking his eyes off of Callie for a moment "This is about to get bad." He whispered as his eyes went back to his sister who seemed to be in a trance. She hadn't even looked at them. "When the stool banged she.." He gestured to his sister just as Callie let out enraged scream and her hand went flying to the counters as she hit at everything swiping it off glasses and markers went in the air and then as soon as the glass hit the ground it shattered.
"Callie!" Stef gasped and quickly grabbed the teen and pulled her back "No. Callie. No" she staid sterlnly
"LET ME GO" She yelled "Let me go Stef! Let me go."
"Oh, I am going to let you go in your room" Stef said pushing the girl towards the stairs
"Stef" Lena tried to stop her but she held up her hand and continued to physically move her to the stairs. "Don't worry Lena" She called back to her wife in a gentler tone "I know"
Lena nodded then looked to Jude "Back away baby, I don't want the glass to hurt you."
"She did this when mom died" Jude said quietly "She destroyed her room in a fit of rage. It was scary."
"Mom's got her" Lena assured her son "It's okay baby"
Stef decided against Callie's room and took her to hers and Lena's "On the bed" She pointed to her daughter. This was enough to snap Callie out of whatever mind set she was in. She threw Stef a confused scared look.
"Callie, get on the bed" She said again "And lay down."
Callie chewed her lip but did as she was told.
"Good girl" Stef praised as she too climbed on the bed bedside. Much like Lena had done earlier with Mariana she lay beside her daughter. Propped on pillows looking down at the girl she lifted the back of Callie's shirt and slid her hand up. Her nail lightly scratching her back, then her finger tips ran up and down her spine. So she had skin to skin contact.
"We're going to talk Callie Q" Stef whispered into her ear her lips only an inch away "But not now. Right now you're going to close your eyes and rest."
"But"
"Close your eyes" She said again and this time when Callie closed her eyes Stef brought her lips to her temple and kissed her several times "Love you baby girl"
She then went back to running her finger tips up and down Callie's spine for a few more minutes until she just left the palm of her hand on Callie's back. Letting the warmth from her hand soothe her little girl, she watched as Callie's eyes started to flutter. Stef then remembered a tricked she used to use with Jesus when they first got them and she wanted him to nap. She used her free hand and placed it gently on Callie's ear and just left it there. It was more skin to skin contact and it muffled any surrounding noise. She watched as Callie's eyes opened for half a second before closing then again. Her right hand slowly went up to her nose her finger ran up and down it for a few seconds before it stopped with her pointer finger curled around her nose just resting. Though Callie didn't obviously suck her thumb anymore she still went through some of the same motions to soother herself.
Stef waited a few minutes before slowing moving her hand away from Callie's ear. However her other one stayed rested on her back.
"Just rest baby" She whispered "You're safe now. I am going to tell you that every day. You're safe."
The Fosters
FB
"There's my Callie girl" Stef smiled to her daughter as Lena, Mike and Mariana made their way to ambulance Callie was at.
Mike deposited Mariana onto the gurney Callie was sitting on.
Callie glanced at Stef for a second before wrapping her arm around her sister pulling her into her side. "I am so glad to see you." She whispered. "I was so scared"
Mariana nodded her head against Callie's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Mariana nodded again as Callie moved some hair away from Mariana's face "Does your head still hurt?"
Again Mariana nodded but didn't say anything.
"How's my girl?" Stef asked placing a hand on both Callie and Mariana's shoulder.
"We've got her bandaged up" The EMT smiled "She was a trooper, but her arm needs to be looked at and will need stitches."
Stef nodded "Am I free to take my wife's car and drive them to the ER?"
"It's not life threatening injuries, we don't see why not"
"Ma'am, can we bandage your arm temporarily?" The EMT asked Lena noticing the blood still running down her arm
Mariana noticed it for the first time she gasped and quickly paled "Mama?"
"It's alright sweets" Stef assured Mariana "It's just a really big scrape. It'll need some stitches but nothing more."
Mariana looked unsurely at Lena and chewed her lip.
"I promise, mom's right" Lena assured her daughter as she sat down next Callie and Mariana on the gurney "I should get my arm cleaned up before I get into our car."
"We'll be quick" The EMT promised.
"Uh Stef" Mike cleared his throat as he walked back to the girls after having stepped away for a few moments. "The police are going to want a statement from your girls"
Stef sighed as she glanced at her three beauties "That's the last thing I want them to have to do today."
"I know" Mike agreed "But you know it has to be done, and they will make it quick. It shouldn't be too hard. The shooters are dead. It's still fresh in their minds."
"I know" Stef sighed "I hate this!"
Mike rubbed Stef's shoulder "Stef, don't worry to much about things around you. Right now just focus on your family okay?"
"Yeah" She agreed as Lena stood up thanking the EMT. "Stef, lets get the girls to the hospital now. The sooner we do, the sooner we can have doctors look at us, give our statements and go home. Go home to my boys. Take my girls home. I want to go home Stef" Her voice cracking causing both girls to bite down on their lips and grip each other's hands tighter.
"Yes my loves" Stef nodded "We'll go get you guys stitched up quickly feeling better and make our way home."
Lena nodded as she first helped Mariana off the gurney before offering her hand to Callie "Come on babe"
Callie eyed her hand and took it long enough for her to help her up before pulling away wrapping her arms around herself "I want to talk to Jude" She said seriously as they headed for the car.
"When we get home" Stef assured her "I'll call them when we get to the hospital and let them know we are safe. Then we'll talk to them at home."
"I want to talk to him now."
"Callie" Stef said calmly wrapping her arm around Callie's shoulder as they walked through the parking lot. "Honey, you'll talk to him when we get home."
"He doesn't know. He has to know I am okay. Especially today"
"I know Sweets" Stef promised "I'll let him know, but first you need to get stitched up. Okay?"
Callie looked down at the ground and nodded "Stef?"
"Yes my love?"
"Will you be with me when I get stitches? I am not a baby or anything it's just.."
"I promise you baby girl. I am not leaving you again for the night." Stef watched as Callie visibly sighed with relief.
Stef pulled her tighter to her side "I got you babe. I got you."