Lena took Jude leaving Stef with a subdued Callie and Brandon. The shots left the kids tired and a little feverish. Stef took them straight home, gave them both a little Children's Tylenol, and laid them down in their beds for naps. Brandon didn't even object to sleeping once the Tylenol took effect.
While the kids were napping, Stef worked on the laundry. Jude's clothes were in the dryer and the other kids' clothes were in the washer before either child woke up. Brandon, as usual, was the first of the two up. Stef took his temperature and found that he was fever free. She set him up with Duplos in the living room. Her phone beeped and she looked down to read a text from Lena. "We got out of the meeting a little bit early. Don't worry about picking out clothes for the kids tonight because I am going to go by a store and find something for each of them to wear."
Stef smiled at the text. She also wanted to do something to make up for the fight they had at the doctor's office. Brandon would be at Mike's house on Saturday so she just needed a place for all three kids on Friday night and just Callie and Jude for Saturday.
"Hello, Dad?"
"Who is this?"
"It's me, Stef, your daughter. How many other people call you Dad?"
"You don't have to be rude to me on the phone Stef. Did you need something?"
"As we have talked about before, Mike and I are divorced now. We aren't going to be able to work something out. However, I do have some exciting news to share with you. I have recently moved in with the woman than I have been dating. We got the opportunity this week to adopt a new baby. You have always been an amazing Grandpa to Brandon. All I am asking is that you give the same chance to Lena's daughter Callie and our son, Jude. They are great kids."
Stef heard him hang up. He stayed on the line far longer than he had the last time that she called so she knew that progress was made. Stef's real only choice now was to call her mother. "Hello, Mom?"
"Stefanie! I was hoping you would call today! I got the pictures and your new family looks great! I can't believe that I have gained a granddaughter and grandson this week. When can I come and visit so that I can love on my grandbabies?"
"That's why I was calling… Lena has gone back to work this week and school doesn't start until next week. Three kids is a little overwhelming. Is there any way you could fly here and spend several days here with us? We can offer you a bed if you don't mind sharing a room with preschoolers. If you stay for the weekend you can stay in our room…."
XXXX
Stef was just finishing up the hotel reservations for the weekend when Lena and Jude got home. She greeted them both with kisses. Callie and Brandon abandoned their Duplos to join in the greetings. "How were my big kids this afternoon?" Lena asked Stef.
"Well, Mama, they both took naps and then they quietly played. We had an excellent afternoon. How was my Little Man?"
"I had to feed him once, but otherwise he did well. I am not sure if I can keep taking him in the afternoons, though. It sort of prevented some people from getting their work done and I got some looks from the principal. We may just have to take this one day at a time."
"Actually, I have some good news. My mother will be here tomorrow morning and she is staying until Monday to see the kids off on the first day of school. She is excited to meet you in person and to see the kids. My mom and I didn't always see things the same way, but she will be excellent to have here for a few days. I have also made the two of us a reservation to stay in a hotel on Friday night just to get away."
To this statement, Lena gave Stef a better kiss. The kids got disgusted and walked away. "Stef, I have something else I want to ask you. At the pediatrician's office, I realized that I could not even check Brandon in and you could not check in Callie. However, we just adopted a child together. I know that Brandon has a father and I won't get in the way of that, but Callie has no one else…."
Stef stopped Lena with another kiss. "I would love to adopt Callie. As far as Brandon goes, I will talk to Mike to see if we can at least get a guardian status for you so that you can take him places like the doctor."
"What about us, Stef? We can give the kids all the same last name, or at least close to it, but do we have permanence? Gretchen always made fun of my desire to be married. It turns out she didn't want to be in a committed relationship at all. I want that, though. I want something that is forever."
"If I have my say, we are forever. My marriage failed, so did my parents' marriage. I don't need a piece of paper to tell me that you are my forever, Lena." She paused and saw Lena's face fall. "If you do, though, I am willing to do it. This does not count as a proposal, though."
Lena smiled. "I will be waiting for the real proposal." She leaned in to kiss Stef again, but Callie got in the way.
"Mama, you need to quit kissing Mommy because I am hungry. I want to eat something you make, not something we buy." In Chicago they had to order food every night. Lena was surprised the kids even were tired of take-out.
"Okay, Callie, go get B, the three of us are going to make dinner together while Mommy has a little Jude time and gets your clothes for tonight ready to go."
XXXX
Lena had gotten the kids coordinating outfits. Stef tried to hide her smile at the idea that the three children looked like they had come right out of a page in a preppy catalog. She knew that Lena was looking for them to make a good impression on her new coworkers as well as the parents that she would be meeting tonight.
Callie and Brandon were very excited about going up to the school. Lena had taken them both by a few times over the summer, but for the most part it was all new to them. They were also thrilled to get to see Ms. Roberts as they had not seen her since they had become a family or gotten Jude As a result, the car ride was filled with their constant chatter.
"Are you ready for this Babe?" Lena asked reaching over to grab Stef's hand.
"Sure, why would I not be?"
"Well, I am going to be introducing you as my partner… The other mother of my three children. You do realize that we are going to start off in the auditorium, right? I will be introduced as a new staff member and I have to say something about myself. You and the kids are my life."
Stef had honestly not considered this as a possibility. She had lived in this community for most of her life and would know other parents at this school. When she started dating Lena she had told most of her coworkers that she was a lesbian. The rest of the community seemed insurmountable. "Do we have to be on stage with you?" Stef finally asked quietly.
"No, I don't think so, but I will also be introducing you around some this evening. Many parents in Anchorage Beach feel very involved with the staff. They will want to go get know my family. Principal Sanchez said that we could expect several dinner invitations since I am new."
"So, you are saying that if I attend this for you and look like the perfect partner that you will go to the police ball with me in a few months, right Love?"
Lena giggled. "Of course, Babe."
Stef and Lena got the kids out of the car at the school. Lena had to be there a little early so the parking lot was still fairly empty. Lena took Callie and Brandon's hands while Stef carried Jude's carrier and diaper bag. Callie was fairly hopping with excitement on her way across the parking lot, but nearly frozen with fear when she saw the small group of people already gathered in the auditorium. Callie squirmed out of Lena's grasp and ran back to cling to Stef.
XXX
"Ms. Roberts said that baby Jude is very cute." Brandon commented looking at Jude closely after they got home. "I think she is right. Teachers know everything, right Mama?"
"Well, teachers know most things, B. Just like Mommies. I agree, though, Jude is very cute."
Brandon nodded and then gave Jude a little kiss. "I think we should keep him."
"Me too, B."
Stef brought Callie out of the bathroom from her bath as Callie now insisted that Stef gave the best baths. "Come on B, it is your turn next." Stef said. Brandon happily went over.
Now Callie was weaseling herself up on Lena's lap with Jude. Lena made some space for the girl. "Callie, you are a great sister to Jude. I like to see that. Remember, though, that you are not his mommy. You can stay in your room tonight even if he cries. Mommy and I will help him."
"Okay, Mama. What can I do for Jude?"
"You can give him a kiss." Callie kissed Jude's head. "And, I think he needs a new diaper. Will you, please, go get one for him?" Callie got down and ran toward the moms' bedroom to find a diaper. She brought it back proudly. "Very good job, Callie!"
XXXXX
Stef got all three children into clean clothes on Tuesday morning after breakfast to go to the airport. Brandon was excited to see his Grandma, but Callie was a little hesitant like she often was to meet new people. "Grandma is so fun, Callie! She always brings me great presents. You will like her, Bug!"
"Remember, B, we like Grandma for reasons other than just her presents." Stef knew that advice was probably falling on deaf ears. They were walking through the airport. Stef had Callie's hand and told Brandon to hold onto Jude's carrier. As soon as he saw his grandmother, though, he let go and ran all the way to her.
"Grandma!" Brandon yelled as he wrapped his arms around Sharon's legs. "Come here and meet Callie."
Callie was almost directly behind Stef and had to be dragged out to meet her new grandmother. "Callie, this is my mom. She is your grandma. Mom, this is my little Callie Bug and this is Jude."
Sharon bent down and hugged Callie. Then she used in the back of her hand to touch Jude's face before she gave him a kiss. "They are beautiful kids, Stef! I knew they were before, but the pictures are nothing like seeing them in person."
"Thanks, Mom. Lena and I are awfully proud of them. Did you check a bag?"
"Yes, of course. I couldn't fit all my grandchildren's presents in my carry-on. There are three of them now, you know." Sharon looked at Brandon and then Callie. "Which one of you big kids wants to come hold Grandma's hand in the airport?"
Brandon immediately grabbed one of her hands. "Come on, Callie! Get Grandma's other hand. Then we can be together."
Callie looked to Stef who nodded that it would be okay. She cautiously took Sharon's other hand and received an extra little squeeze that made her giggle. "I am very lucky today because I got both of my big guys."
XXXXX
Sharon sat down in the apartment with Brandon and Callie at her feet. "I got a very special present for my only granddaughter." She handed Callie a wrapped box. Callie tore off the paper to reveal a soft plastic doll that came with some clothes, a bottle, and two diapers. "This is your baby. You can take care of it while your mommies take care of Jude."
Callie looked very excited. "What do you say, Baby?" Stef prompted.
Callie climbed on Sharon's lap to give her a hug and a kiss. "I am going to call my baby, Jude, just like the other baby. I will take very good care of him. Thank you, Grandma!"
Stef got the baby free from the box and then went to get all the other pieces off of the cardboard. Callie carefully rocked her baby in her arms. She had a few other dolls, but had not taken to any like this one. Sharon hoped it was just the ticket to cure Callie's Jude habit. Stef thought her mother was a genius in that moment.
"Brandon, I also got something for you." Sharon handed him a small wrapped package.
He tipped through the paper to find a Batmobile that his Batman action figure could ride in. "Thanks Grandma!" He said handing the toy off to Stef to get out of the box. Brandon gave his grandma a hug and then excitedly waited for his toy.
"I have one more present for you two together, I got a new book about a little boy who got a new baby brother and all the things they get to do together. I was hoping to get to read it to you tonight at bedtime." She handed the book Brandon's direction. He looked through it a bit. Both kids liked books and new ones were always fun, but both were a little distracted right now with their new toys.
"And I brought baby Jude a few more outfits, a blanket, and a few other baby essentials that I did not send before." Sharon handed the unwrapped items to Stef. "Now, I have not yet gotten to hold that baby."