Ste'f POV
"Okay, my babies! Prep time." I called out as Jesus and I dropped the grocery bags onto the counter. Everyone came and joined us in the kitchen.
"Jesus and Brandon, you guys are on set up. I want the table wiped down and set, please. Mariana, you get to help momma in the kitchen and Callie, that means you're stuck with me on the grill. Okay, team? Break!" I clapped and everyone laughed while going off to accomplish their assigned tasks.
"Why do you need help on the grill?" Callie asked as I lit the burners.
"Well I don't really need help but this was I have you all to myself." I winked at her and she raised her eyebrow in return. "I just wanted to check in." I clarified.
Callie shifted her weight from one foot to the other but made no effort to say anything.
"What's on you mind?" I asked while I brushed the grill shelf. I knew something was bothering her but I wasn't sure what it was.
"I.." She started but didn't go any further.
"You?" I prodded as I set the brush down, turning to face her.
"Fell asleep on your bed." She mumbled and I didn't quite catch it.
"You what?"
"I, Lena sent me upstairs to get something and I laid down on your bed for a second and I fell asleep." She explained while looking down at her feet. I laughed and she looked up at me confused. "You're not mad?"
"Love, you've had a rough few days. You've barely been sleeping, what little sleep you do get has been riddled with nightmares. You'e been having panic attacks and we've been talking through everything as it happens. I expect you to be exhausted." I explained, hoping to ease her nerves.
"But I fell asleep on your bed and I didn't get Lena what she needed." She stressed her words and I finally realized what was bothering her.
"Callie, momma knows you're worn out and I'm sure she's not even thinking about you not getting her what she needed." I assured her as I pointed to the window that showed Mariana and Lena dancing and laughing in the kitchen. "As for falling asleep in our bed, you've slept in our bed before, yes?" Callie nodded and I smiled. "Having four kids has made us realize that our bed is not our own."
"Four?" Callie questioned as she looked up at me.
"Thing one," I pointed to Mariana through the kitchen window. "Think two," I pointed to Jesus who was wiping down the table. "Three," I spoke as I pointed across the yard to Brandon who was closing and locking the back gate. "Four." I finished my counting by poking Callie's nose. "My four babies." I pulled Callie into a side hug as I turned the grill burners down to a lower heat.
"So, mine and momma's bed is always open." I offered as Callie rested her head on my shoulder. "Unless, of course, if the door is locked." I added with a wink.
"Eww!" Callie exclaimed, pushing me away with a look of disgust on her face.
"What? Momma and I love each other and when two people love each oth.."
"Please, mom, stop!" I smiled. I would never get tired of hearing this teen call me mom.
"Okay, okay. Go get the burgers, will ya?"
"I'd clean Jesus' room just to get our of this conversation." She exaggerated as she walked off towards the house. I couldn't help but laugh. I loved to embarrass my kids and Callie was no exception.
Lena's POV
"Why do we have these?!" Mariana asked, holding up a bag of Brussels sprouts with a horrified look on her face.
"Because I like them." I argued as she dropped them back onto the counter.
"Gross." Her face was scrunched up in disgust and I shook my head laughing.
"What's up, Slug a bug?" I asked when Callie entered the kitchen through the back door.
"Ste.. Mom said she's ready for the burgers." I smiled. Often times we would hear Callie catch her words and rephrase but this was the first time she corrected herself to refer to one of us as mom.
"We just finished putting them out." I said, pointed to their spot on the counter.
"Finally!" Mariana cheered as she grabbed the over sized tray and thrust in towards Callie. "I don't know how I'm expected to chop these veggies when my arm keeps hitting this stupid tray." She spoke with an exacerbated tone.
"Glad I could help." Callie shot back sarcastically. She shook her head, laughing, as she walked out of the house, taking the tray with her.
Callie's POV
"What's so funny, huh?" Stef asked when I returned with the hamburgers, still laughing.
"Just Mariana." I said, shaking my head.
"Oh that girl." Stef agreed with a small chuckle.
"Okay, my loves, let's eat!" Stef announced as Lena set the veggie tray on the table. Everyone started to pass the food around.
"Mariana, come on!" Jesus exclaimed, frustrated that his twin was taking longer than needed.
"I'm picking the best one!" She defended
"They all taste the same." Jesus huffed
"Here." Brandon handed Jesus the veggie tray to keep him quiet. Then, Lena grabbed a burger and tossed it onto Mariana's plate before passing the platter to the next person.
"I didn't want that one." Mariana groaned as she started to make her burger.
"You shouldn't have taken so long." Stef made that face where she widened her eyes. It always made me laugh.
"Yea! Serves you right!" Jesus smirked as he grabbed his burger.
"Jesus." Lena scolded with a gentle warning tone.
"Sorry." He mumbled and took a huge bite out of his hamburger.
I just sat back and watched everyone interact over dinner. I never expected to be a part of a family like this and yet here I was. I never thought I would be in a home where I was loved and accepted.
Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine myself as a daughter again or that I would't have two loving and understanding moms or the best brothers and sisters. It was overwhelming to think about but in a good way.
"So, did everyone finish their homework?" Lena asked after the table got quiet.
"I finished yesterday!" Mariana answered proudly.
"Me too." Brandon said as he grabbed a carrot and bit into it.
"Jesus?" Stef asked, shooting him a look that meant she already knew the answer.
"I'm working on it." He grumbled, shoving his face with food.
"Right after dinner." Lena instructed and Jesus' shoulders fell but he agreed reluctantly.
"What about you, Callie?" Stef asked, turning to look at me I just nodded and smiled because I had a mouth full of food.
"Three out of four, not too bad." Lena joked.
Stef's POV
"Miss thing, you're on dishes tonight." I reminded as the last of the plates had been put in the sink.
"We need a house keeper or maid or something. She groaned as she started on her chore.
"Ah, but then what would you do?" I joked as I kissed her head in passing.
"Jesus, Brandon, what are you doing?" Lena hollered across the yard to them as I joined the rest of the family in the backyard. Both boys stopped messing around and went back to folding the table and chairs up to be stored away. One of the boys lost their grip on the table and it hit the ground with a loud smash.
"Sorry!" Jesus yelled while picking the table back up. Everyone went back to their tasks at hand, except Callie. She remained frozen.
"Callie?" I asked as I moved closer to her, coming to stand beside her.
"Callie, honey?" Lena asked, joining us. I moved so that was at her level and could make eye contact. Her eyes were wide and unfocused.
"You're okay, love. Just breathe." I reminded.
After a minute the adrenaline wore off and her eyes filled with tears.
"Sorry. I'm sorry." She whispered, looking over our shoulder. I turned around and realized that Brandon and Jesus had seen what happened and stood behind us, watching.
"Go finish clean up, please. We'll talk about this later." I shooed them before turning back to Callie.
"Are you okay?" Lena asked putting her arm around Callie. She flinched at first but then leaned into her.
"I just... The noise." She shook her head as if she was tying to clear her thoughts. "Yea, no, I'm fine." She offered a forvcd smiled and Lena and I shared a knowing look.
"Can I?" She asked, pointing towards the trash she was originally cleaning but didn't wait for an answer before she turned her back to us and continued cleaning us.
I signed but lead Lena over to the porch swing and sat down with her.
"We're going to have to address that, you know." Lena said as she leaned towards me.
"Callie or the boys?" I asked even through I knew the answer. I put my arm around her, pulling her closer to my side and rested my chin on the top of her head.
"All three of them." Lena spoke quietly. "Callie talked to Mariana on her own. I never even through about having to explain this to Brandon and Jesus." She confessed. We both knew it would be a hard conversation to have but it needed to happen. It wasn't fair to keep the boys in the dark. Especially not after what they just saw. They would definitely have questions now.
"After everyone's done cleaning up we can talk to Callie then we can call a family meeting before bed." I offered a solution
"Sounded like a plan."
"Until then, we can just sit and enjoy each others company." I leaned down for a kiss and smiled when Lena giggled against my lips.
A/N Before I say anything I have to say I'm so sorry this has taken so long. I read a quote that says "Writers block is when your imaginary friends wont talk to you." That's what it feels like. I couldn't seem to get inside anyone's head so please forgive me if this is not my best. My mind is in 12 thousand different places as I'm about to move.
This chapter had been cut in half because it's not finished yet and I wanted to get you guys something before I lost all of you.
Big thanks to MysticMortal for checking in and making sure I was still alive! Hahaha. But really, they totally got me back into the swing of it (kind of) So, thank them for this new update. It wouldn't have happened if their messages hadn't been so encouraging!