Chapter 11. Window to the Soul

"So, how does it feel to be back in your old room, honey?" Stef asked, as she brought a clean set of sheets into Callie's room, and set them on her bed. They were unpacking her stuff and putting it away.

"It's great," Callie replied. She gathered a stack of folded laundry and placed it in an empty dresser drawer. "I've missed being with all of you."

"I know," said Stef. "You didn't get as much time with us as the rest of the kids. Just a few years. You grew up too fast," she laughed sadly. She was feeling sentimental while helping her daughter get settled in. "We're thrilled to have you home, baby," she told her.

"Thanks, mom," said Callie. "And thank you for being so supportive of Brandon and I. I know our relationship is a little bit... unconventional, but it works for us."

Stef laughed out loud. "Since when is anything conventional in this household?"

Callie smiled. "You've got a point. But really... thanks for accepting us."

"Always," she replied. She busied herself by putting pillowcases on Callie's pillows. "These past few months, Brandon just hasn't been himself," She confided, as she worked. "He's seemed so unhappy. It was really hard to see. But he seems so much happier now that you two are together. You put the spark back in his eyes."

Callie's heart fluttered at Stef's words. "Really?" She asked, as she continued putting her clothes away. She didn't know why she was so surprised to hear Stef's observations about Brandon. She herself saw how unhappy he was when she first arrived, and she knew he was happy now. But all the same, it was interesting to hear another member of the family verbalize something she'd thought about to herself.

"Yes," Stef replied. "You know, they say the eyes are the window to the soul." She took Callie into her arms, hugging her. "Anyway, I'm so happy for you, baby."

They finished organizing the room in no time. Callie's belongings didn't do much to fill the space Mariana's absence left, though. The shared room had once been littered with her sister's stuff; CDs, make-up, and jewelry cluttering the dresser, posters forming a collage on the walls, and rejected clothes left on the closet floor. Without all of the material chaos, the room seemed empty. Callie hoped her sister would come home from college for the holidays, so they could be roomies again for a little while. Yawning, she stretched out on her bed and put her earbuds in her ears. She fell asleep, and when she woke up, it was dinnertime. Her stomach growled as she went downstairs. Jude and Stef were setting the table, and Lena was taking a roast out of the oven.

"Hey, guys!" Callie called. "Can I help with anything?"

"Sure," said Lena, pointing. "Why don't you slice some of that bread on the counter, over there?"

"Okay," said Callie. She unwrapped the loaf of crusty bread, and put it on a cutting board. Then, she found a knife, and began sawing slices off. The front door opened just as she was finishing up, and Brandon walked into the kitchen.

"Hi, honey!" Said Stef.

"Hey!" He greeted, embracing his moms. He turned to Callie. "Hey, sweetheart!"

"Hey," Callie answered, as he wrapped her in a hug and kissed her. She kissed him back with enthusiasm. When they parted, she looked into his eyes, and saw her own reflection mirrored back.

"Mmm... I love you," he told her, kissing her again.

"I love you, too," she answered, returning the kiss. She felt wonderful, as the family sat down to eat. Every so often, she felt Brandon rub her arm, or place his hand on the small of her back, as they carried on a conversation with their moms and Jude. Everything felt cozy and relaxed. In the past, Callie would of been waiting for the other shoe to drop, expecting the happiness she felt to be snatched away at any second. But that wasn't so, now. That night, she felt as if things would only get better.

To Be Continued