Callie and Emmet sat on the beach. The two had begun spending a lot of time together at lunch and hanging out outside of school. Emmet seemed more distant than usual today.

"You okay?" Callie asked.

"Not really. My dad is just being an asshole." Emmet responded, still looking ahead.

"What did he do?" Callie questioned.

"He left me some stupid drunken voicemail last night. Who drinks on a Wednesday night anyways?" He responded with annoyance in his voice.

"What did the voicemail say?" Callie asked softly.

"Something about how I'm the reason him and my mom aren't together anymore. Same old bullshit." Emmet sounded angry.

"You know that's not true. I'm not defending him believe me, but he didn't mean it." Callie said.

"I just wish he would stop drinking. Get his life together."

"I understand. It took my father jail time to get his life together." Callie said, trying to make him feel less alone.

Emmet looked up at her. "You've never told me much about him, or your biological mother."

Callie gulped. She did trust Emmet. She didn't want to, but she did. "Well," she began, "My mom and dad went out one night and my dad got totally wasted and insisted that he drive home. He lost control of the wheel and swerved off the road. It was a one car accident. My mom died on site and my dad was put in prison."

"Did you ever forgive him? For what he did?" Emmet questioned.

"I was so angry with him. Me and Jude were put in the system because of him. We lived through abusive foster homes because of him. I was in juvie because of him. I didn't have a mom because of him. And I was so angry at him for not calling us when he got out. I had always rehearsed what I would say to him if I ever saw him again. But when I did, nothing came out the way I wanted it to. Once he gave up his rights, though, I think I finally did forgive him." Callie was surprised she said all that.

"So you forgave him because he gave you your family?" Emmet asked.

"Yeah. I guess I did. I don't think he's a bad person. He's a person who made awful choices that ruined the lives of more people than just him. But what he did for us that day when he signed those rights over, I don't think I could ever repay him for it." Callie admitted.

"That's amazing, Callie." Emmet said in awe.

"How?" Callie asked, turning her head.

"Everything you said. It was actually beautiful and sad at the same time." Emmet said.

"I've never been asked that question before, but when I thought about it, it all just came to me. I forgive him. I forgive my dad. Even after all he caused. After all the pain I took for me and Jude, I forgive him." Callie said, in shock still.

"You really love him, Jude I mean." Emmet said, still trying to crack Callie's shell.

"He's my entire world. I would take any beating for him and give up any meal for him. I'd take a bullet for him. Jude is the reason I am even alive." Callie responded.

"What do you mean?" Emmet asked.

"If it weren't for Jude, I would have had nothing to fight for. Every beating I took was to make sure that he didn't get them instead. I lived through those homes for him. I could have easily just off'd myself. But he kept me going." Callie said, as she continued to pour her heart out to Emmet.

"It's inspiring, how much you love him." Emmet said.

"He's my baby brother." Callie said, shrugging.

"Callie, is it safe to ask about that picture now?"

Callie cringed. "My old foster brother sent it out. He treated me really special and I fell for it because I was so vulnerable. The night that picture was taken he-he raped me. He was angry that I took him to court because of it, even though I didn't even win, and he wanted revenge."

"Callie I had no idea. Assholes like him deserve to be put away for life. He will get what's coming to him. Whether it be today or in 50 years. You've gone through a lot of shit that I couldn't even imagine. It's a good thing you have your family now. You definitely deserve it all." Emmet said, and Callie could tell he was sincere.

"I don't know how I ended up here, but I thank whoever is up there that I did." Callie's eyes began filling with tears. "There's so many times where I've just wanted to give up. I had no family besides Jude and no one else who cared about me. Then, a miracle happened and I was brought to my moms and my brothers and sisters. I went from having one person to six people who cared about me." Callie had let a few tears escape her eyes, but she quickly wiped them from her face. "Sorry for crying." She said as she gave out a weak laugh.

"Don't apologize. I like this. I like seeing the...real you. On the surface you're so introverted but underneath is just so...wow." Emmet said.

Callie smiled, and for the first time in a long time, hugged someone other than a family member.

"I have to get going. Dinner is soon." Callie said.

"I'll walk you home?" Emmet suggested.

The two headed towards Callie's house. Once they got there they said their goodbyes and Callie went inside.

"Hey sweetheart, did you have fun?" Lena asked as she sat on the couch with paperwork next to Stef.

"Hi. And yes I did." Callie responded.

Callie took off her shoes and walked upstairs.

"She's been spending a lot of time with this Emmet guy. What do you know about him?" Stef asked Lena.

"He's a good kid. He's never been in my office, get's good grades, and seems to make our daughter happy." Lena said, looking at her wife.

"All the more reason I'd like to meet him." Stef said with a smile.

Callie sat down on her bed.

"Sooooo!" Mariana squeeled.

"What?" Callie said, laughing.

"You and Emmet! You guys are totally a thing!" Mariana exclaimed.

"We are not a thing. He's just my friend." Callie said defensively.

"You eat lunch with him every day and hang out with him like, allllllll the time. There's gotta be something!" Mariana insisted. "C'mon tell me!"

"I'm telling you Mariana he is just my friend." Callie reassured.

"Have you guys kissed yet?" Mariana asked.

"Mariana! No, we haven't!" Callie continued to smile.

"Well, just so we all know, as of today I am betting that something is going to happen between you two. Then I can rub it in your face." Mariana said, going back to painting her nails.

Callie shook her head and layed down. She couldn't help but think that maybe Mariana was right.

Callie heard a knock on the door and looked up to see her moms in the doorway.

"Hey, me and mama just wanted to tell you we want to meet your friend...Emmet is it?" Stef said.

Mariana squeeled.

"Yea, that's his name. And I guess that would be fine. When?" Callie asked.

"Dinner tomorrow night could work, love. Goodnight my angels." Stef responded, kissing both Mariana and Callie's forehead.

"Love you guys." Lena called as she shut the door.

"If moms want to meet him, there is DEFINITELY something there!" Mariana said.

"Whatever. I'm going to sleep. Night." Callie said, turning to face the wall.

I uploaded both chapters because I had them written already, haha. I hope you guys like Emmet and Callie! Keep letting me know what ya think! Xoxoxo