Stef stomped down the stairs to the kitchen not noticing the little feet that landed softly just a little distance behind her. She went over to the front door to check the lock one more time as she often did when she was stressed. Jude silently watched for a moment before speaking and surprising his mom. "So, are you leaving us now?"

Stef caught her breath before answering. "Not tonight, Bud. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you and Mama were yelling a lot. When it stopped, I saw you leave the room. Now, you are at the front door. I would understand if you left us. But, can I go with you?"

This was Stef's undoing. Tears started streaming down her face as she reached for her son. Jude came closer and she held him for few minutes. "Oh, Baby! I was just coming downstairs to get something to drink and have get some space to think." Stef guided Jude into the kitchen with her. "How about you and I sit down and think together just a little bit."

Jude hopped up in a stool. Stef heated up some water on the stove, got out two mugs, and the hot chocolate mix. When the water was warm enough, she poured some in each cup and stirred. "Close your eyes really quick, Bud." When she was sure his eyes were closed, she reached into a cabinet and dug out a bag of marshmallows from the back. "Okay, you can open your eyes again."

"Marshmallows? When did we get these?" Jude asked excitedly.

"Yep. My mom always put marshmallows in my hot chocolate when I needed to think. Just don't tell your mama that we have them. She doesn't like you guys eating so much sugar especially this late at night." Stef said with a wink.

Jude shoved his cocoa away. "I don't want to make you guys fight anymore. If Mama doesn't want me to have this, I would rather not if it is all the same to you."

"So, Jude, Mama and I did have a fight tonight. That does not mean that we do not love each other or that we do not love you. Do you see what I am getting at, Bud?" Stef asked scooting Jude's hot chocolate back toward him.

"Mama said you guys weren't a team anymore." Jude stopped and shoved his mug away again. "You guys were the best team ever. Of all the places that I have lived, this was my favorite. Now you guys aren't a team either."

"Sometimes families get tired, stressed, and cranky. We have had a hard week with the lamps, Callie's grounding, and then finding out that our parents were all coming. When that happens sometimes we say things and it leads to some fighting." Stef moved his cup toward him and took a drink of her own. "Would you say that you and your siblings are a team?" Jude nodded and looked at his cocoa. "Did you know that before Mama and I fought, Mari and B had a small fight and so did Callie and Jesus? What do you think about that?"

Jude stared at Stef with wide eyes for a moment. "I guess we should take Jesus and B with us. Callie and Mari need Mama."

Stef sighed. "But don't Brandon, Jesus, and you need Mama also?"

"Yes, but we would have you. Then you wouldn't have to feel lonely. We could be our own team."

"But we would never be a complete team. I could never live without Callie, Mari, or Mama. I don't think you could either. Anyway, as I said before, I am not going anywhere. Your mama is stuck with me even when we fight. You used to say that you and Callie were a packaged deal. Well, now we have a new packaged deal. We have Brandon, Callie, Jesus, Mariana, you, and Mama and I, and we will always be a family." Stef smiled at her son and got a small smile back. "Drink your hot chocolate, Baby. I know that Mama really wouldn't mind."

Jude responded by picking up his mug and taking a sip.

XXXXXX

Callie was still crying on Lena's lap. This was the longest she had ever allowed herself to be held and the most emotion Lena had ever seen from her daughter. "Callie, Baby, it is okay. Mom and I love you very much. Tell me what is going on in your beautiful head."

"I made you guys fight. Now we won't be a family and it is my fault. I didn't listen to you, I talked back, and I tried to shove Jesus down the stairs. I even told Stef that you were scarier than her. I know that wasn't right. I was just trying to make her mad."

"So, you didn't listen to me the same way as my other kids don't always listen, you gave your mom attitude like her other kids do, and your fought with your brother? Callie girl, I do believe you have become a Foster. Now, there are a few more steps that you have to pass before it is official."

"Like adoption?" Callie said laughing a little as her tears were stopping.

"Still being a little sassy I see." Lena said smiling down at Callie. "Of course we are adopting you and you will then be an Adams Foster, but I am talking about the steps to being a member of this family. The next step you have to pass is right now. When you fought with Jesus tonight or when you have fought with Mari in the past few months, did it make you love them any less?"

"For the moment, yes."

"What about for the long-term? Are you still mad at Jesus? Do you still love Mariana?"

"I am not sure if I was ever really mad at him. I was mostly mad at Stef. He just happened to be in my way. So, I guess not. Jesus bothers me sometimes, but I cannot stay mad at him ever. As far as Mari goes, she is my sister and I could never stop loving her."

"By the way, did you apologize to Jesus? Or hug to make it up or anything?"

"Stef sent me upstairs right after it happened and then told him to finish his job." Callie noticed Lena roll her eyes and cloud up a little again. "It was okay, though, because Jesus knows that I love him. I am sure that Stef knew that we would do all the things you mentioned in the morning when we were fresher and not so tired…."

"I am sure you are right, Bug…." Lena made a mental note to get Jesus and Callie together in the morning. "Well, that is sort of like Mom and I. We fight, we yell, we get upset with each other, but we still love each other just as much as we did before. Then, we will talk, apologize, and hug and everything will be okay again."

"When you guys were yelling earlier I got kind of worried. I mean, I know that you don't hit us, and Stef only gives us 'love pats' or whatever she wants to call them, but when you guys fight do either of you ever…"

"We never hit, Callie. Furthermore, we never throw things or anything else physically in our anger. If that was what you were concerned about, it has never happened and it never will. We are not violent towards each other or with any of you. In that way, we also expect that you all will not be violent toward each other."

"Which means that you are probably disappointed that I would act out that way." Lena hummed a little at that statement, but still held Callie close. "I am sorry, Mama. I know why Mom grounded me for another day and took my IPod. I should probably also take at least one of Jesus's dish nights to make it up to him."

"That's a good plan. First, you will apologize and hug. Then, you will volunteer for a week of his chores. I know how sorry you are, Bug, but it is really Jesus that you need to make things right with. Do you understand what I am saying?"

"Yes, I think I do." Callie said creasing her eyebrows. "Mom just sent us upstairs; you really might be the scarier mother in this house. I never would have guessed it."

"You have now completed two more steps in becoming a real Foster. You have realized the love isn't lost just because we fight sometimes and you know that I am the one to be feared. Your mom does the whole bad cop thing, but deep down she is a softy. I may seem calmer and quieter, but I have my moments. The others have learned not to cross me."

Stef knocked on the door frame before she and Jude appeared in the room. "We have had a little time to cool off and a little hot cocoa and we are now back to make it right. Aren't we, Bud?"

"Yes, Mom, but Mama we did have marshmallows in our hot cocoa." Stef elbowed the boy slightly. "Mom didn't give me very many and she said it would be okay."

"Of course it is okay, Baby, come over here." Jude went and sat on the other side of Lena snuggling in like Callie. "You know that I love you, right?"

"Yes, and I know that we are all a packaged deal. Mom said that you are stuck with all of us no matter what. So, now what do you do?"

"Well, Sweets, first we apologize." Lena looked to Stef and they silently agreed that the kids needed to see their apologies. "Stef, I am sorry that I yelled at you tonight. I was tired and had a bad interaction with the kids that I took out on you. You are a fantastic mom with great instincts to take care of our family. I love you, Babe!"

"I love you, too! And I am sorry that I did not explain my intentions to you before dinner and that I created conflict among our babies. Next time I will communicate my plans with you and get your input before I act." Stef walked over to Lena who stood up. Stef grabbed Lena and hugged her tight and then kissed her lightly on the cheek.

Jude and Callie watched with interest from their mothers' bed. Then Stef turned to Callie, "Bug, I am sorry that I lied to you about group therapy. Mama and I are so proud of the progress you have made. She was right when she said that we are considering letting you go down to just one session a week. By the way, therapy is never a punishment, just a way to keep people healthy."

Callie looked surprised that an adult would apologize to her as none ever had before. Stef looked to her to speak, but Callie was silent. Jude looked to her and elbowed her as Stef had him earlier. "Mom, I am sorry that I was rude to you earlier. You don't really drive me crazy. I understand why you took my IPod."

Callie stood up and Stef gathered her into her arms and kissed her forehead several times. "I love you so much, Callie Girl."

"I love you, too, Mom." Callie said quietly.

"Now, I do believe it is time for both of you to get into bed. It is a school night after all. Cals, we still have your music, but if you have a nightmare, just knock we will be here." Lena gave each of her kids a small hug and kiss.

Stef let go of Callie and gave Jude a hug and a kiss as well. "Thanks for your help tonight, Buddy." Stef then got both kids by the hands and lead them out of her room. She then shut the door and went back over to her wife.

The kids smiled at each other and went back to their rooms. They could hear their mothers talking quietly and were pretty sure they also heard some kissing. Both kids knew things were going to be okay.