Seven year old Callie is exploring her moms room, while looking for one of Lena's sweatshirts because she is cold and likes the smell of it. Callie sees Stef's gun out, which is unusual because Stef always keeps it locked up. She becomes curious and picks up the gun to see how it feels to hold it. Callie looks at the gun in her hand in awe. She didn't expect it to feel heavy.
"What are you doing, young lady?" Stef asked firmly as she stood in the doorway.
Callie dropped the gun and jumped, startled by Stef. She turned around and smiled innocently, "Nothing."
Stef walked over to Callie, crouched to the little girl's level and gently grabbed Callie's little hands in her own.
"Are you supposed to touch my gun, Callie?" Stef asked sternly
Callie shook her head, "No, I'm sorry. I just wanted to be like you." Tears started to stream down Callie's face because she felt bad for disobeying and because she didn't like disappointing her moms, especially Stef.
Stef was touched that Callie wanted to be like her. She nodded, "Okay but my gun is dangerous, and you don't need it to be like me. You are already like me in more ways than you know."
"Okay I'm really sorry." Callie replied
"I know you are, baby but you still have to be punished." Stef told Callie as she sat down on the bed. "Come on Callie. Lay over my lap."
Callie looked at Stef nervously, but laid over her lap anyway because she trusted that Stef wouldn't hurt her like her old foster parents did.
Stef started spanking Callie. After about a dozen smacks Callie started to cry, scream and kick, "Ow! Stef, I'm sorry...I'm sowwy. Mommy, please no more. I'm sowwy."
Stef's heart melted because Callie had called her mommy, but also because she didn't like having to spank Callie. Stef gave Callie about five more smacks. Then she sat Callie up and crawled Callie in her arms.
"Shh, baby it's okay. It's over, now. You're forgiven." Stef told Callie
Callie nodded and sniffled, "Okay mommy."
"You know this doesn't change how much I love you baby, right?" Stef asked wanting to make sure
Callie nodded, "I love you too mommy."