Chapter 21.

"We made out pretty good," said Brandon, fanning the money he'd received at the party in his hand.

Callie looked down at her own stack of cash. She'd never owned that much money in her life. She didn't even know what she'd do with it. Maybe she'd open a bank account? It might be nice to have something of her own, to save for the future. Besides that, she didn't really have a need to own much. She couldn't see herself going on a shopping spree.

"And you'll both write Thank You notes to everyone, yes?" Lena asked, glancing at the kids.

Brandon groaned at the prospect of writing out notes to each and every relative and friend who came to the party, but Callie nodded. "Of course."

She stood up, tucking her money in her pocket. "Where's mama?"

Lena looked up again from the magazine she was reading on the sofa. "She's upstairs, honey. Probably recovering from our house guests."

"Thanks," said Callie, heading to the stairs.

She found Stef sitting back on her bed, typing on her laptop.

"Mama?" she asked quietly, getting her mother's attention.

"Hi, baby," said Stef, turning to her. "What's up?"

"Can I come in?" Callie asked.

"Of course, sweets. I wanted to show you something anyway."

Callie climbed onto Lena's side of the bed, and picked up the remote that controlled the mattress. She played with it, pressing buttons until her legs were propped up. Then, she lowered her legs, and raised her head until she was almost sitting up.

"Having fun?" Stef laughed, glancing at her.

Callie smiled, then returned the mattress to normal position. She looked over at Stef's laptop, furrowing her brow. "What are you doing?"

"Just some research," Stef told her, turning the laptop so she could see. "I've been thinking a lot about what you told me at the party, Cal. About how you feel like you haven't had enough time with us. Did you mean that, or were you just talking in the heat of the moment?"

"I guess I did mean it," Callie admitted. "I mean, I feel like I'm just going to have another home pulled out from under me again. That scares me. I love it here. I don't want my life to change again."

"This would still be your home, honey," Stef reminded her. "We're not going to evaporate into thin air if you move out. We'll be right here."

"But that's how it feels," said Callie.

"I know it does," she nodded. "But you know... life is always changing. Always. If things always stayed the same, we would never grow. And change isn't always bad. Sometimes, change brings about things you never knew you were missing. Better things."

Callie looked at her quizzically.

"You know," Stef continued. "When I found out Lena had taken in another foster child- you- I wasn't at all sure I wanted a new member of the family. I felt sure that our family was complete."

Callie's eyes shadowed with sadness, and she reached over and squeezed her hand. "But then, I met you, and Jude, and I fell in love. The two of you filled a place in my heart I never knew was empty."

Scooting closer to Stef, Callie rested her head on her mother's shoulder, letting her golden hair tickle her nose.

"If I didn't allow change to come into our life," Stef told her, "we might not have you and Jude to love. We would have missed out on two amazing, beautiful babies who needed us." She tilted her chin down, and kissed Callie's forehead. "We needed you too. And I'm thankful each and every day that the two of you were brought into our lives."

"But what if I leave what I have behind, and nothing good happens to me?" Callie asked. "I mean, I've never had very good luck. Ending up here was just a fluke."

"I don't know if I'd call it a fluke," Stef laughed. "I think 'fate' is the right word. But say something wonderful does happen for you? You'll get a good education, follow your dream. Maybe you'll meet your soul-mate, get married, give us a few grand-babies? You never know, unless you take that chance."

"But what if all that isn't in Arizona?" said Callie. "Maybe it's here?"

Stef nodded, putting her arm around her daughter. With her fingertip, she tapped the screen of her laptop, showing Callie the college website she had been browsing. "If you really don't want to go to Arizona, I'm willing to listen. Nothing is set in stone yet. It's not too late to change your plans."

"What do you mean?" asked Callie. "You said I have to go to college."

Stef nodded. "You do. But, tell me, slug-a-bug... how would you feel about starting out at a community college for the next two years? If you went to this school here, you would be able to live at home. You could get your grades up, then reapply to a school closer to home later on, if you want."

Callie was speechless for a moment. "Really?"

"Really," Stef replied with a smile. "I just want you to do what's best for you, sweetheart."

"What if I don't know what's best for me?" she fretted. "I haven't exactly been the poster child for good decision making lately."

Stef laughed, nuzzling her hair. "Part of me wants to encourage you to stay here," she told her. "Because I would miss you a lot."

"I would miss you too," Callie admitted.

"But Arizona isn't in Siberia," she pointed out. "And Brandon gave you the car so you can come home every weekend." She paused, studying her daughter. "Then again, the car can also bring you to school, if you decide to live at home and commute."

"What do you think I should do?" Callie asked. "Stay or go?"

"It's your choice, love," Stef told her. "But we'll definitely help you decide. And we'll support you in whichever choice you make."

Callie was quiet for a long moment, a million thoughts running through her head. Her hand twitched, and impulsively, she reached up and rubbed the tip of her nose; a habit that was all she really had left of her lost childhood.

She looked up at Stef, and smiled. "I'm kind of glad you're giving me a choice. I've never really had much control over my life before. So, thank you."

"Why don't you take some time alone to think it over?" Stef suggested. "It's a big decision."

"Okay," Callie nodded. "I will."

She climbed down from the bed, and crossed the room. Then, she stopped in her tracks and turned around, hurrying back to her mother. She threw her arms around her, planting a kiss on her cheek.

Stef cuddled her daughter, holding her in her arms. "I love you, baby girl."

Callie nodded against her shoulder. "I love you too."

To Be Continued- What do you think? Will Callie stay or go?"