Lena

I was excited to have the whole family coming for dinner. As I took the lasagna out of the oven I thought about how empty the house seemed with just Jude here. The last time we had all been under the same roof was this summer for Adam's wedding. That seemed like so long ago even though it was only a few months. I couldn't wait till the house was full again. I also couldn't wait till the day it was filled to the brim with grandchildren for occasions like Christmas.

"Is there anything I can do to help momma?" Jude asked as he came into the kitchen.

"You can make a salad," I said.

I watched him as he started cutting up the ingredients for the salad. He was my baby. I just couldn't believe he was a junior in high school and would soon be leaving me too. He would be seventeen tomorrow. I thought back to the first time he had come into this house. He had been just a small twelve year old boy. Now he was this amazingly handsome young man standing in front of me. A young man who was taller than me at six feet and towered over everyone in the house but Brandon, who was the same height.

I heard the front door open and Callie and Cole came into the kitchen. They looked so happy. It was still a shock to see them together. They had been dating almost two years now. I remembered when she first told us they were officially dating. She had always sworn he was just a friend but I guess no one was really surprised all that much to find out it was more than that. These days they were both in their last year a UCLA and had big plans to open an LGBTQ group home.

Jesus and Emma came down the stairs hand in hand. They had surprised us last night by coming in at midnight. They had driven all the way from Colorado where they were going to school. Stef and I were in bed when they had arrived. I got out of bed to let them in and was about to get blankets and a pillow so Emma could sleep on the couch, when Jesus said that wouldn't be necessary. Stef came down stairs to say hello and they announced they were married. Apparently having stopped in Vegas on the way here.

Mariana and a pretty blonde girl I had never seen before came into the kitchen followed by Stef. She pointed to their hands and I noticed they were holding hands. Stef came over and gave me a kiss and afterwards Mariana came over and gave me a hug. I hugged her back and smiled at the girl who was with her over her head.

Connor came in and want straight up to Jude who was washing his hands at the sink. He wrapped his arms around him and kissed his neck. I saw a smile spread across Jude's face as he turned off the water and dried his hands. Connor let him go and Jude turned around. Connor snuggled into Jude's embrace. I was so glad Connor had moved back to San Diego and there was no more long distance relationship for them. Now if they could just get past Jude's recent mistakes I knew they'd be together forever.

Lastly Brandon walked in to the kitchen with Lou. I was surprised to see her. When he had said he was bringing someone I hadn't expected it to be Lou. I knew they had lost touch soon after the tour was over. She had big plans in her life that didn't include Brandon and they had broken up. I was so proud of Brandon. He had really made a name for himself in New York as a pianist. Playing Disney Hall had opened so many doors for him. I was so surprised by seeing Lou I didn't notice the little girl hiding behind her at first. She looked just like a mini Lou. Then I realized Lou had a daughter.

I looked around at all my children so happy. The house was once again filled with all their chatter and banter just the way I liked it. I missed all of them so much but I was proud of them all too. They seemed so happy in the choices they had made in their lives and that made me happy. I looked at Stef who was getting plates to set the table when Brandon came in. She was just standing there with plates in her hands watching Brandon, Lou, and the little girl.

"Everyone this is my daughter Aria," Brandon announced.

The plates in Stef's hands fell to the floor and shattered at her feet. I heard them as they hit the floor, but all I could do was stare at Brandon. I knew everyone else was doing the same. He picked her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck. I wondered how long he had known this piece of information and why he had decided to spring this on us like this.

Jude and Connor cleaned up the glass as everyone else stood there in silence. I wanted to say something but I couldn't. I had so many questions that were on the tip of my tongue. I looked away from Brandon and Jude was getting out paper plates while Connor threw away the glass. I watched them leave to set the dining room table.

"Well, guess we'll be plate shopping later," Stef joked. "Sorry love." She said as she looked at me.

"Let's eat and you can tell us all about our granddaughter Brandon," I said.

Everyone went into the dining room and sat down. No one said a word as I dished out the lasagna and we passed the salad Jude had made around. I could tell everyone including myself was anxious to hear how Brandon had found out about Aria.

"So B how did you and Lou meet up again?" Stef asked.

"Lou and I ran into each other at dinner with a mutual friend. We started talking after that and went on a few dates. After about a month she introduced me to Aria. We hit it off right away. A few weeks later she told me I was Aria's father," Brandon began.

"Brandon didn't believe me at first. So I offered to have a DNA test. If I was in his place I would have been skeptical too. The test confirmed she was his," Lou answered my unasked question.

"So are you two still dating?" Stef asked.

"Yes we are taking it slow. We don't want to rush it," Brandon said.

Stef nodded and looked at Mariana. She had been awful quiet. Which wasn't like her at all. She put down her fork and I noticed her hand disappear under the table. She put down her fork and looked from me to Stef. I knew there was something she wanted to say and I had a feeling I knew what it was.

"This is my girlfriend Sarah," she announced.

"Your girlfriend, love?" Stef asked.

"Yeah, we've been seeing each other for a month now," Mariana answered.

Everyone seemed shocked by her announcement but me. I had seen it coming the minute they walked in hand in hand. Then it seemed like everyone had an announcement.

"Well Emma and I got married in Vegas yesterday," Jesus said.

Everyone congratulated them. Callie and Mariana seemed so happy to have Emma for a sister. I was glad they had found their way back to each other. We all loved Emma and I personally always knew she'd be a part of this family someday.

"Well Cole and I are getting married!" Callie screamed with excitement showing off her ring.

This caused Mariana to scream excitedly. She grabbed Callie's hand and looked at the ring. Cole was grinning ear to ear and I loved seeing how happy Callie was. I was glad she was finally getting a happy ending she deserved. She and Cole had both been through so much heartache. It was good to see the pure joy on their faces.

"Wow I so happy for you guys but I feel so left out. I don't have a big announcement to make," Jude sighed.

"There's nothing big going on in your life little brother?" Brandon asked.

"Not really," Jude answered.

"You and Connor seem to be going strong," Mariana said. "You guys are relationship goals."

Thanks," Connor said.

I wasn't sure where to end this exactly but just a little catch up on what the family is up too. Did you like it from Lena's POV? Up next is Jude's birthday and some Jonnor smut of course. Jude has to get lucky on his birthday doesn't he? I am going to try and make it kind of sappy and romantic though.