24 hours earlier
The day had been nearly perfect for everyone….except Callie. Lena and Stef wanted to make their home officially Callie and Jude's home…the wedding Lena dreamed of for so long went off without a hitch and the family celebrate a love that was so pure and true. Callie though had to put a smile on her face she hoped no one would see through….her anxiety levels were at an all time high. No one had ever wanted her before; she was tossed from crappy foster family to another all the while trying to keep her brother safe. No one ever loved her, cared if she went to school, got her homework done, had a good meal to eat, was happy or healthy….but Stef and Lena did. Not only did they care about her they cared about Jude and that was most important.
Of course the sick and twisted joke that is her life…for the first time she found someone who was perfect for her and it was the son of the people that wanted to adopt her. So now what she was going to be Brandon's sister? That wasn't going to work but she knew she couldn't go back to just friends. She couldn't be around to watch Brandon move on from her, to date other people, to fall in love with them when she knew giving any other circumstances that could be her.
It was a late night for everyone but by 12am it seemed the house was quiet. Stef and Lena had long since been in their room with the door shut….Callie wasn't dumb it was their wedding night she knew what was going on and knew they wouldn't be leaving the confines of the bedroom until the next morning. Jude had been the first of the kids to retreat to his bed. She had to give him credit though he hung in there much longer than Callie had ever seen him before. Once Mariana's head had hit her pillow she was out like a light and she could sleep soundly. That left Jesus and Brandon and their status was unknown so she would have to wait it out.
Around 2am Callie had been tossing and turning for the better part of 2 hours and couldn't wait any longer. She grabbed her bag and quietly looked in the hallway to see no other lights from any of the other rooms. She did see Brandon's door was slightly open and even though she knew she shouldn't she just couldn't help getting one last glance at him. She dropped her bag by the top of the stairs and leaned in the doorway. It wasn't seconds later she jumped and it took everything in her not to scream.
"Are you trying to sneak into my room," Brandon whispered in her ear walking up behind her?
"Damn Brandon you scream the crap outta me," Callie said trying to get her heart to start beating again.
"Sorry didn't mean too….I was just coming back from the bathroom. Why…why are you fully dressed," Brandon asked confused.
"Don't worry about it…you should get back to bed its late," Callie said giving him a gentle kiss.
"Come join me for a little while."
"I….I can't."
"No one else is awake…I promise we won't do anything I just want to spend a little time with you."
"Brandon," Callie said her voice giving her away.
"Callie what's wrong," Brandon asked hear the wavering in her tone?
"I'm leaving…tell everyone not to worry about me I will be fine."
"You're leaving? Where are you going? Are you insane moms are going to be going crazy with worry."
"I can't stay here and watch you move on with someone else….I have been through a lot in my life but I can't live through that."
"Move on? I am not moving on."
"Brandon your moms want to adopt me….that would make me your sister."
"We will figure something out….we will talk to them."
"No, because this place is good for Jude…he needs your moms. They will love him and care for him and support him no matter what."
Callie leaned in and gave Brandon the most passionate kiss she could muster before pushing him back slightly into his room and quickly turning to leave. She grabbed her bag and darted down the stairs. She left her phone on the table by the front door and quietly left the house into the night.
Once the door was closed behind her she took a deep breath and ventured out onto the streets…this was it no turning back now. She didn't really have a plan…it was only a few hours ago she made this decision…but it wasn't her first time on the streets she had a couple go to places that she knew would be safe.
"Callie wait."
Callie jumped and turned to see Brandon running after her pulling a sweatshirt on over his head as he was doing so.
"Brandon what are you doing go back inside."
"No, I am not moving on without you…I am coming with you….where ever you go I am going."
Callie was shocked. Out of all the ways this could have played out, this never crossed her mind.
"Brandon you have a loving family and a great home…why would you want to leave all that?"
"Because I found something more important that is worth fighting for. I know where my family is…they aren't going anywhere. However if I let you walk away tonight I might never see you again and I am not prepared for that. I have never felt more like myself than when I am with you. If you hell bent on walking away you better be prepared for company."
Callie looked at Brandon and with the illumination from the street light could see the pure determination in his eyes.
"Let's go than."
"Where too," he asked taking a few quick steps to catch up to her?
"The beach…I know a few spots down there we can stay for a little bit…get some rest before we figure out tomorrow."
"Is this is what it is like?"
"Is this what what's like?"
"Living on the street? Finding a safe place to sleep then figuring it out one day at a time?"
"Yeah mostly…..still sound appealing to you?"
"You still leaving?"
"Yes."
"Yes," he mimicked.
Callie tried to hide her smile but he caught the little smirk. He took her hand in his and they headed down to the beach. He had no idea what was going to happen but it was certain going to be a life experience he would never forget.
Sometime later, Brandon didn't know how long it had been he started waking up. Before he could fully bring himself out of his slumber confusion clouded his already foggy brain….there were noises around him he wasn't sure what they were. It sounding like something was crashing and he could have been in the middle of a playground with how close people talking were…and birds very loud birds.
"Hey sleepyhead," Callie whispered still nestled in Brandon's arms.
"Morning."
Brandon looked down at those beautiful brown eyes staring back at him and it all came rushing back. He had run away from home, they had run away from home.
"Any regrets and you probably still have time to get back home before they know your missing."
"No regrets," he said leaning down to kiss her softly. "Besides its….almost 9am I am sure someone has noticed we are missing."
"You turned your phone off right?"
"Yeah I turned it off last night…I know my mom would track us down in a second."
"Let's go get some breakfast."
"Where?"
"Well, I have some money on me we can go to a diner close by and figure things out."
"What happens when we run out of money?"
"That is what we are going to figure out. There are plenty of odd jobs around that we can make enough money to survive on…there are plenty of shelters around here we can rotate through for a while and I know there is a huge community of homeless teens not too far from here. I have a couple friends there….they really have formed their family there."
"Sounds interesting."
"Brandon I won't be offended if at any point this gets too much for you….you can go home."
"Only with you."
Callie nodded and took his hand in hers leading her to a diner she had a couple friends working at. While they would be paying this time she knew it was a go to place to get some good food for cheap or free. She wasn't living in a dream world….she knew it was only a matter of time before this would get to be too much for Brandon. This wasn't his life…he never had to deal with this kind of adversity before. However, before he did change his mind she wanted one more perfect day with him.
The day really was perfect. After breakfast they headed back to the beach and just walked along the water like they didn't have a care in the world. They weren't foster siblings, there was no pending adoption…it was just them. After a while Callie took him in town a little bit and showed him all the places they could potentially do some odd jobs…it was more to give Brandon a peace of mind when he returned home…he would know that she would be ok. During the afternoon they hit up the pier and enjoyed people watching…seeing what the crazy teens were into their days and all the families interacting. For Callie it had been one perfect day and that is all she could ask for.
"So where are we sleeping tonight?"
"About 50 feet down."
"Below the pier?"
"Yeah, it is pretty sheltered down there."
"Should we head down there it is getting pretty late."
"Sure."
Brandon took Callie's hand and helped her up. They walked to the start of the pier and were about to head down to the beach when Callie was stopped by an old face.
"Well look who it is…Callie….long time no see."
"Eddie…it has been a while. How have you been?"
Brandon observed the older kid who was clearly one of the homeless teens Callie had been talking about earlier. He was a little leery seeing the Eddie character has a bottle in his hand covered with a brown paper bag. While Brandon might not have any street experience he also wasn't stupid he knew at minimum of 40 was in the bag if not something harder.
"Where you at now Cal?"
"No where really…just around."
"How bout you come back with me…I think there will be room in the family for you."
"Thanks Eddie but I am good….we are good," she said looking back at Brandon.
"Oh is this lover boy?"
"This is Brandon yes."
"Well sorry lover boy is not welcome into the family."
"That's ok Eddie because I am not coming."
"Why not….come on Cal," he said grabbing her arm.
Brandon stepped in and quickly his Eddie's arm to break the hold.
"She said no."
"Ohhh lover boy thinks he is a tough guy. Let's see how tough," Eddie said throwing his empty bottle on the ground causing it to shatter.
Before Stef could dial the number to the precinct there was a knock at the door. Everyone ventured from the kitchen to the foyer area with Stef and Lena leading the pack. When they opened the door their hearts stopped….two familiars faces standing before them.
"Hernadez, Cruize….what are you doing here," Stef asked her co-workers fearful of their answers?
"A call came in about a fight at the pier."
Stef was holding her breath waiting for the ball the drop. If they were here that meant that Brandon must have been involved otherwise they wouldn't have been here.
"One of the guys is a frequent offender…another unit took him downtown. I think you might know the other two. They are still in the back of the car…Brandon actually asked to be put in a holding cell he thought it might be safer there," Hernandez explained with a small chuckle hoping to lighten the obviously tense mood.
Stef looked around the two officers and saw Brandon and Callie sitting in the back of the squad car. Tears sprung to her eyes seeing her two kids again.
"They are both there," Stef informed everyone.
It was like a collective breath was released from the group. Their nightmare was over and they finally had their kids back….now to figure out why they left in the first place.
"Guys I want to thank you all for all the work you put in helping us today but I think it would be best if you went back to your hotel for now. It has been a long day and whatever their reason for running was…I don't want them to feel overwhelmed right now."
"We understand sweetie," Sharon said before Dana could object.
"Call us in the morning please," Dana requested of her daughter.
"We will mom."
The parents grabbed their things and headed out leaving the two officers, Mike, Lena and Stef.
"Can you go get the kids please," Stef requested of the officers.
"No problem."
"Mike we are not yelling at them right now….it has been a long day. We are going to try and get as much information out of them as we can and then we will pick up again tomorrow."
"You think they are going to be here in the morning."
"They will be here."
A few minutes later the officers returned with two very reluctant kids following them.
"Well we will leave you three to handle these two. You don't have any to worry about any pending charges," the officer informed them.
"Thank you."
With that the officers departed leaving Brandon and Callie on the porch looking as the three adults just inside the doorway. Stef gently grabbed the kid's hands and pulled them into the house. Stef and Lena were the first ones to surround the kids with hugs and kisses. They never wanted to let go. Eventually they loosened their grip on the kids and Mike hugged Brandon but it wasn't a feel good hug.
"What the hell is wrong with you," Mike said with a low growl towards his son. "Of all the stupid things you have done Brandon this definitely is at the top of the list and that is saying something in light of recent behaviors."
"Mike knock it off," Stef said in a very serious tone pulling Brandon back to her side.
"No, no this isn't going to be like last time….last time with your hippy dippy rules and letting the kids do whatever the hell they wanted…look how that turned out."
"Mike stop it….don't make me pull rank here."
"Excuse me?"
"This isn't your house…this isn't your day with your son….get out of our house," Stef said knowing having Mike here it wouldn't be productive.
"Are you kid….
"No, you can come back tomorrow when you have had time to cool down. Nothing will be finalized without your input….now pleas e leave."
Mike glared at Stef….Stef starred him back down refusing to back down. Knowing she wasn't going to change her mind he let out a huff and slammed the door behind him as he left.
"You two park your butts in the kitchen," Stef said pointing to the kitchen.
Callie and Brandon walked by their moms unable to look them in the eye right now. Stef turned to Lena once the kids were in the kitchen and pulled her into a hug.
"They are home…they are safe," she said never feeling so relieved in her life.
"I know…I know," Lena said hanging on to Stef just as tightly.
"So how do we handle this?"
"Let's just try and talk to them like adults and see what we get out of them tonight but not push things…tomorrow is another day. They need to feel safe right now because clearly something scared them."
Stef grabbed Lena's hand and walked into the kitchen. What they saw shocked them just slightly. Callie was leaning into Brandon and his arms were wrapped around her…he was softly whispering in her ear that everything would be ok….a clear sign he was trying to comfort her…she was terrified.
"So we went to bed last night thinking everything was ok and we woke up short two kids….want to fill us in on what happened in between," Stef asked giving them the floor to speak should they want to.
Brandon looked at Callie trying to get some sort of sign she was ok with this. After a slight nod he knew it was time for everything to be laid out of the table.
"I love Callie."
"WHAT," all three women said at once!