Chapter 25.
Callie was surprised by how hard it was to say goodbye to Robert when he dropped her off at home on Saturday afternoon. Although they hadn't known each other very long, there was already a bond between them. She'd never been a daddy's girl; Donald was always much closer to Jude, when he was actually around. Callie was her mother's girl. Maybe that was why she and Robert came to love each other so quickly? Because they both loved Colleen so much. Whatever the reason, it felt as if he'd always been her dad, just without an entire lifetime of memories of him to look back on.
Robert walked Callie to the Foster's front door, carrying her backpack for her. When they were on the doorstep, she reached into her pocket, and found her house key, but hesitated before unlocking the door, not quite ready to go back to her real life.
"Bye dad," she said quietly. "Thanks for having me. I had a great time." She reached up and touched one of her new earrings.
"I'm glad you had fun, sweetie," he replied. "You know you're welcome any time. Our home is your home, too." He paused for a moment, thoughtfully. "Have you given any more thought to where you're going to live?"
"Yes," Callie admitted. "But I haven't made a final decision yet."
"Well," he nodded. "Take your time. There's no hurry. But I have to admit, I'm gonna miss you." He reached out and patted her arm, then gave her a hug. "I love you, kiddo."
"I love you too, dad." She hugged him tighter, and he kissed her forehead.
"Bye, honey. I'll call you this week."
"Okay. Bye."
Once he turned his back to her, heading to his car, she let herself in the house and looked around. It was quiet, which was rare. Stef was probably still at work, she figured, but Lena must have been home.
Sighing, she went upstairs to her room. It was empty. Mariana must have gone out, which she was grateful for. She loved her sister, but sometimes, she needed a little space. Especially then, when she was feeling so mixed up inside. She leaned against the wall by the bedroom door, trying to swallow the lump in her throat, as her eyes filled with tears. Finally, she let them spill over, sobbing with quiet, gasping breaths.
"Callie? What's the matter?" said a voice from the hall.
She turned around and saw Brandon watching her with concern, and she looked down at the floor. "Nothing," she replied. "It's silly." She felt foolish for crying about missing Robert in front of Brandon, knowing all he was dealing with, with Mike's situation.
"Callie," he sighed. "It's me. You know you can tell me anything. Are you alright?"
She nodded slowly, then joined him in the hall. "I just miss my dad."
"Oh, Cal," Brandon sighed. "Come here." He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay."
"I feel like a jerk," she admitted, wiping her tears on the back of her hand. "I mean, I just saw him. You haven't seen Mike in weeks."
"So? That just means I understand how you feel," he told her, squeezing her hand. "Callie, your dad seems like a great guy, and I can tell he loves you a lot. You had fun visiting him. It's okay to miss him."
"He really liked you," she replied. "He said you're the kind of guy he'd want me with."
"Then he has good taste," Brandon teased, grabbing her into another hug. "But Cal, maybe... maybe this- what you're feeling- means that, you know, you really want to move in with your father?"
"But you're moms-"
"No, no. Don't think about what they want, sweetheart. Think about what you want. It's your life, Cal. And I'm not just telling you this because we could be together if you do decide to live with him, but because... I want you to be happy."
"I didn't get enough time with him," she sniffled. "And Julie, too. She's my baby sister. I love them."
Brandon cradled her head against his chest as she cried, stroking her hair. "You know what might cheer you up, Princess?"
She looked up at him, and smiled through her tears. "My surprise?"
"You read my mind," he laughed. "Come on. I'll show you."
"You know I'm not allowed in your room," she fretted, following him.
He turned back to her, his eyes shining. "I've got it all figured out," he replied, opening his bedroom door. "Sit down on the floor, right there at the doorway."
Callie nodded, then sat down, folding her knees underneath her. She watched Brandon unplug his stereo, then remove a CD in a white envelope from his nightstand drawer. He plugged the stereo into an outlet near the doorway, then sat down just inside the doorway, so close, their knees were touching.
"We're not breaking a single rule right now," he told her. "You're not in my room, the door is open, and we're not alone up her because Jesus is in his room."
Callie glanced down the hall, and saw that her brother's bedroom door was shut tight, a hat hanging from the doorknob. "You are an evil genius," she laughed, as Brandon held the CD out to her.
She took the disk in her hand and read what was written on it through the plastic window on the envelope. "Outlaws (Callie's song)."
"You remember that little song I sang to you at Daphne's apartment?" he asked.
She nodded, smiling. "Yes. It was sweet."
"Well," he continued, "Before I got, you know, hurt, I was working on a full version of the song. I was going to play it for you on the piano, but I never got the chance. And we both know I probably never will again-"
"Yes. You will," she interrupted.
Brandon looked down and gave her a slight nod. "Anyway, I took the music down to the conservatory today, and had a friend accompany me singing it. I recorded it for you, and I- I really hope you like it. It came from my heart."
He put the CD on the tray and pushed the 'play' button on the stereo, then took her hand in his as the song began.
Callie closed her eyes, caressing his palm with her thumb as she listened to the bittersweet, heartfelt lyrics; to Brandon's beautiful voice. It was about them, and how much they loved each other, even when everyone said it was wrong to feel the way they did, as if they were committing a crime. Her eyes filled with tears all over again at this realization. Brandon loved her so much, that it was almost impossible to believe that other people couldn't see that. She thought about the way he looked at her the first time he sang the unfinished song to her, and about the way he held her after they made love, as if she were made of porcelain. Even right then, he was cradling her hand in his, their fingers curled together. And she knew, he was the only guy for her; no one could ever love her as much or as deeply as he did. And she loved him exactly the same.
"So, what do you think?" he asked, once the song was over. "Be completely honest."
"I think," she stammered. "I think this is the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given me."
Brandon smiled shyly. "Thanks. But I couldn't have written it without the girl who inspired it. I love you more than anything, Cal."
Callie threw her arms around him, and he swept her into a hug. "I love you too, Brandon," she breathed. "Thank you. I'll never forget this." She brushed her hand against his cheek, and gave him a long, passionate kiss.
"Someone's coming," he suddenly gasped, pulling away.
Callie backed up a little as she heard footsteps on the stairs, and saw Lena come around the corner.
"Oh. Hi, kids," she said, studying them with curious suspicion. "What are you doing?"
"We're just talking," Brandon told her.
"Okay," she nodded, heading toward her room.
Before she could go inside though, Callie rose to her feet, and followed her.
"Mama?" she quietly asked.
"Yeah?" Lena replied, turning around.
Callie dug her toes into the rug nervously. "Remember when you said I could talk to you about anything? Did you mean that?"
Lena smiled, her beautiful, dark eyes lighting up. "Of course I did, sweets. I want you to feel safe coming to me."
"Well, I was just wondering," she murmured. "Could you, maybe, take a walk with me?" She looked away, her cheeks burning, as she wondered what she was getting herself into, and if she was making the right choice in confiding in her foster mother.
Lena reached out and touched her shoulder. "Yes, we can, darling. Just give me a minute to finish up some paperwork, and I'm all yours."
"Okay," Callie nodded. "Thanks."
To Be Continued- what's Callie going to talk to Lena about?