On the night Brandon turned eighteen, he left the house before midnight. Lena was at some party, Stef went to Frank's house for dinner and a game, Jesus took advantage of their absence and he spent the time with Lexy, Mariana was in her room sleeping and Jude was playing video games with Connor who was spending the night. He had all the time he needed to get ready and leave without being seen. He knew that it's for the best. He didn't want to see any of them and explain why he has to leave. He still knew his siblings believed he would change his mind and Callie would come back. Climate in the house changed since the trail and even Steff was in the better mood. Brandon left his moms and siblings' letters and left the house he spent ten bitter-sweet years. Callie was asleep when she felt the bed dip. She opened her eyes and saw him beside her.
''Good evening Mrs. Foster…''
For a few seconds, she believed she was dreaming. When she realized it was not a dream. She jumped into his arms.
''Oh, my God! You are here?!''
''I am... I am here.''
She looked at the clock beside the bed and realized it was past midnight…
''Happy birthday love.''
He pulled her closer and nuzzled into her neck….
''Happy birthday indeed…''
He kissed her and held her very close.
''I love you wife…''
''Welcome home my husband…''
''Home…''
That word made him smile and he finally felt like he came home. His wife was there and he felt like he could do anything now that they have a chance to be together. He couldn't stop looking at her. She was so cute when she wakes up and she is still a bit sleepy. They made love and couldn't believe that they are finally together. Callie was so happy to have him near.
''I didn't get you any present...I wanted to go shopping with Jill today…''
''I don't need anything. I have you my love…And I am here… I have you beside me…''
''I love you Brandon…''
''I love you too…''
They were cuddled up in bed when the phone started ringing. It was first house number, after it was Lena's , Mariana's and Jesus' phone. They called Brandon first and after that Callie. They ignored their phones that didn't stop ringing. He was sure they were calling either to yell at him for leaving or to wish him happy birthday.
''I still can't believe you are here… I… I am so happy to finally be with you. I missed you so much…''
''I missed you too love…''
''I forgot how it looks like to sleep alone. I missed you… I couldn't believe I am alone… All of the sudden, the bed was too big…''
''This bed is too big Callie…''
''I know… But even bigger than before you left…I felt so lonely again… I missed you so much…''
''I promise not to spend day apart from you ever again…''
''You can't promise that… It's impossible.''
''O.K. Then I promise to make sure we spend as many as possible nights together.''
At three in the morning, Robert was at their door.
''Callie, Brandon! Can I come in?''
They put on their robes and got to the door. They had no idea why would he come at that time to their door. Then, they remembered that Brandon was here and Brandon knew how he left the house. It was possible his moms were there to tell him few choice words.
''Robert, what is going on?''
''Lena just called the house; they have been trying to reach you... When they saw that the room was empty they knew you are here...''
''I am not going home… I am eighteen now and she can't make me…''
''No, it's not that… They called to tell you Steff's dad is in the hospital…''
''What?''
''He had a heart attack… Steff was there when it happened…They are not sure if he will make it… Get dressed and I will take you to the hospital.''
Robert went back to the house to give them some space to change and two of them remained silent.
''B…''
''I can't believe it happened…''
''What do you think happened?''
''My guess is that two of them had an argument about something… Us, Lena, her divorcing Mike… Who knows? She and Frank had very weird relationship. They were either very good or at some sort of war.''
She passed him his pants and shirt and got dressed as well. Jill was waiting in her car with Sofia and Brandon and Callie were riding with Robert... An hour later, they were at the hospital. Nurse told them where to go and when they got to the second floor, they saw Jesus getting coffee.
''Jesus, what is going on?''
''He is very bad Brandon… And mom is bad too…''
''What happened?''
''They had an argument…''
Callie was sad for Stef. After losing her mom, she knew how big pain that was and she didn't wish that feeling on anyone.
''How is Stef?''
''Silent. She is with her mom. All of us are upset but she didn't say a word…They are waiting for a doctor.''
They went to find the Adams- Fosters and saw them sitting in the waiting room. Callie pointed Steff to Brandon. She was standing away from the others and looking through the window.
''Hi mom…''
She turned to see Brandon with the rest of the Quinns.
''Hi…''
''Nice of you to show up. You were not answering your phone. What on Earth you think you are doing sneaking out in the evening?''
''I went back to Callie. You knew I would do it as soon as I turn eighteen. And I did it…''
''And that's it?! Who cares about mama and me?''
Before he could say or do something, doctor came. He got to Steff and shook his head…
''I am so sorry… We couldn't do anything….''
These words were carved into Callie's memory. She knew how broken Steff would be and how bad it was for her. She could only imagine how bad it felt when you had more time with parents and more things to share. Callie let go of his hand and in their silent conversation, she pointed out he should hold his mom. He approached her and hugged her. At that moment, Steff broke. She cried so hard that it made Callie cry too. Brandon held his mom tight and he made sure she knew he was there for her.
''We had a bad argument… Why did he have to be too stubborn?''
Brandon just held her…After few minutes she got out of his arms and went somewhere. Lena tried to calm the others, Brandon sat on the chair shocked and Callie sneaked out because she had pretty good idea where Steff left. She found her at the chapel. She was siting and looking somewhere. She took a seat beside her.
''I am very sorry for your loss…''
Stef was silent…. Callie was under the impression that Steff didn't want her there.
''He never told us…. he had some serious heart condition.. And he kept it from all of us… Why did he do it?''
''Maybe he didn't want anyone to know because he wanted to die on his own terms?''
''That is stupid!''
''Maybe, but sometimes people don't think about possible pain it might cause their family… It's a shock to realize you might die any minute… That's what you told me after one shooting you were in…''
Steff smiled. She remembered that conversation. It was a bit after Callie came into their house.
''Maybe he just wanted things to be normal… If any of you knew about it, he would stop being Frank; he would become a patient… Even in your eyes… He would stop being the father you have complicate relationship with. He would become a patient. Someone you would insist taking to different doctors and the entire dynamic you always had would be ruined. You would stop telling him what you really feel or think and he would hate it. He would hate being treated like that… He died on his own terms Steff…''
''I just feel angry…''
Callie took her hand.
''I was so angry at my mom. I didn't look at her picture for a long time after her death. Jude was way too little, and he couldn't share my anger… But… Oh, it took very long time to be at peace with it all. I was also angry at Donald, but that was different anger.''
Steff was crying very hard and Callie hugged her. That made Steff cry even harder. Brandon and Lena found them like that and just stood surprised. None of them saw it coming. After Callie let go of Steff, she got up and went to Brandon. He took her hand and let Lena take care of Steff. They went back to the other kids. Before they got to the waiting room, he stopped her and kissed her hard.
''I am so proud of you and I love you each day more…''
''I love you too…''
In the waiting room they found Jesus holding Mariana and Jude sitting alone in the corner. Callie went to him and took a seat.
''Are you ok buddy?''
''Do you see it too?''
''What?''
''Nothing…''
Callie had an idea about what might bother Jude.
''You are asking about mom?''
He nodded…
''I do.. And that's why I hate hospitals. They make remember that day… Every time… I have that feeling that every time I enter a hospital, she somehow dies again… Like that afternoon is happening over and over again. That feeling is hunting me in these places.''
''I don't remember much… But I remember feeling so sad and you crying hidden in the closet….''
''What?''
He took her hand and took her to the closet she cried in…
''I was there… I heard you cry in the genitor closet…You tried to be strong for me, but you couldn't keep the tears anymore….you went to cry and I followed you…. After that, we spent almost every moment together. I miss you Callie…''
''Oh, Jude…''
Callie held her brother in silence.
''We should get back.''
When they got to the waiting room, they saw Steff and her mom talking to a doctor. He was shaking his head and Callie knew. Frank didn't make it… She got to Brandon and took his hand. He didn't notice what was going on. He was looking at a different direction from them.
''What is going on Callie?''
She didn't say a word, she just pointed with her eyes to Steff and her mom. Steff was holding her sobbing mom and trying to comfort her. Lena was Holding Mariana and Jesus and Jude just stood there. Brandon turned to Callie and fell into her arms.
''It will be ok… I'm here with you B… I promise it will be fine.''
After some time, Brandon got off the chair and came to his mom. He took Steff's hand and pulled her into his arms. Before they had time to say anything, nurse came to get Steff to fill in some forms and make arrangements for the funeral. She sent them all home and promised that she will let them know about the details. Robert and Jill took them home and they went back to their house. Brandon was very silent. Callie made them something to eat and Brandon changed back to his PJ's. When he got back to the living room, he found Callie setting the table.
''What are you doing?''
''Making some food.''
'''I am not hungry…''
''I know, but you must eat something…''
''Callie…''
''Please B…''
He had sandwich she made him and she was very glad she got him to eat.
''I can't believe he really died… When I was younger, I believed he was immortal…''
Callie smiled at that.
''We all believe that about some people… But, unfortunately…they die…''
''He and my mom probably had some bad fight again…''
''Or not…''
''Come on Callie… You know that she was not capable of having normal conversation for a long time.''
''And neither was he… Baby, I know it's easy to blame her for everything… But maybe she is not the one to blame.''
''You are defending her?''
''I am not… She is just human Brandon… She is not some wonder woman who knows what we all want and feel. She has feelings and ideas… and sometimes we are not ok with it all… And sometimes we agree… But she is your mom.. She loves you B and she deserves a chance… she lost her dad… So, have some understanding for her.''
''And what about me? I lost him too…''
''You did, but at least you have comfort of knowing that the last moments you spent with him were happy moments. You talked about some crazy things and had fun… We never know when we have to face such a loss… It's hard to be without a parent… And it doesn't matter how old you are. I still miss my mom and wish she was with me. And they potentially argued. She will never have a chance to mend that relationship….''
Brandon was silent… He took his sandwich and started eating.
''I think you should make peace with your mother…''
''What?''
''You heard me…''
''Why? Why would I do that? She did all she could to hurt us and you want us to be big happy family? I saw you together yesterday. You comforted her and held her…''
''And I would do it again! She lost her father… And the feeling of not having any family is what I am very familiar with… So… I think you should at least try to fix things…''
''You forgive her?''
''I did… And so should you… think about it at least… She will never have chance to fix things with Frank. He is dead and long gone… You on the other hand… You have it…''
''I am not ready…''
''You might never have a chance… she is a police officer… She might die tomorrow and you would not have that chance ever again… Use your chance Brandon…''
She kiss his lips left him to finish his breakfast. She went to change and take a shower. Lena called them and told them that some guests are coming to the house and asked for the help. Callie put on short lacy black dress and flats and she got out one of B's new pants and a nice shirt. Robert drove them and told them to call him when they needed to be picked up. Brandon was very silent entire ride. She held his hand and didn't ask too many questions. She knew he needs space to face his own demons and she was very willing to give it to him. She was his wife, his partner, but also his friend. And she knew what death and loss feels like. So, she just sat in silence holding her husband's hand.