Lena put her napkin on the table and left. The rest of the kids didn't say anything. Stef sat there and waited for Lena to come back, but she didn't. After some time she got up and left to the opisite direction. Jesus looked at his siblings.
''This is not good…''
Connor nodded…
''This looks like the time before my mom and dad got divorced…''
All of them looked at Connor. Jude looked very sad…
''What happens to us if they divorce?''
''You have to pick little guy…''
''But I don't want to do it…''
Callie hugged him…
''I know love…''
Callie and Mariana cleared the table and the boys did the dishes. Stef came back an hour later, but Lena was still not back. Brandon and Callie went for a walk and they found her sitting by the lake.
''Care for some company?''
She smiled at them but her eyes were sad…
''I don't like when she mentions Bella. We were very young, but I loved her so much. She was the person who meant the world to me…And we believed we would have an amazing life together…It's not our fault that a drunk driver hit our car and she died…''
Callie had no idea what happened to Lena and her ex lover. After Bella's death, Lena spent a few years alone and after that time of grief, she got out and dated few people. Steff was her first very serious relationship.
''Do you think we made a mistake?''
''Oh, Callie… It's hard to answer… I see you as my own kids and after we found out you kissed and all the things that came after…I was a bit angry, disappointed…You were supposed to be siblings and all of the sudden, you are married… It took some time…But you are so…''
''Young? Is that your problem Lena?''
Callie was trying to be calm and have normal conversation with Lena…
'' I have no idea… It's not about the age… It's about what you have with someone and how much you work on it…I wish you would stay together for a long time, but I more than that, I wish you to be with someone who loves and sees you for who you are… Maybe you will be together your entire live and be happy... Maybe you will end it and find someone even better…I have no idea… Life is…full of surprises… But as your parent… I want to see you happy…''
''But Stef wants us apart… She will never get used to it…''
''I can't say give her time… She had over a year to get used to it and to build a relationship with you…and I don't agree with her… She thinks she is protecting you by being like that. I don't think so…You kids should pick your ways and partners… I am done with telling anyone what to do… I just want my children happy…''
Brandon hugged her.
''We are happy… We are so happy… I love her Lena. I love Callie so much and I feel complete with her. And I thank you for not letting mom annul our marriage…''
''I am happy for you then… Let's go back… We are gone for too long…''
They got back and found the rest of the bunch playing cards. Callie sat by Jude and looked at his cards…
''Oh, I see you are having fun…''
''I am, but Connor is winning…And mom is angry…''
Connor smiled at that comment.
''Good luck Judicorn…''
She came back to Brandon and they went for a walk. Brandon was very silent.
''Callie…''
''Yes…''
''Do you think they will divorce?''
''I have no idea… I hope not…''
''I am not sure if Lena still loves her…or mom loves Lena…''
''Why do you say so?''
''I don't know… They look cold towards each other… and the comment that they don't have sex…''
''B, it doesn't mean anything…''
''But it does... It matters… And you know it…''
He wiggled his eyebrows and kissed her.
''But they are older than us…''
''Ok, maybe we are not good example…But Jill and Robert do it…''
''How do you know?!''
''They often have that glow…And hold hands and exchange kisses and touches…''
''I know… I wish they would be ok…''
''So do I… I was too young when mom and dad divorced, and it was hard…It would hurt me also if they got divorced.''
''I know…''
She kissed him and gave him a hug. They got back in time for diner. After they ate, Callie and Brandon cleared the table and did the dishes. When they were finished, they got back to their family. Everybody was sitting by the fire and staring at it. B couldn't sand the silence, so he took out his guitar. He started playing and kids started singing. Steff sent them to bed around eleven and they all went. Callie and Brandon picked up their things and went to shower before bed. They got under their nice covers and cuddled up together. They could hear crickets and leaves and it felt relaxing.
''I like us like this…''
''Me too… I love to just be with you.''
''Me to…''
Brandon kissed her and it turned into something much more. They made love in their tent and fell asleep cuddled up to each other… In the morning they had unpleasant awakening. Steff got into their tent and found them naked in bed. They were covered, but it was clear they were not dressed… Brandon opened his eyes to see his mother looking at them.
''I can't believe two of you…''
''What?''
''We are staying here just for a few days and you couldn't just hold it back…''
''What?''
Callie was embarrassed and confused…
''Why is it that two of you are always all over each other?! Where ever we turn!''
''Mom, we were in our tent that we don't share with anyone else, we are far from the rest and what is it to you? You came to our tent and tell us that we are inappropriate because we had sex in our tent?''
Steff went out and woke other kids too. When Brandon and Callie got out of their tents they realized no one was ready.
''You woke us up and no one is ready?''
Lena looked at Steff.
''Ready for what?''
''To go into town…''
''But I tought we agreed to hike today?''
''No, I want to go into town…''
''But I want to hike!''
''Don't insist Lena, she made her mid for all of us…As usual… My mother does it pretty often…''
''Brandon! Pay attention to your words…I am your mother… And you don't want to go there…''
''I know, but you are invading our space…''
''I came to tell you we are going into town…Only reason I was there is because you were not awake…''
Brandon checked the time and saw it was nine.
''Mom, we sleep at home longer than here… What is it with you? Leave us alone…''
''Do you behave like this with Jill and Robert? Complain about space? Sleeping? So touchy feely…?''
''No, because…''
Callie stopped him from speaking.
''Brandon! No!''
''I am not going anywhere… I will stay here…''
Jude got off the chair…
''Could Connor and I stay with them?''
''Us too?''
Stef realized that none of the kids wanted to go…and Lena either didn't look happy about going to town.
''Why don't you do what you want?! I can't do this anymore…''
She took her bag and went to the car. She left and the kids stayed behind. Lena went with Connor and Jude to the lake and Callie and Brandon stayed with Mariana and Jesus. Brandon took her hand and led her to the side.
''Is it ok if we leave?''
''You want to go?''
''Yes… I can't be near her…''
''Ok. Let's pack up…''
''I love you…''
She went inside and started packing their things and in less than thirty minutes, with help from Mariana and Jesus, they were packed.
''Say Jude and Connor…''
''Don't worry Callie… Mariana and I will deal with the little guy…''
''See you at home…''
''Ok… You owe me and Lex that date…''
''Sure…''
''Maybe we could all go out…?''
They all turned to Mariana…
''You are ready?''
''Yes, it's time…''
''Ok… I can't wait for it..''
They got into the car and drove back home. Callie was driving this time and Brandon was staring somewhere.
''I feel better when she is not close…''
''Me too...''
Jill, Robert and Sofia were surprised to see them home so soon. By the face Brandon had, they knew not to ask anything. He will talk later or Callie would tell them. Jill and Sofia went into the house to make some food and Robert stayed with Callie. They unloaded the car and Robert dared to ask.
''What happened?''
''Stef…''
''I guessed…''
''It's predictable…''
''Callie, I want you to know you can always come to me… Whatever two of you need…''
''I know…so does he…''
''How do you feel about barbecue tomorrow?''
''Just us?''
''And Mike with Ana.. Baby is due soon…''
''Sure, why not… Maybe Brandon would use some time with him…''
''I'll tell Jill…''
''Ok…''
Callie got into the house and went to the bedroom. Brandon was taking a shower and she sneaked in.
''Room for one more?''
''Always…''
After the shower they ended up in bed. Callie did all she could to get him to forget about Steff and bad things that were happening. He loved making love to her. She inspired him, she moved him, she knew him and she was his best friend and lover. And to her, he was her entire world.
