Stef couldn't wipe the smile of her face as she waited for Lena to arrive. It had taken them all some difficult times and trials but it seemed they were finally coming together as a family - whatever that looked like. When Stef had first sought Callie out, she'd imagined a bond and a relationship with the daughter she'd given up all those years ago but Lena had grown to be a big part of that too. She enjoyed Lena's company and would be eternally grateful to her for supporting her with Callie when things weren't as simple as Stef had hoped.
Looking at Callie once again Stef smiled. This girl had grown to be such a huge part of her life and Stef's only regret was that her initial attempt at giving Callie a better life had failed. It was something she would never fully forgive herself for even though she knew that there was no way to predict the future and all anyone could do was make a choice and hope for the best. However things didn't always workout the way you hoped no matter how good the intentions. Hindsight is the only thing with twenty-twenty vision but there wasn't anything Stef, or anyone else, could do about it now.
But from here on out things would be different for the better. Callie was finally opening up to Stef and they were all finding a place for each other in their lives. Stef was still, in no way, looking to take over any part of parenting from Lena and when the adoption date was given she'd be right there, front and center to support Lena and Callie on the most important day of their lives but still, she was confidant that there was a place for her in their family unit. Lena had always been welcoming and encouraged Callie to give Stef a chance which finally seemed to be paying off. Lena and Stef themselves seemed to have a close relationships. They had become good friends over the past year and Stef would go as far as to say that they'd become best friends. Both women had come to trust each other and even depend on each other. Stef had never met anyone like Lena before - she was caring and loyal and she wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in, no matter how hard it was. The woman was everything that Stef wished she could be - she had a loving family that accepted her for who she was, mistakes and all; she was happy and content with her life despite how simple it was and whatever she did, she did for herself and for others without worrying that the rest of the world was watching or even because of it for that matter. She wasn't looking to be in the spotlight and the spotlight wasn't looking for her and that was vastly different from the life that Stef had led from the time she was a young child.
Thinking about both their lives and they way that their own parents had raised them so different made Stef wonder how Callie had turned into the person that was was. With no family, no role-models and basically no one to teach her right from wrong, the girl was still a decent human being. Agreed, the choices Callie had made in the last few weeks weren't the best and her attitude had been outright hostile but though all of that Callie had never once tried to hurt anyone or even herself for that matter. She was just an average teenager falling prey to the general dilemmas that every adolescent faces while trying to push the boundaries of her own personal limitations that her heart condition and her foster status enforce. Even her attitude toward Stef had been more about showing Stef just how hurt she was by the woman's decision to give her up. Her behavior towards Lena was obviously just a way to cope with all that had been going on. She was the only constant in Callie's life and the safest person for Callie to attack when she felt cornered. It was clear to Callie that no matter what happened, Lena wasn't going anywhere no matter what. She was the one who was never going to hurt Callie or just disappear from her life no matter what Callie threw at her and child was obviously good at heart and Stef didn't doubt for a second that if the tables ever turned then Callie would stand fiercely in front of Lena, ready to protect her in much the same way. As angry as she could get, as much as she hated Lena's hovering and babying and as much as she longed for more freedom and privileges, she loved Lena and that was clear as day.
Voices distracted Stef from her thoughts and she turned to find Lena standing outside the door talking to Callie's doctor. She quietly left the room to join the two outside and listened as the doctor gave Lena the full details of Callie's accident and the treatment. After about ten minutes of questions and assurance that Callie was in fact fine, the doctor left leaving the two women alone. Lena turned to face Stef, confusion still written all over her face and Stef reached out for Lena's hand, taking it gently into her own.
"She's okay." Stef assured with a smile. "Those kids got her out of the water so fast that there was no damage. She's just tired but she was talking and smiling and she asked for you."
Tears filled Lena's eyes as she glanced though the small window in Callie's door and saw her daughter fast asleep, hooked up to several machines.
"Hey." Stef comforted, taking a step towards the woman. "It's okay. It's going to be okay." She assured. "Callie's a fighter and I think she really learned her lesson this time. She said she was sorry for doing stupid things. She didn't mean it. She's just tired of the system and the doctors and trying to fit in. It's just a phase she's going through, it'll pass and you'll have your little girl back."
Stef tried to pull Lena closer so the younger woman could lean on her but instead Lena pulled away and wiggled her hand out of Stef's grasp.
"It's not a phase." Lena spat angrily. "This new Callie, this impulsive, hostile child only appeared when you came into her life. You are the reason that all this is happening. You're the reason she's suffered the way she has, you're the reason she didn't get adopted and you're the reason she's turned into this monster. She was fine without you so why don't you just go back to where you came from and leave us alone."