Chapter 39.
"Sometimes we need to forget some people from our past, because of one simple reason: they just don't belong in our future."
-Unknown
Over the next few months, Savannah's sleepless nights got fewer and fewer, and disappeared all together. It seemed to Callie that the little girl forgot she'd ever had another set of parents. In some ways, that revelation was sad. But it was also a relief.
Callie also started culinary school at a local community college, just before she and Brandon's first anniversary. The morning of her first day, she got up early to awake the kids, who would be going to the college's daycare while she had class and Brandon worked. Callie had also joined the school's work program, doing filing part-time, to supplement their income. Brandon was pursuing a career, too. During his lunch breaks, and in the evening, he studied business online. Things were coming together.
About a week after starting school, Callie left her morning classes for lunch. She was headed to the daycare to get the girls. She always brought them to the cafeteria to have lunch with her. as she walked down the quickly-emptying hallway, though, she had an eerie feeling that she was being followed. nervous, she picked up her pace.
"Callie!" a male voice called. "Wait up!"
Callie turned around cautiously, and sucked in her breath. She had to remind herself to exhale. It was Liam. "Stay away from me!" she cried, looking around for help, her eyes wild with fear. "Don't hurt me!"
"I just want to talk," said Liam, approaching her. "I'm not going to hurt you. Please."
"I don't want to talk to you," she spat. she looked down and discovered that her hands were shaking. "I never want to talk to you again."
"Callie..." he said slowly, looking down. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to tell you that."
Callie's jaw tensed at his words. She could hardly believe his words. "You're not sorry," she replied, bitterly. "You got away with what you did to me."
"I know," he nodded, his face grim. "And I wish I was sitting in prison right now."
"What?" she asked, puzzled and suspicious.
"You're not the only foster sister I abused," he confessed. "You were just... the only one who had the courage to tell."
"Yeah," she snapped. "A lot of good it did me. I basically got called a liar by the judge."
"You should have won the case," he admitted. "I was guilty, and we both knew it. It didn't hit me... what I did to you... until that day. I've been living with the guilt ever since. I'm sorry. Please accept my apology."
Callie regarded him with a hard look, staring into his dark eyes. "No," she told him firmly. "I can't accept your apology. I can't forgive you. You ruined my life, Liam. You lied to me, stole my innocence, and made me and Jude lose a home. I'm just starting to let myself love people again. After all this time. I hate you, and I don't want you near me. I hope I never see your face as long as I live."
"Is there anything I can do to change that?" he asked. "I want to make things right."
"The only thing that could have come close to making things 'right,'" Callie replied, "is if you would have let me get the justice I deserve. But it's too late for that, now. Isn't it?" She sighed, trying not to cry. "I can't forgive you until you accept responsibility for what you did. Apologizing to me isn't enough." She paused, looking away. "I have to go."
"Okay," he nodded. "I understand." He turned to leave, then looked back. "Goodbye."
Callie didn't answer him. She simply turned in the other direction, and went on her way. As she walked to the daycare, she tried to soothe herself by breathing slow, steady breathes, but her heart pounded in her ears.
When she reached the daycare, Savannah ran to her. "Momm-my!" she cried, wrapping arms around her leg. Bailey crawled closely behind.
"Hi, sweetheart," said Callie, reaching down to kiss Savy. "Why don't you go grab your lunchbox, okay?"
"Okay," she nodded, running to her cubby.
Once she was out of earshot, Callie picked Bailey up and gave her a warm hug. Then, she turned to the daycare teacher. "Hey," she said quietly. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure," the young woman replied. "What's up?"
"I just want to bring up a concern," Callie explained. "It's about another student here. His name is Liam Olmstead. He's tall, and he has dirty blond hair and dark eyes. Listen... if he ever comes around here, I don't want him near my girls. If he tries, call me, or the cops." She sighed deeply. "I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid?"
"Is he a threat?" he teacher asked, her face creased with worry.
"He and I... have a long history," Callie confided. "Let's just say he's not someone who should be around children."
"Well, you don't have to worry about your daughters," the other woman explained. "Savannah and Bailey are safe in here. Children can only be signed out by their parents or guardians. No one else is allowed inside the daycare."
"Thank you," Callie replied, finally starting to relax. "That makes me feel much better." Turning, she looked around for Savy. "Come on, baby. You ready to eat?"
"Coming, mommy," the little girl called out.
"Did you have fun today?" Callie asked, as they walked down the hall. On one side, she carried Bailey on her hip. On the other, she held Savy's hand.
"Uh-huh," Savy nodded. "I make you a picture. With sparkles! But it's not dry yet."
"Maybe it will be dry by the time we go home?" Callie told her. "I bet it will be."
"It gots silver sparkles and lots of pink and glue," the little girl went on.
"Sounds pretty!" She led the girls to an empty table, and got them settled. As they ate lunch together, her fears about Liam drifted away.
That evening, Callie, Brandon, and the girls went to Stef and Lena's house for dinner. After they ate, Callie and her moms sat around at the table, drinking coffee and talking. Brandon, Jude, and Jesus were watching TV in the living room, and Mariana was playing with Savy.
"You know, Cal," said Stef. "You and Brandon's anniversary is coming up. Any plans yet?"
"Nah," Callie replied, bouncing Bailey on her lap. "We don't really have the extra money to go out. I might bake a cake, though.
Stef turned to Lena, and smiled knowingly. "Sweetheart, mama and I have been talking. This is a special milestone for you guys. We want to help you celebrate it. We'd like to give you the wedding reception you never got."
"Seriously?" Callie gasped, her eyes widening.
"Seriously," Lena replied. "You guys can get dressed up, and we'll decorate the backyard, and invite all our friends and family. We'll have a big cake... it'll be so much fun."
"That's really nice of you," she breathed. "But... are you sure?" she never liked being the center of attention, and couldn't imagine what it would be like to have all eyes on her.
"We're certain," Stef told her, patting her hand. "You two deserve the chance to celebrate your beautiful family. I know we were... pessimistic, when you first got married, honey. But the truth is, we were so wrong. You and Brandon have been together longer than most couples anymore, and that's something to be proud of. and you're both doing so well, making something of yourselves. Let us do this for you."
"Okay," Callie nodded. "I will." She looked down at the baby, then back up at her moms, feeling shy. "On one condition."
"What's that?" Lena asked.
"Mike is invited," Callie told them. "I want you to forgive him. Honestly, that would be the best anniversary present you could give us."
Stef was silent for several moments, letting her daughter's words sink in.
"I feel like if you can't let what he did go," Callie continued, "you still don't truly accept our marriage. Please. If not for him, then for us?"
Finally, she slowly nodded. She could hold a grudge with the best of them, but she knew it was time to let this one go. "Okay, honey. You're absolutely right. I will forgive him."
"And he's invited to the party?"
"He's at the top of the guest list."
Callie's heart lifted, and she hopped up. Still holding the baby, she gave first Stef, then Lena, a hug.
"Callie!" Jesus called from the living room. "Everyone, come quick. Hurry!"
Callie turned to her moms, momentarily panicked, then raced into the living room
"What is it?' she cried.
"Shh," said Brandon, pointing to the TV.
Callie looked at the screen. The evening news was on, and plastered across the screen was Liam's mug-shot. The newscaster spoke as the image was shown.
"Police arrested Liam Olmstead, 24, after he confessed to sexual assault, involving three separate female minors under the age of sixteen. He is being charged with multiple counts of statutory rape, assault, and criminal sexual conduct, and is awaiting trial."
Brandon shut the TV off, and turned to Callie. "You okay?"
Callie blinked several times in disbelief. "He turned himself in." She shook her head sightly, trying to put everything together in her mind. Her confrontation with Liam that day... he must have been sincere. She thought he was trying to manipulate her again. But could it be that he really did feel remorse?
Brandon stood up, as Callie passed Bailey to Mariana, and took her into his arms. "You finally got justice, Cal." He kissed her, giving her an extra hug.
"Didn't I tell you some good would come, someday?" Stef asked, squeezing her daughter's shoulder. "The truth will set you free."
"I just can't believe it," she sighed, leaning into her mother's hug. "I just... can't."
"He's gonna be in jail for a long time," Stef promised. "Longer than he would have if you'd lied at your trial. That's karma, honey."
Callie hugged herself as a chill passed through her body. "Maybe not entirely."
She sat down on the sofa, and Brandon wrapped his arm around her. She began to tell her family about what happened earlier that day. And as she did so, she felt a tremendous weight lifted from her shoulders. Finally, she could let the past go, and get on with her life. Liam was finally paying the price for what he did, and knowing that, she felt a sense of freedom she never knew existed.
To Be Continued- stay tuned for the last chapter!