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Stef POV

Quietly I walk myself out of the living room, leaving Callie, Jude and Charlie alone to hopefully reconnect. I make my way into the kitchen where Lena is pouring herself a glass of water she looks over to me as I take a seat at the table "So big day huh?" I rub my temple as I nod in reply. Lena walks over to me and places a soft kiss on my hair before she takes a seat next to me, I know I need to fill Lena in about the events of today but at this moment all I feel like doing is resting, I guess not having much sleep last night is finally starting to catch up with me. I place my head in my arms and let out a sigh, I can feel Lena run her fingers along my back, this gesture always helps me to relax "So who's going to go up and speak to B?" Lena suddenly says, she must have noticed how distant he was this afternoon too. I took up into Lenas eyes "He didn't take the news of Charlie too well did he?" Lena replies with a shake of her head "He didn't really say anything in the car when I told the kids, he wouldn't even look at me Stef" I close my eyes, my sweet Brandon, he has gone from an only child to being the eldest of a big family, I guess we have been lucky that he has let the other kids enter his family with open arms but maybe this time is just too much. I open my eyes again to look at the love of my life, this woman will get me through anything that life throws at me "i'll head up and talk to him soon, the others seemed to handle the news okay. I mean Mariana was... well she was Mariana and I wouldn't expect any different" Lena smiles at my comment "Hmm she really is one of a kind our Mari but she means well" "She does" I reply.

While the kids are all busy now is probably the best time to have a chat about what is going to happen over the next few days "So I have talked to Charlies social worker, his name is Tim" "ehm" Lena replies with a nod, I continue "He wasn't very keen on the idea of Charlie staying with us tonight but I managed to sway him. I have signed and sent all the paperwork through so it's all offical for the next two nights. I have also organised a meeting with Tim in two days from now at lunchtime" Lena nods again "I will organise a longer lunch to make sure I will be here too" I smile at Lena "Thanks love" "So whats going to happen over the next two nights?" Lena asks, "Well I have talked to Charlie and she is okay to sleep on the couch, I will make it up for her after dinner. Callie wanted to give up her bed but Charlie was quick to refuse the offer" "What about Charlies injuries? She definitely looks much more worse for wear than when I saw her yesterday at the school" Lena says with worry written on her face "I haven't had the opportunity to see what other injuries she has, I know she has something going on as she has repeatedly flinched throughout the day. I did try to ask her but she insists that she is fine and avoids the subject any further" Lena nods "Maybe I can have a talk with her later? she might open up a bit more to me? Or we can ask Callie to have a talk with her" "We can see how she is after dinner and go from there. I will offer her some aspirin and hopefully that will help with the pain for now". Our conversation is interrupted by Jesus bounding into the kitchen "How long till dinner?" He says whilst taking a look in the fridge, Lena replies "Not for a few hours, how about you have a piece of fruit?" "Humph boring" Jesus grabs an apple and sits down in front of me, "So are you guys going to adopt Charlie too or..?" I'm quick to answer Jesus' very forward question "We haven't discussed anything about that yet Jesus, Charlie has only just come into our home a few hours ago and we have a lot to think about" I look to Lena "But how would you feel if Charlie did end up staying?" I already know what he is probably going to say but I will be asking each of the kids this eventually "That'd be cool with me. I mean now that the garage is a room I could just move in there" Jesus says as a statement, I raise my eyebrows of course this is his solution, he has been wanting to move in ever since we did the garage up last summer "Oh really now" "Yeah well Brandon said he doesn't care about moving out there and I know Mari said she wants to but I don't think she actually wants to, she likes being in with Callie too much to actually move and well Jude is too young soo.. that leaves me!" I can't help the laugh that escapes my lips "Well sounds like you have it all figured out then" "yep!" Jesus replies with a smile before he takes a bite from his apple. I look to Lena who is also smiling at our determined son. I stand up "I'm going to go up and talk to B, you okay down here?" I turn to Lena who replies with a nod "I'll get start preparing dinner soon since this one probably won't be able to wait for long" she is looking at Jesus who gives a shrug. I leave the kitchen and head up the stairs, i'm not looking forward to what this conversation might bring.

I knock on Brandons closed door, "Hey B, it's Mom" "Come in" Brandon replies. I slowly open up the door and walk inside closing the door behind me. I walk over to Brandon who is lying on his bed scrolling on his phone, He sits up a bit and moves his legs to the side leaving me room to sit down in front of him. I sit down and rest my hand on his shin "I thought you were doing homework?" I say with a smile "I was going to start soon" Brandon replies without looking at me, this conversation is going just how I thought it would go. I give his leg a small squeeze "Whats going through your head B? I know today would have come as a shock" "yeah it was definitely a shock" Brandon still hasn't taken his eyes off from his phone "Can you put your phone down for me please" Brandon sighs and places his phone next to him "What's up?" finally he is properly acknowledging me being here even if it's with a bit of attitude "I want to know what's going through your head. You haven't told us how you are actually feeling about what has happened today and remember I am your mother and I know you better than anyone else in this world so you are not going to get away with telling me you are okay with it" Brandon rolls his eyes before he finally starts to talk "Well.. well I wish I was okay with it. I feel like a horrible person because I don't feel okay. I feel like this family just keeps growing and don't get me wrong I love, I love my siblings but another one Mom? You and Mama don't even have enough time to spend with five kids let alone adding another into the bunch" My heart instantly pings, he is right. I consistently feel like I need to be in five different places at once and is Brandon right, maybe I don't have enough left in me to support another child. Brandon is looking at me now, waiting for me to reply but what do I say "I.. I know I have missed a few of your recitals over the past few months and you have had to also accept that AJ is at your Dads house. You have had a lot going on so i'm sorry I sprung this on you so suddenly but you have to understand that Charlie didn't have anywhere to go.." Brandon interrupts "I know you have been busy and sure it sucks that you haven't made it to all my recitals but i'm not overly bothered about that, I always have someone there, whether it's Dad, Lena or you but it's the fact that our house is literally turning into the Brady Bunch" Brandon stands up "It's already so busy, I have trouble keeping up with my schoolwork because there is always something going on, some type of drama or fight. I haven't even had the chance to talk to Mama properly about my senior project because she has been too busy dealing with everyone else. How am I meant to get through my final year of school if this is going to be what it's like every single day?! But don't get me wrong I know why you brought Charlie here, I know she can't be living on the streets or in an abusive foster home, I wouldn't want that for anyone but surely there is a nice place where she could live that is close by. Somewhere she can stay but can still visit here and be a part of our lives.. just without living here" he looks down almost like he feels guilty about what he has just said. I instantly feel regret, has Brandon been feeling like this for a while and I just haven't noticed, is this the last straw that has officially made Brandon break. I feel like a terrible Mom, I stand up and wrap my son up in my arms "I'm so sorry, I'm sorry you feel like this. I'm sorry I haven't been as present as I should have been but I promise that will change, even with Charlie here I promise you I'm going to be more present in your life and I'll talk to Mama too. The two of you can come up with a plan to sort out your senior project. Maybe you can go to the library together on Saturday? Just the two of you" Brandon nods his head "Thanks Mom and I don't blame you, I don't want you to feel bad. It's just I miss you and I know I sound selfish but I miss having you to myself". I love my family with all my heart but it's true, I have not spent enough quality time with my eldest and that needs to change "let's do something soon, just the two of us. We can plan a Mom and Brandon day. How does that sound?" "That would be good Mom" We have another hug "As for the Charlie situation, we haven't made any decisions yet and I'll talk to Mama about what you have just told me okay? Your opinion is always relevant, all you kids will have a proper say on what happens in this family" Brandon replies with a sad nod, I know he is definitely feeling guilty about the way he is feeling "never feel guilty about how you feel my love, I'm glad you told me the truth" I kiss his cheek "and remember I will drop everything to be there for you if you need a chat you hear me" Brandon nods again "Okay well I'll leave you to your homework. I'm going to go down and help Mama with dinner your brother is apparently starving. I'll call you when it's ready" "Okay" Brandon gives me a smile. I give his hand one final squeeze of reassurance before I make my way to the door, closing it behind me I place my hand back up to my temples, trying to prevent the headache that is slowly making its way to the surface. It's been a long 24 hours and I feel like it isn't going to get any easier.