While we were driving, Lena asked us about our day. I told her how all of the classes were the same with having me introduce myself then handing me a list of supplies. Neal said his were pretty much the same. He didn't have any homework either, which meant he would have more time to spend with Charlie and Evan.
"It sounds like your days were good. We can go shopping for clothes and those supplies this weekend. Is that ok?"
"Yeah, my teachers want us to have everything by next week."
"Mine too," said Neal.
"Good. I'm assuming I made the right choice in choosing Charlie and Belle as your guides?"
We both nodded our head in the affirmative.
"Ruby is Belle's girlfriend I believe?"
"Yeah, they kind of gross me out with all the lovey dovey looks they give each other when they think I'm not looking."
Neal and Lena both laughed at my statement.
"What? It's true!" I protested.
It just caused them to laugh harder.
"Note to self: gag when Stef and Lena kiss, then tease them and hope it doesn't backfire."
"Note to self: tease Emma relentlessly when she brings her girlfriend over," Lena teased right back.
I laughed with them, and we were talking about which class Neal had met Evan in (math) and how he ended up talking to him (Neal needed a pencil and paper to write down some notes, and Evan offered them to him,) when Lena pulled into the driveway. It was about 3:30 now. We hopped out of the car, towing our bags out behind us and slinging them over our shoulders. Brandon and the rest had gotten there a few seconds before us, so they were unlocking the door and opening it when we got out of the car. We all piled inside, removed our shoes, and walked to the kitchen, putting our bags on the floor by the table.
"Ok, who has homework? And don't say you don't have any because you want to listen to Emma play," Lena warned.
"I don't have any," I said.
"Me neither," said Neal.
"Callie? Jude?"
"I have a few problems left to do on my math worksheet," Jude stated. "I can finish it in like 20 minutes."
"I don't have anything," Callie replied.
"Jesus? Mari? Brandon?"
They all said no.
"Ok then. Emma, Neal, you get to pick one thing as an afterschool snack. You too, Jesus. I know you and your stomach."
"But Mama!" He whined.
"No buts, one snack or I'm taking your phone away for a week."
He grumbled but complied, grabbing a small bag of chips from the cabinet, and sat at the table. We all followed his lead, me and Neal because we didn't know what was acceptable to eat, despite Lena telling us to grab whatever we wanted, and everyone else because they were in the mood for chips.
"Do you know what time your friends are going to be here?"
Just as I was about to answer, the doorbell rang.
"Now?" I meekly answered.
Lena let out a chuckle. "Why don't you and Neal answer?"
Neal and I exited the kitchen with our chips, and I opened the door. They were all standing there, Charlie and Ruby bouncing on their toes from excitement, while Evan and Belle looked a little more collected.
"Hey guys, come on in," I said.
"Wow Ems, this place is awesome!"
"Thanks Red. Take your shoes off and follow me. You can either leave your bags here or you can put them in the kitchen. Neal, will you close the door?"
After he did that, we led the way, Belle listening to Ruby chatting animatedly while Evan was doing the same with Charlie. When we entered the kitchen, everyone's eyes were on us.
"Right," I said. "These are our foster siblings, Brandon, Callie, Mariana, Jesus, Jude, and one of our foster moms, Lena, who you probably already know from school," I explained, pointing to each one as I said their name. "Everyone, these are my friends, Ruby and Belle…" I trailed off, letting Neal introduce his friends.
"And these are mine, Charlie and Evan," Neal said.
Everyone waved to each other. Belle spoke first. "You have a lovely home, Mrs. Ad, I mean, Lena," Belle corrected.
"Thank you Belle. Do you guys want to eat anything? We have plenty of snacks if you'd like," Lena offered kindly.
"Can I have some cookies?" Evan asked politely.
"Of course you can sweetie," Lena said, scrounging around in the cabinet before she found them.
"Me too!" Charlie said.
"No way dude! You already have way too much energy!" I teased.
Everybody laughed. Lena gave both of them three anyways.
"Ems?"
"Yeah Red?"
"First off, stop calling me that, and second, do you have any jalapeño cheetos? Those things are to die for."
"I don't know. Lena?"
"I think we do, because I know Jesus also loves those."
"When are you going to play?" Charlie asked impatiently, while fidgeting in his seat.
I groaned. "I knew those cookies were a bad idea!"
Everyone laughed again. I answered his question. "Probably when Stef gets home and when I'm done eating."
"Who's Stef?" Evan asked.
"Lena's wife and our other foster mom," Neal said.
"What does she do?" Charlie questioned.
"She's a police officer," Mariana said.
"That's so cool! Does she have a real badge?!" Charlie asked excitedly.
"Yeah, she does," Brandon answered.
"Do you think she'd let me hold it?" He asked.
"I'm sure if you asked nicely she would," Lena replied.
"Cool! I'm so excited!"
"Really?! I couldn't tell," Ruby and I answered in sarcastic voices at the same time.
We looked at each other, a little creeped out.
"That was scary," Belle said. Everybody nodded in agreement.
"Ok, why don't you guys move into the living room or go to your rooms so Jude can work on his homework?" Lena asked.
We all agreed, and followed Jesus since he was the first one to get up. As we entered the living room, I saw the piano sitting in the corner, and it made me nervous all over again. Even though I wasn't doing anything until Stef got home, it still made me nervous. Neal, Evan, and Charlie sat on the three seater. Belle and Ruby were in the two seater, and I sat in the armchair. Everyone else went to their respective rooms, telling me they couldn't wait to see what I was gonna play before they left.
"Emma, what're you gonna play?" Belle asked.
I quickly went through the songs I knew I could sing and play piano for in my head, and found the perfect one. "It's a surprise," I said, smirking.
"Come on, don't hold out on me now Ems!" said Ruby.
"Sorry, it's a secret."
"Man, you're no fun."
"Yes I am, otherwise we wouldn't be friends," I pointed out.
Ruby playfully narrowed her eyes at me. "I'm starting to rethink that decision."
"Now now children, be nice," Belle teased.
"We're not children!" We said at the same time.
"Ok, seriously, that's creepy," she responded.
"Yeah Emma, Belle and Ruby should be doing that," Neal stated.
I feigned shock by dramatically placing a hand over my heart, and said, "My own brother! How dare you turn him against me! You'll pay for this, you rascal you!"
There was a moment of silence following my theatrical performance, then everyone burst out into laughter.
"Nice performance Ems," said Ruby.
I stood up and did a silly little bow. "Thank you, thank you! I'll be here all night!"
"Emma, stop, you're gonna make me die from laughing too much," Neal said, the last of his giggles dying out. Evan and Charlie nodded their heads in agreement.
"That's fine, I've still got two other ones I can hang out with," I stated nonchalantly.
"Yeah, but they're not as fun as me!"
"I don't know about that."
"Emma!" He whined.
"Yes Neal?"
"Here they come," I whispered quietly to Ruby and Belle. They just looked confused. Charlie and Evan were trying and failing to hold in their giggles.
"The puppy dog eyes," I mouthed to them. "You can't say no. Just watch." I added in a whisper.
"Stop being a meanie!" He said, and sure enough, he gave me the puppy dog eyes.
I sighed resignedly. "I guess I could stop."
"Awww, Neal, you're so adorable!"
I broke out into another fit of laughter along with everyone else at the face he made because of Ruby's words. It was something between "I'm embarrassed," "I'm mad," and "What did you just say to me?" I've never laughed as much as I have while staying at the Fosters, and it did something to me. I'm not sure, but I think my heart felt lighter than it has in a long time. I felt a rush of gratitude towards Stef and Lena, for I've never felt this way, and based on the pure joy on Neal's face as he talked with his friends, I don't think he has either. I started talking with Ruby and Belle again, but before I could say anything, I heard the keys in the lock. I figured it was Stef, but my body still tensed up. When she opened the door, I felt myself relax when I saw it was indeed Stef. She was in her uniform, and when Charlie saw her, he practically ran into her.
"Hi! I'm Charlie! One of Neal's best friends! You must be Stef! Your uniform is so cool! Can I look at your badge?!" He said in one big breath.
Stef simply smiled at the overeager child. "Hi Charlie. You're right, I am Stef. The uniform is pretty cool, isn't it?" She was on her knees now in order to be at eye level with him. "You want to know a secret about my badge?" He nodded his head with very wide eyes. She took it off and handed it to him while she continued to speak. "I only let very, very, very special people touch it. Like my wife, my kids, and of course, their friends. Nobody else is allowed to but them."
"Wow," he said, almost breathless because of how in awe he was with it. He ran his fingers over its smooth surface. Charlie then looked up at Stef. "I want to be like you. I want to be able to help people and protect them."
Stef's smile brightened. "I think you would be an excellent police officer, Charlie."
"Here you go," he said while handing her back the badge.
"Thank you, sweetheart. Where are the rest of the kids?"
Charlie pointed to us. We had all watched the exchange, and I couldn't help but long for someone like Stef as a mother.
Neal was next to speak. "Hi Stef! I'm sorry Charlie did that."
She chuckled. "It's ok, honey. Who's your other friend?"
"Oh, this is Evan."
He waved shyly.
"Hey Stef, how was work?" I asked, diverting her attention away from Evan, who was shy again.
"Just patrols today, nothing too serious. Who are your friends, Emma?"
"I'm Belle. It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Adams Foster."
"It's nice to meet you as well. And please, call me Stef. What about you?" Stef asked, her eyes sliding over to Ruby.
"I'm Ruby, Belle's girlfriend and Emma's friend."
"I see. May I ask why we have so many people over?" She said with her eyebrow raised.
"Emma's gonna perform for us!" said Charlie.
"Yeah, she has the most killer skills ever!" Ruby added.
"Well alright then. Where is everyone else?"
"Lena's in the kitchen, either helping Jude with homework or they're cooking. Everyone else went upstairs," I answered.
"Ok, let's see how long it takes them to realize I'm home," Stef said.
"Want to know my guess?"
She tilted her head, as if asking me to continue. "Either when you go upstairs to change, or dinner time."
"I agree, love. I'm gonna go see what's happening in the kitchen. Nice meeting you all." She headed to the kitchen, and I could hear Lena saying hi. I couldn't make out the rest of what they were saying, so I turned my ears back to our conversation, only to hear Charlie gushing about Stef and how she let him hold her badge and how cool it was and how cool she is and how he wants to be just like her. I swear, this child never runs out of energy. It's like he has an infinite amount of it, and it never leaves him. I then heard Stef going up the stairs, so I assumed she was going to change out of her uniform. We decided we wanted to watch tv, so Neal grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels until we found something we all agreed on, Full House. I found it kind of ironic we were watching the show in San Francisco, where it was shot. Anyways, when Stef came back down and went into the kitchen, Lena called everyone for dinner. Neal turned the tv off and we all went into the dining room, where Lena had made a delicious smelling and looking dinner of enchiladas and salad, since we needed vegetables. There were enough to feed a small army, and perhaps that's what we were. Stef, Neal, Jesus, Brandon, Jude, Ruby, and I all grabbed three, while Lena, Evan, Charlie, Mariana, Callie, and Belle grabbed two. We all put a small serving of salad on our plates too. I asked Stef if Belle, Ruby, and I could eat in the living room since there weren't enough seats for everyone. She nodded her head in the affirmative, and I thanked her while we made our way back. Ruby and I dug into our food and Belle watched, amused, while eating hers in a more delicate manner.
"Ems, your mom's cooking is to die for," Ruby said after she swallowed down a huge bite of food.
"I know. I wish I was half as good at cooking as she was." It didn't even register that I had agreed with Ruby's statement about Lena being my mom.
"I'm sure if you asked her, she would teach you," Belle offered.
"Yeah, she probably would, but I'm such a clutz I'd mess it up."
"Well one thing's for sure," Ruby stated.
"What?" I asked.
"You are not a clutz when you're singing and playing."
"Stop!" I hissed at her. "They don't know about the S-I-N-G-I-N-G," I spelled out singing in order to avoid them hearing the word. "I wanted to surprise them."
"Aww, that's really sweet Emma," Belle said.
"Yeah, it makes me want to gag," Ruby added.
"Oh, just like you two being all mushy makes me want to gag?"
I snickered at their glares. "Are you guys done eating?"
"Yes, it was delicious," said Belle.
"Yeah, it was awesome," added Ruby, then she let out a gigantic belch. "Whoops! Sorry about that!"
Belle and I laughed while I took their plates and put them in the sink. It seemed as though everyone else was done too, for they started to make their way to the living room after they had put their plates in the sink. I quickly rinsed them off, and followed Lena, since she was the last one. We had to bring some of the chairs from the dining room so everyone could fit. I sat at the piano bench, feeling all of their eyes on me, and played the opening notes of Sam Smith's Too Good At Goodbyes. When I began to sing, Ruby and Belle had gleeful looks on their faces while everyone else looked astounded.
You must think that I'm stupid
You must think that I'm a fool
You must think that I'm new to this
But I have seen this all before
I'm never gonna let you close to me
Even though you mean the most to me
'Cause every time I open up, it hurts
So I'm never gonna get too close to you
Even when I mean the most to you
In case you go and leave me in the dirt
But every time you hurt me, the less that I cry
And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less I love you
Baby, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
I know you're thinking I'm heartless
I know you're thinking I'm cold
I'm just protecting my innocence
I'm just protecting my soul
I'm never gonna let you close to me
Even though you mean the most to me
'Cause every time I open up, it hurts
So I'm never gonna get too close to you
Even when I mean the most to you
In case you go and leave me in the dirt
But every time you hurt me, the less that I cry
And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less I love you
Baby, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
No way that you'll see me cry
(No way that you'll see me cry)
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
No
No, no, no, no, no (I'm way too good at goodbyes)
No, no, no, no
No, no, no (I'm way too good at goodbyes)
(No way that you'll see me cry)
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
'Cause every time you hurt me, the less that I cry
And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less that I love you
Baby, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true
I'm way too good at goodbyes
Mariana and Callie had joined in as back-up, which I was grateful for, since I knew it would be hard to do both parts. As the last note rang through the room, I could see the shock on their faces from the sound of my voice.
"Emma, love, I had no idea you could sing like that! That was brilliant, my love! Absolutely brilliant!" said Stef.
"Thanks," I said, my face burning from the blush I could feel spreading.
"That was awesome, Emma! Where did you learn to sing like that?"
"I don't know. I started singing when I was five years old, and I just had a good voice. Since then, I've always practiced when nobody else was around."
"Except for me!" Neal interrupted. "She'd always sing me to sleep when I got hurt or when I wanted to be comforted."
"Awww, that's so sweet!" said Mariana.
"I agree," said Belle.
"Woah dude! Look at the time!" Ruby exclaimed. "Your dad is probably here by now. He said he'd pick us up at eight right?"
Belle checked her phone. "Yeah, he just texted me. It was nice meeting you all, but we have to go. I'm sure I'll see you again."
"It was nice meeting you too, Belle," Stef said.
After they said bye to everyone and told me they'd see me tomorrow, they walked out the door, but not before grabbing their bags.
Stef turned to Charlie and Evan. "Boys? Do you need a ride home?"
"No, my mom is picking me up," said Evan. "Emma, I really like your voice and I hope you play for us again," he shyly said.
"Of course I will little dude."
"Yeah Emma! That was awesome!" yelled Charlie. "And I don't need a ride, Stef, my mom should be here any second."
Just when he finished speaking, the doorbell rang.
"Told ya!" he exclaimed.
"It could also be Evan's mom," Neal said.
"Or it could be both," I said.
"I'll go get it," said Lena.
Charlie's mom had shoulder-length hair, the same shade of black as Charlie's. But instead of brown eyes, she had sapphire blue ones. Evan's mom was the opposite. She had the same hazel eyes as her son, but she had auburn colored hair.
"Hi Lena. We're here to pick up Charlie and Evan if they're ready?"
"We are!" said Charlie, Evan nodding his head in agreement.
"Ok then. Did you guys have fun? And did you thank Lena and Stef for allowing you to come over?"
"Yeah, we had loads of fun! Thanks Stef! Thanks Lena!"
"Hi Valerie, hi Alicia. And you're welcome, sweetie," Lena said. "And before you ask, they were no trouble at all."
"That's a relief. I never know with this one," Charlie's mom, Valerie, said teasingly.
"I hope you guys have a nice night," Evan's mom, Alicia, said.
"You as well."
"Bye Neal! See you tomorrow!"
"Bye guys!" he said.
As Lena was about to close the door, I realized they had forgotten their bags. "Evan! Charlie!" I shouted.
"Yeah Emma?" I heard Charlie shout back.
"Don't forget your bags!"
"Oh right!"
They both ran back through the door, shouted one last goodbye (more like Charlie did), and headed to their respective cars. That was when Lena closed the door. When she sat back down, everyone started asking more questions on my singing.
"Why did you hide it from us?" Callie asked inquisitively.
"I didn't know how you would feel about it," I replied honestly. "A lot of foster families already didn't like that I played piano, much less that I could sing. I learned to hide both from them after a while, but I still got kicked out of so many homes," I said.
"Well, my baby, like we've said before, we're different from a lot of other families. We won't ever, and I mean never ever, punish you for doing something you love," stated Stef vehemently.
"Logically, I know that, but mentally? I think I'm going to get hurt in some way, shape, or form every time I do something I like that others have punished me for. Or if I get in trouble, the same will be true."
"Emma, will you play something else for us? Maybe it will help you to trust that we won't hurt you for enjoying yourself," Lena said.
Everyone nodded their heads and said they wanted to hear me play again
"Ok, I'll do it. Mariana, Callie? Do you want to be back-up in case I need it?" They nodded their heads in agreement. "Alright, any requests?"
"Oh! Can I pick something Emma?" Neal asked excitedly.
"Course, little man. What is it?"
"Can you do Flashlight?"
"From Pitch Perfect?" asked Mariana.
"Yeah, that's what Emma would sing to me most of the time. It's our song, right Emma?"
"That's right kid, but I think it can include a few more people," I said, making eye contact with each of them. "Ok, here goes."
When tomorrow comes
I'll be on my own
Feeling frightened of
The things that I don't know
When tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
And though the road is long
I look up to the sky
And in the dark I found
Hope that I won't fly
And I sing along
I sing along
And I sing along
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
Kickstart my heart when you shine it in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
Stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight
(Flashlight)
You're my flashlight
(Flashlight)
You're my flashlight
Ooh
I see the shadows long
Beneath the mountaintop
I'm not afraid
When the rain won't stop
'Cause you light the way
You light the way
You light the way
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark cause you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
Kickstart my heart when you shine it in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
Stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
(Light, light, light, you're my flashlight)
Light, light, light, you're my flashlight
Light, light, light, light, light, ooh
(Light, light, light, you're my flashlight)
You're my flash oh
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
Kickstart my heart when you shine it in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
Stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
(You're my flashlight)
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight
'Cause you're my flashlight
You're my flashlight
Ooh ooh
Ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh oh oh
You're my flashlight
Light, light
You're my flashlight
Light, light ye-yeah
(Light light light
You're my flashlight
Light light)
You're my flashlight
Neal had moved to sit next to me on the piano bench while I was playing. Callie and Mariana had scorched closer from where they were sitting on the floor, and Jesus, Mariana, Brandon, Stef, and Lena were leaning forward in their seats as if they were trying to get closer in order to listen. They broke out into soft applause when I finished, and I could feel my face give way to a smile. My face started burning again.
"Sweetheart, you're so talented, and as much as I would like to listen to you play all night, it's time for bed," said Lena.
"Mama's right, my babies. You've got school tomorrow, so don't try to fight us," Stef said, a tone of finality in her voice.
They all grumbled but complied, and I went to follow them before I heard Stef calling me.
"Yeah?"
"Love, we wanted to give you this."
It was a phone. I felt a gasp escaping my lips. "Really?" I asked, my voice wobbling. No one had ever trusted me enough to give me anything expensive, especially a phone.
"Really," said Lena. "It's Callie's old one, so it has our numbers already programmed in if you ever need us."
Stef continued, "But with it comes responsibility. We expect that if we ever text or call you, whether it's to check in or if it's an emergency, you should respond right away."
I nodded my head in understanding. "Thank you, thank you so much." I then did something that surprised myself as much as Stef and Lena, I hugged them. I felt them stiffen in shock before their arms wrapped around me.
"You're very, very welcome, sweets. Now, go get ready for bed."
"Yes ma'am," I responded teasingly.
She playfully scowled at me while I laughed as I headed up the stairs.
After Emma Went Upstairs
"Lena," Stef turned to her wife in shock, tears in her eyes from emotion. "She hugged us. She actually hugged us."
"I know, I'm just as shocked as you are," Lena responded.
"Lena, I'm falling for them. I don't want them to go back into the system that separated them. I want this, our home, to be theirs too," said Stef honestly.
"I think I want that too," Lena said. "But I also think it's too soon to ask them if they would like to be adopted, especially Emma."
"I know, my love, I know. Don't forget we need to get the kids' opinion on them before asking them to officially be a part of our family."
"Of course we'll ask the kids, but now, we should get ready for bed too."
"Yes, we should. You head on up and say goodnight to our beautiful babies, and I'll lock up down here."
Lena gave Stef a quick peck on the lips. "Ok, I'll see you upstairs."
Stef gave her hand a quick squeeze before checking the doors and windows, making sure they were locked. She then turned all the lights off, downstairs and outside, then went upstairs as her wife was heading to their room from Jesus and Jude's. Stef shouted a goodnight to everyone, the sentiment repeated back to her, and got ready for bed with Lena. They followed the same routine as last night, and gave each other a kiss before Stef wrapped her arm around her waist again, and they fell into a dreamless sleep.