Where You Belong

by Passionwriter5218

Kind of a different take on the Fosters, starts at the pilot and goes from there. A lot of parallels from the show and some of my own stuff added in. Focuses mainly on Callie but everyone is included. I did change Jude's name to Noah and make him a little younger but everything else is the same. Warning- It's very long!

1. March

Callie heard the door buzz and she let herself out squinting in the sunlight. The door shut behind her with a heavy thud and she tightly gripped the little brown bag in her hands. She looked around the parking lot as a man approached her.

"Hi, Callie? I'm Kevin from social services" The man said. Callie shook her head, this wasn't making any sense

"Where's Bill?" Callie asked looking for her usual social worker not caring that she was sounding rude.

"He couldn't be here right now, he will be contacting you in a few days" Kevin told her pulling papers out of her file.

"Where's Noah!" Callie cried.

"I'm not sure what your talking about, please follow me" Kevin said leading her away from the door he walked up to a women standing nearby. Callie looked her over, she had dark skin but not quiet enough to be African American, really curly hair that hung past her shoulders, she was thin with soft features. wearing a skirt and pretty shirt with a blazer over it and heels.

"Callie, this is Lena" Kevin said. Callie didn't say anything just continued to look Lena over. She could tell the women was blindsided by the look on her face.

"Callie has had some problems with male authority figures lately so.." Kevin started

"So you thought of us" Lena nodded. She had a sweet voice. Had Callie been dumber she would have almost thought her trust worthy.

"I guess I could take her to a group home" Kevin said. Callie looked down at her feet trying to stop the tears coming to her eyes. Group homes were the worst. She had just gotten out of Juvenile dentition and they were not much better.

Lena looked at the girl in front of her for the first time really taking her in. She had a light healing bruise on the side of her cheek and a split in her lip that looked pretty knew. Lena didn't even want to think about what else was hidden by her long sleeves and pants. Callie was small, skinny for her age but looked tough. She had choppy hair that hung just below her shoulders. Lena hesitated, Callie looked tough. Like she had been in a fight or two in her time. Lena had three kids at home, she didn't want to think about subjecting her children to a possibly violent girl let alone in their own home. Lena glanced up at Callie about to say how sorry she was was when Callie's eyes meet hers. Despite her tough exterior Callie's eyes gave everything away. She was scared, Lena could see that. Callie was scared and she probably didn't even realize her eyes were pleading with Lena. Lena felt her heart sink, she was familiar with that look. The tough on the outside, soft on the inside was a look she saw daily. She knew she couldn't say no, this girl needed a home and a safe place to land even if it was just for a little while. The least Lena could do is give her a place to catch her breath and regroup.

"It's just for a few days right? ok" Lena nodded.

"Ok" Kevin said handing her all the paperwork.

"Callie you can call if you need anything and Bill will be in touch soon" Kevin said.

"Do you have everything?" Lena asked her. Callie waved her paper bag not making eye contact.

"Ok, let's go" Lena nodded leading the way to the car.

It was quiet on the way home Lena tried to ask her a few questions but Callie didn't feel like talking and Lena soon gave up. Callie looked out the window as she drove the car through the suburbs into a nice neighborhood on a quiet street. She pulled into the driveway of a big house sitting on a little hill.

"Here we are, you can come in and I will show you around" Lena said getting out of the car as Callie followed her up to the front door.

"So this is the kitchen, living room, dining room" Lena walked around the house.

"Help yourself to anything in the kitchen, food doesn't last long here so if you see something you like grab it or it will be gone tomorrow! We keep a grocery list on the fridge i'll probably do some shopping tomorrow so if you would like something just put it on the list. The bedrooms are upstairs. I just ask that you ask the kids permission before entering them but i'm sure once they come home they will be happy to show you. For now we have you set up in the study off the living room" Lena said.

"Good deal" Callie said shortly. The house had an open floor plan Everything was connected by open doorways. The kitchen was huge with a little nook against the back wall and a long table with stools around it in the middle. The big pantry was full of food and the counter top had a lot of different cooking tools on it. A sure sign that whoever did the cooking in the house was good at it. The dining room looked professionally done and like it wasn't used often. The living room was what appealed to Callie the most. The couch looked warn but not old or dirty, the chairs looked comfortable, a big piano sat against the wall and there was a big TV with an x-box connected. The couch, love seat and a few chairs seemed to create a circle around the room. As if they actually sat here and talked like families on TV did. The room looked clean and neat but lived in and loved at the same time.

"Alright, well the other kids should be home any minute. We have three other teenagers in the house so you should fit in well. They all had their activities after school so they are coming home late today. Just make yourself at home I'm going to go start some dinner" Lena said going into the kitchen. Callie sat down on the couch looking around. The house was all open from where she was sitting she could see into the entry way, the stairs leading upstairs and into the dining room across the hall. She didn't like that, houses like this had no place to hide.

After a few minutes some kids came walking up the walkway. A tall white boy who looked about her age and two spanish looking kids a boy and a girl who looked a little younger. They walked up the walk chatting and talking to the front door. When Lena heard the door open she came from the kitchen.

"Hey mom" The girl said giving her a kiss.

"Hi, why don't you come into the living room i have some one I want you to meet" Lena said leading them into the living room where Callie was sitting.

"Guys this is Callie, she is going to be staying with us for a little while. Callie, this is Brandon, and our twins Jesus and Mariana" Lena said introducing the kids.

"Hi, welcome" Brandon said shaking Callie's. He had brown hair and kind looking brown eyes. He offered her a smile that seemed genuine.

"Thanks" Callie said softly.

Ok I'm making dinner, Mariana maybe you can show Callie your room" Lena offered going back into the kitchen. Callie and Mariana looked at each other. Mariana had perfect tan skin, long dark hair, and shocking green eyes. She was thin and wearing tight jeans and a pretty shirt. Callie had not slept in 2 days, she was sure her hair was a mess and she had been wearing the same dingy gray sweater and jeans for almost a week. Mariana just turned on her heels and marched up the steps. Jesus stayed for a minute looking over Callie. He was dark like his sister with muscles. Callie could tell he was into sports. He had dark hair, he clearly took a lot of pride in his appearance like his sister. Jesus watched his sister and ran after her. Brandon watched them then turned back to Callie,

"Come on i'll show you upstairs" Brandon said. Callie got up and followed him up the stairs.

"This is Jesus's room, enter at your own risk it's hard to see the floor, And this is Mariana's enter at your own risk she hates people in her room. And this is mine, your always welcome" Brandon said. His room was neat, a desk with computer, bed neatly made and a keyboard sat by the window.

"Do you play?" Callie asked nodding towards the piano.

"Oh only when I'm breathing, It's kind of my thing" Brandon smiled putting his backpack on the floor by his desk.

"Neat room"

"Yeah, I like stuff in it's place I guess" Brandon chuckled a little as she looked around.

"So how come your only here for a few days?" Brandon asked sitting on his bed.

"Lena said it would be ok for a little, she think's I'm dangerous." Callie shrugged

"What did you do?" Brandon asked.

"I beat up our foster dad's car with a bat, I just got out of Juve" Callie smirked at him.

"Guys Momma's home come to dinner" Lena called up the stairs. Callie and Brandon left his room going down the stairs. Lena was in the kitchen finishing up a salad, Mariana sat at the long dining room table doing her homework.

"Callie have a seat anywhere" Lena said as Jesus came in and Lena put a bowl of salad on the table.

"Hi babies" Callie heard another voice say coming in from then entryway. She turned and felt herself stiffen. A blond woman with her hair in a tight bun walked in . She wore a police uniform making Callie immediately feel uncomfortable. She was thin but Callie could see she had muscle, and something in her eyes said she was not to be messed with. She went into the fridge grabbing a water bottle.

"Hi love" She said and Callie was surprised when she leaned over greeting Lena with a kiss on the lips.

"So they are dykes?" Callie asked out loud. The blond women paused water halfway raised to her mouth. Lena's jaw dropped a bit. Mariana glared at Callie harshly.

"They prefer the term people, but yeah, they are gay" Jesus said.

"Who's this?" blond women asked with a little sarcasm in her voice.

"Stef this is Callie, can I talk to you for a minute" Lena asked leading Stef through the doorway into the living room.

"I tried calling you" Lena whispered.

"Yeah I saw 15 times but no voice mail" Stef said.

"What was I supposed to say in a message? Bill called he was in a bind, he thought of us, It was either this or a group home, Stef if you had seen her face when they let her out…"

"Let her out of where Lena?"

"Juvie" Lena sighed.

"Juvie, she was in Juvie, what did she do?" Stef asked.

"She beat up her foster father's car with a bat, I guess she doesn't do well around men so Bill thought of us"

"Lena!" Stef cried as Lena shushed her.

"They said she was not dangerous it was a one time thing. Stef her face, I couldn't say no" Lena whispered.

"I know your heart is in the right place love but we can't save them all" Stef sighed.

"But this one Stef, we can save this one, not even save her, just give her a safe place for a few days. Her eyes Stephanie something about them…she had the same look you do. Like I could see right into her heart" Lena whispered.

"I do not have a look" Stef pretended to be offended.

"It's a look, it says look at me i'm tough and don't need anyone and then you blink and your eyes say everything" Lena smiled at her.

"Fine, for a few days, but she better not mess up my family, she seems like a real delight" Stef said sarcastically.

"Ok momma bear" Lena smiled a little giving Stef another kiss before they went back to join the kids in the kitchen.

"Hi Callie, I'm Stef, it's nice to meet you" Stef said sitting herself at the end of the table near Callie while Lena took a seat at the other end. Callie didn't even look in Stef's direction.

"I know you have met the kids, we are very familiar with the foster system, We fostered Mariana and Jesus for a year before we adopted them right guys" Stef said. The two younger kids nodded.

"Gosh how long ago was that now, ten years" Lena said.

"yeah" Jesus nodded.

"so where did you get him?" Callie asked pointing to Brandon.

"what?" Stef asked.

"Where did he come from, Walmart?" Callie asked again.

"Brandon is Stef's son from her first marriage" Lena said putting her napkin over her lap.

"So he's the real kid and they are adopted?" Callie asked.

"they are all our real kids" Stef said when the doorbell rang.

"I will get that" Stef said getting up going down the hall Callie heard her open the door.

"Hey, Bill" Stef said. Callie jumped from her seat making everyone else at the table jump as she ran down the hall. Past Stef in the doorway stood her usual social worker his arm around a little boy.

"Noah" Callie cried running past Stef throwing her arms around her brother. Lena and the rest of the kids had gathered in the hall watching but Callie didn't care as she hugged the little boy close to her and he was gripping her shirt tightly.

"Sorry to just show up, and Lena I'm sorry I was not there this afternoon. I had a kid OD and I had to get to the hospital" Bill said.

"that's ok" Lena said moving to stand by Stef.

"They are very attached to each other and I should have been there with Noah when Callie got out. I would like to keep them together if possible, I know you didn't sign on for two kids so I will take Callie, but thank you for keeping her a few hours" Bill said. Callie didn't let go of her brother but stood up to listen to Bill.

"I thought there was no other home for Callie?" Lena asked.

"No, but there is a group home and a foster home on the same street to take Noah, I'm sorry Callie it's the best I can do and you will go to the same school and still be able to see each other" Bill said directing his attention to the kids.

"It's fine" Callie said knowing there was no other option, she just wanted to be with her brother.

"Wait, that's not a solution, we can keep Noah" Stef said. Callie's head shot up looking at her. Lena too looked at her surprised.

"Are you sure?" Bill asked.

"Yeah, yeah I mean it's a few days right, no reason to split them up" Lena agreed.

"Thank you, thank you very much! I will find them a home soon I just have to look around the area, it will be a week tops" Bill said.

"It's fine" Stef said again.

"Ok, I have their things and paperwork in the car" Bill said going down the walkway back to his car. Stef bent down to Noah's level.

"Hi Noah, my name is Stef and this is Lena, I like your shirt" Stef said. Noah just looked at her not saying anything.

"how old are you?" Lena asked.

"He's 8" Callie answered for him.

"8 huh? your pretty big" Lena said. Callie knew it was a lie, years of poor nutrition in 9 different homes had caused Noah to look more like he was 6. Bill came back handing Stef a file and handing Callie a ripped trash bag. Callie took it bitting her lip a little embarrassed of their tiny amount of clothes.

"Ok, I will be in touch, be good guys, this is a last chance" Bill said giving Callie a look before leaving.

"Ok, back to the table, Noah are you hungry?" Stef asked. Noah bit his lip looking up at Callie then ever so slightly nodded to Stef.

"Ok, let's go eat" Stef said. Callie took Noah's hand leading him back into the kitchen.

After dinner Stef and Lena asked the kids to clean up and asked Callie and Noah to follow them into their bedroom. Callie felt weird being in the women's bedroom and didn't sit until Stef asked her to twice on the chest at the foot of their bed.

Stef sat in the chair across from them and Lena perched on the arm of the chair.

"So guys I know that you won't be here long but we just wanted to let you know to make yourselves at home. This is Lena's and My bedroom the kids treat it as kind of a second living room as long as the door is open you are always welcome to come in. It's a good place to find us at night if you need to talk about something. We do have to set a few ground rules. When you are here the curfew is 5:00 on school nights 9:00 on weekends and you do have to tell us where you are going. We eat dinner together every night at 6:00 and we ask that you are home for that everyday with the exception of Saturdays. If you would like to earn a little pocket money you can do a chore around the house, Different chores pay different things so if you want to know just ask us. There is no fighting with hands ever, We use kind words so we don't say something we regret. If you feel like you can't say something nice you leave the room. Lena and I are here to talk about anything you want." Stef said.

"And while you are here you will go to school" Lena said. Callie felt her head shot up. She had thought it would be a nice easy vacation week.

"School? but what's the point" Callie asked.

"the point is it's important, and if you have to many missed days you can't go on to the next year, you will go to school, even if it is just for a few days" Lena said.

"What school?' Callie asked.

"I am the vice principal at Anchor Beach Charter school, That's where the kids go so you guys will attend there too. Callie I already have you set up in the 10th grade and Noah you will be in third" Lena said Noah looked at Callie worried.

"Ok" Callie agreed knowing there was no point in fighting it.

"Alright, thank you for listening, your dismissed" Stef said. Noah stood up.

"Come on buddy you want to help me pack your lunch for tomorrow?" Lena asked. Noah hesitated looking back at Callie. Callie nodded to him. Noah bit his lip but and followed her out.

"Callie, are you ok with all those rules?" Stef asked. Callie looked down at her feet not wanting to look at the blond women in front of her. Stef had a harder face then Lena, she seemed more sure of herself, more confident in her authority. She had changed from her police uniform to a regular shirt and jeans. Her blond hair was long and hung wavy down her back but Callie still didn't like being around her. She knew she was not going to get along well with Stef in their short time here.

"Yeah" She said shortly

"Good, we really want you to enjoy your time here even if it is for a few days" Stef said Callie could feel her searching her for eye contact.

"And if not you can just send us away early" Callie muttered under her breath. Stef's face softened.

"Is that what you think?" Stef asked Callie said nothing looking down at her feet.

"You are not disposable Callie, you are not worthless. You are not something to just dump on the side walk when you make a mistake. And that won't happen in the house" Stef said. Callie looked up looking past Stef not meeting her eyes as Stef searched her face.

"Come on, let's go find your brother" Stef sighed leading her out the door.

"I don't want to go to a new school" Noah said as they made their way into the study and Callie closed the door behind her.

"It will be fine, it's only for a few days" Callie told Noah.

"But there will be a new school after that" Noah said.

"Yeah, there will always be a new school, don't worry about it. What happened after I left, did he hurt you?" Callie asked. Noah hesitated for a minute.

"Only a little" He whispered.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave you, i begged Bill to get you out of there" Callie said.

"It's ok" Noah said. Callie sighed, it wasn't ok.

"Grab your Harry Potter book i'll read to you it's bed time" She said.

"Noah, Callie Time to get up" Lena said knocking gently on the door to the study. Callie opened her eyes, the room was bright, the air mattress she was sleeping on moaned as she sat up.

"Ok" Callie said.

"Pancakes will be ready soon" Lena said and Callie heard her foot steps go away from the door. She shook Noah awake. Then looked in their trash bag of things. The only things they had was the Harry Potter book, a tooth brush a pair of Pj's two shirts and on pair of pants each.

"Here put this on" Callie said handing Noah his dress shirt and jeans.

"This shirt itches" Noah complained

"Well You wore your other one for three days you can't wear it again. I'll wash it tonight" Callie told him picking out her own uncomfortable dress shirt. It was pink and had ruffles. Callie hated both pink and ruffles but she had been in her black tank top for three days and couldn't wear it again. She zipped up her sweater over it sticking her thumb through the familiar hole in the elastic at the bottom of the sleeve. Her hair was long and unruly but she didn't have a brush, or even shampoo so she just ran her fingers through it as quickly as she could then she and Noah went into the kitchen.

"Pancakes" Lena said putting a big stack on the table as they came in. Mariana came from the stairs.

"eww mommy carbs" she said looking at the table.

"Well Miss Thing you are welcome to have a bowl of cold cereal" Stef said not looking up from the paper she was reading.

"Nope I drank all the milk" Jesus said holding up his cup full to the brim.

"What!" Mariana cried.

"Ok I will go to the market after work there are banana's on the counter" Lena said putting her hand up to quiet Mariana.

"Put some peanut butter on it get some protean" Stef said.

"ohh I know you have a sweater to go over that baby" She said seeing the shirt Mariana was wearing. Mariana waved a white cardigan over her head.

"Good girl" Stef said

"Morning" Brandon said coming down the stairs.

"Morning B" Steph said.

"Pancakes B?" Lena asked.

"No thanks I got to get so school and practice my piece" Brandon said grabbing the only banana left off the counter.

"Ok have a good day!" Lena called after him.

"Put Banana's on the list too" Stef said as Lena went over to the grocery list.

"Ok ten minute warning everyone, Jesus your going to be late" Lena said looking at the clock. Callie looked down at her plate of untouched pancakes.

"This is a busy house but you will get used to it" Stef laughed watching her and Noah. Callie got up pouring herself a cup of coffee. she turned around to find everyone watching her.

"Umm, cream?" Lena asked. Callie shook her head taking a sip

"Can I have coffee?" Jesus asked.

"NO!" Steph and Lena both yelled at the same time

"Ok Callie So you will primarily be in this building this is the high school building, This is your locker here's the code, and this is your class schedule" Lena said handing Callie a few papers.

"This is a lot for just one week?" Callie said pulling on the worn out sleeves of her black sweater.

"I know but just jump right in don't get overwhelmed the important thing is you don't miss to many days of school. So many foster kids miss school when their in respite care and it doesn't look good when they go to apply for college. Now my office is downstairs on the left of the hall with all the windows. You can stop by and see me anytime" Lena said.

"OK" Callie nodded.

"Come on i'll help you find your locker" Brandon said.

"Noah you are in the building across the courtyard I can take you there and introduce you to your teacher now if you are ready" Lena said. Noah glanced up at Callie who nodded to him. Noah turned and nodded to Lena.

"Have a great day, I'll meet you outside for lunch" Callie said giving Noah a hug before he followed Lena down the hall. Callie tugged on her shirt watching them go and then followed Brandon down the walk.

"Noah your teacher's name is Mrs Kate, she's very nice" Lena said leading Noah through the small elementary school building. He looked so lost and afraid she thought about going back to get Callie to walk with them.

"Are you nervous?" Lena asked him stopping in the hallway. Noah just looked up at her. She sat down on a bench and patted the seat next to her. He sat down leaving as much space between them as he could.

"It's ok to be nervous, I was nervous my first day here too. But you will see Callie at lunch, and I bet you will really like your teacher, and if you need anything no matter what it is you can come see me, ok? Just ask your teacher i'll make sure she will let you. You will be safe here" Lena told him. Noah just continued to look at her.

"I'l tell you what i'll come check on you in one hour ok? if you need anything you can come out and see me ok? Can you try it for one hour?" Lena asked. Noah hesitated and Lena almost gave up on getting an answer when he gave a small nod.

"Ok, good boy come on" Lena stood and lead him into the classroom.

Exactly one hour later Lena walked through the hall peeking her head into the window of Noah's classroom. She was almost afraid of what she would see but was surprised when she saw Noah sitting with a group of other boys working on a science project. She watched in awe as he smiled and then laughed. She had barley seen him make eye contact, she was so glad to see him laughing and making friends. She wondered into the high school building dropping off papers looking into the math room she knew Callie was in. Mariana sat in the front surrounded by her friends paying attention and taking notes. Mariana had always been a straight A student, with a lot of friends and really involved in school. Lena spotted Callie sitting in the back corner moving her pencil quickly over her paper like she was drawing. Lena gave a little sigh, she wished she could help Callie but she did't think they would have time to win over her trust in her short time here.

When the bell finally rang for lunch Callie jumped up making her way into the cafeteria in the center of the school. Lena stood by the door greeting kids as they came in and watching over the kids running around outside. Callie saw Mariana sitting at a table of preppy looking girls and knew better then to dare sit with her. Jesus was sitting close by at a table of boys all in soccer uniforms. Callie chose an empty table putting her tray down and waved Noah over when his teacher walked his class down.

"This school it nice, I just had gym class on the beach" Noah said excitedly sitting down next to Callie.

"Oh yeah that does sound like fun!" Callie tried to be excited for him. Brandon walked over sitting down next to them.

"How do you like it so far?" He asked.

"I like the view" Callie said looking out over the beach and ocean their school sat on.

"Yeah, it does make the day a little better, hey finish eating and I'll show you the best room in the whole school" Brandon said. They chatted while they ate their lunch then he lead the way up the stairs and into an empty room full of musical instruments.

"Wow" Noah said walking over to a piano

"Are we allowed to be in here?" Callie asked.

"Yeah, this is the music room, I love it here" Brandon said sitting next to Noah on the piano stool he started teaching him to play I'm a little tea pot. Callie looked down out the window at all the kids below. Lena spotted her and waved up smiling at her. Callie waved back.

"You play something" Noah said to Brandon.

"Ok" Brandon said placing his hands on the keys and began to play a classical piece that Callie had never heard but sounded amazing. When he was done Noah clapped.

"that was really good, where did you learn to play?" Callie asked.

"My momma got me a keyboard when i was 4 and i started taking lessons then. It's just something i love" Brandon said

"Your lucky" Callie sighed.

That night Callie was in the study doing homework. She had just put Noah to bed and he was sleeping in the dim light Lena knocked and came in.

"I just wanted to talk to you about your first day of school. I talked you your english teacher he was really impressed with your knowledge of Great Expectations, he said you knew more then his other students." Lena whispered.

"I read it last year at a different school, it was good i liked it" Callie said.

"Well I think you are doing really well, I hope at your next house you will be able to be there long term so you can finish high school and get into college" Lena said. Callie laughed under her breath.

"You could get into college Callie, you are very smart" Lena told her. Callie nodded.

"Yeah but I have been in this system long enough to know how it's going to work. Bill is not going to find another home for Noah and I. I know that i am labeled as troubled in my file and no one is going to want a troubled teenage girl. People want Noah he's cute and little still. So I already know this time next week i will be in that group home and Noah will be down the street in a foster home but because we are in the same town they can say they did all they could to keep us together. And maybe i will stay in the same school to finish high school but I can't go to college. As soon as i turn 18 I'm going to be kicked out of the group home and will have to get a job and apartment so i can get custody of Noah." Callie said.

"Well you have it all figured out don't you" Lena said surprised.

"It was figured out for me when we entered the system" Callie told her.

"May i ask, What did you do to get into trouble in your last foster home?" Lena said gently.

"Didn't you read all about it in my file?" Callie asked.

"Actually Steph and I don't really believe in files, we just see what we need to know like if you have any allergies or health problems, the important stuff…but we believe you and your brother are both more then your file, so no we didn't read everything about your behavior." Lena said. She saw Callie look up at her in surprise and knew she had said the right thing. Callie met Lena's eyes and could see she was telling the truth. She took a deep breath

"I beat up our foster father's car with a bat"

"But…why?" Lena asked. Callie was surprised, no one had ever asked her why. Callie looked at her for a long minute wondering if she could trust Lena to believe her. She glanced over at her brother to make sure he was still sleeping before sitting a little closer to Lena lowering her voice.

"He used to hit me, when i didn't do my chores fast enough or was late coming home, or he was drinking a lot he would hit me. One day he started hitting Noah. Noah…put on one of his ex-wives dresses and the guy lost it. He just kept going and going and wouldn't stop no matter what I did. Noah is so little, I can take when he beat me, but Noah is small. So I grabbed his baseball bad and started beating up his car. It's the only thing he cared about in the world so i knew it would get him to stop hitting Noah. He called the police on me and well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know who's story the police believed" Callie said. Lena shook her head. She looked into the deep brown eyes and Callie let her. Lena felt like she could almost see everything the girl had been through in the past 9 years written all over her face and Lena knew she was telling the truth.

"Well I believe you Callie, I'm sorry that had to happen to you" Lena said. Callie looked up at her, No one had spoken that way to her before.

"Thanks" Callie said.

"Ok it's getting late finish up and head to bed soon, sleep well" Lena said leaving the room. Callie grabbed her toothbrush wondering upstairs to the kids bathroom. Lena's back was to her as she stood in the doorway of her bedroom. Callie could see Stef's feet on the edge of the bed.

"We need to talk about those kids" Lena said going into the room and closing the door behind her.

Thursday after dinner Stef called a family meeting and everyone gathered in the living room. Kids sat on the couch or the floor in front of it and Lena and Stef shared an arm chair across from them. It almost reminded Callie a little of a court room.

"Ok guys, so we spoke with Callie and Noah's social worker today and he had not been able to find them a home yet. We want to assist him on that but in the mean time we do not want Callie and Noah to have to be split up or go into a home that is not right of them." Stef said.

"So We decided that although we are not in a position to offer Callie and Noah a permeant home here we would like to make this Callie and Noah's home until Bill found them a long term place where they could be together. It may be weeks or months, but we want them to know they are leaving us for a safe forever home" Lena said looking at Callie

"Does this sound ok to everyone?" Stef asked. the kids all nodded some more enthusiastically them others.

"I'm glad to hear it. So now that we have that settled Everyone is going to need to cancel their weekend plans because we have a lot to do. We are having beds delivered so Jesus and Brandon you are in charge of putting them together this weekend. Mariana you are going to be going through your room and all your stuff Miss Thing because Callie will be moving in with you and Noah my sweet friend you are moving in with Jesus." Stef said.

"Wait. What!" Mariana cried.

"We don't expect them to sleep in the study, you will have to share" Stef said.

"I have to many things!" Mariana cried.

"That's right you do so you will need to get rid of some stuff to make to room for Callie's stuff. You don't wear half your clothes anymore. I have been meaning to go through your room with you for months now. This is a great time." Lena told her.

"It's ok, i don't actually have any stuff" Callie said trying to make everyone feel better.

"Well you will. Saturday you Noah and Stef are going shopping, you guys need more then one outfit, and some new shoes, stuff for school and just things" Lena told her. Callie felt her face sink, she would rather have Lena take them shopping.

"So that's Saturday and Sunday we are having a big family dinner and a game night to celebrate." Stef said. Callie was still trying to process that they would be in this house long term when Lena dismissed them. Mariana shot her a glare and Callie heard her pound up their stairs slamming the door to her room. Lena sighed.

"Mariana will come around. She's used to being the only girl, it might be a bit of a jealously thing" Lena assured Callie.

"Thank you for doing this" Callie said to both women. Stef nodded.

"Now that you are staying we do need to add a few more rules though" She said. Callie nodded.

"If you have a friend of the opposite sex over we ask that you stay in a community place downstairs" Lena said glancing at Noah as she told Callie. Callie nodded.

"Lena and I are working on getting you a cell phone but it is a privilege. If you break the rules it will be taken away just like the other kids and you must leave it on and the tracker on at all times when you are out of the house" Stef said.

"In this house we do not lie. We don't lie to you and in return we expect you not to lie to us. That is how we build trust and understanding all around." Lena said.

"Do these all seem ok with you, do you have any questions?" Stef asked. Callie and Noah both shook their heads.

"Alright, well then why don't you get started on your homework" Lena said.

"Come on" Callie took Noah's hand leading him into the study.

Friday Callie tried to pay more attention in school. She was not just there to pass the time anymore. She tugged on the sleeve of her sweater sitting in the back of her math class. She didn't understand what was going on. the year was almost half way over it was not a good time to join a new school. Her eyes wondered to the front of the room where Mariana sat taking notes and nodding along like she was understanding everything. Callie sighed, she knew there was no use in asking her for help. Lena walked into Noah's classroom undetected as the kids were working in groups.

"Oh Ms Adams, just in time" His teacher flashed her a smile.

"I heard it was volcano day, you know I never miss that" Lena smiled her eyes searching the room finding Noah standing with a group of boys. Being around kids his age made her see just how small and thin he really was. She made a mental note to make him a appointment with a Dietitian and see if they could put some weight and muscle on him.

"He's doing well." The teacher said seeing Lena's eyes fall on him.

"Yeah? Good. Has he talked to you at all?"

"Not to me personally, but I know its a trust issue so I don't want to force the matter, He does seem to be interacting with his peers normally though. I don't think it's any cause for concern"

"Right, it's just…" Lena sighed.

"A pain weighting it out I know."

"Thank you for being so understanding. As much as we want him to talk and do well in school I think we first have to establish that is is safe and we are not going to hurt him." Lena nodded.

"Of course, I think you guys are doing a wonderful thing"

"It's not a wonderful thing, it's just what these kids need." Lena shook her head. Noah looked up seeing her there. He offered her a little wave. She felt herself beam and waved back to excitedly, that was the first time he had made any kind of contact towards her besides a head nod.

"Baby steps" His teacher smiled laughing at Lena a little

The bell rang signaling the end of the day and Callie gathered her stuff going to her locker which happened to be right next to Mariana's. She was not sure if Lena had done that on purpose or not but she quickly trued to grab her stuff getting out of the way as Mariana made her way to open her locker with a group of 4 girls trailing her.

"So your Callie?" One of the girls asked.

"Umm yeah" Callie said adjusting her backpack shutting her locker.

"I'm Lexie" The girl said.

"Hi" Callie said as Mariana was glaring at Lexie.

"What?" Lexie asked turning to Mariana as Callie snuck away.

"You have to come over tonight and ell me with my room. It's a disaster, they are making me move in with her" Callie heard Mariana tell her as she made her way down the hall.

She walked across the court yard into Noah's class as he was gathering his things.

"Ready?" She asked.

"Yeah, we blew up a volcano today! it was so great" Noah said

"Sounds fun"

"And Lena came to watch, she said we did good" Noah rambled on following Callie out to the parking lot. Brandon stood by Lena's car he smiled a greeting at them.

"How was volcano day?" He asked Noah.

"Great, your Lena came to watch"

"Oh yeah, she does that every year, we can make a volcano at home you know" Brandon laughed.

"Really?" Noah's eyes got wide.

"Yeah, I can help you in the back yard this weekend" Brandon nodded as Lena walked over her bag on her shoulder.

"Ok, Jesus and Mariana are staying after right?" Lena asked. Brandon nodded.

"Ok let's go home them" Lena smiled getting into the drivers seat.

Saturday morning was their 5th day in the house and Callie found herself glad it would not be one of their last. She was helping Lena wash the breakfast dishes when the doorbell rang.

"Boys, beds are here" Stef called up the stairs as she opened the door.

"Hi" She greeted them men standing there.

"We have 2 bed deliveries"

"Yes if you could just put everything at the top of the stairs that would be great" Stef said.

"Ok Callie are we ready to go?" She asked walking into the kitchen.

"Yeah" Callie said turning to her.

"Come on Noah time to go" Steph called into the living room.

"Ok so the boys are on the beds and I'll help Mariana and Lexie with her room and we should be all set by the time you guys get back" Lena said turning to Stef.

"Sounds good and we will get a movie on the way home for tonight" Stef said.

"Ok have fun shopping" Lena said leaning in she gave Steph a quick kiss. Callie watched them closely. The way they did things like that, they seemed like they had been doing it their while lives and expected to do it until they died. Like it was just so normal. Noah came bounding into the kitchen making her lose her train of thought. Since Stef had said they would be here longer he had gotten more comfortable being around them.

"Ready buddy?" Stef asked.

Noah nodded. He had yet to speak to either of the women but he was al least giving them some body language.

"Alright let's go" Stef smiled grabbing her keys.

Callie was overwhelmed as they walked through the mall. They had been shopping for Noah getting him a few pairs of pants, more shirts then she could keep track, shoes, a new backpack and everything else he could want. now Stef had set him free in the toy store letting him pick out three things.

"This is a lot, he's never been able to do this" Callie smiled watching her brother as he looked over each toy carefully.

"Well it's been a while since we had a little boy, he needs some toys to play with all ours are packed away or sold as yard sales" Stef shrugged.

"Have you decided what store you want to find your clothes in?" Stef asked turning to her.

"I don't know. I have not been shopping in a while" Callie said.

"Well, I know you have a different taste them Mariana but I know she liked the stores like holster, and American Eagle. We could start there" Steph said.

"Sure" Callie nodded pretty positive she wasn't anything like Mariana but open to suggestions.

"As long as it's not one of those all black store, a little black is ok but your to pretty to dress like that" Stef said Callie smiled a little bowing her head. She never thought of herself as pretty.

"And we can go to CVS and get you stuff for your hair if you would like, brush, elastics"

"That would be good, I'm sorry we didn't come with anything" Callie said.

"Lena told me a little about the house that you left, I'm just glad you are both safe with us now, Does Noah talk about when he was hitting him?" Callie shook her head.

"Once when I asked, but he hasn't brought it up again"

"Well kid's have a way of dealing with things like that, they are amazingly resilient because their brain can still protect them from things like that" Stef shrugged watching Noah pick out a lego set.

"He's not very good in school. We did miss a lot, if we are going to be staying here maybe he should be bumped back a grade" Callie said. Stef nodded looking at her, Callie was beginning to see a little more of Stef's soft side the past few days.

"We can talk to Lena about that, they can give him a test to see where he is at and then we can decide if he just needs a little extra help of if we should change his grade. But one step at a time, first you need clothes to wear tomorrow" Stef said gently putting her hand on Callie's shoulder. Calle felt herself stiffen but nodded. Stef felt it to and took her hand away.

By 5:00 when they rolled into the driveway Callie was exhausted. Shopping all day had taken it out of her. But she had picked out some more pants and shorts, a few shirts and 3 pairs of shoes. She had gotten a new hair brush too and a bag for school. Stef had said in a few weeks they could go again after they decide more of what they need.

"We're home" Stef called opening the door as they were all weighted down with bags.

"Good timing" Lena smiled coming from the kitchen.

"How was everything here today?" Stef asked.

"The beds ares set up Mariana has gotten rid of a few bags of things to donate. How was shopping?"

"It was good, we got a lot of stuff they should be all set for a while"

"Great, why don't you guys bring those bags upstairs. Callie, Mariana will help you with your stuff Noah I'll show you where to put yours" Lena said taking some of their bags from Stef.

"I'll go set the table dinner smells good" Stef said heading into the kitchen while Callie and Noah followed Lena up the stairs. Lena knocked on Mariana's door opening it. Mariana was sitting on her bed headphones in. She rolled her eyes pulling them out when she saw Callie and Lena in the door.

"Please show Callie where to put her things, and help her unpack" Lena told Mariana, it wasn't a stern voice but it was one that left no room for argument. Mariana got up taking some of the bags from Callie putting them on the new bed across the room from hers. Lena and Noah went across the hall into Jesus's room.

"This is your bed, and this is your half of the closet. You can put your other stuff in these draws" Mariana said pointing to things around the room.

"Thanks" Callie said.

"That door is the bathroom we have to share with the boys. But their room goes into it too so just make sure you lock both doors" Mariana said.

"Ok i will" Callie said looking around the room. The walls were light pink with a white carpet. Mariana's bed was against the wall near the door to the hallway and the new bed was against the opposite wall in the corner. There was a desk with a laptop and a big closet and dresser. There were pictures and posters on the wall. Mostly Mariana and the girl Callie recognized as Lexie and a few other girls. The posters were Alice in Wonderland and matched the pillow case on Mariana's bed.

"Do you want help?" Mariana asked watching her start to hang up her shirts.

"No thanks that's ok" Callie said Mariana watched her for a minute then went back to sit on her bed.

"Ok Noah so this is your room, Jesus's bed is over there and this is yours" Lena said putting some of the bags down on the bed with a Star Wars comforter. That was the shirt Noah had been wearing when he was dropped off to them so Lena had tried to theme it around that.

She noticed a smile on Noah's mouth when he saw it.

"Ahh so I guessed well then" Lena smiled.

"So Jesus has this fish tank I bet he would let you feed them, just ask before so they don't get over fed" Lena said starting to hang some of Noah's stuff up in the closet as Noah watched the fish swimming. Jesus's room had a half wall running half way down the middle of it. It was prefect for sharing which is why Lena figured he had put up less of a fight then his sister. Jesus's bed, desk and all his things were on one side and Noah had plenty of room on the other side of the wall. There were posters of skate boarders and soccer players everywhere Lena was hoping Noah wouldn't mind them.

"Ok Noah so this is your stuff on this side, I guess you won't have trouble telling the difference, you'd be swimming in Jesus's clothes. And Callie is right across the hall if you need anything ok. And you know where Stef and my room is so you can always come to us. And this is the laundry basket for your dirty clothes ok?" Lena said Noah nodded.

"Ok, you are all unpacked, I left the toys on your bed if you wanted to play with them I am going to go make dinner" Lena said offering him a smile and going to the door.

"Thank you" Noah suddenly said. Lena stopped short for a minute not sure if she had just heard right. She turned back to the little boy standing in the middle of the room watching her.

"You are very welcome" Lena smiled at him going down the stairs. Steph was placing the plates around the table in the kitchen

"I got a word!" Lena cried.

"What? On no fair I spent all day with him! What did he say?" Stef cried.

"He said thank you, Oh Stef he has the cutest little voice!" Lena cried covering her heart with her hand.

"Ohhh he's so sweet, ugh I'm glad he's talking, maybe now we can get some more out of him he will get more comfortable" Stef smiled.

When Callie was done she sat down on her bed smoothing the blankets and feeling the pillows. All of it seemed brand new, she was really grateful for Lena and Stef doing so much for them. She was also very appreciative that it was a lot less pink centered then Mariana's bed. Lena popped her head in.

"All unpacked?" She asked.

"Yes"

"Alright let's go have dinner" Lena said the girls got up and followed her downstairs.

"Well there's the roomies" Stef said as they joined everyone else at the table. Callie took her seat next to Stef. It was turning into her permeant seat. To her dismay Mariana seemed to sit across from her. Noah sat next to Callie with Jesus on the other side of him while Brandon sat on the other side next to Mariana.

"Oh dude, those are really good tacos I made from scratch" Lena sighed as Jesus poured ketchup all over his plate.

"They are really good" Jesus nodded adding a little more.

"It's a lost cause babe" Stef smiled gently to Lena

"Do you have work tomorrow momma?" Mariana asked looking at Stef.

"I do, just until 12" Stef nodded.

"Oh really? It's Sunday" Lena sighed.

"I just thought I would pick up an extra shift, it's just a funeral love don't worry" Stef assured her.

"Hey mom is there any more of the spices on this it's really good" Jesus said ketchup dripping from his chin before he would wipe it.

"Oh dude have some manners" Stef sighed making everyone laugh

Lena reached onto the counter passing him a bowl.

"Here cave man" Lena laughed.

After dinner Lena made popcorn and they gathered around the living room to watch a movie. Noah fell asleep before it was over Callie looked around just as it ended. Noah had his head on her shoulder snoring softly. Lena was leaned into Stef and Mariana had her head on her as Lena absentmindedly ran her fingers through Mariana's long hair. Brandon sat on the floor leaning onto the back of the couch his head on Stef's knee and Jesus was reclined in the big chair his feet gently tapping up and down. They all fit into each other so perfectly. This was the first foster family Callie had been in that actually felt like a family. They were not expected to do everything around the house, they were not locked in a bedroom at all for 12 hours at night. They were not hit, yelled at or sharing a bedroom with six other kids. Stef and Lena treated them really well like they had been here all along. When the movie ended Stef turned off the Tv.

"Alright bed time" Lena said sitting up and stretching.

"Good night my babies" Stef said as Mariana, Brandon and Jesus gave each women a kiss on the cheek and went up to bed.

"Come on" Callie gently shook Noah.

"Good night" Lena said gently as Callie nudged Noah to stand up and toward the stairs.

"Night" Callie said.

She climbed into her bed and Mariana turned out the light. The room was quiet for a while and Callie was sure Mariana was asleep when suddenly her voice broke through the silence.

"Why are you in foster care?" She asked. Callie turned to face her bed.

"My parents were in a car accident, My dad was driving drunk, He killed my mom and the people in the other car. He's in jail for a long time and we have no other family" Callie said.

"How old were you?" Mariana asked.

"8, Noah was two"

"That really sucks" Mariana said sitting up in her bed drawing her knees up.

"Yeah, you get used to it, What about you? you must have your own sob story every foster kid does"

"Never knew our dad, our birth mom was a drug addict, one day when we were little she tried to sell Jesus and I for drugs, momma was driving in her cop car and saw her, our birth mom took off and momma picked us up. She brought us down to her police station and took us home that night. We were adopted 10 months later"

"That's a good story, you guys are lucky" Callie said.

"Yeah, we hear these stories of foster care and look at us we are so thankful. This is our one and only home" Mariana said. Her voice and face were both soft for the first time since Callie had been here.

"Do you remember living with your mom, your birth mom?" Callie asked.

"Not much at all"

"That must suck"

"It doesn't, What I do remember isn't really good you know, I feel like it was a whole different life, like my real life started when we came here."

"I hope we find a home soon, The older Noah get's the harder it will be"

"You could stay here, this is a good home"

"Yeah, it would be nice to stay here, but i don't think Stef and Lena are looking to adopt us, or keep us long term, I think 4 teenagers and one little kid are a lot for anyone" Callie said.

"Well, I know they won't kick you out so maybe you can stay" Mariana insisted.

"Maybe" Callie sighed laying back down.

"Good morning everyone. Callie you look cute in that new sweater" Lena said coming down to breakfast the next morning.

"Are we still having the dinner tonight?" Jesus asked her.

"We sure are dude" Lena assured him.

"Yes Mom is making salmon and I thought I would make some shrimp scampi" Stef said.

"Oh man momma's scampi is the best in the world" Jesus said.

"Oh I don't know about that" Stef said winking at him.

"What are we doing during the day?" Brandon asked.

"I have to work, and your dad wanted to take you out for lunch if thats ok with you. But i will be home early and we will eat and have a game night" Stef said.

"Yeah i'll give him a call" Brandon nodded.

"Ok, have a good day my loves I will see you all tonight" Stef said. She gave Lena a quick kiss and was out the door.

"Can I go to the skate park with Jesus?" Noah asked Lena looking down at his toes.

"Did Jesus put you up to asking that?" Lena asked leaning forward resting her elbows on the table so she was close to the two boy's faces. Noah shook his head.

"He saw the pictures in my room, please mom it's right across the street" Jesus said.

"Noah have you ever been on a skate board before?" Lena asked. Noah shook his head again.

"Alright, Let's go to the garage and dig out all the protective stuff and you boys can go try it out" Lena smiled rumpling Noah's hair.

"Yah!" Noah cried jumping from his chair. Callie smiled watching him go.

The afternoon rolled around and found Callie and Mariana both sitting in their room listening to music.

"I just love spanish music" Mariana said from her bed where she was painting her toe nails.

"Well yeah your spanish" Callie said. She was sketching the tree outside the window on her sketch pad.

"Yeah but, i wasn't like raised in that culture, it's like that nature vs nurture thing" Mariana said.

"Yeah, your right it is" Callie nodded.

"Do you have anything like that, nature vs nurture?"

"I don't know, I never really thought about it. I was with my parents a lot longer so its probably different" Callie said.

"Well what ever it is you will find it in this house, we're a whole mash up of people" Mariana smiled.

"What do you mean?"

"Well theres the two lesbions, white mom, the black mom, the biological white kid and the two spanish teenagers." Callie laughed.

"I guess I never notices that, you guys are like a walking poster board for equality or something" she said.

"Well mom always says it's more then blood that makes a family"

"Have you ever wanted to go looking for your other mom?"

"My birth mother, Anna? Sometimes, I have so few good memories of her, now i realize we probably had so much fun because she was high. Most of the time we were sleeping in sheds or begging for food. Sometimes she would leave Jesus and I alone for days at a time. and we were only like toddlers you know? I would like to find her, ask her why, see if she's clean"

"What do Stef and Lena think about that?"

"I haven't told my moms that what i want to do, sometimes they offer to set up a meeting with Anna but, Jesus doesn't want anything to do with her and one of those meetings would be supervised. I wouldn't be able to actually get to know her"

"But you could still see her, ask her some of your questions"

"I'm turning 15 next year, My best friend Lexie is spanish too, her mom and dad are throwing her a quinceanera. Moms are throwing me one too but, I won't get to do the father daughter dance, or any of the traditional stuff."

"Yeah is there like a male person in this family? Like an uncle or someone?" Callie asked.

"Well Brandon's dad Mike does a lot of the dad stuff, He takes Brandon and Jesus to baseball games and he's always been the closest thing I have to a father, Momma's dad lives close by but since I can remember he pretty much stays away. He doesn't believe in gay people. Mom's dad lives far away but he's way more accepting, He's a good grandfather he visits a few times a year with Gram. But really it's just Mike"

"So Stef and Mike get along?"

"Oh yeah, They work together, they are actually partners so they still spend a lot of time together, they are friends, almost like brother and sister, Mike comes over for dinner a lot and he always does that dad stuff with us"

"That sounds really nice"

"Yeah, yeah it is" Mariana nodded.

"Hey girls come help make dinner please" Lena called up the stairs. Callie and Mariana got up heading down the stairs. Noah and Jesus were sitting at the table with glasses of lemonade in front of them.

"How was skate boarding?" Callie asked her brother

"Great!" We're going to go back tomorrow after school" Noah said excitedly. Callie was glad to see in the past 24 hours he was becoming more and more himself around Lena.

"After homework" Lena reminded him handing Callie a knife and some carrots.

"Callie you can help me make the salad and Mariana you can wash the shrimp for Momma, Boys when you are all set you can head out back and clean up the patio it's so nice out we will eat outside" Lena said.

"Hello everyone" Stef called coming into the kitchen.

"Hey, how was work?" Lena asked.

"Oh same old same old, oh that looks good" Steph said giving Lena a kiss and looking over Callie's shoulder.

"Mariana is washing the shrimp as we speak" Lena said.

"Oh thank you princess I am going to run up and change and i'll be right down and you can help me, ehh pass on the recipe" Steph winked at Mariana heading back up the stairs.

"Table is all clean" Jesus said coming in from the back door with Noah at his heels.

"Thanks boys why don't you find us some music" Lena said.

"Hello" Callie heard an unfamiliar male voice call.

"Hey come on it" Lena called back. Brandon walked into the kitchen with an older man behind him.

"How was lunch?" Lena asked.

"Good, we went to the batting cages after" Brandon said.

"Oh fun, Mike would you like to stay for dinner, it's family dinner night" Lena said.

"Oh well if you don't mind I would love to" Mike said settling into a stool by the table. Callie felt herself stiffen a little and pulled Noah to her side. Mariana had said he was a police officer and Mike looked tough. He had dark hair and strong arms.

"Oh Callie, Noah this is Brandon's dad Mike, Mike this is Callie and Noah, they are going to be staying with us for a while" Lena said.

"Nice to meet you" Mike shook hands with them. Callie didn't make eye contact with him and Noah seemed to hide behind her.

"Mike is a good friend of the family, it will be ok" Lena assured both of them putting a hand on Noah's back.

"Brandon why don't you go get washed up dinner is in about 30 minutes" Lena said.

"Ok" Brandon nodded heading up the stairs as Stef was coming down.

"Hey B" She gave him a kiss on the cheek in passing.

"Hey Mike" She greeted him coming into the kitchen.

"Hey" Mike nodded as Stef took her place by Mariana at the stove.

"Oh Mike now that your here can you take a look at the dishwasher? The door is not closing all the way" Lena said.

"Oh yeah, It won't lock or something" Stef agreed.

"Oh that's why you invited me to dinner" Mike laughed as he got up to look at the appliance.

"How's this?" Jesus asked turning up some dance music.

"Oh perfect!" Lena cried waving her hands above her head shaking her skinny hips.

"Go mom go mom" Mariana sang clapping her hands copying Lena's moves.

"Wahh come on Callie" Lena cried spinning around Callie to grab the peeler on the other side of her.

"Go Noah!" Mariana cried as Noah jumped up on the coffee table waving his arms.

"Alright my love" Stef said spinning Lena around gathering her in her arms. Callie laughed watching everyone dancing and working. Before she knew it dinner was ready and they gathered around the table on the back patio. Lights hanging from the branches twinkled above.

"Alright everyone before we eat I would like to say a few words" Stef said standing up.

"Callie and Noah in this house we do not really say Grace, however we do make sure we give thanks for everything we have in our lives. I am grateful we got to meet you and that you have become a part of this family, and you may not be here for long but you will always be a part of this family" Stef said.

"Here here" Lena raised her glass. Everyone else followed clinking them together.

"Alright eat up!" Stef smiled sitting back down.

It was late when Callie padded out into the hallway. The door to Stef and Lena's room was open and a light was on. Callie walked to the door knocking gently on the doorway. Lena put down the book she was reading and Stef looked up from paperwork she was going over.

"Hi sweetie, come on it" Lena said patting the bed for Callie to sit next to her. Callie shook her head.

"That's ok I just wanted to say thank you"

"For what love?" Stef asked.

"For making up this big family weekend for us and for making decisions for Noah, like the skate park today, for as long as I can remember he has been my responsibility, But here… it's nice" Callie said.

"Well sweetie that's the way it's supposed to be" Stef said.

"Yeah I know It just hasn't been like that in a long time, Anyway that's it, good night" Callie said

"Good night" Lena said as Callie headed back to her room.

Callie came home from school after staying late. Noah was doing his homework at the table while Lena bounced between making dinner and helping him. She said hello to them and headed up the stairs. Mariana and Jesus were sitting on Mariana's bed talking quickly in spanish. They both stopped when she entered but then went back when Callie sat down at her desk. They whispered then Jesus threw up his hands and stormed out.

"What was that about?" Callie asked.

"Do you want to know a secret?" Mariana said

"Sure"

"But don't tell my moms, promise"

"Yes i promise" Callie nodded.

"Ok, I think I am going to meet my birth mom tonight, We have been talking a little bit and we set up a time"

"But is that safe, You should tell your moms" Callie said.

"It's safe, It's going to be a public place, lot's of people, It will be fine i'll be there and back in an hour moms won't even know i'm gone.

""Well Lena is making dinner I'm pretty sure they will notice you missing at a table full of me and just boys" Callie said.

"I'm going to fake sick. By the time you guys eat and moms clean up i'll be back, Don't worry, Just keep them downstairs" Mariana said.

"Well if anyone asks I know nothing about this" Callie said.

"Deal" Mariana said.

Callie, Mariana Dinner" Lena called up the stairs. Mariana jumped into her bed.

"Coming" Callie called down the stairs as Stef made her way up to change out of her uniform.

"Hi Sweets, how was your day?" She asked Callie

"Good, But i don't think Mariana is feeling well" Callie said.

"What's wrong Miss Thing?" Stef asked going into the girls room and sitting on the edge of Mariana's bed.

"My stomach hurts" Mariana said giving Stef her best puppy dog eyes.

"Oh love Do you want to try some crackers?" Steph asked putting her hand on Mariana's forehead to feel for a fever.

"No, I think I just want to sleep it off" Mariana said

"Ok sweetie call if you need anything ok, I'll bring you some ginger ale before bed" Stef kissed her forehead getting up.

"How about you Callie are you feeling ok" Stef asked.

"Oh yeah i'm fine" Callie nodded.

"Ok good, head on downstairs i'll be right down" Stef said. Callie hopped down the stairs taking a seat at the table as Lena handed her a plate.

"princess is not feeling well she's sleeping off a bit of a stomach problem" Stef said coming down.

"Oh no" Lena said.

"I think she will be ok, no fever or pale" Stef said scooping chicken onto her plate then Noah's.

"Maybe it's her time of.." Jesus started

"Jesus if you say time of the month I'm signing you up for a women's health clinic. You live in a house run by women." Lena said pointing to him.

"Sorry" Jesus said while everyone laughed.

"So Callie how was study group?" Lena asked.

"It was good, I still feel kind of lost in math"

"Math is hard and you started in the middle of the year, I bet Brandon could help you though if he has time."

"Yeah, i took that math last year, i could help you catch up" Brandon nodded.

"Thanks" Callie shot him a grateful smile.

"Oh i just remembered i worked out a bathroom schedule for you guys" Stef said.

"Does it include building us another one because thats about the only thing that would work" Jesus said.

"Sorry dude not in the budget this year. Noah and Jesus you are showering at night before school. Brandon has the bathroom first from 6:15-6:45 then Callie from 6:45-7:15 and Mariana from 7:15-7:45" Steph read off her paper.

"Mariana is going to freak about only having 30 minutes" Jesus laughed.

"She can have ten of my minutes, I don't need that long" Brandon said.

"That's very nice of you B" Lena said.

"It's tight, But you guys will get used to it. We have to make if work for a while" Stef agreed.

After dinner Callie helped Lena with the dishes while Stef and the boys went outside to play basketball.

"Noah has never had older boys to play with before, he is soaking all this up" Callie smiled watching them.

"What about you, you and Mariana seem to be getting along more" Lena said.

"Yeah, yeah we are" Callie nodded wondering where Mariana was at this second.

"Good, I told you she would come around, She has always wanted a sister. I think she was always hoping for a younger one, but I think older sisters are better" Lena smiled at Callie.

"I'm hardly older, just like a year" Callie smiled back.

"Yeah but thats better maybe you guy will be friends" Lena shrugged

"I doubt that, Can i ask you something?"

"Of course" Lena nodded.

"Are you and Stef married?"

"By common law we are. We have been together for 12 years. But did we ever have a ceremony? No, It wasn't allowed up until a few months ago and I guess we never felt the need" Lena said.

"I don't think I want to get married" Callie said.

"Why not?"

"Well I don't think anyone would ever want to marry me, Another foster women i stayed with said i had to much baggage. life baggage. And plus i don't think i could trust someone enough to live with them and marry them"

"You know what Callie, I think everyone comes with their own set of baggage, But somewhere out in the world is someone who is willing to help you carry that baggage" Lena said leaning close.

"When my parents were married they were kind of in the same place Stef and I are now" Lena said standing back up and handing Callie a plate.

"Are they gay to?" Callie asked confused.

"No, no they are not but my daddy is white, and my momma is black, back when they were getting married there was a lot more racism in the world. White people marrying black people was what gay marriage is now. But they loved each other and didn't want that to stand in the way. I think that is why they are more supportive of my family then Stef's parents are, They know what it's like to have the world against you" Lena said.

"Well, for what it's worth, you and Stef had a better home then a lot of the homes I have been in that have a mom and a dad" Callie said.

"Thank you love" Lena smiled at her.

Callie was relieved to see Mariana in bed when she climbed the stairs. Mariana's back was to the doorway and she lay facing the wall.

"Did you go?" Callie asked her. Mariana nodded.

"How was it?" Callie tried again, Mariana just shrugged.

"Did something happen?" Another nod.

"Do you want to talk about it?" This time Mariana shook her head.

"Are you ok." One last nod.

"Ok" Callie sighed sitting at her desk. As footsteps came up the stairs Mariana quickly shut off the lamp on her nightstand. Lena came in with a glass of water and some crackers.

"princess" She whispered from the doorway.

"I think she's asleep" Callie whispered. Lena walked in she put the plate by Mariana's bed and gently covered her up brushing her long hair back on her pillow. Callie saw Lena's long fingers brush Mariana's forehead ever so gently to see if she was warm then Lena leaned down planting a kiss on her cheek. Turning to Callie she walked over switching on the light by Callie's desk.

"Don't strain your eyes, do you need help?" She asked looking over Callie's shoulder at her English essay.

"No" Callie shook her head.

"Ok, go to bed soon it's getting late" Lena said ever so gently putting her hand on Callie's back then left the room closing the door behind her. Callie heard Mariana turn over to look at her and turned around in her chair.

"If I was you, I'd feel so guilty" Callie said before she could stop herself.

"Don't worry, I do" Mariana sighed rolling back over.

"Are you going to tell me what happened last night?" Callie asked getting dressed for school while Mariana did her hair and make up.

"She said wow your all grown up and the mothering ended there" Mariana said.

"What do you mean?"

"She just came to ask me for money, That's all she wanted. Hasn't seen me in 10 years but just want's money"

"So she is still on drugs?"

"Oh yeah, she was strung out when she came to meet me, It was all just a big mistake. I don't know why I had to go looking for her" Mariana shook her head.

"Are you going to tell Stef and Lena?"

"No way! no one is ever going to know, I never want to see her again" Mariana shook her head.

"Good" Callie nodded.

"Hey Callie girl it's just you and me tonight, what do you want to do?" Stef asked at breakfast.

"Where's everyone else going?" Callie asked looking around feeling a little panicked.

"B is at Mikes, Mariana has plans, Jesus had practice and Lena and Noah are going to go shopping for a new backpack and sneakers" Steph said going around the table as each person nodded conforming their plans.

"Oh, well I don't know, I have a lot of homework" Callie said.

"It's Friday night! what do you like to do? We can go to a movie, go bowling, out to eat" Stef offered.

"Maybe we could just stay home, i'm tired" Callie said.

"Ok" Stef said giving up. Callie could tell her feeling were a little hurt.

Later that day Jesus caught up with her in the hall at school.

"I know it's weird Momma wanting to do something with you, but you should. She's a cop but she's actually really cool" He said.

"I just don't know what to do with her, we've never been alone before" Callie said

"She's a good person to watch movies with, and she's good at basketball and she liked poker, play poker with her" Jesus offered.

"I don't know how to play"

"Perfect let her teach you!" He said.

"I'll see" Callie shrugged him off.

"Well I think you should" Jesus said turning and heading the other way.

That night Callie sat up in her room. She hadn't gone down since everyone had left. She could hear the TV in the back round. She thought about what Jesus had said. She did want Stef to know she was thankful for everything they had done for them. She sighed getting off her bed and going downstairs. Stef was reclined on the couch.

"Hey love" She greeted Callie as she walked into the living room.

"I don't know how to play poker" Callie said not knowing what else to say. Stef laughed a little, "which one of the kids told you to say that."

"Jesus" Callie muttered making Stef laugh again.

"Well if you would like I can show you, i'm kind of a pro" Stef said.

"I…yeah i'd like that" Callie nodded.

"Go sit at the table i'll get the cards" Stef said as Callie went into the kitchen she came through the other door sitting across from her. She started shuffling doing crazy tricks with the cards.

"The key to poker, is your shuffle, If you can do a few tricks people start thinking you play cards all the time. You can suck at poker but you know some shuffle tricks and people get nervous" Stef said.

"How did you learn all those?" Callie asked watching her skilled fingers move quickly.

"My dad used to have his friends over every Wednesday to play, I started watching them I was like 5. They taught me how to play and I practiced. By the time I was eight I was good enough to hold my own with them, I won sometimes and believe me no one was letting me" Stef said dealing out the cards.

"I have no idea what i'm doing" Callie said.

"Ok this one will be open hand let me see your cards, ok see that ace….."

"Were you and Brandon's dad married?" Callie asked munching on a Paperoni. She and Stef had taken a break from cards to make a pizza.

"We were, for about four years" Stef nodded handing Callie another one as she spread some over the pizza.

"If your gay, why did you marry a man?" Stef looked up a Callie thinking for a minute.

"My father doesn't believe in my marriage now, It's not his fault. both my parents were raised super catholic, I was raised super catholic. So when I was in high school and started questioning things, I shoved them back down. It wasn't the right thing to do, date girls, I always had boyfriends. I met Mike when I was 18 and he was nice enough. He made me laugh, I thought if I tried I could love him, do the family thing with him. So we got married when we were 20, and Brandon was born that same year. I was so young. I tried to be the good catholic girl and raise my kid and be a good wife. But I wasn't happy. Deep down I knew why. When Brandon was four we signed him up for preschool at Anchor Beach, your school now and I was walking him to class his first day and I spotted Lena." Stef said. She had a far off look and Callie knew she was reliving the moment.

"I saw her and I just know. I knew I couldn't do it anymore, the faking and pretending. I wasn't happy, and I had to do something about it or I was always going to be stuck." Stef said.

"Was Mike mad?"

"He was sad. But I can't say he was surprised really, But we remained such good friends I don't regret it for one minute." Stef shook her head.

"What if you had met Lena sooner?"

"Well then I wouldn't have my B. Lena and I were still young. I was 24 she was 23, Lena is the love of my life but I am glad I had me B first" Stef smiled

Callie had lost track of time and was surprised when Lena, Noah, Mariana and Jesus walked in.

"Hello" Lena called then smiled seeing Callie and Stef sitting side by side on the couch Stef watching Callie try a trick shuffle.

"That's perfect, a little practice with that and you'll be ready" Stef smiled patting Callie on the back turning to wink at her wife.

"Callie learned how to play poker tonight, and we made pizza from scratch if anyone is hungry" Stef said.

"sounds like a fun Friday in" Lena said.

"It was" Callie said glancing at Jesus who smiled and nodded at her.

"You keep these, practice" Stef smiled handing Callie the deck of cards.

"I will" Callie promised.

"You two had a good night?" Lena asked Stef as the kids went into the kitchen for pizza.

"Yeah, we really did" Stef smiled.

Saturday morning was a slow start as usual. Noah and Lena got up early and he helped Lena make pancakes like she did every Saturday. The older kids trailed out of bed anywhere between 9:00 and noon. eating the leftover pancakes and watching cartoons. Stef worked most Saturday mornings but was always home by noon. This noontime found most of the kids in the kitchen. Callie was in the sitting nook trying to sketch Lena who was cooking by the stove. Brandon was in the corner on his piano, Jesus was eating the last of the pancakes and Stef and Noah were having lunch.

"Where's the princess?" Stef asked looking around.

"She was up" Lena said.

"Mariana!" Stef called throughout the big house.

"Coming" Mariana said and they heard her footsteps on the stairs.

"Oh my" Lena said as Mariana came in with highlights in her hair.

"Do you like them?" Mariana asked.

"Did you do them yourself?" Stef asked.

"Yeah just now" Mariana said.

"They are a little bright" Jesus said making a face at her. Mariana stuck out her tung.

"I like it, it will take some getting used to, but I like the self expression, It didn't stain anywhere in the bathroom did it?" Lena asked.

"No mom" Mariana sighed.

"Ok, well then I like it" Lena said as Stef shot her a look. Callie had to admit it did make Mariana look a bit like a tiger.

"I could do yours mom" Mariana said pulling on one of Lena's curls watching it bounce back up.

"Don't you dare touch my women's hair" Stef said playfully kissing Lena on the cheek.

"It would be nice to tame it though" Lena sighed patting down the top of it.

"No way, you wouldn't be mom with out your curls" Brandon said. Jesus nodded.

"See we all agree" Stef said.

"Yes well you are not the ones who have to try to get it in line every morning!" Lena laughed.

"Don't change it, I love your curls" Callie said from the couch. Everyone turned to her a little surprised. She was surprised herself that she had spoken up.

"I won't, don't worry, besides I don't think anything will change this mop" Lena winked at her.

Later that day Callie walked into the kitchen to find Noah as the table painting his nails.

"Hey buddy I told you not to do that!" Callie said grabbing the blue polish from him.

"Hey, I like it!" Noah yelled as Lena came into the room.

"What's going on?" Lena asked.

"He's painting his nails he know's he's not supposed to, He got beat up at our last school for it" Callie said pointing to Noah's half painted nails. She saw Noah look at Lena worried about what she would say.

"I like the color buddy, you are probably going to need a second coat though, what do you think Callie?" Lena said looking deep into Callie's eyes. Callie sighed giving him back the nail polish, "Just take it off before Monday" She said putting it on the table and leaving the room.

"Here let's put this down just in case" Lena grabbed a paper tower putting it under Noah's hands. He looked down.

"Callie's right I did get beat up" He said.

"Well, Buddy some people are just afraid of what they don't understand. If painting your nails makes you happy, I say do it" Lena said.

"Why do people get so mad about it. How come girls can do it but I can't" Noah asked.

"There's this thing called gender stereotypes that people think says what boys and girls can and can't do. It says things like boys can't wear pink, and Girls aren't good at sports. but they are things that are not true" Lena said.

"Then why do people say them?"

"Because, well I don't know buddy. Maybe because people don't like things that are different then what they think they should be." Lena said.

"Like having two moms?" Noah asked.

"Yes. Like having two moms, Or two dads. There are sometimes when Stef and I are out that I can't hold her hand if I want to, and the kids can't call us both their mom because people don't understand. This makes me sad, but I hope by the time you are a grown up, people will be allowed to love whoever they want and show it" Lena said.

"Will I get beat up again If I don't take this off?" Noah asked looking down at his hands.

"Not in my school" Lena promised him. Noah looked up at her smiling.

"In this house. We express ourselves" Lena said picking up the brush to help him.

Callie was in her room as Lena walked past later. Lena stopped and knocked on the doorway before coming to sit on the end of her bed.

"Noah is a special kid Callie" Lena said sitting down.

"I know, He got in trouble at our last foster home for putting on the girls skirts, and wearing nail polish."

"Well I told him and I want you to know too, he's safe in this house, you both are."

"I appreciate what your trying to do Lena, but we aren't going to be here forever. I don't want him to get comfortable with all this stuff then have it crash down on him when we leave, he can't be doing that stuff. It's just not realistic" Callie told her. Lena nodded.

"I understand that sweetie, I know your just looking out for your brother. I am sorry about what happened to him in your last home." She said. Callie shrugged.

"It happens right" Lena sighed and Callie could see she didn't know what else to say.

"Ok, i'll let you get back to your homework, let me know if you need any help" Lena said standing up.

"That sounds really good" Callie said walking into the music room during free period. She had heard the piano down the hall and wanted to come see Brandon.

"The audition is tonight, I still need to work on these triplets" Brandon sighed making a note on his music.

"That's right, Stef said that at breakfast we're all coming" Callie said taking a seat on the window sill next to him.

"Awesome!" Brandon said sarcastically but Callie could see he was glad they were coming.

"How long have you been playing?" She asked

"Oh wow it feels like forever. When I was four my parents separated and started getting a divorce Momma signed me up for lessons. I think she was just trying to distract me and I was not good at sports. Turns out I was really good at piano. When we moved in with mom a few months later she bought me a piano as kind of a welcome gift. She used to play to and it was something her and I did together. That was kind of our bonding thing. I just have a lot of ties to it" Brandon said.

"Lena plays too?"

"Yeah, Not as often as she would like I'm sure, But every once in a while she will sit by it and play" Brandon smiled.

"I always wanted to play" Callie said plucking a few keys.

"You should ask Mom to help you, I bet she's love it" Brandon said.

"Oh yes poker with Stef Piano with Lena and we will all be one big happy family" Callie said.

"Your afraid?"

"What, I'm not afraid" Callie shook her head.

"What are you afraid of?" Brandon asked again.

"i'm not afraid" Callie said as the bell rang. She picked up her bag and left.

"Look mom all I'm saying is you can't do the mom thing and the vice principal thing at the same time it's not fair" Jesus said as they walked walked in the door after school.

"Jesus, I don't know what to tell you dude, you got the raw end of the deal, you got two moms ones a cop ones the vice principal at your school" Lena sighed putting her bag down.

"Whatever" Jesus sighed climbing the stairs.

"What happened?" Mariana asked.

"Oh your brother had an eventful day, go up and get changed please guys we have to go to Brandon's audition." Lena said.

"ANTS!" They suddenly heard Jesus cry.

"What in the world!" Lena said and raced up the stairs all the kids behind her.

"What's going on in here?" Lena asked going into Jesus's room.

"Ants" Jesus said pointing. Callie looked. sure enough a trail of ants came through the open window down the wall across the floor and under Noah's bed. There must have been hundreds of them. Lena got down and looked under the bed. She stood back up and turned to the kids.

"Guys go get dressed please, Jesus you can change in Brandon's room. Noah have a seat bud" Lena said Everyone left the room as Noah sat down on his bed. Callie stayed in the doorway and she was grateful Lena didn't kick her out.

"Noah you can't hide food under you'd bed bub. We always have a stocked pantry downstairs, you know you can take anything you want. Why are you storing food up here? are you afraid we're going to run out?" Lena asked. Noah shook his head looking at his feet.

"Well are you still hungry? We can talk about maybe having a snack before bedtime but buddy you can't eat up here" Lena said.

"It's my fault" Callie jumped in. Lena turned to her surprised.

"A lot of other foster homes, there's not enough, or they really keep track of what we eat, everything is portioned down to the penny. Whenever we were in a home that didn't do that I would save food, so when we moved on I had enough to give him for a while. I would hide it under mine and his bed. He didn't know any better" Callie said. She saw Lena's face instantly soften.

"Noah, I know this is hard to understand, but you won't be leaving here anytime soon ok. And when you do Stef and I are going to make sure you go to a good home that is just like this one" Lena said.

"It's ok you don't have to save food anymore" Callie said.

"You are safe here my friend, and the next place you go to will be safe ok" Lena said. Noah nodded.

"Ok, why don't you run down and get a trash bag so we can clean this food up" Lena said. Noah stood up and gave Lena a hug. Callie was just as surprised as the look on Lena's face. Just as suddenly as he had gone to her he let go and raced down the stairs.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault, I forgot to tell him not to. He's just so used to it" Callie said.

"No, it's no one's fault" Lena shook her head crawling over to look under the bed again.

"How much is under there?" Callie asked.

"A bunch of apples and banana's some carrot sticks, two cupcakes, a few cookies, and a bagel" Lena said.

"Huh, wow. maybe Jesus doesn't eat as much as you think" Callie said. Lena burst out laughing.

"Ok everyone best behaviors please let's not embarrass your brother like last time" Lena said fixing the collar of Noah's shirt shooting Jesus a look

"Haha that was classic" Jesus laughed.

"Making farting noises in the middle of a piano solo is not classic, Miss Thing is your phone on silent?" Lena asked.

"Yes, Where's Momma" Mariana asked.

"She was coming right from work she should be here any minute we'll save her a seat, come on" Lena took Noah's hand leading the way in. A group of kids sat on the stage. Callie noticed Brandon immediately. He offered a smile when he saw them that Lena returned with an over enthusiastic wave leading the way to the front row.

"This stuff is a little to classy for our family" Jesus whispered to Callie and Lena shot him another look making Mariana cover her mouth in laughter.

"And now we will start our piano pieces" An old women said on stage addressing the judges in front of them.

"Come on Stef" Lena muttered looking at the back door as a girl was called up to the piano. Callie watched. Her hands were shaking. When she started to play her speed seemed a little fast, Like she was just trying to get it over with. Stef came in walking down and taking a seat next to Lena

"Did I miss it?" She asked giving Lena a quick kiss. '

"No he should be next" Lena said. as the girl finished. They clapped politely as Brandon was called to the piano. He stood walking with confidence. He sat before the piano closed his eyes and drummed his fingers on his knee finding the tempo. He opened his eyes put his fingers on the keys and started to play. The most beautiful piece Callie had ever heard flowed from his fingers and she could see everyone in the room was transfixed by him. When he ended he stood up to bow. Lena and Stef jumped up clapping loudly. Jesus whistled through his fingers.

"Go Brandon!" Noah yelled jumping to stand up on his chair. Callie watched them laughing as Brandon turned a shade of red and quickly went back to his seat.

"Classy be damned" Lena smiled as they sat back down.

"That was really good B, I bet you got it" Stef said as they sat in the little diner.

"I hope so Imagine if I actually get into that school" Brandon sighed.

"When do you find out?" Callie asked.

"Not for like two months"

"Well if you did, Awesome, If not, oh well just leave it at that" Lena said picking at her fries.

"Yeah i didn't make any farting noises which means it was good this time" Jesus added

"Yes, thank you for that" Brandon slugged his shoulder.

Callie looked up from her book realizing how late it was. Mariana was asleep and the hallway was dark. She slipped off her bed going downstairs for a drink of water. She was surprised to see Brandon up sitting at the piano.

"I thought you were done practicing?" She asked him.

"I'm always practicing for something, Actually i'm composing right now" he said holding up his notebook. There were notes all over it.

"I think…I think I am afraid" Callie said after a minute

"Of what?"

"Of getting to attached, of starting to play piano and leaving" Callie said. Brandon nodded.

"Getting attached is part of life. You build up to many walls you don't let anyone in. It's got to be pretty lonely by yourself, sometimes you have to let people in" Brandon said.

"I don't know if I know how to put the walls down" Callie said.

"I can't help you with that, that's something you need to figure out yourself. Maybe if you start by letting someone give you a hug or something, let my moms in on all the stuff going on in your head." Brandon said. Callie nodded.

"Ok, well night" Brandon started to climb the stairs.

"night" Callie called after him