Vision blinded by a ray of sunlight seeping through the bedroom window, she slammed her eyes back shut and rolled over with a groan.

She smelled bacon, sausage, and eggs downstairs on the skillet, her stomach growling in response. Her eyebrows pushed together. It was only Thursday. Stef and Lena usually saved breakfast like that for Saturdays and Sundays. She wondered what the occasion was and had hardly eaten anything over dinner and was now starving. Sitting up in bed, it was then that she realized she was not at the Foster's and the previous nights events came back to her. Her shoulders sunk with disappointment and she made her way out of bed and to the door.

To no avail, the door wouldn't budge. Of course she didn't unlock it yet. A pang of frustration combed through her. Normally she would be fine with waiting, but she had to pee. Banging on the door, she hoped to be heard. She stopped once she heard footsteps coming her way.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were awake," Helen apologized as she opened the door.

Callie waved her hand, "It's okay. I just have to go to the bathroom." She quickly walked past Helen without waiting for a reply. Finally having the chance to relieve herself, she sighed heavily and stood to wash her hands.

She opened the door to find Helen stood next to it, obviously waiting for her to come out. Callie wanted to tell her she didn't need to be babysat, but instead just gave a small smile, thinking to herself that it was a little weird.

"I've made us some breakfast. I'm not a good cook and I normally don't make this, but I'd figured you'd like it." With the aroma in the kitchen, Helen grabbed a plate filled with two pieces of bacon, one sausage patty, and a small helping of scrambled eggs and sat it in front of Callie, who was seated at the table.

"Thanks." Callie began to push the eggs around with her fork. Though she was hungry a moment ago, she suddenly didn't feel hungry at all. She could feel Helen watching her, so she pushed herself to eat anyway not wanting to disappoint her. The eggs tasted a little bland and the bacon and sausage tasted a little burnt, but she got herself to finish all of it.

Helen took the plate and brought it to the sink to wash it. She looked back at Callie as she placed the plate on the dry rack, "We leave for school in one hour. I'll get your lunch made as you go upstairs and get ready."

Callie nodded as she pushed her chair in and headed for the stairs.

"Here we are." Helen placed the car in park and turned on the brake. They were parked outside of the brick building, the local public school in which all of her foster children went to.

Callie stared at the sign.

Woodward High School

She didn't want to be there. She wanted to go to Anchor Beach Charter School with the Foster's. But another part of her didn't want to be in the midst of their questions and reactions. Asking her how her night at her new foster home was and then promising that she would be back with them soon. Whatever soon meant.

"I'll be here in the same spot at three to pick you up." Helen snapped her back to reality.

Nodding, Callie gave a small smile that didn't reach her eyes and grabbed her backpack. As she made her way to the doors, she saw in the reflection that Helen was watching her. She looked back as she made her way inside and saw her car drive away.


Lena sat down at her desk looking over some paperwork. She had hoped to see Callie in the morning, wanting to ask her how her night was and if the people at her new foster home were nice.

It made her nauseous knowing that one of her children was sleeping somewhere else and especially in a home that she had no knowledge of even being good. When she hadn't seen Callie's name on any of the attendance that morning, she figured she must have gone to a different school. She didn't like that idea one bit. Wanting to at least be able to see Callie at school. If she saw her and saw that everything was okay, then she would be able to sleep that night.

Now her only hope rested on Stef being able to talk to the judge today, and that Callie would be home come dinner time.

Lena looked to her phone, checking for anymore updates from her wife. The only one so far was a text simply stating, "Waiting now." Lena frowned. That had been nearly two hours ago. She wondered what was taking so long. She felt guilty and that this was all their fault. They should have known that their license had expired. If they did, then none of this would have happened.

A light kick made her jump and she looked down at her stomach. A small chuckle escaped her mouth as she placed her hands on her growing baby bump. All of her stress disappearing for at least a moment. "Momma's okay," she talked as if the baby had sensed her mother's stress.

A high pitched ring caused her hand to go flying to its source. "Hey, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine love," Stef reassured. "I'm just calling to let you know that I'm still waiting for the judge."

Stef heard Lena sigh. "Still?"

"They said that he's really busy right now," Stef said with hopelessness laced in her voice.

"Does he know that she's been taken from our home?"

"I don't know," Stef admitted. "But he'll find out soon. Don't worry."

"Promise me you'll keep updating me?"

"I promise, love. I gotta go. I love you."

"I love you too."

Stef placed her phone back in her pocket, moved away from the window, and sat back down in her seat. All this waiting was only increasing her nerves. And as each minute went by, she could feel the lump in her throat becoming greater.

Leg bouncing up and down, she looked towards the direction of the judges chambers for what felt like the hundredth time. She waited for somebody -anybody- to walk out of that direction, indicating to her that the judge was likely free.

She knew that her impatience was known, but she honestly didn't care. She needed to see that judge. Callie needed to be back in their home.

Just then, she heard the creaking of a heavy door and the clanking of footsteps coming in her direction. She looked on with hope and as the judge came into view, she leaped from her seat and practically ran over to him.

"Excuse me, Judge Ringer!"

"I'm sorry, but I am done for the day," Judge Ringer waved his hand.

"But you don't understand," Stef said with desperation as she caught up with him. "Callie has been taken from our home!"

"I'm sorry, but it's going to have to wait until tomorrow."

In one final attempt to get him to listen, Stef moved in front of him and placed her hand on the exit doors, blocking his way out. "Please," she whispered with pleading eyes.

"You are making a big mistake here," Judge Ringer said, having enough of this. "I told you and my decision is final. Now if you step away, I'll gladly speak to you tomorrow."

Stef took in a shaky breath. That meant Callie would have to stay in the foster home another night. Stef didn't want that, but knew she'd better listen now or Callie may never come back to their home. Reluctantly and defeatedly, she moved to the side.

Before Judge Ringer stepped out, he turned back to Stef. "I'll be available tomorrow at noon," and with that he walked out of the building leaving Stef standing by the doors.

Tears brimmed her eyes as she thought about just how exactly she would tell her wife this, and especially how Callie was going to feel when she realized she wasn't coming home today.

Stef had no choice but to go back to her car and drive the long way home.


When school had ended and Lena and the kids had come home, Lena was anxious to see Stef and hear what the judge had said. She wanted to know if Callie was back in the house. After the kids had gone to do their usual after school routines, she walked upstairs and found her wife sitting on their bed.

"Hey, honey," Lena said, trying not to let her nervousness show. She walked over and took the spot next to her.

"Hey, love," Stef quietly spoke.

"How did the talk with the judge go?" By her wife's behavior, Lena already knew the answer, but had to hear Stef say it.

Stef threw her arms up, fresh tears coming to her eyes. "He wants us to wait until tomorrow."

"Did he say why?" Lena asked, her chest feeling heavy.

"He was done for the day," Stef wiped at a stray tear.

"But you were waiting a long time. I don't understand why he couldn't at least spoken to you."

Stef shrugged, not knowing what to say. "What's Callie going to think now?"

"I'm sure she'll understand once we tell her," Lena said, mostly trying to tell herself that. She knew this would probably break Callie's heart like it was theirs. "When she's back, I think we need to look for Robert Quinn."

"Lena," Stef spoke softly, but firmly looking to her. "You know that's her decision."

"I know," Lena said. "But this wouldn't be happening if we were able to adopt her."

"Don't forget we also didn't renew our fostering license like we were supposed to."

Lena's shoulders sunk. She knew Stef was right and the guilt she felt in her office at school came back to her. Callie being removed from their home was more of their fault than the judge's. "I hope she doesn't hate us."

"Lena, you know she won't. I'm sure when we tell her, she'll understand."

"You're right," Lena stood. "I'm going to go get dinner on now."

Stef nodded and sadly watched as Lena left the room. She knew Lena was still hurting and probably needed to be alone, judging by her quickness to leave. Stef wished she could take all of this away and was to make sure she was going to apologize to Callie for their mistake when she came back home.

Dinner came around an hour and a half later. As the six of them sat around the table, it was quite obvious of the missing spot. Just like it was the night before after Callie had left.

Wanting to take that off their minds, they engaged in conversations about their days and Lena asked Jude if he was ready for his essay tomorrow.

"I guess," he said, looking down at his food.

"I'm sure you'll be okay, bud," Brandon said with encouragement.

Jude didn't say anything, but looked to his right at the empty spot. It didn't take a genius to know what he was thinking and an awkward silence fell among them. "Will Callie be there to hear it?" he said in a voice that was almost inaudible and they had to strain their ears to hear.

Stef and Lena looked at each other, having a silent conversation.

"Well," Stef placed her fork down to shift herself so that she could have his attention. "We don't know about that yet, bud. But if not, then I promise you she will want to hear it once she comes back." Stef spoke with gentle softness in her tone.

"And you also have us to present it to, too," Mariana chimed in. "Don't forget that I'm dying to hear it as well."

"Yeah, me too!" Jesus said.

This caused a small smile to appear on Jude's face. "Okay," he said. He still didn't like the idea of Callie possibly not being there, but if his family wanted to hear his essay, then he would do it. He smiled at family.


Just like the night before, Helen said her goodnights and Callie watched as she shut the door and locked it.

She sat on the bed with a heavy sigh. This place felt more like a prison than a foster home. She couldn't recall how many times Helen had followed her around the house without giving her any space at all. The only time she could be alone, besides bathroom breaks, was when she was at school and in this room. She knew Helen thought she was going to pull something even when she made it clear that she wasn't.

Why wasn't she back at the Foster's yet? Surely, they had to have spoken to the judge by now. Stef had promised her she would be back in her bed by now.

A sinking feeling came over her. One in which told her that Stef, Lena, Brandon, Jesus, Mariana, and even Jude were happy without her. She imagined them sitting around the dinner table talking about their days, not even acknowledging her absence.

She knew this was going to be the first of many more foster homes coming her way. This time would be different however. She did not have her brother to protect. She did not have her brother to talk to. She did not have her brother. She only had herself now. And the more she thought about it, the more she did not want a life like this. Being pushed around from home to home like she had been for most of her childhood. She could take care of herself without someone else doing it for her.

But she knew, as she leaned back against the headboard the softness of the pillow resting along her back, since she was sixteen, it would have to be that way for another year and a half. But still she thought of ways in which she could take care of herself.

She had heard of emancipation. Her friend, Daphne had done it and now had her own apartment and worked at Not a Burger Stand. She was the same age. But she also knew how difficult the process was. Callie wanted something that could be done without any hiccups in the way. She thought hard and remembered when she had kissed Brandon. How mad Jude was. She didn't know why that suddenly came to her mind and what it had to do with this. Her crush on Brandon had gone away a long time ago after it was decided he was going to be her brother.

But then she remembered running away, thinking it was the best thing for Jude. How she caught a ride with Wyatt to Indiana. She looked over to the dresser, holding the clothes from her duffel bag. There was no way she could take her duffel bag and leave, especially with Helen always following her. Unless she were to put her clothes in her backpack.

This thought made her nervous, but there was also some excitement. If she were to run away again then she wouldn't have this life anymore. She would be on her own and she knew Jude would be okay, because he had the Foster's. He was adopted and would never be hurt again.

Callie thought about it. And as she grew more tired, she didn't know how much time had passed, but felt her decision made. She got out of bed and grabbed her backpack, figuring she'd do this now rather than wait until the morning. She tried to make her clothes as smooth as possible, trying not to make her backpack look heavier. When all else failed, she just decided to take her textbooks and school supplies out and place them in the drawers. That way, it didn't look suspicious.

She got back into bed, knowing she'd better sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day.