The grandparents did think they could make it to the adoption now that it was officially scheduled. Once again they tried to arrange flights where it would be easy to pick them up. The mothers no longer took all of the kids to the airport rather sent a child or two with one mother to help carry the luggage. Stef took Callie and Jesus with her to pick her mother up two days before the adoption.

"Do you remember the first time I brought you here to pick up my mom, Callie?"

"Not really. I got my Jude doll that day, though, right? Do you think Grandma will let us build a tent in the family room again?"

"You did get your Jude that day. You were terrified of my mom for the first few seconds. It made me so happy to see you take her hand. I knew that we would make it. And to answer your other question, of course she will help you build a tent. She does that with you every time she visits, it's tradition."

"I don't remember being afraid of Grandma. She has always been one of my favorite people. I even let her give me baths, remember?"

"Hmmm, interesting memory there, Bug. You also ran away one night in her first visit. One of your reasons was that she was threatening to give you a bath."

"I really wasn't running away." Callie said trying to explain her preschool self to her mother again. "I was trying to go find you and Jude at the hospital."

"Instead you found a gas station. I came and found you though because I always will. Do you know why?"

Callie rolled her eyes a little before feeling that same familiar flick at her shoulder. "Because I am your baby and you love me." She said almost robotically.

Stef smiled and kissed the top of Callie's head. "That's right. I am your mommy for always."

"Speaking of mommies, I think I see yours, Mom!" Jesus said heading toward Sharon. "Grandma!"

"Hello, Jesus! It is great to see you again! I was so happy to be invited to your adoption! I have something for you in my bag."

"The kids don't need presents, Mom." Stef said as Sharon made her way over to them.

"Stefanie, it doesn't matter how many times you tell me that. I will always bring something to each of them when I see them."

"And we like that about you, Grandma." Jesus said with a smile, after a slight flick of his shoulder, he quickly added. "We also like to just see you because we love you."

"And there's my little Callie. I think you have grown a whole inch since I saw you the last time, sweet girl."

"Grandma, you saw me like a month ago when school started. I don't think I have grown that much."

"Maybe not, but I still think you look taller. Are you too big to hold my hand?"

"Never, Grandma." Callie said slipping her hand into Sharon's as they made their way to baggage claim.

XXXX

Lena took Mariana and Jude with her the next afternoon to pick up her parents. Brandon had piano lessons, but didn't seem sad to miss a trip to the airport. Mariana and Dana had continued to bond and there was no way that Lena could really go pick up her parents without the little girl present.

"Jude, remember that we are not going to be asking Grams for a live unicorn when you see her. Not only do we not have a place for one to live, we also don't ask Grams for gifts." Lena reminded him.

Mariana heard it, but was still crafting a plan in her mind. "What if she asks us what we want while we are shopping with her, Mama? Is that okay?"

"I suppose, but don't ask for lots of things. Your grandparents don't need to buy you expensive gifts every time they visit. They would buy you anything, so I am telling you to not even ask for much."

Both kids with her agreed. "It wouldn't be much to ask her for new pajamas, right? I would like some more grown up ones."

"Hmmm, I guess not. That's a little odd thought since before school we bought you new ones. What do you mean by grown up, anyway?"

Mariana signed. "Only babies wear Hello Kitty and princess pajamas in the fourth grade."

"I see. I guess you didn't know that information when all of yours were picked out. Really, though, what does it matter what you sleep in? There is not a pajama day coming up at school. You haven't mentioned any sleep overs at Lexie's house."

"No, I am not sleeping over at Lexie's house right now. Another friend of mine is having a party soon. I just want to have the right stuff. I need to go to the bathroom. I know where it is." Mariana said dismissing herself before her mother could ask any questions.

"Okay, Baby, go on. So, Jude, do you have the right pajamas?"

"I think so, Mama. I have some that Jesus gave me with super heroes and I have the ones I picked out with the lion on the shirt. I thought that clothes were just to make us happy. I am happy with the ones I have. No one else matters, right, Mama?"

"Mostly right, Baby. Who else gets an opinion of how you are dressed every day?"

"You and Mommy. Sometimes some clothes don't get to leave the house because they are only for dress up. You like it when I pick clothes that are together in the closet."

"Exactly. That's because I want you to be happy and look nice every day when I take you to school. I remember when Mariana was six. She didn't really care then either. Those were the days…."

"I kind of liked when I was four, Mama. When I was four I got to play at school more. We also got nap time. First grade is harder. I like it, but it is harder."

"I see. Just never get too big to hold my hand, give me kisses, or tell me that you love me, okay?"

"Okay, Mama. I will never get that big."

XXXX

Dana had taken the girls to have their nails done that evening. She wanted to make sure Mariana looked as nice as possible for the adoption the next day. "Grams, while we are at the mall could we pick up a few things?" Mariana asked sweetly.

"Sure, are there things you have in mind?"

"I would like some new pajamas and a new sleeping bag."

"Why? Moms got you your sleeping bag for Christmas last year, Mari. It is still almost new. I thought it matched Lexie's. You love that sleeping bag." Callie reminded her.

"I used to. Now, I am a fourth grader and not a third grader anymore. Hello Kitty is for babies, Callie. I need something more grown up. You wouldn't understand."

"I guess I wouldn't." Callie said back. "I know your sleeping bag would be fine for any of the sleepovers I have with my friends, but I guess I can't be sure about yours."

"Well, I think we can pick up those two things, Mariana." Dana said intervening. "Are you needing anything right now, Cals?"

"Nothing like that. I am already getting a guitar for Christmas. Well, Brandon and I have been reading Harry Potter books, but we don't own any of them. We wouldn't mind sharing a set." Callie said knowing Dana would buy those for her, but trying to stay within her mothers' rules.

"I can get those for you and find another series for Brandon. Then you can share both sets. What about you Mariana? Do you like to read?"

"Not really…."

Mariana picked out a blue sleeping bag with a lime green lining. She honestly was unsure what would be acceptable at Jordyn's party. Callie should have been helpful, but really wasn't in Mariana's opinion. What was the good of an older sister who didn't know any better than Mariana herself?

"Mom would never let you out of the house in that!" Callie expressed when Mariana picked out new pajamas at the next store.

"Why not? Besides, pajamas are for at home aren't they? I could sleep in nothing if I wanted…"

"Speaking of nothing, that shirt is really no more than a bra and those shorts are very short. Moms aren't going to give you permission to go to Jordyn's house and even if they did, they wouldn't let you take those. How about these pants with the butterflies and a tank top? That looks more grown up than a cartoon character."

"I'm not sure. What do you think, Grams?"

"I think I am willing to buy the butterflies, but Callie is right about those others. Your mama would not like that much of your body on display for others to see. What sort of friend is this little Jordyn, anyway?"

"A bad one." Callie answered for her sister.

"That's not true! She is pretty, smart, and popular. When I am friends with her, I am friends with all the girls in my class. Everyone wants to be like her. Jordyn has two closets full of really nice clothes. Jordyn has the prettiest blond hair I have ever seen..."

"And Moms have told Mariana to stay away from Jordyn repeatedly because she is a bully and another b word I am not supposed to use." Callie explained further. "Jordyn is always asking for things and telling Mariana what she has to do. It is terrible."

"Callie hit her and made her nose bleed. I am lucky to even still be invited to things."

"I bet your moms were angry with you for that, Cals." Dana said knowing Lena's feelings about violence.

"They were, but not as angry as they were with Mariana for forging Mama's signature on things."

"Callie! You weren't going to tell about that!" Mariana protested.

"Well, once again, are you going to get the butterflies or do we need to keep looking?" Dana asked trying to head off the argument until either Stef or Lena was along to sort things back out.

"I think I will get the butterflies. If Callie thinks it is grown up, she probably knows." Mariana conceded. No matter how much they argued, she still looked up to Callie as being the authority on most subjects. Lexie was a good friend, but Callie would always be her best friend.

XXXXX

Lena finished tucking Mariana into her new sleeping bag on the floor of the boys' room. "This is your last night to sleep before becoming an Adams Foster. What do you think about that, Baby?"

"I think it sounds amazing! I love you, Mama!"

"I love you, too." Lena kissed her forehead gently.

"Okay, Babies, we know you are excited and you are all in here sleeping, but we do want you to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day! So, I am turning the lights out and I don't want to hear any talking. Do you understand?" Stef said from the doorway.

"Yes…"

"Good. I love all of you and I am also excited about making everything official tomorrow. Get some sleep."

"Night, Mom!"

Lena and Stef wandered back downstairs where their parents were waiting for them. "You know they aren't going right to sleep." Lena commented as they could hear the kids giggling from the stairs.

"Of course not. Our babies love each other and are so excited to be together on this occasion before the adoption that they aren't going to sleep well. If they are still up when we go to bed we will give them another warning. They are already taking the day off from school and we can all sleep in a little."

Lena smiled and kissed her wife. "That's why I love you. You know and love our babies."

Stef kissed her back. "That's the only reason? Really?"

"No, of course not. You are also great in bed…."

Stef gave her a playful swat and they continued down to the family room. "Well, they are all in bed, but not really sleeping."

"Tell me about Jordyn." Dana said cutting right to the chase. "It seems that Mariana's sudden need of new pajamas and a new sleeping bag directly come from that girl. Callie made her seem like a monster. Did she really hit the girl?"

"Callie did hit her and even bloodied her nose according to Jordyn's mother." Stef said with a bit of pride. "She had to apologize and she was grounded as a result. Please tell me, though, that in Callie's description she did not use a certain b word… She has been exploring some new language and we are not liking it."

"No, she didn't use any language like that. Callie just said that Jordyn is basically manipulating her little sister. Are you going to let her stay the night over there with her new things?''

"Absolutely not, Mama! She is not allowed to go back over there and we have encouraged her to make other friends at school. It just seems like the firmer we get with Mariana on this subject, the sneakier she becomes."

"Hmmm, I thought Callie was the mini-Stefanie, but that sounds like my little girl… I am afraid this might be something Mariana is going to have to discover on her own. She is nine, now. Give her space and be there to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. Until she has this experience she won't understand and she will never stand up for herself." Sharon offered wisely.

"So, let her go stay the night with the little tyrant? What if they hurt her in some way?" Stef asked with concern.

"At some point you do have to let them go just a little. Send her with one of your cell phones. Tell her to call if something happens. Mariana is smart. If you give her permission she won't have to sneak around. It opens up the communication. You know she is fully intending to stay the night there anyway." Dana added catching on to Sharon's logic.

Lena looked confused. "That goes against everything I have learned with Callie. I thought we had to set the boundaries firm…"

"Aren't you the first to tell me that all your kids are different, Lena Elizabeth? Callie needs boundaries and needs to know where she stands in them. Mariana needs a little space to try her wings. She wants to be more social, she wants to fit in. We didn't know until recently because she has just gotten comfortable enough to show it."

"How did you get so good at this, Mama? I was your only kid and I don't think I was so complicated."

"I know kids. If you remember, I taught high school English for many years and even did some adjunct work at a local college. I have been retired now for a while, but I know kids. Give her some space." Dana's job was something Lena often forgot about. She had taken off several years when Lena was small and had retired before Callie was born.

Stef looked at her mother for a similar explanation. Sharon shrugged. "I watch Oprah…"

XXXX

Having three extra people in the house made getting dressed a little more difficult with only two showers. Sharon had gotten up early and got dressed before anyone else was up. She then started breakfast. Callie soon wandered down to join her still in pajamas. "How did you sleep, Bug?"

Callie gave a sheepish smile. "We might have stayed up a little late, but once I went to sleep, I did okay. How about you?"

"I did well. Jude's bed is very comfortable. Do you want to help me make my world famous biscuits and gravy?"

"Of course. I am going to learn how to do this by myself and then I can make it more often. Would that be okay?"

"Absolutely. I wasn't able to pass down my cooking skills to my daughter, but I think I can to my granddaughter." The two of the worked side by side in almost silence until Jesus joined them. "The food is almost ready, Jesus. You might want to not wear your nice shirt, though. I wouldn't want it to get messed up."

"I will be careful…."

"No, either put a towel on like a big bib or take off your shirt. I am not risking it today."

Jesus saw an opportunity to be nearly naked and stripped of his shirt. "Eww!" Callie shrieked. "Go put on another shirt. You know that Moms don't let you eat without your clothes on. It might make everyone else sick…"

"Callie, that's enough. Leave your brother alone."

"Then can I eat without my shirt on, Grandma?" Callie questioned.

"Knock yourself out, Babe." Sharon dared her.

Callie, of course, was not about to take off any of her clothing. Mariana had a similar reaction when she joined them in another few minutes. "Gross! Why is Jesus eating without his shirt on?"

"I didn't want him to spill food on it, he is fine. I remember a time when the whole group of you ate in your underwear once. He is wearing pants…"

Mariana rolled her eyes some, but stayed silent. Jesus finished up and started for the stairs without his shirt. He almost immediately ran into his mom. "Jesus, Bud, please put on your clothes. It seems like it has been a few years since I have had to say that to you…"

"Oh, sorry, Mom, I forgot. Grandma had me take it off to eat so that I wouldn't spill. I will go get it right now." He hurried back to the kitchen to grab his shirt.

"Good morning, Mom!" Stef said sitting down in between the girls giving each of them a kiss. "Good morning Bug and Miss Thing."

"Morning, Mom." The girls answered.

"Callie, Mama is in my bedroom getting dressed, but if you need a shower, our bathroom is free. Just knock before you go in to make sure Mama is ready for you."

"I don't think I really need a shower this morning." Bathing was still a small sticking point with Callie. Both moms were hoping this would change in her tween years, but so far no such luck.

"Callie Marie, go take a shower in my bathroom right now. I already took your clothes in there for you." Stef said more firmly.

"Oh. But what if I took a shower last night?"

"I gave Jude a bath and the other two boys showered last night. Mariana showered this morning. You did not. If you need help drying your hair, Mama can do it."

"I don't need help. I am ten…"

"Then go. Mama is expecting you."

"But Mom…"

"You are not too big to spank. I will do it right here in front of your grandma and your sister." Stef said giving Callie a playful sort off swat. Both knew that she really wouldn't do it in front of the others, but only Stef really knew that it was an idle threat.

Callie got up and hurried toward the stairs. "I am going."

"Good choice, Love Bug."

"Stefanie, your daughter is too big for that, you know. It is really time for you to switch tactics with her."

XXX

"Mama, would you help me dry my hair?" Callie asked peeking her head out of her moms' bathroom.

"I would like almost nothing better." Lena walked over to her smiling. "Just stand right here next to the sink." Lena ran her fingers through Callie's curls as she used the hairdryer. It brought back many memories of playing in Callie's hair throughout the years. In the last few months, Callie's hair had become slightly unruly as she adamantly refused to let anyone else do anything with it. Lena turned off the dryer and looked at Callie in the mirror. "Would you also like me to do something special with your hair, Baby?"

Callie smiled back at her mama. "Would you please, Mama? I want it in a French braid!"

"I can do that for you. You know that Mom and I adopting your brother and sister officially today doesn't change our love for you, right? You will always by my first daughter and my first baby."

"I know, Mama, and you will always by my first mother." Callie replied once again not thinking about the woman who gave birth to her. "Our family is growing which is a good thing. We were lonely when it was just us, right?"

"Of course. The two of us needed everyone else to make a complete unit." Lena finished up Callie's braid and kissed her head. "I love you very much, Callie."

"Love you, too, Mama." Callie said standing on her tiptoes to kiss Lena on the cheek.