"Mama, are we going to get the present for Miguel's party right now? You didn't look at the invitation last night, but his party is tomorrow." Jude asked immediately after school.

"Um, I am not sure, baby. I got to work late today so we are going to have to stay a little late. Then we have to take Jesus to soccer practice and Brandon is having dinner with his dad tonight. Since we will be out and about, I said I would drop him off. Then, I have to get home to make dinner for our family. Mom is going to pick up Jesus on her way home. Maybe after dinner we will have time to go shopping."

"Just me and you?" Jude asked still wanting to keep Lena's attention.

"Maybe, but I can't promise anything. While I am working, I need you to go do your homework. Ms. Roberts said she would love to read with you and help you this afternoon. Go on to her room."

Jude's face lit up. He loved his former preschool teacher and had not gotten to do anything with her lately. "I want to read with her! Can we read together at bedtime, though?"

"Yes, that is a definite, Little Man." Jude ran off as the other four kids slowly approached. "Okay, babies, you all are going to sit out here in the main office while I work for a little longer. Jesus, come find me when you finish something. Everyone else, let me know when you are ready to start your reading."

"Can we go outside when we are done?" Brandon asked.

"We will see when you get done. I need you to do your best work and to stay focused. We have a lot going on tonight." Lena answered knowing full well she had no intention to send them outside where it would be hard to gather them back up.

Once again, the kids settled together, but before they got started, Mary, the secretary, came over and separated them already seeing they wouldn't be able to work together. Mariana tried to get started with her work, but felt very distracted. Something wasn't right, but she was having a hard time figuring out what the problem was. Then she saw Callie trying to mouth something across the room. She quickly got up and made her way to her older sister.

"Where is Daphne?" Callie whispered. "Mama said she was going to start school here today, but I don't see her."

Mariana realized that was the strange feeling she had that something was off. "Maybe she was late for work because they sent her back?"

"Hmmm, maybe. I don't think she was fitting in very well." Callie answered a little too loudly.

"Mariana, please go back where I told you to work. Right now neither of you are getting any work done." Mary said looking over at the girls.

"I need to tell Mama something. It is really important!"

"Okay, but be quick. She is trying to get work done so that all of you will be able to go home soon."

Mariana walked into Lena's office and saw her working. She quietly sat down and waited. Lena looked over a little later sensing someone was looking at her. She jumped a little when she saw the girl sitting in her office. "Oh, Baby, you scared me a little. Are you done with your work?"

"No, I just had to ask you something."

Lena took her hands off of her keyboard to show Mariana that she had her full attention. "Go ahead. What do you need?"

"Did we send Daphne back? You said she was going to go to school with us, but she isn't here. If she not going to be our family anymore?" Mariana asked in a little distress.

"No, we are keeping Daphne a little longer. I promise I will let you know before she leaves so that you can say good bye. Mom and I just found a different school for her. I gave her a key to the house this afternoon because she will probably beat us home tonight. Does that make you feel better?"

"Yes!" Mariana answered brightly before going around Lena's desk to give her mom a hug. "Thanks, Mama!"

"You are so welcome. I like that you care about Daphne that much already. I can always count on you to be sweet. Now, go finish your work so I can finish mine."

Mariana went back out in the office with a smile on her face. Fairly quickly Jesus finished his first paper and he was sent on a short errand to run off some steam so he could start his next assignment. By then the other three were into their reading time. Jesus was a bit discouraged, but remembered that he was going to soccer practice later if he could get done also.

Lena walked to the doorway and glanced at her kids in the office. Right now three were still reading. It was a little past their half hour, but she knew that if she released them to do something else, Jesus wouldn't get any more work done until after dinner. She knew from experience she could only hold them about five minutes longer before one of them would realize the time. "Jesus, how much more homework do you have tonight?"

"I'm on the last page and I am almost done." He said excitedly.

"Perfect. We are going to leave as soon as you are finished." Lena went back into her office to wrap everything up. She would work on somethings at home tonight after the kids went to bed, but a few things would have to wait until the next day. Lena was glad that she noticed Jesus's practice bag next to the front door when she left home this afternoon as they did not have time to stop back by home. "Brandon, would you please use my phone to call your dad and let him know I will be dropping you off in around thirty minutes or so? That way we will know he is home and ready for you."

"Sure." Brandon came over to get the phone.

"Callie, could you please go and get Jude from Ms. Robert's room? Also, please help him clean up anything he has gotten out."

"Yes, and may I help you make dinner when we get home?"

"That would be lovely. I love it when you volunteer to help." Callie gave her a smile before leaving the office. "Mariana, could you please make sure the front door of the building is locked? Principal Sanchez was going to lock it, but I always like to make sure." Mariana happily went to check as it was one of the kids' favorite jobs. "Okay, Jesus, what can I do to help you get done with this faster?"

"Nothing, Mama! I am done! I want to go help Mari. Please, Mama?" He begged.

"No, I need you to go into my office to change clothes for soccer. There is a snack in your bag as well, but please save it for practice this time. I didn't bring something for anyone else."

He ran in the office as Brandon came out. "He said he was already there. We are going to order pizza tonight and watch a basketball game. My dad likes the Clippers and they are playing tonight. May I stay for the whole game tonight?"

"Not if it goes past nine. That's when we are expecting you home. It is a school night." Lena reminded him gently. Brandon nodded that he understood, but seemed disappointed. "Maybe, the Clippers will play again this weekend and you can stay overnight with your dad. Then you could watch the whole thing. How about if Mom and I talk to him when you get back tonight to see if that is okay with him?"

"I think it would! He said that he had a few days off this week! I haven't spent a night with my dad in a long time!"

"That's right. He has been working on weekends recently and when he wasn't things just didn't work out." Lena tousled her hair while she considered this idea. Mike had taken Brandon for an evening every now and then, but really hadn't been using his weekends at all. Perhaps this weekend, though, would be a good time to give them a little time together.

Callie, Jude and Mariana got back to the office around the same time Jesus came out of Lena's office ready to go. "Everyone get your own backpack, please, I do not want to have to come back for one lost at school. Jesus, also grab your bag for practice and tie your shoes before you trip."

Lena herded al five kids to the van and got them loaded up. She dropped off Jesus and Brandon before pulling into their own driveway. "Okay, babies, dinner is going to be a little late tonight. Callie has already said she wants to help, but otherwise you may go find something to do when you get inside."

Callie grabbed her bag as well as Brandon's while Mariana got her own and Jesus's. Jude skipped ahead and tried to door. "It is already unlocked, Mama! Do you think we should call Mommy to look for a robber?"

"Nope. Daphne has a key and beat us home. Go on inside." Lena said coming up behind him. "Something smells delightful!" Lena and the kids followed their noses to the kitchen where Daphne was cooking. "What are you making, Sweetheart?" Lena put an arm around Daphne and she flinched a little making Lena remove her arm from the girl's shoulder.

"Chicken. It is just something that I know how to make. I got home first so I thought it would be helpful to start dinner, I hope that is okay."

Lena missed the look on Callie's face and the way she left the room. Instead, she gave Daphne a smile. "Of course it is. Stef and I really appreciate the help anytime we can get it. If you have this under control, I am going to go sit down in the family room for a few minutes and relax. I will join you again in a little bit."

"I got this. Go spend time with your family."

Lena had already slipped off her shoes and was now carrying them with her to the family room to sit down near the three kids. "How would you all like to watch an episode of Magic School Bus?"

"Yes, Mama!" Jude yelled excitedly.

Mariana and Callie just looked at each other. "No, thank you." Mariana answered. "How about if we watch the show with the mermaids?"

"Yes, Mari! I love that show!" Jude said hopping up this time.

"No." Callie and Lena answered together.

"What about Jessie?" Lena asked scanning through the options. "You all like that show." Mariana and Jude both agreed, but Callie just shrugged her shoulders. "Or I will turn this on for you two while Callie and I figure out something else to do."

Lena motioned for Callie to follow her and they went to sit on the stairs in by the front door. "So, what's up, babes? I thought you would like to watch that show."

"Maybe we could make a dessert instead?" Callie asked quietly.

"You know, that sounds like a great idea since Daphne is making the rest of the food. I really like how you are growing up, Callie. I am not sure if I tell you often enough how much I appreciate your help." Lena kissed Callie's head before standing up with her and going back into the kitchen to cook together.

XXXX

Jesus came running into the house dropping things from his practice bag with every step. Lena went to the door to greet him and Stef. "Welcome back home, Jesus. How was practice?"

"It was very good. I got to kick the ball with this boy who could kick really far and hard. Once I accidently slipped and kicked someone, but I said I was sorry. Did you know that they call soccer football other places? Ian said so. Ian has a dog that is really big and one time I think he ate a whole cat…"

Then she looked at the mess. "No way! Go back and pick all of that up right now. Then wash your hands for dinner. I would love to hear more about practice then."

"Okay." Jesus was often distracted and off task, but he rarely talked back.

Stef then came in and the women shared a quick kiss. "Something smells really good and I don't think it is you."

"Nope, Daphne made dinner tonight. Callie and I made a dessert. I think the two of them are going to be friends. They did very well together. In fact, all the kids did well waiting with me after school. I am going to take Jude shopping tonight for a birthday party, maybe while we are gone, you guys could get things set up for a game night?"

"That sounds perfect!" Stef said leaning in for a better kiss. "Will you also take our other young man?" Lena nodded and kissed her wife again.

Jude walked in and grabbed a hand of each of his mothers. "Come on guys. Daphne and Callie say it is time to eat. You both need to wash your hands with soap."

"Oh really?" Stef said laughing following after her little boy.

"Really, Mommy. Right now, please. Dinner might get cold."

Jude watched them wash their hands and then walked with them back to the table to sit down. Dinner was very relaxed. Everyone complimented Daphne on the meal and Callie on the dessert. Afterward, Lena left with Jude and Jesus to go to a store.

"Well, ladies, I am going to wash dishes with Mari since both of you cooked. That's only fair. Mama said it was game night tonight. So, how about you two go get into pajamas and then get the games out while we wash up?"

"I will do the dishes, Stef. I don't mind. I didn't do it last night, so it is probably my turn." Daphne offered.

"Me too. I want to help, too." Callie insisted seeing the older girl volunteer.

"Okay, how about if all of us work on dishes together? Mariana, you bring them to me. I will wash, Daphne with rinse, Callie will dry and put away. This will make it faster anyway."

Kitchen clean-up was done in almost record time. Stef forgot how much longer it took for the kids to do the dishes. She knew it was good for them to do chores, so she always tried to remain patient, but nights like this were nice. "Okay, now ladies, it is time for us to get ready for game night. Mariana, hit the shower before you put on your pajamas. Everyone else just go change." Mariana ran off, but Callie stuck around to go upstairs with Daphne.

"Do I have to?" Daphne asked only halfway disrespectfully.

"Yes. This is what we are all doing and you are part, so yes. Go change." Stef answered a little more forcefully showing her own stubborn side.

"You can't make me."

"I can make you and I will. If you don't join us for games, you will be grounded. That will mean that you can only go to school and back. You will not be able to watch TV or do anything else. In fact, other than chores you will be only in your room."

"That's all I want to do!" Daphne shouted getting into Stef's face. "I don't want to hang out with your perfect family doing stupid family things!"

Now Stef was angry. She was using all of her self-control to not haul off and hit the girl in front of her. "Go to your room!"

Callie saw the expression and ran. Daphne dug in. "It really isn't my room. I don't really live here it is all just temporary." Daphne said using air quotes for temporary. She saw Stef reach for her phone. "Are you going to call Bill now and tell him to pick me up?"

Stef took a deep breath seeing the heart of this issue. "Nope. I am calling my wife to tell her to come pick you up. You are a child in this household and not allowed to speak to me or my wife this way. We will be discussing this later, I just can't do it right now."

Lena was already on the way home when she got the phone call. By the time she pulled into the driveway, Daphne had gone upstairs. The tension was still heavy in the air as she sent the two boys to shower and change. "What happened?"

"Daphne decided to push and I pushed back. I knew it was the wrong move, but I just felt so out of control. When she said she didn't want to play games, I should have said it was up to her."

"Perhaps we need to choose our battles. However, you are correct that you are the one in charge. If we allow her to do whatever she wants, how does that look to our kids? We didn't know how she would react and you clearly told her last night we have rules and consequences. Like you said, she pushed. She wants to know her boundaries just like you do and just like all five of our children. She found out tonight that you were for real. I promise Daphne doesn't want to be grounded. We will get the others started on games and then go talk to her for a bit."

XXXX

Stef and Lena walked up the stairs hand in hand to Brandon's room. Lena gently knocked and waited to be invited in. They both walked in and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Stef told me what happened earlier. Do you have anything else to say?"

"No." Daphne mumbled sitting up a little.

"Well, you are grounded just like she said. It is not the best way to start off your stay in this house. This incident goes against earning our trust to get a part-time job. If something like this happens again, I will have your bus pick you up and drop you off at my school rather than here at home. Do you have any questions?"

"Does this mean that we won't read that book tonight?"

Stef and Lena looked at each other with another moment of clarity. Stef spoke on their behalf. "We will still be reading the book together. No matter what you do or what happens that information is important. We all need to know it. Before you ask, we will also still be attending those classes. Lena can go with you this Monday and I actually have off work on Wednesday."

"Is there anything else you would like to say, Daphne?" Lena prompted like she would one of her own children.

"No. What else is there to say anyway?"

"I think you should apologize to Stef for being disrespectful."

Daphne looked at them with a strange expression. "I am sorry for being disrespectful?" She said without commitment.

Lena gave Stef a look and a slight nudge. "I accept your apology. May I have a hug?"

Daphne looked like she might balk, but instead sat up a little more and sort of put an arm near Stef. Stef wrapped both of her arms around the stiff girl.

"We are going to head back down to play games with the kids. You need to stay up here, but stay awake. You may shower or work on homework if you have any. Your dirty clothes should go into the hamper in the bathroom."

They walked back out of the room and closed the door. "That could have gone better." Stef commented.

"Yes, but it could have been so much worse. I think she gets it. Her training up to now has obviously been lacking some. It is going to take being firm and sticking to what we have said."

By the time Brandon came home, the games were being cleaned up. Mike agreed that he would take both Brandon and Jesus for part of the weekend. Both boys were very excited by the idea and wanted to plan it. Instead all of the kids were sent up to bed with the promise that someone would be up there soon to make sure everyone made it.

Callie, though, went to see Daphne. She knew that Daphne was in the bathroom, so she just walked in and sat down on the bed to wait for her. When Daphne got back, she was startled to find Callie. "I thought your moms said that other people's rooms were off limits."

"You weren't in here or I would have knocked. If the door is open, anyone can come in."

"I see. So, what are your moms really like?" Daphne asked the girl who seemed to be settling in.

"They are sometimes really nice and other times really mean. It seems hard to be both, but they are."

"Oh. Well, I guess you heard that I am grounded. Do you get grounded a lot or do they do other things to you?" Daphne had found that if there were other kids in the home, she could often find out the information she needed to survive in a home.

"Mama usually gives more chores or small groundings from like video games or TV. Mom does lots of things. Sometimes she grounds me, sometimes she takes part of my allowance, sometimes she just sends me to my room, and sometimes something worse." Callie shrugged.

"But they never lock you in a closet or hit you or anything?"

"Mom hits sometimes. That is one of the worse things that can happen. I have never been locked in a closet or anything, except by Jesus and he got in lots of trouble."

"Hmmm, so the cop hits. I will have to watch out for that. What does she hit with? Does it leave bruises? How often are you hit?"

"Mom only hits with her hand and she only ever hits my bottom when I am in trouble. It leaves no marks and it is usually only when I do something really bad, so not very often. She also likes to give 'love pats' with the newspaper and things, but I don't think that counts as hitting, especially because we aren't usually in trouble when she does that. It is mostly for fun."

"Oh, so she actually just gives spankings. That is not quite the same as hitting. You have lead an easy life if you think that is mean. Your moms seem to be the easiest people I have ever lived with. Once I was in a house that if you just looked at the people wrong, they might slap you across the face. Have you ever been slapped by one of them?"

"Nope. I thought you would be earlier when you were talking back to Mom, though. That isn't a good idea. If she sees you talking like that to Mama, you would really be in trouble."

"Noted."