Saturday morning started the way it usually did. Elizabeth was up early as usual and Will being the morning person always got up with her. Callie got an extra hour to sleep in while Will put Elizabeth in her stroller and they went for a run usually joined by Stef. When they got back Will woke Callie up putting Elizabeth on the bed letting her crawl over to Callie.
"Hi pretty" Callie smiled kissing the baby catching her in her arms.
"Morning, I just checked on our new friend he's still out cold" Will said giving Callie a kiss on the forehead.
"Oh good, he must need some sleep" Callie said sitting up and keeping Elizabeth from going to close to the edge of the bed.
"I'm going to go shower"
"Ok I'll make breakfast, hey did mom come back with you?" Callie asked. It was common for Stef to come back to the house for breakfast after her and Will's run. Callie always looked forward to the quiet time with just her mom in contrast to the noisy Sunday night dinners when it was hard to focus on just one person.
"No, she said something about wanting to give us space for Harry this weekend" Will said.
"they are keeping their distance, it's oddly unsettling and so unlike them" Callie said making Will laugh.
"The way she said it it sounded like it was something Lena talked her into and she was just following orders" Will said.
"Oh yes, that sounds a little more likely" Callie nodded throwing on some jeans and catching Elizabeth as she jumped on the bed.
"You want to help mommy cook?" Callie asked her.
"Yes" Elizabeth shouted as Callie helped her onto the floor. They went into the kitchen and Callie made Lena's famous big Saturday morning breakfast. Eggs, pancakes, bacon, and fruit. Elizabeth watched from her highchair as Callie handed her pieces of fruit to munch on. Callie finally understood why Lena believed in big breakfasts on Saturdays. It left everyone full until dinner leaving Callie plenty of time to give the kitchen a good cleaning. Will came out to help her when he was dressed, they were just debating to wake Harry up when they heard him come stumbling out of his room.
"Good Morning! theres pancakes and tons of food" Callie offered him a smile. Harry nodded sitting down in the seat he had sat in last night and Will filled his plate. Callie was happy to see he was not picky about his breakfast food.
"So Harry it's a beautiful day outside we can set up the playground if you would like, it has a really cool rock wall to climb up" Will told him trying to get him excited about the day.
"No" Harry just shook his head.
"You can take out the legos again if you want, but I think we will have to find a new place for them so the baby doesn't choke on them. You can choose to put the box in your room or downstairs" Callie said.
"It's not my room" Harry said firmly.
"Your right, I mean the room you are borrowing while you are here" Callie nodded.
"I don't want to play with the legos" Harry said.
"Ok well I am sure you can find something fun to do, we have a lot of toys" Callie shrugged letting him be.
"Your mom was asking about family dinner tomorrow" Will said turning to Callie. Callie glanced over at Harry shaking her head, she still didn't think he was ready to be thrown into her family all at once.
"Maybe just Elizabeth and I will go. you guys can hang out here" Callie said. Will nodded his agreement. Callie made a mental note to call Lena and ask about Harry's spot at Anchor Beach on Monday. She didn't want to enroll him in the public school if she could help it. She had grown used to the idea of momma being on campus, she couldn't fathom putting Harry into a school where she didn't know anyone looking out for him.
"I'm full" Harry said suddenly pushing back his plate.
"I'd imagine so, I think you ate as much as I did" Will smiled at him.
"I like pancakes" Harry said
"Noted" Callie nodded as Harry stood up.
"Hey bud if your all done can you put your plate in the sink before you play?" Callie asked. Harry looked like he was about to argue with her but he picked up his plate putting it in the sink before going into the living room.
"What's your plane for today?" Callie asked Will starting to clean off the table.
"I guess I'll put the playground up, get it started at least and I have to go into work for a few hours this afternoon if you think you can manage" Will said taking Elizabeth from her highchair.
"Of course" Callie nodded.
"'l'll clean up" Will said starting to load the dishwasher as Callie went into her bedroom showering and getting dressed for the day. When she came out Harry was in his room playing with the legos and Will and Elizabeth were in the living room. Will went outside to start the playground and Callie started the deep cleaning she always gave the house on Saturdays when Harry came out of his room. He watched her for a minute before walking over and flipping on the TV. Elizabeth was immediately enchanted by it because Callie never let her watch. Harry started flipping through the channels settling on something with two men fighting.
"Maybe something a little more appropriate" Callie said quickly taking the remote from him.
"But my mom always let me watch that" Harry cried.
"We don't like shows like that in this house" Callie said finding some cartoons and putting the remote up where Harry couldn't reach it.
"I hate this show this show is for babies!" Harry cried.
"If you do not like it you have a choice to turn of the TV or watch this" Callie told him.
"This is stupid!" Harry yelled.
"Then you may turn it off" Callie said picking up Elizabeth and taking her downstairs with her to throw in some laundry. When she came back up a few minutes later Harry was settled on the couch still frowning at the TV but no longer fighting with her. Callie washed the kitchen floors and sent Elizabeth out to play for a while with Will before walking back into the living room.
"Ok, it is time to turn off the TV and find something else to do" Callie said gently.
"no" Harry said not taking his eyes from the show.
"Yes, You have watched for most of the morning now so it's time to do something else, you can go play outside if you would like, of there are more toys downstairs" Callie said teaching up and turning the TV off putting the remote back up high.
"I want to play video games" Harry said.
"Well we don't have any, but we have a lot of other games, I can play one with you if you would like" Callie offered.
"No! board games are stupid! I want to play video games" Harry said.
"Well that is not an option."
"I hate this house! this is the worst house ever!" Harry yelled.
"I'm sorry you feel that way" Callie said gently.
"Your stupid and you have nothing fun. All you ave are stupid baby toys" Harry continued to yell.
"I really don't like to hear you say those things" Callie said.
"I hate you!" Harry cried throwing his truck across the room as it hit the wall with a loud bang. Callie found herself at a loss for what to do. She knew she needed to be firm and stand her ground, but this kid had been through so much change in the last day it wasn't really fair. Will came in with Elizabeth giggling on his shoulders as Harry stared Callie down waiting for what she was going to do next.
"I think Elizabeth is ready for her nap, and you wanted to call Lena right?" Will asked sensing Callie's need for a break.
"Yes thanks" Callie said grabbing her phone and taking Elizabeth's hand leading her into her bedroom. Elizabeth's room was pink and gray, Callie's brothers had painted it since Will was aways in the war months before she was born. Callie still smiled thinking of that day, everyone had come together to help get everything done, even Mike had been building her crib and changing table. The room was all about family too. Callie had always wanted to instill that in Elizabeth and how important family was because it had taking her so long to learn that, she wanted her daughter to know it right away. One whole wall was dedicated to pictured of Elizabeth with her family. Elizabeth and her moms on the day she was born among many others with her moms. Many with her sisters holding Elizabeth as she got bigger in each picture. One of Jesus holding her over his head as she was laughing. Brandon had her on his lap at the piano helping her little fingers play the keys. And of course Jude reading to her and another of him helping her take her fists steps. There was a big family picture taken a few months ago in the very middle. Elizabeth loved to look at the pictures. Callie pulled out her phone while Elizabeth played to FaceTime Lena.
"Hi baby, how is it going?" Lena asked answering right away as her face appeared.
"It's touch and go. I'm taking a break at the minute" Callie sighed Elizabeth squealed at Lena's voice on the other end of the phone and Callie picked her up in her lap so she could see her. Lena was Elizabeth's favorite person in the world. If given a choice Callie was pretty sure Elizabeth would chose Lena over her or Will.
"Hi baby girl" Lena greeted her
"Hi! Hi!" Elizabeth cried excitedly.
"The first few days are tough, it's good to take a breather every once in a while and get some energy back" Lena said addressing Callie again.
"I'm about to put Elizabeth down but I just wanted to check on that spot for school Monday" Callie said.
"Oh yes I meant to call you, he is all set up in the third grade. Why don't you bring him by my office in the morning, I would love to get to met him and then he will have a familiar face in school" Lena said.
"That would be great, thank you" Callie said
"Oh course, relax baby, the first few days are the hardest, take it an hour at time and you will do fine" Lena assured her as Elizabeth was trying to pry Callie's phone from her hands.
"thank you momma, I should go before she gets fussy" Callie said as Elizabeth shoved her face in front of the screen. Lena blew her a kiss
"Ok, let us know if you need anything. I love you baby"
"Love you to momma, say bye to Grammy" Callie told Elizabeth.
"Bye momma" Elizabeth said. She had somehow gotten into the habit of calling Stef and Lena mom and momma. Being the only grandchild she never heard them addressed as anything else from the other kids. Callie was trying to break her of the habit but Stef tended to feed into it still clamming she was to young to be a grandmother. Lena laughed.
"Bye my babies" She said as Callie hung up the phone. Elizabeth gave a shriek of protest but Callie quieted her settling into the rocking chair reading her some books before putting her in her crib and closing the door. Will was in the living room trying to set up the blocks and engage Harry, but Harry just stood watching him with his arms folded.
"You should go to work or your going to be late" Callie said as Will gave her a defeated look.
"Maybe I'll stay…" Will started.
"No, you need to go in for a few hours or you will be making up for it missing dinner home all week. It's fine Elizabeth is napping and we can hangout right Harry?" Callie asked.
"Whatever" Harry said.
"Ok, I'll be back in time for the game" Will said standing up.
"I will assured Jesus when he texts" Callie said as Will gave her a quick kiss and grabbed his car keys heading out the door.
"Ok buddy, why don't we go out and get some fresh air, the playground is half way done Will said it's safe to play on" Callie said.
"NO! this is stupid" Harry cried kicking the blocks as they crashed to the floor Callie winched at the sound.
"Ok, I'm just going to leave you to entertain yourself then" Callie said going into the kitchen leaving him in the room alone.
"I hate it here! You have nothing fun to do! I want to watch TV! my mom lets me watch TV all day" Harry yelled after her.
"Well I'm sorry those are not the rules in this house" Callie answered gently.
"I hate this house! I want to go home!" Harry screamed. Callie was about to answer when there was a loud wail from Elizabeth's room. Callie was silent hoping she would fall back to sleep but Harry caught on. He snickered as Callie before kicking over the box of toys and jumping up and down so hard the floor shook. Elizabeth cried louder, the sign she would not be falling back to sleep. Callie glanced at the clock, she had been sleeping a half hour, not long enough to be a nap but just long enough to screw up the rest of the day. Callie went down the hall calming the toddler before going back into the living room. I think you should take some quiet time to play in your room" Callie told Harry. She hated to think of it as a punishment but she thought they both needed some space from each other.
"No, I hate that room, my room at my moms house has my own TV" Harry said standing his ground.
"Of course it does" Callie muttered going into the kitchen leaving him alone.
By the time Will came home for dinner Callie was no longer living hour by hour like Lena had said. She could only deal with the day one second at a time. Elizabeth was screaming on the kitchen floor at Callie's feet as she tried to make dinner because she was tired but Callie was keeping her awake. If she napped now she would be up all night. Harry was in the living room surrounded by all the toys as he kicked them around, he had been yelling at Callie all day picking every fight he could find with her and Callie had decided she was just going to let him be even if he was still trying to push her buttons. Will walked in picking Elizabeth up from the floor putting a strong hand on Callie's back.
"your turn for a break" He whispered. Callie just nodded grabbing her phone from the counter and walking into the backyard.
"Hey how is everything?" Mariana asked as soon as Callie dialed her number.
"No, we're not talking about that, distract me with something else" Callie said.
"That bad huh?"
"Do you want me to hang up?" Callie asked.
"No, ok so yesterday at work…." Mariana started.
After a long chat with her sister Callie was ready to face the rest of the night. Will finished dinner and they sat down. Harry refused to eat asking only for more pancakes which Callie refused to give into and so the cycle started again. Elizabeth got a bath right after dinner and Will put her to bed early. Harry finally gave them a break deciding to play in his room as Callie made popcorn and Will came out and the settled in front of the TV. A few months ago Jesus had gotten onto a pro basketball team and whenever there was a game everyone watched no matter what.
"He's really getting better with his 3 pointers" Will noted as Callie cheered loudly as her brother got 3 points. Nice shot" she texted him knowing that he would check his phone during half time. Harry wondered out of his room at the noise.
"Basketball?" He asked.
"Yeah, see number 8 right there, that's my brother" Callie said.
"Wow" Harry said impressed.
"You can watch, he likes when we cheer him on" Will offered. Harry nodded sitting down on the floor.
It was way past any reasonable bedtime when the game ended and Callie said it was time for bed. If she had any hope for his reaction to the game it faded when he started yelling at her again. Elizabeth woke up crying and Will went to comfort her as Callie finally talked Harry into going to bed. When the house was quiet Callie picked up her phone again going into the back yard in the cool spring night.
"Hey baby it's late" Stef said answering her phone.
"Oh yeah sorry, I forgot" Callie said.
"Oh no I wasn't sleeping, I meant for you, you have two kids now you need some rest" Stef said hoping to get a laugh from Callie.
"What's wrong baby?" Stef asked when Callie was silent.
"This isn't working mom" Callie said.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean he fought me on everything all day. I feel like we took 15 steps backwards from yesterday"
"Well it can be tough…" Stef started.
"I know, I know it can be hard. I just…I thought I was going to be good at this. I was so stupid I thought I could understand the kid and make a difference." Callie sighed.
"My love that is not stupid, and you are making a difference. Even if it doesn't feel like it giving him a stable place with rules is what he needs. It's what he wants he just doesn't know it." Stef said.
"It's so hard mom. I knew it would be hard but I finally understand those foster parents who send the kid back. I can't do this."
"Callie, you have to give it longer. That wouldn't be fair to him or you. Maybe your not a good fit, but you have a big heart and I know you want to make a difference. He's mad and he's taking it out on you. Give him some time" Stef said.
"I just keep thinking about Elizabeth, this isn't fair to her. He ruined her nap today she was melting down all afternoon, he required attention 24/7 he woke her up again tonight…" Callie started.
"Hey, Elizabeth is going to be fine. Guess what when you have another baby she will be waking that baby up from a nap and demanding your attention and you will feel bad for that baby, but it all evens out. Callie, you can do this. I believe in you, you have the biggest heart and I know you want to make a difference. You had a hard day it happens no matter what. Tomorrow is a new day." Stef said.
"I just wish I could see what he is really like" Callie said.
"Mmmm that my love is the true gift of foster care. If you remember you did not come to us the bright and shiny girl you were a few months later. Oh no my friend if I remember correctly you were a disrespecting, fighting back scowling thing invading the house" Stef said.
"Yeah what's your point?" Callie asked.
"My point is, if was such a pleasure helping you turn into the person you are today and finding out who you really are, underneath all that. You just have to see what is underneath his outside. It's worth it. I promises" Stef said. Callie sighed.
"I love you mom" she said
"I love you too baby, get some sleep my love you deserve it" Stef said.