Stef

I walk towards the kitchen early the following morning and I'm pleasantly surprised by the smell of coffee being brewed. Lena is still in bed so it's not her and none of my kids drink coffee, which leads me to believe Callie is awake. My guess is right as I find her facing the coffee pot, fingers tapping the counter as the pot fills up. I clear my throat and she jumps a little and turns around.

"Good morning," I greet her with a smile.

She doesn't return it, "I made coffee. Is that okay?"

"That's fine." I say, even though I prefer she not drink it. I'd tell her, but she seems so jumpy and unsure of herself right now and I don't want to make her feel any more uncomfortable. I watch as she pours two mugs, carries them to the table and holds one out to me. My smile widens and I take it from her.

"Thank you, Callie."

She truly is a kind girl. The blanket she put over me two nights ago as well as her handing me the cup of coffee just now strengthens my belief that the 'tough-girl-who's-pissed-off-at-the-world' attitude is just an act. The concern she shows for Jude also adds to my argument.

Callie takes a seat at the table and I do the same. She plays with her cup, turning it slowly by the handle, "So," she finally says after a while, "When is, um, Bill coming?" She's trying so hard to not look nervous but the slight waver in her voice gives her away.

"He'll be here in a few hours," I reply, glancing quickly at the clock, "Lena is going to go into work a little late and you and Jude are going to go with her. You guys haven't taken the placement test yet but Lena pulled some strings so at least you won't be sitting in the house all day."

"Jude will be in the same school?"

"Yes, the middle school is connected to the high school so you might see him a few times during the day." She visibly relaxes at this and I see how the idea of separation from Jude can cause her such a great deal of anxiety. She drains the rest of her cup and moves to put it in the sink, "I'll be in the living room," she lets me now before she leaves the kitchen.

I strain my head a bit to see what Callie is up to. She walks over to the couch and takes a set next to Jude who is still fast asleep. She puts one hand on his back and the other comes up to her neck to play with a necklace she is wearing.

"Hey, Mom." I turn around to see Brandon walking in. He takes a seat beside me and I bring his head close so I can kiss him.

"Morning," I say, "You're up early."

He nodded and ran a hand through his hair, "I wanted a shower with hot water today." I laugh a bit at this. It's no secret that a war ensues every morning concerning control of the bathroom.

"Hey, B? Do me a favor and help Callie at school today. She'll probably need help finding her classes and what not."

"Sure," he says, "No problem. How long will they be here?"

That's a good question. I would prefer the siblings stay here until something opened up for them, but ultimately this decision rests in the hands of the state, "I'm not sure right now. Mama and I will find out today when we meet with Bill."

Let's just hope things sway in the Jacob's favor.

Callie

I'm pacing around the perimeter of the backyard while Jude entertains himself by climbing a huge tree. Bill is in the kitchen with Stef and Lena. They suggested Jude and I come out here to get fresh air but I know it's just so they can talk about us without worrying about us overhearing.

It's been about fifteen minutes now and I'm starting to get anxious. I know whatever they tell us is going to be bad and I'd rather they come right out and say it rather than make us wait. I glance at the window so I can try to see what is going on. Bill keeps looking down at something, probably my file. He's speaking and Stef and Lena have these looks on their face. I know that look; I get it a lot.

It's pity.

"Callie! This tree is so cool!"

I turn around to look at Jude who is pretty high in the tree by now. He looks absolutely intrigued by what he's seeing. It's rare for us to be placed in a foster home that has a nice backyard or even one at all. This house is too good to be true which makes it more likely that we're going to get moved today.

I smile up at him, "Yeah buddy, it is. Be careful up there, okay?"

"Okay!"

I'm happy that with all that we've been through, Jude has been able to keep most of his innocence and hope. I've worked hard these past six years to make sure he stayed out of harms ways. For the most part I was able to do that. Sometimes I failed.

That was the worst.

"Callie? Jude?" I look up at the door to see Lena poking her head through, "Can you guys come in here please? There's some stuff we need to talk about."

My stomach clenches and I look up at Jude who has a similar expression of dread. I offer my hand to him to help him down. I don't let go while we walk towards the house.

"Everything is going to be okay," I say to him as we walk towards the house, "Don't worry about it." We walk into the kitchen and take a seat at the table across from Bill. Stef and Lena are standing and I don't know why but it makes me uneasy.

"First of all," Bill begins, "Callie, you can't run off like you did yesterday. Your parole―"

"You left Jude by himself with that man," I snap, "I was trying to protect him."

Bill puts a hand up, "I understand that but―"

"But nothing. I don't regret what I did."

Bill glances at Stef and Lena, as if to say Do you see what I have to deal with? "Okay, let's just move on then. Stef and Lena have agreed to foster you and Jude until we find something permanent for you guys."

What?

I turn to look at the two women who haven't said anything yet, "Really?"

Stef smiles at me, "We want this to be your last way-station. It can be a few weeks, maybe months. We want you guys to be safe until that time comes."

Wow.

This is the complete opposite of what I thought would happen. I can practically feel Jude vibrating with happiness beside me. Stef talked a lot about keeping us safe but I didn't believe her. Why would I? Bill has been telling us the same thing since we first came into the system and look how well that turned out for us. Nonetheless I am grateful, more grateful than these two women will ever know.

"Thank you," I say sincerely to Stef and Lena, forcing myself to look at their eyes so that they know I mean it.

Lena's face lights up and she smiles, "You're welcome, Honey. If we're all done here, I'd like to take Callie and Jude with me to school?" She looks at Bill when she says this and he gives her the go ahead and he begins to pack up his things.

"I'm going to pull out that extra bed when I get back from work," Stef says as she reaches for her keys, "Jude, we'll set you up in Jesus' room. You'll just need to bear with us while we get you a bed―"

"He can have the one in the garage," I interrupt, waving my hand, "I'll be okay on the couch for now."

"Are you sure, Callie?"

"Mm-hm."

Stef smiles at me, a different kind of smile, and pats my shoulder before leading Bill to the door.

Stef

Captain Roberts hasn't said anything yet and it's already been two minutes of absolute silence. I knew she wouldn't be happy that I didn't tell her about Callie running off on me yesterday. I glance at the clock; we're nearing minute three.

"I don't even know where to begin with you." I almost jump when she finally starts speaking but I manage to keep it together, "Why the HELL did you not think to notify me when your charge went AWOL?!"

"Captain―"

"Save it!" she cuts me off tersely, eyes ablaze with anger, "I have headquarters up my ass, paperwork out the wazoo and CPS questioning my decision to get Callie placed in your home and you know what? I'm beginning to question my decision, too. I'm beginning to question whether or not you should even be her parole officer anymore!"

Panic seizes me when she says this, "Please don't reassign her," I plead, leaning forward in my chair, "I screwed up, I get it, but what that girl needs isn't your run of the mill behavior modification. You said it yourself: you assigned her to me because you knew I could handle it. You could have given her to any other guy in this place but you gave her to me. Captain, please."

Roberts eyes me for a moment, "You're too involved to be her parole officer, Stef."

"Too involved?" I repeat incredulously, "I need to be involved if we want Callie to make any progress. Having her in my house just makes my job easier." I'm begging at this point and I don't care. Callie needs me. I know I can give her a better future, not some stranger who's just looking for a paycheck.

After what feels like an eternity, Roberts lets out a resigned sigh, "Fine. You can still be Callie's parole officer, but listen to me carefully, Foster. If ANYTHING happens like what happened yesterday…"

"Duly noted," I say, hands up in surrender, "Thank you, Captain. You won't regret this."

"I'd better not."

I got a weave for prom. If you're African American, you know the hair struggle. So I got a weave to facilitate the process and Lord is it itchy and painful! This is the second time in my entire life I've ever gotten a weave and it's only staying in for five days because I'm getting box braids for the summer! Yes, getting on that Poetic Justice flow.

Thank you for all the support/encouragement; you guys are the bomb dot com.

Please review! I'm almost at 200! :D

-Liv

P.S.- Okay, yay or nay on the whole Ana storyline (Callie getting accused of stealing pills, Stef getting shot, etc.)?