Author's Note: Oh hey... I bet you thought I forgot about this. No, I haven't... Life has been... well anyway, here you go. Thank you for waiting patiently. Also, yes I will be continuing Hope for The Hopeless if you are also reading that. Just stick with me if you have that kind of patience. Let's hope I can get back into my groove, yeah? And not wait 84 years before bringing out a new chapter.
This chapter is dedicated to Heather! Happy birthday, love! (:
Here's some fluff.
P.S... I did not proof read. I also may fix up the previous chapters. (No changes, just... grammar and stuff, so if you get updates for that, sorry to get you excited for nothing lol)
Disclaimer: Own nothing but Callie
Chapter Five
Maura wasn't sure what woke her until she felt tiny fingers tracing shapes onto the exposed skin of her chest. She then felt pressure in her side as a little knee pushed further into her. She looked down to see Callie curled into her side, eyes following her tiny finger as it played connect the dots with Maura's lightly freckled chest.
She smiled and slowly wrapped her arms around the little girl, glad that Callie didn't flinch. "You gots lotsa angel kisses." Callie murmured quietly.
"Angel kisses?" Maura asked, voice still sleep filled.
Callie nodded against her. "Momma said that when you has freckles it means an angel kisseded you there."
Maura smiled at that. "Well if that's true, the angels must just love you." She ran her finger gently down the bridge of Callie's nose when the little girl looked up at her. Callie's face scrunched up cutely at the feeling before she grinned a little.
From the other side of the bed there was a muffled groan. "It's too early, why are you two awake?" Jane mumbled tiredly, pushing aside a mass of dark curls from her face and squinting at both Callie and Maura.
Callie turned around in Maura's arms to look at Jane. "The sun is awake, Jane so I is awake."
Jane just smiled and stretched. "Did you sleep okay, kiddo?" She asked as she settled back on her side.
"No more bad dreams." Callie replied, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Are you hungry?" Maura asked, pushing a strand of blonde hair from the 4 year old's face.
Jane sat up slowly. "I know I am."
"I wasn't asking you." Maura teased lightly. "I was asking Callie."
Jane scoffed, pretending to be offended as Callie giggled a little. "I share wiff you Jane."
Jane felt her heart melt and her mock scoff turned into a sweet smile. "Thanks, dimples."
Callie smiled more, making Jane's reasoning for the little girl's new nickname apparent.
Sitting up, Maura ran a hand through honey blonde hair and yawned. "What would you like for breakfast, sweetie?" She asked as Callie sat up too.
"Can I has gwilled cheese?" She asked shyly.
Once breakfast had been served and eaten, Maura suggested one of them go to the nearest children's store and buy something for Callie to wear that day since all she had was the borrowed clothes from Jane and the dirty pajamas she was found in.
Jane volunteered, much to Maura's dismay. She had wanted to pick something out for the little girl to wear, but Jane reminded her that she'd probably take forever to pick and that she'd be able to pick out most if not the rest of the little girl's wardrobe once they were all able to go out shopping together.
While Jane was gone, Maura tried to get to know Callie more, asking her what her favorite food was and her favorite color, to which she replied yellow and macaroni and cheese.
Maura also tried to gently prod for more information on who hurt her but Callie remained quiet, keeping that information locked up tight like a safe.
Callie had questions of her own and Maura noted that she was naturally curious but would sometimes hesitate as if she was afraid Maura would punish her for wanting to learn and know things. But Maura was happy to answer her questions. Callie asked about Bass and Maura watched with a smile on her face as Callie got down on her hands and knees to get eye level with the lumbering creature. She gently placed a tiny hand on his hard shell and spoke quietly to him as if they were sharing secrets.
Jane was back within an hour, laden with a few bags. She was grinning as she entered and closed the door behind her. She came into the den to see Maura sitting on the couch and Callie laying on her stomach, chin resting in her tiny hand while her other hand traced shapes into Bass' shell. A chuckle escaped her as she watched Callie have a quiet conversation with the tortoise who, for his part seemed content to listen.
"I'm back." Jane said, making herself known and setting the bags on the couch.
Maura reached for the bags eagerly and peeked inside. She pulled out an electric pink colored t-shirt that had the word 'Really?' written boldly in black across the front. She looked at Jane with a dimpled grin and Jane looked away, chuckling. Maura then pulled out a pair of grey slim-fit jeans, the cuffs at the bottom rolled up slightly. There was also a few pairs of colorful and girl, tiny human sized boxer briefs and plain white socks. Last, Maura pulled out a pair of black, tiny high tops which were hot pink on the inside as well as the tongue of the shoe and the shoelaces themselves.
Jane waited as Maura looked her selections over. "So…?" She asked impatiently.
Maura looked up at her and smirked before looking down at Callie. "It doesn't matter what I think, what matters is what she thinks. Callie, come here, sweetie."
Callie stood up and made her way towards Maura, eye widening at the new clothes that sat on the couch. "Those for me?" She asked, excitement evident in her voice.
"Yeah, kiddo. Did I pick okay? We can take it back if you don't like it." Jane reassured.
Callie ran her fingers over everything, looking thoughtful. After a moment, she looked between Jane and Maura and smiled brightly. "No, I like them! Can I get dwessed now?" She bounced a little on the balls of her feet.
Maura chuckled and Jane looked relieved. "Yes, little lovebug. C'mon, let's go take these to your room and get you dressed." She put everything back in the bags and picked them up before reaching out with her free hand for Callie.
The 4 year old grabbed Maura's hand and followed her down the hall. Jane took a seat on the couch and waited, mentally preparing herself for the long day of shopping, though she found she liked picking out clothes for the little girl so maybe it wouldn't be as torturous as she expected, plus they would also be shopping for toys and that, Jane knew would be fun.
10 minutes later, Callie came bounding down the hall to stand proudly in front of Jane in her new outfit. "Jane! How do I look?" Callie did a twirl, long honey blonde pig tails bouncing as she did so.
Jane grinned. "You look awesome, dimples. I think I picked very well." She said as she stood up. "Are you excited to get new clothes and toys?"
Callie nodded. "Yes, but…" The smile on her face faltered. "Are you sure I d'serves it?" She looked down shyly, fidgeting with her little fingers.
"Oh, dimples…" Jane knelt down in front of the little girl and slipped a finger under Callie's chin so she'd meet Jane's eyes. "You very much deserve it. You deserve the best." She smiled warmly and poked the 4 year old's cheek, wanting to see Callie smile and those deep dimples to pop.
Callie finally did though it wasn't a big smile. "Okay." She finally said.
Maura reappeared a few minutes later, fully dressed and ready. "Everything okay?" She asked as she noted how Jane had been kneeling in front of Callie.
"Everything's okay." Jane replied as she stood up. "I was just explaining to Callie that she deserved everything good." She looked down at Callie and smiled. "Today is your day, dimples."
Callie looked between Maura and Jane, unsure at first but both of their smiles made her feel more comfortable and the excitement was back. She grinned almost bashfully and reached out to take Jane's hand.
Shopping was both fun and agonizing at the same time. The large crowds didn't appeal to Callie and she clung to whoever was closest to her. Jane and Maura weren't sure if she'd always been this way or if perhaps she was half expecting her abuser to show up. Still, they tried to keep her distracted as much as possible.
Maura allowed the little girl to pick out her own clothes, making suggestions here and there because the thought of having so much freedom seemed to overwhelm Callie and she always ended up looking to Maura or Jane for approval. 'Is this okay to like?' It saddened them. She didn't have a style because it seemed she was never allowed to explore it, to know what she liked and didn't like. It's what led both women to believe that most things were probably forced upon the little girl.
Eventually, Callie was beginning to drag her feet, so Jane ended up carrying her while Maura continued to brows for clothes. It wasn't until they hit the toy store did Callie perk back up. Her eyes were wide with wonder and excitement as she lifted her head from Jane's shoulder and looked around.
"Do you wanna get down, dimples?" Jane asked knowingly.
Callie nodded wordlessly.
Jane set the child down and stood next to Maura, watching as Callie tried to decide what to look at first. Callie took one step forward before stopping and looking back at Jane. "You come wiff me?"
"Of course." Jane held out her hand for the little girl who happily took it. "Lead the way."
15 minutes later, they had a buggy full of things. A few stuffed animals, dinosaur figurines, books. Now they were in the DVD section. Jane had picked out a few classical Disney movies and answered questions about whatever Callie picked up while Maura stayed with the buggy.
"I can get this one?" Callie held up the movie, Frozen, eyes wide. "I saw parts of it on the TV one time." She looked at the DVD case longingly.
Jane smiled. "Let's get it." She said, holding out her hand as Callie placed the DVD in it.
A few Frozen merchandise later and Callie was beginning to drag her feet again. It was clear that the day had tired her out. Jane scooped the little girl up gently and let her rest her head on Jane's shoulder.
Maura smiled and ran her hand up and down Callie's back. "Let's pay for everything and get her home. She's about to fall asleep."
Callie fell asleep on the way back to Jane and Maura's and didn't wake up and Maura unbuckled her and picked her up into her arms. "Got her?" Jane asked quietly as Maura wrapped her arms securely around Callie.
"I've got her. I'll put her down and then come back to help you with the bags." Maura offered quietly. Jane nodded and planted a kiss on Maura's cheek before she walked ahead of the honey blonde to unlock the door.
Once Callie was settled in the guest bed, Maura returned to find that Jane had already brought in most of the bags. "Well, that was an interesting experience." Jane commented as she set down the last of the bags and plopped down on the couch.
Maura sat down beside her, moving to curl up in the brunette's side. "Despite her initial anxiety, I think she had fun."
Jane nodded gently and moved her hand to lace her fingers to Maura's. "I liked it too." She commented quietly. "I like the way she feels in my arms."
Lifting her head, Maura looked at Jane and smiled after a moment. "Me too. But we're just… fosters." She reminded.
"I know. I'm real nervous about having both her and her brother though. I mean, a 4 year old is one thing, but a baby?" Jane ran a hand through her hair.
Maura smiled again and pressed her lips to Jane's cheek. "We can handle it. We'll be fine." She reassured gently.
Jane looked back down at Maura and smiled weakly. "I'll take your word for it." She murmured, bringing their lips together once more.