It had been an emotional two days for the whole family and the kids had hardly eaten, but now, after having talked it all out they were feeing a lot better and their stomachs were growling so when Sharon got home with a dozen burgers and fries the family sat down to eat immediately.
As Lena and Sharon were passing out plates of burgers and fries and Stef was sticking the pies in the oven to warm up, the kids went to wash their hands for dinner. The boys especially, managed to have dirt on their hands no matter where they were and the mom's were constantly reminding them to wash up.
Callie was the last to wash her hands. She didn't want to be the center of attention at all and was more than happy to let everyone else go first. When she finally got to the bathroom she took her time washing her hands and face and then drying them before she went back out. She was surprised to find Jude waiting for her right outside the door instead of in the kitchen with the rest of the family.
"Just eat okay." Jude whispered pleadingly before running off to join the others.
Callie sighed as she followed him. She'd do it, no matter how hard it was she'd do it for him.
"God I'm starving." Jesus said as he took a plate from Sharon and began drowning his fries in ketchup. He was usually quick to anger but equally quick to forget and having let out his opinions to his mother he was feeling a whole lot better. "I could eat all twelve all by myself."
"I'll pay you ten bucks if you can eat twelve burgers in one sitting." Mariana teased.
"Deal." Jesus said with a bright smile, always up for a challenge.
"No Deal." Lena said sternly. The last time Jesus accepted a challenge like that he ended up throwing up all night after eating an entire jumbo bag of m&m's.
"Come on. I could really use the cash." Jesus groaned, digging into his burger.
"How about no dare and just an extra burger for you?" Sharon suggested as she put one more on his plate. There was an extra one for him and halves for the others though Lena, Sharon, Callie and Jude probably wouldn't eat more than their own. Stef and Brandon would share a second and the last two would stay in the fridge in case anyone got hungry at night.
All three adults had been keeping an eye on Callie and noticed her taking small bites and forcing them down without looking anywhere but at her plate. It was obvious that she was trying to just get through the evening without causing any drama but she was struggling. Stef reached under the table and squeezed Callie's knee like she'd done so many times lately but this time Callie just pulled it away and continued to focus on her food.
Brandon and the twins were oblivious to what was going on but Sharon, Lena and Jude were all keeping an eye on Callie and noticed her sudden aversion to contact. Stef and Lena exchanged glances before digging into their own burgers, wondering what was going through Callie's mind.
Jesus was done with two burgers by the time the rest of the family was done with one and Stef and Brandon decided to share a second. Callie, of course, was just about half way through hers and was definitely not going to have more. Her fries, though few, were untouched but no one cared. She was eating the burger and that's all that counted.
By the time Stef was done with her second half the other kids were already rinsing out their plates and Callie was still struggling but taking bite after bite with no fuss. Stef wordlessly reached out and pulled the burger away from the girl, pulled out the patty and handed it back to Callie - the bread could be wasted if she didn't want it.
Callie looked nervously at the patty before finally picking it up and taking a bite, relieved that it was now much smaller.
Right after dinner Sharon dragged Stef and Lena to their room.
"Call me if you need any help at all." Sharon said sternly. "I'm just a flight away."
"We will mom, thanks." Stef said as she hugged her mother.
"And thank you for coming down to help us." Lena added. "You've really been a big help."
"Absolutely." Stef agreed. "I'm sorry I put you through this."
"Honey, it's what mom's do and no matter what age you are I'm still your mom." Sharon smiled as she kissed Stef on the cheek before hugging Lena.
"That's harder than it sounds." Stef said, realizing that no matter how many times you try to help your child, it's frustrating if it doesn't work.
"Just you wait until you get through." Sharon smiled fondly at her daughter. "It'll all be worth it."
Stef and Jesus drove Sharon to the airport and Sharon and Jesus kept up an easy banter all the way there. Jesus filled Sharon in on everything with everyone and Sharon seemed genuinely interested. She hadn't really had any time this trip to spend with the kids that didn't involve worrying about Stef so she was glad to get some information before she headed back.
"We're finally back in volleyball season and wrestling has really toughened up my arms." Jesus was saying proudly. "Brandon's just as annoying practicing for the band as he was practicing for the symphony. And Mariana talks about Matt all the time. Jude's the only fun one to hang out with, he plays video games with me and doesn't whine all the time." Jesus joked.
Stef noticed that Jesus didn't say a word about Callie and as she thought back she realized that apart from their night out with Mike Callie hadn't spent much time doing anything fun with the kids. The only time they were all together was meal times and that definitely wasn't a time Callie was eager to join in. She made a mental note to suggest something fun for the whole family over the weekend.
"I'm really sorry I hurt you." Stef said when she and Jesus were driving back home. "I never meant to hurt you and I'm so sorry that I put you through all that."
"I know mom, it's okay." Jesus said.
"No, it's not." Stef shook her head. "It's not okay and I know that over time everyone will forgive me for it but that doesn't make it okay either. As your mom I never intentionally want to do something that will hurt you and this was something I could definitely have avoided."
"I know, but I get it." Jesus said. "I get needed some space every once in a while. I was mad at you only because you didn't tell us where you were not because you needed the space."
"And you have every right to be." Stef told him. "I would be livid if any of you did something like that and you deserve the same privileges."
"I thought mom would kill me for saying what I did." Jesus grinned, trying to show his mom that he had already forgiven her.
"I think she wanted to kill me more." Stef teased back. "She was so angry last night as well."
"She was scared all day yesterday." Jesus admitted softly.
"I made a huge mistake." Stef mumbled regretfully as she shook her head, still surprised at herself for making such a stupid decision.
"Yeah, but you do everything for us." Jesus pointed out with a kind smile. "You're allowed one bad call."
"Thanks baby." Stef said as she reached across to stroke his cheek. He was such a loving boy, always looking out for others and she was so grateful to have him in her life.
"Why didn't you just talk to me sweetheart?" Lena asked.
It was late at night and all the kids were asleep. Stef and Lena were cuddling in bed and just discussing plans for the weekend when Lena finally asked the question.
Stef sighed as she thought about her answer. "I didn't want you to think that I had second thoughts about Callie." Stef said.
"I know you wouldn't think that." Lena said in an obvious tone.
"But I was afraid that I was thinking that." Stef admitted and then quickly added. "Not because of who she is but because of what we may not be able to give her. I just wondered if something else would be better for her and actually help her."
"You know that's not the answer." Lena said to Stef and Stef nodded. "You just have to learn to let someone help."
"I didn't want to put all that stress on you." Stef told Lena as her hand went to Lena's slightly swollen belly. "You're supposed to be taking it easy."
"And disappearing for a whole day isn't supposed to stress me out?" Lena teased but then immediately regretted it when Stef's face fell. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I know you feel bad about it and are trying to make it right. It's not fair for me to keep bringing it up."
"No, you're right." Stef stopped her. "I made a bigger mess than they already were. I really don't know what came over me."
"You are my tough cop." Lena smiled as she traced her finger right from the top of Stef's cheek down to her shoulder. "But sometimes even tough cops break down."
Stef smiled gratefully at Lena as she caught her hand and kissed it. "I love you so much Lena." Stef said, her voice filled with love.
"Then can we just forget everything for one night and just have some fun?" Lena whispered suggestively as her hand went lower and down into the neckline of Stef's t-shirt.
"I think I can manage that." Stef grinned as she leaned in to kiss her wife.
Silence followed as both women let their hand wander under clothing as they reconnected with each other.