CALLIE'S CHOICE CHAPTER 5
Brandon and Callie make their way to the backyard, and sit on the bench.
Brandon is shaking his head. "I...I can't believe it."
"What just happened?" Callie said with a little laugh.
"We got our chance. I mean, we actually have our chance." still shaking his head in disbelief.
"And I'm not giving up everything." Callie added.
They sit in silence for a moment. Callie snuggles her head into his chest and shoulder and pushes his arm away to wrap her arm around his waist. He puts his arm around her back, pulls her a little closer and kisses the top of her head. He gently brushes some of her hair out of her face, and rests his head on top of hers.
"It's not going to be easy. I'm going to be at school and working a lot."
"We're going to make this work." he replied. "I've been making arrangements to take on some piano students a few times a week. I figured you...we could use the extra cash."
"Brandon..."
"Hey, it's okay. Look, I figure about ten students at $20 an hour gives us around $200 dollars more a week. And I won't give lessons on the days you have off. That will be our time together."
"You're amazing. You really are."
"I am a pretty good catch."
Callie giggles. "I have a lot to do to get my own place. Actually I have to find one first. On my income, that's not going to be easy."
"How about the apartments where Daphne used to live? They were affordable. We could add your own touch to it and make it really feel like your own place. You probably didn't know this, but I'm very handy with a roller and a brush."
More giggles. "I'm going to take you up on that. But seriously though, I'm also going to need the basics too, after I get a place. Like a bed, a dresser, sofa, and a table and chairs..."
"I'm pretty sure Moms will let you take your bed and dresser. And we could hit up some flea markets or something to find the other stuff. I have some money saved up from when I was supposed to go on tour with the band."
Callie laughs. "I can't take your money."
"You absolutely can. Callie, you worry too much. Things are going to work themselves out. Trust me."
"What are you up to Brandon Foster?"
"Hey, I'm just looking out for my girl. So she won't need for anything."
Callie sits up straight and turns to him. "You know what I need right now?"
He stares at her. "What?"
She points to her lips.
"I can help you with that..."
Callie smiles and waits for his lips to meet hers. It was a sweet and caring kiss. Just what she needed.
"I love you Brandon."
He brushes her hair behind her ear again. "I love you too."
The next afternoon Stef decided they should tell Jude about the arrangement sooner rather than later. Jesus and Marianna were at practice, so they thought this would be a good time to tell him.
Jude is on his bed with his legs crossed doing his homework.
Stef taps on the partly open door. "Hey love, can we come in for a minute? We have something we need to talk to you about."
He looks up from the paper he's working on and nods for them to come in. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, no, no. It's nothing like that. We just have something to tell you." Lena assured him.
"All of you?" he asked looking at Stef, Lena, Callie and Brandon.
Callie sits on the bed next to him. "Well yeah. I just wanted to tell you that there are going to be changes around here. I won my court case to be emancipated. Robert can't make me live with the Quinn's anymore."
"Now you can be adopted?"
Um, yeah, I can be."
"What do you mean, you can be?"
"Look, bud, I've been doing some thinking about what I want to do and where I want to be."
"Now what Callie?"
"Jude..."
"It's always something with you. You're always adding drama to everything."
"Jude, come on now. That is not fair to your sister." Lena cautioned.
"I didn't want to have a relationship with Robert. He was the one making everything difficult. But that's not the point... Listen, I'm going to be getting my own place."
"What?"
"I'm going to be living on my own." She pauses. "But I'm still going to Anchor Beach. And I'll be over here sooo much. You won't even miss me." She assured him with a smile then scruffed his short hair.
Jude takes a moment to process. "So, if you're going to be here so much, then why do you need to live on your own?"
"Because it's what I need to do for me right now."
"And because you want to be with Brandon, right? I'm not dumb. That's why he's here too."
"I know you're not dumb and yes, you're right. But nothing is going to change for you and me. This is about Brandon and me."
"So... is he going to live with you?"
"Oh god no." Stef quickly answered.
"I'm staying here. You're my brother. I'll keep hogging the bathroom, and you'll keep kicking my butt at video games." Brandon added with a smile.
"Are you asking for my blessing or something?" Jude asked.
"Well, kind of, yeah." Callie answered.
"I'm not a little kid. I don't need you all to baby me whenever there's something big going on."
"That's not what this is Jude, I swear."
"Well, I'll be fine. Believe it or not, I do want you to be happy... I love you."
"Awww, I love you too." She pulls him in for a sweet but awkward hug.
"You think you're going to be okay with this hon?" Lena asks.
Jude nods affirmatively.
"So we're good, yeah?" Stef asked everyone.
The kids all nod in agreement.
"Good. Alright everyone, don't be up too late. Homework and chores, let's get them done." Stef says as she gestures with a sweeping motion for Brandon and Callie to get moving.
Lena and Stef head to their room.
Brandon continues Stef's sweeping motion, leading Callie into his bedroom.
"Pushy much?" Callie laughed.
"Is it me, or is getting easier and easier as we do this? I mean Jude handled that pretty well if you ask me." Brandon took Callie's hands and started swinging them outward and inward.
"Yeah. Good talk. I think it's definitely a good beginning."
"Yeah, me too."
"You know what else I think?"
"What?"
"I think that I have a book report due tomorrow that I have barely even started."
"Faulkner?"
"Yeah, how did you..."
"Callie, we both have Timothy for English." Still holding her hands, he pulls her to him and kisses her. He holds her face in his hands, looks her straight in the eyes and says, "My mother is a fish."
She laughs and playfully pushes him away. "You're incorrigible."
"But in a sexy way."
Laughing, she shakes her head. "Goodnight Brandon."