Chapter 18.

Sunday morning, Callie woke up thinking about Sophia. The night before, the rest of the family watched a movie on TV, and she and Jude had played cards together, talking and laughing, just like old times. Now, she felt a pang of guilt. She was angry that Robert had lied to Sophia, but she realized that she'd done the same thing, by being dishonest about why should couldn't spend the weekend with her. Part of it was because she didn't want it to get back to her father just yet. But part of it was that she was afraid her younger sister would be hurt that she was spending time with the Fosters again. It was complicated, balancing two families.

She decided, as she got dressed that morning, that she needed to see Sophia. Brandon drove her to the Quinn's house after breakfast. They sat in the driveway for a minute, their seat belts still on, when he turned to her. "You want me to go in with you?" he asked.

"Nah," she replied, shaking her head. "I won't be long." She clicked the buckle on her seat belt, letting it retract. Brandon squeezed her hand before she slipped out of the car.

"Callie?" said Robert, answering the door. "This is a surprise. Sophie said you were out of town."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, and she felt her muscles tense. "My plans kind of changed at the last minute."

"Do you want to stay for dinner?" he asked.

"I'm on my way home," she told him. "Maybe another time?" She sighed, dragging the toe of her sneaker across the step. "Why did you lie to Sophia about what I was doing for Spring break?" she blurted.

Robert looked back, into the house. "I just didn't want her to feel bad," he admitted. "I was worried that she would feel like you were, you know, trading her up for them."

Callie cringed internally, looking down at her feet. "I wasn't," she told him. "It wasn't like that at all. I love Sophia. But I love the Fosters to, and that isn't gonna change."

"I know," he nodded. "I was just trying to protect her feelings."

"Is it okay if I tell her the truth?" she asked.

He looked back again. "I don't know, honey. Why drag it up when you don't have to?"

"Because I think she should know," Callie insisted. "And I'd rather she hear it from me than someone else. Please?"

"Fine," he finally sighed. "Do what you think is best. Just be gentle about it." He stepped aside. "She's out back."

"Thanks," Callie nodded. She hurried through the house and out the backdoor. Sophia sat at the edge of the pool, her legs dangling in the water, creating ripples. She chatted with the gardener, who was cleaning the pool. Callie blushed, remembering that the gardener had almost caught she and Brandon skinny dipping over break.

"Sophia?" she called, taking care not to startle her sister.

Sophia turned around, and her face lit up. "Callie!" She stood up and ran to her.

"Hi, baby." She held out her arms for a hug. "Come here. I wanna squeeze ya."

"What are you doing here?" Sophia asked. "I thought you weren't going to be around this weekend."

"Well," Callie shrugged, leaning down to kiss her. "I managed to make a little time for you."

"I'm glad you could pencil me in," Sophia laughed. "Come up to my room with me. I want to give you your present. Please?"

"Okay, she nodded. She followed Sophia back into the house, up the stairs, and into her sister's incredibly pink bedroom. "Listen," she said, once they were sitting on the bed, the gift resting between them. "Before I open this, there's something I want to talk to you about."

"Is it something bad?" the young girl asked, looking a little worried.

Callie shook her head. "No, not really. Just hear me out, okay?"

Sophia sat back, giving her her full attention. "What?"

"So," she began. "I think you should know that I wasn't studying over Spring break."

"What do you mean?" Sophia's brow creased with confusion, as she tried to understand what she was hearing.

"While you were on the cruise," Callie continued, "I was spending time with the Fosters."

"Oh." Sophia looked down at the gift, downcast. Then, she looked back up. "I think I might have known that deep down." She nodded. "Yeah. I did."

"I'm sorry I was dishonest with you, bug," Callie apologized, reaching for her sister's hand. She wasn't sure why she was taking the blame for Robert's lie. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's just that I already had these plans before I knew about the cruise, and I didn't want you to feel sad. I feel like a total jerk."

"Well, maybe not a total jerk," Sophia replied. She sighed. "Did you go visit them this weekend too?"

"Yes," Callie admitted, quietly. "Do you hate me?"

"No," she told her. "I know that you love them... I just don't like feeling like your second choice."

"Do you really feel that way?" Callie asked, gently rubbing Sophia's back. "That you're my second choice?"

"Sometimes," she nodded. "I mean, I know that you would rather be with them than us. And I know that you love Jude more than you love me."

"Hey!" Callie protested. "Not true!" She turned her sister to face her, gazing into her dark eyes, so like her own. "I love you Sophia. I love you so much it hurts. You're my baby sister, and Jude is my baby brother. I love you both the same." She took Sophia in her arms, clutching her to her chest. "I can't imagine my life without either of you."

When they parted, Sophia studied her through damp eyes. "It's just that I get jealous sometimes. It isn't fair. Jude's had you his whole life. I've never had a sister until just a few years ago. It's my turn."

Callie nodded solemnly, trying to see things from her sister's perspective. "I know it seems that way. But why does there have to be 'turns?' I don't want to choose between the two of you. And I'm not gonna lie to you about this; I'm going to be spending more time with the Fosters, including Jude, than I have been. But that doesn't mean I'll love you less. You and I will still have plenty of time together." She patted her sister's shoulder, lovingly. "Someone wise once told me: 'there's enough to go around.' And that's the truth. I have enough room in my heart for you and Jude. I promise."

"Will you open your present now?" Sophia asked, suddenly impatient. She pushed the wrapped box toward her.

"Does that mean I'm forgiven?" said Callie, picking up the package.

Sophia nodded. "Mm-hm. Now, open it."

Tearing open the wrapping paper, Callie found an embroidered peasant top, made of a gauzy bright yellow fabric. She held it up to herself, admiring it. "Thanks, Soph. This is so pretty!" she gushed. It wasn't something she would normally wear, but there was something about it that made it beautiful to look at.

"I thought you should add some color to your wardrobe," Sophia told her, grinning proudly. "Do you really like it?"

Callie nodded sincerely. "I love it."

"Good," she breathed, relieved. "I'm glad."

Callie neatly folded her gift and placed it back in it's box. "I have some news I think you'll like," she announced through pursed lips.

"What?"

She smiled shyly. She could feel herself blushing. "This weekend, I didn't go to the Foster's to see Jude. Brandon and I went, so we could tell the family that we're together."

"Oh my gosh!" Sophia cried. "Brandon is your boyfriend now? You're so lucky!" She bounced on her knees, then threw her arms around her. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't have a chance," Callie laughed. "I take it you approve, though?"

"Duh," she replied, rolling her eyes. "He's a babe! Oh, wow... your kids are going to be so cute!"

"Who said anything about kids?" Callie asked, raising an eyebrow. She did want kids, preferably with Brandon, but not for several years. At least not until she finished college.

"It could happen someday," Sophia shrugged. "Can I be a bridesmaid in your wedding?"

"Honey, we're not engaged," Callie reminded her. "We've barely been a couple for a week."

"But if you do get married, can I?" She clasped her hands together, pretending to beg. "Please?"

"Okay," Callie sighed, laughing so hard her side ached. "Yes. If we get married, you can be a bridesmaid." She ruffled her sister's wavy hair. "Sheesh. Brandon must have some kind of hold on us Quinn women."

Sophia looked at her in surprise. "Hey..."

"What?" Callie asked.

Her little sister smiled, her eyes shining. "That was the first time you've ever called yourself a Quinn."

To Be Continued