Evening was approaching and everyone went back to the hotel so that they could meet up with Sharon and figure out how they would play out the rest of their 'trip'. Everyone was in Stef and Lena's room, scattered throughout the small space on beds and chairs.

"I have two queens in my room," Sharon offered, "Enough room for Brandon, Mariana, and Jesus."

"How about we have the adults in one room and the rest of us in the other?" Jesus suggested, "No offense Grandma."

Sharon smile good naturedly, "Offense taken. But that sounds like a plan. Stefanie?"

Stef gave Lena a look of horror at the idea of having to share a room for the night with her mother and partner, "Sure, Mom," she answered, "Sounds…fun."

"Great," Sharon said with a knowing smile, "And now tomorrow. Callie, Jude? What would you like to do?"

The siblings turned to look at each other for a moment and finally they turned to the adults, "We're going." Callie answered firmly for the both of them.

"Us too," Mariana added bravely, hooking her arms through Jude and Callie's.

"Okay," Lena brought her hands together, "We are going to order from the restaurant downstairs for dinner. Let's start taking showers because we're leaving early tomorrow morning for the funeral and then we have a long drive home."

"I'll go first!" Mariana immediately volunteered so that she would have enough hot water. She grabbed her bag and disappeared into the bathroom.

"Okay, Brandon and Jesus," Stef started, "Take your things into Grandma's room and help her bring her stuff here." The boys grabbed their belongings and disappeared into the hall with Sharon. Stef and Lena sat down on the bed with Callie and Jude in between.

"I just want to let you know," Stef said quietly, placing a hand on Callie's shoulder, "That Adelaide will probably say something tomorrow to try to upset you. No matter what she says, you have every right to be there. If it gets to be too much, just let one of us know and we can leave."

Jude looked at Callie nervously, "We don't have to go," he said, "We can just go home."

She shook her head, "No, Jude. We're going. I'm not going to let her scare me." Jude nodded but he still looked a bit apprehensive. Lena stood up and offered her hand to the boy, "How about you come with me and help pick out food for everybody?" Jude accepted her hand and soon they were out of the room, leaving Stef alone with Callie.

"Do you want to―"

"Is she going to take Jude away from me?" Callie blurted out the fear that had been bugging her since the wake, "Can she do that?"

Stef sighed, "I'm not going to sugarcoat it, Sweets. Adelaide is a blood relative and might stand a chance in court but I swear to you we will fight for Jude. He is our son―"

"Foster-son."

Stef sighed. As much progress as she had made with Callie, the girl still tried to keep herself at arm's length as a precautionary measure, as if she needed to be ready for disappointment. Stef pulled Callie into her arms and rested her chin on brunette colored curls, "Jude is our son. You are our daughter. I know it's been a long time since you've been in a good home but you're safe with us, Love. Both of you are. You need to trust that we mean what we say."

Callie wrapped her arms around Stef's waist, "Promise me you'll let us stay," she whispered, knowing well the weight of the question she was asking.

"I promise, Callie."

"Stef?"

"Yes, Baby?" the blonde looked down into brown eyes.

"I-I love you."

Stef's heart felt as though it was about to burst as Callie finally allowed herself to lay her trust in her. Stef pressed a kiss to her daughter's forehead and swept her hair back, "Oh Sweets," she murmured in a reverent tone, "You don't know how beautiful that is to hear. I love you, too. So, so much."

"Cool! They have burgers and French fries!"

Lena winced as Jude read off the menu. They were seated on a bench near the front of the hotel restaurant, deciding on what they should get. She preferred to feed her family healthy food but at this point, she was too tired to argue.

"Okay," Lena relented, "Burgers for you, Jesus, Brandon, and Callie and pasta for me, Stef, Mariana and Grandma."

Jude scanned the rest of the menu, "They have salad, too."

Lena grinned and pulled him into her side, "Smart boy. We'll get some of that, too." She watched as he continued to read the menu out of fascination, "Jude?"

"Yeah?

"Are you happy with me and Stef?"

"Yes," Jude answered. He began to grow anxious, "Why? Do we have to leave?"

Lena shook her head, "No, no. Quite the opposite. We were actually hoping you could live with us. Permanently."

Jude widened his eyes, "You mean…adopt us?"

Lena nodded and was not prepared for the whirlwind that came at her. She felt Jude wrap his arms around her and she returned the gesture with a small laugh, "Does that mean yes?"

"Yes!" She planted a kiss on the side of Jude's head and continued to embrace him.

Dinner was a pleasant affair. Callie and Mariana were sitting cross legged on one bed, finished with their food. Sharon and Lena were in the two armchairs, Stef sat at the desk, and the boys were on the other bed. Stef looked at Lena to get her attention and when she got it the two women stood up.

"So," Stef got everyone's attention, "Mama and I have discussed this with each other and you all seem to be very onboard with the idea, but we'd like to make it official. We are going to adopt Callie and Jude and make them officially part of the family."

"Whoo-hoo!" Jesus cheered. He jumped to his feet to pick up Mariana and Callie from their spots on one bed to dump them on the other with the rest of the bunch. The bed turned into a mess of tangled limbs as Brandon, Jesus, and Mariana each congratulated the new family additions. Sharon got up as well to kiss and hug Callie and Jude.

"I've hit the jackpot," Sharon announced with a triumphant smile, "Two more grandkids to spoil! Every grandmother's dream."

Stef and Lena got up to kiss each of their kids, "Everyone should get to bed. We have to up early tomorrow." Lena advised the group. Stef kissed each child and told them she loved them. Her heart swelled to hear Callie and Jude say it back. After 'goodnights' were said, the adults left the room hoping everyone would go to bed although they knew this was not likely. Jesus grabbed the remote and flicked on the T.V.

"Any requests?"

Callie gave him a look and turned to face her other siblings, "Uh, are you guys cool with this? With Stef and Lena adopting us?"

"Of course," Brandon answered immediately, "You guys deserve it."

"This is awesome!" Jude enthused, practically bouncing from his spot on the bed. Callie put a hand on his knee to keep him from falling off the bed. Mariana walked over to the closet and pulled out two black dresses.

"Which one should I wear tomorrow?" she asked, holding them both out for everyone to see.

Jesus groaned, "Christ, Mariana. It's a funeral, not a fashion show."

Mariana glared at him, "It's not about the fashion idioto. I want to make sure I look appropriate for church. It's not like we go there often."

"About tomorrow guys," Callie interrupted the mini-argument, "There's something you guys should know." For the next few minutes, she filled in her soon-to-be siblings on the full account of what had happened the day prior. She told them about how Christopher was not her biological father, the insults Adelaide had hurled her way, as well as her unwise decision to run away.

"I'm sorry in advance for anything she might say about you guys or your moms," Callie prematurely apologized, "She's…pretty wicked."

"Don't worry," Jesus waved his hand, "I can take her down if you need me to." Callie laughed at the idea of Jesus tackling the old woman.

"I don't know about fighting her," Brandon remarked, "But we'll definitely have your back." He glanced at the clock, "We should really go to bed guys." Jesus reluctantly turned off the T.V. and pushed back the covers on the bed he would be sharing with Brandon. Mariana was sharing with Callie and a cot had been ordered up to the room for Jude. Once everyone was settled, Brandon turned off the light.

"Goodnight."

"Lena?" Stef whispered as she lay in the dark room.

"Hm?"

"Is she asleep yet?"

"No," Sharon replied at a normal volume voice from her bed, "So I'd appreciate it if you guys would keep it PG over there." Stef groaned and buried her head in Lena's neck.

Lena giggled, "This isn't that bad," she whispered, running her hand over her partner's cheek, "It's just for a night."

Stef sighed, "Okay. Goodnight, I love you." She kissed Lena on the cheek and settled into bed.

"Love you too."

"Aww…"

"Mom!"

It's a small world after all! I just found out that this girl I've been tutoring for like three months lives on the exact same block as me. And we've been driving to the library that's ten minutes away driving all this time! Funny.

You guys were so good with the reviews that I'm posting another chapter in one day! Très cray.

Do you guys want Brallie or no? I'm getting mixed reviews here…I'm posting a poll on my profile. I'll give it until Sunday night/Monday morning and then I'll see what wins, okay?

Make sure you vote!

-Liv