in which callie finally understands what it's like to have a family

"Where is everyone?" Callie asked as Brandon unlocked the front door of the Foster's home, the house seemingly empty. "I thought Stef invited us over for dinner?"

"She did - maybe they're out somewhere, and just running late?"

Callie shrugged. "I have no idea."

"Mom? Lena?" Brandon called. "Jude? Marianna? Jesus?"

There was no answer.

"We should check the back?" Callie suggested. "They might be in the garden or something, its such a nice day."

"Lena probably has music on or something." Brandon agreed, the two of them walking into the kitchen. Still, there was no one in the house.

"Stef would have texted if they were running late, wouldn't she?" Callie said, almost sounding concerned, pulling her phone out of her bag. "I'll ring her." She said as she and Brandon headed for the garden door, Brandon pushing back the curtain and opening the door.

"SURPRISE!"

Callie nearly dropped her phone in shock as the garden erupted into noise, Brandon looking just as shocked at they took in the scene in front of them.

The garden was full of their family and friends, Stef, Lena, Jesus and Marianna all grinning widely at them, a large banner hanging between two trees, with "Congratulations on your engagement!" written across it in large blue, sparkly (clearly Marianna and Jude's doing) letters.

"What - whats going on?" Callie found herself saying.

"We wanted to celebrate." Stef said, her and Lena approaching them with a smile. "You two getting engaged is big! And, you know us - we love a party."

"You didn't.. I mean, you didn't have to go to all this trouble." Callie said, looking between Stef and Lena.

"Callie, sweets, it was no trouble." Stef reassured her with a smile, giving the side of her head a kiss. "You're family!"

"You've been a part of our family since you were sixteen Callie - this, is just our way of showing you just how much we love you." Lena said. "How much we love having you in our lives, how excited we are that you and Brandon are getting married."

Callie looked between them, her eyes welling with tears.

"Are you okay my love?" Stef asked, concerned.

Callie nodded furiously. "I have a family." She said, her tone full of wonderment.

"You've had a family in us since you got here Callie." Lena said, wrapping an arm around her. "Family, they're the people who love you. It doesn't matter if you're related or not."

"Family is what you make it." Stef said. "We love you Callie, so much."

"We all do." Marianna said, butting into the conversation. "You're going to be my sister, officially!' She practically squealed. "I'm so excited."

"Yeah, we love you Cal." Jesus said, a hand on Jude's shoulder. "We wouldn't be the Fosters without you."

Callie wiped roughly at her tears, thankful for the comforting weight of Lena's arm around her shoulders, Brandon's hand on her waist. She had a family - she had the best family in the world. Stef was right, family was what you made it - and, they had made the best family in the world.

"I love you guys." Callie choked out.

"I think its time for a Foster sandwich." Jesus grinned, playing on his moms usual 'mama sandwich!"

"Oh, it is definitely time for a Foster sandwich."

Callie couldn't help but laugh through her tears as she was pulled into a boisterous group hug, hands and laughs and smiles everywhere, and for the first time in her life, Callie felt like she was exactly where she belonged - with Brandon, with the Fosters, with her family.