Chapter 8 – Moving Day
It had been over two years since Stef finally accepted who she really was and it had honestly been the best years of her life. As much as Stef thought she loved Lena then her love for this amazing woman grew every single day. She was an amazing mother not only to Callie but to Brandon as well. She always seemed to know exactly what to say to the kids to help them through tough situations…like when other kids asked why both their mommies were dating.
They were lucky though and had two amazing kids that accepted having two mommy figures in their lives. They often talked to the kids about it making sure they were comfortable and answered all their questions. However, it didn't take long for the kids to think of this as their normal family.
Today was a big day though and they had been prepping the kids for it for months. Today they were all moving to a house that Stef and Lena bought together. The kids had visited their new house a couple of times and were excited to make the move. It was in a very family friendly neighborhood and had a huge backyard with a tree swing. Both kids were hoping to talk their moms into getting a play set back there as well.
It took some doing but Lena talked Stef into hiring movers to take their stuff from their apartments to the house and put it in the room they designated. Stef thought they could do it all themselves but was silently thankful Lena had won out on this argument. While they might have been able to move their stuff to the house they would have had zero energy to unpack and set up their new house.
At Stef's apartment.
"Mommy the house is empty," Brandon said looking around at their now empty apartment.
"Yes it is sweetie. Remember we are going over to the big house together and we are going to live there."
"With Lena and Callie," Brandon asked with a smile?
"That's right with Lena and Callie. Lena and I will be sharing a room while you and Callie will each get your own room."
"But we can have sleepovers right?"
"Not every night but yes you and Callie can have sleep overs."
Stef knew it wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows but she was thrilled Brandon and Callie got along and enjoyed playing together. They had been best friends from the start and so far the bond held tight. She hoped they didn't hit a phase where the other suddenly developed cooties but they would cross that bridge if it ever came to that.
"All right say bye bye kiddo we are heading home."
"Bye bye small house see you later," Brandon said waving to the empty apartment.
Stef smiled, took brandon's hand, shut the door and headed out.
At Lena's place.
"Mama I can't find Mr. Bear."
"Sweetie Mr. Bear is waiting for us at the new house. Remember we are going the big house today and we are going to live there with Stef and Brandon."
"Yup and I get my new big girl bed and Brandon can play with me all the time and Stef….mommy can take me to the park," Callie said getting super excited still transitioning into calling Stef mom full time.
Lena couldn't help but laugh but really it warmed her heart seeing Callie so excited. Stef and she had been so nervous telling the kids they were all going to move in together and spent many nights talking about it making sure they understood what it all meant.
"Well, we better get a move on….Mr. Bear, Stef and Brandon are all waiting for us at the new house."
"Lets go mama," callie said grabbing her moms hand and pulling her out of the apartment.
It wasn't long before they were all over at their new home. Looking around it was just rooms filled with boxes and misplaced furniture but soon it would be a living room, dining room and kitchen….soon their rooms would be set up and they would spend the their night together as a family.
"So where do we start," Stef asked looking around at the seemingly endless amount of boxes?
"How do we have so much stuff in here," Lena said laughing. "I think first we should get all our beds set up. We are going to at least need a place to sleep tonight plus if Callie doesn't get to sleep in her big girl bed I don't think any of us will be getting any sleep tonight."
"I think that sounds like a good plan. Why don't you head up to Callie's room and I will get some toys out for the kids?"
"I don't think the kids need toys."
"Huh."
Lena nodded to the living room where the kids were already building a fort of out boxes and sheets. Stef couldn't help but laugh…it was a wonder they bought toys when it was the simple things were so entertaining to them.
"Well I think they will be set for a while lets go start on those beds."
"Hmm I can't wait to break in our bed," Lena said kissing her partner before they headed upstairs.
Stef and Lena put Brandon and Callie in the rooms that were connected by a bathroom. They debated this for a while knowing there would probably be many a nights that one would sneak into the others room. It took them an hour to get Callie's bed but only half the time to set up Brandon's. Both kids had picked out their own bedding so naturally Callie had Dora the Explorer sheets and Brandon had Tomas the train sheets.
"Ok you hold this and I will get the side bars," Stef instructed as they were in the process of now setting up their bed.
"And how exactly are we going to connect the base board with me holding this end and you having to connect the side bars to the end board?"
"Ummm…..uhhhhh….ahhhhhh," Stef said getting an idea.
Lena watched as Stef moved their dresser right up against where their end board would be so it could rest against it upright while Stef could connect the side bars.
"Well aren't you just sooo smart," Lena said with a smile as Stef finished connecting the bed posts.
"That's why you love me….for my brain," Stef said with a cheesy smile.
"Among the many other reasons," she said giving Stef a kiss.
"Hmm lets get this mattress on the bed…I think we are going to need it."
Together the ladies quickly finished assembling their bed and getting the sheets and comforter on it. Stef hoped on the bed and leaned back on her elbows.
"So Ms. Adams care to join me on this super comfortable bed," stef asked patting the spot next to her?
"You know I would love to but we have two little ones downstairs doing god knows what and it is getting late we should get them to bed."
"Ugh why must you always be the sensible one," Stef dramatically sighed getting off the bed.
"Because you're always the horny one," Lena replied before darting out of the room.
Stef was momentarily shocked at her girlfriends quick wit before following her downstairs. Everyone got a snack realizing they didn't eat much during the day before they headed upstairs for bed. Stef and Lena took time with Brandon and callie helping them get ready for bed but allowing them to do as much of it by themselves as possible. When Callie saw her bed she made a bee line for it and jumped in.
"Pretty bed," she announced.
"For a pretty lady," Lena said kissing her daughters forehead.
They read her a book giving her a little more time to settle in and made sure the night light was on before heading over to check on Brandon. With a book already in head Stef and Lena read to him following the same routine they had with Callie.
"Finally alone at last," Stef said kissing Lena before the door was even closed.
"Someone is a little frisky today."
"I can't help it I am almost as excited as Callie and her big girl bed."
"That is pretty hard to beat."
"We finally are in our new house, our kids are all settled in….I just feel like we are starting a new chapter here….together as a family."
"I love you," Lena said kissing her.
And those were the last words spoken over the next few hours as Stef and Lena showed how much they loved each other for the first time in their new home. It was nothing short of a fairytale as Stef and Lena cuddled in bed together.
"I was thinking about something,' Lena said bitting her lower lip.
That got Stef's attention….Lena only bit her lower lip when she was really nervous about this. Stef didn't want Lena to ever be nervous about talking to her about any situation or topic.
"What were you thinking about love?"
"Well, I was thinking about what you were saying about us starting a new chapter as a family…..and I was thinking maybe we could expand on the family."
Lena said the last part in such a whisper Stef had to fight to hear her….Lena wanted to have more kids.
"You….want to have more kids,' Stef questioned already knowing the answer but needing time for her brain to catch up.
"Well it's not a deal breaker or anything I was just thinking about it."
"How long have you been thinking about it?"
"A while I guess."
Lena had yet to look at Stef after making the confession she wanted to have more kids. Stef's heart broke and she didn't want Lena to feel nervous about this.
"Love look at me," Stef said softly tilting her head so Lena was looking at her. "I would love to have another child with you. I think we are doing a pretty good job for our first two and we have room for a couple more."
"A couple more," Lena said with a smile.
"Well, lets just start with one and we can go from there ok. We can call Callie's old social worker…it is funny that we just spoke to him recently letting him know how great Callie is doing..…and just let him know we are interested. Maybe we can set up a meeting with him and start the foster to adopt program. "
Stef thought Lena would be excited about this but was confused by her partner's sudden solemn appearance. That's when it quickly occurred to her what the issue was.
"Or maybe we could look into IVF if you were comfortable going that way."
"Really," Lena asked lighting up by just the thought.
"Yeah I mean I had my shot at being pregnant and I want you to have the opportunity too if that is something you want to experience. Do you think that is something you want to explore?"
"Yeah I do."
"All right then….we can start doing some research on it and maybe get that process going soon."
Lena rolled over and gave Stef a very passionate kiss.
"I wish I could say something like let's get working on that baby right now but let's celebrate us making the decision to expand our family," Stef mumbled into Lena's neck.
It wasn't but a few minutes later they heard Callie calling for them.
"I guess this is something we should be getting used to with expanding our family…less alone time."
"A small sacrifice….we will work it out," Stef said slipping on her robe along with Lena.