Chapter 8 Family Times Two
The last couple of months had been very trying. What started out as excitement over expanding their family had turned into major frustrations? Stef had no idea what going through the IVF process really entailed until they were actually going through it.
The first issue to overcome would be the financial aspect of the process. IVF was no couch change and there was no guarantee it would work. Stef and Lena discussed all options and determined they could manage three attempts before they would forego the IVF route and simply adopt. They could afford more but they didn't want to put their current family in financial jeopardy just to try and expand their family when other options were available.
Next there were the doctor's appointments for Lena….first to make sure she was going into this healthy and then to make sure she had a hospitable environment for the embryos to live. Stef could handle the vitamins and supplements Lena took but the hormone injections….that turned her loving girlfriend into a hormonal mess. When she was pregnant she didn't have to go through all this but she figured that at the price they were paying to get this baby it would be great if it took on the first try.
Which is the final piece she was not fully prepared for….the disappointment of a treatment not taking. Their first attempt had failed and while Stef was disappointed, Lena was devastated. She thought she was a failure and something was wrong with her that prevented her from getting pregnant. Stef had spent many nights comforting her love and explaining many couples don't get pregnant on the first try.
Their second try took place two weeks ago and since then Lena had experienced some spotting which she took that as a sign this one didn't take either and the comforting process started all over again. Even if the financial situation wasn't an issue she would cut off their tried at 3….putting Lena through this just wasn't healthy mentally or emotionally.
It was after the second attempt that Lena and Stef called Bill, Callie's former social worker, to let him know they were interested in foster to adopting a child. Lena having gone through the process already and Stef working with child services occasionally knew how long that process could take and they wanted to get it started as soon as possible. Even with one more attempt remaining it would be much easier to stop the process if they decided to then wait an extra few months to a year before they could get placed with a child.
"Man you look like hell," Hernandez chuckled as Stef tossed her keys on her desk.
"And you wonder why your still single," Stef mumbled plopping in her chair.
"Rough night with the old lady?"
"First off she isn't old and secondly its none of your damn business."
"Woman cause enough issues why would you want to date one?"
"You wouldn't know anything about woman now would you….and what are you doing here anyway? Where the hell is Rodriguez?"
"Your partner worked a double and caught a domestic earlier. I am just keeping the seat warm until he gets back."
"Well, keep it warm at your own desk….no one wants to see your mug this early."
"Chicks," Hernandez mumbled walking back to him desk.
"Assholes," Stef shot back loud enough for him to hear.
Oh yeah this day was starting off great. Unbeknownst to everyone this was just the start to an unforgettable day.
Lena had been pacing the living room floor waiting for Stef to get home….and of course this was the one day she was late. Well, Stef was often later than her normal shift time due to any call outs she might get but Lena was really hoping tonight she would be timely. When she heard the front door open Lena raced from the kitchen but quickly came to a screeching halt in the entryway.
"Umm Stef what's going on," Lena asked totally confused.
"Look honey I had a son today," Stef said in a cute tone hold what looked to be a one year old on her hip.
"Stef seriously what is going on? Who's kid is that?"
"He's ours."
"What?"
"You're not going to believe me when I tell you…..come on lets go into the living room. Where are Callie and Brandon?"
"They are in their room working on a science project."
"And you think that is safe?"
"Relax they are trying to build something that will float. I gave them supplies, filly the sink with water and gave them strict orders no spills. I have been checking on them…..so you had a son today," Lena said directing her attention back to the small child in her arms.
"What's mine is your's….we had a son today," Stef said with a grin.
"Stef come on….seriously what is going on?"
"It all started this morning when I got to work….Hernandez was being a prick…
"Stef."
"Sorry…he was being his usual self and I asked why he was hanging around me….he said Rodriguez was working a double and got called out on a domestic," Stef carefully leaned over and pulled a folder from her bag. "It was a three strike couple and it was their 6th strike….this little guy has been removed twice from their custody."
"Twice? He is what a year old? How can he be removed twice? How would they allow the couple to have him back in such a short time?"
"Technicalities….the father has most of the strikes but recently the mom has started to take a hit…I am guess she stayed clean just long enough to give birth and then slipped back into old habits. The father was kicked out of the house and that was how the judge allowed the baby back in the home."
"Not that I don't want him here but how did you end up with him? Usually Child Protective Services will take him and try and find family first."
"They did and they did which is why I have him now."
"He's family?"
"Look at the file," Stef said gesturing to the file on the table.
At this point Lena was shaking with nerves. She was trying to process everything in such a short time her brain was on overload. She picked up the file and flipped it open skimming through it trying to figure out what it was Stef wanted her to see.
"Oh my god," Lena gasped.
"Lena meet Jude….Callie's little brother."
Lena looked at the file then to Stef and Jude. She was in total shock….Stef was right she was barely believing what she was reading.
"He is 15 months old and totally healthy….he was checked out by a doctor before he was released to me. Bill was handling the case because of the related parties involved which is why he requested me. Nothing is permanent but he needed a place for Jude to go and with us already having Callie and expressing interesting in fostering to adopt he thought it was best he be here."
"Wow….ok so wow," Lena said pacing the living room.
"Love?"
"I umm should go check on the kids I will be back," Lena said quickly doing an about face and heading up the stairs.
Stef knew this was a lot to take in and Lena just needed a little time to digest everything. Stef had all afternoon to prepare for this but looking down at the happy little boy in her arms she knew this was fate. Jude and Callie would be together although explaining everything would certainly get interesting.
"Hey kiddos how goes the project," Lena asked walking into the room?
"We made a boat mama," Brandon said holding the boat in his hand.
Lena gave it the once over and was impressed by what her two kids came up with.
"Can I see it float?"
Both kids excitedly ran into the bathroom and plopped the boat in the water and sure enough it was floating atop the water.
"Great job guys. I want you two to clean up in here and then come downstairs and show mommy. We also want to introduce you to someone ok?"
"Ok mama," they both responded.
Lena slowly made her way back downstairs and heard Stef in the kitchen talking to a babbling Jude.
"Everything ok upstairs?"
"Yeah the kids actually did a really good job on their boat. They are cleaning up and then coming down to meet Jude."
"What are we going to tell them Lena?"
"For tonight we should just keep it simple. Explain Jude's mom and dad couldn't take care of him anymore and he will be staying with us for a little bit. Tomorrow we can talk to them more…especially Callie and explain Jude is her brother."
"Baba."
Stef and Lena froze. They knew Jude old enough to form words and talk some but that was the first time he uttered anything all day.
"Umm ok baba he must be hungry….Bill gave me a bag of his things to get us through a couple days. His bag is in the living room can you grab it," Stef asked.
Lena retrieved the bag and rummaged around for a bottle and formula. There were also jars of baby food in there but since it was so close to putting the little man down for bed she figured he was used to the bottle at night.
"Stef where is he going to sleep?"
"I have a pack and play in my car. He can stay there for the time being until we figure everything out."
Lena was in the middle of making the bottle when the kids came barreling into the room. They became quiet seeing Stef holding a baby.
"Hey you two lets go into the living room ok," Stef said walking into the living room ushering her two kids to the couch.
Lena joined them a few moments later holding the bottle in case Jude got cranky and needed it in the next few minutes.
"Callie, Brandon I want you to meet Jude," stef said sitting between her two kids so they could easily see the baby. "He is going to be staying with us for a little while."
Brandon looked over at the baby interested in the small child. Callie looked equally as interested and ventured a brave touch to the boys arm. That caught his attention and looked directly at Callie who smiled.
"Where are his mommy and daddy," she asked?
"Right now his mommy and daddy are having some problems and they need some help so we are going to watch him. He might be here a week or he might be here for a long time."
"Would that be ok with you if Jude stayed with us for a long time," Lena asked?
"Where is he going to sleep," Brandon asked?
"He will be in our room for a couple nights and then we will try putting him in the guest room next to ours. It will be a little different having a baby in the house….they need a lot more help than you two since you're such big kids now," Lena explained. "That doesn't mean we love you two any less though or that we won't have time for you. Everyone is going to need to adjust and be a little understanding and patient as we figure this out together."
Callie tickled the baby's foot causing his to squirm and giggle which caused Callie to giggle too.
"I think he likes you Callie," Stef said looking at Jude's happy face.
"Baba," Jude grunted now reaching for Lena.
"All right buddy I think you have been patient enough," Lena said handing the bottle to Stef so she could give it to Jude. "All right you two while mommy feeds Jude how about we go up and get changed into our jammies and then we can all watch a movie in our room before bedtime," Lena said knowing they were starting bedtime early tonight and to thought of a movie in the big bed would make up for that.
Both kids quickly jumped off the couch and scurried up the stairs to start on their bedtime routine.
"Man I hope the promise to watch a movie in our bed works as a bribe for as long as possible," Stef laughed.
"Yeah it is so simple…I think we can get a few more year out of it."
"So how are you with all of this," Stef asked?
"I'm shocked….I mean I had no idea Callie had a brother. Do they have any other kids? Does she have any extended family?"
"It doesn't appear so."
"Did they ask about Callie," Lena said suddenly a little fearful?
"No, they didn't."
Lena's heart broke for the little girl whose birth parents wanted nothing to do with her but was relieved at the same time.
"Good. I am going to get the pack and play from the car and then finish helping the kids get ready for bed."
"Sounds good….I will finish up with Jude and be upstairs in a little. Looks like the little guy isn't going to last much longer," she said softly kissing the little boys head.
Lena stood in the doorway for a moment watching Stef and Jude together. They looked so cute so wish she pulled out her phone and took a candid picture.
"Everything ok love," Stef asked seeing Lena still standing there?
"Yeah…I actually just remembered I was planning on telling you something when you got home but things just….
"Yeah I get it…so what's up?"
"Oh I found out today….I'm pregnant," Lena said casually like it was nothing.
She tried not to laugh as Stef's jaw nearly hit the floor. Lena snapped another picture with her phone before heading outside to get the pack and play. Yup, they just took in a 15 month old and Lena was three weeks pregnant….her last IVF treatment which Lena was sure didn't take if fact worked. Let the good times in the Foster house begin.