Chapter 23.

Three weeks passed since mailing the letter, with no word of response. Each day, it seemed less and less likely that Mr. Jacob would sign the form and mail it. Stef and Lena continued to talk with their lawyer, trying to find an alternative solution, just in case the response they were waiting for never came. Each weekend, they asked Callie to come home for a visit, and each weekend, she refused, saying that she'd already said goodbye once, and it would be too hard to go through it again. When she did come home, she wanted it to be for good. Going home without her never got any easier for Stef and Lena, and Brandon and Jude were both crushed each time.

Brandon woke up on the day of the piano competition, feeling too miserable to move. He couldn't help feeling angry at his mom, because she promised him that Callie would be home by now. He knew it wasn't fair of him to hold her promise against her, because she really did try, but he couldn't help wanting to blame someone. All he wanted was to see Callie again. He wanted her to see him perform his song and be proud of him. He wanted to hold her in his arms and feel her lips against his. And it was hard to accept the fact that she might not be home for a very long time.

The competition was in the early evening. Readying for it, Brandon had put on his best suit, which he'd laid out the night before, and combed his hair neatly. He stood in front of the mirror, fumbling with his tie, when Stef poked her head in the door. "You need some help with that, B.?"

"I guess so," Brandon replied, unenthusiastically. "But mom... I don't know if I feel like competing today. I'm just not up to it."

Stef was just finishing the knot of his tie, straightening it so it laid right against his shirt. "I'm sorry, baby. For not being able to keep my promise to you. I really am. But Lena's gonna record your performance, so when Callie does come home, she can see it." She stepped back to admire her work. "There. You look very handsome. And you need to do this competition. You've worked to hard."

"I guess it's too late to change my mind now, anyway," Brandon told her. Just then, they heard Lena call from downstairs, telling them it was time to leave.

Soon, the Stef, Lena, Mike, Jude, and the twins were sitting in velvet seats at a local concert hall, watching the piano competition, waiting for Brandon's turn to play his piece. Stef glanced over at Jude, who looked a little bored, leaning against Lena's shoulder. Stef felt her phone vibrate against her leg when there were precisely three performances before Brandon's. She grabbed for the phone, and saw that it was Bill calling, then she hurried out of the auditorium and into the hall. "Bill?" she cried. "What's going on? Is Callie okay?"

"She will be," said Bill. "I wanted to call you earlier, but I had an emergency with another charge. I hope you'll understand. The group home received the signed form from Callie's father today, and they approved it."

Stef almost forgot how to breath. "So, that means..."

"Go! Go bring your girl home," Bill laughed. "And tell her I said hello."

"I will," said Stef. "Thank you... so much." She clutched her hand to her mouth, already bawling. Her family looked at her questioningly when she returned to the auditorium. "Jude," she whispered, tapping the young boy's shoulder. "Come with me, Sweetie. Hurry."

"Where are we going?" he asked in a sleepy voice.

"To bring your sister home," said Stef, grinning from ear to ear.

"Are you serious?" Jude shouted, gaining some annoyed looks from the surrounding audience members.

"Yes," she nodded. "I just got a call from Bill." She turned to Lena, who had also begun to cry. "Will you be okay with the kids? I want to surprise B."

"We'll be fine," she told her, waving her hand. "Go!"

Stef and Jude hurried out of the building and into the car. They'd miss Brandon's performance, but Stef didn't think he'd mind under the circumstances.

When they reached the group home, Stef knocked hard on Callie's door, barely able to contain herself.

"Who's there?" Callie called from inside.

"It's Stef, baby!" She grasped her hands together with anticipation.

"And Jude!" Jude added. "Let us in!"

Callie opened the door, looking confused. Jude immediately fell into her arms, and she clutched him close, kissing his soft cheeks. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked, confused.

"You don't know?" Stef asked. "You're coming home, angel. To stay!" She held out the discharge papers she'd just picked up from the front desk, then took Callie into a warm hug. "My sweet baby... let's pack up your stuff and get the heck out of here."

Callie rested her head against Stef's shoulder, leaning into her hug. It felt so good to be held again. "I really get to come home?" she cried, grasping the papers tightly in her hand. "Oh, Stef! How?"

"Your father signed you out. It was Bill's idea. Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yeah" said Callie, surprised and touched. "I didn't even think my dad cared about us anymore. But this is amazing!" Tears filled her eyes, spilling over. She let Stef pull Jude into their tearful group hug, wrapping her arms around her baby brother.

"I love you, sweetheart," Stef whispered, kissing Callie softly. "Both of you. My darlings are together again!" She glanced down at her watch. "But we really have to hurry, if we want to make it back for the end of Brandon's competition, so let's get going. He'll be so surprised."

"I love you, Stef," said Callie "And I love you, too, Jude. I'm so happy, I think I might actually faint right now." She began hastily stuffing her belongings into her backpack, which didn't take very long, and soon, they were leaving the group home behind for good. Thank you, dad, Callie silently told her father, as she gazed at the sky from the car window. For letting me go home.

"And now, the winner for Best Original Composition goes to..." the emcee paused dramatically. "Brandon Foster, with Callie's Song."

Brandon stepped forward from his fellow competitors, hardly able to believe that he'd won the competition. "Thank you," he said, shaking the man's hand, and accepting a plaque and a savings bond. "This is an honor."

"You're quite welcome," the emcee said enthusiastically. "You're a talented young man, Mr. Foster."

Brandon wasn't listening to his words, though. He'd caught a glimpse of something red from the wings. It was a girl, holding a bouquet of red roses, and smiling. The stage lights were in his eyes, but he almost thought it was Callie standing there. But it couldn't be... could it? He blinked, his eyes adjusting. It was Callie! He hurried off the stage and met her. "Callie?" He breathed, placing his hands on her face, and looking into her beautiful brown eyes. "Callie!"

Callie looked up at him, smiling, through a stream of tears. "I'm home, Brandon... to stay."

Brandon picked her up, and spun her around. "Oh, Callie." He pressed his lips against hers in a long kiss. "I've missed you... I can't believe you're really here. I'm so happy to see you!"

"I never thought this day would come," Callie told him, her arms wrapped around his neck. "I've just missed you so much. I love you, Brandon." Reaching out with one hand, she brushed his tears from his cheeks.

Brandon leaned in and kissed her once more. "I love you too, Cal." He hugged her close, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. "And I always will."

The End... thanks for reading!