Hi chucks! Thanks for the reviews to the last chapter! So the story continues...got some (hopefully) sweet Jude Callie in this one and some Mischievous Kasey winding up Stef (as always).

Thanks to Mea23 as always for reading!

"How did the dancing go?" Lena asked Callie as she gazed out of the window of the car. The last time she had sat up front was when Lena had picked her up - and it had never just been her and Jude in Lena's car before. It was inclusive and yet separate. She couldn't help but still feel like she stuck out in this setup. Wearing the same dress as Kasey and Lexi didn't make her part of Fosters' world. She couldn't fault Lena and Stef, or the rest of the family, for effort in trying to make it seamless, but there was so much she still wasn't part of.

"Callie!" Jude chirped, snapping Callie out of her dream world. She turned to find both of them looking at her and clearly waiting for an answer to an unheard question.

"The dancing." Lena repeated with a smile.

"Oh - yeah. I'll be able to learn it." She guessed at an answer.

"Will all of you? Did it go well?"

'No - it was awful and awkward and Talya didn't stop glaring at me throughout.' She thought, but luckily didn't say.

"I guess..." Callie shrugged. She had been able to at least try and forget about that. She had been trying so hard to not think about Brandon - that was just another chink in the armour. Something had happened today - something had sparked when they were dancing. As if she'd ever feel part of this family when the one person she had really connected with was now making everything so complicated for him. She wasn't even sure why she was thinking about it. She'd never make that mistake again. She wasn't falling for him. But why did it feel like he was always there now? Before, she loved it. Now it was awkward. Was it just Talya getting to her? Was her paranoia contagious?

"Well let's get this dress sorted so that you look as beautiful as you dance!" Lena stopped the car and patted her foster daughter's leg. Callie turned to scold a giggling Jude with a dirty look. This was the second time now he was laughing at her.

They got out and made their way into the dress shop. The small hispanic lady looked vaguely nervous seeing Lena but she gave her best smile. Callie weighed up the surroundings.

"Can you believe we're in a place like this?" Jude whispered to her. "With parents who are getting clothes fitted just for us?"

"They're not our parents." Callie responded, blunter than she intended. She hadn't meant it to sound offensive or ungrateful - it was just the thoughts that had plagued her every time she felt herself slipping in more fondly and it had slipped out without thinking. She looked to apologise but was interrupted by a spanglish bark.

"Bueno, venga chico. You go with Ramón, he will show to you the trajes." the kindly woman put a hand on Jude's back before he had a chance to respond to his sister's sloppy comment. He went with a tall man with a nice smile.

"I'll be through soon, honey." Lena assured him. "Just choose a couple you like, try them on and pick which one you want. Don't worry about the cost for now." She winked. She knew she was supposed to reign in the spending but she also knew Jude wouldn't take advantage.

"OK - Callie. This is the dress that the others are wearing." She handed her a covered up pink dress that the seamstress had ready for them. "This should be your size but if you go try it on we'll see what needs done. Changing rooms are just through there - come out when you're done." Lena beamed as Callie tried to hide the nervousness in her face.

She took it through to the back and sighed. She couldn't remember the last time she wore something this bright - or if she ever had. She understood now why Kasey had been making fun of it all week. The thought of backing out flashed through her mind but she peeked out back towards the shop and saw the smile on Jude's face as he filtered through the different shirt colours. She took a deep breath. If they were doing this she owed it to him to do it properly.

She shuffled and writhed pulling the dress up and then down. It just didn't sit right - that was why they were here though, right? To make it sit right? Why did she get the feeling it would take more than a bit of stitching. She gulped down and dared to face the light of the store. She expected everyone to pause and stare as she emerged. Apparently only Lena did. How could everyone in the store not see how ridiculous this looked?

"Callie - you look amazing!" Lena smiled, apparently genuinely. "I know it's probably not your usual colour but you do suit it." She brushed Callie's cheek with the back of her forefinger as the small woman herded her onto the stand.

She pulled and tweaked, mumbling to herself in Spanish. Callie tried to look everywhere but at Lena who stood there smiling proudly.

"Ta! Ta perfecto." The lady mumbled. "Pienso que no necesito cambiar nada - ta bien para ti? The dress is OK?" She clarified looking at Callie.

Callie looked down at herself, her mouth slightly open in confusion.

"Uhm...it's OK...if you say so..." she asked. If it fit, why did it feel so awkward? Was this how dresses were supposed to feel?

"Is there something you would like changed? Make it more comfortable?" Lena asked pulling the skirt out of it slightly to get a better look herself.

"Callie..." She heard Jude's little voice. He was stood, gawping up at her, two suits in hand. He couldn't take his eyes off how she looked.

"You look...really pretty...I don't think I've ever seen..." He tried to stop, knowing it would make her embarrassed but he couldn't. He knew his sister was pretty but he was much more used to her hiding it behind baggy clothes and dull colours.

"You like it?" She asked nervously to him.

"I think you look amazing." He smiled. There was no sense of teasing in his voice, it was genuine, and he was the one person in the world she could always trust.

"Then I guess it's fine." She smiled nervously at the woman who nodded and helped her down.

"Which do you prefer?" He asked, his excitement brushing the shock away. He held up his two suits. "This one is a little more expensive and it goes better with the shirt I like but I guess this one is OK..." He was innocent in his appraisal but was clearly looking for approval to get the one he really wanted.

Callie looked at Lena who gave her a wink.

"Which do you like better?" She asked him. "You need to wear the one you can wear a smile with." She said, almost embarrassed by the corniness but the joy of seeing him happy replaced all else.

"Then this one I guess - but are you sure it's OK?" He reaffirmed with Lena who checked the price tag. She laughed as she did.

"Honey, it's nowhere near the cost of the dress your sister has."

He smiled and ran off back into the changing rooms with Ramón unable to keep up.

"Lena, this is really all too much - I don't mind wearing a cheaper one...or not going at all if -"

"Stop - don't even think about it." Lena cupped her cheeks and patted her on the back. "Just be aware that you may need to be creative with it for prom and if we have any weddings coming up." Lena quipped before heading off to the register with the shop owner. Callie lingered for a moment before heading back into the changing room. Everyone spoke as if they would be there forever. Why could she not shake the voice that taunted her about how deluded they all were?

"I thought you were going to the dress shop with Lena?" Stef asked, arriving home to find Kasey at the kitchen table.

"Cooper gave me a ride instead. I'm fed up of that place."

"But you're gonna look so pretty!" Stef teased pinching her cheek as Kasey threw her a look.

Stef smiled, placing some shopping bags down before biting her lip nervously. She looked at Kasey who had returned to her homework.

"So..." she began. Kasey looked up, nervous of what was to follow. Stef smiled, stalling to find the words.

"I was wondering if you could do something for me?" she tapped the table nervously as Kasey stopped writing with a sigh. "I already dug out the photos for your montage - I'm not doing a stupid speech or anything. I love my sister, but this is already getting way too over the top." She returned to her writing.

Stef took the pen off her and placed it down.

"It's not anything to do with the party - well...it is but not directly. The thing is..." she cleared her throat, "Mariana has decided that she would like to do the father daughter dance...well, she would like to do it with your father." Kasey looked at her confused for a moment before bursting into a laugh.

"Why would anyone want to dance with Dad?" She sniggered as Stef poked her arm.

"Hey! I've had many a dance with your Dad - and you will be doing so at your wedding I'll remind you."

Kasey raised her eyebrows. "I think I'll be eloping. I don't think both you and I would survive the planning stage and I need you alive for the baby sitting."

Stef's eyes flared. "What do you mean baby sit-...you know what...never mind. That is so not something I want to think about any time soon." She waved it away. "So back on topic..."

"What? You want me to ask Dad, now that we're on civil terms again?" Kasey asked.

"No...I can ask your Dad..." she hesitated again as Kasey looked to her blankly.

"I was just wondering...seeing as you've been getting on better with him recently and you said you were nervous about how he is doing - I just thought it may be a possibility that if you were the one to break it to Lena..."

"Woah, woah, woah - " Kasey cut her off. "Lena doesn't know?" Stef clenched her teeth, guiltily.

"She knows that Mariana isn't really comfortable dancing with us but you know what it's like with her and Mike...if I get Mariana to tell her Mariana may think there's an issue and I just think it may be better coming from you rather than coming from me...so that she doesn't feel threatened or jealous or..."

"Mom." Kasey laughed. "Mariana wants to have her fairytale Quinceañera. I doubt that Lena is going to think that this is some master plan for Dad to sweep you up and speed us all off into the sunset while she gets a ride back to an empty house with the mariachi band. You're being paranoid."

"It was hard enough for me to hear - I just want the blow to be softened a little..."

"Isn't that all the more reason you should do it? Then you can do all those gross things that I don't want to think about to make her feel better afterwards. Besides - I really don't think you're giving her enough credit - you're being over-protective. She handled Brandon moving out really well - and..."

Their chat was cut short as Lena opened the door with Jude scampering behind and Callie just after.

"Guess who's all suited up!" She smiled.

"Stef! I got a blue tie and blue shirt!" Jude beamed.

"Nice - you're gonna be so handsome. Wanna try it on and show us or you gonna wait to surprise us on Saturday?"

"I can show you now!" He gave Callie another smile before running off to get changed.

"Thank you both so much." She said to Stef and Lena. "You really didn't have to do this."

"Don't mention it, sweets." Stef winked.

"You can wear it again for mine and Brandon's birthday - now we know the budget we're allowed I was thinking family party in Hawaii. Expenses paid." Kasey chirped as Lena rolled her eyes.

Callie smiled and headed up the stairs as Kasey faced her glaring Moms.

"What? I thought you were planning on re-mortgaging the house every birthday now?" They let the comment slide as Lena moved over to the sink, via kissing Stef.

She watched her as she walked over and looked back to Kasey. If this had to be done they may as well get it over with...

"Speaking of the party...you spoken to Mariana about it? She excited? Discuss anything with you?" Stef hinted, her eyebrows in overdrive. Kasey looked at her.

"Now?" She whispered, horrified. Stef responded with an obvious cough.

"5 minutes to think of an approach, seriously?" She further clarified with an even harsher whisper Lena turned her attention to the exchange that apparently was taking place behind her.

"Something going on?" She asked, concerned. Both Kasey and Stef looked at her guiltily.

"Mom doesn't know how to tell you that Mariana wants to dance with Dad for the father-daughter dance."

"Kasey!" Stef snapped while Lena looked between them, her shoulders deflating.

"Why sugar coat? Mariana loves you both and couldn't be more proud of having two Moms. She's turning 15 though and is trying to playing 'Cinderelita' which puts all logic aside to fit the hallmark card. She doesn't want Mike to be her father - she just chose the closest parent with a penis."

Stef buried her face in her hands at the impeccable display of tact.

"Even with only five minutes - that's the best approach you could come up with?" Stef scolded as Kasey shrugged.

"Stef. A word." Lena sighed before striding out.

"I'm gonna find somewhere further than Hawaii to send you to. With a one way ticket." She threatened Kasey through a mumble before following, reluctantly.

"Lena - I'm sorry. I had the deluded hope that maybe hearing it from someone other than me would make it easier to cope with. Of course I should have realised that hearing it via a megaphone at the mall may have been a better choice than Kasey."

"Stef." Lena sighed with compassion. "I'm not mad or offended." she assured her.

Stef screwed up her face. "You're not?"

"I'm disappointed - of course - but I can't say that I'm surprised. I saw that look in her eyes at the dress shop. She's just trying to have a glimpse of normalcy."

"And the fact that she wants Mike...?"

Lena folded her arms. "She's doesn't have any male relatives, she doesn't have a godfather we know of and we don't have all that many male friends. It makes sense." She shrugged. "I can't say I'm excited about seeing her dance with your ex-husband rather than us but Kasey's right - it doesn't mean she values us any less..."

Stef put her hands on Lena's arms. "You are an incredible woman, you know that? I wish I had been as calm as you about it all..."

Lena unfolded her arms and brushed Stef's face. "My heart broke in the store when I saw that look - it's natural...but teenagers being embarrassed by their parents is unfortunately just as natural."

Stef leaned forward and kissed her softly. Suddenly all of Stef's shame and fear from the night before vanished. Lena somehow always made it that way for her, she always had. She wrapped her arms around her partner's neck and kissed her more. They sailed away in the moment.

"Told you so - gross things to make her feel better." Kasey whispered as she passed. Stef was enjoying the feeling too much to do any more than a small backhanded clip.

Jude spun around a couple of more times in the mirror. Saturday had arrived. He loved dressing up - whether it was suits or even dresses he just loved the colours and the textures.

"I can't tie this stupid tie!" Jesus moaned, fighting with it in the mirror.

"Ramón at the dress shop said that the tie makes the man. It's all in the knot." Jude informed him, uselessly, adjusting his jacket once again. "I'm gonna go see when we're going." He bound off towards the stairs in his own happy world. He got mid-way down to see Talya storming away from Callie, instantly draining his mood. He could tell something was up.

"What's going on?" He asked as she was leaving.

Callie lingered a few moments, Talya's departing figure holding her gaze. She barely noticed Jude behind her but once she felt his presence her eyes closed down. She knew Talya would try and pull a stunt like this. She knew this would be her downfall. Jude's downfall. She turned to him with her best smile.

"You look really handsome." She said, trying her best to hide the avalanche of emotions flying down through her body.

"Thanks." He smiled, reluctantly. She licked her bottom lip, unsure of how to continue conversation without giving herself up. She was relieved to be saved by Kasey who shouted through from the other room, getting a first sight of them both.

"Wow - you two look amazing! Now that's how to wear fancy clothes."

They both turned to her, Jude's smile more genuine than Callie's with the reminder of the happy place he was in. Callie however was struggling to show anything beyond concern as she tried to locate Talya through the window and look for any signs of her talking with Brandon or Stef. She could vaguely hear Jude rabbiting on about his dressing experience and used it as an excuse to slip away.

"And I have this waistcoat too, see! Ramón said the waistcoat makes it classy. I thought it would be better with a different colour tie than the shirt but Ramon said that a slightly different shade can look just as good." Jude recited to Kasey who had now sat on the sofa after he followed her through. He twirled looking down at himself, clearly made up with his choice. She could see the buzz he was getting from his experience at the dress shop.

"You could have a future in fashion, Jude." she observed.

"It ran in Ramón's family apparently. His Mom was the seamstress and his Dad was a tailor before he died. They now run the business together.

"You're looking handsome there Jude! Very nice." Stef observed coming through to fetch them.

"Wow Mom. You're lookin' hot!" Kasey exclaimed with a rare but genuine compliment behind it.

"Smokin' hot!" Jude giggled to a slightly disapproving look.

"Okay, let's work on the wording for Lena - but thank you." she squeezed Jude's ears. "Can you go check Mariana and Jesus are ready please, Jude?"

"Of course." he replied before striding off to complete his assigned mission.

"Being as dazzling a role model as always I see." she quipped.

"You do look amazing though." Kasey smiled.

"Well you don't look too bad yourself, even with the boot." Stef held a hand out to help her off the sofa.

"OK - we ready to...Kasey, you look beautiful, darling." Dana came through, distracted mid sentence.

"Thanks Gram." she smiled. "You seen Callie? Talk about hidden figure. She looks amazing."

"You're all such a beautiful family." she smiled. "Are we ready to go?" she looked back at Stef.

"Yep, I'll be through with Lady Limpsalot in a second."

"Talya seen Callie yet?" she asked as Dana left.

"Kasey."

"I'm just worried about Callie, that's all." Stef looked at her and put a hand on her cheek.

"Don't be. I spoke to Brandon and it's fine." The two of them turned as they heard re-entering voices.

"Of course I think you look beautiful...Talya?" Brandon scurried after her as the two of them passed through before again being out of sight.

"It looks it." Kasey whispered back as Stef looked at her. "Five dollars says that's over by the end of today."

"Leave it." Stef nudged her. She could only try to keep her from saying it though - she couldn't deny it didn't look good for Brandon.

Next Chapter Preview: Kasey's concerns for Mike grow and both Callie and Brandon try to understand the growing chemistry they are sharing.

"Jude saw it too. He could tell you'd screw up." Another point of view chimed in as the shaken memory made space. He really did pay attention - her baby. She couldn't do it again. Not to him or to herself. She rubbed her forehead furiously with her thumb to try and massage it into quiet. The last time she strayed into this territory it ended wrong in every way.