Hi folks! Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter. Glad you all liked the fluff as there is a fair bit of that in these first couple chapters. The next episode is kinda angsty so getting the lighter stuff in there now. Keep the feedback coming! Four kind of unrelated scenes here - I hope that is OK. There were some exchanges I thought were missing that aren't necessarily linked to other parts. I hope it doesn't affect the flow too much! Anyhow, here is the next chapter!
Thanks to Mea23 and TheTBone as always. You need to follow these authors like yesterday.
"That doesn't look like studying to me..." Lena commented as Kasey flicked through her phone screen, books open in front but her pen having not touched page for the last ten minutes.
Kasey looked up.
"How do you know I'm not doing research?"
Lena finished the annotation of the report she was on and placed her pen down. "Because you're studying for math and I'm not aware that anything you can find online will be in your test."
"It's a math study app..."
"Really? Then pass it over so I can get the details down to pass on to the department." she stretched out her hand.
"This is how I study, Mom. I can't concentrate for a full 2 hours. Regular breaks are essential."
"Well aware. That's why you need a break from your phone. Come on."
Kasey begrudgingly leaned forward to hand over the device before pulling it back as a text blurted through.
"Just a sec..."
"Kasey..."
"Ugh! Fine but I'm only trying to do damage control after you blew Cooper out the water this morning."
Lena shook her head as she took the cell onto the desk she was working on.
"I'm not going to help you and Cooper lie to his parents, especially not when you're lying to us in the process."
"You know we weren't gonna do anything crazy though, right? We just never get a chance to have any fun in that house without the warden."
Lena shook her head with a laugh to turn back to her work. For all of Kasey's sneaking around she did trust that they would never risk anything too dangerous in his parents' house.
"I trust your respect for other people's property. I can't say I always trust your decision making skills, however, so it's probably best you didn't end up in a situation where you could get into any trouble. You and Cooper haven't exactly been an award winning combination this week."
"On with the dating profile again. How many times do I have to apologise? I'm sorry." Kasey propped her forehead up with her palm and scribbled her pen across the side of her page in a doodle. Lena put hers down to once again focus her full attention.
"Honey you can apologise to us all day long, it's your dad you let down."
"Please don't give me another pep talk. We're not seeing eye to eye right now, OK, it's pointless. I'd rather ride it out like last time."
"You didn't ride it out last time, sweetheart, you made the move to fix it."
Kasey thought back to the feelings last time that had made her call her dad. She did still feel for him, but that was what their issue was. He wouldn't let her be there for him - not in a way she could be and if he wasn't going to let her in even a little bit she wasn't going to waste her time trying to make him.
Her scribbling became more rapid as she averted looking up. "I don't know how to be with him right now. I know what I did was wrong but he's not even vaguely interested. He doesn't want me to even try to help him fine, I'll back off."
Lena shook her head. Kasey was a brutal mix of both Stef and Mike's stubborness and it was a lethal combination. As much as she wanted to help bridge the gap, she knew Rome wasn't built in a day and picked her pen up, using it first as a pointer.
"Well if you're not going to be co-operative I'm not gonna be your source of procrastination." She squinted her eyes as Kasey met them with hers.
"Come on, get back to your work. You wanted a chance to study, here it is."
Kasey grumbled something to herself before flicking back to the page. She wasn't sure which was worse, the reminder that her relationship with her Dad was so delicate or that she hadn't even completed one exercise.
"I really love it, thank you." Mariana smiled as the waitress brought over their sandwiches.
Ana twitched hers round, putting it up and down and spinning the plate slightly.
Mariana launched into hers more determined, the occupation of her mouth a good distraction for deciding where next to go with conversation.
"So...tell me how you're doing?" she eventually asked. She could see that her Mom was struggling and clearly still using but she seemed relatively lucid and was relieved she hadn't asked for any money or favours. She seemed genuinely interested in what was going on in Mariana's life - it was time Mariana was able to take interest in hers.
"Well...not much. But you know I've found this program a friend told me about. Not rehab but like steps, you know? I'm sober two days. Well, since yesterday. I'm going to try really hard this time."
"That's good..." Mariana croaked out. Being sober for that length of time hardly seemed medal worthy but she tried to look at it as being better than nothing. She imagined it must be quite a personal triumph and didn't want to belittle it.
Ana finally took a bite of her sandwich and chewed it down as Mariana tried to think further.
"Well as you asked before, the quinceañera was fun. I mean most of it. I had the most beautiful dress - pink with jewels across the front. We all learned the waltz and I also danced with my Mom's ex-husband, Mike for the father/daughter dance."
Ana's face dropped with confusion.
"Because of having two Moms..." Mariana clarified, unable to completely hide her frustration as how short Ana's memory seemed to be for her closest family setup.
"Right, right!" Ana nodded with an embarrassed laugh. "I guess you wouldn't be able to dance with your Moms." she smiled, twitching her sandwich up and down again.
"I tried to keep it traditional, but I did feel bad. They were really great about it."
"They seem like they take care of you. I'm glad they're looking after my babies."
Mariana felt slightly uncomfortable at the alienation. The implication that Stef and Lena were merely babysitting bothered her but she knew she had to cut Ana some slack. They were just names to her, not her family like they were to Mariana and her brother.
"They're brilliant Moms."
Ana nodded awkwardly still unable to drive the conversation.
"Did you have a Quinceanera?"
Mariana asked, the question apparently catching her off guard as she stuffed the remainder of her sandwich in her mouth, stalling for time.
"Yeah, I did. Though not much of a fancy one. We didn't have all that much money. It was still special though. Papi died not long after so it was nice to have that memory."
Mariana's heart sunk down a little. She realised she knew nothing about her grandparents. She wasn't sure if she'd even ever met them. She felt a twinge of sadness at the drop in Ana's face as she reminisced.
"What happened to your Mom?" she built up the nerve to ask.
"Oh she...well, we don't really talk. I mean we didn't really get along. Especially after we lost Papi. I sorta went...did it alone after that. Anyway, think she died not long after you were born." she smiled as if she was trying to remember where someone had gone for school or how long she'd been in a job, batting away the sensitivity of the subject. Mariana didn't know how to react. She imagined Ana going it alone really meant going off the rails. She assumed her Mom must have disowned her or Ana estranged herself - either way it broke her heart to think of how someone could not even know when their Mom had died.
Regardless of Stef and Lena being her Moms through and through, she suddenly realised that Ana could have OD'd for all she'd know and she may never have found out. That was too much to swallow now that she had a refreshed face to fit to her concept. She shook it away.
"Anyway!" Ana smiled. "That's the past. You need to look to the future." Her glassy eyed gaze was somehow soothing to the emotion riddled girl in front of her. Whether it was because she wanted it to or it just did, it made Mariana feel feel optimistic that maybe one day this could work. That it wouldn't be the case she was just there to use her and abandon her again.
"To the future, right?" she smiled.
Kasey stared down into her phone again as she heard the chatter. She liked Jude a lot, and Connor seemed like a nice kid, but she could think of better ways to be spending her afternoon. She heard something about a girl called Amber, something about a kid called Paul and it seemed a lot like the only person who was interested was Connor. Jude kept nodding politely and asking which kid they were.
She opened up a text that flashed and rolled her eyes.
"Don't be on your phone the whole time. Mom x"
She thought about how hilarious Stef would be finding the notion of her checking her phone to check the text saying to get off her phone. She momentarily considered replying with a sarcastic "ha ha ha" but decided against rewarding her questionable humour. She did however use it as a wake up call that maybe she should try giving the boys a little more attention.
"So did you say you were playing soccer this morning, Connor?" she asked hoping it may divert from middle school drama. "Did we win?"
"Every Saturday. And yeah we did. Beat the Missionaries ."
"Nice going!" Kasey replied with genuine interest. They may be different age groups, but they could all be united in hating their rival school.
Jude smiled proudly that his friend seemed to be impressing his older foster sister.
"Did you score?"
"No I play right back defender."
"Very good..." she nodded, pretending to know what it meant. "Do you follow the soccer league then or just play?"
"I quite like the English League - but I support Liverpool so it can be kinda frustrating."
"I see..." she nodded sharing a look of mutual confusion to assure Jude she didn't really know what he was talking about either.
"Well maybe you can watch a game with Jude one day and he can tell me all about it." she squeezed Jude's shoulder as he smiled shyly.
They made their way into the movie theatre and checked over the show times.
Kasey winced at the noise being made from the groups of excited children around her. Got out of a grounding. Got out of a grounding. she reminded herself, remembering her alternative.
"Oh wow, Bazooka is out!" Connor observed looking at a giant cardboard cut out. The gun protruding from it was about as big as Jude.
"Paul's big brother took him and Jamal to see the premier last week. They said it was awesome!" he smiled, his eyes blinking in Jude's direction. He remained passive, oblivious to Connor's ulterior motive. Seeing no reaction, Connor dropped his shoulders back down. "But I mean, Bumble's good too. Apparently the graphics are pretty cool." he resigned unable to pick up on any further signs from Jude.
"Maybe we can get the DVD when we're older." Jude suggested optimistically as Kasey hid an eye-roll. This boy was way too responsible for his age.
"Right. I mean, I have seen PG-13s before though. I mean you have, right?"
"I haven't really been to the movies for a while..." Jude replied shyly.
Kasey was reading between the lines and although she could hear Stef's "Let them be. Don't interfere." echoing in her head she couldn't watch this painful exchange any longer.
"Hey Connor, can you do me a favour and go grab one of those fliers with the times?" Kasey asked hoping to have a moment alone with Jude.
"So, that other film has a heck of a poster, huh? Bazooka."
"Yeah. It has a pretty big poster." Jude smiled. "Shame his parents want us to see this other one."
Kasey forced a smile and tried to stop from shaking him by the shoulders. Don't interfere. She repeated. Don't interfere.
"Sounds a little like his parents aren't completely against PG-13s. I mean, you're both 12 right?" she further tried to hint without directly telling him what to do.
"Probably, but I dunno he kept talking about Bumble after his parents suggested we should see that so I guess that's the one he wants to go to."
"Mmhmm." Kasey bit her lip down.
Jude looked up at her, curiously. "What? Do you think he wants to see Bazooka instead?"
"Hey - it's possible. Maybe you should ask him..." she feigned ignorance despite the clearly obvious signs. It amazed her that Jude could be so attentive and observant with so many things but completely oblivious when it came to who was turning out to be his closest friend. He really was new at this.
"Here you go, Kasey. There's a little time to wait before Bazooka so maybe it's good we're not seeing that one."
He once again looked at Jude intently for any reaction.
"Well there's an arcade, guys. We don't have to see a film right away. I mean, whatever film that may be." Kasey suggested hoping it may force one of them to have to confidence to be honest with each other instead of both just trying to please the other.
"Maybe we could see it then, Bazooka I mean. If you want to?" Jude suggested nervously before looking to Kasey to see how he did.
"You wanna see that one too?" Connor asked, unable to hide his excitement. "I thought you were more into the kids films. Well I mean, the animation and stuff?"
"I'm happy seeing anything, I just didn't wanna get you into trouble with your parents. I mean..." he looked at Kasey "If Stef and Lena wouldn't mind?"
"Right - of course, maybe we should see Bumble." Connor joined in on Jude's guidance seeking stare.
"Guys - your parents aren't here. As long as I don't take you to a strip club I think we're good. You both wanna see this film and I'm not standing any longer in this lobby so we good for Bazooka?"
Both Jude and Connor exchanged a smile.
"Guess we better try out the arcade then!" Connor responded nervously heading towards it with Jude close behind. "I think I saw Jenny and Paul go in there earlier."
Jude smiled at Kasey, holding her gaze for a moment before she ruffled his hair. "Go on then." she encouraged him before clocking what Connor had said. "Wait, didn't you say Paul liked Amber before?" Apparently she had been paying more attention than she thought.
"Is it really gonna make a difference if the glasses have smudge marks, Lena? Really?" Stef moaned as she pulled out the box with the good glassware.
"Dinner party, Stef. We're doing it properly. I'm doing all the cooking, you can at least wipe the tableware." she chastised as Stef's demeanour was more befitting to one of their teens. Lena knew what was on Stef's mind. She had mentioned it already and even if she hadn't done she could read her like a book. There was always a chance this would happen when Stef visited Frank, her father.
"So I know he usually stresses you out but what was it that was so bad today?"
Stef looked up, momentarily confused but remembered very quickly that this was Lena she was talking to. She knew she was on to her and wouldn't give up unless she insisted.
"Don't make me relive it yet again. Just the usual." She fluffed in hope it would be enough to change the subject. She knew it wouldn't be, and that was quickly confirmed.
"What is it with you Fosters and your Dads? Come on, you're worse than our daughter."
Stef flapped the towel she was holding down onto the table and let out a frustrated sigh.
"I made the mistake of bringing up religion. That'll teach me to try and keep him informed about Jesus."
Lena took a deep breath in sympathy. She almost felt guilty that her parents had been so open and easy with accepting her while Stef's, or at least her dad, insisted on making it an uphill struggle. She watched as Stef shook her head to herself and fidgetted the towel back up.
"He say something to upset you about it?" Lena's voice dropped soft and comforting. No matter how stubborn Stef was she couldn't resist the compassionate gaze of the woman she loved. It filled her with warmth and security - all of the reasons her Dad's disapproval was even harder to stomach. The idea of a world without the love of her life shook her to the core.
"He seemed shocked that we weren't bringing the kids up in a church and once again voiced his disbelief at my "choice" to be gay. Just makes me so mad!" Now she had begun to open up she struggled to stop. "I mean, what? He thinks he can just shame me into living a lie for years and then when I am finally happy just act as if none of that should have even had an impact?" Lena put a hand on her arm to calm her from her rant. It was enough to put her in check and bring her back down from her anger.
"I'm sorry. I just..." Her voice broke. "I'm just tired, Lena. I'm tired of justifying myself over and over again. Just when I think he's coming around he reminds me that it's never going to be."
"Oh honey." Lena stroked her hand through Stef's air as her partner looked to her from the side, downtrodden as she was.
"I know it must be hard. I can't imagine what it must be like, not feeling you have the blessing of someone you love."
She looked deeper into Stef's gaze, seeing it soften as the anger was slowly pacified.
"But he does love you, and there are just things he doesn't understand. He may do in time. Think of the progress he's made since you first came out! Don't give up on him yet, as frustrating as he may be."
"Yeah well it gets harder each time." She sighed.
"You just need to keep up the dialogue. Hard as it is, you have to be the bigger person." She advised softly. "And even if you don't always have your dad on side, you always have me."
Stef flickered a small smile and rubbed her hand up and down Lena's arm.
"And that's something he'll never take away from me."
They nuzzled their foreheads together before working into a gentle kiss, lost in the bliss of the moment. Lena worked her hand down from Stef's temple to her cheek before pulling away from the lingering kiss.
"Know what else you have?" She whispered flirtatiously as Stef looked at her for an answer.
"4 wine glasses to clean." She whispered as Stef shook her head through a laugh.
"I hate that you can cheer me up in such wicked ways." Stef grumbled as Lena returned to her chopping.
Next Chapter Preview: Kasey continues to mentor Jude while Mariana tries to drown her sorrows. Jesus finds himself in an awkward situation with Stef after taking Mariana's snipes to heart.
He finally found what he was looking for. There were a few different kinds of tweezers, different shapes and angles and he realised he was glad he wasn't a girl. He spotted the ones that looked like they'd do the least damage but quickly whipped around driving them behind his back as he was caught off guard by a familiar voice.
"You looking for something?" Stef asked suspiciously as he stepped back to hide the drawer as if she wouldn't know it was there. She raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smirk.
Jesus' eyes darted around the room trying to think of something acceptable.
"Condoms." He immediately regretted blurting out, plagued by it being the first thing that came to his mind.