A/N: I couldn't help myself. I finished the second chapter. Just a quick note: the bold type is Brandon reflecting as his 16, 17 year old self. I wasn't sure whether to write it that way or not, I figured it would help center things if I open his viewpoints that way. The non bold type in his viewpoint is how he sees things in the moment.

Chapter Two

Lena's POV

"Mommy, Daddy, what's Miss Adams from school doing here?" I flinched, looking over to see Stef's reaction. She was just as taken aback as me.

"B," Mike walked over to Brandon's other side. "Buddy, do you really not remember Lena?"

"I'm sorry Daddy, I don't." Brandon shook his head. "I'm sorry Miss Adams." He looked at me then, a look that was piercing, so similar and yet so unlike the Brandon we knew.

"Do you mind if we step into the hallway for a moment?" The doctor looked between us. "Brandon, I just have to talk to your parents for a minute okay?"

I saw the fear return to Brandon's eyes. But I recognized his actions, the same reassuring smile, the same brave nod. Brandon was still Brandon. "Okay." He looked over to Mike. I saw the light in his eyes. "Just outside the door right Daddy?"

Mike and Stef shared another look. I knew there were going to be a lot of things said once that door closed. I knew I would be saying my fair share of them too. "That's right." I could hear the emotion, the struggle of holding back tears in his voice. I knew, because I was feeling it too. We all were.

When we heard the door click shut behind us, Stef whirled. "What happened to my baby?"

I was shaking. I was shaking and I couldn't stop. Brandon didn't know me, didn't know me as his mama. As far as he knew, his parents were still together or just separated. I didn't know the details of their relationship back then. It hit me. He wouldn't know his siblings.

"Well," the doctor began. "It seems that Brandon is suffering from retrograde amnesia, as well as a touch of post-traumatic. He's blocked out what happened. His memory has retreated to a time where he felt safest, explaining his childlike state."

"How do we get him to remember?" I asked. "He'll get his memories back right?"

The doctor sighed. "His memories will return, but it's going to take time. You should try to make him as comfortable as you can, take it slow, show him familiar things and stick as close to your normal routine as possible. Integrate him gently back in. Show him photos, home movies, let him take part in favorite activities. All of that should help in jogging his memory."

"Thank you doctor." Stef said.

"We'll connect you with a family therapist who can help you through the process, Jason Vanning, one of our best. Here's his card." The doctor handed Stef a business card. "We just have to run a quick check, and then you should be fine to bring Brandon home."

As he disappeared down the hallway, it was like a switch was flipped. I felt the tears I had been holding in all that time finally fall free.

"Lena," Stef pulled me into a hug, both of us crying. "Oh Lena."

"What are we going to tell the kids?"

"I don't know."

Callie's POV

We were all waiting in the living room for news about Brandon. Sharon, Stef's mom, was staying with us. Stef and Lena had left quickly and insisted that we wait here. I think they were trying to make out that things were going to be fine, not wanting to ruin Jude's adoption day celebration, but I knew, things always got worse before they got better. It was practically the law.

"Does anybody want any more cake?" Sharon stood walking over to the kitchen table where the cake stood.

Jude and I exchanged a look.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Jude had been asking me that ever since we had found out I couldn't get adopted, along with everyone else in the house.

"I'm fine Bud." I put an arm around his shoulder. "Really."

I saw Mariana stand up and bring her plate to the table. "You're still my sister. I don't care what some stupid papers say."

"That's right." Sharon said. "I consider you one of my grandbabies already."

"Thanks Sharon." I smiled. "Thanks Mariana."

My thoughts drifted to Brandon. He had told me he was just going to his dad's to get his things. How could a trip to his dad's, where he goes all the time, end like this? We had figured out where we stood, finally seemed to be okay, and then he gets hurt.

The cordless rang, breaking the somber silence that had fallen over the living room as Sharon ran to answer it.

"Stef," She listened. "Stefanie, slow down sweetheart. What?" She covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh god," She dropped the phone falling onto the couch. I ran to pick it up.

"Grandma?" Jesus walked over. "Is Brandon okay?"

I didn't hear what Sharon's reply was as I put the phone to my ear. "Stef, it's Callie. How's Brandon? Is he okay?"

"Oh Callie…" Stef was crying. My heart dropped to my stomach.

"Stef," I felt myself choking on the worst case scenario as Mariana saw me. "What happened?"

"He...he was hit in the head…. amnesia…" The little I could make out in between Stef's sobs was enough to send me running to the bathroom to empty the contents of my stomach.

Brandon's POV

I remember a quote I read once, "The most treasured heirlooms are the sweet memories of family." I could never remember where I read it, or when, or even who wrote it, but I remember the words. Those words, even though I couldn't remember them at the time, never rang more true than they did those few months. After I was told about the bits I couldn't remember, I printed out two copies of the quote and hung one in a frame, in the hallway next to the wedding photo and one above my headboard. It's hung there ever since.

I woke up to someone shaking me. "Brandon, it's time to go kiddo." Daddy stood at the side of the bed.

"Where are we going? Am I all better?" I swung my legs.

"You are." Daddy nodded, but I saw something. He looked like he'd been crying. "You're going home B."

"Daddy," I frowned. "Are you sad?"

He shook his head smiling, but it was a fake smile, the kind that always happened after Mommy and Daddy fought. "No, Daddy's not sad Brandon."

"You're lying!" I jumped off the bed.

"Come on B, have I ever lied to you?"

I frowned. That's what adults always said before they lied, especially Daddy, every time I asked him if he drank the medicine that made him drive funny. "Where's Mommy?"

"She's out in the hall with Lena, waiting for you."

"Why do you call Miss Adams Lena?" I wrinkled my nose.

Daddy rubbed the back of his neck. "She's a really good friend of Mom and I. We've been friends for a long time."

"How come she's never come over?" I had never seen her over for the dinners that Mommy and Daddy had for their friends on Fridays. I had met Captain Roberts, and Daddy always said she was their boss not their friend even though she came over on Fridays. If Miss Adams was a friend, why wasn't she over for Friday dinners?

"She has a family of her own." Daddy said. "Friday is when she does her Sunday dinners."

Mike's POV

"How come she's never come over?"

"She has a family of her own. Friday is when she does her Sunday dinners." The story came easily. It would be easier to introduce the twins, and Callie and Jude as Lena's kids for now. I wasn't sure if Stef or the kids would agree, but I didn't think Brandon was fully aware of the divorce yet. I could tell by the way he was looking at me. I hadn't seen Brandon look at me that way in a long time as a kid or a teenager. How were we supposed to break it to him?

"Oh. Does she have any kids?" Brandon grabbed my hand.

"Yeah, she does."

"Do they live close?"

Closer than he thought. "She and her family are staying with Mom."

I saw his face change. He frowned. "Does that mean you're not staying this weekend?"

My memory cleared. This must have been after I moved out, the beginning of the separation.

"I'll have to talk to Mom okay bud?"

He nodded seemingly satisfied with that answer.

We walked out into the hallway to see... everyone. Stef had most likely called them while I was getting Brandon ready. Sharon was gripping Stef's hand. I saw the twins standing silently next to Lena, Mariana leaning against Lena's shoulder. Callie held Jude next to her

"Grandma!" Brandon's eyes lit up at the sight of the third person he recognized.

"Hey buckaroo." Stef must have briefed Sharon. "What do you say we go get something out of the vending machine? You were so brave, you deserve a treat."

After they walked away, Jesus rounded on us.

"What the hell is going on?"

Stef's POV

"Mike," I looked at my ex-husband. "How much does he remember?"

"He thinks we're separated, when I would stay weekends." Mike sighed. "I...I told him Lena was a family friend who was staying with you. He thinks the twins, Callie and Jude are her kids."

"Mike!" I groaned.

"What did you want me to tell him?" Mike sighed.

"What do you mean remember?" Jude looked at us. "What happened?"

Lena and Callie looked at each other as Lena spoke. "Do you remember that movie we watched last month? The one where the woman didn't remember she was married?"

"The one where she had amnesia?" Jude squinted and nodded. "What does that have to do with Brandon?"

"Brandon…" Callie sighed. "Doesn't remember Stef and Mike are divorced."

"What?" Jesus shouted. "Does he know us?"

"No." Lena shook her head. "That's why Mike told Brandon that."

"So," Mariana said. "Let me get this straight, we're supposed to pretend you're not our mom?" She was looking at me with one of her signature Miss Thing stares.

"We…" I sighed. "We just have to ease him into it. Right now, he's five years old Mariana."

"What does that mean? How can he be five?"

"Mentally." Lena said. I could tell she was trying to keep it together.

"This blows!" Jesus kicked one of the chairs.

"Will he... remember... I mean?" Jude asked. I had forgotten how softly Jude could speak. In the time he had been with us, he had become almost as outspoken as Jesus. But he was still the sweet boy we had met months ago.

I nodded, tears glistening at the corner of my eyes. "We just have to help him through it."

"We will." Callie nodded. "That's what family does right?"

A/N: This chapter made me choke up writing it. There will be plenty of fun to balance out the angst, I promise. Fluffy moments will be present. Also a quick note, this story will NOT be a Brallie but it is set at the end of season one, so Callie's thoughts will most likely reflect her thoughts at that time. Anything you want to see? Next chapter, the kids vent a bit, and Lena, Stef and Mike discuss things. We will also meet Jason Vanning.