AN- Again thank you for all the reviews! You guys are just so great! You have no idea how much it means to me. The next couple of Flash Backs are super hard to write. I am not a person who understands violence at all so writing it so hard. I just want every to hug and make up and be happy! Hopefully it's not too cheesy or too scary or too I don't know what I just hope it's not too something :) I am really excited to be focusing on the family and how it effects them but all differently. Have I said Thank you? I mean it THANK YOU! You guys are the best reviewers!
"The chicken bake looked so heavy" Brandon said handing Lena a plate that had two sandwiches and chips on it once her and Mariana had come down the stairs and had climbed over the air mattresses on the floor to the couch where Lena curled up against the arm while tucking Mariana in beside her while Jesus and Jude moved quickly to sit on the big air beds in front of Lena's legs on the couch.
"We wrapped it up and put it away. Tomorrow we'll eat it." He continued not really sure what to say. "You guys need to eat something though" He continued "So I made you your favorite sandwiches. I can get you something to drink"
"You know a glass of water would be great. Maybe in my big Starbucks cold cup. Then I can just share with Mariana"
Brandon nodded as he left the room to retrieve the cup while Lena settled the plate on her lap and handed half a sandwich to Mariana "Here sweetheart, eat some of this"
"No"
"It's not a question baby." She shook her head "You need a little bit, not all of it, but a little"
Mariana sighed and began to nibble on her sandwich while Lena leaned forward brushed hair on Jesus's head with her fingertip "Did you guys eat?"
Jesus nodded "We had sandwiches while you were upstairs."
"Are you guys doing okay?" She asked looking at Jude "Hi bubby, you okay?"
Both Jesus and Jude nodded as Brandon came back with two Starbucks cold cup coffee drink holders "One for mom when she comes down" He smiled and a plate of sandwiches for Stef and Callie when they came down as well.
"Thank you honey" She said taking a water that Brandon handed her taking a sip letting it cool her throat. "Want some honey?" She asked Mariana who nodded and took the water cup in her own hands.
"IF you guys need to talk" Lena said taking the cup from Mariana when she was done and tucking it beside her and the arm rest. "I am here"
The boys exchanged glances and then looked at Lena "We just want to know if you guys are okay, we didn't really see anything"
"I am so thankful for that" Lena said quietly picking at her own sandwich "But you must have been so scared not knowing where we were."
"It was scary when we were leaving with Dani and someone yelled out three more were dead."
Lena's stomach turned and both she and Mariana put their sandwiches back on the plate. "I am sorry Jude."
"We knew you were together" He said with a crack in voice "But. I was so scared I'd lose you three just like I lost mom" That was it tears were now falling down his face "Bubby" She quickly handed Jesus her plate and held open her arm to Jude. "Come…"
She didn't even get here out before Jude dove into her arms. "I am here, and I am okay" She soothed him "And so are the girls."
"I was just so scared" He whimpered "But I didn't let anyone see me cry. Until now" He sniffed "I was brave like Callie taught me to be."
"Oh Callie" Lena shook her head "Jude, you are always welcome to cry. It doesn't make you weak" She promised him as she settled him on her lap while Mariana still clung to her side. She wished there was more of her to go around in that moment. She wanted to be able to hold all of her children right now.
"I am sorry kiddos, I wish I could have prevented this day from happening."
"What happens next?" Jesus asked
Lena looked at him "What do you mean son?"
"Like what are we doing about school? Um are you safe to go back?" He looked down "Are we safe to go back?"
Lena took a deep breath as she saw the worry on her son's face "The school will be closed the rest of the week. I'll probably have to go to a few meetings here in the next few days. Your mom is off until Monday as well. So you guy's will hang around the house. We're just going to spend the rest of this time as a family."
The boys nodded while Mariana stayed quiet. "Monday morning will come, and the six of us will face it together. Sweethearts the guys who shot up the school today died."
"But it doesn't mean someone won't play copycat" Jude argued "What if someone else does it too?"
"I can't promise you, that no one will ever try it again" Lena said quietly "I wish I could, but I also know that we can't live in fear. Not us. Not this family. We pick up and we keep going and we do it together"
"Mama's right" Brandon nodded
"I get it" Jude nodded "Um, but until like Sunday can we not think about it?"
Lena rocked him slightly stirring Mariana by this motion getting a slight grunt out of her. "We have a grief counselor coming over in the morning to talk to us. We'll address this tomorrow. We don't need to dwell on it though." She assured the kids "We'll just spend time being a family"
"Oh, I like those words" everyone's heads in the living room turned to see Stef and Callie in the entrance way.
Lena's eyes went to Callie all dressed in her new pjs with her hair in two French braids that were then braided into one. Lena couldn't help but see a tired little girl standing in the entry and she couldn't help but give a little smile, she was also impressed with Stef's hair braiding skills.
"Come on in" Brandon smiled "Join us" Stef and Callie entered the living room and climbed onto the big air mattresses Stef moving to sit by Jesus and Lena's legs. Rustling Jesus's hair as she winked at him. Callie moving to sit Indian style in front of Stef while Brandon was quick to retrieve their plate with sandwiches on it and the water cup. Which he handed to Stef "Here mom, we decided the chicken bake was too heavy, so I made you a sandwich we can eat…"
"Thank you B" Stef said cutting him off knowing Brandon was just trying to help. "We appreciate it"
She set the plate in the middle of Callie and her "There ya go love, help yourself"
Callie crinkled her nose and shook her head
Stef took a sip of her water and handed it to Callie "Want some?"
Callie shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest
"Callie" Stef started when Lena cleared her throat taking over. "Callie, it's not an option you need to a few bits of your sandwich and have a little water. Just as I told Mariana. You don't have to it all but you have to eat some"
Callie looked to Lena then back to Stef who nodded while Jude climbed down from Lena's lap to carefully crawl his way to his sister. "It's really good" He promised as Callie picked up a half and began to nibble.
Stef let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding before she picked up her own sandwich and began to eat it.
"Maybe after mom and Callie are done eating, we can clear the plates off the bed "And just curl up and watch a movie until we fall asleep" Lena suggested "Oh Brandon will you go get me my bag?" Stef asked nodding to Lena's suggestion.
Brandon went and retrieved the back bring it back. Stef dug through it and found a little orange bottle.
"Stef, no" Lena shook her head "I am not taking one of those." She said realizing it was the sedatives the doctors gave Stef and advised that this first night they take them.
"Relax love" She knew getting into it with Lena would do her no good "This is for Mariana" She said casting a glance at her daughter as she opened the pill bottle and handed one to Lena.
"OH" Lena looked down and nodded knowing Stef was right the kids really did need to sleep and knowing her daughter's neither one of them would close their eyes on their own. "Okay" She agreed as she pulled her water cup back up and handed it to Mariana. "Here sweetheart, take this pill for mama okay?" She said putting the pill in the girl's hand. Both mom's watched as Marina moved robotically putting the pill into her mouth and swallowed it.
Stef and Lena exchanged worried glances as Stef swallowed the last bite of her sandwich she had scarfed. Callie took another bit of her own before putting it back on the plate "Can I be done?"
"Yes sweetheart" Lena smiled "Thank you for eating some" She then turned to Mariana "Lets claim our spots on the bed. While Jude pick's a movie"
"I am not taking that" Callie said as she watched Stef dig out another pill before she crawled away quickly to the very side of the big beds claiming her spot.
Stef and Lena exchanged a glance
"Callie, honey" Lena started
"No, Lena!" Callie snapped "I am not taking it."
Stef moved to sit next to Callie causing the girl to groan "Jude was going to be there"
Jude looked up from digging through the movies as he raised his eyebrow "What? I was? Oh.."
"You want to be next to me" Callie said shooting him a glare as she used a controlling voice that neither Lena nor Stef had ever heard her use. They watched Jude's shoulder's slump as he recognized the voice is his sister was using with him. "Of course I do Callie" He nodded before turning back to the movies while Callie smiled and patted the spot next to her "When you're ready baby" She said to Jude before pulling her knees up to her chest wrapping her arms around her legs resting her chin on the top of her knees.
Stef looked at Lena and the two of them had a silent conversation while Brandon and Jesus excused themselves for a moment claiming they needed to change and brush their teeth for bed. Really they just wanted away from the tension and awkwardness in the room for a moment.
"Callie" Stef said after Lena gave her the nod
"I am not taking the pill" She snapped cutting Stef off
Stef closed her eyes as she tried to calm herself down.
"Alright" Lena spoke up "Fine, right now you don't have to take the pill, but if at…" She stopped as glanced at the clock "If you are not asleep by midnight, then you have to take the pill. The doctor said you needed to sleep tonight. You're tired Callie. We can see it in your eyes. I can hear it in your voice. The pill is just supposed help you get past all the yucky stuff of the day and allow you to let your mind and body relax"
"Oh nice wording love" Stef said as she narrowed her eyes at her wife wanting her to take her own advice.
Lena gave Stef a disapproving look "I am a mom, I have to be alert."
"I am here"
Lena let out a frustrated sigh before nodding "Alright, Callie if either one of us is still awake at midnight we have to take the pill. Me too"
Callie rolled her eyes "Whatever, I don't need it. I'll go to sleep all on my own."
"Lena smiled at her "Good, I hope you do."
"Good we have a plan" Stef nodded "Sort of"
"We do" Lena agreed as she pulled Mariana to the edge where Callie had placed herself "Move over slug-a-bug, I think it's best if Mariana had this spot"
Callie raised her eyebrow at Lena "You two could have gone down to that end. Why this one? Go down to that one."
Lena shook her head "No, this is where Mariana and I will be, it's closet to the exit of the living room. If her migraine comes back and she starts to throw up I need her to be able to get out fast without climbing over people and Callie, I want you by mom tonight. So figure out how that looks."
Stef looked to Lena in surprised at the tone and direction she had just used with their melting down teenager. Callie wasn't melting down like her other kids did, but the girl was having a melt down and fast.
Callie locked eyes with Lena staring her down debating on if she wanted to push the envelope further. Her finger traveled to the bridge of her nose before she crawled down the bed further. "I should just go to my room" She mumbled under her breath
"What was that love?" Stef asked raising her eyebrow at the girl. All the kids knew in this house mumbling was not allowed.
"Got a movie!" Jude cried happily putting it in a movie "I picked a funny one" He smiled hoping to take some of the heat off his sister.
"That's great buddy" Stef smiled as she moved to sit next to Lena and patted the spot on the other side of her for Callie "Come laydown my sweet Callie girl" She smiled letting her know she was forgiven for the mumbling it wasn't worth making an issue tonight.
Brandon and Jesus had come back by now and piled onto the beds on the other side of Jude. "Nice choice buddy" Lena smiled when she realized he had put The Santa Clause in.
"I know it's not Christmas time" Jude blushed looking at his brother's hoping they wouldn't complain "It's just funny and..."
"Feel good kind of movie" Lena added winking at him "No, it's perfect"
"Good choice" Jesus nodded affirming his brother he was fine "It's a favorite around here"
Jude's smile grew as Brandon nodded "Couldn't have picked better."
"Alright babies" Stef clapped "Get settled, Brandon turn off the lights in this room please, but leave the ones outside of it on. Just for the night." She smiled
"Great idea" Lena whispered to her as she patted her hand
Brandon did as he was told before crawling over everyone to get to the far end of the bed.
Stef watched as the kids propped up their pillows the way they liked wrapped themselves in blankets the way they liked and one by one began to slowly quit fidgeting and allowed their bodies to rest. She glanced to her wife next to her who was propped on two pillows. Mariana curled up to her side her head rested on Lena's chest and her night night gripped tightly in her hands her eyes become glossy and heavy as the sedative was beginning to kick in. "When she's out" Stef whispered "If you need help easing her onto her pillow let me know"
Lena nodded as she leaned forward placing a kiss on her daughter's head her hand closet to Stef going out to her, Stef instantly grabbed a hold of it and squeezed it. "Love you she mouthed"
Lena mouthed it back before her eyes traveled over to Callie who was now twirling some flyaway strands of her hair and rubbing the bridge of her nose as she stared up at the ceiling fan.
Sensing what Lena was looking at Stef nodded before letting go of her hand and rolling to her side facing Callie propping herself up on her elbow while her free hand while she looked down at her beautiful girl she carefully moved Callie's hand away from the bridge of her nose before she began to run her fingertips in soothing circles across Callie's forehead. Callie's hands flew up to try and stop Stef however the blonde was quick and grabbed Callie's hands kissing her fingertips. "Put your hands down love, just rest, I am right here. I got you" She whispered before she began tracking her forehead, the more she did it the heavier Callie's eyes became. She leaned forward and placed a kiss on the girls forehead as her eyes closed and stayed closed. She went back to tracing soothing circles on her forehead for a few more minutes before she just left her hand resting on her forehead "She's out Lena" She whispered to her wife to give her some peace of mind.
"Mariana too" Lena whispered back
"Boys"
"All still awake" Brandon smiled "But we are thankful our sisters are resting."
The Fosters
FB
Lean's stomach turned as she herd the heavy footsteps in the hall. Her heart was racing she prayed whoever was in the hall couldn't hear how loud it was beating. She was pretty sure it was going to beat out of her chest. She could feel Callie's body behind her. She could feel her chest rising and falling just as fast as Lena's heart was beating. Her hand sweaty in Lena's hand. All she wanted to do was tell her daughter it was going to be okay. She wanted her voice to bring comfort to the teen behind her. One that hadn't been in their family long, but had touched Lena's heart just as her other kids had done. This was a moment in life where as a mother she just wanted to hold her daughter and whisper soothing things into her ears. Letting her know the world wasn't as awful as it seemed. Callie had not been held enough in her life. She hadn't had those reassurances. Now she had Lena and Stef and they were her mothers and she couldn't even hold her. All she could do was offer a squeeze to the hand to let her know she was there.
"They've got the place surrounded" The voice of a teenage boy was herd. Lena pressed herself further into their hiding space. Thankful they couldn't be seen to the glance of the hall as she strained to recognize the voice. "Did you ever see vice Principal Adams?" Another voice was herd. Lena recognized that one right away. Andrew Miller a boy Jesus's age came from a troubled family but had been a loving kid. Smart worked hard. Always treated her with so much respect. She adored him. Then last week a fight had broken out between him and a well off kid, due to the nature of the fight Lena's hands were tied and she had to suspend both boys. It truly had been one of the hardest things she'd ever done
She felt Callie's hand shaking in hers at the mention of her name.
"No, but her office door is locked, I am sure that's where she is" The other voice responded "I sure we'll find her in there hiding like a coward while all her students die around her. Too bad we didn't find one of her own kids. Would have been satisfactory to blow one of their brains out in front of her."
Andrew laughed "Then we could make her clean up the blood in front of us, throw their dead body into a dumpster before putting a bullet into her spine. We wouldn't kill her we'd leave her to suffer paralyzed and suffering knowing it was her fault one of her nasty children was dead.
Lena put her hand over mouth to keep from crying out. Her stomach turned. Never in her life had she herd such hateful truly evil talk. She felt Callie's other hand snake under her cardigan to grab onto Lena's shirt holding on tightly as she buried her face in Lena's back. After a second she could even feel Callie's hot tears soaking through. All she could do was offer a squeeze.
Andrew's voice spoke again "Let's go Lena haunting" He laughed as more footsteps were herd stopping where the other two were. "No sign of her, but man people squeal right before they die!"
"To Lena's office" Andrew ordered and three sets of footsteps could be herd walking in the other direction.
Lena waited for about thirty seconds before poking her head out. She wanted to throw up. If it weren't for feeling Callie's knuckled fingers against her bare back skin from the girl was clutching her shirt she might actually throw up. Feeling the light touch of her daughter's skin helped remind her to stay calm. She was after all the mom in the situation.
"I have to get you out of here Callie" She whispered "And get back before they find Mariana"
"You can't go back" Callie whispered her voice cracking "They'll kill you. We have to get you outside and let the police get them."
Lena scanned the empty hallways and pulled Callie with her as she kicked off her shoes "Take yours off too" She commanded her daughter in a forced whisper. Callie gave her a quizzical "We won't make as much noise when we start to run"
Callie sighed these were her favorite shoes. She'd earned enough allowance to buy them for herself. They were the first brand new pairs of shoes she'd owned since before her mother died. She knew Lena and Stef would buy her some, but with five kids she hated to ask. She kicked them off quietly while Lena's hand tightened on hers. "We're going to run Callie" She said seriously as she scanned the halls one more time. Getting Callie out was her first priority as she was out in the open and then getting help to Mariana was next. She'd do anything to make sure her daughters were safe. "Callie, I love you baby girl" She said softly "Alright run" She stated as she began to run pulling Callie with her.