AN- Happy Mother's day out there to all the mom's and mother figures there are. Sometimes it's more then just giving birth to someone to be a mom. There are many kind of moms out there and mom's really are a special gift.
Thank you again for all your support and feedback! You guys are the best! ENJOY
The Fosters
She didn't feel right. Callie opened her eyes rubbing them a few times as she scanned the room. It was dark. Her eyes traveled to the clock on her nightstand the big red numbers told it was one thirty in the morning. She sat up and looked around confused. Then she remembered they had gone to the frozen yogurt shop for a family outing and the balloon popped scaring her. She remembered bolting and running as fast as she could. She couldn't stick around this time. Even though part of her brain had told her to, her legs had told her otherwise. She didn't even know which way she had started running until Jesus caught up with her at some point and pretty much tackled her to the ground for a moment to get her to stop running. He sat with her on the pavement for a few minutes while she caught her breath before he helped her up put his arm around her shoulders, and they wordless stood up and walked the last half block to their house. She'd been going home. For the first time in her life she'd been running home not away.
She remembered once they were in the house she'd gone straight to her room. She picked up the bear Lena had given her wrapped her arms around it and put her head down on the pillow. She must have fallen asleep the second her head hit the pillow. She realized her shoes had been taken off and she'd been covered with two different blankets. A bottle of water and package of crackers at next to her bed with a pink sticky note that just said love mom. The water suddenly sounded so good she grabbed the bottle and greedily drank it as fast as she could. Her eyes traveling to Mariana's bed not surprised to find it empty. There had been talk of sleeping all together again down stairs for one more night. She closed her eyes and massaged her temples remembering again why she woke up. She felt awful. Her body ached, she was cold yet her skin felt hot. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this awful. She pushed the blankets off of her and stood up black spots formed in front of her eyes and the room began to spin for a moment before she managed to gain balance before slowly starting her trek towards the living room but upon passing Stef and Lena's room she spotted the door open and two night lights had been turned on making the room brighter.
Callie slowly approached the door way and peered in seeing three figures under blankets. The boys must have decided to want to sleep in their own room. She thought to herself as she slowly crept to the room coming to the side that was closest to the door. Which she knew to be Lena's side. She stopped once she was at the side of the bed. Looking down she could see all three looked to be sleeping so peacefully she didn't want to wake them. However the moment her stomach turned and her head began to throb she changed her mind quickly. She used her knees to gently push against the bed jiggling it ever so slight "Mama" She whispered.
Lena felt the bed move and she heard her name not fully awake and expecting it to be Jude. "What's up buddy?" She asked groggily as she blindly reached for him. "Can't sleep?"
"Mama, I don't feel good" Callie said in a panicked whisper this time bringing Lena fully to alert.
"Callie?" She questioned sitting up and turning on her bedside light while swinging her legs over the bed to put them on the ground then pulling Callie between them using her knees to steady her as she reached up and felt her forehead. Which she really didn't need to do. She could tell by the grayish color that the girl was sick.
"Oh good grief! Sweetheart you're burning up." She gasped once her hand touched Callie's forehead. "Mama, I really don't feel good" Callie whimpered as she started to sway a little.
"I know baby" Lena said standing up so she could help Callie sit down where she'd been.
"What's going on?" Stef asked sitting up after hearing the tone of Lena"
"Callie's sick" Lena said quickly as she settled the girl down on their bed. "Lena, I…" Callie's body jolted as she tried to get up her hands flying to her mouth. Thankfully Lena was experienced with knowing when a child was going to throw up. She quickly grabbed her trash can and held in front of her while pushing her back down holding the trash can under. Mariana sat up during this and tried to make better room for her sister while rubbing her back.
"What the heck could she possibly be throwing up a piece of bacon and three bites of soup?" Stef asked as she watched as the girl's body was shaken by heaves. "Hang on baby" Stef said climbing off the bed "Mom's got you" She headed into the bathroom returning moments later returning with a cup of water, wet rag and a thermometer. She handed the cup and rag to Lena, while she powered on the thermometer and moved hair away from Callie's ear before placing it in the air waiting for a quick read. Her hand resting on the top of the girls head's she didn't need the thermometer to tell her baby was burning up.
Lena put the rag on the back of Callie's neck while she waited for the beep to let them know the damage.
Once it beeped Stef pulled it away from Callie's ear and looked at sucking in some hair quickly as Lena leaned over her shoulder gasping slightly. "Stef that's too high!"
Stef was already heading to their closet to grab a sweatshirt "Way too high, looks like Miss Callie and I have an emergency room date."
"No" Callie whined slightly before Lena made her take a sip of the water. "It's alright honey" She looked to Stef "Let me get dressed too."
Stef came out of the closet pulling a hoody over head "Normally love, I'd say of course" She shot a glance to Mariana "But…"
Lena looked at her daughter who's eyes were wide and obviously trying to hold it all together. "Right, your right it's really late. I don't want Jude to wake up and find out Callie's sick and we're all gone." She turned to Mariana "Miss. Thing can you run to yours and Callie's room and grab her some thing she can wear to the hospital, something that will keep her warm?"
Mariana nodded "Mom's will take care of you Cal" She promised as she slid off the bed to go get her sister some sweats noticing she was still in the jeans she'd fallen asleep in.
Lena turned her attention back to Callie "Sweetheart, can you tell me exactly what doesn't feel good? When did this start?"
"My arm hurts" Callie admitted "And I haven't really felt good all day." She admitted "I woke up feeling off."
"Callie" Stef shook her head "You should have said something a lot sooner sweets" She said as she watched Lena grab Callie's arm and quickly unwrapped it while Stef cursed herself for not remembering to clean it today. She'd help Lena with hers but she hadn't checked Callie's. She'd meant to the day just got away from her.
"Oh my gosh" Lena gasped once the bandage was removed as Stef covered her mouth. Callie's arm was slightly yellow with puss surrounding it. It was inflamed and puffy.
"Okay, love" Stef said grabbing Callie's face in her hand "You have to tell us sooner when something doesn't feel right. Even if it's something as little as a headache. Mama and I need to know these tings. This could lead to a very serious problem."
Callie's eyes welled up with tears as she looked away "I didn't want to bother you"
"Honey" Lena shook her head "We can give her this lecture later"
Stef nodded "It's coming with our mom daughter talk that needs to happen" She said softly as she slipped her shoes on.
"Here mama" Mariana said coming into the room with warm sweats for Callie and her new teddy bear tucked under her arm.
"Thank you baby girl" Stef said taking the sweats from Mariana "Alright Call, lets get you changed into these. I'll be careful of your arm." She assured the girl as Callie shook her head "No, I don't want to change. I want to go back to bed. Please.. Please Lena" She begged as tears fell harder "Mama please"
Lena's heart broke and leapt for joy at the same time. Callie was slipping mama in more and more. Granted she didn't feel good and clearly had a high fever. Yet she was also begging Lena to protect her and she knew she couldn't let her stay home.
"It'll be better if you are wearing these. Easier and more comfy at the doctors"
"But I don't want to go" Callie cried as she rubbed the bridge of her nose "I want to stay right here with you. I'll be feeling better in the morning."
Lena gave Stef a helpless look, she was having a hard time staying strong at this moment. Maybe it was running for her life yesterday holding Callie's hand the entire time. Trying to keep her alive as well. She wanted nothing more then to keep Callie with her at that moment.
Stef nodded knowing exactly what she needed at this moment. She needed her to be the strong parent. She needed her to make Callie do what they needed.
"We'll be back with mama soon love bug" Stef assured Callie as she pushed her back slightly on the bed seeing how weak the girl was she didn't even try to fight her. With the help of Lena they quickly managed to get Callie out of her jeans and into the sweats with socks and shoes on and draping a zip up sweater gently over her arms careful to not bother the injury more.
"I don't want to go" Callie cried again her fever clearly ruling her emotions. Stef had never seen the girl so vulnerable and young sounding as she did now. Her lower lip sticking out and trembling was the icing on the cake. She was almost not strong enough to make her go either. She quickly pushed past it grabbing a blanket from the end of the bed as well as Callie's bear. She stood and helped Callie to her feet.
"Here" Lena handed Stef her cell phone from off the charger "If you need me please don't hesitate to call. I am sure Mike and Brandon would come over for a little while.
"Mama you can go" Mariana whispered "I'll be okay."
"I want mama to stay here with you and Jude" Stef told Mariana "That'll make Jude feel better"
"Jesus will sleep through everything" Lena laughed
"Right?" Stef smiled as she led the protesting Callie to the door. "I'll keep you updated."
"I don't want to go" Callie cried " and I am going to be sick again" She sobbed as Lena got in front of her with a trash can "I'll help you get her to the car" She said softly.
"This is hard" Stef whispered to Lena who looked like she was equally going to lose it.
"She has to go" Lena reminded Stef "Her fever is dangerously high and we can't treat that infection. You're going to be able to help more if needles are involved" She whispered to her rebuilding Stef confidence she needed.
"Right" She nodded as they managed to get Callie to the car into the front seat protesting the whole time. Lena took the blanket and bear from Stef and leaned in the car buckling Callie up she tucked her in placing the bear beside her tucking him in as well "Don't worry sweetie, mom's going to take very good care of you. You'll be back before you know it. We're just going to get you feeling better"
"I don't want to go" Callie whimpered "Why can't I stay here with you?"
Lena was pretty sure her heart broke yet again. She couldn't believe a heart could break so many times in just a few days.
"You'll be back here with me before you know it slug a bug" She assured her as she brushed some hair away from Callie's sticky hot forehead. "Mom's going to take good care of you." She promised as Callie as she backed out before Callie could reach her. She shut the door. "Keep me posted"
"I will" Stef nodded as she hugged Lena to her "She'll be fine. I promise"
"I know" She nodded "It's just hard to hear her beg for me."
"I understand" Stef said rubbing Lena's arms "And normally I would suggest you come with me but I think Mariana and Jude need you here."
Lena turned and looked at the house knowing Stef was right "Call me if anything comes up. Check in with me please?"
"Of course my love"
"Remember her fever is high she's not herself"
"Baby, I've taken care of sick children before too" Stef assured her "I got it. I don't have a coffee mug that says #1 mom for nothing"
Lena actually cracked a smile at that "Alright, go hurry" She smiled before hurrying into the house before she changed her mind.
THE FOSTERS * THE FOSTERS * THE FOSTERS*
Stef hated the emergency room. It was a lot of sitting around and waiting. Her child was sick, she was suffering down out right miserable. Sure they had been checked in rather quickly. Even been given a room and saw a nurse who asked for all the systems. However that had been over an hour and now they just waited.
Stef sitting curled up on the hospital next to Callie trying to soothe her by running her fingers through her daughter's hair. Telling her stories from her own childhood and the mischief she had caused.
"You're making us look good" Callie whispered leaning against Stef while her hand absent mindlessly played with the ends of her mother's long blonde hair rubbing it between her thumbs as she fought to keep her eyes open.
Stef couldn't help but smile "The five of you? Good?" She laughed then leaned in and kissed her forehead "The five of you are good kid's baby. Mama and I are so lucky to have you."
"You really think we're good?" Callie asked "Even though we bicker? Forget to do our chores. Argue with you."
"You guys make mistakes" Stef countered "And mama and I are here to correct those mistakes, and love you through them. It doesn't make you a bad kids"
Callie rubbed her tired eyes "Stef, I don't feel good."
"I know my love, I hope the doctor comes in here soon" She said softly as she climbed off the bed "I am going to go find out what's taking so long."
"NO" Callie sat up quickly as she reached for Stef's arm "No, mom don't go Please Mom!."
The title Stef had been longing to hear come Callie. Mom. "Okay. Okay" She held up her hands "I won't leave you. I'll stay right here. Just take a deep breath. Calm down easy does it. We don't need you throwing up again. You have nothing in your tummy to throw up."
"Well hello" The door open and Dr. Hopper came in wearing a pink bow tie this time and the same smile as last time "I heard one of my favorite patients was back. Made me thankful to be working the late shift tonight!"
Callie's eyes got big "I am one of your favorites? I am a big baby!"
"You aren't a baby. You've got spunk in you kid. I like spunk!" He smiled as he tapped her knee "Sorry you are not feeling well"
Dr. Hopper said looking over his notes before putting them down and putting on some gloves.
Stef moved so the doctor could look at Callie's arm. He let out a whistle "Wow, that looks painful. I am sorry Callie. "What I am going to do is start an IV drip" He said looking to Stef "Were going to put a fever reducer in it, and something for the nausea. I am going a culture from the wound to see if it's just on the upper skin or if it's spreading deeper. After I get the answer to that we'll know how to best treat this okay?"
Stef nodded as she braced herself for the fight she was going to have with Callie and getting an IV started. "Should I hold her?" She asked "For the IV? Like I did last time?"
"You can" He nodded "Or I can have a few nurses come in. What would be less traumatic for her?"
"I'll hold her" Stef nodded "But maybe an extra nurse to help since I don't have Lena this time."
Dr. Hopper was going to say more when there was a knock on the door before the door opened slowly and Lena stepped in. "What's this about not having Lena?"
"Lena" Stef said in surprise as Callie's eyes lit up "Mama?"
"Hi sweetheart" She smiled stepping in. "Jude woke up and he and Mariana decided that hanging out in the hospital emergency waiting room sounded like a lot of fun. So they woke up Jesus packed all the junk they could manage and are now camping out so I could be here with you and Callie. They all decided if it were them they'd want both their moms. Callie deserved both her moms.
Dr. Hopper smiled "I'll be getting a nurse in here to start that IV right away. Then I'll get the culture going"
Stef nodded "Thank you Dr." She said as Lena approached the bed "How are you feeling baby?" She reached out and touched her retracting her hand at how hot she was "Dr. Hopper her fever is going up. I can tell just by touching her!" She said alarm filling her voice.
"The IV will help" He promised "We'll also bring in some cool rags and pack them around her. That'll help" He promised as he ducked out quickly to grab a nurse and what they needed.
"I don't want an IV" Callie said softly shaking her had at Stef "Please mom!"
"I know" Stef said crawling behind her like she did last time wrapping her tightly in her arms while Lena sat on the side of the bed in front. "This is going to make you feel so much better baby" She promised and sighed with relief as Dr. Hopper was true to his words and came back in quickly with a nurse and all the supplies. "Lets get you feeling better Callie" He said seriously as a nurse hooked the IV bags to poles.
Tears fell freely down Callie's face "Mama" She begged sounding so small reaching for Lena "Save me! You said you'd save me yesterday."
"This fever is killing me" Lena let out a sigh as even Stef began to cry at the helplessness she felt.
"We'll be quick" Dr. Hopper promised knowing this family just needed a slight break.
"Alright angel" The nurse smile as she took Callie's arm while Stef held Callie firmly against her body and Lena leaned up and grabbed Callie's face in her hands holding it still making their brown eyes meet. "Just look at me love bug" She said softly "Feel mom and me right here with you. I know you don't feel good. I know that's scaring you. Feel us here. Feel how safe you are in our arms."
The nurse worked quickly to clean the area and find a vein. Lena's words must have hit something deep inside Callie as she kept her eyes on Lena the entire time and didn't even flinch once the IV was inserted. That was progress. Callie for one of the first times in her life had felt safe in the arms of the women who loved her unconditionally.
The Fosters
FB
"That was horrific Stef" Lena said to Stef as they walked out of the hospital after giving their police statements. Each of them with a daughter tucked firmly to their sides. "Giving our statements shouldn't have been that horrific"
Stef couldn't agree more with her. She'd missed the first few minutes of them giving their statements as she gone out and called her own mother giving her the run down of what had happened. Then called the boys to let them know they'd be home with in the next hour or so. One her phone calls had been wrapped up she'd gone back to the room and listened as her wife and two children relived what was probably the scariest few minutes of their lives. To hear each person's version, to hear what they were thinking, then to hear the police officers ask detailed questions They weren't in trouble. They knew who had done this but the way the police asked the questions there was a time or two she felt like her wife and children were under trial. All she wanted to do was pack them up whisk them away and never look back.
"It's finally over though right?" Callie asked "We don't have to do anything more? No more hospitals? No more police? We don't have to talk about it anymore do we?"
Stef knew it was not possible to pull Callie any closer into her side then how she had her right now but it didn't stop her from trying. "No more police, no more hospitals" Stef agreed "But my love we're going to have to talk about it more. Talking about it is the only way that is going to bring us healing."
Callie pulled away once they reached the car and eyed Stef skeptically "You say that every week!" She said angrily "When you force me to go to those damn group sessions! I don't feel any better!"
"Language" Stef warned as she unlocked the car and helped Mariana in who now for the first time was losing it. Lena had gone stone walled right after her comment about being horrific and Callie was melting down in anger fit. This was one of those moments where Stef didn't feel like she had it all together. In fact she was pretty sure these were moments that made her the worst mother of the year. Did she just correct her daughter's language? Really? The kid had been through enough.
"I know Callie, I know your angry and you have ever right to be. You've gone through a lot in your life."
"Whatever" Callie mumbled "I am fine, I just don't agree with hand holding, flower wearing, hippie dippie lets talk about feelings mumbo jumbo."
Mariana was now crying harder now and Lena had already climbed into the front seat and had checked out leaving Stef to buckle in an angry teenage and a hysterical teenager. "Lord give me strength" She sighed to herself as she got Mariana into her seat and buckled her in before leaning in awkwardly and holding her for a few minutes whispering soothing words to her. Every time she tried to pull away Mariana would hold on tighter whimpering "No, mommy no." While Callie buckled herself in leaning her head against the window seething.
"I promise you Miss. Thing once we get home I'll hold you okay? Lets get you home to your brother yes?"
Mariana finally released Stef wanting to see Jesus. "Okay"
Stef leaned over and patted Callie's knee "We'll re address group therapy for you in a few days alright? We are going to counseling together. We are going to talk this out together. We aren't going to hide behind walls because we are not alone any more Callie. We have a family that is here for each other."
Callie's eyes met Stef's hazels as she managed to calm herself down a little to give a nod letting Stef know she understood what she had just said.
Stef winked at her "I love you Callie" She then planted a kiss on Mariana's forehead "I love you princess" She then shut the door going around to the driver seat. Finally taking her girls home to her boys so they could be all together as a family, just as they had been that morning at breakfast before the world through them a hard ball. The world felt different but she was sure once they were all together it would feel a little bit safer as they would be together safe in the arms of the ones they loved the most.