AN- Wow 31 chapters! I couldn't do it with out you guys! You make this fun! Sadly we are nearing the end of this story just a few chapters left! However I am starting to think of new things I'd like to try! :) So we'll see where we end up! ENJOY

"I think setting up a flower shop right next to a cemetery is a genius idea, and quite honestly maybe the saddest line of work" Stef said to Lena after they exited the little shop with a beautiful bouquet of Gerber daises.

Lena slipped her hand into Stef's squeezing as as a small smile tugged at her lips "We don't know where Colleen's grave is."

"Nope, I guess we get to go for a walk" She smiled "And we're holding hands. We could almost pretend this is a romantic date."

Lena let out a loud laugh and a eye roll "Expect we are walking through a huge cemetery looking for our daughter, carrying flowers we intend to put on her birth mother's grave. Kind of takes the romance out."

"So a quickie behind that tree is out?" Stef asked trying to keep a straight face as Lena's jaw dropped before she burst out laughing.

"Stefanie Marie Adams Fosters" Lena covered her mouth with her hand "You're a piece of work" She shook her head "Why do I feel like we should be in trouble for saying that."

Stef shrugged "You laughed, that's all that matters. I am sure the people occupying these graves like hearing laughter every once in awhile."

Lena looked around and rubbed her arm "I want to find my daughter and go home."

Stef nodded "We will love" She said as the two began to walk around the property.

"There" Lena pulled Stef to a stop and pointed down a ways. First she spotted Daphne sitting under a tree and then she saw probably one of the most heart breaking scenes she'd ever seen as a mother. Their daughter curled up in a ball on her mother's grave her hand on the tombstone.

"Oh lovie" Stef sighed taking in the sight

"We're there for her now" Lena said softly "We'll save the lecture for a little bit."

Stef nodded "Yes"

Lena squeezed Stef's hands and the two of them walked quickly to where Callie was laying. However they stopped by Daphne first kneeling down to talk to her.

"Hello sweetheart" Lena said softly placing her hand on Daphne's knee

Daphne cleared her throat and tried to not jerk her knee away. As her eyes stayed on Stef "I tried to talk her out of coming. Several times really. She was insistent."

Stef smiled and nodded "Yeah, she's kind of stubborn."

"I am sorry"

Lena shook her head "No, don't be. Thank you for going with her."

"Were you guys coming here on Monday?" Stef asked "Before the shooting?"

Daphne nodded "Yes, that was the plan. I again was trying to convince her to just go to you. We were in the middle of a don't cut school battle. I was trying to get her stay until the end of the day."

Lena nodded as she looked to Stef "And that's why I found her at her locker with her cell. She was getting ready to cut."

"Thank God she did" Stef mumbled knowing Callie's class had been targeted and kids had died in that room. Andrew would have seen her."

Lena's eyes flashed the recognition of what Stef was thinking as Daphne raised her eyebrow at Stef before she too nodded. "Her class room had kids die huh?" Daphne looked to Lena "I am sorry."

Lena squeezed Daphne's knee "You're a good friend to my daughter. I value you."

"Well I should go" She said standing up "But you know should know she's tried to open her mouth to speak several times but nothing comes out. She then burst into tears and did that" She pointed to where Callie was laying "She then did that. I didn't know what to do... I was.."

Lena patted her shoulder "You did great honey."

Daphne shrugged "I gotta go..."

"No" Stef shook her head "Sit down love, we'll give you a ride home or to work where ever you need to go. It's the least we can do."

"I don't want to be.." Stef narrowed her eyes at Daphne who sat back down "Thank you" She finally said.

Stef winked at the girl who tried to be so very tough, who had a hard life and walls up so high around her. Yet Stef saw through them. This girl was just the same as her Callie girl. She was just looking to be loved. "It's going to be okay Daphne" She promised her "And no matter what happens Lena and I won't stop you and Callie from being friends. Even if she gets grounded."

Daphne smiled "Thank you. I need her. She keeps me grounded."

"And she needs you" Stef nodded before turning to Lena "Let's go be with Callie."

Lena nodded as she grabbed Stef's hand and the two made their way over to their daughter.

Both came and sat down beside her placing their hands on her back rubbing circles into her back as Callie kept crying silently.

Lena placed the flowers nicely by Colleen's name as Callie sat up slowly wiping her eyes giving Lena a confused look "You brought my mom flowers?"

Stef reached out and caught a tear with her thumb "Paying respect to the woman who gave us our beautiful baby girl."

Callie turned around wrapping her arms around her legs.

"Alright slug a bug" Stef looked at Callie "You need to talk to your mom. Tell her why you came here today."

Callie looked back at the grave "It's harder than I thought it would be."

Stef slipped her hand into Callie's and held it tightly. "Just talk to her, just like you do with mama and I."

Callie looked to Lena who gave an encouraging smile "This is important to you baby girl. Talk to her. It's alright. No one is going to judge you for what you say."

Callie looked back to Stef who nodded in agreement. "Yes, this had been on your heart for awhile now huh love?"

Callie looked down at the grass before looking up to the tombstone "Hey mom, I just wanted to check in with you. Let you know that Jude and I are doing okay, better then okay. We finally our new forever home. He's so happy mom he's excelling in everything. Total baby of the family and everyone just eats him up. He loves it."

She paused before looking up at Stef who nodded again "It's okay to be honest baby."

Callie turned back and crawled forward slightly tracing Colleen's name with her fingertips. "I love our new home, we've got not one but two new people who want to be our moms and love us just like you did. Jude loves that. I love that, but mom…" She paused "I am having a hard time."

Lena looked to Stef who gave her a small wink letting her know this was okay. This was raw and this is what Callie needed.

"I am trying" Callie bit her lip "But something keeps getting in the way, and I thought on Monday when I was originally coming to talk to you that I had it figured it out. I thought if I came and just said goodbye to you and apologized to you for not kissing you goodbye that I would feel better." Tears were coming again and Callie moved even closer to Colleen's name. "Then, we were in a school shooting." She looked up at the sky "I know you know we are safe now. Jude thinks that you came down and protected us. I kind of like that thought." She paused "And I didn't get to come out here on Monday after all, I was too busy getting stitches. Which I hate" She mumbled

Callie turned back to Lena and locked eyes with her for a second. "I don't know."

"You can tell her anything! Callie she's listening. Be honest. If you're worried about me, don't be I can take whatever you have to say too. I promise. It won't change my love for you, and you know something it won't change her love for you."

Callie turned back to her mother "Then I realized something the other day. Thinking back to the moment where Lena grabbed me to stop me from getting shot saving us both. I started thinking about how dumb that was. She shouldn't have stepped in front of a bullet for me. I mean had her timing been off by one second. I could be sitting in a place like this with her name written on some slab of cement.. But then I… I realized there was a difference. She was being my mom and she didn't think about the bullet hitting her. It was a split second choice. I would have done the same thing for her had I seen it. I love her."

Now tears were coming harder and faster "But mom, what you did was stupid! And I am so mad at you for it!" She screamed as she slammed her hand down hard on the cement causing Stef to reach for her quickly pulling her back into her lap restraining her against her body. Knowing at this point Callie was erupting and she wouldn't be stopped but that also means her hand would not have stopped hitting the slab. Lena did a quick check to see that one hit had scraped Callie's hand up and it was already swelling just a little.

"You were so Stupid" Callie screamed kicking her legs instead as Stef kept her tightly wrapped in her arms her chin resting on the top of Callie's head. "You knew he was drinking! It wasn't a surprise to you! You had a choice!" Callie cried "You could have not gotten in the car with him! You could have taken the keys! You could have even called a freaking cab!" Her legs were kicking harder. "You got into a car with him drunk! You were a brilliant woman. You knew drinking and driving was deadly"

Lena bit her lip as she watched as all this buried rage came out of her daughter.

"Your choice was selfish" Callie screamed "You didn't think about Jude or I at all. You just got into a car with a very drunk man and because of that Jude and I were left all alone! How did you think we do this without you?! We needed our mom! We were all alone before Stef and Lena found us! Home after home terrible situation after terrible situation. I did my best to protect Jude" She wiped angrily at her eyes "But no one protected me! I needed you to protect me. No one protected me" Tears were falling harder and faster and her body was shaking in Stef's arms

"Until Monday" She whimpered "I was rolling my eyes, talking back being a snot for who knows whatever reason, I don't really know why but Lena she took it all in with great stride and didn't matter that I had just been a compete brat to her twenty minutes before. She still risked her life to protect me."

Callie stopped kicking her legs and fell back against Stef closing her eyes "I've been afraid of getting too close to these women here who want to be my moms" She whispered "Because I was afraid it would be betraying you mom"

Stef kissed Callie's hairline while Callie kept talking "And I don't understand how you could have done something so incredibly selfish by getting into that car that night. But in order for me to move on. I need to tell you I forgive you mom and I love you. I will always love you. But you're not here anymore and I have two women here who don't have to be but are choosing to be my moms and I have to let them. I don't know what it's going to look like exactly. I know I still have a lot of stuff to work through"

Lena reached out and caught some tears with her thumbs before finding Callie's non bruised hand and held onto it. "But, I need you to know that I need them, and I hope you are okay with Jude and I being adopted. Calling them our moms. You'll never stop being our mom or the one that gave us life.. But we still need a mom and you're not here.. Please understand that we need this."

"Callie" Lena said softly squeezing her hand "Honey, you're mommy gets it. She's not angry with you for allowing us into your heart. She knows your heart has room for all three of us."

Callie looked to Lena "How do you know this? You never met her?"

Lena smiled "But we've shared one of the greatest gifts, and that's calling you and Jude our kids. I am a mom Callie, I am your mom and I know that if God forbid something ever happened to me. I would want someone to step in and love my kids unconditionally. To take care of them. To protect them. I want that for you! Because of my love for you. Sharing you has connected me to her Callie and I know and you have to trust me on this sweetheart. She wants you and Jude to be loved all the way. However that looks. She's okay with you having more parents. She knows she's not replaced."

"What mama is saying is true Callie" Stef whispered to her "It's okay to love, and let us be your mom. It's not betraying her. You can still love her and love us. You can let us be your moms. It's okay"

Callie nodded and wiped her eyes "You still want me? Even after the last few days? You know I am still kind of a mess"

"We'll always want you" Stef whispered into her ear as she continued to hold her against her "You complete this family."

Lena leaned forward and brushed some hair out of Callie's eyes before kissing her forehead "I love you my Callie girl."

Callie nodded as she leaned out of Stef's arms to wrap her arms around Lena resting her chin on her shoulder. Lena rubbing her hands up and down her back as she just told her over and over again that she loved her.

"Thank you for protecting me" Callie said after a minute

"Never have to thank me, I will always do it, and I always do it willingly… Do you know why?" Lena asked softly

Callie nodded her chin against Lena's shoulder.

"I want to hear you say it" Lena said softly but in a serious tone. "Why?"

Callie pulled away and looked at Lena their eyes locking as they stared each other for a few intense minutes. "Why did I protect you Callie? Why?" Her tone so even so serious. Pushing Callie out of her comfort zone. Making her break some of those walls.

Callie and Lena's stare down continued for a few more seconds before the sound of Callie clearing her throat. Most likely trying to get rid of a lump that was surely forming in her throat. "Because you're my…." She paused one more second "Because you're my mom."

Lena's eyes filled with tears as she quickly and with such great force pulled Callie back into her arms hugging her tighter then she ever had. "Because I am your mom" She agreed.

"Me too" Stef said tapping Callie's arm. "We're your moms and we aren't going anywhere kiddo. We will always do our best to keep you safe and to make sure you know how loved you are."

Callie nodded as she pulled away from Lena and in turn threw her arms around Stef. Lena however not done hugging her child wrapped her from behind creating the most perfect mama sandwich. The three stayed like that for a good five minutes as each one of them cried the tears that needed to be cried. Tears of pain, and joy, hurt and healing all in one.

Lena finally broke away and looked at Callie "We're going to take the morning to reflect, let our emotions calm down. Then later today you mom and I are going to talk about you sneaking off and coming here alone, leaving a note and just having your cell with you is not an okay method in this family. There will be consequences for your actions. I want you to know this ahead of time. However I think you mom and I need to all have a few hours to process this morning and let our emotions clear up a little. So our discussion doesn't turn into a yelling match."

Callie nodded "Yes mama"

"Can I see your hand?" Stef asked as she got up to her feet as Callie extended her the hand in question. It was bruised and scraped but not broken. She brought it up to her lips and kissed it. "Let's go take Daphne home and go home."

Callie nodded as she headed over to Daphne Stef and Lena hanging back a second. Stef reached out and traced the letters in Colleen's name. "Thank you, I kind of feel as if you led Callie and Jude to us. I promise I am going to take care of your babies. I love them as if they were my own."

Lena placed her hand over Stef's and nodded "You gave us two amazing children. We're going to right by you and raise them well. We do love them. They'll never be alone again" She whispered

Stef finally pulled Lena away from the grave and the two of them headed to the car very somberly lost in their own thoughts and feelings while Callie and Daphne talked in hushed whispers ahead of them.

FB

"Are they asleep?" Stef asked as Lena crawled into bed crawling instantly over to Stef wrapping her arms around her resting her chin on her chest. "Yeah, every last one of them."

Stef laughed as she ran her fingers through Lena's hair "Sorry, I missed out on tucking them into tonight"

Lena looked up at her "You're supposed to be resting. Its okay. I sent them to say goodnight to you while I was proofing Jude's report did any of them?"

Stef nodded "All of them at different times. Brandon first he came and sat with me for a little bit. He showed me his new music he's working on" Stef shifted trying to get comfortable. "Am I hurting you?" Lena asked "I am not on the side you were…"

"Shot?" Stef asked "Love you can say shot."

Lena crinkled her nose but didn't say anything

"Anyways you're not hurting me, it's fine baby" She promised "I like having you in my arms."

Lena turned again "So B showed you his music." Stef nodded "Mariana came and gave me the newest gossip at Anchor Beach, and pained my nails" She said showing Lena her now red finger nails who laughed "Not really your color if you ask me."

Stef smiled and shook her head "No, but she had fun doing it and I got to hear what was going on in her head without her really knowing she was telling me. She's feeling guilty because of Ana. I just told her I wanted to snuggle her for a bit. I think she was craving that but didn't know how to ask. I think we should keep our eye on that one. I think there's some emotional stuff going on"

Lena nodded "Yeah, good idea."

"Then Jude came in and showed me his B on his Math Test. Oh he was so excited."

Lena laughed "Yeah he was dancing around the kitchen all afternoon. It was cute."

"Jesus came in and him and I talked sports for awhile, he caught me up on all the scores he felt I needed to know." She smiled "And just sat quietly with me. It was nice. I haven't had him just come sit with me in so long."

Lena nodded "He's too active for that."

Stef nodded "And then Callie came in" She smiled and she climbed onto the bed with me getting as close to me as she could without actually touching me" Stef smiled "She had her phone with her and was showing me pictures she'd taken recently. Then told me about a book she started reading every few seconds moving just a little bit closer. Until I pulled her into my arms and just held her against me. She didn't say anything. We were quiet together for a good fifteen minutes."

Lena crinkled her nose "I wonder what was going her mind?"

Stef looked to Lena "She was scared"

"Did she tell you that?" Stef shook her head "Not with her words, she's not there yet. However she knows me getting shot could possibly upset her stay in the home and she could be taken out."

Lena looked up "So what did you do?"

"I just talked to her" Stef "At first daily chit then I slowly slipped in that I was proud of her. How she took care of all the kids when I was shot, and stayed strong and that I was glad she was here and I promised that my injury would be fine and it would not affect her stay in the house." Stef turned "Lena, she looked like a thousand pounds had been lifted off her shoulders. She's starting to feel safe here. She's starting to trust us."

"I've noticed" Lena smile "We are starting to see more of that smile and less of the witty come backs. She's not hiding as much."

"Tonight, when each kid trickled in and out" Stef looked to Lena "And I gave out five hugs and kisses. I felt like this was it. This was the life that I was always dreaming about. These kids. All five of them and knowing you were down stairs helping with homework making lunches, sorting out my pain meds and would soon be in my arms. This is it. This everything I wanted all six of you make my world."

Lena planted a kiss on Stef's cheek "I've been feeling that more and more myself. Our family does seem to be pretty perfect right now. It was before but Callie and Jude. But they do bring something to it that I didn't know it was missing."

Lena closed her eyes as Stef's words rolled around in her mind. She prayed they were both on the same page. Both wanting to adopt these children. She wasn't sure she would actually be able to lose them. "Let's get you feeling better and the wedding planned and then let's talk" Lena said trying not to stress Stef out more then she should be.

"I love you" Stef whispered sleepily before the pain medication lulled her into a light sleep.

Lena closed her eyes knowing all six of the loves of her life were under one roof fast asleep