Another update! :) Enjoy! Thank you for the reviews they keep me going! I seriously couldn't do it with out you!
"I don't want today to be Friday" Lena said stretching out on the blanket right after Stef had finished setting it up. "It's too close to Monday" She whispered to Stef who was applying a low SPF sunscreen to Lena's back. Lena's skin didn't burn easily but because of skin cancer warnings they usually applied the light stuff once on Lena Jesus and Mariana and they used a higher one on Callie, Stef, Jude and Brandon.
"I know love" Stef said moving the strap of Lena's swim suit. "I am not looking forward to it either."
Lena sighed as she sat up and grabbed the higher sunscreen "I'll do you next"
"Oh love, our parents are around" Stef teased as Lena blushed "Stef!" She groaned
Sharon shook her head "Only my daughter."
"Come sit in front of me Callie" Lena patted "I'll get you covered while I wait for mom."
Callie crawled in front of Lena as she watched her brothers and sister in the water. They had all quickly covered themselves in sunscreen in the car so they could hit the water right away.
Jesus and Brandon were trying to catch some waves while Jude and Mariana were happy to just float along on relaxing floaties.
Callie looked longingly at them wanting to float with her brother and sister "Mama, when your done can I go join them?"
Lena glanced back to Stef who silently shook her head no. "No, sorry baby, you're going to stay with us."
Callie let out a sigh as Stef closed the sunscreen bottle "I brought you a couple of books in my beach bag, sweet girl, and when I go out later to float you can come with me."
Callie let Lena finish her sunscreen before crawling away to find a book Stef brought for her to cover her pout. She didn't know why but not being able to play in the water with her siblings made her sad.
Stef watched her go before crawling in front of Lena herself so she could sunscreen her. Their eyes meeting for a brief moment. This was it. This was the consequence they needed for Callie. This was getting her attention. Callie always took groundings in stride. Never complained but never really showed that it bothered her. So if it didn't bother her it wasn't fully grasping her attention and showing her what they were desperately wanted to communicate with her. She was a child, a child in their house. She didn't get to call the shots anymore. Some day she would realize that this was a gift they were giving back to her childhood. She deserved it.
Lena nodded in the silent conversation they had with their eyes. It was settled. Though she knew Callie pretty much already knew the outcome they would still have to talk to her.
"Well the water looks good" Stuart stood standing up while Sharon and Dana set up a scrabble came on the blanket they were on. Putting the board on a little chest. "Callie want to play scrabble with us?" Dana asked "I haven't gotten much time with you?" She then looked to Stef and Lena "Either of you want to join us?"
Lena shook her head "Not right now mom" She smiled "Right now though mom I think Stef and I are going to take Callie on a little bit of a walk so we can talk to her in private. Do you mind keeping an eye on the kids?"
"Your father is with them" Dana pointed out.
"Yeah in the water dad's just as big of kid" She turned and motioned as she saw Stuart tossing Jesus off his board.
Lena put her hand on her hip and raised her eyebrow as Dana nodded "Alright baby girl, point taken. We won't let any of your kids or father drown."
"Good" Stef nodded as she snatched the book from Callie's hands before pulling her to her feet." "We are kind of attached to them all."
"Keep your eye mostly on Jude" Lena warned "He's not as strong in the water as the older kids."
"That's because you guys had them in the water since they were tiny" Sharon smiled knowing Lena loved the water and taught her kids everything she knew. "I know, I can't wait until these stitches are out! I want to teach Callie and Jude some things too."
Callie's eyes lit up at the thought of that. "You're going to teach us stuff?"
Lena nodded "Who do you think taught Jesus how to surf?"
Callie shrugged and smiled "That's really cool mama. I had no idea."
Lena winked "There is a lot about this mama you don't know about yet. I am full of fun surprises."
Stef grabbed two spare beach towels and guided Lena and Callie away from the group. Aftrer they were no longer in sight she spread the blankets on the ground and sat down indicating Lena and Callie to do the same.
"Alright love bug" She said calmly "I just first want to start out this conversation reminding you how much I love you."
"Me too" Lena nodded "I love you more than all the moon and the stars baby. You have brought me so much joy. Being your mother is one of the greatest honors in my life." She tilted Callie's chin "You and your sister and brothers are my greatest accomplishment in life. Nothing I did before, compares to raising you kids."
Callie smiled at the thought and nodded "I love you guys too."
Stef ran her fingers through Callie's hair "And it's because of our love that we are doing this."
Callie sighed and reached out and began to draw in the sand until Lena caught her hand "No, sweetheart. I need you to look at us. I want to see your eyes."
Callie's shoulders slumped "Fine" She mumbled.
"Be careful" Stef warned as she narrowed her eyes at Callie.
"Sorry mom" She said softly
"That's my girl" Stef praised "Alright, love you're really struggling to grasp the fact that you can't come and go as you please anymore. You don't get to just make plans and do them. Not without telling mama and I. In fact you don't get to make plans, what you get to do is ask us first then make the plans. You don't tell us what you're doing. You ask before you do it. You don't get to just leave. You have a family now Callie and mom's. You baby doll just get to be a kid."
"But, I didn't run away" Callie argued
"But you have before" She said softly "And I don't want to keep throwing that in your face, but Callie you seem to think you get to call all the shots. You don't love. I am sorry. It's my job as your mom to make sure that you are safe and protected. Yes you have a voice, yes we will listen to you, but that requires you trusting us and working with us. You're not showing us that you trust us and we can't trust that."
Callie's brought her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on her knees "But, I love you"
Stef smiled as she leaned forward and stole a kiss from her daughter "And we love you baby. This is not a question about if we love you or not, or if you love us or not. It's just learning to trust."
"You don't trust me at all?" Callie asked sounding hurt as her lip actually stuck out quivering just a bit.
Lena's heart crashed against her chest she hated the pained look on her daughter's face.
"Callie, you have abused our trust when it comes to asking permission and for leaving the house. There are areas we trust you on. We know you don't lie to us. We trust your intentions are usually always good. I need to drive this home to you though. You don't get to just leave. You don't get to run because you're scared, or sad or angry. What you need to do is come to us. I can't push that enough." Stef said seriously "For the next week Callie Q you are mama grounded. You are either with mama or I at all times. You will sleep in our room, and besides your classes next week which mama will drop you off at your first one and she will pick you up at your last one unless she's stuck in a meeting then you will walk to her office to wait. No going home with your brothers or sister."
Callie groaned "That's not fair"
"And it's not fair to me to go out to the back yard to get my daughter for breakfast and to find a note saying that she was just gone. A note saying you knew you'd be in trouble for it. Which means you knew what you were doing was wrong." Lena narrowed her eyes "Right?"
"Yes, mama" Callie mumbled
"And you knew planning to sneak out of school on Monday was wrong too, yet you were going to do it." Lena added "Callie, we would have NEVER told you no to visiting your mother. You didn't trust us enough to ask."
Stef nodded as she ran her fingertip down Callie's spine that was peeking out from behind her bathing suit. Her eyes catching scars going down the girls back. She'd wait until another day to ask about those. "The three of us need to work on trust. Just look at this as a trust exercise more than a punishment' Stef said softly "You're going to be spending a lot of time with us. It's a good thing princess."
Callie sighed "Yeah, I guess" She mumbled.
"You are already sleeping in our room, besides just being with mom or I it's not going to be as painful as you think"
"I love you Callie" Stef said softly "SO much it hurts, and when you are a parent you'll understand that statement better. I am not doing this to be mean."
Callie nodded as she rested her chin on her knees "I know mom"
"That's my girl" Stef stood up "I am going to head back to where the others are. Why don't you and mama spend some time here together for a little bit. Away from everyone else."
Lena wasn't expecting as she looked surprised for a moment before smiling at the thought "I think that sounds lovely. I like the idea of just chilling out here with my Callie girl"
Callie looked up at Stef who winked and mouthed talk to her.
She looked to Lena and then nodded "Thanks mom."
"I love you" Stef whispered to her as she blew her a kiss.
"Love you to mom" Callie smiled before turning onto her stomach laying next to Lena.
Lena followed Callie's lead and got her stomach as well lying next to Callie both just staring at the water quietly lost in their own thoughts as Stef snuck away.
The Fosters
"Mom" Jesus jumped up from the beach towel he was laying on "Mom, I am glad your back."
"Hey son" She greeted with a smile "Sorry buddy, your mom and I had to take care of something."
Jesus shrugged "I get it, the girls need special attention right now. Especially Callie. She saw someone die right in front of her."
Stef cringed "Yeah, nice way of putting it bud" She shook her head
He shrugged "Sorry, it's just the truth."
"I guess I can't fault you there" She smiled wrapping her arm around him "You okay?"
Jesus nodded "Yeah, I just wanted to surf with you. Can we?"
"You wanted to surf with your old mom?" She smiled as he looked down and nodded "Yeah"
Stef turned her head to the side and tapped his shoulder "What's going on baby?"
Jesus began to play in the sand "I don't know, I know it's dumb and I am being a baby but after Emma and Kate's funeral yesterday I just realized how precious life is. How easily I could lose you or mama or a sibling" He continued to trace out his name in the sand "So when I have the chance to spend time with you. I want to. I mean" he cleared his throat "I am not going to become all clingy and what not. So don't think I am. I just…"
Stef winked at him "It's okay Mr. Man, I get it" She patted his stomach before jumping to her feet "Last one to the water is a rotten egg."
"You're cheating!" He yelled with a laugh as he jumped up and ran after her as he caught up to her and lightly caught her and took her the ground before running in as she sat in the sand in shock that her son tackled her. "Oh that's it boy! You're going down" She called as Jude and Brandon got in on the action and Mariana decided to go up and play Scrabble with her grandmothers.
She laughed as she watched Stuart catch Stef in his arms held her in a backwards hug not allowing her to break free so the kids could splash water on her causing belly laughter from Jude and Jesus.
"We're so weird" Mariana shook her head curling up beside Sharon.
"You guys are the most beautiful family I've ever seen."
Mariana watched as her brothers and her mother played more roughly then she ever played and nodded "I think we are the luckiest kids in the world" She admitted "We've got the best family ever."
Dana nodded "Beautiful girl, you seeing that is a gift. Don't lose focus on this gift you have. Even when life is hard. Remember that comment."
Mariana jumped back to her feet "I am going to save my mom from the boys" She said with a squeal before running out jumping on Jude's back taking him down to the ground with her.
"I worried about Lena adopting all these kids once" Dana whispered so only Sharon could hear her "But I was so wrong, these kids complete this family. I couldn't picture my life without these five beautiful grandbabies"
Sharon watched as Mariana moved in front of Stef taking a splash for her mother as she laughed "Yeah, I agree I love my grandkids, and I used to tell Stef when she was a little girl that I prayed that she would have a little girl just like her. Seems to me Callie is the answer to my prayers. I love watching Stef challenging herself and coming out with nothing but love, grace and understanding as she parents these kids and Callie. She's doing so much better with these kids then I ever did with her. I am just so proud of her."
Dana nodded "Yeah, I watch Lena problem solve with the kids, or encourage them to be themselves, she's always so slow to anger and quick love. That wasn't the case with me when she was little. I am proud of my daughter and the mother she is." She smiled as she continued to watch the kids play in the sand and water with her husband. "So very very proud"
The Fosters
FB
The phone was ringing, Mariana was on her hip screaming blood tricking down her leg dinner burning. Jesus was at the table with his head down on time out. Brandon was in the living room banging on the piano singing some loud angry song about Jesus.
"Mommma" Mariana was screaming in her ear as if her leg was going to fall off. "It hurts! It hurts"
The smoke alarm quickly went off and Lena went to set Mariana down who screamed louder clinging to her tightly. The child that didn't talk not that long ago had lungs on her. It was only the first day of summer vacation and Lena was already praying for school to start.
"Mama! the loud noise is hurting my ears" Jesus started yelling trying to plug his ears while keeping his head on the counter.
"Hello bab….." Stef's voice caught in her throat as she entered the kitchen "Uh whoa?" She quickly ran to the stove and grabbed the oven mitts and dumped what was burning into the sink turning the water on before heading to the fire alarm getting it to stop. "Hey B" She called "Baby enough music until after dinner, come say hi to me."
The piano stopped and all that was left making noise was Mariana's whimpers.
"Pizza night?"
Lena nodded "But the pizza place with the climbing stuff."
Stef raised her eyebrow "What? You hate that place."
"The kids need it" Lena said finally grabbing the first aid kit and moving to the counter to put Mariana on it. "Baby, mommy will fix this but I need you to take a big girl breath for me."
"What happened?"
"Summer storm" Lena shook her head "Was not my friend. They are restless and then they started fighting and Jesus knocked Mariana down the stairs she busted her knee open, doesn't look like she needs stitches but it scared her to death and Brandon and Jesus have been fighting all day."
"Young man" Stef turned to Jesus.
"I didn't mean to knock her down" He said looking up with big eyes as Brandon came into the kitchen. I was rushing down to ask Mommy something and I brushed against her and she tripped on her night night."
"You walk down the stairs" Stef reminded him "If you had beem walking she wouldn't have fallen right?"
"I said sorry"
"I know you did buddy" Stef said softly "I am not mad, I just need you to be careful and to slow down."
She looked at Brandon "Hey B" She smiled "You having a rough day?"
Brandon nodded "Jesus broke my lego castle.
Jesus sighed again "I didn't mean too, I tripped."
"Going too fast?" Stef asked
Jesus nodded "Yeah, I said sorry" His lower lip sticking out.
"Come here son" She held her arms out to him as she knew he just needed a hug. He was already beating himself up.
"I am sorry mommy, I don't mean to be bad." Stef scooped him and held him tight against her "You aren't bad baby" She promised him "You just have a lot of energy we need to channel. Mommy isn't mad at you."
"Mama?" Jesus looked over Stef's shoulder at Lena.
Lena kissed Mariana's knee "All better Princess" She said softly "Go chance your clothes so we can go bye bye"
Mariana nodded and gingerly climbed down from the stool only to be snagged by Stef as she blew a raspberry into her neck before kissing. "Mommy's hungry" She winked "I might need to eat you because you're so sweet."
Mariana squealed as Lena came up and took Jesus from Stef's arms so she could hold him for a few minutes reassuring him he was in fact loved. While Stef continued to tickle and kiss Mariana getting belly laughter from the girl. "Alright baby go get dressed" She put her on the ground then knelt down and opened her arms for Brandon.
"I've had Jesus love, Mariana love and now I am missing something"
"Love from mama?" Brandon asked walking into Stef's arms and hugging her tightly
"That too, but I was thinking of my little B man"
He grinned and hugged her tightly "I am sorry I got mad at Jesus. I didn't mean it."
"I know baby" She nodded "That's being a brother it happens. Just remember that you're the big brother and he looks up to you. Try and show him some grace when these things happen."
Brandon nodded "Yes mom" He then held out his hand to Jesus as Lena put him down "Come on lets go change into shorts for the climbing area."
Jesus nodded and the two took off.
Stef then pulled Lena into her arms "B was right, I was missing mama love."
Lena buried her face in Stef's chest and focused on her breathing "I almost lost it"
"That happens sweetheart, but you didn't and you loved the kids right through it. You're the best mom I've ever seen."
"I learned from you"
Stef laughed "And I learned from you" She said kissing her wife "Now, I am going to go change so we can go run our babies to the ground so they go right to bed, maybe even early" She wiggled her eyebrows up and down "Then maybe mommies can have mommy time."
"In the bathtub with wine and a beer?" Lena asked hopefully
"It's a date my love."
Lena smiled "I love you"
"And I you" Stef winked before heading up the stairs leaving Lena to herself which she found nice as she cleaned up the kitchen before they went out. Smiling as she realized how blessed she really was.