AN- Thanks for the support! You guys rock! I'll see you when I get back from camping! :) Again thanks for putting up with my editing errors. I always miss something no matter how hard I try... Oooy :)
The Fosters
Breakfast had been a pretty quiet affair for the Adams Foster family. The waiting Staff at the restaurant had almost dreaded seeing this family coming inside. 5 teenagers was sure to be a loud group. They had been pleasantly surprised at how quiet the kids were. They ordered politely, they talked quietly. They ate quietly then stacked their stuff together in the middle of the table making it an easy clean for the staff. Then they left as quietly as they came in.
Now they were standing outside of the school. Jesus slipped his hand into Stef's standing next to her "I want to hold your hand mom" He whispered.
She squeezed it in her own reassuring him she was there.
Jude watched the interaction between Stef and Jesus before moving over to Lena and slipping his small hand in hers.
She looked down at him and smiled "I am right here bubby" She whispered "I am going to be here all day."
Callie wrapped her arms tightly around herself looking at the school. The last time she was here she was running for her live and clinging onto Lena. She looked back to Lena and Jude.
Lena caught her eye and held out her other hand to the girl.
Callie pulled up the hood of the sweatshirt over her head and wrapped her arms around herself tightly taking six steps farther away from Lena "So, what about backpacks?"
Lena tried to mask the hurt that the blow off from her daughter had just caused as she slowly started putting her hand down only to have Mariana grab it tightly.
Lena brought her daughter's hand up and kissed her fingers before dropping it to her side and holding on tightly to it.
"I texted Karina at breakfast this morning, she said she would have someone grab them before we got here and would have them waiting in the office for us."
"Cool" Callie nodded as she headed for the doors.
"Callie" Stef called to her "No, you go in with us. I am walking you to your class this morning."
Callie rolled her eyes but slowed her pace.
Lena shook her head at her daughter she could go from so warm and sweet one moment, as she had been in the car. Holding Mariana's hand whispering encouraging things to Jude. Rubbing Lena's shoulder. To cold and closed off the next minute. Her body was rigid, her eyes were full of anger and her chin was set.
Stef looked over at Lena and shook her head at her. Telling her to let it go.
"How is today going to work?" Brandon asked as they came to the entrance of the school.
Other kids and parents were scattered around the entrance having hushed tearful conversations.
"You'll go to your first class, your teacher is going to take attendance then we are all going to a school assembly."
"There is a lot of us to walk to class" Jesus said as he squeezed Stef's hand "Are you sure you want to walk us all?"
Stef nodded "Every single one of you" She said softly "But don't worry my babies. I won't kiss you goodbye outside of the classrooms or use my spit to wipe your faces anymore."
Jude crinkled his nose at thought while Jesus did something that took everyone by surprise he stopped walking and grabbed Stef's shoulders and leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I'll kiss you then" He whispered. "Love you"
Stef's eyes filled with tears as she saw her little boy standing in front of her. His big brown eyes and his little squeaky voice as he used to tell her. "I'll always want to hold your hand mommy"
"I love you too, my Son" She whispered. "I am so proud of you."
"How do we do this?" Lena said looking around trying to figure out the best method. "Jude's class is the closet, then the office and we can get the girls bags."
Stef nodded
"Then my class" Mariana said softly "And I am next door to her" Jesus added.
"Callie, and I have neighboring classes too, next hall over." Brandon added "
"Right, and I am temporarily in a closet, so to speak down the same hall."
"They are putting you in a closet?" Mariana asked her voice filled with disgust.
"Sort of" Lena nodded "a computer is set up there. I'll be doing a lot in the office area and in Karina's office. It's really fine baby."
"So, Jude, Girls bags. Twins, Brandon Callie and mama?" Stef asked going over the office getting five nods and one eye roll and a huff in response "Perfect"
"I don't see why, I can't go get my bag and go to class myself" Callie grumbled as Jesus lightly kicked her leg telling her to knock it off.
"Because, we want to walk you" Stef said calmly "And just in case those reasons were not good enough for you, young lady. You are also mama grounded.
Callie and Stef's eyes caught each others and the two went into a glaring battle. Stef knew she could out stubborn her daughter.
Lena let out sigh, battling Callie was not in the plans for today. At hearing Lena's sigh both Mariana and Jude squeezed her hands and gave her a small encouraging smile.
Callie's shoulders finally slumped and she broke her gaze with Stef as she kicked her the sidewalk.
"Callie, do you need a hug?" Lena asked softly sensing maybe her daughter was shutting down and she needed a physical reminder that she wasn't alone, and she didn't need to handle the day alone.
Callie looked up at Lena for a moment then shook her head "No, I am fine. Thank you"
"Alright, Team Adams Foster let's do this" Stef said as Brandon grabbed her free hand.
She looked over him and nodded "It's okay Baby" She whispered "It's going to be okay"
Dropping Jude off in his classroom was probably one of the hardest things Stef and Lena had ever done. His eyes had welled up when he had to separate from Lena. He gave every member of his family a hug. Holding on just a little bit longer to Stef and Lena. Which clearly rattled Callie that he was no longer clinging to her.
He then puffed up his chest and nodded to his mother's "I'll see you guys later" He said trying to sound as brave as he could.
"At the assembly baby" Lena had told him "And if you need me at all today. I am here"
He hugged her tightly and nodded before slipping into his room before he lost his resolve.
Next Lena went to the office to get the girls bags, but find out they had been sprayed with blood and looked awful. She quickly fished out their books and binders thankful they were fine before bringing them out the girls so they wouldn't have to see the bags.
"After Callie's and my doctor's appointment" Lena said coming out of the office handing half a pile to stuff to Stef so they could separate books and binders and figure out who's was who's "We need to go shopping, the girls need new bags. So Mariana, you'll need to come with us after school."
"What happened to our bags?" Callie grumbled "I want my bag. I like it! I've had it for years!"
Lena reached out and touched Callie's shoulder only to have her jerk away "Don't touch me! I just want my backpack."
"Callie, tude check please" Stef cleared her throat as a few parents and students looked over at them when Callie snapped at Lena "Remember, this is where mama works. Please be respectful that people are watching."
"I want my bag Lena" Callie glared at her "It's mine!"
Lena closed her eyes for a moment before shoving Callie's books in her hands "It's gone, that's final."
"Everything has to change now?" Callie snapped "One day, and I lose everything?!"
Jesus cleared his throat as he put his arm around Callie and whispered into her ear. She looked up at him with a glare but snapped her mouth shut.
"I am sorry" Lena said softly "Honey, I am not letting you carry around a bag this is covered in someone's blood."
Mariana paled at the thought "That's so gross"
Callie shifted her books in her arms as she was biting on her lip to keep from saying.
"We're making a scene, on an already hard day" Jesus mumbled "Can we just get to our classes please."
Lena nodded "Sure, baby" The gang walked quietly down the halls to Jesus and Mariana's hall. The twins looked at each for a few minutes clearly having a silent conversation before Jesus leaned over and kissed his sister's cheek "See you soon, I am here" He then reached over and playfully tapped Callie's nose "See ya around sis"
She gave him her first small smile since arriving at the school
"Bye moms" Jesus hugged them both before daring into his classroom.
Mariana looked up at Lena her lip quivering her eyes big.
"You have your phone?" Lena asked pressing her hand to her daughter's cheek.
"Yes, in my pocket."
Lena nodded "Alright, my brave big girl. You've got this. This is nothing honey. You'll see. You so have this."
Mariana looked to Callie who gave her an encouraging smile as she nodded "You're so bad ass Mariana, you've got this."
Stef rolled her eyes and flicked the back of Callie's head lightly.
"I can do this" She nodded "Bye mom, have a good day."
"You can text me anytime too baby girl."
Mariana nodded before she did something she never did in school she pulled Lena into a fierce hug before giving her a kissed "Love you."
"Love you too" Lena said gripping her face in both her hands locking eyes with her daughter. "You've got this Miss. Thing."
"I am Miss Thing for a reason" She smiled as she pulled away and flipped her pony tail over her shoulder and strutted into her classroom causing Stef to laugh.
Lena shook her head with an amused look on her face "I love that girl."
"Alright, you two" Stef said throwing her arms around Brandon and Callie's shoulders "Let's get you two to your class. You've got some learning to be doing."
Callie instantly pulled away shaking Stef's touch off her the best she could while keeping track of her books in her arms.
"Callie, those walls are going to hurt you more than protect you love." Stef warned "You don't need them up anymore."
Callie remained quiet as the four made their way down to the next hall.
"Mama, if you need anything" Brandon said grabbing both of Lena's hands "I am here."
She smiled and nodded "I know B"
He gave his mothers and sister a hug before slipping into his room. Leaving just Callie and the moms.
"Slug a bug, don't forget to visit mom a couple of times today" Stef reminded her "We need to keep an eye on your arm" She said as she reached out and put the back of her hand on Callie's forehead to check for fever.
"I know" Callie groaned "I get it! I am not stupid."
"Stef" Lena shook her head she was too tired to battle Callie right now.
Stef shook her head at her daughter "Those walls, are not protecting you sweets" She said leaning and kissing her cheek "But, I still love you."
Callie nodded "Bye, have a good day" She said to Stef and gave a nod to Lena "See ya around"
She then slipped into her classroom without another word.
Lena let out a whistle "I did not see that coming" She shook her head
"She's trying to protect herself" Stef said softly "She's scared, and she's being haunted by memories and she's trying to protect herself."
Lena nodded "I guess, I just should have…"
She was cut off by Callie's classroom door opening and their daughter running out and throwing her arms around Lena so forcefully she almost stumbled.
Lena instantly wrapped her arms around and kissed the top of her forehead.
Callie hadn't wanted to admit all morning how awful she was feeling, how scared she was. How out of control her emotions were. Everything seemed impossible until right in this moment where she was wrapped up safe in Lena's arms.
The Fosters
FB
It was the last of the money from her piggy bank. She'd manage to keep it from home to home. Now her and Jude were in a home that the parents did nothing for them. They kept the money the state bough and went out on fancy dates while Callie and Jude went without everything but food. Thankfully they kept that stalked.
It was a new school year and Callie and Jude had kept most things from the last year but their bags had been destroyed by some kids in their last house.
So Callie took Jude and the two of them got on a city bus and headed to the Target. She had fifty dollars to get two bags.
The kids looked around and Jude found a Skippy the turtle bag he wanted right away it cost thirty dollars leaving Callie with not much for herself. She had wanted red one that had hidden pockets and cool key chains on it, but it was more. So she settled on a plain gray bag that was only ten dollars. She didn't care though Jude was getting what he wanted and she was buying her own bag. She was taking care of them. So it was important and her mother would be proud. She even had enough money to get Jude a brand new box of crayons and a chocolate bar for them to share on the bus ride. She studied her plain bag and smiled. It was hers. She bought it herself, this meant she could take care of herself and Jude no matter what. That's all that mattered to her.