ALTERNATE ENDING 1, CHAPTER 18

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Lena's family had been over bright and early as she knew they would be. She was the baby of the family after all. For once, she was actually glad of that.

They had spent the day with her, keeping her well entertained and the kids occupied. Lena was grateful for all of their support. She had never felt so much love as she had in her house now. The only thing that was bothering her was Callie and her behavior.

She knew Callie was feeling the effects of her convalescence. And her heart broke for her babygirl. But, there was little more she could do except be patient about the situation.

Callie had been clinging to Lena since Gretchen left. Not that Lena minded. She actually probably encouraged it. But, she did need a little off time once in a while. She hadn't yet broken the news to Callie that she was going to be staying with her grandparents for a week. Hopefully Brandon going with them would be enough of an enticement that she'd be okay.

Stef walked over and sat beside them after dropping a kiss on Lena. Callie automatically moved closer to Lena.

"How're things going?" Stef asked with her eyes on Callie. She wanted to reach out and touch her but she wasn't sure how it would be received.

"We're fine babe. I was just about to tell Callie the good news about the week. Why don't you go and get Brandon from outside so we can tell him too?"

Stef went off to call Brandon in and Lena put her arms around her baby. "My baby. You know Mama loves you more than anything right?"

"Of course, I'm your heart." Callie said snuggling in closer.

"Hmm. And I can't live without my heart." They were embracing when Brandon and Stef returned.

Lena patted the sofa beside her and Callie. Brandon jumped into the spot. She wrapped her arm around him while giving him a kiss on his head. He squeezed her back as well as he could with his face beaming. Stef took the opportunity to snap a picture quickly.

"So, Stef and I have some really good news to tell you guys." Lena started. The kids both looked at her expectantly and she continued, "Since you two don't have school this week, you and Brandon are going to stay with Gram and G-Pa." She kept a big smile plastered on her face while they waited for Callie's reaction.

When none came forth, she continued, "They have so many fun things planned for you. They're going to take you to a concert. And out to dinner. And –"

"If you don't want me anymore, I'll go and live with my Mommy!" Callie took off running up the stairs.

Lena looked after her in shock.

Stef immediately jumped up, "I've got her babe." She set Brandon down next to Lena and ran after Callie.

She ran up the stairs and watched Callie run inside her room. Stef slowed as she got to the open door and gingerly stuck her head inside. She found Calie trying to get her suitcase out of the closet. She was sobbing and trying to pull the suitcase loose at the same time. "Callie, baby?" Stef entered the room and tapped her hands on her thighs. She got within 2 feet of Callie and crouched down to her level. She tried to get her attention.

Callie just continued pulling on her suitcase until she got it free from whatever was keeping it bound. She then strode over to her bed climbed to her bunk and starting picking through her toys deciding which ones she was bringing with her.

"Are you leaving us baby? Why?" Stef stood a little ways away not wanting to crowd the child.

Callie turned to her with tears continuing to stream down her face, "My Mama doesn't want me here anymore then I'm going to Mommy's."

Stef shook her head and said, "Mama's always want their babies. Good Mama's always need their babies all the time no matter what. And your Mama is a good Mama isn't she?" She felt keeping Callie engaged was the best way to get through this.

Callie couldn't deny that her Mama was a good Mama. Clinging to her Mama right now was the only thing that was keeping her from being overwhelmed by all of her emotions. But, she was angry about being sent away.

"She wants me to leave so I'll leave." Callie continued sorting toys but she was quickly losing steam.

Stef moved closer and climbed up the bunk bed. She sat on the opposite end of the bed from Callie. "It would break your Mama's heart for you to leave. You're her heart. And she can't live without her heart." Stef repeated the words that she'd heard the two of them say to one another so often. Callie looked down and away. She had stopped sorting toys and had wrapped her arms around herself. Stef scooted closer and put her arms around Callie. She thought Callie would fight her, but was relieved when she rested her head on her. She picked her up, put her on her lap, and readjusted them to a comfortable holding position.

"She wants to send me away to Gram and Grampa." This sent Callie off in another round of crying. "I don't want to go."

"Then, you won't go." Callie slowed her crying and looked over at Stef in amazement. "You'll stay home with me and Mama. We just thought that maybe you and Brandon would want to go out and have some fun instead of being cooped up here all week. Gram and Grampa had so many fun things for you all planned. We wanted you to enjoy your vacation and not worry about anything. We would never just send you away for good. But, if you don't want to go then we'll understand." Stef wiped the last of Callie's tears away with her hand.

"I need to take care of my Mama." Callie said quietly.

Stef shook her head. "No Callie, Mama and I take care of you. We are the parents. That's our job. You're the little girl. Your job is to be kind and respectful of others. And go to school and learn lots of good things."

"My mama's sick. She takes care of me when I'm sick. And I'm going to take care of her while she's sick," Callie insisted.

Stef took a deep breath before continuing, "Mama's a different kind of sick. She has the babies inside of her and her baby out here to take care of. And that makes her body tired. So, she has to rest a lot. I know it's hard for you to know that your Mama can't do the things that she does all the time with you. Stef took Callie's chin and turned her face up to her until they made eye contact. "But, it's not because she doesn't want to. It's just she needs to stay off her feet and rest the babies."

"No. My Mama's sick because a monster hurt her. I'm going to make sure that she doesn't get hurt again." Callie began to cry again remembering her mama in the hospital. "She couldn't even open her eyes."

Stef was shocked. She knew that Callie was flashing back to seeing Lena in the hospital. She had been upset seeing Lena like that. For Callie to see her Mama that way, Stef knew had to have been so hard for Callie. She tightened her arms around the small girl. She closed her eyes and once more silently cursed Mike. She slowly opened her eyes and took a controlled breath. "Oh, baby," she gathered her closer and began to rock her. She stroked her hair as she kissed her multiple times.

She held Callie until her cries subsided. Then, she wiped the remaining tears away from her face. Callie looked up at her with wide eyes. Once more the fact that she had Lena's soulful brown eyes that cut through any defense that Stef would ever want to give threatened to overwhelm Stef. Instead she settled for a tight hug and another kiss. "Are you ready to go and tell Mama your decision now? You know she's worrying because we've been up here so long. And worrying isn't good for her while she's sick."

Callie nodded and Stef used her athleticism to jump down from the top bunk. She held her arms up to Callie and she pulled her down from her bed. She carried her on her hip down the stairs to Lena.