Lena had always been a morning person but the plane ride had left her jet lagged and she didn't awaken until around 10. She looked over at where Callie should be and saw an empty space. She wasn't worried since her parents were home and she knew they'd keep Callie company until she woke up but still felt a little bad that she hadn't gotten up and at least had breakfast with her little girl as this was the first time she had ever lived in the states. Lena had gotten pregnant with Callie in Italy and then given birth to her in Spain. They had lived overseas until Lena decided it was finally time to go home.

Lena looked around and saw what she had been too tired to pay attention to the night before. She had decided to leave Gretchen, her partner of the past 5 years and return home with Callie last month after finding out that Gretchen had slept with her best friend. She had begun making plans and sent the things that she had collected and cherished over the years ahead of her and Callie's arrival. She stayed behind to sell what she could, and hand over the villa they had been renting back to the landlords. It's amazing how much stuff you can collect over 5 years. Their treasures filled 9 large boxes and had cost an outrageous amount to ship but most of their value was sentimental and Lena just couldn't leave them behind.

She decided to forego unpacking the boxes and went to shower and dress instead. Afterward, she made her way downstairs to find a note on the counter saying that her parents were taking Callie out for a while and for her to meet them at noon for lunch out. Later tonight, they would have a family cookout for extended family and friends to welcome her home.

Lena decided to skip breakfast and just had some juice instead. She then went back upstairs and began unpacking. She put away all of their things from their luggage and decided to leave the boxes packed up. Although her parents would've loved her to, Lena didn't intend to stay put there. She didn't think living under a roof with her Mother for an extended period of time was a good idea. Plus, she wanted Callie to know that San Diego was going to be their permanent home so she wanted to get a house that she and the baby could grow in.

Lena had left home shortly after high school. She was waitressing and studying child psychology in New York City when she was discovered by a modeling agency. They put her on a plane, and she had been traveling the world ever since. It was while modeling that she had met Gretchen. Lena was sure that this was what all the movies, books and stories of true love were all about. Now, with a broken heart, and her visions of what her family would look like crushed, she had finally returned.

Her phone beeped and she noted that it was close to time to meet her parents and daughter. She grabbed the keys to her Father's car and remembered to lock up before going off to meet her parents and daughter for lunch.

After lunch, Callie once again fell asleep on the way home. Lena carried her upstairs to bed again. She was going to go back downstairs and speak with her parents about the cookout when her phone rang. The Caller ID read Gigi with hearts surrounding her name. Lena groaned but reached for the phone anyway knowing they still had tons of things to work out.

"Hello?"

"Hi, baby. How're you? How's my Callie girl?"

"We're fine Gretchen. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to call you when we got in like I promised but Callie and I just got here and crashed." Lena tried to add a nonchalant inflection to her voice. She prayed this call would end soon.

"Where is she? I'd love to hear my baby's voice."

"She's napping now. It's 1pm here." Lena clipped making it obvious she wasn't in a mood to talk.

"Oh, I'll have to try later then. How are you, baby?"

"I'm fine. Look, Gretchen, I really have to go." Lena wasn't too happy about the baby part but didn't feel now was a good time to get into it. She just wanted to disconnect the line.

"Baby, we need to talk. We have two kids to worry about. I still need you with me."

"Gretchen, we needed you with us while you were screwing my best friend. We have talked enough. You broke my heart. I told you already, right now we need space and time. "

"Well, you took space to a whole new level. You could've stayed in the villa. I told you I'd be home in a few weeks."

"And I told you that if this job came through, I would be taking Callie and leaving. You're free to come here at anytime."

"I'm not giving up on my daughter nor you, my love."

Lena didn't want to get into it with Gretchen. She was still extremely vulnerable even now. She had wanted this family so much. But, her feelings were still raw and she was still incredibly hurt. She really wasn't sure where she stood on the matter. "I have to go Gigi." She said quietly.

She could hear a smile in Gretchen's voice as she answered, "OK baby. I'll call back later. Tell our daughter I love her and her Mama more than anything."

Lena clicked off the call. She looked over at her baby. She sighed and went downstairs to visit with her parents and talk about the cookout.