Friday was an exciting day for Callie. She got to bring her invitations to school and pass them out to everyone. And tomorrow she was going to go to Gram's and talk about her party.

Cococococococococococo

For Stef, Friday was not that exciting. She talked with an attorney about getting the divorce started. She had not yet seen nor talked to Mike about it but, it was time. They had been separated well over a year and she was in love with a woman. She hadn't yet come out to the station house but, she figured that could wait until after the divorce news made its rounds.

She texted Lena and asked if she wanted to get lunch. She didn't get an answer back for 45 minutes. Lena apologized and said she didn't think she could make it since she had been feeling sick all day and would probably go home early.

Stef hoped she'd feel better later and went about her day.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Lena's morning sickness was still overpowering her. Add the summer heat and fatigue and she was pooped. She took Callie home early, under fervent protest, gave her a snack and put on a movie in her bedroom. She had coloring books and an activity book and Lena hoped it would allow her to have some peace for the next 2 hours while she napped.

Callie was very good and kept herself occupied while she was watching her movie. She stayed right next to her Mom the entire time. Then, her Mom's phone rang. She knew she wasn't supposed to answer phones but she saw Stef on the caller ID. Stef was safe. Mommy loved Stef. Callie held the phone up to her ear but did speak.

"Babe?" She heard Stef say.

All Stef heard was breathing. She knew Lena was sick and guessed that it was probably Callie on the phone. "Callie? It's me, Stef. Your Mom's .. erm… friend."

"Mama's sleeping."

Stef sighed relieved she had gotten a response. "Is Mama ok?"

"She said her belly felt like it was dancing. And then she went to sleep."

"Oh." Stef got a quick idea. "Tell you what how about Brandon and I bring a surprise for you and Mama?"

Callie loved surprises and she liked Brandon and Brandon's Mommy. But, she wasn't sure if she was allowed or not. She looked over at her Mama breathing heavily. Then she remembered she wasn't supposed to answer the phone. So, she pushed disconnect and put the phone back near her Mama.

Stef heard the dial tone and stared at her phone in her hand. She put her phone away and made a plan.

Her first stop was the grocery store. She bought some crackers, ginger ale, Jell-O, peppermint tea, honey, ice cream and applesauce. Next, she went to the café and got lemon ginger chicken soup and roasted butternut squash with shallot soup. Then, she grabbed some tacos for her and the kids.

Stef went home to pick up Brandon and told her Mom not to expect her and Brandon back until late. She let her know she was going to be at Lena's if there was anything she needed.

She got to Lena's and rang the bell but after the second ring, things got awkward. She figured that Callie was near the door and Lena was still asleep as she was hearing scuffling and she knew she had probably also been warned away from answering the door on her own. She figured Brandon was their best bet.

She had Brandon tell Callie that he and his Mom were at the door with surprises. They waited. Finally the door did open a crack and Callie peeked out.

Stef knelt and spoke softly, "Hi Callie. It's me and Brandon. We wanted to come over and watch a movie with you." No response. "We brought dinner." Still, no response. "We brought ice cream." Callie opened the door.

"I'm not s'posed to answer the door."

"And that's a very good thing. You're very smart. Remember, I'm a police officer." Stef took out her badge and flashed it.

Callie figured that police were safe plus they had ice cream so she let them in.

Stef got the kids situated with the movie and tacos which they were more than happy to eat in the forbidden living room. She checked on Lena upstairs and found her still sleeping so she went back down to be with the kids.

Sometime later, Lena awoke to darkness. She looked at her phone and saw that it was 8:00. She had only meant to take a power nap for an hour or so. Why didn't Callie wake her? Where was Callie? OMG! She had neglected her child! Lena got worried and jumped out of bed calling for Callie. She raced down the stairs and saw Callie sitting with Stef and Brandon eating ice cream.

Callie jumped up. "I'm here Mama. I'm safe." She was a little confused by all the commotion and the worried look on her Mama's face. For a second she thought maybe she was in trouble.

Lena pulled her close and kissed her. She was so relieved! "I'm so sorry I slept so long. It's my fault baby."

Lena weakly made her way over to the sofa and sat next to Stef.

"I called earlier and Callie said you were sick. I figured the morning sickness was still getting to you so I brought a few things over. And I got to spend some time with Brandon and Callie." Stef said.

"Also, Callie did great. She didn't want to let me in. Until she heard about the ice cream."

The two women smiled at one another while Callie looked guilty. "Even ice cream isn't an excuse for opening the door Callie," Lena chastised lightly. She'd talk with Callie more later but, figured she could let it go for now. She knew if it had been a complete stranger that Callie would never have opened the door. She also needed to get that security alarm.

Stef got up and heated up the lemon ginger chicken soup for Lena. She brought it to her on a tray along with some crackers and warm ginger ale.

Lena was touched. No one had ever taken so much care of her before. She considered herself a feminist and she could do for herself but, this was what being cared for was.

Stef made a quick decision and turned to the kids. "Hey you two, why don't we get ready for bed?"

Everyone looked at her puzzled. Stef looked at Lena and said, "You're sick. Callie has a bunk bed and tomorrow's Saturday." She turned back to the kids, "Come on, it's late you guys. You've got to get ready for bed."

The kids looked at Lena who nodded her consent. Callie hugged and kissed her Mama and Brandon watched then did the same. They then got up to follow Stef. She got them bathed quickly and into pjs. Brandon squawked at first about girl pj's but then, Stef managed to find him a set of plain green ones. He reluctantly agreed to wear them since they had no frills or lace on it. He figured they could be boys pjs. She read them 2 stories, then tucked Callie into the top bunk and Brandon into the bottom one. Then, she went back downstairs to Lena.

The kids considered this an adventure. They had never had a sleepover before. At first, they laid in bed with the excitement of the newness of it all. Then, they started to get scared. This was the first time since the week they moved in that Callie had stayed in her room. She climbed down and got into bed with Brandon.

Brandon was secretly glad that Callie had climbed down to join him but tried to hide it. Callie had told him a long time ago about having two Mommies. He had thought that it was an interesting idea. He had never heard of it before. Now, he was starting to get an idea that it meant his Mommy and Callie's Mommy would be his two Mommies. If Lena was his Mommy then, that would make Callie his sister.

He shared the news with Callie who shook her head, "No! I have a Mommy and she's coming for my birthday. You're not my brother B. We're going to have 2 babies and Mommy's coming home!"

Callie turned her back on him and Brandon looked at her hurt and scared. What did he do? He had liked the idea of Callie being his sister and thought she would too since they were best friends.

After a few minutes, Callie turned back around. She was still upset and she figured she needed to see her Mama about this. She got out of bed and crept over to the stairs.

Stef quickly texted her Mom and told her that her and Brandon would be staying the night at Lena's. She then went back downstairs and found Lena had put the barely touched tray on the table and was lying curled up with her eyes closed and head against the back of the sofa. Stef curled up next to her and bundled her in her arms. Lena cuddled closer against her smiling.

"They get off okay?" she asked.

"Yep." She kissed the top of Lena's head.

"A girl could get used to this."

Stef turned Lena's face up to hers. "That's the plan." She kissed her again. This time deeper and longer. Then, she grabbed her hands and pulled her upstairs.

Callie saw them moving toward her and ran back into her room. She had seen the kiss and was confused. Her Mommy loved her and had promised to come to her birthday party. Callie wasn't sure what to make of the things she was seeing and hearing. She went back to bed and this time climbed into her own bunk. She fell into a troubled sleep.

Stef put Lena in bed and then rooted around her drawers for some pjs. She found an old tshirt and some silky boxers. She changed into them and then climbed back into the bed with Lena. Lena moved into her arms like it was second nature. They drifted off to sleep smiling.