AN- Thank you so much for all the favorites, follows and reviews. You guys are the best! Again I just say this is just something I've had rolling around in my head. We will see where it takes us all. :) Enjoy!
The drive started quietly, Callie turned slightly in her seat watching the view, while Lena just drove. Enjoying the comfortable silence between the two of them. Her mind reliving all the trips she'd gone on with her dad. Just the two of them. She remembered how special she felt on those trips. So grown up. She never even really noticed they were business trips. Her father had gone out of her way to make her trip special, to make her feel like she was the number one priority that trip. They were also so magical. She glanced over to Callie, who was leaning against the door. Just taking in the scenery. Her electronic devices were put away. None of the other children traveled like this. Lena had traveled with them all at one point or another. Jesus needed a hand held game. Brandon had to have his nose in books. The thought of that made Lena's stomach turn. She could never read while traveling. Mariana needed her music. Even Jude had wanted something to doodle on. None of them just took in the scenes.
"You doing okay?" Lena asked Callie after another quiet second.
Callie turned and smiled "Yes, did you see the mountains we just drove by? They were so big."
Lena nodded "They're great, wait until we drive through the mountains."
"Wait. What?" Callie sat up "We get to drive through mountains?"
Lena nodded "We do, we'll see all kinds of wild life on our way up to Washington. Most of it will them running in front of our car."
"Are we stopping somewhere?" Callie asked "Or driving all night?"
"We'll stop, there is a small little town about four hours from here. Shabby yet amazing little motel. Really nothing fancy, but cozy. I love staying at there."
"Cool" Callie nodded "Tomorrow, when we are driving can we make stops?"
Lena nodded "Of course, you see something you want to see. Just let me know. It's your vacation too."
"Are you still mad, that we are going?" Callie asked "I mean, we don't need to stop. I know you didn't want to go."
"Oh, Callie" Lena shook her head "Babe, don't take on wars that aren't yours to take on. I am not upset we are going."
"Why didn't you want to leave then?" Callie asked "Was it because you're traveling with me, and not mom?"
"What?" Lena looked over at Callie "Is that what you think?"
Callie shrugged "I just know you were against the idea of this trip, since the minute Gran brought it up. You've been fighting against it."
Lena's eyes went from the road to Callie, one more time. "I need you to understand something. From this moment on, okay?"
Callie raised her eyebrow "Ok?"
"The trip was last minute, I am not super spontaneous; I like lists and organization." She explained "I am not sorry we went. I am excited actually"
"You are?" Callie asked tilting her head to the side. "Really?"
Lena smiled "You see, when I was a little girl my dad worked a lot."
"I can see that" Callie added
"So he wasn't around as much as I would have like" She admitted "But every year, there was always one business trip he took, where he knew he'd end up with a lot of free time. So those were our trips. No matter what was going on in my life, everything stopped for those couple of days. My dad and I were away, and he created this magical trips. I've been thinking about that since the moment we pulled out of the drive way. Here is my chance to have that same trip, with you. My daughter"
Callie's smile grew "Thanks" She whispered.
"I dreamed of recreating those trips with my own kids someday, here is my chance. So the next few days it's just you and me babe, and an open page. Let's see what kind of history we can write together. Okay? No more thinking I don't want to be here. No more worrying about anything. Got it?"
"Uh" Callie fought a smirk "Let's see what kind of history we can write?"
"Oh hush" Lena waved her hand at her daughter "I know it is cheesy, but still. Doesn't change the theme of the week."
Callie nodded "Alright, lets write history."
"That's my girl" Lena praised "Now, most importantly, did you see that it was mom that packed our snacks."
Callie whirled around in her seat and leaned behind her opening the cooler. "Soda, bottled coffee, Cookies….Chips…." She turned to Lena wide eyed "You approved of this?"
"Don't tell your brothers and sister" She warned "But come on Cal, it's a road trip! We have to rot our insides out. It's part of the fun. Don't worry when we get back, I'll load you up on Kale, to help you detox."
"It all sounded fun, until you said detox and Kale in the same sentence."
Stef had no sooner climbed into her big which now felt empty, without Lena there bed. When a small knock was heard on the other side of the door.
"Come on in, Miss. Thing" She called with a smile.
Marina pushed the door open and peeked her head inside. "You're not naked are you?"
Stef let out a chuckle "No, my love. Come on in."
Mariana came into the room and crept to the bed. Her eyes were puffy and her nose was red. It was obvious she'd been crying.
Stef sat up straighter, her smile gone. Concern filled her eyes. "Mari, baby have you been crying?"
Mariana managed a little nod as she came to the bedside.
"What's wrong, honey?" Stef asked reaching for her hand.
"Its stupid" Mariana mumbled as she fought back tears. "But, Lexie isn't coming after all. Her aunt died suddenly. So they have to stay home."
"Oh, baby. That's not stupid" Stef shook her head. "You've been counting down the days, until Lexie was getting here. You must be so disappointed."
Mariana looked up, "You're not mad at me for being selfish? For being upset that she's not coming, because her aunt died?"
"Are you sad for her?" Stef asked "That she lost her aunt?"
Mariana nodded "Yeah, of course. She loved her aunt."
"Right" Stef nodded "You're allowed to be disappointed, that she's not coming, while understanding the reasoning. I am so sorry!" Stef pulled the girl onto the bed with her. "That's not selfish."
"If only we'd found out this morning" Mariana said with a sigh. "At least, I could have gone with mama and Callie. Then you could have still had your naked time" She managed a smile. "Sorry mom, no walking around the house naked now."
Stef tweaked Mariana's nose. "You know something, you're real cute."
Mariana sighed "I wish, I was with mama and Callie. They're going to be having fun. Jude's at camp having fun. Brandon and his dad left today, having fun. Jesus is with the wrestling dudes having fun. I am stuck at home."
"Not having fun?" Stef guessed.
Mariana looked down at her hands "Well you have to work. So yeah."
"The house is pretty quiet, without everyone" Stef mused as she ran her fingers through Mariana's dark hair.
"I don't like it." Mariana admitted.
"Me either" Stef agreed as she pulled back the covers to Lena's side. "Want to sleep in here with me tonight? Can you keep your toes out of the middle of my back now?"
Mariana climbed over Stef and settled into Lena's side. "I was eight, what did I know?" She curled up on her side resting her head on Lena's pillow. Stef mirrored her daughter so they were looking at each other. She reached out and ran her pointer finger down the bridge of her daughter's nose. "I am really sorry, you're disappointed, and I am sorry we didn't know sooner. I would have loved to send you on your way with your mom and sister."
"So you can walk around naked?" Mariana asked with a slight smirk.
"No, Miss. Thing" Stef laughed "Because, I think you would have had fun" She paused "And I know your brothers are gone, but why can't you and I have fun?" She asked.
Mariana shrugged "You have to work."
Stef nodded "I do, let me see what I can do. I am not working twelve hours baby." She reminded her. "We've got time to have some fun. How about tomorrow you come to work with me?"
Mariana's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"It may be boring" She warned her "I've got paper work to do, which I might actually be able to grab and bring home to work on. We can watch movies while I am on call. If I have paroling to do, maybe you'd like to come along? Go on a ride a long? If you promise to follow the rules."
Mariana nodded "Yeah, of course! Will you arrest anyone?"
"Doubtful" Stef laughed "Mainly I'll giving speeding tickets. But we'll hang out it'll be fun. We'll have lunch."
Mariana gave Stef a small smile. "Thanks, mom."
"For what?" Stef asked softly.
"For being my mom" She smiled "And inviting me to stay here with you tonight, and trying to make tomorrow fun for me."
"Oh, kid" Stef leaned over and kissed Mariana's forehead. "You don't have to thank me. I am looking forward to spending the next few days with you, and being your mom. Best gig out there."
"How are you doing, babe?" Lena asked glancing over at Callie, to see her rub her eyes slightly. They had a big family game night the night before, and had been up late. Then an early wake up call for breakfast with the grandparents.
"Okay" Callie said turning in her seat. "Well, actually." she admitted "I am hungry, tired and I have to pee. I want to stretch my legs too."
Lena held back a smile, getting Callie to say exactly what she wanted or needed in that moment was sometimes like pulling teeth. So this was a minor victory in her book.
"Mom's snacks not cutting it for you?" Lena asked "My kale sound better?"
Callie crinkled her nose "I wouldn't go that far, but I really want some protein or something. My stomach is feeling funky."
"Like car sick?" Lena asked in concern.
"I don't think so" Callie shook her head "I am just wanting something sustainable to eat."
"You're in luck, slug a bug" Lena nodded "We're just now entering that town, I was telling you about. We'll head over to old Mills hotel, get a room and find dinner. Stretch our legs, maybe shower and then get to bed. I want to leave early."
Callie nodded as she turned back in her seat. "This is the town?" She asked skeptically as they drove down an old beat up, almost ghost town.
Lena nodded "We used to stop here all the time, when I was kid. I think Stef and I came here back when we first started dating... I bet in the daylight it looks better."
"It's not that dark out, right now" Callie crinkled her nose.
"Don't judge a book by its cover" Lena tried as she pulled into an old rickety buildings parking lot, with only one other car.
"I am going to guess, getting a room won't be difficult." Callie commented as she climbed out of the car. Stretching her legs almost immediately.
Lena scanned the parking lot herself, as she shivers ran up her spine. This place didn't have the safe home town feeling it used to. She placed her hand on Callie's back and guided her to the lobby. "Once we get our room, you'll see why I love this place. The rooms are just so charming."
Callie raised her eyebrow skeptically, but chose to remain quiet. She didn't want to dash her mother's hopes.
They entered the lobby and Callie instantly wanted to pinch her nose closed. The smell that was coming at them assaulted her nose brutally and almost wanted to make her gag. It was like a mix of mold, dust, mildew and vomit all mixed together.
Lena winced slightly but kept her hand on her daughter's back as they headed to the counter. "Hello?" She called out. Finding the front desk empty.
"Just a minute, dearie" An old tired voice croaked from a little room behind the desk. A TV that had been playing, was silenced and footsteps were heard. A tired older man shuffled up to the counter. "Wasn't expecting anyone, sorry" He apologized. "I was watching my shows. I only get to watch my shows here, my wife controls the TV at home. We always have to watch her shows. So much darn crying in her shows."
"I understand how that goes" Lena said offering him, her famous warm smile. "I have a daughter back home, that watches nothing but tearjerkers. I just can't handle it. Life is too short, to be crying."
The older man flashed Lena a semi toothless grin and nodded "You said, how maybe I help you beautiful women?"
"I'd like to get my daughter and I a room tonight. My family and I used to stay here all the time when I was growing. I thought it would be fun to bring my daughter here. Do you have any rooms open?"
"This place used to be something, huh?" H asked with a sad smile. "Glad you have some good memories here, we're only going to be open a few more weeks. Then they're bull dozing this place to make a strip mall. Worlds got enough of these darn shops. Who needs that much stuff" He grumbled. "But its okay, I finally get to retire. I never thought I would." He opened up an old leather book. "Well dearie, we really only have two rent-able rooms these days. Everything is being auctioned off before we move out. The room with the two beds is already in use. You and the girl good with sharing a king?"
Lena nodded "That's fine, I can share a bed with my kid. Not a big deal." She looked to Callie. "Unless you object?"
Callie shrugged "Doesn't matter."
The older man nodded as Lena pulled out her wallet. "How much?"
"On the house" The guy smiled "You have fond memories coming to this place, I can't help you recreate them fully for your girl. I can help a little" He offered. "Thanks for being a loyal visitor." He pushed a key across the counter to her.
Lena's eyes got wide. "Are you sure?"
"We don't got fancy breakfasts anymore, we don't have that high speed internet all these youngens are addicted to." He shrugged "Let me give you this memory. It's worth more then your dollar anyway."
"Thank you" Lena said clearly toughed. "I am sad to see this place go, but thank you for a life time of memories."
"Your welcome lovely" He assured her. "If you girls are hungry, there is a pizza menu in your room. The place down the street delivers. Best pizza you'll ever have."
Callie looked to Lena who winked. "We may have to try that out." She took the key from the older man. "Thank you."
"Enjoy yourself. I am going to get back to my shows" He said as he hobbled back towards the back room. "I am here all night, if you need something just holler."
"Thank you, sir" Lena nodded as she looked to Callie. "Shall we?"
Callie nodded and followed Lena out to the car to grab a bag or two. "Well, that was nice."
"It was nice, wasn't it?" Lena smiled "See, writing history already."
Callie let out a chuckle. "Yeah, sure."
"Wait until you see these rooms, Cal." Lena shook her head "The gentle man inside, designed them all. Back when he was young. He was quite the carpenter, his wife the seamstress. Each room different and unique. Hand made designs."
Callie eyed the run down outer appearance and nodded. She was sure Lena would be disappointed when they opened the door. She wasn't going to contribute to adding to it more, with a negative attitude.
Lena pushed open the door to their room. While Callie braced herself for the worse. Lena turned on the lights and Callie gasped out loud.
"Magical, isn't it" Lena smiled as she watched her daughters reaction to the room. Her smile growing at the pure wonder on the teens face.
Callie could only nod, as she took in the room. Hard wood floors that shined, a four post bed that was obviously hand craved. A marbled fire place. A hand made beautiful quilt on the bed. "Whoa. I've never seen a room so amazing!"
"Each room was different, each room has a unique feature. It truly is amazing" Lena smiled
"It smells good" Callie observed "Like apple pie, and wood."
Lena shut the door behind them dropping their bags onto a beautiful leather couch. "I am going to miss this place" She admitted while Callie climbed onto the bed.
"Oh. My. Goodness." Callie sighed happily "This bed is amazing. I don't even think I am going to know you're next to me tonight."
Lena kicked off her shoes and crawled up onto the bed with Callie. "You okay with sharing with me, I guess I didn't really give you a choice. I can sleep on the couch if you rather."
Callie sat up and looked over at Lena "No! Please."
"I know you like your space" Lena assured her "It wouldn't hurt my feelings."
Callie shook her head "Your my mom now Lena, I mean mom. Mama. I can share a bed with you. Especially this bed" She said laying back down "Besides, I have slept in many different homes. I can sleep anywhere. Trust me no big deal."
Lena's heart broke for a second as she leaned over the bed and kissed Callie's cheek. "You're days of home hopping are over, baby. You've got a home with me, where ever you are, where ever I am. We're home right now, because we are together."
Callie's eyes filled with tears for a moment as she managed a little nod. Before she sat up brushing a tear away. "So how about that pizza menu?" She asked quickly changing the subject, so didn't have to deal with the emotions that were going through her head right now.
"Pizza" Lena agreed letting her have her out. "I am starving."