AN- Hey guys! I haven't forgotten about my stories! I hope to have Our Safe Home, updated by Friday! Just had some personal issues and crisis happen over the last few weeks. Just recovering from the shock, and now getting back on track! Thanks for sticking with me! Enjoy!
Lena and Callie traveled on a shaded walking trail at a national park, after grabbing their sandwiches. "Cal, there is a spot on those two flat rocks over there, why don't we sit and eat for a bit?" Lena suggested to her daughter. "Then we will walk for a bit, we can't get too far out. I don't want to lose the car."
Callie nodded and headed over to the rocks. She set her sandwich bag down on the rock before untying her sweat shirt from around her waist and slipping it on. "It's cool in the shade. Such a weird feeling for summer!"
Lena nodded in agreement as she climbed onto the rock next to Callie."We are used to the blazing California sun. That's for sure" Thankful she had her sweatshirt already on. She dug in the pocket and pulled out a small bottle of travel hand sanitizer before passing it over to the teen.
"You think of everything" Callie smirked "You're such a mom, and VP" She teased as she applied a generous amount of the gel to her hands, before passing the bottle back. "Smells good"
"Your health and safety are my number one concern" Lena shrugged as she spread a napkin over her lap.
Callie pulled the bag of chips from her bag and opened them. She placed a chip into her mouth and crunched on it, as she took in the scenery. "Mama?"
Lena looked up from unwrapping her sandwich catching a runaway piece of lettuce she tossed it behind her, knowing some animal would munch on that healthy treat later. "What's up Cal?"
"Thank you" The teen said never making eye contact with Lena, as she surveyed the woods surrounding them. Taking in the sounds of the chirping birds, listening to the leaves rustle with the slight breeze. Breathing in the distinct smell of the woods.
"Feeding you is part of my job" Lena teased "You don't have to thank me."
Callie finally broke her gaze and glanced over to Lena. "No, I don't mean thank you for lunch" She paused "Well, I am thankful for lunch. Don't get me wrong, but that's not what I meant."
"Go on" Lena encouraged as she set her sandwich in the wrapper on her lap.
"I mean, thank you for taking me" Callie said quietly "That first day you saw me, when Bill tried to pass me off to you" She explained "When my face was bruised, my lip swollen." She looked to Lena "When I looked rough, and nobody else in this world wanted me. Thank you for saying yes." She sighed "I don't know why you did, but if you hadn't I don't know where I would be right now, but it would be sitting here on this rock with you, on a vacation, with the last name of Adams-Foster."
"Best choice, of my life" Lena said loudly as she leaned over and placed a tender kiss to Callie's temple. "That day, when I saw that rough around the edges kid, I also saw a little girl in her eyes, that just needed a chance" She smiled tugging at the end of Callie's braid. "I was right, that little girl needed a chance, and she has brought my family so much joy. She gave us herself and Jude. The two pieces to our family puzzle that we didn't even know was missing, until we had you." She winked at Callie "Sitting here on this rock, in these woods with my eldest daughter, is the most perfect summer day imaginable, if only I could bottle it up, and take it with me forever."
Callie choked back some tears as she played with her sandwich bag.
Lena rubbed her back for a few minutes before turning back to her own lunch. "You know, your sandwich won't get eaten, if you don't actually eat it, honey" she told her. "Eat your lunch so we can walk around for a bit."
"How much longer of a drive do we have?" Callie asked as she opened her own sandwich. "We drove like five hours already today, and five yesterday."
"Probably about five more" Lena answered her "We will get there in time to unpack, and head out to dinner."
"Fancy dinner?" Her eyes lit up.
Lena nodded "Yes, then hot tub under the stars."
"I can't wait" Callie smiled "This is going to be so awesome, and I can't wait!"
"That was a long day" Stef said to Mariana as she unlocked the front door and ushered her inside.
Mariana nodded "Yeah, no kidding" She said going to the couch and flopping down. Placing her arm over her eyes "And you deal with that kind of stuff all the time?"
Stef sat down on the end of the couch and lifted Mariana's legs to her lap. She pulled the girls sandals off, letting them fall to the ground. "I do" Stef said honestly "Coming home to mama, and you kids help me stay grounded." She rubbed Mariana's ankles "You doing okay, my love? I know this afternoon turned out to be a bit more of an adventure then we bargained on."
"Wasn't a high speed chase." Mariana shook her head. "It was scary, but it could have been a whole lot worse."
"Sometimes, it is" Stef nodded "Worse that is." She patted Mariana's leg. "this guy just wanted help. He didn't know how to ask for it."
"There are better ways of going about it!" Mariana shook her head "That don't lead to getting arrested!" She paused "Is he going to be okay?"
Stef took a deep breath. "Yes, I believe he is. He happened to try and rob the gas station with the most understanding people in it; that I've ever met." She smiled "Craig, the man in the suit and Esther the elderly lady really meant what they said. They'd both given names and business cards to get him set up."
"What's going to happen to, Tristian?" She asked "That was his name, right? The guy with the knife?"
"Tristan" Stef confirmed "It's nice, putting names to faces huh? Makes them real." She took a deep breath "Well, Mindy the girl behind the counter isn't pressing charges, so that helps him" She explained "He'll go to jail tonight, most likely be released and then will have to go in front of a judge. The judge will probably order him community service, and to take some parenting classes."
"And his baby girl?" Mariana asked.
"Foster care for the night, if they can't a hold of a family member."
Mariana sat up "If she needs a home for the night, she should come here! You're registered"
Stef tilted her head to the side. "I suppose, I could call and check on her."
"Please mom! Please?" She begged "If it's only for one night." Mariana sat up quickly. "She's had a rough day. We've got the room."
Stef pulled herself from the couch "I am just checking on her, no promises" She told the girl. "Can you go find the take out menus, and find what you want for dinner? If you want you can order too. Just let me know the price."
Mariana nodded "Yes, mom" She answered as she rolled herself off the couch into a standing position to go do what she was told.
"I can't believe how beautiful this trail is" Callie said to Lena as they were making their way back to the car after about an hour wandering around. "Those waterfalls were amazing" She said quickly as she was talking excitedly. Lena was pretty sure this was the most she'd ever heard the girl talk about. It brought her joy, to hear her daughter sounding like a typical teenager.
"They were just so big, and loud!" Callie exclaimed "Powerful! Those deer drinking from the bottom. Oh it was precious."
"Did you get any good shots?" Lena asked "I had fun watching you, take the shots. You've got quite the eye."
Callie shrugged "I don't know yet, I hope they turn out, but they probably won't do the waterfalls justice."
"Nothing is ever as good in a picture, as in real life" Lena agreed "However, you can capture some magic."
Callie nodded "True" She agreed
Lena was about to say something further when she tripped over a root, and stumbled forward before falling flat on the ground.
"Mama!" Callie gasped as she dropped down next to her. "Are you okay?" She placed her hand on Lena's back. "Mom?"
Lena went out a slight whimper, which made Callie's eyes go big. "Mama!" She gasped louder.
Lena winced again, letting out a small cry as she made her way to a sitting position. "Callie, help me" She gasped as she tried to push the leg of her capris past her knee on her left leg.
Callie instantly did what she was told and carefully pulled at the material. "What's wrong?" She asked "Are you okay?"
Lena looked down once her knee was exposed. She let out another groan. She was desperately trying to not scare her child more then she already was.
"Mama! Your knee" Callie gasped seeing the knee cap was slightly to the left of where it was supposed to be. Making Lena's leg look funky" Callie felt her stomach turning just looking at it.
Lena was sweating by this point, as her body screamed with pain. "Callie, I'll explain in a second" She winced. "I am going to straighten my leg, slowly, and I need you to push the knee cap to the center."
Callie's eyes got bigger "What?! No!" She yelled as panic filled her voice "What if I hurt you, worse?"
Lena blinked back some tears "You can't hurt me, more" She promised. She let out a small sob as she slowly forced her leg to straight. Biting her lip as she did it to keep from screaming. "Just. Trust. Me." She said between gasps.
Callie's hand shook as she put her fingers on the cap, and pushed it with a little force. The cap moved back to the center. Lena let out a small scream before fell back onto the dirt, breathing hard.
Callie's eyes were huge as she stared at Lena's leg which now looked completely normal.
After a few seconds Lena reach for Callie's hand. She sat back up into a normal position as she brought her daughter's fingers to her lips and kissed them. "It's okay, baby girl" She promised as her breathing was regulating. "You did, really well."
"What happened?" Callie asked.
Lena took a deep breath "When I was a little girl, I injured my knee pretty bad playing soccer with my friends." She explained "I severely dislocated it. The doctor told me then that my knee was already a weaker knee, and I would have problems with it" She told Callie "Sometimes, my knee does a partial dislocation. Like it did now. My dad used to be able to pop it back in, and your mom knows how to do it too" She patted Callie's leg "And now you."
"Does it happen a lot?" Callie asked
"No" Lena shook her head "Last time was ten years ago, while we were knee boarding. I hit a wave funny."
"Should we get you to the hospital?"
Lena shook her head "It's going to be fine, what we are going to do, is head over to a drug store, I am going to get some ice, ibuprofen and a brace. I'll wear the brace for a few days and it will be okay. It'll sore, more like a big bruise inside sore."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Callie's voice trembled slightly. "Mama, that was scary!"
"Oh pumpkin," Lena said grabbing her and pulling her into her arms. "I am alright" She promised. "It doesn't really even hurt anymore." She held her daughter close for a few seconds. "I am sorry I scared you; but I am so proud of you." She kissed her several times before patting her back. "Come on, let's get up off this forest ground, and get to the drug store, and on the road again."
"Can you drive?" Callie asked nervously "Do you want me to drive? Mom told you to let me drive if you got tired."
Lena smiled at Callie's protectiveness. She truly was a miniature version of Stef. "It's my left leg. I can drive" She assured her. "However, I'll let you drive us to the drug store, until I can get a brace on my knee. Okay?"
Callie nodded and stayed close to Lena as they walked slowly back to the car. "Should we call mom? I am sorry I made you come on this dumb hike. I never meant for you to get hurt."
Lena closed her eyes and counted to five before opening them. "Oh, Callie. You put blame on yourself that you aren't meant to have. It's not your fault" She assured her. "I tripped on a root." She wrapped her arm around Callie's shoulder. "Even with the trip, and my knee bumming out. I am not sorry we went. I've had an amazing time." She stopped Callie just as they were getting to the car, and tiled her daughter's chin so their eyes met. "You didn't cause this. No need to be sorry."
"Can we call mom?" Callie asked "Please?"
Lena nodded "Of course, but I am alright. I promise." She handed Callie the keys. "You drive, I am going to use my phone to get us to a drug store. "Deal? Then we will call mom."
Callie nodded as she unlocked the car. "Deal."
"Well, Miss Thing, it's just you and I tonight" Stef announced as she appeared in the dining room. "Did you find us something to eat?"
Mariana nodded "Yes, I ordered from our favorite Chinese place, should be here in about an hour."
"The place mama, doesn't like?"
Mariana eyes lit up. "The place, only you me and Jude like."
"Brilliant" Stef said grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
"What's happening with Mia?" Mariana asked "Did she get placed in a foster home?"
Stef shook her head. "No, even better. She's with her grandmother. According to the social worker, Tristan hadn't spoken to his mother since before Mia was born. He ran away after getting the mother pregnant and had been too afraid of his mother's reaction. He thought he let her down." Stef popped the top to her water off "She had no idea, where her son was, or the fact that he had a daughter. She did confess she had never liked her son's girlfriend choice, and had been pushing them to break up."
Mariana nodded "And Tristan thought he was madly in love, so he didn't want to break up. Nor did he want his mom to be disappointed with a baby."
Stef nodded "The social worker said it was a beautiful sight, when the grandmother laid eyes on that baby girl for the first time. They said she was just hugging her and crying. She's already worked out arrangements to get Tristan home."
"It's going to be a happy ending?" Mariana asked as she played with her phone. "Do you think that's what would have happened, if Ana had taken Jesus and me to her parents?"
Stef nodded "Probably."
Mariana nodded "Good, that little girl deserves some family that loves her." She looked to Stef "I am glad, Ana didn't take us to her parents though. I am glad we got you and mama. I can't imagine you not being my mom."
Stef smiled "I can't imagine my life without my sugar butt."
Mariana rolled her eyes dramatically but smiled. "Thanks, mom."
Stef tilted her head to the side. "SO, I have some more news for you…"
Mariana crinkled her nose "Good or bad?"
"You tell me" Stef said "My captain gave me the rest of the week off, after today. Said I should take some time and just be with you."
"I like that" Mariana nodded
Stef held up her finger "There is more. So after I called the social worker, I called the airlines, to see if they could transfer our tickets to an earlier day."
Mariana's eyes got bigger. "Yeah?" She asked hopefully as she hopped up and down.
"How would you feel about flying up to see Callie and mama tomorrow night. Late, but tomorrow night instead of Thursday, gives us one extra day?!"
Mariana squealed as she ran and threw her arms around Stef. "Oh. Mom! Washington here we come! I wonder how many cute boys we will find in Washington."
"Hopefully, none, if I am lucky" Stef winked.
Mariana clapped her hands "I can't wait to tell Callie! This is going to be so much fun!"
"We don't fly out until nine tomorrow night" Stef told her "So, we still have most of tomorrow to get ready, maybe have that movie marathon."
"Perfect" Mariana nodded "This week is going to be so fun!"
"Day with my girl, rest of the week with all my girls" Stef nodded "I couldn't agree with you more, my love."
"We have to call mama and Callie!" Mariana exclaimed
Stef shook her head "They are driving, mama will call me when they are at a good place to talk. Then we will fill them in."
"Think mama will freak out, that I was in a hold up?" Mariana asked "Man, the boys are going to be so jealous!"
Stef cringed at the thought. "I hadn't even thought that far ahead" She groaned "No, mama is not going to be happy that you were a witness to a potential robbery at knife point."
"Just start with, we are okay..." Mariana told her "Then lead in to our adventure!"
Stef laughed "Right, great idea. She won't be freaked out all with that lead in."
Stef's cell rang and her eyes lit up. "Look, its mama. Here's your chance. I'll just get the popcorn" She teased.
"Cute" Stef tossed a towel at her before answering her phone with a cheerful greeting. To make sure her wife knew they were really both okay.
AN # 2... I had a friend growing up, whose knee really did pop out of place just like this. It caused her terrible pain the moment it happened, but her dad always used to come and pop it back in. Now a days she's all grown and can do it herself. Painful crazy... My poor sweet friend, and poor Lena!