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"Thanks for driving, the last bit" Lena told Callie as she finally dug her phone out of her purse. "It has been good to rest a bit. I am going to call mom now, and then we'll switch places for the last hour, since it won't be straight freeway, okay?"
"You napped" Callie pointed out. "Because of your knee?"
Lena shrugged "I don't know baby, could have been the on struck of intense pain, then relief."
"You're sure you don't need the hospital?" Callie asked concern filling her voice.
Lena reached over and patted Callie's leg "I am sure, I already feel better" She promised.
"Okay" Callie nodded "But you'd tell me if you weren't?"
Lena had to chuckle at the girl. "Yes, Callie. I promise" She shook her mead "Thanks mini Stef" She muttered mainly to herself as she unlocked her phone and pulled up Stef's contact.
"My love!" Stef greeted happily. "I was hoping you'd call! I didn't want to call you and distract your driving. Did you and my baby make it safe?"
"We're about an hour and a half out" Lena smiled into the phone "It's great to hear your voice. I miss you!"
"I miss you too, wait...Are you driving?" Stef asked "Everything okay?"
Lena looked over to Callie and then back to the road in front of her. "We're good, Callie's driving." She bit her lip "I did kind of freak out our daughter though. She's mainly good now, I may have to put you on speaker phone though, so you can assure her."
"What happened?" Stef asked without a beat.
Lena played with some of her curls while she watched cars pass them. "Callie and I were on a walking trail, heading back to our car after a stop. I tripped on a root, and fell, but when I did I jarred my knee…"
"And it did its dislocation trick?" Stef guessed "Oh, Lena. Baby I am so sorry. Did you get it popped back in? aww sweetheart."
"Callie helped" Lena said proudly "She was amazing, I really should do it myself. I just freeze from the pain. I guess my pain tolerance is low."
"You're pain tolerance is not low" Stef shook her head "That's pretty painful, how are you doing?"
"I am good" Lena assured her. "I've braced, I've iced, I've rested. It is tender but fine. Nothing the hot tub won't fix."
"Well good" Stef smiled "I actually have something I need to tell you too." She said cautiously "And I am going to start out by saying, don't worry we're both fine!"
Lena sat up straighter her heart speeding up. "Oh my god, please tell me you did NOT take Mariana on a high speed chase!"
"Not exactly" Stef shook her head. "Well what actually ended up happening, happened on my lunch break. I wasn't even on the clock." She started out "So, Mariana and I stopped at a little store to get some gum, coffee and a magazine" She explained "And while we were there…" She paused "It was sort of held up."
Lena's jaw dropped "Excuse me?! You don't mean held up, held up do you? My little girl was not in a robbery today! Please tell me my little girl didn't see that!"
Callie gasped from beside Lena. "What?! Mariana and mom were in a hold up today? Oh my God, cool!"
Lena shot her a glare "Not cool! Focus on the road" She turned back to her phone conversation. "Stef! What the heck?"
"Lena, my love" Stef said calmly "We are fine, the guy wasn't really a bad guy, he was just a lost single dad looking to help his daughter." She explained "Yes, he held a knife to the cashier's throat, but myself, a business man and a elder lady managed to talk him down. Nobody was hurt. His daughter is getting help. It's all good. Mariana is doing just fine honey."
"I need to talk to her!" Lena said quickly "I need to hear her voice for myself."
"Of course" Stef promised "I figured you would. There's a bit more for me to tell you.
Lena groaned. "Oh, no."
"Because of what happened, my boss decided to grant me a little extra time off, to spend with Mariana. So I checked into our flights, and I was able to move our tickets! Mariana and I are flying in tomorrow evening at 10:00 PM! I know it's late, but it ends up giving us a whole extra day with you and Callie up in Washington!"
"That's great honey!" Lena smiled "Callie and I will look forward to picking you up!"
"Mom and Mariana are coming early?" Callie asked.
"Tomorrow night" Lena nodded with a smile "Grew news!"
"Cool" Callie agreed.
"Do you want to put me on speaker phone?" Stef asked "So I can assure her you're fine, and then I'll pass you to Miss. Thing, so you can be assured she's fine?"
"Please" Lena nodded, she then turned to Callie. "I am putting your mom on speaker, so she can say hi to you. You were sleeping last night when she called."
Callie let out a little snicker "That's not why you're putting her on speaker phone, but I would love to say hi."
"Sassy girl" Lena shook her head as she put Stef on speaker.
"Hello, Sweets" Stef's voice filled the car. "How are you doing, Cal?"
"Good!" Callie smiled "I am just doing some driving, it's kind of nice, relaxing"
"That's great, kiddo" Stef smiled "Just keep your eyes, on the road, and be on the lookout for other drivers. You just can't trust people. Be alert."
Callie rolled her eyes "Yes, mom."
"And don't you roll your eyes at me missy" Stef warned "Yes, I know all."
Callie gave a slight laugh. "Right, sorry. Mama is going to be taking over here in a bit. We are fine. I promise!"
"I love you, Cal" Stef smiled "And I miss you. I am proud of you! You did a great job helping mama out. Make sure she keeps her brace on while you're out and about, and that she ices it a few more times, and she soaks in the hot tub. She's going to be just fine. I promise you, love."
Callie let out a small sigh of relief "Sure, I'll do those things! See you tomorrow!"
"Love you sweetie, have fun." Stef told her.
Lena took Stef off of speaker phone and put the phone to her ear once again. "May, I talk Mari, now?" She asked.
"Let me see if I can pry her away from her chicky flick romance movie." She teased while she handed the phone over to their youngest daughter.
"Hey mama!" Mariana greeted happily "Mom told you the good news?! I get to see you tomorrow night! Girls trip here we come!"
"I did hear the news" Lena smiled at the excited tone to Mariana's voice. She could just picture the big smile her daughter was wearing to go with it. "I can't wait to see you, but right now I want to ask you about your afternoon. Are you okay?"
"Mama, I am fine" Mariana promised "I mean it was pretty scary for a few minutes. Seeing that knife against that ladies throat…"
Lena could practically hear her daughter shudder.
"But watching mom do her thing, talking him down" Mariana went on "Was really cool, I am proud of my mom. I am proud of the job she has. She really was a hero today. My hero."
Lena felt her heart swell "My hero too" She admitted "Mariana, I am glad things went the way they did today, but if any part of the day starts to bother you, I want you to talk to mom. Or call me up. Don't push those feelings away. Okay?"
"I am probably going to sleep with mom again tonight, just so I am not alone" Mariana admitted truthfully. "I'll be okay though. I just can't wait to see you tomorrow, and have fun with my sister on vacation for the next few days!"
"You're sister and I are looking forward to seeing you too" Lena promised "Pack something nice, and can you grab my wind breaker, and see if you can find one for Callie, Friday looks like storms."
"Sure, I'll take care of it, no worries" Mariana smiled "Can't wait to see you, have a great night mama.'
"Love you angel, tell mom I love her too. I am going to hang up now, and direct Callie off the next exit, so we can switch driving. Have a good night."
"Night mama, tell Callie I miss her" She smiled before ending the call.
"Alright, Slug a bug" Lena said pulling into her parents summer house driveway "Home sweet home"
"Whoa" Callie's eyes got big as she looked up at the big house in front of them the beautiful house in front of them.
"Wait until you see the water view from the back, it is amazing" Lena promised her.
The two got out of their car and moved to the trunk and grabbed their things. Lena led them up the drive way and unlocked the front door and quickly disarmed the alarm. "How about we leave our things by the door, while I give you a tour."
Callie nodded as she took in the hard wood floors, the bright paint on the walls. The luxuriously looking furniture. She couldn't wait to curl up on and read a book. She then spotted many pictures of Lena as a little girl covering the walls. "Oh, mama" She squealed "You were so cute"
Lena blushed slightly "My mom went picture crazy."
Callie continued to scan the walls taking in pictures of her mom as a small child. She then got to a section with the grand kids school pictures. She then gasped.
"Callie, what's wrong?" Lena asked as she came over while Callie pointed at her currant school picture framed and hanging on the wall. "She has pictures of Jude and me!"
Lena raised her eyebrow "Um, yeah honey. You're her grandkids. Is that a problem?"
"I was just adopted the other day" Callie looked to Lena "And isn't this their summer house? How on earth did she get a picture of us up that fast?"
"Yes" Lena nodded "Typically, but my mom does stop here a few times a year. There are some things in Seattle she likes to go to." She explained "And she's very proud of her grandbabies, which includes you, sweet girl."
Callie stared at the wall of school pictures before turning to look at Lena. "I never knew my grandparents" She bit her lip "And now I have some, this is what it feels like to be a grandkid?"
"Kind of wonderful, isn't it?"
Callie's eyes lit up. "Yeah, I like it."
Lena wrapped her arm around her. "Kid, I like you" She laughed "Alright, let me give you the official tour" She said leading her towards one hall. "We call this the kid's hall" She explained. She opened a door to reveal a bright blue room with wooden bunk beds on one side, and a full size bed on the other. A big TV and gaming system against the wall, and a big bay window.
"This is where the boys stay" Lena told her "When they come, and over here is yours and Mariana's room" She said moving across the hall and opened up a door to a yellow and white room, beautiful beds with white iron frames and gray chevrons on the bedding. The room had a beauty vanity, big windows its own private bathroom, and a view of the water. "Wow" Callie managed to squeak out.
"Its pretty, huh?" Lena smiled
"Uh, yeah" Callie nodded but then looked concerned for a moment as she realized there was a door that opened right up to the back which led to the beach. "Where's your room?"
"Other end of the house" Lena pointed "I was thinking that tonight, maybe you could bunk with me?" She said hopefully "This house is big, and being all alone at opposite ends, and weird noises and all" She said picking up Callie's nervousness.
Callie almost looked relieved as she nodded "And when Mariana gets here tomorrow night, I can bunk in here with her."
"Exactly" Lena nodded "But unpack tonight" She smirked "Claim the part of the closet and dresser you want first!"
"Good idea" Callie laughed.
"I'll show you the rest of the house now" Lena offered "And then we'll get settled, unpacked and ready to go to dinner. Sound good?"
"And hot tub and stars tonight." Callie added
"Hot tub and stars" Lena promised.
"One suitcase" Stef said entering Mariana's room after dinner. The two decided to pack that night, so they could have a fun day the next day. "Whatever you want to bring has to fit into one suitcase, we are only going to be gone, for a few days" She paused as she looked around her daughter's room. "Mariana, it looks like your closet exploded in here" She shook her head but laughed at the site.
Mariana looked around the room and blushed at all her clothing all over her bed and Callie's. "Its Washington Mom! We could have one day in the 50's and raining, there for it will be cold! The next day it could be nearly 90! I have to have options, and mama asked me to bring her and Callie's windbreakers" She paused "So that will take up room in my suitcase! I think I just might need two!"
"I've got plenty of room" Stef assured her "I'll take their coats." She pointed at the teen. "You get one suitcase, kid."
Mariana looked horrified "You're done packing already? How is that even possible?"
Stef gave a small laugh "We are only gone for like four and half days."
Mariana shook her head. "Let me guess, your suit case has a few plaid button ups, a pair of capris, a pair of jeans, and a bathing suit?" She groaned "Mom, you need something nice for the fancy dinner, and come on you could spice up your wardrobe. Please don't tell me you have a boring black one piece bathing suit."
Stef placed her hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes at her daughter. "I have a dress packed for your information, as well as a pair of shorts and a tank top, yes I have a few button downs, and some boring yoga pants and sweats, but we're driving back." She then leaned in "And I am not bringing a bathing suit." She smirked "I plan on sitting in the hot tub naked. Naked as a jay bird.. Naked as the day I was born" She went on and on with a big grin. "With the free birthday suit of life!"
"Dear God, no!" Mariana squealed as she fell onto her bed putting her arm over her eyes. "Augh! Why?"
Stef leaned down and poked Mariana in the armpit, who jumped and squealed, while Stef let out a good laugh. "Teach you for making fun of my swimsuit."
"So you packed one?" Mariana let out a sigh of relief while Stef just shrugged "Guess you'll have to wait and find out." She stuck her tongue out at her daughter. "My wardrobe is just fine, thank you very much. Now put your clothes away and finish packing, my love. Then join me for some ice cream. I am bored because my suitcase is already packed."
Mariana rubbed her forehead "Mom, does your suit case have room for a few extra pairs of shoes?"
"Not a chance" Stef laughed "I have mom and Callie's coats now. She held up her finger. "One suitcase. One"
Mariana raised an eyebrow "And one carry on right?"
Stef placed her hand over her forehead and groaned. "You're carrying it. All the way. No mom my arms hurts nonsense and tossing it over to me." She warned.
Mariana let out a laugh "I did that one time, and I was six, and it was my Barbie's not my make up."
"You're kidding right?" Stef laughed "Just last week it was me carrying your bags as we traveled through the mall.'
Mariana batted her eyes as her smile grew. "Good thing you love me!"