AN- Hi guys! I know I don't update as fast as some of you'd like and I am really sorry! I work full time and have commitments that get in the way... Boo :( I also won't write if I've got a bit of writers block. I never want to force a story, or lose what I have or where I was going. Again I am sorry.. I do want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me and following me through my writing journey. You guys are the best. You help make writing even more fun!... PS 2 more weeks! :) I can't wait for the new season! Who's counting down with me?!
The drive was silent as Lena pulled into the parking lot of a grocery story. "I have to get us some breakfast and lunch stuff for the next few days" She said quietly. "I know you're tired, but do you think you can make it another thirty minutes?"
Callie gave a slight nod as she unbuckled herself.
"You can stay in the car, if you want" Lena offered.
Callie shook her head quickly. After meeting that drunk guy her nerves were a bit shot. She'd be okay wandering the isles with Lena. Though she wished she was with Stef right now. She could totally use a fix of M&M's that Stef always got and the two secretly shared.
"We'll be quick" Lena promised her. "I just thought you may actually want coffee, for watching the sunrise."
Callie again nodded as she followed Lena into the store sticking close by. Holding onto the cart as Lena headed straight for the produce section. This didn't shock Callie. Lena always made sure there was fresh fruit and veggies around. For every meal and to snack on. "Is there anything you want?" Lena asked as she slipped some bananas into the cart. "We're at the prime season for raspberries and strawberries" She slipped some of those into the cart as well. "Your sister will eat her weight in strawberries if I let her."
She added a watermelon and some carrots and cumbers and a few kinds of lettuce as well. "We'll do dinners out, but I am sure salads would make a good lunch. We all love them. It's much easier to shop without thinking about the boys" She admitted "Those guys never stop eating."
Callie nodded in agreement no way could the boys live on a salad and fruit as a lunch alone.
Lena quickly pushed through the store, grabbing some bread, yogurt, cereal and coffee, creamer some crackers and cheese, before entering the candy isle. She quickly tossed in some dark chocolate her and Mariana loved before throwing in a family sized bag of peanut M&M's.
Callie's eyes got huge as she looked at the candy in the cart.
"What?" Lena asked "We're on vacation, and I know mom always get these when she's out. I also know she loves to share them with you. So I know you eat them as well."
Callie's eyes were still wide as she blinked a few times in surprise.
"What can I say, Callie?" Lena asked as she steered the cart towards a checkout stand. "I know my family."
"Oh" Was the response Callie managed to get out.
Lena ran her fingers down Callie's back before unloading the cart. "Its kind of my job" She winked
The rest of the shopping trip was quiet, the drive home was quiet. Lena and Callie unloaded the groceries in silence. Before Callie mumbled a good night.
Lena sighed she was already missing the sound of her daughters voice. She was angry at the drunk guy for making her daughter feel threatened. For imposing his drunkness on their vacation. She was having fun with her one on one time with her eldest child.
She shut down the rest of the house and decided to call it a night herself. She still wanted to get up early in the morning and watch the sunrise with Callie. Praying that it would be a new day.
Lena was almost surprised to find Callie in her bed, as she entered her room. She knew they had agreed to share the bed. However she kind of felt with the way Callie was shutting down she would have ended up in the girl's room after all.
She entered quietly to not wake her if she was already asleep but when she got to the bed she heard tiny muffled sobs coming from the bed.
"Okay, Callie" Lena said out loud as she kicked off her shoes and crawled onto the bed with her daughter. "We're doing things my way now." She said as she pulled the comforter off of Callie's head exposing the girl. Her pointer finger rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"I ruined it."
Lena raised her eyebrow as she reached forward and caught Callie's hand bringing it to her and holding it tightly in hers. "What'd you ruin?"
"I ruin everything!"
Lena shook her head clearly Callie was beyond tired at this point. "I don't understand, baby. What did you ruin?"
"Our vacation" She squeaked out "Because I yelled at you."
Lena crawled next to Callie and lay down do their eyes were meeting. "You didn't ruin anything. I am not mad at you."
"Mom told me to be good, and to look out for you" Callie sniffed "And I talked to you horribly! She'd be so mad at me!"
"Callie" Lena reached out and tucked some stray hair away from Callie's face. "Mom won't be mad at you, and I am not mad at you" She promised her. "I am mad" She nodded "But not at you! I am mad at that man. That man that looked at you as if you were a piece of meat, instead of a beautiful seventeen year old girl. I am mad that man made you feel threatened. I am mad he took away your security. I am mad that nobody came to help you sooner. I am mad I wasn't there to make him go away. I am mad, but not at you." She shook her head "And the only thing that concerned me, is you were trying to handle it all on your own" She said softly. "You always try to handle everything on your own, but that could have been a very dangerous situation. I just want you to think about next time, calling out for help" Lena said calmly "People might have responded if they heard you yelling for help, or calling mom." She said softly "Or even the police. Nobody has the right to make you feel threatened, Callie" Lena shook her head. "Nobody."
Callie swallowed hard "I was angry too, I was angry at how he was talking about you. I wanted to protect you. Mom told me to look out for you."
Lena smiled "I know she did, and you have been, but mom would never want you to stay in a dangerous situation all on your own. She'd want you to get help. Its okay to ask Callie" She assured her. "And you most certainly did not ruin our trip!"
"I yelled at you, and the hot tub and the stars... You were looking forward to them."
Lena shook her head "It's not too late to go sit in the hot tub and watch the stars" She smiled while sitting up. "I've had a great day! Waking up in that hotel room, our yummy breakfast, our drive, our walk" Lena tapped her nose "Even when I hurt my knee, I was still enjoying my time with you. You were there to help me. It's been a great day."
Callie sat up and wiped her eyes "I am really tired."
"I know" Lena winked "I know you."
"But, I'd still really like to go into the hot tub for a little bit, and watch the stars."
"Let's do it!" Lena grinned "Go get your suit on, and meet me out there. We're on our own time table, sweet girl!"
"Okay" Callie agreed as she got up. She threw her arms around Lena and kissed her cheek quickly. "Thank you" She said really quickly before pulling away quickly and rushing away to get her swim suit.
Lena smiled to herself as she pulled out her cell phone.
"Hey baby, Callie had a rough night! I got her all sorted out though, everything is good! We're just both missing you like crazy!"—Lena
"Of course you got her settled! You're a great mom. I am sorry it's been rough! Do you want to talk? Need me to call her?"-Stef
"Callie and I getting ready to go into the hot tub, then we're off to bed. She's exhausted. Can I fill you in tomorrow on what happened?"-Lena
"Of course my love, as long as you are both okay! I love you guys! Miss Thing and I just polished off some ice cream and are heading to bed ourselves. I broke my sun glasses :( So Mariana has convinced me we need to go shopping tomorrow before we head out… Heaven help me…. I need you! I am scared… I love you! Mariana said she loves you too! See you tomorrow- Kisses to my babies… Sweet dreams"- Stef
"Not your favorite sunglasses! I am sorry! Have fun shopping in, the Am with our girl! Callie and I will be laying out by the lake all day.. Wish me luck.. Ha. Ha. Love you both. Miss you! SEE YOU TOMORROW" – Lena…
"How do I send that emjoi with its tongue sticking out? Or the poop one?... You at the lake, me in the mall. One of those two would be fitting!" – Stef.
"Love you!" –Lena
"Love you too, my love"- Stef
Mariana almost felt the need to hold Stef's hand as they headed to the security line. There was so many people everywhere! Rushing by not paying attention. Parents pulling small children around, small tiny luggage being drug by the children running over peoples toes. Tears, and shouting. Laughing, and crying. It was official! The airport was nuts. Mariana didn't want to get lost in the sea of crazy.
She'd never been more thankful when her mother must have felt her tension reached out and held onto Mariana's strap that was connected to her carryon bag. Her mother wasn't holding her hand. Because at sixteen that would be embarrassing but she was keeping her close.
"The airport is nuts!" Mariana mumbled as they took their place in line to now get through security.
"Last minute summer vacations" Stef reminded her. "Did you wear easy to get off shoes, like I suggested?"
Mariana looked down at her foot and wiggled her flip flop. "The easiest, I just won't think about my bare feet walking on ground that millions of other bare feet have walked. Gross."
Stef laughed "You'll be fine, my love. It is just a few seconds. As long as you make sure your pockets are empty, you take off your sweater and do what they say, we'll be through security quickly. Then we can grab dinner before our flight.
Mariana nodded "That side will feel less crowded, right?"
Stef nodded "We'll be more spread out, and people all have different gates to go to. It will be better."
"Just don't lose me" Mariana mumbled. "I am small."
"I won't lose you" Stef promised as she kept hold of the bag while they were in line. "I'll go first, so you can see me the entire time. Okay?"
"Yeah, okay" She agreed. "I can't wait to get there. It'll be fun. I miss mom and Callie."
"Me too, love" Stef agreed "I also miss my boys like crazy." She added "But, I have to say I've had a lot of fun hanging out with you the last few days. You're a fun kid Mariana. I am proud of you Miss Thing."
"I can't wait to tell the boys, that I was almost in a hostage situation!" She shook her head. "They're going to be so jealous!"
Stef rolled her eyes as someone turned around and starred at Mariana. "eyes forward, private conversation" Stef told the person before looking to Mariana "We don't need to talk about that right now."
"Sorry" Mariana blushed as she thought about how talking about a hostage situation in a high security line may not be the best bet. She moved a little closer to Stef. Who instinctively wrapped her arm around her shoulder. "In just a few hours, we'll be in Washington lounging with our girls. This will go by quicker then you know." She said as she kissed the top of Mariana's head.
"I am so excited!" Mariana told her "But you know, if we didn't get to go. I would have been okay hanging out with you the rest of the week too. It was fun. Even if you wouldn't try on those glasses today" She said with a smirk."
"The ones that cost five hundred dollars?" Stef asked with a laugh. "Yeah, sorry kid not on your life."
"You didn't have to buy them" Mariana argued "Just try them on."
Stef shook her head "With my luck, I'd have busted them and been out five hundred bucks! No thanks! I'd rather feed my babies."
"The boys could learn to eat less" Mariana laughed.
"Yeah, I'll let you tell them that" Stef said pushing Mariana forward a little as the line moved a bit.
Mariana cringed "On second thought. Maybe not trying on the glasses was a good idea."
"That's what I thought" Stef nodded as with a smile. "Five hundred dollar glasses will never be something I own kid."
"Your fifteen dollar ones, are actually really cute" Mariana admitted. "Actually they were cuter then the five hundred dollar ones."
Stef smiled "I had good help! Picking out some good ones. My new favorite." She said as they kept moving closer to get screened. "Almost our time. Once we get past security, dinner time and then time to board our plane and see our girls."
Mariana's eyes lit up. "When you put it that way... I am so excited!"
"We are going to die! Oh my God! Oh my God!" The lady in front of Mariana and Stef started screaming. Stef cringed while Mariana ripped her head phones of her head Her eyes were huge.
They were flying over a small summer storm. Fifteen minutes away until landing and they had some turbulence. Stef didn't mind it. She knew it could be un nerving for some though. To be jostled around while in the air. Stef had confidence in the pilot. She knew it wasn't that bad of a storm either. Just some wind. However the lady in front of them obviously had some anxiety. Her friend was trying to calm her down, but she was having none of it.
"Oh Hell NO! We are going to die! HELLLLP!" She continued to scream while a flight attendant stood next to her seat trying to calm her down. The more she screamed the more nervous people around them were getting. Including Stef's own daughter.
"Ma'am we are okay" The flight attendant tried. "Turbulence happens. The pilot has good control of the plane. It's just bumpy"
Mariana was clinging to Stef's arm now. Nails digging into her flesh.
"Baby" Stef said calmly "Look at my face" She tilted her daughter's face. "Do I look worried?"
Mariana shook her head "No..."
"The lady in front of us has an anxiety. Its making her panic. Her panic is now starting others to panic." She calmly explained "You can't let her fear, become your own" She said brushing Mariana's hair out of her face.
The lady let out another scream as she began to sob hysterically as the planed shook again.
Mariana whimpered slightly and buried her face into Stef's shoulder.
Stef grabbed Mariana's head phones "Lets put these back on for a few minutes" SHe said putting them on her daughter's head and turning up her music she was listening to. In hopes to drown out the lady in front of them. She then wrapped her arms around Mariana and held her tightly. She understood fear, but she had to admit the lady in front of her was being a bit dramatic and now she was freaking others around her. Including Stef's daughter. Not to mention Stef's own heart had jumped a few times after she screamed. Now all she wanted was off this darn plane and be with her wife and two girls.
The plane shook again
"WE ARE GOING TO DIE! SOMEONE HELP! I DO NOT WANT TO DIE! I AM TOO YOUNG TO DIE! GOD HELP US ALL"
Stef closed her eyes and rested her chin on her daughter's head. Fifteen more minutes she could handle this for fifteen more minutes.
Every passenger got off that plane in silence. Everyone wanted to get their bags and get to their desalination. Stef was so thankful to be walking to the baggage claim.
Mariana walking beside her quietly.
"Look" Stef said breaking the silence "Look who I see!"
Mariana looked up from watching the ground as they walked.
"MAMA!" She squealed as she took off running darting around people before running into Lena's arms.
Stef laughed at the surprise looked on Lena's face before her arms wrapped her around daughter.
"Well hello to you too, baby girl" Lena said holding her tightly "I missed you too"
She looked up to Stef with a questioning look on her face.
"We had some turbulence" Stef explained and a melting down woman in front of us. Upset our daughter a bit. She's just very thankful to be off that plane and with her mama."
"Hi, mom" Callie said stepping around Lena and Mariana.
"My Callie, girl" Stef said dropping her and Mariana's carry ons that she had managed to end up carrying. While she went to hug her daughter. "Oh, look at you" She smiled "You're sun burnt" She observed while seeing Callie's very red face. Before pulling her into her arms.
Lena cringed "Yeah, I think the one we brought from home is expired. I didn't notice until I was helping her re-apply later. We'll get more tomorrow."
Stef nodded while she hugged Callie tightly. "I missed you, bug"
"I missed you too" Callie laughed "And don't worry in a day this burn will be a tan."
The mothers hugged their daughters in their own arms for another minute before they broke away and Lena was finally able to give Stef a hug. "Welcome to Washington Babe, Lets go to our home for the next few days."
Stef nodded "Once we grab our bags, I am all for that. Please tell me your moms bar is stocked. After that plane ride. I could use a drink."
"Well stocked" Lena laughed "I had wine in the hot tub last night."
"Wine and a hot tun with my wife tonight sounds amazing"
The girls crinkled their nose's at the thought. "Thank God we're at the other end of the house" Mariana laughed
Callie nodded as she slipped her arm into Mariana's "I have so much to tell you" She told her.
"I can't wait to shower, change into my pjs climb into those comfy beds and just talk with my sister" Mariana agreed while Stef and Lena grabbed their bags quickly. "I can't think of a better way to spend tonight."
"Sorry your plane ride was scary" Callie smiled "But I am glad you're here. You're safe now."
Mariana nodded "With my moms, my sister and my feet firmly planted on the ground!"