AN* Hi guys! Thanks for following this story! I am sorry for the lack of updates. The last few months have just been a struggle and my heart hasn't been here, and I really hate forcing things just for the sake of writing. I hope to be able to get back into the swing of things, and who knows maybe this new season will inspire me! Enjoy guys! cococo
"I always forget how wonderful this place is" Stef dropped her bag onto her and Lena's bed. "You know, I am so glad your mom convinced your mom to bring up her painting. This little girls vacation is a great idea. Maybe we should make this a tradition with our girls. Yearly mother daughter vacation."
Lena smiled as she opened Stef's suitcase and began pulling things out. "Thanks for bring our coats... We'll want them when we go out later this week and its raining like predicted."
"Only in Washington can it be eighty one day and sixty and raining the next day" Stef laughed as she pulled out soem of Mariana's things. "That sneaky little monster, I told her she couldn't put anything in my suitcase! How on earth did I end up with her sweatshirt and sandals."
Lena laughed "She's sneaky, but cute."
Stef put the items to the side, she'd take them down to her in a minute. "She's an amazing kid, Lena. I mean I've always known that, but spending the last couple of days with just her, I just see her in a whole new light. She's growing up into this amazing woman. I think we're doing good."
"Its hard to admit our babies are growing up" Lena nodded "I want them to stay babies, forever. Normally I see Callie is this strong, teenage girl who has suffered horribly and overcome greatly, I am proud of her. Last night though, when I saw that older man hitting on her, something inside of me snapped, and I no longer saw that teen girl. I saw my baby. I was enraged! I wanted to shove one of those forks through his eyes" She admitted cringing slightly "I think I handled it wrong, Callie got so upset with me after."
Stef raised her eyebrow "How, so my love?"
Lena sighed "She accused me of not trusting her to handle herself, that she didn't need help. She was able to take care of herself, but Stef in that moment I didn't see our normally strong teenager, I just saw a little girl, my little girl." Her voice cracked "And she was so mad."
"She is your little girl" Stef reminded her "And she got angry at you, because she was scared, and you were safe.. I think that man last night, as wrong as he was to look at our daughter in a sexual way, but honey I think he closed a gap in your relationship with Callie."
Lena gave a small smile "This vacation, has seem to done that. I love that girl, but getting her all to myself, has been good for us."
"I agree" Stef nodded "I think we need to work more on one on one time with our children. I've connected to Mariana in a way I haven't in awhile. I see her everyday, I ask her about school and boys, but its not the same, as hours of time with just her."
Lena smiled and nodded in agreement. "Last night, Callie slept in here with me, and we set an alarm, got up before the sunrise. Made coffee and the two of us went out ont the back porch, curled up under my mother's quilts and we watched the sunrise. It was beautiful moment between us. I am going to hold this memory forever. I think tomorrow morning, I am going to wake Mariana up, and have a morning like that with her."
"Sound lovely, my love" Stef agreed "Maybe, I'll take Callie girl on a donut run in the morning, get a little moment away with her."
"I like it" Lena agreed "And the rest of the day, the four of us?" She asked "And then maybe tomorrow night, we can set the girls up here and go on a date?"
"Yes" Stef exclaimed "That's a great idea. I've missed you"
Lena leaned in and kissed Stef's forehead "I've missed you too honey, I don't think I've slept as well not having you next to me, you make me feel safe."
"You make me feel, loved" Stef whispered as she kissed her.
"Aww come on... Can't you wait until we're in bed at least" Mariana's voice came from the doorway, followed by Callie's snicker.
"Oh, look its the mood killers." Stef pretended to grumble "And Miss Thing, how did these end up in my suitcase?" She demanded with a glare.
Mariana's grin grew "They fell in, by accident" She giggled as she came into the room and crawled onto the bed next to Lena. "Hi, mama" She greeted her.
Lena laid a kissed on her forehead "My sweet girl."
"Cal, lets get some aloe onto your skin" Stef said standing up and grabbing a bottle of aloe from off the top of the vanity. "That burn looks, painful."
"It'll be a nice tan, by tomorrow." Callie shrugged "It's fine."
"We need to run and get more sunblock tomorrow, before we do anything tomorrow" Lena told Stef while Stef patted the bed again. "Come here, Cal"
Callie crawled onto the bed in front of Stef trying to hold back a yawn.
"Tired, my baby?" She asked with a smile "Mama, wear you out today?"
Callie nodded with a smile "She's brutal vacationer, jet skies and sun bathing."
"Oh, you poor unfortunate soul" Mariana teased "That must have been rough. I am not sure I'll be able to handle that torture."
"You two are real cute' Stef shook her head as she moved Callie's hair off her shoulders and began to rub the aloe into her hot skin. Causing her to wince slightly. "Hurt, honey?"
Callie nodded "Maybe a little."
"Do you think you'll be able to sleep okay?" Lena asked
"I'll be fine, mama" Callie promised with a smile obviously touched by the concern from her mother's. She'd gone so long without people caring about if she was in pain, or hungry, or cold. She was starting to remember how nice it was to have someone worry.
Lena nodded "You'll let me know if you can't sleep?"
Callie nodded "Yes, but I'll be fine. I promise."
Stef watched her yawn again before she patted her back. "I am done, baby girl. Why don't you and your sister go and get ready for bed. I can tell you two are tired. Its been a long day."
"You just want to get close to mama" Mariana teased "R, rated"
"Mariana!" Lena gasped while Stef flicked her "Cheeky."
"I could have lived my whole life without that image, Mari" Callie whined slightly proving to Stef how tired this kid was.
"Alright, babies for real bedtime."
She helped Callie up and grabbed Mariana's things "Did you ladies, get all settled in?"
Mariana gave Lena a hug "Goodnight mama, I love you"
"Love two baby, get some sleep. Don't stay up all night talking with your sister."
"Who us?" Mariana exclaimed "We'd never do that"
"Oh, never" Lena mocked "I am pretty sure, I come into your room at least twice a week telling you two to go to bed. Jesus and Jude don't talk as much as you two"
"Its all her" Callie pointed with a smile
"Traitor" Mariana teased.
Stef walked them to the door handing Mariana her things and then kissed them both on their forehead "I love you, my babies, sleep well. See you in the morning"
She watched them head down the hall towards the other wing of the house talking and giggling as they went. She smiled as she closed the door. "Remember when we first brought Callie home, how closed off she was, how closed off Mariana was. How neither wanted to be around each other, and sharing a room was the worst part."
Lena chucked "Yes, and the screaming matches and fighting, sure that one was snooping or stealing."
Stef laughed "Yeah, I thought they'd end up ripping each other's hair out, but look at them. They are bonded at the hip."
"I always wanted a sister growing up" Lena sighed "I longed for one actually, having a best friend under the same room. Sharing secrets and private jokes. I love watching those two develop that."
"Me too" Stef agreed "Those two have texted each other every day since you left. They can't even go a day without talking. We've done something great Lena. We set those girls up with a best friend for life."
"I love that all our kids are close, they are so good to one another, even when they are fighting" She sighed as she leaned back against the pillows.
"What's the matter my love?"
"I am missing our boys" Lena said softly "I am having fun with our girls, but I miss those loud, funny boys. I wish they were here. I hope they are having fun."
"I miss them too. We need to plan another family vacation sometime soon. Getting out together is so good for us. It just forces us to catch up, and create memories."
Lena reached for Stef's hand. "I agree. Lets do it. I love our life, I love our kids. The good, the bad, being here just makes my heart so thankful for them. For this, for you."
Stef leaned over and kissed her wife tenderly "I love you too, my sweet sweet love. Very much so"
Lena quietly tip toed into the girls room, early the next morning. Smiling at seeing their sleeping figures. She moved over to Callie's bed and carefully recovered her eldest child. Not knowing the motion would cause the girl to stir.
Callie's eyes fluttered open as she watched the figure move over to Mariana's bed.
"Mariana, baby" Lena whispered "Wake up, please" She shook her slightly causing her to stir.
"Mama?" Mariana questioned sleepily "What's wrong?"
"Nothing baby, nothing" Lena promised "I just want you to get up, I want to show you something."
"Tired" Mariana mumbled
"I know sweetheart, I know" Lena nodded "But this is worth it, I want to share it with you."
"K" Mariana groaned
"Shhh, don't wake Callie" Lena whispered as she helped Mariana grabbing a blanket from the end of her bed.
Callie's heart sank slightly. Lena didn't want her awake. She wanted Mariana. She knew they were going to watch the sunrise, which Callie had been hoping to do again with her mother. Something that she shared with just her. The moment the day before seemed special. She thought it had been with her mother too, but now she wasn't sure.
"So, early" Mariana grumbled rubbing her eyes "You're crazy" She whispered to Lena as she allowed her to drag her from the room grumbling the whole way out of the room.
Callie sat up once they were gone. She rubbed her face. She didn't understand why it bothered her so much, that Lena was taking Mariana to watch the sunrise. She knew it was special and beautiful and Mariana should get to see it, but she wanted to be with Lena again. She wanted those moments again.
"Come on Callie, pull it together' She muttered to herself "You're acting like a jealous five year old." She lay back against the pillows and closed her eyes again. Sleep however did not come again. So she climbed out of bed, and headed down the house. She paused slightly seeing the backs of her mother and sister on a dark porch swing.
She heaved a huge sigh and went to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup of coffee before taking it down to the other end of the house. She poked her head into Lena and Stef's room.
"My baby" Stef whispered hearing the door open. "Mama and Mariana wake you up?"
Callie was surprised that Stef knew it was her.
"Come in, love come here. Mama is not going to like you have that coffee" She said sitting up and extending her hand for the mug.
"She let me have some yesterday morning, when she allowed me to watch the sunrise with her. Am I only allowed to have it, if I am with her?" Callie mumbled with an eye roll as she crossed the room and handed the mug to Stef.
Stef took a sip of the coffee "You wanna see the sunrise again?" She asked tiredly "Or climb in bed with me, and take a nap until you and I go get donuts?"
Callie crawled into bed with Stef taking Lena's side "She doesn't want to watch with me this morning. She wanted Mariana."
Stef ran her fingers through Callie's hair as she lay next to her. Not realizing Callie was actually feeling slightly left out. "Why don't you go back to sleep my love, mama and I thought it would be fun if she watched the sun rise with Mariana and I took you on a donut date. Get some one on one time with our girls."
Callie sighed as she lay down next to Stef closing her eyes. Here her mother's planned something well thought and special, and she was still grumpy. Which made her feel worse. Selfish and ungrateful. She sighed loudly as she closed her eyes.
Stef ran her fingers through Callie's hair again "We can get at least another hour of sleep, pretty girl."
Callie rubbed the bridge of her nose. She felt stupid for being jealous, but she wanted to be out there right now with Lena. She wanted that moment one more time. Truth be told her and Stef had bonded almost right away, but it was different with Lena, and Lena was the one that brought her home. If it weren't for Lena she'd never been an Adam's Foster child. That moment on the porch yesterday had connected them. She loved her mother's, she loved being an Adams's Foster. She also knew how quickly those moments could be robbed from you. Sometimes she lived off the memories she shared with Colleen. Now she had some built up with Stef, these memories she could pull up when lost or scared. Now she needed some with Lena. She sighed one more time. Kicking herself for not letting this go.
"I love you" Stef whispered into the dark room already almost asleep again.
This just made her feel all the more guilty. "I love you too" She managed to squeak out.