"Mariana" Lena called coming into the house.
"Up here" Mariana called from her bed.
"Oh good your both here" Lena said sticking her head into the girls room seeing Callie sitting on her bed.
"I bought something today" Lena said in a sing-song voice
"What!" Mariana cried even though Callie knew she knew the answer.
"Just a little white dress" Lena held up a bag
"Oh mommy! Try it on try it on!" Mariana cried.
"Momma's not home right? I want to save it"
"No she went to physical therapy" Mariana shook her head.
"Ok wait here" Lena said Callie heard her go down to her bedroom shutting the door.
"Oh my gosh i'm so excited" Mariana said going over to her wall that had been taken over with wedding pictures from websites.
"Do you think Stef will get a dress?" Callie asked joining her to look at them
"No, momma's said she doesn't want one, she already wore one when she married Mike and said that's enough for her. But she really want's mommy to wear one, she never got to" Mariana said.
"Are you ready?" Lena called from the hallway.
"Yes!" The girls cried. Lena pushed open the door and Callie and Mariana both gasped. Lena stood wearing a pearl white dress that hung down to the floor. It was tight to her thin body, strapless hugging her chest in all the right places. Low cut in the middle with a few accent beads. She had pulled her wild curls to one side letting them hang over her shoulder.
"What do you think? To low?" She asked pulling the dress up in the middle self consciously when neither of the girls said anything.
"I think your the most beautiful thing I have ever seen" Callie whispered before she could catch herself.
"Oh" Lena laughed blushing a little
"Oh mommy it's perfect. it's so perfect you look like a princess" Mariana cried.
"Thank you girlies" Lena said.
"You should never take it off" Mariana whispered as Lena did a little twirl for them.
"Hello" They heard Stef call as the front for opened.
"Oh no!" Lena cried.
"Go change we'll distract her" Callie said as she and Mariana ran down the stairs.
"Momma! your home" Mariana said.
"Hey girls, Is mom here? I saw her car"
"Shes…no" Callie said not thinking of a good reason.
"She's taking a walk, around the block, you know, exercise" Mariana said. Stef gave both girls a look.
"Come sit with us I want to hear about your day" Mariana said pulling Stef out onto the back patio.
"Ok clearly something is going on here, just tell me is your mom behind this?" Stef asked.
"Yes" Mariana nodded.
"Well then…alright" Stef said not knowing what else to say.
"Hey my love" Lena came down the stairs back in her jeans and shirt.
"Hey how was your walk?" Stef laughed.
"Ummm, brisk" Lena said shooting the girls a look.
"We suck at this" Callie whispered to Mariana making her laugh
"Ok Callie girl we should get you to group" Lena said checking her watch.
"Ok, let me grab my shoes" Callie agreed running to grab them. Mariana got up following her back into the house
"Wow, no fight today" Stef muttered surprised
"She's been doing really well, I think she's turned that corner" Lena said.
"Good. I'm sorry I let you take the reigns on this one love I know you like us to be united"
"No it's ok. I have the degree in child physiology right, this is my time to step up" Lena said.
"Good, well i'm glad she has you, you do seem to be making a difference" Stef whispers kissing her gently as Callie came down the steps.
"Ok girly let's go" Lena said grabbing the keys
"Hey momma will you help me with my three pointer?" Jesus asked coming home from school Friday night.
"No momma needs to rest" Lena said following him in.
"Yeah, you bet bud to throw some shorts on" Stef said.
"Stef, you know your not supposed to you still have your stitches in…" Lena said as the other kids came into the house behind her.
"Lena I sit around this house all day, I can't work, you don't let me lift anything, my brain is frying I can toss around a basketball" Stef said.
"Hey boys go throw some dirty clothes on basketball in 5 minutes" Stef said addressing Brandon and Noah.
"Sweet" they said running up the stairs.
They were not outside for very long when Noah came running in
"She's bleeding she's bleeding" He said pulling on Lena's arm.
"what! what happened" Lena asked as Stef came in holding her side.
"Nothing love I just stretched to far" Stef sighed.
"Oh I knew this would happen B go get my keys" Lena said.
"No Lena i'm fine it didn't rip I just need a clean bandage" Stef said starting to climb the stairs.
"What happened" Mariana and Callie asked coming from their room to the top of the stairs.
"Nothing nothing" Stef said as Lena followed her up going into their bathroom. Stef pulled off her bandage and Lena handed her a new one not looking at the wound. Stef quickly covered it.
"i'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you self conscious" Lena sighed at how quickly Stef pulled her shirt back down.
"I don't, I just know how much it bothers you to see it" Stef said
"I'm not bothered by it." Lena shook her head.
"Lena you don't even touch me there, you won't even look at it" Stef said
"It's just, a constant reminder you know, not just of what happened but you will probably be going back to work soon…" Lena said.
"I know, I can't stay home forever love" Stef said getting up and leaving the room.
"Ok Brandon is on his way home from the airport with momma and daddy, Mike and Noah are in the back setting up tables, Jesus is setting up the food and the girls are finishing the salad what am i forgetting?' Lena asked walking into her bedroom. Stef looked up at her from where she was putting her shoes on. Lena's hair was crazy and she still won't dressed in what she planed on wearing. She absentmindedly flattened the top of her curls as she ran through her list in her mind.
"Love" Stef said.
"mmm" Lena mumbled distracted.
'My love" Stef said again standing behind her slipping her arms around her waist.
"What?" Lena asked.
"You look beautiful, the house is spotless, your parents can't wait to see you, your mother will not complain about your hair, the kids have everything under control" Stef whispered pulling Lena towards her to the bed.
"Mariana is kind of running this show isn't she" Lena laughed a little when suddenly Stef gave her a little push and Lena landed on her back on the bed. Stef crawled on top of her gently kissing her neck.
"Stef, do we have time for this?" Lena asked in a giggle as Stef kicked the door shut with her foot.
"It's our wedding night, besides with Mariana down there they won't even miss us" Stef said. Lena pulled back giving her a look
"Ok it's the night before our wedding night sue me" Stef said starting to unbutton Lena''s shirt running a trail of kisses down her jaw.
"Momma!" They heard Jesus call up the stairs.
"Ohh not now!" Stef groaned kissing Lena's neck.
"Hello we're here" Brandon suddenly called.
"Oh crap i'm not dressed" Lena cried rolling out from under Stef and jumping up, running into their bathroom. Stef flopped on her back on the bed letting out a sigh.
"Ohh sorry love" Lena laughed at her.
"Momma, daddy" Lena said coming down the stairs a few minutes later followed by Stef.
"Hi baby on look at you" Lena's mother said wrapping her arms around Lena before letting her go and adjusting some of her curls.
"Hey darling" Her father gave her a kiss.
"Where are all your children the only one we have seen is this strange boy here who can't possibly be our little Brandon" Lena's mom said giving Stef a hug.
"Oh yeah they have all grown like weeds we gota stop feeding them or something" Stef said as Jesus and Mariana came in.
"Gram! Gramps" Mariana said giving both her grandparents a hug.
"Oh look at you pretty girl!" Gram said squeezing her tight then turning her attention to the two remaining children.
"Callie, Noah this is my mom Dana and my dad Robert, Mom, dad this is our Callie and Noah" Lena said putting a hand on each kid's shoulder. Callie looked at the two people in front of her. Lena's mom had darker skin then Lena. She was larger but it looked good on her, she wore a long dress and spoke with a hint of southern accent. Lena's father was a white man with graying hair. He was tall and had a twinkle in his eye like Lena did.
"It's nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Adams" Callie said holding out her hand.
"Oh none of that in everyone in this house calls me Gram." Dana said catching Callie off guard and smothering her into a hug.
"Mom, mom!" Lena said trying to quickly get her mother off Callie.
"Sweetheart can you go out back and set up the food. Guys go help, people should be here soon" Lena said as the kids went into the backyard.
"Mom we've told you this you can't just come in and hug a new foster kid and demand she calls you Gram" Lena sighed as her mother followed her into the kitchen.
"Why is she dangerous?" Dana asked looking out the window at the kids.
"No she's not dangerous, she's the furthest thing from it, but she''s been through a lot. She just barley barley started letting Stef and I hug her or touch her. We don't want to force her" Lena said filling a cup with water and taking a drink.
"oh posh, are you leaving your hair like that?" Dana asked adjusting Lena's hair again.
"Yes mom," Lena sighed.
"Alright, It looks good" Dana said wondering back out to the living room.
"Your hair looks beautiful" Stef said coming up behind Lena.
"You know I spend most of the time they are not here wishing they would visit more, then they visit and I think, what the hell was I thinking" Lena sighed.
"At least they came" Stef said.
"Your right, I'm sorry, that was a shallow thing to say, your dad didn't answer?" Lena asked turning to her.
"I sent the invite he texted me maybe but I'm not holding my breath" Stef sighed.
"I'm sorry love" Lena folded her into a hug.
"It's probably for the best anyway" Stef pulled back smiling.
"Should I go check on Callie or do you want to?" She asked.
"Oh I will do it. Mom probably traumatized her" Lena sighed. Stef rubbed her nose against Lena's before letting her go. Lena wondered into the back yard where everything was set up for the dinner party they were having tonight with some close friends and family the day before the wedding. There were white table cloths covering the long table. Lights twinkled from the trees above and paper lanterns hung down. There were pictures of Lena and Stef around the backyard and a beautiful cake sat on the table nearby.
"What do yo think?" Mariana asked as Lena stepped out onto their patio.
"Beautiful darling, thank you for all the work you put into this" Lena said giving her a hug.
"Oh Callie can i…" Lena asked waving her over away from the kids.
"Yeah" Callie asked as Lena patted the swing next to her. Callie sat down and Lena thought back to a few months ago when Callie wasn't even comfortable being in a room alone with Stef or Lena. Now she could sit side by side with her on the swing engaging in a conversation.
"I'm sorry my mom jumped you like that, we try to explain how foster kids sometimes don't like that but..she just want's to love you know, She really didn't mean it. And you don't have to call her Gram. Call her what ever you want, call her hey you for all I care don't let her make you call her Gram" Lena said
"It''s ok, really, she was just being nice" Callie said with a little laugh in her voice.
"Yeah?" Lena asked.
"Yeah, she's sweet, I appreciate what she's trying to do" Callie nodded.
"Ok, good, i'm glad to hear she didn't freak you out I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable in your own home while she's here. If you ever feel like that please let me know and I will talk to her right away. I know how she can get. Ok, so how is all this, what else needs to be done?" Lena slid getting off the swing and looking over the yard.
"Yeah right like Mariana is going to let you touch any of her party" Callie said making Lena laugh her hand flattening her hair again. Callie watched Lena look over the yard.
"does your mom make you feel uncomfortable?" Callie asked watching her.
"Oh she just, always has a comment for something. I love her to death but i'm glad she's a plane ride away most of the time" Lena sighed. Callie wrapped her arms around Lena's waist surprising her.
"I can't wait until Stef sees you in that dress tomorrow" Callie said.
"Thank you sweetie" Lena said ever so gently placing a kiss on the top of Callie's head.
"People are here" Jesus called from the kitchen.
"Alright, let's go party" Lena smiled at Callie.
"Hey Foster you clean up nice" One of the officers from Stef's department called as Stef walked through the hallway.
"Hey Donaldson you look good for a jackass in a tie" Stef yelled back making the group of officers laugh.
"Oh man best women ever" One of the men sighed making Stef smile as she walked through the house looking for Lena.
"We are just so glad she's coming back to work next week" Stef's police captain was telling Lena as Stef walked into the room. Lena looked up her eyes meeting Stef's
"I was umm going to tell you after the wedding" Stef sighed.
"Will you excuse us for a minute" Lena said grabbing Stef's hand she pulled her into the bathroom shutting the door behind her.
"Lena, Lena i'm sorry I… What are you doing" Stef cried as Lena pushed her against the wall and started unbuttoning her shirt.
"Lena wait, your parents are right outside. Lena!" Stef said as Lena opened her shirt reviling her bare stomach. Lena looked down at the scar from the bullet. then ever so gently placed her fingers over it.
"I'm making my peace with it" Lena said calmly.
"Tomorrow I marry all of you, the scar, the bullet and the cop" Lena whispered.
"Your ok with that?" Stef asked.
"It makes you who you are, I love you for it" Lena smiled kissing her deeply.
"And I know B and the twins wouldn't have a problem" Lena said as she lay in Stef's arms the next morning. The door to their bedroom was closed and they soaked up their last few minutes together before their wedding day.
"I mean, I know it was not supposed to happen but I fell in love Lena, and I love seeing you with them." Steph breathed
"I know, I was so afraid to admit it but I can't imagine life without them anymore. It wouldn't feel right" Lena nodded
"So we both agree?" Stef asked. Lena just beamed at her kissing her in response.
"We have to go tell them! Now!" Stef cried.
"Right now honey they are all still asleep?" Lena laughed.
"I don't care this is not wait until they all straggle out of bed news! This is wake them up and party news!" Stef cried jumping out of bed.
"yes! Well clothes first, then tell them" Lena laughed.
"Oh hurry hurry" Stef said as she and Lena threw on pajamas they had thrown around the room last night.
"Callie! Mariana! Jesus! Noah! B! Wake up wake up!" Stef yelled laughing as she and Lena ran through the top floor pounding on the kids bedroom doors.
"Wake up! wake up! come quick we have to most amazing news. quick meet us downstairs" Lena yelled as she and Stef ran down the stairs giggling.
The kids quickly gathered some more awake then others as they sat on the couch. Lena and Stef in front of them.
"Well Callie, Noah, we were wondering what you guys would think about making this a more permeant arrangement." Stef said She immediately saw Mariana's eyes light up with understanding. Brandon smiled and Jesus nodded and Lena instantly knew they had their approval.
"What do you mean?" Callie asked.
"We are taking a big step in bonding our family today, forever, and we can't imagine our family without you guys in it anymore. You guys really deserve a forever home, and we would like it to be ours" Lena said.
"You mean…like adopting us?" Noah asked. Stef smiled nodding at him.
Callie and Noah looked at each other beaming.
"Is that a yes?" Stef practically yelled.
"Yes, yes!" Callie said.
"Yeah!" Noah cried.
"AAHHH" Stef cried as she and Lena jumped onto the couch on either side of the two kids crushing them into a hug and showering them with kisses.
"This is ok? With you guys?" Callie asked turning to the other three kids.
"I mean you already live here" Jesus shrugged trying to act tough.
"I can't imagine you guys leaving" Mariana said.
"There's enough for everyone" Brandon nodded.
"AHH get in here, this is the happiest day of my life!" Stef cried as everyone pilled onto the couch.
A few hours later everyone had worked to transform the back yard. People were starting to gather under the twinkling lights of the trees as the sun began to set. Lena was getting ready in the girls room while Stef got ready in their own room.
"Whatever you do don't let them see each other" Mariana told Callie as the girls ran around upstairs helping them.
"Almost ready?" Mike asked knocking on the door as Callie was helping Stef with her necklace.
"Yeah" Callie nodded.
"You look beautiful" Mike said giving Stef a kiss on the cheek.
"Ok we have to come this way, You can't see each other" Callie said. Stef was wearing a white pants suite, Her blond hair was down like usual, she looked beautiful, but not to dressy like the day made no difference to her, like she had been married to Lena her whole life. Callie left Stef with Brandon as she and Mariana ran ahead to take their places at the front. The kids would be standing in the middle front of the church in front of everyone else. Lena's father stood in the middle waiting to conduct the ceremony. The music started and Brandon and Stef made their way to the front under the arch. 100 of their friends and family were there watching. Brandon kissed his mother on the cheek and stepped next to his brothers. Everyone looked back down the aisle but first Callie stopped to look as Stef. She could tell the minute Lena came into her view because Stef's face melted. Callie turned, Lena's mother was walking her down. Lena had the most beautiful white dress on. Flowers littered her wild curls matching the ones in her hands. Callie felt Lena take her breath away. She turned to Mariana who was watching her mom beaming,
"You did good" Callie whispered
"Shut up" Mariana smiled whipping a tear from her eye she reached down to hold Callie's hand.
"Welcome friends, Now that the supreme court has finally deemed fit that all people are equal to the same rights under the law, and have the right to the same challenges, triumphs, benefits and burdens of marriage as everyone else, I am very proud to welcome you all to the marriage of my daughter, Lena Elizabeth Adams, to Stephanie Marie Foster." Lena's father started.
"And we are so happy that you are here to witness this magical event. A moment when two souls declare that they have become one. Lena would you like to go first?" He asked as Lena and Stef turned to each other Lena took Stef's hands in hers.
"Stephanie Marie Foster, you are a piece of work. But your my piece of work. You make me feel safe and protected everyday that you bless our home. I love seeing you with our kids, and I love that no matter what walls I put around my heart you break them down just stepping into the room. I accept you, every single thing that makes you who you are, from now until the end of time, I love you" Lena said.
"You are the person I have been waiting for my whole life. You make me feel loved and important. You ground me when things get hard, you are my rock. And I am so proud to be standing up here in front of our friends and family to make sure they know, just how lucky I am to have found you, and Just how much I love you" Stef said. It was quiet as the two women looked deep into each other's eyes.
"May we have the rings please" Lena's father asked waving Noah up. He stepped up beaming offering one ring to each women as they slipped it on each other's finger.
"Well I think it's high time someone kissed somebody around here" Lena's father said. Both women gathered each other up in their arms in a long kiss while everyone stood clapping and cheering.
The chairs were cleared setting up a dance floor as everyone stood talking and eating, some danced. Callie hung back with Noah not sure of all the people around.
"Excuse me everybody" Mariana called everyone turned as she had the microphone.
"I would like to dedicate this song to my mom's. I hope you guys know how much I love you" Mariana said as the song Same Love started playing. Stef and Lena smiled as Mariana pulled them into the middle of the dance floor and Callie watched as they gathered in a hug whispering. Suddenly they broke apart Stef walked over to Callie and Noah pulling them onto the dance floor. Lena came from the other side with Jesus and Brandon. They danced together, the seven of them taking up the whole floor. They danced together, in groups, in pairs always switching as Callie danced with every single person in her new family that night.
Later they all lay in Stef and Lena's bed. All to tired to move as they squished together in pajamas.
"Are you guys going on a honeymoon?" Brandon asked.
"No way, we have five kids, who would watch you all" Stef asked messing his hair.
"We would miss you guys to much" Lena said. Callie was curled into her side her head on her shoulder.
"We would miss you too" Callie told her.
"I'm so tired I don't think I can walk down the hall to my room" Jesus said
"Shhh" Stef whispered looking down as Noah asleep with his head on her chest.
"Maybe tonight, we don't have to move" Lena whispered.
"God five kids in the bed, bad idea" Lena said stretching a kink in her neck looking in the mirror. Stef laughed in the shower.
"Hey, get in here" Stef said pulling open the curtain.
"Stef, the kids" Lena whispered looking into the room where all the kids were still asleep on the bed. The morning sun casting a light over them, Lena smiled at the pile of bodies crammed into the bed.
"Are asleep" Stef said pulling Lena in for a kiss. Lena lifted her foot shutting the door with it. She locked it as Stef pulled off her robe and dragged her into the shower.