AN: Yesterday, was a good day. I couldn't stop writing. I got in the groove and came up with long chapter, oops! Anyhow, this chapter contains a hint for future! Also, it has a small time jump, just to put things in motion, so we aren't in complete standstill.

Thank you everyone for reading and for support!

I hope you enjoy :)

Markus POV

December 7th

I'm a simple guy. Small things makes me happy. Like now, walking with my girl, holding hands and chatting with her - makes me incredibly happy. Luckily, Beth is the same way. Neither one one us needs fancy, expensive things to make us happy. We simply enjoy spending time with one another. Going out for an ice-cream can lead to a day, that I would remember forever, just because I spent it with her.

"You don't have to come. I can tell them that you are busy-" Beth instantly tries to give me a way out of her proposal. Before I could say anything back, she starts to ramble fast "My brothers are flying home for Christmas holidays, so you would have to deal with two protective older brothers. All of my grandparents are coming to visit as well. They wanted to meet you - see the young boy that I am dating!" She said the last part imitating her grandmothers voice "My dad, I think, still doesn't like you very much, but I am pretty sure he won't like anyone who dates his daughter- " Beth looked up to me and quickly added "Not that I want to date anyone else beside you. I love you!" She leans up to me to give me a quick kiss on my lips

"I love you too and okay!" I interjected, but Beth kept on rambling

"But my mom...well, she actually didn't say anything. She likes you. A lot! And my cousin Ellie is coming to visit for two days as well. Ever since I told her about you, she's been crazy to meet you in person-" Her ramble comes to stop "Wait-did you agree?" She looks up to me confused

"Yes, I agreed. A dinner with your whole family sounds crazy, but great! Besides it will be just for few hours." I glanced to my girlfriend "I can handle few hours with your crazy family!" I meant it in the nicest possible way

"But there are going to be all of the Morris family! You do understand that, right?" Beth replied gazing back to me

"I do. But I would like to finally meet these brother of yours, that you have talked about so often. And your...well, all of your extended family, not just your parents. We have been dating for a while now and I like to believe that we are in a serious, committed relationship. I can spend the Christmas with my family and then visit yours the next day!" I said swinging our hands together

"You parents probably have big plans for your Christmas as well," Beth reasoned back. It seemed like she was scared of me actuality meeting all of her extended family, that's why she has been trying to talk me out of it.

"Actually, not this year," I said averting my look down to the pavement

"Really? Why? Your parents love Christmas!" Beth asked, when we turned on the street my home is

"Yeah, they do. I think my parents dialed it back this year because of Callie. They don't want to overwhelm her. She's having a hard time settling in as it is and if bunch of strangers show up here...she's just not that comfortable yet" I explained "She needs some more time!"

"Right," Beth said knowingly as she looked to the street in front "Is it really that bad?"

"It's not...bad - bad! It's just...well, remember how I told you that she was in Juvie?"

Beth nodded her head back "I do!" she quickly added "I never told anyone!"

"I know, I trust you!" I smile at her before I continue "Well, I didn't tell you this before, but my mom was the one that arrested her! That's how she met Callie."

"What!?" Beth blurred out surprised to learn that "Are you serious?"

I nod back looking down the street, where I see my home just two houses down the road "So mom and Callie have this strained relationship, because of it...if you can even call it a relationship. But with me and dad, she's really distant and guarded. She doesn't seem to comfortable around us, like she's scared of us, all of the time."

"Are you sure I can come over?" Beth asked warily, when we were just one house down to my home "I don't want to…you know...disturb or makes things more complicated or harder!"

"Yes, it's okay!" I assured her, when we walk up to the house "Having one person over is not going to be overwhelming. I asked mom about it this morning."

"You never really told me, what she was arrested for," Beth said, when we stopped at the end of the path that leads up the house

I glance back to the house "You can't tell this anyone!"

"I won't. I promise!" I trusted Beth. When she promises something, you have her word.

"She attacked her foster brother and damaged his car," I said looking down to the ground between us

"So the things that the kids were saying in school about her...belonging in Juvie..." Beth voice got quieter and quieter "They are true?"

"She's not dangerous! If she was, my parents would not have her here. Those kids at school don't know shit about what they are talking about!" Beth looked pass me to the house "My mom is certain that she was provoked somehow and that she simply reached her breaking point! It can happen to all of us. One mistake can't define her life."

I noticed how scared Beth suddenly looked "Look, when you meet her, you will understand what I am talking about!" I pulled a little on her arm, so she would follow me in the house

When we enter the house, I hear my parents talking to Callie in the kitchen.

"It's stupid!" Callie said in raised voice, sounding agitated and frustrated with my parents. I can only guess that they were talking about why she was called to principals office today.

"It's about trust Callie!" My mom said to her in a firm voice, but it wasn't threatening "You skipped 10 classes in the last 3 days Callie. Right now, you don't have our trust! We thought you were in school, while in fact you were wandering around the city,"

"Well…I don't trust you either!" Callie snapped back. It was one of those things, that she simply had to say get back at my parents, to try and keep her distance from them.

"So, gaining each other trust will be the first thing that we all will work on!" my dad answered calmly

"Here is the deal," my mom spoke up "If you don't skip any classes in the next two weeks, till the start of your Christmas holidays, you can start walking home from school on your own after the holiday. Till then, either me or Aaron will pick you up."

"Two weeks!" Callie called out upset

"We know two weeks sound like a long time right now," Dad added "But trust me, it will go pass faster than you think! Amy and I, simply want the best for you. We like having you in the house and we don't want that to change! Lets not give your principal a reason to send a bad report to your PO, that could get you sent back!"

"Tell you what! If you do these two weeks without skipping any class, we will go out to see a movie and then have lunch! We could go to whichever movie you would want to see and go to restaurant, fast-food place, pizzeria of cafe of your choice!" Mom added in a cheerful manner, adding an extra reason for Callie to stick to the deal.

Beth squeezed my hand a bit tighter, making me look down to her "Should I leave?" Beth whispers to me

I shook my head, when I heard Callie's voice "Fine!" There it was, Callie's favorite word, but least favorite word for my parents "Can I go now?"

"It's – may I," mom corrects her quickly. In my mind I can clearly picture how Callie rolled her eyes and scoffed at my mom.

"But, yes, you can. Please do your homework before dinner!" Mom said, when I heard chair scratching at the floor noise. Callie appeared in the hallways second later. She momentary froze, when she saw me and Beth standing there.

"Hi! I'm Beth! You must be Callie," Beth raised her free hand up, giving her a little wave, as she smiled at the girl. Callie's head dipped down a little, before she hurried to the stairs and ran up. Her bedroom doors slammed close loudly. Beth gave me a look, asking me if she did something.

"She's shy," I whisper back

A beeping sound came from kitchen. I think it was the timer that mom used to know when it's time to take out or check on certain food in stove. Chairs pushed back and I heard moms light footsteps walking further in the kitchen, to the stove.

The other footsteps came to the hallway "Ah! I thought I heard voices and doors opening! Beth, nice to see you again!"

"Hi, Mr. Scott!" Beth greeted my dad with a smile on her lips

"Are you staying for dinner? We are going to serve cod today," my dad asked her. Beth looked up to me. I smiled and nodded to her, telling her she should.

Beth looked back to my dad and replied with a smile on her lips "I would love to!"

"Great!" Dad grinned at us before he disappeared back in the kitchen. For the time being, while we wait for dinner, I take Beth up to my room.

"He came home, soaking wet!" Beth finished telling her story to my parents "He looks so miserable, it was too funny!"

My mom said while laughing softly "I can only imagine!"

"Does your dad often has these kind of adventures?" my dad asked Beth, before taking a bite

"Pretty often, yes! Mom and I are used to it now!" Beth said with a laughter, when she reached for her glass to take a sip of her drink

"He's enjoying life, that's for sure!" Mom commented with a smile, but then she glanced to Callie, who was even more quieter than she usually was. Callie was poking the fish with her fork. She had eaten the rice and salad, but only some two bites out the fish. I don't think Callie had looked up from her plate once.

From the few bites that she had taken, I could tell, she did not like the taste of the fish. Callie stabbed another small piece of fish on her fork and reluctantly took a bite out of it. Her features and how slow she chewed told everyone, just how much she doesn't like it.

"You don't have to eat it, if you don't like it, sweetheart!" Mom reminded the girl, as she watched how Callie forced herself to eat it. Callie raised her head a little and peaked a look at mom. But she continued to chew it.

"We are not going to be angry. Aaron will eat it if you won't," Mom said and briefly looked to Aaron. Callie continued to chew slowly and reluctantly as her eyes moved to Aaron, who sat by her other side.

With his fork in his hand, he reached for her plate slowly while watching Callie carefully. When she finally swallowed the bite of food she had taken, she nodded her head back in barely visible manner. Dad picked up the fish and put it over to his plate and continued to eat.

Callie glanced to mom again. I didn't understood the look, but mom did.

"You can go, if you don't want to sit and chat, but you still need to do the dishes afterwards!" Mom said understanding the girls look. Callie was asking mom for permission to leave without saying anything. She nodded back before pushing her chair back and leaving the the room as quickly as she could, so she could go to her room and enjoy the solitude and quiet.

"So, Beth, have you decided what you want to do after high school?" Mom asked continuing the conversation

"Mom, you asked this the last time Beth was over for dinner!" I said back, not wanting to have this conversation again

"That was like 2 months ago!" Mom said back innocently

"3 weeks," I corrected her "Nothing is going to change in-"

"Actually," Beth interrupted me

"You know what you are going to do after High School?" I raised my eyebrow at her, watching her

Beth hadn't told me anything about it. We haven't been talking about it, mainly because we both were avoiding the topic. When you are a Senior in High school, the questions – have you decided what to do after High school or have you decided what you are going to study – comes up a lot. And when I say a lot – I really mean a lot! I am sick and tiered of those questions, because I don't have a clue what I am going to do. Asking me that question every other day, doesn't mean I will have a an answer for you sooner! I mean, I know I want to go to university and get a degree, but I don't have the slightest idea what I am going to study or what I even want to do in future.

"What are you thinking about?" Mom asked pressing her elbows on the table, looking at Beth

"I want to do something in medicine field. Right now I have two jobs that I am thinking about!" Beth said after she cleaned her mouth with the napkin. She crumbled the napkin up and placed it on the empty plate afterwards.

"Medicine, that's...that's serious field!" Dad said, obliviously slightly surprised. He resumed eating after he spoke up.

"What jobs are those?" Mom asked curiously

"Well, one is being a nurse, but other one is being an EMT paramedic!" my mouth dropped a little. I was not expecting to hear that. Especially the second one. Being an EMT paramedic can be a dangerous job, at least as far as I knew.

"Wow!" Mom looked surprised to hear that "Which one are you leaning towards more, right now?"

"At this moment, a nurse. I'm not exactly sure what it is that makes me want to pursue that career, but I guess it's something about helping people," Beth trailed off for a moment "It would be a hard work, but also rewarding. And I want to work with people."

"And the EMT paramedic?" my dad asked

"The thought about being the first responded is also something I have been thinking about. Paramedics are the first line of medical help a person can get. I would be there right after an accident occurs…I know it's much more challenging work that nurse, I would be out in the field, but if I can help people in emergencies and help save their lives..." She shrugged her shoulder at the end "It would be all worth it!"

"Well, both are important jobs!" Mom said nodding her head "Everyone always says it's the doctors that saves lives, but they wouldn't have anyone to save if it wasn't for paramedics. And without nurses, doctors are like without hands. Nurses actually have more communication with patients than doctors and they have almost the same amount of knowledge as doctors do!"

"I was thinking about that as well," Beth nodded, while looking at my parents "Nurse helps the patient recover more than the doctor does. The doctors only see you like once day. Nurse is the person that the patient talks to the most,"

"Why didn't you tell me this?" I asked Beth in a whisper. Not going to lie, I was a little hurt she hadn't talked to me about this before.

"I'm just thinking about it," Beth said as she turned to look at me "I haven't decided anything yet! There are still months before I have to make that decision and a lot can change!"

"Still, you could have talked to me about it," I said reaching for her hand in her lap. Beth looked down to our hands, before she leaned closer to me to kiss my cheek and whisper "Sorry," I gazed at her and smiled, telling her I'm not upset anymore

Amy POV

December 21st

The last two weeks went by fast and without any big events. Everything was calm at home. Neither Aaron, nor I were called to school, which I took it as good sign that Callie was actually keeping to her side of the deal to not skip any classes.

Callie hasn't changed a lot in these past days. She still doesn't talk much, she is still wary and guarded of Aaron and Markus, but she is getting there. Slowly. We are being patient with her. Even thought the changes aren't immediate, I can see she is slowly starting to become more comfortable around us. I have seen a small smile appear at Markus or Aaron's jokes here and there. It's disappear quickly, but I don't care. That's a progress.

It was my day off today, so I was the one that drove after Callie to school. Aaron had very stressful last few days in office, because there was a deadline coming. But because between this deadline and now there was the Christmas holiday, it made everything 5 times more stressful, because the Christmas pauses all the work and people don't really want overwork before holiday. Right now, he was in the office, having last meetings, sending last e-mails and making last calls, before he could come home.

I drove up to the school some 5 minutes before her last class should end. It was only some few minutes before noon, but kids were already walking out of the school. It was a almost Christmas, so basically there wasn't any learning going on. They just got their grade-cards, teachers said some last few words and that's about it.

I was pleasantly surprised, when I saw that Callie walked out of school together with Markus. They weren't talking, but still. That wasn't something that I had expected to see. Callie walked with a worried look on her face and was dragging her feet a little. I could only guess, that she was afraid to show me the grade-card she got. Markus next to her looked like he had no trouble in the world. He had a smile on his face and he had this happy bounce in his walk.

Markus climbed in the front seat, while Callie in the back, behind the drivers seat.

"Hey, kids!" I said in a cheerful manner as I turned the volume of the radio down

"Hey, mom!" Markus replied happily, Callie greeted me much more quieter

"I thought you said you had plans with Beth today," I said, when Markus closed the doors behind him

"Change of plans. We are meeting up later today, at Thomas place, for a little party. It won't be till 6," Markus explained while he took his backpack off and dropped it down to the floor in front of the seat

"Is this your way of asking if you can go to this party?" I asked raising an eyebrow at him

Markus flashed an innocent smile "...yes!" he blinked his puppy dog eyes at me "Can I go?"

"There is going to be drinking, isn't there?" I asked knowing all too well, how kids these days party

Markus hesitated with his answers a little, but ended up with the truth "Yes. Obviously," I smirked at his honestly

"What about weed?" I knew how teens partied.

"Look, I swear, that was a one time thing, mom! I'm not smoking it again! I promise! Oscar brought it the last time, he won't be in this party!" Markus answered without missing a beat "We are just going to hang out, watch a movie, play some poker...just chill! Nothing crazy! It will be a small group. Only our closest friends...like 8 people tops! Few of Beth's friends, few of mine. That's it!" He was trying hard to convince me to let him go to the party

"You are not driving, if you are going to be drinking at this party!" I tell him sternly

"So, that's a no on getting the car then?" he asked warily, but with a small smirk on his lip

"Yes. You can get a cab there and back, I am more than willing to pay for it, or you can get a ride from me or dad!"

"Cab!" Markus answered without missing a beat "That means I can go right?"

"Yes, you can go. But please, please don't drink too much. I don't want you to puke your guts out after or completely black out!" I point out "Be reasonable and smart about it!"

I know kids drink. That's nothing new. When I was a kid, I had gotten drunk few times as well. Aaron is no different. There is nothing I can do to stop it. I could say he can't drink, but nothing stops him from drinking. I can't forbid him to live life, I can't lock him in his room. It's better to keep it honest - kids drinks, but we can educate them about being reasonable about it.

Aaron and I have had more than enough talks with him, to trust him to make the right decisions and choices, when it comes to it. We hope we have raised him right. I want him to be reasonable about drinking. Few beers, bottle of wine, few small glasses of whiskey is fine if you drink it throughout the whole night. But chugging 5 beers or doing 8 shots in one hour, then blacking out and not remembering anything afterwards - is not!

"Few beers, that's it!" Markus promised me. I believed him. He hasn't given me a reason not to. Markus has been reasonable before, I'm positive, nothing will change this time.

"Okay," I turn to the backseat, where Callie was sitting quietly listening to our conversation. When I looked at her, she dipped her head down and avoided my look "Did you get your grade card?"

Callie nodded back and then reached for her backpack, that was put on the seat next to her. She zipped the bag open and took out the piece of paper. Her hand was trembling lightly, when she handed me the grade-card. She couldn't even look me in the eye, when she gave it to me.

I gave the girl a reassuring smile, when I took the piece of paper from her. Once I was turned normally in my seat, I held the card out and looked over it. I was mostly worried about the count of her absent classes. My only wish is that the number hasn't gone up.

My eyes traveled down the card, to where the number of missed classes was written. In the small box, next to the label - Unknown reason (unjustified) – I read the number 10. I let out a relieved sigh and smiled to myself. Callie kept her part of the deal, she hasn't missed a single class, since the day we were called to school.

When I looked up to the grades, I saw mostly C grades. There was one B in Music, but a D in math and Physics. Her grades probably aren't as good, because she did spend 3 months on Juvie. From her record, I remember that she was a C grade average student. Not failing, but not excelling. She was mediocre. There was room to grow, that's for sure.

I turned in my seat so I could see Callie "This is really good, Callie. Also, you kept to your part of the deal. I am very happy to see that the number hasn't gone up. I'm proud of you!" I praised her, when I handed her grade card back. I noticed the look in Callie's eye, when I had said that I was proud of her. There was a little spark in her eyes. Those words probably mean a lot to her. I can only imagine that no one else beside me and her own mom, had said that to her.

Overall, Callie looked perplexed by my words and the worried look, that she had, while walking to the car, hadn't disappeared. She reached for the paper, her hand was still trembling a little, when she took it "Y-you think this..this is good? You are not mad?"

"I know school has been hard for you, but you did real good! You spent most of your semester in Juvie and only had classes in this school for few short days. There is certainly room for growth. But considering how crazy this semester was for you, you did good. I really do mean it, when I say that I'm proud of you. Aaron will be too!" I reassure Callie

"I have to show it to Aaron as well?" Callie asked looking down to the paper, her eyes darted up to me "Can't you sign it!?" There was fear in her eyes that I hadn't seen before

"I can sign it, but Aaron will want to see your grade card as well," I explain to her calmly "But don't worry, he won't be bad. There is no reason to worry, Callie!" I try to reassure her, but the fear never leaves her eyes

"Can't you just...tell him? Just say that it was okay," She sounded more desperate than she did second ago

"How about we show him together?" I sensed that there was some story behind, why she was so scared about showing her grade card to Aaron. My gut told me it was not going to be a happy story. I also knew, there was a small chance that Callie will share it with me.

"Could you show it to him, if I was there as well?!" I asked watching the girls features closely. I could tell the thought still bothered her, but it did seem to calm her down a bit.

Once I saw Callie nod her head back I spoke up reassuring her "We will show him tonight. Together. There is no reason to worry, Callie. You will be all right! Aaron will be happy for you as well, not angry!"

My phone buzzed, I got a text from Aaron - Walking out of office. Did you pick up Callie, already?

"We are going to go celebrate the end of the semester" I said cheerfully to the kids, when I looked up from Aaron's text

"What about my grade card?" Markus asked "Do you not want to know how I did this semester?"

I turn to face Markus "All B's! Except for Gym and History, where you got A's!" I extended my hand to him, waiting till he puts his grade card in my palm

Markus looked down to the paper in his hand and then up to me as he jammed the paper back in his bag. He did not like that I knew him so well. I smirked at him, but Markus pouted back with chuckle "Shut up!"

"You kept your end of the deal, now it's our turn. We are all going to the movies!" I told Callie, showing her that I keep my word as well. That I am not just all talk.

"Cool! What movie?" Markus asked watching how I typed Aaron to meet us at the movies. Callie wasn't expressing her excitement about it, but at the same time, she wasn't hating on the idea as well. She remained quiet, watching us from the backseat, probably wondering if I am truly going to stick to my end of the deal.

"Don't know. Ask Callie's. She's picking!" I said tossing the phone in the small department in the front panel "Callie, buckle up, please!"

Markus pulled his seat belt over and said "Please no Twilight! Beth saw it with her friends few weeks back. I don't want to see glimmering vampires!"

I reach for the back-view mirror to adjust it. In the reflection I see how Callie pulls the seat belt over. We make eye contact, when Callie glanced up to the rear-view mirror from her seat. I smile at her before Callie quickly averts her look down.

Some minute after we had driven out of the school parking lot, came a small voice from the backseat "What's Twilight?"