AN: 3 things:1)Thank you for the support and thank you to the guests, who have pointed out the grammar mistakes. I will try to keep it in mind and not make them again.

2)serenityskywalker asked about 2 things, I thought it could interest some of you:

2A)I wasn't planning on bringing the Quinn's in the story(Robert signed the papers and that's it). If I would bring them up, it would just be for one chapter...maybe two. I personally don't really want them in this story. I would love to hear you thoughts - should I bring the Quinns up?

2B)I haven't figured out this whole Callie's love interest in detail, but one thing I know -he will be someone completely new. I could introduce him few chapters down, but nothing too big will happen between them (not before I finish the story lines that I have left hanging up in the air). I still have to finish this storyline, then I have the marathon, pot-brownie story line and few others suggestion that came before this (I have already made some people wait for weeks)

3)You have no idea how hard this chapter came to me. This chapter has 8 versions. I wrote the first version, then reread it and thought - Gosh, this sucks so bad! And I started to write it all over again and once I read the new version, I thought the same thing. I was in a loop! I had this image in my mind, how I wanted things to unfold...but I just couldn't write it the way I had pictured it! So frustrating! I realized I would never get the chapter up the way I wanted it to be, so I had to go with the version of this chapter, that I thought sucked the least.

I'm so sorry in advance. I know this chapter it is bad...but I just couldn't rewrite it again. I needed to get pass it.

Callie POV

After Cooper left to pick up Amy's family from airport, I spent most of the time with Lena. When the nurse was in mom's room, we just sat together in the waiting room, talking about small stuff and just discussed the news that was shown on the TV.

Some while later, we headed down to the cafeteria to join others lunch. Even Stef was there, for company only. She was sitting in her wheelchair, with Frankie in her lap. She still got meals delivered to her room, but she wasn't tied to her room. So, if she stays in her wheelchair, she can wander the hospital and hospitals territory.

After lunch, when the kids took Stef back to her room, Lena and I stayed at the cafeteria a while longer.

"Do you have good relationship with Amy's family?" Lena asks me once it was just the two of us

I shrug back at first "It's pretty good. It is hard not to like Amy's parents, they are really sweet and loving. And her brother Andy is nice as well"

"When did you first meet them?"

"Few days before the funeral, when they all flew in" I explain fiddling the toothpick between my fingers

"It was probably hard to meet all of them at the same time" Lena wonders out loud

"Yeah...it wasn't your typical way to meet the family. But they treated me like I was a part of the family for years"

"Just...Amy's parents?" Lena asks pressing her elbows on the table, leaning a bit closer to me

"Aaron's parents weren't as...welcoming. They are not good people" I reply barely above whisper "They kind of hated me...still hate me"

"Why?" Lena asked surprised

"In some weird way they blame me for what happened with their son and grandson" Lena shakes her head back in disbelief

Flashback

The house was full. All of the extended family was here. Everyone looked shocked about what had happened. There was a lot of crying and some people were really angry. There was a lot of talk and discussion about what had happened and what will happen (about the funeral).

I was sitting on the stairs, my right side and side of head pressed to the wall. Everyone else was in the living room- discussing the tragic incident.

I wasn't there with them, because I didn't exactly belong here. I was the odd one out, I wasn't family! But even though I was just the foster kid, who has lived here for barely 3 months, I still cared. It shocked me as well. It was hard to see Amy devastated like this.

I was already expecting, preparing to be sent away. This morning I packed all my stuff. I was sure that Amy wouldn't keep me, not after what happened yesterday. This time I would at least know why it happened. This time I would know for sure – this wasn't my fault, this isn't a result of something I did.

I started to listen more carefully to their conversation once I heard them starting to talk about me.

"What about the girl?" Aaron's father's Ian asked

"What about her?" Amy's mother Linda, asked back

"What are you going to do with her!?" Ian asked bluntly

"Don't talk to her like she is an object, Ian!" Andy, Amy's brother, said back loudly "She's a kid!"

"I say you should send her back!" Aaron's mother Betty agreed with her husband

"Andy is right! Callie is not an object you can return! Don't talk about her like that!" Linda spoke up again

Oddly enough, I didn't hear Amy at all.

"I agree with my wife! Amy should send her back to foster care, where she came from. You have enough on your plate as it is! She is not your responsibility!" Ian stated back. Clearly he wanted to get rid of me. I had no idea what I did to be hated so much.

"It is her fault this happened!" Betty added to her husband

"How is it her fault? She was at home! With Amy! Are you two completely out of your minds! It wasn't her fault!" Andy said in raised voice

"Amy said she asked Aaron to take Markus for a day out!" Ian said louder "So she could have a girls day or whatever with her! This could have been avoided if the girl was not here! They would still be alive if the stupid kid didn't need so much attention...special treatment!"

"Oh, shut up Ian! You have no idea what you are talking about!" Amy's father Harold spoke up, defending me (I guess) "It was a fucking accident! Those happen you know! And she has a name...It's Callie...but not that you care! You are a heartless bastard...you don't care about anyone else but your own ass!"

"Don't talk to my husband like that!" Betty defended her husband

I had a feeling the two families didn't exactly get along. Aaron and Amy might have been a family, but that doesn't mean their families got along.

"Just admit that you two were never really happy for Aaron and Amy becoming foster parents!" Linda spoke up and defended Amy and Aaron's choice of becoming foster parents "They are doing amazing things, helping kids who need help-"

Harold interjected quickly, I assume it was aimed to Ian and Betty "Not that you know what is that like...helping people!"

Linda continued "-You never have supported them! Not with Callie, not when they were fostering the little girl while her parents were in recovery after car crash...or the little boy, until his father comes back from overseas! You have never been supportive of them. Sometimes I wonder, how Aaron grew up to be so nice and loving when he had you two as parents!"

I wish I had seen their faces right now. I bet they were throwing daggers with their eye at one another.

"We just think, they should have focused more on Markus. Not on some...other kids!" Betty argued back "They had a son, why should they take care of some other kids. She is not Amy's concern!"

"No one cares what you think Betty!" Linda said harshly back. There was definitely a family feud going on between them. The parents went at one another like the family feud was going on for ages.

"Just send her back Amy!" Ian said sternly to Amy "You don't need her! She is just a stupid foster kid. She will be fine back in the Juevenile detention, where she belongs anyway!"

Finally I heard Amy snap back "Oh, SHUT THE HELL UP!" I could hear it in her voice that Amy was just fed up with them

"My mom is right, you two were never sportive about us becoming foster parents! But let me tell you both one thing – you two have no right to tell me what to do! Especially when it comes to Callie! So do me a favor and just SHUT UP AND DON'T TALK ABOUT HER!"

I heard footsteps after that, but then they stopped and Amy spoke up again "AND SHE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, SHE IS STAYING WITH ME! THIS DISCUSSION IS OVER! YOU HEAR ME –-OVER!"

I leaned off the wall when Amy stormed out of the living room. She stopped in the hallway, right in front of the stairs, once she saw me sitting there. Amy continues to walk towards me a moment later.

When Amy was some 3 steps lower, she stopped and said quietly "I'm sorry you had to hear that. Don't listen to Ian and Betty. Don't worry, you are not going anywhere, Callie!" Once Amy sees me nodding back, she walks pass me. Few seconds later I hear her slam her bedroom doors shut.

End of flashback

"Wow" It was all that Lena got out. She looked shocked. All I did was just nod back, there wasn't anything to add. Aaron's parents weren't the nicest people – that's that!

Lena's phone buzzed on the table the next seconds. I didn't see the Caller ID, but Lena told me who was calling.

"It's Mike. I asked him to pick up Stef's mom from airport. They are probably here..." Lena says before she picks up the phone

The phone call was was pretty short "Hi. In cafeteria with Callie. In her room with the kids. Yeah, okay! Good!" And that was all her side of conversation.

Lena held on to the phone in her hand "They just arrived at the hospital"

"I will head up to the ICU" I say knowing Lena should spend some time with her family

Lena looked torn "I will come check on you in 30"

"You don't have to" I said as I pushed the chair back, ready to leave "I'm just going to sit with mom. You should spend some more time with Stef"

"Hey! I said I will be there in 30...that means, I will be there in 30!" Lena said back as she stood up

"Okay..." I said when Lena put hand around my shoulder and pulled me to her side as we headed out of the cafeteria

Lena POV

When I turn around the last corner, I see Mike walk out of Stef's room. He notices me and stops in his track.

"Are you leaving already?" I ask him as I walk up to him

"I need to finish my shift, I will come back later tonight"

"Oh...I thought you had free this week" I said remembering him mentioning something about taking a week off at the beginning of September few days back

"I took Stef and Amy's shifts. You know...to keep busy" He glanced around the hallway "So I wouldn't throw away the 9 months sober chip..."

Of course, seeing Stef like this, hurt him. We all know he still very much cares about her. I know he is just as concerned about her like the rest of us. They were married, they have a kid together and they were partners for many years. Mike is and always will be a part of our lives.

"If you want to talk-" I offered

"I have my AA meetings and my sponsor. But...thanks for worrying. You have so much on your plate already...I don't want to be one of your problems" He smiles back at me "I will see you later, Lena"

"Thank you for driving after Sharon" I say before he leaves

"Of course...it was the least I could do" Mike replies before he leaves. I watch as he walks away and only then turn into the room.

The sight made me smile. Stef was surrounded by the kids and her mom, who was already starting to annoy her, by motherly smothering her.

"Mom, the pillow is fine!" Stef said in annoyed voice as Sharon was trying to fluff it up "Leave the pillow alone!"

"It is way too soft...don't you need some harder pillow. This is so flat! Almost as flat as the breasts the girl in your senior class had...what was her name...Stacy? Stella?"

"Mother…" Stef warned her when Sharon started to tuck the blanket under her legs

"Simone!" Sharon called out remembering her name. Stef rolled her eyes. The kids were all giggling at the mother-daughter talk. Stef pressed her head to the pillow and closed her eyes.

"Of course you would be talking about breasts when you are fluffing up a pillow, Sharon" I say from the doorway. Sharon turned around once she heard my voice.

"There she is!" Sharon said coming towards me with open hands

"Hi, Sharon...thank you for coming down so fast" I said as we embraced one another

"I knew you were the one who called her!" Stef said from the bed while I hugged her mom

"Oh, hush, Stefanie!" Sharon leaned out of the hug and turned to her daughter "Of course she called me! I'm glad she did! You were shot and I had a right to know! You are my daughter, my only child! I worry! Just as much as you worry about your 5 rascals"

Stef remained silent as she looked up to her mom, who now had tears in her eyes. The kids all stood silently, watching the mother-daughter duo. I saw that Mariana had some tears in her eyes as well. Frankie sensed the seriousness in the room and looked very worried. The boys were all just standing together, waiting how the conversation will unfold.

Sharon may drive Stef crazy, but in the end Stef needed her mom. Not that she would ever admit it. Sharon brought comfort and safety only a mother could bring to her child. I was happy that Stef and Sharon had this sort of relationship.

"Just because you are adult, doesn't change the fact how much I care and how much I love you Stefanie! The thought of loosing you again almost killed me!" Sharon continued with an emotional strain in her voice

"I'm sorry, mom. Of course I am glad you are here" Stef said quietly as she looked to her mother. Sharon gestured with her right hand for Stef to continue to speak. Stef rolled her eyes, when Sharon crossed her arms and waited for Stef to add something.

"I love you" Stef added, looking to her mother

"There we go. That's so much better!" Sharon smiled back "I love you too, darling" Sharon walked over and placed a kiss on her forehead

Callie POV

There was a small knock on the doors. When I looked over my shoulder, Lena peaked her head in.

"Hey...Cooper called, they will be here in some 10 minutes" Lena informed me

"That soon?" I ask surprised as it was just little over 2

"They got through the airport pretty fast. What do you say we go get fresh air and wait for them outside?" Lena offers, now standing in the doorway

I agreed and 2 minutes later we were already on the first floor, walking down the hallway towards the exit.

"So, listen" Lena said when we took the first step outside "I have been meaning to ask you something?"

"What is it?" I ask as we head towards the bench to sit down

"It is about...well you" Lena says carefully glancing to me

"What about me?" I had no clue what she wanted to talk about

"About...your temporary living arrangements, if I can call it that way" Lena chuckles awkwardly

"Oh..." I breath out as I started to think about it "Well...can I stay with you?" I ask warily, when we both sit down on the bench that overlooked the hospital parking lot

"Of course you can. We would love to. But...you do know, that you can stay with Amy's parents at your own home, right?" Lena asks back carefully. I knew she just wanted to make sure I know all of my options. She always has my best interest at heart.

"Yes, I figured that. But when I think about it..." I shrug as I stop my trail of thought for a moment "Having them all there, would be just a big reminder that mom is in hospital and they are all here, because she is hurt real bad. If I could stay with you...it would feel more like a sleepover at Jude" I look down to my hands in my lap "I know it makes no sense, it's a weird explanation, but that's how I feel..."

Lena placed her hand over my left palm "It makes perfect sense, Callie"

"If you don't want me there-" I started to say, just to give her one last option to stay no to me

"Hey!" She stops me at once "If I remember correctly my words were – Of course you can. We would love to!"

"I just remembered, that Stef's mom is here as well. I started to wonder if you even have place for me"

"We will always have a place for you, Callie. Always!" Lena said back as she run her thumb softly over the top of my palm

When we saw Cooper and Amy's family walking over, we both stood up. Cooper smiled to me when he walked up. I stood by Lena's side as they started to introduce themselves on their own. Lena had extended her arm towards Amy's mother first.

"Lena Adams Foster, we spoke on the phone...I'm sorry we have to meet this way" Lena said as she waited for Linda to shake her hand back

"Linda Baker. It is pleasure to finally meet you. Thank you for calling us so soon. This is my husband Harold.." She gestured to her side to the two men "and Amy's brother Andy" One by one Lena shook their hands

"How is she?" Andy asked Lena, after he shook her hand

Andy was around Cooper's height. He was average built, just like his dad, he has wide shoulders. He had short, dark brown hair. If it was longer, you could see that his hair is lightly curly, just like Amy's. Andy had a medium length stubble. But even with the beard, you could see the resemblance between the two siblings. It was all in the eyes. He is 2 years older than Amy.

"Um...the same. Nothing has changed" Lena said after glancing to me

"She is still not awake?" Harold asked back, I heard hurt in his voice

Amy was a daddy's girl when she grew up, at least that was what I was told by Linda and Andy. She was really close to her dad and apparently, Harold was the one who cried at Amy's and Aaron's wedding, not Linda.

"No, sorry to say she hasn't" Lena said sadly as we started to move to the hospital

Lena and Amy's parents walked in the front, talking quietly. They were followed by Andy and I, we were walking side by side. Cooper was following us quietly in the back.

We all stopped at the outside of the room. The moment we did, Linda's hand flew over her mouth as she gasped at the sight of the daughter. Harold instantly put a hand on her back, trying to sooth his wife.

"Amy..." Andy breathed out once he saw his little sister

Linda and Harold walked in the room first. Harold walked around the bed to the right side of Amy, while Linda stayed by her left side. Andy walked in last. He stopped at the end of the bed.

"I will go get the doctor. They will probably want to talk with him. Hear what he has to say" Cooper says before he walks away

"You going to be okay?" Lena asked me from where she stood, behind me

"Yeah, I will be fine" I replied as I watched Amy's family surround her. Linda was now stroking her hair softly. Harold was holding her right hand, tightly between his hands.

"If you need me or anything at all - I will be with Stef" Lena said as she walked to stand next to me. I felt her hand softly rest on my shoulder.

"Thank you" I say glancing up to her

"For what?" Lena asks tilting her head to right side lightly

"Everything"

Lena places a kiss to my temple before we embrace one another for a short moment. When Lena leaves, I head inside the room to be with the family.