AN: Ta -ta -da - daaaaa! With this chapter, I have officially reached 300'000 (!) words for this story. Am I crazy? A little bit, probably. I think I deserve a cookie or 10 :)
Thank you everyone for reading, reviewing (you have all been amazing these last few chapters), favoriting and following. It truly means a lot. You guys inspire me to write!
I hope you enjoy :)
Stef POV
"Wait...what did he look like?" Lena asks me, after I tell her about Callie
"Kind of...thin looking guy. Short, light-ish hair. Dressed all black," I shrugged my shoulders "I was kind of taken aback when Callie sat on the back of that bike, I didn't have that good look on him. Why do you ask?"
"It's just...few days back, there was this biker parked by the school. Black bike, dressed all black. I saw him from my office. It looked like he was waiting for someone" Lena said as she folded the last shirt
I grab the empty laundry basket and carry it to the bathroom "You think that could be him? You think he was waiting for Callie?"
"It is possible. I didn't see who he met, Monte and I had to go over the grants, but there is a chance it was the same guy you saw" Lena said from our bedroom
I walked back to the bedroom "Do you think Amy knows about him? That Callie was with him?"
"I have no idea, Stef," Lena said as she picked up one part of the folded clothes. I took the rest clothes and followed Lena out to place the clothes in the kids closets.
"I doubt Amy would approve of him," I say when we walk in Brandon's room and place all the clothes that belong to him in his drawers
"Can you blame her? Callie is Amy's little girl, even though she is 17. She wants to protect her from everyone around her. Especially because of what happened with Liam." Lena said when we walked out of Brandon's room. We walked into the boys room and sorted out Jesus and Jude's clothes.
"Can you imagine Mariana dating someone like him, riding on the back-" Lena said when we walked in the girls room carrying the last of their clothes
"Please don't! Don't put that imagine in my head! I was shocked enough to see Callie on the back of that bike" I stop Lena mid sentence. While Lena put Mariana's clothes away, I put away Frankie's clothes.
"But what if Amy doesn't know?" I ask Lena once again, as the thought didn't leave my head. Lena sights deeply as she turns to me.
"Hello, ladies!" Amy said greeting us, when she opened the doors and saw us standing on the other side "Of what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked when she invited Lena and me inside
"We wanted to talk," I said when I took off my shoes. Lena did the same thing and then we followed Amy to the kitchen.
"You want so tea or something?" Amy asked looking between us
"Sure, thank you!" Lena replied kindly, when she took a seat at the table
"Would love some, thank you," I agreed as well as I sat down next to Lena. Amy put on the water.
"Where's Cooper? Wasn't that his car up front?" I asked because I hadn't noticed him anywhere on the first floor
"Shower," Amy said simply and casually
"He is certainly feeling like at home?" Lena raised her eyebrow at Amy teasingly "Does he spends most or all of his free time here?" Amy cheeks turned in the color of pink for a moment. Lena and I both chuckle at her.
Amy grabbed the water and poured it over our tea. Once she sat down herself, she finally asked "So, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
"It's about Callie," I said after sharing a worried look with Lena
"What about her?" Amy asked back casually
"I'm not sure...if you know, but..." I said warily, hoping I am not stepping over some boundaries. But the thought of her not knowing, just didn't seem right to me
"But what?" Amy asked cautiously, raising her eyebrow at me, now she got a little suspicious
"Erm..okay, well...I run into Callie today. At the Learning Center, with Frankie" I said holding on to the cup of tea with both of my hands
"Yes, and?" Amy pressed her elbows on the table and leaned a bit closer to us
"And...and our conversation got cut short, because this guy...on a bike pulled up and Callie basically just run off to him, got on the bike and took off, " I said very warily, watching Amy's reactions
"Ah!" She nodded "Gavin!"
"You know him?" Lena asks her after finishing taking a sip of her tea
"Well, I have only met him briefly. Only when Callie is either getting off his bike, when he drops her off, or getting on his bike to drive away," Amy explained "They are dating" and then started to tell us how she found out about Gavin and Callie
Callie POV
I took of the helmet when Gavin stopped at my place "Oh, god no!"
"What is it?" He asked lifting up his visor
"That's Stef's car!" I said nodding to the driveway, to the car that was parked in front of mom's car. I was not surprised about Coopers car, because he was here in the morning. But Stef - I was not expecting to see Stef here. The chances are, that if Stef is here, Lena is too.
"The lady by the Learning Center?" Gavin asked looking at the car as he took off his helmet as well
"Yeah," I dragged slowly as I got off the back of his bike. I handed Gavin back his helmet. While Gavin put the helmet in his bag, I unzipped the jacket. He got of his bike and took the jacket from my hands. Once he had placed the jacket in the little trunk, he stood in front of me.
"Who is she exactly? To you I mean?" Gavin asked taking me by surprise. I was dumbfounded by his questions.
"Callie!" Gavin sang out a moment later, trying to get my attention. I was just kind of zoned out, as I tried to figure what Stef and Lena was to me. He placed his right hand on my stomach and run it to my lower back.
"Sorry, I was...thinking" I shake my head getting back to reality "Well, technically, Stef is my brothers mother."
"When you say it like, that makes her sound like your mother as well!" Gavin laughed "But I already met your mother, briefly"
"Well, we got adopted by different families so..." I pointed out and then kept on rambling as I thought about it some more "I don't know if there is a name for someone, who is your biological brothers adopted parents. It would be one weird family tree if I draw that up. There would be my birth mom, my birth grandparents, my dad, who just raised me till I was 10. And then there is my biological dad and his wife and their daughter - my step-sister. Also bio dad's grandfather and his wife. And then there are us – me and Jude – and our adopted families. And I have adopted cousin, uncle and grandparents as well. I am pretty sure, Cooper will be connected to that family tree in some future as well...Gosh, I don't even think I could draw it up on 4 A4 papers..."
"Babe, you are rambling" He laughed softly as he tucked some stray hair behind my ear
"Sorry" I shook my head again, shaking the thoughts out of my head
"You said that she is technically your brothers mom, so what is she to you - not technically speaking?"
"A friend," I said without thinking too hard about it now "But sometimes more than that. Sometimes the Adams Fosters are more like a second family. Stef and Lena feel like another set of parents...but only kind of parents...not real parents. Amy is my real parent."
"I don't know if I should be glad or happy that I only have my mom and uncle" Gavin laughed back "But you have one hell of a family!"
"Well, you have me now too...and I come with all of that!" I smirk at him and then lean in for a kiss
Our kiss was interrupted when I heard the house doors open "Damit...here we go again" I mumble quietly as I prepare myself for another fight with mom. But to my surprise, Stef and Lena were the ones that walked out of the house.
I stood up a little straighter, when I saw them coming over to us. Gavin slipped his hand into mine and we interlocked out fingers.
"Callie, will you introduce us?" Stef asked when they were both up to us
"Erm..."
When I hesitated Stef added "Or are you going to run off again?" I looked down to the ground regretfully. It was not my best moment, today at the Center. I knew it was kind of rude of me to do that, to just run off like that, not saying anything. Stef hates when people walk away from conversations. I should know, she signed me up for a marathon last time I did that!
"Gavin," I said looking between them "This is Lena and Stef" I gestured to the two woman "Lena, Stef...this is Gavin. My boyfriend"
"It is nice to meet you Gavin," Stef said extending her arm to him. Gavin let go of my hand at once, so he could shake her hand "You too!"
"Can't say we have heard too much about you," Lena said when she shook his hand. Gavin remains silent.
"Nice bike you have," Stef says walking a bit to side to have a better look at it. I wasn't sure if she meant that.
"Thank you," Gavin said turning to it
"Bought it yourself?"
"No ma'am," Stef raised eyebrow at him "Build it myself. With the help of my uncle. He's a mechanic" Gavin explained
"Oh, well, that's interesting" Stef said sharing a look with Lena "How fast can it go?"
"Top speed is-" Gavin said energetic. One of the topics he loves, is talking about his bike. He could talk about all the specifics, the engine and parts of the bike for hours. Without stopping. He was quite the fanatic. I poked his ribs softly, telling him silently, that there are not the people he should be bragging about the top speed about.
"220 km/h (130 mph)" Gavin said after the soft poke. Top speed was way faster than 220. Stef looked to him suspiciously, I think she sensed that Gavin did not answer truthfully (only because of me).
"How fast can this thing get to 100km/h(60 mph)?" Stef continued on looking at the front of the bike
"Under 6 seconds" Gavin replied
"Honey, we should go home," Lena said to Stef stopping her interrogation "It's already late. And we both have job to tomorrow."
"Yes, love!" Stef said smiling at Lena
"Nice meeting you, Gavin" Lena said to Gavin, he just smiled back at her "Callie, can you walk with us for a second" Lena said motioning me to follow them to the car. I looked to Gavin, before I followed them to Stef's car.
When we reached their I car, I decided to spoke up first, so I don't have to listen to their lectures "Look, I know what you are going to say-"
"Oh, really?" Stef raised eyebrow at me
"Yes. You are just like mom. I saw the way you looked at him, at the Learning Center. I know you already have your opinion about him and it is not a good one!"
"We just want you to be carefully honey!" Stef said sounding just like mom
"Here we go," I mutter to myself I sense a lecture coming
"Don't do that!" Stef said right after I muttered to myself "We just don't want to see you get hurt!"
"God, you are exactly like mom!" I said in raised voice
"Watch your tone," Stef warned me
"Just because he drives a bike and doesn't wear fancy clothes doesn't mean he is a bad guy! You all assume the worst of him without even trying to get to know him!" I said back upset
"Don't put words into our mouths. We did not say we think he is a bad guy...we merely said, be careful!"
"Meaning – he is a bad guy!" I translate her words, into what she really meant by that. Stef gave me a stern look. I just glared right back at her.
"Callie, honey..." Lena gently touched my upper arm "We care about you a lot! You know that!" Lena said softly, in her usual calm and composed manner "We worry about you, just like we worry about Mariana when she started to date Mat. I will tell you the same thing I told Mariana – don't play small, not for him and not for anybody. And when we say, please be careful, we really mean just that – be careful. Nothing else!"
Lena run her hand down to my palm and rubbed her thumb over my palm "I know you think your mom is overreacting, but, love, you have to realize this is hard for her as well. You are her little girl and she wants to protect you for everyone and everything. And as far as I understood from what Amy told us, it was quite sudden as well." She detained a little pause because she continued. Lena also shared a small glance with Stef
"I will let you in on a little secret, Callie" Lena said with a small smile on her lips "We, and by we I mean parents in general, sometimes overreact and sometimes we are irrational about things. Our kids are our priorities. And it is always hard to see our babies growing up. We want to protect our kids from getting heartbroken, even though we know sometimes it is inevitable. I think it is especially hard for your mom, because you two only have each other for such short time and because of what happened with..." Lena stopped in mid sentence, her eyes saddened
"Liam" I said quietly for her
She nodded back "Yes. She knows how much you have had to suffer and endure – she is simply afraid to see you get hurt again!"
"I just wish she would give him a chance"
"She will come around. Trust me" Lena smiled at me, her eyes smiling as well. She leaned down and placed a kiss to my cheek. The way Lena said the last part, made me wonder, if she already had a little chat with Amy about it. I wish she did. Maybe she talked some sense into her.
"We love you, kiddo!" Stef said a bit more uncomfortably, because of our not so nice talk, but still she placed a kiss to my temple
"Yeah...love you too!" I said without realizing, what I just said to them. I think I shocked myself with that. Stef and Lena share a look, smiling at one another and then looked back to me. They both looked happy, so damn happy. I smile to them as well and then awkwardly look down to the ground, as I feel my cheeks blush.
"Okay, see you later" Stef said. As she walked pass me, to get around the car to the drivers seat, she gave my hand a little squeeze.
"Bye, honey" Lena said before getting in the passenger side
I walk back to Gavin and then watch them drive away. Once they were gone, Gavin turned to me "That looked intense. You okay?"
"Yes, I'm good" I said and glanced over my shoulder to the house "I should probably go, before mom comes looking for me. It is over my curfew."
"I will see you later then" He said leaning down for good nights kiss
"Yes, till later" I kiss him back and then step a little back and watch him drive away. When he turned off the street, I head in the house, locking the doors after me. I heard the TV running in living room. I think Cooper was sitting there.
When I kick off my shoes, mom comes out of the kitchen, turning the light of as she left that room "You are late for your curfew. Again!" I know she doesn't mean that about me being outside the house, talking to Gavin and Stef and Lena. I knew I got home some 15 minutes after my curfew, which was at 10.
"Well I am home now," I said back as I head to the stairs. All I wanted to do right now, was just get to my room, fall in my bed and sleep. I don't want any drama with mom, but as it appears, I won't be able to hide from it.
"You should have at least texted me to tell me that you are running late"
"Do you really except me to text you, while I am on the back of the bike!"
"Then how about you text before you get on the bike, when you know you are going to be home late!" Mom stated back firmly
"Fine!" I say back annoyed as I walk up the stairs
"Hey, I am not done talking to you!" Mom called after me from the stairs
"Well, I am done talking to you!" When I said that, I heard her walk after me up the stairs. I walked in my room and shut the doors behind me. But mom opened them and barged in like it was her room!
"What the hell mom!" I throw my hands up as I turn to her "Ever heard about knocking!
"Ever heard about respecting other?" Mom shot right back and pressed her hands to her hips "I said, I wasn't done talking to you! You do not get to walk away from me like that!"
"Well, whatever it is...I don't care! I bet it is another fucking lecture about Gavin being a bad guy...and to be honest mom, I am sick and tired of you blabbing about it over and over again!"
"Watch your language!" Mom pointed her finger to me, warning me "I was going to tell you, to invite Gavin over for dinner next Friday...but, hey...if you don't want to hear my blabbing..." She raised her hands up and started to back out of the room "So be it!"
"Wait!" I call when she was almost at the stairs
Mom stops and turns around on her heal "So, now you want to listen to me?"
"What did you say about the dinner..." I say ignoring that last comment
"You can invite Gavin to dinner this Friday...6:30PM" Mom repeated
"Are you actually going to try to get to know him or are you just inviting him so you can say to his face, how you think he is bad for me?" I crossed my arms on my chest as I stared back at mom
"He is your boyfriend. It is about time you introduce him to family, like you are suppose to do. And yes, I am going to try and get to know him" Mom said as calmly as she could. I could tell, this was hard for her. Lena had talked to her! I was so thankfully for that! I was so happy about it, but I didn't show it to mom.
"And by family you mean-" I raise my eyebrow at her
"Me and Cooper" Mom clarified
"I will give Gavin the invitation!"