Brandon POV

"Why do you look so nervous?" Brooke asked as she slipped her hand into mine

She was a head height shorter than me when without heels. Her natural red and wavy hair reached over her shoulder blades. Brooke was a year younger than me, we met in university. The auditorium. She is studying to become an actress, theater. Her class was rehearsing for a play. I was the one that wrote the music for that play.

We started chatting one day during a break. Things took of from there. I asked her out on a date. Always did have a thing for red heads. It wasn't just her looks. She had that same love for arts and music. It has been about a year since we have been dating. I missed my family being up here, all alone, but since Brooke came in my life, I'm not so lonely anymore. She make a better person and she also makes my life better.

Two weeks ago I surprised my whole family not just by announcing that I had gotten myself a girlfriend, but also by the fact that I was inviting them all down here to the opening night of the musical theater play that I composed the music for and my girlfriend was acting in. This music theater was my first real work as a composer. It may not seem as much for other, but it meant the world for me. I composed each and every song. This was the first step in my young career as a composer. It was going to be a big night for me and I wanted my family to be here as well, to share it with me.

Brooke's parents, who all lived here, were kind enough to let my family stay with them for the few days. Don't know how I was going to repay the for this. I will have to figure it out later.

Her family in a way reminded me of my family. For the reason that they were very involved in their daughters life. Kind of like mom and mama are in our lives. They were a family that always was there for each other, supporting one another. Brooke has often said that her sister was also her best friend and that she could talk to her parents about anything. They shared the same family values. The Goodwin's have become sort of a surrogate family to me. They were so open and welcoming to me. Being away from my family has been hard, I miss them, especially when I know someone has a birthday or some other big celebration.

I squeezed her palm and glanced over to her "Because...you're about to meet my whole family. All at once!"

"Shouldn't I be the one nervous then?"

"You haven't met them yet. You have no idea what awaits you."

"Come on, they can't be that bad."

"They have their moments," I said looking back at the stairs, where any minute now they should all come down "Separately, they might not be so bad. When we are all together…" I shook my head, remembering all the things us, kids, had done over the years, giving our parents gray hairs and heart palpation.

"It's going to be fine, B!" Brooke leaned a bit closer to my side

"I'm sure you are right," I glanced back to her and kissed her forehead "Thanks,"

"For what?"

"Being the voice of reason."

"You have told me so much about them, I feel like I know them already. They sound amazing in your stories. And I would love to hear-Oh, is that them?" Brooke asked and I followed her line of sight. At the top of the escalator I saw my while family appearing one by one. Each carrying a bag.

"Yeah, it's them!" I said taking in a breath, before approaching them. As we walked closer, I got the feeling that something was off. I counted them – everyone was there, so at least no one had gotten injured, no one was sick. Even my dad was here.

When I was few feet away, I realized, why I had the gut feeling. I hadn't heard them talk or banter. There was no laughter, no teasing. We usually make a lot of noise. There is someone always talking over somebody else. This time, they weren't talking. No one was saying a damn thing. It was odd and I did not like it this feeling.

It's jet lag, I reasoned with myself. They probably were all tired. It was late. Amy, Stef, Mike and Callie might have had a rough shift or a late one at that. Lena has these meetings with boards and other important people that drain the life out of her. Mariana might have deadlines or some code issues on her mind. Jesus had his headphones on, probably blasting his rock or metal songs – maybe he had issues with Emma that he was trying to figure it out in his mind. Their relationship has had many ups and now, they had broken up and gotten back together so many times, I stopped counting. Jude has always been a dreamer – maybe he was writing a new poem in his mind and was focusing too much on it because he didn't want to forget. Cooper always had been the quiet one, never really spoke much, always tried to stay out of everyone's else business, because he still felt like the newcomer, the one that didn't really fit in, even though he was married to Amy for some years now and was Callie's step-father. Frankie, same as Jesus, had headphones on, but unlike her brother, she was holding her phone out and looking at it. Probably a cartoon or some YouTube video or new show on Hulu/Netflix or whatever streaming service is popular now.

"Heey!" I let go of Brooke's hand and went to hug my moms, then hugged my dad as well. Shook hands with Cooper and waved at everyone else as I did not have enough in me to hug and kiss them all. That will have to wait till we were at the house.

"How was your flight?" I asked taking a step back to stand beside my girlfriend

"Good," mama said very dryly. Untypical. Mom forced a tight smile my direction, but added nothing.

"Everyone, this is Brooke," I reached down and interlocked my fingers with hers "Brooke, this is everyone. I think I will introduce everyone properly when we are out of airport."

"Sure," Mike said, speaking for all of them

"The taxi's are waiting," I said, pointing towards the exit. Everyone grabbed their bags and followed us out of the airport. There were 4 taxis. Mike joined me and Brooke, everyone else separated into groups and filled the other.

It was about 50 minute drive to the house. The three of us made some small talk. It was nice. I hadn't seen or spoken to dad in a while. It was nice to catch up, even if it was just superficial stuff at the moment. I have never really liked talking deep, personal conversation while in taxi, while the driver can hear. Rather do them in private.

"So, dad, what's gotten into them? They were awfully quiet back there," I finally asked, when we had turned on the street that the house was

"Don't know exactly. Missed most of it, because I met them at the airport."

"You didn't ask?"

"I did. Your mom did not say much—oh my god...is this it?" Mike changed the subject when he saw the house that we pulled in. Brooke's parents were kind of rich. Not like millionaires, but still rich. Their house was more like a mansion. There was a pool house. Three big garages. They even had staff that took care of all of it – gardeners, cooks, maids, security. Brooke's father was the head of a company. Construction. The business was doing real good. Her mother works at a bank as the head of a finance analyst department. Safe to say, they did not have money issues. No mortgages, no problem with sending kids to universities, no old, run down cars.

"This is it," Brooke confirmed

The driveway ended in a circle. The taxi stopped just by the entrance doors. Dad got out, took off his sunglasses and stared at the house with his fists on his hips.

"I know, it's a lot," I said getting out myself. I had been in shock as well. It was a lot to take in.

"Well I be dammed," Dad muttered to himself. The other taxi's stopped as well, everyone got out and pretty much had the same expression and surprise written on their faces as dad had.

"Take your bags, I'll show you in and show everyone to their rooms," Brooke said and waved everyone to follow her inside. I went along, helping with bags.

Mom and mama in one guest room.

Amy and Cooper in second guest room.

Callie, Mariana and Frankie in the third guest room.

Jude, Jesus were going to be staying in the pool house, behind the main house.

Mike was put in a study, there was a comfortable pull out.

We gave them some time to settle in, wash up, change and rest after the flight. Dinner was going to be ready in about half an hour. I would see them all then – then we will talk.

"I swear, they are usually much more talkative," I told Brooke as I followed her to the living room, where the rest of her family was after we had shown them to their rooms.

Brooke's father, Theodore, was tall, slim man, with grey-ish hair and glasses in his mid 50's. Brooke and her older sister Rachel, got most of her look for their mother – who was the same height as her and also had long, wavy red hair. Rachel was pregnant, about month 7. Her husband was on a business trip in Chicago, he was not able to join us.

"Are you still worried about that?" Brooke said as she sat down on the couch

"Yes, it's very unlike them to be this…quiet," I sat next to Brooke "The house was never quiet as I was growing up - I could barely hear my own thoughts."

"You know," Rachel spoke up as she gently rubbed her belly with her right hand "I only got a glance, but they seemed familiar."

"Who did?" I asked, curious

"The uh-" she waved her free hand in the air, thinking how to phrase it "Uh, girl that was not your sister and the woman, who was not your mom – sorry, I know you said their names, but I forgot," Rachel then screwed up her face "It's so strange, not knowing how exactly to describe them."

"I think you mean Callie and Amy. I will introduce you all properly, when they all clean up,"

"Callie and Amy, Callie and Amy," Rachel mumbled to herself quietly. It might have been to help her remember their names or to help remind herself where she might have seen them.

"What do you mean, when you said familiar?"

"I think I have seen them before," Rachel replied

"I doubt it," I shook my head "They have not been here and you have bee to San Diego?" Rachel shook her head "Don't think your paths could have crossed elsewhere."

"Everyone seems familiar to you," Theodore said with a small smile on his lips

"Maybe they both have that familiar face," Caroline said "The kind that is everywhere and nowhere when you look."

"Brandon?!" I head my father call out my name

I jumped up and called back "In here!" then went to find him. Brought him back to the living room, where I made the official introduction. Kind of glad, he was the first one, because he was the most easy to introduce.

My moms came in next. At least they were chatting when they walked in. Made me feel better about the whole situation. They came bearing a gift – wine and chocolate - for allowing to stay with them. Amy and Cooper followed my moms shortly behind. I could introduced them all together. Rachel did shake Amy's hand a little bit longer than she did my moms, but didn't say anything. Must be still trying to piece the things together, where she might have seen her.

Jesus and Jude followed moms shortly behind. With their arrival I once again got the feeling that something was off, because those two were not speaking. In fact, Jesus was barely looking at Jude.

The girls arrived last. All three of them had changed into a light, spring like dresses.

I was standing facing my moms and dad as they were getting to know Brooke's parents, when I heard Rachel ask "Have we met before?" Looking over my shoulder, I saw she was speaking to Callie

"Uh," Callie was taken aback "Don't think so."

"Are you sure, because I feel like I know you," Rachel glanced to Amy "and your mom."

"Sorry, this is the first I have seen you," Callie replied after sharing a look with Amy, who, I was pretty sure, felt the same way by the looks of it.

"Have you been on TV?" Rachel continued to search for answers

"Not that I know of,"

"Perhaps, you have a trending YouTube channel?"

"Sorry, no."

"Do you have social media – twitter, Instagram, tic-tok?"

"I do have twitter and Instagram, but I'm not very active. In fact, I don't even remember the password, it's been that long. My mom doesn't have those,"

"I have twitter and Instagram," Mariana chimed in and that's how everyone started to find each other on the social media. Callie seemed relieved that she was no longer questioned about where she might have met them.

By dinner time, things started to look up. The whole family was talking and engaging, getting to know Brooke's family and Brooke herself. We talked about me composing, about Brooke's play itself, about how we met, my family told Brooke's family some embarrassing stories about me, like it normally happens.

But things went downhill, when Caroline decided to ask about how our family came to be – that is how the Adams Fosters and Scott Ellis basically became one big family.

Silence.

As I looked around the table to my family, I noticed how the twins and Callie glared at Jude, who was trying to keep a neutral face and not break under their stares.

"Go ahead, Jude," Callie said to him, but there was this venom in her voice, that I had never heard in her voice before, especially, when talking to her brother.

Jude swallowed back staring right back at her, but said nothing. Saw his jaw clench and he pulled his hands in fists.

"What? Now you decide to go quiet!"

"Oh, come on!" Jude snapped back "It's not fair!"

"No you, come on!" Mariana seemed to be on the same side of Callie

"Can't you all just be happy for me?" Jude asked

"Under different circumstances, we would be...but right now…what you did-" Jesus joined in "How the hell do you think we can be happy about it?"

"Try and put yourself in our shoes. How do you think, we fucking feel, huh?" Callie grabbed her napkin from her lap and threw it angrily down at the table, all while giving her brother a death glare

In this moment, I wished they had remained quiet. Now was not the time to drag dirty laundry out. Not while they were being guests. But this had obviously been boiling on for a while. Maybe since during the flight, possibly even before that, given what Mike had told us that they were like this when they met at the airport.

"Callie!" Amy put a hand on her daughters shoulder to stop her

"What! It's true!" Callie did not lower her voice. Her cheeks were red, filled with anger.

"Not here, not now, not like this!"

Callie glanced to Amy, anger still boiling inside of her. She looked around the table, before she stood up and left the room, without saying anything else. Mariana and Jesus got up and left the room as well.

"I'm so sorry about that," Amy apologized in their place

"It– it's okay," Caroline replied "I'm sorry I asked, I didn't think—"

"Oh, please. No!" Amy stopped her "It's not your fault. Please, excuse me. I'll go talk to my daughter. Dinner was delicious. Thank you," Amy left in the same direction Callie. Mom went to follow the twins after excusing herself and apologizing for their behaviors.

"I lost my appetite," Jude said placing his napkin on his empty plate "I'm going to bed. Thank you for the dinner. I will see you all in the morning," Jude left the room as well.

"Jude, wait!" Mama said and followed him out

The room felt empty with half of them gone. No one was eating anymore. It was dead quiet. Only Frankie, Mike and Cooper were left from my family.

"Well, that was…awkward," I chuckled not sure what just happened. No one was eating. Mike reached for his drink so he doesn't have to speak. I doubt he knew what to say or do to make things better. Cooper wiped his mouth in the napkin and folded it, set it down slowly next to his plate. Had a feeling he wanted to excuse himself, but he didn't.

I could not recall a more awkward situation, than I was put into now. Even thought I had no idea what just happened, they were my family and in a way, I was responsible for them while they were staying here. I told Brooke and her family so much amazing stuff about them, but this was the opposite. I felt bad, I felt embarrassed and ashamed of their behavior.

"It's hard to see it now, because they are fighting, but we're a family because of Callie and Jude," Frankie spoke up all casual and innocent as if the fight had not had happened minute ago

"Do they fight often?" Brooke asked

"No," Frankie shook her head "This is the first real fight they have had that I remember. Maybe B knows better."

Brooke's family turned to me, when I spoke up "No, they never fought before," I licked my lips "Ever since they got reunited, I know they cherish every little moment they have together. At first, the first year or so, they tried to make up for all the time they missed out on each others lives. That's when our families really bonded. Callie was at out house so often, we started to see her as our sister. In a way, Amy is like a third mom to us. We went over to their place, they came over to ours. BBQ, birthdays, Christmas, New years, 4th of the July, school graduations...we celebrate everything together. Callie and Jude never fought. I don't know what's gotten into them."

"Siblings fight," Theodore said from the end of the table "I'm sure they will resolve whatever it is they were fighting about."

"It seemed pretty serious. The twins as well," I said, glancing over to Cooper "What happened? What did Jude do?"

Cooper pressed his lips together. He shook his head slowly "I don't think it's my place to say. You should ask your moms or...siblings."

"But you know,"

Cooper nodded his head "Yes, I was there when it started."