Chapter 19: The Road Home

Hey guys! I know it's been a while since I've updated this one. I kinda think this is a subpar chapter… mostly fluff and not enough dialogue. Shoot me some more ideas for this story if you're still interested! Anyways—enjoy the chapter!

-A.J.

That night, Stef, Callie, and Lena curled up together on the double bed and fell asleep soundly, Stef keeping her daughter safe within her arms. In the morning, the three awoke, walking to a café for breakfast. The moms even allowed Callie to order coffee, much to Lena's chagrin. Then they all packed up their weekend bags and piled into the SUV, planning to stop at the nature park before heading home. Lena ran up to a ticket booth to pay, leaving Stef and Callie at the car. They were about to disembark from the parking lot when Stef stopped Callie in her tracks, grabbing her arm and pulling her back to the car.

"Hold on, you didn't put on any sunscreen." Stef said, crossing her arms.

"So?" Callie challenged.

"So, you're not getting burned on my watch. Come here." Stef said, pulling her daughter towards her again.

"I don't need sunscreen. I'm fine." Callie said, struggling to escape Stef's grasp.

"Sit down. Sit down in the car right now, Callie. Your shoulders are going to burn so easily if they stay uncovered." Stef said sharply.

Callie sighed deeply, rolling her eyes and deeply regretting her choice to wear a razorback t-shirt that morning. She sat in the passenger seat as Stef retrieved the sunscreen from her bag. Stef gathered Callie's hair in a ponytail and squeezed a dollop of sunscreen on her hand before rubbing it into Callie's shoulders, neck, and down her arms. She handed Callie the tube and wiped her hands off on some wet wipes Lena kept in the car.

"You finish up. Cover your whole face, please. We're not going anywhere until my Callie girl is safe from the sun." Stef said firmly, placing her hand on Callie's thigh.

Lena returned from the ticket booth moments later, holding up three passes to the park.

"You guys ready to go?" Lena asked, seeing Callie sitting in the car.

"Soon. Let me check." Stef said, smiling at her wife.

She opened the door to the SUV and bent to Callie's level.

"You finished, babe?" She asked, running a hand over Callie's forehead, attempting to verify that the girl had actually done as she was told.

"Yeah." Callie said.

"That's my girl." Stef said, pressing a kiss to the top of Callie's head.

They entered the park and looked at their surroundings: tall, leafy trees, lush florescent colored flowers, stunning greenery; it was breathtaking. Within seconds of arriving, Callie had already pulled her phone out and began snapping photos of everything she could see. Stef and Lena rejoiced in the fascination Callie expressed in nature, grinning happily as they trekked through the seemingly infinite selection of plants.

"Now I wouldn't mind a bouquet of these for Mother's Day!" Stef mused lightheartedly, motioning towards a patch of bright purple godetias.

"I've always loved the California poppies myself." Lena said, setting a hand on Callie's shoulder.

"I think I like that one the best," Callie input, pointing at a bright red, honeysuckle-like flower."

"I believe that is called California fuchsia, Cal." Lena said, studying the flower Callie expressed interest in.

"My wife the botanist…" Stef joked, sending Callie into a fit of giggles.

The family wandered around the park for a few more hours. As they looped the trail and returned to the entrance, Stef watched as Callie snapped picture after picture.

"Haven't you taken pictures of the tree already, sweetheart?" Lena asked, peering at Callie's phone screen.

"Yeah, but now I have a different perspective on it." Callie answered simply. "The key to photography is perspective. At least, that's what my art teacher says," Callie said, shrugging, and went back to taking her pictures. Behind her back, both moms smiled and grasped hands.

"How much storage do you have left on that thing after today?" Stef inquired humorously.

"Not much." Callie admitted honestly.

"I thought that might be the case." Stef laughed, scooping Callie up into her arms, one hand sliding under her daughter's knees and the other supporting her back.

"Come on, no more pictures! I'm starving!" Stef said, walking towards the front gates with Callie still in her arms.

Callie laughed and laughed. She was happier than Stef and Lena had seen her in months. Stef made a mental note to remind Callie of this version of herself when things became hard. They stopped at lunch at a quaint brunch place where they ordered smoothies and salads. Sitting together at the table, they talked about nothing in particular, sharing funny and sweet stories about Callie and her siblings. Once they paid the tab and sat in the car, they backed out of the driveway and headed home.

Callie passed her phone to the passenger seat while Lena browsed the new pictures Callie had taken.

"Wow, honey. These are really beautiful." They reached a red light and Lena showed Stef some of her favorite pictures.

"I think we should get some of these framed, Miss Callie. You are so talented, babe. I don't know how she does it!" Stef turned to Lena, grinning.

Callie blushed, showing her beaming smile to her mothers.

"We're almost home." Stef said, giving Callie a soft smile that reflected on the rear view mirror. Callie smiled back.

Sorry to bug you guys again, but please, don't hesitate to give me suggestions for where to go with this story. As a wise man named Timothy once said, "Some of us are still wanting for inspiration!"