It had been a long week but finally things were settling down. The new beds had arrived a few days ago and everyone was settling into their new routines with Callie and Jude living in the house. There were definitely some adjustments to be made with two more people around. Mariana and Jesus now had new roommates, bathroom time was at a premium and quarters were getting a little close….but everyone just rolled with the punches.

The house was surprisingly quiet tonight with Mariana and Jesus still out, Brandon with his headphones on practicing music and Jude doing some homework. Stef was still at work not due home for a few minutes yet and Lena was on her way to check on Jude when she heard a muffled noise. Not sure entirely what the sound was Lena turned around and went off exploring. As she approached the Mariana and Callie's door which was only open a crack Lena heard the distinct sound of crying.

"Callie," she said softly gently knocking on the door as she opened it.

Callie quickly turned away from the door jammed her journal under her pillow and wiped at her eyes.

"Callie what's wrong?"

"Nothing, why," she said still not looking at Lena.

Maybe it was because Lena was there when Callie was released from juvie or maybe it was because she had a Ph.D in child psychology and could relate to her but since Callie came into their lives they shared a closer bond then her with Stef. Lena sat on the edge of the bed waiting until Callie was ready. Not really wanting to talk Callie pulled out her journal and handed it to Lena.

"Are you sure you want me to read this? These are your thoughts…I won't read them if you don't want me too."

Callie just nodded. Lena opened the journal and flipped to the last entry. With each line she read her hart broke a little more. This child had been through so much, having to be the parent for her little brother; no one ever took the time to realize she was still a kid.

"Callie I promise you right here and now that we will not let anyone take you out of this house unless you, Jude, Stef and myself are comfortable with it. We will make sure that whatever family you end up with is right for you two….that understands it's a package deal and not only is it you and Jude but it Is the rest of us too. Your family for life kiddo whether you end up staying a week, a year…whatever the case may be."

"What if I turn 18 before someone is interested….I will be an adult?"

"That doesn't change anything…we will not let anyone take you out of this house unless they agree to both you and Jude and they are good people. I know you have spent most of your life not trusting adults and protecting Jude but you can trust me…you can trust us. We are going to take care of you."

As the weight of the world dropped off Callie's shoulders and her walls came crumbling down she couldn't stop the tears rolling down her cheeks. Lena pulled her close wrapping her arms around her. Lena was fairly certain Callie had not had someone comfort her since her mother passed away.

"Shhh it's ok sweetie….everything will be ok now," Lena spoke with such a soft comforting tone.

After spending almost an hour with Callie making sure she was ok Lena headed downstairs hearing other people roaming around the house. Jude and Jesus were in the kitchen getting a snack that Stef had just made them.

"Hey love where have you been hiding," Stef asked giving her a quick kiss as she walked by. "We had two very hungry boys down here."

"I just think they are in a perpetual state of hungry," Lena laughed knowing Jesus seemed hungry every 5 minutes and it looks like Jude would be following suit.

"What can I say I am a growing boy….gotta impress the ladies," Jesus said flexing.

"Yeah we gotta impress the ladies," Jude said also trying to flex.

"You two are silly boys," Stef said rustling Jude's hair as the two parents laughed.

Brandon had been practicing for a while as was starting to get hungry himself. He unplugged his keyboard and slid off his bed. Before he hit the top of the stairs he heard the guitar being played and ventured back to Mariana and Callie's room. He stood in the doorway for a few moments and watched as Callie struggled to play.

"Want me to show you a few things," Brandon asked.

Callie newly jumped off the bed startled to see him there.

"I am sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it's ok I guess I was just in my own world. I think I am still trying to get the stuff you showed me a few days ago."

Brandon walked over to the bed and sat down level a good amount of space between then. He could tell she was upset by something and didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

"Let's just review a few things then. I have to get my playing buddy up to par so we can work on some duets together," he said with a smile.

Callie smiled as Brandon started showing her a few key cords again. Sure Lena was great to talk to but when Brandon was around she just felt relaxed. When they were playing music together she wasn't some foster kid jumping from home to home, she didn't have to worry about Jude….she could just be her. There wasn't much from her childhood that was good but learning to play with her mom was one of them and now she was getting that back.

"Hey Callie….oh hey Brandon there are some snacks downstairs," Stef said letting the kids know.

"Thanks mom I was headed down there before I got caught up helping Callie with the guitar. You want to head and get something?"

"Yeah sure."

Callie dropped the guitar on and bed and followed Brandon out the door. Stef paused for a moment watching them head downstairs. A fleeting thought crossed her mind and she would have to discuss it with Lena later.

With two extra people in the house it seemed like everything took just a little longer including getting everyone to bed. Stef helped Jude get settled in while Lena started corralling the rest of the crew. They had settle on whoever had the bathroom last in the morning determined if they wanted the bathroom first or last getting ready for bed. One by one Mariana, Jesus, Callie and Brandon all got ready for bed and Stef and Lena said goodnight to them all.

"Well I think we are finally getting the hang of morning and nighttime routines with this Brady Bunch," Lena said with a smile.

"Oh aren't you just too cute," she said nudging Lena to her side of the bed. "But I think your right things seem to be running smoother around here…maybe we should invest in a bigger hot water heater," she laughed.

"Or get miss thing on a timer for the shower. Poor Brandon takes it like a champ though," Lena said snuggling into Stef's side.

"How was your day? I don't think we have had a minute to relax tonight," Stef asked not wanting to ever make Lena think she didn't have time for her.

"It was good….something happened with Callie though."

"And Brandon," thinking maybe they both thought the same thing?

"Umm no just Callie…she was crying earlier."

Stef sat up a little and turned on her side so she could look at Lena.

"About what?"

"She is scared Stef. Her whole life she had to be strong and do whatever it took to protect Jude. She knows Jude is safe here but is scared what will happen when someone takes them away again."

"We are not going to let just anyone take them."

"I know that…and while Callie knows that it's hard for her not to let the fear of past experiences take over. All they have known is bouncing around every 6 months. They know they aren't staying here permanently and that leaves a lot of uncertainty. Callie will be 18 in a couple years and will max out of the system; Jude is just approaching his teen years and as a while before he reaches 18."

"I can't imagine what they have had to deal with. Never feeling safe…never knowing when you would be uprooted and moved to god knows where with god knows who."

"I talked to her again and just let her know she is safe here and we will not let anyone take them away. Whenever they do get placed in a permanent home we will make sure it is right for them…if it's not they won't go anywhere. Whenever it does happen though they will just have an expanded family because they are already members of this family."

"Hmm that is why I love you so much….you know just want to say."

Stef and Lena settle back down into bed.

"Hey do you think there is something going on between Callie and Brandon?"

"What," Lena shot up totally not expecting that?

"I don't know maybe I am just being paranoid but it seems like there is something going on between Callie and Brandon. I walked into her room today and they were sitting on the bed and he was teaching her the guitar."

"And we all know the guitar is the gateway to sex," Lena said playfully rolling her eyes.

Stef huffed and nudged her side.

"Stef Brandon is a good kid and just trying to make Callie feel welcomed. I don't think we have anything to worry about right now. Besides Brandon is with Talya and they have been together a while….I don't think he would just toss that away for someone he has known a week. Callie has a tough exterior and it is hard for her to let people in. They have bonded over music and the fact he was willing to help her get her brother back. I am glad she is comfortable with someone other than Jude…I know her and Mariana haven't exactly bonded yet."

"Those two will definitely keep us on our toes."

"I think we are ok with Brandon and Callie right now but we will watch them ok."

"Ok," she said knowing Lena was right.

"Any other bombshells you want to talk about before we settle in," Lena asked with a smile.

"Come here you," Stef said lying back down and opening her arms for her love.

Lena kissed her before settling into her arms. Their new family was taking shape and there was certainly going to have a couple more bumps in the road but they wouldn't have it any other way.