TITLE: Where We Belong
SUMMARY: June 26, 2013 will always be a special day for the Foster family.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own, you don't sue.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first fanfic for the Fosters. I've fallen head over heels for the show. This story was inspired by the historic events of June 26 and a comment by Lena from 1x02 about her 'marriage' to Stef. The title comes from the theme song for the show. Hope you enjoy!
For once, Stef Foster was glad that none of the kids living under her roof were morning people.
Early on June 26th, 2013, she and her partner of eleven years crept past their sleeping children's closed doors and down the staircase to the living room. They turned on the TV, keeping the volume low, and curled up on the couch together. Just like the two of them, the cable news networks were anxiously awaiting word from the US Supreme Court about two cases critical to the future of California and the country as a whole.
"We shouldn't get our hopes up," Lena whispered at one point. "Not again. It could go either way."
Stef sighed. "I know."
"What are we going to tell the kids if it's 'no'?"
Stef shrugged. "They're not little anymore. They've been keeping up with the news themselves."
"They're still going to wonder what it means for us."
Stef raised their joined hands so that she could kiss the back of Lena's. "We'll tell them the same thing we told them last time. A marriage license wouldn't change how we feel about each other or them."
"I know... But I still feel like I have to try to help them deal with how inexplicably unfair the world can be."
Stef snorted. "Can you help me deal with that, too?" But she knew exactly what her wife was trying to say. It was part of why they were watching the news alone instead of having woken up their children to join them. Some moments needed to be just for the two of them - and if the news ended up being bad, they were going to need some time to pull themselves together before being able to face their kids.
Both women looked back at the television as a 'BREAKING NEWS' graphic flashed across the screen. The network anchormen quickly cut away to a reporter in Washington DC, who had a thrilling announcement to make:
"The Supreme Court has just struck down the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. It's a 5-4 decision and the Court has said that DOMA is unconstitutional as an issue of Equal Protection."
"Oh, my God," Lena breathed. "I can't believe it." The ruling - and it's justification - were exactly what they'd barely dared to hope for.
"...We're still waiting for the decision on California's Proposition 8," the reporter continued.
Stef sighed. "One down, one to go." Overturning DOMA was a huge step forward toward equality, but for the moment, it only helped those in states where same-sex marriage was already legal. California's membership in that small group of states was still in question.
The women remained in limbo, nervously waiting for word from the nation's capital, for the next 25 minutes. Finally, the reporter was ready to make another statement:
"The Supreme Court has decided it cannot take up the challenge to the ruling on California's Proposition 8. This means that the Federal Court ruling from 2010 will stand and same-sex marriage is now once again legal in the state of California."
Both women just stared at the TV, tears in their eyes, for the longest moment. "Is this real?" Lena finally managed. Stef turned and kissed her. The women enjoyed a moment to themselves to celebrate their future and that of their family.
"I love you," Lena whispered as they broke apart.
"I love you, too... So I guess I get to make an honest woman out of you."
Lena burst out laughing and wiped at her eyes. "It's about time!"
TBC...