in which some sisterly bonding takes place (prompted by slowdancingstars & anon - I kind of used elements from both your prompts!)

Callie pulled her jumper over her head, tossing into the laundry basket as she pulled her pyjamas on. It had been one seriously long day, and she was looking forward to completely chilling out.

"Hey, Cal?"

Callie looked up as Brandon poked his head around the door of her, and Marianna's room. "Whats up?"

"I just wanted to say thanks for all your help today." Brandon said. "The piece is really starting sound amazing."

"That is mainly down to you." Callie replied with a smile. "I don't think my suggestions are too major."

"Well, thanks anyway Cal." Brandon said. "Night."

"Night Brandon." Callie replied softly, watching as Brandon turned, and left for his own bedroom.

"So.. You and Brandon?"

Callie almost choked as Marianna spoke, the other girl looking up from where she was painting her nails with a knowing smirk. "There's nothing going on with me and Brandon!" She spluttered.

Marianna raised an eyebrow. "You're a horrible liar Callie. Anyway, its not like I'm going to tell on you guys - you can tell me."

Callie looked at Marianna, who was looking at her earnestly - and, well, Callie couldn't help but believe her. "There's nothing going on - but there's something there, I think."

"Oh, that much was obvious." Marianna said. "Seriously, Brandon was way too annoyed when you were going out with Wyatt for his feelings to be brotherly."

"You noticed that?"

"Uh, of course! Its not like he was trying to be subtle about it." Marianna said. "He's got big feelings for you, if you ask me - because usually, he's pretty good at hiding his emotions."

"He is?" Not around Callie.

"Which is why its all the more obvious he likes you, a lot." Marianna said. "Sooo, how do you feel about him?"

Callie paused before answering. "I like him. I know I shouldn't, but-"

"Oh, psh." Marianna interrupted. "Like it matters!"

"It kind of does Marianna, there's rules-"

"Moms wont send you away." Marianna said. "They like you too much."

"Jude and I aren't here forever you know."

"Thats what you think."

"Its what I know."

Marianna shook her head. "I think Moms like having you and Jude around too much. You're a part of our family now."

"We are?"

"You don't need to sound so surprised Callie." Marianna said. "We all like having you around."

"You do?" Callie raised an eyebrow.

"OK, maybe I wasn't so nice to you when you got here first, but.. I like having you around." Marianna said. "Its great having two moms, and I love Jesus and Brandon, but.. I like having a sister."

Callie couldn't help but smile. "I like having a sister too." She replied.

Marianna beamed. "Its fun! I have someone to talk to about boys now, because Moms just get waaay too protective."

"Who do you like then?" Callie said, not bothering to acknowledge the voice in her head that was screaming "who do you like? what are you, twelve?"

The voice in her head could shut up, thank you very much, because Callie was perfectly content talking to Marianna, the other girl excitedly flopping down beside her on Callie's bed, talking a mile a minute about some boy in her grade.

It had never crossed her mind what it would be like to have a sister, but if this was it, Callie could get used to having a sister to talk to, she really could.