"Hey Babe, we need to talk," Stef said as she folded clothes.

"What's up?" Lena asked curiously.

"Well, I've been thinking…"

"Uh oh," Lena grinned. Stef looked at her, her face deadpan, and threw the pants in her hands at Lena, who caught them with a laugh. "Seriously, what have you been thinking about?"

"I know that we have discussed it before, and I know that it won't be easy, but we need to adopt the twins. I can't continue to live with the worry that someone could swoop in and take them away."

Lena nodded slowly, "I feel the same way."

"Then we are settled. We do what it takes to adopt them. We give them the forever home that the need and deserve."

"Well," Lena said and Stef looked up confused. "We should talk to Brandon first don't you think?"

Stef felt a little embarrassed that she hadn't been the one to think about that first, but was glad Lena would remind her of these things. She loved this woman more than she could ever say. She put everyone else first. She dropped the clothes in her hands back into the basket and scooted the basket to her right. She then crawled slowly forward toward the woman she loved with a wicked grin on her face. "Did you know that Brandon is spending the night at his dad's tonight?"

"I may have noticed that," Lena answered.

"And did you know that my mom is in town?"

"Is she?" Lena's eyebrow rose.

"I might be able to convince her to take the twins… you know… if you could think of a way to fill in the alone time," Stef whispered in Lena's ear and then leaned down to kiss her neck.

"I think we could fill that time," Lena practically moaned.

Stef giggled into Lena's neck, "I'm on it!" She then jumped up and pulled her phone out of her pocket and began to dial.

"Hey B, Mama and I need to talk to you," Stef said patting the couch between herself and Lena. Brandon cautiously sat looking between his two moms. "What do you think of having a sister and a brother?" Stef asked.

"Most of the time it is nice. Sometimes not cause they take my stuff," Brandon said honestly.

"But overall how do you feel about it?" Lena asked.

Brandon seemed to understand that this was a very important question. He pondered the question intently, glancing between his two moms. "I like having Jesus and Mariana around because then I don't get in trouble as much," he answered with complete seriousness.

Stef pursed her lips to keep from laughing. It would make Brandon sad and she didn't want to do that because to him, these were the important points of having siblings. "What would you think of us adopting them so that they are part of the family forever?"

"I think that is a great idea! There is enough to go around!"

"Enough what?" Lena asked curiously.

"Everything. Love," Brandon explained. He may have only been 12, but there were times he was wise beyond his years, Stef smiled at this thought, tears in her eyes.

Both women leaned in to hug Brandon.

"Moms, stop," Brandon whined, trying to escape the hug. The women laughed.

Jesus came crashing into the kitchen. "Are you making tacos? I love tacos!" the boy crowed.

"You don't say!" Lena smiled.

"Wait, are you making chicken quesadillas too?" he asked when he noticed that as well.

"Yup," Stef answered.

"That's Mariana's favorite," he considered both dishes.

"I did know that. Would you go get Mariana and Brandon for dinner?" Lena asked.

The boy turned and yelled, "MARIANA, BRANDON DINNER!"

Stef dropped her head with a laugh. "Jesus, we could have yelled for them. Lena wanted you to go and get them."

"Oh, sorry," he said.

A herd of elephants made their way down the stairs, chattering. Stef helped the kids set the table and get drinks for everyone. The family ate with gusto. It still amazed Stef just how much the kids could eat in one sitting. Once they slowed down, Stef looked to Lena and raised her eyebrows. Lena nodded. "So, Jesus and Marianna, Lena and I need to ask you a question."

"We don't have to leave do we?" Jesus blurted out, suddenly worried.

"Of course not. No. We wanted to ask what you thought about Lena and I adopting you." Stef explained. "We love you both very much."

"And we don't want to lose you. We want you to be our kids. We want you to be part of this family forever," Lena continued.

"Really?" Jesus' eyes were bright with excitement.

"What about our mom? Does she want us yet?" Mariana asked quietly.

"Well, I am sure that if she could take care of you two she would want you. However, last we heard she was still struggling with her addiction. I know that she loves you both, but she just isn't ready to be a mom," Lena answered warmly.

"Who cares about her? She never did anything right. We want to be adopted!" Jesus said, overriding his twin.

"Anna will always be your mom, we will just be responsible for you and be your family too. We will love you forever and take care of you and help you along the way. You don't have to forget Anna to be adopted," Stef said.

Mariana nodded, considering this and slowly answered, "Then yes, I want to be adopted. I love being here."

"Great, then we will talk to your caseworker and a lawyer and get this rolling. It may not be very fast, but just know that we are going to make this happen. You are our son and daughter and we won't lose you," Stef said.

Jesus and Mariana jumped up and wrapped each woman in a hug. Then Mariana pulled back. "So, can we call you Mom and Mama too, like Brandon?"

"We would love that Sweetie," Lena answered the girl, her eyes glassy.