Forbidden

Chapter 7

*A/N* Ok so this chapter isn't as long as I usually make them but I wanted to get this one out there so that the next one wouldn't seem too long and overcrowded. Enjoy 

Chapter 7

That night Lena couldn't stop asking about Mariana and hoping that she was alright. After about an hour of Lena going on and on Stef decided to just bring her to see her.

But now they were standing outside of GU and Lena was too nervous to ring the doorbell. She was too self-conscious about her visible bruises and scratches; worried that she would cause Mariana to worry even more. "Maybe we should just wait," Lena said turning to walk away. "Oh no you don't", before she could get too far Stef rung the bell. They soon heard footsteps and Stef brought Lena back next to her, linking her arm through her's.

"Stef, Lena, what a surprise". Stef already called Rita to ask if it was alright if they made a quick visit, so this wasn't too much of a surprise for her. Stef and Mariana both updated her vaguely on what happened. But the sight of Lena pained her ever so slightly. Her body language seemed foreign; the usual strong, confident, and open demeanor she carried was replaced with a timid uncomfortable one. Right above her sweatshirt Rita could see slight bruising on her collarbone. Though her big curly hair was down in a way that covered a good portion of the side of her face, she could tell what she was hiding.

"Glad to see that you are doing better Lena. You guys come in. I'm sure Mariana will be excited to see you. Go on up. She should be in her room."

"Thanks Rita". Lena smiles as she started up the steps, but turned to Stef when she realized that she wasn't following behind. "Go ahead love. You two just need each other right now. I'll wait here with Rita". Understanding, Lena continued her ascent.

As she approached the open bedroom door her nerves were starting to get the best of her. She felt frozen as she just watched the little girl from the door frame. Completely oblivious to the woman watching her, Mariana just continued to draw and color as she hummed to herself.

Lena could not resist smiling. The amount of pure unconditional love she had for the little girl was indescribable. "Hello, my sweet girl". Mariana looked up wide eyed and full of glee. "Lena!"

Lena sped over to the bed and scooped her up into the warmest embrace. "I missed you today. I went to your room and there was a substitute".

"I know. I'm sorry. I wish that I could have spoken to you earlier. But Stef told me that she made sure that you were ok". Lena sat on the bed with the child in her lap as they both examined each other. "Yeah I really like her...you're staying with her, right?" Understanding the hidden question Lena lightly stroked Mariana's hair. "Yes. I am", she said gently.

Mariana stared at Lena, looking at some of the bruises and scratches Lena was trying to conceal. "He hurt you". The way she said it somewhat startled Lena, it was not so much of a question but a statement. "I'm...I'm ok. Really, I'm ok." But as she said it she watched the girl's small nose turn red as tears began to run down her face. At that Lena could no longer hold it together as she began to cry as well. Mariana leaned in and hugged Lena tighter, "Please Lena. I can't lose another mommy".

..............................................

"So how bad is this prick?" Rita asked after handing Stef a cup of coffee. Stef took a sip giving Rita a look that said it all. "She doesn't deserve that. No one deserves that. The way Mariana described him, I thought she was just exaggerating, but wow. However, I take it that she's not still staying at the house". Stef sat up a bit straighter; not sure how what she was going to say would come out.

"No. Uh she's actually going to stay with me".

"For now, or for now on"? Stef looked at the woman trying to figure out what she was getting at. "That's up to her".

"Well I ask this because I received a call stating that this Mason guy has been calling the agency trying to get Mariana transferred out of the state". Stef almost spat her coffee out as she felt her heart stop. "What?! She's just a little girl. You know he's just doing this to hurt Lena. He can't do that, can he?" Stef continued to go off on a tangent before Rita jumped in.

"He doesn't have the authority nor probable reasoning to make it happen. But if he's anything like you all have made him out to be then I don't doubt that he has the connections. There's only so much that I could do. I'm sure that this would take a couple of months, at max, for him to pull off. But if Lena was ever planning on having Mariana then she needs to move faster".

......................................................................

The next day was busy for both women. After talking that previous night they both instantly agreed to foster and hopefully adopt Mariana. In between classes and during her free blocks Lena was making tons of calls. Stef also chipped in by calling people who owed her favors that could possibly speed up the process of obtaining a fostering license.

But what Lena didn't know was that Stef was working on something even bigger. After a quick lunch with Lena she met up with Mike in the parking lot.

"Stef, you're not going to believe this," Mike said in a surprisingly jubilant mood. "I found her! She's alive". Stef grabbed the file from Mike smiling as her eyes glassed over. "Dana Adams, she's a Stanford professor? She's in California?"

"Yeah, apparently one of the best they have. Lena's father, Stewart Adams, is like a stock broker or something like that. I guess Captain made some serious threats to keep them away from her while Dana was sick. But once they were up on their own feet it was too hard for them to find her".

"Wait! You spoke to them already?"

"Yeah. Stef, I told you I'm here to help". Stef was left speechless. This is way more progress than she thought they would make in such a quick time. "So they took the first flight they could find this morning and we have to meet them at the airport. So by the time we get back it should be in time for the school's let out".

"Mike..." Stef barely got out. "Yeah, yeah don't get all sappy on me. Just buckle up".