It was around five in the morning by the time Stef had got back home. She was called into a drug deal with multiple people inside, the police needing as many cops to arrest and book in jail. She was supposed to be off work today, but because of the bust, she was given the next three days off with pay. Just enough time to spend with her family, as well as bond with their newest member, while finding a daycare or sitter for her when Lena and she were both working.
The blonde trudged up the stairs to her bedroom, the family not supposed to be up and around for another hour. Sleep was out of the question, Stef already had her coffee, and decided to take a shower, and peek in on little Mila. As she entered the bedroom, she stole a glance at her wife, to be surprised by another person in the bed. That person is no one but Mila. The little girl was snuggled close to Lena's chest, Lena's arms wrapped protectively around her. Stef couldn't help but smile and snap a picture of the moment. No doubt Lena was beyond ecstatic that Mila was opening up. Stef leaned in to kiss her wife's forehead before heading into the shower.
By the time she was done and dressed, and started on breakfast, she could hear her crew shuffling around upstairs, fighting over the bathroom. About twenty minutes later, Lena came downstairs, with Mila still in her pajamas and her hair in a mess. She clung nervously to Lena, as Stef came into her view.
"I see someone has taken a liking to you. Good morning lovelies." Stef said as she leaned in for a kiss from her wife. Lena kissed her back, before taking a seat at the counter, the toddler keeping her head buried into her neck.
"So what kind of call-in was it?" Lena asked as she took a sip of a glass of milk that was set on her place at the counter.
"Drug bust, but it went down pretty easily. Still took forever with the paperwork." Stef explained as calmly as she could. She knew Lena was not fond of her job, especially after Stef got shot over a year ago. She hated to worry Lena and found that writing notes put both women more at ease instead of waking Lena and having her stay awake worried. Stef walked to the stairs.
"Come on kiddos, breakfast is ready!"
"Do you really have to yell?" Lena asked. Not only did she not like the habit, but from Mila's sudden jump at the raised voice, she did not appreciate it either.
"Sorry Love, but going up the stairs doesn't get easier with age. Would you like some eggs little one?" Stef asked as she bent down a little in front of the girl to make eye level. Mila sat up a little, her curiosity peaked, but not enough to make her talk.
"Why don't you answer her sweetie?" Lena asked, knowing that it was Stef she was going to be staying with all day. She would have to warm up to her too.
Mila nodded, and Stef immediately smiled, praising the girl's cooperation. "Let's sit in your chair, huh? You can sit right next to Lena and Jude if it is a little scary." Stef said, trying to make it easier. If her wife was going to eat anything, Mila would need to sit in her own chair. It seemed to work, for she nodded a little and sat quietly as Lena placed her in the high chair and Stef set down the plate. The number of eggs and torn-up toast might have been a little too much, but Stef figured they needed to fatten her up somehow. Mila picked up the food delicately with her fingers at first, but eventually put it in her mouth. As soon as all the kids shuffled downstairs, she stopped. She didn't cry or reach for either of the women but sat completely still.
The teenagers went about their morning as rambunctious and noisy as usual, their nervousness of the toddler seeming to subside overnight. Jude continued to talk with Mila, and she seemed to be a little more mellow with her two favorite people beside her, but she refused to eat now, even after being reminded or Lena had tried to feed her herself. As the kids began finishing up and bustling around the kitchen, she tensed up and gripped her earlobes, and looked like she was on the verge of a meltdown or a panic attack.
"Are you done, sweetheart? You didn't eat much," Lena asked softly, as she wrinkled her forehead in worry.
"Maybe she likes ketchup on her eggs like me? They taste kinda gross plain huh?" Jesus interjected as he proceeded to pour a glob of ketchup on her plate. The toddler took her hands off her ears and looked at the plate then at Jesus, confusion plastered on her face instead of fear. She finally wrinkled her nose, and pushed the plate towards him, causing a round of chuckles.
"The girl has sense," Callie said as she left the kitchen in search of her backpack.
"You are the only freak here Jesus, don't corrupt her, please. Hey, could I help you pick out an outfit for her Mom?" Mariana teased, before turning her head to face the blonde.
"Not today sweets, she doesn't have much and you need to go to school. Mama and I are going to go shopping for clothes and toys after she gets back, but you can come with us if you want." Stef answered as she began clearing the counter.
"Yes, I would love to!" Mariana said as she bounded out of the kitchen, soon followed by the others.
"Stef, if you guys can't find something to do, maybe you should go to the store and pick up some groceries. Some sippy cups and maybe like some Pediasure. If she is not going to eat, I would rather she have a supplement and get some meat on her. She is awfully small." Lena said as she picked up Mila and held her close, the toddler wrapping her legs around the woman.
"Of course, that sounds like a good outing. You should be going Love, or you are going to be late." Stef said, reaching for the toddler.
Lena pushed Mila out a little to get a clear focus of her face. "Mila, I have to go to work but I will be back. Stef will stay with you today, and you are going to have a lot of fun. When I come home, we are going to get some toys and clothes for you, and maybe go somewhere to eat. How does that sound?" Lena asked as the toddler's eyes grew in fear, her arms tightening around Lena's arms. Mila didn't want Lena to leave her. If she couldn't have her mama, then Lena was the best option. The curly-haired woman was a lot like her mother after all.
"It seems that she has a harder time attaching to more than one person," Stef commented, as she watched the girl look as if she would break apart if she were to pry her off her wife's arms.
"Well as far as we know, she only knew and trusted her mother. She only needed one person her whole life. But I am sure she will bond with you over the course of the day." Lena directed towards the blonde before she kissed Mila's forehead as a final goodbye. Lena knew the longer she stayed, the harder the separation would be.
"I will be back sweetheart. When that little hand on that clock points to the three, I will be home. Stef is going to be here with you all day, and she is really fun." Of course, Mila still clung on, Lena's words having no meaning to the toddler. Mila's mother never left her, until now.
It broke Lena's heart as she ripped the now crying toddler from her arms, and handed her to Stef. Both women now knew what the hospital was talking about with her loud crying. Big tears fell down her pale face, as her arms reached for Lena and Stef attempted to calm and hold the wriggling toddler. Not that Lena was much different, Jude and Callie both had to grab her arms to escort her to the car, Lena wanted to go back and calm the now screaming child that could be heard from the driveway. Much different from the mute girl they had met last night.
"She will be okay Mama, Mom has her," Jude reassured gently, who gained a kiss from Lena on his forehead. "You're right baby. Let's go to school."
Stef immediately grabbed the little girl's pacifier, who grabbed it readily and was quieted. Stef continued to hold her, while she swayed and reassured her that she was safe and Lena was going to come back. Once the tears began to subdue, Stef carried her to the bedroom and set her gently on the master bed. Grabbing the girl's backpack, she initially searched for some clothes, but only found her own disgust. The only clothes found were the jeans and shirt she arrived in, and another shirt. She understood the mother was poor, but really? She was so scared that she couldn't find more clothes for her daughter? There were always donated clothes around. But then again, she didn't seem to be able to even feed her daughter properly, so clothes were probably not as important.
She sighed, before grabbing the jeans and extra t-shirt to dress the child, but only met silence and a lump in the comforter. Stef chuckled to herself, before creeping to the comforter and uncovering it quickly. Meaning for it to be a fun experience (Brandon often did that to hide from her and play when he was little) to only see the pitiful sight of the little one, curled in a ball, and the fierce sucking of the pacifier. Stef covered her again, only revealing her head as she too lay on the bed next to Mila.
"Are you hiding?" Stef asked. Mila nodded.
"Are you hiding because you are scared? Like yesterday?" Much to her surprise, the girl shook her head. "Are you sad?" Mila nodded.
"Why are you sad?" Stef asked, hoping for the child to speak.
"I want Mama..." Mila whispered, almost too quiet for Stef to even catch. So it really wasn't Lena she missed, it was still her mother. Lena was a substitute, and now she was gone. No wonder Mila acted as she did.
"I know you do. It's okay to miss her. I am sure she misses her little girl too. But she got very hurt and needs to get better. For now, you get to stay with us and make sure you get better too. Hey, why don't we get dressed, and then we can draw your mama a picture, so when she wakes up, you can give it to her. We have lots of colors." Stef said as she watched the girl ponder the idea. Finally, she nodded and climbed out of the blankets, and sat on the edge of the bed. Stef changed her diaper and clothes, finishing off with brushing her long dark hair. It reminded her of Mariana's hair when she was little, besides Mila's not being quite that long. Mari loved her hair being brushed and played with, Stef could only imagine what Mila would end up liking and not liking as she got more comfortable.
"Alright, little one, ready to go downstairs?" Stef asked as she expected to have Mila begin to follow her out the door. When she didn't, Stef turned around to see the toddler still sitting on the bed.
"Are you coming?"
Mila reached her arms out towards Stef. "Stef, up?" she asked quietly. Stef smiled softly and raced over to the little one before she scooped her up. Mila giggled a little, after the initial wariness of Stef charging after her, died down.
"Of course Little One."
The rest of the day went by smoothly, as Mila began to open up to Stef and be cooperative throughout the day. She still was quiet, only using little words when she needed to speak, but she seemed much better than that morning. The grocery store was a little difficult, Mila wanting to be held the entire time, as the number of strangers made her nervous. Even after Stef insisted she would be fine in the cart, she still fussed until Stef wrapped her up in a blanket that covered her head. Stef gathered everything she needed from sippy cups, diapers, new pacifiers, a couple of outfits just to change her into for today, and a baby doll that she saw Mila looking at when the pair passed the toy aisle. All the while home, Stef peaked on her from the backseat, Mila rocking and giving her baby a bottle.
Lena returned home at three, and Mila was over the moon as Lena walked into the living room where Stef and the rest of the kids were watching some tv. Although Mila was obviously excited, she shyly ambled over to the brunette, as Lena gathered the girl in her arms.
"See? I came home just like I promised. Did you have fun with Stef today?" Lena asked as she brushed back some of the girl's hair affectionately. Mila nodded into Lena's chest, before wriggling off her lap to show her the new baby doll.
"Did Stef buy that for you? And your new dress?" Lena asked, as she took a quick peek at her wife, who winked at her. Mila nodded happily.
"That was so nice of her. How about we go shopping for some other new clothes and toys, and we can meet the rest of the kids at the restaurant with the play structure?" Lena said, partly to Mila and partly to the rest of the kids. Mila looked a little nervous at the mention of going to the store again, but with Lena and Stef with her, she nodded timidly at the idea, before jumping back into Lena's lap.
"Alright. Mariana, Mila, and Stef let's go shopping ladies. We have a lot to get."
By the time the quartet had gotten to the restaurant, they were exhausted. They had bought everything they could have needed for the girl but were quite happy with the outfits they bought, Mariana proved to have been a good choice to bring along. She knew what was appropriate and what looked adorable on the toddler, and enjoyed it very much.
The rest of the kids were already waiting in the fast-food joint for the four girls and ordered their food quickly. As the big family ate, Lena kept trying to encourage the girl to play on the play structure, but she only snuggled closer to Lena at the mention of it.
"C'mon Jesus, why don't you show her how to do it?" Stef said, gaining a scowl from her son.
"Why do you gotta pick on me? Do I look three to you?"
"No, but you got just as much energy as one." Stef teased. "You used to love it when you were little."
Jesus sighed but smiled to himself at the memory of playing up there with Brandon and Mariana, and the fun they had. He barely would want to eat his food because of the adventures he would come up with in the old play structure.
"Alright. Look, Mila, come up with me. It is so much fun." Jesus said as he began to climb the spiral steps, almost not being able to fit. The toddler looked at him curiously but sat still on Lena's lap.
"I'll go with you, c'mon," Jude said, as he extended his hand out to the little girl. She looked at Lena, who pushed her off her lap playfully.
"Go and play."
She was hesitant at first, but after a while, both mothers could hear little giggles from Mila and loud shouts from Jesus. Callie eventually joined, much to Jude's persistence, and all the kid's laughter could be heard from the play structure. Mariana stayed back, disgusted by the number of germs that could be on it, while Brandon lazily hung back, not too interested in the idea of squeezing in the old tubes. But both mothers couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces, happy to be able to relive the experience of when their children were young while seeing their little house guest personality begin to glow.