The East Coast

                                    

                                          
"Callie! If you don't get up now you will be late my honey!" Diane yelled from the kitchen as she was making the two breakfast like she did most mornings. A few times Callie did it on her days off but she was working double shifts at Starbucks, then going to school which was leaving her fried. Diane had told her many times to calm down and to focus on school mostly but Callie was adamant about earning money and saving for more the one reason. The girl was hoping to fly her brother out for the holidays.
                          
Diane had to admit the first few months with Callie had been rough and thankfully she saw a big change in her. The girl had been stubborn, missed curfew more times then Diane liked to count and she could see the old Stef in her big time for Callie had  come home blasted a few times, even high and was skipping classes and missing work.  It seemed all the work she did at, Women's United,  had gone out the window which was heartbreaking for Diane to see. But regardless she was not going  to tolerate the girls destructive behavior by any means and layed down ultimatums for her. She had to attend AA and therapy immediately or it was back to California she went right to Women's United. And that was if Rita would let her in again.

                          
Agreeing to it Callie got herself together for she really didn't want to undo all her progress and promised she would do better. She did and now she was but unfortunately she could not give up her habit of cigarette smoking. Not yet anyway. Was the east coast good for her? Neither her or Diane knew and wouldn't for some time.
                          
"Callie baby!" Shaking her head and smiling Diane laid the food on the table as the younger adult was trying her hardest to get out of bed. Turning over and opening her eyes she looked to her phone seeing it was 6AM and barely light out. Callie had to admit Boston was a big adjustment for she had only lived in California and wasn't use to the snow or freezing temperatures. But it wasn't the only adjustment for she underestimated how much she would miss her little brother and many nights she dreamt about Stef. Maybe it had to do with the trip Diane and her took to Nevada giving her the opportunity to see where they grew up or maybe it was something else. Maybe she did love her, maybe a small part of her missed the woman and maybe she did want to talk for she constantly thought of their last conversation. It had brought her to tears but regardless she wasn't ready to reach out yet even with the holidays approaching. Surprisingly and something she would never admit the girl had a picture of the small family from almost eleven years ago in her phone. She also had a picture of her and Stef from when she was eight and from time to time Callie would look at it.
                          
Trying to get up and looking to her phone again she smiled at the background picture of her and Jude on her phone grateful they were able to video chat all the time, text and call. No it wasn't the same as face to face but until he could visit or she would it would have to do.  Stumbling out of bed she walked into the kitchen seeing Diane sipping on her own coffee and smiling.
                          
"Morning Mom."
                          
"Morning sunshine. Hungry?"
                          
"Yeah. Thanks. I must have slept through my alarm. "  Taking a seat and gratefully sipping on her own coffee she bit into her eggs hoping the exhaustion would wear off.
                          
"I figured but I keep telling you, you do not need to work double shifts. Especially with school. You have exams you need to study for. Take the month off and work part time until school is on break in January honey."
                          
"I need to save mom."
                          
"Honey there is plenty of time to save. And I am here you know and I have no issue covering your expenses. I told you that."
                          
"I don't want to use your money mom."
                          
"Callie we talked about his baby."
                          
"I know. But is important to me and if I feel super drained I'll slow down. I promise."
                          
"Well baby I would hope you slow down before you drain out. There is no reason to kill yourself."
                          
"I won't I promise. But I wanted to ask you could you give me a ride to the court house tomorrow?"
                          
"The court house? Sure honey but why?"
                          
"I finished my application for my name change and I wanted to drop it off instead of mailing it."
                          
Glancing at the girl Diane had hoped in some sense that Callie had forgotten about it but clearly she had not. She really didn't want her to change her last name because she felt one day Callie would regret it when she was no longer angry with Stef.
                          
"Honey are you sure? I mean are you sure you want to change it?"
                          
"I'm positive."
                          
"You can always hyphenate it to you know. Maybe you should think more about it."
                          
"I did for a year. I want to Diane. Unless you don't want me to have your name."
                          
"No baby that's not it. I just don't want you to do something you may regret. I really don't."
                          
"I won't mom. I won't regret it." Callie said adamantly as Diane nodded her head for she didn't want to push the girl but would try somehow to convince her she should keep her name. Maybe she would not be successful but Diane would try and had hopped the little road trip they took months ago would help. Sadly it didn't seem to and Callie had to come to terms with her feelings in her own time.
                          
"Ok baby. Hurry with your breakfast so we can go."
                          
"Sure."
                          
------------------
                          
"How you feeling baby?" Fran asked as her and Stef met for coffee during her morning lunch break. It had almost been a year since Sharon died and despite her feelings the younger blonde continued to struggle with her death.

                          
"I'm fine. You know me I can handle most things.  Even sober." She joked as Fran shook her head.
                          
"Yes you can.  But I still know it's not an easy thing honey. You need anything you tell me. Deal?"
                          
"Deal. I promise. I mean I was thinking of visiting her grave but I need to see how I feel. Not sure yet."
                          
"Of course. And whatever you decide you make sure you do it for you and no one else. Ok? And if you need me to come with you I'm there."
                          
"Thanks mama. But can I ask you something?"
                          
"Sure."
                          
 "Have you visited her grave?"
                          
"I have. A few times baby." Fran admitted.
                          
"Really?"
                          
"Yes. Of course I was angry with her, I hated how she treated you but I went to pay my respects. Sharon and I never had a good relationship ever but I know I tried my best as her sister. So you know I understand honey whatever choice you make I will be here regardless."
                          
Glancing at her aunt Stef took a sip of her coffee as she zipped up her police coat.
                          
"But on a happier note Debbie and I would love to invite you all over for Thanksgiving."
                          
"Oh yeah? You cook mama?"
                          
"I do silly girl. Debbie I must admit is the real cook. But what do you say. MM our first holiday today since you were a little girl." Fran said smiling as she gently grabbed Stef's hand holding it close. Of course Stef remembered that holiday and it was the best one she ever had except for the ones with her babies.
                          
"We would love that."
                          
"Good. Now lets get you back officer Foster so you can check on your little girl. I know you are dying too."
                          
"Ha! Me? No way."
                          
"Sure, sure. That's your first babygirl. And that's a different kind of love all together."
                          
"That it is mama. That it is."