Seven
"But mom, I shouldn't have to give up my spare bed just because Brandon's girlfriend wants to stay over. Which by the way Brandon it's totally rude to date someone for a full year and not tell anyone about her." Mariana said directing the later part of her statement to her older brother, who was trying hard not to attack her for her comment.
"Mariana....." Brandon started to argue.
"I don't feel like doing this. Brandon, I trust you. Callie can stay with you as long as there is no funny business." Stef then turned from her eldest to her younger son. "Jude can stay on your spare bed yes?"
As if to mock her, Jesus gave his mother a salute. "Yes ma'am."
"Good." Stef then turned back to her daughter. "Mariana if I hear about you being rude to either Callie or Jude you will on dish duty by yourself for a week. Understand?"
"But mom when have I......"
"Can I remind you of the time Charlotte was here last year and she called her social worker to get her because of you? If I can recall correctly, it had something to do with setting her up to get stood up. And that's only one of the things you did." Stef received no answer back. "So I am safe to assume there will not be a repeat correct?"
Defeated Mariana turned back to her mother. "Yes mom."
"Good. Brandon, Jesus you may take the appropriate bags up to your rooms."
Grabbing Callie's duffle and backpack, Brandon went up the stairs to his room. When he passed the hall bathroom he still heard the shower running that Jude was using. Callie was using his moms and assumed she was still in there also. Moms were completely digested when they heard the two of them were not allowed to shower this week and sent them separately into the only two bathroom in the house.
As things begun to unfold at dinner, Brandon grew more angered with himself for not stepping in sooner. He knew things were bad but not as bad as he was now finding out. The worse part was that he had the power to end this months ago but didn't because he wanted Callie to feel like she had control in the situation, something he knew she had little of since her mother had passed.
When he walked into his room he was surprised to find his long term girlfriend looking at all of his piano awards and wearing his clothes. He had to admit, she looked pretty hot in his shorts and shirt with dripping wet hair running down her back. He couldn't resist dropping her bags and walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.
Startled, she jumped a little bit before remembering where she was and who Brandon was.
"Sorry love. Have a good shower?" He whispered with his lips pressed right above her ear. He took a deep breath into her hair and smelled his mother's green apple shampoo which he had to admit smelled much better on Callie.
Callie turned and snuggled her head under his chin hugging his body tighter to hers. She loved just being close to him, something she had not had with another person since her mother. "Yeah I missed having a hot shower."
Almost immediately knowing the comment struck a cord with Brandon's guilt, Callie spoke up before he could. She pulled away and turned his face to face hers. "I am not going to allow you to feel guilt for this. This entire situation is no ones fault except those monsters I was living with. You couldn't have done anything sooner or more than you did and no one blames you for that. I'm okay now. Jude is okay now. We are safe and that is thanks to you. I love you."
He nodded in response, still not fully convinced. "I love you too." He whispered back.
Seeing he wasn't going to be convinced of anything she claimed for the time being, Callie moved to sit them on his bed where they talked and enjoyed each other's company. Eventually, both lovers found themselves under the covers of his bed. When Stef checked on them around nine, she found Brandon laying on his back with Callie closely snuggled into his side, in a grip that neither was going to loosen any time soon. This was only the calm before the storm.
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I suck. I'm sorry. Hopefully it won't be months without anything next time.