There Is Enough To Go Around

Chapter 2

After Stef hung up the phone with Lena, she sighed a loud sigh. Another kid in the house? Could she be going insane with even the consideration of letting another child come stay with them, and a toddler at that? It's not that Stef hated having children in their home, but things were already tight with space and money as it was, and adding a toddler to mix would definitely stir the calm waters they had had for a while.

But it would be new. It's not like they weren't going to face the challenge and difference when Frankie was supposed to be born, and if Stef was honest with herself, she was almost excited for it. Not only with the birth of a new daughter, but with a child who needed her. Not just with homework or advice, but a child who needed help with the necessities. Stef had missed that with Brandon, some of the times being the most memorable, and poor Lena never got to experience that with a child so young.

Leaving with the thought, Stef ambled down the stairs to her family. Callie and Jude were found in the kitchen, Callie helping her brother with some homework, the rest of the kids sprawled out on the couch in the living room.

"Hey guys, can you meet me in the kitchen? We need to talk about something." Stef called, as she took a seat with Callie and Jude at the counter. Callie suddenly wrapped her arm around Jude's shoulder protectively, as the rest of the kids walked cautiously in the kitchen, looks of confusion and some guilt present on their faces.

"Jeez you guys, why so nervous?" Stef chuckled, hoping to relieve the tension in the room, but she was only met with silence.

"You guys aren't in trouble unless there is something you need to tell me about."

Everyone breathed out a sigh and smiled while shaking their head.

"If we aren't in trouble, then what do you need to talk to us about Mom?" Jude asked curiously, causing Stef to smile. Jude had been calling Lena 'Mama' way longer than calling Stef 'Mom', and Stef for one was glad to hear him opening up to her.

"Well...Bill called and was wondering if we were willing to let another kid stay with us for a while."

"Really Mom? Another kid? Aren't we packed as enough as it is? Where would they sleep?" Mariana asked dramatically, Stef expecting her youngest daughter to begin the protest.

"She would sleep in my and Mama's room. And that is why we wanted to talk to you guys first, before deciding on this." Stef tried to answer her daughter calmly, though she was suddenly irritated with her daughter's attitude.

"In your room? How old is she?" Callie asked confused, as she removed her arm from her brother's shoulder.

"She is around two, so it is appropriate. No one would have to share their room. And it is only temporary. She isn't adaptable, and probably won't ever be. Her mom is in a coma from a car accident they were both in, and her dad is in the war in Afghanistan. When he comes back or her mom wakes up, she will be placed with either of them."

"What if the mom doesn't wake up, or the dad dies fighting? What of her then?" Jude asked, suddenly feeling sympathetic to the little girl.

"Well, they say the dad isn't in the dangerous field like he doesn't actually fight. But, she will be placed in another foster home if that does happen. I and Mama aren't looking to adopt, guys. She just needs somewhere safe for a while." Stef finished, gazing at her children's faces. They all seemed to gain some sympathy, and Mariana bounced her actions by acting excited.

"Another girl in the house...hopefully she will be a little more girly than this one." Mariana laughed, as she nodded her head in the direction of Callie.

Callie smiled and brushed it off, but still seemed a little nervous.

"Callie? How do you feel about this?" Stef asked, a little worried about her daughter's nervousness.

"I am fine with it...It's just...are you guys okay with it? I mean after what happened with...you know."

Stef smiled. Bring it to Callie to make sure everyone else was happy and their feelings weren't hurt, above her own. She had a mother's heart.

"I think me and Mama will be fine. I think it might...help us move on and progress honestly. As long as you guys are okay with that. Jesus? Brandon? You two are oddly silent." Stef questioned her two older boys. Brandon looked unphased and bored like he had been through this enough times. Jesus however, although always jumpy, seemed to be more on edge and maybe a little angry.

"It's okay with me. I mean it's temporary, and it should be interesting with a toddler in the house. As long as she isn't breaking or touching my things." Brandon finally answered as he looked at Jesus.

"I was kinda hoping we weren't going to have to deal with little kids anymore..." Jesus answered his mother, though he wouldn't make eye contact with her.

"What's wrong with little kids?" Stef asked.

"Nothing, it's just they get in the way, and like Mariana said, it is still cramped in this house, sharing a room or not." Jesus had friends with younger siblings, and they did nothing but bug and take their sibling's things. One of them actually scratching Jesus' expensive skateboard. He didn't think about it too much with a baby on the way, but knowing a toddler was going to be in the house, set him off a little.

"I understand love...it would take us a while to adjust but you would get used to her. But I want you to remember, that we took you into our home when you had nowhere to go. It wouldn't seem fair not to be able to offer that to her. We have Callie and Jude now, and you like them right?" Stef asked as she ruffled Jude's hair.

Jesus sighed. The guilt trip. Jesus wasn't the one to really think things through and to just go with the flow. It was only temporary he reminded himself, and he didn't have to interact with her too much if he didn't want to.

"Yeah, alright. It's okay with me she stays here."

Stef nodded, before landing her eyes on her youngest son, who seemed a little dazed.

"Jude...what do you think?"

He looked about his older siblings, who nodded encouragingly to him. He shrugged and even gave his mom a little smile.

"Of course she can. She needs us, just like Callie and I did. Besides, I would like to try out my big brother role."

Stef beamed while she got up from her seat to hug Jude's shoulders from the back.

"Alright my lovelies, let me call Mama then, and bring this little one home."