Begin Again

Chapter 1: We Are Broken

It was two weeks after Callie was adopted by the AdamsFoster family. Summer was coming to an end and school was starting in just a few days. Callie was keeping herself busy at work and managing her new Fost and Found app. She was doing everything she could to keep herself busy; but more specifically, keep her mind off of Brandon. Brandon was preparing his piece for Disney Hall. The family planned to take a trip together for Brandon's performance. They planned a weekend trip as a way to end the summer. Brandon and Callie could try to avoid one another to the best of their ability but they were going to have to interact at some point and that some point was coming fast.

"Hey sweetie. Are you all set for tomorrow?" Stef asked Brandon as she sat on the edge of his bed.

Brandon was sitting at his keyboard and jumped at the sound of Stef's voice. "Oh, uh, yeah. I think so." Brandon sighed. "I know I won the spot to play but I'm nervous."

"Oh baby. Don't be. You earned that spot. Your piece was so beautiful. Everyone is going to love you."

"Thanks mom."

"Of course. Will I ever get to know what the song was about?" Stef questioned as Brandon's face froze. His eyes widened and his breathing stopped momentarily.

"Uh, I don't think so." He murmured out.

"Okay, okay. Get some sleep. Oh, and before I forget, Callie had a mix up at work and she can't get off until later in the afternoon tomorrow. We already arranged with Connor's mom to drop Jude off at 2 since they aren't too far from Disney Hall. Then they're going to meet up with us on Sunday for your performance. Is there any way you could possibly pick up Callie at work and we'll meet you at the hotel?"

Brandon sighed. He knew he and Callie couldn't avoid each other forever. "Yeah, that's fine." Stef kissed Brandon's forehead and left the room.

Times like this, having a third car would be beneficial with a family so big. Lena and Stef didn't want Callie driving on her own to Disney Hall so Brandon was the last resort. It's not like Brandon and Callie could say that they haven't spoken to one another in fourteen days.

Callie stirred around in bed as the house stood silent. She glanced at the clock that read 12:42 AM. She sighed heavily before crawling out of bed and making her way out of the bedroom. Mariana was a heavy sleeper. The sound of Callie moving around has never woken her. While walking through the hallway she could see the light coming from Brandon's room. She glanced into his room as she had done numerous times before and watched as he poured his heart and soul into the music piece that won him the spot at Disney Hall. She stood there for a few moments, mesmerized. She was always fascinated by his talent. She turned her head and made her way downstairs. She crawled onto the sofa and sat in silence. She brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs before her head fell. It wasn't long after that she had let tears fall out. She had put her feelings aside as much as she could. It was easier during the day when she could keep herself busy. But late at night her thoughts would keep her up. But this night was different. When she would venture out of her room for the past few nights, Brandon was already asleep. Seeing him awake hurt Callie. She wanted to just go talk to him. But it could never be so easy.

Brandon stopped playing his keyboard at precisely 12:45. He stepped away from his desk and went to close his bedroom door. He noticed the light on downstairs. He thought for a short moment of whether or not he should make his way downstairs. He almost wanted to. He almost did it. But he decided against it. He wasn't ready to have the conversation just yet, because if he did, it would all feel so real. The adoption would be real. The relationship would be over. He would see the pain in Callie's eyes and know that there is nothing that he could ever do to fix it. Brandon sighed as he closed his door and turned out the light to go to bed.

The morning came awfully fast. Callie had gotten at most 3 hours of sleep. Brandon didn't get much more. Mariana and Callie were in their room packing their stuff for the weekend. Stef was in the kitchen making food for the family as Lena finished packing upstairs. Jude and Jesus were in the kitchen with Stef. Brandon had managed to get time in the bathroom earlier than usual so he was taking full advantage of having a hot shower. Mariana left the room for a short moment, but long enough for Callie to quickly grab a plastic bag out of her dresser. She glanced at the bag for a moment, staring at the pregnancy test that she had purchased the day before. She hasn't brought herself to use the test yet and so she shoved it into her bag before covering it with clothes and other things.

This is the last thing Callie needed to worry about. 

Author's note: Okay so I'm finally starting another story! It takes place after the adoption (obviously) and I'm actually really excited for this story and to be writing again. I hope you all enjoy :) This chapter is kinda short. I'm hoping that the other chapters will be longer. So yeah, I hope that people like this story :D