A Different Type of Family

A Daughter's Love

Callie Elizabeth Adams Foster stared at the $5,000 check she got for her winning essay and knew what she wanted to do with the money. She smiled to herself as she knew how excited her mommy and mama would be. She dialed Karina Sanchez's cell and the older woman picked up.

"Hi Auntie Karina. Can we have coffee sometime?" Callie asked. "We need to talk."

"Sure. When?" Karina asked.

"Now," Callie added. "Please. It is about my mommy and mama."

"Sure," Karina added. An hour later, Karina heard Callie out and nodded. The older woman nodded and knew she would grant Callie's request. She wished she had a daughter like Callie.

"I agree and will give your mama the time," Karina added. "Good luck."

That same night, Lena felt like she was about to cry. In a week would be her and Stef's fifteenth wedding anniversary and they were a continent apart. She wiped her coming tears away and began to make dinner. 

In downtown Mission Bay, Callie and Sharon had some time together and Sharon even called to buy Lena's round trip plane ticket to Iraq. "She will love it baby doll. They both will."

"I know they will. I just feel bad about dad. He won't have anyone to see him."

"What about asking the Brandon or Bradley?" Sharon suggested. "They might have the time."

Both boys had the time and their respective History professors gave them the time off as did their other professors. Callie got two more plane tickets for the twins. 

As Callie got home, Caleb and Callum eyed their sister. "We need to talk."

"What's up?" Callie asked.

"Mama. She's been crying," Caleb added.

"Yup I  know. It is her and mommy's anniversary in a week," Callie added.

"We are idiots," Callum added. "We thought she was on the rag."

Callie glared at them. "That term sucks."

"Sorry," they mumbled. "What now?"

"I got it covered. I did something," Callie added as she told them. They eyed her shocked and smiles. "She will love it."

"What she will love what?" Lena asked from the entryway of the kitchen. The triplets sighed.

"Callie got Lexi this new thingy," Caleb added. 

"What did you get her baby buggy?" Lena asked.

"A new ring. But I haven't went to buy it yet," Callie added.

"Oh," Lena added. "Dinner in ten."

"That was so close,"  Callum added. The other two nodded.

The dinner was amazing as always and Callie offered to clean the kitchen. Ty did not need to be told twice. "Um, mama can we talk?" Callie asked as she washed the dishes.

"Sure," Lena added as she dried. As all the dishes and the kitchen were cleaned, Lena gave her daughter her full attention. "What's up?"

"I one an essay contest," Callie added.

"Great. I knew it," Lena added as she hugged her daughter.

"And I spent some of the money already," Callie added as she handed her mama the envelope and Lena took it and opened to find a round trip ticket to Iraq. Lena was shocked to say the least.

"What is this?" Lena asked.

"It is a plane ticket. DUH," Callie added playfully.

"But why?" Lena asked.