Mom,

First of all, I wanted to apologize for not being the perfect son, not now, and not ever. I wanted you to know the reasoning behind this letter, behind my behavior as of late. I, we, wanted you to know why you found two empty beds this morning, instead of five full ones. I wanted you to know that Callie and I are safe, that we are happy, that we are loved. Well, maybe not safe from you, but that's another story entirely isn't it? By the time you read this we hope to be states away, where nobody knows our names, and where nobody knows our story. We hope to start over in a place where we can be together, and be accepted.

For most of my life you spoke of acceptance, of the pain you felt when you and Mama weren't accepted by your peers, by my father, by your father. At one point in your life, your relationship was forbidden too, and that is what kills me the most. It's the fact that you couldn't open your ears for a moment to recognize the hypocrisy spilling from your lips. And I mean no disrespect by that mom. I really don't.

I wasn't being a silly child when I told you at 16, that I loved Callie, and she loved me. I wasn't naive when I told you that nothing could keep us apart, that we would do whatever it took to be together, and I think pretending to not love one another for the better part of two years, is the definition of that statement. And mom, it was hard. It almost killed us both, but it was easier to have her under the same roof as me, than in some house miles away. It was easier to pretend to love Talya, that to not know if Callie was safe. And inwardly, I loved her more and more with each passing day, with each hour, and minute, and second. I realize I was selfish by kissing her when we were 16, I realize I behaved like a spoiled child who couldn't play with his favorite toy. But you, you reacted with such disgust at the mere thought that I could love Callie, making us both feel like you didn't think she was good enough to be with me. And let me tell you, mom, she's the best thing in this world... She's the best thing for me.

Secondly, you do not have to inform anybody of our disappearance, for you are the last to know. Mariana and Jesus have helped us be together for the past two years, with whispered conversations in the kitchen at midnight and the brief kisses on the stairs when nobody was around, nothing so sordid that we would sully your precious Foster name. Jude, while he wasn't happy with us leaving in the beginning, he understands now, knows in his heart that we make each other happy. And mom, I am the happiest I have ever been.

I really wish that it didn't have to be this way, we both wish that you could share in our happiness, that we could share our love with you. And one day we really wish that that can be the case, that one day you can be present at our wedding, and at the birth of our first child. We hope that by that time you can be on board with us as a couple, that you can accept that we love each other, but if you cannot, then as much as it hurts the both of us to think of that sequence of events... We are prepared for you to never come around to us. I really hate that we had to think of that as a possible outcome.

I want you to know that we are not running away to live off of dollar cheeseburgers and harsh coffee in a cheap and falling apart studio apartment. We applied to schools around the country, far enough away from California to know that we could get a fresh start, far enough away from you... And I'm sorry that that statement comes across so harsh, but the truth hurts, that's something you always told me. It is my wish that by the time our freshman year wraps up, and we come home for a visit, you will be on our side, but if that is not the case, Jesus and Mariana will tell us, and we will try again in another year.

I remember telling you that sending Callie to that group home would cause her to distrust you both, and you told me in your motherly fashion, that you knew best, and that I was wrong once again. I hope that at night you sit and think about how you could have handled everything differently, like letting me live with dad, letting us see where this relationship could go. And who knows mom, if you had given us some leeway we would not be together now. So I guess I have you to thank for this wonderful woman in my life, I have you to thank.

You raised me to be a thoughtful, generous, and kind man. You and Mama raised me, to be the kind of man who stands up for what he believes in, who wouldn't be ashamed to stand up and claim his love for the perfectly imperfect foster child you brought into our home. And mom, we tried for so long to ignore the feelings we were having at 16, please believe that we did. Somethings just have that strong of a pull over your heart, your mind, and your soul.

We didn't mean to disappoint you in anyway, and we are sorry that you won't be able to watch us walk across the stage to receive our diplomas next week. We hate to take that from you as well, but I felt it best if we left as soon a possible. For Callie turned 18 two months ago and me four months before her. And still as adults living under your roof, we had to abide by your rules, and we did but we cannot, no I cannot wait to be with her any longer. I need her mom, I love her with everything that is me.

I hope that you can understand where I am coming from, when you look at Mama, and the feeling in your heart swells so much that you feel like you could cry, or die. Or when she is in pain, and all you want to do is take it away from her, to make her feel better if you could. And if you could, imagine what it would feel like if you couldn't be with her, if someone forced you to be apart from her, even stooping so low as a restraining order. Imagine the pain, the hurt, the hatred you would feel. And then mom, only then, would you understand our lives for that last two years.

You broke our hearts mom, and yet we still love you with the shattered pieces. We forgive you, though we don't expect to ever hear an apology.

We hope you are happy in everything that you do. I hope that you can learn to accept us for who we are as individuals and a couple. I just hope...because that's all I have left when it comes to you.

I, we, love you mom.

Sorry it has to be this way,

Your son and his wonderful fiancé

Brandon and Callie.

A/N: just a little thought bubble that came to me while listening to some music.