TITLE: Come What May

SUMMARY: Sequel to "Where We Belong." For the Fosters, the road to becoming a family of seven will definitely have some bumps.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own, you don't sue.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you haven't read "Where We Belong," you'll probably be a little confused at first. I got a couple reviews for that story requesting I write more about Callie and Jude getting adopted, so hopefully this will make them happy. Another title inspired by the theme song. Enjoy!

By Monday morning, the Foster family was still riding a post-wedding high. The kids all woke themselves up and started getting ready for Anchor Bay's summer program without complaint. Lena was in such a good mood, she decided to get a little extra creative with making breakfast for everyone.

"Chocolate chip pancakes?" Stef asked her wife as she looked over her shoulder to see what was in the pan on the stove.

Lena nodded. "The container on the table has blueberry ones."

"I knew there was a reason I married you." They both smiled, and started to kiss, but were interrupted as the kids started arriving in the kitchen.

"Moms, seriously?" Jesus asked as he and Jude entered the room. The younger boy just giggled.

"Good morning to you, too," Stef told her middle son. "I will remember this, you know. Payback was invented by mothers."

Jesus just rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Brandon and Callie were the next to come in. "Where's Mariana?" Lena asked them as she put the last of the pancakes on a plate.

"Guess," was all Brandon said.

Stef went over to the staircase. "Mariana Foster! Breakfast, now!"

"I'm doing my hair!" she called back.

"You'd look lovely even in a trash bag, my dear. Come downstairs." The other kids were snickering as Stef re-entered the kitchen. "Maybe you ought to let her go first," she suggested to them.

Brandon shook his head. "Then none of the rest of us would ever get in the bathroom."

"I have a feeling the four of you pounding on the door might hurry her up."

"Don't think so, Mom," Jesus replied.

% ^ % ^ % % ^ % ^ %

Mariana finally made her appearance as everyone was loading up their plates. They discussed the kids' schedule for the week while they ate. Jesus had tryouts for fall sports on Thursday afternoon. Brandon had an extra piano lesson on Tuesday, plus was spending Wednesday and Friday nights with Mike. Callie also had therapy on Wednesday. A typical week for the family.

Once they were all finished eating, the kids ran to get their bags together while Stef and Lena cleaned up. "You're going to call the kids' social worker today, right?" Stef softly asked her wife.

Lena nodded. "I'll let you know what Bill says."

There was no such thing as a boring day at Anchor Bay Charter School, even in the middle of their summer program. Lena had several things to deal with that morning - a staff meeting, a couple kids that had been caught trying to sneak off the property, and a prospective family for the fall. Just as she got back to her office after giving a tour, her phone started ringing. She was surprised to see Bill's name and number on the screen.

"Hey, Bill," she answered. "I was actually just about to call you."

"Uh-oh."

"No, no, everything's fine. It's good news."

"Okay. Well, I've got good news, too."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. I've got a family that's interested in adopting Callie and Jude."

TBC...