Strange Help of the Fosters

Chapter 23

"So what are you going to?" Stef asked her wife folding their laundry.

"What do you mean?" Lean asked her placing the basket down by the bed.

"Nathan, are you going to talk to him?" Stef asked her wife as she already knew who she was talking about.

I think it's time to put everything out on the table," She answered taking the folding clothes to their dresser, "I mean I want our relationship to better. I need to be an example for Jude and Callie and I can't if I'm not being an example of it."

"Well that's good is Dana coming over?"

"Yes Mom and Dad are coming over tomorrow for the dinner since he was in town they wanted to come over," Lena answered folding some of their shirts, "The good thing that the kids will be out tomorrow. I know how they wanted to spend some time with him, but it's important that we all talk about this."

"Well I'm behind you whatever you think is best. You know you have my support," Stef walks over to Lena and hugs her. That's all Lena wanted was her wife's support the warm embrace from Stef calmed her. "We'll get through this love."

"Yeah we will…you think Callie is having fun?" Lena asked changing the subject wondering if their daughter is having fun for her community service.

Stef laughs, "Sure our Callie?! Yeah right I doubt it. Stuck with some kids she hardly knows and plus community service please I would love to see that."

Later during the day Dana and Stewart arrived at the home. Lena wasn't excepting her parents so soon, because she hadn't gotten the house settle for them. Stef opens the door greeting her in-laws as they were happy to see everyone. Lena finished with the laundry just in time heading downstairs to greet her parents.

"Mom! Dad!" She gave them both a hug, "I wasn't excepting you for at least another hour I haven't finish getting the house settle for you guys!"

"Nonsense Lena we can take the living room right Stewart?" Dana tells her daughter before looking at her husband.

"Yes dear, it won't be a problem we're here as a family and that's all that matters," Stewart tell his daughter completely agreeing with his wife.

"So where is Nathan?" Dana asked.

"He's with Jude hanging out, but they'll be back soon…" Stef tells her in-laws, "I hope…" She said under her breath.

"Oh well that's great it's good to he's getting to know his new nephew," Dana said her eyes look over to Lena who she could clearly tell was uneasy, "Sweetheart is everything alright?"

"Oh yeah just…thinking…"

"Stewart, why don't we go outside and check on Brandon?" Stef suggested to her father-in-law she knew Lena wanted to talk to her mom about Nathan, "I'm sure he would love to see his grandpa."

"Sounds like a good idea," Stewart agreed and followed Stef out to the garage where Brandon was practicing with the band, "I heard he's in a band now. I want see my grandson rock n roll…if that's what the kids still call it these days."

"I think they still do, but I have no idea with these new social media stuff whatever the kids are into these days…"Stef tells him as their conversation is further away from Dana and Lena.

Dana waited until her husband and daughter-in-law was out of the house as she turns to face Lena, "Okay Lena what did you want to talk about?"

"It's about Nathan…during Christmas…"

"I'm so sorry about us agreeing to spend time with Nathan on Christmas your father wanted to go and we haven't seen Nathan in a long time…so I agreed. It made him happy to see us."

"Did he apologize though?" She asked, "I'm sure he apologized to you when you went over there of course?"

"No he did not and I don't think we should talk about it'll just upset your father." Dana tells her.

Lena didn't understand her mother never told her father why they've been estranged for a long time, "Wait…wait daddy doesn't know? What he said? What Nate called you?"

"No he doesn't and I like to keep it that way. I don't want to worry your father he adores Nate. Can't we just pretend it-"

"Pretend it didn't what? Didn't happened?! He said horrible things to you! How can you even consider having a relationship with him without talking about it?!"

"Because I want to keep it in the past where it belong. And have a lovely family reunion. I see no reason to punish a grown man for something he said 20 years ago. I got over it and it's time you got over it Lena."

"You deserve an apology regardless of how many years it's been! Mom don't you get it what he said to you was awful and terrible!"

"It was terrible what he said, but what he said came from a hurt place I mean he was 17 when he said it he was upset with split of his parents and sometimes you know how angry step-children can be! I mean Brandon probably said some things he didn't mean to you he was grieving with Mike and Stef splitting up this is no different."

"Yes it is Mom because Brandon never said such a hateful word to me!"

Outside in the garage Stewart and Stef walked outside to see his band. Brandon looked up to see his mom and grandpa and Steward comes in for a hug. Brandon was shocked to see his grandpa showing up, but he was still happy to see him.

"Gramps what are you doing here?" Brandon asked him pulling out of the hug.

"Well your Momma told us that Nathan was here and we had to come and see him," Steward explains, "Enough of me what about you? I hear you're in a band now…and since I'm here I wanted here you guys…what you call it rock out?"

"Yeah something like that," Brandon laughs, "Gramps meet my bandmates Lou, Mat, and Jasper." They all waved and greeted Steward. Lou walks up to Brandon kissing her on the cheek letting Steward know that there's something going on between them. Brandon blushes from the quick kiss.

"Oh I see?" Steward said smiling at Brandon, "Well if you guys mind I would love to see you guys play if you don't mind?"

"Well I don't…" Brandon looked at Lou and she nods her hand she didn't mind playing for Steward, "Sure I don't see why not. We've been working on a new piece anyway so you and Mom will be the first to hear it."

"Excellent!" Stewart looks around to see where he can seat at when he sees the old couch him and Stef sat on the old dust filled couch, "Well we're all ears!"

"Well Jude that was fun," Nathan said pulling the car up to the Adams-Foster's driveway. He turns off the engine then turns to his new nephew and smiles, "It was really nice getting to know you."

"It was nice to get to know you as well…" Jude tells him unbuckling his seatbelt, "This was fun to get know another new family member."

"Yeah that's the lucky thing about having a big family. You have more people to give you love after all the hard times you've been put through." Nathan tells him placing his hand on Jude's shoulder. "I say we're the lucky ones now that we have both you and Callie."

Lena and Dana went to the living room to talk. Lena was upset that her mother didn't tell her father about Nathan said to her when they were younger. Dana still didn't think it was a bothered for her to worry about it, but Lena was firm in her decision to confront her brother. Before they could continue they noticed Nathan and Jude walking up to the door.

Both of them opened the door laughing about something went they entered they saw Lena and Dana standing in the living room. Nathan and Jude both smiled at the two women as Dana quickly tells Jude come and give her a hug.

"Grandma!" Jude gave her hug as she hugs him back, "How are you? When did you get here?!"

"Hello my darling," Dana tells him stroking his back, "We got here not too long ago we wanted to see Nate since he was in town."

"Dana!" Nathan walks over to his stepmother hugging her, "It's good to see you again." Lena noticed this from across the room she still wasn't conformable with the idea of Dana having a relationship with him until he apologize, "You look good as ever. More radiant than last I saw you at Christmas."

Dana gives him a wave, "Oh stop it! As always the charmer you are!" Nate gives her another hug before turning his sight on Lena. "Lena go get your father and tell him that Nate is here." Lena gives her mother a look, but Dana gave her look that meant do not start and do as she was told, "Go on dear your father would love to see his kids all together."

Lena did as she was told and went for her father while Dana caught up with Jude and Nathan's day. Jude tells her that Nathan and him went to a cool restaurant. He also told her about the burger he ate how he and Nathan wanted to Comic-Con one day. Dana tells Jude how it was lovely to see her boys getting along when Lena walked back in with Steward and Stef. Steward reached out to his hug giving him a tight bear hug seeing it was good to see him.

Stef gives her wife a worry looked, Lena still wasn't pleased, but for tonight she wouldn't ruin her father's time with Nathan. Jude comes over to Lena and gives her hug she ask how his day was and he tells her it was fun.

"Nate, it good to see you!" Stewart tells him, "How long are you here for?"

"Few days since I was in the neighborhood I decided to visit Lena it's been such a long time."

"It has hopefully not for another 20 years we've really missed you, son," He smiles looking at his daughter. Lena smiles and Steward signals her to come over. She walks over to her father and brother as he hugs both his kids unaware of the tension his family has with one another, "It's good to be in a house with both my kids together. This the best gift a father can have."

"Oh Stewart look our babies hold it let me get the camera!" Dana rushes to her purse to grab the camera she brought, "Okay hold on that pose while I get some pictures of you all!" Lena really didn't want to take a picture until everything was settling, but for her father she would. "Oh look at how beautiful you all look!"

Later that day Lena was upstairs sitting down on the bed looking an old photo of her family. It was when they were little Lena standing by large tree while Nathan was hanging from the tree. Stewart was standing behind his wife with his head leading on Dana's left shoulder. It was good times Lena couldn't believe how wrong her family went how much time got away from both her Nathan. What he said to her mom was hurtful and she thought she could get over it, but she couldn't.

Stef stops at the entrance of the room to see Lena looking at the old picture frame. She didn't know what to say or what she could do to make her wife feel better. She knew that all she could do was be there and listen. She gently knocks on their bedroom door. Lena lifts her head from the picture frame looking at her wife her brown eyes just broke Stef's heart.

"Oh love…" Stef said walking towards her wife. She kneels down to her so they can be eye level, "Lena. Love I'm so sorry this is hurting you so much. I wish there's more I can do…"

Lena places the photo down next to her and places her hand on her wife's hand, "It's okay. Just be here for me now okay?" Stef nods and they just looked into each other eyes without saying anything else for the rest of the night.

It was late morning when the family got moving. Dana was the first up making breakfast for the family. Lena was the last to come downstairs the family was gathered around the table all talking and chatting among themselves. Lena really didn't have that much of a good sleep as she was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Morning sweetheart I made some of my famous breakfast come and eat!" Dana tells her as she sits down next to Stef.

"…I don't think Callie could make it not at all!" Mariana tells the family, "I mean seriously camping is one thing, but to do community service with other people no way she is losing it!"

"Hey now Mariana have a little bit more faith in your sister," Stef responded taking a sip of coffee, "Callie can do it. Beside she only has to get through this day and we'll be there to pick her later tonight!"

"Sure, but you know if Callie could she'll run if she could!"

"Well our darling Callie is too smart for that right Steward?" Dana replied smiling at her husband who in the middle of eating his pancakes.

"Yes dear unlike Nathan that one time!" He chuckles. "Knowing him he would've ran the first chance he could get."

"Hey I'm right here and it's not my fault I don't like nature!" Nathan said holding his folk with a slice of pancake on it, "Lena was the nature lover not me! So of course I would run to get back to the city!"

"Well we all know that Callie is good at that!" Jesus chimed in. The family didn't think his joke was funny at all. After everything that happened to her it wasn't something they should make a joke about. Mariana smacked Jesus up side his head and he flinches from the smack. He rubs his head confused at what he did, but quickly got it when he looked over to Jude who was looking down at his pancakes with a sad look spread across his face.

"Jude…I'm sorry I didn't mean it like…you know I was just…" Jesus tried to apologize, but really could say anything that could make Jude feel better.

Stef noticed the family going quite as she tries to change the subject, "So any plan for today?" She looked at each one of her kids for answers.

"Well I'm going to mall with Tia and Emma we have to find some style we're going to wear for the dance off. We have to look good if we're gonna be the other team."

"I'm going out with some of the fellas on the wrestling team."

"I'm going to hang out with Taylor, Connor, and Daria."

"Um…I'mma hang out with Dad today he wanted to spend time and I have a free day might as well."

"Good I'm sure your father would love to see you Brandon," Stewart tells him placing his hand on his shoulder, "You need to have some father son time am I right Nate?"

"Yes Dad…" Nathan said slightly annoyed.

"Well everyone finish up and eat up my hardy breakfast it'll give you strength throughout the day," Dana tells the family, "I am after all an amazing cook and my breakfast will have you all energize for the day!"

The family burst into laughter and chatters among themselves. Once finished with breakfast the kids went upstairs to get ready for their day. Lena cleaned up the table, while Stef and Dana were cleaning the dishes Dana had asked Nathan and Stewart to go to the family room while the ladies clean it was her way of giving Stewart some time with his son while she had time with her daughter and daughter-in-law.

"Lena darling is everything alright? You don't look so well…"

"I'm fine mom," Lena replied with a stern annoyed voice, "I'm just a little sleep deprived is all." She continued to wash the table with a small soaked ragged as Dana handed Stef a plate to dry.

"Oh honey why don't you go back upstairs and take a nap? I'm sure your father and brother won't mind we have some time before are luncheon and family time," Dana suggested.

Stef walks over to Lena she knew why she was really annoyed, "Your mother's right why don't we get you upstairs for a nap. Here let me do the rest." Stef rubbed Lena's back and she gives her a soft smile. Lena nods handing her the rag making her way upstairs.

Dana turns back to the dishes to clean them. Stef looks in the direction of where Lena went upstairs she knew tonight her wife would have to get this off her heart in order to heal, but she knew Dana wanted to protect the relationship with Nathan and Steward.

"I do hope my darling Lena gets some sleep I don't want her to overtire herself. I can understand how stressful life can be, but it's finally good for the family together in one place. Stewart wanted to see his kids together for some time now and now it finally time."

"I don't know Dana I'm for sure this dinner will go the way you plan," Stef tells her cleaning the rest of table from where Lena left off.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Dana asked her.

"It means that your daughter is hurting right now!" Stef tone rise a bit before she went into a hushed tone making sure the men couldn't hear them, "Lena hasn't gotten over what her brother said to you in a long time and now he's here! I'm happy that you all can have a family reunion, but you have to tackle the cow in the room! The fact that Nathan said something to you that hurt and yes you my forgotten about to protect your husband's relationship with his son you damaged the relationship you have with Lena and she damaged the relationship with her brother as well. You have to talk this out whether it hurts or not!"

"Stef…I'm not going to have this conversation with you," Dana tells her Stef wanted to pressed, but knew better this was something that Lena will have to deal with herself.

"Son so good of you spend some time with your sister. It's been awhile in fact 20 years since I've seen both you and Lena together what's going on with you two?"

"Nothing dad you know how me and Lena use to argue and we just got busy is all…" Nathan tells his father rubbing the back of his neck.

"Something must be wrong because you didn't even come to your sister's wedding and it's not like we told you at the last minute I'm sure your job would've understood this it meant a lot to her finally be able to married to Stef."

Stewart lean back in the chair and strokes his beard he wasn't sure, but something was bothering him about Nathan's reasons for not spending enough time with his family, "Hmmm really Nate? Are you sure there isn't anything you need to tell me?"

"No why would you asked me that?!"

"Because you and Lena been estranged for 20 years that's why Nate!" Stewart raised his voice stern sending shivers down Nathan's spine, "My son and daughter haven't seen each other barely within the last 20 years and I want to know why?!"

"I need some air!" Nathan gets up from his sit and head outside on the porch. Dana comes rushing in trying to figure out what was all the fuss about.

"Honey is everything alright?" She asked her husband. He just sighs looking down at the floor in frustration.

The late morning didn't go as well as Dana thought with Lena upstairs barely talking. Stewart and Nathan arguing and she and Stef in the kitchen trying to keep out of each other the family dinner might not be such a good idea like they've all hope. The good thing is the kids were out so they wouldn't have to be here for any of this.

Stef went upstairs to check on Lena to see if she was getting ready for dinner soon. Lena was lying down on the bed. She was wearing a nice black cocktail dress with her black heels. Her back was facing the door so and head was covered by her hair. Stef quietly enters the room. She walks over to Lena who was fully alert just not moving. She kneels next to her wife to her eye level and gave her a sad puppy dog look.

"Lena you don't have to do this if it bother this bad," Stef tells her moving her curls out her face, "We can tell them you're not feeling or something…"

"No we need to get pass all of this everything on the table!" Lena tells her wife she gives her a quick kiss and climb out the bed readjusting her dress and head downstairs. She notice her father was in the living room watching TV her mother was in the kitchen. She didn't see Nate around so she head into the kitchen to help prep dinner for them.

"Oh Lena I'm glad you're awake I could use some help," Dana turns and smile at her daughter. Lena walks over her mother as Dana hugs her, "My stars looks at you Lena you look beautiful."

"Thank you mom." She hugged back before pulling back, "What's wrong with Daddy?"

"Oh your brother and him got into a argument their calming down, why don't you help me the meat while I start on the mashed potatoes!"

"Okay..."

While in the middle of cooking while the food was getting ready Dana went to check on Stewart while Lena decided to check up on Nate. She walks outside to the front porch to see Nate sitting outside on the porch swing left leg crossed over on top his right chewing the inside of his cheek. Lena slowly closes the door behind her and walks up to Nathan.

"Hi…"

"Hey…"

"I see you and Daddy got into an argument," Lena tried to make small talk with Nate. He just let out a frustrated sigh, "You two are more than alike than you know. All hot headed and very argumentative, that some the two of you two up."

Nate cracked a small smile, "Lena you know how Dad can be sometimes. So frustrating." She lets out a chuckles, "I'm sorry for taking them away from you during Christmas…I just wanted to spend some time with them is all and I know how Christmas they were with you, but I just thought…maybe…," He sighs before turning away from his sister, "I don't know…"

"…To see them for the holidays?" She figured that what Nathan was trying to tell her.

"I mean I know how much it meant to you, but I still insisted on Dad and Dana to come over for Christmas and spend time with me. I know it was and I'm truly sorry for that. I guess I got all kind of jealous that Dana and Dad would prefer spending time with you than me."

"It's okay we've been estranged for 20 years what can I except at first I was mad, but Stef convinced me to look at it from your point of view and I did. I called because in truth I have missed you, but we've done some hurtful things to each other…"

"I know I was being a dumb older brother and that was my fault. I never wanted to cause you such pain or hatred towards me for 20 years!"

"Nate…it wasn't that, that pushed me away it was-" Just before Lena could say something Dana opened the front door telling them it was time for dinner. Nate turns back to his sister to see what she was going to say, "It can wait for later. Come on let's eat."

With that being said Lena followed her mother and brother inside to sit down and eat dinner with her family.