Strings

A Challenge

STEF POV

"You're honor I have had the pleasure of taking care of Stefanie Marie Foster for the last seven years. During that time she has matured into a wonderful woman who has become a dedicated cop a good one at that, she has shown a tremendous amount of growth, maturity and stability.  I believe their is not reason as to why her rights should not be reinstated. She has been looking her little girl for the last seven years, the both of us have and she has not given up one single minute. Granted I know her past behavior was troublesome but she has since come a very long way from that as you can see. I believe she deserves the chance to get to know her daughter again and her daughter deserves the chance to get to know her mother again."

At hearing Cap speak and glancing to the judge I was more nervous then ever for no matter how hard I had tried in the past getting my daughter back just never worked out. But this was not the past, this was the present and my situation now was drastically different then it was when she was just a little girl. Even if Callie clearly hated me and claimed she had no recollection of me being her mother whatsoever there was no way in hell I was letting her go ever again. Even if the judge did not reinstate my rights I would continue to fight tooth and nail for my baby every day of her life.  That was something she didn't know about me and it would be up to me to show her that I wasn't what those people told her I was. Someone who didn't care about her and just left her. Glancing behind me at my daughter she sat with head down  barely moving as I could see she was  pretending not to care what was going on around her. Truth was maybe she didn't care at all for she was so numb by now and so use to just being thrown around that she just waited. Waited to see where she would be put next and how long that would last. Of course I understood that more then she realized and maybe one day when she got past her anger towards me we could talk about it. But that day was not coming anytime soon.

"Thank you Captain. Ms. Stefanie Foster do you have anything to say?" The judge now asked me as I looked back to him and cleared my throat.

"Um yes. You're honor. As my mother said I have been looking for my little girl for the past seven years. Adamantly. Yes I messed up when she was a baby and lost my rights when I was barley 17, but at the time Social Services was pressuring me from the time she was born to give her away. That was never an option in my head. Ever. I never ever wanted to give my baby away and I wanted a chance to be her mother regardless of my age. She was taken from me and placed in numerous foster homes without my knowledge of where she was. I soon found out she was moved out of state without my knowledge and I believe the system acted in a very corrupt way. I do believe that but you're honor I do take full responsibility for my actions for I made very poor choices then and....

"Yes I can see that. You were in and out of Juvenile Hall many times yourself for assault,  violence, drug use. The list goes on." He said rather harshly as I felt Cap grab my hand and hold it tight as he looked over what appeared to be my file as well. A file I just couldn't seem to really escape and one that haunted me for years.  "You were a very busy young lady Ms. Foster."

"Yes you're honor but..

"But this was many moons ago and based on what I can see here you have really turned over a new leaf in your life. Based on your daughter's behavior which are remarkably similar to yours it would be beneficial to your daughter to see how you have changed your life around. I do agree with you and based on what I have read in terms of your case and what I could fine there were many discrepancies going on. Callie should never have been taken out of state and you should have been given a far chance in having your rights reinstated. But I believe sadly that sometimes things happen for a reason in life and yes it's not always the easiet to deal with." 

Swallowing hard as Cap continued to hold my hand my stomach was turning and doing loops for I still wasn't sure how this was going to go.

 "Stefanie Marie Foster I see no reason but to award you temporary custody of your daughter. The state will be making visit to check on your progress as well as hears and you will have a final court hearing scheduled to permanently reinstate your rights. Good luck and case dismissed."

It was now I felt tears form in my eyes as Cap looked to me hugging me tightly. This was so hard to process that I could take my little girl home. That all my hard work had paid off that she was mine again.

"I told you we could do it. You did it honey. You did it." Cap said as she held my hands and I looked to Callie who's face was anything but happy.

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LENA POV

"Honey how about pancakes for breakfast? I asked Mariana as she sat on the kitchen stool looking wide eyed at me as she held the stuffed elephant in her hand. " Or we could go to the pancake house?"

Shrugging her shoulders  I thought going out would be a better option then staying in for Monte after our argument last night was refusing to leave claiming the apartment was hers as well. Yes it was and I knew this divorce was going to grow ugly and possibly expensive and more difficult. For whatever reason she was begging to make it work despite our previous talks and fights. I just didn't get it. We were already filing the divorce papers and here she was going back on our decision. What her motivation was I just wasn't sure but I knew how she could be and I was wondering if my mother had anything to do with this.

"Ok maybe we will go to the pancake house honey. " I smiled walking over to her stool as she held her elephant tightly.

"You really love that little elephant huh?" I asked as she nodded happily now kissing it and I gently touched it myself. "I'm glad honey. What did you name him?"

Glancing to the elephant she now looked pretty pensive as if she was making a very important decision as I gently stroked her hair tucking it behind her ear. It was then she pointed to me.

"What honey?"

Pointing to the elephant again she then pointed to me once again.

"Oh the elephants name is Lena?" I asked pointing to myself.

Happily she nodded her head up and down smiling wide at me as I gladly returned it.

"That is really sweet honey. It really is. Does Lena want to come with us to the pancake house?"

Nodding her head once again I gently leaned in kissing her soft forehead as I heard my phone go off.

"Ok baby we will head out soon and get dressed let me just check my message." Looking to my phone I smiled wide seeing Stef's name pop up on my screen.

Was awarded temporary custody Lena! Heading back to San Diego. Will call you! xoStef

Oh my goodness! I am so excited that is best news I have heard in years! I can't wait to see her! I know it will be a challenge but I am here for you Stef. Always. xo L

Thank you my baby. I love you Lena. xo S

I love you too Stef. xo L

Closing the message and looking back to Mariana there were no words to describe how happy I was for Stef. Sure I knew it would not be smooth sailing for any of us and it had not been but just this one step had been her dream since Callie had been taken from her when she was just four years old. Now that she would finally have her back I knew there was no way she would ever be taken again. Not under Stef's watch or anyone else's. Sure we knew Callie would now come along with a host of issues and problems and a ton of anger but it was nothing we wouldn't get passed as I now felt Mariana hug my leg tight. Glancing up I could now see Monte entering the kitchen as Mariana held onto me tighter. This was a situation I definitely needed to fix.