Strings

The Elephant

"So Mariana was the other little girl that April Carol wanted to adopt?" Cap said to the blonde as her and Lena watched both girls happily talk to each other. It had been the first time Mariana had spoken a word and it was the first time both women witnessed Callie this happy.

"Yeah seems so. Her name was never listed and her files got lost on her way back to California. I mean I guess it explains why Mariana got so upset and freaked out when I asked if I could adopt her."

"It does." The blonde chimed in as she shifted in her seat.

"Well the good thing is they are back together again. Although I am not sure how Callie is going to feel about you fostering her Lena." Cap said. "I mean not that she has a choice but she seems to be extremely protective of Mariana and it could get difficult. More then it already is. The bond they have is pretty evident."

Letting out a sigh Stef looked back over to the two girls as Mariana showed her the elephant and Callie petted it happily. The one thing the blonde noticed was how affectionate and sweet her daughter was to the young girl as she stroked her long black hair and hugged her tightly numerous times. In her eyes it was clear how much they cared for each other and she knew the situation could grow difficult. How difficult they weren't really sure.

"I know. I was afraid of that." Lena admitted feeling a tad unsure how any of this was going to play out especially once Callie found out she tried to adopt Mariana. "I wish we had known I mean, I just wish we had. Social Service barely had anything on Mariana and her past is still so much of a mystery. So is Callie's."

"Well maybe not so much anymore. At least some of it will be known." Stef said as she turned back to face the two women. "What do we do mama?"

"I won't lie honey. It is going to get difficult and messy. Mariana is young and she probably has a very good amount of loyalty to Callie. She might start to behave different and that wouldn't surprise me. You just have to stand your ground the both of you. Listen let me go make a few calls. I'll be right back."

"Sure." The blonde said running her hands through her hair as Lena gently touched her thigh.

"It will be ok. Yes difficult but ok sweetheart. We just have to work through this and....."

"Did you give her this to her!?" Callie said storming over with the elephant in her hand and yelling in Stef's face angrily as Mariana stood behind her. Stef in shock at the anger could see her daughters face had turned beat red as she held the stuffed animal in her hand.

"Callie it was just a gift honey. Nothing more." Lena said softly.

"I don't care! I don't want her giving my sister anything! Nothing. So take your crap back and leave her alone!" She said throwing the elephant at the blonde as Callie grabbed Mariana's hand.

"Callie that is not nice! I gave that to Mariana as a gift and it's not your choice weather she gets to keep it or not. " the blonde said getting up and picking up the elephant as she stared down her daughter once again. Lena quickly ran over and stood beside her however she could see how upset Mariana had become as her eyes remained on the elephant that was now in Stef's hand.

"I don't care! You are nobody and what I say goes in terms of my sister! It's my job to take care of her and protect her. And you are one person I don't want her seeing or talking to. It's bad enough I have to live with you!"

"Well that's just too bad my love. I understand you had to protect Mariana all of us understand that but Lena...

"I don't want to hear it! She's not living with you anymore and she doesn't want to live with you anymore. She doesn't even like you!" Callie now yelled in Lena's face.