Carol Service. Nell organises for the team to go to a carol service. December 14th. Melissa's point of view.
'What you up to tonight?' Nell asks taking a sip of her hot chocolate opposite me. We're at O'Callaghan's for our weekly coffee and chat. It's nearly 11 and we've been here already 2 hours.
'No plans. Why?' Kensi asks beating me to it her mouth still full of cookie.
'Zip. Nothing,' I joke. 'Why?'
'There's a carol service tonight and I think it would be something nice to go to as a team.'
'I'm in. Have you asked Callen, Sam, Deeks and Eric yet?' I agree, the dread I was feeling dissipating, now I know why Nell was asking.
'Ok but I refuse to sing…' Kensi also agrees.
'Eric's a definite yes and I was hoping Kensi would ask Deeks and you could ask Sam and Callen?' Nell looks at us.
'So you want us to work our magic on our partners?' Kensi clarifies.
'Yes! Please….' Nell begs giving us her pleading wide hazel eyes.
'Ok!' Kensi relents.
'I'll try Sam first.' I nod and Nell claps with glee. I grab my phone from my pocket and dial out. Sam answers after 4 rings. That's quick for a Sunday call.
'Hey… What you up to tonight? … Yeah having our weekly mother's meeting… Nell is wondering if you fancied a carol service tonight? …Yeah bring them along… Text you the address? … Cool. See you later…' I answer the barrage of question as he asks them and Nell and Kensi simply stare at me in silence.
'Well….?' Nell asks as I hang up
'Sam and kids are a go. Need to text him the address. Your turn Kens.'
Kensi grabs her phone and dials out to Deeks. A few minutes later and she's hanging up with a smirk. She's managed to bribe Deeks into coming with a promise to go surfing with him after the carol service. It was nicely done too…
'Only Callen to persuade. Mels you're up.'
'Wish me luck!' I reply quick dialling G. It rings for about a minute before going to voicemail. I leave a message. 'Just a quick one… What you up to tonight? The rest of us are off to a carol service and we didn't want to leave you out so message me or call Nell let us know. Now get out of bed.'
Kensi laughs as I hang up. Nell sits back taking another sip of her hot chocolate. It would be too sickly for me with the marshmallows and squirty cream. Kensi has stuck to coffee and I've stuck to an orange juice deviating from my cup of tea as the second drink.
'Get out of bed, he never sleeps!'
'Exactly. Running joke.' I smile as I put my phone on the table. Seconds later I'm picking it back up and looking at the screen. Callen. I take the call.
'Finally got out of bed then?' I joke.
'Yeah. Tell Nell I'm there as long as I don't have to sing!'
'Callen says he's there as long as he doesn't have to sing.' I cover the speaker relaying the conversation. Nell nods.
'Like a charm…' Kensi teases me and I swat at her. They both try not to laugh.
'You still there?' G asks down the phone. He sounds sleepy. Maybe I did wake him up?
'Yeah.'
'Was that it or did you just want a chat?' G jokes sounding slightly more awake while teasing me.
'Yeah. Got to go Kensi and Nell are looking at me funny.' I roll my eyes at the pair of them.
'When do they not?'
'Too true. See you later!' I hang up and put my phone down.
'He's coming then.' Kensi laughs.
'Only because Mels asked him.' Nell comments.
'He would have come whoever asked. Come on, Sam would have asked him if I hadn't.' I look at them as they trade disbelieving glances. Why has Nell just said that and why is Kensi laughing? We're friends.
'Do you really believe that?' Nell asks me as I sit back in my chair.
'Yes because it's true. You and Nell are like sisters to him. I'm sure he would have come if you'd asked so stop teasing me!'
'Spoil sport!' Kensi remarks and I swat at her again.
'Oh come on, everyone knows Callen does whatever you ask.' Nell states.
'Does not!' I defend.
'Does too!' They both tell me at the same time looking at each other. I shake my head. One day we will have a Sunday meeting without Callen being mentioned… And I may just die of shock!