I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE NCIS:LA CHARACTERS, ONLY MY OWN.
As the month closes, I'd like to thank you all profusely. Never in the year and change that I've been posting on have I had a month like this. This story amassed well over 5000 views. With the three stories combined you've brought me up over 7000 views. You love this story and I'm elated. There are many more chapters to this story and I guess you could say the story is just getting started. I truly hope you continue to enjoy the story as you have, in the coming months. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy Holidays!
Sam, Michelle and Toni arrived at five that afternoon and walked into Marnie's parent's house to the most wonderful smell. One of the things Marnie absolutely loved to cook was Mexican food and tonight they were having Tacos, Rice and Beans. Sam headed over to Callen's to load up most of the luggage while Michelle and Toni stayed at Marnie's. As soon as Avery heard Toni's voice, she came running from her bedroom and the two squealed for joy. Michelle followed her nose into the kitchen and gave Annette and Nick a hug before walking to the stove to see what Marnie was making.
"It smells fabulous." She grinned not realizing just how hungry she really was.
"It's almost done. Oh we had a little wrench in the plan. Instead of Mom's doctor sending me the travel forms, he sent them to Mom. If we hadn't told her, would've refused to leave the house tomorrow morning." Marnie said stirring the ground beef before she added the seasoning.
"Damn. Was she surprised?" Michelle asked with a disappointed smile.
"Of course and now she can't wait to see the look on the kid's faces when we get ready to check in."
As usual when it came to serving any meal in the house, the children ate first. Sam and Michelle noticed the absence of Karen's kids and asked where they were. Callen laughed and told them that they were headed to Big Bear for the weekend and would be back Monday when they would drive directly to the airport and out to Texas. Sam and Michelle shrugged it off, knowing it was their loss. They also knew that Callen would never have paid for Karen's family to fly to New York, nor would he have paid for their hotel accommodations. Since Karen was working two jobs while Paul still fooled around with his one, they could never afford the trip.
After dinner, Callen, Marnie, Sam and Michelle headed over to Callen's after Annette and Nick insisted they had things under control. Knowing they were right, Marnie had no qualms leaving. Once they were seated around the table at Callen's, they went over the plan again. Marnie was a little upset over not being able to stay with Callen, but knew it was for a good reason. The kids still thought they were taking the Hanna's to breakfast and then to the airport. Neither Callen, nor Marnie or her mother could wait to see the looks on their faces when Callen pulled the tickets from his bag and announced they were going to New York too.
"I forgot to pack the kids swimsuits." Marnie gasped grabbing Callen's arm.
"Marn, it's the middle of winter. Do you really think the kids are going to want to brave the cold and swim?" Callen asked clearly he'd never been on vacation with children.
Michelle laughed. "Of course they're going to want to go swimming. Besides it's an indoor heated pool." She said and looked at Marnie. "He hasn't seen Home Alone 2 yet has he?"
Callen looked between the two women and then over at Sam who was nodding in agreement with his wife and Marnie. "She's right." Sam told him.
"What happened in Home Alone 2?" Callen asked.
Marnie pulled out her phone and went on You Tube trying to find the exact seen where the character Kevin jumped into the pool and lost his swim trunks. Once she found it, she handed the phone to Callen. He laughed. "Ok, so we'd better find their suits." He agreed.
While the kids were saying goodnight, Callen and Marnie searched through the kid's dressers and pulled their swimsuits. Callen suggested Marnie grab hers as well and waited while she dug through the nightstand shoved in the closet. He looked at the suit carefully as she handed it to him and raised an eyebrow.
"Somehow I expected something a little…" He said.
"Skimpier? Not me. I'm trying to hide it, not flaunt it." She laughed and pushed him out of the room before the kids came back in.
Callen put on the brakes and leaned back kissing her. "Maybe on our honeymoon I can get you in a string bikini."
"Hell no." Marnie laughed and pushed him towards the door. "Just put them in my bag."
Callen heard the kids coming through the kitchen and slipped out the door. Callie looked at her mother oddly and asked where Callen was since he usually present for their nightly ritual. "He'll be right back, Sam texted him and needed a hand with something at the house."
Callie shrugged and headed into the bedroom. Just as Marnie was tucking the kids in bed, Callen came in and said goodnight too. Both reminded them that they had to get up early for breakfast and were met with a chorus of moans. "Why do we have to get up so early to go to breakfast?" Alec asked.
"Sam, Michelle and Toni's flight leaves at ten and have to be at the airport at least two hours before they leave. Sooner would be better so they can get through security and have time to get to their gate." Marnie told him.
Alec sighed loudly. "Can we stick around and watch their flight take off?"
"You know we can't get past the security checkpoint if we don't have ticket." Callen told him and the wheels in his mind started turning. With wide eyes, he motioned Marnie towards the door. Marnie said goodnight once again and turned off the light, sliding the door closed behind them. "I just got the best idea."
With a huge grin, Marnie said. "I know. Check the airlines website and see if we can check in prior to getting to the airport. Or you're going to have to disappear right after we get there. Maybe you Sam and my Dad can check us in while Michelle, Mom and I take the kids into the gift shop or something."
Callen nodded and the two headed out to the family room to inform Annette, Nick, Sam and Michelle of the new plan. Once it was agreed that the new plan was better than just telling them when they got to the airport, Callen got ready to head back over to his house with Michelle and Sam. Annette had offered for Toni to stay with them and since she got along so well with Avery, Michelle agreed.
"Are you ready for this?" Callen asked Marnie when she walked him to the door.
"I am, I can't wait to see their faces. I can never thank you enough for all of this." She told him as she hugged him.
"Ah Marn, anything for you and your family. I just want you to promise that you'll not worry about anything. This is a stress-free trip. I want you to enjoy yourself and relax. Hetty's going to pull Nell for the field a lot next year." He said kissing back of her head.
"I know, I'm looking forward to it." She smiled. "I love you and I'll miss you tonight."
"I'll miss you too. I might come over to slay between you and Callie if I can't sleep." He told her. "I'm excited."
"I know, I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep either." She admitted.
Bright and early at five am, Marnie pulled herself out of bed like she would've had she been going into work. However, instead of getting a cup of coffee, she got right into the shower and then woke her Mom. Just as she turned on and pushed the coffee pot in place, Callen walked into the kitchen with Sam and Michelle in tow. She gave Callen a quick kiss before getting the creamers out of the refrigerator. Nick walked out and set his bag with all of his and Annette's medications on the table. Sam gave him a nod and ran it over to the house so none of the kids see it.
"Mom took her prescriptions already?" Marnie asked.
Nick nodded. "Of course. She took them before she got in the shower. You guys ready for this?"
"Oh yeah, I've been looking forward to this since Marnie told me she wanted to do this for Annette. I'm still sorry she had to find out the way she did." Callen said with his arm around Marnie.
"Don't worry, it still means the world to Annette." Nick assured him.
As soon as the adults had at least a cup of coffee in them; Callen, Marnie and Michelle got the kids up. Since they'd bathed the kids the night before, all they needed to do was get dressed. As usual, Avery demanded a cup of coffee before she would allow Marnie to comb her hair and pull it up in a ponytail. Callen got Avery her coffee while Marnie did her hair. Once they were ready, they filed out to the van and the Hanna's vehicle.
Marnie could barely contain herself when Callen pulled into the long term parking lot. Callen laughed and rubbed the back of her head as her eyes danced wildly. He loved her enthusiasm and was beginning to feel it too. Alec hopped out first as he usually did and got Annette's walker. As they stood waiting for the shuttle, Callen's phone beeped. He quickly pulled out his phone and smiled when he read the text, then leaned over and whispered something to Marnie.
"Nell and Eric were able to check our luggage without a problem. All we need to do is grab breakfast and head to our gate."
Marnie grinned and gave a small clap. "Fantastic!" she said kissing him.
Annette gave Nick a nudge at the sight of Callen and Marnie. She was relieved that Marnie had finally found someone who loved her the way she deserved to be loved and love the kids too. The fact that he was paying for the entire trip, refusing to allow she and Nick to even pay for so much as a meal, meant the world to her. While she was sad that Karen, Paul and the kids couldn't join them. She knew the trip would be just that much better without them. One last hurrah in her honor before the cancer took her totally and completely.
She wanted every single moment of this trip etched into her memory so she had something to hold onto as she fell sicker and sicker. With any hope, her end would be swift and painless. Her only concern was leaving behind her beloved husband of fifty years, but knew Marnie and Callen would do their best to occupy him and suspected Karen would somehow blame Nick for her death and the loss of their built-in caregiver. Pushing the thoughts far from her mind, she smiled as a small woman walked towards them pulling a suitcase that was almost as big as she was.
Callen was lost in Marnie's eyes when Sam nudged him. To Callen's surprise Hetty stopped right in front of him and gave them an approving smiled. "Annette and Nicholas, I presume?" She said looking at Marnie's parents.
"Mom, Dad, Callie, Alec and Avery; this is our manager; Henrietta Lange." Marnie announced.
"What a surprise." Callen added as Hetty shook everyone's hand. "I thought you left later on this afternoon."
"I change my flight, I wanted more time once I got there to relax and visit with my host." She told him.
Avery smiled up at Hetty with big blue eyes. If she hadn't known better, she could've sworn they were Callen's eyes looking up at her. "I'm very happy to see you're feeling better, Miss Wilson."
Avery giggled. "Much better thank you. Where are you going?"
"I'm going to visit an old friend of mine, where are you going?" Hetty asked.
"We're not going anywhere, we're dropping Sam, Michelle and Toni off so they can have Christmas in New York, but we're going to have breakfast here at the airport first."
Hetty nodded and looked up at Marnie and Callen and winked. "Well, enjoy your breakfast." Hetty told her as the shuttled stopped and the doors opened.
"What time are you leaving, Hetty?" Callen asked.
Hetty smiled at him, knowing he would ask her to join them, but didn't want to intrude. "Within the hour Mr. Callen."
"Join us Hetty, please?" Marnie asked before Callen could.
"No Mrs. Wilson." Hetty said with a shake of her head. "I really must get to my gate, but thank you for the offer. Enjoy breakfast, you have beautiful children."
Marnie beamed at the compliment as she ushered the kids onboard the bus. "Thank you Hetty."
Once the kids were seated, Nick helped Annette on. Callen, Marnie, Sam and Michelle were the last to board before Hetty. "Enjoy your trip and I'll see the three of you next year. Mrs. Hanna, as always a pleasure to see you."
Hetty smiled inwardly the entire shuttle ride as it wound its way through the parking lot picking up other holiday travelers. When the shuttle stopped under the sign for her airline, she gave a nod to the two families and got off. Callen and Marnie sat with the three kids between them, opposite the luggage rack. A picturesque family if she'd ever seen one. Callen was talking with Alec while Marnie talked with her girls. However, they did give her a warm smiled as she pulled her suitcase. With a sigh and a smile, she looked back at the shuttle as it pulled away from the curb in route to the next airline. She knew their lives would change when they returned from their trip and hoped Marnie's mother was around to see the best of it. With a look towards the heavens in silent prayer, she handed her ticket to the Skycap.
"I wish she would've joined us for breakfast. She seems so lonely sometimes." Marnie said over Callie's bowed head.
Callen nodded. "She accepts invitations so rarely. When she does join us at whatever bar or restaurant we got to, she's a blast with her stories."