Sorry for the delay. This chapter has been mostly written for a couple of weeks, I would get to a certain point then the muse would disappear. I have been rewriting the end of the chapter for about a week now. Be prepared it is a long one and M rated at the beginning of the chapter. I am happy with parts of the chapter, but I'm not sure about the whole thing. I probably could have broken down the chapter into two parts, but choose not to. Please enjoy. I've started working on the next chapter. Not sure where the muse is going to take me. Thanks for your patience.
As the Christmas party in OSP was winding down, Nell is happily humming to herself; the result of her liberally partaking in the several batches of eggnog that she mixed throughout the evening. Callen was slowly drinking his beverage seeing that he was likely going to be driving home tonight. Earlier the twins and the other children had been down to join in the fun as "Santa" made a visit. As time went on, the children either left with their parents or were put to bed in the nursery.
Callen places the remainder of his drink on the table and heads up to the nursery to gather up his sleeping children. Callen carefully places each twin into their car seat and heads downstairs with a sleeping MJ and Clara. He sees Nell in the bullpen slowly moving to the music playing in the background. He walks towards Nell, stops to place the car seats in front of Sam's desk and continues to walk towards her. As her back is towards Callen, he slips his arms around her waist and whispers her ear, "Ready to go home? I have the twins in their seats."
She turns in arms and slurs, "Yup, I'm ready to go." And places a not so chaste kiss on his lips. Callen pulls back, "I think it's time to get you home. Off the clock or not, excessive PDA's is not a good idea in the middle of the bullpen." Nell giggles as she leaves his arms. She bends down to pick up her messenger bag and has to grab onto his desk so that she doesn't fall over.
Callen watches to make sure she doesn't need a steadying hand. Once Nell is standing up, he grabs his bag and places is across his body so he can carry the twins. At this point, Nell is not able to carry one of the car seats. With a hand on her lower back, he guides her towards the door. She continues walking, while he stops to pick up the still sleeping twins and their diaper bag.
Callen follows behind Nell as she drunkenly walks toward the car. Once at their SUV, Callen clicks open the car as Nell leans against the door. Callen chuckles as he watches her. He puts Clara's seat on the ground, opens the back door and swiftly snaps MJ's car seat into the base. Callen quickly picks up Clara's seat and rounds to the other side and repeats the process with her. He looks back at Nell and she hasn't moved at all.
He shakes his head. It doesn't happen often, but drunk Nell is amusing. He walks back to where Nell is leaning against the car and physically moves her aside to open the passenger door. She looks at him with desire in her eyes and moves to plaster her body against him. With remarkable accuracy, she palms him through his jeans and squeezes and loudly whispers/purrs, "How fast can you get us home Senior Special Agent Callen." Callen fights the urge to groan. He quickly picks up Nell up and places her in the front seat, while trying to avoid her grabby hands. He finally gets her in the seat with her seatbelt on.
Callen walks hastily around the car. Once he is settled in the car, it appears that Nell is asleep. Just as he pulls out of the garage, Nell starts speaking about how much fun she had in the field; how she felt like she was able to contribute and that Deeks' was interested in her opinion. She knew that she wasn't Kensi and wasn't trying to take her place, but she really liked working with Deeks. Nell talked continually the entire way home. As they pull into the driveway, Nell falls silent. "Nell, let's get inside ok?" She nods her head, but doesn't move.
Callen shakes his head. He gets out and grabs the car seat behind him and heads towards the passenger side. He opens the front door and helps Nell out of the car and directs her to walk to the front door as he grabs the second car seat. He beats Nell to the front door, opens it and places the car seats in the foyer. He comes back out to guide Nell into the house.
Callen locks the doors and arms the alarm. "Nell, I'm going to put the twins to bed. Okay?" Nell nods.
Callen picks up the car seats and heads to the nursery. He carefully gathers up one of the twins and changes their diaper. Once done, he kisses their forehead and places them their crib. He repeats the process a second time. While Callen is taking care of the twins, Nell goes into the bedroom undresses, grabs the animal skin blanket from the closet, and rummages for a box in the back of her closet for something that Callen is not aware of. She giggles in happiness when she finds what she is looking for.
She takes herself, the item, and the blanket to the living room. She puts on the Christmas tree lights and spreads the blanket in front of the tree. She sits down and arranges herself on the blanket. She hears Callen partially close the door the twin's room. "G, I need some help in the living room."
Callen responds as he walks toward the living room, "What do you ne…." He freezes as he takes in the site in front of him. Nell is partially lying on the blanket, naked with her legs bent and spread. In the twinkle of the tree lights, Callen can already see that she is wet with desire.
Happy with this reaction, Nell beckons him forward. "Mr. Callen, I believe that you are waaay overdressed for tonight's activities." Callen chuckles, "Yes ma'am." And quickly divests himself of his clothing.
Nell moves over and pats the floor next to her. After Callen sits next to her, Nell pushes him onto his back and straddles his body. She takes his hands and places them above his head. She whispers in his ear, "My rules tonight, you can't use your hands…yet." Callen groans at her words and nods his head in agreement.
Nell sits back and looks at Callen. "You know that I have had a couple of relationships before you. " Callen snorts, "This is the time that you want to talk about your old boyfriends?"
Nell giggles, "Shh…There is a reason I'm telling you this. Anyway, I was shopping with my sister in an adult store looking for gag gifts for a bachelorette party we were going to. The guy I was seeing at the time was a bit straight laced, even in bed. Not really straying far from what he was comfortable with, which meant that I wasn't always satisfied. I had been thinking about breaking up with him, because he wasn't willing to even try something new. So I bought a couple of items, thinking that I would give it one last shot, so to speak."
All the while Nell is talking; she is drawing patterns on Callen's upper chest. "So I broached the subject with him and showed him what I bought. By the look of his face, you would have thought I had sprouted horns AND asked him to run naked through the streets during rush hour. Needless to say, he wasn't interested. I put those toys in the back of my closet, never taking them out again. Never feeling confident to ask anyone else if they would be willing to try."
Nell stops moving her hands and maintains eye contact with Callen. "Not to get too serious, with us being naked and all, but you have been the first person I have ever been with who is not only willing to experiment, and makes sure that I am satisfied, every single time. But you are ok with letting me take the lead."
With a mischievous grin she bends down and bites down on his earlobe. "Close your eyes and I'll show you the toy that I want to play with tonight." Affected more by her words than he thought possible, Callen was willing, within reason, to do whatever Nell wanted to do. He also knows that she wouldn't do anything that he wasn't comfortable with. Trusting her completely, he closes his eyes and waits for her next move.
Nell waits a couple of seconds before she moves to make sure his eyes stay shut. She climbs off of him, grabs the item from the side of the blanket, and moves towards Callen's legs. She nudges his legs so she can kneel in between them. She leans over kisses the trail of hair leading down from his belly button. She sits back and palms him, including his sack. Nell snaps a small band around his sack, and follows up by snapping another band, which is attached to the first, around the base of his penis.
Callen's body slightly stiffens, not in a good way, at feeling foreign bands being placed around 'his goods'. Nell sits back taking in the sight, "Okay, open your eyes." Callen takes a couple of seconds, and then opens his eyes. The first thing he sees is the tentative look on Nell's face. Then he glances down and notices a smooth studded leather band around his penis and balls – a cock ring. He glances up and Nell is biting her lip waiting for his reaction.
Callen smirks, relaxes, crosses his arms and rests his head against them. "It seems like I'm all dressed up for a party, but I don't see my date any where around."
Nell smiles then leers him. She leans over, licks her palms a few times then tightly squeezes his soften penis. She takes tip of him into her mouth and sucks him while she continues to squeeze his shaft. Callen groans are he starts hardening. The sensations the cock ring creates at the separation between his cock and balls is incredible.
Nell stops her manipulations when Callen is semi-hard. He groans at the loss of her mouth and hand. Ignoring his complaints, Nell moves to straddle his hips. She grabs his penis, and lines him up at her entrance. Without warning, she sinks on his semi-hard member. Both moan at the sensations. Knowing that he would stay harder longer, she wants to feel him harden inside her.
Nell leans over and begins to play with his nipples. She sucks, licks, bites, first one nipple then the other. Callen groans at each movement. It feels like each nipple has a direct link to his cock. It is like it's hardening exponentially and he will explode at any moment. The cock ring, holding the blood in, is keeping him harder then he ever was before.
Nell is no longer able to focus on what she is doing to Callen. The sensation of Callen filling her to capacity is beyond words. She leans her forehead against his belly and places a quick kiss before sitting up. They both moan at the sensations the new position creates. Nell has been horny since she started drinking. It isn't going to take much to push her over the edge.
Nell begins moving. She starts a fast pace, almost as if she was riding a bucking bronco. Callen watches Nell. He loves when she is this uninhibited. He is torn between watching her breasts bouncing and the pure ecstasy on her face.
Soon she is cresting and falling off a ledge. Nell recovers quickly. She removes herself from Callen's hard penis. She kneels off to the side. With the cock ring, he is standing up straight as opposed to bending towards his stomach. She licks her lips seeing him standing at attention glistening with her juices.
Nell uses one arm against Callen's thigh to brace her weight. The other hand reaches between him and plays with his sack. Using her tongue, she begins to lick him like a lollipop removing her essence and anything leaking from him. Callen is trying to hold still, to let Nell continue her ministrations.
When she has gotten him clean, she sits back and decides to changes her position. Nell straddles Callen's chest, facing his feet. She leans over and takes him completely into her mouth until he hits the back of her throat. The guttural noises he is making spurs her on to continue deep throating him and sucking his head.
Watching her bobbing over his body, Callen looses his fight to not touch Nell. With one hand, he reaches between legs. He runs his thumb through her folds. She shivers at the touch. Callen asks, "Do you want me to stop?" Nell shakes her head 'no'; Callen groans at the motion as he's still in her mouth.
He moves his thumb, until it reaches her entrance and pushes it in. His two outer fingers open up her lips, as his middle fingers rest and press against her engorged nub.
Nell removes her mouth from his body and pants, "God, that feels good." Callen smirks, "Keep bouncing, and your body will rub against my hand." Nell groans at his words. She catches her breath and continues to orally stimulate Callen's body. The more she moves, the closer she gets to an orgasm. A few more bobs and she's coming for a second time that night. She releases his body to scream her release.
After a couple of minutes, she glances over her shoulder to see a smug look on Callen's face as he licks his fingers clean. She smiles back and moves farther down his body. She lifts up and in one swift motion impales herself on his cock, both shiver at the quick motion and sensations. She leans forwards and balances her weight on her arms and his shins. She loves the feeling of his warm flesh inside her mixing with the feel of the leather and metal rubbing against her. The position gives her the leverage to ride him hard. She continues to ride until she reaches another climax.
After her release, Nell falls back against Callen's chest still impaled on Callen. Nell reaches back and grabs Callen's arms and winds them around her middle. She places her arms behind his head. She turns her head, to see Callen's face. Nell kisses his cheek. "I think it's time for you to join the party." Callen smiled, "My pleasure."
Without any more words, he bends and spreads his legs wider, to give him the leverage to thrust inside Nell. His hands roam her body – playing with her nipples, running fingertips along her ribs, forking fingers through her curls to find her nub. When Callen feels Nell's body begin to clutch him, he starts pinching her nipple and her nub. Within minutes, she is coming. He continues. Nell is not sure where one orgasm ends and the next begins. She whimpers, as she is very sensitive. "G, wait."
As she comes down, Callen gently runs his hands down her sides. "How're you doing?" She responds, "Much better now" and wiggles her hips. Callen takes her cue thrusts hard and begins to manipulate her body again. He feels his orgasm is close and whispers into Nell's ear, "I'm close. Come with me." His hoarse voice is all that is needed to start her climaxing again. He begins to lose his rhythm as his climax hits him.
As they both recover, Nell rolls off of Callen's body, causing him to slip out. She moans at the loss of his body inside her. She looks at his body and he rises up on his elbows. He follows her line of vision and looks and the cock ring still encircling his body.
Before touching him, Nell asks, "We need to take off the ring. I don't want to damage my playground." Callen chuckles, "Well you put it on, you take it off." Nell carefully removes the ring and he shivers at the sensations making it harder for Nell to remove it. "Careful, it's just a little sensitive right now."
Nell lies back against Callen, once the ring has been removed. Callen pulls her closer to his side. He kisses her temple, "Thanks for sharing with me earlier. I can't imagine not wanting to change to give me partner as much pleasure as possible since it becomes pleasurably for me as well. Usually ends up being a win-win situation. I am definitely up for mostly anything. Any time you want to experiment, I'm your guy. AND I definitely want to see what other toys you have."
They were lying quietly for a while. Callen reaches back under the tree and grabs a small box. Nell cuddles more into his side. "Hey Nell, you still awake?" Nell stretches. "Yeah."
Callen places the box he grabbed on his chest. "I know that we said that we wouldn't exchange gifts until tomorrow, but I wanted to give this to you when we were alone. Go ahead and open it."
Nell leans up on her elbow, takes the box in her hands and opens it to find a jewelry box – a ring box. With shaking hands, she opens the box and gasps at what she sees. Inside lays a diamond ring, with two teardrop settings on either side. As she looks more closely, she realizes that it is two different stones, their birthstones.
With tears in her eyes, she looks at Callen. He takes the ring out of the box and places it on her ring finger of her left hand. Callen takes her hand into his and places a kiss where the ring meets her finger. "You know that I'm not really good with words especially when emotions are involved." He pauses. "I love you. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I can't image life without MJ and Clara, and anyone else that might come along. All of that is because of you."
He uses his thumb to wipe away the tears on Nell's cheek. Callen smiles, "This ring is one step closer to making all of your dreams come true. Now, I'm not ready to start planning a wedding tomorrow. But I am ready to see that happening sooner rather than never." He cups her cheek. "Nell, will you marry me sometime in the future, when we are both ready?"
Nell laughs. She leans across his body to kiss him. "Yes, I will marry you sometime in the future, when we are both ready." Nell continues to gaze at her hand and ring. Finally, they both fell asleep under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.
A couple of hours later, Callen starts to come awake, something cold and wet touching his arm. He finally wakes up and is staring at two wet noses. As he becomes more alert, those two noses are attached to two puppies. As he looks behind them, he sees a third dog that is a couple of years old. He looks around a sees Nell sitting on the couch watching him, wearing the shirt he took off earlier. She throws him his boxers so he can cover himself.
As Callen pulls them on, he asks, "What's going one Nell?"
"Well, our new friends were getting a little lonely in the garage. I was hoping they would stay there until present time. They are from me and the kids."
Callen is sitting on the animal skin blanket as the two puppies crawl over his lap, fall off to the side, run around his back, and try again. Callen chuckles at their antics. He cocks his head to the side and just looks at Nell.
"Well, I know how much you liked having a dog. I've seen how you have played with Monty, how the kids interact with Monty. I grew up with dogs and I wanted the kids to have that experience."
After taking a breath, Nell continues, "Deeks helped with this surprise. At first, I wanted to get an ex-police dog. But then he heard about a puppy mill raid. Clara, MJ and I went over to where the puppies were taken after the raid. There were like 100 puppies that passed their health inspections. They were taken to the home where they train young dogs to be police dogs."
When we first arrived, this German Sheppard that was about 2 years old walked right up to the stroller smelled the twins than started walking beside them, not letting them out of his sight. We found out later, that he was training to be a police dog, but couldn't pass some of the tests because he sense of smell wasn't as sensitive as required for police dogs."
"The plan was to place the twins in the pen with the puppies to see which ones were the best fit. As we entered the pen, the German Sheppard followed us in and after the twins were sitting in the middle, he lied down behind them watching over them. All the puppies came over to investigate, but these two stayed close by, playing with each other, the twins, and the German Sheppard."
"Marty and I observed them and one of the workers came over to discuss the adoption process. David, the worker, told us about the German Sheppard. He said that he has met a lot of people, but he never stayed close with any other family."
"I spoke with him for a little longer and asked about adopting the 3 dogs. Marty was laughing saying that I was a big softie. In the next few days, you will need to go to the adoption center to sign the papers as well."
Callen nods, "So what's his name?"
"Well the puppies haven't been named yet, but the German Sheppard's name is Sarge." At the mention of his name, Sarge quietly barks. The other two puppies are now rolling around with each other on the floor. Callen asks, "What are the other two dogs?" Nell moves from the couch to the blanket. She scoops one of the puppies into her arms, "This little guy is a chocolate lab, and the little lady over there is a Rottweiler." The lab settles down in Nell's arms and yawns.
Nell chuckles, "I guess it's bedtime." She looks over Callen who is rubbing the belly of the other puppy. "G, we should probably try to get some sleep the twins are going to be awake before you know it. The team is coming over early for breakfast."
Callen nods, "Let's keep them in our room until we see what kind of trouble they get into." Nell laughs. "Hang on a second, I did get them each a bed and a gate for the door." She grabs a large bag that had three beds in it. "Grab the gate, I let them out right before they woke you up." Callen nods and picks up the Rottweiler and starts walking towards the bedroom. "Come, Sarge."
The German Sheppard immediately follows, but stops halfway down the hall. He barks quietly to get Nell's and Callen's attention. Once he has it, he walks into the nursery and settles onto the floor between the cribs.
Callen chuckles, and looks at Nell. "I guess Sarge has picked where he is going to sleep." Nell shrugs and walks into the nursery. She tells Sarge to move and places his bed in the spot that he chose. Immediately, he went back to his bed and settles in. Nell places the other two beds, near Sarge's bed. Callen and Nell place the puppies down, watch as they explore their surroundings. Sarge is done with their antics, gets up from his bed, and noses the puppies towards their beds. Finally, the puppies settle down and Sarge returns to his bed.
Callen sets up the gate in the door to keep puppies inside. They partially close the door and continue towards their bedroom. They settle into bed and Nell snuggles into his side. "So much for waiting for Christmas morning to open presents."
Callen chuckles, "Well, technically, it is after midnight, so we can consider it Christmas morning." Nell kisses Callen on the lips. "I like the way you think, Mr. Callen." Callen snuggles closer to Nell, "I like the way you feel Ms. Jones." They settle in for a few more hours of sleep. They still have to put the presents under the tree.
Around 6:30 am, Nell stretches as she hears noise coming from the nursery and elbows Callen in the ribs. "Come on, let's go play Santa before the stowaways start crying. Nell pads into the bathroom, while Callen gets up and pulls on a pair of sweat pants. Together they sneak past the nursery without being seen. If they were seen by one of the twins, they would immediately start crying, especially first thing in the morning.
They head into the guest room and start moving gifts for the twins and the team into the living room. Callen ferries the gifts into the living room as Nell arranges the gifts under the tree. After about a half and hour, the gifts are arranged to their satisfaction. Nell sets up a camera that can be remotely activated to tape the twins entering the living room to see the tree and all the packages.
Just then, they hear MJ crying loudly. Callen shakes his head, "You would think that he hasn't eaten in days." Nell laughs. "I'll takes care of the two-legged animals, you're on four-legged duty." Callen nods.
Callen moves the gate and lets Nell enter first as she coos at MJ. She peaks into Clara's crib and she is awake playing with her feet. MJ is pulling on the neck of Nell's shirt clearly indicating what he wants. "Ok baby. I'll feed you in a minute, but let's make sure you have a dry bottom first." In response, MJ shakes his head no and continues to scream.
Callen chuckles at MJ's antics. He scoops up the puppies in his arms and walks them towards the backdoor. Before leaving the room, he whistles and says, "Come Sarge, let's go out."
Sarge jumps up and follows Callen out of the room. He lets out the three dogs into the yard. He leaves the door open as he rummages through the bags Nell bought home with dog supplies. He finds 6 bowls and dried dog food – both adult and puppy. One bowl stand, he assumes is for Sarge. He sets the bowls under the island, water in 3, food in the other 3. He looks outside and sees Sarge walking the perimeter of the yard as the puppies are running around.
Seeing the dogs were ok outside, Callen continues to empty the bags that Nell bought from the pet store. There was a basket for toys and balls and three more beds, which he assumed were for the living room. He places the basket of toys and balls near the fireplace and arranges the beds close the twins' playpen. He figures they will be moved several times.
He places the collars and leashes by the door and checks outside again. He chuckles as he sees Sarge corralling the puppies towards the patio. The puppies see Callen standing by the door and start running towards him. Once they reach the living room, they both wipe out on the hardwood floors. Callen laughs and closes the door after Sarge enters the house.
Callen whistles and the three dogs follow him through the room towards the kitchen. Once there, he places each puppy in front of a set a bowls and shows Sarge where his bowls are. Callen watches as the dogs eat, laughing as the puppies are climbing into their bowls. Just then he hears Nell calling from the nursery.
Callen enters the nursery and smiles when he sees the twins dressed in their Christmas morning outfits – red & green onesies; Clara has a reindeer on hers, MJ has a snowman on his. Nell smiles at the happiness she sees on his face and asks, "How's everything out there?" Callen responds, "Ready when you are."
Nell nods, " Ok, babies are you ready to see what Santa bought you?" The twins respond to Nell's tone and enthusiasm by clapping their hands. Nell and Callen laugh at their response. He leans over and picks MJ off of Nell's lap. Then Nell stands up from the rocking chair and grabs the remote for the video camera.
As the Callen-Jones family enters the living room, Nell clicks on the video camera. "Merry Christmas Clara!" Merry Christmas MJ!"
Nell and Callen walk into the living room and place the twins on the rug in front of the tree. "Alright, let's see what Santa left for you two." Nell places a couple of wrapped packages in front of the twins. Nell and Callen discussed not going overboard with presents for the twins. Between their OSP family and Nell's family, the twins were going to be spoiled. They decided to only have a couple of presents for the twins to open on Christmas morning. There was nothing that the twins needed.
Callen and Nell each sat behind one of the twins to help them open their gifts. Soon the gifts were forgotten, as the twins were more interested in the wrapping paper. It was like the wrapping paper was multiplying. Every time Callen or Nell took the wrapping paper from the hands or mouths of the twins, they would turn around and they would have another piece.
As soon as the puppies and Sarge entered the living room, the paper was forgotten. The puppies ran towards the twins and started jumping on and falling over the twins. Sarge walked over towards the playpen and the beds, he sniffs around, and settles into the larger bed to watch over the puppies and the twins.
Nell crawls to Callen and turns to lean into him – her back against his chest. Callen kisses Nell, "Merry Christmas Nell." She kisses him back, "Merry Christmas, G." Callen kisses her shoulder, "I know that you are a fan of traditions, so I vote that we start every Christmas day like we did earlier this morning. You know, just after we returned home."
Nell giggles. "I don't think that will be a problem. But we may need to expand our toy box." Callen laughs, "I DEFINITELY don't have a problem with that."
He looks over towards the twins and puppies, "You know, we are going to have to name the puppies." Nell nods, "I know. I thought about a couple of names, but I want to hear your ideas."
Callen shrugs, "I have a couple of ideas." He pauses, for effect, "I was thinking…Buttercup and Westley." He waits for her reaction. She turns towards him. "I think those perfect names." She leans into him, pushing him backwards, "I really, really like your suggestions." She kisses him passionately and breaks apart when their arms are nudged they are barked at.
They look over and the lab is standing by their side. They chuckle at the site. They both sit up and take up their previous position. Within a few minutes, the Rottweiler stumbles over to them.
Callen leans over and picks her, "Hey, pretty girl, I think we found a name for you and your buddy. What do you think about Buttercup?" The Rottweiler puppy cocks her head at Callen's question. After a couple of second, she barks in response. Nell laughs in response, "I think she likes the name."
The lab nudges Nell's leg and she picks him up. "Aww, pretty boy, were you a little jealous?" The puppy wiggles in her arms. "Do you want to know your name?" The lab yips in response. "Well, your name is Westley." In response, the lab licks her face.
Both Callen and Nell laugh. Soon the twins crawl towards them, looking for the puppies. The puppies wiggle in their arms, looking to get down. Once the puppies get down, they run towards Sarge who moved to the area rug near Callen's chair. The puppies climb over Sarge, who just sits there. Soon the twins are crawling after the puppies – MJ decides to follow the puppies and crawls over Sarge, Clara crawls around him. Sarge sighs, puts his head down as he is being used as a canine jungle gym. Callen laughs, "He really is good with them." Nell nods, "He was like this seconds after meeting them. It was one of the reasons I wanted to adopt him. He is trained as a police dog. With our jobs, it will be nice to have the added security loyal to the family, especially the twins."
Callen pulls Nell down so that she is lying down next to him. "We will have to train the puppies, maybe send them to school like Sarge was. I noticed that Sarge walked the perimeter of the yard a couple of times and pooped in the hedges by the back of the fence." Nell agrees, "Yeah, David, the trainer, said that Sarge likes to have a job, and that's part of their training. He mentioned that it would be possible to have the puppies trained similar to Sarge. They need to be a little older though."
Callen glances at the time – it was 8:15, "We need to get moving, I think the team was planning on getting here around 9. Sam, Michelle, and kids are coming over later." Nell stretches, "Ok. We should probably move the animal skin blanket before Deeks gets here. We'll never hear the end of that one." Callen chuckles, "Yeah, make sure the toy is put away as well." Nell giggles remembering the early morning hours.
Nell and Callen get up. Callen moves the coffee table back to give the dogs and twins more room to play. Nell grabs the blanket and toy before heading toward the bedroom. Callen follows and grabs a Christmas t-shirt that Nell bought for Christmas and changes into jeans. After changing, he heads to the kitchen after quickly checking on the occupants of the living room.
Callen starts a big pot of coffee. After the last gathering at their house, Nell bought a coffee urn. Knowing the early hour, that is what he started. Next, he pulled out the bacon and started to lay strips onto the baking sheets. Once they were done, he placed the 4 baking sheets into the oven to cook. While the bacon was cooking, he pulled out the defrosted pie shells and started to whip up the quiches.
The quiches were set aside waiting for the bacon to be done. Soon Nell joined him in the kitchen. She grabbed the potatoes and started to make her family's German potato salad. They wanted potatoes, but didn't want to do hash browns. While Nell is making the potato salad, Callen is chopping fruit for a fruit salad.
When they hear a thud, a pause and then crying, they rush into the living room. They find MJ partially under the coffee table, his head by the table's foot. They start to make their way to him and see that the Sarge is smelling him and licking his tears. Clara and the puppies are just looking at MJ.
Callen reaches MJ first. He pats Sarge on the head, "Good boy." He picks up MJ as Sarge sits down still focused on MJ. "Alright, buddy, let me see you boo-boo." MJ shakes his head 'no' as he burrows into his shirt.
Callen sits the baby on his leg, towards Nell, who squeezed next to Callen on the loveseat. Nell grabs MJ's hands from his face and they see a little read mark on the side of face just below his eye. "Hey, baby. Did you bump your head?" He shakes his head 'no' again. Callen chuckles, "Wrong answer, bud."
Nell leans forward and kisses the mark on his face. "All better now." MJ snuffles, turns his face and wipes his nose on Callen's shirt. "Thanks, buddy."
Nell laughs, "Glad you are holding him." Just then, doorbell rings. Buttercup and Westley run towards the door barking, Clara takes off after them. Just as Nell and Callen are getting off the couch, the timer rings. Nell chuckles, "I'll swap the bacon out for the quiches. You answer the door and try and herd the family."
Callen kisses MJ's head, "Gee, thanks." He looks down at MJ, "You doing better bud?" MJ looks up at his dad and nods his head 'yes', "Correct answer." He kisses him again and heads to the door with Sarge close to his side.
As Callen reaches the front door, the puppies are scratching at the door, while Clara is banging on the door. Callen reaches down, moves Clara off to the side and gently pushes the puppies in the same direction. Quickly he opens the door, to find Hetty, Eric, and Deeks, each with a bag of gifts, and a series of 'Merry Christmas', 'Happy Holidays', 'Mele Kalikimaka'.
Callen chuckles, "Good morning. Merry Christmas. Come on in, just watch little fingers, toes, and paws."
Hetty takes a look around, "Mr. Callen, have you and Ms. Jones opened a zoo?"
MJ nods; Callen chuckles, "Today it seems like it."
Monty sneaks in behind Deeks' legs as everyone enters the house. Deeks puts his bag down and picks up the two puppies who were trying to make a run through the front door. Eric quickly picks up Clara who was closely following behind the puppies. "Whoa there, where do you think you're going?" Clara babbles in response.
Callen nods towards the living room, "Why don't you head into living room and make yourself comfortable. The circus should follow you."
Deeks hangs back and watches as Sarge approaches Monty. Monty stands his ground, as Sarge smells him. After a couple of minutes, Sarge nudges Monty and turns towards the living room; Monty follows. Deeks nods towards the two dogs. "They've met before, they just needed to remember each other. Monty understands that this is Sarge's house." Deeks pauses, "What's the matter with MJ?"
Callen sighs, "He hit is face against the foot of the coffee table. When we got there, Sarge was standing over him, licking his tears." Callen turns towards MJ, "What do you say Buddy, ready to go play some more?" In response to the question, MJ lays his head on Callen's shoulder. Just then the puppies, still in Deeks' arms start yipping and wiggling.
Callen laughs and points, "MJ, look how silly Buttercup and Westley are?" MJ watches and starts laughing, too. Deeks looks at Callen, but doesn't say anything. Callen heads into the living to see Eric still holding Clara and Sarge in his bed, Monty lying down near him and places MJ on the floor and nods to Deeks to put the puppies down. Clara sees her brother on the floor and starts wiggling in Eric's arms wanting to be put down.
Soon the twins and puppies are playing on the floor again. Callen excuses himself to see if Nell needs any help. He walks into the kitchen just as Nell finishes putting the plates and silverware on the island. They decided to do a buffet for breakfast. "Everything is ready, just waiting for the quiche to be done. Let's bring the highchairs into the living room so they are ready to go when it is time to eat."
Callen nods, but doesn't move towards them. Instead walks to Nell, encircles her waist, kisses her, "Merry Christmas." She snuggles into his chest, "It's going to be a good day." Nell releases Callen and moves towards the highchairs, he follows and they both head into the living room.
After placing the highchairs down, Nell sits in the chair and Callen sits on the arm enjoying the sights: twins, puppies, and Deeks on the floor playing. With an amused look on her face, Hetty turns to the hosts and asks, "You needed to add to the chaos in your life?"
Callen shrugs and Nell chuckles. "You know nothing is better than organized chaos."
Hetty smiles, "Hmmm. I see. Well I have some contacts for dog walkers, for those long days."
Before any response can be made, they hear shrieks of laughter and look over to see Deeks lying on the floor and mash of arms, legs, and fur on top of him. "Help! Callen, tag in." Callen laughs and crawls towards the people/puppy file. "Here I come." Soon the two men are gently wrestling with the twins and the puppies. Not to be left out, both Sarge and Monty join in.
Nell, Hetty, and Eric watch on laughing at the antics. Nell excuses herself when she hears the timer ding. A few minutes, Nell calls out, "Breakfast is ready." Hetty and Eric head towards the kitchen. Callen and Deeks are lying on the floor, panting, each with a twin and puppy on their chests. Both Monty and Sarge lying next to the men. Nell comes to the doorway, "You boys coming?"
Callen looks over at Nell. "Yeah, we're coming." Both men grunt as they stand with their arms full of babies and puppies. Sarge and Monty both jump up to see what is happening next. The entourage walks towards the kitchen. Dropping the puppies by their water bowls. Nell goes to take MJ from Deeks. "Naw, I'm good."
Nell shrugs, "Ok, I'll get their plates together." Callen and Deeks head over towards the sink. Callen grabs a washcloth from the sink's faucet, wets it and washes the twins' faces and hands. They head back into the living room and place the twins in their high chairs. Once they are secured and the trays are in place, they start banging on the trays.
Nell comes back inside with food for the twins and their bottles. Callen and Deeks head back inside to fix their own plates. Deeks, Hetty, and Eric head inside as Callen is still fixing plates for Nell and himself and soon follow them back into the living room. Nell is just finishing feeding the twins their cereal and hands her a cup of coffee and lays a plate of food on the table for her, "Thanks, Babe." Callen smiles and places a quick kiss on her lips.
Before eating from her plate, Nell places a few small pieces of quiche and some Cheerios on the trays for the twins to pick-up and eat. The puppies and the dogs take up residence under highchairs, happily eating whatever they dropped.
Nell makes sure that the twins and dogs are settled before eating herself. Just as they are finishing brunch Hetty asks, "Miss Jones, what is that on your hand?" Nell chokes on her last bite. Callen looks a little sheepish and looks down.
Before either could answer, the doorbell rings. Callen mutters under his breath "saved by the bell", before he follows Sarge and the puppies to the front door to answer it. After opening the door, he picks up the puppies so that they don't run out. Callen opens the door to see the Hanna family bearing gifts and food.
"Hey, Sam. Merry Christmas, Michelle." Callen nods at Sam and kisses Michelle and Aiden and Kam follow them in. Hugs and greetings are given and received. Sam cocks his head, "Whatcha got there, G?" Callen smiles, Christmas present from Nell and the twins. Sarge is sitting next to me." Sarge gives a soft woof in greeting.
Sam's gives a questioning look, "Three dogs?" Callen grins, "Yup." Shaking his head, the Hanna family heads into the living to greet everyone. Presents are placed under the tree, while Nell, Deeks, and Michelle move the food into the kitchen. When they return to the living room, they find two babies, two kids, and two puppies playing on the floor. Sarge and Monty lying down observing the play, content in oversight capacity.
Callen walks towards the French doors leading to the side yard and suggest, "Aiden, Kam, why don't you go outside and play with the puppies, MJ, and Clara? Just try to stay in this general area so we can still keep an eye on things." Aiden and Kam readily agree.
Nell and Callen spread an old blanket on the grass and place the twins on it. The puppies quickly join Clara and MJ. Sarge and Monty relocate their position to keep an eye on things inside and outside of the house. Callen and Nell return to the living room content that they can visit with the adults and observe the yard.
During a quiet moment, Hetty clears her throat, " Ms. Jones, I believe there is an unanswered question on the floor. Would you like me to repeat it?" Sam and Michelle have confused looks. After a short pause, Hetty continues, "Very well, I will repeat my question – What is one your hand?"
Callen and Nell exchange looks. Callen shrugs, "Well, I asked Nell to marry me last night, well early this morning. Now before you get too excited, we are not getting married any time soon." Nell jumps in, "We agreed to get married, some time in the future, when we are both ready."
They are met with utter silence. It is very rare for this group to be rendered speechless. After a few minutes, Hetty breaks the silence, "Mr. Callen, Ms. Jones, this is the second time you have surprised me. Congratulations, both of you."
Soon the others join in congratulating the couple; Hetty and Michelle are looking at the ring.
Deeks has a goofy grin on his face, "Callen, I think domestic life is making you soft. I really didn't peg you for a 'Princess Bride' kind of guy." Callen sighs and Nell giggles. Deeks continues, "Can't wait to hear you walking down the street calling for Buttercup. In fact, I would pay money to see it."
Nell adds, "The names were his idea." Callen looks at her, "Really?" Deeks outright laughs at the new information, "That's the best thing I've heard all day."
Callen takes the teasing in stride. "Hey, it's one of the few movies I saw when I was a kid. If you remember, I have quoted the movie before." He shrugs, "Besides, Nell is a fan."
Nell walks over to G and wraps her arm around his waist, "What can I say, he's a half-baked cookie – hard on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside."
Deeks cocks his head to the side, "You know, there are so many jokes, I don't even know where to begin."
The rest of the day is spent exchanging presents, eating, laughing, and enjoying the gift of family.
What did you think? Successful or not? Would love to hear what think?