Callen stood in the entrance of a small Church and watched as a sea of people, clad in black, processed past him. They were nameless but each of them sparred him pitiful glances. Some introduced themselves as her friends or family members, others just walked past. Aiden stood with Hetty at the front of the church. The little boy still refused to talk to him even after Hetty had made it clear that his mom's death was not Callen's fault. It was probably better that way. Callen didn't want to talk about the accident. Talking about it made it real, and Callen just couldn't accept that this was real.

It was hard to believe that it was only a year ago that they got married. He thought back to that beautiful spring day and what she had written in her vows. "I trust you with my life and I promise that I will always be here, loving you as much as I do right now." I will always be here. Those words seemed burned in his mind lately. But she isn't here anymore. She's gone. She will always be gone. He needed her now. He needed her to tell him what to do.

When the service began, Callen took his spot at the front, next to Hetty, the team, Aiden, Bailey, and Emily's parents. Callen didn't really pay attention to anything that was happening. Bailey did the eulogy and told everyone about her favorite memories of her and Emily's childhood. Kensi got up next, wanting to say a few words.

"Few people knew Emily as well as the people she worked with." Kensi began, her eyes scanning the front row where the team sat. "There is a whole list of great things that I can say about her. We never saw her without a smile. She was brave. She loved the California sun. She was the most selfless person I have ever met. But most importantly, she loved Aiden and Callen more than anything in the world. They were her light and she will always be with them."

Callen managed to give Kensi a small smile as she walked back to take her seat, wiping a small tear from her eye. The rest of the service went by in a blur. At the end, when people made their way up the aisle to say their last goodbyes, Callen carried Aiden up to his mother's casket. The little boy leaned down and gently kissed the shinny wooden box before saying "Goodbye Mommy."

Callen simply placed his palm on the casket and said "Bye Em."

Callen and Aiden drove home in silence. He was out of his element here. Hetty had sent over house and car titles for him to transfer to his name. Emily's will left everything to Callen so there were no issues with that.

As Callen unlocked the door to the house, an overwhelming sense of emptiness came over him. He missed her presence, the way she was always lounging in the window seat reading, the way she always had cookies on the counter. Aiden went up to his room and Callen walked into their bedroom for the first time since that morning over a week ago. He had been sleeping in a guest room because he couldn't stand to be in their room without her.

Now walking back in, Callen ran his fingers over the various earrings and necklaces scattered across the dresser. The room still smelled like her perfume. He picked up a small silver locket. His hands shook as he carefully opened it. Inside was a tiny picture of the two of them on their wedding day. Emily was laughing as Callen smashed a fork full of cake onto her face. A single tear fell down Callen's tan face. He didn't want to do this without her.