Chapter 9 – F is Friends, Family & For Fuck's Sake!

Callen & Katie's Home

The sound of Christmas music playing in the background added to the festivities as guests mingled.

Katie approached Callen who was taking two cold beers from the fridge.

"Why is there a man in a suit standing outside our front door?"

"He's with Arkady."

Katie blocked his exit from the kitchen with her body. "That didn't answer my question."

"I think it did." His curtness didn't go over well with Katie. "Please move as guests are waiting for their drinks." He held up the beers in his right hand.

Katie decided to let it go until ….

"He's Arkady's bodyguard and he's not coming in my house."

"Your house?"

"Technically it is my house. And your house. I don't have to check with you about everything that goes on here."

No, you don't, she thought. And neither do I.

"I guess you're not going to tell me why Arkady has a bodyguard. Or do I really not want to know?"

"You don't want to know."

She nodded and moved her body so he could pass. Then she went straight for the front door, opened it and introduced herself to the young man in the well-tailored suit. Katie didn't give the man, probably a few years older than her, a chance to offer his name before she invited him inside.

"I don't think that's a good idea," the tall, muscular man replied as he had clued in that Katie was Callen's girlfriend. He had heard Arkady and Callen talking a few times when Callen visited his friend's home and the young woman's name had been mentioned. She raised her eyebrows in question. "And I don't think Agent Callen would like that."

"You don't need to worry about Agent Callen. Please, come in, have a drink and something to eat." Katie noticed the bulge of the firearm under the man's jacket and the end of it showed when he had turned to face her.

The warmness in Katie's voice and friendliness in her eyes were impossible to say no to.

It wasn't long before Callen spotted the unwanted guest and approached him. But before he could meet the larger man's eyes with his, Katie stopped him in his tracks.

"It's Christmas."

Callen wasn't about to argue in front of their guests. "One drink and a plate of food that he can take outside."

Arkady's employee overheard the host's comment and retreated towards the door after obtaining a plate of meatballs in honey garlic sauce, a slice of garlic bread and a glass of non-spiked punch.

Callen watched the man leave and then eyed Katie. She averted his gaze as she made her way outside to the deck and join guests who had gathered there. She was right. It was Christmas and not like he hadn't ever met Rico. He was as loyal to Arkady as he (Callen) was to Sam.

The now distracted host glanced at this watch and decided it was time for him and Katie to make their announcement. And for him to apologize for his not so gracious manners with Rico.

The couple met in their bedroom after Callen had given her the pre-arranged signal.

"The party is turning out well," Katie said as Callen handed her the ring box.

"Yeah, it's good seeing everyone outside of work."

Katie sensed some under lying issue as he fiddled with the box she handed back to him.

"What is it?" she asked as she sat on the bench at the end of the bed and he joined her. The bench had been purchased for storage of blankets and pillows but somehow it had become a fascination with Callen when they copulated in the bedroom.

He sat beside her and was hesitant to get into what was bothering him given they had almost two dozen guests in their home. But he needed to voice something that had been nagging at him for several months.

"All of my friends are people I work with or are associated with my work. And as for family, same thing goes for that. You have friends from various times of your life. We both have similar family situations so I know you get the uniqueness of that but as for friends, it really hit me tonight with everyone here that my friend base as Grisha Callen, is nonexistent."

"Kevin and Vita are your friends. And so is Mike."

"Friends I have because of you."

"And I have new friends and family because of you."

He closed his eyes and covered them with his hands. "It must be exhausting for you. One thing after another that triggers something from my past.

"A bit overwhelming at times but definitely not exhausting. And Callen? Love is patient."

Callen took comfort (again) in Katie's ability to reassure him with so few words. "Seeing Rico was a stark reminder that no matter how hard I try to separate my work and personal lives, I can't. Somehow they will always be connected. My therapist said it will take time to accept that. Truly accept it."

"She's right. And try to put a positive spin on it. You didn't think you had friends as Grisha Callen but saying something allowed you to see that it wasn't true." Katie took his hand and gently squeezed it, "We should to get back to our party and make our announcement."

With the French doors between the living room and dining room open, there was enough room for the guests to gather as Rachel handed out sealed envelopes. Katie glanced at the table and made a mental note to (intimately) thank Callen for arranging the catered food and drinks. After having given him his 'to do list' for the party, Katie had been pleasantly surprised when she received a text message confirming the date from Melinda's Catering. And then she received a text message from Callen, both lists combined with All taken care of –G at the end. The best part of catering was that the set up and clean up were taken care of by someone other than her and Callen.

"Thank you all for coming. And thank you to Melinda's Catering for the wonderful food and drinks," Callen said as Rachel handed out the last envelope.

Rachel was getting impatient to see what was in her envelope. "Can we open our envelopes now Aunt Katie?"

Katie and Callen nodded their heads in agreement. They didn't just want to blurt out they were getting married but didn't want to drag out the announcement either. As the sound of the envelopes ripping filled the air, Katie removed the cover from the cake and was taken aback by what she saw. It wasn't her sketch she gave to the bakery but an even better one. Instead of three separate areas for the three things they were celebrating, the baker created a scene incorporating them. A line of green and red royal icing lights was strewn across the front of a house with a Christmas tree (topped with an angel) peeking up from behind a window. The front door had two rings looped together through an angel's wing and the edge of the cake was outlined in red, green and white icing rosebuds. Katie knew where she would be going for their wedding cake.

Congratulations were given to the newly engaged couple after "Save the Date" cards were read and notice was taken to Katie's right hand.

"So where did he propose?" Nell asked, curious as to what Callen's alternative plan was.

"Right here."

Eyes widened as Nell smiled inwardly.

"Out on the deck. He made dinner on the Barbecue then after, as we were about to cuddle on the lounger, he brought out the ring and asked me to be his wife."

"Awes" were said in unison as congratulations were again offered until everyone received a piece of cake with most guests retreating to the backyard deck.

"So October 21 is the big day," Mike said as Katie handed him the last piece of cake and he put his Save the Date card on the table.

"Summer is too hot."

He nodded as he mentioned the deliciousness of the chocolate cake with raspberry filling.

"I'm happy for you Katie."

"Thanks. It all seems surreal at times, you know?"

"Michelle would have had you at dress stores in the morning."

They both laughed at the truthfulness of his comment.

"Yes she would have."

"I know I can never replace my sister in your life but if you need any help with wedding plans, you know where I am.

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

Mike glanced at his watch, "Speaking of weddings, I need to get going. There's one at the restaurant tomorrow afternoon and I must check on the place before I go home. Great party. Now give me a hug before I say goodbye to the brave man who I am assuming has yet to play paintball with you."

"Hey …"

"Hey what? Does he know your competitiveness level soars through the roof when you don those goggles and vest?" Katie's longtime friend rubbed his chin where she had 'accidentally' shot him with a green paint ball in the jaw ten years ago.

Katie embraced the taller man in a hug before he headed out to the deck to say goodbye to Callen.

As the evening progressed, guests started to leave and just after midnight, the last guests, Kensi and Deeks, said good night and headed home. The last of the clean-up was tended to by the caterers before leaving the host and hostess alone.

"That was a great party," Katie said as she sank down on the couch, truly grateful for all that she had in her life. "Thank you for getting the caterer. It was so nice to spend time with guests and not have to tend to anything."

"You're welcome, Kates," Callen said as he joined her on the couch.

"It was nice to finally meet Arkady and Ellie! Arkady sure is a charmer with his infectious laugh and sexy Russian accent. And Ellie is so sweet. She's really fond you Callen."

"Hey, what can I say, women of all ages are taken to me." He casted a slight smirk in her direction before touching her leg with his hand.

"So you do have a bit of an ego," Katie quipped. "From what I saw tonight, you have many people who care, love and like you." She had wanted to make sure their earlier conversation was finished and that Callen wasn't dwelling on his most recent 'issue'.

"I know I do but sometimes I forget that. I'm trying to undo thirty-seven years of conditioning."

Katie was about to say he just turned thirty-nine when he continued.

"The time with you is time I don't ever want to have unconditioned. And Katie?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for not including my birthday in the events of tonight."

"You're welcome. I thought we had quite a good celebration that night and didn't think it was necessary to have another one," Katie said as she snuggled into his body.

"Yes we did and I now have a new appreciation for brownies, warm caramel sauce and whipped cream."

Katie slid her hand under his shirt and stopped at the slight dip on his chest where the sweet food was consumed by her.

His hand then slipped up under her shirt until he reached the spot between her breasts where he had placed his portion of the desserts.

"That's not where you put it," Katie said as she guided his hand to the top of her left breast.

"But I did start at this scenic valley nestled between the mountains." He was good at the metaphoric seduction lines but even better at the actual seduction. "I'm thinking I would like to take you to our bedroom now."

"Are you sure you're up for that? It's late."

"You tell me if I'm up for it," he replied as he glanced downward.

And there it was. His irresistible grin that conveyed every intention his eyes and voice didn't. And she was more than willing to accept everything he had to offer her.

Alcohol was still flowing through their blood as the couple made their way to the bedroom. Undressing each other, kissing, touching and thinking about what was to come was wonderful foreplay but the main event was cancelled as Katie drifted off to sleep shortly after they laid on the bed. Callen could only smile as he pulled the duvet up over them, nestled in beside her and allowed sleep to come.

The aroma of coffee brewing woke Katie form her peaceful sleep. Her and Callen altered between tea and coffee but the morning after a night of drinking called for strong black coffee.

"Thanks," Katie said as she sat down to join Callen at the table for breakfast.

"You sleep well?" he asked.

A slight blush crept into her cheeks. "Yes. I'm sorry I fell asleep before we did anything."

"I was asleep shortly after you."

They both smiled at the comfort level they had between them when something like that happened. No anger, disappointment or animosity. Just two well rested people.

They enjoyed a light breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast with another cup of black coffee.

"Kensi said the funniest thing last night." She sipped her steaming beverage before continuing, "Our kids will be lower case G's."

Callen didn't respond.

"Lower case G's .. your first name was G …."

"I get it." His voice was 'off' as he spoke.

"We're not going to name any of our kids G," Katie said, unsure of why he didn't think it was funny. The group who heard it when Kensi first said it thought it was hilarious.

"I don't think it's a good idea for our children to have my name."

"Okay." Katie was puzzled at Callen's reaction and he had given her many opportunities to practice that emotion.

Callen took Katie's lone word as meaning she was dropping the conversation.

Wrong

"I'll clean up," he said as he stood and gathered the plates and cutlery from the table.

Katie snapped. "For fuck sakes Callen! What is it now? It seems anything I say triggers something in you and I know damn well Kensi's joke made you think of something from your past." She shook her head in frustration. She loved him and meant it when she said love was patient. But her patience was being tested that late Autumn morning.

"Let it go Katie." Callen busied himself with the cleanup.

"No!" she replied adamantly. "I'm aware that you have many secrets but this is something that affects me as well as you. Let's finish here then go outside with our coffees, okay?"

Callen had never thought the conversation of what their children's last name would be, would come up like this. He had visions images of him rescuing her in the nick of time moments after taking out the bad guys who had connected her to him. And used her to seek revenge on the nuisance they had come to know as Mr. Carl.

"Okay."

"I'm sorry I snapped at you in the kitchen."

"Apology accepted. I know you are frustrated Katie. I just thought that with therapy I would be getting better, you know?"

"You have a lot of stuff to deal with. A lot more that I thought possible. And to be honest, I don't think therapy will prepare you with things like what happened in the kitchen. But remember this, I'm not going anywhere. Through thick and thin, I will be by your side."

They both forced a smile before Callen started talking again.

"This is something that is extremely difficult for me to say, so please let me finish."

They had pretty much been to Hell in Kenya when their friends had been taken. Katie's worst nightmare at that point happened when she saw what Callen was capable of. And then when she thought she might die, Katie couldn't imagine anything more terrifying happening to her. Was Callen going to tell her something that would have her learning differently?