Chapter 3

Frank looked at Callie, wondering if she will speak first. Of course you have to go first, Frank. C'mon, you can do that. You've chased down murderers in the past, how come you're scared of Callie? Then answering himself, he thought, Because she's my Cal, and one wrong word…he winced, not wanting to think about it.

He started to say, "Cal.." when at the same time, Callie said, "Frank.."

They stopped, stared at each other then couldn't help chuckling.

"My, we're taking everything too seriously, huh?" Callie said, sitting closer to Frank, who in turn patted his lap for Callie to sit on. Callie smiled and raised an eyebrow but complied anyway.

"Honey, I'm really sorry. Really. I guess there was just too much tension for the two of us the past few weeks, don't you think?" Frank whispered to Callie.

"Mm-hmm…" she said then turned to face Frank. "I can't believe that we had let that ruin our Valentine's!" she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Then, let's make up for it. We can do nothing now, since February 14 has passed now, but we can still go out for a late Valentine's date, right?" Frank said with a soft smile to Callie, making Callie smile back.

"Yeah, I guess so... I mean, of course… " Callie said as Frank tilted her chin and was about to kiss her when…

"Ahem... children…" Joe said with a smile. Vanessa, meanwhile, punched Joe in the arm while laughing herself.

"Hey, easy Van. We don't want to have a soda flood in here, do you?" Joe asked Vanessa with a grin.

Vanessa shrugged and said, "I don't care as long as you're the one cleaning," then added, "Oops, I forgot the pizza," and went back to the kitchen with a laugh.

Joe shook his head then put the tray of glasses with soda on the coffee table. Then he turned to his brother and Callie, who were now sitting beside each other on the couch, looking innocent. "So, you guys okay now?"

Frank and Callie just looked at each other and smiled, as if not hearing Joe.

"Hey Frank? That's the second time today that you acted as if I'm not here," Joe said, annoyed but pleased at the same time that the two had made up.

Just then, they heard a scream from the kitchen. It was unmistakably Vanessa's voice.