Chapter 1—Now What?
1
Outside in the car, they began chattering.
"What'd we just do?" Callen asked.
Anna shook her head. "I don't know. We got pregnant?"
"But, what's going to happen to us?"
She frowned at him. "What do you mean? Nothing is going to happen to us."
He turned his full attention to her. "That's not true, Anna! We're getting a baby. An honest-to-God baby."
"Okay…a baby." Then she stared at him. "Oh, my God. A baby! Callen, we have to take care of it and raise it and feed it and school it and love it—"
"For how long?"
"Are you serious? For the whole time!" she replied, unhelpfully. She pulled up her shirt and pushed her pants down, and stared at her flat abdomen. Then she looked up at him. "I don't look different."
"Oh, God, Anna!" Callen sighed. "You won't quite yet." He put his hand on her. "You feel the same, too."
2
At home, Anna raced to her bedroom and shed her clothes. She stood in front of her full-length mirror. "Callen!" she yelped.
He came running. "What's wrong?" He stopped short at the sight of her. "What are you doing?"
"I want to see it!" She turned toward him. "I'm still as flat as a pancake!"
"Oh, boy," he soothed, gathering her in his arms, and hugging her. "You'll be fine."
"No, I won't," she complained.
"Uh-oh," Callen said. "Anna, calm down." He held her away from him, and stole a kiss. Then he turned her sideways and studied her profile. She was as lean as ever, but he wanted to make her feel better. He put his hand on her abdomen, and then backed away from her so he could see her clearly.
"What? What?" Anna squeaked.
Callen squatted down. He planted kisses on her belly. Then he stood up. "I think I see a small curve to you."
Her whole demeanor changed. "Really? You mean you can see that I have a baby in there?" she chirped.
Callen laughed. "Yes. Very slightly," he fibbed. "Baby, you'll know when you're growing for sure because your clothes will stop fitting you," he added by way of explanation.
"Oh! Oh! I forgot about that!" she said, bouncing around.
"Baby, get some clothes on so we can sit out back," Callen said, amused.
She pretended to frown at him. "Our yard is protected," she said, smirking.
"Never mind," he said, picking up her things from the floor. "Sit down."
Anna sat, and shaking his head, Callen dressed her completely. Then he gave her another hug.
"You are unreal," he quipped, stealing a kiss. Then he took her by the hand and they went out to the patio.
3
Anna was lying against him. "Callen. Callen! Callen, how will we know what to do?"
He face-palmed himself, and then dragged his hand down his face. "I don't know. Instinct, I guess. If not, we can ask Sam or somebody."
"Are you sure?"
Callen's eyes opened wide. Taking a deep breath, he gasped, "Yes, I'm sure. We'll manage by instinct, Anna. We'll be fine." He rubbed her back. "Calm down, baby. Our baby isn't due until the spring, so we have plenty of time to learn about it."
Anna nodded, but she didn't speak. She was excited, scared, anticipatory, and exhilarated all at once. She absolutely loved the idea of carrying Callen's baby, but she also found it to be a daunting prospect. Nine months of worry?
Callen was just as jangly as Anna was. He had never entertained the idea of having his own children simply because of his background. He had aligned himself with a multitude of women over the years, but none were permanent. There was always a fatal flaw in their relationships, and he was experiencing none of those traits with Anna. With Anna, he was able to see himself having children down the road, but right now?! The mere idea was totally mind-boggling. Would he be a good dad?
4
"Callen? I don't want to tell anyone until we have to," Anna said, breaking the serenity that was surrounding them in the late afternoon sun.
"What?" He was barely half-awake.
"I don't want to tell anyone that we're pregnant," she repeated.
He came fully awake. "Oh! That's fine, Anna. Not a problem." He was pretty sure that their reasoning was at polar opposites, but he thought it was a great idea, staying quiet about it. "Baby, you need to get up."
"Why? I don't want to."
"Anna. Move. I really do not want to pee myself."
She flashed him an amused grin.
"Get up, baby," Callen repeated, shifting her off him. He stood up awkwardly, and fled into the house.
Anna ensconced herself into his chaise, and settled into its warmth. She enjoyed teasing him, even when it wasn't convenient.
Several minutes later, he returned. "Really?"
She beamed at him, and nodded.
"Oh, boy," he reacted. He held out his arms, and she stood up and settled into his embrace. Callen tapped her, and she locked her ankles around his middle. "I love you, Anna Kolcheck."
She tightened her grip around his neck. "I love you, too, Grisha Callen," she said before she kissed him.
5
He started walking to the front yard.
"Where are we going?"
"Nowhere in particular," he replied, setting her down so he could unlock his car. Anna climbed in, and he buckled her seatbelt.
Callen climbed in and closed his seatbelt. "Where would you like to go?"
Anna shrugged. "The beach?"
"Yes! We will go to the beach," Callen declared, putting the car into motion.
The drive to the beach was effortless, as was the parking. They walked down to the shoreline, holding hands and not talking. They simply enjoyed each other's company, and the locale. The beach was a favorite haven for them both, and their go-to place when they needed to regroup. After more than an hour of walking up and down the coastline, Callen pointed toward the Concession stand, and looked at her.
Anna nodded.
They each got a loaded hotdog and shared a huge box of fries and a gigantic soft drink. They sat at a table, barely talking, and enjoyed the food and each other's company. When they were done with their meal, they stayed at the table for most of an hour, holding hands, and smiling at each other as they processed the idea of the pregnancy.
When the sun started to go down, Callen tugged on Anna's hand, and she got up. They walked leisurely to their car by way of the coastline, and then drove home.
At home, they skipped dinner as the hotdogs were so filling, and went straight to bed. They were content to lie still, with Anna burrowed into her favorite place on Callen; he stroked her back. After a while, they both fell asleep, snuggled as close as could be.
6
The following morning, Callen woke up before Anna did. He sat up and didn't move, feeling very content. She was very peaceful, and he was happy about that.
Anna shifted, pushing the blankets down, and turning onto her side. Callen slid over, away from her so she wouldn't notice him. He continued to watch her, and smiled all the while. The idea of the pregnancy filled his heart with joy to the bursting point. He was thrilled.
She put her arm out, and didn't feel him right away, alarming her. Anna opened her eyes, and looked for him. She was relieved to see that he was right there, sitting on the bed.
Callen noticed the panic in her eyes. "What's wrong, baby?"
"Nothing," she replied, but he looked at her funny. "Okay," she continued when she realized that he was skeptical. "It scared me a little because I couldn't find you next to me," she explained.
"Oh, boy," Callen said, feeling contrite. "I'm right here. I was watching you sleep is all."
She smiled at him. "Why, you silly man?"
Callen grinned. "Because I love you?"
Anna shook her head in disbelief. "Really?"
"Yes, really," he said, lying down next to her. He gathered her close, and then kissed her cheek. "What's up, Anna?"
"Nothing, Callen," she said, looking at him directly. "I didn't know where you were."
His eyes widened. "Oh, boy," he repeated. "Okay. I'll stay lying down and watch you sleep anyway."
"Where's the joy in that?"
"Right here," he replied, kissing her deeply. "I love watching you, Anna. That isn't going to change."
She climbed on top of him and put her face into his neck. "Okay."
While they were lying there, Callen's mind was racing. He figured that her worry over his location was part of the pregnancy, but he wasn't sure, and wondered how he'd ask Sam about it without revealing that Anna was pregnant. He sighed.
"We have to get up, you know," he said aloud. He rubbed her back.
"I know. I would rather stay right where I am," she said, her voice muffled by his neck. She jerked the blankets up over them, and closed her eyes.
7
Callen took pains to pack the totebag with their lunches, and a few snacks. He was all set to go out the door, and couldn't find Anna.
"What the—" He spun around, looking for her. He had thought she was right behind him as he came down the stairs.
She had been, but turned around and went back upstairs as a wave of nausea overcame her.
Callen found her in the bathroom, sitting on the edge of the tub.
"What's wrong, baby?" He sat beside her, and put his hand on her back.
She looked up at him, sheepishly. "I think I got morning sickness," she explained.
"Oh, God!" Callen reacted. He had forgotten about that part. "Are you okay?"
"I guess so," Anna said, getting up to vomit again. She wiped her face. "I don't want anything to eat."
Callen nodded. He saw the wisdom in her statement. "Do you want to stay home today?"
She shook her head. "That's dumb because I would wind up staying home forever."
His crooked smile filled his face. "Good point, baby. I have the lunch tote packed—" he began, breaking off as she threw up again. "Oh, hell."
Anna wiped her chin. "Oh, hell, for sure," she griped. "This isn't pleasant, Callen. And the mere mention of food doesn't set too well with me at the moment."
He nodded. "I'm sorry, baby." Then he looked hard at her, slack-jawed. He suddenly realized that all of the intermittent bouts of her feeling nauseated in the past couple of months were because she was pregnant. "My gosh!" he burst out.
"What's wrong?" Anna asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing." He did some rapid calculating, and counted on his fingers. "Anna!" he exclaimed excitedly, "Anna, the baby will be born some time in May!"
"How do you know that?" she asked, trying hard to not vomit again.
He grinned foolishly at her. "Because Dr. Waterston said in the spring. May is in the spring. And all those times you felt strange without actually getting sick? They were because you were already pregnant!" he yelped.
Anna cleaned her face off, and sat down hard on the edge of the tub. "My God, Callen! I think you're right!"
8
Deeks eyed the lunch tote skeptically. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what Callen had packed in it.
"Fear not, ladies and gentlemen," Callen chortled. He unzipped the little bag, and removed a thin, but loaded turkey sandwich and handed it to Anna. "You good?"
She nodded, moving her glasses onto the top of her head. "I'm okay now."
Kensi frowned. "What's been wrong?"
Anna shook her head. "I'm crampy," she said.
Kensi nodded. She accepted Anna's response at face value.
Callen nodded also. "She's okay, guys," he added. He finished his sandwich, and then fished out one of his snacks. He offered one to Anna, who politely declined the slice of pizza that was doused with a large quantity of honey.
"Good God, man!" Deeks said. "Are you going to eat that, too?"
"Sure," Callen replied. "What's not to like?" He bit the thick, sticky slice of pizza. "Very tasty," he said, wiping the honey off his chin with the back of his hand.
"Oh, yuck," Anna complained, handing him a large wad of tissues. "Get cleaned up!"
Kensi and Deeks laughed.
"You better not ever do that if you're less than a thousand miles away from me," Kensi cautioned Deeks.
"Oh, I won't," he assured her, chuckling. "I promise."
"Damn straight," she added, shaking her head at Callen's concoction. "Where'd he get this one from?"
Anna made a face. "Oh, who the hell knows? He's in some kind of a phase, I think."
"Gross," Kensi said.
Anna nodded, but she stayed quiet, enjoying the small sandwich Callen had made for her.
9
Later in the day, after Anna and Callen had left, Sam approached Kensi and Deeks.
"What's going on with them?" he asked, sitting down at his own desk.
Deeks looked at him. "I don't know."
Kensi frowned. "Deeks! Sam, nothing is. They are fine. They are quirkier than usual, but they're okay."
Deeks snorted. "Then explain why Callen keeps eating very strange foods."
Kensi's mouth opened and closed. "I have no clue—"
Sam looked at her. "What'd he bring this time?"
Deeks made a face. "Pizza with honey."
"Say what? You did not say he put honey on his pizza."
Deeks grinned. "I did, indeed."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say that Callen is pregnant!" Sam declared. "Nobody in their right mind puts honey on a pizza!"
10
"How are you feeling now, baby?" Callen asked Anna, who was cuddled with him.
"I'm okay. We seriously need to get a tent for out here!"
"Never mind. I like my bed," he asserted.
She sat up and snorted. "You who used to sleep on the floor without an ache or pain?!"
Callen grinned, and made a face. "I've gotten older, and therefore, I've gotten wiser. Beds actually are more comfortable!"
"Not always!"
He bumped her off his lap. "Then you must have been sleeping with the wrong person!" he shot back.
"Hey!" she objected.
"You started it," Callen said. "Baby, let's not fight. Okay, please?"
"Please okay," she reacted with a smirk.
Callen made a face at her. "Anna."
"Grisha."
"Why are you so ornery all of a sudden? Did I do something?"
She crumpled. "No," she mourned. "I'm all wonky."
He studied her. "I think we have some research to do!"
"I think so, too, Callen," she conceded, lying against him again.
Callen glanced at his watch. "How about you help me fix dinner tonight? It's getting late."
The sun was just about down, and the street lamps were turning on.
"We need lights, too."
"We do," Callen agreed, tapping her. "Come on. Get up."
11
Anna grudgingly got up. She was very comfortable leaning on him and she didn't want to move. She followed him into the kitchen where he took a can of chicken broth and poured it into a small pot. Then he handed her a knife and a thick slice of ham to cut into cubes while he cut up skinless chicken breasts. He browned the chicken pieces before he put them into the broth.
Anna kept an eye on the soup while she watched Callen make several tiny sandwiches for them. She let the soup boil for a minute, and then shut off the flame. Momentarily, she added the chicken cubes.
"Should we add some noodles to this?" she asked, pulling a bag of flat noodles from the cabinet.
"Sure," Callen said as he cut three sandwiches into quarters. He put six little triangles onto two plates, and then turned on the flame under the soup again.
Anna poured in half the bag, and Callen stirred the soup. He knew the noodles would cook quickly, so he put the lid on the pot, and shut off the flame. They'd absorb the liquid on their own.
Callen put his arms around her and drew her close. "Ya tebya lyublyu, moya Anna," he said. "You okay now?"
She hugged him tightly. "Yes," she replied. "I'm always better when you hold me." She smiled at him, and then kissed him. She wanted to swallow him whole, she loved him so much.
They spent the next few minutes fussing over each other, and no part of their bodies was immune to the loving touches or kissing.
At last, Callen served the soup into two bowls, which he put on the plates with the sandwiches while Anna set the kitchen table.
He held her chair for her, and then joined her. They spoke little, instead focusing on their meal. They both were ravenous, and enjoyed every bite. There were no leftovers.
After, they helped each other clean up the kitchen. When they were finished, it sparkled.
12
Anna snaked her arms around Callen, and hugged him tightly. "I want to lie down," she said softly.
He nodded. "Not a problem, baby." He kissed her repeatedly, until she was giggling.
"Stop, my love," she said, giving him a bat-nip on his neck. "Oh, God. I hope you don't bruise too badly," she mumbled.
Callen rubbed his neck where she had nipped him. "I'll be okay, Anna, but maybe use less force next time, please?" He attempted to nibble her neck, but she squirmed out of his grasp. "Not fair!" he objected good-naturedly.
She laughed. "I know, but come on. I need to lie down, please." She kissed him again. "Being pregnant is hard work," she quipped, not realizing just how difficult a pregnancy could be.
Callen took her by the hand, and they went upstairs holding hands. They got ready for bed fairly quickly. On his way out of the bathroom, he grabbed her hairbrush; he wanted to pamper her.
After he finished brushing out her hair, he gave her a full body massage, leaving no part un-fussed-over. She was very calm and relaxed afterward. Callen snuggled her, laying his head on her chest.
"Ow!" Anna whimpered.
He was so startled that he sat up and gaped at her. "Ow?"
She started to cry. "Yes," she said. "Callen, I can't help it. I love having you lie on my chest, but now, I can't do it. My breasts are changing, too, and it hurts when you lean on me. I'm so sorry," she mourned.
"Oh, good grief," he sputtered, feeling bad for her. "Come." He held his arms out, and she climbed off the bed. He picked her up and carried her over to the big blue chair, where he sat down and cuddled her, holding her close. He flipped the afghan off the back of the chair and covered her with it. "Don't cry, baby," he soothed. "It's okay."
"No! No, it isn't!" She turned her face into his chest. "I want to hold you, but I can't! It hurts!" She began to cry in earnest.