As they walked up to the entrance they saw Frank and Kirsten coming right at them with their luggage cart.
"Hey guys," Frank greeted them as he pushed the cart towards them.
"Hey Frank, hey mom," Zoë greeted her family members.
"Wow look at you," Kirsten said as she looked at Zoë. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks mom."
"Hoe gaat het mijn met kleindochter?[How's my little granddaughter doing?]"
"Ze doet het hartstikke goed, ze groeit goed en ze is aan het schoppen. Nog maar twee maanden te gaan. [She's doing just fine, growing nice and big and kicking me. Just about two months to go.]"
Callen and Frank were loading the luggage into the car in the meantime.
"En alles is klaar thuis?[And everything is set at home?]"
"Ja, de kinderkamer is al een tijdje klaar. Nog een paar kleine dingen zoals de luiers enzo moeten nog. Maar voor de rest is alles klaar. En een tas staat ook al klaar voor het moment dat ik ga bevallen. Ik hoop dat het nu nog niet gaat gebeuren want het is te vroeg, maar hij staat klaar voor het geval dat.[Yes, the nursery we finished a while back. Just some small things just need to be done like putting the diapers in and such. But everything else is done. We even have a bag at the ready for the moment I go into labor. I hope it's not yet cus it's too early but the bag is ready just in case.]"
"Dat is goed.[That's good.]"
Once the bags were in the car they all got in and Callen drove them home. Callen parked the car in the driveway and Callen and Frank brought the bags into the house and into the guest room.
"Mag ik kijken hoe de kinderkamer eruit ziet?[Can I have a look at the nursery?]" Kirsten asked.
"Ja tuurlijk. Ik zal het je laten zien.[Of course no problem, I'll show it to you.]"
Zoë took her mom upstairs and showed her the nursery.
"Wow, dit ziet er mooi uit. Hier zal ze lekker kunnen slapen.[Wow, this looks beautiful. She can have a nice sleep here.]"
"Ja, G heeft dit allemaal gedaan. [Yes, G put it all together.]"
"Ik kan niet wachten om haar te zien. [I can't wait to meet her.]"
"Ik weet het, wij ook niet.[I know, we can't either.]"
Kirsten grabbed the bag with food before going downstairs.
"I brought some things from home with me for dinner," Kirsten said, switching to English since Callen was now part of the conversation as well.
"Sounds good. Dutch food is actually pretty nice. Zoë cooks is sometimes too from the food you send this way," Callen replied.
"Yeah she always loved Dutch cooking."
"That I do. Too bad most things you can't get here," Zoë stated.
"Did you get everything for dinner tonight that I send over?"
"Yes I did. It's all in the kitchen on the counter. We bought it this morning."
"Okay great. Now you just sit back and relax and I'll cook dinner."
"You sure you don't need some help?"
"No it'll be fine. I will call if I can't find something."
"Alright, just remember that the oven here is American and not Dutch so the settings are a bit different."
"I think I'll manage and otherwise I'll give a shout."
Kirsten disappeared into the kitchen and the others just sat around the living room and watched the Christmas parade on the TV.
"I'm used to Christmasses with snow and ice and cold and here it's just nice and sunny," Frank stated.
"Yeah here we hardly need hats, scarves or gloves in winter," Zoë answered. "I remember when I was young and still living in Holland I had to wear them otherwise my hands or ears would freeze off. I think in all the time I've been here I've maybe only had to wear them once or something when I was in LA. We went on vacation to a bit colder places and there I did have to wear them."
"Yeah, when I packed for here I was like 'oh no I don't need to pack so many warm sweaters cus it's not that cold here'."
"Haha nope, I remember the first winter I lived here all the other kids were like 'oh it's so cold' and I was like cold? This is nice'."
"Do you have an ice skating ring here?"
"Yes there's one in the city center. We can go there if you want."
"Uhm no," Callen interjected. "We can go, but you can't."
"I know, I'm not gonna skate but I can still go and watch you skate."
"Yes that is possible."
When dinner was almost done Callen and Frank set the table. The table was beautifully decorated with some candles and a Christmas plaid.
"Hmm mom, it smells amazing," Zoë stated when Kirsten brought the pans out.
As appetizer they had 'snert'(pea soup), as main course Kirsten had made 'hutspot'(hotchpot with potatoes, carrots and onions) and smoked sausage and as dessert they had 'rijstepap'(rice pudding).
"That was delicious," Callen stated when they had finished.
"Glad you liked it," Kirsten replied.
Frank helped Kirsten clean up after dinner and afterwards they enjoyed the evening with playing some boardgames. Just after 11pm they went up to bed. Zoë was already in bed when Callen joined her. She lay snuggled up to her pregnancy pillow, lying with her back towards Callen. Callen crawled up behind her and wrapped his arm around her.
"Hmmm," Zoë moaned as Callen snuggled against her.
"This will be the last Christmas with just the two of us. Next year we will have our little girl with us and she'll be almost a year old then."
"Yeah I know. It's sometimes still a bit unreal that she'll be here in a month or two."
"Yeah it is. But I can't wait to meet her."
"Me neither." Zoë turned around a bit so she could look Callen in the eyes. "Just promise me you'll be here when I go into labor."
Callen saw the fear in her eyes, the fear that he would be away on the job when the baby would be born. "Of course I'll be there. I promise you I won't miss it. I will be there right beside you when you bring our little girl into this world," Callen reassured her and gave her a kiss. "I will definitely be there."
"Good, cus I couldn't do it without you."
"You won't have to, I promise."
"Good."
Zoë gave Callen one more kiss before she lay her head back down and snuggled against Callen.
"Goodnight honey."
"Goodnight honey," Callen replied and gave Zoë a soft kiss on her cheek before snuggling against her.
In the middle of the night Callen woke up when he thought he heard some noise downstairs. He looked next to him and saw that Zoë was still asleep. He quietly got out of bed and grabbed the gun from his nightstand. Quietly he opened the bedroom door and peeked into the hallway, when he didn't see anything he walked further towards the stairs. Being as quiet as he could be he carefully walked down the stairs and when he was low enough he peeked out into the living room. There was a dim light on in the living room and he saw Kirsten near the tree, putting some Christmas presents there. Realizing it was only his mother-in-law playing Santa Clause he walked back upstairs and got back in bed.
The next morning he woke up and he was lying on his back and Zoë was lying against his chest, still asleep. He pulled Zoë closer to him and snuggled against her. About a half an hour later Zoë woke up as well.
"Good morning Zoë," Callen said when he noticed Zoë was awake.
"Hmm, good morning G," Zoë replied as she stretched herself in Callen's arms.
Callen lifted Zoë face up to him. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Zoë replied and gave Callen a kiss.
Callen slid down the bed till his face was level with her stomach. "And merry Christmas to my little girl too," Callen spoke to the little baby in Zoë's stomach and gave her stomach a kiss. He immediately felt the baby move underneath his touch. Zoë couldn't help but smile as Callen talked to their little baby. He was so sweet and he would be an amazing dad. Callen crawled back up the bed and took Zoë into his arms. "You know, last night I caught your mom playing Santa Clause. I heard some noise downstairs so I went to check it out and your mom was putting some Christmas presents underneath the tree."
"Oh did she now? I expected she would and there will be some things for the little baby too, I'm sure of that."
"Oh yeah she's very excited about becoming a grandma."
"Yes she is."
Callen was about to give Zoë another kiss but they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Yeah," Zoë spoke.
"I have freshly made breakfast ready downstairs," Kirsten spoke from the other side of the door.
"Alright, we'll be right there," Zoë replied.
Callen gave Zoë one more quick kiss before they went to get dressed. Together they went downstairs and into the kitchen.
"Hmmm smells delicious," Callen stated as they walked into the kitchen.
On the table stood several baked small breads, a spread of items to put on the breads, some eggs, pancakes and waffles.
"Looks great mom."
They all sat down to eat. After breakfast they moved to the living room to open some presents. They all got some presents and there were some presents for the little baby girl as well. Kirsten had bought some clothes, toys and some reading books.
"This one is from me," Callen said as he handed Zoë a present.
Zoë took the square present and started opening it. In the present was a square box. Zoë opened the box and inside where two beautiful sterling silver bracelets. One big one with a heart in the middle and one small one with a cutout heart of the big one. On the big one was the text mom engraved and one the small one was the letter F engraved. The F was the first letter of the little girl's name they already had picked out.
"Oh my G! These are beautiful."
"One for you and one for our little girl."
Zoë leaned over to Callen and gave him a kiss. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Zoë turned the little heart around so her mom and brother didn't see the letter yet, they wanted to keep the name a surprise from the others, before showing it to them.
"I have a present for you too," Zoë said as she wanted to get up but her mom stopped her.
"Which one is it Zoë? I'll grab it," Kirsten said.
"It's that one in the red and white paper."
"This one?" Kirsten asked when she picked up a present.
"Yes that one."
Kirsten handed it to Zoë so Zoë could hand it to Callen.
"Merry Christmas honey."
"Thank you."
Callen opened the package and inside was a pink bodysuit with the text 'You're gonna be the best daddy love bump xxx', a picture frame with a letter inside and a silver keychain hanger with a heart on it and underneath the heart her name engraved on it and underneath the heart 'I'll always be your little princess'.
On the letter inside the picture frame stood a beautiful letter from the little girl in the bump:
'Daddy, that will take some getting used to, to have this new name in life. But I know you will be the best daddy I can ever ask for. It might be hard in the beginning with the sleepless night, endless feedings and figuring out what my cry means. Sorry I don't come with a manual, you're going to have to find it out on your own. Being my daddy is one of the best things you will ever be. You're my superhero, my teacher and my best friend. I can't wait to finally be in your arms. Whenever you come home I will always greet you with kisses and cuddles. I feel it when you talk to me and I already know that my daddy will be amazing. I know you'll protect me for the dangers in the world. You are my everything, you're my daddy and I will always be your little princess.
Love from the bump
Xxx Fenna.'
"Awww this is beautiful honey, thank you." Callen leaned over to Zoë to give her a kiss and gave her stomach a kiss too. "Daddy can't wait to meet you and hold you either."
Callen showed the things he had gotten to the others but made sure they didn't see the name of the baby just yet. They finished unpacking the presents.
Late in the afternoon they went over to Ben's place. Fay was there too. It was nice to spend some time together. Even though Ben and Kirsten had gotten a divorce, they were still friendly towards each other. Everyone had brought something to eat. They all made several little dishes. They sat around the living room and just chatted amongst each other while enjoying the food. Callen noticed that Zoë was getting tired just after 11pm so he suggested that they'd go home. Once home Zoë went straight to bed and it didn't take her long to fall asleep.
Zoë enjoyed having her mom and brother here with her. She missed them but she made her choice a long time ago to move to LA with her dad and she loved it here but she still missed them. Zoë hoped that her little girl would get to see her grandma and uncle quite often. She was planning to talk Dutch with her as well so she would get some of the Dutch upbringings too.
On the thirty-first Kirsten and Frank went to the store to get some things for dinner tonight giving Callen and Zoë some time alone at the house. Callen and Zoë sat on the couch and Zoë had swung her legs onto Callen's legs so Callen could massage her feet. His hands did wonders to her aching feet.
"You okay? Having your mom and brother staying here isn't too much for you?" Callen asked.
"Yeah I'm fine. Not it's fine. It's actually nice to have them around. And it's nice that they help around the house cus I really don't have the energy for it lately."
"Yeah I can understand that and I don't mind doing the stuff around the house. Are you sure you wanna come back to work after the holidays? I'm sure Hetty wouldn't mind if you stayed home already."
"Yeah, I'm good. It's just two more weeks and as long as I'm taking it easy and avoid standing for too long I'm okay."
"Okay, just as long as you're taking it easy."
"I will, don't worry."
"Good, cus I don't want anything to happen to you or our little girl." Callen leaned over and gave Zoë a kiss. "Why don't you go take a nice warm bath."
"Yeah that sounds nice. Will you join me?"
"Of course."
Together they walked upstairs and into the bathroom. Zoë locked the door just in case her mom and brother would come back when they were still in bath. Callen let the bath fill up and put some soap in it as he helped Zoë undress. Callen sat in the tub first and helped Zoë in. Zoë sat in between his legs with her back against his chest. Her stomach popped up out of the water a little bit.
"Hmm this is nice," Zoë moaned as she snuggled against Callen's chest.
"Yes it is," Callen replied and he gave a soft kiss on Zoë's head.
Callen moved his hands over her stomach and slushed it with water. They sat there in the water just relaxing for a bit before Zoë moved Callen's hand down in between her legs. On instinct Callen knew exactly what she wanted.
"Are you sure you're okay to do this?" Callen asked to be sure, knowing where this would lead.
"Yes I am. But I don't know if I'll be up for it again so make it good."
"Always."
Callen moved his hand as his lips attached to her pulse point in her neck. Zoë grinded her hips against Callen and felt him getting excited as well. Sooner that she would've like Zoë reached her high point already but Callen kept on pleasuring her resulting in another high point and another. A bit exhausted Zoë leaned back against Callen.
"You okay?" Callen asked concerned.
"Yeah I'm good," Zoë breathed out. "Just give me a minute."
When Zoë caught her breath a bit she turned her head so she could give Callen a kiss.
"How do you wanna do this?" Callen asked.
"Like this."
Callen bent his knees and put his feet flat on the bottom of the bath tub and Zoë put one leg in between his leg and one on the outside. She shifted into a comfortable position and leaned back to brace her hands against the bottom of the tub. Callen helped her move down onto him but let Zoë set the pace as he held her hips.
Water went over the edge of the tub as they moved together. With a loud moan Zoë reached another high point but kept on moving to get more. She couldn't get enough of Callen. Callen felt that Zoë was close to another peak a little later but he stopped her.
"G! Why did you hell did you stop me?!" Zoë spoke annoyed.
"Hey guys, we're back," they heard Kirsten say from downstairs.
"That's why," Callen replied.
"Hey mom, we'll be right down. Just enjoying a nice bubble bath together," Zoë yelled back down.
"Don't worry, I'll finish you. Just be a bit more quiet."
"Please just let me move."
Callen let her go and Zoë began moving again. It didn't take her long to reach her peak and Callen was right behind her. Zoë bit her lips to keep her from screaming out since her mom and brother were just downstairs. Callen helped her lay back down against his chest as she recovered.
"Wow, that was just amazing," Zoë said after a minute or so.
"Yes it was, totally."
They stayed in the bath for a bit longer before getting out.
"Let me clean up the water a bit here first," Callen said as he looked at the floor. "I don't want you to slip and fall."
Callen cleaned up the floor and helped Zoë out of the tub. They dried themselves of and dressed themselves before going back downstairs.
They enjoyed a nice relaxing day at home and waited until it was time to ring in the new year. Zoë was barely able to stay up but she managed to stay up. They all counted down when it was almost midnight.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!" They all yelled.
"Happy New Year honey," Zoë said as she pulled Callen towards her.
"Happy New Year honey," Callen replied and gave her a kiss. "This year is gonna be amazing with our little girl."
"Yes it will be. I can't wait to meet her."
"Me neither."
Callen gave Zoë one more kiss before they wished Kirsten and Frank happy new year as well. They toasted the new year and watched some of the fireworks. After a couple of minutes Zoë sat back down on the couch. When Callen turned around about twenty minutes later he saw that Zoë had fallen asleep on the couch. He carefully lifted her up and brought her upstairs where he laid her down on the bed. He went back downstairs and enjoyed some of the fireworks before they all went to bed.
In the afternoon Ben and Fay came by to wish them all a happy new year and in the evening Callen and Zoë brought Kirsten and Frank to the airport.
"Thanks for all the help mom," Zoë said to her mom.
"No problem," Kirsten replied as she gave Zoë a hug. "Just call me if you need anything."
"I will, thanks mom."
Kirsten gave Callen a goodbye hug as well. "Take care of my girls."
"Of course I will," Callen replied.
They said their goodbyes before Callen and Zoë went back home.
…..
A few days later they went back to work. The new year started off pretty quiet for the team and the days flew by.
Today was Zoë's last day at work before going on maternity leave. Zoë had already packed up her stuff and was sitting downstairs on the couch waiting for Callen to finish with his report.
"Before you go, we have something that we wanna give to you," Kensi spoke as she and others walked up to the couch area. "This is from all of us," Kensi said as she placed a gift basket on the table.
Callen had come into the couch area as well.
"Aww you guys, thank you," Zoë replied looking at the basket.
They had made a diaper cake with diapers stacked upon each other in a cake shape and also some presents for the baby and some things for Zoë to enjoy her last few weeks of her pregnancy.
"Look honey," Zoë spoke to Callen.
"Thanks you guys. Diapers we'll definitely gonna need."
"We're gonna miss you here Mrs. Callen," Hetty spoke as she hugged Zoë. "But you just take care of this little miracle inside of here. I'm sure Mr. Callen will take good care of you two and I know we all can't wait to meet her."
"Thank you Hetty. Yeah I'm gonna miss you guys too but I can't wait for the little girl to be here."
Everyone said goodbye to Zoë and wished her all the best in these last few weeks. Callen carried the gift basket to the car before they went home.
"It's getting really close now, just a few more weeks until our little girl is here," Zoë said once they had gotten home and sat down on the couch.
"Yes just a few more weeks, I so can't wait. I wish she was here already."
"Yeah I know, me too." Callen gave Zoë a kiss as he placed his hand on her stomach and he felt the baby kick against his hand. "She definitely got a strong kick."
"Yes she does."
…
Zoë was a few days into her maternity leave. Callen had called her a bit earlier that he had to work late. It was now almost 11pm and Callen still wasn't home yet so Zoë decided to go up to bed already since she was tired and she didn't know how long Callen still would be away. She was just about to go upstairs when her phone rang. It was Callen.
"Hey G," Zoë answered the phone.
"Hey honey. I'm sorry about this but I'm not gonna be home anytime soon. I have to go to Russia for a few days."