Chapter 21.

(Seven Months Later)

Callie stepped off the tarmac and looked around. It had been a long seven months, but it had been well worth it; she'd experienced new things, met new friends, and learned a lot. The hardest part about being away, though, was the gut wrenching pain of being away from Brandon. She belonged in his arms. And now that she was home, with just five days until Christmas, that was the only place she wanted to be.

Shouldering her bag, which had grown heavier with souvenirs, she finally spotted him, standing there, looking around for her. Just as he'd promised, he'd come to pick her up from her flight. "Brandon!" she called out, trying to get his attention in the crowd.

When he turned to look at her, breaking out in a huge smile, tears sprung to her eyes. He was her soul mate, the love of her life, and her best friend, all in one gorgeous package, and she was so happy to see him that she felt as if she would burst. How many days over the last seven months had she longed for him? She'd cried herself to sleep for the first week, homesick and lonely for his touch. All those days had culminated to their reunion. But now that she was facing him, all she could do was gape at him, her feet firmly planted in place.

"Callie!" he cried jogging to her. He grabbed her in his arms, gripping her shoulders, touching her hair, drying her tears. "I missed you so much, baby," he whispered. "I can't believe you're home." He smashed his lips against hers in a hard, desperate, long overdue kiss.

"I missed you too," she sobbed, clinging to him as if her life depended on it. She buried her face in his shoulder, feeling him tighten his embrace, lifting her feet several inches off the ground. "I love you more than anything," she told him, her voice muffled. "Ugh. I never want to let go of you."

"Please, Callie," Brandon pleaded, holding her in front of him. "Don't ever leave for so long again, because I don't think I can handle it. I love you too much." He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing as his eyes filled with tears that finally spilled over.

"I won't," she promised. She smiled weakly. "Look at us, blubbering like this." She took a tissue from her purse and mopped up her tears, then his. "We're finally together again. This is a happy moment." She brushed her lips against his, giving him a chaste kiss. "Let's go get my luggage. There's a pair of Union Jack boxers with your name written all over them in my suitcase, and I can't wait to see you model them for me."

Brandon laughed, blushing just a little. "Okay, okay, Miss Impatient. Let's get home, and then you can have your way with me."

Callie snorted. "Who do you think I am? Christian Grey?" She giggled, trying to picture Brandon tied to the bed, her standing over him with a whip.

"I don't know," he teased. "Are you still open to handcuffs?"

She rolled her eyes, still laughing, and headed to the baggage claim.

Before she was ready to 'have her way' with anyone, the first thing Callie did was take a hot shower; it felt like heaven after the long flight. She stepped out of the tub, into the steam-filled bathroom, and wrapped herself in her robe. Then, she hurried back to the bedroom.

Brandon lay stretched out on the bed, wearing her gift. He turned and gave her a smoldering look, patting her spot next to him on the bed.

As she walked toward him, she almost tripped over a box. She looked around, and noticed several more boxes. "What's all this?" she asked.

"It's a surprise," he told her, vaguely.

She crawled into the bed and straddled him, placing a firm kiss on his lips. "Please tell me?"

"Okay..." he relented. "I found us an apartment, and I got a little head start on packing."

"Really?" she asked. "I thought we were gonna wait to find one."

"Yeah," he said. "But Mat's roommate is transferring to another school, and he can't make the rent himself, so he's moving into a studio apartment, and he offered his place to me first. It just worked out so perfectly, I couldn't not look into it. Nothing is final yet, though."

"Have you seen it?" she asked, curious.

He nodded. "Of course. It's perfect for us, Cal. It's within walking distance of the conservatory and your school, and it has big closets, and an amazing kitchen with plenty of room for a table and chairs. I was going to take you to see it tomorrow, and if you like it, we can probably get moved in by New Years."

She smiled and nodded. She trusted Brandon with all of her heart. He'd never let her down before; he was the only person in her life who hadn't. "It sounds great," she told him. "I can't wait to see it." She bent down and kissed him again, running her fingers through his hair as he untied her robe.

"Hey..." he said, winking as he ran his hands down her bare hips. "You haven't said one word about how I look in my new underwear."

She placed her hands on his chest, and licked her lips. "You look good enough to eat."

With a hearty laugh, Brandon pulled her down beside him, tickling her. "There is nothing better than you right out of the shower," he whispered, nuzzling her damp, fragrant hair.

Callie groaned with annoyance when her phone suddenly rang. She grabbed it from the nightstand. It was Robert.

"Yeah?"

"Hi, honey," he replied. "Just wanted to see if you got home safely."

"I did," she told him. "Thanks."

"Good," he said. "That's good. Sophie will be thrilled. She can hardly wait to see you."

"You don't mean tonight, do you?" she asked, confused. If he did, this was the first she was hearing about it.

"Sure," he said. "We'll have a family dinner to celebrate."

"Listen. I can't come over tonight," she began. "Sorry-"

"Why not?" he asked. "We haven't seen you in months."

"Look," she sighed. "I'm jet-lagged, and all I really want is to stay in. Tonight needs to be just me and Brandon. Okay?"

"You're right, honey," he finally agreed, sounding a little disappointed. "What should I tell your sister?"

"Just tell her the truth," she told him. "I just got in, and I'm too exhausted to drive for an hour tonight, but I'll see her tomorrow." She yawned, rubbing her tired eyes. "Listen. I've gotta go now, but I'll talk to everyone soon."

"Okay, hon," he replied. "Bye."

"Bye."

When she finally hung up, Callie turned back to Brandon, crawling her fingers up his chest. "Now, where were we?"

"Right about here," he whispered, pulling her closer, grinding his erection into her hips.

Callie reached back, and flipped off the lamp.

To Be Continued