A/N - I'm back. Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter and who favourited. I'm still working through the replies but since I had this chapter in my head and found some time to write I thought I get it out. Figured you'd forgive me a little extra delay on the replies to get another chapter sooner. I'm really appreciative of the continued support.

This may not be very well polished but, as with the above deal, time is minimal so it's either post or wait until I find some uninterrupted time to check over it really thoroughly. As much as I wish I could, I know what my life is like at present and there's no guarantees when that will happen. So, here we are.

My aim now that we are through the big deals of the story is to do some snippets from the next little while in their lives: eg: house hunting, wedding, honeymoon (not graphic! Family friendly!), Christmas. Things like that. So if you have anything in particular you want to read please let me know. I'm hoping to be able to wrap this up in 6 or so more chapters. I'm also thinking I'll go for snippets rather than big chapters so that I can get the story moving a little quicker. Let me know what you think.

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1

Chapter 15

Sunday 12th February

Hetty's Place - the day after the proposal

Callen, Ally and Tabby walked through the door into the foyer of Hetty's home.

Tabby was still on a high from her exciting time with Becca and the moment Hetty came into sight the words tumbled out about everything she'd done with the other little girl.

Ally put her hands gently on Tabby's shoulders and lent down to speak softly in her ear.

"Not now, Tabby. There will be plenty of time later. Take your bag to your room for me. I'll be up in a minute to help."

Tabby looked up at Ally with a disappointed look. Ally smiled softly. "Plenty of time when we sit down and have something to eat soon."

Tabby's smile widened at the thought of the afternoon treat they had brought home with them from Martha – a lovely chocolate cake with white frosting.

"Ok."

Tabby ran off and Ally looked at Hetty.

"Hi Hetty," she said as Callen stepped a little closer to her.

Hetty's eyes had been drawn to Ally's left hand the moment she'd put them on Tabby's shoulders. Callen hadn't been surprised at that.

Hetty raised her eyes to Ally's and gave her a look before speaking to Callen.

"Is there something you neglected to tell me Mr Callen?"

"Nope," Callen answered casually – even if his heart rate had kicked up by an almost imperceptible amount. He was nervous about this.

"Hetty," Ally said with a slight warning tone. "Be nice." She gave Callen's hand a squeeze and moved to give Hetty a hug.

"It's what we want," she whispered in Hetty's ear. "It's what we need."

Ally stepped back and then looked at them both. "Behave please," she added before heading up to help Tabby.

Callen and Hetty stared at one another for a small amount of time – a couple of seconds at the most, but to Callen those seconds felt like minutes waiting for Hetty to say something.

"Well," Hetty started.

Callen followed a sudden urge and stopped her. He needed to say something before she did.

"Wait Hetty please. I need to say this. I love those girls. I'm ready to be a part of their lives. I don't know how to prove to you I've moved on from Faith but, to be perfectly honest, I don't care anymore. This is what I want. I want them."

"You didn't ask me," was Hetty's response. Not quite what he was expecting.

"No I didn't," Callen said. "I didn't want you to say no."

Hetty finally smiled. "You think I have that much power over Alyssa's choices?"

"No," Callen shook his head. "I just didn't want to give you the opportunity to order me not to and have to disobey you."

Hetty gave a small chuckle. "Really Callen. That has not stopped you previously. Why would it now?"

"Because this means more to me than anything else."

Hetty smiled. "You say you do not know how to prove that you have moved on from Faith, but you have. Your admission just now, and the proposal. I know that you would not have proposed to Alyssa if you felt that you were still tied to Faith."

Callen breathed a sigh of relief. "So off probation?"

"Off probation," Hetty agreed.

"But not the watch list?"

"Never the watch list. Even after I die."

Callen chuckled. "You'll just come back as an angel and kick my arse if I hurt them?" It's not like that was hard to picture given his recent encounter at Christmas.

Hetty arched an eyebrow while a suspicious and, for late of a better descriptive word, cheeky look crossed her face. "Kick something," she added, "or more."

Callen gulped a little. "Noted. I don't intend to hurt them Hetty," he vowed.

"I know," Hetty agreed. "You would not have gotten this far with her if I suspected that you weren't in this fully."

Hetty glanced up the stairs. "Has she asked you to quit?"

Callen shook his head, slightly confused. "No-"

"Why would I?" came a reply from the stairs.

Callen glanced up to see Ally come into sight. He had a feeling she'd been listening.

Hetty turned to face Ally once she had descended them safely.

"You've been through a lot, Alyssa. I imagine you would want to protect yourself and Tabby from further hurt."

Ally slipped her arm around Callen. "Have I ever asked you to quit?"

Hetty shook her head. "No."

"I never asked Paige to quit either."

"True," Hetty agreed. "However, you love Callen more-"

Ally shook her head and Hetty stopped. "No I don't love Callen more than you or Paige or even Tabby. It's different. I love you all with everything I have but in different ways. I would never ask either of you to stop doing what you do because it's a big part of who you are."

"Even with the risk?" Hetty asked her.

"Even with the risk," Ally agreed.

Hetty nodded before turning to Callen. "You are a very lucky man Mr Callen. Hold onto this one."

Callen tightened his arm around Ally and looked at her. Hetty smiled at the love that she openly saw on his face.

"I intend to," Callen said with a smile.

"So," Hetty said in a voice that turned the mood into a lighter happier one. "May I see the ring?"

Ally smiled. "Of course." Callen let her go and she held her hand out to Hetty.

"Very nice Mr Callen. You have wonderful taste. You understand the meaning of these stones?"

Callen nodded. "Yes Hetty. I do."

Hetty nodded. "Good." She hugged Ally. "I'm very happy for you my dear."

"Thank you for everything Hetty."

"My pleasure."

"Aunt Hetty," Tabby called out bouncing down the stairs. "Have they told you yet?"

"Told me what?" Hetty asked bending only slightly to come down to be level with her.

"That G is going to be my Daddy."

"They have told me that they are getting married."

"He's going to adopt me." Tabby said.

Hetty glanced up. "It appears you have neglected more than one thing."

Callen grinned. "There is plenty that I haven't told you Hetty. Some of them I'm sure you don't want to know."

"I am sure there is, however this is definitely something I need to know."

"Of course it is Hetty. I need your help organising it so it is official but keeps them safe."

Hetty nodded. "I will do what I can."

"Can we eat now? Please," Tabby pleased. "It's chocolate cake, my favourite."

Ally chuckled. "Chocolate or the cake?"

Tabby looked up with an innocent expression. "Both"

Thanks for reading.