A/N - Getting quicker! However, this may not be as polished as I would like, but knowing my schedule - or lack of any guaranteed time - I'm posting anyway. Let me know if I'm way off and I'll start slowing down again.

Thanks for reading, reviewing and favouriting. I'm still working through the personal review replies for the last chapter but I will get there.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

Enjoy

Chapter 16

House Hunting

Callen felt Ally's weight pulling against his hand as they walked up the footpath to a house they were looking to buy. He turned back, saw a tired look on her face and stopped.

"G," she said. "I just want to go home."

"We're here," Callen urged. "Let's just do this one."

"That's what you said last time." Ally smiled slightly. "I'm sorry. I'm sounding a little whiny aren't I?"

Callen shrugged and gave her an encouraging smile. "It's been a big day. I can understand you being tired. I promise. We'll go home after this one."

"Really?" Ally asked doubtfully. "So you'll be happy stopping at fifteen houses today."

"Fifteen?"

"Fifteen," she confirmed.

"I didn't think it was that many." He knew they'd looked at a lot but he hadn't been counting.

"It would be less," Ally continued, "if you'd actually let us look all the way through the house instead of just the one room."

"I knew they weren't the one," Callen stated simply.

Ally stepped close and kissed him on the cheek. "I know you want this house to be perfect but can we at least look through this one properly before you decide? There's more to a home than just the entry and living room."

"We'll look properly," Callen promised.

They resumed their walk up the footpath but just before the front steps Ally stopped abruptly. Callen turned around and looked at her curiously.

"You know don't you?"

"Know what?"

"What our house is supposed to look like? That's why you haven't checked out more of each of the houses. Because it's not the one. You've seen it already, in your dream."

Callen held her gaze. "Maybe."

"So if you already know what it looks like, why do you need me?"

Callen cupped her cheek. "Because even if I find the one I think is perfect, it's only going to be perfect if you think so too. I might be able to find the one from my dreams but unless you agree too, it's not the one for us."

Ally smiled. "You know I trust you. You could have done this yourself."

"I wanted you here too though."

Ally took a deep breath and brightened her smile. "Then let's go check this one out. How many more do you have on your list if it's not?"

Callen smiled sheepishly. "Six." He might not have been counting how many they had actually viewed today but he did know how many were on his ultimate list.

Ally glanced at her watch. "Given the pace you've been setting, we'll probably be able to get through them all today."

"Are you sure?" Callen tried to deny the excitement that started to bubble. Surely if they saw all the ones on his list they'd find the one.

Ally smiled again. "I'm sure. Let's go."

They walked up the steps and Callen knocked. They walked through the entry foyer and into the living room.

"Well?" Ally asked once in there. Callen turned to face her.

Ally grinned at the look in his eyes. "So this is it, huh?"

Callen looked around the room and was easily able to picture the Christmas scene in his head. He nodded. "Looks right."

"So we can check out the rest?"

"Yep."

Moving through the rest of the house Callen felt right at home. The kitchen matched up and he couldn't stop the slight chuckle from rising in his chest as he pictured Sam and Tabby.

Upstairs the master bedroom and Tabby's room also seemed to fit. Callen remained neutral when he thanked the owner for their time and they made their way to the car.

"G, it's perfect." Ally said once they were back in the car.

Callen turned to her.

"Are you sure? It's not too big?" he asked. He knew they'd easily fill it – assuming the dream was coming true but it wasn't like they'd talked too much about the future and kids. He knew things had moved fast between them and figured they had plenty of time to talk about it later. Plus he was still keeping most of the details of his dream to himself.

Ally shook her head. "Not if you are thinking of expanding this family. It's not too big."

Callen's heart skipped a beat and that bubble of excitement threatened to become a spa bath. "You'd be okay with that?" he asked a touch tentatively. "Having more kids?"

Ally lent across and kissed him. "If you are." She moved back into her seat.

Callen tugged her back quickly and kissed her again. "I'll be happy if it's just us and Tabby but I'm open for expanding, when you're ready."

Ally smiled. "I'll let you know when. I'm just going to enjoy the three of us for a little while."

"Fine by me."

"Shall we go home and let Hetty know we'll be moving out soon?"

Callen shook his head. "You two aren't moving until after the wedding. I'm getting the place ready first."

Ally chuckled. "We have to buy it first. That's going to take some time."

"Not if I can get Hetty to pull some strings. I'll be in within a few weeks."

"Won't it be too big for just you?" Ally asked as they clipped up their respective seat-belts.

Callen grinned. "Are you getting tired of living with Hetty?"

"No, just looking forward to living with you," Ally replied with a suggestive look.

Callen shook his head. "You know nothing is going to happen until I have that next ring on your finger. I came too close to losing you two and I'm not going to risk anyone coming after you again."

"G," Ally said. "The rest of my family are in a shambles. Whether we wait or not isn't going to be on their minds," she assured him. "They have too much to deal with as it is."

Callen still shook his head. "Not worth the risk. You're worth the wait."

"You are so sweet. I love you G Callen. Now is there any chance that we can speed up that wedding?"

"Nope. Two months isn't too long. Hetty's got a lot to organise before then. May is fine." He had a surprise in store for Ally and Tabby which he had Hetty working on but things had to be done by the book and not rushed so. It was something else that he wanted perfect and wasn't going to rush.

"If you insist. I guess I'll survive." She sighed dramatically but was smiling and Callen knew that she was okay with it.

He wanted this to be perfect. He wanted them to come home from the honeymoon to their own house, one that was set up and simply ready for them to walk in and start life together. He wasn't going to leave them out of organising the house. They'd shop together and set it up together, though he'd repair whatever needed fixing before that. But, now he had a chance at a family, he wanted – no, he needed – it to be perfect. Ally and Tabby had a tough but happy life and he wanted to give them everything. And, he was finally willing to admit, he wanted everything too. He'd been without family all his life and this was his chance to get that.

"Let's go tell Tabby the good news."