Operation Formosa

Disclaimer: NCISLA characters belong to Shane Brennan. All original characters and this story are mine.

Chapter 13

They solved the case and arrested all involved in Wilkinson's death. The thumb drive revealed all the identities of the Chechen separatists who'd infiltrated the Marine Corp and their plans for a terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Callen rubbed his temples, it had been a long day, but a successful one. It was seven, they were expected at Hetty's for dinner in an hour. "Bron, you ready to leave?"

She'd been quiet for the rest of the day which worried him. She nodded and switched off her laptop. She tried to avert his gaze when she grabbed her bag, but Callen stopped her.

"I'm sorry if I worried you today. It's the last thing I want to do."

Bronte shook her head. "No, G. I'm sorry I overreacted. I should trust you and Sam to know when you can handle something and when you need backup."

He pulled her in for a hug. "I'm not going anywhere, Bron." He breathed out in a whisper. He understood her fear of losing him, it was something he needed to adjust to, having someone care about him and that he really cared about too, to make sure he came home each night.

The next month flew by, word came out by the next day about their engagement and Hetty was in her element planning their wedding. Callen was nervous, he looked at Sam who only grinned like a cheshire cat back at him. "It's perfect to be nervous, G."

"I know, but what if she doesn't turn up?" He licked his lips from nerves and looked at himself in the mirror one more time.

"Philipe and Hetty would make sure she turns up. Let alone what Abby would do to her if she bails out."

Callen took in a deep breath, he was certain Bronte had found the perfect bridesmaid dress for Abby in black. That was Abby's colour after all. He nodded his head, yes, if anyone could give Bronte the courage to go through marrying him today, it would be Abby.

Bronte wiped her tears, it was a good thing waterproof makeup had been invented. She would look a mess if her tears had ruined all the hard work Abby had done with her already.

"You need to stop crying, Bron, you'll have me in tears next." Abby sat down on the bed next to her and pulled her in for a hug. "You look beautiful, even before you put that stunning dress on. Callen's going to be knocked off his feet when he sees you."

Bronte sat in her lace underwear she'd bought for the occasion. She was sure Callen would love her in it, but she couldn't stop the tears.

"Callen's been through a lot, he's made it this far, he'll be fine." Abby understood her fear, she had helped her after losing Greg and Carrie. It was natural for her to feel this way.

Bronte nodded. "I know, but I can't stop worrying."

Suddenly she felt all hot and sweaty, she was sure it was just nerves. She ran to the bathroom and threw up the contents of her lunch into the toilet bowl. Feeling better, she washed her mouth out and took one look at herself in the mirror. They were going to have to redo her makeup. There was no way she was going to church looking like this.

"They're late." Callen paced the floor of the church, their friends and family sat waiting for the bride to arrive. He looked and saw Hetty with Greg's parents. Max and Michael stood beside Sam and looked just as nervous as he did. He took one look at Max and he knew that there was no way Bronte would pull out and leave him hanging at the altar. Something must have happened. He was about to pull his cell out and call Bronte when he heard a car pull up outside. He went to take a look and sighed with relief when he saw Abby step out of the limousine. She saw him and shoed him away before Philipe helped his daughter out of the vehicle. Callen moved back inside the church and headed up the front to stand in his place. "They're here."

Sam gripped his shoulders, "you can relax now."

"Not yet." No, there was no way he could relax until he had Bronte as his wife.

The music changed and he turned. Abby walked down in a black satin dress that suited the goth perfectly, but at the same time it wasn't out of place at the wedding. A sleeveless dress with a large sash at the waist, the skirt flowed out like a tulip, stopping short of her knees. It was a simple dress with black pearls draped around her neck. Hetty's pearls, Callen noted. Then he spotted her. Until now, Abby and Philipe had blocked his view of her. She took his breath away. Her dress was a longer version of Abby's but in silver. Diamonds sparkled over the bodice and layers hung over each length of skirt.

She held long stem purple bearded irises in her hand as she held onto her Père for dear life. She was nervous and after giving a half smile to their guests, her smile grew when she saw him. Handsome in his tux, Gibbs and Sam did a good job ensuring he was dressed perfectly for the occasion.

"I love you," Callen immediately mouthed when she stood beside him."

"I love you too." Her eyes glistened but she managed to hold off the tears until the ceremony was over. Her ears buzzed, yet somehow she heard every word the minister said and Callen's vows to her. He was just as nervous, licking his lips every so often. She knew him well, his little traits that only those close to him were privilege to.

"I now pronounce you man and wife."

Callen moved in close and lifted her chin, wiping the stray tear that had escaped her eyes. "I will love you for the rest of my days." He captured her lips with his, deepening the kiss. He didn't care that everyone watched them, finally he had his guardian angel as his wife.

Cheers rang out through the church and the bells rang. Callen pulled away and gave her the biggest smile she'd ever seen on him. "Let's get out of here." They ran out of the church, their friends and family followed them and rained confetti all over them.

Max came up and wrapped his arms around his mother, he was so happy to see his mom happy again. "You can be happy again, mama." Max signed.

"We all can, sweetheart." Bronte returned and pulled him in for a hug. She looked over and coaxed Michael to join them. The boy sometimes felt out of things, but he was settling in better every day. "I know I'll never replace your mother, Michael. But if you want me to be your new mom, that's fine with me too."

Michael nodded, "I'd like that, Mom."

Tears spilled in both Bronte and Callen's eyes. They were a family now. Finally he had his family. It no longer mattered to him he had no idea where his father was, or that he only had the letter G for a name. It was who he was that mattered and who he had in his life that counted. The mixed matched family Hetty had given him in the team.

He looked over to Sam and Michelle with their kids, Aiden and Kamran and nodded to Sam. This is what Sam had wanted for him all this time. That piece of normal. He turned and looked at Deeks, his arm around Kensi's waist, his brow raised and said something to Bronte.

She looked and smiled, "about time."

Hetty walked over to them and hugged her daughter and son-in-law. "I've always seen you like a son, G." She said with a warm smile. "Welcome to the family."

"Thanks, Mom." Callen gave her a soft kiss on the cheek, he loved her like a mother for most of his life. She'd saved him and now he had a family thanks to her.

Hetty's eyes welled up, she turned and wiped them away before anyone thought she had gone soft in her retirement. Philipe on the other hand was only too pleased to display his affection for his daughter and new son-in-law.

The food for the reception was spectacular. Although Philipe was busy being father of the bride, he made sure he was involved in the planning and he individually chose each chef for the occasion.

It was hard saying goodbye to Max and Michael, but it was a comfort to know that their boys were in good hands staying one week with Hetty and Philipe, the other week with Greg's parents. Ron and Andrea Smith took Callen under their wings like a son, they were happy for Bronte to find love again, they knew only too well how much losing Greg and Carrie tore at her.

Callen pulled Bronte onto his lap as they waited for the private jet to take off. "Well, Mrs Callen. Where would you like to go first?"

She smiled cheekily over to him. "You sure you want me to answer that?"

"Anywhere you wish, my beautiful wife."

She thought he was teasing, but then she saw how serious he really was. "Anywhere? You sure?"

He nibbled on her ear and made her laugh.

"Okay." She whispered into his ear, he smiled, Hetty had been right with her assumptions. It had been a challenge to keep the destination for their honeymoon a secret from her. And right then she really thought she was in control. Truth be told, their private villa on the Island of Sicily waited for them. Nestled in the rocks off the west side of the beach in Casa De Franchis.

"Let's go." He lifted her off his lap and went to speak with the pilot. Their flight plan was already registered, but he needed to allude to Bronte she'd chosen their destination. It was a game he liked to play with her, he loved seeing her eyes light up. By the time they arrived on the Italian island, she would know for certain he'd arranged it all by himself. Well, with the help of Hetty of course.

The flight was long, they'd snoozed, ate, drank and chattered along the way. "Fancy hiring a yacht while we're there to cruise around?"

"Sounds wonderful." Bronte smiled and relaxed. This was perfect. She couldn't be happier right at that moment.

"I can see Sicily, it's around seven in the evening, perfect time to settle into somewhere for the night. He winked as he said it, she blushed. She knew exactly what he had on his mind, what newly married man didn't? They'd travelled direct from the wedding ceremony for the airport. She had to admit, she was nervous about their first night together as newlyweds. It wasn't like they hadn't done it before, but somehow the nerves refused to leave her.

The small jet landed smoothly on the tarmac and taxied over to a hanger. Waiting for them was a Jeep Wrangler. Bronte eyed him closely. "You planned this already, didn't you?"

He smirked. "This was hard keeping it from you, you have no idea. Once I found out from Hetty where you had always dreamed of going, I booked a private villa overlooking a beach for two weeks. But I wanted you to think you were choosing. Your eyes light up, when you smile and laugh, you take my breath away."

She captured his lips and kissed him firmly. "You are an amazing man, . I love you so much."

"You deserve to be happy. I wanted the very best for you."

"This must have cost you a fortune."

"Your parents helped out with the jet and the yacht. I had money saved for the villa."

"You're serious about the yacht?"

Callen smiled. "Of course." Hetty had told him how much she wished to travel the Mediterranean in a yacht. He was determined to fulfil her wishes.