"I'm going to ask you to unbutton the two top buttons of your shirt, then I will place her in your arms. Just put your hand under her head and one on her bum." The nurse told Callen.
"Like this?" Callen felt so stupid for asking but he wanted to get this right.
"Just like that. You can bring her closer to your chest and relax, okay."
"I'm sorry, I've never cared for a baby."
"You're doing great. She needs to feel your skin and then she'll settle. I'm just over there if you need anything."
Callen just looked down at this little girl. She was perfect and thinking back on Emma's 'baby' picture, he could see they looked the same. She hadn't opened her eyes when they moved her and she snuggled into his chest. How is he going to do this alone? He just figured out how to take care of Emma-Grace and she didn't need must taking care of. But this little girl will need him so much and was he ready for that? Looking down he saw her eyes open slowly and looking up at him.
"Hey, there little one." Callen said smiling down at her and it just clicked, he could do this.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Callen." Doctor Seewald said.
"Can't let Emma have all the fun. How's she doing?" Callen asked looking down at the baby.
"She's doing great. Her weight's up and tests come back clean. I think she might be ready to go home before the weekend."
"Great! I know Emma can't wait to have her home. Me? I'm scared shitless."
"You'll do fine. She will need lots of love but I think you can manage." The doctor said as he got up. "She also needs a name before I discharge her."
"I'm working on that."
"Good. I'll check on her later."
"Thanks Doc." Callen said with a smile. Looking down at the baby, he knew that the doctor's right… she needed a name.
Campus library
"What's her name?" Melissa asked as they sat in the library going over their work.
"Callen doesn't know what he wants to call her. I gave him a list of names, so my job's done." Emma said.
"Why don't you name her?" Alice said as she sat down.
"Because she's my SISTER, not my kid. I'm just here to make sure he doesn't poison her with his cooking, feed her sugar when she's older and hand her back to Callen to deal with the sugar high and the crash afterwards." Emma said with a smile.
"I like how you think, Miss. Callen." Melissa giggled. "Hey, A did you ask your dad about the beach house and the club?"
"I did and he said it's all our for the week after graduation. We need to get Emma a special bracelet for when we go to the club but she's good to go." Alice said with a smile.
"A special bracelet for what now?"
"Alice's dad has a club down in Long Beach and we thought it would be nice to get away after graduation. You know… sun, sea and clubs." Melissa said.
"I can't go to a club. I'm underage and don't want your dad to lose his license."
"As long as you don't drink and keep us from getting into trouble, you're good to go. That's why he's giving you a special bracelet and he'll make sure you're being watched while you're there, so don't worry." Alice said with puppy dog eyes. "Please Em? We need the break after this and you need one before you head to Virginia."
"I'll talk to my dad and see what he thinks. Who's coming with?" Emma said with a giggle.
"Just the gang and your dad knows everyone. So, he'll have to suck it up and take care of the baby by himself." Alice said with a smile, knowing she had won this round.
"She really needs a name." Melissa said, "I hate calling her baby."
"I'll make sure she has one before the day ends. Now, I have 20 pages to summarize before I head to the hospital." Emma said as she started to write.
OPS
"Baby names, go." Deeks said as he spun his chair around.
"Didn't Em give him a list already?" Kensi asked.
"She did and this is his choice." Sam said as he typed.
"It's been a week and we're still calling her baby." Deeks said, "It just sounds weird."
"Actually, she has a name." Callen said as he came around the corner.
"What to share?" Sam asked as he leaned back in his chair.
"I want to tell Emma first."
"Tell Emma what first?" Emma said as she came out of the corner where her desk was.
"You're sister's name." Callen said as he walked closer to her for a hug.
"She's here now, so tell us the name dude." Eric said.
"Maeve Julietta Callen." Callen said with a smile.
"What does it mean?" Nell said as she walked into the bullpen.
"Maeve means 'intoxicating beauty.'" Emma said with a smile.
"I like it and it suits her perfectly, Miss. Callen." Hetty said as she joined the team.
"And Julietta is for Julia and Hetty." Callen finished.
"That's so cute!" Kensi with tears in her eyes, "She's going to love that you thought of her."
"She did help raise this nut, so it just works." Callen said before turning around where Emma was sticking her tongue out at him.
"Hey Emma-Grace, what are you doing here? Don't you start exams on Monday?" Nell asked and everyone turned to the teenager.
"I'm here to drop my work stuff off and ensure everything is done before I lock myself away with my books." Emma said as she handed Nell her work bag.
"You've done more than your share, Miss. Callen. You are free to go and make sure you take a break now and again." Hetty said as she handed Emma a wooden box. "Some refreshments for when you need a break."
"Thank you, Hetty. I'll save some for when I head to Virginia." Emma said with a hug. "Mind if I steal Callen for a minute?"
"Of course. Now, we have a case to solve. Mr. Callen can join you in a bit."
Emma said bye to everyone and walked out to the courtyard followed by Callen. Putting the box down, Emma sat down next to the fountain.
"What's up, Em?" Callen asked when he sat down next to her.
"So, the gang was going to make a trip down to Long Beach after graduation. Alice's dad has a house there and said we could use it for a week. He also owns a club and said he'll arrange for me to go with everyone with the promise of not drinking and if I'm okay if the bouncer was checking up on me." Emma started to say.
"Okay, I don't know how I feel about you going to a club while underage."
"I know and I promise you that I wouldn't drink. If it makes you feel better, I'll give you her dad's number and you can talk to him about the trip. Please? I want to go away with my friends before I leave for training and we're not going to see each other till Melissa's wedding in September." Emma said with puppy eyes.
Callen knew he lost, "Okay, get me his number and I'll talk to him about this."
"Thank you, daddy." Emma said with a hug. "Now, I have to head to the hospital and see Maeve. That feels so good to say her name," Emma said with a smile.
"I know and sorry it took me so long. I wasn't sure I could do this alone but if she's anything like her big sister, I'll be okay." Callen said as he hugged her closer.
"You'll be okay. She loves you and you will see, she's going to be like me but worse." Emma said with a smile. "I ordered everything for her room and it will be delivered tomorrow after school. I'll get everything sorted and you can help put the big stuff together."
"That's sweet, Emma-Grace. I could have done that, you know." Callen said as he picked up the wooden box.
"I know but I thought you already have your hands full. So, I took one thing off your plate. Oh, mama Julia and Aunt Michelle will help me grab things like diapers, formula, clothes, etc. You know, the basics." Emma said as she walked back inside.
"Here, take my card to grab that. You need to save money for when you want your own stuff." Callen said as he took his wallet out and handed her his card.
"I don't mind. She's my baby sister and I want to spoil her before I leave. And when I say spoil, I mean with love too." Emma said as she grabbed her bag from her desk.
"I know but like I said, she's my kid and you should save something for yourself too." Callen said with one last hug before he saw Sam walking down the stairs. "See you later, Emma-Grace."
"Later Grisha." Emma laughed as she walked out.
"That child." Callen said as Sam almost fell over from laughing.
"She called you Grisha again?" Kensi said as she came down the stairs with Deeks.
"She did and I did walk into that one. So, where are we heading, big guy?" Callen said as he followed them out.
Later that week
"Emma, you did an amazing job with this room." Michelle said as she placed the last stuffed animal in the toy bin.
"I just wanted her to have her own space to be safe in." Emma said as she placed one more book on the side table by the rocking chair.
"She's already so spoiled with you as a big sister and Callen as a dad." Julia said from the doorway.
"Callen said he's leaving the hospital now." Kensi said as she walked into the room. "Wow, nice job ladies. When I have a kid, I'm calling you to do the room."
"Is there something you want to tell your mother?" Julia said with a smirk.
"No! I'm just saying that maybe one day when I have a kid…"
"We know what you mean, honey." Julia said with a hug.
"Ladies, the special delivery will be here soon. No more fussing about the room." Sam said as he walked past them.
It took Callen a lot longer to drive home and Sam would make fun of him but he didn't mind. Maeve was finally coming home and he was happy that she made a full recovery. They still haven't found Joelle and that was fine with him. He was focusing on his two girls and that was more than enough. Emma was starting exams on Monday and Hetty gave him two weeks off to bond with Maeve. Then she'll be going to work with him while Emma's at school and then he'll hand her over till he gets home. He was going through files to find a nanny for when Emma leaves but he was still having a hard time thinking of leaving Maeve with someone that wasn't family. Julia's house sold and she got a bonus if she moved out by the end of the month, so they were packing everything up. Julia was moving into a beachside condo that belonged to Emma – JJ left her with a few properties so Emma thought since Julia took her in, she would repay the favour and have her live in the condo rent-free. Julia didn't like that but Emma told her that she wanted to do this for the woman who gave her her wings. Emma was moving in with him full time to be with her sister before she moved. Callen called Alice's dad and talked to him about the week away to make sure he was okay and understood that Emma was underage and that there was no drinking while she went to his club. He promised Callen that he understood and would make sure she was safe and that the bouncers knew to keep an eye on Emma for him. Callen knew that Emma was right, she needed to spend time with her friends before she dived into training. Making the last turn, he saw the balloons before he saw the house. Parking behind Emma's car, Callen walked to the side of the car and opened the door. Maeve was waking up and Callen looked into her mismatched eyes. When he first saw her one blue and one green eye he was a bit nervous but the doctor told him that it was nothing to worry about. She was perfectly fine and would grow more as the months went by, which made him feel better about bringing her home. Taking the car seat out carefully, he grabbed the diaper bag with all the stuff the hospital sent home with them and walked to the front door that was already open with a smiling Sam waiting for them.
"Hey, there little miss." Sam cooed to the baby.
"Hello to you too big guy." Callen said but Sam's attention was on the little girl in her purple dress.
"Hand her over, old man." Emma said as she walked out from behind Sam.
Callen put the car seat down and unbuckled the infant. Picking her up, he fixed her dress before handing her over to her big sister.
"Hi, Mae. Are you happy to be home? Let's go see your room." Emma said as she started to walk to the baby's room.
"Emma, you have to share her with everyone." Callen said but knew she wouldn't hear him.
"She'll hand her over soon. She's just excited to have her home finally." Michelle said as she hugged Callen.
"Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it and I know Emma appreciates it too."
"Of course. We're family and we help out where we can. But you're buying drinks for the next few months." Sam said as he hit Callen on the back.
The rest of the evening went by and Maeve was passed around the room. She was a happy baby and didn't fuss much only letting them know when she was hungry and needed a diaper change. Callen was happy to see his two girls together and seeing how much everyone loved them, made him feel like he was finally home and had a family. After everyone left, Callen got Maeve ready for bed when he saw the picture above the crib… it was the picture of him, his mom and his sister Amy on the beach before his mother was shot. Emma found it in a box in storage and asked Hetty if she could have it. Looking at the picture, he knew they would be proud of him and that now Maeve had two angels looking down on her.
"I thought you would want them close." Emma said as she stood in the doorway in her PJs.
"They're her angels." Callen said with a smile. "And yours too."
"I have a few guardian angels looking out for me." Emma said as she came to hug him.
"Now I feel better at letting you leave for Virginia."
"I'm going to miss you guys but know I have to leave the nest sometime."
"You can visit and we can always video call."
"I know but until then, I'm going to get as many baby snuggles as possible." Emma said she took Maeve's little hand. The little girl just smiled up at her big sister. "I can't get over her eyes."
"I know. It scared me when I first saw it, but it makes her unique."
"She's going to have all the boys chasing after her when she's older."
"No, thank you." Callen said with a smirk, "I'm just getting used to you moving where I can't keep any eye on you with the boys."
"You have nothing to worry about, old man. I don't think boys are interested in me and I don't have time for them." Emma said as she moved to kiss Maeve on her head, "Night Mae, I'll see you in the morning. Night daddy." Emma said as she hugged him.
"Night Emma-Grace. See you in the morning and I love you."
"Love you too." Emma yelled as she closed her door.
Sitting down in the rocking chair, Callen looked around the room. He could see Emma in the room but she made sure that it reflected Maeve too. As soon as he saw the little girl's eyes closed, Callen stood up and placed her in her crib. Making sure the baby monitor was on, he turned off the light but stopped in his tracks… the room lit up with soft pink and purple stars from the night light Emma had placed in the corner. Yup, Emma was making sure her baby sister would have her with her, even if she weren't.
Callen entered the house and placed his bag on the chair by the door. He just returned from helping Sam in Africa and needed a shower. Seeing Emma's light still on, he walked over to see if she was still awake but smiled at what he saw. Emma's books were everywhere on the bed but Emma's head was on her pillow and her hand stretched out towards her baby sister who was fast asleep in her sleep bag holding on to her finger. This wasn't the first time he had seen his two girls like this and it warmed his heart when he saw it. Emma's exams were going well and Maeve adjusted well to life with them quickly. She was awake more and she was just a happy baby all around. He found a nanny that was just perfect and they were leaving Maeve with Laura for a couple of hours a day while Callen was at work and Emma at school. Emma was packing for her move to Virginia and was sad to hand Rosie and Violet to Julia until she was settled more. She was going to drive up the day after she got back from Long Beach so she could settle in the dorms. She was packing her clothes and some personal stuff as she didn't have enough room in her room for everything. He wasn't looking forward to the goodbyes but knew she would be fine. She was a big girl and he had to trust her, she would tell him if she needed help. Walking towards the bed, he picked up Maeve and placed her in her crib with a kiss on the head before heading back to cover Emma. Kissing her on the head, Callen went to his bedroom to shower and head to bed smiling that he had the two girls in his life.