When The Rain Falls

CHAPTER 11

Amelia woke up alone. The soft down comforter, the pillows that she was cradled against, and the warmth she had wrapped around her felt weird. Foreign. Her brain was foggy, and her entire lower body hurt.

When she glanced around, she noticed the masculine tones of the room. Blinking her eyes clear, she heard Callens' soft voice as he mumbled to himself, and was typing furiously at his laptop. His printer sprang to life, and he reached over and grabbed some paperwork that came out of it, setting it in front of him. He grabbed a pen and began noting and scribbling, signing, dating, and laughing lightly to himself. Yanking a manila envelope from under the laptop, he slid the stack inside and sealed it, setting it on top of a pile.

It was strange to see him working so diligently, in his simple office chair. Briefly she remembered waking up in the middle of the night, her body aching to the point she began to cry. He had gone and retrieved some water and a painkiller, and then resumed his position of holding her like a lifeline. But now he was back in work mode, not turning to look at her, but then again, she didn't make any noise.

"Callen? What time is it?" She croaked out loud.

He turned quickly, and stared at her, grabbing his phone to check the time. "Amelia," he said. "It's half passed ten."

"Thank you." Amelia said, and leaned back in the bed. She heard him get up from his chair, and took a glance his way. He was freshly showered, his hair still slightly damp. Thankfully, he had put on a pair of black sweatpants that hugged his hips, but showed everything. Turning red, she looked away from him, knowing full well what was beneath his clothing, and making her all the more nervous. She pulled the sheets to her collar bone, still staring at him. "Aren't you supposed to do that work in the office?"

"I brought me laptop in here." He waved at the desk, and pointed to the printer. "And that thing to... print. Ah, yeah, assume you know that."

Amelia took notice his hand was shaking, and his chin was trembling. He was trying not to panic. Closing her eyes tightly, she groaned. Let the weirdness begin. "Where are the girls?"

"I took Fiona to nursery. Ainsley is with friends. They're taking her out for the day."

She nodded. "Do they know about last night?"

He looked at her, and she could see his throat working to try and form words. "I, ah, I know Fiona does not."

"...Ainsley?"

Callen looked away, his cheeks starting to burn. "She, ah, had gone to your bedroom last night and saw you weren't there. So she headed to mine. Caught me cleanin' the sofa. If me child didn't think I was weird before, she sure as f**k does now."

Amelia gave him a humorless glare. "Why?"

He returned her look. "Because ya know, Amelia, my dear, when y'cleanin' blood out your furniture, you're not exactly thinkin' of wearing pants."

"Hold on. Wait. Wait." Amelia sat up, and clutched the bedding to her chest. Shoving the sheets under her arms, she leaned over and glared at him. "You mean you were cleaning the sofa naked?"

"Yes, I didn't expect me girl to come down the other side of the house, see me arse up in the air, and then take that time to scream, tell me she's gay now, and I need to shave me back." He looked away. "I do not need to shave me f*****g back, the lil shite head."

"No, of course not. You wax backs, Callen." Amelia gave him a soft smile, letting a laugh escape her lips. He gave her a sour look, and her smile grew. "Can you get me some clothes? I'm gonna burn what I had on last night."

"You did some laundry yesterday." Callen said, nodding to a basket on the floor. ""They're mostly yours. Some sweaters, shirts. Some trousers. Pants."

"Okay." She pulled the sheets to her chin. Callen sat at the edge of the bed, and gazed down at her. The look on his face was peaceful, calm. When he said nothing, she cleared her throat. "Callen, would you mind turning around?"

He looked at her, confused. "Er, why?"

"I want to get dressed."

"Oh," He said softly. "I can leave if you like."

"Thanks."

He stood up and left the room, softly shutting the door behind him. Amelia pulled the sheets off, cringing in pain. Everything hurt. Everything. It wasn't totally unbearable, but he was right. It did hurt in the morning.

Carefully she looked through the basket, pulling out the most comfortable oversized shirt she owned, and leggings. She almost hugged those leggings. She also found her underwear and some fluffy socks not meant for anything other than comfort, and put those on too. She opted to forgo the bra, having discovered there was none in the basket, and the thought of putting on the same one from the night before made her skin crawl. Finally clothed, she grunted as she lifted the laundry basket and made her way out of his room.

When she entered the living room, she saw the sofa cushion, freshly scrubbed. Even though she didn't see the aftermath of their joining, it was enough that he had to clean the entire topside. She was still staring at it when he appeared beside her, carefully taking her laundry basket from her. In his hand he had her glasses, which she graciously took.

"Microfiber." He said, reading her mind. "Easy to clean. With kids it's the only smart choice, really."

"I see."

"I'm going to put this upstairs. Have a coffee, and a seat so we can have a talk." Callen turned around to climb the stairs to her room.

She watched him go before she went to the kitchen and pulled down two mugs. Staring at the handles, she took a deep breath, and poured herself a cup, and then another. Callen didn't have a cup with him, and she knew he would probably not have minded one. Just as she had finished preparing both, he appeared again, carefully taking his cup from her hand.

Giving her a soft look, he sipped his coffee and gave her the sweetest smile his lips could muster. "Hey."

"Hey." Amelia sipped her cup, and concentrated on his lips.

He leaned against the counter, and tried to catch her eyes. "Are you still in pain?"

Amelia cringed. "Yeah, but it's tolerable. Nothing I can't handle with ibuprofen."

"Okay." He took another long sip of his drink. "Can we have a sit?"

She stared at him now, peering into his face. "Is this for the talk I don't want to have?"

"Pretty much. Except it's the talk we need to have."

"We can do it later." She walked passed him. "Did you need to mail something? I can take it when I go to the grocery store-"

"Why didn't you tell me you were a virgin?" He interrupted her.

"Oh. Guess we're gonna do this." Amelia sighed and turned to face him. "You didn't ask."

"I didn't think I needed to ask. You're twenty-five, Amelia. You're a woman from New York with your..." Callen waved a hand at her, motioning to her body. "... assets, I guess."

She tilted her head, and narrowed her gaze. "So, you assumed because I'm stacked I slept around?"

"I didn't say that, Amelia." He countered.

"No, your insinuation is enough, Callen." She snapped. How dare he assume anything about her? It brought her back to the day they met, when he was possibly the most cruel he could have ever been, and it made her angry again.

"I said it wrong, then. Ay, I keep saying everything wrong." He ran his hand through his hair, and grabbed the back of his neck. Tilting his head back, he looked at her and gave her a pleading look . "What I was trying to say, is you're twenty-five. Being your age and... Well. Being.. Lord, woman, help me here before I insult you further."

Amelia tilted her head, and let a smile form across her lips. "I don't know, I'm quite enjoying you stumbling across your words like that."

"What I'm trying to say is that I was ten years younger than you when I was in your situation. I remember how scared I was," he said. He took a large gulp of his coffee and let it burn his mouth before swallowing. "I know that you were scared too. I don't want you to be afraid of me, Amelia."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"I don't want you to regret what we did."

"I don't regret it."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

Amelia hung her head, and her shoulders slacked. "You questioning me, this, maybe you should tell me something. Maybe the truth."

"What do you think is the truth, Amelia?"

"You regret it." She said softly. "Like when you kissed me. Like when you wanted me to stay after all." She looked at him, her face stoic, her eyes sad. "Just say it."

Callen stared at her, his features soft. "Come have a sit with me, Amelia. I know it's not comfortable to stand right now. But you're a trooper for tryin'."

Amelia mentally cursed his correct assumption, and walked towards the living room, sitting on the sofa, carefully avoiding the clean cushion. Callen didn't seem to care, taking her coffee mug and setting both of them on the table before sitting on it directly, and turning his bare chest to face her.

She brought her legs to her chest and avoided his gaze. "So. I guess we're gonna talk about it despite my objections."

"Yes. Avoiding things is not good. Is this why you were uncomfortable at the Bistro?" Callen reached for her face, and brought her to face him. "With what I said to scare Samuel."

"Part of it."

"What's the rest of it?"

"You assumed that I was a slut based on how I dressed." Amelia said quietly. "Assumed I was loose based on where I was from. Just like Kenny did."

"Not entirely true," Callen responded. "Mostly I assumed you had been with a man before because you're twenty-five, and a virgin at that age is almost unheard of."

Amelia turned away. "Oh well. Not anymore, I guess."

"So. You've never had a boyfriend, or-"

"I just never found someone I wanted like that." She said. "I've had boyfriends. Just not for long."

He stopped. "Okay."

She turned to him, carefully moving her legs. "Are you mad at me?"

Callen smiled, genuinely warmed by her concerns. "Not in the least. I just wish I had known."

"What difference would it have made Callen?" Amelia shrugged. "Would you have stopped even if I wanted you to keep going?"

He shook his head, and leaned against the back of the sofa. Reaching for her hand, he pressed her wrist to his lips. "You remember I asked if you wanted to stop, and I didn't when you said you wanted to keep going. However, I would have done things a whole lot differently"

"Well," She sighed. "It's over now."

"Is it?"

"Isn't it?"

"Hm." Callen laced his fingers in between hers, stroking her thumb. "I'm not so sure about that."

"Oh, hell no." Amelia pulled her hand away. "There's no obligation here."

"Obligation?" He blinked. "Wait, what are you running your mouth about?"

"You arent obligated to be with me, date me, or anything like that, Callen." Amelia shrugged. "It was s*x. It was a one-time thing."

"One time." Callen laughed. "One time? Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Why would we do that again?"

Callen moved closer to her, and wrapped an arm about her back, pulling her close. "When it comes to you I don't have the slightest idea of what I want. But I do know I don't want that to be a one-time thing."

Amelia slowly nodded. "So. Last night. It wasn't just s*x then."

"Was it for you?"

"I don't know what it was."

He leaned his chin on the top of her head. "I don't want last night to have been a painful mistake."

"I don't consider it a mistake." Amelia tried to pull away, but he didn't let her. "Callen, we don't have to talk about it."

"But we need to. I need to know." His arms tightened over her. "Amelia, how do you feel about me?"

"I feel..." she started, then stopped. "I don't know."

"Amelia, you said you never wanted anyone like that before." He pressed his lips into her hair. "But you wanted me. Why am I different?"

She shook a little, and leaned into him. "I don't know. You're just different. I saw it when you came to Jules. I saw you. I saw no one else. Then I met your kids, I saw your life, I experienced everything here, and it felt like it was right. At least for me. I got to know you. Know who you were. I trusted you."

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Thank you Amelia. For trusting me."

"Better you than a stranger. Or Kenny." She sneered. "Ugh."

He smirked, and chuckled, holding her tighter. "I don't want last night to be the last time. But it will be if that's what you want." Amelia remained quiet. Callen hugged her, hard, and kissed the top of her head. "Come with me to Arya's party?" Callen asked. "Wear that damn dress that makes tongues wag. Dance with me like it's just us in the room. Watch me as I cold clock Kenny. It'll be marvelous."

Amelia snickered. "Like you'd hit him."

"Oh, I'm going to hit him."

"Oh my God, Callen." She pulled away, smiling. "You can't do anything like that."

"Sure I can." He shrugged. "Look at me, look at him. Who can take who?"

"You goof." Amelia leaned against his chest, and wrapped her arms around his chest and back. Callen leaned back, giving her more comfort. "Callen, what do you want to do? About us."

He sighed softly, wrapping his arms over her. "See where this goes. Let you take those steps. I've been down this road before. You haven't. I want you to make the choices for us."

"Okay." Amelia held him tight. "Then the first choice I want to make is go to Arya's engagement party. But no hitting Kenny there."

"You're absolutely no fun."

"Ha." She looked up at him, and traced his face with her eyes. "Why did you sign those papers yesterday, Callen?"

He swallowed, catching her gaze with his. "Just felt like the right time, Amelia."

"After four years?"

"Sometimes the right thing just happens," Callen said.

And she smiled. And it was the most beautiful thing that could have happened since he saw her in that dress.

Without any resistance on his part, Callen pressed his lips to hers softly, and stroked her cheek. "Arya's engagement party. You. Me. The girls. Ainsley in her lovely dress that makes her look sixteen and not eleven. Fiona in that horrible tutu you allowed her to get against me will. Let's go together. Then let's see what happens. Deal?"

Amelia nodded and leaned against his chest. Relaxing further, he stroked her hair, tangling his fingers in the colored strands while smothering the burning inside his heart.

-----

Callen had asked her to make dinner and wait for Ainsley, while he did grocery shopping, picked up Fiona, and dropped some paperwork in the mail. Amelia happily chirped that there was no problem with his request, and even kissed him with a peck on the cheek before he left. He hid his grin, feeling awkward and warm when she did that. It was comforting to have a woman in the house again, and even better it was her. She wasn't his mum. She was someone else, someone vibrant and alive, and made his feelings dance.

He was still deciding if he liked it, but was coming close to realizing he would miss it.

They discussed that around the girls, they would remain discreet. His children didn't need any more confusion. Amelia would stay on his payroll indefinitely, until she left, and he would provide her with a month's salary once she did, in case things wouldn't work out. However, he didn't see how they couldn't. She made his house a home, and his children happy, as confirmed by the bubbly Fiona in his car, her happy babbling and excitement over seeing him and questioning where Amelia was. He gave her a toy and turned it into some childish songs and clicked a game for her and she remained silent for a few blissful moments.

Groceries in the boot, his phone rang over his blue tooth. He recognized Amelia's ring tone and smiled as he answered it. "Hello lover."

"Callen!" She exclaimed. "Fiona is listening!"

"She's on her tablet right now listening to some god awful Baby Shark music and playing a game." Callen laughed. "What's up? Did you need anything?"

"Yes." Amelia said, her voice low, almost sultry. It gave him a tingle down his spine. "I need you..."

"Oh, do continue."

"...to come home as soon as possible..."

"Liking this."

"....because Ainsley just started and I need to take her to the store." Amelia finished.

Callen blinked. "I... that's not where I assumed this was going. What do you mean just started?"

"Her monthly, Callen," Amelia whispered. "She's upstairs in my room right now. No one really explained to the girl that she's not bleeding to death."

"Jesus,"Callen whispered. "Isn't she a bit young? Shes only twelve."

"She's thirteen in two months, Callen. She's at the right age. I have some stuff, but not a lot. And besides, she needs her own stash." He heard her looking through some cabinets. "You seriously lack chocolate in this house. How old was Arya when she started? Or your mom?"

He swallowed. "We never exactly talked about those things."

"So male." Amelia yelped with joy. "Found some cocoa. You don't bake. Why do you have cocoa?"

Callen cleared his throat. "You like it in your coffee."

"You know how I take my coffee?"

"Of course." He rolled his eyes so hard he knew she should have felt it over the line. "Ungodly amounts of sugar, insane amounts of chocolate, some of that god awful whipping cream, and a drop of fresh brew at the top. Really Amelia, how are you not a diabetic mess weighing thirty stone?"

She hmph'd into the phone. "Excuse me sir, that coffee keeps me curvy."

"Remind me to profusely thank that coffee and every damn day of my existence." Callen grinned, and pulled into a petrol station. He unlatched his belt and reached behind him to start unhooking Fiona."Chocolate, right? Assuming Ainsley, something with peanuts as well. God, we have a shite selection."

"Mm Hmm." Amelia chuckled softly. "Get a massive selection, and get home soon. She's a moody one."

"Of course I will. On my way now actually. Be there at about fifteen." Distantly he heard the doorbell ring. "Someone at the door?"

"Mhm. I just heard Ainslee run down the stairs to it. I'll check to see who it is."

He reached through the open back of his car, and pulled Fiona into his arms. Listening carefully, he heard Ainsley's joyful shouts and laughter. He frowned. Who did she know that would make her happy like that? He then heard Amelia tell Ainsley to go upstairs and not come down until she was told. Ainsley argued a bit, but relented.

"Callen how far out are you?" Amelia came back on the phone. She sounded rushed. He didn't like it.

"I'm ten minutes out, grabbing food for the blood beast. Amelia, who's here?"

"It's Kenny."

"Do not let him be there when I come home." When he disconnected, he looked at Fiona, and buckled her back into her seat. Handing her a tablet, he put a game on and set some earphones on her tiny ears before kissing her forehead. As long as she's distracted, she won't get angry at just how many lights and stops signs he would ignore to get home.

-----

"You need to leave," Amelia said. "Callen will be home any minute."

"I understand Amelia. But I need you to listen to me." Kenny walked towards her, his hands outstretched. "I need to explain what happened."

"You tried to assault me, you ass!" She growled at him. "I told you no!"

"I know, Amelia, I know! I just need to explain." He sounded desperate, rushed. "I need you to understand. I didn't mean to. I drank far more than I should have. I just figured with how we were getting on-"

"It gave you the right to grab at me?" She snapped back. He flinched at her words. "You need to leave. Now. Callen's almost home."

Kenny's eyes went wide. "You... you didn't tell him, did you?"

Amelia silently nodded. Kenny groaned and ran his hands through his hair. "Amelia, that was stupid. You could ruin my friendship, my career!"

"You ruined those when you tried to do what you did." She snapped back at him. "Now leave. You need to go."

The door behind him opened slowly. Fiona ran inside, straight to Amelia and wrapped around her legs. Amelia picked her up and hugged her, and whispered in her ear. Fiona nodded and ran to the stairs leading up towards her room. When Amelia looked up, Callen stood there, grocery bags in hand, behind Kenny.

And he was seething.

"Callen, give me those." She rushed passed Kenny and grabbed the bags, pulling them in her arms. "Don't do anything. Please. Just get him to leave."

"Why would I have him leave Amelia?" Callen responded. His eyes never left Kenny. "He just saved me a trip to go to his place and say hello."

"Callen, no." Amelia put the groceries down, and stepped in between them. She pushed her palms against his broad chest to stop him. "Just make him leave."

"Is there a reason y'put your hands on Amelia, Kenny?" Callen moved towards the other man slowly. "She means quite a bit to me and me girls, I believe you realized that."

"Callen, please," Amelia grabbed his arm, and pressed her hands over his clenched fist. "Don't do anything. Kenny. You need to go. Now!"

"I would be quite a shitty host, my Amelia, if I didn't make a guest feel at home." Callen remained calm, speaking to Kenny as a slight smile came to his lips.

Kenny backed away, waving his hands. "Callen, remember, I'm your friend. She's just a girl. Like Arya. Remember?"

"Oh, yes, now I remember you sleeping with me ex-wife." He still stalked towards the other man, gently shaking Amelia off his arm as she stood aside in shock. "But you also tried assaulting the woman who made me forget about it."

"Callen, my good man, please, let me explain-"

"Then explain." He still stalked towards him. "Tell me how you felt it was alright to force yourself on Amelia."

"Look, I thought it was what she wanted, alright? I thought it was what she wanted." Kenny shrugged helplessly, his eyes darting for an escape. "But nothing happened!"

"Why were her clothes torn?"

"Because she pushed me off of her!" Kenny's backside hit the dining room table. " Then she bit me and hit me. I thought she wanted it rough, so I went with it. I wasn't thinking. I had too many drinks-"

Kenny didn't make a sound as Callen jumped on him, his hands around his throat. The younger man choked out a scream, drool pooling in the corner of his mouth as Callen bent him backwards onto the table. "Amelia," Callen said calmly as the man below him struggled. "You're going to want to leave."

"Callen, please, let him go-"

"I said leave Amelia." He almost growled at her. "You don't want to see this. I'm going to do to him exactly what he thought he could do to you."

"Callen!" Amelia shouted. "He just tried things. It doesn't matter now. Please, just stop."

"You said he tried to feel you up." Callen stared at Kenny, and grabbed the man's flailing wrists and trapped his arms over his head. He held one large palm over the man's neck, and slowly squeezed. "You didn't say he tried to do worse."

"Callen, please, get off of him." Amelia reached around his shoulders and pulled with all her strength. Callen relented and pulled away from a coughing Kenny.

"Explain." Callen said, with the coldest look he could provide. Kenny gripped the side of the table, coughing harshly. "Did you climb on top of Amelia and try to hurt her?"

Kenny nodded slowly, wiping his mouth and looking away.

Callen turned to Amelia. "Go upstairs. Watch the girls. Don't come down until I tell you to."

"Callen, no."

"Put on headphones. Make the girls listen to something loud."

She shook her head. "No."

Walking closer to her, Callen stared down at her. "I don't want you to see this side of me. You need to go upstairs to the girls."

Taking a deep breath, Amelia stood her ground. She wrapped her arms around his tight shoulders and pulled him close. "I don't want you to do this. Just make him leave Callen."

His arms slowly molded around her waist, his chin pressing into her shoulder. His mouth found her neck, then her cheek, then her lips, before he pressed her close to his chest. "Kenny," he growled. "Get the f**k out me house. If I see you again, not even she can save you."

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry." Kenny coughed, grunting. "I'm so sorry Amelia, Callen. I had too much to drink. I wasn't thinking."

"Have you had too much to drink right now?" Callen snarled at him, unmoving. "Because you're still in my f*****g home. Get out before she tires of holding me back."

Kenny nodded and walked passed him towards the door. He stopped for a second and turned around, staring at them both, Callen meeting his gaze with a deathly cold stare. "Callen," he said quietly. "If I had known how you felt about her I would never have asked her out."

"Get out."

"You didn't say anything about this, but I should have known. I don't want to lose you as me friend, Callen." Kenny said softly. "Please understand-"

Callen pushed Amelia aside and walked to the other man. Kenny quickly pulled the door open and rushed outside, running down the path to his car. Callen followed, fist clenched, while Kenny jumped into his car. Jamming the keys in the ignition, he screamed when a fist barreled through his window, and gripped his collar.

Pulling him through, Callen stared into Kenny's scared eyes. "Come near her again, and I'll f*****g eviscerate you. Your own mum won't be able to recognize you when I'm done and you'll be eating through a f*****g tube for life. Got it?"

Kenny nodded quickly. Callen thrust him away and pulled his hand through the broken window, leaving a trail of blood in the car. He stepped back as Kenny sped away, and glared at the marks the other man left in the road. Turning back to the house he stomped to the front door, opening it wide before slamming it behind him. He glared at the ground and watched as red blood splattered before cursing and wrapping his hand in his shirt.

"Dad?" Ainsley said softly. His head snapped up, and saw his daughters wrapped around Amelia, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Ainslee? Fiona?" Callen sputtered. "Amelia, why are they down here?"

"They heard you shouting, Callen. They were worried." Amelia hugged Ainsley, and pressed a soothing hand against Fiona's back. "I just told them you fell and hurt your hand. Didn't you? And now I'm taking both of them out to dinner so they don't have to see what a mess their dad's clumsiness made. And he'll be joining us as soon as he cleans up."

He could have kissed her right then and there if she hadn't looked so afraid of him. Amelia asked Ainsley to get her coat and picked up Fiona. She gave Callen a quick nod as he handed her his car keys and exited the door.

Ainsley came out and pulled her coat on over her shoulders, staring at Callen. "Dad," she said quietly. "What did uncle Kenny do?"

"Nothing of any importance darling." He said with a smile. "Head on to your room now."

"Did he do something to Amelia?" Ainsley asked quietly.

Callen looked at her, then Amelia, and then back to his daughter. "Darling, that is something between all of us. We can talk about it later, alright?"

She nodded, and walked to him and hugged him hard. "I love you. I'll let this one go until I'm the appropriate age. Okay?"

Kissing the top of her head and thanking the stars for his brilliant child, he nodded. "Of course darling. Of course."