I smiled my entire bike ride to work.

It was really sweet of Calum to take me home last night when I was sleeping. Honestly, I had enjoyed watching his kids; they were funny, cute and very sweet.

Though I had to admit, I was a little bit embarrassed that I had fallen asleep on Calum's sofa and he had to take me home.

When I got to Connie's I was the only person there because I was opening the shop today.

I unlocked the door and then locked it back behind me before turning on the lights.

Kate came in ten minutes later, the both of us tired.

"How was babysitting last night?" She yawned.

"Good. Calum's kids are really sweet."

"Yeah, they are."

"How is your grandmother?" I asked.

"She's doing okay. She's been better." She gave me a little smile.

We had a coffee maker in the back and I went to make Kate and I both a mug.

Today was hectic unfortunately.

We had several busses come in within the first hour, and several more before the lunch rush came in.

After the lunch rush there was a little reprieve until I heard the bell and looked up to see Calum, Luke, Michael, and Ashton walk in.

"Hey." I smiled as they entered.

They said hello and waved back before coming up to the counter to order their food.

"So how are you liking Dahlonega so far?" Michael asked me.

"I like it." I smiled at him.

"Little different from New York huh?" Luke smirked.

"Just a little." I handed him back his change.

As Calum stepped up to the register I smiled up at him.

"Thank you, again, for last night. The kids had a blast, really. Eli wants you to come back as soon as you can." He chuckled and I joined in.

"I had fun. They're really cute. Any time you need a babysitter just let me know."

"I will."

"Oh, and thanks for taking me home again. Sorry for falling asleep." I blushed as I tucked some hair behind my ear as I bashfully looked up at him.

"It was no problem, honestly. You're cute when you sleep."

He said the last part and then mumbled his words so I wasn't sure if he had said what I thought he did.

His eyes went wide when mine did and his cheeks flared.

"What?"

"Nothing. Uh, nothing." He shook his head.

"No, tell me."

"I...I...uh-I said...you're...cute...when you sleep." He managed to get the words out and I smiled at my victory before taking the five dollar bill out of his hand.

He watched me as I made change and then handed it back to him, letting my fingertips touch his.

"Would you like to uh-"

He began and then paused and I looked at him, patiently waiting.

Was he going to ask me out on a date?

"Would you like to..."

"Would I like to....?" I repeated and he shook his head before continuing.

"Would you uh, like to watch the kids sometime next week?" His words were so rushed and he stumbled over them.

It wasn't the question I was hoping for, but....

"Sure. I'd love to."

"Cool." He said and then nodded once before walking off, looking down at the ground.

My shoulders slumped once the door closed and he was gone.

"Well that was...interesting." Kate commented as she came up next to me. "You look sad."

"I thought he was going to ask me out on a date..." I sighed.

"Maybe he just chickened out." She suggested.

"But why? Im not that hard to talk to."

"No, but its been a while since he's been out with anyone, maybe he's just nervous."

I nodded.

"I just wish I knew if he was even into me, because I don't want to hang onto this if he's not even interested."

"Well, I think he is, but I don't know. I can ask the guys and see if Calum has said anything."

I gave her a grateful smile.

After work I went to my house where I decided to drown my confusion in ice-cream and frozen waffles.

The television played some dumb soap opera and as I was reaching for the remote to change the channel my phone went off, alerting me that I had a text.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw Calum's name.

'Would you be free to watch the boys tomorrow night?'

'Yes. What time?'

'6:30.'

'Sure.'

'Thanks :) '

My heart fluttered around in my chest like a butterfly having a seizure. I don't know why, but I always thought it was cute when boys sent smiley faces in text messages.

I set my phone down and smiled to myself as I watched the television, daydreaming about how a date would go with Calum.

Twenty minutes went by when suddenly my phone rang.

Thinking it might be Calum I shot up but it only rang once before stopping.

I froze and it rang again.

It was either my father, Dawson, or Jess.

I gently picked up the phone and pressed the answer button.

"Hello?"

"Abby?"

It was Dawson.

"Hey." I sighed in relief.

"Where are you?"

"I'm still in Dahlonega."

"Okay. Are you going to stay there?"

"Yeah. I actually like it here. Did you speak to Jess and tell her I was okay?"

"Not yet. I've been trying to get a message to her but the Black Wolves have her on lockdown."

"Poor Jess." I frowned. "This is all my fault."

"No it's not, Abby." Dawson said. "It's not your fault."

"But it is...." I whispered.

There were a few moments of silence.

"Send me your address, I'm going to come visit you." Dawson said.

"You are?"

"I have to check up on my best friend, right?"

"Aw, Dawson, you're the best. When are you coming?"

"I'll be there soon."

Dawson and I didn't talk for much longer, it was dangerous to stay on the line for a long time.

The next day I arrived at work at 8 am and was immediately greeted by a bus group.

Their sour morning attitudes were very displeasing but I was forced to smile my way through it.

Kate and I shared eye rolls at the super annoying customers when they weren't looking and by lunch I was ready to smack the hot pink lipstick off any bitchy middle aged lady that came in complaining about her feet hurting.

But all of that changed when Calum walked into the corner store with Luke, Michael, and Ashton.

"Hey Nessa, hey Kate." He smiled at us as he walked in.

"Hey." Kate and I both responded.

Kate made the sandwiches as always while I handled the register and Calum stepped up last, handing me a five dollar bill.

"Thanks so much for keeping the boys tonight; they are both super excited you're coming over." He said.

"Aw." I smiled. "I'm excited as well, we're going to have fun." I responded as I made his change and then handed it to him. "I'll see you at 6:30?"

"Yeah." He smiled as he dropped his change in the jar and then waved at me as he left.

When the door closed behind then I let out a groan and flopped onto the counter, Kate giggling behind me.

"He's so CUTE!" I whined dramatically.

"Mhmm, and I know for a fact that he thinks you're cute too." She said suggestively and I shot up straight, whipping around to see her smirking.

"Are you serious?" I squealed.

"Yes." She laughed. "Apparently when he and Luke were on patrol the other night when you watched the kids Luke got him to spill that he thought you were cute."

"But is he into me. That's the question."

"Well he's definitely attracted to you
according to Luke."

"Do you think he's going to act on it?"

"I don't know, Nessa. I hope he does. I think the two of you would be great together, and after Meredith he needs someone like you."

"Meredith?"

"That was his wife."

"Oh." I dropped my shoulders. "I saw her picture at his house, she was really pretty."

"Yeah, but she was also the towns biggest bitch."

"Kate! Isn't it like bad karma to talk bad about dead people?"

"I don't care, honestly."

"So if Meredith was so mean then why was Calum with her?"

"Maybe he saw something in her no one else did. They say love is blind. But she treated him horribly. All she wanted to do was shop and spend all of the money they made while Calum is a saver, and they almost went bankrupt a couple times. And when she got pregnant Calum was so excited and she was so angry. She didn't want to "ruin her body", and then was even more upset when they got pregnant again. There was talk about them getting a divorce and everyone thought Calum was finally going to go through with it, but then she got sick and only had a few months left and Calum didn't leave her side."

I didn't know what to say.

"That's why he needs someone who wants the same things as him."

"Yeah." I nodded.

I didn't know how to feel the rest of the day.

I wondered why Calum would stay with someone who didn't want the same things as him. Especially if he wanted children and she didn't.

After work I went home to change clothes and make myself look nice-ish, and then waited until it was time to leave for Calum's.

I hopped on my bike and made my way over to his neighbourhood and found his house again, walking my bike up the sidewalk and leaning it against the porch railing before walking up and knocking at the door.

Not seconds later it flung open and Eli stood there with a massive grin on his face.

"Nessa!" He exclaimed and jumped into my arms.

"Hey." I laughed as I hugged him.

"I have The Jungle Book movie in the movie player!"

"Awesome. Then we are all set."

I set Eli down and walked inside.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Eli yelled and soon Calum walked out of the hallway.

But my cheeks flared and eyes went wide when he stepped out in only boxer briefs and a white tee shirt. His eyes went wide when he saw me and he backed up to hide himself behind a wall, only sticking his head out.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were here." He blushed heavily.

"It's okay." I coughed and he cleared his throat.

"I'm going to uh- finish getting dressed." He stuttered before going back to his room.

I walked to the living room where Eli jumped onto the sofa where Cade was playing with a stuffed lion.

"Hi, Cade." I gasped playfully and picked him up to rub my nose against his.

He laughed as I did this and he reached out to hold onto my hair.

When I set him down on my lap I noticed his diaper was wet.

"Let's go get you in a new diaper." I smiled as I picked him up again and carried him to the kids room where I laid him down on the changing table.

"You don't have to do that." Calum's voice came from behind me and I looked over my shoulder to see him standing at the doorway before he walked in (fully dressed I might add).

"It's fine, i've got it." I smiled and turned back to Cade.

"I can do it." He said as he stepped up next to me.

"I know you can, I'm just telling you that you don't have to." I smirked as I said this, putting a new diaper on Cade.

"I'm still home though, so I can do it."

"Aren't you paying me to do this?" I raised my eyebrows and he smiled as he shook his head.

"Fine." He said and leaned against the changing table as I re-dressed Cade and then picked him up, Cade grabbing onto my hair again.

"Cade, don't pull her hair." Calum suddenly reached forward and took Cades' hand off my hair.

"He's fine. He can play with my hair, I don't mind." I said to Calum.

"I thought women didn't like when people touched their hair." Calum said as we began to walk out of the room.

"Really? I love when people play with my hair. It's relaxing." I said and saw a weird look cross over his face before he nodded.

We walked back into the living room where I sat down on the sofa and placed Cade in my lap.

"Nessa can we have mac n' cheese for dinner?" Eli climbed up next to me.

"If you have all of the stuff we need to make it then sure." I told him.

"We do." Calum said from behind me.

"Daddy, why are you still here? It's our time with Nessa now." Eli frowned at Calum and crossed his arms over his little chest.

"I don't have to leave for work right this minute, excuse you. And this is my house, I can leave when I want."

"But Nessa came to see us!"

"Well maybe I want to see Nessa too." Calum remarked and my eyes went wide. I turned to look at him and he met my gaze before awkwardly scratching at the back of his neck.

I gave him a smile and then turned back to Cade who was pressing his hands on my chest.

As I baby talked to Cade, Calum went back to get his belt that had his gun and other things, and then came back.

"Okay, come tell me bye." Calum said as he walked back in.

Eli jumped off the couch and I stood up with Cade in my arms.

"Bye Daddy." Eli hugged Calum.

"Bye bud. Be good for Nessa, she will tell me if you aren't."

"I'll be good for Nessa!" Eli nodded then ran back over and flung his arms around me, causing me to laugh.

"Okay, bye Cade. Be good bubba." Calum stepped up to me and bent down to kiss Cade.

He was really close to me and I could smell his cologne.

I wanted nothing more than to kiss him when he looked up at me but I couldn't, not here, so I had to hold myself back.

"See you later, call me if you need anything." Calum patted my arm and I nodded, giving him a smile.

"We'll be fine." I said, bouncing Cade lightly.

Calum walked to the door and I wanted to say something but didn't know what, but made up something.

"Calum." I said and he turned around. "Uh- be safe."

He smiled at this.

"I will."

Calum then left and I left out a breath before turning back to Cade and Eli.

"Okay, how about you two help me make mac and cheese, does that sound fun?"

"Yes!" Eli ran to the kitchen and I laughed as I carried Cade to the kitchen.

Eli helped me cook and find ingredients while I held Cade, making sure he didn't get his hands too close to the hot pot.

When dinner was ready I scooped the mac n' cheese into plastic bowls and set them at the table so they could eat.

I spent a majority of my time cleaning up Cade and his area that was covered in cheese.

Once they we were finished eating, Eli helped me clean up the kitchen.

"Okay, why don't we take baths and change into pajamas and then watch the movie." I suggested and Eli agreed.

I took them to the bathroom where I got them both in the bath, Eli deciding he wanted to help me bathe Cade who sat in the water splashing around, the smile never leaving his lips.

After the two little boys were scrubbed up and squeaky clean, I pulled them out of the water and took them to the bedroom where I dried them off and helped them get into their pajamas.

"Okay, its movie time, lets go." I took Eli's hand as I continued to hold Cade and we made our way to the living room where I grabbed the remote and a blanket.

I sat on the couch and put my feet up across the cushions, Cade and Eli sitting on my lap.

I pressed play on the movie while I spread the blanket over us, Cade immediately snuggling into me and the blanket.

"Cade, don't go to sleep." Eli whined.

"He's tired, Eli. He's littler than you and he needs more sleep." I reminded him.

"Daddy says he wishes he got more sleep." Eli said and I chuckled.

"Well, your Daddy works a very important job and also has to take care of you two, so he does need sleep so he can be the best Daddy to you and Cade."

"I always wake him up in the morning and he gets cranky." Eli frowned.

"Why do you wake him up?"

"Because I want him to make me cereal."

"Well what about tomorrow, you make your own cereal, and let your Daddy sleep, and maybe be extra nice and make him some cereal too."

Eli nodded happily at this.

"I think your Daddy would love that and be very thankful."

"I can do that. I'm a big kid."

"That's right." I smiled at him.

We then began to watch the movie and before I knew it both Eli and Cade were asleep.

I heard my phone go off from where it was resting on the coffee table.

It was a text from Calum.

'How's it going?'

I decided to send him a photo of both boys asleep on me as my response.

'So it's going good? Lol'

'Everything's great! :) '

I held both boys on the sofa for a little longer before sliding out from beneath them, picking up Cade first.

I carried him off to the boys room and laid him down in his crib and then went back for Eli, carrying him to bed as well.

As I tucked him in I heard noises from behind me and turned to see Cade waking up.

"Oh, I forgot, you like to be rocked to sleep." I went over and picked him up before sitting down in the rocking chair, cradling Cade in my arms.

As I rocked him to sleep I watched his brown eyes close, his thick eyelashes occasionally fluttering.

He was so sweet.

I couldn't wait till I had kids one day.

If I ever would have kids...If the Black Wolves didn't find me and kill me first.

As to not stress myself out I stood up and placed Cade back in his crib.

Quietly, I left the kids room and went back to the living room where I cleaned up by putting away toys, straightening out pillows, and picking up crushed up gold fish off the carpet.

Then like last time I took a seat on the sofa and covered up with a blanket, turning off the movie and putting the television on the news.

It was national news and I watched as the anchors discussed some new bill Congress vetoed that didn't interest me and I was about to change the channel when they switched to a segment that really caught my attention.

"Police have identified one of the men involved in the shooting that took place on public New York streets in the middle of rush hour earlier this month. In the video you can see two men and a female, all armed and firing at each other. Police have been able to identify one of the men as Carlos Sanchez. Police say he is most likely armed and dangerous and on the run. If you have any information on Carlos Sanchez or the other two suspects involved, call the police."

I was staring at a photo of Carlos on the screen, a mug shot from years prior when he was arrested for robbing a jewelry store...with my brother.

"That's crazy, huh. A shooting in the middle of a busy street."

I gasped when I heard a voice behind me and whipped around only to me met with Calum standing behind me.

I don't know why but tears pricked at my eyes and I placed my hand over my heart, panic still flooding through me.

"Woah, hey i'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Calum approached me and I sucked in a sharp breath as I tried to calm myself down.

"I didn't mean to make you cry, i'm sorry." Calum frowned as he crouched in front of me.

"It's okay, you just frightened me that's all." I wiped at my eyes and took a few deep breaths. "What are you doing here, I thought you were working?" I tried to change the subject.

"I am, but Luke and I stopped to get coffee and I thought you might like some." He said and I noticed a Starbucks cup in his hand.

"That's really sweet, thank you." I gave him a little smile.

"Are you gonna be okay?" He asked with concern.

"I'm fine. I'm just really jumpy."

"Sorry. Uh- would a hug be okay?"

At this my cheeks began to flare in a blush but I nodded my head and he set the coffee on the table and then moved closer.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as his wound around my back as he hugged me.

It lasted for a little under a minute, but I think I would forever remember how it felt.

His arms were warm and strong but still gentle as they held me. I could smell his cologne and just the intoxicating smell of him, and feel his chin on the side of my head.

When we pulled away I wiped away the last droplets of tears and gave him a little smile that he matched.

"I uh- didn't know what your drink was so I got you a regular coffee. We have cream and sugar if you want that." He reached for the cup and handed it to me.

"Thanks, this is perfect."

"I'm just gonna check on the boys really quick." He then stood up and walked back to the boys room for a few moments then came back in.

"I'll be back later. Thanks for watching them and sorry for scaring you."

"It's all good." I said and he nodded before ducking out the front door.

I released a pent up breath and shakily brought the cup to my lips.

How would I ever be able to be with someone without telling them that I had killed someone...

Immediately I shook that thought out of my head.

No.

I wasn't Abby Whitfield anymore.

I was Nessa Rothchester, and I would forever be her.

As the night went on I finished the coffee Calum had brought me and lounged on the sofa as I waited for him to return.

It was getting late and despite the coffee in my system my eyes were dropping and I was getting pretty exhausted.

I rested my head on the arm of the sofa and soon drifted off to sleep.

What felt like seconds later I felt movement.

My eyes fluttered open but there was darkness and I realized I was outside and someone was carrying me.

I knew these arms from earlier, they were Calum's arms.

I closed my eyes and turned my head so that I would be facing him and heard him chuckle before I felt myself being placed in a car.

Calum carefully put the seat belt over me and then softly closed the door before I heard him get in the drivers side and close his door, starting the car.

He turned the already quiet music even quieter and began to drive.

I could "wake up" but I wanted to feel his arms around me again.

So I pretended to be asleep the entire drive.

The car stopped a few times at red lights before it finally stopped and he turned off the car, getting out and opening the trunk.

I heard him make a little noise and then it was gone and a minute later he opened the passenger door.

He unbuckled my seatbelt and then slid an arm behind my back and under my knees before lifting me out of the car.

I really wanted him to ask me out, like really badly, and I knew he was attracted to me, so maybe I should try and get the ball rolling.

Still pretending to be asleep, I moved to wrap my arms around his neck and I felt his chest stop moving before he exhaled. My face was right under his, my head now on his shoulder.

I felt him climb the steps and then his fingers at my waist as he pulled my keys from my pocket and then unlocked my door.

He turned on the hall light and I hid my eyelids from the light to which he chuckled again and then proceeded to walk to my bedroom.

He flung back the blankets and then laid me down before covering me up again.

I then heard the sound of him unfolding his wallet and setting something on my nightstand. Probably the money for babysitting.

I figured he was about to leave but then I felt his hand touch my arm.

"Night, Nessa." He whispered and then left.

I heard my front door close and opened my eyes, a stupidly cheesy grin appearing on my face.

Maybe he would finally ask me out.

Please, God, let Calum ask me out.

--

Yay new chapter!

So do you think Calum will do it or will he chicken out again?

Hmmmm

Much love xx -M