When I woke up in the morning I smiled at the thought of last night with Calum.

He was really sweet, and I really liked him.

I showered and dressed in shorts and a v neck
white shirt then put a red cardigan in my bag because it got cold in the store.

After brushing my teeth, braiding my short hair and putting on a spot of makeup I hopped on to my bike outside and left for work.

Kate was there when I arrived and smiled at me as I walked in.

"Good morning, Kate."

"Morning, Ness. How was last night?" She asked as I set my bag on the counter and took my sweater out of it.

"It was perfect after I hugged Calum and then felt him carry me to his car so he could take me home."

"What?!" She squeaked. "Tell me everything!"

"So I was watching tv and all of the sudden he said something behind me and I wasn't expecting him to be there, and I started to cry a little because he had scared me, but he felt really bad and hugged me to make me feel better. And he brought me coffee which was really sweet, and then I fell asleep but woke up to him carrying me, and I pretended to be asleep. And he took me home and put me in my bed, and then he like leaned in really close and whispered goodnight to me and," I sighed happily, "It was so sweet."

"Oh my God why won't you two date already?!"

"Exactly!" I exclaimed. "He's just so sweet and I want to get to know him better and every time I look at him I just want to kiss him and ugh...I don't know how much longer I can stand this."

"Well I don't think you'll have to wait much longer because here he comes." Kate said as she looked towards the door.

"What?" My eyes went wide and looked to see Calum about to walk in.

I stood up straight as he opened the door and I noticed he had a coffee carrier in his hands.

"Hey!" He smiled brightly as he walked in.

"Hey." Kate and I both said back.

Calum walked up to the counter and then passed me a coffee.

"Oh. Uh- thank you, but you didn't have to bring me coffee."

"It was no problem, I was getting drinks for the guys and thought you might like something."

"I should be the one bringing you coffee since you took me home last night. Sorry for falling asleep again."

"It's fine. I know I get back late. And next time you can get me the coffee."

"Deal." I laughed as he smiled a very charming smile at me.

"So Eli woke me up with breakfast in bed this morning, I'm going to guess you were the one who put him up to that."

"I might have given him the idea." I smirked. "He's very sweet and wanted to do something since he knows you work a very important job."

"Well it was really cute. He told me that you said he should start making his own cereal since he was a big kid and not wake me up to do it for him."

"Thought you might like the sleep." I shrugged and then took a sip of the coffee.

"It was great. Thanks."

My cheeks were red from the blush I got whenever I spoke to him and his were as well, and I tapped my foot against the ground as I looked down.

"So uh, about last night..." He began and I looked up. "I really am sorry for scaring you, I didn't mean to."

"Calum it's no big deal." I gave him a comforting smile and then realised I had reached out to place my hand on his.

I stared at my hand with wide eyes.

"So Calum, is there another reason you stopped by?" Kate suddenly asked and I pulled my hand back and placed it by my side.

"Uh." He said and looked at me before looking down. "Just wanted to drop off a coffee for Nessa to thank her for babysitting."

"Don't I get a coffee?" Kate asked.

"You don't like Starbucks coffee." He said and she rolled her eyes.

"I'll uh, see you two later." Calum then awkwardly backed away from the counter and waved before he left.

"Okay, he totally has a crush on you. Like, seriously." Kate said and I sighed.

"I just wish he'd do something about it." I whined.

"If he doesn't soon i'll say something to him." Kate said. "I'll do it, I don't care."

"Thanks, Kate." I smiled at her.

"Friends gotta stick together, right?" She smiled.

"Right." I answered her with a smile back.

Kate was a really good friend, and I was glad I met her.

Calum's PoV:

I walked into the police station and headed back to my shared office with Luke, thunking the drink carrier on my desk with a loud sigh causing Luke to look up.

"What's your problem?" Luke asked.

"I hate myself." I flopped down into my chair.

"Care to explain?" Luke raised an eyebrow.

"I just- just every time I try and ask Nessa out I panic."

"If you know she likes you then why are you so scared? She's obviously going to say yes."

"Because then what do I do after that?"

"Take her on the date? And if it's good then you take her on another one? It's not that hard. You've done this before."

"But this time it feels different..." I sighed.

"Maybe because, unlike Meredith, Nessa wants you the way you want her."

I sighed at Luke's words. He was right.

"Man, you deserve her, a girl like Nessa, she's perfect for you. So ask her out and see where it leads."

I nodded.

Why was I making this so difficult?

I gave Luke the coffee I had brought him and then started in on paperwork.

I had to file all of the citations I had issued over the past couple days.

But as I was typing at my computer my eyes kept wandering to the photos I had on my desk. I had several of Eli and Cade, but the one closest to my computer was one of Meredith.

As I stared at the photo every memory of my life with Meredith came rushing back to me.

Our wedding day, our first date where she had complained the whole night because it was raining, the day I had proposed to her and she said she loved her ring but went and exchanged it the next day for a more expensive one, the day we found out she was pregnant and she was absolutely livid, and when we found out she was pregnant the second time and she locked herself in the bathroom and cried for a day straight. And then when we found out she was sick. I had gone that same day to an attorney to get the divorce papers and brought them home for her to sign, but when I got home and she told me through her tears that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer, I threw the papers away. How could I divorce her when she was in that state?

After that I had felt so guilty for even considering divorcing her.

A part of me still did.

But there was also the part of me that knew I hadn't done anything wrong. I didn't know she was sick.

"Calum."

I shot up straight at the sound of Luke's voice.

"Let's go to lunch." He said and I nodded, standing up.

We met Ashton and Michael outside the police station and then began the walk to Connie's Corner Store, and when we walked up to the door I could see Nessa inside.

Her eyes met mine as we walked in, and I held her gaze, giving her a smile as we continued to the counter and I could see her cheeks get a little pink.

I ordered the number five sandwich from Kate like I did everyday, and then waited for Luke to pay before I stepped up.

I reached for my wallet and then handed Nessa a five dollar bill to which she gave back.

"What?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"This is my coffee." She said and I realized what she meant. "Your lunch is on me today."

I gave her a smile at this.

"Thanks."

"No problem, Officer Hood." She winked and then turned to get something.

I wanted to keep talking to her.

"Nessa." I said and she turned around, looking at me expectantly. "Would you...would you want to watch the boys every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night?"

Her shoulders dropped a little but she put on a smile.

"I'd love to." She said and I nodded, thanking her again before I left.

I was such a wimp.

The entire rest of my day at work I beat myself up over the fact that I didn't have the guts to just ask a girl out.

After work I drove to the daycare center and picked up Eli and Cade who were very energetic this morning.

"Daddy, I drew a picture of a dinosaur!" Eli bounced up and down next to me as I carried Cade out to the car.

"You did? That's awesome."

"It was green and had a blue tail!"

"That's cool. You'll have to show me."

Eli nodded enthusiastically and I got both him and Cade into their car seats before driving home.

I had a quiet night in with the boys, well relatively quiet.

Cade had a meltdown over Eli taking his toy, and I had to put Eli in timeout while I consoled my two year old.

But after his timeout I told Eli that Nessa was coming back tomorrow night and he got excited, and promised me he would act good.

The next day I had a little conversation with Nessa at lunch and she said she'd see me that night.

After work and picking up the kids early I went home and tried to get some sleep before getting up at six to shower and get dressed.

I heard the knock at the door at 6:30 and went to get it before Eli could.

"Hey." I smiled when it swung open to reveal Nessa on the other side.

"Hi." She smiled back.

I opened the door wider and she stepped inside.

She was wearing shorts and tee shirt with a sweater around her waist.

It accentuated the outline of her body I had to make myself stop staring at her like a creep.

I was about to ask her how her day was when Eli ran into the room and to Nessa, jumping in her arms to hug her.

"Nessa!"

"Hey, Eli." She laughed. "Do you have The Jungle Book ready for us to watch? We didn't get to finish the movie last time."

"I'll do that now!" Eli then ran off to the television.

"You don't have to watch the movie every time you come over." I said and Nessa smiled.

"I don't mind. It's what he wants to do."

I nodded.

"So uh, how was the rest of your day?" I asked.

"Good. Got some grocery shopping done and then looked at cars. You?"

"Caught up on sleep." I half smiled. "So you're getting a car?"

"Well hopefully. I don't have enough money for a down payment yet, but that's the eventual plan."

"Cool." I smiled. "Well when you get your Georgia State license let me know and I can get you in the front of the line."

"Thanks." She laughed and then walked over to the sofa where Cade was playing.

I watched as Nessa hugged Cade to her and walked over to sit on the sofa, a few inches away from her. I didn't want to overstep anything.

"He likes having you over." I commented as Cade wrapped his hands in Nessa's hair.

"He's so sweet." She smiled. "You've done a good job raising them."

"Thanks."

"You are such a sweetheart." She then lightly bumped her nose against Cade's and laughed when he did.

Glancing at the time on the clock I saw it was 6:40.

"I'm going to finish getting ready." I stood up.

"Okay." Nessa smiled up at me and I did so back before walking back to my room to put on my belt and hat.

When I walked back to the living room Nessa had Cade and Eli on the floor and they were building lego towers, Cade sitting in Nessa's lap.

"Well, I gotta go now." I said and Eli jumped up to hug me.

"Bye Daddy!" He said before running back over to build his tower.

I then walked over to Cade and Nessa and bent down to kiss the top of Cade's head which was close to Nessa. I could feel the heat from her skin and breathed in. She smelled like apples and cinnamon.

"See you later." I said.

"Bye Calum. Be safe at work."

"Yeah." I nodded and then left the house.

Luke was waiting by my car and I looked back as I got in the drivers seat to see Nessa laughing with Eli through the window.

"Someone's got it bad." Luke commented as he looked at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up." I sighed before driving off and to the station.

Luke and I got into our squad car after checking in and began our patrol around one of the more sketchy neighborhoods in town.

"I'm gonna do it." I said suddenly.

"Do what?" Luke asked.

"Ask Nessa out. Tomorrow. I'm going to ask her to dinner."

"Thank God. Finally."

"Would you watch the kids?"

"Hell yeah. But only if you really do it."

"I'm really going to do it." I said and then my eye caught something.

I saw a man in a white tee shirt standing by a car looking suspicious.

"Look." I nodded to Luke and he noticed the guy before getting on his radio.

"Unit 12. We have a suspicious white male by a car. License plate number is ZF2- TY4."

"Car is reported as stolen." The dispatcher said back and I sighed.

As I pulled up the street the man saw me and began to walk the other direction. I stopped the Car beside his and the moment I opened my door he took off.

I sprinted after him, Luke following me.

"Suspect on foot and running west on Lindale drive. Suspect is wearing a white shirt and blue jeans." I said into my radio that was clipped to my shirt.

The suspect jumped a fence and I yelled at Luke to go around while I jumped the fence after him.

I couldn't see him.

"I've lost sight of suspect." I said so Luke would know.

Then I heard a twig snap and snapped my head to the left to see him hiding behind some bushes.

I drew my gun and aimed at him.

"Suspect is behind some bushes. Backup requested."

Luke was then at my side with his gun drawn as well.

"Come out of the bushes with your hands up!" I shouted. "Come out now!"

The guy stood up.

"Put your hands up!" Luke then barked and the guy did as he said.

"Turn around and walk backwards to me!" I said.

"Put your hands behind your head, interlace your fingers." Luke called.

As the guy backed up I kept my gun drawn until he reached me and I put it in the holster before grabbing him and pushing him to the ground.

I pulled his arms and handcuffed him while Luke patted his pockets to see if he had any weapons on him.

He didn't but we stood him up and took him back to the car where another officer pulled up on his car.

We put the guy in the back of one of our cars and Luke went to talk to him to get his name so we could see if he had any warrants.

We deemed that he had two warrants out for his arrest for larceny and grand theft auto, and a tow truck came to take the stolen car while Luke and I took the guy back to the station where he was booked in and taken to a cell.

Now I was exhausted and had paperwork to do.

Luke and I spent the rest of our shift doing the paperwork before clocking out and going home.

As I walked up the porch steps I was a little excited (okay very excited) to see Nessa.

I unlocked the door and went inside and surprisingly she was awake.

"Hey." She turned around to give me a sleepy smile.

"Hey. You're actually awake."

"Barely." She stretched her arms above her head and then stood up.

"Thanks for watching them."

"Sure." She said and then yawned. "Well I guess I better go."

She was and looked really tired and I wanted to  spend more time with her.

"It's late and not safe for you to be riding home in the dark alone. I'll drive you."

"You don't have to do that." She shook her head.

"I can get Luke to watch the boys for a few minutes."

I texted Luke and then took her bike out to my car before Luke arrived, saying goodnight to Nessa before she and I got in my car.

"So how was duty?" She asked as I pulled away from the curb.

"We caught a guy who stole a car." I said and her eyes went wide.

"Wow."

"Yeah. Never a dull moment."

She let out a bright laugh at this.

"I'll admit, your sofa is so comfy, it was really tempting to fall asleep."

"You could have, I wouldn't have minded."

"I know. I guess I just wanted to talk to you."

I felt a blush on my neck and cheeks at her words.

"How come?"

"Because I like talking to you." She laughed.

"I am a pretty great conversationalist."

"Wow." She snorted at my remark.

"So how is the house working for you?" I asked her, just trying to keep the conversation going.

"Good. There are a few squeaky doors and I think something is living in my attic but I did manage to get those blood stains out of the carpet." She winked and I remembered my joke about how someone had been killed in that house.

"Do the ghosts bother you?" I quipped.

"Nah, I like the company."

She and I both laughed loudly at this and then I pulled up in front of her house.

"Thanks for the ride Calum. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah." I said and she smiled before getting out of the car and getting her bike from the trunk.

I watched her walk up the sidewalk to her porch and she stopped to lean her bike against the rail before walking up the steps.

Suddenly I saw a guy stand up from a chair on her porch and she stopped before running and jumping into the guys arms.

My heart stopped.

She had a boyfriend?

Why hadn't someone told me?

Why hadn't she told me?

She turned on the light and I could see him.

He was tall, lean, and handsome. He had short cropped black hair and thick framed glasses.

The two of them walked into her house and he closed the door behind them.

I sat there in my car staring at her door with my jaw dropped.

Why did she lead me on? Why? Everyone said that she liked me. Everyone said we would look good together.

But I guess not.

And I was done chasing her.

--

Uh oh!

More to come!

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Much love xx -M