April 2017

"See? This is why I don't want to get married," Callie said as she tied a ribbon around a net bag filled with birdseed.

"Birdseed?" Meredith asked, tossing her own sachet onto the coffee table.

"No. All this extra shit," Callie replied. "Why the fuck do you throw birdseed at people?"

"Because rice makes the birds blow up," Meredith said.

"You're lying," Callie said in disbelief.

"Its true," Meredith said, taking a swig from her gin and tonic. "They eat the rice on the ground and then go drink a bunch of water. The rice expands and then poof. They explode."

Callie blinked and surveyed her friend closely for a moment. "That's just...disgusting."

"And really bad for the birds. Hence," Meredith gestured to the birdseed. "Birdseed. Safe for the winged population."

"But impossible to get out of your hair or anything else," Callie finished. "Why do the have to throw anything?"

"Tessa was adamant about having a classic, traditional wedding. So that's why we're doing it," Meredith explained. "But I agree with you. They should just hand out bubble wands and be done with it."

"Better yet, just not get married at all. Solves all the problems," Callie added, a hint of contempt in her voice.

It had been a couple weeks since she returned from her stay in Seattle and she was surprised by how much she missed it. Since she'd been back, she'd already been mobbed by photographers at least twice and had a lunch meeting with her agent interrupted by a paparazzo shooting her from across the street. With Aya's wedding swiftly approaching, and Tessa gaining more and more attention, it seemed like every time Callie stepped outside her front door there was a photographer waiting.

The break up from Chris didn't exactly help. He'd been spotted out and about with a new blonde, which only made it seem worse for her. He was moving on while she was wallowing in the back yard with Trio. Shannon had thankfully kept the gossip columns and magazines out of her sight until the focus shifted to someone else, but it didn't stop her from searching herself.

Most of the articles had been minimal and barely mentioned their split. Callie was grateful that Chris had kept the reasons quiet and had obviously instructed his PR team to show her in a favorable light. Still, he was obviously over her, going out with someone new. Shannon had been a wonderful distraction for a few weeks and his birthday had been amazing, but that didn't change anything between them.

Their weekend at the beach was the perfect way to re-enter society for Callie. Plus, it seemed like the best way to thank Shannon for everything he did for her. And the sex wasn't bad either. It seemed like every time just got better and better. Still, it wasn't enough to get her to change her mind about him. They were friends - friends who occasionally slept together, but friends nonetheless. But with the stress from the wedding looming over her, she'd be happy to hole up in Shannon's airstream until everything passed and returned to normal.

Callie tossed another tied bag of birdseed onto the coffee table and sighed. "There. I think that's it."

"How many are there?" Meredith asked.

"No clue. All I know is we've run out of everything, so I'm going to assume we're done making them," Callie shrugged.

"So have you figured out where you're going to live?" Meredith asked, finishing her drink.

Callie gave her a confused look. "What do you mean? I'll live here. I'm not moving."

Meredith tilted her head. "Really? You're going to live here - with the Newlyweds? I thought this place was small enough with you and Aya and the dog. I figured you'd want to get your own place. You can afford it now."

In truth, Callie hadn't given the idea of moving any thought at all. "I guess I hadn't really thought about it."

"Well, you're kind of in a time crunch," Meredith chuckled. "The wedding is in two days and you've got two weeks while they're on their honeymoon. But when they get back its gonna be hella crowded in here."

Callie took a sip of her own drink, considering her options. "I guess I should move out. I mean Aya and Tessa haven't said anything to me. I guess I figured they were already planning to find their own place."

"Honey, they didn't say anything to you because of how...different you've been lately. They didn't want to hurt you or anything," Meredith said slowly, choosing her words carefully.

Callie was silent for several seconds. "I get it. I do. And I guess it makes sense. They should have their own space. And you're right - I can definitely afford to buy my own place by now. Maybe its time I finally put down some roots."

Meredith squealed in excitement. "House hunting party!"

"No - no," Callie said quickly. "No house hunting party. The housing market in L.A. is ridiculous. I'll be lucky if I find anything I even like. Its all new build bullshit or old classical architecture that's way over priced."

"Well you can always just rent another place until you find something," Meredith offered. "Regardless, you'll be out on your own. Its a good thing."

Callie went silent. She wasn't sure she wanted to live by herself. Fame was isolating enough as it was. Having a roommate meant built-in socialization. All her friends were moving on in different directions in their lives and she felt like she was alone already. Living by herself just seemed so depressing.

***

Two days later, Callie was sitting by herself at a table surrounded by dancing and merriment, but all she could think about was moving. A quick search online had revealed that the housing market was ridiculously competitive and if she had any hope of snagging anything decent, she'd have to make house hunting her full time job.

"I thought weddings were supposed to be happy occasions?" a voice broke into her sulk.

Callie looked up and saw Shannon standing in front of her. "What? Oh...yeah," she forced a smile for his benefit.

"You look fantastic, Cal," he offered, sitting across from her. "The ceremony was a bit overkill, but the reception is perfect."

He was right. The ceremony had been far too traditional compared to what Aya probably wanted. Heck, it was in a church. Callie was certain she'd get struck by lightning just by stepping in the door. It was all roses and lace and frills and just too much in general. The reception, however, looked to be purely Aya's handiwork. An open bar, a large dance floor, and a great outdoor setting had reinvigorated the guests.

Callie smiled. "Yeah. I can definitely tell who planned what." She took a sip of her champagne. "Its good to see you again."

"Right back at you," he replied. They sat in silence for several seconds. "Why the long face? Aren't you happy the wedding's finally done? Now everyone can go back to talking about normal shit."

"I have to move out," she said before downing the contents of her champagne flute.

"What?" he asked.

"I have to move out," she repeated. "I need a new place to live and the housing market in L.A. is like a pond filled with piranhas."

"Why do you have to move out?" he asked.

She looked at him like he was an idiot. "They're married. They won't want to be living with someone else right after getting married. Besides that house is too small for three people and a dog. The bathroom is so small that your feet are in the shower while you're taking a shit on the toilet."

Shannon smirked. "Okay, so what makes you think they'll want to stay if its so small? Maybe they're getting their own place?"

She shook her head. "I feel like they're going to stay there. Plus it seems like its time for me to move on. I tell people I live in Santa Monica and they look at me like I'm crazy. It seems like people keep hinting I need to move to a more 'Hollywood' zip code for my career. So whatever. I guess I'm house hunting. I really wanted to be out by the time they got back from the honeymoon, but it doesn't seem like it'll happen."

"So stay at my place while you look," he offered with a shrug.

"I can't do that," she protested.

"Why not? Its empty, I don't live there anymore, I need someone to keep an eye on it," he listed. "Plus, you've stayed there before and know your way around. The neighbors know you. They won't call the cops on you," he added with a chuckle.

"Mrs. Shrewesky loves me, I don't know what you're talking about," Callie replied in defiance.

"She caught you climbing over my back garden wall," he chuckled. "You know, she's like a packing member of the NRA? I'm surprised she didn't shoot you down."

Callie burst into laughter. "It just seems too weird, especially after everything you did for me in Seattle. It just feels like I'm asking a lot of you."

"Fine," he slapped the table making the vase of glass pebbles rattle. "You can pay me rent if it bothers you that much. The place goes for $12,000 a month."

Callie blinked. "Is there a friends discount?" she asked.

Shannon scoffed. "I tried to give it you for free!"

"Fine, fine. $12,000 a month. Its a deal," she said, extending her hand.

He shook it with a smile. "Now, can we go dance or are you going to spend all night sulking over here in the corner?"

She smiled and took his hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.

***ENTERTAINMENT NEWS***

Over the weekend, SANTCTUM actor Aya Flannigan and model Tessa Williams tied the knot in a wonderfully unique ceremony in a church in Los Angeles. The pair's reception was hosted at Saddle Rock Ranch in Malibu and came complete with a giraffe and a host of other exotic animals. The star-studded event featured fellow SANCTUM actors Callie Morrison, Meredith Torres, and Sam Fielding as well as other famous faces like 30 Second to Mars drummer Shannon Leto and model Sadie Chromer. The celebs' Instagram accounts were chock full of shots from the beautiful ceremony and entertaining reception. Tessa wore a lace Vera Wang design while the rest of the wedding party was outfitted in Tom Ford.