The Adams Foster family burst in through the entrance of Shrine Auditorium, a building so majestic and regal looking it looked rather out-of-place in Los Angeles, and perhaps more suited to somewhere like India.
The family themselves were rather majestic looking, or so to speak. They were dressed in their finest clothes, consisting of suits and ties, gowns and heels. It was clearly a prestigious event they were attending. Very prestigious.
"Mom, I don't understand" sighed a seventeen year old Latin male, sporting an all black suit. He was extremely buff, and tanned, and caught the eye of many of the females milling around the lobby.
"What don't you understand now, Jesus?" sighed the blonde female, donned in a fitted purple gown, that complimented the curves nicely. It also, much to the teenagers dismay, revealed a fair amount of cleavage through a slit in the upper half of the material.
"How will Callie know we're here if we just turn up like this?"
The family all groaned.
"Oh my god, Jesus! Callie's not supposed to know! It's a surprise, you moron!" cried the small Latino girl, who looked stunning in a tight blue dress.
Their mom, turned to the pair, and raised her eyebrows.
"Mariana, please don't call your brother a moron. At least, not to his face." This earned some chuckles from everyone but the boy in question.
A frizzy haired, dark-skinned beauty, clad in a bright blue lace gown, gestured to a door across the room.
"I think that's where the awards are being held, guys" she announced. The entering of a few other fancy-dressed people through that door confirmed her suspicion. "Let's go."
The family started on forward, and went through the door. There, they found themselves in a gigantic room, filled with hundreds of other people. The lights were starting to dim, and chatter was grounding to a halt. This was signalling the start of the show, so Lena and Stef - as they were the names of the two woman - lead their family to a cluster of spare seats in the middle row.
And eagerly they all sat, their hearts racing, butterflies fluttering round in their stomaches.
**********
Callie's PoV
I looked into the long mirror that was placed on the floor by the wall in my apartment. I smoothed out my dress, despite their being no sign of creases, biting my lip. Was it too much? I mean, what if I didn't win the award! I would look like such an idiot!
I was just about to turn round and scour my cupboard for another outfit, when I hear a whistle from the doorway. A handsome man with ruffled blonde hair and gorgeous hazel eyes was staring at me, his oh-so-heavenly eyes unmoving. I self-consciously look down, and hold my gown out.
"It's too much, isn't it?" I sigh. "Oh god I knew it was!"
I set a course for my closet when his hands grab my wrists. He gently pulls me in close, and wraps his arms round my waist. His thin mouth formed a grin, a mischievous grin that melts my insides.
"You look gorgeous Callie. Truly, truly gorgeous. Don't change" he mutters under his breath, huskily. He pecks my nose, and I smile. His accent - quite obviously Australian - was heaven on earth. It made my insides melt, and everything else slip away.
"You look good too, hun" I reply, running my hands over his black suit, and onto his white shirt. He leans down and kisses me, softly at first on the lips, then deeper, and more passionately. I reciprocate the kiss, running my hands through his hair. It's a rough kiss, due to his stubbly beard, but I love it all the same. Suddenly, we hear a horn beep from outside. It's one of his brothers, waiting for us.
We pull apart, breathless slightly. I grab my purse from on top of the bed, and then we proceed to make our way outside, hand-in-hand. Just as we're about to step into the car, he mutters in my ear, sincerely; "I love you Callie." I reply just as sincerely with "I love you too, Joey."
Not a doubt was in my mind then when I told him I loved him. Not a shred of doubt in sight.
**********
Brandon's PoV
My palms were sweaty. My heart was pounding in my mouth. My legs were trembling.
I was so nervous. I hadn't seen much of Callie in the past three years. I'd been away at college, and so had she. The closest I've been to her is through a computer screen over Skype.
I kept thinking that I shouldn't have worn this type of cologne, or these shoes with this suit etc. It was driving me insane. I knew Callie wouldn't mind what I looked like, but some part of me thought, what if she did? What if she had somehow changed, and now that I have shorter hair she won't give me a second glance?
Of course she will, Callie is still Callie. At least, I hope so. Oh god, I hope so.
**********
Callie's PoV
We were probably five minutes from the venue. I was rustling around in my purse for my lipstick when I came across something I recognized easily, without even having to look upon it. I took out the picture, and smiled. It was the one we had taken at Lena and Stef's wedding. The last moment captured before everything changed.
My heart skipped a beat just thinking about that day, the day I kissed Brandon. The day we both realised how the other felt.
I found myself gazing at Brandon's face, wondering what he looks like now. Skype wasn't always the best of pictures, it was hard to imagine the nineteen year old man he was now.
Then, I tilted my head up and saw Joey, who was staring at me through the rear-view mirror. He winked at me, and so I blew him a kiss. I put the photo back in the purse, and didn't give Brandon another thought.
**********
"This award is dedicated to the young achievers who have proven themselves to be a widely talented, and immensely skilful artist, whether that be painting, sculpting, photography etc. This year's winner is a very gifted someone who received worldwide praise for their photographs depicting the despair, and hope, amongst the people of Kenya. Their work has been published in thirty-eight magazines and newspapers around the world, including eleven from the United States. Humanitarian charities and organisations, such as The Red Cross, have benefited from showcasing this artist's work, raising six billion dollars from auction of these photographs. I am honoured to give this years Young Artist Award to newcomer and darling, Miss Callie Daddario!"
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Hope Here
FanfictionCallie Daddario was adopted by her newfound father, step-mother and half-sister. She had no say in the decision. She despised their way of life, and her new poncy private school. So, she relocated to New York, where she met Joey Lennox, the extremel...
