Isobel

ISOBEL Chapter 26

It had been a slow month for Callen who was used to a fast-paced life as a Federal Agent, but it was what he and his family needed. Isobel slowly returned to her bright happy self, and Jack healed and he was released early from hospital. Marcus, Hetty and Alexander brought all four children down to the beach house a week after the funeral. He smiled at the memory of them all playing beach cricket. A new game Issy and Marcus were keen to teach him and Alexander, which he had grasped instantly and enjoyed. Hetty sat with Jack in beach chairs, while the rest of them played. Although the days were short due to the winter, they pretty much had the beach to themselves. From early morning to dusk, they enjoyed the time together. With all they had been through over the past few years, his family valued this time together, away from the high risks their work placed them in. As his mind drifted back over the fond memories, his alarm brought him back to the present.

It was six am on a warm August morning. The kids were still on school holidays, which Jack really needed to allow him to return to full health before school resumed again. Callen turned the taps on in the shower and soaked himself under the running water. It was his first day back at work for him and Hetty, and he hoped it would be a day of paperwork and training. He had missed Sam and the rest of the team, but he would never trade the time he's had with his family. He pulled on some clean work clothes of jeans and a red tee. It wasn't something he wore often, but Issy loved him in it when he did. He watched her sleep peacefully in their bed. The sheets half off her toned body. He was tempted to climb back into bed and stay with her, but he knew that Sam was waiting for him for breakfast at Patricks. It was their traditional first day back at work breakfast, although Sam and the rest of the team had been back at work for two weeks. He unlocked the safe in their wardrobe and took out his Federal Agent credentials and Government-issued weapon. He peered in each of their children's bedrooms on his way out and smiled at their zoned out expressions. He was thankful that Sophie and Jack didn't appear to have any more flashbacks to the shooting at Auckland airport. He made his way down the stairs and grabbed his car keys from the kitchen bench. In a way this felt like normal as it was ever going to get for him. But that niggling in the pit of his stomach gave him warning that the day was not going to go as he hoped.

Sam smiled and waved as he saw his partner pull up beside his challenger. "Welcome back, partner." He greeted his best friend with a man hug.

"Thanks, Sam. It's good to be home again." Callen's hesitation didn't go unnoticed by the former SEAL.

"Seems to me someone's been domesticated." Callen fiend a look of nonchalant, but he hadn't fool Sam. "Face it, G. Family life has bit you hard and you love it."

Callen nodded. "You're right, Sam. I never thought I would ever get to experience this, let alone enjoy it. My nightmares have gone completely, I sleep through the night and I'm not alone anymore. I have my own family and I know who I am." A broad grin graced Callen's face as he thought over all the wonderful things that came with family life.

"And you no longer have any lone wolf tendencies, except for running off to Russia for revenge." Sam wondered if he'd pushed his partner too far with the reminder of the darkest days of Callen's since reuniting with Isobel again.

"That was an exception and you know that. Issy knew I would go." His faced darkened over that memory of when he thought he had lost his wife forever.

"I know, G. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. We cool?" Sam regretted putting a damper on their breakfast.

"Yeah. We're cool." Callen nodded. His visage brightened again. "I'm starving. Hope you're paying!" He jested with Sam.

"In your dreams, buddy. It's your turn." Sam grinned back.