the photographer [c.h.]

twenty-three

"You almost ready?" Calum asked, poking his head into the bathroom and I nodded, taking out my eyeliner.

"Ten minutes." I smiled at him in the mirror and he left the bathroom, letting me get ready in silence.

I did my eyeliner and put on a few coats of mascara, curling my eyelashes. I turned the bathroom light off and went into my bedroom, grabbing my clothes off of the dresser. I stepped into the ripped jeans and slid the white cut off tank top over my head. I slipped on my oversized black sweater and found my black coverse, tying up the laces. I left my room and found Calum sitting in the kitchen, scrolling through something on his phone.

"Ready?" I asked with a small smile and he nodded, grabbing my hand.

Calum walked me down to his car and we got in, me turning the radio on. I tapped my thighs out of nervousness and Calum rested a hand on my knee, giving me a reassuring smile. He parked in front of the New York courthouse and I took a deep breath, getting out of the car. We walked up the stone steps and into the fancy building, finding a receptionist.

Calum did the talking and the older woman smiled at us, getting out the paperwork and finding an available judge. We filled out the papers with all the necessary information and went to sit down, waiting for her to call us back. I leaned my head on Calum's shoulder and he intertwined our fingers on my lap.

"Are we really doing this?" I asked, feeling a little giddy.

"Yeah, we really are." Calum laughed and I looked up at him only to see him looking down at me. "I have no second thoughts, though."

"Neither do I." I smiled.

It felt like we were teenagers in high school, trying not to get in trouble. Like we snuck out in the middle of the night to makeout in his car and we are hiding to not get caught. We weren't breaking any rules so I didn't know why I felt so rebellious.

"Alright, we're ready for you two." The woman smiled, motioning to the doorway next to her and we stood up, making our way inside. I noticed the judge sitting in his chair watching us come in.

"Let me guess, nobody knows you two are doing this." The judge laughed and we both nodded, me gripping Calum's hand tighter. "Okay, let's do this."

~~~~~~~~~~

"I love you so much, Katie." Calum whispered, toying with my fingers and I smiled a little, peeking up at him.

"I love you too, Calum." I said quietly, looking back up at the sky.

After we did everything at the courthouse, we literally carried on like it was a normal day. We went to lunch at a small diner, took a walk through Central Park, and now we are on the roof of my apartment building. Sophie had begged me to stay with Peri tonight and I was actually kind of happy so that Calum and I could have another night together, just us.

"We're gonna have to tell everyone eventually." I said quietly and Calum tightened his grip on me.

"Let's not worry about that tonight." He suggested and I nodded. "All I want, right now, is to kiss my smoking hot wife."

I laughed, only to be silenced by Calum's lips, and he smiled into the kiss. Calum lifted himself up to hover above me and he slipped his tongue into my mouth, taking control. I ran my hands up his t-shirt and he let out a shaky breath against my lips when I tugged at his jeans. I smirked a little and he pulled away from the kiss, letting out quick breaths.

"Wanna go inside?" I asked and he nodded, helping me up.

I grabbed the blanket we had set down and we went back inside, down two floors to my apartment. Calum pushed me up against the door and his hands found my face in the darkness. I held onto his torso and he leaned down, kissing me. I let my head fall back onto the door as he stepped closer to me and Calum deepened the kiss, his hands tugging at the hem of my shirt.

We stumbled over to the couch and he finally got my shirt off, throwing it to the floor. I reached up and tugged off his black t-shirt, gasping when his lips found the side of my neck. He smirked against my skin and sucked on a spot below my ear, most likely leaving a bruise. I fumbled with the button on his jeans and finally got them down, letting him kick them the rest of the way off.

Calum yanked down my shorts and kissed me again, gripping my hips. I tangled my fingers in his hair and he trailed his lips down my jaw, getting dangerously close to my breasts. He reached around my back and unclasped it, flinging the fabric to the floor. I felt my cheeks heat up at the way he was looking at me and Calum kissed me to calm me down a little.

Even though he has seen me bare multiple times, I still had my insecurities and worries. I was scared that someday he wouldn't like what he saw. Calum mumbled a 'you're beautiful' against my lips and I pulled back to look him in the eye. He shot me a smile and tugged off my underwear, moving him thumbs back and forth on my waist. I shakily pulled down his boxers and he intertwined our hands next to my head.

"Let's go to the bedroom." I breathed out and Calum cocked an eyebrow, a smile toying at his lips.

"Why?" Calum laughed a little and I nodded back towards the huge window.

"I don't want anyone looking in." I laughed and Calum nodded, standing up from the couch.

I laughed when he picked me up bridal style and made his way to the bedroom, practically throwing me down onto the bed. I couldn't help but laugh when he climbed on top of me, kissing the tip of my nose. Calum kissed me and looked down at me for reassurance before slowly slipping into me. I released a shaky moan and he stared down at me with a smile.

"Calum," I whimpered and he smiled, kissing me. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He mumbled. "God, I love you so much, Katie."