the photographer [c.h.]

thirty-eight

"Katie?" I slowly turned over in the bed, slightly being blinded by the light streaming in from the hallway.

I rolled my eyes at Calum and turned back over, letting him know that I didn't want him in here. I heard him sigh and shut the door, making me think that he had left. After a minute, the floorboard creaked and I sighed, watching Calum walk around the bed, only in his checkered pajama pants with no shirt.

"What do you want?" I asked quietly and he sat down in the bed, scooting towards me. "Do you not get that I want to be alone?"

"I know you well enough to know that you don't actually want that." I stayed silent, knowing he was right. "I'm sorry."

"You should be." I muttered, scooting away from him and Calum frowned, pulling the covers over both of us. "I know that you were kind of thrown into this whole dad thing with Sophie but Travis was your choice. And even though Sophie isn't your biological daughter, she sees you as her father and I know you feel the same."

"I know. I shouldn't have said what I did. I had a bad day and took it out on you. I made a dig that I shouldn't have and I can't apologize enough." Calum got quieter and I finally looked up at him. "I don't regret Travis or Sophie and I especially don'y regret marrying you."

"Why did you say it then?" I mumbled, casting my eyes down and Calum sighed, grabbing my hand under the blanket and toying with my fingers.

"Because I'm stupid and say stupid things." I couldn't help but laugh a little and Calum smiled.

"What happened at work?" I wondered and he sighed, pulling my closer.

"We're trying to sign this new band but they are thinking about taking another offer." He rolled his eyes and I gave his hand a squeeze as he frowned. "Can you come back to bed with me? I got cold."

"Same here. This mattress sucks." I laughed and got up from the bed.

I grabbed my pillow and Calum pulled me closer to him, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck, making me laugh. We walked down the hallway to our bedroom and Calum shut the door behind us. He pulled me onto the bed and sat up, tugging me onto his lap. I laughed but was silenced by his lips on mine.

I smiled into the kiss and tangled my fingers in the hair at the base of his neck, letting him pull me as close as possible to him, our chests pressed together. Calum slipped his hands up my shirt and brushed his thumbs across my stomach making chills rise to my skin.

"What are you trying to do, Mr. Hood?" I teased, pulling away and Calum smirked, ducking his head to kiss my neck.

"I think you know, Mrs. Hood." Calum smiled against my skin and kissed back up to my lips, slipping his tongue into my mouth.

"The kids probably aren't asleep yet." I mumbled and Calum smiled, pulling me off of his lap and getting up.

I watched in amusement as he walked over and locked the bedroom door, coming back over to me. He mumbled a 'problem solved' and I laughed as he crawled on top of me. I put my hands on his biceps as he kissed me, holding onto my waist. Calum tugged at the waist band of my leggings and he finally got them off, tossing them to the floor at the foot of the bed.

"Cal," I mumbled and he hummed against the skin of my neck, sucking on a spot. "I would love to, but-"

"God, I hate the but." Calum groaned, dropping his head to my collar bones.

"I started my period." I said and he pouted, giving me a small kiss.

"You got me all excited." He muttered and I couldn't help but laugh when he flopped down next to me.

"Sorry, babe." I smiled and Calum grabbed my leggings from the floor and handing them to me.

I tugged them on and Calum pulled the covers up and over us, holding me close to his body. I smiled in content and closed my eyes momentarily. Work was super tiring today and I was ready to just go to sleep. Calum brushed his fingers over my back and I sighed, letting him tangle our legs together.

"Tired?" Calum mumbled and I nodded, leaning my head on his bare chest. "How was work?"

"Exhausting." I muttered, taking a deep breath. "Lisa is such a bitch." Calum laughed and I couldn't help but smile against his chest.

"What did she do today?" He asked and I sighed.

"She wants me to have a shoot done tomorrow even though I have the day off and won't let up at all. So I have to be there at seven to set up." I finished and Calum drug his hand up my back, moving his fingers through the end of my hair.

"Need any help?" I shook my head and looked up at him, smiling a bit.

"It'll only take a couple hours." I reassured him. "But you could take me out for lunch afterwards."

"Works for me." He sleepily smiled and I shut my eyes again, letting him pull me halfway on top of his body and tangle our legs together.

I slung an arm across his torso and he wrapped both of his arms around me, holding me as close as possible. I let out a content breath and drew small circles on his side, letting my eyes fall shut. Calum pressed a kiss to the top of my head and I smiled a little to myself, resting my head against his shoulder.

"I love you, Katie." Calum whispered, his breath hitting the top of my head.

"I love you, too, Cal."

"I'm gonna make it up to you and the kids, I promise." He mumbled after a while.

"You don't have to make it up to me. Travis maybe, but not me." Calum laughed a little and I smiled. "Now, stop talking so I can sleep."

"You got it."