So, This is Christmas...

He sighed as he looked over at the family, enjoying their day.

The old man smiling indulgently at his daughter and the young boy eagerly opening the gifts that had been left under the tree the night before.

Shaking his head sadly, he turned to walk away, annoyed that a small tear of anger and frustration had escaped him. After all, why had he expected this year to be any different to the last 41 years he could remember? He was sure the first five had been great, but the other 41...? Well, they had certainly not been so hot when it came to family celebrations, or even family for that matter.

He had, a few days earlier, held a ball of rolled up lights in his hand; a gift to remind him to start his own traditions, so he had taken the plunge; after all Anna was there and he would invite her over to dinner.

He could cook for his father.

He had smiled at the small warm feeling that had washed over him at the thought, he ha be able to pick up a turkey from somewhere, and he knew from the meals he had with Sam's family what basically went with it and most food had cooking instructions, so he could not really go wrong.

He laughed sourly as he walked back to his car and got in. Couldn't go wrong?

He knew there was a reason he never did Christmas and this was it. He had learned long ago not to set himself up for a fall, but this year, he had let his guard down.

Garrison had been spending a few more days in Santa Barbara, not too far from him, but far enough to keep him safe from whomever was stalking the team. He had called him randomly every few days to make sure he was ok and was not being followed.

Garrison had assured him that he was fine and not to worry.

So, Callen had not worried, he had just set about making his plans, knowing that Garrison was alone in town and this would be their first Christmas together.

Anna had said she might come for dinner as well when she had seen him at the Christmas party in the mission.

He had hoped that afterwards, he would be able to walk with her, maybe talk about what the next step between them would be. After all, he knew who he was now and he knew his family, maybe it was time to put down some roots of his own and he hoped that she would be the one to help him with that plan.

What he had forgotten, was that life happens when you are making other plans.

He got up early Christmas morning; he knew that Garrison would not be up for a few more hours and he wanted to get a start on his first home cooked Christmas dinner.

He sat at the table, cook book in hand and made sure he had everything he needed. Slowly, over the course of a few hours, he prepped the food and finally had it all cooking.

By midday, his house smelled amazing.

He took the linens he had borrowed from Hetty and set the table, it was not quite the same as the picture in the book, but it was pretty damn close and he had to admit he was impressed with his efforts.

By one thirty, he turned the heat in the food down and looked at his phone; no missed calls. He shrugged and turned a few items off, covering them to prevent them from spoiling.

By 2pm, he took his phone out and called Anna.

"Hey... it's me... Merry Christmas." He said as she answered.

"Merry Christmas Callen," Anna replied. "Are you having a good day?"

Callen could hear the sounds of glasses clinking and the laughter of Arkady in the background.