Cryptic (A Calum Hood Fanfiction)

Chapter #30

Calum's POV:

She's back, my dear Annabel is back and better than ever; the Annabel I fell in love with. She's one-of-a-kind truly because I don't know how she managed to convince Mr. Dannings to let us see each other and I don't care either, I'm just grateful that I get to spend time with her and I cherish every mere minute of that time. "Have you been assigned to a new case yet?" Annabel wonders.

"I'm on probation, sentenced to the long, dreadful piles of paperwork," I grumble.

"I don't know why you don't like paperwork; Darren doesn't either, but I don't mind it at all," she shrugs.

"Care to do mine then?" I raise an eyebrow.

"What's in it for me?" Annabel smirks.

"I can give you a hint," I say, rolling onto her beanbag chair and swiftly kissing her cheek.

"I have an even better idea," she sits up. "I was watching the weather channel this morning and I heard that it's snowing. First of all, I haven't been able to breath in even a waft of fresh air in too long and I happen to love the snow," she beams.

"We don't even have any winter clothes for the snow or sleds," I point out; I'd much rather be snuggled up the fireplace and I don't know how we're going to convince Mr. Dannings, but I guess I'll leave that to Annabel.

"I don't know about you, but I have winter clothes for the snow and the sleds issue can be solved by a quick trip to the store," she retorts.

"Get Mr. Dannings's permission and I can handle the sleds and winter clothes for myself," I reply.

"Meet back in the library in half an hour?" Annabel hops up from her seat.

----

Annabel's POV:

"Sledding? Don't be ridiculous, Annabel, are you 9-years old?" Mr. Dannings scoffs.

"What's wrong with a little fun, Lance?" I kick my feet up onto his desk.

"Feet off and it's Mr. Dannings to you; don't get so cocky, Annabel," he growls.

"I'm going to take that as a yes," I beam, sitting up. "Oh, and Lance, be a dear and have some hot chocolate ready when we come back inside," I add, standing and heading for the door. "And don't forget the marshmallows," I smirk, closing the door behind me. 

----

"Where are you off to?" Darren questions as I slide into my snow-boots and slip on my gloves and hat.

"Calum and I are going out for some fresh air and sledding," I answer, zipping up my coat.

"Have you run this past Mr. Dannings yet?" Darren asks.

"Yes, I have," I remark, waving goodbye as I head out and for the library.

----

"Beanies really suit you," I wrap my arms around Calum's neck.

"Frilly pom-pom hats really suit you," he retorts, leaning his forehead onto mine.

"They do, don't they?" I laugh, connecting our lips; I can feel Calum's smile in the kiss and it only makes me smile myself.

"Are you ready to get your sled on?" Cal pulls away, rolling his eyes, but I know damn well that he's just as excited as I am.

"I'm ready," I peck his lips once more.

----

"3,2,1...," Calum exclaims, pushing the sled down the hill and hopping on quickly, wrapping his arms around me as we glide down the hill, hitting an abrupt hill and soaring through the air, crashing into a bank and bursting out into a fit of laughter, muffled by all the snow. I turn to Calum, still laughing just as he is.

"Hey," I pipe up. "Guess what?"

Calum grins, "What?"

I grin back, "I love you." I then boop his nose, causing Calum to squint his eyes in the most adorable way.

"I love you, too," he leans over and catches me in a sweet kiss.

"Race you back up the hill," I challenge once Calum pulls away.

"You're on," he smirks, grabbing the sled and starting for the hill, myself following not too far behind. Calum makes it up the hill first and once I do, too, he is standing with his arms crossed over his chest and a smirk on his face.

"You got a head start," I insist.

"So, how about that paperwork?" He ignores my comment, a smirk still on his face.

Author's Note;

Sorry for the late update, things were busy what with Thanksgiving & all -

I also apologize for the short chapter, but next chapter is going to be a big one; the big one!