Romance The Long Ride

Saturday, six days later.

"Now you behave for your mother," Callum stated as he gazed down at his daughter as Shari stood beside her mother.

"I promise I'll keep a close eye on her, and I'll keep Mom from being alone with Shari," Vanessa said, noting how he glanced at Constance. "Thank you, for letting me have this time with her Cal. I'm sorry about the museum, I'll make it up to the both of you. I promise," Vanessa said, with a nod.

"Uh-huh, we'll see," Callum said, plainly.

"Cal, we've talked about this, you're going to have to trust me at some point. Until then I'm just going to prove to you that Shari is safe with me," Vanessa replied recounting the drawn out fight they had after Shari's parent-teacher conference.

"No you yelled, I ignored you," Callum stated truthfully.

"I'm not going to get into a fight with you Cal. We'll talk about this later," Vanessa spoke, lightly squeezing Shari's hand. "Come on Shari, let's go shopping," she said, smiling down at Shari.

"Bye Daddy, I'll be good I promise," Shari said, waving at him as she walked towards Constance's rental car.

"Cal... is something wrong?!" Itzel asked, once she pulled into his driveway ten minutes after Shari and Vanessa had left.

"It's nothing," Callum muttered as he slid his helmet on.

"Cal... tell me, what's got you so upset?" Itzel queried as her hand wrapped around Callum's left wrist.

"Vanessa." Was the only thing he said as he swung his leg over the back of her motorcycle.

"Do you want..."

"No," Callum said, coldly. He's thought enough about Vanessa for one week, he just wanted to forget about her.

"Okay, you better hold on tightly to me," Itzel said, as she peered over her shoulder.

An hour passed into two then three and Itzel couldn't help but feel how his groin rubbed against her mound. She had thought she was going to lose control of the bike as she tried to miss as many bumps in the road as possible, yet with the vibration of the bike and the way his manhood felt pressed against her was making her so wet. She knew her cheeks were burning as she felt his strong arms wrapped around her. The way his body felt pressed against her back as his body moved so fluidly as they took those S-turns at speeds that weren't safe. Yet that is why she bought the bike in the first place. She loved speed. However, she did love the feel of Callum behind her a tad more. Turning her head slightly as Callum tried to readjust his body without unbalancing the bike. Her eyes glanced to her left as she noted a turn off of the main road that ran through the National Park.

Itzel watched from the corner of her eye as she took off her helmet as Callum stretched from the long ride as he stood with his back to her. Her light brown hair spilled down her back as the helmet rose above her ears. A smirk formed on her lips knowing that they were all alone in that little secluded spot. Her eye glanced down, biting the inside of her cheek as it lingered on Callum's ass. Thrice she went over to his home, thrice she fell in love with his little girl, and once she almost took him to his bed just from watching how good he was with Shari. It took all her will power not to crawl into his lap and have her way with those lips of his once Shari was put to bed. Plus she had worn out the batteries in her toy as she pleasured herself to the picture that he had sent to her late Sunday night.

Her steel blue eyes lustered as her hand took hold of his. While they hadn't officially stated that they were dating yet, to her it felt like they were. She knew he was taking it slow to ensure that Shari wouldn't be hurt if it didn't work out between them. How that made her heart flutter knowing if they went the distance that he'll be so good to the children they would have. Smiling at him as Itzel led him to a lone bench that overlooked the lush forest and the hiking trail that was cut through it.

"Now that there's no one around, tell me what's going on Cal," Itzel said, sweetly.

"You remember what I told you about what happened last weekend?" Callum asked, leaning forward. Resting his elbows on his knees and his chin in the crook of his thumbs.

"Yeah, how Shari's mother's parents are trying to take Shari away from you, I thought you told me they had given up on that?"

"Yeah, they might say that but after the crap Vanessa and her parents put me through before Shari was born I don't trust a word they say," Callum said, pulling out his phone, bringing up the GPS page for the beacon that was housed within Shari's locket. Making sure that Shari was still within the town's limits. Which she was or her necklace was sitting somewhere in the heart of the town.

"Then why did you let her go off with her mother?" Itzel asked, placing a hand on his back.

"For Shari," Callum said, looking over at her like that fact should have been obvious to a blind man. "I might hate Vanessa's guts, but I'm not about to let that harm my daughter."

"Cal, I didn't mean anything by it. I can't imagine what you're going through with her showing up after so long. I'd like to understand if you let me," Itzel said, her arm slid along his back as she scooted closer to him. "Would you tell me what happened before Shari was born that cause such a rift between the two of you?"

Itzel sat there silently as Callum told her of the nine long months of battling he had to do against the State, Vanessa, and her parents right up to the day Vanessa went into labor and Shari was born. She felt her own anger rising as her lips pressed lightly against his right shoulder. "No wonder he doesn't trust them or anyone else with Shari's safety," Itzel thought to herself. "I don't know how he stayed sane throughout it all. The names he was called, the lack of respect they levied at him," she muttered in her mind. Yet as she took all that in, it only made her fall deeper for him. She knew the strength it must have taken to stand up to all three of them at such a young age.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that Cal, I really am," Itzel cooed as she snuggled closer to him. Feeling her body heat being pressed against his. She couldn't understand why after only one week of knowing each other being with Callum just felt so right. "You would think after all that they would have learned their lesson," Itzel sighed as she rested her left cheek on his shoulder.

"Yeah, you would think so," Callum muttered, trying not to let her alluring perfume to cloud his mind. Yet every time she was near, every touch of her hand, every look she cast upon him made him feel like he was twelve all over again and dealing with his first crush. It was taking every fiber of his being not to take her into his arms and do things that she might not approve of.

"So what are you going to do now?"

"For now nothing, nothing I can do other than deny Vanessa access to my daughter. Yet I can't do that to Shari, she needs her mother right now. Shari..." His head dropped, trying to hold back the tears recounting the times he held his daughter as she cried in his arms at how cruel children could be without meaning to.

"Cal what about Shari?" Itzel asked, hearing the slight tremble of his voice.

"For two years now, Shari's had a very rough time with school and kids her own age. She and they don't understand why she only has me. I can't blame the kids, I mean they're kids, they don't understand what their saying. Yet it hurts my baby nonetheless, and I'm the one who has to..."

"Oh Cal, I'm so sorry. That couldn't be easy for you to deal with," Itzel said, hugging him lightly. "And this is why you're putting up with Vanessa?" she asked, to which Callum nodded. "I don't know if I could deal with an ex that left for years only to come back and try to be in my child's life. You must have the patience of God to put up with it all."

"You've never had to feed a child, or deal with the terrible twos," Callum said, with a little smirk as he turned to look at Itzel.

"True, but I just never met a man that I want to have a child with," Itzel said, "until now," she quickly said to herself. "Are the terrible twos really that bad?" she asked, with a slight smile on her lips.

"With Shari it was. She would run into my bedroom and take one of my text books I needed to study and cry 'Mine!' then I'd have to give chase as she ran through my parents' house," Callum said, the love for his daughter filled his eyes as he gazed at Itzel. Before he knew it he felt himself leaning forward closing the gap that separated them by mere inches.

Itzel knew what was happening, and she'd been wanting this since the day she met him. The moment their lips touched they both felt a sudden pull, a pull that subtly told them even if they didn't know it at the time that they were meant for one another. The feeling that stretched back to the days of ancient Greece when Zeus split mankind into two to forever search for their other half.

Callum's mind was all a flutter as he felt the softness of Itzel's lips. The way her hands held his face as their kiss deepened. The way her tongue teased his before tasting the warmth of his mouth. The way her body felt in his arms, like she was made just for him.

Itzel's mind was adrift in a haze of bliss as she felt Callum's hands pressing her into him. Whimpering when she felt his fingers teasing the hem on her pants longing to feel their heat soaking into her skin. Pulling away, breathing heavily, her eyes searching his as they sat there in silence. The only sound was the swaying trees and the birds chirping above them.

"I..."

"Shh... I wanted to kiss you too Cal," Itzel said sweetly, as she placed a finger upon his lips. "I've wanted to do that for a week now."

"Y-you have?" Callum stammered.

"Mmmhmm," Itzel hummed. "I know you haven't dated since Shari's birth," her hand danced up Callum's right thigh, "I get that you want to protect her from any fallout from a bad relationship. Yet I'm here Cal, I'm not going anywhere, we can go as slow as you want this to go."

"So... we're dating?" Callum asked, feeling a lump forming in his throat.

"Oh yes," resting her arms along Callum's shoulders, "that is if you want to be my boyfriend and don't mind dating a hot librarian," Itzel said, with a coy smile.

"But I don't..."

"Cal, I'm not after money, if that's what you're worried about. If I was that shallow I'd would have stayed in LA. There aren't many men like you in LA. So put your fears away and just..." Itzel moaned into Callum's mouth as he kissed her so passionately that left her breathless. "Slow down tiger," she said, with a mirth filled smile as her chest heaved. "There's plenty of time for us to make out, namely on your couch," Itzel said, in reality she wanted to say his bed, and it wasn't making out she wanted. It was how his lips would feel on her overheated peach that was throbbing like mad at that very moment. She could feel how wet her panties had become. "Let go have lunch."

"Anywhere in particular?!"

"Not that I have in mind, but you don't mind if we make a stop before we eat do you?" Itzel asked, bashfully. She had no wish to tell him how that kiss of theirs, the feel of his cock on her mound as she drove, also the vibrations of the engine had plastered her panties to her womanhood.

"No, I don't. You like ribs or somewhere more healthy?" Callum asked, as her fingers interweaved with his.

"I do love my meat," Itzel said, with a sly smirk allowing her innuendo to hang in the air.

Callum had to quickly adjust himself as Itzel's leather pants molded to her ass as she swung her leg over her bike.

"What're you waiting for?" Itzel shot him a seductive smile noting the state he was in. Giggling in her mind as Callum quickly lowered his visor to hide his blushing face. Her eyes fluttered as she felt that hard rod pressing against her ass. So very pleased that his body responded to her.

Callum was breathing heavily all through the ride as Itzel slyly rubbed her ass against him. He could have almost sworn that he was about to bust a nut in his jeans with the way her ass felt against him. However, that all changed when Itzel pulled up to Amanda's former home.

"You live here?!" Callum asked confused, as the garage door closed behind him. Whistling inside his head as he eyed the pearl white Mercedes SL 65 AMG hard top convertible. "I guess she really isn't after money," he thought to himself.

"My dad got that for me for my last birthday," Itzel said, hanging her helmet on her right handle bar as she noted him staring at it. "Yeah, I just moved in over a week ago. I don't know who had this place last but they sure did leave in a hurry. Come on, you can relax inside while I..." Quickly turning away as her face became red, bowing her head as she hurriedly walked into her home. Feeling her panties rubbing against her sensitive mound as she did.

Callum arched an eyebrow as he took off his helmet. Wondering what was up with her, shaking it off, wondering how and why she bought Amanda's old home. Setting his helmet on the back of Itzel's bike. Peeking through the window of the car, wondering what her father did to afford such an expensive car. Also wondering if her family, and assuming she too, was well off, what she saw in him when she was dating beneath her station as the old saying goes.

"Cal make yourself something to drink if you want, it might take me a few minutes to get ready," Itzel called down from her bedroom.

"Okay," Callum said, as he looked up the stairs wondering if she was naked in her room. He wasn't going to lie; he did masturbate a lot to the picture she sent. While it didn't give a clear view of her gorgeous body, his mind had no trouble filling in the blanks.

"What are you doing Itzel?" she asked her reflection as she stood naked in front of her mirror. "You brought a man home, and he's fucking gorgeous that's what you're doing and he's so into you!" Itzel giggled as she lightly danced in place. "Let's hope you stay drier than your counterpart," she muttered to her bright red panties as they slid up her legs once she had cleaned and dried her mound. Opening up her closet door, her 38C breasts bounced against her ribs as she took her red slip dress from the hanger. A lustful smile formed on her lips wondering how Callum would like it as she fidgeted with the midthigh hem of her dress. She could already feel her peach's nectar gathering as she thought back to the way his cock felt against her. Rubbing her wrists together once she applied a fresh squirt of her perfume then added another between her breasts. Biting her lip pondering on the time when Callum would have his face buried within her lush valley.

All through her changing Itzel had a smile on her lips as she slipped into her matching pumps. Checking her hair, her makeup in her mirror before the strap of her purse slid up her arm. Her heart was skipping in her chest as she left her bedroom.

"Sorry for the wait Cal," Itzel called out as she elegantly walked down the stairs. Her eyes lustered as Callum stood there with a glass of water in hand and a gaping mouth. "Is it too much?" she asked, looking down at her outfit, then back up with a taunting smile.

"No, no, not at all," Callum finally managed to say. He already knew she was beautiful, yet the sight of her in a dress made his already befuddled mind shut down; and the only thing it could think of was how she would look sitting on the dinner table with her legs spread and his face between her thighs.

"I hope you don't mind if we take the car. I don't think it would be appropriate for me to ride in this," Itzel said, gesturing down to her dress. Moreover it would stop her from lifting up her dress and whispering to him in a pleading voice to slide that hard cock into her wet cunt. Her eyes flared as she noted how that pole of his flexed against his jeans. Wondering if he had thought along those same lines.

"I don't, I mean you are the one driving," Callum said, as he set his glass in the sink.

"Good, now I have another four hours with you before your daughter gets home, and I plan on making the most of it," Itzel stated taking hold of his hand. Swaying her ass just for him as she led him back out to the garage.

The moment they had arrived back at Callum's home after their delicious lunch of ribs, Texas toast, coleslaw, and fries, their hands were all over each other as they couldn't get enough of the taste of each other's lips. While Itzel's right hand was rubbing his manhood, Callum's left was fondling her right breast. It was only the alarm on Callum's phone that kept her from climbing on his lap and grinding her hot mound on that hard, hot, pulsating pole of his. Her breath shuddered as she pulled away as his fingers teased her right nipple. Her thighs slyly rubbed together yearning to feel his strong hands on them as her legs were wrapped around his waist as he sent that hard rod deep into her paradise; but alas, that wasn't meant to be, at least not on that day. She knew he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. So she could wait until the time was right for the two of them to be together intimately.

Biting her lip as she gazed at Callum as he stood in front of his home. Feeling her cheeks heat as she sat behind the wheel of her car. She silently admitted to herself that this had been one of the best dates she had ever been on and she couldn't wait to see Callum again. Waving to him as she backed out of his driveway. Wondering if she was going to be on his mind as he was on hers as she drove away.

Callum puttered around his shop waiting on Vanessa to drop off his daughter. Every few minutes he would glance at his phone seeing the dot moving on screen as the hour of four drew near. He was growing nervous as only five minutes remained and Vanessa still hadn't shown up.

"I know we're late Cal," Vanessa said, over the roof of her mother's rental car when they pulled in quarter pass the hour. "I'm sorry about that, we just lost track of time," she lied, she just wanted a few more moments with her daughter. As much as she wanted to take Callum to court to fight to get her rights back, Henry had told her how much of an uphill battle it would be and would probably drain them of every cent they had and still not win the case. She could see the anger in his eyes as he wiped his hands with his shop rag as she held the car door open for Shari as her mother popped the trunk. Watching as Shari ran around the front of the car to her father.

"Daddy look!" Shari said, beaming up at Callum.

"Who cut your hair?" Callum asked, trying to keep his tone passive so not to let on his displeasure at her mother.

"I didn't think you would mind Cal, Shari said she wanted a haircut while we were out," Vanessa said, as she unloaded the bags from the trunk.

"You should have called," Callum said, coldly.

"Don't you like it Daddy?" Shari asked, her lip trembled.

"Honey you just had one a month ago. If it wasn't the one you wanted you should have said so," Callum said, softening his tone as he looked down at his daughter.

"Cal I swear I didn't know," Vanessa said, as she shut the lid of the trunk knowing that this was going to be harder than she thought.

"But I wanted to look like Mama," Shari said, softly. "Please don't be mad," she said, on the verge of tears.

"I'm not mad at you Shari," Callum said, rubbing his forehead before his eyes glanced over to Vanessa. "Go put your things away Shari," he said, as he pulled down the shop door.

"Okay," Shari said weakly, knowing what that tone of his meant.

"Cal don't be too hard on Shari..." Constance began to say once Shari led Vanessa into her home.

"Is your phone broken?"

"What?!"

"Is you damn phone broken?" Callum growled.

"No... oh..."

"Yeah oh," Callum spat. "The next time you have someone else's daughter you better damn well pick up a damn phone and explain why you're fucking late. I'm sure Tobias' parents gave you that damn consideration. So what makes me less than you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes hatefully.

"I'm sorry Cal, we were just enjoying our time with Shari that neither of us were thinking," Constance stated knowing that his anger was warranted. She would be irate if someone had Vanessa and said they be back at a certain time and failed to call.

"Right," Callum drew out the word.

"Please Cal don't take this out on Shari," Constance called out to him as Callum walked to his home.

"You think I would do that. No, she's a child you two are the supposedly fucking adults with her. It's you I'm going to take it out on," Callum growled his venom lacing his words.

"Cal..."

"Get the fuck off my property," Callum spat as he turned to look at Vanessa. "If you can't pick up a damn phone, punch a few damn numbers. You think I'm going to trust you with my daughter?!" he said, darkly.

"Okay, I dropped the ball. I'm sorry, I swear I didn't mean to. But she's my daughter too Cal, I just couldn't let her..."

"You had no problem trying to k..." Callum's head rocked to the left as Vanessa slapped him hard.

"Don't you ever, ever say that to me ever fucking again. You hear me?!" Vanessa shouted poking Callum in the chest. "You fucking asshole!" she hissed shoving Callum backwards. "You think I don't hate myself for that?! You think I don't regret not being in her life!" Vanessa said, as tears reamed her eyes.

"Mommy, Daddy stop fighting!" Shari yelled stilling the two of them.

"Just leave, we've done fine without you so far," Callum said, as his fist curled in his rage.

"I'm not going anywhere Callum," Vanessa said, stepping up to him, her nose and inch away from his. The fire in her eyes matching his as they stared at one another. "The sooner you get that through your head, the better our relationship will be," she hissed low, all the while she smelt the faint hint of perfume on him.

"We don't have a relationship, nor will we ever. Do you fucking understand?"

"Fine Callum, if you don't want to be my friend that's your choice but I am going to be around. You better get used to that and keep whomever your seeing away from Shari. I don't want whatever woman your dating rubbing off on my daughter," Vanessa said, firmly. "I'll see you tomorrow Shari," smiling at her daughter as she looked back at Shari, "I'll be seeing you," Vanessa said, shoving pass Callum.

"Stop being mean to Mama!" Shari shouted at her father, going red in the face as she screamed.

Callum ran his hand down his face as Shari ran back into the house. How he wanted to scream in frustration.

"We are going to talk you and I. Oh yes, we are. You better believe that Cal," Vanessa said, from the open window as her mother backed out of his driveway. "I don't give up on my friends!"

"It didn't stop you from running away, now did it?!" Callum shouted as her mother drove off.

"Cal?!" Vanessa said, sitting in his living room four days after their blow up. "I want to put this behind us. This isn't good for Shari, us being at each other's throats." Smiling at Shari as she sat on the floor watching TV. Knowing Callum wouldn't raise his voice in front of their daughter.

"What do you want Vanessa?"

"I want us to go to couples counseling," Vanessa stated plainly. Hoping that he would go for it, if not then she would have to pull out the big guns.

"If I refuse?"

"Then I'll sue you for full custody of Shari. That's not something I want to do Cal, I don't want to take Shari away from you not after everything you've done," Vanessa said, squaring her shoulders.

"Go ahead, now get out."

"Daddy, be nice," Shari said, squinting at her father.

"Listen to her Cal, this could go badly for you. I don't want you to lose your rights to see our daughter. Henry is that good," Vanessa said, bluffing.

"Then explain to her why you and your parents put me through hell. Why you tried to do what you wanted to do. Why you so suddenly care about her. You do that then I'll think about it. Until then I'll see you in court," Callum said, crossing his arms.

"Cal it wasn't that bad, was it?"

"You didn't have your life put under a microscope. Every little thing nitpicked by people who don't know a damn thing about you. The character assassination your parents constantly levied upon me to make me appear incompetent in raising my own daughter. No, you don't know shit -- sorry Shari -- about what I went through to keep Shari. No, you only cared about whatever party you got invited to not the child we had together. So save your platitudes for someone that gives a damn about them." His eyes glanced down as his daughter stood defiantly before him. Seeing himself in her eyes as her face was set ready to fight.

"Stop. Being. Mean. To. Mama. And you stop threating my Daddy," Shari said, to both of her parents. "Don't make me choose Daddy," she said, with a trembling voice knowing her mother would lose.

"See, our daughter is wise..."

"You think you would have won?" Callum asked, with a knowing smirk that she would lose badly. "I really don't think you want to know that answer," he said, smiling wickedly as Vanessa started to speak. "You seem to forget I raised her; I've been the one constantly in her life. You are nothing but the newest... thing in her life. So think on that before you ever threaten to take my daughter from me again. Because if you try, you will see another side of me you will never forget that's a fact." Leaning forward as Shari beckoned him down to her level.

"Why do you hate Mama?"

"That's complicated Shari, I'm not sure you're ready for that answer honey," Callum said, softening his tone.

"Then why can't you be her friend or nice to her?"

"What do you want me to do Shari? Forgive her for everything she put us through?" Callum asked, after a few minutes of silence.

"No," Shari shook her head. "Mama hasn't learned her lesson yet. But I don't like seeing you like this Daddy. Maybe what Mama wants is what you need. Now do what you always tell me to do and shake hands," she said, with a stern tone. Placing her hands on her hips, Callum glanced up as Vanessa's hand covered her mouth knowing that's exactly how she looked like when she did the same pose. "You don't have to like her Daddy, but I need my Mama," Shari said, plumping out her lower lip.

Callum sighed heavily; he could never say no to her. "Fine Shari if that's what you want... I'll try."

"Good," Shari said, with a wide smile before returning to her TV show.

"Cal," Vanessa began to get up but sat back down when the look of his told her she was close enough as it was, "would Mondays and Wednesdays be good for you?" she asked, wondering if they would be friends ever again.

"You paying for this, because I'm sure as... not going to," Callum said, catching himself from cursing in front of his daughter.

"If that's what it takes for us to be civil with one another," Vanessa said, with a nod.

"Fine, what time?" Callum groaned staring up at the ceiling.

"Six o'clock," Vanessa said, without even thinking about it.

"You already set this up didn't you?" Callum asked, accusingly.

"Of course," Vanessa smirked with an amused light in her brown eyes. "I told you I've changed Cal, I'm not that immature girl that ran from her responsibilities. I'm here because I want to be here. I want to make up for every little slight that I've caused you, and hopefully Shari will come to love me like I see she loves you," she said, knowing she came close to losing the battle if it wasn't for Shari's intervention.

"Oh? You taking parenting classes too?! The same ones your parents and the damn State forced me to go to?" Arching an eyebrow as Vanessa nodded her head very vehemently.

"Told you Cal, the girl you once knew is gone. I'm here to stay, so the sooner you and I can come to terms with our past the better we will be for Shari's sake. Now I think I'll go and let the two of you enjoy your evening. Walk me to my car Cal," Vanessa said, as she rose to her feet as the strap of her purse settled onto her shoulder.

Callum quickly closed his mouth when Shari glanced at him as she hugged her mother. Blowing out a breath as he got to his feet. The sooner he got her off of his property the better he would feel. "Shari, don't move from that spot, hear me?" Callum said, from the doorway as his daughter was planted firmly in front of the TV once again.

"Yes Daddy," Shari said, without looking at him.

"Cal, I'm sorry what I said the other day," Vanessa said, as they stood on the walkway. "I had no right to tell you who can and who you can't bring around Shari. I wasn't thinking. It's just when you said that I wanted to... do that to her. Now that I've met Shari, I just can't believe how stupid I was back then. I know we may never be friends like we used to be. I get that, I kind of screwed that up for us. But can't we be civil towards one another for Shari's sake?" she asked, studying his face as she spoke those words. "This is why I want us to go to counseling together, so you can get this anger off your chest. I don't want it to harm your relationship with our daughter," Vanessa said, lightly patting his heart. "Plus that way you can yell, scream, call me all sorts of names without fear of Shari hearing them."

"Uh-huh," Callum muttered. He really didn't have anything to say to her, he just wanted her to get the hell off his property.

"I mean it Callum," Vanessa said, sternly. She only used his full name when she was making a point or to drive home the seriousness of her words. "Now, I hope whomever you're seeing now is good for you, and good for Shari. You're still my friend Callum even if you don't want to be mine. Maybe someday you'll introduce us, I would really like to meet her if you're okay with it," she said, stopping herself when Callum stepped back when she tried to kiss his cheek. "Okay, no contact," Vanessa sighed knowing it was going to be a battle up hill to get past his stubbornness. "Me and Henry would like to come over Sunday and spend the day with Shari if that's alright with you?"

"Fine," Callum said, in a monotone voice.

"We'll be here say eleven?" Vanessa inquired having to be content with a nod. Sighing as she closed her car door even on a warm day like today, the air around Callum was ice cold when it came towards her. She couldn't blame him he's had eight years to fester on what they put him through. Smiling at Shari as she waved to her from the living room window. Wondering how she was going to repair their fractured relationship. Waving goodbye and blowing a kiss to her daughter as she backed out of the driveway.

"What is it now?" Callum's voice came over the speakers of her car when she called when a very serious question popped into her mind.

"Cal, what would happen to Shari if something happened to you?" Vanessa asked, as she drove home.

"My parents would become her legal guardians," Callum said, matter-of-factly.

"Have you chosen her godparents..."

"Yes, and it isn't you, now is that all?"

"Yes Cal, sorry to have bothered you," Vanessa said, "ass," she muttered when Callum hung up. Knowing she was going to have to make a stop at Callum's parent's house to see if something did happen to him, god forbid, that she could still see Shari. While they might have some bad feelings due what she and her parents put their son through, they didn't have that smoldering anger she saw in his eyes.

Saturday, seven am.

"Hey, was just thinking about you," Callum smiled into the phone as Itzel's voice came over the line.

"Awe. That's so sweet," Itzel said, swaying back and forth in her room as she stood ready to leave.

"So to what do I owe the honor of this call?" Callum asked, laying on the charm.

"I'm sorry Cal, but Regina called in sick today and I have to cover her shift. I'm so, so sorry about ruining our plans for this afternoon," Itzel said, apologetically.

"I hope it's not something severe," Callum stated a little sad that he wouldn't be able to see that gorgeous smile of hers. Not that they hadn't spent an enormous amount of time with one another since they officially started dating. There were a few times Shari almost caught them making out. Yet he was able to play it off, although he was sure his daughter didn't believe it. "I understand Itzel, going to miss you though."

"Cal," Itzel cooed sweetly feeling her face heat. "I'll make it up to you I swear."

"Don't worry about it Itzel, somethings you just can't help. So... question?"

"Yes?" Itzel replied feeling the corners of her mouth lifting.

"What's a hot, sexy, attached librarian doing for lunch today?" Callum asked, as he leaned against the counter waiting on the waffle maker to go off so he could have breakfast ready for when Shari woke up.

"I was thinking of having a quick salad, why?" Itzel asked, her tone was light yet teasing.

"Oh, no reason, just curious is all," Callum said smirking, knowing what he and Shari would be doing for lunch.

"Why do I get the feeling you have some devious plan brewing?!" Itzel lightly giggled.

"You make me sound like some kind of fiend, planning on doing uncouth things to such a pretty lady," Callum said teasingly, as he lifted the freshly made waffle off the hot iron then adding another ladle full of batter to it. Callum always made extra when he made waffles and froze the rest that Shari didn't finish off.

"I don't know Mr. MacRoe, you do seem kind of shady to me," Itzel giggled like a school girl. She didn't understand why Callum made her feel so alive, none of the other men or boys she's dated ever made her feel like he did when they spoke to one another.

"You wound me good lady," Callum jested.

"Aww, here," blowing him a kiss into her phone, "better?" Itzel asked, her mirth carried over the line.

"Mmm nope, I need the real thing," Callum said, smiling into the phone as he flipped the sausage patties.

"Monday..."

"Umm... yeah about Monday, well, I'll tell you later don't want you upset while you're at work."

"O-okay," Itzel said, drawing out the word. "You better tell me tonight this sounds really big Callum."

"I will, I promise."

"Good. I've got to go. Tell Shari I said hello, and I miss you too Cal," Itzel said, before quickly hanging up. Burying her face in her hands as her cheeks burned against her palms.

"Daddy where are we going?" Shari asked, as she looked out the window of her father's truck.

"To the library," Callum stated, "after we pick up some food. Your books are about overdue, and we have read all of them. So I was thinking we pick out some new ones and maybe have lunch with a friend. Would you like that honey?"

"Do I know this friend?" Shari asked, innocently.

"You do," Callum nodded.

"Okay then," Shari said, smiling at her father. Humming excitedly in her seat as they drove through town.

The Hearst Library sat along west Main street in Lead, South Dakoda. The bustle of Main street echoed all around them as Callum helped his daughter onto the curb once she handed him his, hers, and Itzel's lunch. He hoped he wasn't being too forward in doing this. Callum just really enjoyed Itzel's company. She was smart, witty, charming, yet also soft, sensitive when she was alone with them. Recounting the times Itzel would snuggle up to him as they watched a movie with Shari. Shari didn't know they were dating yet, she simply thought Itzel was a nice friend that enjoyed spending time with them. Ever since the poker run the two of them have been like peas in a pod.

"You got your books?" Callum asked, as he gazed down at his daughter as he shut the passenger door.

"Mmmhmm," Shari nodded.

"Good, let's go surprise our friend, shall we?" Callum cooed matching his daughter's smile.

"Shari?!" Itzel's voice carried across the lobby as Shari rushed through the door. Her steel blue eyes full of shock, wondering how she got there.

"Itzel!" Shari squealed as she caught sight of her. Running up to the counter, laying her books on it, "Daddy said we were going to see a friend, I didn't know it was you!" she said, smiling up at Itzel.

"Did he now?!" Itzel cooed as her eyes glanced up as the inner door opened. Her heart raced, her skin heated, her eyes dilated as Callum walked through the door. "Cal, what are the two of you doing here?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.

"Well... I thought, since you couldn't make it today, that me and Shari here, would bring you lunch and bring back the books she checked out," Callum said, holding up the bag. "Unless... you don't want to have lunch with this adorable face," he said, with a teasing grin as he stoked the back of his daughter's head.

"I knew you had something planned, I just knew it!" Itzel said, wagging her finger at him causing Shari to giggle, yet she couldn't keep her smile from showing; nor could she stop the luster in her eyes as she gazed at Callum.

"So Shari, here to turn in books?" Itzel asked, spinning books around, opening the covers to ensure they weren't overdue. All the while her eyes were glancing up at him as Callum stood there with that grin on his face. She knew her face must be the color of a ripe cherry, yet she didn't care. "Allen?!" she called out to her coworker.

"Yeah?!" Allen's voice filtered from the open doorway that led to the private section of the library.

"Would you mind covering the desk while I have lunch with the most adorable girl in the world?" Itzel asked, smiling down at Shari whose cheeks were a rosy red.

"What?! Oh?" Allen muttered as he stepped out of the office. A smile formed on his face at the sight of Callum. He had wondered why a pretty woman like her was still single, now he knew why. "Sure Itzel, I'll cover for you."

"Thanks Allen," Itzel said, smiling at him from over her shoulder. Peering out of the corner of her left eye as she walked along the desk in step with Callum as he too peered at her. How it warmed her heart to know, just like her, he couldn't get enough. Holding out her hand to Shari once she passed through the swinging waist high door. "I know the perfect quite little place where we can enjoy our lunch," Itzel said, smiling down at Shari, all the while her gaze lingered on Callum as they walked through the library towards the break room. Biting her lip, her cheeks becoming flushed as Shari walked hand in hand with each one of them. To her it almost felt like they were a family. Shaking the thought from her mind it was still far too early to even think like that, yet she could hope, could she not?

"So what did you get us?" Itzel asked, as Shari slid into the seat which sat in the middle of the table in the break room.

"You said you wanted a salad so I got you a grilled chicken salad with currants and pine nuts," Callum said, placing it in front of her along with the dressing. He hoped it was what she would like. Maybe he should have called her first.

"And what did you get the pretty Miss Shari?" Itzel asked, flashing her a smile.

"Chicken fingers!" Shari exclaimed throwing her arms into the air. Smiling at her father as he placed the plastic container before her.

"Let me get us some drinks," Itzel said sweetly, placing a kiss on Callum's left cheek. Sticking her tongue out at Shari as she went 'Ew' before giggling.

"Daddy do you like Itzel?" Shari whispered to him as he arranged the table while Itzel fetched two sodas, and a water from the vending machine.​