Nine
"Dinner!"
Brandon lifted his head from where he was just kissing Callie, groaning just a little. She giggled a little and pushed herself out from under him to go down stairs. He took a few minutes, staring at where his girlfriend just exited, before he fallowed her path.
Dinner was nothing special. Some chicken and mash potatoes. The table was filled with lively conversation about Jude's eventful day buying clothes with Lena at the mall. Mariana was stepping in and giving her advice on outfits while Jesus interjected disagreeing. Callie and Brandon however where in their own world, playfully arguing about whether Aerosmith or The Rolling Stones were the more superior rock band. Towards the end of dinner Lena cleared her throat and waiting until everyone looked in her direction.
"So Callie, Jude. I got you all set up to go to Anchor Beach. You can start tomorrow if you want."
Stef perked up. "Oh I think that's a great idea Love. What do you think guys?"
Both Jude and Callie looked like a deer in headlights. The prospect of going to a new school again made them uneasy in a way. This time would be their ninth in seven years. Starting over was scary, especially when they were so use to doing it.
Picking up on his girlfriend's inner stress level, he released her hand from where he was holding it in her lap and wrapped an arm around her. For extra of support, he also leaned over and kissed her temple before pulling her back into his chest. "It's going to be fine."
"I sure hope you're right about that." She all but whispers back.
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Later that night the youngest couple of the house was found in the hammock chair that was hanging out of the large tree. Callie was curled up on Brandon's lap, head tucked into the space between his shoulder and neck. She was lazily tracing shapes with her figure across his chest as he sat there letting her process her thoughts. Tomorrow was going to be a big day and he knew she was nervous for reasons that he could only guess on. None the less, just because he did not know every detail did not mean he did not understand. He knew that in this moment she just needed to sit here with him regardless of what was going through her head. And like with most things, Brandon gave his girl what she wanted.
Her voice brought him out of the comfortable silence that was formed. "Do you have work tomorrow?"
He took a deep breath before answering, "I do. You can come with me or I can call in if you wish. I don't want to leave you tomorrow if you need me."
He felt her smile against the skin of his neck, God he loved that feeling. "I would like to go with you. I think going some place neutral might settle me a little tomorrow. God knows what school is going to be like, I'm expecting the biggest train wreck first day yet."
He moved the hand that was resting comfortably on her hip to interlock their fingers together. "It's not going to be a train wreck. I'll be there and I won't let anything happen. I promise."
"You can't be there the entire time Brandon. You know that."
He leaned away from her just enough to bring his forehead to hers, effectively looking her in the eyes. Lord, they looked so scared already, granted it was not the most frightened look he has ever seen on her but it still hurt him. "Just trust me, please. I won't let anything happen to you, ever."
She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lip before returning to her position in his neck. "I know. You're so good to me. What did I ever do to deserve you?"
His arms came around her in a full bear hug into his chest. "I should be asking you that don't you think?"
"No way. Without you I don't know what would have happened to me by now. I owe you my life."
He let out a breathy sigh. He hated to think about what could have been if that was the case. The thought was scary. "Don't talk like that. Right now we are together and you are safe and that's all that matters."
The comfortable silence returned for awhile. The couple spent the time enjoying the sound of the bugs of the back yard. Eventually, a half asleep Callie let go of a breath and relaxed into him once more. Mumbling she let out what sounded like an 'I love you'.
Brandon just smiled, relaxing himself and relived back, "I love you too."