’Cause I’ve been shaking I’ve been bending backwards till I’m broke Watching all these dreams go up in smoke  Let beauty come out of ashes

“i’m way too sober to be having such a serious conversation.”

“If this is you dreadful, you’d probably kill me at your best.” He chuckled, “I’ve been alright, keeping busy. I’m actually working with your uncle a lot more but, I didn’t think I’d run into you–especially stateside.” Callum nodded, “So, your art? I’d love to see it sometime if you’d be alright with that.”

“If you say so.” She commented, with a shrug of her shoulders. She had never thought of herself as beautiful. “That’s great. I love my uncle. He’s one of the few family members who isn’t completely bonkers.” Her parents? Well they left something to be desired. “Oh, I’ve lived here for years. Did he never mention that?” Her art? He wanted to see it. “Sure. I’m working on a few new pieces.”

“What can I say, the rumors were true this go around.” He smirked, “Ho-how are you…” He bit his bottom lip, “Sorry, I’m staring, but, it’s been so long–you look…wow, um,” Cal smiled, his cheeks flushing just a touch. It was rare for him to become speechless, he always had a smart line or witty come back but this caught him off guard. The brunette chuckled, “You look fantastic, as always.” He finally was able to compliment her.

“I’m good. I’ve been busy with work and my art.” She smiled, softly. “Oh thank you. I think I look rather dreadful at the moment. You know, not sleeping well and all will do nothing good for you. How have you been?” She questioned, tucking some hair behind her ear.  “And you look wonderful, as well.”

Callum hung up the phone as he exited the law firm, he hadn’t been expecting to come into today but Hugh had called with an interesting case. He was already Stateside so when Hugh asked for him to check on something he didn’t see why not. The Brits eyes lifted and he froze in his spot. “Aria?” He had assumed she was still in England, at least Great Britain. They’d both grown but god she looked fantastic. Suddenly Cal felt like that skinny, wanderlust filled teen who he’d been when they first met. 

@refinedtragedy

Aria had gotten a call from her uncle to meet him. He wanted to have lunch. But, she wasn’t sure why he had called yet. She was going to figure that out while they ate lunch. She was just about to enter the law firm when someone came walking out. It had been awhile since she had seen him last. But, she couldn’t forget that face for anything. “Callum?” She questioned, as though he weren’t the person in front of her. “It’s so funny that I would run into you. I’d heard rumors that you were working for my uncle. But, this just proves it.”

@refinedtragedy

Heart raced just a little bit, hearing the news.  Once again, Jitters had been the center of an attack, and all he could think about, was that he just wanted to get home.  It was the first night that he and Aria had had together in a few days, just them.  No one else in the house.  The joys of having people come and go as they pleased.  

Turns out though, the ‘bad guy’ was an ex employee who went a little crazy.  Then waited for the cops.  As they hauled him away, he headed to his car, and home.  The patrols could handle things.  Pulling into the driveway, he headed inside, and slipped off his jacket.  “Aria?”  He let out a breath, listening for sounds she was home.  “Babe, you home?”

Aria had been home all day. She had the day off from the cafe where she was working and she had no classes either. It was a rare day when nothing much was happening.  She’d gotten some chores done around the house and settled onto the sofa with some popcorn and a dvd set. It was nice to unwind without everyone around.

The place seemed busier than ever with the way that everyone had come and gone. She was just about to toss some popcorn in her mouth when she heard his voice. She put the bowl of popcorn down on the table and met him in the other room. “I’m right here.”