There was a moment's silence before she sighed and it sounded like she adjusted the phone against her ear. "I went on a walk." * * * "Think of it like this; that means it's working."
She was quiet for a moment before exhaling slightly. "No, it's okay. I'm almost home now. I've been out for a while. You can go back to sleep." * * * "Trust me, okay? Trust me."
"I just needed to... clear my head," she said after a few moments, her voice quiet. "Plus, I like rainstorms." * * * He sighed miserably. "I know, baby. I know."
"Yeah," she said immediately as thunder rumbled outside. "Everything's fine. I'll, uh... I'll be home soon, okay?" * * * His brows furrowed in a frown. "What? Why?"
"I'll see you," she replied quietly. "Go back to sleep." * * * An incredulous look crossed his face. "Cal, are you kidding?"
"Love you," he said quietly, before hanging up. He went to the kitchen, going to make tea. *** "I.. I couldn't get out but I should have."
It would be almost an hour before Val returned, her black hair heavy with rain and her coat glistening from the water. She dripped on the floor, closing the door quietly behind her and slipping off her shoes. * * * "Callie, you're delirious. None of this was your fault."
Landon was on the couch. It appeared he had waited for her, but ended up falling asleep. He had made her tea, but it wasn't as warm. *** "I am not delirious. I could have done something."
She wrung out her hair and stood by him for a moment before sighing and resisting the urge to cuddle up next to him. Instead, she turned and headed for the bathroom to change into dry clothes. * * * "Baby, you did everything you could. Stop this, okay?"
Val changed into a tank top and a pair of shorts and she came over to the couch, pulling a blanket over him gently. * * * "If the situation were reversed, you wouldn't expect me to apologize, would you?"
