Thirty-Nine
thirty-nine
ALL OF ME - JOHN LEGEND
CALLIE - JULY 26, 2014
M y tears spill over as he finishes reciting his beautiful promises to me, and I can’t help but feel like I’m not going to be able to follow his opening act. This man is a saint in my eyes. And I still can’t believe he’s mine.
My voice wavers as I speak, knowing these are words we will carry with us forever. Words of love, of trust, and of the life we’re building together.
Owen Theodore Klein,
Nothing in this universe makes me happier than knowing that, as of today, you are stuck with me forever.
Ever since the day we met, I knew that there was something special about you. And it didn’t take me long to realize that you are my soulmate. My twin flame.
You always know exactly what to say to make me smile. I have never known a man that is more genuine than you. Before you, I never thought that love like this existed. I am so glad it does and will forever be grateful to you for showing me a love this incredible.
I promise to appreciate you, always. And to fall more in love with you with every breath I take.
You are the most amazing father and I promise to be the best mother to our children I can be.
I promise to give this my all every single day and do my best to be the wife you deserve.
I promise to always make sure you know I am here for you whenever you need me.
No matter what life throws our way, I promise I will always stand by your side. Until death do us part.
And, most of all, I promise you that I will smack you in the back of the head every time you say you are ‘merely average.’ Because you are so much more than that.
You are Super Man. You understand me in a way no one else does. My heart was made to love you. And my soul will cherish you forever.
I love you, madly.
There’s not a dry eye in sight by the time we finish our vows.
“Now, it is time to exchange rings,” Olivia announces, another unique component to our ceremony that I’ve been most looking forward to: we are using the vows from the ring exchange in the movie The Corpse Bride:
With this hand, I will lift your sorrows.
Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine.
Like a candle, I will light your way in darkness.
With this ring, I ask you to be mine.
The rings, the kiss, the cheers of our family and friends, it all blurs together in a haze of pure joy. The moment the officiant says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” everything sharpens into perfect focus. Owen pulls me into his arms, and the world around us fades. There is nothing but him.
Hand in hand, we walk down the aisle together, Barrett running ahead of us, his little yellow bow tie slightly crooked. The sound of clapping and cheering feels distant, like it’s coming from another world. I glance up at Owen, his dark eyes full of emotion, and the smile on his lips makes my heart feel like it could burst. In this moment, everything feels complete in a way I never imagined possible.
Each step down the aisle feels like a promise of laughter, late-night talks, and growing through whatever life throws at us. His hand is warm and steady in mine, a perfect fit, as though it’s always belonged there. I look up at him, marveling at how he’s taken every broken piece of my life and turned it into something whole, something beautiful.
Barrett pauses at the end of the aisle and turns back to wave, his grin wide and his eyes shining with excitement. My heart swells at the sight of him. This isn’t just about Owen and me. It’s about all of us, Barrett, Sara, Ruby, and the family we’ve created together. Every piece of my heart is here today, stitched into the fabric of this moment.
The sun bathes the estate in golden light, the breeze carrying the scent of wildflowers, and I can feel the weight of the life we’re about to step into together. This is the beginning of forever, the start of everything I’ve ever dreamed of and so much more.
Owen glances down at me, his eyes soft and full of love, and I squeeze his hand, my voice barely above a whisper. “We did it, babe.”
He leans down to press a kiss to my temple, his words gentle and sure. “Yeah, we did. And it’s just the beginning.”
As I smile up at him, the future feels wide open, full of endless possibilities. With every step, I leave behind the woman I used to be and embrace the life we’re building together—a life I never knew I could have but now can’t imagine living without.
The reception is bathed in the warm glow of string lights strung between the trees, casting a magical shimmer across the lawn. Round tables are scattered under the open sky, each one dressed with white linens and adorned with mason jars bursting with wildflowers and eucalyptus. The soft hum of laughter and clinking glasses fills the air, blending with the faint rustle of the evening breeze. It’s exactly how I imagined it, but seeing it alive with our family and friends makes it feel even more perfect.
I stand at the edge of the dance floor, my gaze drifting over the scene. Owen is across the lawn, laughing with Vince and Luke, his tie loosened and his grin wide. He looks so effortlessly handsome, so at home among the people he loves. My heart swells as I watch him, my husband. The word still feels like a new song I haven’t stopped humming since the ceremony. It’s a word that was once so bitter on my tongue that now carries an entirely different set of emotions.
The kids are the stars of the dance floor. Sara twirls in her pale blue dress, her curls bouncing with every spin, while Ruby toddles after her, clapping and giggling. Meanwhile, Barrett is busy showing off his signature dance move, something between a spin and a jump. The guests roar with laughter.
Brooke steps up beside me, handing me a glass of champagne. “Mrs. Klein,” she says with a grin. “How’s it feel?”
“Like a dream,” I reply, accepting the glass.
She clinks hers against mine. “You deserve this. All of it.”
Taylor joins us a moment later, her daughter Ava trailing behind her, frosting smeared across her tiny face. “Your kids are unstoppable,” Taylor says, gesturing toward Sara and Ruby. “I caught Sara telling Ruby cupcakes are a food group, and now Ava’s trying to keep up.”
“She’s persuasive,” I reply, laughing. “She gets that from her dad.”
Before Taylor can respond, the DJ’s voice cuts through the chatter, announcing it’s time for the first dance. My stomach flutters as all eyes turn toward the dance floor. Owen steps forward, extending his hand to me with a crooked smile.
“Ready, Mrs. Klein?” he asks, his voice soft.
“Always,” I reply, slipping my hand into his.
The opening notes of All of Me by John Legend fill the night, the melody wrapping around us like the softest embrace. Owen pulls me into his arms, his hand warm and steady at the small of my back.
“You look so stunning,” he murmurs, his voice low, meant just for me.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I whisper back, smiling up at him.
We sway together, the rest of the world fading into the music. The lyrics float around us, each word feels like it was written just for us.
‘Cause all of me loves all of you…
Owen’s gaze locks on mine, and the intensity in his eyes makes my chest tighten. I feel the weight of everything he’s promised me, the strength of his love anchoring me in this moment.
“You know,” he murmurs, leaning close so only I can hear, “I’ve never been this sure of anything in my life.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I rest my head against his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my cheek. “Me neither,” I whisper, my voice trembling.
He spins me gently, his touch firm but tender, and as he pulls me back into his arms, the crowd fades even further away. It’s just him and me, moving together to the music, to the rhythm of our forever.
Even when I lose, I’m winning…
The lyrics resonate deep in my chest, echoing everything I feel for him. The love we share isn’t perfect; it’s messy and real and honest, but it’s ours. It’s worth every stumble, every hard conversation, every beautiful moment.
As the song ends, Owen leans close, his forehead resting against mine. “You’re it for me, Callie. Always.”
A tear slips down my cheek, but I’m smiling so wide it doesn’t matter. “Always,” I whisper back, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as the applause around us swells.
He dips me low, his grin wide, and the crowd erupts in cheers. Laughter bubbles up in my chest as he pulls me back up, his arms wrapping tightly around me.
The rest of the evening unfolds in a blur of joy. Owen’s grandparents Sully and Alice share a dance, their movements slow and steady, a picture of enduring love. My dad sweeps Sara onto the dance floor, twirling her as she shrieks with laughter. Ruby toddles around the edges, clapping along to the beat, while Barrett takes the lead in organizing the kids into a chaotic but enthusiastic conga line.
Vince finds his way to the dance floor, spinning Ainsley in exaggerated circles until she’s laughing so hard she has to sit down. I was shocked to learn that Zoe agreed to drop Ainsley off here since Vince and the guys got ready at my house this morning. The exchange must have gone okay because I didn’t hear anything about it.
Luke lets loose and I’m glad to see him doing so well. He’s probably taking the breakup with Heather harder than he’s letting on. I have caught him sneaking glances at Brooke more than once. Yet, Brooke seems to have her eye on Vince. Taylor raises an eyebrow at me, silently questioning, and I file the thought away for later.
At one point, Owen pulls me aside, leading me toward the edge of the reception where the string lights fade into the darkness. The night air is cool, and the stars above us are impossibly bright. The sounds of laughter and music drift faintly in the background, but out here, it feels like the world is just ours.
“Need a break?” I ask, leaning against him.
“Just wanted a moment alone with my wife,” he says, his voice soft and sure.
The way he says it, like it’s the most natural thing in the world, makes my chest tighten. “I love the way that sounds,” I reply, resting my head on his shoulder.
We stand there for a long moment, the quiet wrapping around us like a blanket. The breeze carries the scent of eucalyptus and wildflowers, and I let myself sink into the stillness, into the safety of his arms.
“Today was perfect,” I whisper.
“It was,” he agrees, his lips brushing my temple. “But it’s just the beginning, Dollface. The best is yet to come.”
We step back into the glow of the reception, hand in hand. Our forever is only just beginning.
The reception winds down, the guests slowly filtering out with hugs, laughter, and promises to catch up soon. I’m exhausted, but happy after a day filled with love and laughter. It was everything I’d dreamed our wedding would be.
Owen has been by my side through the goodbyes, his hand warm and steady at the small of my back. I stretch my arms, ready to head home as the last of the guests leave. The thought of climbing into bed and letting the whirlwind of the day sink in feels like the perfect ending, but when I glance at Owen, I catch the glimmer of mischief in his eyes.
“You ready for the next part of the night?” he asks, his voice low and warm.
I furrow my brow. “The next part? I thought we were just heading home.”
He shakes his head, grinning. “Not tonight, Mrs. Klein. I’ve got something better in mind.”
Curiosity blooms in my chest as he reaches for my hand, leading me toward his truck. The cool night air brushes against my skin as he opens the door for me. “Owen, what are you up to?” I ask, laughing softly as I climb in.
“You’ll see,” he replies, his tone teasing. “But I’ll tell you this, Rita and Wayne are staying at the house with the kids tonight. They’ve got everything covered.”
I blink, stunned. “Wait—what? You arranged for the kids?”
He nods, his grin widening. “I wanted tonight to be just about us.”
The drive isn’t long, but the anticipation builds with every mile. He takes a familiar turn, and I realize we’re heading toward the West Haven project—the cabins nestled on the edge of the woods that Owen helped build.
“Owen…” I trail off, glancing at him as he pulls into the small gravel lot. The cabin in front of us is bathed in soft, golden light, the warm glow spilling out from the windows and onto the porch.
“I figured we deserved something special tonight,” he says, cutting the engine and turning to me. “Something just for us.”
He helps me out of the truck, and as we step onto the porch, I catch the faint scent of cedar and the soft hum of music playing inside. When he pushes open the door, I’m greeted by the sight of a cozy, romantic retreat. A fire crackles in the stone fireplace, casting flickering shadows across the room. A bottle of champagne waits on the table, alongside a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries.
The bed is tucked into a corner, draped in white linens with an intricately embroidered quilt folded at the foot. A vase of wildflowers sits on the nightstand, their fragrance mingling with the woodsy scent of the cabin.
“Owen,” I whisper, turning to him. “This is… perfect.”
His hands slide around my waist, pulling me close. “I can’t take all the credit,” he says with a soft smile. “My boss helped me arrange it. The owners were more than happy to set this up for us when they heard it was for our wedding night.”
I blink back tears, overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness. “You really thought of everything.”
He shrugs, but his expression is filled with pride. “You deserve everything. I wanted tonight to be unforgettable, for both of us.”
I glance at the champagne, the strawberries, the wildflowers—all of it feels so thoughtful, so personal. “You’re perfect,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
“You make me want to be,” he murmurs, brushing his lips against my temple.
I press a hand to his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my palm. “You make me feel so loved,” I whisper, my voice trembling.
“Just doing my job as your husband.” He leans down, capturing my lips in a kiss that’s as tender as it is full of promise.
We get lost in each other for I’m not even sure how long, and as he slowly pulls away, he turns me around so that my back is to him. As he places a kiss behind my ear and trails more down the soft skin of my neck, I feel his hands come to the back of my dress as he starts undoing the buttons one my one. With each button he undoes, he places a kiss to the skin that was previously covered by lace. He repeats this until he’s reached the very last button and is now kneeling behind me, placing one final kiss just above my ass.
As he stands, he slips his hands under the lace material and pushes it down my shoulders on each side. He’s drowning me in kisses and my body is beginning to tremble with pure need. His name escapes my lips on a whisper as he continues his pursuit of removing my gown in torturously slow movements, leaving kisses on my skin every step of the way.
The dress begins to fall away, leaving my breasts exposed. It’s then I notice the long mirror on the wall where I can see the reflection as he reaches around me and palms my breasts in his hands and nips at the spot where my neck and shoulder meets. It’s my favorite spot to be kissed and he knows it. He slowly steps around in front of me for a moment and I am almost sad that he’s blocked my view in the mirror because I’ve never felt more beautiful than I do in this moment.
As if he knows I was watching in the mirror, he leans forward and begins his kissing pursuit down my body once again, this time down the front of me. I watch him kiss down to my navel, taking each of my breasts in his mouth, mesmerized at the sight of this man on his knees in front of me.
As he settles on his knees, I’m left breathless as he pushes my dress down and it softly falls to the floor. With his hands on my hips he lowers himself and sticks out his tongue, finding my pulsing bundle of nerves. I begin to fall apart for him. I am completely at his mercy. His tongue licks my slit and circles my clit, again and again, until I whimper. I beg him to let me come. He shakes his head, his tongue still on my clit, denying me my release.
“Not yet, Kitty,” he whispers against my pussy. “I have another surprise for you. Don’t move.”