Chapter 43- Ellie
We get home late, but neither of us is tired.
If anything, we’re buzzing — like the whole day left a warm hum under our skin that hasn’t faded yet.
Moony bursts through the door like she owns the place, tail wagging so hard her whole body wiggles. Bunter is tucked in my arms, warm and sleepy, but the second he sees the living room he perks up like he’s ready to run a marathon.
I drop my bag by the couch and flop down with a sigh that turns into a smile.
“Today was perfect,” I say.
Oliver locks the door behind us, watching me with that soft, quiet look he gets sometimes — the one that makes my stomach flip. “Yeah,” he murmurs. “It really was.”
Moony hops onto the couch beside me. Bunter climbs onto my lap like a tiny king claiming his throne.
I pull out my phone.
“Okay,” I say, scrolling through the pictures Oliver’s sisters took. “I have to send these to my dad.”
I pick my favorites:
The family picture.
The dinner table.
Bunter in his little bandana.
Moony begging like she hasn’t eaten in years
me and Oliver’s mom smiling like we’ve known each other forever
And then… a selfie Oliver took of us in the car — my head on his shoulder, his smile soft and warm.
I send them all.
ME: Dad look!! We had so much fun.
I barely set my phone down before it starts ringing.
Daddy.
My heart jumps.
I answer immediately. “Hi!”
His voice is warm, gentle. “Hi, sweetheart. I just saw the pictures.”
I grin. “Did you see Bunter’s bandana?”
“I did,” he laughs. “He looks like he owns the place.”
“He does,” I say, glancing down at him. “He really does.”
Dad’s voice softens. “You look happy, Ellie.”
I swallow. “I am.”
“I’m glad,” he says.
There’s a pause.
A tiny one.
Barely noticeable.
But I notice.
Dad clears his throat. “You deserve days like this. People like this.”
My chest warms. “Thank you.”
“I’m proud of you,” he adds quietly. “More than you know.”
I blink fast, suddenly emotional. “I… thank you. Really.”
We talk a little more — about the food, the dogs, the chaos — and then he lets me go with a soft, “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
When I hang up, I feel lighter.
Grounded.
Loved.
I walk into the kitchen where Oliver is putting leftovers in the fridge.
“My dad called,” I say.
He looks up, smiling softly. “Yeah?”
“He loved the pictures. And he said he’s proud of me.”
Oliver’s eyes soften in that way that makes my heart ache. “He should be.”
I’m about to hug him when his phone buzzes.
He glances at it.
Then his eyebrows lift.
“Oh—my mom just texted.”
I tilt my head. “What’d she say?”
He reads it, trying to act casual, but there’s something in his eyes… something warm and nervous and excited all at once.
“She said she made a reservation at some… elegant restaurant in Starlace Hollow for tomorrow night.” He clears his throat. “She said we should bring a nice outfit.”
My whole face lights up. “Ooooh fancy? I love fancy.”
Oliver laughs softly. “Yeah. I figured you would.”
I’m already mentally planning outfits.
Tomorrow is going to be perfect.
Oliver puts his phone down, and I’m still grinning like an idiot.
“A fancy restaurant,” I say, nudging him with my shoulder. “Your mom is so cute.”
He laughs softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. She likes planning things.”
I don’t think twice about it.
I’m too excited.
“Okay,” I say, clapping my hands once. “We need to pack.”
Oliver raises an eyebrow. “Right now?”
“Yes, right now,” I insist. “We’re leaving in the morning. And I need options.”
He chuckles, shaking his head like he’s helpless against me — which, honestly, he is.
I scoop Bunter into my arms. “Come on, baby. You need your little backpack.”
Moony trots after me.
My bedroom looks like a tornado hit it within five minutes.
I’m pulling sweaters out of drawers, holding them up to myself, tossing half of them onto the bed. Oliver leans against the doorway, arms crossed, watching me with that soft, amused smile that makes my stomach warm.
“Do I need three sweaters?” I ask.
“No.”
I put all three in the suitcase anyway.
Moony immediately sits on top of them.
“Moony, please,” I groan.
She stares at me like this is my bed now .
Bunter, meanwhile, is trying to drag one of Oliver’s socks under the bed like he’s storing it for winter.
“Bunter!” I laugh, grabbing the sock. “You’re a menace.”
Oliver steps in, scooping the puppy up. “He gets it from you.”
I gasp dramatically. “Excuse me?”
He kisses my forehead. “You heard me.”
I pretend to glare, but I’m smiling too hard.
I kneel on the floor and pull out the tiny backpack I bought for Bunter — blue with little stars on it.
“Okay,” I say, opening it. “He needs his blanket, his treats, his little water bottle, his toy dinosaur—”
Oliver snorts. “He’s going for one night, Ellie.”
“And he needs to be prepared,” I say, stuffing the dinosaur inside.
Moony nudges my arm.
“Oh, don’t worry,” I tell her. “I packed your own bag too, my baby.”
Her tail thumps.
By the time we’re done, the room looks like a cozy disaster.
Suitcase zipped.
Dog bags packed.
Outfits chosen.
Fancy dress laid out for tomorrow night.
I flop onto the bed with a sigh. “Okay. I think we’re ready.”
Oliver sits beside me, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “You excited?”
“So excited,” I say, smiling up at him. “It’s going to be perfect.”
He looks at me for a long moment — too long — like he’s trying to memorize my face.
My heart flutters, but I don’t know why.
He leans down and kisses me softly. “Yeah,” he whispers. “It will be.”
We crawl under the blankets.
Moony curls up at our feet.
Bunter falls asleep on my chest, tiny snores puffing against my shirt.
I rest my head on Oliver’s shoulder, warm and safe.
“Goodnight,” I murmur.
He kisses the top of my head.
“Goodnight, my love.”