Chapter Twenty-Two Sophie #2
Maybe the universe writes these people into our stories from the very beginning, destined to meet us, and we just haven't reached that part of the book yet. Cosmically fated to cross paths.
Or perhaps the more beautiful truth is that love isn't fate, it's choice.
Sometimes, we meet these people—by accident or by chance—and we choose to return to them. Over and over again. Knowing that there are objectively more beautiful people out there, more convenient people, safer paths, and easier experiences that we could seek to find.
But why would we search for that when we've already found the one we want?
The person who feels like home in a way no one else can ever hope to replicate. The person who quiets the storms inside of us, and when they look at us, we actually feel seen. They don't complete our lives—they add more brightness, beauty, hope, and magic to them.
I can't help but think of that scene in The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy steps from sepia into Technicolor. That's what this feels like. I was living in sepia before, content and happy, but this...
Callum turned my world into Technicolor.
The wind picks up slightly, and I shiver, not only from the cold but from the emotional storm swirling inside of me. Callum instinctively shifts closer, his arm tightening around my shoulders and his hand rubbing my arm to warm me.
How special it is to be chosen, not because you're perfect, but because you're you.
So, I don't know if it's fate or choice, but the outcome remains the same.
"I might be dying, Callum," I tell him, stressing my words.
Callum flinches slightly, his brow furrowing, and I feel a slight regret at causing him any discomfort, but I need him to understand.
"All this treatment could be for nothing.
My body could just... give up and give out.
I don't want you to get hurt. Not again. You're too important to me."
Callum swallows hard, his gaze slipping away from mine and on the horizon. He drops his hand from my face, and I immediately miss the contact. His posture is tense, as if he's working through his own storm in his mind.
"Do you think I don't think about that?" He asks, his voice low but steady.
His eyes finally find mine again, and the intensity in them causes my heart to pound.
"It's kind of all I can think about sometimes.
And yeah, I'm scared—God, Sophie, I'm so damn scared—but I'm not going to let fear drag me away from you. It's you."
"Callum—"
He gently cuts me off, bending so we're eye level, and I feel his warm breath across my lips. "You're too precious to me to just walk away from. I don't even think I could at this point. I don’t want to. You've dug yourself in too deep, sweet girl."
My nose stings, and the tear comes fast, slipping down my cheeks. Callum's thumb is already brushing it away, and his eyes drop to my mouth before they flicker to my eyes again. The pressure builds until it reaches a boiling point.
"You're all I've ever wanted," he says, his voice breaking just slightly on the word ever.
Another tear slips down my cheek, and I see his eyes become bright with unshed tears.
"Maybe the universe has a funny sense of humor, putting you in my path while you're fighting the hardest battle of your life.
But I want to be a part of your life. I want to be with you through this battle and whatever comes after. I want you, Sophie."
"I want you too," I sob, feeling like I can't catch my breath.
"I don't have that much experience in relationships, Sophie. I'm worried that I won't measure up to what you need."
"Callum," I start to protest, how could he ever think that? He's already been so wonderful, and we've only been friends for a short time. He shakes his head, thumb brushing over my lips in a gentle plea of silence.
"Let me just get this out," he says, and I immediately nod, knowing how difficult it is to be vulnerable.
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm too set in my own ways, or if I'll overlook something important and let you down. You've already been so hurt, I couldn't stand it if I was the one to cause you pain..." His words trail off before he takes a deep cleansing breath.
"I've dated, and I've had girlfriends before, but they've never really lasted.
Not because of their faults, or mine, really.
Our paths just never matched up. I've never felt—" He falters for a moment, his entire body visibly relaxes, and he exhales in what sounds like relief.
"I've never felt like this before. Not until you. "
I nod in agreement, like he pulled the words from my own brain.
"You just get me. You understand me. You understand my mom is important to me. Some girls I talked to or dated thought it was odd. Like I'm Norman Bates or something—"
"I don't think that, Callum," I shake my head immediately, and it causes him to smile. “I love your mom.”
His arm still around my shoulders pulls me even closer, and his thumb keeps its ministrations on my cheek, soothing and so lovely. His eyes drop once more to my lips, his pupils dilating slightly. Warmth pools in my belly, my pulse spiking in response to the heat in his gaze.
"I know," he says, sounding simultaneously relieved and delighted.
"Before my dad died, I was living in this little studio in town.
I wanted to feel independent, so I moved out.
Mom and Dad had encouraged me to, but I felt so guilty that I wasn't there when he passed.
I just thought I couldn't do it a second time.
God forbid, she dies, and she's alone, I would never forgive myself. .."
"I don't mind, Callum. Truly," I add at his skeptical look, and I shrug. "You know, I was never close with my parents. They never wanted me. I don't judge you for being close to your mom. I wish I had that growing up, what you had with your mom and dad."
Callum’s expression slips into something raw, a little heartbroken for me. I push on and smile brightly at him, showing him that I’m not sore over my parents anymore.
"For family, all I've ever really had was Tess. Then Donna and Rich. Now, the book club, Maeve, and... you. You guys are my family. You guys actually want me."
"I want you more than anything, Sophie," Callum murmurs, hand tightening slightly against my cheek. I can't help but nuzzle into it, so warm and comforting.
"I know, and I can hardly believe it some days.
I want you too. You're my best friend...
that I really, really want to kiss..." I say, making his cheeks and ears flush red.
"But you're also more than that. You're my person, Callum.
I love that we can laugh together, that you can listen to me rant and rave.
I feel safe with you, like I can tell you anything.
I don't have to modify myself, I don't have to bend over backwards to earn your approval and your affection—"
"You don't have to earn anything with me," his voice roughens, eyes blazing before they drop to my mouth. "Sweet girl, I'm dying to kiss you right now—"
I don't let him finish, I cup his bearded cheeks and finally—finally—press my lips to his.
It feels like coming home.
The kiss begins a little tentatively, like we’re learning the shape of each other's lips, slowly tasting each other.
His lips are so different from the ones I've grown used to kissing, a little fuller, and there’s a scratchiness from his beard that's not unpleasant.
His arm tightens around me, and his hand moves from my cheek to the back of my neck, angling me closer as he deepens the kiss, our lips molding, moving, fitting together like puzzle pieces.
Callum, my mind hums in pleasure. I'm kissing Callum.
He kisses with passion, but still gentle and sweet, just like him.
There’s a confidence I can feel growing in his touch as our mouths move together, in perfect sync.
His hand moves from my neck to the hinge of my jaw, gently encouraging me to deepen the kiss, to open and let him in. And I do. I always will.
The best kiss I've ever had, bar none. Somewhere in the back of my mind, the most ridiculous and absurd thing pops into my head, that one line from The Princess Bride.
"Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind."
I giggle against Callum's lips, and I feel his own lips tilting up in return, even though he has no idea what I'm thinking. It's like he feels it—always on the same wavelength as me. We pull back slightly for a moment, only a breath apart, and my eyes flutter open.
His gaze finds mine—soft and full of awe. He’s looking at me like he can’t believe I’m real. The feeling is mutual. I want to burrow myself in his arms and never leave. I want to kiss him over and over again until I can't breathe, and then kiss him some more.
Like we're being snapped back together, we move back toward each other until—
"Alright, lovebirds, show's over."
We freeze.
The dry, amused voice snaps the moment clean in half and jerks us back into reality. Turning our heads in unison, the Ferris Wheel attendant stands beside the ride platform, arms crossed and smirking.
That's embarrassing enough, but I then realize he's not the only one looking at us—a group is waiting to board the ride, some giggling behind their hands, a few openly chuckling. One guy even gives Callum a double thumbs-up and mouths, "nice."
I don't even know, or want to know, how long they were watching us make out like hormonal teenagers.
Glancing at Callum, I see that his cheeks are as red as my lips, and I know my own cheeks are the same, but his mouth is twitching like he's trying not to laugh.
That does it. I burst into laughter and lift the stuffed otters to cover my face, giggling uncontrollably. Callum sees my laughing face, and he succumbs to his own smile. His hand finds mine as he guides me down the stairs, both of us giggling as we shuffle past the crowd.
"Sorry!" I call out to the crowd, hiding my face in Callum's arm, feeling his own body shaking with laughter.
There are a couple of chuckles and even a few whistles, but it all feels good-natured.
Callum gently weaves us through the crowd, rounding a corner and finding a section away from the bright lights and people.
Then, with zero warning, Callum scoops me up into his arms like I weigh nothing at all. The world blurs around us, and all I can do is squeal, laughing helplessly as I cling to him, my arms around his neck, and our otters squished between our chests.
"Callum!" I laugh, but his hand goes to the back of my head, cradling me with such tenderness, and he pulls me in to meet his lips again.
Deeper and slower this time, and I fall willingly into him.
The steel arm wrapped around my waist easily holds me in the air, making me realize just how strong Callum is.
That thought sends a delicious twinge through my lower belly.
"Sorry, I've kissed you once, and now I'm addicted," he murmurs, his voice wrecked and ragged against my mouth.
I've never heard this version of his voice before, full of want and hunger, and it makes goosebumps break out across my body.
His lips are swollen, but I note with satisfaction that there's no lipstick transfer.
Callum is always handsome, but Callum with kiss swollen lips, mussed hair from my hands, and a sinful grin on his lips? I'm undone.
Humming with pleasure, I cup his face in both hands again and pull him back to me. The kiss deepens naturally, our mouths moving in a rhythm that only we know.
"There are worse things to be addicted to," I tease him between kisses, gently nipping at his bottom lip while we part to catch our breath for a few moments.
I can feel his laugh rumble through his chest, and he responds by tightening his hold, his arm banding around my waist as if to remind me I'm not going anywhere—like I would want to.
But, always tender and sweet, his other hand smooths down my hat, which had gone a little askew.
"Oh, I'm aware," he breathes, lips brushing mine again, and he catches my top lip between his teeth before then soothing it with his tongue.
A soft, unbidden moan escapes me, and I feel him pause for half a heartbeat, eyes wide. I don't even feel embarrassed by my response, not when I see the smile spreading across his face. The intimacy of this moment runs through me like an electric current, one he feels too.
His voice drops, rough with affection and something... deeper.
"But you might be the most dangerous one, sweet girl."
Tilting my chin up, I kiss him again and again. We kiss like the world outside the two of us doesn't exist—no cancer, no chemo, no unknowns or timelines or shadows creeping behind our joy.
We just kiss and escape into each other, into this beautiful, magical, wonderful moment.