Chapter 47
River
The flood of people hasn’t slowed since the first bottle of champagne popped hours ago. Every time I take a sip of beer, someone else shows up, arms loaded with housewarming gifts.
“I gotta say, domestication looks good on you, Thompson.” Laiken grins, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “The place looks awfully cozy for a guy who used to be more of a minimalist.”
With a smirk, my gaze slowly sweeps across the room.
It’s not just my penthouse anymore.
It’s ours.
The three of us.
A neroli and white jasmine candle glows on the counter. Nora’s sparkly sneakers sit askew on the mat, one tipped sideways like she darted out of them mid-step. And Callie’s favorite cookbook is open beside a mixing bowl.
The air smells like sugar and citrus and something that feels distinctly like home.
“I like it better this way,” I tell him, meaning every word.
The place is packed wall-to-wall with people I’ve fought beside, bled beside, and trusted with everything short of my heart, because that’s always belonged to the woman who’s chatting on the other side of the room.
Steele’s in the kitchen, locked in a heated debate with Knox over whose bourbon reigns supreme. They’re each gripping a bottle like it’s a trophy, neither willing to back down.
On the sectional, Maverick and Willow are curled up together, glasses of red wine in hand, wearing the kind of expressions that make it obvious they’re in a world of their own making. His arm rests comfortably around her shoulders, his smile easy and content, like he knows exactly how lucky he is.
I couldn’t have picked a better man for my sister. She deserves someone who sees her quiet strength and appreciates her softness. They’re the perfect complement to one another.
Jax is trailing after Sloane like a persistent golden retriever who doesn’t understand the concept of personal space.
“You need to stop staring at me,” Sloane warns, striding past him. “Or I’m going to pour this drink over your head.”
My teammate grins, completely unfazed by her prickly demeanor. “If you’re trying to find a deterrent,” he says, letting his gaze drag slowly down and back up her body with deliberate insolence, “you’ll need to do better than that.”
Laiken chuckles under his breath, and I do the same. Neither of us bother to hide our amusement. Whatever’s brewing between those two is going to be interesting to watch.
My gaze catches on Callie again. Her hair is pinned up, a few silky tendrils framing her face. She’s wearing a black wrap dress that hugs her curves and makes her skin glow.
The second our gazes lock, everything in me seizes. Not with nerves but with certainty.
She’s always been the endgame.
Even when she belonged to another man.
One who used to be my friend.
She cuts a path straight to me, her fingers brushing my arm like she needs that small connection as much as I do. “I think everyone we invited has shown up.”
I glance around the room at the friends and family crowding the space. People who mean the world to both of us. “Pretty sure they’re all just relieved you finally took pity on me and gave me a shot.”
“I can one hundred percent attest to that,” Laiken says with a grin.
Callie’s lips curve. “Maybe I should’ve stopped keeping you at arm’s length sooner. It feels like I missed out on so many wonderful moments.”
I brush a kiss across the tip of her nose. “As much as I would’ve loved that, I think we found our way to each other at exactly the right time.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Rina leveling a death glare at Oliver.
“I swear to God, if you make one more comment, I’m going to—”
Oliver flashes a lazy grin over the rim of his tumbler. “What, baby? What are you gonna do? Tell me. I’m curious.”
Her eyes narrow as her tone turns sharp enough to draw blood. “Why don’t you try me and find out.”
His brows lift, but the smirk never fades. “You make it damn hard not to push the envelope when you threaten me like that.”
She lets out a low growl before spinning on her heel and stalking off, muttering something under her breath that’s definitely not fit for polite company.
I shake my head as Oliver’s gaze follows her, his expression equal parts amused and fascinated. “If you’re trying to get on her good side, that isn’t the way to do it.”
Oliver’s gaze drifts to mine. “Who said I wanted to be on her good side? Maybe I like the view from where I’m at.”
Laiken snorts. “Should we take bets on whether he gets traded before next season?”
With a shrug, Oliver strolls off in the same direction Rina disappeared in.
Even if he’s acting like he’s not following her, I know better.
We all do.
“Those two are like oil and water.” Callie tilts her head as she watches them. “They just don’t mix.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” I say with a chuckle, sliding my arm around her waist and pulling her into me. She fits there like she was made for the spot. “You good, baby?”
She nods, her gaze slowly sweeping the room. Her eyes soften as they take in the friends, the laughter, and the life we’ve started building together, piece by piece. “I am. I didn’t realize what home felt like until now. And that has everything to do with you.”
I brush my lips against her temple. “No, baby. That has everything to do with you.”
My pulse thrums a frantic rhythm. I’ve been planning this moment for weeks, but now that it’s here, I’m nervous as hell.
Before I can lose my nerve, I press one last kiss against her forehead and then step away, lifting my glass high. “Hey, everyone. Can I have your attention?”
Someone turns the music down, and the hum of conversation dies away until the room is quiet. All eyes shift toward me, but the only ones I’m locked on belong to the woman standing a few feet away, her brows furrowed as confusion flickers across her expression.
Callie leans toward me. “What are you doing?”
“Making sure everyone knows exactly how I feel,” I say with a small smile.
Facing the room, I force my voice to stay steady. “When I moved into this place a couple years ago, it was just a penthouse. Four walls that were cold and sterile, echoing with quiet. It didn’t feel like a home until the day Callie and Nora walked through the door.”
Willow presses a hand to her chest as Nora races over to us. Evelyn’s lips curve into a tender smile as Hugh positions himself just behind her, drink in hand, eyes intent.
I take in the friends who’ve become family and, in the center of that, the two people who changed everything for me.
“Tonight isn’t just a housewarming party,” I continue. “It’s a celebration of the life we’re building together.”
Callie’s eyes widen when I sink to one knee in front of her daughter and slip a hand into my jacket before drawing out a small velvet box. Flipping it open, I reveal a delicate heart-shaped locket with a picture of the three of us inside.
“Nora,” I say, my voice catching just enough to give me away, “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I want to be your family for the rest of my life. If you’ll have me… this is for you, ladybug.”
She claps her hands, squealing, and launches herself into my arms. “I love you, Rivvy!”
“I love you too,” I choke out against her curls, holding her tight before gently setting her back down again and rising to my feet.
My gaze shifts to the woman I’ve spent years waiting for, and my hands tremble as I pull out the second box.
Inside is a diamond ring that is simple, stunning, and timeless.
Just like Callie. On the inside of the band, five small words are engraved, carrying every truth I’ve ever wanted her to know.
Where you are, I’m home.
“The very first time I saw you, I knew you were going to change my life. And I was right. You’ve given me love and purpose. And you’ve made me a father in every way that matters.”
Tears spill down her cheeks as she presses her hands to her mouth.
“I want to spend the rest of my life proving I deserve you,” I continue, taking a step closer as nerves twist in my gut. “So, Callie…” I draw in a breath. “Will you marry me?”
For just a beat, she doesn’t speak. She just stares, her whole heart shining in her eyes before she nods. “Yes,” she says on a shaky exhale. “Yes, of course I will.”
The room explodes in applause and cheers. Champagne corks pop, laughter rings out, but all I see is her. All I feel is the way she fits against me, her arms tangled around my neck, and the press of her lips to mine.
I ease back just enough to meet her gaze. “I love you.”
Her lips tremble into a smile. “I love you too. You gave me everything I didn’t know how to ask for.”
A warmth unfurls inside me as I brush my nose against hers. There is nothing I wouldn’t give this woman. “And you gave me something I never thought I’d have. A family. A future. A reason to fight for every single day.”
Her kiss is tender and full of promise. Against my mouth, she murmurs, “Then let’s do everything we can to make it count.”
In that instant, the laughter and music fade into silence. All that exists is her. Us. And the unshakable truth that forever isn’t waiting somewhere down the road.
It starts right here, in her arms.