Chapter 51 #2
She’s sprawled out on our bed with one leg kicked out from under the covers, as though she can’t decide if she’s hot or cold.
One of her arms reaches out to my empty spot in bed—as if she’s reaching for me even in her sleep.
I know she’s the singer in our relationship—clearly—but Mama always started our birthdays waking us up this way, so it’s a tradition I want to continue with my own family.
I walk slowly to her side of the bed as I softly start to sing, “Happy birthday to you.” Her eyes flutter open and a smile spreads across her face as she wakes to my atrocious singing.
“Happy birthday, dear Red, happy birthday to you.” I slowly lower the tray to set over her lap, being cautious as she adjusts to sit up a bit more.
On the top of the French toast is a pile of whipped cream, sprinkles—Cami insisted I needed to add sprinkles—and a single pink candle that I lit before walking in here.
“Make a wish, baby.” After I set the tray down, I pull my phone out and can’t stop myself from snapping a photo of her grinning down at the simple breakfast spread and candle.
“Well, good morning to you too, handsome. But … I don’t know, what do I even wish for? You already came true.” She lifts her gaze and I see the tears she’s holding back.
I hum and slide my phone back in my pocket but keep my hand in it.
“Why don’t you close your eyes and try? Just see what comes to mind; make a wish and blow out your candle.
We’ve got plans today, Red.” I wink as she giggles and takes a big breath, dancing slightly in her spot on the bed, but careful not to bump the open flame.
“Okay, okay, okay. I’ve got one.” She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes then blows out the candle, clapping with excitement as the candle being extinguished puts our bedroom into darkness.
“Whoops, didn’t think about that one!” She laughs as she reaches over to turn on the lamp on her nightstand, and as the light floods the room, she gasps. “Jack!”
As soon as she blew out the candle, I dropped to one knee and opened the small navy velvet box that was in my pocket.
“Tinsley Saoirse Sinclair, you are the brightest light in my life. I knew that when I first met you, but I had no idea the profound impact your light and beauty would have on my life. I knew you were special when you were a kid, but I had no clue at the time that years later you would be my everything. You are my queen, and if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life doing everything in my power to ensure your every wish and dream comes true. I love you with everything that I am, and everything that I could ever be—something that I know is richer and better because of the influence your love and light have on my life. You already own my heart, but can you steal my last name too? What do you say, Red? Will you make me the happiest man in the entire world and marry me?”
It took all of two point two seconds for the shock to allow what I had said to sink in, and it's a good thing I didn’t put more things on that tray.
My girl flips the entire tray off her lap as she flings her arms around me, squealing with joy as she tackles me onto the floor and peppers my face with kisses.
“Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! Jack Callahan, I love you and cannot wait to be your wife!” An elated laugh escapes me as I grab her face with one hand and push us up to a sitting position on the floor with the other one, devouring her in a deep kiss as she straddles my lap.
She said yes!
Our kiss softens as our foreheads rest against one another, and we both grin at each other. “Way to make a girl’s birthday memorable, Callahan!” Tinsley giggles.
“I’m just glad I didn’t put any maple syrup on that plate.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, shit!” She goes to move, but I tighten my arms and hold her on my lap.
“Nope, we need to make this official.” She gasps as I pull the ring out of the box and slide it on her left ring finger.
I chose a platinum band with one-point-five carats of pavé diamonds that highlight the colorless five-point-eight-carat cushion cut diamond ring in a cathedral setting.
When I looked at rings, I know I could have gone bigger; it wasn’t an issue of what I could afford.
But Savannah made a valid point when I asked for her opinion.
“She’s already going to have deal with her celebrity status, but some day, she’ll just be another mom on the soccer field.
You want her to fit in there, just as much as she does on stage when she’s performing.
Honestly, I think you could get her a simple band and she would love it because she loves you.
But don’t you dare get her something that’s so big it never sits right on her hand, that’s just gaudy. ”
It might still be gaudy, but I don’t think it’s too much.
Tinsley stares at it as she grins. “It’s gorgeous! I love it so much, Jack! Seriously, it’s perfect!” We make out on the floor a few more minutes before I’m reminded of the time.
“We need to get dressed, or at least, you need to put on a bra.”
“Why? It’s my birthday.”
“Yes, and we have about two dozen people coming over in fifteen minutes to have brunch with the birthday girl.”
“What?!” she screeches in my ear. “Oh, sorry!” She pecks my lips and shoots up to get off my lap, but I pull her back down.
“Happy birthday, future Mrs. Callahan.” Hmm. Maybe inviting those people over was a dumb idea when I could celebrate by gifting my future bride multiple orgasms on her birthday instead.
She returns my kiss and nips at my lower lip. “How long do we have to wait?”
“Until they leave? I don’t know. I bet we can kick them out within two hours, probably.”
Tinsley giggles. “No, how long do we have to wait until we can get married?”
I lean back a little to see her face better. “Are you serious? I thought you’d want to wait until you wrap the tour.” She shakes her head and places her hand on the side of my face.
“No way, that’s too long. I don’t want to wait.”
“Whenever you say, that’s when we will do it, Red. Your call.”
“I don’t want anyone to say I’m marrying you for your money though, so I need us to sign a prenup.
” I growl at that, but she shakes her head.
“No, Jack. This is important to me. Anything we had before we got married is ours, individually ours. I’m okay combining everything as of our marriage and forward, but I will not be accused of marrying you for anything other than being obsessed and utterly in love with you. ”
I wonder if there’s a clause to nullify a prenup upon birth of a child … I push the thought away. If this is important to her, I’ll make it happen—even if it’s bullshit and not necessary. And it also won’t stop me from transferring considerable assets into her name simply because I can.
She bites on my earlobe, pulling me from my thoughts. “How soon can your lawyers have a prenup ready to go? I don’t want to wait.”
“Theo is going to be here for brunch in a few minutes so I can ask him and see. I’m sure we could call in a favor and make it happen fast.” And if he can’t, I’ll call Daphne in New York and she will make it happen.
Tinsley hums and grins. “Like … fast enough to have a New Year’s Eve wedding?”
I can’t be this lucky. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously. I just need you, whoever you want there, Wells, and Allie. I don’t care about anyone outside of your family and those two.”
An hour and a half later, we were at the courthouse getting our marriage license, and Tinsley had activated The Book Club to figure out the details.
And two days later, I would pull up to the land that means so much to me, in one of the only places I can still feel my mama’s presence, the land that is forever tied to memories that shaped me into the man I am today.
In front of our family and closest friends, I will be the luckiest man in the world when I marry Tinsley Sinclair and she finally steals my last name to go with the heart she stole long ago.