Chapter 18 #2
Understanding dawns on her as I proceed to tear open the paper, uncovering the box hiding beneath it. Lifting the lid, a few items wait inside the box. My lips part in awe as I pull out a stunning cocoa brown leather collar and leash set with Nacho’s name debossed into the material.
“I thought the color would look nice on her fur,” Callie whispers shyly. “And it’s sturdy for when you take her on hikes.”
“When we take her,” I amend.
Callie’s face, open and honest, displays a love she’s never been shown before. A love that I will spend the rest of my life giving to her. “We?”
Nodding, I grin. “She’ll want her new mom to come with us, of course.”
Those delicate brows reach her hairline. “I think I missed the part where we’re getting married, Rhodes.”
“I don’t really see any other way forward,” I shrug, “but don’t worry, I'll get an official proposal lined up when we get home.”
Callie smiles, rolling amused eyes. “There’s more.” She points to the box.
Setting Nacho’s new gift on the bed, I reach back into the box.
My fingers grip something soft and I pull out a sage green ballcap.
Callie giggles as I flip it around to the front where the words ‘Team Nacho’ are embroidered.
My full belly laugh fills the room. “I love it.” Tossing the empty box on the bed, I situate the cap on my head, grinning proudly. “What do you think?”
“A perfect fit.” Callie grins right back. Lifting it off my head, she carefully places it by the leash and collar. “You can wear it to bed tonight.” She winks, eliciting another laugh from me.
“We’re out, remember?”
Callie spins slowly on the ball of her foot, turning back toward the door. “I’d bet the gift shop in the lodge can take care of that.”
Smirking, I shake my head. “Insatiable woman.”
“Only when it comes to you. Now, come on. They probably think we fell off the balcony or something.”
“Would that be the worst thing?”
She scoffs. “Maybe not.” Callie’s hand pauses halfway to the doorknob. “You never told me,” she says, looking back over her shoulder.
My brows knit together as I look at the love of my life. Someone I, in no way, deserve. Someone I ended up in the strangest situation with, only to have the rest of my life unfold before me. “Told you what?”
“What’s your favorite thing about me?” The corner of her mouth lifts, her eyebrow following suit.
A soft chuckle fills the air. Tucking a stray hair behind her ear, I smile. “How you can make anyone fall in love with you.”
Callie blinks. Uncertainty is written into her every feature. “Even you, right?” Her voice is small, quiet. Like she’s afraid I’ll recant my feelings.
Moving so that I’m standing behind her, I wrap my arms around Callie’s shoulders and pull her into my chest. Callie reaches up, taking hold of my forearms as I press a kiss to her temple. “Especially me, Calloway. My love.”
Tension releases from her shoulders as she slumps against me with relief.
“I love you, Callie,” I whisper in her ear. My new favorite words, just for her.
My favorite person glances up, eyes meeting mine. Love blazes in the warm amber peeking up at me. “I love you too, Oliver.”
Prescott leans back into the sectional, exhausted from trying to keep up with his daughter’s impressive gift-opening speed.
All while wearing a Barbie sweater, just to make Goldie happy.
Apparently, Ira and Lillian are the only two who are allowed to abstain from that particular tradition.
Christmas music plays softly in the background, mingling with the quintessential crackling fireplace. Sugar and cinnamon swirl in the air, surrounding the Rutherfords, who look the happiest I’ve seen them to date. If they were my patients, I would certainly feel good about their progress.
The love of my life leans into my arm that’s tucked around her shoulders, taking a sip from her hot chocolate.
“Look, Daddy!” Marigold holds up a doll with historical clothes and a corresponding book.
A tired smile graces his features. “That’s so neat, sweets. Who got you that one?” Prescott takes the book, flipping through it.
Marigold gives the doll a tight hug. “Aunt Connie.” The little girl hops up from her spot on the floor, bounding over to her aunt and giving her a big hug and kiss.
Ira snaps numerous pictures of Marigold with each new gift while his wife steadily supplies her granddaughter with Christmas morning treats.
Callie and I watch from the opposite end of the couch, curled up into one another.
My girlfriend glows as she watches her sweet niece.
Pulling Callie closer with the arm around her shoulders, I lean down to her ear. “That’ll be us one day.”
“Having Goldie thank us for a doll?”
Biting back a grin, I roll my eyes. “Watching our kids open gifts on Christmas morning.”
Callie’s chocolate eyes snap to mine. Love coats her kind face as she nods. “I want two. Enough that they could have a buddy, but not enough for them to get lost in a crowd.” My love smirks. “Or for them to outnumber us.”
My heart soars at the ‘us.’
Leaning down to kiss the tip of her nose, my heart nearly bursts. “Anything you want, my love.”
I’m in the middle of wondering if my parents will think I’ve lost my mind when I tell them I want to propose, when Imogene turns to face us from the other side of Callie. “Do you think Mom’s trying to fill Marigold with snacks so she’ll sleep the rest of the day?”
Callie laughs as my brow furrows. Looking between the two women, I ask, “Does that actually work?”
Imogene frowns. “I thought you spent a lot of time with kids.”
“Only short timeframes,” I answer. “My business partner, John, has a daughter about Marigold’s age, though.”
“Right, the one in Calloway’s class.”
“Yep,” I nod. Frowning, I think about all the times Cici has hung out at the practice. “Now that I think about it, he is always feeding her.”
Callie’s sister lets out a light laugh. “I just know that trick always worked on Calloway and the twins when they were little. So I think Mom’s just sticking with what she knows. If they were all asleep, we could watch holiday movies with a little more of a bite to them.”
“So Christmas Vacation?”
“Exactly,” she grins. Pulling a knit blanket further up her legs, Imogene offers the afghan to Callie, as well. A reserved smile warms Imogene’s face as my love accepts the offering.
I can’t help but wonder if it was really just a way to hide her red, bell-embellished monstrosity of a sweater.
Leaning down to Callie’s ear, I whisper, “Imogene isn’t seeing anyone, correct?”
Callie quirks a brow, moving so that her lips touch the shell of my ear. “Tired of me already?”
Smirking, I roll my eyes. “I was thinking about John.”
Callie peeks over at her oldest sister, who has gone back to watching Marigold frenzy at the stockings. “Huh.” Her brows knit together, and Callie bites her lower lip in concentration. “Maybe. She’s never really dated much. I don’t even know what kind of partner she would like.”
Turning my attention back to the tiny center of Lillian and Ira’s world, I can’t help but wonder what John would make of Callie’s oldest sister.
“Here, Goldie,” Chris says, handing his niece another gift box featuring a large red bow. “Aunt Connie helped me pick this one out to go with your doll.” It’s the only time I’ve ever seen the man crack a smile that wasn’t at his youngest sister’s expense.
Though how the man could remain serious wearing a sweater with an oversized rabbit holding a cake is beyond me.
Marigold plops to the floor in front Chris and Connie, tearing into the gift and producing a white plush dog and accessory kit.
The little girl squeals in delight, inspiring laughter from everyone in the room.
“It’s Coco!” Goldie jumps up and shows off the dog.
Clutching Coco to her chest, Goldie pounces into Chris’s lap and plants a big kiss on his cheek.
To his credit, the man who’s been nothing but a giant pain in my ass blushes at Marigold’s affection. Holding his niece, he helps her open the dog’s accessories from the packaging while Connie opens the doll.
Checking my watch, I nudge Callie. “We’re supposed to meet the others in about twenty minutes.” I murmur in her ear. “We don’t have to go if you want to stay here.”
Nodding, she smiles. “I want to. I’ll get my coat.”
“Where are you two going?” Imogene asks as Callie stands and heads toward the kitchen.
Still not used to Imogene speaking much, it takes a moment to understand she’s talking to me.
“To meet my friend John. He and his daughter have been here the past couple of days.” I stand, following Callie’s example.
“And now his sister, the other doctor at our practice, and her wife are here for lunch. So we’re going to go meet up with them for a bit. ”
Movement from the kitchen catches my eye. A glimmer in the sunlight thanks to all the massive windows.
Callie is showing off her necklace to Connie.
Pressing my lips together, I try to suppress the irrational pride of having Callie be excited to show off something I bought her.
And then attempt to keep my thoughts away from ring shopping on a day when all the stores are closed.
Instead, I make a mental note to ask Ian about what kind of ring Callie would like best.
Connie’s eyes meet mine, a satisfied grin greeting me. She gives my love a hug before leaning to whisper something in her ear.
A clap on my shoulder brings my attention back to the Christmas chaos taking place in the living room. Ira Rutherford stands beside me, watching his daughters interact.
I’ve never been jealous of what another man was wearing before, but Ira’s Oxford button-down has never looked better than right now.
“You know, I think you’ve had an interesting effect on our family, Rhodes.” He shakes my shoulder, grip tightening.
“I promise, it’s all Callie, sir,” I say, nodding to the woman of my dreams.
He laughs in the skeptical way men like him do. “Whatever it is, keep it up.”