Epilogue
Six And A Half Years Later
Oliver
Champagne pops across the room as laughter fills the air. My wife’s graduation party is in full swing, the Aspen Point Lodge Grand Ballroom decked out to the nines and full of our closest friends and family, all of whom are ready to congratulate Callie on her latest amazing accomplishment.
My wife glows with every hug from her siblings and their respective spouses. She laughs with every embrace from each of our nieces and nephews.
We’ve spent plenty of time talking about it over the years—how our little stunt almost ruined everything Callie had worked so hard to build over the span of her life. But in the end, she was able to voice her own feelings and stand her ground.
Even if I wasn’t there to witness that part, it will always be one of my proudest moments for Calloway Rutherford-Rhodes.
“Daddy, can I have another cupcake?” A tiny hand tugs on mine.
Though, the birth of our daughter certainly outranks Callie standing up to her family. I don’t know that Ira and Lillian will ever be able to fully give my wife what she needs emotionally, but I’m thankful they’re finally on the right path.
I know their granddaughter has been a significant part of that. They want to be part of her life as much as we’d like them to be, as well.
Ivy beams up at me, the spitting image of her mother.
I’d be lying if I said that grin missing its two front teeth doesn’t have me wrapped around her little finger. “Only one more, honey,” I say, giving my daughter’s hand a squeeze. “We’re having dinner with the whole family once Mommy’s party is over.”
Ivy throws both arms around my middle before running off to sneak more treats with her many cousins.
At five years old, Ivy Jane Rhodes is bright, confident and compassionate.
Nacho is her best friend in the entire world, always staying right by her side during our family hikes and every other moment of her life.
Ivy’s been pretty bummed that her mom won’t be her kindergarten teacher this coming fall, but the newest doctorate holder in the Rhodes family has graciously accepted a new position.
When the Serenvale Springs school district heard Callie was graduating, they were quick to ask about her plans and aspirations. Callie was ready to say goodbye for the time being to leading a classroom, but she wasn’t ready to leave her hometown in search of a new title.
Especially as our family has grown closer over the past several years.
As luck would have it, the tenured assistant principal of Serenvale Springs Elementary School had just notified the school board of her impending retirement last December.
Two rounds of interviews later, and Callie graciously accepted the position pending her graduation this May—on our sixth wedding anniversary.
“Hey man,” Chris claps my shoulder, “congrats.”
Lifting a brow, I look at my brother-in-law. “It was all her. No question.”
Chris chuckles. “Oh, that I know. But you, uh—” he swallows “—you’ve supported her every step of the way. Well, you have since you met her, I guess.”
“I’m just glad you finally came around. You were definitely the hardest one to crack.”
Chris looks out across the ballroom, his gaze landing on his very pregnant wife. He smiles. “Sometimes, it just takes the right push.”
I snort. “Don’t I know it. I probably would’ve stayed alone forever if Callie hadn’t come along.”
Barking laughter comes from behind. “You mean if I hadn’t made that flyer?” John nudges me with his elbow, hands full of his toddling two-year-old son.
As if she knows exactly what we’re discussing, my wife’s eyes find mine on the opposite end of the room, a lovely blush tinting Callie’s cheeks. The sage crushed velvet floor-length dress she’s wearing highlights the added radiance.
Beside Callie, Blythe chatters away as my sister rocks her newborn, while their older son sits beside Ivy at the table.
Folding my arms, I watch as our kids sip their juice pouches with Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes, sneaking grapes off my mom’s plate.
“Sure,” I tell John, “I guess at this point, I can thank you for making that ridiculous flyer.”
John scoffs, looking around me at Chris. “Yeah, only after he’s married with a five-year-old and a son on the way.”
Chris’s eyes widen just as Connie walks by. “What’s wrong?” she asks. Her panicked expression flits between us.
“Calloway’s having a boy,” her twin grins. “Pay up.” Chris holds out an open palm.
Shaking my head, I look at them, incredulous. “You two were betting on that?”
Connie digs into her pocket, producing a bank note. She shrugs. “Gotta keep life interesting somehow. Especially since we don’t have people trying to infiltrate our family and gaslight us anymore.” My favorite sister-in-law smirks, shifting one of her tiny daughters from one hip to the other.
I can’t help but laugh. “You try to fool a woman’s family one holiday season and they’ll never let you live it down, huh?”
Connie shrugs. “Nope, sorry Oliver.” Her smile softens. “But for what it’s worth, I’m really glad she picked you to help dupe our family.”
John rests his free hand on my shoulder. “That makes two of us.”
Rolling my eyes, I can’t help but smile at my oldest friend.
“If you all are finished, I’m going to go see my wife now.
” Not waiting to see if there are any protests, I take off toward my own personal beacon of light.
Deftly ignoring anyone trying to get in my way, I manage to scoot right up next to Callie as Blythe explains her stance on some new health trend.
Sliding my arms around my wife, I pull her into my side.
“How’s my newest nephew?” I ask, nodding to Harrison snoozing in Blythe’s arms.
“I forgot how exhausting newborns can be.” My sister rolls her eyes, but the megawatt smile never leaves her face.
Hudson turns in his seat at the table and holds up his empty juice pouch. “I made it full of air, Mama!”
Sitting down next to her older son, Blythe finally turns her attention away so that I have Callie all to myself.
My wife peeks up from underneath dark lashes. “Hi, stranger.”
“Hello, Dr. Rhodes,” I murmur into her hair, pressing a kiss to her temple, “and little Alder, of course.”
Callie turns, resting her forehead on mine as my hand finds the gradually growing bump.
“I was thinking … ”
“That’s dangerous,” my wife laughs, leaning back. “The last time you were thinking, we ended up announcing I’m pregnant again.”
Grinning like an idiot, I shrug. “Yeah, but we had fun, at least.”
Callie rolls those warm chocolate eyes. “So, is this idea something the rest of our family can overhear, or should we go somewhere more private?” I don’t miss the mischievous sparkle in her eyes as she lifts a brow.
“Why don’t we start a new holiday tradition?” My hands interlock behind Callie’s back, securing her to me.
Settling her hands on my chest, Callie nods. “We could go to Boston and see your grandma. I think she’d like that. Then we can see my family when we return.” My heart warms at the relationship that has been built between Callie and my grandma.
Gran insisted on meeting Callie once she heard about everything. One trip to visit was all it took before she and the love of my life were in cahoots. But then, that’s pretty normal for Calloway Rhodes.
“She’s moving here this summer.”
Shock coats Callie’s features. “Really? I hadn’t heard that.”
“You’ve been a little busy,” I chuckle. “Finishing grad school and growing a human are no small feat. Not to mention our other little gremlin. And Nacho. And Gilmore.”
“I hope Ivy doesn’t feel like I’ve abandoned her.” Callie’s expression softens from the guilt I know she often feels.
“Never,” I say, taking her chin between my fingers. Making sure I have her full attention, I smile. “You are an amazing mother. She’s just as proud of you as I am.”
Callie looks at our daughter, who is busy teaching Hudson how to stuff five crackers in his mouth all at once. Sighing, my wife shakes her head, returning her gaze to mine. “Then what’s the new plan, Dr. Rhodes?”
“I was thinking something more tropical might be fun this year.”
She smirks, raising both brows. “You’ll never get it past our parents.”
“I’ve got plenty of time to come up with a game plan. All I need now is a willing partner.” Trying to be as subtle as possible, I shoot my wife my best suggestive look, waggling eyebrows and all.
Callie presses those flawless lips together, nodding. “It’ll be quite the scandal.”
“Without a doubt,” I concede. “Know any volunteers?”
“Maybe … So, what does this new tropical tradition entail? A beach? Cruise? Traipsing through the rainforest?” Callie thoughtfully tilts her head, amused eyes tracing my confident expression.
Taking the opportunity, I press a quick kiss to my wife’s lips. “I’m not sure yet. But I’m hopeful it’ll be a holiday to remember.”