53. Callie
Chapter 53
Callie
December 2023
I can’t believe it’s already Christmas. We've been so busy getting Mason settled into both the house and his new office. Between that and helping with the festival time has flown by. It feels like I just had Thanksgiving dinner with my family yesterday. Tonight, we are at Mason’s parents’ house along with his parents and Josh, his wife, Elizabeth, and their three kids Phoenix, Madison, and Noah.
Everyone is gathered in the living room reminiscing on past Christmases and laughing at old memories. The kids are engrossed in a movie. This is such a perfect evening. I could sit here all night and listen to old stories and watch the kids play. I can only hope that one day I can sit here in this same room and watch my kids play with Josh and Elizabeth’s. Watching them interact with Mason’s parents is also a dream of mine. They’re such amazing grandparents and those littles love them.
Mason leans over and whispers in my ear, “Hey, can you come out to the barn and help me feed the animals?”
“Yes, but why the whispering?” I whisper back to him.
“I don’t want to interrupt the kid’s movie or anyone’s conversations.”
“Oh, okay. Yeah, let me get my shoes on and we can go out to feed them.”
Mason gets up to leave but, in a low voice, says something to the adults. I’m guessing he’s telling them we’ll handle the animals tonight, not to worry about it.
I lean down to get my shoes on and then meet him at the back door.
We make our way out to the barn and I’m trying to focus on what Mason is telling me, but I keep thinking back to how weird he’s been acting today. I’m pretty sure he’s up to something but I don’t have enough time to think about it as the barn doors begin to swing open.
Once the barn doors open, I notice there’s a sign illuminated on the wall that reads “I’ll love you forever. Always.” I spin my head around to take in the scene before me as I walk further into the barn. There are roses in vases sitting on multiple stacks of hay, there are rose petals scattered around the floor beneath the sign. As I turn my head to the left, I see my parents, sister, and grandparents. What in the world... Is this what I think it is?!
I spin around to see Mason down on one knee, a little black box in his hand. His family standing off to the side behind him. How in the hell did they get out here so fast? My hands immediately go to cover my face as tears threaten to fall from my eyes.
“Callie Grace. It’s been an amazing six months with you. I know we’ve just recently put an official label on what we are but I’m hoping that you’ll allow me the honor of adding one more. As soon as the bell dinged above your head as you walked into Val’s that first day I was smacked with every emotion known to man. The same way I felt that day when you literally smacked into me on your way to lunch in high school. Over the last six months, I’ve gone through several emotions. I had no idea that seeing you that day would turn into what we have now, but I couldn’t be more thankful. Through all our ups and downs, one thing still stands true–there’s no one else I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. Callie Grace Callahan, will you marry me?”
“Mason there’s no one else I’d want to give that label to. Yes, I’ll marry you.” I say as I lean down to wrap my arms around his neck, shoving my face into the space where his neck meets his shoulders.
I’m now a sobbing mess and hoots and hollers are happening all around us. Mason stands, bringing me up with him. I pull away as he grabs my hand to place the most beautiful ring I’ve ever laid my eyes on on my finger. Mason has outdone himself.
My mom comes up behind me and pulls me into a hug, along with my sister. “Congratulations sweetie. I always suspected he’d come back around. I’m so happy that he did.” my mom whispers just loud enough for me and Emily to hear.
“I’ve always wanted him to but never expected anything like this,” I say as I begin sobbing again.
“Cal, you loved him back then harder than anyone I’ve met. It’s only fitting you get to live out your happily ever after with him.” Emily says before pulling me even tighter against her and Mom.
Once everyone has congratulated us, we all head back into the house to sit around the dining room table as one big family on Christmas Eve. I’m so glad that our families get along with each other. This is exactly what I’ve always wanted. I’m happy to call this family mine.
John clinks his glass to get everyone's attention.
“Thank you everyone for coming today. I know it meant a lot to Mason having you all here, and of course Callie too. I just wanted to say congratulations to my son and future daughter-in-law. I’m so very happy that Callie will be joining our family officially. Love you guys.”
“Thanks, Dad, and yes, thank you to all of you, too. I wanted to make sure our favorite people were here to witness this. I couldn’t have pulled it off without you.”
Everyone raises their glasses towards the middle of the table in a mock toast. Mase squeezes my thigh under the table before planting a kiss on my temple. It really is the little things.