Chapter 36
Karissa
The ring on my left hand is going to take some getting used to. I still can’t believe Cody proposed.
We’d talked about it, sure. Said we’d wait until the new year, take our time, make sure it was right.
But then this morning—Christmas morning—he handed me this obnoxiously large box wrapped in red paper.
I thought it was a joke at first. Until I opened it and found a smaller box inside. That’s when I knew.
I knew it was a ring.
I love Cody. I’ve loved him for a while now. So when he asked for my ring size two weeks ago, yeah…I had a feeling something was possibly coming sooner. But nothing prepares you for the moment it actually happens.
Of course I said yes.
He told me afterward that if I’m ready, he’s already talked to his pastor about doing a small ceremony this coming Sunday after church. Just us…his family, if I want. No pressure. No big production. Just love.
It nearly knocked the wind out of me, but there wasn’t an ounce of doubt. I wanted that. Exactly that. Just like we talked about. No big to-do, no flowers and seating charts and months of planning. He’s done the big wedding before and, ironically, I was never the girl who dreamed of one.
I’d marry Cody in a parking lot, barefoot and in a dress I already owned, if it meant I got to be his. That’s how much I love him.
It’s hard not to fall in love with a man who carries you through your hardest days. Who stays when things get heavy. Who makes you feel safe, even when your whole world is falling apart. Who teaches you how to trust again.
Cody’s been that for me since the day I came to Bellamy. My steady hand. My safe place. My home.
As I refresh the diaper bag, my eye catches the light snowfall coming down out the window, leaving a dusting over the walkway and porch steps.
Cody’s in the kitchen, pouring himself another cup of coffee. He came over this morning dressed for family brunch in dark jeans and a flannel, his hair still slightly damp from the shower. He looks good; smells good too.
Emma’s sitting on her play mat, babbling away with a new toy she just got this morning stuffed halfway into her mouth. Drool is dribbling down her chin. She’s been happier, finally, now that she can sit up and play.
I cross the kitchen, slipping my arms under his to wrap around his middle, my cheek finding its place between his shoulder blades.
He laughs softly. “Hey there.”
“Hi.”
He sets his mug down and turns around. My arms fall, only for him to pull me right back in, this time chest to chest. His hands slide around my back, warm and familiar.
“You happy?” he asks, voice low against my hair.
I nod and mumble, “Yeah.”
His lips brush the top of my head. “Good. Me too.”
And he holds me. He’s warm. The smell of his cologne mixed with coffee makes me feel at home.
I never imagined my life would look like this…
But God, I’m so glad it does.
The snow is coming down a little harder as we all climb into the truck.
Cody’s parents have the big house all decked out with lights and garland. A wooden nativity scene is in the flower bed next to an inflatable snowman.
My nerves tangle more as we reach the front door. They’re all going to be so excited to hear about the engagement.
Cody pushes the door open but lets me step inside first. I hear classic country Christmas music coming from somewhere and conversation filling the empty spaces. It also smells like bacon, cinnamon, and butter.
“Merry Christmas,” Cody calls out, Emma in one arm, diaper bag in the other.
“Merry Christmas!” Maureen replies, rinsing her hands at the sink before embracing all of us.
I glance at all the food on the table—French toast, biscuits, ham, sausage, cinnamon rolls, grits, fruit, two kinds of eggs…it looks amazing.
Addison’s over by the tree, doing something with the presents. Leonard’s got a Santa hat on as he fills a pitcher of water at the sink. I hear Jesse and Ella in the dining room setting the table.
Everyone’s here except Mason.
I don’t mention the ring because Cody suggested waiting for everyone to be in the same room when we announce it. So, for now, I try to hide my left hand and help as best I can until we sit down.
The front door opens just as we all get settled in at the table.
“Sorry. I’m here,” Mason calls from the entryway.
“All good, we’re just sitting down!” Maureen hollers back.
“Hurry up, food’s gonna get cold,” Cody grumbles, making everyone laugh, but I nudge him.
Then Mason rounds the corner. With a girl.
She’s got long, wavy blonde hair, rosy cheeks, a pretty smile, and bright blue eyes. Mason’s holding her hand but none of us have ever seen her before.
“Oh,” Jesse says, turning in his chair more.
“This is Megan.” Mason gestures toward her.
“Hi.” She waves shyly.
“Welcome. Merry Christmas! Let me get another chair. Wesley, can you scoot down?” Maureen says and quickly shuffles to the kitchen.
Addison speaks next. “Didn’t know you were bringing someone.”
“I didn’t know he had someone,” Jesse mutters, just loud enough for Ella to jab him in the ribs.
Cody stays quiet, surprisingly, which tells me…he knew about this girl? He didn’t say anything to me, though. Which is fine.
Maureen comes back with a place setting and Leonard grabs the extra chair from the corner of the room.
“Here, sweetheart, take a seat. We’re happy to have you, even if it’s last-minute!” Maureen exclaims, setting the place setting just so.
Mason’s hand hovers over the small of Megan’s back as she sits.
“I told Mason he should tell you I was coming, but he wanted to surprise everyone,” she says, leaning into Mason, pressing her fingers to his cheek. He smirks at her and blushes like a stop sign.
I’ve seen that look before. It’s the same one every man at this table gives the woman he loves—Leonard to Maureen, Jesse to Ella, Wesley to Addison, and Cody to me. Boys in love.
Once they get settled and the sibling banter dies down, Leonard removes his Santa hat and we all join hands and bow our heads in prayer.
The meal doesn’t go as I was expecting. I thought we’d be announcing our engagement, showing everyone the gorgeous ring on my finger, but not right now.
Megan is sorta center stage. Everyone wants to get to know her and Mason cannot stop talking her up.
It’s sweet, really, but I wish it wasn’t today.
Cody can tell I’m on edge, frustrated even. The way he keeps glancing over, asking if I need anything, being extra attentive. Emma, thankfully, is being an angel. She’s content in the high chair, quietly eating her fruit.
Once we clean up a little, we all drift into the living room. The tree is lit, the woodstove’s throwing off a steady heat, and soft Christmas music hums in the background.
We set Cora and Emma in front of the tree for pictures.
Everyone’s trying to get them to look at the camera and smile at the same time.
Emma keeps reaching for the ornaments, and Cora’s determined to walk off.
In the middle of the chaos, Cody leans in, hand to my back and whispers in my ear. “We can tell them during gifts.”
I nod just as both babies finally flash a smile in the right direction. He’s right. The day isn’t over; we can tell them soon.
The living room’s full, everyone scattered in their usual spots as we take turns opening gifts.
Addison’s on the floor in front of Wesley, leaning forward as he massages her shoulders.
I’m sitting with the babies, cross-legged on the rug, and Cody’s right beside me.
Mason and Megan are on the couch next to Wesley, while Jesse, Ella, and Maureen have claimed the other one.
Leonard’s kicked back in his recliner, calm and happy as ever, Santa hat back on his head.
Maureen unwraps the sparkly green paper carefully; Ella said it was fragile. She smiles when she catches a glimpse of whatever’s inside, but then her jaw drops as she peels back more of the wrapping.
“What!” Maureen gasps with a laugh, and everyone’s attention shifts her way. Addison asks what it is, but Maureen turns the gift for Leonard to see first. His eyebrows lift, and he smiles over at Jesse and Ella.
Then she turns it around for everyone else. It’s a picture frame. At the top, in bold lettering, it says Grandkids. Inside is a photo of Cora holding an ultrasound.
My eyes dart to Ella. Jesse’s smiling, his arm around her still.
“You’re pregnant?!” Addison blurts out, hands flying to her mouth, already halfway to standing.
Ella nods, her eyes glassy. “Just found out a few weeks ago. Jesse insisted we waited until Christmas to tell.”
The room erupts in clapping and congratulations.
Addison practically launches herself across the room to hug Ella, while Maureen wipes at her eyes, already tearing up as she moves in to embrace them both.
Cody leans to shake Jesse’s hand and he clasps it tight, both of them nodding in that quiet brotherly way.
I’m excited for them but…darn it! Looks like we’re not the only ones with something big to share, once again. Now it’s just going to get more awkward, the longer we wait.
I feel Cody’s hand slide over mine, his palm warm as he gently covers my ring.
When I glance over at him, his expression is softer than before, something quiet in his eyes.
He gives a small, quick shake of his head, barely noticeable to anyone else.
Just for me. Silently telling me we should wait, again.
My heart hurts but he’s right. This moment belongs to Jesse and Ella, to that little ultrasound picture that’s already got Maureen crying and Leonard asking how far along she is.
We’ll wait. Our moment’s coming, it just isn’t today, and that’s okay.