Chapter Nineteen Sophie
Chapter Nineteen
Sophie
Rivers & Rhodes is completely dark when I arrive at the front door just before seven.
For a moment, I worry that my chemo brain has mixed up what Callum said.
Still, I try the handle, and it opens easily, letting me step into the cozy store.
The scent of cedar and spice greets me, and the door chime rings, but no one comes to meet me.
I squint into the darkness, wondering if Callum meant for us to meet upstairs in the apartment, which I haven't seen yet.
Curiosity nags at me, especially about Callum's bedroom, my mind teases.
"Hello? Callum? Maeve?"
I hear a small 'mrrp' and see Plot dart over to me, weaving quickly between my legs before rubbing against them.
He looks up at me with that pathetic little face like he's been abused and starved all day.
Typical, I think, and I bend down, scooping the purring beast into my arms and nuzzling my face into his soft fur.
"Aw, hello, handsome," I murmur as I continue walking further into the store with Plot in my arms.
Just as I’m passing the Thriller section, the lights flicker on.
"Surprise!"
I startle at the shouts. Plot lets out a small hiss at all of my favorite people, each wearing ridiculous party hats. They're standing in front of a sparkly banner that reads Happy Birthday, Sophie!
Pink, sparkly balloons and confetti are scattered across the table, which is filled with delicious snacks and a gorgeous, decadent chocolate cake. From the dried icing on April's hands, I know she made it. Plot, annoyed by the commotion, leaps out of my arms and runs to the back room.
"Oh my gosh," I breathe, my chest tightening as I take in the sight of all my friends here for me.
I can't remember ever having a party like this.
Usually, my birthdays were just dinner at my favorite restaurant and cake at home, often just Paul and me.
Those were nice, and I always appreciated the effort put into them. But this is different.
This is fantastic!
Bailey is bouncing on her feet, a pink crown in one hand and a matching glittery sash in the other that reads 'Birthday Princess.
' She bounds forward and engulfs me in a tight hug, knocking the breath from my lungs, her cotton candy scent surrounding me.
She places the crown on my head and then pulls the sash over it in nearly one swoop.
"Happy Birthday, Sophie! I can't believe you didn't tell us!
It's okay, though! I'm just happy Callum told us so we could celebrate you!
" Her words tumble out in a rush of effervescent exclamation points, and I can't help but laugh at her boundless energy.
Bailey is practically a perpetual sugar rush, and I adore every bit of her.
"Happy birthday to youuuu—ack!"
Parker begins with the worst imitation of Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' imaginable, drawing out the first note with that sexy, exaggerated breathiness, swaying a little as he sings.
Tonya promptly smacks the back of his head, interrupting him.
He rubs the spot with a wounded grin, and I'm quickly pulled into their waiting arms for a group hug.
"Happy Birthday, cutie pie," Tonya says in that smoky tone of hers, squeezing me. "Dirty Thirty was my favorite. You're gonna own this fucking year."
I laugh at her words. Tonya is such a contradiction, tough as nails but with the softest heart.
"Thank you so much, guys," I tell them, smiling at both of their happy faces before I'm swept into a hug with my face buried in April’s ginger curls.
"The cake is my masterpiece, and I think you're gonna love it," April tells me, and once she releases me, I see Atticus and Jane hanging back.
Atticus waves at me, the large man looking a little silly with the crooked party hat on his head. Jane's hands fidget in front of her as she clears her throat. "Happy Birthday, Sophie," she says with a small grin, and I smile back at them, my eyes growing a little wet.
Then, Maeve. She hugs me and kisses both of my cheeks.
"Thirty is a wonderful threshold, my dove. You're letting go of what no longer serves your spirit and stepping into a brighter, truer light."
Her words wrap around me, and I hug her a little tighter.
"Thank you, Maeve," I whisper before letting go and finally turning to Callum.
He's wearing a dark green sweater, jeans, and brown boots.
My stomach flutters as I see his smiling face.
The party hat on his head looks way too small, and I can't help but laugh as I walk toward him, still in disbelief.
"I can't believe you did all of this, Callum," I say, choked up.
He shrugs, shifting from foot to foot, a flush darkening his cheeks.
"Not a big deal."
I playfully glare at him. "Stop doing that."
"Doing what?" he frowns.
"Minimizing your impact in my life," I stress. I put my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes in a glare before a grin melts it away. I reach out to him, and like a magnet, he opens his hands for mine. "You have no idea how much you've changed my life."
"Guess the feeling's mutual," Callum murmurs, making my heart race. He glances at the door, and his grin grows even wider. "The surprises aren't over yet."
The door chimes, and I turn, my jaw dropping when I see who's stepping inside the store.
Donna and Rich are beaming at me from the door.
"Oh," I breathe, my feet are already moving, rushing over to their open arms and folding into their embrace.
The tears fall freely now, wrapped in the arms of the amazing people I thought would one day become my parents.
Donna wraps me in her arms while Rich wraps both of us in his strong embrace, still choosing me, still loving me.
"Oh, honey," Donna kisses my temple and then my cheek. "Happy birthday."
"How—why—who—" I stutter, and Rich just squeezes us tighter.
"Callum called us," Rich says, grinning at me.
I look at the man Paul took most of his looks from and feel.
.. nothing. Blissful nothing. Well, that's not entirely true.
I still feel the usual happiness when I see the O'Connors, but there's no ache, no pain, no gut punch.
"Said he was putting together a celebration for our girl. "
"I'm so sorry if this is overstepping, but we... well, we just missed you so much, and when he called..." Donna says, pulling back to look at my face, and I shake my head at her words.
"No, I'm... I'm so happy to see you guys, I just needed—"
“Time,” Donna nods, a small smile on her face, and she smooths down my hair. "We understand."
When I look over my shoulder at Callum, he’s happily smiling at us, hands tucked casually in the pockets of his jeans. I unfold myself from the O’Connors and rush over to him.
His face lights up like a Christmas tree the closer I get, and he opens his arms just before I leap into them. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he holds me in his big arms, lifting me off the ground. Burying my face in his neck, I inhale greedily the scent that's become synonymous with safety.
This man. This gentle giant of mine.
There aren't enough words in the English language to explain how absurdly fortunate I am that the stars decided to align just so for me to step into this bookstore on what was, objectively, the worst day of my life.
Callum Rhodes has completely changed my life, not with grand gestures, but with his gentle smile and steady presence. He stayed, he listened, he cared. His support let me find my own way, while he held the light so I could see ahead.
"Thank you," I whisper, and he squeezes me once as his mouth moves to my ear.
"Anything for you."
◆◆◆
"... happy birthday to you!"
"Make a wish!" Bailey's bubbly voice says from next to me. Like instinct, seek out Callum's eyes. He's already looking at me, his grin boyish and sweet, the one that makes my knees feel like jello.
I close my eyes—and I wish.
I wish to beat this cancer.
I wish for more days like this.
I wish to keep these friendships blooming forever.
I wish to always have Donna and Rich in my life.
When I open my eyes, I see that Callum is still looking at me. His expression is full of something like admiration, as if he doesn't see me as the broken, sick woman with cancer who fell apart yesterday, cried over her ex, lost her hair, and got sick in his car.
He just sees Sophie, and that's more than enough for him.
My heart beats wildly in my chest, growing stronger and stronger, until it's pounding and I'm sure it's loud enough that everyone in this store can hear it.
I wish...
Looking back at the candles, 30, I lean forward and blow them out, eliciting a cheer from my friends and family.
Laughter bubbles up inside of me as Bailey squishes me into another hug from my side that I melt into.
Stepping back, I take in the scene around this warm room.
April gets to work cutting the cake and placing them on the pink plates that Bailey no doubt brought. Callum helps pass out the pieces of cake she cuts, following her specific directions of who gets what piece.
Across the way, Tonya is mid-argument with Atticus.
Her voice is fake-serious as she lightly punches his shoulder, insisting he misdiagnosed an issue with her bike.
Atticus grins behind his beard, clearly enjoying the playful sparring.
Jane stands beside him, content just to listen, a small smile curving her lips.
I notice their hands brush. Their pinkies lock once.
Progress, I think with a smile.
Parker keeps trying to grab a piece of cake, only for his hand to be jabbed at with a plastic fork by April, who says, “Ladies first!”
Bailey giggles at them and grabs two pieces, passing them to Donna and Rich, who are chatting casually with Maeve.
This is my family.