Page 23 of Now that I Found You
Chapter Ten
Ellie ~ Four Days Later
It was a rough few days, but Callum was finally released from the hospital and able to come home. When we first got home, I was focused on making sure he was resting and recovering. Waking up yesterday, I felt a tremendous amount of guilt I hadn’t yet told him about the baby. It felt like I was carrying a secret around, when in all honesty, I just didn’t know how to tell him.
Callum has given me so much. He’s always been so thoughtful in the way he’s surprised me. I wanted it to be something romantic, untainted by the painful memories of the hurt we’ve both lived through at the hands of monsters. I hoped it would be something we could look back on and think of the life we’re building and the love we have between us.
Pacing back and forth in front of the door, I hear two light knocks. Quickly looking back and forth, I look for any sign Callum could be here before looking up at the security camera.
I squint my eyes at them, hating how I’m trying to surprise him, but the eagle eyes from above are watching me like a hawk. I understand now more than ever how important it is, but I’ve never been a fan of technology. I wish I didn’t need these to feel safe in my own home.
Opening the door, I’m greeted with Kinsley’s face beaming a smile at me.
She holds the large frame covered by a bag up in the air and wags her eyebrows at me. “I got the goods!”
“Okay, come in, but hurry. Callum is in our bedroom lying down and if he hears you, I’m worried he’ll check the cameras from the iPad and the surprise will be ruined.”
“Alright, well, quit talking and let me in already.”
I roll my eyes at her and smile, opening the door.
“Oh, God, I can’t wait to hear about his reaction. If only I could be a fly on the wall when you tell him.” She bounces around all giddy as she whispers to me.
“Come here, I want to get away from that dang camera,” I mutter, leading her into the living room area with the bag in my hand.
Setting it on the couch, she helps me open the bag. Kinsley has been a lifesaver helping me organize this surprise for Callum. As soon as I read the quote on the frame, tears fill my eyes.
“Do you think he’ll like it?”
“Are you kidding?” She laughs lightly. “Of course, he’s going to like it. He’s going to love it.”
“I mean, the way I’m surprising him. I wanted to do something bigger, but with every day that’s passed, and he doesn’t know, I feel terrible I’ve kept it from him. Now I just want him to know.”
“Ellie, the man proposed to you in the kitchen because he knew it would make it special to you. He’s going to love however you choose to tell him for the simple fact it’s you and it’s your baby, together. I promise you, you don’t need to overthink it. This is perfect.”
She helps me with hanging it on the wall. I had Mason help with the measurements and making sure it was ready, we just had to get it situated for him to see it.
“Call me later and tell me all about it.” She smiles, wrapping her arms around my shoulder. “I’m so damn happy for you both.” Her words come out muffled against the side of my head, and I swear for a minute it sounds like she’s crying.
We both freeze for a moment when we hear Callum say my name from our bedroom, as she unwraps her arms from around me. Walking backward down the hall, she waves to me and motions with her hand to call her.
I nod my head, as I scurry over to peek my head in the bedroom to check on Callum. Just as I do, I hear the front door click as Kinsley shuts it behind her.
“Hey, sweetheart, what are you doing?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just wrapping up a little something. Would you mind coming out here for a minute and giving me your opinion on it?”
His eyebrows furrow at me, uncertain of what it could be. It’s not like me to keep something from him, even if it’s a project I’m working on. Hell, we both know over the summer I was working on Pinterest projects left and right. It was Kinsley’s doing though. She kept looking at do-it-yourself ideas for wedding decor. I still find glitter around the house from the centerpieces we made.
Wedding planning was up her alley. I would’ve been just as happy if we went down to the courthouse with our friends and family. After all, I just wanted to be Callum’s wife. Everything else was just a bonus for me.
Pushing the door open, I walk a few feet down the hallway and wait for Callum. He’s not wearing a shirt and has bandages wrapped around his torso, all taped up.
He winces and he must see the worry on my face, as he quickly smiles, reassuring me he’s okay.
“What did you want to show me, babe?”
Staring over to the picture frame, I look back over at Callum. “Does this look straight to you? I just hung it up and want to make sure you’re happy with it.”
