“Today. Marry me today.”
“What?”
“You just said you can’t wait to marry me, and I can’t wait to marry you, so let’s not wait. Let’s get married today.”
“But…” The rest of my sentence dies on my tongue as I run scenarios in my head.
But what? Why should we wait?
Umm, no dress. No venue. No…
Nope. None of that stuff is important. I love Eli. I’d love him even if we were poor and had nothing but the shirts on our backs.There is nothing I want more than to be married to this man. To start the next phase of our lives together. To raise our little nugget.
Eli cups my face in his palms and forces me to return his gaze. He misreads my thoughts as doubt. “I know what you’re thinking. There’s too much to plan and—”
“Let’s do it,” I blurt, cutting him off. The words feel right. Now is the perfect time to marry this beautiful man. All of our family is here. There is no better time or place.
I rise onto my toes and kiss him with everything I’ve got, because everything I am is already his. After we say “I do”, I’ll return the favor and give him a little surprise of my own.
twenty-five
Eli
Christmas Day
“Youpulleditoff.”
I grin at Jace as I adjust my bow tie for the tenth time. “I did.”
“Have any doubt?” he asks as he smooths the lapels of his jacket down. Like me, my brothers are wearing black tuxedos with a pale-purple rose boutonniere.
“Not for a moment. She’s it for me. Know it down to my soul.” I genuinely thought I was going to have to work a little harder to convince Callie to marry me today, but I always knew her answer would be yes.
After she agreed to a Christmas day wedding, I explained how everyone played a part in making today happen. Emery planned and coordinated the décor, food, dress delivery—everything. Mason, Jeff, and Hilly decorated. Jace is our officiant. Chris is our photographer. Rhys is playingSomewhere Over the Rainbowon his guitar. And everyone else—and by everyone, I mean Cam—kept all the details under wraps.
“Proud of you, E. The two of you are good for each other. It’s going to be a happy life for you.” My big brother slaps me on the back as I keep my eyes on the barn door, waiting for the signal to start.
“Thanks, J. It’s going to be a damn good life.” We aren’t even married yet, and it’s already been a glorious life with Callie. She makes me so damn happy. And since Callie said yes this morning, I’ve been floating on air. This entire morning has been a blur. I barely remember everyone exchanging gifts and having breakfast.
All I can focus on is Callie and the addictive glow of happiness that’s radiating off her.
The barn door opens, and my heart jumps, only to be let down.
Cam pokes his head in. “Look who I found wandering around?” He slides the door open further, revealing my best friend and business partner.
“Hudson, you made it!” I call out.
He strides towards the altar, where I’m waiting with Jace. We greet each other with a round of bro hugs and backslaps.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. My best friend is getting married today. It’s a shame she chose you, though,” Hudson jests.
“Ha-ha,” I deadpan. Hudson’s lucky I love him and that he’s been good to Callie all these years. Aside from my sisters-in-law, he probably is Callie’s best friend.
“Right? Callie could do better,” Cam interjects, earning himself my scathing glare. “Oh please, you know she’s too good for you.”
Callieistoo good for me. Even so, he’s my brother. I flip Cam the bird, and everyone laughs.
Chris slips into the room with his camera. We chat for a bit as he snaps some décor and candid shots. Emery might have asked him to be here, but I owe him. Not just for the pictures but also for delivering the dresses. I make a mental note to make a few calls on his behalf. He’s been doing the assistant director thing for a while. I saw his class project; it’s time for him to lead.