Page 103 of Holiday Hopefuls
She scoffs. “Maybe not.” Callie’s hand pauses halfway to the doorknob. “You never told me,” she says, looking back over her shoulder.
My brows knit together as I look at the love of my life. Someone I, in no way, deserve. Someone I ended up in the strangest situation with, only to have the rest of my life unfold before me. “Told you what?”
“What’s your favorite thing about me?” The corner of her mouth lifts, her eyebrow following suit.
A soft chuckle fills the air. Tucking a stray hair behind her ear, I smile. “How you can make anyone fall in love with you.”
Callie blinks. Uncertainty is written into her every feature. “Even you, right?” Her voice is small, quiet. Like she’s afraid I’ll recant my feelings.
Moving so that I’m standing behind her, I wrap my arms around Callie’s shoulders and pull her into my chest. Callie reaches up, taking hold of my forearms as I press a kiss to her temple. “Especially me, Calloway. My love.”
Tension releases from her shoulders as she slumps against me with relief.
“I love you, Callie,” I whisper in her ear. My new favorite words, just for her.
My favorite person glances up, eyes meeting mine. Love blazes in the warm amber peeking up at me. “I love you too, Oliver.”
Prescott leans backinto the sectional, exhausted from trying to keep up with his daughter’s impressive gift-opening speed.
All while wearing a Barbie sweater, just to make Goldie happy.
Apparently, Ira and Lillian are the only two who are allowed to abstain from that particular tradition.
Christmas music plays softly in the background, mingling with the quintessential crackling fireplace. Sugar and cinnamon swirl in the air, surrounding the Rutherfords, who look the happiest I’ve seen them to date. If they were my patients, I would certainly feel good about their progress.
The love of my life leans into my arm that’s tucked around her shoulders, taking a sip from her hot chocolate.
“Look, Daddy!” Marigold holds up a doll with historical clothes and a corresponding book.
A tired smile graces his features. “That’s so neat, sweets. Who got you that one?” Prescott takes the book, flipping through it.
Marigold gives the doll a tight hug. “Aunt Connie.” The little girl hops up from her spot on the floor, bounding over to her aunt and giving her a big hug and kiss.
Ira snaps numerous pictures of Marigold with each new gift while his wife steadily supplies her granddaughter with Christmas morning treats.
Callie and I watch from the opposite end of the couch, curled up into one another.
My girlfriend glows as she watches her sweet niece.
Pulling Callie closer with the arm around her shoulders, I lean down to her ear. “That’ll be us one day.”
“Having Goldie thank us for a doll?”
Biting back a grin, I roll my eyes. “Watching our kids open gifts on Christmas morning.”
Callie’s chocolate eyes snap to mine. Love coats her kind face as she nods. “I want two. Enough that they could have a buddy, but not enough for them to get lost in a crowd.” My love smirks. “Or for them to outnumber us.”
My heart soars at the ‘us.’
Leaning down to kiss the tip of her nose, my heart nearly bursts. “Anything you want, my love.”
I’m in the middle of wondering if my parents will think I’ve lost my mind when I tell them I want to propose, when Imogene turns to face us from the other side of Callie. “Do you think Mom’s trying to fill Marigold with snacks so she’ll sleep the rest of the day?”
Callie laughs as my brow furrows. Looking between the two women, I ask, “Does that actually work?”
Imogene frowns. “I thought you spent a lot of time with kids.”
“Only short timeframes,” I answer. “My business partner, John, has a daughter about Marigold’s age, though.”
