by Lucy Rinaldi
“What?” Now I’m the one who’s confused. “He never failed me.”
“When you were attacked and the doctors told us that you could die from your injuries, Keller,” My father. “He broke down so hard I couldn’t console him. He would never cry in front of any of you, he would never show you all his weakness. It’s just the way he is.” She shrugs.
My father is one of those men. He believes himself weak if he shows his emotions. He’s not weak, he’s the strongest man I have ever known.
“It was your brothers who walked in and saw him crumble. He clung to them, begging god not to take you from him.” That hurts so much that I can help crying. “Don’t cry, sweetheart, daddy wouldn’t want to see you crying.”
I know this to be true, he’s always hated seeing any of his children cry. When we were little, any one of us cried and he’d look so sad while holding us so close to him. He’d do anything to make us laugh, because he’d rather see us laugh than cry. Isn’t that what all fathers want for their children?
My mom and I sit talking for hours. It literally feels fantastic to talk to her about everything that’s going on in my life right now. I tell her about my love for Hudson and why I forgave him. I tell her about the kids and how I want nothing more than to become their mother and the reasons why I can’t. She’s sad for me, but she understands why I won’t push Hudson to do something he’s not ready for.
She’s apologized a million times for the things she’s done, especially trying to set me up with any man she can. I told her how much it hurt me to think she’d believe no man could love me. She told me that was never why she did it. I didn’t need her to explain why she did, I’ve let it go. Finding out why won’t change anything now.
After saying “bye” to my mother, I step outside and breathe in the early evening air with a smile on my face. Life is getting better everyday. I’m alive and I have so much to live for. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m going to be okay.
Twenty
Hudson
She’s doing the usual Callie Harper thing. Acting happy to hide the sadness she feels inside. I must admit that she’s doing a damn good job. I haven’t seen her laughing and dancing this much since before I left five years ago.
She looks beautiful tonight. She’s wearing a little black dress with her long hair loose and three inch fuck-me heels. The girls couldn’t believe their eyes when we walked in. Yeah, she looks that good.
Paige mentioned that Callie hadn’t looked so good since she was attacked. Since me being home, Callie is slowly returning to the girl they all once knew. The girl they thought was lost forever. She was never lost, just misplaced.
Parties are all well and good, but in a house this size with this many people in attendance it can get a little too hot at times. That’s why I’m standing out back with a bottle of beer in my hand. It’s damn cold but I can hardly feel it.
“Needed some air?” I simply nod at Chase. He’s an all right guy. He’s older than I am, but he doesn’t act it. He’s a giant of a man, dark hair that’s graying at the sides. Emilee’s husband. A man sixteen years her senior. Loves her like crazy and would do anything for her.
He stands next to me with his big arms folded over his massive chest. How does a man of forty get to be so big?
“I haven’t known Callie as long as everyone else, but I do know I’ve never seen her smile the way she does when you’re around.”
“You’re not the first person to tell me that.”
“Does it shock you?”
I take a deep breath, a swig of my beer and turn to look at him. “To be honest, it does a little. I thought she’d be married with an army of kids by now.”
“If I know nothing else about Callie Harper, I know you’re the only man for her. Everyone of my wife’s girlfriends have been amazing since she met them. Especially Callie. And my Emilee really needed friends when she arrived here. Each one took her under their wing, but none more than Callie. I don’t know what Callie has told you about Emilee and me and why she came here.”
I don’t say anything, but he knows that Callie’s spoke to me about it all. She told me why Emilee left Chase, the silly misunderstanding over some other girl trying it on with him, and Emilee walking in on what she thought was them about to have sex. Callie’s not a gossip but she wanted me to understand just why Emilee means so much to her.
“It took me over two years to find Emilee after she ran out on me. When I found her, my son was already over a year and a half. I missed all of that because of my own stupidity. She’d suffered horribly at the hands of the same man who basically stalked her, the man who attacked Callie.”
“Callie told me. I’m sorry, man.”
“No,” He sakes his head. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. Emilee and Callie are safe now. Emilee is happy, and so is Callie.”
“What are you getting at, Chase?” I turn around and leans my ass against the metal bar that separates the garden from the patio. Chase does the same.
“What I’m getting at is, what the hell are you waiting for? Haven’t you loved that girl all your life? Wasn’t she once your fianceé?”
I nod with narrow eyes.
Call me dense but I’m sure what he’s trying to say to me.
“I think what my best friend is trying to say,” Jesse. Chase’s best friend, same age as him, just as big. “Is why haven’t you asked that girl to marry you yet?” I chuckle to myself. I’ve asked myself the same thing all week.
“Haven’t found the right opportunity.” This is true. I don’t want to just ask her randomly like last time. Last time was spontaneous, no real thought put into it. This time – because I am making her my wife – I want to make it special for her.
They don’t say anything else about it, we just stand drinking beer and talking about our women. I’ve always been one of those men who gets along with everyone. Unless someone crosses me then I’m their worst enemy. But I’ve fit right back into Callie and my circle of friends. Even the new ones that came along while I was gone.
“Paige told us about the kids.” Jesse says.
“Told you what, exactly?” Jesus, that girl has such a big mouth!
“That you won’t be taking them on.” Good. She didn’t spoil the surprise. “Kids aren’t for everyone.”
“How did you manage to convince Callie that now isn’t the right time?” Chase asks.
“I know she wanted those kids,” I tell them. “I know she’d make a damn good mother. I have no doubt about that. It’s me that didn’t feel like I could be a father to anyone. I’m a selfish prick.” I shrug. I always have been. “I’m only just getting my head around the fact Callie lost our daughter while I was off seeing the world. I didn’t even know she was pregnant.”
“Not many are every really ready for parenthood, Sonny,” Chase says while Jesse grabs three fresh beers from the cooler just inside the French doors that lead to the inside of the house. “I sure know I wasn’t. But do you know what? The second my eyes landed on my boy, I was lost. The second I met my daughter, I knew I’d never be the same.” He chuckles.
I know Todd and Robyn aren’t mine, but I know exactly how he feels. I spent a few hours with them and I fell in love with them. I know in my heart just as Callie does that those kids were meant to be ours. It’s fucking sad that they had to lose their real parents in order for them to become ours, but Callie and I are gonna love them so well.
It’ll take me some adjusting, but I’ll do anything to make the woman I love happy. Anything. Marriage, kids, the whole nine yards. Isn’t it a man’s job to make all his girl’s dreams come true?
I have an idea. A crazy, insane, possibly the most unrealistic thing I have ever thought of. But I’ll make it happen. With the help of my friends at least.
“Think you guys could help me with something?”
“Anything.” Chase smiles.
“It’s massive. So listen carefully.”
Twenty-One
Callie
My baby sister looks beautiful. Her whole day has been perfect. Just the way she wanted it. Everything from the church service to the reception, which is being held in the ballroom at Ryker’s Hotel.
Enzo had the place decorated with the best of everything. It looks like something out of a magazine. The round tables with seats of six around, draped in muslin table clothes, candles, and flowers. There are hundreds of pearl style pink and gray balloons all over the room. The dance floor is covered in pink rose petals, Della’s favorite color flower. The lighting in the room is perfect, dim, but so bright at the same time.
The look on her face when she walked in with Freddy, she was so overwhelmed with happiness that she cried a little before hugging Enzo tightly.
I watched her dancing with her new husband before sharing a dance with my father, then each of my brothers. I envy her so much and how happy she is.
Don’t get me wrong, I am beyond happy with Hudson, believe me, I am. But Della is always happy. She’s just married the man of her dreams and I know it won’t be long before they start a family. I’m not jealous of my sister, I don’t want anyone to think that I am, but I am envious.
But then, I know I’m going to have a wonderful like with Hudson, he’s my perfect man. Nothing that happened in the past belongs here in the present. Yes, I have bad memories, but I’m going to be making some very happy memories in the years to come.
I smile at Lora as she dances with Tommy. He holds her so close to him while now and again stroking her baby bump. She’s glowing, and they are so in love. Greg is dancing with his wife, she’s smiling at him like he’s the only man in the universe. Kory is dancing with Aimee and it makes me smile.
In an ideal world I’d have them fall for each other and they’d have a happy life together. But I know neither of them are the kind of person to fall in love. Which is a shame.
Maybe one day.
I’ve danced with Hudson. He held me close to him as he swayed me. I wanted to tell him right then that everything would be okay, that I didn’t blame him for not wanting to take on the twins, but it didn’t seem like the right time.
We will have that talk soon. I don’t want him to think I’m angry when I’m not. He’ll be ready one day, and there will be other children that need a loving family. When that day comes, I’ll be ready.
I take a sip of my champagne and smile just for the sake of it. I’m a very lucky girl, I just need to remind myself of that more often. I see my man at the bar with his brother and I smile again. Enzo might not think he’s the romantic kind, but he sure made this reception romantic for my sister and his best friend. He’ll make some lucky girl a very happy one some day.
It’s sad to say, but I don’t believe it’s Autumn that he’s destined to be with. Don’t ask me why because I can’t put my finger on it. I guess it’s because I see the way he looks at Paige, and I know where her heart lies. And if the way they’ve been exchanging looks all day is anything to go by…
“May I have this dance?”
I look up at the man holding his hand out to me, the man looking me right in the eye with a smile on his face, tears in his eyes. My lips quivers. “Daddy.” I swallow hard, forcing back my emotions.
My daddy hasn’t looked me in the eye for so long. I feel so emotional right now.
“Come dance with your old man.”
I chuckle and take his hand. My eyes lock with Hudson’s as my father leads me to the dance floor. Hudson smiles at me and winks.
The dance floor suddenly empties, leaving my father and me alone. He wraps his arm gently around my waist and takes my hand in his as I clasp his shoulder. I don’t know the name of the song playing because I’m not really listening, I can’t take my eyes off my daddy and the way he’s looking at me. There is no disgust in his eyes, only love.
He pulls me closer and kisses my head as tears fall from my eyes. I let out a sob and lay my head on his chest as he sways me. Both his arms come around me and he holds me close and tight. I wrap my arms around his back and hold tightly. I don’t want to let go. I’ve missed my father holding me. I’ve missed being his little girl.
“I am so sorry that I’ve made you think that I find you anything but beautiful. You are everything to me, my beautiful little girl.”
“I’ve missed you, daddy.” Thank god for waterproof makeup or I would look just godawful right now.
He kisses the top of my head. “I love you, Callie. You’re my world, just as your brothers and sisters are. You bring me so much pride I’m bursting to the brim with it.”
I life my head to look at him. He’s smiling at me. This is all I’ve wanted since the day I was attacked.
“I love you, too, dad. So very much. You mean the world to me. And I will always try to make you proud of me.”
“You don’t have to try very hard, sweetheart. From the moment you were born, I knew you would be the woman you grew up to be. So strong, so smart. Everything a beautiful woman should be.”
He tucks a strand of hair that’s fallen from my up-do behind my ear. “You look beautiful, baby girl.”
I smile and let the happy tears fall from my eyes. “Merry Christmas, daddy.”
“Merry Christmas, princess.”
He hugs me tight, and I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas Eve. This was the best present ever!
I can hear everyone awing and clapping and I can’t help giggling. I’d blocked them all out, I had no idea they were all watching us so closely. But I don’t care that they were, nothing could spoil this perfect moment right now.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?!”
I pull away from my father slightly, but with my arm still around his waist, his around my shoulder as we turn to look at Hudson up on the stage. What the hell is he doing up there?
“First of all, I’d like to say a massive congratulations to Della and Freddy on this their wedding day!” Everyone claps and cheers as Hudson raises his glass. I turn my eyes to Della and the happy smile on her face. She’s hugging her husband as he whispers in her ear.
“It might seem to most of you that I’m hijacking their special day, but I can assure you that I’ve been given permission by the happy couple to go ahead with this. It could have waited until tonight when we were alone, but there’s no time like the present.”
I narrow my eyes. What the hell is he up to?
“Callie, would you join me for a moment, please?”
What the hell?
My heart is beating really quickly all of a sudden and my face is burning with embarrassment. My dad nods and gives me a slight nudge in the right direction.
I swallow hard and make my way to the stage. Hudson smiles and holds his hand out to me. I lift my floor-length dress, the one Aimee altered only slightly at the back to cover my scar, and take his hand with my other as he helps me up the four steps to stand beside him.
He wraps an arm around my waist and kisses my lips softly. I smile against his mouth. He strokes my face with the back of his hand and my eyes close for a second. Most inappropriate to be turned on right now. We’re in a room full of people, family and friends! But whatever.
He turns back to the mic, never taking his arm from around my waist. “You all know our story so I won’t go in to detail, Callie and I are no longer living in the past, we’re moving forward.”
He stops talking when Enzo yells that it’s about time, making me laugh.
“I have loved this beautiful woman since I was a very little boy,” I giggle. My mother is watching me with a huge smile on her face, my father right beside her. And I have a feeling they know exactly what’s going on here.
“I will love her until my dying day and even longer. I know each and every person in this town knows just how special this woman is. How selfless she is. And I also know that everyone knows that she’s mine.” He says jokingly, drawing a laugh from everyone in the room.
“This beautiful woman forgave me for all the crap I put her through, sh
e took me back and still loves me when I probably don’t deserve it.”
“Yes, you do.” I pipe in. Why would he say something like that?
He smiles at me regardless.
“I love you, Callie Harper. I have always loved you.”
“I know, sweetheart. I love you, too.”
“I know you do, that’s why I have to know…” My eyes widen. He just dropped to one knee! He takes my hand in his and kisses my knuckles and I think I’m having a heart attack! “I asked you once to be my wife. You should have been that for the past five years. I’m going to ask you one more time, but this time, it’s forever.”
I swallow hard. My body is overheating!
“Callie Lilian Harper, will you marry me?”
He opens the ring box I didn’t even know he was holding and I giggle. The ring within is the original engagement ring he gave me all those years ago. My beautiful three karat diamond on a gold band.
I look out at the crowd of people all watching with held breaths. Each one looking at me with an expectant smile. My eyes catch Kory’s. He smiles and nods his head slightly.
I deserve this, don’t I?
I deserve to be happy.
I look down at my man and nod my head. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” The room erupts in cheers, Hudson gets to his feet while slipping the ring on my finger. My arms come around his neck just as he kisses me softly. And I know I’m finally home.
Twenty-Two
Hudson
“I have one more surprise for you, baby girl.”
“Another one?”
I nod and wink at her.
This is the biggest surprise I could give her. A surprise that has been incredibly difficult to keep from her, especially when I’ve wanted nothing more than to give it to her for the past two days.
I hold my finger up to her, motioning for her to wait right there while motioning for Paige to come up on stage. She does with a laugh and covers Callie’s eyes with her hands. “What the hell is going on?” Callie’s tone is playful.
I jog down the stage steps and out the side door. “Are you ready?” Both Todd and Robyn nod excitedly.
