A Love That Lasts

by Baker, Tory

  “Well, that’s a good thing then,” I reply.

  After a few minutes, Callie comes to sit next to me. She takes one of the other baby dolls, brushing its hair as well. Claira explained to me these were once her mother’s American Girl Dolls she had when she was a little girl.

  “Are you spilling the beans?” Callie asks.

  “No way, I’d never spill all of the beans,” she exaggerates on the all part.

  “Sure, sure. I know where you sleep,” Callie says before she starts tickling Clairabella. I somehow get roped into the tickling fiasco until we’re all rolling around on the ground, laughing hysterically.

  “Okay, you three. Dinner is just about ready. You need to wash up.” I see Nancy standing above us with her hands on her hips, a smile playing on her face.

  I get up first, helping Callie to her feet, then helping Claira next.

  “I’m going to wash my hands. We’re having one of my favorites, and I helped make it.” She marches off to the bathroom, full of sass.

  “You do realize, if you have more children, what you’re preparing yourselves for, right?” Callie’s mom is looking at both of us.

  “Game freaking on,” I tell them both without a care in the world.

  “Welp, my job here is done. Your father probably needs help setting the table.” She scurries off.

  “Do you mean it?” Callie asks me.

  “Hell yes, I do. I know we haven’t said the words, but Mi Sol, you have to know it by my actions.” I place her hand on my heart before saying, “I love you, Callie. You and Clairabella, I love you so much that my heart aches when I’m away from you two.”

  “I love you, too, Jamie.” She flings herself into my arms, kissing me, not deepening it because we’re in her parents’ house, but wanting to desperately.

  “I want in!” Claira exclaims, and then she’s wrapping her arms around our legs. That doesn’t last for long. I scoop her up in my arms and hug my two girls close to my chest, right where they belong.

  19

  Callie

  “Today is the day! Are you ready?” I ask Claira. She has her leotard, shoes, and makeup on, and her hair is in the tightest bun I’ve ever managed. There’s something to be said about girls with long, thick, red hair. It’s a nightmare to work with if it doesn’t listen.

  “Of course, I am, Momma! Plus, Mr. Jamie has been helping me all week with my tumbling.” She stands proud and tall.

  “You are going to do so well. I’m so proud of you. It’s time to go. Jamie said he’d meet us there with Ms. Mariana,” I tell her.

  “Oh, yes! Everyone is going to be there, and Mr. Jamie said we’re all going to dinner tonight at Uncle Lincoln’s place. Just the family. I can’t wait! Lots of broccoli and macaroni and cheese!” she exclaims.

  “Sounds like you and him have it all planned out. What else are you two keeping from me?” I wiggle my eyebrows, knowing good and well he wouldn’t keep anything major from me. But, the two of them go together like peanut butter and jelly. I’m waiting for the day she asks when he’s moving in or if she can call him the D word.

  “Oh, nothing. Nothing at all, Momma. We could never do that.” Her hip is jutted to the side with her hand on it.

  “Sure, come on. We can’t be late for your own dance recital.” I make my way to the front door and grab my purse, phone, and keys. Then we head to meet our friends and family to watch her perform. We hop in the car, buckle up, and then we’re on our way.

  “Mommy?” she questions.

  “Yes, Clairabella.”

  “Can we listen to my Kids Bop?” Her little body is already wiggling in her seat, getting ready for her music.

  “You’ve got it.” I turn on what she requested, and the two of us jam out the whole way there. Three songs in, we make it to our destination, park, and hop out. She says her hellos to everyone, and then it’s time for me to take her to the staging area.

  “I love you, Claira. Have the best time ever. I’ll see you when you’re finished.” I give her a hug, her little arms wrapping around my neck.

  “I love you, Momma. Make sure I can see where you sit. I want to see our whole family.” Claira’s little hands hold my cheeks as she gives me a kiss, and then she leaves me without a care in the world.

  Any time I have to leave Claira has always been hard on me, even if it was for work, with a family member, or even in instances like now. I wipe the tears away from my eyes, then turn to head to my family.

  I find them all sitting in a row. There’s more than ten of us taking up a whole row in the auditorium.

  “I can’t believe it’s her last recital of the season. Time is flying by,” I tell Jamie as I take my seat beside him. The whole family is here—my parents, Jamie, his mom, and Presley and Lyla’s families. My world has completely changed, and it’s only for the better.

  “It feels like yesterday she was coming home from the hospital,” my mom whisper talks.

  “We’ll have more memories to make. By this time next year, who knows? She could have a baby sister or brother to watch her, too,” Jamie grumbles in my ear. We’ve talked about adding children into the mix in the next couple of years, but the more I think about it, the more I want it before Claira gets too much older.

  “I want that, so much,” I tell him. I hear not only my mother’s breath hitch in her throat, but also Jamie’s mother, Mariana.

  “Let’s make sure Claira is okay with the next step before we start adding in children. Think she’ll be okay with that?” he asks.

  “I think she’ll love it.” The lights dim, and we wait for Clairabella’s class to come out and do their dance. It’s not completely choreographed to perfection, although the audience doesn’t seem to mind. Each girl does a solo on their own before the next class comes on. When Claira’s class is done with their performance, we all get to our feet, clapping and screaming our praises to them.

  “I’m not saying this because I’m biased, but Bella Bug totally stole the show,” Presley says before we take our seats to finish the show.

  “You aren’t wrong. You should see her at home. It’s been nonstop tumbling, twirling, and dancing,” Jamie praises.

  “Oh, we heard all about the tumbling mat you bought her. If you don’t watch out, Callie will need a bigger house,” my dad tells Jamie.

  “Nope, I’m not leaving my home. It’s been Claira’s home since she was a baby. The area is amazing, the lot size is manageable, and it’s perfect. We’ll just have to shift some things around, clear out the old to keep the new.” I look at Jamie’s face, wanting to see his thoughts on this. I didn’t even need to bother to look; he’s at our place more than he’s at his own. He sneaks out in the mornings before Claira gets up for the day, acting like he comes over first thing in the morning. The smile on his face tells me everything. He may drive a ridiculously over-priced vehicle and have more money than anyone would know what to do with, but he loves the home I’ve created as much as I do.

  “You can always build on an addition. The next time my dad is in town, ask him. He may even know a good contractor that works in this area,” Lincoln offers.

  Jamie hooks his pinky with mine, giving it a squeeze. “What do you say about that idea? You’d still be in your home, have the same school district for Claira, the same neighborhood, and it would give us room to eventually expand our family.”

  “It’s definitely something to consider,” I tell him. Jamie bends down, kissing my forehead before we finish watching the rest of the performers.

  20

  Jamie

  When Claira’s performance is over, she takes my hand and says, “I’m riding in Mr. Jamie’s car, Momma.”

  I look at Callie, and she just shrugs her shoulders. This actually works best. I have something important to ask Claira before I ask her mom.

  “I’ll see you at Uncle Lincoln’s then.” She gives Claira a kiss and a hug, then turns to me once she’s buckled into the booster seat I bought for my car.

  “
You okay?” I ask her. I don’t ever want Callie to feel like I’m replacing her as a parent.

  “I’m perfect, I promise. I hate that we had to take separate vehicles, but it made more sense to.” She has a serene smile on her face.

  “Okay, I love you, mi Sol.” My thumb strokes her throat as I give her a soft kiss.

  “And I love you, Jamie.”

  “Well, I love you both, but I’m starving. All that dancing wore me out.”

  I can’t help but chuckle. She’s the most dramatic six-year-old I’ve ever met; hell, she’s the only one I know. Her personality, though, shines through in everything she does.

  “I’ll be right behind you,” I tell Callie. She nods in agreement, and I watch her until she reaches her car. When she’s inside and her car is started, I get in my own and say, “So, Clairabella, I have an important question to ask you.”

  “Oh yeah, what is it?” she asks. My eyes dart back and forth between the rearview mirror and the road in front of me.

  “Would it be okay if I asked your mom to marry me and for you to become my daughter?” The squeal that I hear from the backseat is enough to know that I made the right decision with including Claira.

  “When are you asking?” she calms down enough to ask.

  “That’s what I was hoping you would help me with. Do you think you could share your special dinner and help me propose to your mom?” I ask.

  “Oh, I think that would be the best plan ever!” We talk the entire way to Lincoln’s restaurant about what we’re going to do. Once we have it all nailed down, she says, “I’m so excited. This is going to be the best day ever!”

  “I think you’re right about that. I get two special girls to share my life with.” I park the car and get out, then go around to open her door. After she unbuckles, she steps out.

  “Let’s do this.” Claira holds my hand as her mom walks over to us.

  “I swear the two of you are up to no good more and more lately,” she puffs.

  “Not us. We could never.” I act shocked. Clairabella shakes her head no.

  “Sure, well, let’s go eat. I’m starving,” Callie says.

  “About that, mind if you and Claira walk with me down toward the water first?” I ask.

  “Okay.” I take her hand in mine, with Claira’s hand still in my other, and walk them down. She’s hesitant at first, which I fucking hate, but I need to do this. Now, without anyone around us, just our family of three.

  The gentle tugging on my right hand has me looking down into a toothless grin. She winks, and that lets me know she is ready to go along with my plan. When we reach the outside seating Lincoln has on his property for the restaurant, I have Callie sit. Then I drop down on one knee with Clairabella standing beside me.

  “Marry me, Callie. Make me the luckiest man alive,” I state, screwing this all up. Thank goodness, Claira saves the day.

  “Yes, Momma. Say yes and marry all of us together,” she states proudly.

  “Oh my gosh, I knew you two were cooking up something. Of course, I’ll marry you!” She falls to her knees in front of me, and all three of us hug together. I didn’t know I’d be on my knees, practically begging to have two people become a part of my life all those months ago, but I couldn’t be happier.

  “Momma?” Clairabella asks, pulling back.

  “Yes, Claira.”

  “Does this mean I can call Mr. Jamie my daddy now?” she questions. I rock back on my ass, my legs no longer able to support myself in a squat by the question she’s just asked. I’ve always wanted Claira to think of me as her father, but I would never ask her to call me Daddy if she wasn’t comfortable.

  “I think that’s up to Jamie,” Callie says. I’m thirty-seven years old, and I’ve just been rocked to my core, humbled in disbelief. This little girl is wrapped around my heart.

  “I would be honored for you to call me your dad.” This time, Claira attacks me. Callie comes up beside us now, so I’m lying flat on my back, Callie on one side and Claira on the other.

  “I’m the luckiest girl in the universe,” Callie whispers.

  “No way, Momma. I am.”

  “I think I may just be the luckiest ever,” I breathe out.

  “Wait ‘til you see your ring, Momma. It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was made for a princess!”

  I can’t believe I didn’t pull out the ring this whole time. I really messed up my proposal. I unwrap my arm from Claira, pull the ring box out of my pocket, and take it out.

  “You want to help me put your mom’s ring on her finger?” I ask Clairabella.

  She nods, and the two of us put on the four-carat, halo cut diamond, surrounded with smaller diamonds along the platinum band on Callie’s finger.

  “Holy shit.” Callie’s breath whooshes out.

  “Momma, that’s a dollar for the swear jar.” She breaks the silence while I hold my breath.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’ll put a dollar in it. But oh my gosh, this ring is gorgeous. Just like the man I love,” she says. Her lips find mine, and I want to deepen the kiss, yet we won’t in front of Clairabella.

  “I love you both so much,” I tell Callie and Claira.

  “I love you, Mommy and Daddy,” Claira says. I look into her eyes, thankful for the gift she’s just given me.

  “Gah, she’s hitting me right in the feels today. I bet my make-up is a mess, but ask me if I care.” She snuggles back against my side.

  “Do you care?”

  “Not even a little bit.” Claira wiggles beside me, and that’s how our family finds the three of us, on the ground, basking in this joyous memory we’re creating.

  Epilogue

  Callie

  One Year Later

  The past year has been more than I could ever describe. Jamie and I were married with our families surrounding us on a beautiful sun-shining day. Claira stole the show, but we knew that would happen. Two months after we said our vows, making us husband and wife, we found out I was pregnant. That’s when everything really started to tumble down the proverbial rabbit hole. I was a hormonal mess, and we were practically living on top of each other at home. It was a huge learning curve, and I realized all too fast, the thought of living through a home renovation while pregnant was not going to happen.

  I hated to leave the only home Clairabella ever knew, but our hands were tied. We could only go out with an addition, and it would take away from the backyard. Jamie tried everything he could think of, trying to ease my mind. I finally put my foot down, coming to the realization we needed to find somewhere else to live.

  I’m not sure how we managed to get married, sell Jamie’s condo, get pregnant, find a home within reach of everyone we know and love, sell my house, and give birth to the bundle of joy in my arms.

  “Daddy,” I hear Claira say while I’m nursing our baby boy in the nursery. We barely had the house furnished and were completely moved in by the time I went into labor.

  “Yes, mi Princessa,” Jamie says, walking down the hall to her bedroom. We asked if she wanted things changed from our old house to this one, but she shook her head, her hand on her hip. She meant business. I bet she’s going to get him to either play baby dolls or see if she can lure him into buying her more books for the empty spots on her bookshelf.

  When Leo unlatches, I fix my shirt then move him up onto my shoulder to burp him. He looks so much like Jamie; he’s like his spitting image. It works out that Claira looks like me and Leo looks like his father. I walk the two of us toward the bedroom where the other two pieces of my soul are.

  “You can’t tell Mommy, but yes, we’ll go get ice cream tonight, even though it’s a school night. But you have to pinky promise not to be cranky in the morning when we wake you up for school,” Jamie tells her while their pinkies are connected. I back away, heading toward the kitchen to make myself a glass of ice water, smiling the whole way. The two of them are thick as thieves, always getting into mischief.

  I grab my phone, texting the gi
rls the latest development after I place Leo in the bassinet we keep in our main living area.

  Me: Clairabella has officially wrapped him around her fingers. They’re talking ice cream… on a school night. Who does that sound like?

  It doesn’t take long until my phone pings with a new message alert.

  Presley: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Lincoln and I are the epitome of innocence.

  Lyla: Yeah, right, and I’m the Pope. That didn’t take long. I guarantee you that’s been happening for a lot longer than you thought.

  Me: Don’t I know it. What are you guys up to this weekend? Want to do a bar-b-que at our place?

  Lyla: I’m game. I want to float my ginormous ass in the pool for as long as possible.

  Presley: Better you than me. We’ll be there.

  Me: Yes! Love you, girls.

  Lyla: Right back at ‘cha!

  Presley: Love you girls more!

  I shake my head, put my phone down, and go find the two stinkers. I walk into Claira’s bedroom, and sure enough, Jamie is on the ground brushing out her doll’s hair.

  “Hey, you two. Did I hear you were getting ice cream without me?” I’m trying to keep a smile off of my face, but I can’t hold it in.

  “Ah, man, we’re so busted, Daddy.” She crosses her arms over her chest, pouting.

  “We are, but I bet your mom will be the one that gets the biggest ice cream.” Jamie laughs. I go and sit beside them. Jamie wraps his arm around me, and I sink into his warmth.

  “I will not,” I say with a yawn. Leo has been up a lot during the middle of the night.

  “Why don’t you go lie down? I’ll watch over the munchkins,” Jamie suggests.

  “Want me to bring Leo to you first? Because a nap is just what I need. Oh, I invited everyone over this weekend for a get-together. We all could use some rest and relaxation with them.”

  “I’ll go grab him. You get into bed. If he wakes up, I’ll thaw out some of the milk or wake you.” He kisses my forehead.