Callie Healy

by Jennifer Foor

  I get the feeling he's already reconsidering. "Have you changed your mind already?"

  "No. Why?"

  "You seem irritated."

  "I have a lot of reasons to be annoyed, Callie. This would all be easier if you were just another notch in my headboard, but we both know you're so much more than that."

  "Do you wish I never came into your life?"

  He smirks and pulls me in his arms. "Not even for a second."

  "We don't have to get married. It's a crazy idea."

  "I'm crazy about you, Miss Healy."

  "What if someone else comes along?"

  "I don't think there will be another woman for me. Just look at the hurdles I've had to go through to make you mine. Face it, you broke me. The player is gone. All that's left is a faithful sap who is completely in awe of you."

  "Okay," I shyly pronounce. "I'll marry you."

  Cob sits down and pulls me onto his lap. "When do you want to leave? Should we drive or look for last minute plane tickets?"

  "It doesn't matter."

  "Let's fly." He taps on my leg. "You'll need to be there a couple days in order to prepare."

  "Prepare for what," I ask.

  "Just because we're having a shotgun wedding doesn't mean you have to miss out on certain traditions. I want you to have a dress, a ring, and your favorite flowers. We'll buy the biggest picture package there is."

  "You really have become a sap."

  "Hey, I can still be an asshole. Take you for instance. I'm stealing a man's daughter right out from under him."

  I laugh. "My bags are in my car by the way. How long will we be staying in Kentucky?"

  Cob shrugs. "I'll have like a day to move once I hand in my resignation."

  "Then where will we go? I mean marrying you is fine, but we need a plan for after the honeymoon."

  "Let's move to an exotic island. You can do hair for tourists while I give boat rides."

  I shove him playfully. "Be serious."

  He chuckles. "I'm not sure what I'll do or where we'll end up."

  "I'm worried." I admit. I'd hate for him to give up a good paying career because of me. If I hadn't come around it wouldn't be happening.

  "Callie, my family will help us. I always have a job with them. My parents are good people, and so are my grandparents. I promise it's not a big deal. They wanted me to manage the business when I got out of college. You could even get a job at one of the hotels in the salon."

  "In Pennsylvania?"

  "Or Maryland or Virginia. They have several locations."

  I start the get sad again when he mentions Virginia, because it's one state away from my parents. It going to hurt me so much if they never want to see me again. I feel like they're going to shun me.

  Cob gently pushes me off of his lap and stands. He stretches and yawns. "We should book the flight for in the morning or early afternoon. Let's do it from the laptop in the bedroom. I need to go some shut eye."

  He extends his hand for me to take. "Come on. Tomorrow is a new day, and as long as I get to spend it with you I'll be able to figure out everything else."

  I let him lead us into the bedroom. He takes his time removing my shirt and helping me out of my pants. While standing in my bra and panties I watch him stripping from his outfit and tossing it on the floor. He approaches again, kissing me slowly before pulling me onto the mattress. We’re immediately making out, consumed by each other, and relieving stress at the same time. It’s reassuring knowing how much he cares for me. Asking me to marry him couldn’t have been easy. This man has never been the type to settle down. I wouldn’t have expected this, not even after we were together for several more years, yet we’re getting hitched. He’s asked me and I’ve accepted, because nothing is going to keep us from being together.

  “Make love to me,” I request.”

  “You’ve got it, babe. I’m already on it.”

  Chapter 24

  Cob

  After having sex with Callie, we opened my laptop and booked two flights to Vegas. It’s all sinking in now, the excitement and the fear. This isn’t a decision I took some time to make, therefore it’s scaring the hell out of me. I don’t regret asking her. When I look into those eyes I see my future. I know this feels right, but it’s the repercussions that will haunt me.

  What if she decides I’m not what she wants? What if I can’t be faithful in the future? What if the excitement wears off and we’re both miserable?

  While Callie falls fast asleep, I’m stuck awake, wondering if I’m about to ruin our lives even worse than they already are.

  I make a decision that I fear could cause a big issue. I call home.

  My father answers. “This better be important, Cob. It’s the middle of the night.”

  “I’m getting married,” I announce without warning.

  “Are you drunk? Your mother told me about your girlfriend. Tough break, man. I met that family a long time ago. They’re good people, but there’s too many bad memories linking us.”

  I sigh. “Dad, I’m not drunk. I’m absolutely sober. I asked Callie to marry me tonight.”

  “You have to withdraw the offer. You can’t marry that girl.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’m not calling for permission or a lecture. I’m calling because I didn’t feel right doing it without talking to you and Mom first. I’m trying to do the right thing. I love her. We shouldn’t have to end our relationship because of someone else’s past.”

  “You’re right. It’s not fair. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

  “Why would Mom call her mother? Why did she have to get involved? She made it worse.”

  “Your mother is worried about you. We both are. That part of her life is over. She went through hell. You don’t know what it was like back then, Cob. I never knew my father, but he was an evil man. He wanted Mom gone, and the same for Callie’s mom. He held them at gunpoint and threatened their lives. They were both pregnant. Can you imagine how hard it was to hear my father did that to your mother?”

  “Wait, so Mom was involved with your father?”

  “The father I never knew about until I was older. Yes, for a brief time.”

  “This just gets worse by the minute.”

  “Do you want to talk to Mom? I can wake her up.”

  “No. That’s not necessary.”

  “You’re going to elope aren’t you?”

  “I’m planning on it. How did you know?”

  “I’d do the same damn thing if I were you. It’s the only way to stay together. You’re both adults. You love each other. I get it. I’m proud of you for not giving up on her. I know you haven’t exactly been too keen on settling down with one woman. She’s obviously pretty important to you.”

  “She’s everything, Dad. I wish you could meet her. You’d like her for me.”

  “I’m sure I will. This will wear off with time. You have to be patient. Just remember that marriage is a big deal. I know people your age just assume you can get a divorce, but back in my day it meant something. I stood before God and promised forever. It’s been tough at times, but I’m glad I did it. If you feel like this is what you want, I say go for it. Don’t tell your mother I said that. She’d kick my ass and punish me to the couch.”

  We both laugh together. “We fly into Vegas tomorrow morning.”

  “When do you want me to tell Mom?”

  “It doesn’t matter. She won’t change our minds.”

  “I wish we could be there, son. I know it would mean a lot to Mom especially.”

  “I can’t have people there that won’t support us. It’s bad enough I can’t give her a huge wedding.”

  “The Little White Chapel is known for good weddings. Go there. A friend of mine got married there last year. They did a huge photo package and were very professional. They even let them pick their ceremony and do their own vows.”

  “I’ll go there then. Thanks, Dad. I appreciate this.”

  “I’m gu
essing you’re nervous. That’s why you’re calling isn’t it?” I’m not shocked he knows exactly how I’m feeling. My father has always been able to read me.

  “I’m scared shitless. We’re rushing into this. How can I not worry?”

  “You could wait.”

  “No. We’re not waiting. I won’t take the chance of losing her.”

  “Then you have to do what you feel is necessary. People have married for way less.”

  “What if I screw up?”

  “The best advice I can give to you is, don’t. Make it a point to think before you act. Don’t take her for granted. If you’re friends marriage is much easier. You have to trust each other. That’s the biggest.”

  “You inspire me to be a better man.”

  “Get some rest, Son. You’ll know whether you’re making the right decision. Don’t overanalyze it. If you love her, you’ll make sacrifices to be with her. It’s a simple as that.”

  “I appreciate the advice.”

  “Good, now go to bed. My ass is tired. I’m hanging up.”

  Once the call ends I head back to bed and nestle up next to Callie. She needs her rest more than me. She’s had one hell of day. I fall asleep a little after two, exhausted and freaked out with what we’re about to do.

  My alarm scares the crap out of us. We both sit up in the bed and look at one another. In order to make our flight we’re going to need to get up and head to the airport. “It’s now or never,” I say.

  She stretches and leans against me. “I’m so tired.”

  “You can sleep on the plane, babe.”

  “Are we really getting married?”

  “It wasn’t a dream,” I reassure her.

  She claps her hands together and smiles. “Okay. Let’s do this. Let’s go to Vegas and get hitched.”

  “Are you being serious or sarcastic?” I confusingly ask.

  “Do you love me, Jacob Monroe?”

  “I do.”

  “Then we’re getting hitched.”

  I hop out of the bed and wait for her to do the same. When she doesn’t budge I grab both of her hands and pull until her feet hit the floor. She’s screaming and fighting, but I’m stronger. “If I have to carry you over my shoulder I’ll get you to the airport.”

  She’s beating on my shoulder. “Okay, okay, put me down.”

  It only takes us a few minutes to dress, brush our hair and teeth, grab our bags, and head out the door.

  We make it through security pretty fast, so we stop and grab some bagels and coffees before we board the aircraft. Callie takes my hand after we’ve found our seats. I turn my head to the side and look into her eyes. “Here we go.”

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this. It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time. My parents are going to flip.”

  “What would you do if they showed up to try and stop us?”

  “We’d run out the back door and find another place to marry us, right? Isn’t that what you would do?”

  I shrug. The plane takes off and I feel the pull as we begin our ascension. “I don’t know. I think I’d try to talk some sense into them first. I mean, you’ve obviously made your point. We’re going to extremes to be together. They can either accept it, or risk a future relationship with you. If you were my child I’d want you in my life.”

  She bites her bottom lip. “How many children do you want?”

  “I don’t know. How many do you want?”

  “One or two.”

  “Are we in a hurry for these two kids?”

  She giggles. “No. Are you?”

  “Not particularly.”

  “What if it happened by accident?”

  “Then I guess we’d be parents.”

  She’s all smiles. “Good answer.”

  I bring my lips up to her ear. “I’d never ask you to get rid of something we made together, Callie. I’m not just doing this to keep us together. I’m doing this because I know I can’t lose you.”

  “You won’t.”

  “I almost did already.”

  “I came back. It wasn’t even a full day.”

  “It felt like a week,” I say sarcastically.

  “I heard you talking to your dad last night, Cob.”

  I feel terrible about it. “You did? I thought you were sleeping.”

  “It’s fine. I’m glad you had someone to talk to. It’s a big step.”

  “He told me to go for it.”

  “At least someone is on our side.”

  I squeeze her hand. “One day they’ll all see what we have is real, and right. We’re going to make them see, even if they refuse to accept it.”

  “I know. That’s why I want to do this. One day they’ll love you the way that I do.”

  “I hope so. If not it’ll be their loss. We’ll make them regret the decision, especially when Thing One and Thing Two are born.”

  We laugh together, catching the attention of the travelers around us. I hold up our hands. “We’re getting married.”

  Callie is embarrassed, while I bask in the congratulations we’re receiving around us. She’ll never know what it was like for me to see her and feel something come alive inside of me. If I didn’t experience it myself I wouldn’t believe it was possible. “I’m going to have a wife.”

  “And I’m going to have a husband. It’s crazy, right?”

  “So crazy, and so right, all at the same time.”

  “I hope Cassie can come. I haven’t heard from her yet.”

  “She’ll need to ask for time off. I’m sure there is a process, unless she pretends to be sick.”

  “She might. Cassie doesn’t usually let me down. She’s a really good sister.”

  “She seems like it.”

  “Logan is great too. You’ll like him.”

  “When will you tell Cammie?”

  Callie lets out an air-filled laugh. She seems amused. “As soon as we leave the chapel. I don’t know why, but I want her to know this is real. I want her to hear it from my mouth. She’ll call my mom and get everyone freaked out, but it will be too late.”

  “Are you sure you want to do that? I was picturing showing up with matching rings, or better yet, sending them the video of our wedding in the mail.”

  She shoved me playfully. “That’s terrible. We should totally do that.”

  I kiss the back of her hand I’m still holding. “We’re in for a fun ride, aren’t we?”

  “I hope so,” she replies. “I’m so glad you came into my life.”

  “You came into mine,” I correct.

  “Whatever,” she retracts.

  I chuckle.

  We’re going to be okay. We have to be. Even if her family never comes around, I’ll do my best to make her happy. I know she’ll get depressed. She’ll miss them terribly and I’ll feel responsible. I’ll do my best to give her everything she wants, and hope it’s enough to keep her from leaving me.

  Chapter 25

  Callie

  Bright lights, big city. It’s been years since my family vacationed here. When Cassie lived here I swore I’d visit, but she kind of dropped off the grid for a while. After checking into a hotel, Cob and I go shopping. We’ve never discussed money, but I know for a fact that he’s not hard up.

  We walk into the first fancy store and I begin looking around for a dress to wear. My eyes catch something beautiful, but after I check out the price tag I’m a little discouraged. It’s five hundred dollars. I have my own money, but he’s adamant about giving me the closest he can get to an ideal wedding. “I’ll find something else,” I insist.

  “Just get it. They say you only get married once, right?”

  My eyes double in size. “That’s what I hear, but most people aren’t getting hitched to be able to keep dating each other.”

  “Is that all it will be for you? A solution?”

  I shake my head. “No. I think we both know it’s more than that.”

  “Good, because you’re getting that dress. You’ll look
amazing in it.”

  “Really? Are you sure?”

  “I wouldn’t tell you to get it if I was joking. I can be an asshole, but not today. Every decision we make today will be from our hearts.”

  “Who are you and where is the douche I fell in love with?”

  We both get a kick out of what I’ve said. Cob pulls me into his arms in the middle of the store. “Don’t worry, he’ll have years to show up again.”

  “Hopefully.”

  “I’ll do my best. Listen, last night I thought about a lot of things. You could be some girl I think is the one. You’d come into my life and eventually we’d split up. I’d believe that if we weren’t so connected. What are the chances of our families being linked the way they are? What’s the probability of us ending up at the same restaurant in Kentucky?”

  “Okay, you’ve made your point.”

  “Have I? I mean, it’s crazy, right? It’s like you were made for me, and when we screwed up the first opportunity, a new one arose to give us a second chance.”

  “Like fate?”

  He shrugs. “It has to be something like that.”

  “I’d say it was impossible, but yet I know it to be real.”

  “That’s all I want to hear.”

  After he purchases the dress for me, we head back to the hotel so we don’t have to lug it around. He suggests I take it up to the room while he waits downstairs for me.

  I’m only gone about ten minutes at the most, but when I return I can’t seem to find him. I walk around the casino, looking everywhere for him. Finally, twenty minutes goes by and no Cob, so I head back to the room thinking he might have gone there and missed me.

  I find him sitting on the bed with his head down and immediately think something is terribly wrong. Why else would he look this way? “Hey? I’ve been looking for you. I thought you said you’d meet me downstairs?”

  I sit next to him and wait for an explanation. He turns and gets down on both knees, looking up into my eyes as a smile forms over his lips. I can immediately tell he’s up to something. “Callie Healy,” he says while reaching into his pocket. A small box is being opened in front of me. “If you don’t like this we can go back downstairs to the overpriced jewelry store and exchange it, but I think I did a pretty good job getting something you’ll like.”