Page 53 of The Promise

Everyone is on their feet immediately, Molly is at Callie’s side before I can blink and Sean is yanking at this curls, his hand instinctively cradling his baby’s home.

“What? How do you know?” He almost yells and Callie swallows hard, her cheeks flushing red with guilt.

“Well, I’ve been having contractions on and off since 4 o’clock this morning and now my waters have broken.” She says quietly, looking at the ground and twiddling the delicate silver bracelet that lays against her wrist. Why wouldn’t she tell Sean that she was having contractions all day? But when I glance over at Sean, who’s now pacing around the kitchen, I understand why she kept this to herself, he’s a nervous wreck. “Why didn’t you tell me Cal, why?” He says, fingers still deep in the bed of curls that lay on his head.

Callie simply shrugs. “I knew you’d panic.”

Sean’s eyes widen and his hands fly through the air. “Well, yeah!” “It’s fine,” Callie says calmly, “let’s just watch the movie and then go to the hospital.”

I worry Sean’s eyes might actually fall out of his head, as he looks at her like she’s just escaped a mental hospital. And I can’t say I blame him, she’s fucking crazy. This whole situation really sums Callie up, she never wants to worry anyone, just suffers in silence until the absolute last resort is to let someone know she’s struggling. She’s always been a fighter, but now is not the time to try and deal with this alone, she needs Sean and Molly by her side. She asked Molly to be with her when she gives birth, and of course, my girl agreed, she’d do literally anything for Callie and I mean anything. When we first met, I was convinced the two of them would cover a murder for each other if needs be, even helping the other one to hide the body. There’s no other loyalty comparable to a pair of girl best friends, I’ve learnt how deep the roots of their friendship really go over the past year. “You want to watch the—?” Sean starts, absolutely speechless to his girlfriend's request, before he turns his exhausted expression to me. “How did this happen to me? Why did I think this was a good idea?” He points at Callie, his other hand still gripping the back of his neck. “She’s fucking crazy!”

“Hey!” Callie jabs a finger through the air back at him, her eyes fiery as always. “I’m a catch and you know it.”

An idea flickers through my brain and I initially dismiss it. But as I look at my favourite people in the entire world, I begin to think maybe now is the right time, so I open my mouth and spill my idea onto Sean. “Do it now man,” I say, keeping my voice calm and trying to hide my impending excitement from Callie.

“Do what?” She says, narrowed eyes land on me and then back on Sean. Molly is standing slightly behind her best friend and she throws me a wink that Callie can’t see. She’s been in on this plan for the last few months too and I know she’s even more excited than I am to see it in action. Sean drops his hands into his pockets nervously. “Now? Are you sure?” Molly and I nod, and she tips her head to him, gesturing for him to do as I say. “Go on Taylor,” she says, “we don’t have all day.”

Callie is getting increasingly frustrated at being left out of whatever is going on around her, so she huffs and fists both hips. “Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?”

Sean holds her confused gaze for a beat, before striding over to where his black jacket hangs in the hallway. He’s rummaging in the pocket and pulling out a turquoise, velvet box. Callie’s eyes are wide with either heart stopping excitement or horror, I'm not quite sure which.

“What the hell is that thing?” She stutters, her bright green gaze not knowing where to land. She turns to Molly for a moment, who is back at my side, tucked under my arm as always and Molly gives her a quick nod of support.

“What do you think this is?” Sean murmurs, taking her slightly shaky hand in his.

Callie muses for a moment and I see the uncontrollable sass flash in her eyes. “A G-Wagon?” She snickers and Sean squashes his smile with a flat lipped expression, even though I know he’s dying to grin back at her. This moment is so important to him and I know how long he’s been desperate to ask Callie this very important question. Almost since the moment he met her, he knew this thing between them was forever. I watched from the outside as their relationship flourished and it wasn’t a smooth path, but they made it and I'm so god damn proud of both of them. Sean drops to one knee and I feel Molly tense beside me, a tiny sniffle coming from her nose, making me tuck her deeper into my side. “Callie, please marry me.” Sean says, his eyes pleading. “I know you have your reasons for wanting to wait. But I want to bring our baby into this world with a mum and dad who are at least promised to each other.” He lets his grin finally break through, as he looks up at the woman who makes his life complete. “Come on baby, what do you say?”

Callie’s humoured, purse lipped smile turns to Molly for a moment, the two of them exchanging a look that I can’t decipher. Before Callie looks back down at Sean with a bright, cheesy grin.

“Ok, fine, you win.” She breathes, rolling her eyes playfully, but I can tell how elated she really is. The two of them share a long hug, pouring their love onto each other and silently sharing the things they don't need to say out loud.

Callie gawks when Sean slips the ring effortlessly onto her finger, like it was made for her. It’s very likely that it was designed especially for Callie, Sean doesn’t do anything by halves and he definitely has the juicy bank account to always get his girl the very best of everything. Sean takes Callie’s face in his hands and kisses her, a kiss so hot, I feel like I'm intruding in my own home. But before long, the reality of what’s happening right now crashes down on us all.

Callie hisses slightly, holding her stomach. “On second thought, maybe the film can wait, but she certainly can’t, so let’s go to the hospital.” Sean jumps in the air, his fist punching a hole above his head. “I’m going to be a daddy!” He yells, smile bright and full of anticipation.

Molly glances up at me, her blue eyes shining. “We’ll never end up as crazy as them right?”

“I fucking hope not.” I chuckle, pressing a light kiss to the corner of her lips.

She grins. “You promise?”

I hook her pinky with mine and my heart squeezes hard. “I promise.” THE END

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