Page 71 of All of Me

We pull into the driveway after our thrift shop detour and Sara’s little face appears in the front window, her nose pressed so close to the glass that her breath fogs it up. The moment she spots us, she squeals and disappears from view. A second later, the front door swings open.

“She’s been waiting for you,” Shelly says with a laugh, holding the door open as Sara barrels toward us.

“Mommy!” Sara cries, launching herself at me the moment I step out of the car. I scoop her up, and she immediately starts chattering about everything she and Grandma Shelly did while we were gone.

Owen carefully lifts Ruby’s car seat from the back, cradling it in one arm as he follows me to the door. Ruby stirs, stretching her tiny arms, but she settles again quickly, her head tilted just so in the snug little seat.

“You two have a good time?” Shelly asks as she holds the door open wider.

“We did,” I reply, smiling as I shift Sara onto my hip. “Found some treasures, too.”

Shelly’s eyes flick to the Polaroid camera tucked under my arm, and she raises an eyebrow. “That looks fun.”

“Just a little project,” I say with a shrug, setting the camera on the coffee table as we step inside.

Sara wiggles out of my arms, making a beeline for Owen. She tugs on his pant leg until he sets Ruby’s car seat down carefully and kneels to her level. She throws her arms around his neck, her face lighting up as she tells him about the picture she colored for Grandpa.

“She really missed you,” Shelly says, her voice warm with approval as she watches the scene unfold.

Before I can respond, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway makes my heart skip a beat. My stomach twists as I glance at Owen, his expression tightening just enough to betray the nerves I know he’s been trying to hide all day.

“That must be your dad,” Shelly says, heading for the door.

Owen straightens, adjusting Ruby’s car seat in one hand as his other brushes against mine. I reach out instinctively, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. “Hey,” I murmur, leaning closer. “It’s going to be fine.”

He nods, but I can feel the tension radiating from him. It surprises me, Owen is usually the most confident person in the room. Whether it’s at work, with family, or handling the chaos of raising three kids, he rarely falters. With my dad just steps away, a different side of him is showing.

Is it because he thinks Dad won’t approve? Or is it something more? I know this is a big moment for us, for him, but I didn’t expect him to be this on edge. It tugs at my heart even as my own nerves quietly simmer beneath the surface.

The door swings open, and my dad steps inside, his presence commanding as always. His sharp eyes sweep over the room, landing first on me, then on Owen.

“Callie,” he says, his voice gruff but warm as he steps forward to pull me into a quick hug. “Good to see you, sweetheart.”

“You too, Dad,” I reply, squeezing him back.

When we pull apart, Dad’s attention shifts to Owen, his expression unreadable. I hold my breath, trying not to let my own nerves show. My dad has always been good at reading people, and part of me worries that he’ll see the tension in Owen and misinterpret it.

“Dad, this is Owen,” I say, my voice steady. “And this is Ruby.”

Owen steps forward with his hand extended. “It’s nice to meet you, sir,” he says, balancing Ruby’s car seat with practiced ease.

Dad’s eyes shift between Owen and Ruby. His expression softens as he grips Owen’s hand firmly. “It’s nice to meet you too, Owen. Callie’s told me a lot about you.” His gaze flickers briefly to me, warm but curious, before returning to Owen. “And Shelly mentioned you drove the whole way down so Callie didn’t have to worry.”

“Yes, sir,” Owen replies. “It wasn’t a problem at all.”

Dad nods, the faintest smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Good man. That’s exactly what I like to hear.”

The handshake lingers just a second too long for my comfort. I watch as Owen straightens, his shoulders squaring as he meets Dad’s gaze evenly. The nervous tension in his posture is subtle, but unmistakable.

Dad’s gaze drops to Ruby, her tiny face just visible through the car seat’s cover. His stern features melt away almost instantly, replaced by a softness I don’t often see. “Well, look at her,” he says, crouching slightly to get a better look. “My newest granddaughter. She’s beautiful, Callie.”

“She’s perfect,” I say, my voice thick with emotion as I glance at Owen. His shoulders relax and the tension in the room seems to ease.

Shelly steps in then, reaching for Ruby with a coo. “Oh, let me take her for a bit.” She unbuckles Ruby carefully, scooping her up and swaying gently as Ruby’s little head rests against her shoulder.

Sara tugs on Dad’s sleeve, waving her picture excitedly. “Grandpa, look! I made this for you!”

Dad crouches down to her level, his tough exterior melting even further. “Well, look at that. Did you do this all by yourself?”

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