Page 91 of All of Me

We spend the morning in bed, eating pancakes and laughing as Sara tries to feed bites to Ruby. Callie opens her gift—a delicate bracelet with the kids’ initials engraved on tiny charms—and her eyes well up as she slips it onto her wrist.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, brushing her fingers over the charms.

“Not as beautiful as you,” I say, and the way she looks at me in that moment makes my chest ache in the best way.

Later, after a picnic at the park filled with Sara’s squeals of delight and Ruby’s wide-eyed wonder at every leaf and bird in sight, I drive to Rita and Wayne’s house to drop off the girls. The late-afternoon sun casts golden streaks across the yard as we pull into the driveway, and Callie leans over to check on Sara, who’s already nodding off in her car seat.

Before I can knock, Rita answers the door with a warm, familiar smile. “You’re right on time,” she says, reaching out to unbuckle Ruby from her carrier. She cradles her close, cooing softly. “Oh, sweet girl, you’ve had a long day, haven’t you?”

Wayne steps into the doorway, his booming laugh announcing his presence. “Got the popcorn ready, and Finding Nemo is queued up. Sara’s going to love it.”

“Thank you both,” Callie says, brushing a stray curl from Sara’s face before leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Be good for Rita and Wayne, okay, baby?”

Sara rubs her eyes, barely awake, and mumbles something that sounds like “Nemo fishies.” It’s enough to make all of us laugh, and the tension in my shoulders eases.

“Have fun, you two,” Rita says, giving me a knowing look. “We’ll take care of everything here.”

We wish Rita a Happy Mother’s Day and we’re back in the car. Callie gives me a curious glance, the corners of her lips twitching as if she’s trying not to smile. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going now, or are you keeping me in suspense?”

I grin, pulling onto the road. “You’ll see.”

The restaurant is tucked away on the outskirts of Hawkridge, a cozy little spot that I’d stumbled across while planning tonight. The warm glow of string lights wraps around the patio, and soft music drifts through the air. When we pull up, Callie’s eyes widen.

“This is… wow,” she says, stepping out of the car. The wonder in her voice makes every moment of planning worth it. “How did you even find this place?”

“I have my ways,” I say, taking her hand and leading her toward the entrance.

The hostess seats us at a private corner table, the candlelight casting a soft glow on Callie’s face. She looks radiant, her green eyes sparkling as she takes in the ambiance. Dinner is everything I’d hoped it would be—perfect food, laughter that feels easy and light, and moments where we simply sit in comfortable silence, lost in each other.

As we finish dessert, a decadent slice of chocolate cake we can barely finish, Callie leans forward, her fingers brushing the edge of her wine glass. There’s something in her expression, a mix of nerves and excitement, that catches my attention.

“So,” she starts, her voice soft but steady. “I’ve been thinking about something.”

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? Should I be worried?”

She laughs, shaking her head. “Not unless you’re against spontaneity.”

“I think I can handle it,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “What’s on your mind?”

Callie hesitates, her fingers toying with her napkin. “I know we haven’t really solidified a wedding date yet,” she begins. “And I’ve been reading about handfasting ceremonies—they’re these symbolic bindings that some weddings are based on. They’re simple, meaningful, and… well, I think it would suit us.”

Her voice grows more animated as she speaks, her cheeks flushing slightly. “What if we got married the day after our anniversary? It’ll be a year since we met, and it feels… right. Like we’ve come full circle.”

I blink, taken aback. Of all the things I expected her to say tonight, this wasn’t it, but her words make sense. The timing, the sentiment, the idea of not waiting longer than we have to—it’s perfect.

I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. “You’re serious?” I ask, though the smile tugging at my lips gives away my answer.

She nods, her eyes searching mine. “I am. But only if you think it’s a good idea.”

“A good idea?” I echo, shaking my head with a grin. “Callie, it’s a great idea. Let’s do it.”

Her face lights up, and the joy radiating from her makes my chest ache in the best way. She squeezes my hand, her voice trembling slightly as she says, “I was half-expecting you to think I’m crazy.”

“You are crazy,” I tease, leaning closer. “But that’s one of the reasons I love you.”

Her laughter fills the space between us, and in that moment, I know I’d agree to anything that makes her this happy.

When we get home, the house is wrapped in a rare, peaceful silence, the kind that feels like a luxury with little ones around. I lock the door behind us, and Callie glances back at me with a slow smile, one that tugs at something low in my chest. She slips off her shoes, leaving them haphazardly near the door, and heads for the couch, stretching out with a satisfied sigh.

---