Page 5 of Now that I Found You
Chapter Two
Ellie
I ended up sleeping most of the flight home. When Callum woke me, he told me he had been trying to wake me up since the flight attendants announced we were preparing for landing.
We arrive at the Des Moines airport, about forty minutes away from Arbor Creek. Callum left his truck parked at the airport so once we collect our luggage, we’re back on the road and heading home. I turn my phone back on, and I’m surprised when the pinging starts, signaling several messages from our friends and family. Callum’s mom, Connie, has been eagerly waiting for us to tell her all about our trip, along with my best friends, Kinsley, Halle, and Brea.
The entire drive, I sit in the middle of the seat with my head on Callum’s shoulder. His hand alternates between holding my thigh and steering. We sit in silence as every mile passes by bringing us closer to home.
“You doin’ okay?” Callum questions, peering over to check my face before turning his attention back on the road. He presses a small kiss against my forehead as I curl my body into his side, wrapping my hand around his arm.
He reaches his hand down between us, wrapping his fingers in mine, pressing another kiss to the top and once more near the ring that sits on my finger.
My heart warms at how sweet he is, always finding little ways to remind me how much he loves me and wants to take care of me.
Tilting my head back, I glance up at him. “I think so, I just haven’t been feeling well. I’m not sure if it’s nerves from flying or if I’m coming down with something.”
My stomach rolls, feeling the sudden nausea wash over me. The flight to Maui had been the first time I’d ever been on a plane, and I’m still suffering from jitters. Or it’s jet lag. Either way, with the flight behind us, I’ll be glad when we’re finally home.
“I’m hurrying.” He squeezes my hand reassuringly, as I nod my head getting comfortable again.
Callum wraps his hand around my knee, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the tan skin. I force all thoughts of not feeling well out of my head and think back on our honeymoon.
The entire week was like a dream. Callum, being the sweet man he is, planned everything. I think that’s what made it even more special. All of the thought he put into every day we spent together. My favorite part, by far, was the day we went snorkeling, followed by a night under the stars as we had dinner on the beach.
“I know I’ve said this a hundred times over the past week but thank you. I can’t get over how amazing everything from our wedding to the honeymoon was.”
“Of course, baby.” He leans forward, pressing a soft kiss against my lips.
When Callum asked me to marry him, I knew without a doubt there was no one else I’d ever want to spend forever with. He was it for me–the person I’ve been searching for all my life. When you’ve grown up like I have, you begin to think that love and marriage are not in the cards for you.
With the trial going on during the wedding planning process, it brought up a lot of emotions I had been working to bury after the assault. I was ready to move forward with my life but talking about the past resurfaced the grief of losing my dad and grandma, along with the sadness of what I thought my life would look like with my family.
Not many women can say that their husband, with the help of their best friend, planned most of their wedding. Callum promised to give me the wedding of my dreams. Honestly, I just wanted to marry him. I didn’t care about having a big wedding, I just wanted to know he was my husband and to share the day with the people in our lives who mattered most to us.
“I’m ready for us to get home and start our life together.”
“Me, too, sweetheart,” he sighs. “I promise to spend the rest of my life making you happier than you ever thought possible.”
Tears prick my eyes hearing the sincerity of his words as we both get lost staring out the window as the miles of highway pass us by. If there’s anything in this world I know with absolute certainty, it’s how much Callum Reid loves me. In the beginning, I resisted him and kept him at arm's length. I never wanted to accept that someone would love me and take care of me the way he wanted to. Now I cannot imagine my life without him, and I don’t want to either.
I want to sigh when I spot our driveway coming over the hill. We pull up in front of the house, and Callum shifts the truck into park. Turning to face me, he runs his hand along my cheek up into my hair. His thumb brushes softly over my skin, sending shivers through me at his touch.
“I think I’m gonna go and lie down for a bit. I’m tired and not feeling the best. It’s probably the time change and the traveling catching up to me.”
“Of course, I don’t mind,” he whispers, pressing a kiss against my lips. He leans back, looking me in the eye, smiling as he touches his lips to mine again. “I’ll get us unpacked and then I’ll come in and lie down with you. I could use a nap myself.”
I’m drifting off to sleep when I feel the bed move as Callum climbs in next to me, pulling me closer so that my body is molded with his. He presses a soft kiss against the curve where my neck meets my shoulder before whispering a soft, “I love you.” My body relaxes, lulling me into a deep sleep.
I’m not sure what time it is when we both finally wake up, but the sun has since gone down. Callum moves to slip out of bed, jolting me from my sleep. He feels me move, stopping his movement and instead presses another kiss against my neck.
He’s always loved kissing me there, and it’s something I’ve come to crave from him. I moan softly feeling his breath feather across my skin. His lips cause goose bumps to break out over my skin, as I reach up holding his head close to me.
“You feelin’ better now, baby?”
I nod my head, curving my lower back to press deeper into him. His hands wrapped around my middle, pull me in closer, forcing him to rub his length against my ass.
When one of his hands starts running along the edge of my pants, I turn my body, giving him better access to me. Curling my arm around the back of his head, he moans as I deepen the kiss.
