Page 7 of Stolen Holidays
“Oops, my bad. Carry on, Rice Cakes.” I love it when they call each other by silly nicknames. I even like it when Scarlett calls me superstar. It makes me feel like I’m truly a part of the group.
“Um, I’m getting the sense that I’m missing something here.” I fidget with my hair again and shift in my seat.
“Was yesterday the first day you felt like this?” Rylann pauses, waiting for me to answer.
I nod. “Hmm. I don’t know. This could be nothing. Why? What do you think?”
Talia tilts her head from side to side, mulling over my symptoms. “My gut tells me it’s something.”
Emery smirks behind her glass as she rubs her round belly. “I agree with Talia. Scarlett?”
“Girl, you’re pregnant,” Scarlett blurts.
My eyebrows jump towards the sky as I stare at her in shock.
Pregnant?My heart beats double time.
Preg-nant. Preg-nant.
“But I’m on the shot.”
“Not all birth control is effective, and depending on your last dose, it might have worn off by now,” Talia interjects.
My stomach flutters as I place my hands on my lower belly. Can I be pregnant already?
It’s not like you’ve been careful since you started getting busy with Eli on the daily, my brain snarks at me.
It’s so true. I smile at myself as pure, unfiltered joy rolls through me like cool California ocean waves. All the plans I have been making in my head are becoming my reality, and I couldn’t be happier.
“Callie?” Rylann’s sweet voice cuts through my thoughts.
Happy tears fill my eyes as I look at her and the rest of my new sisters sitting around the table. Everyone audibly gushes “aww”, and I can feel the water roll down my cheeks as a grin slides across my face.
“Ohmigod, is it really happening?” I ask.
Scarlett jumps up from her seat. “Hold that thought. I’ll run to the drugstore and grab a test. Then you’ll know for sure.”
“Wait!” Rylann grips Scarlett’s wrist, holding her in place. “Callie, do you want the test, or do you want to wait and talk to Eli first?”
“Party pooper,” Scarlett mumbles.
Rylann makes a good point, but there is a part of me that would love to know for sure before I bring up being pregnant to Eli. Surprise him for once. “No, I want the test. If it’s positive, then I have the best Christmas present to give him.”
“Yes!” Scarlett grabs her purse and rushes out of the dining room.
Once again, I rub my nonexistent bump, hoping for the best gift to be delivered this Christmas.
four
Eli
Sunlightbouncesoffthefour-karat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring currently pinched between my two fingers. Something about the way the prisms dance across the jewelry counter sends an electrical charge up my arm and makes my heart race.
Rainbows.
I rub at the swell of emotion filling my chest, making it tight. I’m not only about to propose to the love of my life, but I’m about to pull off one of the biggest surprises the Millers have ever seen: a same-day wedding.
The idea came to me when we were out for dinner and a line of photographers were sitting outside, waiting to snap a shot of us. So much of Callie’s life before me was spent in the spotlight. She’s managed all the scrutiny with such grace, but I know she wants a more private and normal life. My mission is to give her anything and everything she needs to be happy.
