“That’s right. This ring is the one that’s going to keep Mommy with us forever and ever,” I tell my son. I move my gaze to Hollis, and the tears are now a heavy flow running unchecked across her cheeks. “Hollis Taylor, will you do us the incredible honor of becoming a Callahan? Will you be my wife and Milo’s mommy? Will you help me fill this house with the pitter-patter of more tiny feet, fill it with love, and with laughter? Will you marry us?” I ask her.
She nods as more tears flood her cheeks. “Y-Yes,” she says, her words breaking on a sob.
Milo sits up and tilts his head to look at her. He glances at me, giving me a “what the hell, Dad” look before looking back at Hollis. “Mama,” he says, his bottom lip jutting out.
“Oh, no.” She smiles through her tears. “I’m happy.” A laugh bubbles up. “I’m so happy.” She hugs him tight, wiggling around, making him laugh as well.
“Mommy agreed to be ours, Milo. We get to keep her,” I say, sliding the ring onto her finger.
“Colt, it’s gorgeous.”
“You’re gorgeous.” I climb to my feet and press my lips to hers. Milo reaches for me, and I take him, pulling out of the kiss. “I’m going to change his diaper, and then I’ll start dinner. I should have planned better for this, like a turkey or ham or something.” I make a mental note to do better next Christmas.
“Lucky for you, I did. We have a spiral ham out in the fridge in the garage. I bought everything we need to have a nice family dinner. Another tradition.” She smiles widely.
I lean in for another kiss because I can. “I love that. Let me get our little man changed, and we’ll be out to help.”
“We’re doing this? We’re really getting married?”
“You already said yes, and you’re wearing my ring. No backing out now.”
“Never. When?”
“I’ll leave that up to you. As long as you’re my wife, at the end of the day, I don’t really care.”
“I want my mom and Tina there, but other than that, I’ve never really had big, elaborate wedding dreams.”
“Take some time to think about it. I want it to be a day you will never forget.”
“We’re getting married!” she shouts. Milo squeals because she does, and his baby giggles fill the air.
“What?” I hear Tina cry out and footsteps race down the hall. She stops in the doorway of Milo’s room. “Did I hear that right?” she inquires.
Hollis juts her arm out, wiggling her fingers. “Yes! We’re getting married.”
“Eep!” Tina cheers and rushes into the room, pulling Hollis into a hug.
Milo wiggles to get down, wanting in on the excitement. “It’s best we let them do their thing, bud. Trust me on this,” I tell him.
“Congratulations.” Tina smiles at me once she releases Hollis.
“We’re going to go get started on dinner.” Hollis rises to her tiptoes and kisses my cheek, then Milo’s. I watch her as she links arms with her best friend, both of them wearing smiles a mile wide as they head to the kitchen to make Christmas dinner.
“She’s all ours, Milo. Daddy didn’t plan to ask her like that, but when an opportunity presents itself in life, you have to take it. Don’t let the fear of the unknown or, in this case, rejection keep you from reaching for your dreams. Hollis is my dream, aside from you, of course,” I say, tickling his belly, making him laugh. “Let’s get that diaper changed.”* * *“Wow, I’m stuffed,” I say, pushing my empty plate that I filled and emptied twice from the table. “You two outdid yourselves.”
“We know,” Tina says, pretending to brush off her shoulder. The two of them break out into laughter.
“You cooked, so I’ll clean up.”
“There’s not a lot to clean up. We did dishes as we went.”
“Regardless, I’ll clean up.” I stand from the table and start gathering plates. I take Milo’s from the high chair, and he grins lazily at me. “Bud, I think those mashed potatoes did you in,” I tell him. He just looks at me kind of dazed.
“I think someone could take another nap,” Hollis says, removing the tray and lifting him from the chair. “We got up really early this morning, huh? Got you out of your routine.” Milo just lays his head on her shoulder, snuggling close. His eyes are heavy, and I know it won’t be long. “What time do we have to be at your parents’ tonight?” Hollis asks, looking at the clock.
“Seven, but we can be late,” I tell her, seeing that it’s six now.
“I’m going to try and get him down for a quick nap. I’d hate for him to be cranky when he sees Grandma and Grandpa.” She disappears down the hall. I’m sure going to his room.