Page 130 of Hold Me Tight

She nods, her gaze slowly sweeping the room. Her eyes soften as they take in the friends, the laughter, and the life we’ve started building together, piece by piece. “I am. I didn’t realize what home felt like until now. And that has everything to do with you.”

I brush my lips against her temple. “No, baby. That has everything to do with you.”

My pulse thrums a frantic rhythm. I’ve been planning this moment for weeks, but now that it’s here, I’m nervous as hell.

Before I can lose my nerve, I press one last kiss against her forehead and then step away, lifting my glass high. “Hey, everyone. Can I have your attention?”

Someone turns the music down, and the hum of conversation dies away until the room is quiet. All eyes shift toward me, but the only ones I’m locked on belong to the woman standing a few feet away, her brows furrowed as confusion flickers across her expression.

Callie leans toward me. “What are you doing?”

“Making sure everyone knows exactly how I feel,” I say with a small smile.

Facing the room, I force my voice to stay steady. “When I moved into this place a couple years ago, it was just a penthouse. Four walls that were cold and sterile, echoing with quiet. It didn’t feel like a home until the day Callie and Nora walked through the door.”

Willow presses a hand to her chest as Nora races over to us. Evelyn’s lips curve into a tender smile as Hugh positions himself just behind her, drink in hand, eyes intent.

I take in the friends who’ve become family and, in the center of that, the two people who changed everything for me.

“Tonight isn’t just a housewarming party,” I continue. “It’s a celebration of the life we’re building together.”

Callie’s eyes widen when I sink to one knee in front of her daughter and slip a hand into my jacket before drawing out a small velvet box. Flipping it open, I reveal a delicate heart-shaped locket with a picture of the three of us inside.

“Nora,” I say, my voice catching just enough to give me away, “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I want to be your family for the rest of my life. If you’ll have me… this is for you, ladybug.”

She claps her hands, squealing, and launches herself into my arms. “I love you, Rivvy!”

“I love you too,” I choke out against her curls, holding her tight before gently setting her back down again and rising to my feet.

My gaze shifts to the woman I’ve spent years waiting for, and my hands tremble as I pull out the second box. Inside is a diamond ring that is simple, stunning, and timeless. Just like Callie. On the inside of the band, five small words are engraved, carrying every truth I’ve ever wanted her to know.

Where you are, I’m home.

“The very first time I saw you, I knew you were going to change my life. And I was right. You’ve given me love and purpose. And you’ve made me a father in every way that matters.”

Tears spill down her cheeks as she presses her hands to her mouth.

“I want to spend the rest of my life proving I deserve you,” I continue, taking a step closer as nerves twist in my gut. “So, Callie…” I draw in a breath. “Will you marry me?”

For just a beat, she doesn’t speak. She just stares, her whole heart shining in her eyes before she nods. “Yes,” she says on a shaky exhale. “Yes, of course I will.”

The room explodes in applause and cheers. Champagne corks pop, laughter rings out, but all I see is her. All I feel is the way she fits against me, her arms tangled around my neck, and the press of her lips to mine.

I ease back just enough to meet her gaze. “I love you.”

Her lips tremble into a smile. “I love you too. You gave me everything I didn’t know how to ask for.”

A warmth unfurls inside me as I brush my nose against hers. There is nothing I wouldn’t give this woman. “And you gave me something I never thought I’d have. A family. A future. A reason to fight for every single day.”

Her kiss is tender and full of promise. Against my mouth, she murmurs, “Then let’s do everything we can to make it count.”

In that instant, the laughter and music fade into silence. All that exists is her. Us. And the unshakable truth that forever isn’t waiting somewhere down the road.

It starts right here, in her arms.

48

Callie