Page 27 of Stolen Holidays (The Miller Brothers #5)

twenty-five

Eli

Christmas Day

“You pulled it off.”

I grin at Jace as I adjust my bow tie for the tenth time. “I did.”

“Have any doubt?” he asks as he smooths the lapels of his jacket down. Like me, my brothers are wearing black tuxedos with a pale-purple rose boutonniere.

“Not for a moment. She’s it for me. Know it down to my soul.” I genuinely thought I was going to have to work a little harder to convince Callie to marry me today, but I always knew her answer would be yes.

After she agreed to a Christmas day wedding, I explained how everyone played a part in making today happen.

Emery planned and coordinated the décor, food, dress delivery—everything.

Mason, Jeff, and Hilly decorated. Jace is our officiant.

Chris is our photographer. Rhys is playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow on his guitar.

And everyone else—and by everyone, I mean Cam—kept all the details under wraps.

“Proud of you, E. The two of you are good for each other. It’s going to be a happy life for you.” My big brother slaps me on the back as I keep my eyes on the barn door, waiting for the signal to start.

“Thanks, J. It’s going to be a damn good life.

” We aren’t even married yet, and it’s already been a glorious life with Callie.

She makes me so damn happy. And since Callie said yes this morning, I’ve been floating on air.

This entire morning has been a blur. I barely remember everyone exchanging gifts and having breakfast.

All I can focus on is Callie and the addictive glow of happiness that’s radiating off her.

The barn door opens, and my heart jumps, only to be let down.

Cam pokes his head in. “Look who I found wandering around?” He slides the door open further, revealing my best friend and business partner.

“Hudson, you made it!” I call out.

He strides towards the altar, where I’m waiting with Jace. We greet each other with a round of bro hugs and backslaps.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. My best friend is getting married today. It’s a shame she chose you, though,” Hudson jests.

“Ha-ha,” I deadpan. Hudson’s lucky I love him and that he’s been good to Callie all these years. Aside from my sisters-in-law, he probably is Callie’s best friend.

“Right? Callie could do better,” Cam interjects, earning himself my scathing glare. “Oh please, you know she’s too good for you.”

Callie is too good for me. Even so, he’s my brother. I flip Cam the bird, and everyone laughs.

Chris slips into the room with his camera.

We chat for a bit as he snaps some décor and candid shots.

Emery might have asked him to be here, but I owe him.

Not just for the pictures but also for delivering the dresses.

I make a mental note to make a few calls on his behalf.

He’s been doing the assistant director thing for a while.

I saw his class project; it’s time for him to lead.

Rhys slips into the room with his guitar, and I glance at my watch, itching to get started.

My nephew takes his special seat beside Jace. “You ready, Uncle E?”

“You know it, buddy.” I tug at my sleeve as my heart rate picks up speed. I’m so fucking excited to see my girl. To find out what dress she picked to walk down the aisle in.

“Callie looks real pretty,” Rhys says.

“You saw her?”

“Yep.” He smiles smugly at me. For a hot second, I’m jealous of an eight-year-old.

Jace must see it on my face because he stands taller and steps in front of Rhys. “Chill, E.”

I shake off the feeling. “Sorry. I just want to see her already.”

“I know. Look.” He chuckles and nods towards the door.

Hilly and Jeff, Scarlett and Levi—and their kids—walk into the barn and wave before taking the empty seats in the second row. Rylann’s parents, holding Remy and Riah, join my parents and enter next.

I share hugs with my parents, both of whom tell me how proud and happy they are for me and Callie. Mom sheds quite a few tears, and Dad has to pull her away.

Finally, Mason walks into the room, and my stomach dips with excitement and adrenaline like it does when I’m on a roller coaster.

This is it. My signal.

Mason joins me, Jace, Rhys, Cam, and Hudson at the altar as we wait for the Miller women to arrive next.

Rhys plays the first chords of the song, and one by one, all dressed in varying styles of pale purple gowns—because my wedding planner doesn’t leave a stone unturned—come Rylann, Emery, and Talia.

They join us at the altar. My brothers make moves towards their women, but there is only one woman I want to see.

Our security guard takes his station at the entrance of the barn.

Always guarding in the background like a camouflaged ninja.

Arm in arm with her mom, Callie walks in carrying a white and pale-purple rose bouquet. My nose pricks with tears as I finally lay eyes on my bride in a white dress.

Holy fucking shit.

She looks like a winter fairy princess. I have no idea what style of dress she’s got on, but I know one thing for damn sure: Callie’s breathtakingly beautiful.

The top of her gown has long-sleeves, made of delicate sheer lace.

An intricate pattern of embroidered snowflakes and crystals covers her chest, back, and arms. The snowflake detail cinches at her waist and drips down a quarter of the skirt, which is made of fine silky-sheer layers of organza.

Callie’s dress is the perfect representation of her whimsical beauty and winter.

Her barely there makeup is flawless, and I fucking love that she left her hair down in waves around her face with a few choice strands framing her cheeks. And of course, wrapped around her neck is the bluebird collar necklace.

Mine.

As the word pops into my head, our gazes collide in a zap of electricity. She beams, her smile enchanting. Callie slowly progresses down the aisle, and it takes everything in me to stay put.

Callie’s been waiting for me for years. It’s only fair that I wait two minutes for her.

This moment feels better than I dreamed. The balloon in my chest expands with the tornado of emotion.

When Callie reaches me, Diana places her daughter’s hand in mine. Tears roll down her cheeks as she speaks. “Thank you, Eli. For loving my baby girl. For convincing me to be here for this special day. You are a wonderful man, and I know you’re going to take care of her.”

“Always,” I promise.

The song ends, and Callie hands her bouquet to Diana, who takes a seat in the front row.

Finally, it’s just me and Callie.

“Hey, Princess.” My voice is thick with emotion. I squeeze her hand, and her warm touch grounds me in the moment.

“Hey, handsome.” The overhead string lights sparkle in her dark eyes like stars in the night sky.

“This dress…” I let out a whistle. “You look fucking gorgeous. Irresistible.”

Callie’s cheeks flush pink.

I lean in and whisper, “I’m going to enjoy peeling you out of this dress tonight.” I plant a swift kiss on her glossy lips. The taste of her sweetness has me tempted to deepen our kiss until Jace chimes in.

“Knock it off. There are children present,” Cameron jokes. Our family and friends laugh at his teasing, making Callie blush harder.

I smirk at her. “Never.” That’s the damn truth. I will always remind her how I love her with my kisses.

Jace clears his throat. “Are you two ready?”

I incline my head. “Proceed.”

Our closest family and friends chuckle again as Jace begins the ceremony without further interruption. We vow to love and cherish each other. In sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer. For as long as we both shall live. Then I slip another gold band on Callie’s finger as I say, “I do.”

Callie repeats after Jace, and when she says “I do”, she slips her father’s ring off her thumb and slides it down my ring finger.

“It fits.”

I look up at her, shocked.

Callie gives me a watery grin. “I took the spacers that were underneath out.”

I know how much this ring means to her. She’s worn it every day since she lost her dad. Now she’s parting with it for me.

“Cal?” My voice cracks as a tear slides down her cheek. “Are you sure?”

She grabs my hand in both of hers, running her thumb over the cool metal. “I am so sure. I talked to Mom about it, and we agreed. There is no one more worthy than you to wear it. I love you, Elijiah.”

“I love you, Calliope.” Her love and confidence in me have tears clouding my eyes and spilling over. I wipe my eyes.

As Jace pronounces us Mr. and Mrs. Miller, I grab Callie around the waist and tug her flush to my chest. “Ready for the next part, wife?”

My wife. Never going to get old saying that.

Callie weaves her arms around my shoulder and smiles. “So ready, husband.”

Together, we lean in and meet in the middle for our first kiss as a married couple. The room explodes into a round of cheers and clapping as I lose myself in Callie’s sweet lips and the way her body melts into mine.

Life can’t get better than this.