Big fat tears roll down his cheeks as he reaches for Hollis. “Mama,” he mumbles, and a sob breaks free from Hollis’s chest.
“Did he just…” Her voice trails off as she pulls Milo into her arms, giving him a hug. “I’m sorry, Colt. I swear I don’t tell him to call me that. I don’t know where he got it.”
“You’re the closest thing he has to a mother. Other than the time he spent with Gabby, it’s you, Hollis.”
“Oh, sweet boy, how you have stolen my heart,” she tells my son.
“How do you feel about that, Hollis?”
“How do I feel about what?” she asks, making silly faces at Milo. The tears once in their eyes are now masked by smiles.
“Being his momma?”
She freezes and turns to look at me. “What are you asking me, Colton?”
“Milo here, he told me that he chooses you. He knows that it’s special that he gets to choose you, and you’re his pick.”
“Colt.” The tears are back, and this time they slide over her cheeks.
“We both love you, Hollis. We want you in our lives, and I would be honored to have you be the mother of my son and any future children we might have.”
“More?” she asks, a beautiful smile pulling at her lips.
“Milo also told me he wants a brother and a sister.”
“Two more?”
“At least.” I wink.
“Colton, I don’t know what to say. I mean, this is huge.”
“What does your heart say?”
“Yes.” She nods. “My heart and my head say yes. I love you both so very much. I can’t… this is the best day of my life.”
“Did you hear that, Milo? Mommy said that this is the best day of her life. We’re going to have to see if we can top it,” I say, leaning in for a kiss where my son again pushes me away from her. “Listen, little man. She might be your mommy, but she’s going to be my wife.” Hollis gasps, but I keep my eyes on Milo. “So you’re going to have to learn to share her with me. Especially if you want those siblings you were telling me about.” I bop him on the nose with my index finger making him giggle.
“Wife?” Hollis asks.
“Wife. What do you think, baby? You ready to be a Callahan?”
“More than you ever know.” She doesn’t hesitate with her reply.* * *It’s the day before Christmas Eve, and here I am in the jewelry store picking out a ring. It’s fast, and some might think we need more time before we make this kind of decision. I don’t agree with them. Not with this. I know she’s the one. In my mind, Hollis and I are together, and we will eventually get married and have more kids, but life is short. I don’t want to wait to let her know that’s where I see this going. I want my ring on her finger. A sort of misunderstanding brought her to us, and no way are we letting her go. I know I love her. I know my son loves her. There is nothing that is going to change that. Not even time. No, in fact, time will only make us love her more. I want my ring on her finger, and I need her to plan a wedding. Sooner rather than later.
“Colton?” I hear, and turn to see Gwen smiling at me with a grinning Sophia in her stroller. “Are you waiting until the last minute to get Hollis a present?” She tsks at me.
“No, this is… extra.”
“Extra?” Her brow furrows in confusion.
The jeweler decides this is the right moment to bring my purchase out to me. “You’re in luck.” She grins. “We have her size in stock.” She holds up the ring to show me.
“Oh my God! Are you going to propose?” Gwen asks. She rotates the stroller and comes closer, getting a better look. “Colton, she’s going to love it.”
“Please don’t tell her.”
“Never. I’m so excited for the two of you.”
“Thank you. I know it seems soon—” I start, but she holds her hand up, stopping me.
“When you know, you know. You do what’s best for you, Colt. You and the precious baby boy of yours. She loves him like her own.” She waves her hand in the air. “I know you already know that, but I thought it was worth saying.”
“He loves her too. We both do.”
“You found a good one. When’s the big day?” she asks, handing Sophia a sippy cup.
“Soon.”
She nods. “I figured. You and Chase are a lot alike.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” Her phone rings. She looks down and then back up at me with panic in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just Hollis is here in the mall. I told her I was shopping, and she and Milo are here now. She wants to know where I am.”