She smiled. “You’re a really good guy, Malcolm. You’re exactly who I want in my life. I wasn’t ready before, but I am now. If you still want me.”
No, she told herself. That was the weasel thing to say. Not if he still wanted her. “If you still love me,” she amended. “Because I am very much in love with you.”
He studied her before speaking. “I do still love you, Delaney. I always will, but I need you to be sure.”
“I know and I am. I want you. I want this house. I want us.” She curled her toes in her shoes. “I want us to have a family and grow old together. I love you, Malcolm.”
The carefully neutral mask fell away and she saw into the soul of a man who’d just been given the moon and the stars. He grabbed her and swung her around, his laughter echoing in the afternoon. When he set her down, he kissed her with a fiery passion that left her weak.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he told her.
“I’ve missed you, too. I’m sorry I had to get my act together, but it’s done now and we can move forward.”
He put his arm around her. “About this house.”
“We should so buy it, despite the insane price. But I want to pay for it, too. I want us to be partners in everything.”
“Even a mortgage?”
“Especially a mortgage.” She grinned at him. “As it happens, I’m very good with numbers.”
“You’re very good at a lot of things.”
“I know. Cool, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
epilogue
“You’re so calm,” Delaney said as Callie sat by the vanity set up in the temporary bride’s room.
The makeup artist hired for the event finished applying blush. Callie waited until she was done before opening her eyes and smiling at her friend.
“There’s nothing for me to worry about. Santiago has it all under control.”
One of the advantages of falling for a guy who always wanted to be the hero was he had no problem taking care of details. Once she and Santiago had picked their wedding planner, he’d coordinated most of their wedding with her, leaving Callie free to focus on her classes at the university and taking care of Keira. She, Delaney and Keira had gone together to buy her wedding dress and the attendant dresses. Callie had given her thoughts on the menu and had picked the flowers for her bouquet, but otherwise, Santiago was in charge—with a little help from his mom and Hanna.
Emma raced into the bride’s room, Keira at her heels.
“Everyone’s arriving,” Emma announced, grinning with excitement. “There are so many cars. And the swans are in the lake.”
Yes, swans, Callie thought with a secret smile. Because they made him happy and he made her happy.
Their quiet wedding had grown from family and close friends to something a whole lot bigger. Santiago had hired out a local winery and brought in a caterer. They’d agreed on a fall harvest theme and, of course, swans. The wedding colors were burgundy, soft green and blush.
Luis, Santiago’s youngest brother, had flown in for the wedding. Paulo’s lawyer had eventually worked out a deal on his charges. He’d pled guilty and was serving time, so would not be attending. Hanna had filed for divorce and was picking up the pieces of her life.
Santiago had changed the family trust so the house was in Hanna’s name only. Callie suspected he’d put aside some money for Paulo to be given to him when he’d served his time. She hoped Paulo would accept the gesture in the spirit it had been given, but with him, she wasn’t sure.
Not thoughts for today, she thought, looking at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. Delaney and Malcolm were engaged and getting married on Valentine’s Day. They’d already moved into their new house and were working hard on decorating it. Keira joked about her two families, but Callie knew she appreciated that both sets of adults wanted as much time with her as possible.
Santiago had listed his condo a few days before the wedding. He would move into the big, old house on the lake when they were back from their honeymoon. Malcolm’s old rooms had been renovated into a master suite.
Her wedding day hairdresser sprayed her updo one last time, then Callie got up to finish dressing.
Keira and Emma had on junior bridesmaid dresses done in soft green. They were knee length, with cap sleeves and lace over the bodice. Delaney and Hanna had the grown-up version of the same dress, but in burgundy.
Her own gown, also with a lace bodice, was a little surprise for her husband-to-be. Strapless and fitted to the waist, the dress had a full skirt that billowed and swayed with every step. It was a classic princess dress. One she thought he would appreciate.
Delaney helped her into the petticoats, then she and Hanna held up the dress so Callie could shimmy into it before they took turns fastening the thirty-six buttons.
When she was ready, the wedding planner got everyone into place. Grandfather Alberto, tall and handsome in his black tuxedo, smiled as he joined her.
“You are as beautiful as your grandmother was the day I married her. I hope you will be as happy.” He reached into his jacket pocket.
“Something old,” he said, handing her a diamond choker. “Something blue.” He pointed to the small sapphire on the clasp.
Callie stared at the stunning piece. She had no idea how many carats or who was the designer, but she recognized quality workmanship. The rows of diamonds nearly blinded her and the tiny sapphire was in the shape of a heart.
“Grandfather,” she breathed. “I couldn’t possibly...”
“Of course you could, child. You’re family.”
He moved behind her and fastened the choker, then kissed her cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”
The wedding planner opened the door to the bride’s room. “It’s time,” she said. “Are you ready?”
Callie blinked back tears and nodded. She and her grandfather moved into position, just out of sight of their guests. She listened for the music to change to the wedding march and just for a moment, sent all her love and gratitude to her mother, wherever she might be.
So much had changed, Callie thought as she and her grandfather started down the aisle. Friends, family, a home and a man who loved her more than anything in the world. She’d been blessed in ways she couldn’t have imagined ever happening.
A few months ago she’d been utterly alone in the world and now she had enough love and support to last a lifetime. Her gaze settled on Santiago. He looked stunned. When their eyes met, he took a half step toward her, then stopped himself. She smiled. He would always do that, she thought happily. Always be willing to step first, to be there, to support her and love her. And she would be there for him.
There would be rough patches, but they would get through them. Fifty years from now, they would look back on this day and be grateful for all of it. Especially the love.
* * * * *