I bent down and kissed him softly. “How many of these do you have in the house?”
“A few.”
I rolled my eyes, but I had a feeling I’d enjoy the hunt after Faith went to bed.
Domestic chores took up the rest of our evening. Laundry, bath time, and Callum’s favorite part of the night—story time.
I looked in on them in the rocking chair in Faith’s room. It was one of the smaller rooms in the house, but right next door to ours. It was painted a soft lavender with ash furniture in a pale sandy color. We’d put up a small pre-lit tree in her room on her dresser. There was an ornament from each of her uncles hanging up, as well as her grandma and grandpa. Even her new aunt Cara had sent an ornament for her tree.
New traditions—just for our little family.
It was pretty amazing.
I was happy to see there was no mistletoe in her room. It was poisonous, after all. And knowing Cal, all the mistletoe in the house was probably silk, just to be safe.
But Faith was definitely in the ‘put everything in her mouth’ phase. Right now, it was the corner of her Llama Lovey’s tail from Paisley. I watched them for a little while longer then sneaked away to shower off the day.
When I returned to our room, the lights were turned on low, and candles were flickering all over the room. The Christmas tree was lit up in our triple window, and the fireplace was crackling. I expected Cal to be lounging on the bed waiting for me, but the room was empty.
In the corner, just beyond the tree, was one of Cal’s easels.
Did I know him or what?
A canvas was wrapped in kraft paper with a massive red bow.
There was something different about the room. I looked around, and finally landed on the paintings over our headboard. There was usually three hung up there. The triptych Cal had painted of me. I still wasn’t used to seeing my form on a canvas, but I was getting used to seeing myself through his eyes.
The first painting was the altered version of his drawing with my red scarf. Now I was wearing a man’s white dress shirt, teasing innocence and a hint of all the curves he loved to draw.
The second painting was a bit more wild. My hair looked as if I’d just spent the night making love. Instead of being buttoned, this shirt showed more than it hid, and my chin was lifted, my eyes defiant and hooded with knowledge.
The third was softer. I was rounder with my baby-filled belly peeking from the shirt. The cuffs were rolled up, and my engagement ring sparkled on my left hand.
I glanced down at my ring and thumbed the underside of the band to straighten it. The icy diamond was in an antique setting with a starburst shape of smaller diamonds surrounding it. Callum never did anything small.
A hand slid along my hip. Cal’s cedar scent surrounded me just before his arms did. His slightly rough fingers slipped inside my robe to trace over my waist. “Our princess is finally asleep.”
“Must have been right after I left. You’ve been busy.”
“I pulled out most of the stuff earlier. Just stashed it in the closet.” He kissed my neck. “I know we have tomorrow as our day with Faith, but I couldn’t wait any longer to give you your present.”
I covered his hand with my left one. “I’ve been thinking about yours too.”
He tucked his chin on my shoulder. “Oh? Is it under this robe?”
“Kinda.”
He toyed with the sash. “I like the idea of that.”
I turned in his arms. “You’re easy to please.”
“You naked is pretty much my favorite amusement park.”
I laughed as I cupped his cheek. “I love you, Cal.”
He straightened up a little and caught my wrist. He swallowed thickly. “You don’t say it a lot, but I know you do.”
“Saying it isn’t easy for me, but this past year has shown me what it’s like to love. I’m so grateful for you and our little girl. And that you’ve given me so much time and patience to figure it out.”
He dropped a light kiss on my lips. “You’re worth waiting for. Besides, I’ve got a ring on it.” He brushed his nose along mine. “I know you’re not going anywhere.”
“How about we put another ring on? You too, this time.”
A smile spread across his face. “Are you asking me to marry you? Didn’t we already do that?” He picked up my left hand and kissed my ring.
“Yeah, but I think we should do the real deal. The ceremony and the family, the dress and all the crazy that goes with it. Though I’m thinking more of a small thing. Maybe in our backyard in front of the lake.”
“Yeah?” He cleared his throat. “I could get behind that.”
“I’d say Valentine’s Day, but it might be a little chilly. So, how does May sound to you?”
“I say it sounds like a damn fine Christmas present. Do I get to show you mine now?”
“Could it be on the easel?”
“Maybe.” He flicked the tail of my robe. “Might want to close that though, or I’ll never get through the unwrapping, because I enjoy unwrapping you way more.”
I cinched my belt and followed him to the tree. I touched the tip of a mockingbird ornament I’d found in Kinleigh’s shop. She always had the best ornaments. I’d never really had a reason to buy them until now.
Cal grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the easel. “Okay, open it.”
“No ceremony or ritual this time?”
“No. Just nerves.”
I hooked my finger around his pinky. “I always love your paintings.”
“I know. Just I worked hard on them.”
“Them?” I moved in front of the easel and carefully untied the ribbons from the corner. I laid the long streamers and carefully constructed bow on the chair in the corner. Then I pulled the washi tape from the back of the package. It was so lovingly wrapped that I had a feeling I shouldn’t rip into it.
Even if my guy’s impatience practically vibrated through the room.
But I was rewarded for the careful attention. On the inside of the kraft paper were little pencil drawings of Faith and I through the last few months. Me breast feeding her, us going for a walk around the lake, Faith sleeping on her daddy’s desk, and even a few of her nestled in blankets on his dropcloths.
I laid the little treasures on our bed. Those would be going in my family book.
I went back to the painting and peeled back the muslin covering. My heart tripped out of my chest at the soft focus portrait. Callum’s beloved white dress shirt had another starring role. This time, our daughter was cradled in my arms. My hair was gathered on top of my head, with a few tendrils teasing my neck and cheeks.
Faith’s newborn face was pink and healthy and full of serenity as she gazed up at me.
“Is this what you see?”
“Every time.”
My eyes misted as I touched Faith’s sweet face and the absolute awe on mine. “It’s beautiful, Cal. One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m glad. The two loves of my life right there.” He came up behind me. “And a little something extra back there too.”
I lifted the canvas off the easel and found another painting. It was larger and more square. I tugged away the covering and laughed. “That’s so perfect.”