When I look back at Mom, she has tears running down her face.
“I know you love each other. I’ve never doubted that. I was even the one who told you to go talk to her at Thanksgiving. Bevan is a part of this family and I’d love to have her as another daughter. I simply want you to take your time. You’ve taken on a lot this year, and she’s going into law school. If you guys move elsewhere, that’ll be a huge adjustment. I just want you to be smart.”
I will broach the DC discussion another day, because it feels cruel to also land the blow that I’m going to be moving.
“Sometimes love isn’t smart.” Mom sniffles romantically.
I reach out to take her hand. “But we are being smart, I promise. I’m guarding her heart and taking care of it, which is why I want to propose. We’ll take the wedding thing slow, but I want that promise.”
“I’ll just run up and get it.” As if Mom’s been awaiting this moment for years, keeping the ring just out of reach.
The moment she’s out of the room, Dad starts again. I’m not defensive with him telling me all these things, I knew one of them would take some kind of devil’s advocate approach.
“Becoming a husband is a big responsibility, Callum. Once you take those vows, there is no going back. Divorce has never been an option, we make love work in this family.” Dad isn’t lecturing me, but his voice does have a finality to it.
“I understand that. I am ready. I’m ready to be her husband, to take care of her and provide in every way she needs me to.” I straighten a little, trying to show him how much of a man I am.
Staring at my father, telling him I’m ready to be a husband, feels profoundly grown up. But I don’t feel like I’m posturing or faking at all. In fact, it feels like there is a new level of respect between us.
“You’re going to be the best man a family could ask for. She’s very lucky. While we love Bevan, and you’re going to have one hell of a wife, she’s a very lucky woman. I’m proud of you, son.” Dad’s words catch at the end, emotion clouding his eyes.
“Thanks, Dad.” I swallow the lump in my throat as we embrace, and Mom practically skips into the room.
She holds out a black velvet box to me, and I take it, no hesitation. My hands don’t shake. I’m not nervous. At this moment, I’ve never been so sure of anything.
I pop it open and stare. It’s been a long time since I saw Nana’s ring, and I remember the first time Mom told me I could have it for my future wife. Now it’s in front of me, the large, round emerald flanked by two rectangular diamonds in an antique, ornate gold band. It’s unique and out of its time period, something I’ve always thought of Bevan. She isn’t like the girls of my generation, she’s extraordinary and too wise for her age.
“The ring is perfect for her.” I breathe, and Mom brings her hands to her mouth.
“I can’t believe it. You two were always meant for each other.” She shakes her head, crying again.
“This is a union that will last.” Dad nods, as if him speaking it to the world will make it true.
“How are you going to do it?” Mom claps excitedly.
“Well, that’s the other thing. I have completely no idea.” I shrug, not able to take my eyes off the ring and imagining Bevan wearing it.
Mom spends the next hour making us all grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup while she gives me a crash course in epic proposals.
By the time I leave with the ring in my pocket, I’m already itching to give it to Bevan.
35
BEVAN
The water of Cayuga Lake laps the side of the boat, spraying up at certain dips, but no one seems to mind.
My mint green romper with its lacy sleeves and tie-belt is keeping me cool enough, even in the almost ninety-degree weather. Summer has arrived in Upstate New York, and it’s a scorcher.
“Did you pop that bottle yet?” I ask Taya, because I’m thirsty and champagne is the drink of choice these days.
We’re graduating college, we should be allowed champagne at any time we want.
“Working on it.” Tay grunts as she tries to wiggle the cork out.
“Here, let me.” Callum takes the bottle from her and opens it with ease, some of the bubbles spilling out onto the deck of the boat.
The college organized a senior cruise for students who signed up, and of course the six of us were first to grab spots on the list. A trip around the lake we’ve studied by for years, on a yacht, with the ability to bring any alcohol you want on board? Count us fucking in.
“A glass for you, madam.” Scott flourishes a flute in my direction and I accept with a smile and a tilt of my head.
Callum takes a glass from him, but he looks skittish, and I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat.
My man has seemed off this week. Not in any particular way, but I can tell he’s antsy, or maybe nervous. I’m not sure why, since we’ve spoken about moving to DC together and even checked out a few job leads for him by way of school districts. We’ll be able to grab student housing for couples right off the Georgetown campus, so our rent will be lower. Everything is teeing up to work in our favor, and we’re working in tandem in a healthy way. Which is a new thing for us, and one I’m grateful for as this more difficult chapter is emerging. After officially accepting a spot at Georgetown, I have a list of things I need to check off before September rolls around.
“You okay?” I wrap one arm around his waist and take a sip from my glass with my other hand.
“Yeah, fine, why?” His answer is too quick and he doesn’t make eye contact.
“Okay, I just thought—” I’m interrupted as Gannon moves to the front of our group and clears his throat.
“Can I have your attention? I’d like to say a few words. As the coolest guy in this group—”
“Uh, what?” Scott guffaws.
Gannon gives him a look that says you should know better, and then continues. “These are our last weeks together here, and then I don’t know when we’ll all be together again. So I just wanted to say thank you. You guys are my fucking best friends. Thank you for making my life mean more than it ever has before I met you. Thank you for making these last four years kick ass, and for setting me in line when I needed it. Thanks for all the drunken nights, the sleepovers in the living room, and the meals you made me when I burned my own. Ams, I am so in love with you and we’re in it for the long haul. Friends, I can’t imagine this journey without you. No matter where life takes us next, you always have a place on my couch, can raid my fridge, and I’ll be your shoulder. So, this is to us.”
Gannon raises his glass in a toast, and we all follow suit.
“To us,” Callum bellows, and we all cheers and then drink.
I feel the tears leak from my eyes, knowing this will be one of the last days we’re all together. Closing this chapter is one I’ve looked forward to, if only to bulldoze forward on my path to financial freedom and success. But now that it’s here, I don’t want to leave. Taya and Amelie are closer to me than blood, and this whole cast of characters is a big reason for me getting through the last four years. Without their support, laughter, and putting up with all of my bullshit, I don’t know who I would have turned to.