No Angels (Willow Creek Christmas)

12. Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Mike

It’s Christmas morning. The piano was delivered about an hour ago, and the girl I’ve loved my whole life will be here soon. I have a ring pop in my pocket because I haven’t had time to shop for the real thing and I’m still afraid she might tell me no. And I know the ring pop will remind her of when we were kids and make her smile bright and wide.

The ring pop was Brady’s idea. I ran my intentions by him first to make sure he was okay with them.

“You should get her a ring pop. I think she’ll like it since you guys have known each other for so long. I knew you were gonna ask her by the way, when I saw you guys kissing under the mistletoe. She’s cool. But tell her just because I’m okay with her marrying my dad that doesn’t mean I’m okay with being in one of those plays.” I laughed and ruffled his hair. And told him I’d make sure to tell her.

When she knocks on the front door, I open it. I’m still shirtless and in my bare feet because I’ve been running around trying to get things ready in time. We usually end up tackling each other within five minutes of being alone, so I don’t think she’ll mind.

Her eyes flare and she slides her hands down my bare chest after she pops up and plants a hello kiss on my lips. “Merry Christmas, boyfriend.”

I scoop her up to give her a proper kiss. “Merry Christmas, girlfriend.”

When we’re both breathless and I’m dying to be inside her, I pull away. “I need to give you your present before we get carried away.”

“You can give it to me later,” she pouts.

“Nope. Come on,” I tell her as I grab her hand and pull her behind me. “It’s in the family room. And you have to close your eyes. I’ll take you to it and tell you when you can open them.”

“You’ve already given me so much,” she protests. “Things I don’t even know how to measure.”

“But those weren’t Christmas presents, Cassidy. That was me giving you things you needed. Like self-confidence and help taking care of your mom. I want to give you things you don’t need.”

I stop in front of the bay window. The piano’s in the center of it, looking out over the gardens. Brady helped me wind garlands and lights around the bench and there’s a candelabra with one of my mom’s Christmas doilies sitting on top of the instrument. “You can open your eyes now.”

She does and then turns to me in confusion. “Since when do you have a piano, Callihan?”

“I don’t, Cassidy. You do. I heard about your impromptu concert at the estate sale through the town rumor mill. I had one of my college buddies tune it for you.”

She squeals and throws her arms around my neck. “Can I play it?”

“I was hoping you would. But that’s not all of your presents.” I take a deep breath for courage. “Will you sit on the bench?”

She obediently sits down, the piano at her back. Her eyes widen when I drop to one knee.

“I know I haven’t said the words, Bumble Bee. But I’m yours. I always have been. I love you because you’re my other half and the one person who makes me whole. I love you because you always take my dares and you make me laugh and your voice is the song in my heart. I love you now even more then I did when we were eighteen, and all I want for Christmas is you. Will you marry me someday?” I hold out the ring pop.

Her mouth curves into a smile and she slides off the bench so she can throw her arms around my neck. “Yes, Mike Callihan, I’ll marry you. Because you’re all of those things to me too. And even though I love the piano, you’re the only thing I really want for Christmas too.”