Rose's house is decorated so beautifully that I am jealous when I see it. When we walk in the front door everything smells so delicious that my mouth immediately begins to water. Rose comes out of the kitchen to greet us. “Callie, you look amazing!” She declares, looking me over. “Thank you.” When she hugs me, I tell her. “It smells heavenly in here.” “Thank you! I just hope it tastes as good as it smells.” She chuckles. “You're an amazing cook, so I have not a doubt in my mind that it will.” I say. She gives

It's a warm Saturday afternoon in mid-January and the kids are playing outside. They have just come back from spending the morning with Wyatt at the animal clinic. Grandpa met him when he dropped them off. It has been two weeks since New Year's Eve and we haven't seen or spoken to each other. Not since he kissed me, regretted it and left. Left me feeling like a freaking idiot. That night I went back into the living room but he had just left the house. I had to face everyone, his family included, with a plastered on fake smile and a broken heart. I resent him for that. I'm on my old laptop, working on an assignment at the kitchen table, hoping to get it done quickly. I got three assignments, two essays and three tests done last night, because I couldn't sleep a wink. I've started out taking five courses at o

“Callie.” “Don't ever leave me again.” I sob. “I would stay with you forever, if you'll let me.” He tells me. He sits in the chair, pulling me in his lap. I always love when he holds me like this. I curl into his chest, my hands around his waist. “Callie-” “Let's not say anything.” I tell him softly. Every time we say something, it gets misconstrued or misinterpreted and we use the misunderstanding to push each other away. I don't want that. Not now. I just want him. Like this, I want to be in his arms. I don't want anything to potentially jeopardize that.

Monday morning dawns bright and sunny, looking like a gorgeous day. Val and Van wake up in a wild mood, so excited that they can hardly sit still. They triple check the plan with us, making sure that we will all be there on time. We have to confirm the time with Val six times. As I'm doing her hair, she asks again. “What time are you coming?” “Val, honey. We will be there at eleven.” “You might want to get there a little early.” She tells me, as if my time management skills are so bad that I need a six year old to tell me when to arrive places. “We will get there at ten fifty.” I tell her, putting the bow in

“Adopt them?” I repeat. “I have actually been thinking about this for a while now. I know it sounds crazy, but you have custody of them and they have no other family but you. If, God forbid, something happens to you, they would go to foster care. But if we, you and I, legally adopt them then they are our children. We go on their birth certificates as their parents, my parents will legally become their grandparents. We would be the family that we are but it would be, I don't know, more finalized. If that makes any sense.” “Wyatt.. That's wonderful of you to want this, but it's such a big step.. I know you love them but you would be taking on so much-”