“Dang it! I need scissors and some space to work real quick.”
“Hang on, love. I've got something,” Max says, moving to the back of his car to open his trunk. I follow and wait beside him as he opens up his duffle bag and pulls out a pair of medical tape scissors, handing them to me.
“Thank you, Max.” I lean in and give him a quick peck on his lips.
“Come on,” Nick calls out me over and opens the back doors of his Jeep, allowing me to use the trunk space to work.
“Thanks, Nick,” I say as I lay the roll of paper down and start unrolling it. After I cut it, Max hands me the book. Once I have the paper folded around the book, I look over at the string. Here’s the tricky part. Luckily I have an extra pair of hands.
“Sugar bear, please hold this down,” I say absently as I keep working.
Max holds the paper while I turn to grab the string. I measure and cut it then tie it around, securing the paper tight and then into a bow. I stare at the package and think back to ‘My Auntie Ava’ and take a deep breath.
This is when I notice Nick and Abigail laughing and Max glaring at them. What the heck happened? What did they do to my Max?
I start to say something to them but I stop when I hear Nick say, “Sugar bear?”
Fuckity fuck! This is all on me.
I give Max my sweetest, most innocent look. I even bat my eyes before I try to make excuse, “I wasn’t thinking. Sorry,” I tell him as I walk the short distance to him and wrap my hands around his neck and lean in for a kiss.
Max leans back in and kisses all sense out of me. I think I’m completely forgiven but when we break apart, he says against my lips. “Jaycee, your ass is going to be so pink from my hand tonight.”
My body jerks and I look up at him and catch his smile. The promise behind his eyes sends a thrill of anticipation through me. I should misbehave more often.
He takes my hand as we wait for Abigail to finish working on her gift. She places the tiniest pouch into the tiniest gift bag and then folds and slips a tinier piece of tissue paper inside. When she's done, we grab our gift bags and head towards the door to meet the newest member of our family.
Abigail and I take the lead up the walk that leads to the front door. I push the button on the doorbell and stand back as it chimes. A shadow comes across the stained glass of the front door and then Jesse appears. He greets us holding the most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen.
Her head is laying against Jesse’s shoulder with her face almost completely buried in his neck. Her hair is a beautiful light blonde that hangs in ringlets down almost past the middle of her back. She has on the cutest white eyelet dress and is wearing brown cowboy boots with little gold stars on them. I can see she has a big yellow bow tied on top of her head. As cute as she looks, my breath leaves me when I finally get a small glimpse of her face.
“Princess Callie, I’d like you to meet your fairy godmothers, Abigail and Jaycee. Remember, the ones I told you about?” Jesse says, sharing his softer side people rarely see.
She nods but doesn’t life her face from his neck.
“You’re the most beautiful princess I’ve ever see, Callie,” Abigail says. Although she’s trying to help Callie relax, I can also tell she really means it.
Callie lifts her head but she’s still looking down. I can see she’s smiling and deep dimples on her cheeks. She has a cute button nose, just like Aunt Paige described. She finally lifts her eyes up and looks right at me. Oh, my God, I inwardly gasp. Her eyes are the prettiest gray; they actually twinkle, yes twinkle, causing them to appear to have a silver star shining in them. They’re breathtaking. She’s breathtaking.
“Hi, Princess Callie,” I smile at her and she smiles back. A second later her gaze shifts and she sees Max. Her smile gets bigger and she tilts her head back down and giggles. I know, kid, I know. I can only imagine he’s flashed his dimples at and probably winked her.
Jesse finally lets us in. As we stand in the foyer, Nick closes the door as Jesse sets Callie down on her feet. She backs up against his leg and wraps her little arm around it as he places his hand gently on her head. It’s obvious she’s smitten with him but then that’s Jesse’s gift.
“Why don’t we take them to the living room where everyone is and get them something to drink?” Jesse asks Callie and she smiles up at him.
“'Kay, Knuckle Jesse.” She reaches for Abigail’s hand and pulls her towards the kitchen, surprising us all.
“Knuckle Jesse?” Max repeats with a chuckle.
“Yeah, so what, sugar bear,” Jesse says and follows Callie and Abigail.
“Touche,” Max sighs in defeat knowing everyone knows my nickname for him.
“I want a nickname,” Nick chimes in.
Abigail hears him too and yells back. “Let’s play around with that later tonight.” She pauses to blow him a kiss.
Nick reaches up, and grabs the invisible kiss and pretends to put it his front pants pocket.
“How about ‘whipped’ for a nickname?” Max asks, shaking his head.
“I was thinking more along the lines of Romeo,” Nick shoots back.
“He dies, they die, double suicide,” Max’s retorts.
“Guess I’ll let her pick,” Nick says.
“Good idea,” Max tells him.
Jake walks in from out of nowhere and right up to Max.
“Sugar Bear, Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet?” Jake shakes his head, “Give it to me,” he demands.
Max reaches around for his wallet and starts flipping through the pockets.
“What are you doing, sugar?” I ask and wrap my arm around his waist and lean into him. Max doesn’t answer right away, a deep sigh releasing from him instead.
“My man card.” He glares at Jake. After that conversation with Nick, I don’t deserve to carry it anymore. Jake is here to confiscate it.”
I can’t help but break out in a fit of giggles, as Jake walks off, pumping Max's "man card" in the air triumphantly.
“Don’t worry, Max,” I slide around to his front. “I’ll help you earn your man card back later.”
He laughs against my lips. “Thanks, Jaycee. You’re the best.”
“Um, Ansie Jaye?” a sweet tiny voice calls to me.
I pull back from Max and look down to see Callie standing there holding a bottle of water.
I squat down in front of her. “Yes, Princess Callie,” I say and watch her smile, her dimples popping out.
She hands me the bottle of water using both her little hands.
“Um, my mommy said to give you this to you an’ knuckle Max.” She bends her head down while looking at Max from under her eyelashes.
When she says Mommy, I look up and see my Aunt Paige standing a few feet behind her with tears in her eyes. I can’t help the tears that start to form in my eyes too. Before my emotions get out of hand, I take the bottle of water from her and stand back up. I hand it to Max and reach for Callie’s little hand.
“Thank you, Callie. Now, let’s go in the living room. I have a present for you.” I laugh when I see her face light up and she tries to jump in excitement but her little boots are too heavy for to make it up high, making it look more like a skip.
Max catches my eye and he’s grinning just as much as me.
“Cuteness overload is exactly what this one is,” I say.
When Callie and I enter the living room, the whole family is gathered there. I smile at my grandma before turning back and watching Callie as she goes to my Uncle Brock and Aunt Paige. Max is talking with Jesse and Jake and I start towards him but when I hear a giggle I turn back as my Uncle Brock swings Callie up and situates her on his hip while she leans in and whispers in his ear.
Aunt Paige takes her into her arms then turns towards me. At this point, I realize I’m staring and the room has gone quiet. Everyone is watching Callie with her new mommy and daddy. The emotion is almost overwhelming. Before it turns to tears, Uncle Brock speaks up.
“Callie would like to know if her
Auntie Jaycee and Abigail would like to see her room.” he announces and winks at her, causing her to blush.
“I thought she’d never ask. Of course.” Abigail says with excitement and she starts to stand, Nick quickly helps her, when she can’t get up by herself.
She limping towards us when Callie wiggles down from Aunt Paige’s arm and walks over to her.
“You have a owie?” She frowns up at Abigail.
“Yes, sweetheart, but it’s much much better now,” She smiles down at Callie, trying to reassure her.
Callie takes a deep breath and then leans in and kisses Abigail on the knee.
“Wow, Callie. Thank you. It’s all better now,” my sister gushes.
Callie’s face lights up in a smile at Abigail and she takes her hand, pulling her over to me and grabbing mine too. She heads for the stairs and I sense my sister's hesitation. She doesn’t want to disappoint Callie with her still being hurt, but she can’t make it up the stairs without help.
Nick and Max appear beside us; Nick picking Abigail up with ease.
“Free rides up the stairs! Who else wants one?” Nick asks looking around but not down at Callie. “Anyone?”
Callie starts hop skipping again trying to get his attention and squeals. “Me!”
Nick feigns surprise and looks down at her, “Well, yes ma’am. Let me get your Aunt Abigail upstairs and I’ll come back for you.”
Callie stops and stands still as a statue with only her head moving as she watches Nick carry Abigail up the stairs and then set her down. Nick looks down over the banister at Callie. Her head is tilted so far back, it’s a wonder she doesn’t fall back.
“You ready?” he asks her as he descends the stairs.
When he reaches the last step, she takes off running up to him and throws her hands straight up for him to pick her up. He reaches down and catches her, swinging her around so she's on his back. Callie giggles and squeals again in excitement.
Max and I stand and watch as Nick gives a laughing Callie a piggyback ride up the stairs. When he gets to the top, he sets her down and then looks back over the banister and down at me.
“Next?” he calls down to me.
I smile back up at him and start forward when Max grabs me and pulls me back to him.
“Dammit, Jaycee.” he growls. “Stop that shit.”
“Voodoo.” I whisper.
Max leans down and puts his shoulder in my stomach and throws me over his shoulder. I can’t help the girlie squeal that comes out of my mouth as he makes his way up the stairs with me hanging down. I grab on to his belt loops and steady myself; laughing as I bounce up and down.
When he sets me down on my feet in front of him, I come back to my senses to see Abigail laughing and Callie bent over giggling. Nick’s chuckling along with others downstairs.
“Wow, Max. Thanks for the ride.” I lean to kiss his cheek.
“Knuckle Max, I wanna ride like that.” Callie pleads, reaching her arms up to Max.
“You got it, Princess Callie,” he lifts her and throws her over his shoulder with much more gentleness than he did me, and turns and walks into her room with her giggling.
“Where to?” When she can't catch her breath long enough to answer, he gently swings around. “Callie?” He turns in circles. “Where’s Callie?” he asks.
“I’m here!” she squeals, laughing.
“Where? Callie?” he repeats, playing along. “I don’t see her anywhere.” He looks back to us in mock confusion. “Do you see her?”
Before we can answer, Callie lifts up from his back and brushes the hair back that’s fallen over her face. She's flushed red from laughing so hard and her little white teeth shine through her huge smile. She puts her little hands on Max’s cheeks and pulls his face to hers.
She takes a deep breath and says breathlessly. “I’m right here, knuckle Max.”
Max’s smile goes soft along with his eyes. He’s just fallen in love with this little girl.
At this moment, I decide I want at least a hundred of Max’s babies. No, a million. However many God blesses us with, I will be happy but I want to start now. After watching him with Callie, my ovaries have jumped into action. I can practically hear them chanting “Max, Max, Max.”
“Oh, there you are,” he kisses her cheek and then sets her down in the middle of her beautiful pink room.
She immediately starts dragging Abigail and I around her room. She points and shows us every little thing from her ballerina night light to a giant elephant that’s sitting in the corner. That belonged to her brother, Cole. I remember seeing it sitting in a red wagon at his funeral. I think it’s perfect that’s it here. One day I’m sure my Aunt and Uncle will tell her about little Cole.
I come back to the present when she points to the elephant and tells us, “His name is Honk.” She sits in the elephants' lap.
“Honk?” Max and Nick say at the same time.
“Of course, Honk.” Abigail says.
“It makes perfect sense.” I add.
“I don’t get it.” Max says slowly like he’s missing something.
“Yeah, I’m lost.” Nick adds.
Callie lifts up the elephant’s trunk towards Max and Nick. “HONK!” she exclaims while flopping the trunk.
We all break down in laughter and Callie joins in. Cuteness overload, indeed.
When she’s done, she gets up and walks over to her bed. She throws one of her tiny booted feet up on top and hefts herself up using her tiny arms. She rolls until she’s in the middle of the covers and then turns and sits up and yawns. She does a slow blink and then gives a sloppy grin. She’s had a lot excitement today and it’s hitting her. About that time, Aunt Paige walks into the bedroom holding the gifts we brought for Callie.
“Like clockwork, seven o’clock every night, delirium sets in.” She gives Callie a sweet smile. “You want to open your presents before you go to sleep, sweetheart?” My aunt asks as she sits down next to her. She sets the two gifts in front of her and Callie eyes briefly open wider in excitement as she lazily nods her head.
Abigail and I join them and watch as Aunt Paige scoots in closer to Callie and helps her pull the tissue paper from the James Avery bag bringing out the little pouch. My aunt turns the pouch upside down and the tiny charm bracelet falls into her palm. She smooths it out and we all lean in to see it. On the little silver chain hangs a tiara because Callie is a princess, the letter 'C' for Callie and 'M' as she's soon to be McGinty, and a cross just like Abigail’s and I have on ours. That one binds the three of us. The last one I see is an angel. A little boy angel. Cole. Callie touches all the charms with her little fingers. She stops and stares at the boy angel and then gives the sweetest smile. It’s like Cole himself just whispered something loving in her ear. My aunt puts her hand to her mouth and lets out a little sob and then leans in and hugs Abigail. We’re all teary eyed when Callie reaches out her little wrist. She wants to wear her bracelet. Aunt Paige hands it to Abigail and she loops it around Callie's wrist and fastens the clasp. Callie looks down at Abigail’s wrist and touches her bracelet and then looks over at me and down to my wrist and then reaches over and touches mine.
We all take a deep breath as Aunt Paige sets my gift in front of her.
“Open it, Callie.” I whisper. She reaches down and tugs the tie until the bow comes undone. I watch as the string falls down and the paper falls apart.
Callie just stares at the cover. Her eyes scan the front, taking everything in. Finally, she reaches down and picks up the book. She struggles a little situating it in her lap because the book is almost as big as she is. When she pulls back the cover, the pages start flipping, landing on the one showing Sleeping Beauty laying down, asleep, wearing a shimmering gold gown with her beautiful golden blonde hair spread all over. The Prince is standing over her, about to kiss her. She reaches out and runs her fingers along the page.
“Pwetty,” she whispers then lets out another huge yawn.
“Okay, honey. Let’s
get your jammies on and then you can tell everyone goodnight.” Aunt Paige tells Callie as she picks up the book from her lap and sets it on the nightstand by her lamp.
I can’t help but let out a soft laugh when Callie looks up at my aunt with a deep frown but then lets out another yawn and sways to the side.
“Your Aunt Jaycee can read the book to you after you get tucked in,” Aunt Paige tells Callie as she gets up and walks over to the dresser and pulls out a lacy yellow gown. She grabs a beautiful brass hairbrush from the top and starts back over to the bed.
Abigail and I both laugh as Callie throws her hands up and then flops back on the bed. After a second, she rolls over on her tummy and I hear manic laughing from her as she buries her face in the bed. I’m not sure she can breathe but she's laughing so I guess she’s okay.
I hear a deep laugh from the door and look up to see my Uncle Brock standing there smiling.
“It’s time?” he asks.
“Oh, yeah.” Aunt Paige laughs.
I hear another muffled manic giggle come from Callie, her face still buried in the covers and her little body shaking from her giggles. Abigail and I burst out laughing.
As Uncle Brock walks in the room, Abigail and I leave to wait in the loft. Nick and Max are sitting there talking so we make our way to them. Nick stands and helps Abigail over to the chaise and holds her as she sits down and then sits next to her.
When I sit next to Max, he drops his arm around my shoulder and pulls me to him and kisses my temple.
“She’s a doll, Max.” I say softly.
“Yeah,” he says simply, kisses my head again. I relax against his chest and listen to Nick and him talk about cars until Aunt Paige pokes her head back out of the door and looks over to us.
“She ready and she’s not going to last long.” she says and ducks back into the room.
Nick helps Abigail walk back over to the room, and we peer into the room from the doorway. Uncle Brock leans down and gives Callie a kiss on her nose; she twitches it and rubs it. Again, she lets out a quick manic giggle but it quickly become another yawn.
Nick reaches her side and grabs her hand and starts giving it a formal shake. “It was nice to meet you, little lady.” He leans down and kisses her hand. “It really was a pleasure, Callie. Until next time.”
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