He already has a watch he really likes that's fairly new. He doesn't really change his wardrobe, and, given his size, sometimes he needs to special order clothing to fit around his shoulders and chest. I had briefly considered maybe a piece of jewelry, but I never see him wear any—not that I haven't pictured a nice gold band on his left ring finger once or twice.
I wanted to get him something he could look at every day and something personal, because I knew he would appreciate it more than anything store-bought.
After scouring the web for ideas and asking the girls in thebook club, April sent me a link to her friend's website. She creates personalized little book nook inserts you can place on bookshelves.
When I saw the pictures, I was sold and spent hours designing it, adding personal touches that reflect our relationship. I was able to make it look like a small replica of the store—the place where we first met, the safe haven where I found my home.
There are two little otters sitting on the little couch, a painting of a Ferris wheel on the wall, a sign that readsEver After Always,and she even added a little stuffed gray cat in the corner when I sent pictures of the store and Plot to her. The shelves are stocked with miniature copies of our favourite books, and the lighting components give the entire thing a warm glow.
"It's... this is incredible," Callum says, turning to me with glassy eyes. He gently places it on the coffee table as if it were precious, then cups my face and presses his lips to mine. "This is the best gift I've ever received... well, aside from your heart. Thank you, sweet girl."
"You're welcome," I smile against his lips, kissing him once more. Maeve walks back into the room, handing me and Callum cups of steaming hot chocolate. I smile at her in thanks, and she bends to kiss my head, maternal affection bleeding through the action.
"You are quite the gift-giver, my dove," Maeve says, practically floating over to her armchair and picking up the tarot deck I had made for her from the coffee table. I had found a legitimate website online that custom-made tarot decks—not one of those fake witchy scammer websites—but an actual Wiccan. The cards are thick and sturdy, made from wood with the design burnt in and painted. The deck is more astrological themed, since Maeve feels so connected to the sun and the moon.
Hers was the first present opened, and the look on her faceis something I'll always remember. The way her brown eyes, which match the ones I love so dearly, filled with tears, and she hugged me fiercely. Her phone buzzes from next to her, catching her attention and causing her and Callum to share a rather conspiratorial glance.
"Here?" Callum asks, and Maeve nods, quickly typing something back before standing and disappearing out the front door.
Narrowing my eyes in suspicion, I ask him, "What'shere?"
"A present for you," he informs me, a large Grinch-like grin growing on his face.
"Callum," I groan, reaching my arm out and pointing to my wrist where my Christmas present lies beautifully. Callum bought me a bracelet with a delicate gold chain and a matching charm that made me cry when I opened it—two little otters holding hands, a hiddenSandCon their bellies. "This is more than enough—it's perfect, I don't need anything else."
"You needthis," he quips, voice low as he kisses me once before pulling us both to our feet. He turns me to face the door, his massive palms coming up to cover my eyes, chuckling when I huff.
Two sets of footsteps walk into the apartment.
"Hey, Soph," a familiar voice says, causing my heart to stutter in my chest like it misses a beat entirely. Callum drops his hands, and my eyes pop open to see the smiling figure in the doorway, snowflakes melting into her hair.
"Oh, my God," I gasp. In two strides, my sister is standing in front of me, arms open, and I throw myself in them. "Tess!"
I dissolve into tears the second she wraps me in her strong arms, and I smell the familiar scent of my sister. She's not in her BDUs; she's dressed in her civilian clothes—hoodie, winter vest, and jeans, thick boots on her feet to protect against the snow. Her hair is pulled up into a messy bun, with a couple ofstrands escaping around her face. She looks like she's glowing with happiness, and I can't believe she's standing in front of me. I haven't seen her in person in over a year, this person who, at one point, was all I had.
Now I get to show her the life I've built, the family I've built, and enfold her in that family easily.
"I missed you," Tess says, her voice choking up as she squeezes me and presses a kiss to the side of my head.
"I missedyou," I say, pulling back to look at her. "How are you here? I thought you said February!"
"I did. But my boss lost his mom to breast cancer, so he's a bit of a softie. He bumped my paperwork through. I'm outprocessing at Devens, so..." She shrugs, attempting nonchalance and failing miserably because her smile is wide and bright enough to outshine the Christmas lights on the tree. "I'll be staying in Starling Cove."
The news is like a shot of adrenaline.My sister is home. For good. Staying here.
I open my mouth, a million questions stampeding through my mind, but the one I land on is, "When did you get in?"
"Two weeks—"
"Two weeks?!" I cut her off, my voice jumping an octave. "Why didn't you tell me? Have you been at the base?"
"No, I've been at your apartment," she laughs, glancing over to Callum with the tiniest smirk. "Since you've been staying here. I've been staying there to quarantine. I wanted to make sure I didn't catch anything in Germany, or on the way home, or at the goddamn airport—God knows that place is fucking ground zero for germs, especially now. Oh, sorry—" Tess winces, remembering she's with company and that her mouth has no filter when her guard is down.
"Don't worry about it," Maeve says, waving off her apology. "Are you hungry? Do you want coffee?"
"Yes, ma'am," Tess nods politely to Maeve, her tone full of respect and her posture straight like she's in front of a superior.
"Just Maeve," she smiles as she links her arm through my sister's and guides her toward the kitchen. "Ma'am makes me feel too old."
