Chapter 59
Calida
The house was alive with activity. Shawn was eating up the attention he was getting from Malcolm’s nieces. His nephews were arguing over who got to play on his Playstation next. Cooking for a large group had me a little out of my comfort zone, but per Frankel family code, new house meant you hosted the holidays. So, they were all here for Thanksgiving, and the whole clan would also be back for Christmas before we fell into the rotation.
“Malcolm tells me you got several offers on your house.”
I looked over at Momma D, who was pulling her delicious smelling red velvet cupcakes from the oven. “Yes, but I’ve not decided which to counter just yet. I have til Monday to decide.”
It’d only been on the market for about two weeks before I got four offers. I’d been surprised things happened so fast. I’d decided to sell it furnished if the buyers wanted the stuff. Otherwise, I’d do an estate sell. The only thing I’d kept had been Seth’s piano. It’d been moved into storage until I figured out what to do with it. The idea of selling it felt wrong, and I’d been worried Malcolm would be upset with me over that, but he wasn’t.
“Once it’s sold, that’ll be the last piece to close out that chapter of your life?”
I looked over at Mal, who sat on the floor while his youngest niece braided his dreads. I shook my head. “I don’t know if that chapter will ever be complete, but a much happier one is being written.”
She gave me a hug. “I can understand that.”
The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Macy said.
From the greetings, I could tell my parents had arrived, with Dorian in tow. They all came in carrying dishes, even though I’d told Mom she didn’t need to cook. I should have known she wouldn’t listen.
“Glad you came, Dorian.”
“Of course. I moved here to be closer to family, so I guess it means I need to actually spend some time with everyone.”
“Yes, well, glad you could pencil us in. There’s wine if we get to be too much for you.”
Mal walked over, stepped up behind me, and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Smelling good. When do we eat?”
“Soon. And the bows are a good look for you.”
Just as I said it, Macy snapped a picture with her phone. “Blackmail for later.”
He flipped his hair over his shoulders in dramatic fashion. “Psh, blackmail? I look fabulous bows and all.”
This is how holidays should be; good times with family. If only the nerves in the pit of my stomach would go away. They only intensified when Malcolm would get close to me, or hell, even look in my direction. I picked up my wine glass and took a sip. I could get through this.
Dinner ready. Mom and Momma D helped me get the dining room all set for its inaugural use. I looked around the table. A sense of happy bliss filled me seeing it packed with all of his family. It’d been awhile since all his siblings were together. It was crazy and noisy, but everyone was laughing and having a great time. I knew Mom and Dad wouldn’t miss out, but Dorian’s acceptance of the invitation shocked me. Her pleasant behavior was even more shocking. She and Macy were even managing to be civil to each other. That was something to truly be thankful for.
Malcolm reached over and took ahold of my hand. “You okay?”
I nodded and gave a weak smile. The look he gave told me he wasn’t sure if he believed me or not. Damn nerves. I’d thought this through. It had been all I could think about for the last few days, but now I felt sick to my stomach. I took a deep breath before finishing off the wine in my glass.
“What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting kind of off all day.”
Macy looked over at us when she heard his comment. “I’m sure trying to organize all this wasn’t easy, and I don’t recall you doing anything other than sneaking tastes.”
Malcolm flipped her the bird. Momma D looked over, frowning at both of them. They both pointed to each other, trying to put the blame on the other one. They’d never change, not that I wanted them to.
Malcolm and Macy gave me a strange look when I pushed my chair back and stood. My stomach did flips. I hated being center of attention.
“Excuse me. I just need a moment.”
The chatter died down, and all eyes were on me. Shit this was a bad idea.
“I, um, I wanted to say thank you for coming. It really means a lot that you guys are all here to share the first holiday with us in the new house.” I played with the ring on my finger, taking it on and off. Twirling it around. I could do this. “With you all here, this seems like as good a time as any to let you all know that Malcolm and I are getting married.” I transferred the ring from my right hand to the left, before stealing a nervous glance at Malcolm.
A flurry of questions and congrats rang out. Malcolm and I continued to stare at each other. I gave a shrug. He laughed.
“I can’t believe you kept this secret from me. When did he ask you?” Macy asked.
He continued to look at me as he answered Macy’s question. “I didn’t.”
The excited talks turned to confused murmurs.
“I don’t understand. What’s happening?” This time it was Mom who spoke.
Malcolm stood, reaching out for my left hand. His thumb ran across the ring he’d given me months ago. Everyone else faded away. Their questions went unanswered. In that moment, there was only us.
“Are you serious right now?”
I nodded. “When a girl knows what she wants, she goes for it.”
“This is so sudden. I...man, am I ready for this step?”
I frowned, suddenly worried I’d just made a huge fool of myself. That was until a huge smile spread across his face. He slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. His lips covered mine, and I was lost in him until I heard a long drawn-out “ew” from one of his nieces. Everyone started laughing, and claps rang out.
“So, that’s a yes then?”
“Hell yeah. Are we hopping a plane to Vegas later?”
“Hell no, you’re not,” Macy answered for me.
“I think we’d have to go into witness protection if we tried.”
“Sounds like it,” he agreed.
Everyone got up to give us hugs and congratulations. Dorian stood and came over to me. She stood there for a moment and I hoped she wouldn’t ruin this. To my surprise, she hugged me.
“I’m happy for you. You deserve this.”
Hearing her say those words made me emotional. “Look at you, still finding ways to make me cry.”
“It’s what I do best.”
She pulled away, and it almost looked as if she was close to tears herself. All the nerves faded away.
When I sat back down, Mal reached over to take my hand, and brought it up to his lips.
“We can go ring shopping whenever you want.”
“Why? I have a ring.” I glanced down at the infinity ring he’d given me. It looked at home on my left hand.
“Really? You don’t want something different? A traditional engagement ring?”
I shook my head. “This one’s perfect. The words you said to me when you gave it to me. The deep meaning behind those words. Why would I want something else?”
He kissed the top of the ring. “Long as you’re happy.”
“Always, long as I’m with you.”
There wasn’t any more over-thinking or second-guessing of my choices. Being with Malcolm, agreeing to this relationship, was the best decision I could’ve made, even if I hadn’t known it at the time. He was everything I’d ever wanted.