Changes

Soon enough it was December and Callee and I were doing great. She was working a lot of hours and the season was busy, but we spent every night we could together, practicing safe sex. No babies for me yet. That was my only rule. I was just getting used to having to answer to someone besides myself, I didn’t need someone depending on me with their life.

We were out enjoying life on off days, hitting concerts and bars, friend’s houses and other sporting events. The Penguins had even came to town again and her and Jordan spoke and everything was good, relieving one stress from my mind. I had already scored twelve goals this season and was on pace to score about twenty-five goals if I kept it up. It would be the best season I ever had.

I owed a lot of it to her. We ran together every day I was home, went out a lot to entertain ourselves, but kept the drinking to a minimum and in general relaxed a lot. I was more laid back with her. Even my Mama had noticed. She tortured me endlessly about bringing her home. We had promised to spend Christmas Eve with her Dad and Christmas day with my mom, flying back to Philly early on the 26th.

We spent the next week shopping for family and each other. I was kind of up in the air with what I could purchase for her. She wasn’t too much into jewelry which was rough for me. I didn’t really know what she wanted.

I asked a lot of the guys what they were buying. Most of them had kids. Andrej told me a house in Slovakia for Dani and I about hit the floor. “Ok, you have a bigger contract. I need something more reasonable bro.”

He laughed and suggested a dog. I wasn’t sure about how her apartment was but I decided to look into it. That would at least be one gift. I had another gift for her at my mom’s already. I had no idea. Danny, Andrej and I went out and went crazy buying lingerie, lotion, oils, perfumes and all kinds of kinky shit. We figured at least we would have fun with those gifts. I bought her some clothes as well. It was easy enough to find out her size, we basically lived together.

We landed in Montreal early on Christmas Eve. Callee looked like a little kid as we exited the airport, eyes wide open staring at all of the lights. I was a little nervous, her dad was picking us up from the airport and we were going to spend all day with him before going to my mom’s late tonight. I saw a smile creep on to her face as she looked towards a SUV that had just pulled up.

A guy no more than fifty got out of the SUV and wrapped her in his arms. “Hi pumpkin I missed you. Merry Christmas baby girl.” He said as he hugged her tightly.

She broke the hold. “Daddy, this is Maxime, my boyfriend. Maxime, this is my Daddy Shawn. ”

He laughed. “I think I know who he is Cal. Nice to meet you Max. You had a really nice few months so far.” I shook his hand and thanked him. I still was nervous. I knew he would eventually question me about where this was all leading.

We got back to her Dad’s place and he had some food out for lunch. He lived by himself. The place was small, but nice. He even had it decorated for the holiday, a small tree in the corner, surrounded by presents. “So Cal, we obviously know how Max’s work is going, how are you doing with work?” he asked her and Callee’s face lit up.

“Doing great, they just fired one of the Doctors that I hated so I am happy. I’m working four days each week, twelve hour shifts.”

Her Dad smiled at her and I laughed. “Wow, you two have the same smile. It is kind of funny.”

We sat around talking for a while then Callee announced she was going to cook dinner. Her dad had pretty much everything to cook the dinner, except dessert. She sent us out the door for some, which was an excuse to get us talking alone.

As soon as we got outside, he looked at me seriously. “So do you love her Max?”

I looked over at him. “Yeah, I was actually going to talk to you about that. I know we just met, but I want to ask her to marry me. I know its quick and everything, but she makes me happy.

Shawn shook my hand. “She’s happy, I’m happy Max. She’s not happy, you better run.” He said and then laughed. “That’s my baby girl. I’m not close to Amanda like I am to Callee. Callee definitely is Daddy’s little girl. She has me completely wrapped around her finger, yet she asks for nothing from me. She is humble and kind and compassionate. She is truly everything her mom and I hoped our children would be. She deserves a happy life and if you can give it to her, I will give you my blessing. I can see how happy she is.”

We finally had reached the bakery and went in a bought a cake. We headed back to the house, butterflies erupting in my stomach. I knew it was a done deal now. I was going to ask her, I just needed to find the perfect time.

We went back and watched basketball while the ham cooked and Callee flitted around the kitchen. We ate dinner and then went back to the living room to open gifts. She got her dad all kinds of practical crap, such a girl. I got him a new fishing rod and we had picked out new golf clubs which he loved. He had given us various things, tickets to different events around Philly and here in Montreal, gift cards for restaurants and such. We sat for a little longer and then got up to leave, promising him we would stop back by tomorrow after dinner and stay overnight since he was taking us to the airport.

He lent us his car and I drove to my mom’s, stomach doing somersaults. I knew the ring was there, sitting in my childhood bedroom. I had my brother pick it up from a jeweler I knew in Montreal, after several email exchanges regarding what I wanted. It was a beautiful ring and had cost me a fortune, but it was a small price to pay for her.

My mom did not knew yet. I made sure my brothers didn’t tell her. She was going to be so happy. It only took about ten minutes from her dad’s house to my mom’s house. My mom was the only one there when we arrived. She came running out of the house and wrapped us both up in huge hugs. “Hi, Callee. I am so happy you are here. Maxime, she is beautiful son. I am so happy for you two. I tell all of my friends about my Max and his beautiful girlfriend. So smart she is a nurse right.“

Max laughed. “Maman, relax. We are here all day tomorrow. I told you, she speaks French fluently so you can talk to her as much as you want.” My mom and Callee sat in the living room and talked.

I snuck into the bedroom to check out the ring. It was stunning, for lack of a better word. She wasn’t flashy, but I was and I wanted people to notice it. It had a three and a half carat center stone and smaller diamonds covering the entire circumference. It looked amazing in the box and I couldn’t wait to give it to her.

I sat on the edge of my childhood bed and looked around the room. So many pictures, awards and memories were all piled into this room. It felt weird thinking I was finally about to grow up, have my own family. It was scary, yet exciting in a whole new unfamiliar way. Watching the other families on my team made me want to marry her even more. Even through the tough times, they loved each other. It was something amazing to see. I finally snapped out of it and went back into the living room with my two girls.

I sat down next to her and listened to her tell my mom about her job. My mom got up and gave her another hug. “My son is so lucky. You are good girl.” She said.

Close to midnight, my mom finally relented. “You two should go to sleep. Its late.”

I nodded and gave my mom a kiss. “Night Maman, love you.”

Callee and I walked into my bedroom and she giggled. “Ok Max, really, we are gonna sleep in a single bed. You are gonna squash me. “

I pulled her tighter to me. “Merry Christmas baby. I love you.” I said, softly in her ear.

We put the blankets on the floor and made love for hours, slowly, finally stopping when the sun began to rise and come through the windows. She fell asleep soundly and I took the chain of my neck and slid her ring onto it, quietly fastening it around her neck. I pulled her tight to my body and started to fall asleep, my head leaning against her.

Notes