Dancing in Lies

Epilogue

Kaylie

2 years later

It was a few months after our graduation, six months to be exact. A master's in Business and, ironically, a minor in Dance.

Cal and I had officially decided to move in together and aside from the doubts and new jobs, we were actually excited to step into the new world and have a fresh start together.

It was nearly a couple days after Christmas time and my family hadn't helped Cal and I take down all the decorations even though they were over for the holidays.

"Kayles," Mom called, "your brothers and I woke up late. We're almost late for check in."

"Why don't you guys just live in Massachusetts?" I asked, sadly. "It'd be easier on all of us."

She gave me a sad smile. "You know why, sweetie."

I nodded. "Call me when you guys land, okay?  You're gonna miss your cab."

Mom and my big brothers all gave me tight hugs and bid their farewells until my next visit to Ohio in a few months time. Being the girl I am, I felt the tears well up a little when I saw their figures grow smaller and smaller, and watched their cab leave for the airport.

Cal rubbed my back as I closed the door. "We'll be okay for a few months," he told me, kissing the top of my head. "C'mon, I made your favorite to cheer you up."

We head over to the couch and sat down as the mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows came into view, making a small smile grow on my face. "You're always know how to make me smile at the smallest things, don't you Cal?" I asked, leaning my head on his shoulder.

I felt him lightly chuckle as he rested his head on top of mine. "I try."

"Why can't it be Christmas everyday?" I huffed. "That way I'd still get to be with you and my family all at the same time."

"I'm sure we'd get bored of it after a couple days, Babe." Cal laughed. "Your family knows no bounds when it comes to us."

"That's what you get for dating a Casilla girl." I joked.

"It's been worth the last four years or so." He shrugged. "I can and will never get tired of you."

I smiled. "Can we keep the decorations up a little longer? I know we took down all the stuff outside, but I tried so hard with the tree and the stockings and all."

"Well, think of it this way. If we don't take these down now, then we'll keep postponing and before we know if, there'll probably be Christmas in July."

I laughed and nudged Cal as I stood up. "I guess you're right."

"I'll help out in a bit. The dishes won't wash themselves now, will they?"

"That's what the dishwasher's for." I commented as I took the stockings and garland down.

After a while, I'd finished taking down all the stuff from the fireplace and started carefully grabbing ornaments from the Christmas tree. I started from the bottom and worked my way up towards the top when I took down a slightly heavier, velvety looking ornament by the star.

"Cal, what's this?" I asked in confusion.

My boyfriend just leaned against the wall and crossed his arms while a smile threatened to show. "You'll see," he announced.

I looked back at the ornament and examined it, still confused as to what was going on. Footsteps came closer to me and Cal's arms snaked around my waist as he rested his head on my shoulder and watched me warily open the mysterious ornament.

A small gasp came out of my mouth once I saw what the silver Christmas really was and what it contained inside of it.

"You don't know how long I've been waiting for you take down everything," he whispered happily. "I was almost worried you'd never find it."

"Cal..." I was at a loss for words as my eyes kept staring at the shiny diamond ring in my hand.

Cal turned me around, taking the ring out of the ornament in the process. He knelt down on one knee and looked up at me while raised the ring up in sight and took a hold of my left hand.

"I said I'd get you the real diamond ring you deserved and I think this time, we're actually ready to start whole new chapter in our lives."

This was really happening, I thought to myself, my heart racing and melting at the sight of Cal down on his one knee, looking up and smiling at me.

"I know Kaylie," he continued. "I know it won't be easy and I can't promise you all of my goodness, but I can promise that I'll treat you better and better because that's why you deserve. I promise to be grateful for everything you do and I thank God that I get to see your beautiful face every morning and every night.

"And, as cheesy as it is, I know I'd love to have the opportunity to keep waking up to your wonderful smile and voice and eyes. And I'd love it even more if you said 'yes' to marrying my annoying and stubborn self."

Tears welled up in my eyes at the cheesy speech Cal gave that melted my heart.

A big smile made its way to my face as I felt the tears start to roll down my cheeks. "I'm very much content with having you in my sight every morning I wake up and every night before I go to bed, but of course I'm happier with the fact that this ring would be one step closer to calling you 'mine.'" I said.

Cal chuckled and his smile widened. "So, Kaylie Marie, is that your way if saying 'yes' to marrying me?"

"I'd be stupid to say 'no,' Cal." I bit my lip.

He gingerly moved the promise ring onto my middle finger and slipped the engagement ring on my ring finger. Then he stood up and wiped my cheeks clear of tears before he leaned down and kissed me.

"I love you," Cal stated as he rested his forehead on mine. "More than you'll ever know."

I smiled. "I love you and I wouldn't have it any other way, Calvin Austin."

--

August 10, 2021

Today marks the day I did something I never thought would happen to me in any lifetime.

I got married to someone who made me feel happier than I ever could have been.

I'm so lucky.

Goodbye Kaylie Casilla,

Hello Kaylie Austin. xo