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He walks out into the kitchen, allowing me a few moments to prepare. Twisting my hair up in a bun, I have a quick rinse before searching my closet. I settle on a simple blue dress and sweater, as it’s a bit chilly.
He’s been so lovely—I swipe on a bit of makeup. I hear him putting the kettle on. I’m ready in ten minutes, but I spend a few extra moments stopping to stare at the ring. It is beautiful. Mam would love to see it. A tear pops up in the corner of my eye. I press it away.
Today is for happiness.
Callum’s not in the living room.
“Callum?” I call out.
The front door is wide open. “Out here!”
I step outside the front door to find him standing on the wide expanse of my front yard. The sun hangs heavy in the sky, just about ready to retire for the day. He hands me a mug with tea. “Milk and two sugars.”
“Thanks.” I take a grateful sip. “What have you got up your sleeve, Callum Burnes? Why are we outside?”
“For that.” I follow Callum’s gaze to where it rests, across the way in the Baynes’ field. I have to step around him to get a better look.
There’s a massive, bright-pink hot air balloon, its basket hovering over the ground.
“Is that for us?”
“Aye. I’ve heard through the grapevine you admired the ones we had at the party last year. Those remained tethered to the ground, being nighttime and all. This one, though, will carry us all over our wee island.”
"I can't believe we're getting married," I breathe. “And we’re going on a hot air balloon ride!”
Callum chuckles and tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Believe it or not, I hate heights," he says with a teasing gleam in his eye.
I laugh along with him, feeling more at ease now that the tension has been broken. "I’ll take care of you, my big bad beast.”
“You’re the one who unleashes the beast in me.” He gives me a devilish smile. "Just wait until our wedding night."
“Callum,” I chide.
Eager to begin the experience, I leave the mug on the front stoop. We hurry over to the grazing field, hand in hand, as the pink hot air balloon slowly descends from the sky. I can't believe my eyes; it's like something from one of my sweet romance novels.
"Is this even real?" I ask, still in shock.
“Aye.” Callum chuckles. "As real as it gets, love."
Before I know it, we're climbing into the balloon basket and taking off. The view is breathtaking, and I can't help but feel like we're floating in our own little world.
The massive man beside me clings to my hand like a child.
Only further solidifying the fact that he would do anything for me. Here he is, terrified, yet sailing above the earth in a hot air balloon. A bright-pink one, no less.
We glide over the lush greenery of the Scottish island, the vibrant shades of emerald grass and moss-covered rocks blending seamlessly below us. The sea spreads like a vast, shining sapphire, the waves gently caressing the rugged coastline of jagged cliffs and hidden coves.
A flock of sea birds takes flight, their wings catching the sunlight and casting shimmering reflections on the water's surface. As we drift higher, the clouds form a soft pillow beneath us. The air is crisp and clean, carrying the scent of wildflowers and salty sea spray.
We pass the Kings Castle, a renovated cathedral of gray stone. The fenced-in fields where Bayne keeps his horses, the Romani Cob, amongst the grass. Kitt and Bayne’s white, Scandinavian-style home, Bayne’s red Toyota truck parked in the drive.
Two figures stand in the yard, waving at us.
“It’s Bayne and Kitt!” I peer safely over the edge of the basket. “Did you tell them to be outside, or is this a coincidence?”
“I may have made a call.” Grabbing my waist, he pulls me back. “I told them I hoped we’d be flying over in a bright-pink hot air balloon,” he says, touching the diamond on my finger. “If ye’d said yes.”
"I can't believe you did all this for me," I say, turning to face Callum with a wide smile on my face.
