Callie took the first gift and handed it to Frank. "I hope you like it."

Frank opened the gift and found a CD he had wanted. "Thank you, Callie."

"You’re welcome."

Frank handed Callie her first gift, which turned out to be a bottle of her favorite perfume. "Thank you, Frank."

Frank smiled. "You’re welcome."

They continued exchanging gifts where Frank got some more music and a couple computer programs he had been looking to purchase. Callie had received a couple books she had talked to Frank about and a royal blue sweater that Laura had assured him would look perfect on Callie.

"This one is for you," Frank said handing Callie a small box wrapped in red and white paper. He watched intently as she slowly slit the tape on the ends and pulled the box out. She opened the box and let out a gasp at what was inside: a heart-shaped charm.

"This is beautiful," Callie said.

"I thought you could add this to your charm bracelet."

"There’s an inscription," Callie said and read it aloud. "I love you, Frank." She looked him in the eye and a moment later she gave him a kiss. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

"This is for you," Callie said handing Frank a large box wrapped in green paper.

Frank set the box on the floor in front of him and pulled the paper off. He lifted the lid off the box and was stunned. Inside was a black suede jacket. He touched the material and realized how soft it was.

"I know how often you and Joe have to go undercover and I thought this could help."

"Callie, this is amazing." He looked at her. "But this must have cost a mint."

"Don’t worry about it," Callie said. "Put it on. Let me see how it looks."

Frank pulled the jacket out and slid it over his arms. He smoothed the jacket down, then looked at Callie. "Well?"

"You look as handsome as I thought you would."

"Thank you." Frank leaned over and gave her a kiss.

"You’re welcome," Callie replied. "And I thank you for my gifts. They were perfect."

"I’m glad," Frank said.

"Well, we might as well clean this up before your mother gets home," Callie said shifting to her knees and collecting the wrapping paper. "We don’t want to leave her a mess."

"You’re right."

Frank slid his jacket off and set it on the back of the chair before helping Callie pick up the papers. Once the papers were in the garbage, Frank took a breath knowing the time had come.

As they made their way back into the living room, Frank took Callie’s hand and led her over to the recliner. She sat down in the chair as Frank kneeled in front of her.

"Frank?"

"I have something else for you." Frank took her hands in his.

"Frank," Callie said.

"Callie, let me get this out." She nodded and he continued. "Callie, you and I have been together for seven years and each day I have been grateful to have you as my friend and girlfriend. We have had a lot of good times and some bad and our relationship has grown stronger with time. We even made it last while we’ve been in college. And I was hoping we could take this relationship to the next level." Frank reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet box. He looked Callie in the eye. "Callie, I love you so much and was hoping you would be my wife." He opened the box revealing a diamond solitaire ring. "Callie, will you marry me?"

Frank saw tears forming in her eyes and stream down her cheeks, and for a moment, he thought he shouldn’t have asked her. But the concern was gone when she said, "Yes, Frank. Yes. I will marry you."

Callie quickly kissed him. When they broke apart, Frank took the ring with shaking fingers and slid it on Callie’s ring finger on her left hand. "I love you, Callie."

"I love you, Frank." They kissed again.

A door slamming and feet stomping in the hallway interrupted their kiss. "There you are."

Callie and Frank turned toward the entrance to the living room and saw Joe and Vanessa standing there. Frank asked, "What are you two doing here?"

"We thought we’d see how your quiet little party was," Joe said.

"It does seem quiet," Vanessa admitted. "Callie? Are you crying?"

Frank looked at Callie and saw tears were still streaming down her cheeks. Frank cupped her face in his hand and wiped the tears away with his thumb knowing the tears were for happiness.

"Did something happen?" Joe asked.

Frank looked at Joe. "Nothing happened. Everything is fine."

"Then why is Callie crying?" Joe asked.

"I’m all right," Callie said lifting her left hand and wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Callie!" Vanessa shrieked. "Is that?" Callie nodded her head, her smile getting bigger.

"What?" Joe asked. "What am I missing?"

Frank watched Vanessa hurry into the room and hug Callie. He could see the same happy tears on Vanessa’s face. Vanessa said, "Oh, Callie. This is so wonderful."

"Hold it," Joe said. "What is so wonderful?"

"May I?" Callie asked after releasing her hold on Vanessa.

Frank smiled. "Go ahead."

Callie stood up and moved over to Joe. Frank couldn’t wait to see how she told Joe. "Do you really want to know, Joe?"

"I’m not going to beg to find out," Joe stated angrily. "It looks like the three of you are in on it and if you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine." Joe moved over to the couch and sat down in a huff.

"Joe, just listen," Vanessa said.

"Joe," Callie said. "Vanessa figured it out with one look."

"So, what is it?" Joe asked.

"What is what, brother-in-law?" Callie smiled.

"I’m not your brother-in-law," Joe said. "The only way I’d be your brother-in-law is if you and Frank got married, but that’s not happening."

"Yes it is," Frank said.

"No, it isn’t," Joe said.

"Yes, it is," Callie said. "I’ll soon be your sister-in-law." Callie held out her left hand with the ring in front of Joe. "Frank proposed and I said yes."

Frank watched his brother turn his gaze on him. Joe said, "You never let on this was something you were planning."

"Sorry, Joe. But I wanted it to be a surprise," Frank said. "Are you really mad?"

Joe shook his head as he got to his feet and moved toward Frank. He clasped a hand on his older brother’s shoulder. "I’m not mad. I’m happy for both of you." Joe looked at Callie. "And I can’t wait for Callie to become my sister-in-law."

"Really?" Callie asked.

"Really. This way I can treat her like a real sister," Joe said with a sly smile as Callie came toward them. He gave Callie a hug. "Welcome to the family."

After the hugs, Vanessa said, "Come on, Joe. Let’s get out of here so Frank and Callie can enjoy the night."

"We can’t go yet," Joe said. "I want to be here when they tell Mom and Dad."

"Why don’t we go downstairs and watch a movie," Vanessa suggested. "That way, Callie and Frank have some quiet and we’ll be here when your parents get home."

"Fine," Joe said. "But don’t say anything without us."

"Just go," Frank said with a laugh.

Joe smiled. "All right."

Once Joe and Vanessa were gone, Frank wrapped his arms around Callie’s waist and pulled her close. She clasped her hands behind his neck.

Frank said, "I love you, Callie Shaw."

"I love you, Frank Hardy, and I can’t wait for the day to become your wife."

"I can’t wait to become your husband."

They leaned toward each other and their lips met. They knew it was just the beginning of their lives together.

THE END