“They’re not exactly going to announce their intentions to rape and murder you,” I say, still scowling at her.
She giggles. “If you’d seen them, you’d understand why that’s so funny,” she says. “Oh, wait a second.” She rummages through her bag until she comes across her phone.
“I thought you lost that,” I say suspiciously.
She flushes. “I thought I had, but it was in my bag all along.” She hands me her phone. I look at the photo of her and two scrawny guys who don’t look much older than twelve. Despite myself, I chuckle because I’m sure she could outmuscle them both at the same time. I roll my eyes. Only Kayla could get away with something like this.
Well, and maybe Ben.
“Anyway, how did you get home?” she asks.
“Ben,” I say, my heart racing at the sound of his name. Kayla stares at me, then breaks into a smile.
“Something… happened?” she asks, raising one eyebrow.
I laugh. “A lot happened,” I admit. I fill her in, right from when he arrived in Vegas, to Thursday night when he overheard Rory talking about him. Kayla shakes her head in dismay.
“I can’t believe how much I’ve missed while I’ve been gone,” she says. “So, where are you now? Have you seen him since the pool house incident?”
I nod. “He took me out for tacos on Thursday night.”
“And what happens after you go back?” she asks.
“I don’t know,” I admit with a shrug, an empty feeling filling my stomach. “We haven’t gotten to that point yet.”
Kayla hangs around for a while, until I have to make my excuses to get myself ready for the concert.
“I can’t believe you didn’t get me a ticket,” she grumbles.
“Sorry, I had other things on my mind. Like my brother proposing,” I say, laughing. “If I don’t see you before I go, I’ll call you, okay?” I say, hugging her tight.
“You’d better,” she says, frowning at me. “Do you really have to go home? Stay here with me... and Ben,” she adds, reluctantly.
I laugh. “I wish I could, but I have to go.”
“Hey, where’s the wedding going to be?” she asks.
“I’m not sure, probably Ireland. Why?” I ask. “Will you come back for it?”
“While there’s still a chance he’ll realize I’m the one he wants? Hell, yeah,” she grins. I narrow my eyes at her. “What?” she protests. “I’m kidding.”
I walk Kayla out to her car then call Rory to see what they’re up to. I’m a little concerned neither of them are back yet. I glance at my phone, since it’s getting late. If they’re much longer, we’ll all miss the concert.
“I was just about to call you,” he says.
“What's going on?” I ask, picking up on how stressed he sounds. “Where are you?”
“There’s been a change of plans,” he mumbles. “Amelia’s not coming to the concert.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“Uh, because she’s in hospital?” he says, his voice charged with emotion.
“What?” I say, my heart jumping into my throat. “What's going on?” I ask. “Is she okay?”
“I’ll explain later. Can you get here, Siobhan?” he asks.
“Yeah, of course I can, but tell me what's going on,” I demand.
“Shit, the doctor’s back. Look, just call Ben and get him to drive you in, okay? I'll see you soon. I’ve got to go.” He hangs up before I can get any answers out of him.
I call Ben, all the worst-case scenarios running through my head on a loop. What if it wasn't food poisoning, after all? What if she’s really ill? I take a deep breath, feeling a little sick, and anxious at the same time.
“Hey,” he says, sounding pleased to hear from me.
“Ben. Listen, Amelia’s in the hospital. Can you come and pick me up and take me in?” I plead.
“Sure. Of course. Is she okay?” he asks, sounding concerned.
“I don’t know,” I say, frustrated. “Rory had to hang up before he could tell me. Sounds serious though. I’m so worried for them.” I'm driving myself crazy. I know I need to calm down, not for my own sake, but for theirs. If something’s wrong, they don’t need me falling apart.
“I'll be over in a few minutes,” he assures me.
“Thanks, and drive safe,” I whisper.
I pace up and down the lounge, anxiously waiting for Ben to arrive. Ten minutes later, he's tooting the horn out front. I quickly grab my bag and walk out. He smiles at me as I get in his car, his eyes sympathetic.
“You haven't heard anymore, I guess?” he asks gently.
I shake my head. “I'm so worried,” I say. “I mean, why wouldn't he tell me what's going on over the phone, unless it’s bad news?”
“That’s not necessarily true,” he argues. “It could be that they don’t have any answers yet.”
I frown. I guess that could be true, but it doesn’t make me any less anxious the whole drive there. The ten-minute trip feels like it’s taking forever, and I sigh when we finally pull into the parking lot. We both get out, Ben takes my hand and we race inside. I try calling Rory, but there's no answer, so I text him, asking where we go. When I don't get an immediate reply, the impatient side of me stalks over to the information desk to ask.
“Fourth floor, room ten,” the woman says kindly.
We thank her then I run toward the elevator with Ben right behind me. We get out on the fourth floor, but before I can race down the corridor, Ben turns me around. I stare at him in surprise as he looks deep into my eyes and puts his hands on my shoulders.
“Calm down, Siobhan. Take a minute to breathe before you go in there,” he says. I know he’s right. I’m so worked up. I nod and close my eyes for a moment, taking deep breaths. In and out. “Good,” he murmurs.
“Thanks,” I say, smiling at him.
He puts out his hand, and I take it, loving the feel of his fingers entwining with mine. Just as we reach the room, my phone rings, but I’m in no mood to take calls, so I reject it and then shove it in my pocket.
I glance at Ben before knocking gently on the door, my heart racing as I try to figure out what news awaits us on the other side.
“Come in.” I push the door open.
“Hey,” Rory says, looking pleased to see us. I frown, as I look from him to Amelia. They’re both smiling. Like a lot. What is going on with them? Are they tripping out?
“I just tried calling you,” he says.
“Oh, I didn't answer since I was here already,” I reply. I glance anxiously from one to the other. “So, false alarm, huh? You’re both grinning like Cheshire cats so I assume the emergency is over and you worried me half to death for nothing? Now, can someone please tell me what the fuck is going on before I pass out from stress?”
Rory looks at Amelia, and she looks back at him before bursting out laughing. She shakes her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. I glare at them, wanting answers, like right now.
“If you don't tell me, I'm going to beat it out of your smug, ugly face, Rory Maguire. And you know I will,” I growl at him.
He chuckles at me, making me even more annoyed. “Okay, okay. Calm yourself, will you? Jesus,” he says, holding up his hands in surrender. “And you’d better not be showing that kind of violence around your new niece… or nephew.”
My mouth falls open. “What? What new niece? Oh! Are you kidding me?” I gasp.
Rory laughs. “Does it look like I’m kidding you?”
I shake my head in disbelief. “Holy Mary. So, you knocked her up already? How the hell did that happen? I didn’t know you had it in you.” I shake my head and put my hand up, laughing when I realize how stupid that sounds. “No, no! God, please don't answer that,” I say as I try and delete the thought of my brother having sex with Amelia from my mind. Images that can’t be unseen. Ewww!
He laughs, teasing me further. “Oh, the usual way. I’m sure you know how,” he says, shooting both me and Ben a knowing look. “Surprised?�
�
I feel my face burning, and now I understand how he feels about me and Ben together in the sack. I nod, still processing it all.
“Congratulations, guys,” Ben says, stepping forward. He gives Rory a nervous hug, then kisses Amelia on the cheek. I sit down on the edge of the bed, trying to take it all in. I can't believe this.
“So, it was morning sickness and not Rory’s disgusting cooking, after all,” I muse. Rory makes a face at me and I poke my tongue out back at him.
“A very severe form of morning sickness,” Amelia explains. “Which can, apparently, last through the whole pregnancy. It’s got some Latin name that I don’t even want to remember.”
“Wow, that's going to be fun,” I say.
“Yeah,” she says, screwing up her face.
“This is crazy.” I shake my head and laugh. “I can't believe it. I'm so happy for you both.”
“Uh, I hate to be the one to break up the party,” Ben says as he glances at his phone, “but what are you doing about the concert?” he asks Rory. “It starts in like an hour.”
“Shit.” Rory curses. He glances at Amelia, who shrugs.
“Go,” she urges him. “Siobhan can stay here and keep me company, if she doesn’t mind. You can't pull out now, or you’ll have heaps of angry fans to answer to and wanting their money back.”
“Who’d probably understand that my girlfriend is in hospital,” Rory points out.
“Okay, some might, but what exactly are you going to do here?” she asks. “I have Siobhan, I have doctors, I have everything I need. Now, go make your fans happy with that wonderful music of yours.”
He nods. “Wow, you really have changed your tune, Meels. Excuse the pun. Remember that first night we met in Dublin when you said it was nothing but a pile of depressing crap?” he asks, grinning at her.
“Oh, God. Don’t remind me,” she says, burying her face in her hands. “I’m still so embarrassed about that every time you mention it—and you do love to mention it, don’t you, honey.”
He chuckles at her and says, “Okay, I’ll go, but only if you’re sure.”
She smiles and motions for him to come closer, kissing him on the lips. “I'm sure. Now go.”
Ben gives me a soft kiss on the lips and smiles at me as they walk out. I smile back, a million emotions running through me. I shouldn't be feeling this way about him, but I can’t help it.
Fuck. I'm going home tomorrow.
“What’s wrong, Siobhan? You don't look very happy,” Amelia points out.
“Sorry,” I mumble, then I sigh and sit down on the edge of her bed again. “It's just hit me that I'm leaving tomorrow.”
“Are you upset that you’re leaving, or that you're leaving Ben?” she asks, softly.
“Both?” I say, covering my face with my hands as tears well in my eyes. I look at her and laugh. “God, I'm sorry, Meels. This is your moment and I’m ruining it.”
“No, you're not,” she says, reaching for my hand and giving it a squeeze. “The thing is, you can't help who you fall for. I know that better than anyone.”
I nod. I know she's right, but it doesn't make it any easier.
“Rory moved over here for you,” I say, my heart racing. “I'm not sure I could do that for anyone. I’d be so homesick.”
Amelia shrugs. “When you’re in love, you do crazy things. I’ve done things I never thought I’d do. Things like get pregnant, and have a kid,” she says, nervously rubbing her belly.
“How are you feeling about that?” I ask. She shrugs and smiles at me, her eyes full of fear. “It wasn’t planned, but I want this baby. I really do. I'm just nervous about whether I'll be a good mom or not.”
“You know you'll be a good mom,” I gently chastise her. “And you’ll have me and everyone else helping you as much as you want it.”
She smiles. “All I care about is that I have Rory with me, and that we all have a happy life together,” she says.
My heart swells for them, and then I remember the proposal.
Shit. What's going to happen with that now?
We chat for an hour or more, then she puts on the TV to pass the time, but I can't concentrate on anything, trying to get my mind off Ben. A little while later, my phone vibrates in my hand and I glance down, my heart soaring when I see it’s a text from him. It’s like he knew I was thinking about him. I open the message and read it.
Ben: Can you get your family on Skype in exactly thirty-three minutes?
Me: Don’t know. It’s early there, but I’ll try. Why?
Ben: Real busy here. No time to explain. Just trust me, k?
A rush of excitement hits me. This must be about the proposal. I don't know what my brother has up his sleeve, but it’s the only explanation for getting Mum, Dad and all our sisters out of their beds. I'm giddy as I busily text Fi, praying she’ll answer. Thankfully, she does.
Fi: Why? It’s the middle of the night here. We’ll all need to get dressed.
Me: Oh, boo-hoo. Just do it, okay?
Fi: Fine. But just so you know, I’m sighing right now… very loudly!
Amelia glances over at me and smiles. “Ben?” she teases.
I flush and nod, hoping that’s the end of the conversation. Of course, it’s not.
“How’s the concert going?” she says. “Rory was really nervous about this one for some reason. I haven't seen him so worked up about a show since… well, ever.”
“Yeah, well it’s probably because he just found out he’s about to become a dad,” I remind her. My face heats up, and I can’t meet her eyes. God, she’s so going to know I’m lying if I do.
“Siobhan,” she asks slowly. “What's going on?”
“Oh, nothing,” I reply. “I'm, uh, just trying to decide what to do about Ben,” I say, trying to redirect the conversation back there. Thank, God, it works, because if she pressed me any further, I might have fessed up to everything.
***
For the next twenty-four minutes, I do everything I can to avoid talking to Amelia, sure I’m going to mess it all up. I’m just no good with lying and secrets. Time passes at a snail’s pace until, finally, Ben texts me that they’re downstairs.
Ben: Turn the light off in the room.
Like that’s not gonna raise questions.
I get up and walk over to switch off the light, then I Skype Fiona and cast it onto the TV. Amelia looks at me like I’ve lost the plot.
“What are you doing?” she asks, frowning at me.
Shit. I open my mouth to speak, when a woman walks in, and I’m off the hook. At least, for now.
“Claire!” Amelia grins, hugging her tight. “Thank, God,” she says. “What are you doing here so late?”
“Oh, just saying hello,” Claire says innocently, looking around at me. “Hello, I’m Claire, Amelia’s sister,” she says, walking over to me and giving me a hug. “You must be Siobhan. So nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” I say. “I’ve heard so much about you. All good,” I add with a smile.
“Just dropping into the hospital to say hello at eleven at night?” Amelia frowns, narrowing her eyes. I sigh with relief because the focus is off me. Maybe I won't ruin the surprise, after all. But, that’s short-lived as Amelia glances back at me, frowning suspiciously.
“So, Claire turns up out of the blue, and you’re turning off the lights to Skype with your family?” She shakes her head. “You’re both telling me nothing is out of the ordinary here?” Claire and I look at each other. “Ah,” she says, smiling at me. “I know what’s happening.”
“Really?” I reply, feeling anxious.
“Rory wants to tell his parents about the baby, doesn’t he?”
“Yes,” I say with a grin, relieved. “Yes, that’s it—”
I stop and turn around when I'm interrupted by the sound of a guitar, and soft humming. Rory walks into the room, his eyes fixed on Amelia. Tears well up in mine when he sings to her. I back away from the bed as he gets closer, giving them space.<
br />
Amelia just stares at him, confused at first, then overwhelmed. She gasps as he gets down on one knee and lays the guitar down beside him. He stops singing as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box. He looks up at her and gently eases it open.
“Amelia, you mean everything to me. I wanted to think of a way to make this special, but what makes us special is you. I love you so much, and this baby just strengthens what I already knew.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. “Will you marry me?” he asks, his voice breaking he’s so nervous.
She nods, her face wet from tears of happiness. “I can't believe you did this,” she whispers. “Of course, I'll marry you.”
I smile and watch them hug and kiss. When my family suddenly cheer, I jump, their reaction startling me since I’d forgotten they were there. I stand next to Ben and smile at him. He smiles back, sneaking his hand over mine.
***
Once all the congratulations are over, Ben takes me home. I should be feeling happy. I should be making the most of the time we have left, but all I can think about is that it’s nearly all over, and with the empty feeling in my stomach, I’m not sure I’m ready for that.
Chapter Nine
Ben
“That was a pretty amazing night, huh?” she murmurs.
We lay on the grass in Rory’s backyard, staring up at the sky. I nod, loving the feel of her head resting on my chest. I lean down and kiss her hair. She looks up at me and smiles, then goes back to looking at the stars. They’re out in force tonight, so many and so bright.
I'm sure that has something to do with my father. I haven’t said anything to Siobhan, but today is the anniversary of his death. I didn't want to bring the day down, especially with the proposal, and then with the baby announcement, but now, staring up at that sky, he’s all I can think about.
“I can’t believe I’m going home tomorrow,” she whispers.
I look down at her, my heart aching. That’s one thing I’m so not looking forward to. I kiss her again on the forehead and hold her a little closer.
“Let’s think about that tomorrow, okay?” I murmur, not wanting to break the thoughts of my father.
Irish Love (The Claddagh Trilogy Book 2) Page 8