* * *
We arrive at my parents’ house just before twelve. I shift nervously from one foot to the other as I wait for them to answer the door, with my right hand clasped firmly over my left. They don’t know we’re engaged yet, and I’m as nervous as hell about telling them. They seem to love Conor, but I’m scared they’ll wonder if it’s just another mistake I’m making in their eyes.
Mum and Dad drag us inside, hugging us both, and wishing us a Merry Christmas. I’d completely forgotten about my left hand, and we’re in mid conversation when Lisa yanks me to one side while Conor talks to my parents. She grabs my hand and stares at my ring, then looks at me accusingly.
“You’re engaged?” she hisses.
“Since two days ago,” I say sheepishly. “I was planning on telling everyone today.”
“Oh my god! Congratulations,” she squeals, wrapping her arms around me and planting endless kisses on my cheeks. I try and hush her, but it’s too late. The cat is out of the bag.
“What’s going on over there? What are the congratulations about?” Mum asks, appearing beside us out of nowhere. She frowns at me suspiciously. “Why are you congratulating Kayla?” she asks Lisa, then turns her attention back to me before Lisa has a chance to respond. She narrows her eyes. “Don’t tell me. You’re either pregnant or you eloped. Which is it?”
I laugh at her suggestions. “I’m definitely not pregnant, Mum. In fact, I’m never going to be pregnant after what happened yesterday.”
“What happened yesterday?” Mum asks, frowning.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Siobhan had a little girl.”
“A girl? Aah, how sweet” Mum says, her face softening and a smile on her lips. “But, I thought you said she was having a boy?”
“They thought so, too,” I giggle, then my phone beeps and I reach into my pocket and pull it out. It’s from Siobhan. A photo of their little girl, along with a short message:
Welcome to the world, Kiera Breanna Sherman.
I hold it up for Mum to see. She takes my phone and beams at the photo. “Such a beautiful little girl,” she says, then she smiles, and narrows her eyes at me as she hands my phone back. “Now, back to your news.”
“Okay,” I say, holding up my hand. Mum gasps, covering her face with her hands, then she grabs mine, examining the ring closely.
“You’re engaged?” she asks, her eyes wide.
I smile. “Yep. You’re looking at the future Mrs. Murphy,” I say, proudly. “Conor proposed the night before last and, obviously, I said yes. I’m now, officially, his fiancée.”
Holy Mary. I’ve just realized, that’s the first time I’ve said that. His fucking fiancée!
I’m going to be saying that word a LOT more now.
I look over at Conor and my dad shaking hands and slapping each other on the back, then Mum smiles and wraps her arms around me, kissing me on the cheek. “Oh, Kayla. I’m so happy for you both. Now all we need to do is get you back over to Ireland,” she jokes. I glance at Conor and smile, my heart racing with all the excitement from our announcement.
Maybe one day.
Conor
We just got back to the hotel and Kayla’s barely said a word. I know when she goes quiet like this, that something’s on her mind. I put my arms around her and tilt her face up to mine, kissing her gently on the lips. She snaps out of her daydream and responds, kissing me back.
“Are you okay?” I ask. “I mean, it’s okay if you’re not. It’s been a hectic few days.”
She nods, looking embarrassed. “It has. I’m just…” she shakes her head and smiles.
“Is that a happy smile, or a sad one?” I ask her, taking her hand.
“Can it be both?” she asks.
“I guess,” I say. “I know something’s bothering you. What is it?”
She hesitates, then says, “It’s just that the time we’ve spent here has made me realize that Ireland’s my home, and I’m not looking forward to leaving again,” she admits. She shakes her head. “I haven’t felt like this in a long time and it’s a little overwhelming.”
She sits on my lap, putting her arms around my neck. “You know,” I say, “We could make this more permanent, if you like.”
She looks at me, confused. “More permanent than us getting married?” she says, laughing.
“Not us, silly,” I reply. “I meant, we could move back here, if that’s what you want. When we left for England, they told me there’s a job waiting for me in the Garda if I ever moved back here, and you’ve just finished college, so there’s nothing to stop us, right?”
She stares at me for a moment. “Really?” she whispers, gazing into my eyes. “You’d do that for me again after you sacrificed everything to be with me in London?”
I shrug. “Sure. I would. We’ve had fun living over there, but you’re feeling so much closer to your parents now, and Ireland’s my home too, don’t forget. I’d be happy anywhere, so long as we’re together.”
She presses her lips against mine, and when she pulls back, she’s smiling again, the sadness in her eyes, gone.
“I love you so much, Conor,” she says.
“I love you too, just in case I haven’t made it obvious enough already,” I add.
“I’d love to move back here to be with our friends and family.” She shakes her head. “God, I never thought I’d say those words. Things are so different with Mum and Dad, now,” she admits. “Thank you for being the wonderful man you are.”
“If you really want to thank me,” I say, running my hand along her thighs, “I can think of one way.”
“Oh, really?” she says, tilting her head to one side and narrowing her eyes at me. “And what might that be?” I pull her closer to me and kiss her.
Life couldn’t be more perfect, and I feel so lucky to have her by my side. Something I tell myself every day. I don’t give a shite where we live. All I want is for her to be as happy as she’s made me. It’s just what you do when you’re in love.
And she makes loving so much fun.
Hey, one more time!
I hope you enjoyed all the sexy, Irish deliciousness in this series. It was so much fun to research and write and I have it on my bucket list to visit there someday. Hopefully, Rory will take me to meet his family. I can just imagine them all sitting around their kitchen table. What a hoot!
If you care to leave a review for Irish Heart and also the box set, that would be awesome! 20 words is all you need and it really helps other readers. Thank you!!
Hugs,
Amanda xo
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Irish Affair Page 31