“You really want a life with me?”
“More than anything in this world.” Georgina’s smile was genuine. Paisley felt the honesty beaming from her. “But you already know that…so, ask me.”
Paisley lifted the box in her hand, her heart no longer filled with pain, but instead, bursting with joy. “Be my wife?” She leaned in, taking Georgina’s bottom lip between her teeth. “Please, be my wife.”
“I couldn’t think of a more beautiful way to spend my life.”
“God…” Paisley pressed her forehead against Georgina’s, taking the ring from the box and slipping it on her finger. “I don’t ever want us to be apart again.”
“Paisley,” Georgina said, breathlessly. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, babe.”
Embracing one another, Paisley felt her entire body relax against Georgina. Her legs wanted to give out, her knees close to buckling, but Georgina held her upright. Close. Just as Paisley knew she always would. This woman wrapped around her would always have her back.
“Plans for the day?” Paisley tilted her head, her hand splayed across Georgina’s chest.
“Anything that involves just you and I,” Georgina said. “I also don’t plan to dress today.”
“Crazy…I had no plans to dress either.”
Georgina guided Paisley back to the open door, the snow still falling slowly from the sky. Turning her in her arms, Paisley relaxed back against Georgina’s body, her arms wrapped around Paisley’s waist.
“Make a wish, baby…”
Paisley closed her eyes, willing the tears she felt building to disappear. “Why?”
Georgina leaned in close, her breath tickling Paisley’s ear. “Because I’m going to make sure I give you anything you’ve ever wanted.”
Epilogue
One year later…
A clear, star-filled sky. It wasn’t what Paisley expected or hoped for as she looked up from the barn she was standing outside, but it was still beautiful. Magical. Christmas Eve.
Everything about the day had blown her away. She shouldn’t be surprised; Georgina really was full of them. Every detail, every second…it had been planned until it was perfect. Yes, this time last year Paisley was preparing for her first Christmas with Georgina, but the year that followed, she couldn’t comprehend.
They were back together. As one. Not a moment of insecurity had swallowed them up. After all, they had too much to catch up on. To make right. To live for. This, today, was the real beginning of the rest of their lives together.
Paisley wrapped her arms around herself, shivering as the ice-cold air pierced her skin. She couldn’t possibly be cold when her heart was warmer than it ever had been. She heard footsteps behind her, but Paisley was too involved in the stars and the moon bouncing off the still lake in front of her to care. God, I never thought this day would come. Paisley smiled, a tear escaping her eye and rolling down her cheek.
“You’re going to ruin your make-up.”
Paisley turned around to find her mum standing behind her. “Hi, Mum.”
“What are you doing out here alone?”
“Just needed a minute.” Paisley beckoned her mum closer, taking her hand. “Have you enjoyed yourself today?”
Pauline smiled fully. “Oh, love. Today has been so beautiful.”
“A-and you’re happy for me?” Pauline’s answer wouldn’t make any difference, but Paisley still asked the question. Even if everyone she loved walked away from her, she would still have her one true love by her side. Georgina was someone she could never lose again. “It’s okay if you’re not sure.”
“Paisley, do you truly believe I think the way he did?”
Paisley lowered her head. “No.”
“And this day…Do you think I’d be here if I wasn’t happy for you?”
Paisley met her mother’s eyes. “No.”
“Today is a new beginning for you. Georgina has changed your life…made it better in many ways. If someone can put the smile on your face that I saw this afternoon, I’m the happiest woman in the world.”
“And the name?”
“It sounds beautiful.” Pauline leaned in, kissing Paisley’s cheek. “So, Mrs. Weaver, should we get back to the party?”
“You’re right,” Lifting her dress from the frosted grass, Paisley made her way across the lawn. “It does sound beautiful.”
“I’ve decided,” Pauline started, linking her arm through Paisley’s, “I’m going back to my maiden name.”
“Mum, you don’t have to do that.”
Pauline nodded. “I do. I should have rid us of him a long time ago.”
Paisley stopped for a moment, sadness settling within her. “I wish Oisín could have been here. It’s like Dad took him, too.”
“I begged him. He couldn’t do it.”
“Right. Yeah.” Paisley sighed, dropping her dress back to its full length.
“He loves you.”
Paisley scoffed. “He hates me. I ruined his image of Dad for him.”
“You really believe that?”
“Hard not to, Mum.” Paisley stretched out her arms, laughing sarcastically. “It’s my wedding day and my brother didn’t show.”
“He’s tortured, love,” Pauline explained. “He’s beside himself with what happened to you.” Pauline’s voice broke but Paisley wouldn’t allow that; it was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life. “He can’t look at you. Oisín thinks he let you down.”
Paisley frowned. How could her brother ever believe that he’d let her down? He was in the dark as much as she was through it all. “H-he didn’t. Surely he knows that.”
“He was worried that if he showed up here, you’d kick him out. That he’d ruin your day for you.”
“I need to call him,” Paisley said. “I need to call him right now.”
Paisley had spoken to Oisín weekly on the phone—the kids, too—but he always had a reason to avoid seeing her. She’d put it down to the one meeting they’d had since Georgina returned. The one when she told her brother exactly what Patrick Healy had done. But this? Knowing he felt as though he had let her down was a surprise to her.
“Why didn’t you tell me he felt this way?”
Pauline lowered her eyes. “He asked me not to. Oisín wanted you to enjoy all of this. The preparation. The time with Georgina. So long as his girls were invited, he could take a step back and allow you to have a magical day.”
“But now he’s missed seeing the girls in their bridesmaid’s dresses.”
“Just don’t hate him, love.”
“I don’t.” Paisley shook her head, aware that her wife was slowly approaching. “But I do need him here.”
“Okay.”
“It’s only five-thirty. There’s plenty of time for him to celebrate with us.”
The clearing of a throat brought Paisley from her inner turmoil. “You two shouldn’t be out here.” Georgina cocked her head, her long, white gown hanging elegantly from her body. “It’s cold.”
“I’ll leave you beautiful ladies alone.” Pauline released Paisley’s hand, stepping forward and kissing Georgina on the cheek. “Don’t stay out here too long.”
“Babe.” Paisley’s eyes lit up at the sight of her wife. “God, you look absolutely incredible.”
“So do you.” Georgina drew Paisley closer, capturing her lips. “My wife looks better than ever.”
“Sounds crazy.”
“Sounds perfect.” Georgina’s green eyes shone like never before, her dark, smoky eye make-up only making them all the more enticing. Georgina searched Paisley’s face. “What is it?”
“Just…Oisín thinks I blame him.”
“I know.”
“But I don’t. How could I blame him for something neither of us knew about?”
“I said the same thing to him.” Georgina nodded, wrapping her arms around Paisley’s waist. “He’s not to blame.”
Paisley’s eyebrows drew together. “You talked t
o him?”
“Several times,” Georgina admitted. “Most recently…an hour ago while you were dancing with your Uncle Bert.”
“I wanted him here.”
Georgina cupped Paisley’s face, caressing her cheek. “He will be, baby.”
“He won’t.” Paisley shook her head slightly. “If he was coming, he would have been at the ceremony.”
“I promise you; he will be here.”
“I just want to enjoy this incredible day with you. Nothing is ruining it.” Paisley refrained from crying. Her make-up had cost a small fortune and had been touched up twice already. “Come on, let’s go inside.”
“Yes, I need more champagne.”
They walked side by side, arms wrapped around one another’s waists. Paisley couldn’t take her eyes off Georgina. Every time she spoke, more love shone through. Every time her lips curled up into that sweet smile, Paisley fell in love all over again.
“Hey,” Paisley whispered, catching Georgina’s attention. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Georgina watched on in awe as Paisley mingled with their friends and colleagues. Something about Paisley as her wife was different to anything Georgina had seen from Paisley before. There was a freedom to the woman. The weight of the world was no longer on her shoulders. Contentment.
Of course, she had already witnessed the happy-go-lucky side to Paisley during the last year, but this was something more. Something Georgina couldn’t quite put her finger on. Whatever it was that Paisley was feeling, Georgina was one-hundred percent on board with it. The smile she beamed was enough to knock Georgina off her feet. Paisley worked the room with so much ease. Georgina knew how likeable and well thought of her wife was, but she couldn’t quite believe this woman was hers. Forever.
This day had to be perfect. After everything they’d been through separately, Georgina made it her mission. Paisley deserved every moment of this. In Georgina’s mind, she didn’t make it on the scale of importance today—it was all about Paisley—but Paisley clearly had different ideas from the moment she woke that morning. As their eyes met under the mass of gypsy grass surrounding the alter, Georgina felt her own importance in all of this. The way Paisley looked into her eyes as she promised the rest of her life to Georgina…unimaginable love and equality within their relationship was all she felt.
Georgina never could have anticipated this becoming her life when she chanced it and drove home from Scotland last year, but she would move heaven and earth until Paisley knew how she felt. She hadn’t needed to—Paisley understood—but Georgina had been prepared. She was ready to fight for Paisley until her last breath.
Her eyes landed on the oak doors to the side of the grand piano when they opened. Oisín. Georgina cleared her throat and approached him. Oisín’s nerves were written all over his face, but that was understandable. Tonight was the first time they would meet one another. Phone calls came naturally to Georgina—she spent ninety percent of her time making them—but as she moved closer to Oisín, Georgina also felt anxious.
“Oisín?” Georgina couldn’t possibly mistake who he was. He and Paisley could be considered twins.
“Y-yes.” He fixed his suit jacket before holding out his hand. “You must be Georgina.”
“That would be me.”
“Great to finally meet you.” Oisín relaxed ever so slightly as Georgina offered him her best smile. “You look really great.”
“Wait until you see your sister.” Georgina winked, motioning for him to follow her. Taking two glasses of champagne from a waiter as he walked past, Georgina handed her brother-in-law a glass, making a beeline for Paisley. “Come on.” She smiled. “Paisley’s waiting for you.”
As Paisley turned around, her eyes sparkling, Georgina simply nodded in her wife’s direction, allowing Oisín to take the lead himself.
“Thank you. For calling me.”
“You’re family,” Georgina said. “It’s important that you’re here.”
“Still…”
“You and I will catch up later. I expect a dance.” Georgina ushered him away. “Before Paisley combusts…you should go over there.”
Oisín nodded, blowing out a deep breath. “Yeah. I should.”
Paisley stared, her eyes welling with tears as her brother closed the distance between them. Georgina had once again gotten everything right; Paisley couldn’t ever repay her. She glanced at her wife momentarily, smiling in Georgina’s direction and silently thanking her for making Paisley the happiest woman in the world. Paisley had spent the last hour praying that Oisín would show up, and he was now standing in front of her. Oisín could never hurt Paisley—she knew that.
“Pais.” Oisín’s eyes glistened as he wrung his hands together. “Wow, you look…”
“Hi.”
Oisín shook his head. “Christ! You look absolutely incredible. I can’t believe it.”
“That I scrub up well?” Paisley cocked her head, laughing. “Thanks, I think.”
“No. I can’t believe you’re married.” Oisín’s eyes found Paisley’s. “Congratulations, sis.”
“Thank you.” Paisley motioned her brother closer, pulling him into a bone-crushing hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve been a complete dick,” he said. “Georgina did the right thing calling me earlier.”
Paisley pulled out of their embrace. “I didn’t know she had until a little while ago. But I’m happy that she did.”
“Me, too.” Oisín sipped his champagne. “Do you think maybe I could pull you away for five minutes?”
Paisley smiled. “Of course. Have you seen Mum yet?”
“No, not yet.” Oisín followed Paisley towards double doors which led to the outside of the barn. “I’ll see her once I’ve cleared the air with you.”
“Oisín…” Paisley turned, finding heartbreak in her brother’s eyes. “I get it, okay?”
“Y-you get what?”
“You believe you should have protected me. From him…from what he did.”
Oisín frowned. “I should have.”
“But, how could you?” Paisley’s featured softened. “Did you know what he had done?”
“No. No way.”
“Then you had no possible way to protect me.” Paisley shook her head, taking a seat at the outdoor furniture under a canopy. “Georgina did what she had to do. She shouldn’t have ever been put in that position, but she was, and we can’t change it.”
“I really fucking hate him, Pais.”
“Join the club, Brother.” As much as Paisley hated her father, he wouldn’t ruin this day for anyone. Least of all Paisley and Georgina. He was gone; he had been for two years. He could stay buried, rotting in the ground where he belonged. “Look, you and I both know what kind of man he was. And, even though we knew he was a bastard, neither of us could have ever expected him to threaten Georgina.”
“Mum said you told her all about Georgina and what she went through that night he waited by her car.”
“I did.”
“Given half the chance,” Oisín growled, “I’d have put that shotgun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.”
“But you’re a better man than he could have ever been.” Paisley climbed to her feet, aware that Oisín was about to start pacing. His balled fists gave him away immediately. “Don’t ever turn out like him. You have a good heart and a beautiful family.”
“I still would have.” His eyes met Paisley’s. “If it meant you and Georgina could have been safe, I’d have blown his head off.”
“And I appreciate that…I think.” Paisley snorted. “But he’s gone, and he cannot hurt another soul.”
“No, he can’t.” Oisín nodded, agreeing with everything his sister was saying. Paisley had always been the voice of reason, even in times like this when she should have been dancing the legs off herself. “She makes you happy, doesn’t she?”
“Gee?” Paisley’s eyebrow rose. “I didn’t know what happiness was until I met her.
”
“Don’t ever worry about anything ever again, Pais. I’m here and I will protect you if I have to. I failed with Dad, but I’ve got your back, okay? You’re my baby sister.” Oisín took his sisters hands, squeezing them tight as he pulled her closer. “I’m so happy you found the woman you love. It looks so good on you.”
“Thank you.”
“The girls love you. They were so excited about today.”
“They did us proud.” Paisley hugged her brother, relaxing in his arms. “And they look ridiculously cute.”
“Only the best for their aunties.”
“Yeah?” Paisley’s voice broke. Oisín referring to Georgina as one of the girl’s aunties was unexpected, but it sounded so beautiful. She pulled back and met his eyes. “You really mean that?”
“Mean what?”
“Aunties?” Paisley asked. “Like, both of us?”
“You do realise that they already call her Auntie Gina, right?”
“N-no. I didn’t know that.” Paisley’s brow drew together. “I mean, they’ve only met her a handful of times when we’ve called in at mums and she had them.”
“That’s all it took.” Oisín shrugged, throwing his thumb over his shoulder. “Wanna dance?”
“So long as you don’t dance like Grandad used to, yes.”
Oisín lifted the collar on his suit jacket, one eyebrow lifted. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
“Oh, Christ.” Paisley made the sign of the cross, shaking her head and laughing as she followed her brother. “Please, don’t make a fool of yourself.”
“Everyone is going to want to dance with me.” Oisín wiggled his eyebrows. “But you and your wife are first on my list.”
Georgina flopped down into an empty seat, catching her breath while everyone else continued to dance around her. She was more than ready to call it a night even though doing so would mean the greatest day of her life was over. She’d always thought that the greatest day would be the day she kissed Paisley for the first time, but their wedding had surpassed everything they’d already shared together.
Forever Yours Page 17