by Jana LaPelle
Colin squeezes my hand before saying, “I’m sorry, Joanna, I had no idea that you were so alone in the world when I met ya.”
Sighing, I lean over the console to rest my head on his shoulder and just breathe as I look back on my life with my parents and some of the puzzle pieces of my life begin to click into place. Lifting my head, I look up at Colin, and our gazes meet for just a moment before he looks back to the road in front of us. I’m beginning to understand and blurt out my epiphany, “My mother was ashamed of her ancestry. That’s why she and my grandmother became estranged and why I know that I have an aunt, but we have never met. She didn’t want my father to know about her upbringing. She was afraid that my father would leave her, yet she felt a need to tell me about my family history just in case any majical talents were made known in my children. It may be why she was so willing to follow my father to the remote reaches of the world. Their travels would take them away from her reality here at home. She didn’t notice because she didn’t want me to exhibit any inclination to majic whatsoever. Wow. That’s a lot to wrap my mind around, but it makes perfect sense. I never understood why we never connected with my grandmother and aunt and now I think I understand.”
Colin leans over and kisses the top of my head and murmurs, “Ya have me now, and as long as I live, we will be together, mo chroí. Always. Soon ya will understand what it means to be kindred.”
Deciding that now is as good a time as any to broach the subject, I look up through my lashes to find him watching me with intense green eyes, and say, “About that, my handsome Irishman, I appreciate your old fashion approach to our relationship, but I’m more than ready to move our relationship along.” I trace his jawline with my index finger before leaning into pepper kisses along the underside of his jaw which elicits a groan from the man I love.
“Soon Joanna, soon, ya have no idea how much restraint that I have exercised in the past weeks. I want ya ta meet me family first. Ya must understand that a binding between us will be forever. I just want ya ta be sure.”
“I’m sure. I’ve been sure for a while now, but I’ll humor you. I’m sure that I will love your family.”
About that time Colin begins to apply the brake, and I take a look around me for the first time in a while. We’re in a rural area, and Colin makes a right turn, easing our vehicle onto a private drive. The lane is lined with trees creating a hedge from the road, and as we come out on the other side of the tree line, I see a beautiful Georgian style manor in the distance. One side of the brick house is covered in ivy, it sits on a hill, and from my vantage point is overlooking what I think may be the River Shannon. The view is a startlingly beautiful contrast of vivid greens and blues that is picture perfect. There’s a young girl outside in the garden that sees us coming, and I can hear her calling out through my open car window, “Mum! They’re here. Mummy hurry, Da, they’re here they’re here.” She can’t be more than thirteen or fourteen, and she has the most shocking fiery red hair I’ve ever seen. It hangs down her back, almost to her waist. The breeze off the river has picked up strands of her unruly tresses, and it dances around her face as she begins to run toward us. Colin slows the car and laughs as she reaches us to race alongside the car, he’s careful not to run her over. I hear her from Colin’s side of the car as she demands, “What took ya so long? I’ve been waiting hours.”
Colin snorts, “Ya are such a brat, Nessa. I’m sure it has been more like a few minutes. Run along now, I believe that yer dolls are missing yer constant attention.”
“Collie, ya know that I have na played with dolls in years. I’m all grown up now. I’m na a wee lass any more,” she whines as Colin rolls the vehicle to a stop in the large circular drive in front of the house. Before either of us can get out of the car, the fiery redhead bounds around the boot of the car to open the door for me, grabbing my hand, she pulls me out of my seat and says, “My name is Vanessa, but everyone just calls me Nessa. I’m Collie’s little sister. It’s so nice ta finally meet ya. Collie’s letters did na do ya justice, ye’re smashingly beautiful. I swear in his letters he gushed over how perfect ya were –“
“Nessa?!” Colin cuts her off and for the first time since meeting this man of mine I see that he is blushing furiously, and I can’t help but smile. He is utterly adorable in his discomfort.
Nessa’s excitement is infectious and squeezing her hand I say, “I might have to have a little peek at those letters you’re talking about.” I wink at her conspiratorially with a mischievous smile which elicits a giggle from her, and I can’t help my laughter when I see the utter mortification on Colin’s face. Turning back to Nessa, I say, “It’s very nice to meet you, Nessa. Thank you for such an enthusiastic welcome.”
Colin has moved to open the trunk of the car, all the while shaking his head and muttering something under his breath. He begins removing our baggage when I hear the door to the manor swing open behind me. I turn to see an elegant, petite brunette standing in the arched doorway dressed in black slacks and a simple white silk button up blouse with a long strand of pearls. Her hair is pulled back away from her face but hangs long down her back. The golden-brown locks have the beginning streaks of gray. She’s smiling and addresses Colin, “Thank the goddess you’re here. Nessa has been driving us crazy all day. I finally had to send her outside to await your arrival.” Her dialect is more British rather than Irish. She’s a tiny woman probably not more than five foot one in height, and I watch as Colin bends down to give her a welcoming hug. He is well over a foot taller than she is and he envelopes her in his embrace. Pulling away, she reaches up to pat her son on the cheek affectionately before turning to me, “And you must be the lovely Joanna Claire that my Colin has become so enamored with, it is so nice to finally meet you. My name is Gwen.” She steps toward me and pulls me into her small frame for a hug, a hug that I didn’t know that I needed from her until that very moment. I melt into her welcoming embrace, and a sigh escapes me. I’m embarrassed to find that I’m clinging to Colin’s mother, I hear her whisper, “Shhh, its okay my dear daughter, here you will find sanctuary. Fáilte, lass. Welcome, my dear.” She pulls back to assess me, “So very lovely and strong, my son has chosen well. Come, Joanna, you need to meet the rest of this majical family before you make any decisions. You may decide that we’re too much of an oddity to tie yourself to, but I don’t think that will be the case.” Taking my hand she directs me toward the open door to their home, I look over my shoulder to see Colin watching with a gentle smile, and he nods for me to continue.
Over my shoulder I hear Nessa complaining to Colin, her voice all pouty, “I’ve waited all this time ta meet her and Mum just whisks her away. How is that fair?”
“Nessa, you’ll have plenty of time ta get ta know Joanna. Come on, I could use some help with these bags.”
I don’t get to hear Nessa’s reply as we enter the foyer of their lovely home. Gwen puts her arm around my waist and directs me to the back of the house where there is a commotion coming from what sounds like the kitchen. “Come along dear, we’ve been expecting you. Keagan, Colin’s Da, and his great aunt Siobhan are in the kitchen whipping up something for our evening meal. I’ll just introduce you and then show you to your room where you can freshen up before we eat.”
Colin’s mum leads me into a quaint cottage style kitchen that looks as if it has been enlarged at some point. It’s a perfect blend of country cottage meet 80’s contemporary. The L-shaped room is all windows on the back walls overlooking a cobblestone terrace that in turn overlooks the river. It’s a magnificent view, but my attention turns to a middle-aged man that is the spitting image of Colin, only about twenty years older. He looks to be in his mid-forties, and he is arguing with a petite woman who has aged gracefully, her raven black hair is almost solid grey at the temples, but otherwise, it retains its color, her grey eyes sparkle as her gaze meets mine.
“Keagan, hush now, can ya na see that Colin’s Joanna has arrived, right on time, might I add. None of ya listen ta the
seer in yer midst, now do ya? Not even that wee lass of yers, Nessa.” She swats Keagan with the hand towel in her hands while shaking her head and he just chuckles. She walks around the large island to greet me. Keagan follows his aunt. Honestly, they could be brother and sister if I have gauged their age difference correctly, but I could be mistaken. Siobhan reaches me and Gwen provides the introductions. I’m intrigued by the woman standing before me. She is mysterious and yet an open book. Siobhan reaches for my hand, and I place my right hand in both of hers in greeting. Instantly she stills, her head goes back, and her eyes close. She grasps my hand tighter before opening her eyes and looking up into my own, I feel as if she has just seen into my soul, the very essence of my being. She pats my hand and says, “Bless ya, dear child. Ya are strong. Strong enough for what is ta come. Trust in yerself, lass. Now that’s enough of an old lady’s ramblings for now. Joanna Claire, tis nice ta finally meet ya.”
I smile down at her, but my confusion is evident when I ask, “Finally?”
“Yes, I saw ya coming more than some twenty years ago. I sent our Colin out into the world ta find ya when the time was right, but that’s enough of that for now. I see that what I just imparted may be a wee bit ta digest. Just know that ya are where ya need ta be to fulfill yer destiny.” She smiles a somewhat sad smile at me, and my heart begins to race. Instinctually, I know that she knows more but is not willing to comment further, and I feel my bright future with Colin dim. I have a sneaky suspicion that not even Colin knows what is to come and my heart races at the thought.
Before I can process, Colin’s father Keagan is upon me, and I find myself wrapped in a bear hug. Keagan is a bit more massive than Colin, and I surrender to his fatherly show of affection. I hear Colin behind me as he enters the room, “Da, don’t smother her. She just got here. Ya all are going ta scare her off for sure. Hand her over ta me.”
Keagan pulls away and smiles down at me, ignoring his son, “Fáilte lass, as ya can see we’re all very excited ta meet ya. Don’t mind Siobhan. She means well.”
I pull out of Keagan’s embrace and smile up at him, “It’s very nice to meet you all.” I reach for Colin, and he pulls me to his side, and I try to reassure him, “It’s okay Colin, your family has been more than welcoming.” My heart is still racing from Siobhan’s cryptic prognosis.
Colin is quick to notice and addresses his great aunt, “Siobhan what did ya say ta her, her heart is about ta leap out of her chest.”
“Nothing that she did na need ta hear, lad, now run along, ya have thirty minutes or so before we eat, that should be plenty of time for ya ta freshen up from yer travels.” Siobhan imparts with a kind smile.
I smile back at the kind older woman and look up at Colin, “If you don’t mind, can you show me to the washroom and my room, I would love to freshen up before the evening meal.”
“Of course, mo chroí,” Colin smiles down at me and then leads me from the kitchen to ascend the stairs to our rooms.
Chapter 5
Last night passed in a blur of activity, the evening meal was taken out on the cobblestone terrace overlooking the fantastic view of the river. Their family dynamic was one that openly welcomed me into their midst, it felt like I was a missing puzzle piece that fit right into place. The mood was light, and there was laughter all around. After dinner, the kitchen was quickly cleaned up, and then we played a lively game of Scrabble until about ten in the evening. The game was set up in front of the fire, and we played until my constant yawning was enough to send everyone off to bed.
Looking back on it, meeting Colin’s family was an almost perfect evening. But even with all the traveling and as tired as I am, I’m not able to sleep. I’ve tossed and turned most of the night and finally at four thirty in the morning I decide to get up. Colin and I are sharing a room and a bed, not that there is much going on on that front. Not wanting to disturb him I quietly slide out of bed and don my light blue silk dressing gown before I tiptoe out of the large attic room pulling the door shut behind me with a quiet click. The stairs creak with my silent passage just a bit as I make my way down to the main floor. Colin’s home is old world beautiful with gleaming hardwood floors throughout. There are quite a number of antiques spread about the manor house along with beautiful paintings that look to be originals. The décor is pleasing and not over the top which makes me feel right at home. Quietly, I make my way to the kitchen and begin making coffee. I spy some Baileys Irish Cream and Jameson Irish whiskey, and with a heavy sigh, I think why not. Maybe it will help me sleep. I add the Baileys and Jameson and pour my coffee and top it off with a dollop of whipped cream. I go to sit at the table in the kitchen but quickly decide to move to the sitting room. There’s a really comfy lounge chair by the window that I was eying earlier. As I enter the room, I see that there are remnants of the fire from earlier in the evening is still burning in the grate, so I stoke the smoldering ashes and add another small log. Soon the fire crackles and sparks to life with the addition of kindling for fuel. The firelight dances around the room which overlooks the eastern sky and I can see that the horizon is beginning to lighten and soon the sun will peak above the skyline as I sip my coffee. For several long moments, I stand by the fire warming myself and sipping this delightful frothy concoction. Let’s just say that I may never be able to go back to plain black coffee ever again.
Sighing heavily, I think back to my meeting with Siobhan. She really threw me for a loop upon meeting her. She is kind and loving, and she creeped me the hell out, and that is why I’m sitting here in the wee hours of the morning contemplating the meaning of her cryptic message. My intuition is telling me that Colin and I need to run. Run far away from here. Run from this supposed destiny. Her words did not convey a sense of peace. What the hell am I to do? For the first time in my life, I’m knowingly following my gut instinct, and it’s telling me to turn tail and run and take Colin with me. Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to keep him safe. The coffee has cooled enough for me to not worry about burning my tongue, so I down the yummy concoction and get up to make another.
As I’m rounding the corner, I run right into Colin’s rock hard chest, and he chuckles as he steadies me, “Joanna, are ya sure ya want to have another?”
“Absolutely, I’m finally beginning to relax. I haven’t been able to sleep, and I’m so tired Colin. This may help. It’s not even dawn yet, and I’ve been up for hours. What you must think of me.”
“Joanna, I know that ye’re having a hard time coming ta terms with everything. What bothers ya, making it so that ya can na sleep?” Colin takes the mug in my hands and places it on the table next to us and pulls me into his arms and I go willingly, seeking the comfort of his warm embrace.
I murmur against his chest, “Siobhan’s words this afternoon. Colin, we need to cut our trip short and go home. Please… Something bad is going to happen, and I want to be far from here when that takes place. I can feel it.” Pulling away, I look up into his brilliant green eyes for emphasis, “Here,” I point to my chest, “I feel it here, Colin.”
Colin tightens his hold on me, and I lay my forehead on his chest before wrapping my arms around his waist and holding him tightly to me. His words rumble in his chest against my ear, “Joanna, what did Siobhan say ta ya that has ya so spooked?”
“She said that I was strong, strong enough for what is to come and that I should trust in myself. She said that I was where I needed to be in order to fulfill my destiny, my destiny not ours. Colin, my destiny is to be with you. I want to have your children and grow old with you. I love you, and I never want to be parted from you. That would be the one, and only thing that I can think of that would require me to dig deep and be strong, strong enough for what is to come. I can’t even bear the thought of you not being in my future.” I’m silently crying, my warm tears are wetting his bare chest.
“Mo chroí, shhh… I’m sure it’s na as bad as all that. We’ll be together, and we’ll have as many children as ya would like. I promise. Come n
ow, I hate ta see ya like this. Don’t let me aunt’s ramblings upset ya further.” Reaching down he tilts my chin up and moves to cup my face in his hands, gently brushing my tears away with the pads of his thumbs, “So beautiful, even when ya cry. I never knew it would be like this, this pull ta be with ya is beyond my wildest dreams. I love ya so much, my beautiful American doctor. It’s well past time that I show ya just how much I love ya.” He gently gathers me up and carries me upstairs to his rooms, our rooms. Loving the feel of him holding me so close, I snuggle into his embrace, welcoming what is to come.
I wake just before ten. The red numbers of the digital clock illuminate the darkened room. Colin must have pulled the heavy drapes over the windows to keep the light of the morning sun out. I stretch, feeling deliciously sore in all the right places. Being with Colin was all that I thought it would be and more and a lazy smile tugs at my lips. The memory of our time together this morning permeates my drowsy mind, I reach for Colin and find his side of the bed empty, and my smile is replaced with a frown. Surely he wouldn’t have just left me here to wake up all alone after the morning we spent together. What a morning it was!
I’m pulled out of my thoughts when I hear the door to the hall open and quietly shut. I look that way to see Colin quietly making his way toward his enormous sleigh bed in the darkened room. I watch from beneath the covers as he quietly places a large tray of breakfast on the dresser and makes his way to the windows to pull back the drapes. I sit up and wait as he opens the curtains to let in the bright morning sunlight. I pull the bed covers up to cover me and smile as he turns to see me.
His surprise at seeing me sitting up is quickly replaced by a thousand-watt smile, “I didn’t want ta wake ya, mo chroí, but the day is getting away from us. I thought that we could take a drive into Limerick to King’s Island –“