One Year and Three Months Later
There was a string of arrests involving Kerry’s boss, Padraig’s stepmother—or whatever he used to call her—and a real estate agent. The chaos that ensued afterward had Kerry and Stella spun up for a while. Then they had to work hard to keep business clients and dates set, all the while doing it without interfering in any part of the investigation. It was rough on them, but they pulled through. Now they have a fairly lucrative business of their own. And while they do remain busy, they are happy and, for the most part, drama-free.
Seamus and Moira opened a restaurant. Padraig and Stella are nearly inseparable.
Tonight we all sit at the restaurant that the MacNamaras built, and celebrate the engagement of my best friend and his incredible fiancée. They deserve everything. I wish nothing but the best for them.
I love Kerry. I do. And I’ve told her that. And she’s said it back. Many, many times. But I’m not ready for proposals or marriage. Not yet. And Kerry says she is okay with that. I had a minor freak-out when Padraig asked us to help him propose. I wondered if Kerry would want the same thing soon. But, as we do each time I tend to get worked up over something, we sat down and talked it through.
Even though I still don’t see her that often, I do talk to Dr. Kohl when I feel like I can’t push through something. Kerry and I have talked to her together a few times. Dr. Kohl says she is happy that I let Kerry in. It’s definitely progress. Small progress.
Also along the lines of small progress, I finally told Kerry I was okay with telling Padraig and Stella we were—whatevering. That we spend more time together than we’ve been letting on.
After Kerry and I got the third degree from Padraig and Stella—and seemingly everyone else—during Christmas, about their doubts on us being just friends, I realized that trying to hide anything anymore was dumb. Kerry and I had progressed in our relationship enough that I finally felt comfortable with letting other people into our bubble.
We invited Stella and Padraig to dinner one evening. I announced that Kerry and I were dating. That was the word I told Kerry I was comfortable using. Dating. We are a couple.
Stella hugged Kerry and kissed me on the cheek. Padraig gave me a good, approving punch in the arm.
They were genuinely happy for us. And since then, they’ve been nothing but supportive. Padraig hasn’t taunted me even once about seeing Kerry. I would say I have no idea what I was so worried about, but I’m almost one hundred percent sure Stella had a lot to do with it.
“A toast,” Seamus says. “Besides Moira and meself”—he reaches out, grabs Moira’s hand, and kisses the top of it—“I cannot think of a more perfect couple. Padraig, you are blessed to have found this radiant woman to stand by your side. And, Stella, well, I’m sorry.”
Everyone laughs.
“May you both live as long as you want and never want for as long as you live.” He raises his glass. We all follow suit, and drink.
“So, you know what I heard?” Kerry leans over to ask me.
I shake my head. “No, what did you hear?”
“I heard Padraig and Stella are going to Ireland to get married.”
“How did you hear that? They only just got engaged an hour ago.”
“Moira might have let the cat out of the bag on the way here. They already have plans set in motion.”
“Well, good for them.”
I sit back and think about how I’ve yet to go to Europe. How badly I’d still love to go. See all the things I originally wanted to see.
“I see the wheels spinning in your head,” Kerry says, moving a strand of hair from my face.
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“Was Ireland in your original plan for Europe?”
“Absolutely. You know that. I’ve told you.”
“Well, you know, if they go to Ireland, we’re going too. I’m not missing my best friend’s wedding.”
I look into her eyes for a moment, trying to understand her point.
“We’re going to Ireland. You and me. It may not be a six-month European tour of everywhere you wanted to go before, but it’s a start. And we can do it together.”
I grab Kerry’s hand in mine. I turn it over and run my fingers over the tattoo on her wrist. It’s an infinity symbol. Common. Simple. But she said it represented how she felt about me. She also let me ink the lotus on her that she originally wanted. On her hip. She says that tattoo is not just for her anymore. It’s for us.
I can’t believe I ever doubted anything when it comes to Kerry. There’s no one I trust more. Padraig is up there on the list, but Kerry has a better smile.
I kiss her tattoo. “That sounds like the perfect plan to me. I would love nothing more than to go to Ireland with you.”
Kerry let me literally brand her with my tattoos. Put my mark on her body. She insisted. I can’t argue with that. I know this is the real thing. The forever thing, whether we ever make it legally official or not.
I will follow this woman anywhere she asks me to go.
Kerry leans into me and rests her head on my shoulder.
I don’t know if my life could get any more perfect than this moment right now.
“I’m going to look up tattoo parlors in Ireland when we get home. Do you think there are any there?” Kerry asks.
But I do know I’ve found the perfect woman. And though I’m the one who put ink on her body to symbolize our love and commitment for one another and our journey together, she is the one who has marked my heart and my soul, permanently and forever.
The End