Amberlyn

“It’s so damn cute! I love it so much!”

Fiona looks over her shoulder and grins at me. “I am so excited for ya. Invite me and Kane for dinner. I did for yous two.”

“You did, and maybe I won’t burn the food.”

“Ah, fuck off. It was a little crisp is all.”

“If you call charcoal-black crisp, then yeah, it was only a little crisp,” I tease, and she sticks her tongue out at me.

“I’ve gotten better.”

“Good!” I cheer for her since she could burn water. “Hey, maybe you guys can come over the night the contractor drops off the plans. We’ll eat and look everything over.”

“Sure, let me know,” she says before lifting the top of the dress up her arms and snapping the back before turning to show me the dress. “Has he talked to his ma?”

“A little. She’s apologetic of course, but he isn’t listening. He’s still so mad.”

“Can’t blame him.”

“No, but I know it hurts him to be mad at her.”

“He’ll get over it. Yer still marrying him,” she says, still messing with the snap.

“This is true,” I say with a nod.

When she gets it, her honey brown hair falls down her shoulders as she models the dress she wears for me. The dress is cream, plain, and hugs her in every single place. I wanted something very simple, a showstopper since Fiona is so gorgeous, but nothing that would take away from my dress. I know, I’m confusing and I make no sense, but I’ll know it when I see it.

This one is good, I guess. It’s stunning, but I don’t like it. For one reason and one I think she sees too. Putting her hands on her gut, she looks in the mirror and then at me.

“So I guess you aren’t burning everything you cook?” I ask with a forgiving grin.

She laughs as she shakes her head. “No, that’s not it. I forgot to tell ya.”

“What?” I ask, drawing my brows in. She holds my gaze, gnawing on her lip as she starts to blush. “What?” I ask again.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispers with a grin.

“Shut up!” I exclaim, hopping up and rushing toward her. “Really?!”

“Yup, only eight weeks, but yeah, got us a wee baby growing.”

I hug her tightly, kissing her cheek as we part. “Oh my God! Why didn’t you tell me?”

She smiles as she holds me by the back of my arms. “Ya see, at first I didn’t believe it. Threw the test away and waved it off as a fluke. But then I got supersick, and I was like, shite, I think I am. So I took another test. Positive. Told Kane. We go to the doctor, positive again,” she says with a laugh, and I can’t stop grinning. “And so we sat on it for a minute, to digest really ’cause this was very unplanned. I was on the pill.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah, well, obviously his sperm didn’t either,” she jokes and I smile. “But yeah, it’s a big surprise and not something we were ready for. But he’s gonna ask for my hand after the wedding, and then we will get married quick before telling my parents.”

Grinning even bigger, I wrap her up in my arms, hugging her tightly. “You’re gonna be a great mom.”

“Ah, I don’t know, but we’ll see. I’m excited.”

“Eek! I can’t wait!” I exclaim, kissing her again on her cheek. “I’m gonna be an auntie!”

“Ya are,” she says with a nod. “But enough about that. Let’s get us a dress, yes?”

“Yeah,” I say, letting her go, but then I hug her again. “If it’s a girl, Amberlyn is a great name.”

She laughs as she pushes me away, heading to the dressing room for another dress. She sends me a look over her shoulder, and I love how happy she is. I don’t know how I didn’t see before that she was glowing. It’s like our lives are at full speed. She’s pregnant and gonna get married real quick. I’m getting married, and then it will be time for me to be a mommy. Not anytime soon, but it will happen, and I honestly can’t wait.

* * *

When I get home later that afternoon, I can’t wipe the grin off my face. Between being so damn happy for Fiona and then adding in the fact that I’m alone in my own home, marrying the man of my dreams, it’s easy to say that I’m one of the happiest girls on earth. Only thing missing is my parents, but I feel them with me. A lot lately, which is comforting.

After picking up a bit since apparently, my husband-to-be is very messy—must have not noticed that since someone was always picking up after him on the estate—I do some schoolwork and then check my emails. I have emails from the movers, who send me an email with every stop they make. My stuff won’t be here for another two weeks, and we’ve already decided to put it in storage until the big house is ready.

That’s what we’ve dubbed it. The big house. It won’t be anywhere near the estate’s size, but it will be a good size for us and whatever children we decide to have. When I come to an email from his mom, I groan. I haven’t spoken to her or seen her since I walked out of her office the day Declan and I got into that horrid fight that I still feel I need to apologize for.

Sucking in a deep breath, I open the email and start to read it.

Amberlyn my dear,

I wanted to let you know you have a dress fitting Monday at three. Shelia and Fiona are welcome to join us. Lena and I will be there too. Everything with the wedding is sound and ready to go. Should have no hiccups. I even got you a bit of a surprise to bring ya in. I think you and Declan will appreciate it.

While I have you, I want to apologize for upsetting you the other day. I’ve been thinking a lot about Ciara, and I wish I had told ya sooner about her. I miss her. I was even at her funeral. I saw ya that day and thought how gorgeous you were, so much like her. When word of Declan dating an American came to us, I didn’t even think of you until I saw your picture. I cried for hours, pulled Ciara’s and even Marla’s pictures out to have a look for a bit. I didn’t tell anyone about this. That I knew you or even who you were. I let it be, but now I wish I hadn’t.

I would have defended you to Ivor. I would have pushed Declan to you sooner, because any daughter of Ciara’s is bound to be a beautiful and strong soul, and I’m not wrong about that. That’s why I worried. I had already done her wrong once, and I couldn’t let ya go into this marriage without the warning. As much as I know it hurt you both, I had to tell you. You will be a fine wife for my boy, and I hope that one day we can have a relationship too. I do think very highly of you and do worry for ya, like I knew your ma would. I’m sorry if I hurt you, scared you, or ever upset you. I wish nothing but the best for you.

Let me know if you need anything.

I hope you love the cottage. It was my ma’s. I grew up there. I made sure to hang the picture of your ma and da in your living room for ya. I thought you’d appreciate that.

With lots of love,

Noreen

Wiping away the tear that ran down my face, I look across the room at the picture she hung for me. It’s a beautiful picture, one of them at their wedding under the big tree by the lake. Soon, I’ll have a matching picture just like that. Wiping another tear free of my face, I hit reply and write a quick message.

Mrs. O’Callaghan,

Thank you for all you are doing for our wedding. I can’t wait for the day to finally be here so I can join your family. Thank you also for my picture of my parents. It made me happy to see that when Declan brought me home last night. I also want to thank you for sharing this side of you with me. I look forward to getting to know you and soon loving you. Maybe we can have some tea tomorrow afternoon when I get off work? I can guarantee you, though, I won’t be wearing a tea dress.

Love,

Amberlyn.

I hit send and then check some more emails before my email dings with another one. Seeing that it’s from Mrs. O’Callaghan, I hit open and smile at her response.

I wouldn’t expect you any other way. See ya tomorrow around three. I look forward to it.

Love, Noreen

With a grin on my face, I shut my computer and lean back in my chair. I feel good about this. I don’t know if I’ll be comfortable with Mrs. O’Callaghan soon, but maybe one day I will. Like Fiona said, not everyone gets along with their mother-in-law, but I need Declan to fix it with his mom. He loves her, and while it was rough there, we made it through.

Standing up, I go to the kitchen to start dinner. I’m gonna make my Aunt Shelia’s shepherd’s pie, one of Declan’s favorites. He wasn’t joking when he said he had the fridge stocked. We’ll eat the food in there for at least two weeks, and it makes me giddy to know I’ll be cooking him meals. My husband in less than two weeks!

With a grin on my face for the unexpectedly great day, I dance around the kitchen, mixing and cooking as I wait for Declan to come home. He usually gets home around five, and today he isn’t a minute late. Just as I’m taking the pie out of the oven, I see his car coming up the hill. Placing it on the stove, I grin as I wipe my hands on the apron my mom used to use when she cooked before going to the door to greet him.

As soon as he gets out of the car, he sends me a grin. “Is this the way I’ll be greeted every day?”

I giggle as he gathers me in his arms, kissing me deeply. He smells like death, but I’ve missed him and I really don’t care. Pressing my lips to his chin, I grin up at him as I say, “Maybe.”

“Then getting through the day is gonna be even harder than it already is,” he says, kissing me again. “I missed ya.”

“I missed you. Come on, dinner is ready.”

“Grand, let me get a shower. I worked in the malting room for a bit with Kane. I stink.”

I smile as he squeezes my shoulders, walking past me. “Just a bit.”

“Wee bit, yeah?” he says with a grin before disappearing into the bedroom. My heart explodes in my chest as I start to cut the pie, plating him some before putting it on the table and getting us both something to drink. Sitting down, I cross my legs just as he comes out of the bedroom in only a pair of shorts. Looking at me, he moves his hand up and down his body. “Can I come to dinner this way?”

I laugh as I nod. “In our home, you can.”

“Smart woman talking me into this, ya know?” he says, coming around to kiss the top of my head before dropping into the seat beside me. “Mm, looks damn good, love. C’mere, one more kiss.”

I come willingly, and he kisses me hard on the lips before we part to dig in. Cutting into my pie, I let out a contented sigh as I take a bite, looking around the house, loving our little home. “We could stay here forever, you know,” I say, and he looks at me with a brow up.

“Ya love it, do ya?”

I nod. “I do. It’s so adorable.”

“For now. But soon it will be cramped, and it’s a bit drafty in here in the winter from what my ma says,” he adds, pointing his fork at me.

“Yeah, I didn’t know it was her old home.”

“Yeah, when my grandma found my other grandma with the baby, they gave her this house and didn’t take rent from her. My grandma loved my ma’s ma. Good worker, they didn’t want to lose her.”

“That’s sweet.”

“Yeah,” he says with a nod.

“Have you talked to her?”

He nods. “She came to the office today.”

I wait, and when he doesn’t go on, I say, “And?”

Swallowing the bite he just took, he shrugs. “I forgave her.”

“Good.”

“In some twisted way, it’s sweet that she tried to warn ya for your ma’s sake, but it still makes me mad that she didn’t think higher of me. That she just assumed I’d be my da.”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“But it is what it is. We are done with it,” he says, squeezing my hand. “What I am not done with is this. It really is good.”

I give him a pleased smile. “Thank you.”

Digging in, he cleans his plate before getting more. Looking over at me, he points his fork at me, and asks, “How did ya know this was my ma’s old home?”

“She wrote me an email.”

“Did she?” he asks, surprised. “What did she say?”

“She apologized and talked a bit about my mom.”

“Hm. Ya okay?”

I nod earnestly. “More than okay.”

“Grand,” he says, cupping my knee under the table before digging in.

“She asked me to tea tomorrow. Want to come?”

He shrugs. “Yeah, I’ll meet ya there.”

Smiling, we go back to eating as we talk about our days, and I love how private this is. No one is serving us; we aren’t talking about what his family wanted to talk about. It’s just us. It’s perfect. It’s what I’ve always wanted. To feel completely complete with the man I love.

“Did I tell ya Lena is moving to Dublin?”

Shocked, I say, “Really? When?”

“After the wedding, apparently. She came to talk to me a bit today too. I think it’s best for her.”

“Me too, new change.”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Has Micah contacted her?”

He shakes his head. “Guess he must not be hurting much. She hasn’t heard from him.”

“Maybe it was for the best, then,” I suggest and he agrees.

“Yeah, I think so too,” he says, sitting back and placing his hand on his stomach. He’s so lean and sexy, the tattoo on his shoulder begging me to lick it. I could gobble him up like I am this pie for sure. Leaning on my hand, I say, “You full?”

“No, just preparing for round three,” he says, causing me to laugh. “How’d the dress shopping go for Fiona?”

I scoop up some of the gravy with my finger and put it in my mouth before looking over at him. I can’t believe how freeing it is to do that since for the last couple months, I couldn’t even have my elbows on the table. Remembering my day with Fiona, I grin really big as I nod. She told me not to tell anyone, but I’m not sure if that means Declan too. Surely not. But just in case, I take my phone out of my pocket to text her real quick as I tell him about the dress.

“Did yous two talk?”

I look up from my phone, my brow coming up. “About?”

He shrugs. “Stuff?”

“What kind of stuff?” I ask, searching his eyes as he does the same to me. Finally we both say, “You know!”

“I do! A baby! I can’t wait!” I gush, and he laughs as he leans on his hands.

“Yeah, Kane is very excited—but nervous, of course.”

“So is Fiona. I can’t wait,” I say with a bright grin on my face. “We were trying on dresses, and she has a little gut now! I’m like, um, Fiona, the dress doesn’t fit you, and she’s like, oh yeah, I’m pregnant.”

He laughs as he shakes his head. “The reason I was in the malting room was because Kane didn’t know how to tell me. I was so confused as to why he was nervous to tell me. Did he think I wouldn’t be happy? Still blows my mind a bit.”

“For sure! Weird. But yay! A baby. I love babies,” I say, leaning on my hand. He does the same, his nose against mine as he grins at me.

“Do ya, love?”

“I do,” I say, holding his gorgeous gaze with mine.

“Wanna make one of our own?”

I giggle as I shake my head. “Not yet.”

“Grand ’cause I don’t want to either,” he says with a wink. “But nothing says we can’t practice.”

Standing up, he pushes everything off the table in a crashing heap.

“Declan!”

He looks over at me. “What? I haven’t been able to make a mess like that and make love to a woman on my kitchen table a day in my life.”

Taking ahold of me, he lifts me before setting me down on the table. “I sure as hell hope not,” I mutter against his lips as he pulls my panties and shorts down my legs.

He chuckles against my lips before saying, “Now that I have my own home, my own table, and my own soon-to-be wife, yer gonna get it against the table.”

“Many times, right?” I ask with desire filling my eyes.

“Oh yeah,” he promises. “And not just tonight—for the rest of yer life.”

“Mm, can’t wait,” I say as he slides his fingers inside of me, but then I stop him, mock panic on my face. “Did you lock the door?”

Needless to say, there was more laughter happening than actual lovemaking, but I don’t think we’d have it any other way.