Delaney

My heart swells with love as I watch the man on stage – my husband.

“As fun as this has been, I’m glad the tour is almost over,” Emer says as she comes to stand beside me, her hand resting on the small bump of her stomach. “I can’t wait to go home and sleep in my own bed.”

Home. Cillian and I decided to go back to Ireland when the tour is over. It makes sense for now. His family and band are there, and my own parents will visit when they have the chance. One day, I hope to take them to the places on Maeve’s list.

I don’t know if it’ll give them the same peace it did me, but I hope they’ll be able to find their own happiness again.

From backstage, we can see the men perfectly; Cillian at the front of the stage, Aiden and Owen on either side of him, Shane on the drums.

Being on the road with them has been an experience I never imagined. Their schedule is grueling, but every spare minute Cillian has he spends with me. Still, I can’t wait to be back to a normal schedule, for our days to just be me and my husband, and not a thousand screaming fans vying for his attention.

Not that I’m jealous. Cillian has made it his mission to make sure I know how devoted he is to me.

And I love him even more for it.

As the band finishes the last song, I let out a happy little sigh. I love seeing him on stage, but I prefer being in his arms, which is where I find myself the second he walks backstage.

Strength.

Warmth.

Love.

They surround me as he pulls me against his chest, possessively, and his mouth finds mine.

His kiss never fails to take my breath away.

I wrap my arms around his neck and breathe him in.

“I love you,” I whisper against his lips.

“Love ye,” he murmurs back, not letting me go.

“I was wondering if we could skip the after party tonight? There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

He pulls back slightly, studying me, a small frown drawing his brows down. “Everything all right?”

“I think so.” God, I hope so. I don’t know how he’ll react to what I have to tell him. I just hope he doesn’t freak out.

His frown deepens. “Tell me.”

“Later. Not here.”

He breathes out heavily through his nostrils, concern flashing in his eyes.

“I’m taking Emer back to the hotel,” Aiden says, interrupting, one arm wrapped protectively around his wife’s shoulders.

Cillian nods, his expression hard as he watches them leave.

I run my finger across the deep line between his brows. “What’s wrong?”

“This is too much for her, in her condition.”

“She’s fine. Just tired. And the tour is almost over.”

“Still.”

“You think she should have stayed in Ireland?”

“Maybe.” He sighs. “She won’t be able to come with us once the kid is born.”

Worry creeps into my chest. “He’ll make her stay home?”

Cillian chuckles. “Aiden can’t make Emer do anything, but I’m assuming she will. Raising a kid is hard enough, I can’t imagine how difficult it would be doing it from a different hotel room every night.”

“Would you make me?”

His eyes narrow. “Make ye what?”

“Stay home…when…” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth.

He runs his thumb over my mouth and pulls my lip free, then kisses me. “When we have a baby, I won’t leave yer side. Ye have my word on that.”

A new fear stirs in my chest. I don’t ever want to be the one responsible for stopping Cillian from living his dream.

His palms cup my jaw and he tilts my face up so that I’m looking at him. “Ye’re worrying me, love. Tell me what’s bothering ye.”

I exhale a shaky breath.

“I wouldn’t mind,” I lie. “If you toured without me. I could stay with Emer and–”

“Are ye pregnant?” The muscles in his jaw tense, and his eyes fill with a shocked awareness.

I can’t read his expression, but he doesn’t look happy.

Shit.

Fingers curling in the fabric of his t-shirt, I close my eyes and try to gather some courage.

“Delaney?” His voice is rough, filled with emotion.

“Yes,” I whisper, eyes still closed, unable to look at him, fearing the disappointment I might see there. “I’m sorry. It must have happened when–”

His lips crush mine, stopping my words. He kisses me long and hard, and slowly my fears begin to disintegrate.

Pulling back, I ask, “You’re not upset?”

“Jaysus, no.” He kisses me again. “That’s what ye’re worried about?”

“Yeah.” I give a small nod, and he shakes his head, still cupping my face.

He presses his forehead against mine, and a small grin tugs at his lips. “We’re just multiplying our happiness.”

I laugh, but tears burn my eyes. “God, I love you.”

“I love ye too, Delaney. And I’m happy.”

“You are?”

The smile he gives me makes my heart skip a beat. “I’ve never been happier. And ye know what the best part is?”

“What?”

“This is only the beginning.”