Chapter 34
Sitting at home watching the ball drop on television was usually as exciting as it got for her. In fact she couldn't even remember the last time she had gone out to ring in the New Year with a bang. Standing in the bathroom looking at her reflection in the mirror Caitlyn figured like so much else in her life these days that tradition was changing too. She had on a blush colored top, the sheer gauzy fabric almost see through, but not quite. The short cap sleeves were adorned with hundreds of rose gold sequins, and the back dipped halfway down her back. A pair of bad ass faux-leather leggings, and rose gold strappy heels on her feet completed the outfit. When Nolan said he was taking her out for New Years she had gone and bought the whole outfit especially for the occasion. Her curly auburn hair was pinned to drape artfully over one shoulder showcasing her back. Doing her makeup differently, she added bronzer, golden shimmering highlighter, a sexy cat-eye flick, and pink nude lipstick, with a few coats of mascara.
"Almost ready love?" Nolan called from out in the bedroom?
Adding a spritz of perfume at her neck and on both wrists, Caitlyn opened the door. "Ready."
"Sweet Jesus." Nolan said exhaling. His eyes boggling out of his head, as he tucked a hand into his pocket. "Ye look fuckin fantastic love."
Caitlyn turned around slowly to show him the back. In the heels she was almost his height, and took advantage pressing the lightest kiss to his lips, careful not to smear her lipstick on his mouth. He had on a navy blue button down top that fit him exactly as it should, accentuating his broad shoulders, and narrow waist to perfection. He was wearing dark jeans instead of dress pants though, and Caitlyn loved the combination on him. His hair was styled back from his face in sexy disarray. He hadn't shaved in a few days again, and the dark stubble riding along his jaw had always been her weakness. Running her hand across it she licked her lips.
"Ye keep that up we won't me making it to the pub tonight, and I've a mind to show ye off." Nolan said grabbing her hand and leading them out of the bedroom, and all of its delicious temptations. He helped her into her black boyfriend style blazer, and put on his own black suede bomber jacket.
"You'll look great on my arm tonight Nol, I like your hair like that." Caitlyn smiled at them as they headed out of the flat towards the elevator. "No Rob?" She asked as the doors closed and they behind them.
"He's waiting with the car." Nolan answered tucking a hand deep into his pocket again.
Rob was indeed waiting with the car, in the drivers seat, as the Rover idled by the curb. Nolan held the door open for Caitlyn, and slid in the back seat after her. Nolan usually drove himself, but Caitlyn figured that Rob was playing double duty as the designated driver along with security guard tonight. They didn't drive very far though, pulling up in front of Sean's pub less than five minutes later. Caitlyn turned to Nolan grinning from ear to ear. "Perfect place."
"I'm glad ye agree, love." He said with a small smile.
Nolan waited until Rob got out and opened the door to the back seat. He climbed out first, then held a hand out for Caitlyn. Rob followed directly behind them into the pub. Glancing around Caitlyn didn't recognize most of the people in tonight. With the holiday the pub was completely packed, and there was a band playing music over in the corner. As Nolan led them through the crowd and up to the bar Sean spotted them. He let out an excited whoop, and came around the bar to meet them.
"Caitlyn! So good to see ye back in here girl!" He said wrapping her up in a warm hug.
"I'm so glad to be back Sean!" She said as he gave her a squeeze.
"And look, yer stools are empty." Sean said tipping his head to indicate the stools in front of them. Caitlyn gave him a strange look, but he quickly added "I'll get ye some pints."
They handed their jackets to Rob when asked, and settled on their stools. Keely stuck her head out of the kitchen and gave a big wave. She had a lovely green silk top on under her apron. Caitlyn waved back before she disappeared back into the kitchen. The band was quite good, playing a mix of what Caitlyn thought of as traditional Irish drinking songs, and classic rock songs everyone and their brother were sure to know. They started playing one of her all time favorite songs, Now And Forever by Richard Marx. Caitlyn smiled swaying to the music on her stool.
"Will ye dance with me love?" Nolan asked holding a hand out in invitation, a knowing smile on his face.
Caitlyn nodded and tucked her palm in his, wondering if he had asked the band to play the song for her. They walked to a space in the crowd, and Caitlyn wrapped her arms around Nolan, linking her fingers behind his neck. His hands rested lightly at the small of her back. She gazed into his eyes, as they swayed to the music thinking that nothing could make this night any better. As the last notes of the song ended he laid his forehead against hers and pulled her in tighter to his body for a moment. She felt him take a deep breath in, like he was going to say something before he let her go, and walked them back to the stools that were still empty. She realized that Sean must be stopping anyone else from sitting in them, and wondered if Nolan asked him to do that too.
As midnight neared the pints of Guinness turned to glasses of golden bubbling champagne. Nolan was strangely quiet beside her as she talked with Sean across the expanse of the bar. Keely walked out from the back, her apron off. Sean wrapped his arm around his lovely wife, and Caitlyn figured the count down to the new year was about to begin. Keely had a strange smile on her face, and Sean gave a nod. Caitlyn turned over to Nolan to ask why everyone was acting so strange. But the stool next to hers was empty. Caitlyn turned all the way around, and saw that everyone was staring at her. Nolan stood a few feet away, and he lifted a hand out to her in invitation, beckoning her to come join him. Caitlyn slid off her stool and walked over to him, setting her hand into his palm. She could feel that his hand was trembling, but as she opened her mouth to ask him what was wrong he dropped down to one knee in front of her. Every single thought flew right out the top of her head, and she let out a shaky breath. "Oh, god, Nol." Caitlyn blurted out, and covered her mouth with the hand he wasn't holding.
"Yer heart is the most important thing that I own in this whole world Caitlyn. I've known this was what I wanted from the first moment that yer eyes met mine, on that stool right over there. I want to be the last man ye ever kiss. Ye told me the other day that yer hand was mine anytime that I wanted, all I had to do was ask. This is me asking, love. Ta' gra' agam duit. Will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife?" Nolan asked stumbling slightly over his words, all his usual charm clouded with nerves. As soon as the last words left his mouth Nolan held his breath waiting for the answer, his eyes pleading with her just like that first night in June when she kissed him on the sidewalk.
Caitlyn exclaimed, "yes, yes, a thousand times yes!" Nodding her head. Nolan jumped up grabbing her in a hug and spinning her around to the cheers and applause of the crowded pub. Setting her back down on her feet he pulled a small box out of his pocket, the same one he kept putting his hand in all night. Opening it up he took out the precious treasure tucked safely inside, and holding her hand slid the stunning ring on the third finger of her left hand. Glancing down Caitlyn saw the single round stone set in a classic platinum band. It was just perfect. The facets of the diamond winking in the lights. Pulling his face to hers in a kiss Caitlyn heard the count down to midnight echoing around them. Pressed against him she could feel Nolan's heart racing in his chest. Everyone was cheering and shouting but the only thing that mattered to her was the man in her arms.
His forehead resting on hers he said, "I asked the lads, and yer Dad for their blessing on Christmas."
"You've been sitting on this for a week?" Caitlyn asked surprised. Realizing that was why they had all been quiet when they came up for dinner Christmas day.
"I bought that ring after our weekend in Chicago love. But it had to be here, in this pub." Nolan said grinning from ear to ear.
Rob handed Nolan back his phone, and Caitlyn realized he had been recording the proposal.
"Wait, we need a picture!" Caitlyn said. Nolan handed the phone back to Rob and wrapped his arm around her. Caitlyn held up her hand showing off the ring, and they both grinned.
Nolan showed Caitlyn the picture, and she watched as he posted it to his Instagram account, tagging her, with the caption, "She said yes! #HappyNewYear". Then Nolan leaned in and whispered into her ear, "lets get home, I wanna see ye in nothing but that ring."