Epilogue
A year later
Colin fell onto the couch, weary after a long day at work, but excited for his plan for the evening ahead. From the far corner of the living room, the Christmas tree twinkled at him. Maggie had wanted a tree, so he’d gotten a tree. The few sparkly ornaments dangling from the branches looked sparse, but she’d said they’d add a few more each year. He’d liked the sound of that.
As he started to sink into the cushions and relax, an idea struck him. He got back up, grabbed a beer from the fridge, turned off the overhead lights, and turned on the white lights of the tree. Easing back down on the couch, he sat in the dark and sipped his beer. The sparkling shimmer of the tree’s lights filled the room and the quiet settled over him. It was peaceful, lovely. His life was full. Things had never been so good, and he was just bloody grateful.
A year before, the night Maggie had returned to Dublin and sought him out, he took her home with him. Within hours, he realized his flat was too small for the two of them. Within weeks, they’d found a larger flat to share—and only three blocks from where he’d been, so Reardon’s Pub was still their local. Before Christmas, he’d introduced her to his kids, who’d welcomed her warmly, thank God. Roisin, in particular, adored Maggie. They got along well, and Colin was more relieved about that than either of them knew. His kids were genuinely happy for his happiness.
So was his extended family. They all liked Maggie, and the running joke became how yet another McKinnon brother had fallen for an American girl. Colin and Maggie still went to Shannon’s for dinner once a month, as he had before, and even went out with Gavin and his wife, Toni, on occasion. The two strong, friendly American women had bonded quickly, and Colin actually liked getting better acquainted with his brother.
Maggie fit in well with everyone in his life. Seamlessly. It shouldn’t have surprised him—hell, she’d always been more likeable, outgoing, and charming than he was—but seeing it relieved him, made him happy in a way he hadn’t foreseen.
Maggie still traveled, but not as often, certainly not on a constant basis. She took one trip a month, taking small jobs for travel and tourism companies occasionally. She did it on her own, as she always had… and then came home to him. They’d made a home together. They’d forged a life together, filled with love that felt even more precious because it was a second chance, for both of them. They never took that gift, or each other, for granted.
Sometimes, he even went with her on her travels. Thanks to her, he’d now been to France, Germany, and Greece. In June, they’d go to Italy for two weeks. He couldn’t wait. He’d always wanted to go there…
He hadn’t clipped her wings or dragged her down. He’d given her roots, an anchor, a home base that she wanted as much as he did. They were both so lucky.
The sound of the front door closing startled him from his thoughts. He looked up to see Maggie walk in. She took off her coat and hung it on the rack, smiling as she said, “Oooh, it’s so romantic in here.”
“Is it?” He smiled back as she sat beside him and kissed him hello. “I just thought it was peaceful.”
“It is peaceful,” she said. “I love it. And you.” She kissed him again, then nestled into his side as he made room for her. They lay together, wrapped around each other.
“How was your day?” she asked.
“Long and busy,” he said. “I’m glad for the weekend. How was yours?”
“Good.”
“That’s it?” He tipped up her face, studying. “How did that meeting go?”
“Really well. They hired me.” She grinned. “I’ll be doing a trip up the Pacific coast. Start in San Diego, rent a car, and drive all the way up the coast. California, Oregon, Washington, until I stop in Vancouver. It’s going to be amazing.” She leaned into him. “I wish you could go with me. That’s some of the most beautiful scenery…”
“When is it?” he asked.
“May,” she said. “But we’re going to Italy in June, so I know you can’t take the West Coast trip with me.”
“I wish I could,” he said. He kissed her forehead. “You’ll be gone a long time?”
“Three weeks. Maybe four.”
“Damn. I’ll miss you terribly.” He held her closer. “But you have to do your thing.”
“Thanks. But I really wish you could come with me.”
“I do too. Ah well. Another time.” He sifted his fingers through her hair. “This trip, you’ll find all the best spots, and when you bring me back, you’ll know the highlights.”
“Sounds good. That will happen one day.” She sat up so she could grasp his face and kiss him. The kisses were deliciously slow and sumptuous. “You taste like beer,” she said with a smile. “Now I want one too.”
“Grab me another one while you’re up?” he asked.
“Sure thing.”
When she was gone, he reached down in between the cushions of the couch to check the box he’d hidden was still there. She returned with a bottle in each hand and a smile. She was always smiling. So full of light.
“Tell me the plans again?” she said as she retook her seat beside him. “Christmas Eve tomorrow, kids are here. Christmas Day, Shannon’s and then your parents?”
“Close,” he said, tapping his bottle to hers before they both sipped. “To my parents in the morning for breakfast, then to Shan’s for dinner in the afternoon.”
“Got it. Okay then.”
“Something I want to ask you,” he said casually.
“I’m listening.” She stole another sip from her bottle.
He gazed at her. In the dim room, with the white lights from the Christmas tree casting shadows over Maggie’s face, she was ethereal, so beautiful. He reached up to caress her cheek. “I love you so much.”
She smiled. “Oh good. Because I love you too.”
He wanted this to be perfect, but suddenly, all the words he’d thought of evaporated from his mind like mist. He gazed at her for a long beat.
“What did you want to ask me?” she murmured.
He reached between the cushions and pulled out the small black box. Her eyes flew wide as he flipped it open to reveal the sparkling diamond ring he’d picked out.
“Maggie,” he said softly. “You mean the world to me. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”
She drew a long, shuddering breath, her eyes still wide with shock.
He continued, “You’ve made my life complete. Better. Whole.” He swallowed hard, watching the emotions play on her face. “We’ve talked about getting married one day… well… I’ve been thinking about it more, and I want that. I want you, us, forever.” He trailed the backs of his fingers along her cheek. “Will you marry me?”
She stared at him in astonishment, then looked back down to the ring.
“You’re my heart, and my home,” he said. “I want to be yours too.”
“You are,” she whispered thickly, blinking back tears. “My God, Colin. I love you so much.”
“Then marry me,” he said quietly. “Do me the honor of being my wife.”
“You’re such an old-fashioned gentleman.” A tear rolled down her cheek and she swept it away. “You’re my rock, and my best friend. You let me be me and do my thing, because you get me. By letting me keep my wings, you gave me the roots I didn’t know I wanted… that I needed.” She smiled tremulously. “You are my heart and my home. Of course I’ll marry you. I’m the one who’s honored.”
Blowing out a breath of relief, he took the ring from the box and slid it onto her slender finger. “Look at that,” he murmured, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it. “It fits perfectly.”
She stared at it and sniffled, then gave him a soft, tender smile. “Everything about you fits me perfectly, Colin.”
The End