Gray refused to stay seated another second and went to Ciar, hugging him tightly, their son settled between them. He sighed above her head, cupping her head and gently bringing her cheek to rest against his chest.
“I named her Imogen because it was your middle name, and my dream was that you would adopt her and become her real mother. Imogen’s middle name is Alya, the name of my Mama’s younger sister.
“Alya visited Mama and me a few times, and those were the brightest moments of my childhood. She knew her sister had issues, but she didn’t know about the abuse or that I wasn’t in school. Because of finances, she wasn’t able to come in those last years.
“I tracked Alya down, and she and her twin daughters came to Dublin and are staying with Dad. It was, I suppose, not healing exactly, but it was nice to hear stories of Mama before the drugs.”
Gray asked the only thing she could manage. “You thought I wouldn’t want you if I knew about your childhood?” Her voice was thick with tears and disbelief.
“Dad made me do therapy for years, but that feeling like I’m dirty, unworthy—it’s a hard thing to let go of. You didn’t sign up for all my baggage, or Imogen, or any of it. It was easier to let you hate me for a deserter than to risk the truth.”
“I would never have turned my back on you. I wouldn’t then, and I won’t now. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I’m wrecked that you had to go through so many horrible things, Ciar. I thought you were strong before, but now I’m humbled at how truly formidable you are.” She leaned her head back and kissed him softly.
“Do you believe me?” Gray asked.
Ciar chuckled. “I don’t think it’s quite hit me yet that I finally told you and you’re in my arms again.”
Her family stood, and Gray’s dad interrupted, asking, “Do you love my daughter, Murphy?”
Her dad’s eyes were red-rimmed with emotion, but he honored Ciar by not treating him like he was broken. Thomas MacGregor spoke in a growling voice, and his eyes never wavered from Ciar’s.
“According to Jo, you’ve never told her. Seems strange when you claim to want to be a family with her.”
Gray felt the breath leave her body in one long exhale and felt her body stiffen against Ciar’s body. She tried to move out of his arms, but they tightened insistently.
“Please stay, Gray,” Ciar said, his voice roughened.
He’d been through it today, had opened up to her and her family about the deepest scars on his heart, she didn’t want him put on the spot about her.
“Dad, enough, please.”
“It’s okay, baby,” he whispered in her ear. “He has every right to ask after what I’ve put you through.”
Ciar loosened his arms enough to take her hands and hold them above her belly. “I do know what love is, I suppose, so I can’t use that as an excuse. I love Dad, and he loves me. If it comes to it, I would say I love our friends, though two weeks ago I would have said I only cared for them deeply.
“That was the bullshit I tried with you. I think,” he stopped and closed his eyes and shook his head before continuing, “I think Mama broke something in me for years where I couldn’t bear to hear the words spoken to me, let alone repeat them. But I wanted them. I know that.
“I love you meant pain and abandonment. You’ve said those words to me before, and I let you down. I never wanted you to leave me, so I didn’t acknowledge them.
“In my bid to become a better man for you, and a father for our children, I realized that I had to take a chance that you do, infact, love me as I love you. I hope you still love me, anyway,” he added sheepishly.
“I’ve loved you since I was sixteen, you jackass. Glad to see you’re finally catching up.”
“I love you, and,” he pulled their joined hands to kiss her knuckles, “I came prepared in case you didn’t run.”
Gray watched with increasing disbelief as he produced a ring from his pocket and shoved it in her face. Gray had to use his wrist to move it back far enough to see it properly. He blushed adorably and apologized.
“Sorry, I’m nervous. Your father got your mother gray diamonds, and I wanted to do the same.”
Gray gasped as she realized that it was a simple yet stunning thin white gold band with gray diamonds surrounding it. “An eternity band,” she breathed.
“Yes, because that’s how long I’ll love you. Will you marry me, Gray Imogen MacGregor?” He quickly added, “I would have asked your father for permission, but I knew the stubborn bastard wouldn’t give it unless he saw for himself what you mean to me.”
Gray and Ciar both looked toward her father, who shook his head and pulled her mother tight to his side. “I hoped you would deserve my daughter, and you do. I’m proud to have you in our family.”
Ciar looked at Gray again. “Well?”
She was still reeling from Ciar’s story and feeling extraordinarily lucky to love and be loved by such a strong man. “Of course, yes.” She bit her lip to stop more tears from falling. “You’ve made me so happy,” she whispered as he slipped the ring on her finger.
