“Hey, Devin?” I held her hand, waiting for her to find a good stopping point in her book. When she looked up at me, her head tilted already in an unspoken question.
“You know I love you right?” She nodded, looking confused. I dragged my hand down my face. I was fucking this all up.
“Let me start over. I love you. More than anything. You are my first and top priority. Every time. And I cannot wait to be tied to you in every way possible,” I paused, taking a breath, preparing to drop the mic as she nodded again. “Well, with the help of all our family and friends,” I pointed over my shoulder and waited until she turned her head, getting a good look at the back of the plane, “They’re coming with us to Ireland so I can marry you at midnight tomorrow for New Year's.”
She whipped her head around to look down at me from where she was on her knees on her seat. Tears and awe were in her eyes.
“Everything is ready, for us to say I do. Your parents started preparations early. They’re already at the manor. I just need you to say yes. I want to start this year with you as my wife from the very first minute. Please?” I felt my heart spamming against my rib cage in a skipping pattern, had to be nerves, nerves that she’d say no, that it was too soon. She kissed me and her tears soaked my cheeks. She held me there, pouring everything into that kiss. It settled something in me, knowing she was going to grant me the honor of marrying her tomorrow.
“I love you so much, Johnny.” She pressed her forehead against mine, eyes closed. We were in our own little bubble. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“I love you too, June.”
Chapter Forty-Two:
Devin’s POV
Today was New Year’s Eve and Mam, Emilia and I were getting ready in my grandparents' room while the guys were getting ready in the study across the hall. Mam and Emilia had picked out a simple, white dress with lace and beading on the bodice of the dress. It made me look like a fairy. The dress was stunning and fit perfectly without alterations. I was still completely floored that all of them were able to pull this off without me noticing. I looked at myself in the mirror again, still unable to believe this was me. The long sleeves were lace and there was some slight beading on the back of the dress. There was sheer material on the back, with buttons going from my butt to my neck.
I was deeply in love. With the manandthe dress.
My hair was down, letting my crazy red curls flow. Cash had even gotten me a white cap to keep me warm for pictures around the property. He’d honestly thought of everything. We were getting married close to the sea and then coming back to the family home for dinner, drinks, and dancing.
I didn’t think I had ever been this excited for a New Year’s party. None of my past or future New Year’s celebrations would ever top marrying this man. Sitting in front of the mirror, I saw as Mam stepped out to get the guys moving and make sure that the guests were on their way to the edge of the property. I looked in the mirror, staring at myself.
Never thought I’d have been here again, but couldn’t imagine being here with anyone else. I laughed a little at myself for thinking that Caleb was my forever. I never thought thathe and I would have been here. Both of us having a baby with someone else, and me, in love with and marrying someone else. I’d always thought we’d make it through anything, and that it wouldn’t be us that ended. I used to tell myself, ‘not us’when I thought horrible thoughts like that. Now?
Now I was thankful that my marriage to him fell apart. I wouldn’t have Cash or Calen otherwise. I wouldn’t be here with all of his siblings, and my parents, and my siblings, and him. I wouldn’t be marrying the man I know soul-deep that is my forever. My soul is calm in a way it never was with Caleb.
My world has become brighter, and more beautiful. It was fuller, and fuller, than I ever could have imagined in the past. I felt the tears lining my eyes again. A knock on the door had me blinking the tears away, trying not to ruin the makeup we spent all afternoon on, after spending time with the friends and family who flew in to watch us get married, all while jetlagged. Thankfully my grandparents' home, our family home, was big enough for most of the guests to stay here and not at a hotel farther away.
Eddie poked his head in, along with Pa. Both of them teared up as soon as they saw me. This was all I could have wanted when I pictured marrying Cash. The love of family and friends.
“We have to meet them at the spot in fifteen minutes,” Pa smiled at me, tears filling his eyes, “Let’s get going, Fia, a stór, the sun is setting,” Pa held his hand out to me as tears filled my eyes.
“Dear. Pa!” I got all mushy for a second, the endearment taking me back to a time when he and Ma were my world, and I was barely three feet tall. I blinked as hard as I could, tryingto make the tears go back to where they belonged until after photos.
“You used to call me that all the time when I was little. So did Daideó,” The traitorous tears attempted to leave my eyes as Eddie fanned them, trying to help stop the rush of emotions. So many memories were quickly flooding me and I wished now more than ever that Cash could have met them, Pa’s parents.
“Don’t ruin your make-up, babe. We worked hard all day to get you together,” Eddie whispered to me, hands working double-time to dry my eyes before the tears spilled over.
Once I had collected myself, we made our way out of the manor. Pa and Eddie helped me onto one of the ATVs that were set up to transport everyone and take us to the edge of the property by the sea where we would be married. As we pulled up, everyone was standing in a half circle around Cash, Calen, Emilia, and our minister. Everyone was holding either candles or jumbo sparklers, giving us all the light we could need and making this the most romantic wedding I’d ever attended.
Each of the ATVs was lined up off to the side waiting to take everyone back to the manor. There were lanterns set out all over the place, outlining the aisle and where people could stand. The hexagon Pa built and Mam decorated with flowers, was holding up lights to help illuminate the space once the sun set. There were metal posts holding solar lanterns up above where everyone was standing, and where we would be standing. Pa and Eddie helped me off the ATV, and I was on the verge of tears already, as soon as we pulled up.
That proposal with all the candles in that purple living room had nothing on this wedding. My eyes locked on his, the second I stepped down from the ATV. The pride and love that swelled in my chest couldn’t be contained as it eruptedthroughout my body. I felt like I was floating on Pa’s and Eddie’s arm towards Cash.
I remembered the conversation I had with Cash on our way from the airport to the family home. He was so disappointed that we wouldn’t be able to get married by the sea at midnight.
“They said it’ll be too cold out. But we’re going to party til at least midnight so I can bring in the new year with you as my wife, okay?” I just smiled and nodded at this sentimental man.
This man…he’d give me the world if I asked for it.
Everyone parted to one side or the other, making way for us, the first tear fell. My eyes had been glued to Cash, and I knew it had been since long before tonight. He had tears streaming down his face as he smiled at me, that goofy smile that said ‘pinch me, I’m dreaming’.
“I’m leaving that hexagon up. That way you two can celebrate here every year forever,” Pa whispered to me as he walked me to my future, my breath hitching sharply in my chest, breaking eye contact to look at the man I had admired since before I could remember. The second tear fell, and he swiped his big papa bear claw across my cheek to wipe it as we slowly made our way forward. My heart stuttered at what he was telling me, more tears threatening to fall at a breakneck speed.
“You were never this sentimental when I married Caleb,” I mused quietly. I looked back to Cash; he smiled just as big as me. I heard my Pa huff.
