Page 77 of Niall

“Do tell,” Una said, sliding the cookies into a canister.

He explained Roman’s offer, and I watched Anna carefully to see her reaction.

“I’ve never been to Ireland,” she said, clasping her hands. “Really?” She turned to me. “We could see your mum? I could meet her?”

They had spoken on the phone. FaceTimed as well. Mum already loved her, and I knew she’d be thrilled to meet her and welcome her to the family officially.

I nodded. “The best part is she could come back with us to be here for Finn’s wedding.”

Una clapped her hands in glee. “That is perfect!”

“We’ll spend time with Roisin and do a little traveling alone,” Finn said. “Roman is giving us three weeks.”

“Can we see London? I’ve always wanted to see London,” Una asked, her eyes bright with excitement.

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close and kissing her. “Yes.”

I looked at Anna, already knowing she wouldn’t want to be in a big city. “What about you?” I asked quietly. I had an idea, and I made a suggestion. “Would a quiet place in the country suit you?”

“Yes,” she sighed. “I’d prefer that.”

“I’ll make the arrangements.”

“When do we leave?”

“A week.”

Una grabbed Finn’s hand. “We have so much to do! We need to start planning.”

He grabbed another cookie on the way out. I turned to Anna, opening my arms, smiling as she nestled into my chest, her head pressed into her favorite spot.

“We’ll go and find some quiet spot to relax in,” I promised, already knowing the place. “You can recover, and I’ll be right beside you.”

She looked up, her eyes bright. “Loving me.”

I bent and kissed her.

“Always.”

THE FINAL CHAPTER

NIALL

I woke, my hand searching for Anna. Her side of the bed was empty, and I sat up, listening. She wasn’t in the bathroom. I shrugged on my robe and headed to the living room. She was standing in front of the window, looking outside, her forehead pressed against the glass.

I walked up behind her, pulling her into my arms. “You were gone.”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Nervous about flying?” She had never been on a plane. Never left the province.

“A little.”

“It’s private. No strangers. Only us.”

“I know.” She smiled softly. “And the newlyweds.”

Finn hadn’t been able to wait. He’d married Una in a private ceremony on his terrace, with Anna and me as witnesses. He insisted he’d waited for too long already, and Una didn’t object. They still planned a party in Ireland and another when we came home. But that moment, that day, was for them. They married at dawn, then disappeared for the next thirty-six hours. Finn appeared at his desk after lunch, looking like Finn, except with a contented, happy expression. And a wide gold band on his left hand.