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My head swung up at his words, and my eyes watered at the mere thought of my brother dying.
“No lie, Bren,” Brock said, his face serious. “I’d hate to miss out on what happens next for you and Brady, and not being there for Victoria and our children, but knowing that you all had each other, and that I would have not only you guys, but my kids to carry on my legacy … That’s a beautiful thing.”
I watched as my brother tilted his head down, his beard brushing the top of Dec’s head before he touched his lips to his sleeping boy’s crown.
“You know I love you and Brady more than life itself, but I can’t tell you the feeling that fills you up when you hold your baby for the first time. The miracle that you made with the woman you love.” Brock tipped his head back to the sky, a smile on his lips, before piercing me with eyes identical to my own. “It’s magical, and it’s humbling, and more than anything, I wish that for you, and for Brady.”
“The thought scares the shit out of me,” I admitted softly.
“I know it does, Bren, it scared the shit out of me too,” he said, surprising me. “But it’s worth the agony. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
I’d been searching my soul ever since I’d left his house, which was why my resolve was unwavering now.
I knew what I wanted, and I was willing to bare my soul to get it.
Nothing in life worth getting is easy, right? The harder it was to obtain, the closer to perfect you knew you were.
I pushed the door open and looked around, my eyes adjusting to the change in light as I surveyed the pub. When I saw who I was looking for, I took a deep breath and headed to the bar.
“Sir,” I prompted, suddenly nervous.
The smaller man with a weathered face, bright-red hair, and a jolly smile, turned his attention from the glass he was cleaning and greeted me heartily, “Aye, lad, what can I get you?”
Stop being a pussy, I chastised myself when I realized I was sweating. You’re great with people. They love you. You’re charming as shit … Now man up and speak your mind.
“I was wondering if you had a minute,” I said, going for a sincere look on my face and hoping I didn’t look crazed. “I’d like to speak with you.”
“Sure,” he responded, curious but still friendly. “How about we sit over there.”
He pointed toward an empty table. I nodded my consent, took the seat nearest me, and waited for him to get settled.
I held out my hand and introduced myself, “My name is Brendan O’Malley, sir, and I’m in love with your daughter.”
The only surprise the older man showed was the widening of his eyes. I was relieved when he took my offered hand, rather than kicking me out of the pub.
“O’Malley, huh? That’s a fine name you have there. I’m Patrick Callaghan, but my friends call my Paddy.” He eyed me carefully, but didn’t seem put off by the fact that I was obviously young. I was dressed in dark slacks and a black button-up shirt, my hair pulled back into a ponytail and my face cleanly shaven, but there was no denying that I was who I was. “Now, then, young Brendan, how do you know my Bronagh?”
“Well, sir…” I began.
“Paddy,” he said, cutting me off.
“Sorry, Paddy,” I amended, clasping my hands together in my lap as I prayed he’d think I was good enough for his daughter. “I’m in a band with my brothers, and Bronagh came to one of our shows. That’s how we met initially, but it turned out that she was also my instructor at the culinary school.” When he simply raised an eyebrow, I sputtered on, hoping he wouldn’t linger on that fact. “I’ve graduated now … I’m a chef, and a lead singer. My band has just been signed with a record label, and I’m looking for a job in a kitchen now. I’m a reliable and responsible man…”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, lad, but Bronagh’s not mentioned you to me, and although I only arrived back home in the last few days, I’ve spent most of my waking hours with my girl.” He looked sorry to be relaying this news to me, but I wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t mentioned me. She’d said quite clearly that she was done, and it looked like she meant it.
“Unfortunately, your daughter broke it off with me,” I admitted, embarrassed and hoping I didn’t come off like a desperate ass, even though I kind of was… “I told her that I wasn’t interested in kids, which was the beginning of the end of our relationship. But, sir … Paddy, being a young, less mature, and I hate to say it, but sometimes stupid, man, I spoke off the cuff, without thinking about the consequences of those words. After a few weeks of soul-searching, and too many heart-to-heart talks with family and friends, I’ve realized that my perceived lack of desire for children was just ignorance.”
“Have you spoken of this to Bronagh?” he asked kindly.
“I’m afraid your daughter is stubborn…”
Paddy laughed at that, a deep hearty sound that caused those around us to smile.
“That she is, boy … Takes after her mother that way.”
I chuckled along with him.
“So she hasn’t been receptive when I’ve tried to rekindle things. She thinks because I’m young and my career is just taking off, that I shouldn’t be tied down and that I should experience these new things without her, but that’s not what I want … Yes, exciting things are happening in my life right now, but without her to share them with, they don’t mean as much. I love your daughter. I want to marry her, and spend the rest of my life proving that I’m worthy of her love.”
