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CHAPTER20
Liam
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Finn, you may now kiss your bride,” the officiant said.
Finn kissed Reesa briefly, and then they hugged. It didn’t demonstrate the passion I’d imagine from a couple in love. Before getting to know Kyleigh and learning more about the history of Tabiq, I might have questioned whether these two should be getting married at all. But I was learning that what was acceptable for public affection was not an accurate mirror of their true feelings. Even though Kyleigh and I hadn’t been in Tabiq, and we were free to act as we wished, the only time we kissed or showed affection was behind closed doors or in the limo.
I had to push the thoughts of Kyleigh out of my mind. I needed to be here, in the moment, to be here for my family. There was only one issue - I had left a piece of myself with her.
Even though the wedding was family and friends only and being held in the backyard of their private residence, this intimate affair was being celebrated throughout Tabiq. The news traveled quickly, and fireworks could be seen going off in all directions. Finn had been wise in choosing this location to build their home. It was set high on the hill and as we stood by the stone wall I had built the entire sky seemed to explode in a mass of colors.
“This is so beautiful,” my mother said as she came to stand with me.
“It is. I guess this is what you get when you marry a president,” I said.
Mother shrugged. “He only sees the woman, not the role.”
I chuckled. “How do you know? He’s barely had time to talk to any of us since we arrived a few days ago.”
“I know my sons. I can look in his eyes, and I know. Reesa is the one for him. He is very happy,” she said.
“Now that is something we agree on.”
“You, on the other hand –are very sad and lonely. I am worried about you,” she said, placing her hand on my arm. “You have been away from home for more than two months. I think it’s time you come home.”
“I’ll be returning home with you in a few days,” I said. It had already been planned that way, and I saw no reason to delay it.
I hated the fact that she could see my pain, because I was doing my best to conceal it. It was hard to watch Reesa walk towards Finn, dressed all in white and to know they were about to start their life together, just as Kyleigh and I were ending ours. It didn’t matter that I wanted her to come to Ireland with me. She had made it clear: her life was here in Tabiq, at the hospital, and with her parents.
I couldn’t fault her on that. Hell, I felt a similar obligation to my parents. Finn was already committed to being in Tabiq. This was no place for my parents and they weren’t getting any younger. Dad liked to help me by overseeing my construction crew while I was gone, but he wanted to enjoy his retirement, and I didn’t blame him. But just because he turned over the reins to the family business, didn’t mean he still didn’t have plenty to offer. I needed him, not just for coverage, but his support meant a lot to me.
“Your father will be happy to have you home as well. He’s happy to help out, but the men don’t respond to him as they do you. He’s gotten…soft over the years.”
“And I’m still a hardass?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t use that word, but you have a way of insisting you get what you want. Not a good quality, generally, but it seems to work for you in business. Your men respect you.”
“They sure as hell better respect my father as well, or they won’t have a job,” I said firmly.
Mother snickered. “And you have made my point. Your father doesn’t threaten them.”
“Not anymore. You should’ve heard him on the job when we were growing up. It’s no wonder Finn decided to become a heart surgeon. He probably figured our father was going to need one being so damn stressed out all the time.”
“I have never heard your father raise his voice,” she said, defending him.
I smiled. “Because he lost his voice on the job.”
“When did you become so fresh?” she asked.
I chuckled. “I was born this way,” I said. “Or have you forgotten that you’re talking to the bad son?”
She looked up at me and said, “You’re not bad. You never have been. You’re just…”
“Not like Finn?” I said.
“You’re like your father,” she stated.
I nodded. “I take that as a compliment. After all, he can’t be too bad of a guy - he scored the best wife in Ireland.”
