A warm home perfectly suited for the boss of Sons of Munster.
May he not kill me the day he found out I was together with his father.
“Before we go in…” Shan trailed off and glanced up the street, at the church across the way.
“Of course.” I’d dreaded this part.
We wheeled our rollaboards across the street and trailed up toward the cemetery.
Why had we shipped most of our belongings to Philly already? If we’d brought them with us, I would’ve had a valid excuse to stay behind right now.
Every step up the hill, past graves and stone paths, tightened my stomach. Then we arrived at the spot where many O’Sheas were buried, and Shan left his luggage and went straight to Patrick’s grave.
Finn and Emilia had been here already, placing Christmassy flowers and candles below the stone.
Shan bent down and brushed some dirt from the marble letters forming Patrick’s name.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and couldn’t avoid the grave next to Patrick’s anymore. It was where Grace rested.
Would she approve? If she could see me now, what would I find in her eyes? Contempt? Anger? Hurt? Or could Shannon really be right?
I will spend the rest of my life trying to deserve him, Grace.
“Don’t do that, Kellan.”
I snapped my stare to Shan and cleared my throat. Did I have a sign on my forehead or something?
“She will always love you,” he said, straightening. “In this life and the next.”
I exhaled unsteadily and wiped my nose. “If you say so.”
“I say so.” He extended a pocket square, and I couldn’t help but chuckle, even as tears filled my vision.
“You and your pocket squares.”
“Well. I’m a gentleman.” He gave my arm a little squeeze. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I sniffled and managed to compose myself somewhat. “You’re handling this weirdly well.”
He smiled faintly and eyed the gravestones, both of them. “They live on in us, not in the ground.”
I nodded. He was right. “So, uh, I shouldn’t leave Pat a couple smokes?”
Shan chuckled, and his eyes grew misty. “Oh, he would definitely like it if you did.” Then he looked toward the church. “The maintenance service, less so.”
Like I gave a shit.
I retrieved my pack and walked over to Pat’s gravestone, where I hid two cigarettes under the flowers.
“I hope you’re raising hell wherever you are, brother,” I said quietly.
When I stood up again, I noticed Shan was staring at something near the exit. Or two someones, rather. Finn and Emilia were out with Ryan in a stroller, and they’d spotted us. They might as well be stepping out of a magazine. Winter coats on, a cute beanie for Emilia, a dark knitted scarf for Finn. He was the one pushing the stroller, and whatever he said to his wife made her grin and nudge his arm. He grinned right back.
Emilia shifted closer to the stroller and extended a sippy cup, and I heard her say, “Don’t throw it at Daddy this time.”
I smiled.
“That makes my heart happy,” Shan murmured. “I’m so glad he found Emilia. Being a family man suits him.”
It did.
“What suits me?” I asked.
He smirked and side-eyed me. “Me.”
Excellent response. Ten points.
Finn and Emilia reached us shortly after, and Emilia hurried forward to hug Shan.
“It’s been way too long!” she exclaimed.
Finn and I met somewhere in the middle, and we pulled each other in for a hug with a bro shake.
“She’s right. It’s been too long, brother,” he said.
“Aye. The war better be over now.” I released him and grinned. Fuck, I was losing my words. I couldn’t describe how good it was to see him again. Emilia too, who flew into me next. “Mrs. Cleaver—I missed you too.”
She laughed tearfully.
I kissed the top of her head and watched Shannon wrap his arms around Finn. And my mate had probably just expected a quick squeeze, but Shan wasn’t ready to let go when Finn loosened his hold.
When Finn tightened his hold again and closed his eyes, I took the cue to give them some space. I nodded to Emilia and grabbed my luggage, and she got the hint after a glance at her husband and father-in-law.
We started walking slowly toward the exit, and I peered into the stroller to find a baby boy who looked more and more like his father for every day that passed. Christ, babies grew fast.
It made me itch to see Luna and CJ. They should be here by now.
“Is my sister here yet?” I asked.
“Yes, she arrived with Colm, Liam, and the twins an hour ago.” She hugged my arm. “I’m so glad you’re here—and we have to celebrate your birthday!”
I laughed softly and was unable to stop myself. “Shan gave me this.” I pulled up the sleeve of my coat a few inches and revealed my new watch. The leather wristband fit perfectly and felt soft on my skin.