At the time, I was meeting my older sister Olga so she could shop for her wedding dress, but your grandfather was so handsome I was sidetracked. I have no idea how long I sat there staring at him, but when he walked over to me, handed me a rose, and asked me my name, I swear my heart stopped.” She stops talking and holds her chest. I can visibly see the emotion as she remembers, and I stand and wrap my arms around her. She leans into me and smiles before continuing. “We walked around the pavilion for hours just talking. I learned he was five years older than my mere eighteen years. He informed me at the end of the night that he was boarding a boat to America in the morning. Holding my hands, he told me he believed in love at first sight and that if I were willing to take a chance on him, I wouldn’t regret it.
When I looked into his eyes, as crazy as it is, I saw my future. I kept hearing my parents in my ear telling me I was bringing shame to them by running off with a man I didn’t know, but you know what, I had to trust my heart.” Wow. Just, wow. “I told him yes, I would go with him. He grabbed my face and gave me the gentlest kiss and then further proved how much of a gentleman he was. He told me he would not bring me to a new country as his girlfriend. Only as his wife. He gave me the time and place to meet him at a church if I was serious, walked me home, and walked away.”
“Grandma, that is amazing,” I tell her to be honest. Stories like this are only in books.
“I spent all night agonizing, knowing any decision I make is going to break hearts. Finally, after hours of crying, I remembered my own grandmother telling me when my forever comes, to grab it with both hands and never let go. So, that is what I did. I left your great-grandparents a note, telling them I loved them, and I am sorry. I ran like my life depended on it and married the man I stayed married to for fifty years. So, love knows no time, my sweet girl.” Well, shoot. With her story in my head and Liam in my heart, I go upstairs to get ready for my date. Maybe I am my own worst enemy. Am I keeping myself from happiness?
Chapter Eleven
Liam
I can’t believe this could possibly be the last time I see my angel. Yes. Technically I am still supposed to leave in two days, and trust me, I have been up night after night with pros and cons, but in the end, the only thing I know is that she is meant to be mine. I just have to decide my future. That is the real truth.
Tonight, I wanted to make it special in hopes I can convince her to…something… come with me, maybe? I know it sounds crazy considering how much she loves her grandma, but fuck, if I have to leave her here, I will be a shell of who I am. Grabbing the Bog Rosemarie’s I bought, I walk up to her grandmother's house and ring the bell. “Come on, my boy. You look strapping.'' She says as she leads me into the foyer.
“Thank you, ma'am.”
“Are you planning something good for tonight?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Don’t hurt my girl, boy. She is sweet and kind, and she deserves the best of everything.” Her wagging finger rightly chastises me, and for a second, I feel guilty about being here, and I still haven’t made a decision, but I can’t leave. My feet won’t move unless she is beside me. Turning when I hear heels behind me, I damn near fall to my knees and propose. She is absolutely stunning.
She floats down the stairs, in a blue dress, covered in sparkles to her mid-thigh. Her feet are in a pair of white heels that make her legs look like a set of pork chops I want to feast on. The dress cinches her waist and molds to the tits that were in my mouth the other night, and it takes everything not to wipe the drool and sweat from my face, giving away the not so innocent thoughts going through my mind. “Wow, Aingeal. You look gorgeous.” She blushes and drops her head, so sweet and bashful. I love that her hair is in a bun, giving me access to her neck and the ability to let it down when I run my hands through it later in the night. “These are for you.” I hand her the Bog and watch as she smiles.
“Thank you, Liam. Do you mind?” She turns and points to her head, and I smile, realizing she wants me to put one in her hair. Being this close to her, I want to lean and put my mouth on her silky skin and kiss the neck that should belong to me, but I remember I am in her grandmother's house. I place it in her hair and wait for her to turn around. She smiles when she does, and it is like cupid has shot me straight through the heart. This girl is destroying me slowly. Offering her my hand, I wait.