I looked to Lucy as Liam spoke, she dipped her face down to look at her hands, much the way she had the first time I met her.
“I know I had you all quite worried as I’m getting up in years and still you had never seen me with anyone but the women who breezed in and out of my life. And then, while doing great work for humanity, I found the world’s most amazing human. Avery is a light in the darkness. She’s loving, empathetic, and so brilliantly talented. I know that as the years pass you will come to love her as I do. You’ll soon see more than her beautiful face; you’ll get to know her lovely heart. Though she’s from the United States, she has a global spirit and is always up for an adventure. She learns from what she sees and employs what she’s learned in every endeavor. I am honored to announce that I will soon be able to call her my wife and even more so thrilled to someday see her mother our children.” At that, Liam grasped my left hand and held it aloft where the light hit my ring in a dazzling spectacle.
There were cheers from the guests and it felt like the entire room had blown up. Liam’s friends from the hotel who had played on the balcony came in with other musicians and started playing as more people made their way out to the dance floor.
“You wanna Guinness?” Liam asked, barely able to contain his joy.
“Am I allowed to have one?” I asked since there were several restrictions placed on my drinking alcohol.
I could have one glass of wine with dinner and I could have a cocktail before or after dinner but nothing stronger than a mixed drink. We were allowed to drink at home when we were together, but we were so often in the public eye. When we got home it was too late for us to kick back and have a beer most nights. We usually just made love and passed out.
“Of course, you can have a beer, this is your engagement party too.” He pawed me into an exuberant bear hug.
“Can I have seven?” I tested the waters.
“When we get home, of course.” My question didn’t even register.
“Of course,” I sighed.
“Unless you really think you might be pregnant?” The fear in his expectant eyes, made me decide to just have something non-alcoholic.
“Maybe I’ll stick to sparkling water.” I kept the plastic smile plastered on my face.
“Wise choice.” He squeezed my waist then let me go.
We spent the night dancing and meeting his friends, dignitaries, and people who were influential in Irish society.
Finally, the king started tapping his wine glass with his fork. “I’d like to just take a moment of your time.”
A hush immediately fell about the hall.
“I wanted to congratulate my son Liam on his choice of bride. Over the last several weeks I’ve had the privilege of meeting his mystery woman and I must say I quite approve of Avery and enthusiastically welcome her to the family. I know she will soon adapt to her role as wife, mother, and matriarch. I am anxiously awaiting the day when the patter of little feet fills the quiet halls of the castle again. My dearly departed queen and I wanted several children as you all know. We were so very lucky to have our son, your future king. And now he has chosen his queen. Raise a glass with me to Liam and Avery. May their marriage be blessed by a virtuous union, a successful rule, and an abundance of beautiful children.” He raised his glass high and took a deep drink as the rest congregated did the same.
After the toast, I looked at Liam. “Is an ‘abundance’ a quantitative measure?” I swallowed hard.
“For my father, it might be,” Liam laughed.
“And for him, how many would that be exactly?” I instantly regretted asking the question when I heard the answer.
“Well, my father always wanted six.” He looped around behind me and very obviously rubbed my belly. “Let’s hope we’ve already started.”
Chapter 24
Liam
After the engagement party was over, it was time for Avery and me to plan our wedding. The engagement party had been in March, and we enjoyed a fresh spring day. Avery insisted on a June wedding so that we could attend the New York Spring/Summer Fashion week for our honeymoon.
“I thought we might go to Seychelles. My father has a mansion on the beach. Doesn’t that sound like much more fun?” I didn’t really want to spend our honeymoon in New York working, we needed a break.
“Yes, but I’m showing at fashion week we have to be there. It starts five days after our wedding. Already I’m going to have to hire someone to be me. We have to cast the models, and tailor the clothes… choreograph.” I could hear the panic rising in her voice.