“Ah, lass, you’re breaking my heart.”
That’s Frank’s voice. It makes me smile and cry at the same time.
These people are my family. All of them. Even Frank.
Finally, I pull back and accept an offered wad of tissues to dab at my eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m such a mess.”
“You had an emotional day,” Tom says kindly. “Of course, you have some tears to get out.”
“And hormones will do it, as well,” Fiona says.
I look up at Keegan in surprise.
“I didn’t tell,” Maggie says from somewhere behind Keegan. “I’m still the favorite.”
“It slipped out,” Keegan says, speaking for the first time, really. “I was freaking out a bit, love.”
“It’s okay.” I wipe another tear. “For just a moment, I thought I wouldn’t see you again. It’s why I turned the camera off as soon as we started going over. Because if I was going to die, I didn’t want you to watch it.”
“You are not going to die.” His voice is fierce as he cups my face. “I thought my heart might fall out of my chest when I saw it happening.”
“I don’t ever want to relive it.”
“You’re bruised,” he says, looking down to where my sweater has slipped to the side. “Is the baby okay?”
“We’re both fine. I’ll probably be a little sore for a couple of days, but it’s just some bruises, thank goodness. Phil is fine, too. We were lucky.”
He hugs me close again, relief radiating from him. “Thank God, you’re home.”
“I was so happy when Phil said we weren’t staying. I just wanted to see you. To see all of you.”
“Isabella,” Keegan says and clears his throat. “I want you to marry me.”
I stare up at him in shock. “Why do you always ask me these things when I least expect them?”
“I’m not asking.”
“Well, you should be,” someone calls out, making us both laugh.
“You’re right.” He lowers to one knee, and the room goes so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. “Isabella Harris, marry me. If today taught me anything at all, it’s that life is too precious, too valuable, to wait. I love you, and I know that love won’t ever go away. I want you with me always. To raise our children and build our life together.”
“Still didn’t ask,” Kane says.
“Will you marry me, then?”
I lean in and press my lips to his. “Yes. I’ll marry you, Keegan O’Callaghan.”
“We have so much to celebrate,” Fiona says as she wipes a tear from her eye. “Babies and weddings. Two of my favorite things.”
“I love you,” Keegan whispers to me. “Let’s do it next week.”
I laugh out loud and then shrug. “I’ll find us the best weather day, and we’ll go from there.”
Epilogue
~Izzy~
“How did we do this in six days?” I wonder aloud as Fiona fusses with my veil. I’m in a guest bedroom suite at Kane’s house, getting dressed for my wedding day. Soon, in just a few minutes, someone will drive me over to the ceremony site where Keegan and I plan to build our home.
“You had a fleet of women at your disposal, that’s how,” Fiona says as she steps back and looks me over with a critical eye. “You’re a beautiful bride, Izzy.”
I turn to the full-length mirror and smile. The dress is perfect. And better yet, I picked it out. Not my mother. Or even my father, for that matter.
Everything about today is exactly the way Keegan and I want it to be.
“I’m sorry that your mother isn’t here,” Fiona says and stands next to me, looking at me in the mirror.
“I’m not.” I take her hand and hold it tightly. “She and my dad were invited, and they declined. They’ve made it clear how they feel. And, honestly, Fiona, I’m okay with it. You’ve been more of a mother to me in the past few months than my mom ever was. It should be you here helping me get ready to marry your son.”
“I wasn’t going to cry,” she says and dabs at her eye. “At least, not yet. But I’m just so happy for my boy. He found the perfect young woman for him, and it makes a mother’s heart soar to see her son so happy.”
“Well, thank you for raising such a good man.”
“You guys being mushy in here?” Maggie asks as she and Maeve walk inside. “Everyone’s over at the ceremony site, ready to go when you are, Izzy.”
“Oh, I’m ready.” I grab my bouquet and take a deep breath, relieved when I don’t feel like throwing up.
It seems I am getting past the worst of the morning sickness.
“Let’s do this, shall we?” The four of us walk down the stairs to the little ATV that’s waiting to give us a ride. When we get there, we’re laughing from how bumpy the ride was. Maeve, Maggie, and Fiona all give me hugs before they go find their seats.