“I don’t mean them, Kera. I want you to be a part of it, too.”
“I’m doing the books.” I’m confused, and I’m not sure what he’s getting at.
“I want you to be a bigger part of it,” Deklan says. “You’re awesome with the books, but we can hire someone to do that. I need you at my side, helping me make the right decisions. I need you to run this organization with me, babe. I promise you’ll never be bored again.”
I stare at my husband and think about his words. Did I want to help him lead an entire crime organization, whatever that might entail? Did I want to know all the gritty details of what, before, has always happened outside of my earshot? Could I handle what Deklan does when I’m not looking?
I think about the bloody shirt I found in the bathroom trash shortly after we were married and about everything that has happened since that day. I think about how I feel when Deklan goes off without me and how much more comfortable I am in his presence, no matter what is being discussed. Could I do this? Did I want to?
Yes. Yes, I can, and I do.
“Yes, Deklan,” I say with confidence. “I’ll help you.”
“Good.” Deklan’s smile returns, and I swear he blushes slightly as he looks away from me. “I have something for you.”
He reaches into his pants pocket and pulls something out. He holds whatever it is between his hands so I can’t see it.
“Ever since you brought up that bit about Sean buying that ring, I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. We didn’t start this right, and I want to fix it.”
I gasp as Deklan moves one hand and opens a small, blue box containing a platinum and diamond ring. It looks nothing like the one Sean picked out. It is absolutely beautiful.
“I want a real Catholic wedding in a church with a priest. I want you to wear the ring I picked out for you. I want to marry you because I love you, and I want you to agree because you love me and because you want it, not because you are forced into it. I want to put how all of this started behind us and begin all over again.”
“No more secrets. No more lies. We work together—always.” I look at him as I repeat what has become our mantra.
Deklan stands up from the table and moves in front of me. He drops down on one knee and holds the box out as he squares his shoulders. He reaches for my hand, and for a moment, he stares down at my wrist as he rubs his thumb against it.
“Will you marry me again, Kera?” Deklan looks up at me in earnest. “Please?”
My eyes burn as I reach out and touch his hand. By the time I answer, tears are streaming down my face.
“Yes, Deklan. I will most certainly marry you again.”
He slips the other ring off my finger and replaces it with the one he bought. I can’t stop crying as I wrap my arms around his neck, and he nearly pulls me out of my chair as he returns the embrace.
Everyone in the restaurant begins to cheer.
Epilogue
“I’m fat.” I turn back and forth, gazing at myself in the mirror. The bulge in my midsection isn’t huge, but I can definitely tell the difference.
“You’re pregnant.” Teagan reaches up and adjusts the tiara on my head.
I’m not sure where the tiara fits in the list of old, new, borrowed, or blue, but I’m wearing it anyway. It makes me feel like Kathy is here with me and that she approves.
“People will know.”
“All the people who care already know.”
“They know I’m fat?”
“Ugh!” Teagan smacks my shoulder and then moves to straighten out the train of the dress. “Just shut it. It’s about that time.”
A knock takes my attention from my bulging stomach, and Teagan goes to open the door.
“You ready, kid?” Brian grins from the doorway. “If we don’t go soon, I think Deklan might take off for the bar. I’m never seen him so nervous!”
“What’s he got to be nervous about?” Teagan asks with a snort. “It’s not like he hasn’t already done this once.”