Epilogue

Norah

Graduation came and went in a blur. It was bittersweet walking across that stage to shake the Dean's hand and accept my diploma. I missed my Mom so much and would have given anything to have her there, but I wasn't without family. When my name was called, cheers rang out so loudly that every head in the auditorium turned. My girls were on their feet, holding up hand-painted signs while three Irishmen in their own caps and gowns were standing and making just as much noise. At that moment, everything around me faded as my gaze snagged on Eamon's brilliant blue eyes. A grin spread across his face and he mouthed, "I love you". Smiling through the tears forming, I blew him a kiss. My heart was overflowing with love and gratitude as I made my way back to my seat.

Dr. Andrews and UNCW offered me a full-time position as Head Designer of the Costume Department after the spring play. They also offered Layla a position with the Makeup Department after seeing her work on the drag show, and she was more than ecstatic to turn in her notice at the grocery store. It's an added bonus that we'll be able to commute to work together.

Eamon was scouted by a couple of MLS teams but decided in the end that he'd rather use his skills to teach high school kids and accepted a joint position at a local high school as a history teacher and soccer coach. As much as he loves the sport, he didn't want to spend the majority of his time traveling, especially since moving in with me after the spring play. We've thoroughly enjoyed our engagement.

Rowan was drafted by the Charlotte Football Club. His primary residence will be in Wilmington, though he'll be traveling quite a bit. This suits him perfectly, as he's always up for a new adventure. Teagan was offered a position as the Director of Communications for the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities nonprofit organization. Like Eamon, the idea of being constantly on the road didn't appeal to him since his goal was to take his business degree and use it to help underprivileged communities. He's always been against large corporations taking over local establishments, so he hopes to be an advocate for them.

Now we're at Paddy's after the ceremony to celebrate. When Eamon and I arrive, Paddy pulls us both in for a crushing hug. "Ach, I can't tell ya how proud I am of the two of ya. It's been an absolute privilege to watch ya both work so hard and end up here."

"Thanks, Paddy," I say, kissing him on the cheek. Then fighting back tears, I add, "I couldn't have done it without you. You'll never know how much your love and support means to me. Which is why I want to ask a favor of you."

Paddy's brows furrow. "Aye? What's that, Norah love?"

I take his weathered hand in mine and ask, "Would you do me the honor of giving me away at our wedding?"

His bottom lip quivers before he pulls me back into his arms, engulfing me in a bear hug. "Ach, of course I will! It would be my honor!" He steps back to place one hand on my shoulder and the other on Eamon's. "I couldn't have parted with either of you for anyone else. I wouldn't trust my Norah's care to anyone other than Eamon, and I wouldn't have trusted Eamon's heart with anyone but my Norah. The two of ya make me so proud."

"Thanks a million, Paddy," Eamon says. "Love you, aul fella."

"Now don't go getting all sappy on me, lad," Pat says with a wink. "So, when is the big day?"

I look to Eamon before saying, "Well, that depends on when you can take time off to come to Ireland with us."

Pat's eyes widen, and his jaw drops. "You're joking!"

Eamon wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. "Not a joke. We want to get married in Ireland if possible. Will you come with us?"

"Aye," he says, tears filling his eyes, "I'd love to. It's been too long since I've visited my sweet Ellie's resting place."

After another round of hugs and tears, we make our way to the table surrounded by our friends where we spend several hours talking and reminiscing about the last eight months. I soak it all in, not wanting to forget a single moment of this night. The warmth of Eamon's arm around my shoulders. The sound of Myra and Amelia laughing at whatever story Mac is telling them. The blush that fans Layla's cheeks as Teagan leans in to whisper in her ear. The way Rowan lightly grasps Alicia's wrist when she places a pitcher of water on the table, and the look they share thinking no one is watching.

Looking around the pub, I think back to the night I met Eamon. What started as the most embarrassing moment of my life ended up leading to the happiest moments of my life. I snuggle into Eamon's side and share a look with Charlie across the table from me. My best friend of nearly twenty years, who can read me like a book, who sees the joy in my eyes, winks at me. This is my family. In a handful of months, I'll be married. Now that Paddy has agreed to walk me down the aisle, we can finally set a date .

Eamon

Four Months Later

"Stop fidgeting, mate," Teagan whispers, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

I inhale deeply through my nose and then release through my mouth, steeling my mind. I'm not exactly nervous, just impatient. Soon, Norah will be walking down this short aisle with Paddy at her side. I'm still amazed that we're here. After everything we've been through, before and after we met, we're exactly where we're meant to be.

We arrived in Ireland a week ago, spending nearly every waking hour planning this wedding with our family and friends who came over for the event, including my Mom and sister. We've managed to sneak away once or twice for some more private excursions, but today is our day. Today, we promise to have and to hold in good times and bad, in sickness and health, as long as we both shall live. Today is the start of our forever.

Exactly one year ago, I saw a beautiful girl with auburn curls in a Kelly green shirt across the pub. I'd just finished a set with Teagan and Ro, and we were headed for a pint. I pretended not to notice her as we approached the bar, but every nerve ending was hyper-aware of the fire sprite just a couple of feet away. I could feel her staring at me, so I turned to smile at her, and she…choked on her Guinness. Her face turned an alarming shade of red, and I reached over on instinct to thump her back. Then, like the eejit I am, I made a comment about her not being able to hold her Guinness which led to an epic drinking contest. And here we are.

The room at the Butler House in Kilkenny is small and decorated simply with white chairs, red and peach roses, and lanterns. Less than twenty people are present to witness and celebrate our union. Teagan and Ro are standing with me at the front of the room. We're all dressed in simple charcoal gray suits adorned with a single rose on our lapels. My Mam gives me a tearful smile from the front row, where she's sitting next to Dr. Colm. Peering out at our friends who made the journey from the States to Ireland, I feel so fucking fortunate. Charlie and my sister, Caity, stand across from me and the groomsmen in their rose-colored bridesmaids' dresses. Mac and Myra are snuggled up beside each other in the second row, staring blissfully at their sleeping baby girl, Scarlett. Amelia and Alicia are sitting next to Myra, while Layla and Charlie's husband, Mark, both sit across the aisle behind Mam. In front of Amelia sits Ro's cousin, Luke. He was in the area, and Ro, being Ro, invited him to attend a wedding that was not his own. But I don't care. The room could have been full of elephants, and it wouldn't have phased me. All that matters is that I'm marrying Norah.

After another glance at my Ma, a recording of a soft, acoustic version of Ringsend Rose starts playing. The French doors at the back of the room open, and everyone stands. In steps Pat O'Nelly with the most beautiful woman in the world on his arm. My breath catches in my throat, and I swallow thickly. Norah is radiant; she looks otherworldly in the ivory lace dress that she designed and made herself. The sweetheart bodice is covered in a sheer lace boat neck overlay that extends to full-length sleeves and the delicate lace runs over the A-line frame of the dress into a small train. Her curls are up in an intricate braid around her head, with soft tendrils framing her face. Her makeup is understated, leaving her skin looking soft and glowing and she's wearing the small diamond earrings I gave her the night before. She beams at me, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and I grin back at her, fighting my own tears.

Norah floats towards me confidently. When she's close enough to touch, Paddy turns to her and places a soft kiss on her cheek, then brushes it tenderly with a knuckle before facing me. We clasp hands, and he pulls me in for a firm embrace.

"Take good care of her, lad," he whispers in my ear.

"With everything I have," I whisper back.

He takes Norah's hand and places it in mine before returning to sit next to my mother and Dr. Colm, who has made my Mam happier than she's been in years.

Norah takes a step closer and tips her face up to meet my eyes. "Hi, handsome," she whispers.

"You're gorgeous," I say in reply.

The ceremony is short and sweet. We recite handwritten vows, have our hands wrapped in the traditional Celtic knot, and then exchange rings. When the officiant announces we're finally wed, I pull Norah close with one arm around her waist and the other on her cheek and kiss her as I've never kissed her before to the cheers of our closest friends and family. My wife. She's my wife. When we break the kiss, her stormy blue eyes meet mine, and I see my future there. Our future.

"I love you," Norah says softly.

"I love you more, Acushla."

The End