Shamrocks and Secrets (35 page)

S
taying at Nora
’
s had its advantages. First, she was as neurotic about having things in their place as I was. Second, she could cook like there was no tomorrow. Breakfast this morning consisted of the crispiest and most amazing waffles, I had ever had with this phenomenal berry compote, and a cup of coffee that Juan Valdez himself would have been proud of.

I had a counseling session first thing this morning. Dr. Green was well aware that the wedding was tomorrow, and that Patrick had a very long honeymoon planned, thus the reason for the appointment today.

Patrick had informed me that my father would be my new bodyguard and honestly, it felt like the whole world was lifted off my shoulders. My daddy was the one man I trusted completely, besides Patrick.

Dr. Green and I discussed a few fears I was currently having. One having so much attention shoved my way. The second, being intimate with my new husband. She was honest when she told me that only time would tell.

Arriving back at Nora
’
s just before lunchtime, I was immediately assaulted with the smell of pasta sauce cooking. Maggie was large and in charge, with her phone in one hand and a clipboard in the other. She looked up when she noticed me walking into the room.

“
Yes, that
’
s right, Saint Josephine
’
s church. And if the runner isn
’
t delivered by three, you
’
ll be hearing from me.
”

Her smile was bright and I knew by the look on her face she was having the time of her life.

“
Christi, you
’
re looking sprite today, Lass.
”

With a quick kiss to my cheek, her phone began to ring and she quickly answered.
“
I fail to see how that
’
s my problem. You were contacted months ago so I suggest you go find more.
”

I didn
’
t want to know what the issue was. I didn
’
t care if the food was cold and the beer stale, I was getting married.

“
Christi, my love,
”
Nora came from the kitchen, hair perfect and not a single stain on her apron
.
“
Patrick is on his way to drop your things off at your father
’
s, and then he
’
s picking up the family from the airport.
”

Nora had invited every single family member from Belfast. Patrick had chartered a commercial plane and pilot. I thought it was a bit ostentatious, until Nora told me it was actually less expensive than purchasing sixty round-trip tickets.

Maggie pulled a few strings and had gotten the entire Plaza hotel reserved, all fifteen hundred rooms. Nora had no problem filling all of them.

With the size of the wedding, Maggie suggested we hire a number of vendors that provided the same services. She said that with the sheer numbers we were having, there would be no room for error. Charlotte had a decent relationship with another caterer in the next town over and they had worked it out between them who would supply what.

Maggie had informed me that the most difficult part was finding enough bells for each of the guests to have one. With Paige
’
s wedding, she had chosen not to perform this particular tradition. I, however, wanted to have the bells at my wedding. Tradition had it that each of the wedding guests would be given a bell, and this bell was rung several times during the ceremony. Once the wedding was over, the bride and groom chose a single bell from the guests to take home. Later, when the couple would have an argument, they would ring that bell to ward off the evil spirit that caused the fight.

This became an issue when you needed nearly a thousand of them, all made from fine china with an Irish Claddagh on the side. Maggie assured me she had it covered.

So for the first time in months, I had nothing to do except slip into a hot bubble bath and relax, so that was exactly what I did.

Several hours later, I made my way down the large staircase. Once I reached the bottom of the steps, my father and Brandon stood waiting to escort me to the limo that would take us to our wedding rehearsal.

I was next to last to climb into the back followed by my dad. As I sat down, I was greeted by cheers and catcalls. Everyone had a drink in their hands and the music was blaring. Brandon and my father sat at each door while I sat between them. Abigail was a bundle of energy as she excitedly sipped her glass of what looked like sprite with grenadine. She was just like all the other girls who had a drink in their hand.

I took a good look around, examining each face of the people I loved. Maggie took her role very seriously as she began to pour everyone a new glass of champagne. It was then I noticed that she put the champagne bottle down and opened up a new can of sprite. She first filled up Abigail's glass and smiled as Abigail thanked her in her sweet little voice. Then she moved to my sister and Paige. She poured each of them a Sprite instead of champagne...holy fuck! Was there something I should know about?

Maggie glanced in my direction. She realized that I had noticed what she had just done. She quickly and quietly shook her head no. I could only smile at the thought of both of them being pregnant. It would be amazing.

As the limo continued down the street, my dad reached over and took my hand in his.
“
So I
’
d guess you
’
re pretty glad now that you didn
’
t tell him to take a hike, huh?
”

I chucked and leaned into his side.
“
I
’
m so glad I listened to my heart and not my head on this one.
”

Saint Josephine
’
s church came into view. The limo smoothly pulled into the drive and I watched as Tonto, Patrick, Thomas, and Sherman stood at the curb.

Patrick told me this morning that Sherman had come to him and asked to join his security team. Sherman had already discarded Eileen
’
s belongings and had moved in with Caleb and Paige. He told Patrick that he just wanted to do something different for a while, prove to the family he could be trusted.

Sherman was a handsome man and the essence of a southern gentleman as he assisted all the ladies out of the limo. Once Maggie was out, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. The blush that spread across his face caused a round of laughter.

Patrick wrapped his hand in mine and helped me up the stairs. Once inside the church, Maggie was in full coordinator mode.

I was floored as I looked at the decorations that were already in place. Beautiful, yellow bows were attached to the pew ends waiting for the flowers to be attached tomorrow. The flower arches were already in place, again just waiting on the fresh flowers to be placed in them.

Maggie came jogging up to me, instructing me where to stand. It was then I noticed the two beautiful women that flanked her.

“
Who are these lovely ladies, Maggie?
”
Thomas questioned.

Thomas was Patrick
’
s best man. Since he didn
’
t have any brothers, and he didn
’
t want to pick one of his friends over another, this decision only made sense.

“
Aye, Mr. Malloy, this is my mum, Sharon, and my little sister, Caitlyn.
”

The two beautiful women stepped aside and made their way over to the precession line. Honestly, it was hard to tell who was the daughter and who was the Mother.

“
Athas orm bualadh leat, a dhuine usasail, Is e mo ainm na Sionainne agus is e seo mo inion alainn, Caitlyn.
”
(Pleasure to meet you, Sir, my name is Sharon and this is my daughter, Caitlyn.)

I was about to open my mouth and introduce myself when a husky voice behind me sounded.

“
Oh, my...
”

I turned and came face to face with a slack-jawed Sherman, his eyes locked with Sharon
’
s. I turned back to Sharon to find a huge smile across her face. Sherman gently passed by me and took Sharon
’
s hand in his, he leaned over and slowly kissed her knuckles.

“
Please, allow me to introduce myself. I
’
m Sherman Montgomery and may I say, it
’
s a true pleasure to make your acquaintance.
”

The area where we were standing was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop as Sherman and Sharon continued to stare at each other.

“
How do you do that?
”
Patrick whispered in my ear, I turned to him and gave him a questioning look.
“
You bring people together, even those who
’
ve given up on finding love again.
”

I could only smile at him as he placed a sweet kiss against my temple.

Maggie had us run through the entire ceremony three times before she was happy. Since I still tired easily, Patrick had insisted that a bench be placed at the altar so I could sit during the ceremony. Maggie wasn
’
t happy with what was available at the church so she had someone make one.

When Maggie was finally satisfied, we loaded up into one of the chartered buses she had arranged for, and headed off to the reception hall that Patrick owned.

Nothing could have prepared me for the absolute glory of the room. Each place setting was set with a very classically-styled Wedgwood china service, elegant crystal and silver, and beautiful centerpieces adorned each table. But what really brought it all together was the canopy of lights that hung from the ceiling. It was as if we were sitting under the stars.

Maggie ushered us to the head table where Patrick pulled out my chair, kissing my forehead as he joined me in his own.

Two of Patrick
’
s cousins from Ireland had been given the task of handing out the gifts to the wedding party. Maggie, bless her heart, had taken care of acquiring all of them, since I was a little busy being held captive by a fucking madman.

Each of my bridesmaids received a beautiful diamond drop pendant, while Patrick gave his guys each a Rolex watch.

Again, the room had different pictures of Patrick and I growing up and several from when we had first started dating. The most amazing one was of Patrick down on one knee with that shamrock in his hand. I made a mental note to have Maggie keep that one and have it framed. I wanted it in our home.

I was brought out of my daydreams by the clanking of a knife against a glass. I looked over and saw that Patrick was standing.

“
If I could have everyone
’
s attention,
”
Patrick
’
s manly voice quieted the room and all eyes were soon on him.
“
I just wanted to thank everyone for making the long journey here. It means the world to Christi and me.
”
He turned to look at me as he reached for his beer.
“
A wise man once told me that the woman you want to marry isn
’
t the one you can live with, it
’
s the one you could never live without.
”

He then looked to Thomas and raised his glass to him.

“
From the very second I laid eyes on this beautiful creature, she owned me. I couldn't get her out of my head.
”
His eyes now focused on me,
“
Christi, you made me take a long hard look at myself and question the man I was. You made me realize that having everything was nothing if I didn
’
t have the other half of my soul. That
’
s exactly what you are, my soul mate. You help me be the man I was destined to be. I swear to always be there for you the way you are for me, I love you.
”

The room erupted in applause as Patrick took my hand, lifted me out of my chair, and placed a gentle kiss to my lips.

“
Now, in the Malloy family, it
’
s tradition for the groom to give a gift to the bride as a sign of his ability to care for her. So with that in mind...
”

Patrick motioned for Abigail to bring over an envelope. I knelt down, took it from her, and kissed her cheek, making her giggle.

Nothing could have prepared me for what was in that envelope.

Patrick had already purchased us a home so as I looked at the picture of a grand log cabin, I was speechless.

“
It
’
s for when we just want to get away, somewhere to take the children and make some memories.
”