Becca came in and delicately sat by her side, her head resting on her shoulder. “I love you, Maureen.”
Maureen kissed her blonde head, loving her for her sweetness and gentle manner. “I love you too, Becca.” She patted her hand. “You’re family.”
She faced her. “When I first met you, I fell in love with you on the spot. I’ve never really talked to you about my family, but losing my mom was like losing a piece of my heart. You’ve always treated me like a daughter and that has meant more to me than I could ever say.”
“You’re one of my daughters, Becca. Family.”
She smiled. “I want to give you something new, if you don’t mind. I’d like to stop calling you Maureen and start calling you…Mom.”
“Oh, Becca, nothing could make me happier.” She kissed her cheek.
“I hope you have the best day ever, Mom.”
“It’s already more special than I dreamed.”
She nodded. “I’ll send Sammy up.”
As she waited, she found herself blinking back tears. She was indeed blessed.
She glanced at the flask and the clock. “Oh, to hell with it.” Unscrewing the cap, she took a quick swig, tightening the top just as Sammy entered.
“Knock-knock.”
“Come in, Sammy.”
“I have something for you.”
Maureen grinned as she sat down. “You’re all spoiling me rotten and it’s not even eight in the morning.”
“You spoil us year round. It’s nice to give a little back after all you’ve done.”
“Taking care of all of you is all I know. It’s what I’m good at, I think.”
“You’re more than good at it, Maureen. No one could do what you do. If you believe anything, believe that. You are the glue that holds us together.”
Her face heated. “You’re going to make me cry, love.”
“Well, don’t cry.” She reached in her pocket. “I have something for you, something old. I saw it at an antique shop and thought of you.” Sammy opened her fist and dropped the small item into Maureen’s palm.
“Oh, Sammy…” The tiny pendant was not fancy metal, but nonetheless lovely. The bronze metal formed an intricate tree of Celtic knots.
“You are family, Maureen. This tree has a branch for all seven of your children. It just…reminded me of you.”
She was consumed by unexpected emotion. Suddenly, the significance of the day struck her. It wasn’t about a party or fancy clothes. It was about all they had made from their love and devotion.
She nodded, blinking back tears. Her voice cracked as she whispered, “We sure have grown something beautiful from our love.”
“Yes.”
Trembling with emotion, she kissed Sammy’s cheek. “Thank you for this, Samantha. Thank you for being a part of our family tree, for loving my Colin so, and giving me beautiful grandbabies. You’re one of us and that’s just as it should be. I love you, dear.”
“I love you too.”
Soon after Sammy left Mallory came in. Things were better since Maureen eased up on her meddling. Mallory sat beside her and she waited.
“You’re a pain in my ass, Maureen…”
“It’s my job to be, love.”
“You know I love you.”
“I know. You’re a tough cookie, Mallory, stronger than all the others. I know you don’t see yourself that way, because you like to count your failures, but believe me, you are strong. No failure has ever been enough to break your spirit. You always pick yourself up and try again. You’re unbeatable in my book, and just what my Finnegan needed. A good, solid woman.”
Mallory sniffled, catching her off-guard. “I’m not that tough.”
“Why are you crying, love?”
“Because…you’re so good to me and I don’t always show how much you mean to me, but you do, Maureen. You mean the world to me.”
“Oh, sweetie, don’t cry.” She pulled her into her arms. “There, there, love. It’s okay.”
She sniffled again and wiped her nose. “I didn’t get you something old.”
“All right.”
“And I didn’t get you something blue.”
“Okay. You don’t have to give me anything.”
She sniffled again. “I don’t have anything for you to borrow.”
“I have everything I need, love. Please stop crying.”
She wiped her eyes. “I have something new for you, though.”
“Oh?”
She nodded and met her stare. “I’m pregnant.”
She jumped. “What? Truly?”
“Yes. And as a wedding gift, I’m telling you first. Even Finn doesn’t know yet.”
Her chest swelled with happiness. “I’m the first to know? But I’m always the last to know anything.”
“I know. And I know you’re going to tell everyone before I get a chance to tell Finn, so I’m asking you to just give me five minutes to run over to Luke’s and break the news.”
“Oh, Mallory…this is such incredible news! And I’m the first to know! Are you happy, love?”
“I’m very happy,” she said, her glassy eyes smiling. “Nothing compares to this feeling.” She sighed. “I should have known better than to think I stood a chance against a McCullough man.”
She nudged her. “They’re very virile.”
“You aren’t kidding.”
“I’m so glad to see the two of you have worked things out.”
Mallory smiled. “Life gets complicated sometimes. I never doubted Finn’s love and affection, but having a family is exhausting. We were both burnt out.”
“Oh, you don’t have to tell me. And twins are tough.”
“You aren’t kidding. Thank you for pushing us in the right direction. As much as I grumble I really do appreciate your intentions.”
Maureen smiled. “My son has never loved someone the way he loves you, Mallory. He’s more like his father than any of the rest of them. They don’t always express themselves when it comes to matters of the heart, but they love fiercely. It takes a tough woman to hold faith in such an unspoken thing.”
“Thank you.”
“Go on and tell Finnegan. I’ll keep your secret.”
Mallory raised a doubtful brow.
“For a few minutes at least. Be quick.”
“Happy anniversary and happy birthday, Maureen.”
“Thank you, love. And thank you for my incredible gift. We’re truly blessed.”
She nodded. “We are.”
Voices talked over one another as they all crowded into Luke’s den, each man hovering over his own plate as Alec manned the stove.
“Are you nervous, Dad?” Braydon asked as he inhaled a strip of crispy pork bacon.
“I think you should give me that bacon.”
His son chuckled. “Not a chance. Eat your egg white omelet.”
“There’s turkey bacon over here, Frank,” Tristan called.
“The person that invented that should be shot.”
Tristan eyed the plate. “Yeah.”
Mallory walked in and all the men hooted and hollered. “No girls allowed, lassie!”
“Unless you’re the stripping sort,” Kelly called.
Finn tossed the pastry he was gorging himself on at his brother’s head and smiled. “What’s up, Philly?”
“Um…can I speak to you for a minute?”
All the men booed as if he were in trouble.
“Shut up,” Finn called, as he took his wife through the connection into the nursery and shut the door.
Frank glanced at Bray. “You really did a nice job with Alec and Devil’s house.”
“Thanks. Now she’s just got to spit out the kid and their home will be complete.”
“Easy now. We don’t need anyone’s water breaking today.”
Luke blanched and pushed his plate onto the coffee table.
Frank frowned. “You okay there, sport?”
He took a long sip of orange juice and still appeared
a little pale. “Yeah, just a little queasy.”
“Aw…he’s got sympathy pains,” Kelly teased.
“Leave him alone,” Tristan chuckled, coming to sit on the arm of Luke’s chair. “We’re all just a little nervous. Sheilagh’s the size of a house and six days overdue. It’s like waiting for a bomb to detonate.”
Alec mumbled something from the kitchen and Frank turned. “What was that, Alec?”
“I said your daughter’s a sweet little angel.”
The men all laughed.
There was a howling shout from the other part of the house and they all turned and the door burst open. Finn stepped out, his face split with a wide grin. “I’m going to be a father again! Did you hear me? My woman is pregnant!”
They all cheered and Frank put his plate aside, walking over to his son who was being bombarded with hugs and slaps on the shoulder. He hugged his boy tight. “Congratulations, Finnegan.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Turning to Mallory, he held out his arms. “And you…” She smiled and came to him, hugging his middle tight. “Are you happy, lass?”
She hummed and squeezed his ribs. “Very.”
“Then I’m happy. Congratulations, Philly.”
“Thanks, Frank.”
“You better go tell your mother-in-law.”
“Already taken care of. Telling her first was my anniversary slash birthday gift.”
“Bet that made her day.”
She smiled up at him. “Not as much as renewing her vows to you will.”
Finn edged Mallory closer to him and beamed as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Can you believe it? Four, we’re gonna have four!”
“Three more and we’ll be neck and neck,” Frank teased.
Mallory scowled. “Settle down.”
Finn kissed her cheek. “I love ya, Philly.”
There were quiet moments with that one, moments when Frank noted her vulnerable side as she let down her guards. Finn did that to her and it reminded him so much of himself and Maureen.
Mallory left to return to the women and the mood had lifted with the happy news. “She’s a good girl, Finn,” Frank said quietly to his son.
“She’s the best. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I must have done something right.”
“Do you realize,” Colin said, “we’re all expecting children in the next year?”
Everyone sobered and got quiet. “Holy shit,” Bray whispered.
Frank tried to do the math, but his mind was too distracted with other things. “That’s a lot of McCullough.”
Nodding, they all grinned and grunted with masculine pride.
“Well, not all of us,” Ant said. “Kate’s finished. We tapped out at four.”
Finn’s eyes glazed over. “Four.”
Kelly put his feet on the coffee table. “We sure are a virile bunch.”
“Oh, will you look at the lot of you, all sitting around strokin’ each other’s egos,” Colleen said as she came in carrying a box of boutonnieres. “Good thing you were all born with such broad shoulders so you could haul around that lousy pride. I’ve never seen a group of men with such big—”
“Cocks?” Kelly called out.
Colleen rolled her eyes. “No.” She dropped the box on the table. “Here. Each one’s labeled. I’ve shown Luke how they go, so make sure you get them on the correct lapel and don’t crush the petals, you hear? Frank, yours is the one with the green ribbon.”
Tristan inspected the box. “These look great, Col.”
“Your jackets are in the van, but I’ll need a hand getting them out. Grab them now, because I have to go check on Paulie and Liam and the kids. Italian Mary’s at my house doing Mum’s makeup and I want to make sure she doesn’t have her looking like a drag queen.”
They went to unload the van and Colleen grabbed Frank’s sleeve, stalling him. “You ready for today?”
“Aye.”
She smiled at him, a soft show of feminine grace hidden in her fiery eyes. “We’re getting’ old, Frank.”
“You don’t have to tell me.”
“Sometimes I still feel like we’re careless kids kicking around Center County without a worry in the world.”
Frank had always cared. He’d always been so focused on making it, surviving and succeeding at being a good man. “Sometimes it’s nice to look back at how far we’ve come, Col.”
Her smile was the sort that told of deep satisfaction. “Aye. What would we have done without you, Frank? You and Maureen were meant for each other. You’ve given her forty years of loyalty and love, and I thank you for that. And you’ve been a brother to the rest of us, always there when we needed anything.”
“That’s what family does, Colleen.”
She nodded. “I wish my father could have seen the incredible man you grew into, Frank. I don’t think he’d be usin’ your balls for target practice anymore.”
He chuckled. “No, I don’t think he would.”
“I wish my mother was aware enough to understand what’s happening today. She and Maureen were always closest and I know she’d have really loved being a part of all this.”
“She still is, Colleen. She may not know what’s going on, but she knows she’s surrounded by love and warmth. She doesn’t have to know each of us to know what family feels like.”
She smiled. “That’s a nice way to put it.”
He hugged her. “I’m a day late, but happy anniversary to you too. I owe a lot of my happiness to you and Paulie.”
She shrugged. “My baby sister stole my thunder once more. Lucky for her, I’m the loving and forgiving sort. Besides, I had my big wedding. It’s her turn now.”
“Thanks, Colleen. For everything.”
The men returned carrying pressed kilts and jackets all wrapped in slick plastic from the cleaners. She turned and shouted, “You hang them up somewhere so they won’t get wrinkled, you hear me?” She winked at Frank. “Good luck today.”
“So long as she’s there to meet me half way everything will be fine. How is my blushing bride?”
She giggled. “They’re primping her like she’s on her way to meet the great and powerful Oz. Wait until you see her, love. We’ve even managed to paint her nails.”
He arched a brow. “My wife?”
“Aye, your wife.”
Chapter Seventeen
As the sun rose high above the white fleecy clouds, situated in the soft blue sky, Colin shut his eyes and prayed. Gratitude for his family’s health and the bountiful life he’d been given, first and foremost in his thoughts.
The lake rippled softly as leaves fell from the trees along the bank. The still afternoon was indeed the perfect setting for a wedding.
“It feels like yesterday that I was walking down this aisle.”
He turned and spotted Sammy making her way between the many rows of white wooden chairs. “One of the happiest days of my life.”
She came to his side and slid her fingers between his. “Mine too.”
Colin squeezed her palm as they stared at the dock in the distance. “Do you remember the first day we met?”
“I do. You all made me play baseball.”
“I still remember the thrill that cut through my belly when I saw you nail that ball.” He laughed. “You didn’t run.”
“I did too. It just took me a few seconds to get over the shock that I didn’t strike out.”
He kissed her cheek. “I recall discussing literature with you and being shocked your favorite was Peter Pan.”
“It still is.”
“You’ve grown up, Wendy.”
She smirked. “And what do you know, I found a boy that wasn’t afraid to love.”
Facing her, he took her hands and met her gaze. “I’ve never regretted a single day we shared, Samantha. You’re still that fire, burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones.”
“Oh, Colin…I have no regrets either. This mountain, your family, your parents, our children…it’s more tha
n I could have ever imagined, and it’s so incredible because of you. I love you.”
He kissed her. “I love you too.” Turning toward the lake, he whispered, “Since your parents are staying with us, how about you and I swim out to the dock tonight after the party? Just the two of us, like old times.”
Her gaze softened. “You have yourself a date.”
Already, his body tightened with the slow burn of anticipation.
“Do you have everything you need for the ceremony?”
“I think so. All that’s missing are the three hundred kilted maniacs.”
“They’ll be here soon. I’m going to run home and change into my gown. My mother took Lula to the beauty parlor with her so at least I don’t have to deal with her hair.”
He pressed a soft kiss on her cheek. “I’ll see you at the ceremony.”
She nodded. “And then at the dock tonight.”
“Tonight,” he agreed.
Mallory stared in the mirror and sighed contently. She’d worked so hard to get back to a point with her body that she was happy, but nothing could compare to the happiness of carrying a child again.
Her hand brushed over the satin bodice and rested on her lower abdomen. She joked with the others, teasing them about how potent McCullough sperm could be, but the truth was, every child came from love and the night she and Finn made this child was one she’d never forget.
He’d held her and looked into her eyes and she’d finally admitted her motives at the gym were not purely health related. She’d been sad and missing her husband, needing to hear his voice and see his face a bit more than usual.
The gym had been an outlet for all her doubts and the slight depression she feared falling into without him. Finn had told her that he, too, felt the distance. It was life. That was all there was to it. But sometimes confusion morphed into unintentional mishaps.
She recalled the way he’d held her that night and every night after. They’d made some compromises, moving the children’s bedtime to thirty minutes earlier and starting the boys on chores around the house. Gianna was still young, but she was also learning to help out in little ways. All of this added to their time together, as a family and apart from the kids. And there had been many, many times.