Chapter 24 Meet Mum And Dad
Meet Mum And Dad
Niall’s heart beat like a drum while he waited for her reply. He thought she’d say yes, but his bear’s agitation had him wanting to pace. She wouldn’t say no, would she? She couldn’t. No, it didn’t matter. He’d prove to her he was worth the risk, no matter how long it took.
Niall took a deep breath and fought for calm. “Please, take a seat.”
Suzie dropped onto one of the bench seats. “You love me?”
“Yes, very much. I want a future with you. I’m sorry for my behavior.
Truly, I messed up, and I wish I could take everything I said back and start over.
” He scanned her face, terrified to decipher her expression.
He was on the verge of speaking, pleading for her to consider a life together, when she smiled softly.
That smile grew until it was as broad and bright as the sun.
“Oh, Niall. Why didn’t you voice your thoughts then? Tell me you loved me? I would’ve come back.”
Niall grunted, uncomfortable with the truth.
He had to explain why he’d said the wrong thing and caused her to leave under such a black cloud.
“I panicked,” he said, finding the tightness of his chest easing now that he was telling the truth.
“In that moment, it resembled rejection, bringing back a flood of family memories. I was a broken man when I arrived in Scotland. It took me a long time to trust the laird and Angus.”
Suzie patted his arm. “Don’t you see? Angus and the laird became your family. You had a family that mistreated you, but when you left, you found another family who loved and supported you. A found family, and you’ll have an even bigger one after we marry.”
Hope rose in him. “After we’re married?”
“Yes, Niall. I love you. Don’t you know me well enough to understand that I wouldn’t have slept with you if I didn’t care for you? You’re my mate. When we’re together, I feel whole and like to think you feel the same way.”
“I didn’t come to New Zealand intending to leave again without you,” he murmured.
When he glanced at her this time, the deep emotion he saw shook him.
Her features were softer, and her beautiful green eyes glowed with happiness, with contentment, with love.
Niall slid along the bench seat and took her hand in his.
“I brought a ring with me. It belonged to the laird’s mother, and he gave it to me to give to the woman I fell in love with.
” His mind drifted to the elderly man. Suzie was right.
He’d become Niall’s family, and Angus was still his family.
He loved and respected the elderly shifter.
“If you don’t like it, we can have it redesigned, or I could buy you another. ”
Suzie grinned. “Show me.”
He retrieved a ring box from his pocket and opened it to reveal the antique golden ring featuring diamonds and rubies.
The ring had held significant meaning for the laird, symbolizing the elderly Scotsman’s love for his wife and for Niall.
He’d absorbed more than he’d thought but never considered himself part of a family. Until today.
A sense of gratefulness assailed him as he replayed Suzie’s fervent words.
He had a family who loved him. They might not be blood relations, but that didn’t matter.
They loved and respected him, and he knew without asking that he could call on them, and they’d come.
He briefly thought of the two brothers who’d traveled to Scotland with mischief in mind and substantial gambling debts.
They’d seen him as an easy way out of their problems.
Niall shifted his attention to Suzie, who remained fixated on the ring. “Do you like it?”
“Yes.” She glanced at him, her eyes green pools of awe and amazement. “So much. I’d be honored to wear it.”
Thankful again, Niall tugged the ring free and slid it onto Suzie’s finger. They studied it for a beat longer before their gazes connected.
“Suzie, I love you. Marry me soon?”
Instead of agreeing, she said, “How long can you stay? Could you do two weeks?”
Alarm slammed through him. A trace of panic. Was she changing her mind already?
“Niall?”
Her utter calmness allowed him to breathe. She said yes, he reminded himself, but it told him how off-balance he was with love and family. He’d programmed himself to fear the worst. He had to improve because Suzie needed the best version of him. She deserved nothing less.
“After you left and we discovered Michael was behind everything, the honey didn’t seem important.
Angus and I discussed it and we’ve put back the release date.
With all the upheaval, we decided it would be best to wait.
Besides, I couldn’t focus. The excitement had gone because you weren’t there to share it with me.
I missed you. You’re more critical to me than the honey. ”
Suzie laughed then and squeezed his hand. “I have a suggestion. Why don’t we plan to get married before we return to Scotland? Set the date in two weeks. Angus might not make it, but we could have another ceremony in Scotland. What do you think?”
Niall didn’t hesitate. “I’d like that very much. We’ll have a party when we get home, but we could also set up a link for Angus to watch the ceremony.”
“Is it safe to come out?” Scott called.
“No,” Suzie said. “He hasn’t kissed me yet.”
Niall rose with alacrity and scooped her off the bench. He hauled her into his arms and breathed in her scent. He playfully smooched the tip of her nose before grinning at her. “Would you like a kiss to celebrate our engagement?”
“Yes, please.” Her prim tone contrasted with her mirthful eyes.
“Your wish is my command,” he said.
She was still rolling her eyes when he claimed her mouth, and he settled in to kiss the stuffing out of her. Passion flared between them. A sense of rightness and happiness filled Niall as Suzie’s arms surrounded him.
“Everything seems peaceful,” Scott said in a loud voice.
Suzie laughed against Niall’s lips, and he lifted his head to grin at their friend. “She said yes. We’re getting married in two weeks before we return to Scotland.”
Scott let out a whoop, and Niall’s grin widened.
“Congratulations!” a feminine voice said.
“Thanks, Emily,” Suzie said.
“Will your parents be well enough to attend your wedding?” Niall asked.
“I think so,” Suzie said. “Hopefully, it will give them something to look forward to.”
“Would you like the reception here?” Emily asked. “Catering will be easy since everyone will want to help.”
“That would be awesome,” Suzie said, squeezing Niall’s hand again. “Gran’s garden is beautiful. Thoughts on a garden wedding and our reception here?”
“And another in the castle chapel,” Niall said, his bear giving an enthusiastic chuff that echoed through his mind.
Suzie’s smile was once again full of sunshine, happiness, and contentment. “I’d like that. Maybe I’ll finally contact Edwina, and she can come. I’d like you to meet my best friend.”
“Anything for you,” Niall whispered.
Scott groaned. “Okay, now you’re just getting soppy. Enough of that.”
“Ooh, you have a ring,” Emily said, her brown eyes full of nosy interest and enthusiasm. “Let me see.”
Niall watched with pride as the two women discussed the ring.
His laird would approve of Suzie, and he knew Suzie had Angus’s blessing.
Niall would’ve claimed her anyway because she made him happy, but Angus’s high regard meant a lot.
He only hoped Suzie’s family thought he was good enough for their daughter and sister.
An hour later, he and Suzie were in the kitchen with Suzie’s siblings, the large box of tablet he’d brought from Scotland open on the table.
“Do you really change into a bear?” Suzie’s brother asked, his green eyes full of the same curiosity Niall often saw in Suzie. Her brother plucked a piece of tablet from the box and stuffed it inside his mouth.
“Yes.” Niall winked at Suzie.
A laugh trembled her shoulders, but she held in her amusement.
“Can you show us?” Suzie’s youngest sister asked, showing similar interest.
Niall tilted his head. “What happens if you try to shift while still wearing your clothes?”
“Our shirts and trousers rip, and Mum shouts at us because clothing is expensive, you know,” Suzie’s other sister said.
“Yeah,” her brother said. “I had to mow the lawn for a whole month when I did it last time. I forgot,” he added ruefully.
Niall nodded. “Well, I don’t want to destroy my clothes. Also, I think your parents are coming downstairs, and the last thing I want is for them to see my naked backside.”
“Even though your bottom is very sexy, I think it’s best if you remain clothed in these circumstances,” Suzie murmured under the cover of loud laughter.
Niall winked at her, his heart swelling with such love and joy that he never wanted to leave this room.
But footsteps from behind had him rising, respect something the laird had drummed into him.
A woman—an older version of Suzie limped down the stairs.
A tall, slim man with a pale face covered with cuts and bruises followed her.
His gait held a slight hitch, and Niall wanted to go to their aid.
He didn’t, seeing stiff pride in the older couple.
The injuries must’ve been severe for them to still bear cuts and bruises.
“Come and sit by me,” Suzie said, tugging at his elbow.
He acquiesced, leaving the chair at the head of the table for Suzie’s father.
Suzie’s mother appeared as tired as her husband, and it was clear to Niall that Suzie’s parents had needed her. He’d been the idiot. Suzie reached for his hand, and he linked their fingers beneath the table.
“Mum, Dad, this is Niall,” Suzie said, her calm voice holding none of the nerves he felt in the tremor of her hand. She cleared her throat. “Niall asked me to marry him.”
Suzie’s mother gasped, while Niall found himself under the intense scrutiny of Suzie’s father.
“You never mentioned a man,” Suzie’s mother said.