Twenty
TWENTY
REV
With Harley beside me, I’ve been given the chance to see Belfast anew through her eyes. The familiar sights and sounds have taken on a different, brighter hue with her beside me.
Now I’ve brought her up to County Antrim for a short trip to see a bit more of my adopted country. After we arrived at the inn yesterday, we spent the evening exploring the surrounding area, but today I’m taking her to the Giant’s Causeway—a place where the wild beauty of the coast feels both timeless and grounding. It seems like the perfect setting for what I have planned.
As I’m about to get on the bike, Harley stops me and laces her fingers through mine.
“What’s wrong?” I ask as I look down at her.
“Nothing, I just wanted to say thank you for this. I didn’t expect it, and it’s beautiful.”
“I told you last night,” I lean in and press a soft kiss to the tip of her nose. “I try.”
It’s a perfect day with the sun shining brightly as my bike roars to life. Our destination is not far from the inn, and the roads are quiet, so we soon catch our first glimpse of the craggy cliffs and the Atlantic beyond.
When we arrive at the Causeway, the wind picks up, carrying with it the salty tang of the ocean. Harley takes a deep breath and smiles as she looks around.
“It’s stunning, Hadrian,” she says, her voice filled with wonder. “I’ve seen pictures, but they don’t do it justice.”
I take her hand, leading her towards the basalt columns that rise majestically from the water. The Giant’s Causeway is a place steeped in legend and natural beauty, and a magical place for us to spend the day. We walk along the rocks, carefully picking our way across the uneven surfaces.
“So, how does it feel being in Belfast and with the club?” I ask, genuinely curious about her thoughts.
She glances at me, a soft smile playing on her lips. “It feels surprisingly like home. Everyone’s been so welcoming, and there’s a sense of camaraderie that I really appreciate. Don’t tell my father I said that, though. He might not like that I’m getting too comfortable too quickly.” She giggles as she says it, and I know she’s joking.
I laugh, squeezing her hand. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
We continue our walk, watching as some children play on the rocks. Their laughter carries on the wind, and Harley’s eyes light up. I can see the joy and contentment in her expression.
Suddenly, the thought of Harley having my children pops into my head, and I can’t shake it off. The idea of her pregnant with my bairn is definitely appealing. Hopefully, that will be a part of our future.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” she says, turning to me. “The way the ocean crashes against the rocks, the endless horizon… it feels so alive.”
I nod, experiencing the same sense of awe. “It is. This place has always held a special meaning for me. It’s a reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things, but also how connected we are to the world around us.”
We find a spot to sit and watch the waves while eating ice creams we’ve bought from a nearby stand. The sweetness of the treat contrasts with the sharpness of the ocean air, creating a perfect balance. Harley laughs as a particularly cheeky seagull tries to snatch a bite from her cone, and I can’t help joining in with her laughter.
“You know, I’ve never felt more contented than I do right now,” she says, leaning her head on my shoulder. “It’s like everything has finally fallen into place.”
Her words warm my heart, and the ring in my pocket feels like it’s burning a hole, but I’m waiting for the right time. We talk and laugh some more while watching the children paddle in the small waves. Their carefree joy is infectious.
As the sun begins to dip towards the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, I know it’s time. I stand, and taking Harley’s hand, I pull her up with me.
When I called Shaun last night he was surprised to hear from me. I had to tell Harley I was popping to the shop so I could phone him. I would have preferred to speak to him in person, but I knew I had to get his permission first before I proposed, so a phone call had to suffice.
“Harley,” I say, my voice suddenly thick with emotion. “There’s something I need to ask you.”
She looks at me, her eyes wide and curious. “What is it, Hadrian?”
Taking a deep breath, I drop to one knee, and Harley’s hand flies to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears.
“Harley, you’ve brought so much light into my life. You’ve shown me what it means to truly love and be loved. You’re my home, no matter where we are. Will you marry me?”
The world seems to hold its breath as I wait for her answer. Her tears spill over, but she’s smiling. Her joy radiates from her like the sun.
“Yes, Hadrian,” she says, her voice trembling with emotion. “Yes, I will marry you.”
I slip the ring onto her finger, and standing, I pull her into my arms. Our kiss is full of promise and love, and with the waves crashing as if in celebration and the children’s laughter echoing around us, I feel like the luckiest man alive.
We stay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the sun sets. The future is bright and full of endless possibilities.
As we make our way back to the bike, hand in hand, I glance at her, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude.
“Thank you for saying yes,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
She smiles, squeezing my hand. “Thank you for asking. I can’t wait to start this next chapter with you, Hadrian.”
The ride back to the inn has my head filled with thoughts of future plans and dreams. And as we pull into the car park, I know that no matter what comes our way, we’ll face it together, united by love and bound by the unbreakable promise we made at the Giant’s Causeway.