19. Kerry
Kerry
Istraighten my tie again, looking in the mirror to make sure it’s on right and my flat tweed cap isn’t askew.
Marjorie huffs from the lounge behind me.
“Stop fussing. You look handsome as a devil, as you always do.” She rises, grabbing my arm to turn me away from the mirror.
Her fingers deftly pull at my tie and redo it, as if she knows that will soothe me.
And she’s right. I let out a long exhale, trying to calm myself. “I just want to look my best, that’s all. She deserves nothing less.”
“Yes, she does. Which is why you’re such a good match.” She pats my cheek, that same stern affection she’s always had for me shining in her eyes. I can see the warmth in them, as steady as can be, unwavering in her love for me. Her words comfort me in ways I’m not sure anyone else could.
I bring her hand up to my lips and kiss the back of it gently. “Thank you for everything.”
There’s tears in her eyes when I lower her hand back down. “You’ve got nothing to thank me for, Kerry. I just did right by you, that’s all. It’s what anyone should do.”
I shake my head. I can’t imagine for a moment letting her think that. “No. You never stopped at the bare minimum. You always went over and above to make sure I was cared for. You still do it, despite me being in my thirties now.”
After Amy told me what her family said to her and how she’d had to block them, I’ve been stewing in my fury. It made me appreciate Marjorie all the more.
I’ve never felt more helpless than waiting for Amy to tell me why she seemed so lost and distant. Marjorie helped me realize that those feelings were out of my love for Amy. That was what I needed to focus on.
Now, more than ever, I am thankful for my aunt.
Marjorie smiles up at me, eyes still glossy as she squeezes my hand. “Because I love you, Kerry. You’re my boy, even if I don’t always say it, I do love you.”
I wrap my arms around her tightly, squeezing her but careful not to hurt her. “I love you, too, aintín,” my voice is soft and tender, calling her as I did as a little boy.
She takes in a shaky breath, tears making her eyes shine. Her brows are pinched in an effort not to cry. “Look at you. Your mother would be so happy, so proud of you.”
Warmth fills my chest at the thought. “She’d be happy to know you’ve taken such good care of me.
” Marjorie had only been in her early twenties when my mother died and she stepped up to parent me since my father definitely wasn’t going to.
She’d sacrificed so much for me over the years.
I can only hope she gets whatever she wants, whatever that may be.
I’ll move heaven and earth to give it to her.
That soft smile returns on her face, gently lined with graceful wrinkles. “It’s been my honor.”
I cup her face as gently as I can. “I hope someday you get your happy ending, too.” I know her marriage to my uncle was a good thing and that they cared for each other. But she’s been alone for quite some time now, and it hurts to see.
She waves a hand dismissively, scoffing. “I’ve got it. Right here with you and Amy. I’ve got my gals, I’ve got my Bunny, I’ve got everything I could need.”
“Right,” I say quietly as I chuckle. Maybe that is all she needs, but there’s a flash of a haunted look in her eye that makes me think she doesn’t actually believe her own words.
“Well, then, whatever that happy ending looks like for you, I hope you get it. You deserve all the good things in the world, and no one is more hopeful to see you get it than me.”
She swats my arm and dashes away her tears. “Stop making me cry, Kerry, you’re going to ruin my makeup. Let’s go. We can’t keep your bride waiting.” She shakes her head, as if to ward off the tears, and pats my arm one last time before heading to the master bedroom to go assist Amy.
Excitement dances in my chest again. I can only imagine how beautiful my leannán will look, all dressed in white.
Marjorie’s been taking her dress shopping the past few weeks, and I’m eager to see what she’s chosen.
Each time, Marjorie would come home and smile so brightly when I asked how it went.
“She’s beautiful,” is all she’d say, much to my frustration and delight.
I jog down the steps of my home to go find Jack and Liam. I find them both leaning against an idling car in front of the house, waiting to take me to the local parish. Their eyes widen as they see me. “You’re looking clean and polished,” Liam says with a grin.
I huff and wipe off nonexistent dust on my suit jacket. “I wear a suit most days. This isn’t that unusual.”
Jack chuckles. “No, but this is a whole new level, boss, and you know it. You look good.”
I admit, their praise soothes my frayed nerves. “I want this day to go perfectly.”
Liam pats my back. “That it will, boss. But that includes us making sure you get there on time, so get in the car, will ya?”
I chuckle, sliding in the car and taking a deep breath. Everything I’ve ever wanted is within reach. I just have to hold out another hour or so.
There’s a plethora of security details around the church as we pull up. In the distance on rooftops, careful placements around the perimeter, even a man at the door. Alessandro really has out done himself.
Liam hops out to open the door for me before I even have a chance to. He grins at me and winks. “Don’t want you lifting even a single finger on your big day, boss.”
All I can do is laugh and shake my head. He’s a good friend, even if he is an eejit sometimes. “Thank you, Liam.”
The man at the door nods and opens it for us as we approach.
I step in first, Jack and Liam flanking me.
There’s not many people here, mostly just members of the Nameless and a couple distant family members of mine.
I see O’Neil, the man I have a deal with about the docks, is in attendance with his wife and daughter.
I invited him on short notice, so I frankly didn’t think he’d be able to make it.
The grin he gives me as we shake hands makes me think he’s quite thrilled to be making a holiday of it.
I wish Amy could have family here, but they had to go and be fecking dopes and lose the best thing in their lives, so they don’t get the honor. Amy doesn’t have many other friends, either, and what friends she does have couldn’t exactly fly to Ireland last minute.
But the most important person in her life is here.
I see the young woman in the front row, and as if she feels my gaze on her, she turns to look at me, eyebrows raising.
She has light brown hair, a strong jaw, and a sharp nose.
There’s something striking about her, her gaze intense as she stares me down.
She’d be intimidating if I wasn’t the Irish Demon.
She stands up, and a man in the seat next to her stands up with her.
He’s a tall and bulky man, wearing a blue sweater that looks a bit too small on him, like he had to come up with something nice to wear in a rush.
He gives the distinct feeling that he’s a bear dressed up in a sweater, trying to blend in with the humans.
I recognize him immediately, as Alessandro and I have been talking about him a lot lately.
This is Ruslan Rostova, the man that Lily had to elope with to escape her father.
“You must be Lily Morin.” I hold my hand out to the woman.
She raises her eyebrows, looking me up and down. “Yes. And you’re not bald.”
I throw my head back and laugh. She relaxes a bit at my reaction and shakes my hand. “No, I’m not bald or elderly.”
The man next to her narrows his eyes, a muscle in his jaw twitching. I turn to him and hold out my hand to him next to shake. “And you must be Rostova.”
He grunts and shakes my hand. “Irish Demon,” he acknowledges me, and you’d think I’m his worst enemy with how he’s looking at me. I suspect that’s just his nature, though. It’s not an uncommon thing in our line of business to be rough around the edges.
I adjust my wrist cuffs. “Thank you both for coming. I know Amy will be so happy to see you, Ms. Morin. She’s been very worried.”
Lily’s expression softens. “I’m excited to see her, too. You better treat her right.” There’s an unspoken or else in her tone that I don’t miss.
It makes me smile. “I wouldn’t dream of giving Amy anything less than the best. It’s what she deserves and more.”
Lily lifts her chin, assessing me for a moment.
I can see the bold fire in her eyes that I heard in the phone calls between her and Amy.
I can see why Amy’s so comfortable with her.
It’s clear that she’s protective of her dearest friend, and I’m happy to have her around.
Whatever I can do to make Amy safer in every way, I’ll happily make it happen.
“I agree with you.” I give her a nod, and a look of understanding passes between us.
The priest and old family friend, Father O’Donnell, steps behind me and clears his throat. It’s time. “Excuse me.” Both Lily and Rostova nod in acknowledgement as I turn and get into position, standing in front of the priest.
Father O’Donnell clears his throat and leans in. “You owe me for the blood splatter. We had to put a rug over it.”
I wince. “Feck.”
“Yes. Now, watch your mouth in a place of God and take your cap off.”
He’s one of the few people that can talk to me like that, considering he’s been more of a father to me than my own da ever was. I sigh and take off my green flat cap, tossing it to the side. He pats my shoulder in approval as we wait.
The minutes until she arrives are excruciating. Every breath feels like a lifetime. My mind starts to feel like static, a sensation I’m not used to. Is she getting second doubts? Was it too rushed after all? Is she upset her family isn’t here?
Everything is so close to being perfect that I can’t help but fear it’s about to go all wrong.
All of the air rushes out of my lungs as the large double doors to the chapel open. A hush falls over those in attendance.
Amy’s hair is done up in a bun, several strands of hair framing her face, the perfect picture of an angel.
Her cheeks are decorated with a glittery iridescent makeup, lips covered in a pink gloss that I already know I’ll enjoy kissing off of her later.
Her dress is glorious, like something straight out of a fairytale.
A lacy bodice, puffy sleeves, and a long train behind her.
I’m glad I told her to get whatever dress she wanted, no budget. It’s worth every penny.
I could never have imagined that Amy could look even more beautiful than she already does on a daily basis.
I was wrong. My imagination could’ve never come up with a beauty so exquisite even if I tried.
My chest fills with a deep longing for her, to hold Amy in my arms every day for the rest of my life.
Power never tasted as sweet as the sight of her. Money could never hold the same appeal. Everything I could ever want is contained in a single woman, and that scares me.
But I also love it.
Marjorie walks her down the aisle, already glossy-eyed as she smiles at me.
The reality of this grand moment sinks in.
I’m getting to marry Amy. As if sensing my own realization, her brown eyes lock onto mine, and she smiles, warm and bright.
Excitement sparkles in her eyes like a million stars.
I feel my eyes sting, my breath hitch, my lungs burn.
Warm droplets track down my cheeks, and I do not wipe them away.
Let them all see the evidence of Amy’s power.
Everyone should know the extent of my love for her, I will have no shame. Not about this. Not about her.
Years of waiting, of wanting, of yearning. And here she is, taking my breath away as she walks down the aisle towards me. Towards a future with me.
Her eyes flicker towards Lily in the front row, and I smirk as she nearly pulls away to go hug her friend, but stops herself.
The two smile at each other and wave excitedly before Amy resumes walking up onto the church’s altar.
Sunlight shines through the stained glass, casting her in a rainbow glow.
It feels like a blessing from above, approval from the heavens themselves.
And who wouldn’t be pleased with Amy? In my mind, it’s impossible for any god to be unhappy with her.
Marjorie helps her step up onto the altar, arranging her train behind her, before she goes to her own seat in the front row.
Amy is beautiful. And now she’ll be officially mine.