Chapter 35
POV: Liam?
Whoever said that marriage was a lot of give and take was correct. But I found myself willing to give more than I was willing to take.
Maeve made it easy. She had that way about her—the kind that drew you in and held you there, like you’d stumbled into something you didn’t quite understand but didn’t want to leave.
If anything, it only grew.
Along with her belly.
Yes, Maeve is pregnant.
And shocker—-I’m the father.
Yes, I’m actually a father and a husband.
I thought I’d be lost being both—but oddly enough, I’m far from it. I feel like I’m found.
Maeve still looks the same to me, just as beautiful and even more glowing and radiant than before—if that were even possible.
I gawked at her in admiration as she wiped down the bar countertop.
The pub hadn’t opened yet for the day, so we were the only two there.
Maeve peeked up at me through her long blonde hair and smiled. “Haven’t you got tired of staring?”
I smirked. “Not at all. I could stare at you all day, Mrs. O’Rourke.”
She blushed, her cheeks turning a shade of pink that I always loved. “Well, quit staring. We’re just about to open up.”
“I think then I’ll stare more then.”
She gave me a stern look.
I walked over and wrapped my arms around her backside, pressing the bottom of my chin into the crook of her neck.“The locals and tourists love to see it,” I teased, kissing her neck.
She shot me another look, then closed her eyes to revel in my touch. “No one wants to see our PDA.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, love,” I whispered into her ear. “Everyone enjoys a good love story.”
“A good love story?” she laughed.
I pressed her closer to me. “The best kind of one. After all, Lisdoorvarna is basically the love capital of the world, and this town brought us together.”
Tears welled in her eyes but they didn’t fall. Instead she smiled a wide smile, one that made me melt. “And I thought it would just help me write a good book,” she teased.
There’s my girl. My Maeve who always joked, though she was secretly sentimental.
“I guess we should get back to work,” I said, releasing her and taking a step back.
A cute little pout formed on her lips.
“Unless?” I asked, glancing toward the open door as a steady stream of customers passed through.
“Unless?” she cocked an eyebrow.
“We could give them a show? Give the people what they want?” A lopsided smirk hung on my lips.
She gave me her best poker face. Then said, “Let’s give the people what they want.”
I smiled instantly. It was one of those smiles that took up my entire face. “Exactly my thoughts, Mrs. O’Rourke.” With two swift steps, I made my way back towards her and laced my arms around her.
Our lips pressed together and everything felt infinite, like I could stay forever in this moment.
Sounds of loud clapping and cheering echoed throughout the bar.
“Again!” Some of the customers cheered. “Kiss her again, damnit!”
I looked towards Maeve for instruction.
She gave me that look of hers—that one that said, we shouldn’t but let’s do it anyways.
I found my lips gravitating towards hers—like an ionic pull.
We were always bound to connect.
Because some things were just meant to be.
I kissed her again, this time, longer, lingering my lips on hers, soaking in this every moment and taking everything it could give. Love. Every ounce of her consuming love.
Maeve whispered between another kiss, “This is like a Hallmark movie.”
I smirked, kissing her again then whispering, “Or maybe like one of your rom-com books you’re always on about.”
She rolled her eyes but still planted another kiss onto my lips. “Maybe a combination of both.”
“Who knew you’d be an author and a pub owner,” I teased, finalizing our last kiss and breaking apart slowly.
She shrugged. “Maybe some of my author traits will rub off on you.”
“Not a chance,” I laughed. “I couldn’t write a chapter to save me.”
“Who knows,” she shrugged, turning away from me to wave at one of our customers. Then she called out, “You could surprise yourself.”
I’ve surprised my damn self more in the last year then in my entire life.
And goddamn it—in this moment, I knew that I had made it—I knew that we had made it—working together at my family owned pub, building a life in this small town, as a couple, as future parents—we had made it, together.
I walked towards her again, grabbed her hand and held it high in the air.
This was my victory. This was our victory.
Maeve had taught me something. She taught me the most important lesson you could learn in life. That love—-well it’s terrifying and confusing but it’s what life is all about. And for once, I didn’t fear the future. I hadn’t since we stood at the altar and said I do.
Because Maeve made me realize that this was the life I wanted—the life I needed.
And we were growing another one, together.
“You’re staring again, Liam.”
I beamed. “Love, I don’t think I’ll ever stop.”
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