Chapter 44 - Niall - Bumping into You
Chapter 44
Niall
The next morning’s debarkation is a whirlwind of activity. We all leave at the same time, breaking off into groups. Greg and Holly head to the airport for an early flight. They are going up to Vermont to the Kenton family cabin for their honeymoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenton leave in their vehicle, as they are driving back to Chessie Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer accompany them after deciding to cancel their flight home in lieu of a road trip.
Everyone else goes to the airport, but at a less hectic pace than Greg and Holly. I’m as happy as a kid on Christmas morning that Gwen is coming back to Boston with me, as my girlfriend.
After arriving in Boston, I don’t waste a minute. We load our luggage into my vehicle and go right over to the Revere Beach. The drive into downtown Boston would take too much time, and I want to do as much as possible with Gwen while she’s here.
“Where is your favorite spot?” she asks as we walk onto the beach.
“It’s just down this path,” I say, pointing ahead of us.
“Oh, it’s perfect. Let’s take a picture,” she says, motioning for me to come closer.
I’ve not done any proper sightseeing in years, and experiencing it through Gwen’s eyes keeps a permanent smile on my face.
We grab a bite of clam chowder for an early dinner and then stop by a bakery for one of their delicious cannoli.
“This is seriously the best cannoli I have ever eaten,” Gwen says, licking some of the icing off her lips. “Any chance they deliver?”
Laughing, I reach over and help her get the icing she missed. “It is the best. My mam and I would come down here to get a cannoli for every special occasion.”
“I would have liked to meet her,” Gwen says.
A soft smile spreads across my face. “She would have loved you, mo ghrá .”
When we walk out of the bakery a few minutes later, Gwen says, “Alright, tour guide, what’s next on our list?”
“The firehouse,” I say.
“Oh,” she says, eyes big as saucers.
“If that’s okay?” I ask.
“No, I mean, yes, it’s more than okay. I just didn’t think, I mean I just thought . . .” she trails off.
“They’re going to love you,” I say, interlocking our fingers together as I take her hand and bring it to my lips.
Johnny sees us first and practically knocks me over getting to Gwen. “And who is this lovely thing?” he asks.
“Hi, Johnny,” I say, trying to hide my grin at his reaction. “This is Gwen. She’s my . . . well, she is my girlfriend.”
Gwen’s eyes meet mine at my statement. It’s the first time either of us have said the title aloud, and it feels right.
“Your girlfriend, well hot damn,” says Johnny, “that must have been some cruise and some wedding. Lovely to meet you, Gwen.”
Some more of the guys and gals on the crew make their way over to us. Gwen gets swept up in a warm welcome from each person. I stand back and greet my brothers and sisters, each one offering me their whispered advice.
“That one’s a keeper, Sully,” Johnny says, clapping me on the shoulder.
“Don’t let her go, man,” adds Mitchell.
“She’s so sweet, probably too good for you,” says Brianna.
“She is too class for me, that is for sure,” I agree with her. “And I don’t plan on letting her go.”
“Is it serious?” asks Mitchell. “I don’t think you’ve ever brought someone to meet us. We were beginning to think you were embarrassed of us or something.”
“I’ve never had someone that makes me feel the way Gwen does,” I say. Looking over to where she stands talking to Captain Frank, I add, “I’m hoping it will be serious. But we’ve got some things to figure out, seeing as she lives in Tennessee and, well, I’m here.”
A mixture of shock and sadness fill the faces of my brothers and sisters. A mirror of my own nerves.
Will Gwen want to continue what we have and try things between us long distance? Or is all of this too much? I don’t know what will happen between Gwen and me long term, but something in my gut is telling me not to give up.
One thing I know for sure is I’ll do just about anything to convince her to stay with me.