Chapter 47
SAMANTHA
I t was never my plan to keep an archbishop waiting.
Better, though, for him to believe he’s dealing with a nervous bride than that he discover the truth of how I’ve spent the past hour.
Re-doing my hair.
Fixing my lipstick.
Putting on panties.
Finally, Braiden and I stand in front of the altar at St. Columba’s, just as we did eight months ago. The Fishtown Boys are here, and this time they’ve brought their wives and children. Trap and Alix sit in pews tonight, instead of being part of the ceremony. My assistant, Mary Rivers, and my roommates from Dover are here—Mary with a huge smile on her face.
Aiofe waits on the dais, my one attendant. When I come to stand beside her, holding a simple bouquet of tulips, she snuggles close and whispers, “You’re so pretty!”
Fairfax stands beside Braiden. His bright eyes look out at the congregation, and I know he’s reviewing how many bottles of champagne are on ice, how much food is ready at the reception.
Archbishop Morgan Killebrew is imposing in his full regalia. His voice fills the church in a way poor Father Brennan never could. The archbishop’s stern certainty would be terrifying, under any other circumstances.
But he’s here tonight so no one can ever question the validity of the vows Braiden and I are about to exchange. There’s no possibility that the archbishop has been defrocked, that he’s not a legal celebrant in the eyes of the church.
I can’t imagine what donations Braiden made to bring the archbishop here tonight. More than replacing the roof at St. Columba’s, I’m certain. More than he spent on obtaining the evidence from That Night. But he can afford it. He’s General of the Grand Irish Union.
The ceremony moves faster than I remember from the first time. Everyone stands when they’re supposed to, sits when they should, kneels when they must. Aiofe keeps her grip on my bouquet. Fairfax produces the rings at the right time.
And before I think it’s possible, Archbishop Killebrew tells Braiden he can kiss the bride. I remember the first time we did this—the moment I realized I was marrying a man I’d never kissed before.
I’ve done so much more than kiss Braiden now. Yes, we’ve slept together. And we’ve fought together. And we’ve found the strength to reconcile, to find each other again, forever.
We’ve lived together. And now we’ll rule over the Fishtown Boys together—forever.
This time, Braiden’s kiss is sweet. This time, the archbishop tells us to go forth as man and wife. This time, Russo isn’t here—there are no squawking phones, no alarms screaming out disaster.
This time Braiden takes my hand and we walk down the aisle, Aiofe and Fairfax following behind as all our family and friends smile and watch.
This time everything is perfect.
Thank you for reading Irish Reign !
With Samantha and Braiden’s story all wrapped up, the next Diamond Ring dark romance is the true love story of Fiona Ingram and Patrick Moran.