Chapter 21 #2
Del raised his glass for each toast, but drank very little.
Bridget had managed to elude him in the moments after the ceremony, but that was coming to an end.
He would have her answer tonight and his heart was heavy, thinking this might well be the last time he attended a gathering of the O’Malley’s.
Spotting her slipping from the room he hurried after her, firmly grasped her arm and pulled her into the study. It was now or never.
Bridget turned and watched as Winston closed and locked the door. His tall frame seemed even larger tonight and she backed up a couple of steps trying to avoid a crick in her neck as she looked up at him.
“How are you?” Del asked solicitously.
“I’m fine,” she replied, feeling an annoying blush of warmth rise from her chest to her face.
“That’s good. Have you given any thought to my proposal?” he asked, swallowing with difficulty.
“Look, Winston,” Bridget began, sidling up to him and walking her fingers up his chest. “I’m crazy about you, and you know it. I love … love you and I would even seriously consider marrying you,” she whispered, standing on her tip toes and looking longingly at his lips.
“I hear a ‘but’ coming, Bridget,” Del stated firmly, taking her shoulders and planting her back on her feet. “So, let’s have it.”
“But I promised myself a long time ago that I would never, ever get involved with a man who would even remotely entertain the idea of spanking my ass,” she told him, her hands on her hips, “and I have kept that promise.
“Then you come along with your soft voice and genteel manners and I thought finally, here is the man for me. You made me fall in love with you, and that was really so unfair of you, Winston, and now I’m screwed.
Well, not yet, but I will be if I marry you.
You should have told me you were a spanker right up front, instead of letting me think you were …
well, normal,” she accused, her pretty face red, her eyes angry.
“Bridget, I could not have told you I was a ‘spanker’ because I wasn’t.
I have never in my life even entertained the idea of putting a woman over my knee, but until you, I never met a woman who needed it so desperately!
I’ve also never met a woman for whom I cared so deeply that I would go against every grain of justice I have built my life upon, physically putting my hands on her, intending to cause pain, and Bridget I intended to do exactly that to your bottom this morning.
I was not a Neanderthal until I met you, Bridget!
” Del shouted back. Taking a deep breath, he continued slightly embarrassed. “Nor have I ever yelled at a woman.”
“Well, I guess if you promised never to spank me again, I could marry you,” Bridget offered wide-eyed and backing up at the tone in his voice. Geeze, was she gonna get out of this room with her butt intact?
“I would never be able to agree to that, Bridget, now that I have experienced the sublime pleasure of giving you your just deserts. You have no idea how much I enjoyed spanking your bare butt after the months of hell you have put me through, worrying about you every waking hour and even dreaming about you. I love you, Bridget, with all my heart, but that is just asking too much,” Del replied, shaking his head and advancing on her.
“Winston, I’m sorry to say I don’t think we’ll be able to have a meeting of the minds on this issue,” Bridget said sadly, slipping behind the sofa and giving herself a better maneuvering position.
“I have an excellent idea,” Del grinned evilly.
“I think I will carry you out to the dining room, sit down in front of all your guests, flip you over my knee and spank your bare ass until you agree to marry me. Then if you try and back out, I will sue you for breach of promise. I’m a lawyer, I can do it,” he stated as he paced in front of the sofa, keeping her from making a mad dash to the door.
“Isn’t that coercion?” she asked, judging the distance and wondering how fast her geek could run.
“It is,” Del answered truthfully, grinning. “However, I don’t believe there is one person out there who does not believe I’m the man for you. I doubt you would win in court without corroborating witnesses.”
“Father O’Connor would never lie,” she insisted hiking up her dress and making a break for it. Her hands never made it to the door knob before he swept her into his arms.
“Father O’Connor left twenty minutes ago,” he told her smoothly. “Now, what’s it going to be?”
“Aw, Winston, wouldn’t you rather just kiss me?” Bridget sighed, putting her arms around his neck. “I can think of lots more fun things for you to do than spank me.”
“I can too, Bridge,” Del agreed, striding to the sofa and sitting down, holding her on his lap.
“Unfortunately, I would not disrespect your father by taking advantage of his daughter in his own home, at least not unless she had agreed to become my wife,” he stated, his lips traveling down the side of her neck.
“Damn, Winston,” she sighed as she tipped her head back giving him better access. “You drive a hard bargain.”
* * *
Del and Bridget exited the study just as a search was being organized by Colleen. Del had pink lipstick all over his face and Bridget’s hair was tumbled around her shoulders. The ring finger of her left hand was sporting a two-karat emerald cut diamond in an antique setting.
“It’s been in the family for generations,” she drawled in her best high tone voice.
“Bridget,” Del scolded.
“Sorry, Winston,” she replied with a grin and a wink.
* * *
Maeve went to Midnight Mass with a light heart. Bridget and Del were curled up on the sofa watching the roaring fire and sipping champagne when they left.
Rory and Tess intended to come to Mass, but they must have gotten side-tracked, Maeve thought with a smile. Good for them.
Slipping into the pew beside her husband of forty years she looked around at their family. Colleen, Noah and their children were there, the girls waiting impatiently for the time they would be able to light their candles.
Maggie, Nick and the children were finally together as a family.
Molly and Patrick were there with their boys, who were growing up so quickly. Where had the time gone? Maeve wondered.
The Church was beautifully adorned with poinsettias and candlelight, the organ music sweet and poignant.
On this most Holy Night, Rory had married his beautiful Tess.
By this time next year, Bridget would be married to Del and the circle of love that she and Sean had created would be complete.
Of course, there would probably be more grandbabies, which would suit Maeve just fine, she thought with a smile.
Just before Mass started, she saw Rory and Tess slip into the pew behind them, followed by Bridget and Del. She thought her heart would burst with pride and Sean reached over and took her hand, giving it a squeeze.
“You can relax, darlin’,” he whispered, grinning. “They’re all here.”
“Oh, Sean, it’s been a grand year, hasn’t it?” she whispered back, a tear sliding down her cheek.
Sean turned to her and took her face gently in his big hands. His thumb wiped away her tear as he leaned down and gave her a kiss that started their children smiling and the grandchildren giggling.
“Sean, we’re in Church,” Maeve scolded, blushing.
“Exactly,” he agreed, slipping his arm around her. “What better place to kiss my bride.”
“You foolish Irishman, I’m far from a bride,” she giggled, pleased just the same.
“You’ll always be an O’Malley Bride, darlin’ and don’t you be forgettin’ it.”
“Not in a million years,” she assured him softly. “Merry Christmas, Sean.”
“Merry Christmas, darlin’.”
I hope you enjoyed reading the fourth book in this series. The O’Malleys have always held a special place in my heart, and maybe they will do the same in yours.