Page 104 of Bumping into You

But just as my mam made me promise I’d find someone after her passing, she’d also want me go out and live my life. My life now is in Chessie Valley with Gwen, and Greg and Trent, who’ve always been like brothers to me. I may not have a family of my own, but I’ve foundmo thaeghlachwith them.

Gwen left her apartment, and we found the perfect house that we just moved into about two months ago. She has also been making changes at work. After promoting Becca, her second-in-command, to senior event planner, she also hired two additional event planners and an office manager. With those changes, she has more freedom to pick the jobs she wants to work and has a great work-life balance. It’s a decision she said was a long timecoming and completely worth it if it means we get to spend more time together. She’s decidedly less grumpy but still a little firecracker full of life and happiness.

Deciding to propose to Gwen was easier than deciding to breathe. She’d come up to Boston for a weekend, and I planned a picnic at Revere Beach, where I used to go with my mam. I wanted a spot where I felt close to my mam because I know she would have loved Gwen. I remember the look on Gwen’s face when she realized what I was up to and will never forget the smile that broke out as she agreed to be my wife.

If I had to guess, I’d say that my face was a mirror of hers in that moment.

Tonight, we are celebrating our engagement with a housewarming party.

We decorated our backyard with string lights and set up tables and chairs. We’ve invited everyone—friends, family, coworkers—because we have a surprise to share with them all.

Walking into our master bedroom, I look over at Gwen, who is watching as friends and family mingle out back. She is gorgeous with her hair down and a crown of flowers in her hair. Her whimsical off-white dress with long flowy sleeves hits just above her knees and shows off her lovely, sculpted legs. That plus the plunging neckline takes my breath away.

“Wow,mo ghrá, you are a vision,” I say, coming up behind her and kissing her neck.

She twirls around to face me. “You look pretty dapper yourself,” she says, admiring me in my white button-down shirt and khaki pants. She kisses me gently.

“Are you ready to do this?” she asks.

“Not having second thoughts, are you?” I counter.

“Never.” Her eyes sparkle with mischief.

Tonight is not only our engagement-plus-housewarming party, but also our wedding. And only the two of us and the pastorwe’ve sworn to secrecy know.

“And you’re sound with not having a huge wedding?” I ask, checking for what is probably the hundredth time.

“Of course I am,” she says. “I’ve had to plan too many big, over-the-top weddings. I just want something simple, where I have you, and we are surrounded by the people we care about most. I love that we get to start our life together in the backyard of our new house. The first of so many memories.” She reaches into her dresser drawer and pulls out a box. “I have something for you.”

“What is it,mo ghrá?”

“I know your mom can’t be here, though she will be in our hearts, but I wanted her to be a part of this wedding too,” she says, placing the box in my hand.

I open the box, and inside is a beautiful pocket watch.

“Open it,” she urges.

Inside, I find two pictures, one of my mam and me when I was little, and one of my mam smiling that had been taken just before she passed.

“It’s perfect,” I say, kissing her once more before adding, “That means more to me than you know.” Placing the watch in my pocket and then taking her hand in mine, I lead her down the stairs and out to our friends and family.

When we step out onto the back porch, I say, gesturing to Gwen, “We have an announcement to make.”

“I know you all are here to celebrate our engagement and housewarming,” says Gwen, “and while that is true, it’s not the full truth.”

“We’ve been keeping a secret from you,” I add.

Taking a deep breath, she looks at me, then turns back to the crowd. “We invite you all to stay and celebrate our wedding.”

Stunned murmurs echo around us before everyone converges on us in a euphoric happiness. We lock eyes for a moment before Gwen is quickly ushered inside by her mom, Holly, and Margot.

“See you in a minute,” she says as I leave with Greg and Trent.

The ceremony doesn’t last long. Gwen is glowing as she walks out of the house and down the makeshift aisle. The pastor says his part, and then it’s our turn.

“Niall,” says Gwen, “I vow not to be too grumpy when you wake me up in the mornings. I promise to be your sanctuary, a place of love and support. A place of security and calm. When you first met me, I’d been lost in the dark, but you brought a light to my life and helped me see that the future holds amazing opportunity when we are together. Once, you asked me if I trusted you before we took a leap off a cliff. Now I’m telling you I trust you as we take this leap into our new life together. I look forward to creating a lifetime of memories together. I love you.” A tear rolls down Gwen’s face, and her smile is so full of light and happiness that it makes me weak at the knees.

Then it’s my turn, and a grin breaks across my face. Never have I ever been more ready for something in my life. “Gwen, I stand here today, my heart overflowing with love for you. You are exactly the woman my mam would have wanted me to be with, feisty and full of life. You also brought me out of my darkness from her loss. You showed me that there is still light, happiness, and love in this life. You’ve given me a family, something I never thought I’d have again. I promise to be patient, to listen, and more importantly, to communicate openly with you each and every day. And I vow to always have a pot of coffee ready for you when you wake each morning.”

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