Page 70 of An Angel's Share
When Aoife holds her hand out towards me, I stride over and take it, kissing her in front of everyone.
Evie rushes me, hugging me. She then turns to Aoife. “I hope you still want us all in your life, Aoife. We love our brother, even though he is a bit thick at times. I’m sorry if we upset you, I know we are a lot.” She takes Aoife’s hands in hers. “But please know, he was just trying to protect you. All of you.” She smiles round at Patrick and Christy, holding on tightly to each other.
I step forward. I want everyone to know, the whole crowd. They are mine.
“I love you, Aoife, and I love our baby already. Will you please say yes to us being together? Getting married? I knowyou’re upset that I could think you were a thief, but I didn’t, not really.” I wait for her response.
“I think you did think that, Jonno,” she states, her face deadpan.Oh, fuck. “But the fact that you would ignore that, and wanted us to be together anyway. Well, it just told me how much you actually did love me.” She smiles directly into my eyes, my body starting to hum, the inferno starting to blaze.
I pull her into my arms. “Before or after the baby is born?” I bat my eyes at her. She laughs.
“Before. I want us to be together officially as soon as possible. And I don’t have long left. I’ll be waddling down the aisle.”
“We can do it in the church here. Just us, if you want. Wear those sleep shorts if you like, I liked those.” I’m grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Mae looks at us in horror. She wants a society wedding. “Please no, Aoife no, do the registry office now, but please give me a big wedding next year. I’ve got the wedding planners booked.”
Aoife shakes her head at her mammy, and looks at me.
“I will give you whatever you want. Just ask me, and I’ll give it to you. Whatever you need. I’m all in, baby.” Tears start in her eyes as I repeat the words I said to her a little over a month ago.
“I love you, Jonno Greystone.”
“Not as much as I love you, Dr Aoife no middle name O’Clery.”
EPILOGUE
Jonno
We wait and we wait.No signs as yet, so we pace and we watch for the action to start.
Not the baby.
Liam.
Three whole days have passed since Jackson kicked him out of the car outside one of Dublin’s fanciest hotels. Still spewing shit, threats and lawsuits. Yeah yeah whatever.
It’s four thirty in the afternoon and my phone starts pinging. Jackson rushes in as his phone has pinged, and we hear Jude and Evie shout and come running. We’re sat in the library, Aoife resting her feet up on my thighs.
James rings on FaceTime.
“You got him, Sunshine?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Yeah, he’s gone for the biggest first. The Isle’s money has just gone on its holidays. Ah, there you are in thesunny Caymans.”
Aoife, sits up and looks at us all. Seamus, Marshall, and Dermot all come in together, sitting opposite us all.
“New York next,” states Jackson. Turning his phone around, we watch the money empty out of the account. Aoife makes a squeaking noise.
“Yep, Uncle Jax, landed, same place. The Caymans are popular this time of year.”
I grin at my nephew. You would never know he was just about to rewire all the cash. He’s so cool, and so my protégé.
“California, next. He is a busy boy this afternoon. Working hard at stealing your hard earned money, Granda Marshall.” James waves at Marshall as he pushes his face towards the screen.
“James, focus please,” Evie is imploring him. “How much so far?”
“Eight,” he states, his voice changing to hard and cold. “The fucker.” He is his daddies’ boy.
