Straight Up

by Deirdre Martin

  “Whose idea was that?”

  “Mine.”

  “You asked Liam to marry you?”

  “Actually, I didn't so much ask as declare it to the INIS fella.”

  “Very romantic.”

  Aislinn ignored the crack. “I'd like you to be there.”

  “Of course I'll be there,” Nora replied. “I take it Liam will be moving in with us?”

  “With me,” Aislinn corrected politely. “Don't you have to be back at university in about a month or so?”

  “I do. Unless you change your mind about the B and B idea.”

  "Nora, that's never going to happen. Just out of curiosity, where were you planning to get the money to turn the house into a B and B?'

  “I thought we'd take out a loan.”

  “We being who? You and Donald, or you and me?" You and me.

  “Oh right,” Aislinn chortled. “And then what? If the place went belly-up we'd default, and our credit would be wrecked? No thank you.”

  Nora said nothing.

  “This is nothing more than a stupid escape fantasy for you, Nora. Admit it. Have you thought about what running a B and B entails? Yes, you'd be your own boss, but do you really want to be getting up early in the morning and cooking big breakfasts for guests? You really want to spend the day doing endless rounds of laundry and making up the beds fresh every day? Keeping the house impeccably clean? Always have to be pleasant and have a smile on your face, even when you're in a foul mood? That's your dream?”

  Nora pressed her lips into a thin, hard line. “You're choosing to focus on the negatives.”

  “No, I'm focusing on the reality.”

  “The reality is we could make a lot of money, Aislinn.”

  "I told you: I'm not interested. If you and Donald are so hell-bent on a B and B, why don't you buy one in England and see how it goes?

  “Let's not talk about this anymore,” Nora said wearily, changing the subject. “Who else will be there tomorrow?”

  “Liam's relatives. Jack and Bettina.” She paused. “It really means a lot to me that you'll be there,” Aislinn added softly.

  She heard Nora swallow. “It means a lot to me, too.”

  “I may not like you very much,” Aislinn noted dryly, “but I do love you.”

  “Funny, I feel the same way.”

  “I'm going to call Judge Taylor and see if he can fit us in at ten. We'll ride down in the truck.” Aislinn grinned. "I'm bringing Deenie, too.

  “Judge Taylor isn't going to let a dog into the registry office!”

  “Ah, of course he is. He's an old softie. My girl has to be there; she's part of the family.”

  “What are you wearing?”

  “My green dress. Maybe I can borrow a scarf to spruce it up with a bit?”

  “Of course.”

  Aislinn stood. “Well I guess that's it, then. See you in the morning.”

  “Yes, good night,” said Nora, slipping her reading glasses back on.

  Aislinn felt like she was being dismissed, then decided she was being oversensitive. What mattered was that they'd put their differences aside on what would be the happiest day of her life, and for that, she was glad.

  *****

  There was one more thing Aislinn needed to do before she tried to go to sleep. She walked down to Padraig's cottage and made herself a cup of tea before sitting in “her” chair.

  “I don't know if you can hear me, old man,” she started, a knot forming in her chest. “But I want to apologize for the way we parted. I know you left this world mad at me, but I just hope that wherever you are, you can forgive me. You know how much I love you, you've always been like a second father to me, and it just won't be the same around here without you.”

  She sat there for a good while, sipping her tea, combing through a catalogue of memories. When she was done, she rinsed the cup and put it on the drainboard before slowly moving to the front door. She started to leave, then turned back to look at the place where the old man had lived most of his life.

  “Rest in peace, Padraig,” she whispered. “Rest in peace.”

  Straight Up

  Chapter Thirty-five

  ************************************************************************************************

  “This is mayhem. Truly.”

  Liam ignored Old Jack's assessment of the registry office, which was, admittedly, packed with people. He should have known half the town would turn up for the wedding: not only because they wanted to see him and Aislinn tie the knot, but because word had spread fast that his aunt and uncle were hosting a small brunch at the pub after the ceremony. Never underestimate the lure of free food, he mused.

  Liam's aunt and uncle had “gone mental,” as his father would have said, when he told them the news. They were sad that his immediate family wouldn't be there, and his aunt predicted his mother would be “in floods of tears,” which made Liam feel awful.

  Unable to sleep, he called New York at 4 a.m. his time, 10 p.m. theirs. His parents were thrilled by the unexpected call. But when he told them he was getting married in a few hours, he was greeted by a stunned silence. Then he remembered: he'd never told them about Aislinn. He gave them the condensed version of their romance (omitting the bet, of course). By the time he was done, his mother was indeed in “floods of tears.” She wondered aloud what this meant for his future. Was he intending to spend the rest of his life in Ballycraig? Would he and his wife be moving to the States? Liam evaded both questions, because he himself didn't know the answers and he really didn't want to think about them.

  It was a surreal morning. Him. Getting married. To a sheep farmer. While hiding out in rural Ireland.

  Since he hadn't been able to sleep, he'd driven out to the countryside in Jack's car to collect some wildflowers for a bouquet for Aislinn, just in case she hadn't had time to do so herself. He wished to hell he had a ring to give her, but she was right: that was a minor detail that could be taken care of later.

  Bettina checked her watch. “She's late.”

  Liam's eyes lifted to the clock on the wall. “Only ten minutes.”

  His cousin Erin looked worried. “I hope her truck didn't break down.”

  Jack nudged him playfully in the ribs. “Maybe she came to her senses and isn't going to show.”

  “Thanks a lot,” said Liam. He loved the image of Aislinn driving herself down to her own wedding in her truck. That was his girl. He hoped Nora was with her.

  Grace Finnegan came hurrying through the door. “She's here!”

  “Is Cleopatra with her?” Bettina asked.

  “She is. And Deenie.”

  “Aislinn's a damn sight nicer than I would be to that traitorous -” said Bettina.

  “Now, now,” Jack chided. “It's a day for happiness and generosity.”

  “You're right,” Bettina conceded, patting his arm.

  Anticipation dashed through Liam as he waited for Aislinn to walk through the door of the registry office. In fact, the whole room was thick with it as his fellow Ballycraigers, too, held their breath.

  Liam felt himself unexpectedly choking up when she finally appeared. She looked breathtaking: her hair was pinned up loosely, soft red tendrils framing her face, and she'd woven wildflowers through her hair. She truly looked like she was glowing. The fact that the happy smile on her face was meant just for him made him feel as though this was all he'd ever need in life: her loving him, him loving her back.

  Murmurs of “Oh, doesn't she look lovely,” came from all over the room. Nora walked in behind Aislinn, holding Deenie on a leash. Nora's gaze was also fixed on Liam, likely because she didn't want to see the dirty looks coming her way.

  Finally, Aislinn was beside him. Feeling as awkward as a boy at his first school dance, Liam held out the bouquet to her. “I didn't know whether you'd have time to put one together yourself, so I picked a few.”

  Aislinn's eyes glistened. “They're beautiful,” she murmured.

  “You're b
eautiful,” said Liam, twining his fingers through hers.

  “And you're quite the handsome devil.”

  Judge Taylor came out from behind the big mahogany door at the rear of the office, sending a hush through the room. He smiled when he saw Aislinn, extending his hand for Liam to shake.

  “Congratulations. You're quite a lucky man.”

  Liam beamed. I know.

  The judge leaned in to Aislinn. "That wool you sold my Jenny last spring? Knitted me a gorgeous, gorgeous sweater.

  “I'm glad.”

  He clapped his hands together. “Right! Let's get you two hitched.”

  Since two witnesses were needed, Liam's cousin Brian was his “best man,” and Nora was Aislinn's “matron of honor.” Liam could feel himself grinning like an idiot through the brief ceremony; he was deliriously happy, happier than he ever thought possible.

  He'd given his camera to his cousin Erin so she could take pictures that he could later download and send to his family in New York. She was snapping away like a woman possessed. He couldn't wait for everyone back home to see how beautiful Aislinn was.

  Finally, the words he couldn't wait to hear: “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  A loud cheer went up from the crowd, and Aislinn actually blushed as Liam kissed her.

  “Aren't you supposed to throw your bouquet?” Liam whispered to her.

  “I think that's after,” Aislinn whispered back. She squeezed his hand tight. “I love you so much it hurts.”

  “Me, too.” He stole another kiss. “Onward to the Oak, Mrs. O'Brien.”

  *****

  "Jaysus, it's hotter than the fires of hell in here.

  Aislinn laughed as Old Jack cranked open all the windows of the pub and put two bricks in place to hold the pub door open wide. There was no avoiding the heat: that's what happened when bodies were packed together tighter than sardines.

  "I'm tickled everyone's here, Aislinn marveled.

  “Course we're all here, darlin'. We wouldn't miss it for the world.”

  "Thank you, Jack.

  “For opening up the pub like this? It's nothing. Besides, there was no way everyone would fit up at the O'Brien place.”

  Aislinn nodded. She'd never been to Liam's aunt and uncle's house, though now that would change, she imagined. She hoped with all her heart that she'd soon feel part of their family, now that all she had was Nora, and God only knew how that might end up.

  She looked round for her sister but didn't see her anywhere. Excusing herself, she pushed her way through the crowd and headed outside. Nora was sitting on one of the benches outside the pub, smoking a cigarette.

  “Since when do you smoke?” Aislinn asked, sitting beside her.

  “I'm putting on weight. Time to go back to the tried-and-true coffee and cigarette diet.”

  “Sounds awfully unhealthy to me.” She bumped her sister's shoulder affectionately, the way they used to do when they'd sit together at the kitchen table, or when they'd be stuck in the sitting room watching some horrible, boring show on the telly with their parents, and they were trying not to burst out laughing. “Thanks for coming.”

  Nora sucked on her cigarette. “Thanks for inviting me.”

  “Don't be daft.” Nora slowly blew out a trail of smoke. “A lot of people inside think you're daft to have invited me.”

  “I don't care what they think and never have. You know that.”

  “They hate me, Aislinn.” Nora actually sounded miserable. “They think I'm a bad person.”

  “They don't think you're bad. They think you're -” Aislinn hesitated

  “What? You can say it.”

  “Stuck-up,” Aislinn finished quietly. “Stuck-up and selfish.”

  “You left out insensitive.” Nora said bitterly.

  Well, that, too, Aislinn thought, but she didn't want to add salt to the wound. She changed the subject. “I wish Mam and Da were here today.”

  “Me, too. They would have loved Liam.”

  “I wish Padraig were here, too. I can't believe how much I miss that moody old bugger.”

  “Well, you two were close.”

  “We were.” Aislinn touched Nora's shoulder. “Come back inside,” she urged softly.

  Nora shook her head. “No. I'm going to be taking off soon.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I'm actually waiting for a cab.” She knocked her shoulder against Aislinn's. "You and Liam are newly-weds! You're entitled to a little privacy, don't you think? A cab will be here to pick me up in a few minutes to take me back to the house to get a small bag, and then it'll drive me to Cork so I can catch a plane back to London.

  And will you be coming back? Aislinn was dying to ask, but she didn't want to go there, not today.

  “You haven't seen Donald in a while.”

  “No, I haven't. I'm looking forward to it.”

  "Give him my regards.

  “I will.” Nora yanked on one of the tendrils framing Aislinn's face. “Get back inside! It's your wedding day! You're supposed to be celebrating!”

  “All right, all right.“ She gave Nora a hug. ”Talk soon?" Of course.

  Aislinn stood. “You sure you don't want me to wait with -”

  “Get inside!” Nora scolded.

  “Leave a message on the answer phone when you get home so I know you arrived safe and sound.”

  "I will.”

  Aislinn leaned over, kissed her sister on the cheek, and went back inside.

  *****

  “I can't believe they decorated the truck!”

  Aislinn was standing naked in front of the mirror in her room, undoing her hair. What was supposed to be just brunch had turned into an all-day affair that eventually turned into a céilí. Aislinn was glad: you were supposed to dance on your wedding day, though she did burst out laughing when Chuck Clayton again led the band in its anemic and out-of-tune version of Peaches & Herb's “Reunited.”

  “I think this should be our song,” Liam had whispered in her ear as they attempted to dance to it.

  “I think you should have your Yank head examined,” Aislinn replied.

  Things finally wound down at around nine. Aislinn had been shocked when they'd said their good-byes, left the pub, and found her truck covered in white crepe paper and cardboard wedding bells, with ten soup cans tied to the back bumper, across which was a sign that read, “Just Married!”

  “Who could have done that?” she'd asked Liam.

  “David and Fergus, I think. Jack told me they had something planned.”

  “Jesus, I never thought they'd do anything nice for me in their lives. I guess this means I'll actually have to be nice to them.”

  Liam had laughed.

  While Aislinn brushed out her hair, Liam slipped out of his clothes. She loved that he slept naked. She'd never been able to: she'd always had to have at least a T-shirt and panties on. But perhaps, now that she had that gorgeous body to snuggle up to every night, she could learn to do otherwise. Flesh touching flesh all night long; that's what she wanted.

  Aislinn paused, turning around to look at him. “It was a great day,” she said with a happy sigh.

  “It was,” Liam agreed. He stretched out on the bed, ankles crossed, his fingers laced behind his head. “My mother wants to talk to you on the phone tomorrow.”

  “What?” said Aislinn, panic hitting her smack in the center of her chest.

  Liam looked amused. “Don't worry; she's not going to grill you! She just wants to welcome you to the family.”

  “I'm not good on the phone,” Aislinn said uneasily.

  “Just be yourself. It'll be fine.” If you say so.

  “I should probably look for my bike tomorrow.”

  “There's a Honda dealership in Moneygall.”

  “Want to come with me?”

  “You know I can't,” Aislinn said with a pout. “I've got work to do.”

  Liam sighed. “I know.” He turned on his side, propping himself upon h
is elbow, watching her. “It's going to be weird, you getting up at five and me coming home around one. Different schedules.”

  “We'll make it work.” Aislinn said confidently.

  “Course we will.” Liam's gaze was tender. “Promise me you won't ever cut your hair.”

  “Promise me you won't say this house is cold as an icebox.”

  “Cold doesn't bother me. In fact,! kind of like it. Winter is my favorite time of year back ho-back in New York.”

  Back home. He was going to say back home. You're home now, she thought.

  “Perhaps we'll go over at Christmas, if we have the money.”

  “If it's safe for me to go back,” Liam said grimly. He paused. “My family is going to love you,” he continued, steering them back onto a happier topic. “I know it.”

  “I hope so.”

  Liam rolled onto his back. “Do you think we should move into your parents' room? It is a lot bigger.”

  Six months ago, the thought would have horrified her; it would have been like desecrating sacred space. But now it felt right. It was her and Liam's house now, and someday, hopefully, her room would belong to one of their children.

  “That's a good idea. Maybe we could even get a new bed. King size.”

  “Living high off the hog,” Liam teased.

  “You bring out my decadent side,” Aislinn purred, slipping beneath the covers beside hint

  “Mmm, I like the sound of that,” Liam murmured, turning to her. Aislinn twined her arms around his neck as Liam's arms reached round to lightly grip her back. She nuzzled his neck, the musky scent of him drugging. A small groan escaped his lips, and he pulled her tighter to him. Aislinn lifted her head and stared into his eyes. There was no need for words; she was so overwhelmed with love for this man, she wasn't sure she could form any, even if she wanted to.

  “I love you,” Liam finally whispered, kissing her temples softly. Aislinn let her eyes drift shut, her breathing slow, her heart belonging to him and him only. He kissed her forehead. Kissed her eyelids. Playfully nipped the tip of her nose. And then, ever so gently, almost as if he'd never done it before, he parted her lips with his tongue, kissing her slow and deep.