“Not for a minute, Momma. I promise.”
The O’Connell mansion is buzzing with friends and family. As they pull up the long country driveway, the girls are all standing outside with signs that say, ‘Welcome home, Katelyn.”
After an afternoon of food and presents, the two newest O’Connell girls are exhausted. Ethan bundles up his two most precious gifts and gets ready to take them to their new home.
Kaylie wraps her arms around her brother and whispers in his ear, “I think you forgot something.”
“I did?”
“Yes! Your present for Olivia.”
“You bought me a present?” Olivia asks amused.
“Thanks, Kaylie.” He winks and sneaks something into her hand. She takes off out the front door, squealing in excitement.”
“I did get you a present. Why are you so surprised?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “What is it?”
“Just wait.”
A loud rumble is heard coming up the driveway.
“Ethan Joseph O’Connell!” his mother yells, as she enters from the other room. “Tell me that you did not give Kaylie the keys to that car again!”
“Car?” Olivia asks surprised.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Anna says embarrassed. “I’ve ruined your surprise.”
Ethan kisses her on the cheek. “It’s okay, Mom.”
“You bought me a car?” Olivia asks confused.
“Not exactly.”
She follows him through the front foyer and waits anxiously at the door. Rachel and Shannon stand at her side.
“Your friends have reminded me everyday that it’s customary these days for the father to provide the new mother of his baby with a push present.”
Olivia looks at the girls and gives them an impressed look.
“I hope you like it.” He swings open the door and waits for her reaction.
Olivia’s mouth drops open, and she holds her hand over her mouth.
“Well, fuck,” Rachel says impressed. “I’m glad he didn’t give that to you first. In comparison, the diaper genie I bought you sort of falls short in the ooh and ahh department.”
Ethan extends his hand and helps her down the front porch steps. He stands beside it, bursting with excitement.
“It’s my Mustang. You had my Mustang brought here?” she says emotionally.
“Brand new custom engine. A reliable one.”
“Ethan,” she says flabbergasted, walking around her and trailing her fingertips across the paint.
“Completely restored and repainted.”
“Did you see the vinyl graphic on the back?” John asks, smiling.
Olivia walks around to the back of the car and bursts into laughter.
I applied to be a Hell Kitten, but the devil is afraid of me.
“Nor is he fast enough,” she admits.
“That’s my girl.” Ethan looks nervously at John. “Whew, I wasn’t sure how that was going to go over.”
“Me neither,” John chuckles.
“Thanks for pointing it out, Dick.” He rushes to the passenger door and swings it open. “Look, Momma, she comes completely upgraded with all the latest baby safety gear.”
Olivia leans in and smiles at the hardware installed for the car seat. Ethan whispers in her ear, “I also installed an upgraded stereo and loaded some of your favorite dance songs.”
He beams at her look of approval. “That’s it. That’s what I’ve been waiting for.”
“What?”
“That look that says I’ve done something that impresses you.”
“I’m always impressed with you.”
“No…No…This look is different. So you like it?”
“I love it. Can I take it for a ride?”
“Now?”
“Of course!”
Ethan hesitates, knowing how tiring her day has been. She bats her eyelashes at him, and as always, he gives in. “Okay, but let’s leave the baby here and just go for a quick ride.”
“I’ll take her!” Rachel says a little too enthusiastically.
Olivia looks at her suspiciously. “Okay, Rachel. Thanks.” She carefully transfers the baby into her arms. Rachel sways with her, and a strange glow washes over her face. “I’m gonna need the practice.”
Olivia looks at Ethan and then over at Scott.
Scott grins and shrugs. “I was going to talk to you about buying that minivan. It looks like we’re going to be needing it.”
“Congratulations!” Ethan says shocked.
Olivia throws her arms around her. “I love you. You’re going to be great parents.”
“I hope so. It’s too late to change my mind,” Rachel laughs.
Olivia whispers in her ear, “When she starts to fuss, warm her bottle to room temperature. I’m going to take my husband for a ride.”
“You mean your car,” Rachel corrects.
“Nope. I mean my husband.” Olivia grins and opens the door. “Get in the car, Mr. O’Connell. I just bought us some alone time. I think we need to break this pony in.”
“It looks like your boy finally found his happily-ever-after,” Anna says, as she wraps her arms around her husband.
“It seems so. I was worried that he was going to let her go. He’s a bit of a stubborn boy.”
“I wonder where he gets that from?” Anna asks in jest.
“I’d guess it’s on the maternal side.”
He winces as Anna pinches his side. “I’m just teasing, Anna. I wonder,” he asks curiously, “when we first met, did you think that I would be your happily-ever-after?”
“There was never a doubt in my mind, Aiden.”
He smiles and pulls her closer.
“And look at us now,” she adds. “Happily married for thirty years.”
Aiden pulls away and looks at her confused. “We’ve been married a lot longer than thirty years.”
“Yup, but several of them weren’t so happy.” A smile sweeps across her lips. “I’m just joking, Aiden.”
As Olivia pulls out of the driveway, she looks in the mirror at the family left behind. She can’t imagine the journey without them, wondering if she’ll see them all again in her next life. It’s a romantic thought, that all love transcends time, even that of family and friends. She looks at the man sitting beside her. Her very own knight in shining armor; cleverly disguised as a spoiled, stubborn, ill-tempered Irishman with no patience and a habit of cursing. She truly wouldn’t change a thing about him.
Epilogue
In the middle of a cold winter night, Ethan’s eyelids are stretched open by tiny little fingers.
“Katelyn, go back to bed.”
“I’m cold, Daddy, I want to sleep here with you and Mommy.”
The side of the bed depresses from the weight of her knees as she lifts the blanket and climbs him like a police academy training wall. She lands with a thump in between them.
Ethan rolls over and wraps his arms around her. “Holy Hannah, little girl, your feet are like ice.” He muses for a moment. “Apparently that’s a genetic trait that the James women have carried forward, over many life times. Stop wiggling, you’re going to wake Mommy.”
“Too late, and I heard the cold feet comment,” Olivia says sleepily. “The two of you need to settle down, we have a very important party to attend today.”
Five years from the night of their wedding, loved ones gather at Slane Castle for their Christmas Ball. They’re joined every year by Megan and Rick and the kids; Ethan would have it no other way. Rachel and Scott are also there with their son, Jackson, and their brand new daughter, Charlotte. It’s been five years of love and laughter for all the members of the O’Connell family, producing several new grandchildren, to the delight of Anna O’Connell.
Ethan’s father, Aiden, has two grandchildren, one at the end of each hand. Ethan’s three-year old-son, Christopher, and Madison’s son, Nathaniel, anxiously pull him over to the sweets table. He looks around the room to see who’s watchi
ng and wraps treats in napkins. He crouches down to eye level and stuffs one in each of their pockets. “You go sit at the table with Nana and she’ll help you.”
The boys grin from ear to ear and lean forward, one at a time, to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you, Poppa,” they say with excitement.
He smiles as he runs his fingers through Christopher’s hair, scruffing it up. “Just don’t tell your mother.”
As they turn and take off, running to find Nana, Aiden is left looking at the feathery hem of Olivia’s red dress. As he stands, he’s met with her crossed arms and motherly disapproval. Her eyebrows raise and she desperately tries not to smile. “Turning my son into hardened dessert criminal, are you?”
Embarrassed that he’s been caught, he looks around for reinforcements and is relieved when Ethan arrives at his side. “What’s going on?”
“Your father just snuck your son goodies off the dessert table.” She lowers her brow, pretending to be angry.
Aiden looks at his son and pleads, “Help.”
Ethan’s eyes open wide open in shock. “Doh! Sorry, Dad. You’re on your own on this one.” He makes a quick getaway, leaving his poor nervous father standing alone with her.
Olivia can’t stand it any longer; the look of utter panic on his face is too amusing. She takes him by surprise when she breaks into a smile and opens her arms, inviting him in for a hug. After squeezing him tightly, she pulls away, touching the side of his cheek with her hand. “He’s very lucky to have such a wonderful Poppa in his life.”
Aiden smiles and his tired eyes sparkle. “He looks exactly like Ethan at that age. It’s like a flashback in time. If I knew grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first.”
“Well, you might reconsider that,” she says playfully. “Because if he’s running around, all hyped on sugar later, I’m totally sending him home with you and Nana.” She smiles, but she’s not joking. Taking his hand, she leads him to the dance floor.
Ethan and his mom watch as Aiden leads her through a very impressive waltz. For a moment, Ethan is so moved by her beauty that he has a hard time swallowing. How is it that after all this time, she still takes his breath away? The song ends and Aiden delivers her back to her husband, absolutely glowing.
“You’ve become quite the brilliant dancer, Mrs. O’Connell,” he remarks. She joins him, and as she takes her place by his side, she notices something in him. There’s a look in his eyes that she hasn’t seen in quite some time: one that’s difficult to find with all the hustle and bustle in their busy lives. She feels a passion sweep over her and can’t hold back. Moving her lips to his, she places a tender kiss there, silently confessing that she feels the same way too.
The emcee turns on the microphone and a hush falls over the crowd. Nervously, Olivia takes Ethan’s hand. “Don’t be mad.”
He looks at her nervously, knowing his wife’s tendency to dish out payback. “What did you do?”
The emcee thanks everyone for being there; reminding them not to drink and drive then makes the announcement that Olivia has been waiting for all night.
“To celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary, Olivia would like to welcome her husband, Ethan O’Connell, to join her on the dance floor for the traditional Christmas waltz.
Ethan leans forward to whisper in her ear, “You’re totally giving up anal tonight.”
Olivia grins and shakes her head in disagreement, as Ethan steps back and addresses the crowd.
“What a wonderful honor.” He bows to her and holds out his hand. When she takes it, all of her nerves disappear. Now as always, and in all lives, he keeps her safe. He escorts her to the dance floor and holds his hands up, presenting her with the perfect waltz frame. The orchestra readies their instruments. As she joins him in hold, he whispers, “I love you so much it’s hard to breathe.”
The music starts and the orchestra plays Ethan’s favorite, The Christmas Waltz. Everyone watches as he confidently moves her around the dance floor. There’s such a profound chemistry between the two of them: one that can only be found in true soul mates. It creates an aura of love around everyone in the room. The flowing movement of her red sequined dress creates a vision in her mind of many past life dances with Ethan O’Connell, and in every one, she surrenders herself completely to his lead. Her eyes well up with tears; feeling emotional and overwhelmed with her love for him. As the song ends, he pulls her in against his chest and finishes the dance the same way he did on the night of their engagement. With his arms wrapped completely around her, he holds her close as he sways with her, in the same spot, for the last few bars of the music.
When they stop, Olivia presses her lips to his ear, “I have something to tell you.”
Friends and family all wait with nervous excitement. Ethan’s body grows a little tense, and he releases her just enough to be able to look at her face. He raises his hand and wipes away the threatening tears before they fall.
His face takes on a look of concern. “Is everything okay?”
She nods her head and takes a moment to compose herself. “Yes.” She tries to force herself to smile, but emotions consume her and she holds onto him tightly.
“Olivia, what is it?” He prepares himself for the worst. He gently pulls her head forward, so he can press a kiss on her forehead. “Tell me. Whatever it is. We’ll figure it out, together.”
She sniffles then finally finds it in her to smile. “Our little family is growing. Four more little feet will be running around soon.”
He looks at her quizzically. “We’re getting a puppy?”
She laughs as she makes her confession. “No, Mr. O’Connell. I’m pregnant.”
There are pleasant gasps and excitement from the onlookers. Ethan pulls away slowly to establish eye contact with her. “We’re going to have another baby?” he confirms, his voice full of joy.
Olivia shakes her head. “I said four little feet.” He looks at her confused when she lifts her shaking hand and holds up two fingers. Ignoring the chatter and whispering of the crowd, she waits nervously for his response. Kaylie stands along the sidelines, tears in her eyes, holding onto Katelyn. She watches her parents with wondering eyes and inches closer.
“Two?” His voice, now full of emotion, starts to crack. “You’re having twins?”
She manages a wry smile as he wraps his arms completely around her, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around in the air. He lowers her slowly, allowing her to gently slide to the ground. As her feet hit the floor, Ethan kneels so that his face rests on her stomach. He nuzzles it briefly and then kisses it. “ I love you,” he whispers to her barely noticeable baby bump.
Tears trail down his cheek as Olivia playfully rakes her fingers through his hair. She looks down to see Katelyn standing at Ethan’s shoulder; her eyes open wide and bright. He lifts his head to look at her.
“Don’t cry, Daddy,” she says with all the innocence of a five-year-old child. “Mommy says that she has enough love for everybody.” She lifts her tiny hands to the sides of his face, wiping the tears from his cheeks. Olivia’s heart feels like it’s about to explode.
“I know what will make you feel happy, Daddy. Let’s sing our song now.”
There’s not a dry eye in the room. Ethan smiles and gets to his feet, lifting Katelyn as he does. “I’m very happy, Ladybug. Sometimes mommies and daddies cry when they’re happy.”
“That’s silly.” She wraps her arms around his neck holding him tightly. “Can we still sing our song?”
He puts her down on the floor. “Of course, get all the kids together and go sit where I showed you.”
Katelyn takes off running and demands all the kids join her at the front of the stage by the orchestra. “You get up there right now, John Junior,” she demands, dragging John and Shannon’s son across the room by his arm. Olivia shakes her head at the manner in which her daughter accomplishes her task. “She’s awfully bossy, Mr. O’Connell.”
Ethan laughs, nodding his head in a
greement. “I noticed. She gets that from her mother.” He grabs her and pulls her close.
“AS IF!” Olivia protests. Ethan rubs his hand lovingly on Olivia’s stomach and smiles. “You’re still more precious to me than air.” He pulls her in for a long slow kiss, only to be interrupted as Katelyn grabs him by the hand and pulls him away. Olivia puts her hands on her hips, unimpressed that she’s been robbed of that kiss. He grins and shrugs his shoulders as he’s dragged away by a five-year-old, whose persistence matches his own.
Making his way to the front of the stage, Ethan sits on the step in front of the orchestra, where all the children are waiting. He picks up his guitar and begins to strum the beginning chords of the Christmas song he’d been practicing with the kids for weeks. As Olivia scans the room, she see’s the love that surrounds them in everyone’s faces as they hold their loved ones.
Ethan’s parents join her in the middle of the room, followed by everyone else, eager to witness the performance. Kaylie slides in beside her and takes her hand without saying a word. Olivia gives her a little squeeze. “I love you too, little sister.”
As Ethan begins to strum the first few chords, Katelyn abandons her seat on the floor with the rest of the children. She places herself on the steps with Ethan, barely giving him enough clearance for the guitar. Ethan glances over at Olivia and smiles when she rolls her eyes, finding the humor in her daughter’s audacity.
Ethan’s voice is smooth and soothing as he begins to sing. The small children watch him in awe as he creates beautiful music on his guitar. Unable to sit any longer, Katelyn stands beside her father and joins in singing on the second verse. She shares her father’s love for music, and it can no longer be contained. Their voices melt perfectly together. Ethan beams as she belts out the perfect melody at the top of her lungs.
The rest of the children join in on the next chorus. It’s a sound so angelic that Olivia’s heart feels like it’s going to explode with joy! She looks over at Aiden, when Anna tries to sneak a tissue into his hand without anyone noticing. He sniffs as he wipes at the moisture on his cheeks. “I got some tinsel in my eye.”
Indivisible Souls: Book 3 of the Bound4Ireland Series Page 32
