Travels in Eire #59

The next week was a flurry of activity. With Darren and Cailin both working, they kept their news secret from everyone until they could sit down and make a plan to tell their families and friends. Darren brought over enough clothes to Cailin's flat so that when he did spend the night, which was more often than not, he was able to leave for work the next morning and not go back to his place first. They loved this private time together with just the two of them to celebrate their feelings. Cailin loved waking up in the morning knowing that Darren was next to her.

Since Cailin had the most flexible schedule, Darren worked out a time when they could take a long weekend and travel to Spiddal to visit his parents. This was not something he wanted to share with them over the phone. They planned to call Cailin's parents while they were there.

During this time Cailin had also been working on a surprise for Darren. She thought when they were in Spiddal that would be the perfect time to share it with both him and his parents. It was now just under 3 months from when she had first visited Ireland on vacation. She was sure this was not something that Darren would expect.

For this trip, Darren and Cailn would be renting a car for the drive. A bus would take them over 4 hours to get to Galway and they didn't want that long of a drive for just a short weekend. Darren's parents were thrilled that they were coming for a visit. Darren had told Maura that they just needed a weekend out of the city and they both loved being on the Connemara Coast.

Friday morning came quickly, and after Darren gathered what he needed at his flat, he picked up the rental car and headed for Cailin. Cailin was packed and ready when Darren arrived. Both were excited to be getting away for the weekend and anxious to share their wonderful news. The weather was beautiful and the drive uneventful.

This was the first visit to Darre's parents where Cailin was not feeling overwhelmed or nervous. She and Maura had moved passed any worries that Maura had about Cailin taking Darren away from Ireland, especially after their trip to the psychic in Derry.

On the way passed Galway heading toward Spiddal, Darren pulled the car over again by the Connemara Coast Hotel. The had stopped here the last trip, but for very different reasons. Darren knew how much Cailin loved this area as he did with the rocky coastline along the bay. They found their favorite spot where they could sit upon some large rocks and look across the bay to the Burren. And the day was clear enough that they could just make out the Aran Islands.

They sat quietly in each other's arms just taking in the beauty of it all. A group of young children ran by laughing and screaming at each other to break their quiet thoughts.

“Time to move on, Cailin,” Darren said as he helped her up from the rock.
Cailin smiled knowing this was going to be a very special weekend, full of many surprises.

“As they pulled up to the B&B that Philip and Maura owned and lived in, Darren honked the horn to let everyone know that they had arrived. The first outside was Philip with open arms and a welcoming smile.

“Mum's in the kitchen cooking up a storm, boy. She's been at it since this mornin'” Philip chirped as he reached for a hug with Cailin and then one with Darren.

“Gramps,” Darren yelled to his granddad who came out of the door next. There seemed to be some secretive exchange between the two of them, but Cailin knew better than ask.

They all piled into the house to the smell of amazing aromas wafting out of the kitchen. Philip was chattering with Cailin as they walked down the hall asking about her job and living in Derry. It had only been a few weeks since Philip and Maura were in Derry for a visit, but you'd think it was longer. Darren and his granddad lingered behind whispering about something.

“Cailin, so glad to see you again!” Maura walked away from stirring the pot on the stove to give Cailin a big hug which Cailin returned in kind. “I'm so glad the two of you decided to spend a weekend here on the coast.

The conversation turned to the beautiful weather and all things that were going on with Cailin and Darren and their work. Maura even asked about Cailin's parents. This was the first time she showed any interest in them and knowing about their life in New York. Conversation continued all through dinner and was light and engaging. Cailin was thoroughly enjoying herself this visit.

Cailin and Darren talked before they left Derry and decided that Cailin would not wear her engagement ring until after they told Maura and Philip. They were trying for a big surprise and hoped they could pull it off.

Dessert time came and Maura had made a lemon and orange carrageen pudding. Darren opened a bottle of wine.

“Before we all partake of our dessert, I'd like to make a toast.” Darren announced as Cailin carefully removed her engagement ring from her pocket and placed in on her finger under the table. “I would like to toast my wonderful parents and my beautiful fiancée!” Darren finished with a huge smile on his face.

Maura was dumbfounded, but for a moment only, and tears began to streak down her cheeks. She was speechless. Philip bounded up from the table toward Darren and grabbed him in a huge hug then turned to Cailin and did the same. Cailin was worried that Maura was very upset about the engagement.

“Don't worry lass, they are happy tears. I know the difference since we've been married so long.” Phillip interjected as he could see the worry on Cailin's face.

Maura rose from the table, and came face to face with Cailin. And before she could even say anything the two of them were both in tears. Happy tears, but tears no less.

“So are we going to get on with the toast for these two kids?” Granddad chirped in still holding his glass of wine.

“Yes, definitely yes,” said Maura as she pulled away from Cailn wiping her eyes in her apron. “This is a joyous occasion and we need to celebrate!” Maura had finally pulled herself together and was now ready to celebrate.

“Darren, does Cailin know about her engagement ring?” Granddad asked Darren as they all clinked glasses and took their first taste of wine.

“I haven't even had time to tell her yet how you helped me with all this,” Darren replied. “Cailin this was my grandmother's ring. A few weeks ago I contacted my granddad and asked him about it. He was more than happy to allow me to have it so I could give it to you, so he sent it to me in the mail.”

“Darren, it's a beautiful ring. I love that it has so much in the way of family memories.” Cailin got up from her seat and give Darren's granddad a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you so very much.”

The evening ended with more wine and cheerful conversation. Cailin was so happy that Maura didn't broach the subject of a wedding yet, she still had her secret to share with Darren and his family.

Because of the five hour difference they all decided it would be best to wait until morning to call Cailin's parents. Breakfast time would be perfect for that and more surprises.