Saturday, October 9, 2010

Travels in Eire #70

Time was moving at warp speed for Cailin and Darren. The wedding plans were completed, invitations sent, arrangements made and the day was fast approaching. But before all this ceremony there were the bachelor and hen parties. Darren was spirited away for an overnight with his male friends, and Cailin didn't even want to know what all was going on. She was sure it involved a lot of drinking and hoped Darren survived it all.

The GOTT girls arranged a hen party for Cailin. Much like a bachelorette party, the girls booked a restaurant for dinner ,and then paraded around the streets of Derry with Cailin wearing a banner showing she was the bride to be, and a crown as they went from pub to pub enjoying each other's company. They were all dressed up for the evening in cocktail wear and stood out like sore thumbs but loved all the attention.

Darren had pretty much moved into Cailin's flat, but would still spend a couple nights a week at his old flat if he knew he was working late on a project and might keep Cailin up. Cailin realized on those nights how much she missed Darren. And those nights always proved to be the most restless of night's sleep.

With all the wedding preparations going on, Darren and Cailin took the week before the wedding off as visitors would be arriving and traveling to Spiddal and the Connemara Coast Hotel. Darren had one huge surprise for his parents that he was saving until the last moment. He knew the impact this would have on them. Cailin's dad had decided that he and her mom would do a little sightseeing in Ireland after the wedding and would be renting a car and driving to Spiddal after spending a day in Dublin. Cailin hoped her dad would remember what side of the road to drive on.

It was Saturday morning a week before the wedding when Cailin and Darren started to pack to leave for Spiddal and all the events of the week and wedding. Darren had been making calls for last minute details for a charity auction in the front room of the flat and Cailin was working on packing her suitcase. The next thing she knew she was sitting on the edge of the bed in tears. Darren must have sensed something was wrong as he suddenly appeared at the door. He approached Cailin and kneeled down in front of her.

“Cailin, what is it?” he asked as he reached for her hands.

“I don't know Darren. I was just fine and suddenly this overwhelming rush of anxiety came over me.” Cailin tried to explain through her sobs.

“How can I help, my love?” Darren was a little concerned by this sudden change in Cailin.

“I just realized that after next Saturday there is no turning back. I started to question everything. Did I do the right thing by moving to Ireland? My life is so different now. I guess it just all finally caught up with me.” Cailin was shaking her head in disbelief.

Darren sat next to Cailin on the bed and held her. He did his best to reassure her that he loved her more than life itself, and would do anything in his power to make sure she was happy. Cailin's sobs turned to sniffles and she turned her face to Darren.

“I do love you too, Darren. More than I thought was ever possible. Now go back to your work and let me wipe my face and finish packing. I just think I needed a good cry to let it all out. I'm fine now,” Cailin pulled away from Darren just enough to show him she was fine, kissed him on the cheek and smiled.

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