#15 The Quay

Sunday morning arrived quickly as Molly showered and dressed for her last visit of the weekend with Kevin's sister.  She took the time to indulge in a heartier breakfast thinking it would last her the trip back on the bus, and also a brisk walk around the neighborhood.  She decided that she could handle Dublin as long as most of her time was spent on the outskirts of city center away from the hustle and bustle of crowds and traffic.

Molly had her small suitcase packed and downstairs near the door when Kevin arrived.  He seemed a bit rushed and out of breath.

“Kevin, what's up?” Molly asked.

“Oh...nothing, I just overslept a bit and was trying to get too much done this morning before I got here,”  Kevin offhandedly answered.  He did seem nervous about something.

Molly knew better than to grill him on what was going on.  If he wanted to tell Molly, he would in his own time.  Over these past few months she had learned to trust his judgment and not push.

Kevin put the suitcase in the back seat, and the two headed off to the south side of Dublin to Dun Laoghaire along the coast and Kevin's sister's house.  Siobhan and her husband lived in an apartment on Harbour Road overlooking Dun Laoghaire.  Other than the fact that it was an apartment and on the third floor, Molly thought the location was stunning. 

Siobhan's husband worked for a national telecommunications company, and Siobhan worked at a local doctor's office handling insurance claims.  They had bought the apartment before the price boom, and now were very happy that their investment paid off. 

If Molly had any concerns about meeting Siobhan, they were quickly put to rest once they were introduced and started chatting.  Siobhan, like her mother, was open and friendly and only wanted the best for Kevin as his older sister.  It wasn't long before the two women had left Kevin and his brother-in-law inside the apartment and sat down with some tea on the balcony overlooking the harbour. 

Siobhan's questions were probing, but not in an offensive way.  Molly felt quite comfortable talking with her.  But now Molly needed to ask Siobhan some questions that she could not, and would not, ask Kevin.

“Kevin mentioned to me that he did not always make the best of choices.  Do yo know what he meant by that?”  Molly asked straightforward.

“Molly, Kevin can be impulsive at times.  From what I understand, you've met Erin.  While they dated for over a year, that was the first time he was cautious about where a relationship was going.  And I have to say, with good reason. But it did take him a long time to finally break up with her.  Before that he would date a girl for a few months and think he wanted to get married. We've really tried to guide him into some better choices."

“Kevin and I are very close and while we might not see each other very often, we do chat on the phone and share our feelings about things.  I could see how impressed he was after he met you the first time.  I waited until he brought up the subject of sailing again several times and listened closely to what he was saying.  I tried to get through the whole sailing thing and listened to what he was saying about you.  He had no idea he was focusing on you just as much as he was the idea of sailing, but I could see it.  I wanted to give him the chance of following his interest in sailing, but also a chance to get to know you better, so I bought him the sailing lessons as a gift.  I have to say, it was one of my best choices,”  Siobhan concluded smiling.

“Thank you for your honesty Siobhan.  I always wonder about ulterior motives, and after meeting Erin, I felt I was so different, and was struggling with why Kevin had any interest in me,” Molly confessed.

“Molly, what you need to understand is with Erin, it was more of her hanging on to Kevin, than Kevin wanting to continue the relationship.  It was very difficult for him to break it off.  And I'm still not sure to this day that Erin has realized that she really has no chance with Kevin. Be careful of that one,” Siobhan advised.

“Oh, I've already had a run in with her, but I can hold my own.  I might be from a small town, but there will be no walking all over me.  And as for Kevin, I would not be putting up from any shenanigans from him either,”  Molly and Siobhan both laughed at this.

“You are just what Kevin needs,” Siobhan. “I can see you can take care of yourself and not put up with nonsense from him.  Somehow I knew that when I talked to you on the phone. He does care very much for you.  He doesn't bring many girls around to meet the family.  I'm so very glad we had this time to meet and chat.  Don't be a stranger,”  Siobhan finished.

“And I'd love for you and your husband to come down to Kilmore Quay and visit too.  If you like being out on the water, we could work out a sailing weekend, maybe a family trip,”  Molly offered generously.

“Sounds good, but it's difficult for us to get away.  We'll see what next spring and summer bring along,”  Siobhan smiled.

Kevin and Molly bid their farewells to Siobhan and her husband and headed for the bus station.  This trip had been a real eye-opener for Molly and she had actually enjoyed herself.  Any concerns she had about being in Dublin were dashed.  While she missed the comfort and quiet of her small town, this had been a wonderful weekend.

“Molly, I hope you had a good time this weekend,”  Kevin queried.

“Kevin, it was wonderful.  Such a treat for me, and I loved getting to meet your family and friends.  This is definitely something I'd consider doing again.  I do hope you invite me back,” Molly answered.

As they parked the car near the station, Kevin had suddenly gotten very quiet.

“Is something wrong?”  Molly asked.

“I just don't want to mess this one up.  I mean...I...Molly...you are very important to me.  I don't want to loose you,”  Kevin fumbled with his words.

“Kevin, I'm not going anywhere but back to Kilmore Quay.  And if I'm correct, you are coming to visit next weekend,” Molly was getting nervous with Kevin's stammering.

Kevin reached into his pocket as he started again, “I just wanted to give this to you.”

Molly was a little nervous knowing Kevin's impulsiveness, but had to smile when she saw what Kevin was giving her.  Out of his pocket he pulled a silver charm bracelet with one charm on it – a sailboat.

“It's not much, but I wanted you to keep this as a memory of your visit and know how much you mean to me,” Kevin finished his speech out of breath.

“It's absolutely beautiful, Kevin,” Molly smiled as Kevin put the delicate bracelet on her wrist.  A sign that he was not being too compulsive, but still very caring. She appreciated both the thought and his feelings.  She had come to feel the same, but was still hesitant about sharing her emotions with Kevin. 

Their goodbye said it all as they kissed and embraced for a long time before Molly headed onto the bus.  It would be a long week waiting until they were able to meet up in Kilmore Quay, but the memories of this weekend would hold them as they waited. 

On the bus ride home, Molly ran through all that had happened and often looked at her new bracelet as a fond memory to keep these good times close at hand.

All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 60

When Grace woke up and headed for the kitchen the next morning, Quinn was already there getting a pot of tea heated before he left to go back to Dublin. There was an unsettled quiet between the two of them. Grace didn't know how to tell Quinn how much she would miss him, and Quinn didn't want to push Grace beyond her comfort.

Grace walked up behind Quinn and put her arms around his waist as he was pouring the water from the pot into their cups. He was so surprised that he almost missed the cup. He put the pot down and savored the fact that Grace had come to him first. She tightened her hold and he could feel her body close against him.

“So whose turn is it to surprise this time?” Quinn asked as he turned around in Grace's grasp.

“I'm going to miss you, Quinn,” Grace stated quietly. “How soon can you be back?”

Quinn wrapped his arms around Grace, “I'll be here on Friday afternoon and I'll be staying a bit longer this time. I know this week will be tough apart, but we'll make it, and it will make the weekend more special. I'll be calling you every day just to check in.

“I'll keep myself busy with making the changes to the website that you told me about, and with the guests who will be here during the week. I just wanted you to know I'd miss you,” Grace explained.

They finished their tea and some scones and Quinn headed to grab his overnight bag and leave to head back to Dublin. Grace was waiting at the door for him as he came down the stairs. She knew this would be difficult but never imagined how attached she had become to Quinn. Their good-bye kiss was long and passionate, something both of them would hold on to until the following Friday.

Quinn had not been gone long when Grace heard someone in the drive. It was Peter. Grace had not seen him for a bit and welcomed his visit. They spent a while talking about Peter and Chloe's upcoming wedding. Peter wanted to make sure that he could reserve the entire cottage for a week with all the family arriving and needing someplace to stay. Grace was thrilled that she would have a full house for both the weekend and the weekdays. While it was a few months off, she would need to make sure to plan for a full B&B for an entire week. She might even need to have some help to take care of all the necessities.

This was the kind of business that Grace had hoped to generate for the cottage. It was a busy cottage that would keep her solvent and even allow her to create some savings for those times that were sparse with reservations. If she could make this work, then this move to Swatragh would have been exactly what Aine had in mind for her. She even had an idea for pulling in some local businesses to help with a little catering to lighten the load for a full cottage. Most of her time was now taken up with thought about how to manage the cottage and fit in some time for herself.

Peter stayed for lunch while they continued to chat about the changes he saw for his life with Chloe. He was so different from the first time he had met Grace. That closed sarcastic lad was now open and confident. He was working as a trainer for some runners along with continuing his running in some larger competitions. At this point he was training for a local marathon in Cookstown. And to listen to him talk about Chloe was a joy. You could tell he was deeply in love with her. Grace no longer felt any anxiousness about never having that same kind of experience. Her feelings for Quinn drew deeper by the day, and she new he was the one love she had been waiting for all her life.

Peter noticed that when Grace spoke of Quinn she lit up. He wanted to ask Grace about their relationship, but knew this was not the right time. He had guessed things might change after the night that Grace called him when Quinn had been injured. Her concern was a little more than that of a concerned person. This made Peter very happy knowing that Grace had also found someone. She had seemed so closed and reserved when he first met her. This was a gentler, softer Grace.

After lunch when Grace had the cottage to herself again, she spent some time in the office working on the website with changes that Quinn had suggested. Little things that made the entire operation so much easier. Why had she not thought of these? She smiled to herself knowing that with Quinn's help things would be much better in all ways.

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.