Travels in Eire #45

It was late in the afternoon when they arrived in Derry. They had to go just past Derry City to the outskirts to drop off Keith at home and then turned around to get back to Cailin's new flat. Darren grabbed one suitcase and Cailin carried her heavy carry-on up to the building. Darren handed the keys to Cailin to open the door to the building and they headed up the stairs to the second floor. Cailin's flat was number seven and faced the front of the building. As she entered she smiled. It was better than any of the pictures she had seen. Charming with some contemporary touches.

They entered directly into the main living room. A large window at one end looked out to the street. The decor was was older, but just what Cailin liked, warm and inviting. So much better than what she had in New York City. While Cailin looked around the living room she hadn't even realized that Darren had disappeared and taken her suitcase to the bedroom. She turned from the living room and walked past a small efficiency kitchen down the hallway to the bedroom. Darren was looking out the bedroom window and Cailin stepped up beside him to see the beautiful garden that was at the back of the building. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they both stood there for a moment.

“I'm so happy you found this place for me.” Cailin said softly to Darren.

Darren turned to her with a gentle kiss on Cailin's forehead and replied, “Me, too.”

After a look around the comfortable bedroom and small bathroom, Cailin and Darren headed back to the living room. Darren went back to the car to bring up Cailin's second suitcase and Cailin looked around the small kitchen. She opened the fridge and realized that Darren had stocked her up with some basic necessities. After looking thought the cupboards she found some more dry goods. Some of the foods she was sure were Darren's favorites.

She suddenly realized that Darren was standing in the kitchen doorway smiling. “So did I do okay?” he asked with amusement.

“You did perfect,” and Cailin walked over to Darren with a loving hug and long, lingering kiss. She felt like she had just arrived home. Darren noticed her eyes well up with tears, but knew they were happy tears.

“Okay, lassie, we're off, I have another surprise for you.” Darren pulled away from Cailin to bring her focus back to the present.

Cailin knew better than to ask. She took one last look around the flat before she and Darren headed out for the surprise he promised. Cailin was already sure she had made the right decision.