Standing along O’Connell Street surrounded by the masses of green she watched the parade move by.  St. Patrick’s Day had always been one of ’s favorite holidays and after spending two years in the Irish country she’d fallen even more in love with it, she’d missed the festivities over the last four years, St. Patrick’s Day anywhere else in the world just wasn’t the same.  Everyone around her wore some item of green, the floats were decked out in every color of the rainbow, parade participants tossing favors to the kids, bands marched by dressed in costume playing Irish pipe and drum marches, various groups of Irish dancers dressed in their traditional clothing, stopped to perform before the crowds every few blocks. Sighing a soft sigh she realized just how much she missed this beautiful country, the people and him.

On the other side of The River Liffey and the lads took in the parade in a special VIP area, fans had noticed them shouting and waving.  Kindly the lads had returned the waves with smiles but went about enjoying the parade and their Irish heritage.  ’s mind drifted back to her, the beautiful eyed haired girl who had captured his heart in an instant…

Out at home in one of the local pubs with the lads, let his hair down to have some fun, now that the tour was over and the press wasn’t around to bother him he could just relax and be from .  Laughing and messing about with the lads he turned towards the bar to order another round of drinks.

“Oh sorry.”  He apologized as he bumped into someone.

“It’s fine.”  She smiled looking up into the most gorgeous eyes she had ever seen.  She gasped slightly feeling her heart flutter a bit faster, this man was gorgeous and sexy, with a charming, knee buckling smile on his face.

“Can I buy ye a drink?”  He asked flashing his smile once again instantly feeling an attraction to the girl he’d almost flattened on the floor.

“Sure.”  nodded feeling shy in his presence, she knew the Irish were a friendly bunch but this man had a totally different effect on her.

“Where ye from?”  asked leaning against the bar and smiling at her, mesmerized and intrigued.

“.”  She smiled.

“Well what brings ye to , Ireland?”  He asked.  “Not really a big tourist attraction unless you’re here to see three fourths of Westlife.”

“West who?”  She asked wrinkling her nose in confusion causing to chuckle, she was cute! “And I’m here Nanning for a family.”

“How long ye been in town?”  asked handing her a drink.

“Few days.”  She smiled.

nodded.  “Then no wonder ye haven’t heard of Westlife.”  He winked.  “Come let’s have a chat.”  He smiled friendly and followed him to a table where two other lads where sat.

He’d promised to make her time in Ireland enjoyable, becoming instantly fascinated by her, finding her a breath of fresh air, someone who could make him smile, cause his heart to beat at triple speed. They’d spent many nights out in , showing her the small town, introducing her to the Irish culture, getting to know her and falling harder for her with each moment spent together. 

He’d told her of his job finding she wasn’t fazed by it, but maybe it was because she was an American who didn’t know much about him and the press wasn’t around to hound them.  Slowly he began to introduce her to his world, taking her out and spoiling her on occasion, flying her in for shows on tour, arriving at awards shows with her by his side, she loved him for him from and he loved her. 

“Hey !”  called breaking him from his daydream.  “This band is playing one of our songs.”  He laughed wrapping his arm around ’s shoulders, singing the words to the music as and joined in the four of them looking like a bunch of drunk men singing an old Irish tune. Once the band had passed by ’s mind wandered to her again as he searched the crowd hoping he’d find her to six years ago to the day he and had taken in the St. Patrick’s Day parade together…

  Standing along the street he held her hand, watching her eyes dance as she smiled and laughed taking in her first St. Patrick’s Day parade right in the heart of Dublin.  She was dressed from head to toe in Irish green, a shamrock temporary tattoo on her cheek. 

“ this is the greatest thing ever!”  She squealed throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

“Glad you approve.”   chuckled wrapping his arm around her waist, giving her a little squeeze. “Wait until we go out tonight, you won’t be disappointed by the Irish.”

  She’d been so happy and giddy that day, keeping a smile on his face all day, every little thing seeming to make her squeal in glee, making him truly appreciate his Irish roots.  That evening had been even better, they’d gone to one of the local pubs for drinks with the lads and that’s when he knew for sure that she was the one for him, over pints of green beer they’d talked and confessed their feelings for each other and shared their first kiss.

  Once the parade had passed by her wandered through the streets in search of something to eat, all the pubs were packed full of people, Irish music filtering out into the streets.  Finding a small cozy pub she stepped inside ordering a corn beef sandwich, taking in the traditional Irish food she’d missed.

  Lying on the bed of his hotel room before the night’s show he fiddled with the small diamond ring rolling it around between his fingers.  “Maybe this year.”  He said looking down at the silver band topped with a small, yet beautiful diamond.  Closing his eyes he breathed deeply remembering the night four years ago…

  “I want to ask you something.”  He softly spoke as they sat at the tall table in the middle of the bar.  The place was busy, people drinking to the holiday, music playing loudly in the background, the lads shooting a game of pool a few feet away from them.

  gave him a curious look knowing she had news to share with him as well, news that would break his heart, but had already broken hers.  “What is it?”  She asked giving him a soft smile.

  Sliding off his stool he took her hand in his, looking into her eyes he reached into his pocket pulling out a small object.  Slowly he knelt before her looking up into her sparkling eyes.  “Will you marry me?”  He asked nervously, his heart pounding against his chest as he waited with baited breath.

  Tears fell down her cheeks as she looked at the handsome man who had stolen her heart, the man she knew she could never live without, who she didn’t want to live without.

  “I’m sorry…but I can’t.”  She whispered looking away from him.  ’s heart dropped to his stomach, maybe it had just been too soon to ask?  They’d only been together a year and a half but they had a connection they both knew it, they were meant to be together.

  “If it’s too soon I understand.”  whispered standing before her; tenderly he placed his finger beneath her chin making her face him.  “We can wait until you’re ready.”

  “It’s not that.”  She cried.  “I’ve got to go home , my family needs me.”

  “I’ll come with you then.”  He pleaded ready to do anything for her, to follow her to the ends of the earth if need be, he just couldn’t lose her!

  Shaking her head she cried harder.  “I can’t let you do that, you’ve got the band and your life here, it wouldn’t be fair.”

  “Then I’ll wait.”  His voice waivered with emotions as he held back the tears.  “Please just tell me you’ll come back.”

  “I don’t know .”  She whispered the tears flowing heavily down her cheeks. “I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

  “I’ll wait , I’ll wait as long as I have to if it means having you in my life forever.” He pleaded breaking down, allowing the hears to fall.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed him with all the love she held for him, their warm tears falling down their cheeks.

  “Please…don’t wait forever.”  She whispered resting her forehead against his.  placed his hands on her waist as he looked into her eyes.  “You deserve to find love again.”

  “I don’t want a love with anyone else but you.”  He croaked.”We’re meant to be, you feel it as much as I do…I’ll wait for you babe…I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

  Two days later she was on a plane back to , leaving him with a bruised heart.  He hadn’t heard from her since she’d left, respecting her choice at no contact allowing her to tend to her family’s needs.

  Wiping the tears away that had filled his eyes held the ring before his eyes once more.  “I’m still waiting.”  He whispered.

  Standing before the mirror checked her appearance over, satisfied with her look, nice pair of black pants, Irish green flowing top, her hair pinned back from her face, make up applied tastefully, a few dabs of his favorite perfume and the necklace he’d given her hanging round her neck.  “I’ll make it up to you tonight .”  She whispered to her reflection a soft smile playing across her lips.

  made her way to the arena, nerves and excitement filled her tummy.  The thought of seeing him again in the flesh, to hear his sexy, smooth Irish voice made her heart beat faster.  Approaching the entrance of The Point she fell in line with the other excited fans decked out in their homemade Westlife shirts, after her ticket was scanned she found her way to the third row settling into her seat for the opening acts.  Yes she’d spent way too much on this ticket but it didn’t matter, she needed to be as close to him as possible tonight. 

  Finally the house lights went down and the band started up, smoke filled the stage and then the bang of pyrotechnics was heard and there on stage stood , , and .  ’s eyes were glued to , he was still as handsome as ever, butterflies were set free in her stomach, a feeling she hadn’t felt in years.

  Staring out at the mass crowd of faces half way through the show could’ve sworn he’d seen her, his heart leapt into his throat at the thought, looking back to where he thought he’d seen her he shook his head, it was just his eyes playing games on him or more so wishful thinking, that’s it that’s what it was, wishful thinking because for the last four years he’d wished and hoped that all the luck he held in his Irish blood would bring her back into his life.

Seeing his gaze land directly on her she panicked, ducking behind a group of girls she waited for his gaze to move before taking her place again as the show went on, her heart thumping loudly against her chest, breathing failing her, those eyes were killer!

Walking towards the dressing room after the show couldn’t get her out of his mind.

  “ mate, you alright?”  asked coming up behind him having noticed that he’d been off in his own world all day.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”  He said shrugging his shoulders.  “We still going to the pub?”

  “Of course!”  grinned. “Wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day if we didn’t, see ye in twenty!” He shouted running to his dressing room to shower and change.

  took his time in getting ready, making sure he looked his best like he had every St. Patrick’s Day for the last four years.  Reaching for the ring sat on the vanity he placed a kiss on the diamond before slipping it into his pocket.  Turning for the door he took a deep breath as he joined his mates in the hall.

  “Bout time.”  teased him giving a whistle. “Looking good .”  He winked.  “On the pull tonight?”

  “Nah, just wanted to look good.”  said digging his hands into his pockets.

  took notice of the way his friend was acting, it’d been the same thing every year since had walked out of his life.  “Think she’ll show up this year?”  He asked genuinely interested and just as hopeful, he couldn’t bear to watch wait for her all night and end up disappointed with a broken heart once again.

  “There’s always hope.”  informed as the guys headed down the hall towards the cars.

  and turned quiet, of course they too remembered what had happened, they’d watched hurt and pine for her as well.  They understood his want to wait for her, but couldn’t understand why wouldn’t want to stay in touch.  Being the best friends they were every year on this day they went back to the small little pub for drinks and fun allowing to hope and wait.

  “Maybe this’ll be the year.”  smiled patting on the back.

  Arriving at the pub the lads found their usual table.  ordered a round of drinks while set up the balls on the pool table, sat down at the table with beside him, a view of the door to his right and the pool table to his left. 

  “May the luck of the Irish be with you tonight mate.”  smiled patting on the back before he left to join and in a game of pool.

  Standing outside the pub stared up at the sign that hung above it, the memories of their two years together came flooding back.  She wondered if he’d be here, if it still held a special place and meaning in his life.  She wouldn’t blame him for not coming back after the way she’d broken his heart.  Taking a deep breath she pushed the door open causing the bell to ring above it.  The warmth and familiarity quickly surrounded her, laughter of the Irish and music filled the bar, it was decorated the same still, nothing had changed in six years.  Looking towards the spot he’d proposed in she gasped as her heart jumped into her throat there he was sat nursing a pint.

  Hearing the sound of the bell turned on reflex to see who it was.  Seeing the familiar figure his hands grew sweaty, his heart sped up, the nerves and excited feelings came flooding back along with all the love he still held for her.  Swallowing the lump in his throat, trying to hold back the emotion he was feeling,  slid off the stool as she slowly walked towards him looking shy and embarrassed, her eyes drank him in stood before her in black jeans, a black fitted shirt and a brown leather jacket.

  Standing before each other they stared into each other’s eyes.  “I’m sorry it took me so long.”  said the tears forming in her eyes.

  filled the gap between them, cupping her face in his hands he drew her to him. closed her eyes in anticipation, she’d waited for this moment for far too long.  Gently placed his lips against hers, kissing her softly.  returned the kiss wrapping her arms around his neck, his hands slid down her arms to her waist pulling her against his body, needing to feel her close after so long. clung to him tightly, the familiar warmth he caused ran through her body as she took in his intoxicating scent, another thing she’d missed all this time.

  “I’m so sorry.”  cried as they broke apart.

  “Shh…babe.”  whispered placing his finger against her lips.  “I told you I’d wait.”

  “But you didn’t have to.”  She whispered looking up into his eyes.

  “I wanted to and needed to. I knew you’d come back one day.”  He said smiling softly, gently he stroked her cheek with his thumb.  “Is everything sorted with your family?”  He asked.

  nodded.  “Has been for years…I just couldn’t…”

  silenced her with a kiss.  Taking her hand in his he reached into his pocket pulling out the small object, kneeling before her looked up into her eyes.  “ , will you do me the honor of marrying me?”  He asked holding the diamond ring before her.

  immediately recognized the ring, she couldn’t believe he’d held onto it all this time. “Yes.”  She smiled tears streaming down her cheeks watching as slipped the ring onto her right ring finger, this felt right, there’s was no place else she needed or wanted to be.

  “I love you.”  smiled kissing her.

  “I love you too.”  smiled wrapping her arms around him their lips locked in a lingering love filled kiss, making up for all the time they’d missed out on, all the kisses they hadn’t shared.

  looked into ’s eyes one question she needed answered still. “How did you know I’d come here?”

  kissed her softly before answering her question.  “Because this place is special to us, it’s where we shared our first kiss and said I love you.”  He smiled softly tucking a lose strand of hair behind her ear.

  “But how did you know I’d be here tonight?”  She asked totally confused.

  “I’ve come here every St. Patrick’s Day for the last four years hoping you’d walk back into my life.”  He told her honestly. “And you did.”  He smiled.  “I guess we call that Irish luck.”

  They shared a smile before their lips connected in a tender, spine tingling kiss, bodies pressed together neither ready to let go of the other now that they were together nothing was going to tear them apart again.

  , and had stood stunned watching the scene unfold before them, smiling like fools as the pair were reunited.

  “Guess the luck of the Irish was with him tonight.”  smiled looking sideways at his friends who nodded and smiled in agreement before making their way over to the couple, greeting with welcoming hugs and kisses as well as congratulating the pair.


THE END



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