The magistrate asks for the rings, and Niall fishes a box out of his pocket, handing them over. Opening the box, the magistrate pulls out the fancier one, passing it to Niall, who slides it onto my finger.
My eyes find the gorgeous ring. It’s stunning in its design and simplicity. Two carved hands cradle a solid silver heart on a slim silver band, topped by a crown with three tiny diamonds.
Niall’s fingers press under my chin, tilting my head up until his eyes are burning into mine as he repeats after the magistrate, his brogue thick with emotion.
“I, Niall Eoin Byrne, take ye, Amelia Alana Rogan, to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘til death do us part.”
Oh my god. This is actually happening. I’m getting married. Right now. ToNiall. Blinking away tears, I take the plain silver band the magistrate hands me and slide it onto Niall’s fingers, my heart thudding in my chest. I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy.
“I, Amelia Alana Rogan, take you, Niall Eoin Byrne, to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘til death do us part.”
It’s all a blur, and we are announced husband and wife, Niall’s hands coming up to cup my jaw as his tongue slides along the seam of my lips, curling behind my teeth in a sweet kiss.
We break apart, and Fiona hugs me tightly, lightly kissing Niall’s cheek. Ronan shakes Niall’s hand, giving me another kiss as he picks up my left hand to examine the ring.
“May yer hands be forever clasped in friendship, and yer hearts joined forever in love.”
I blink, my lips trembling. That was lovely. Niall tangles our fingers together as we leave the room. This is lovelier.
Standing on the courthouse steps, I look down at my ring, running my fingertips over it. It’s gorgeous.
“It’s my grandmammy’s Claddagh ring,” Niall murmurs to me. “My granddaddy gave it to her on her wedding day, and she wore it for the rest of her life.”
“It’s beautiful,” I murmur back, stroking it again.
“I had the diamonds put in. I looked at fancy rings like Tiggy’s, but they didn’t make me thing of ye.”
I blink away tears. How sweet is that? He brushes his fingers over the ring.
“The hands symbolize friendship.” His finger traces over them. “The crown is for loyalty, and the heart is for love.”
“Ronan’s speech.”
Niall grins. “Aye, Ronan’s blessing.”
He leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to my mouth. “I love ye so much,amhuirnín.”
Slipping the ring off my finger, Niall shows me the inside, engraved with Irish words.
I peer at it. “What does it say?”
“Is tú mo gah rud,” Niall replies, sliding the ring back on.
“What does that mean?” I whisper, looking up at his face. Niall’s green eyes lock on mine, and my breathing hitches.
“Ye are my everything.”
I’m surprised they won’t need to mop me off the steps since I’ve melted into a puddle.
Niall
Ronan and his little blonde stripper behave at dinner, taking themselves off after, arguing because the stripper refuses to let him drop her home.
Mellie giggles as they leave, laying her head on my shoulder.
“Take me home?”
“Of course,momhuirnín dílis.”