The next day while Shay was at work, Stu decided that he had better go see her father and get his blessing. He wanted to do things right. 'I don't want to leave any doubt where my intentions lie.' He called Fionn and asked him if he could go to lunch. They met up at Outback and Fionn thought to himself that Stu had better not be asking him what he thought he was going to ask him.

Stu stuck out his hand, "how are you doing Mr. McKinney?"

"Fine lad. Yerself?"

"I'm great."

"How are things wit' tha Scot? He backed off ye'?"

"Yes, he has. After Shay got over being so mad at me for involving you and Liam."

"Well, that's Shay fer ya. She is stubborn, an' a firebrand. Truth is, she is more like me than any of me kids."

"Mr. McKinney…"

"No, son, call me Fionn."

Stu was surprised to hear her dad say that. "Okay, Fionn, there is something I want to ask you."

'He better no' ask' "Okay. Wha' is it?"

"I want your blessing to marry your daughter." Stu exhaled, hoping that her dad would at least not punch him while they were in the restaurant. 'Maybe he will take me outside before he beats the hell out of me so we don't get thrown in jail.'

'He asked.' "Yeh wha'?"

"I want to marry Shay."

"Are ya mental fella?"

"No, just crazy for her."

"Don' ya think it is a little soon lad?"

"No sir, I don't. I love her, and that will never change. I want to marry her and have a family."

"Wha' abou' yer career?"

"What about it?"

"Yer gone a lo' yeah?"

"Yes, but Shay knows that and she understands."

"So, how will ya take care of me daughter if ya are gone all tha bloody time eh?"

"I will be home every chance I get."

"Whose ta say tha' ya won' be sowin' yer wild oats when yer no' at home?"

"I wouldn't do that to her. I love her more than anything."

"Bu' ya would leave her alone at home raisin' yer kids while yer gallivantin' all over tha country?"

Stu was starting to get upset. He knew her father wouldn't be thrilled, but he was interrogating him like a prisoner of war. "Fionn, all that matters is that we love each other, and she accepts that I have to travel."

"No, that's no' all tha' matters. Ya haven' been gone for weeks at a time ye' have ya?"

"No, just for a few days."

"Maybe Shay doesn' really know wha' it would be like wit' ya gone all tha time."

"I'm sorry. With respect, I would like to have your blessing, but honestly, not having it isn't going to stop me from marrying her."

"Tha' so? Ah know ya know abou' our connections, an' ya have the guts ta sit here an' tell me it doesn' matter wha' Ah say? Tha' abou' righ'?"

"Yes sir, that's about right."

"Ya have more balls than Ah gave ya credit fer. Love is grand, bu' Ah need ta know ya can protect her an' take care of her."

"I would give up my own life to protect her. My entire universe revolves around her. I will take care of her, in every way. I make good money, but I know she is not the type to sit at home and eat bonbons. I would never ask her to quit her job. She loves it and is very good at it. I know from personal experience."

"Eh?"

"She took care of me when I had my elbow surgery. That is how we met. I was captivated from the moment I saw her. Then I ran into her at Liam's club. I know it may sound odd to you, but I believe in my heart that she was put on earth for me to love. I fell in love with her the second she kissed me for the first time. We have been through a great deal in our short time together. I am not talking about marrying her this weekend, but I do want to make her my wife. As for everything else, none of it matters if I don't have her."

"Well, there is another problem wit' tha'. Yer no' Catholic."

"I know. I haven't told her yet, but I talked to Father Michael the other day about the RCIA class."

Fionn's eyes widened. "Yer already ready ta convert?"

"Yes sir. I told you, anything for her."

"Then ya have my blessin'. Bu' Ah will tell ya again. Ya ever pu' yer hands on her, ever hur' her, an' yer dead. Now ya know abou' me, ya know Ah'm no' bluffin'."

Stu swallowed hard, "I would never hurt her, and definitely never hit her. She is too precious to me."

They finished their meal and went their separate ways. Shay was about to bust to call her sisters but knew it would be better to wait until they spoke to her dad first. She was wearing her ring and had gotten at least twenty thousand questions. She was sure she would get double that amount from her family. She couldn't stop staring down at her hand. It was hard to believe that she was going to marry Stu. She was a little nervous since they hadn't been together that long, and because she hadn't even met his family yet.

"What if his folks don't like me?" she turned and asked Corey.

"Shay, I really don't think he would care."

"He has to care. They are his parents. And I care."

"Stop worrying. You'll get wrinkles. I'm sure things will be fine. You two are too perfect together for things to not work out."

Shay smiled and Corey said "See? That's more like it. No more Miss Contrary Mary."

She saw Jane running around the corner, "Shay, Corey, get ready. We have an emergency surgery coming in. Gunshot wound."

"Okay. Look Shay, seriously, that man loves you. He looks at you like you hung the moon, then jumped over it. Don't fret so much mami."

Shay eventually made it home, but much later than she anticipated. She had sent Stu a text, telling him they were running later than usual with the emergency. When she walked in, he was napping on the couch. She went and changed clothes, then climbed in next to him. He curled his arm around her and kissed the back of her neck. "I'm glad you are home love. I missed you."

Shay laughed, "you just saw me this morning baby."

"Don't care. Still missed you. I have big news as well love."

"What's that Big Poppa?"

Stu bust out laughing "what did you call me? Was it 'Big Poppa'?"

Shay smiled, "yeah, sorry. It's a song. Heard it on the way home. Maybe I should make it your ringtone instead of what I have."

"What is it now love?"

"Um, Paparazzi." She shot him a sly smile.

"Wow. Wasn't expecting that."

"So what's mine Stu?"

"Angel Eyes, of course."

"Oh, of course. So what is this big news you have for me?"

"Well, love, I went to see your father today."

"You did?"

"Yes. I wanted to ask his blessing."

"Well, you are still breathing so at least he didn't kill you."

"No, even better. He gave me permission to marry you. I didn't tell him I already proposed though."

"Wow! Really? That is something I didn't see coming. My dad is just chock full of surprises."

"Speaking of surprises, when does our flight leave again?"

"Sunday morning at 9. I want to get to the airport by at least 8. We have a little bit of a layover in Miami."

"Sounds good. I need to go by my house and get my luggage and pack."

"Stu, are you going to move the rest of your stuff in?"

"If you want me to."

"YES! Silly. There is no point in you keeping your place."

"Okay love, I will finishing moving in when we get home."

Shay pulled him down for a kiss, and felt his hand cup her breast. She broke their kiss and looked at this beautiful man above her. "Stu?"

"Yes my love?"

"Will you make love to me?"

Stu smiled "I thought you would never ask."