An Affair To Remember: Epilogue

by tarskeewee08

Evangeline accepted John's hand and got out of the limo. She was in awe of the Palace before her. How on earth did he grow up around such extreme wealth, privilege and remain the grounded man she was in love with. He had been planning this meeting with his parents for months but school was so daunting that she missed the initial reuniting of his brother with his family.

Now they were doing a christening for the baby girl and the family was gathering a day early. This was John's moment to introduce her to his parents. John pulled her closer to him as the winter wind stirred and blew at her coat. Her hair was flying in untamed strands behind her as they raced up the front steps into his childhood home.

The butler that greeted them bowed and Evangeline smiled stepping through. The inside of the Palace made the Fitzgerald Castle pale in comparison. Her heels clicked on the marble floor as she saw an elegant 8 foot tall portrait of John his brother with their parents. They were handsome boys and the portrait hung in the center of foyer on the second the level. The stairwell wound downward from both sides. John walked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist looking up.

"That's your family?"
"Sure is sunshine" he said chuckling then helping her out of her coat. Giving it to George the butler he asked where his parents were.

"The McBain's are gathered in the drawing room sir" he said bowing and walking away.

John took Evangeline's hand and led her down the side corridor. She held tightly to his hand and he could tell she was nervous. Stepping through he saw his mother standing near the fireplace speaking with the Duchess of York and his father and Michael standing to the far left of the room staring out the large window into the land deep in conversation. Marcie was seated on the off white mahogany trim old style Victorian sofa holding baby Chelsea as she slept. Several other guests were scattered sipping tea and mingling.

When they appeared John's mother Eve looked at them and her face remained stoic. Evangeline didn't know if that was a bad or good thing. His father Thomas turned and smiled. "Hello…" he said walking to them

Evangeline smiled back "Hello"
John held her hand "Everyone I would like to introduce you to my girlfriend. Ms. Evangeline Marie Williamson" Evangeline blushed at the formal introduction and most nodded politely at her.

Eve McBain approached. She walked up to John and kissed his cheek and then fixed her cool blue eyes on her. "Evangeline, dear it is a pleasure" she said politely extending her hand.

Evangeline accepted her handshake and smiled "I'm very pleased to meet you Ms. McBain"

John looked at her and winked. Eve stood there staring at her for a moment. Then she turned to her son. "I trust your flight was okay?"
Thomas took Evangeline's hand and led her into the room. She went with him as he personally introduced her. Michael gave her the warmest greeting actually giving her a hug and saying how his brother couldn't stop speaking of her.

She looked over at John and could tell by his scowl and their hushed tone his mother wasn't as accepting of her. That sadden her. Marcie came over with the baby and put her in her arms. Evangeline looked at the baby and smiled she was six months and quite chubby but holding her was a joy. Marcie looked over at the polite argument between mother and son sighed.

"Evangeline, please don't take it personal. It's not your skin dear it's your blood."
Evangeline smiled at her "Well I see you've been accepted."
Marcie shrugged "Nope, too common and too plump to break bread with this blue bloods but that baby sealed the deal. Eve McBain would not let her heir be removed from her pedigree"

Evangeline looked at the sweet little girl "She is so beautiful"
Michael came over "She looks like her mother" he said proudly kissing his wife.

Evangeline smiled and saw John huff away from his mother. He approached her smiling. "Ready for a tour baby?" he asked

Evangeline saw the cold stare Eve fixed her with and blushed. "Okay" she said giving the baby back to her mother. Marcie smiled at her and Evangeline took John's hand. Walking out she avoided some of the stares by Eve's friends and wished she wore something more appropriate. She'd chosen a waist length cashmere light pink sweater and a floral ankle length pink and crème skirt that was soft and flowing with crème knee boots underneath. The top of her hair was pulled up in a bone colored bow and the rest cascaded around her shoulders. She wore the pearl necklace and earrings that John had given her for winning a grant to further her PHD studies at Oxford.

Walking into the cool breezeway headed toward the library he spoke of on the plane, she felt the coldness of this place and his life as a McBain.

"I don't want you to worry about mum" he said putting his arm around her shoulders.
"I take it she's not to fond of a black American girlfriend?"
"Doesn't matter she knows her place and I will not be deterred from having the life I choose to have with you."

Turning the corner Evangeline looked up at him. "John this is a family event for your niece maybe we shouldn't have done it this way."

He looked at her hurt "Everyone in Dublin that holds any prestige will be at the Christening today. There will be media from associated press from both Britain and Ireland taking pictures of the new McBain. This is my opportunity to show you to the world and I wouldn't miss it."

Evangeline blinked at him shocked. She had no idea how important this day was. Walking into the library thunderstruck he showed her the marble chess table his grandma taught him to play on. Telling her how this room comforted him the most she looked around and still felt sad that he was so lonely after his grandma died.

John explained that the game remains as he left it with her waiting on her move. She rubbed his back and rose on her toes to kiss his cheek. He took it as an opportunity to pull her close and kiss her more passionately. She felt his hands travel down her backside as he pressed into her and smiled at his growing desire. Her man never tired of her. Releasing her he stared in her eyes and she saw his crystal blue ones shimmering with tears.

I chose this room because out of all the rooms in this Palace this was one place I feel the most comfortable. Evangeline looked at him confused. Letting go of her he knelt down on one knee and pulled out a burgundy ring box. Evangeline covered her mouth in shock as he opened it to reveal a 3 ct pear shaped canary yellow diamond solitaire on a platinum band.

"My mother was upset because I told her today when we announced the family you would be introduced as my fiancé. Don't make a liar out of me sunshine."

Evangeline let her tears fall and took the ring box. The diamond was the most unique stone she'd ever seen. She looked at him speechless.

"Our love is unique, and what we have remains priceless to me. I wanted your ring to reflect that as well."

Her hand shaking she found her throat. "Your family John, you have to consider them as well are you sure?"

John frowned. "You are my family period. If they want to be a part of it they have to accept that. Now will you do this old bloke the honor of being his wife?"

Evangeline laughed through her tears "Bloody right I will!"
He jumped up and spun her around and she hugged him tightly around his neck. "I love you John McBain" she said kissing his face.

"I love you too sunshine, and I am going to spend the rest of my life proving it too you!"

The End.